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In the darkness, a little white mouse woke from slumber, and opened her eyes. She felt a strikingly odd combination of feelings. On the one hand, her body ached. On the other hand, she felt safe, warm, and protected. She realized she was nestled beneath Jaabir's coils, and despite the dampness in the air there was something keeping her warm, not Jack but. . . . a tail? The memories from the previous night flooded back to her and she took a breath. There was the barest sliver of light showing from between Jaabir's coils, which meant it was morning, and Tarik was still with them, and still on the outside of Jaabir's coils. If it weren't for the rat, she might have gone back to sleep; she was very comfortable, and her body was tired. But her conscience wouldn't let her risk the rat's life just for a little bit of extra sleep; the earlier the pair got up, the less likely Jaabir would be to wake up with them. "Hey, Tarik," she'd whisper. "You awake?" She'd gently stroke his tail.

The rat would slowly stir. He'd awake feeling. . . weak. "Uhh. . ." he'd mutter and place a paw on his throbbing head, only to feel an odd texture in place of fur. With a twitch of his nose, he'd detect that. . . this wasnt his burrow. What was. . . going on? There would be another groan before his eyes opened just a little wider, before becoming fully erect. A snake! "SQUE. . ." Tarik immediately trembled and threw a paw over his muzzle to suppress his squeak of alarm. His tail flailed below him twacking something soft. His eyes wouldn't move, however, focused on the serpent before him. . . which was sleeping, even after his outburst. He'd be panting hard now, as he recalled just why he was laying out before a giant python. At first his mind was sewn with panic, yet. . . the more he thought about, the more he realized it was actually good: He had lived, at least, so far. Still, he was scared, and it would take several breaths before he pieced together the mouse's words. "Y-y-yes. . ." would be his latent reply.

The mouse would stroke the rat's tail, feeling it stiffen and tremble. Meanwhile though the coils that held her remained still; that was a good sign. "Take it easy, Tarik," her gentle voice would float up. "You're almost there. Jaabir likes to sleep in late, specially on cold days like this. Now, first thing I wancha to do, is to lie still, relax as much as you can, while I pull myself out. Once I'm out, I'll tell you what to do next." There'd be a short pause as she stroked the rat's tail. "Can you do that for me?"

Tarik's ear's twitched, straining a bit to hear the muffled whisper beneath him. Oooh, 'relax', it was certainly easier said than done. As far as this rat knew, even the slightest of movements could wake the serpent, then. . . he'd be gone. His breathing could only be discribed as 'tense', when he replied with a raspy, "I. . . I'll t-try. . ." The rat swallowed hard, and slowly lowered his head down flat. His tail would loosen and lay limp, as his breaths became longer and slightly more controlled. This was it, he felt: If the mouse could get up without waking the snake. . . then at the least there might be some indecision as to which rodent to eat.

"That's good!" the voice would call out as Tarik's tail went lip. "Jus stay like that. Now I doubt he'll wake up, but if he does, remember what I told you. Y'best chance is just to relax as much as y'can." The paw would be removed from his tail, and for about half a minute, there'd be nothing but siroughy

"o-o-ok. . ." would come a meek voice above. The rat's eyes shut. . . and his lugs filled and expelled deeply. He hoped very much that the python did not wake up. With the effort it took to remain calm with Jaabir asleep. . . Tarik couldn't imagine 'staying relaxed' with the snake glaring, hissing and striking at him. His mind raced with happy thoughts; the few dominance fights he did win, his family sharing feasts of fresh berries and mouse, not being tied up by thread or snake coil. This was easily one of the longest 30 seconds of his life (the only competition being a few instances the day before).

A half minute later, the mouse's ears and staff would just visible above the python's coils as she got to her feet. She'd push herself up to smile at him. "Just a few seconds longer," she'd assure him, and then she'd back away from the coils. The practical mouse was obviouslyto making sure that if Tarik woke Jaabir and he was hungry, there would be one rodent within striking range, and it wouldn't be her. She'd walk to the opposite wall and pick up a bag of food. "Alright, now take you time, don't do nothin sudden," she'd tell him. "Put your paws on his coil, and slowly slide yourself free." As she spoke, she'd walk along the wall towards the entrance to the nest. "Try not wriggle if you can, just push y'self straight out. When y'out, climb down the coils, like y'not in a hurry, and join me here," she'd finish, as she stood at the exit.

Tarik could both hear and feel Lichthia's movements. He'd have some hope as the time passed, that there would soon be less risk for him, and when he heard her voice again, his eyes opened. Now, the rat was expecting to see the mouse next to him, still on the snake coils. . . not on the ground: Very quickly he'd loose the security he hoped for. There would be a long sigh as she moved further away before she continued speaking. His head slowly raised up to nod, and he'd force his eyes away from the snake's face. Tarik took another big breath, and planted a paw against the scales to push up. . . yet, in immediate hesitation of touching the serpent. . . he'd slip. . . and his head would land roughly into the coil. Tarik's whole form shook as he struggled to recover. 'no no no no' he'd stammer internally, fearing that he just screwed up his only chance. He'd turn his head, fully expecting an angry python. . . but instead. . . just a resting one. The rat kept still. . . staring for a time in disbelief.

The mouse was standing by the entrance. There was a smile on her face, and she shook slightly, from suppressed laughter. "I told you he's a lazy python," she'd whisper. She would have whispered something about the snake being too lazy to catch his breakfast as it crawled all over him, only she didn't think that would help. "Now just take y'time, n'climb on down and walk on over t'me. Everything's fine."

The rat would remain frozen, and it would take Lichthia's words to bring him back. His head turned and he'd nod again. 'Ok Tarik. . .' he'd tell himself as he pushed against the cool scale, 'just. . . go slow. . . stay calm. . .' First he'd push himself back where he was before the slip-up, then. . . try again. This time, he'd keep the paw where it was, as he placed a second one to his side. Then, he'd push hard, to raise he entire body straight up. Dispite a rat's front-paws and arms being so small compared to the rested their body. . . they had surprising upper-body strength. it took a little effort, but his feet soon made it out. . . and pressed against the scales. Tarik was getting just a little more confident now. . . but was visibly nervous. He'd glance down and consider just jumping down. . . but. . . chose to take Lichthia's advice: it was her python after all, who would know better? Carefully he'd scoot over to the side and dangle his tail over. . . then his feet. When his foot pads pressed into some more coil, he'd climb himself further down to the next, and the next, until. . . he'd touch ground. When he'd peer up and sense no movement in the snake. . . relief shot through him. Oooh, it took effort not to run and scurry over to the exit. But no, he lived so far by following the mouse's advice, why stop now? After all, the only reason he got in this mess was from not listening to her.

And so, Tarik would take slowly short little steps forward on all fours, with his head raised. After a few steps he'd pass a glance behind, then tame a few more. . . repeating the process until he got just before the exit. . . and promptly scurrying the rest of the way. Tarik would just about flop to the ground. "I. . . m-made it. . ." he'd whisper to himself: He lived and survived what would have to be the worst situation he'd ever imagine to be in. To think, if only he didn't try to hunt this mouse. . . he'd be sleeping peacefully in his burrow, away from any danger. He'd sigh. At the least, if it wasn't all a cruel joke, he could finally go home again: He wasn't quite sure yet if that was worth the ordeal. . . but it helped.

The mouse stood and turned, watching the rat as he ran past her. As he fell to the earth, she made a quick scan of the surroundings, and then walked up to him, and knelt down. Had he not been a rat, and a pred who'd tried to eat her, she would surely have given him a big hug. As it was, she beamed from ear to ear. "Congratulations," she told him. "S'not many who done what y'did, slept the night in a python's lair, and lived t'tell the tale." She'd look over her shoulder. "S'likely t'be a little less wet 'top the sunnin rock. Y'wanna go up there, have some breakfast?"

Adrenaline was still pumping strong in the rodent. He'd pant hard, as he looked up to the. . . smiling mouse. Tarik couldn't help but smile too, at least a little: She was right, the odds were slim, near hopeless even. . . and still he lived. "Th-thank you" he'd reply looking up. It was the first time he could truly be next to this mouse, without being bound or having a snake before the two of them: The first time he could feel 'dominate'. But still. . . even without those things, it was. . . strangely difficult. This mouse had beaten him, and it was only by her words and instruction he lived after the fact. . . even if she didn't seem to care too fondly either way. Further still, and more importantly. . . she still had the snake: He was sleeping now. . . but he was still there, and acting any differently, even when not bringing the mouse no harm, was something Tarik was very much afraid to do. So, he'd remain submissive, and lower his head to her. "I'd. . . l-like that." he'd say softly, "I'm. . . h-hungry too. . . thank you. . . for offering."

Smiling, the mouse would make her way up to the top of the sunning rock. Even though she was just a mouse, she had a confident air about her, walking erect with her shoulders back and her staff in her paw, that might have fit in with the role Tarik had assigned her. But then at the same time when she reached the top, she'd kneel down and gesture to patch of stone, offering the dryer part of the rock to him. She'd open the bag and spill out the foot, eagerly taking a nut for herself. "Jaabir's likely t'be asleep for a while," she'd say, "so we got time t'talk." She'd crack a nut. "N'will have more time when we head up t'you're burrow," she'd add. "That'll just be you and me, of course."

Following in behind, the rat climbed slowly, watching her. It was strange, he reasoned, to see a mouse this way, but. . . this was a strange mouse. Even with poor sight, the short distance away would give Tarik a good view of her features. If he was hungrier, he might feel tempted. . . it was a nice looking mouse after all: And mice, to a rat, were viewed as a food source. Still, it. . . was harder to see her as such. She. . . won. She had beaten him. Did. . . that. . . make her his superior? Even if the snake wasn't there, should he. . . still regard as not only an equal, but a step above? That's the way rat dominance worked after all. . . and while he wasn't so sure it applied to this situation, he couldn't shake the feeling. . . he was now below a mouse.

Tarik sighed and crept forward to the side of her. He'd. . . then blink faintly as her posture. Was. . . she now submitting to him? It was also clear, that she had given him to better spot. . . but why? The confused rat bounded over slowly. . . and took his seat. He'd look down with wide eyes. . . and an especially twitchy nose, as all the food laid out before him. Not wasting a second, he'd reach down for a berry, and happily sink his teeth into it, eyes closing as the fresh juice spurted. "Mm. . ." With a large bite taken, he'd look up as he was addressed. He'd keep the remaining berry held in his paws, and swallow the mouthful, before nodding his head. "Yes. . ." he'd say quietly, his nose still angled down. "When we get there . . we can talk more. . ." The rat looked down and took another bite, swallowed. . . then spoke once more. "Thank you again. . . for. . . t-telling him. For. . . giving me a chance. For. . . not staying silent."

The mouse was a little daintier with her walnut that Tarik was with the berries, but she was hungry nonetheless. She munched away steadily as Tarik spoke, nodded, and swallowed before answering. "Y'welcome," she'd say. "I may have given y'the chance, but y'the one that took it. Y'came through when y'needed to." She'd set the walnut down a moment. "if y'really wanna thank me though, way to do it is to help figure out how we can best spread m'reputation. If y'cam make it so that any rats from y'colony know better than t'cross either me or Jack, it'll be more than worth the trouble y'put me to."

Tarik raised his head slightly, blinking, as if he was struggling to understand. He wouldn't pause for too long, and offer a hesitant nod. Her mention of how best to thank her, however, would bring his head back to where it was. He'd nod a bit more confidently at that. "Yes. . ." he'd reply, as he finished off his berry and bent down to take another. "I. . . I can do that. . ." The rat took a bite. "First I should. . ." He'd pause and blink, "Who's Jack?"

The mouse would smile and nod with her mouse full of walnuts. "That's the rabbit I told'ja about," she'd answer after swallowing. She'd look up at a tree and add, "Also name of a little sparrow sometimes comes by here, but I was speakin of rabbit Jack."

"O-oh. . ." he'd reply, recalling what was said about a rabbit the night before. Based on what was said, it was a normal rabbit, which was much more comforting to talk about. "For him. . . too then." He'd take two fresh bites from his berry, "When I. . . go back in. They will. . . welcome me with celebration. . ." He'd pause at that thought, smiling a little. "As we eat. . . I'd be invited to speak. . . to tell where I've been, and what I've seen." Tarik would nod again, "First I should mention you then. . . everyone would hear at least some of it. . ."

The mouse would nod emphatically, swallowing a berry. "Tha's good!" she'd exclaim. "We should work out what y'gonna say," she'd add. "We'll have time. W'gonna have to wait for Jaabir t'make a catch, and it'll take least a day t'gather an offerin for your return." She'd lean forward then, looking the rat in the eye. "There's somethin I really wanna stress here, Tarik." Her voice was unusually serious, and she'd pause a moment before continuing.

"You are one of us now," she'd say. "Course y'kin folk will always come first, that's a given, and we'll never ask y't'decide between the two," she'd quickly add. "But y'on our side now as well." She'd nod. "Which means we have certain goals we want to accomplish, which mostly involve keepin me and Jack safe. Now. . . . I have some ideas of how t'acheive those goals. . . n'y'heard some of those last night." She'd nod slightly, still licking the rat in the eye. "But y'may have ideas of y'own. Y'know y'people better than I ever will. N'you may see how certain of my ideas could never work." She'd clear her throat. "The point is, this isn't a matter of us tellin you what t'do anymore. W'in this together. And if you any ideas or plans, or any opinions, y'should voice 'em plainly."

The rat placed the remaining bit of berry he held, into his mouth. He'd chew slowly and nod his head as Lichthia spoke. When she leaned in and changed tone, Tarik would be taken off-guard. . . and almost choak on his berry. With a mild cough he'd swallow, and return her gaze. . . with much less intensity. The words would prompt a small confused blink. 'One of them'? This would only further muddled the prospects of dominance floating around in Tarik's head. He was struggling if to regard the mouse as no diffrent than one of his kind. . . and before he could figure that much out, she decides to give him the status equality. He'd move his head down to nod when she finished. "Thank you. . . for accepting me. . ." he'd reply, almost surprising himself by the words: He had just processed her statement as I'd he was being brought into another colony. "I'll let you know. . . if something won't work. . . or if. . . I know of another way to help. . .

The mouse would smile and nod. "S'good," she'd answer. She'd lean forward, eating a berry, head down, looking thoughtful. "I doubt this has sunk in, with what all you've been through," she'd continue in a very soft voice, "but you are friends with a python now." She'd lift her head, look him in the eye, and smile at him. "I doubt very much it'll change you, the way it's changed me. . . " She'd sigh. ". . .but that's not a small thing."

Reaching forward, Tarik would take hold of a nut this time. He'd bring it to his maw and open his jaws wide. His long powerful front teeth would bite down and practically shatter the shell with a loud *crunch*. After removing a pawful of meat, the rat allowed the rest to drop. Not yet munching, he'd look up and tilt his head slightly. It was, of course, the first time he considered knowing the serpent as a true benefit. And more so, the first time he considered him being. . . "friends?"

The mouse would nod at that. "Well. . .truthfully it's very tenuous. But he respects you, t'least a little, after seein how you acted under pressure." The mouse would sigh. "Ni'fi y'continue t'help him out, that's just gonna grow." She'd smile. "Jack. . . that rabbit I told y'about. . . Initially he was just my friend. N'so Jaabir invited him over, n'offered him his protection. . . . for my sake. Cause he could see Jack was good for me, and so of course he wouldn't wanna accidentally pred Jack, cause that'd hurt me." The mouse would straighten slightly, leaning against her staff. "But over time, he got to know Jack, t'appreciate him for who he is." She'd smile. "N'now, even if I wasn't around, he'd still like Jack, still be his friend, still wanna help him."

Blinks of confusion would continue to be the rat's official reply as the mouse explained. It was difficult to fathom. A snake wanting to. . . help him? Not even a day ago Tarik suspected that serpent's were incapable of both speach and thought. Of course he knew the python protected Lichthia, but it still stands it reason she could be demon possessed. But. . . aparantly the rabbit was benefiting, and it was. . . normal. At least, he hoped it was normal. . . "good for you? . . ." he'd question as he took a bite of the nut.

The mouse would blink at the question, and pause a moment thinking of what she'd just said. "Jack?" she'd answer. "Oh yeah, I depend on him." She'd smile, taking a bite from a berry, thinking. Looking downward, she'd explain, "You can't fall in love with a python, n'not have it change you deep inside. Least not the way I fell in love with Jaabir." She'd look up at the rat, and give a small smile, as though she were sharing a secret. In a hushed voice, she'd say, "I. . . used. . . to be. . .a shy . . . .scared little mouse." She'd sigh, and give a small laugh. "I do believe that is what Jaabir still sees when he looks at me. That scared little doe he caught, who asked him, please not to eat her." She'd stretch forward, leaning against her staff, crossing her arms. "Jack helps me. . .. cause he reminds me, deep down, I'm still prey." She'd look down. "That's somethin we share. Without him. . . . I might forget."

Tarik paused mid-chew. 'Love', that's right. . . the crazy mouse was actually in love with that snake. How was that even possible? Clearly though. . . it was true, Lichthia loved him. But what did she mean. . . 'change you'. The rat blinked. She used to be. . . normal? He just couldn't imagine it. Her. . . shy? She talks with owls! If he was romantical involved with some she-viper, Tarik still very much doubted he would do such things. . . not that would want to get close to a viper either-way. At the mention of 'prey', Tarik's thoughts were interrupted. The rabbit. . . reminded her? He'd think back to the night before, the words she used and the way she acted. At one point she even off-handedly referred to squirming rodents as food. This mouse had. . . become a predator. Well, at least. . . almost. Tarik shook his head, if the rabbit kept her 'sane', it made him fearful to think what she'd be like otherwise. "I. . see. . ." He's nod.

Her cheek against her staff, the mouse would peer at the rat. Why was she telling him this, she wondered. She was beginning to like him a little. Of course he'd tried to pred her, and if he'd been eaten in the night she doubted she'd have shed a tear, but. . .. he wasn't all bad. But he didn't seem the sort she'd share secrets like these with. She pondered that a bit. Maybe there just wasn't anyone else she could share these particular thoughts with, at least. . .not anyone who might understand them the way the rat might. Wasn't he just a little bit like her? Not entirely prey, but not entirely pred either?

"So anyway. . ." she'd continue, taking a deep breath, " y'going back t'your folk, you're gonna have a big celebration, n'you gonna tell 'em all about me. So whatcha gonna say?. . ." She'd slowly shake her head. "How'dja meet me?. . . .." She'd purse her lips and lean forward. "ideally, we should stick to the truth as much as we can. . .. might trip ourselves up if we tell too many lies. . .. " She'd smile. "But I don't think it'd serve any of our purposes t'say I hit you when y'tried t'pred me." She'd sit back. "Ideally, it should be sometin that makes you look good. Y'gonna be helpin us after all, and that'll be easier if y'got some status among y'folk." As she spoke, she'd be slow, tentative, and looking at the trat, trying to communicate she valued the his opinions. "Maybe. . .. .you were out huntin for food. . . Y'caught the smell of a mouse doe. But when y'found her, she was laughin and playin in the coils of a python." She'd grin. "Bein the brave sort y'are, and realizin this might be a matter of importance to y'kin when y'came home, y'approached her when she wandered off from her python. Or perhaps on another occasion when she seemed to be alone." She'd furrow her brow. "Or perhaps y'even approached the pair from a respectful distance and addressed them directly. She'd look up, an inquisitive look on her face. "Whuddya think?"

Tarik nodded slowly when the mouse continued. As she spoke, he'd begin to imagine it. He'd. . . look to be smiling. Ooooh, sitting down with his family and sharing food HE brought them, it was an honor. The rat blinked and frowned. The idea of telling his family how he failed to stop even a little mouse. . . he'd remain silent and shake his head. . . before looking back and blinking, ears flicking as she discussed possible senerios. On the last, Tarik looked down some, "I don't think. . . that one would work. They. . . wouldn't believe that I. . . approached a snake intentionally, and that would be seen as. . . unwise, even with. . . a distance." There would be a pause as the rat reached down and picked up a fresh berry. "The others. . . sound fine though, that. . . I saw you together. . . and watched from behind cover. . . then. . . found you after. . ." He'd pause and look a bit unsure on that last thought, and took a bite of his berry. "they'll wonder why I. . . didn't just chase you. . . or get you down. . . when I saw you alone. . ."

The mouse leaned against her staff, ears flared as she listedned intently to the rat. Ahhh, this what she wanted, he was thinking about it, judging different scenarios. He'd know what would work better than any of them, plus he'd have to be the one to deliver the message, so he'd have to be behind it. She wasn't in a hurry to come up with something, they'd have days to play our different stories, there was plenty of time.

She'd tap her cheek, thinking as he raised the difficulty. "Maybe y'did chase me when y'saw me alone," she'd murmur. "Maybe y'didn't see me with the nake the first time." She'd grin. "Maybe y'chased me down, and the next thing y'knew y'had a huge python coilin you up?" She'd tilt her head. "It might not be so bad tellin 'em y'were beaten by a python, would it?"

The rat swallowed a mouthful and looked up, nodding. "That. . . would be fine. . . they'd be. . . impressed I survived. . ." He'd pause, "if it was. . . away from his nest. . . and had just rained. . . it would be harder to notice his scent. . . and yours would be stronger. It. . . wouldn't be seen as a weakness. . . that I got caught."

The mouse would nod emphatic. "I like the idea y'came after me when y'thought I was alone, and it was as if Jaabir appeared out o no'where," she'd add. "I wanna give them the impression it would a risky thing to attack me, even if they came after me when I seemed to be alone and defenseless." There was another aspect which she wouldn't explain for the moment; she preferred the rats to think the danger came entirely from Jaabir and not from her. It was easier to take down a pred who thought you were a defenseless doe, so it suited her that Tarik wouldn't be correcting that impression.

Tarik would start to smile again, taking another large bite and chewing. His muzzle would be stained red a bit now from berry juice, but he wouldn't stop to clean just yet, instead looking forward and nodding some more. "I think. . . most would be worried to go near you. . . after hearing. . . just that much. . . " The rat paused "For a mouse. . . even a slight chance of danger. . . wouldn't be worth the risk." He looked over Lichthia, squinting some, and. . . lowering his head a bit with slight embarrassment. "But. . . s-some. . . might risk. . .a little danger for you. . ." He'd quickly take a bite of his berry again, "but. . . a snake. . . would be. . . more than a little danger. . ."

The mouse would nod, satisfied. That was what she was looking for. She'd smile, amused at the rat's discomfort. "S'what I was thinkin," she'd agree. "I want way to give 'em the impression I wouldn't be worth the risk, even if a whole foragin party came on me." She'd sit back. "Which'd be more than just an impression of course."

He'd give a slow nervous nod at that, and consume the last of the the fruit he held. The rat's maw lowered to his paws, and he'd lick a them, before rubbing his hands along his muzzle a few times in a grooming fashion. Tarik paused his cleaning, to nod again. "Y-yeah. . . the largest group. . . for hunting. . . would be five. . . and that's rare. . . usually just two or three. . . moving as one. . . " The rat's muzzle once again lowered to lick at his paws, which he now passed through his long whiskers. "The largest five could take. . . would be a rabbit. . ." His head lowered, "not a snake. . ."

The mouse would look straight ahead thoughtfully. At the mention of a rabbit, she'd lift her head and peer at Tarik. Oh, she didn't like that. The thought of dear sweet Jack being torn apart by five rats? She didn't like that at all. She'd lower her cheek against the staff once again. "Think I could handle two rats," she'd say curtly. "If they weren't expecting much resistance, and weren't especially good at workin t'gether." She'd take a breath. "Five, I don't think so. I'd try and cripple one or two quickly, make 'em realize I wasn't easy prey, that I wasn't worth it. But if they were determined and didn't mind suffering injuries, don't see how I could stop 'em. Then of course when Jaabir found out.. . " She'd lift her gaze up to the rat, and smile wryly. "Wouldn't work out well for either one of us. Which is why, if we do our jobs right, it'll never happen."

Tarik blinked as he was stared into. Did he do something wrong? Was she going to send the snake on him? No, false alarm, she looked down again. It would take the rat some time to register her concern of. . . the rabbit she mentioned prior: When he managed, as was speaking of taking on. . . multiple rats. His eyes went a bit wide and he'd blink at her hypothetical strategy. And. . . his eyes went wider still at the hypothetical outcome. "Y-y-yeah. . ." he'd answer, ears flattening. Tarik would be silent for moment, the thought of his colony destroyed by Jaabir obviously not sitting well. He'd finally take a few breaths and reply, "it would. . . depend on the group. . . some would. . , give up after injuries occurred. . . injuries are a big loss for the colony. . . they might say something larger hurt them. . ." He'd pause and look up, "others. . . would feel. . . too ashamed to. . . let you get away. . . they would keep going. . ." Tarik went quiet once more. . . before adding, "It's. . . rare to see a group of five. . . only happens. . . when food is scarce. . . " He'd look down, "I could. . . t-tell you when. . . those times are. . . so the rabbit could know when it's not safe to go out. . . and. . . I might be able to ask. . . where they prefer to hunt. . ." The rat swallowed and looked away. "I'm. . . I. . ." his words trailed. "Jaabir. . . could. . . capture them. . . if he knew. . ."

"I wouldn't tell him of course," Lichthia would answer immediately. "Y'have my word on that." She'd look at the rabbit, her expression gentle. "If y'did tell me, I'd be grateful. You'd be helpin t'keep me safe, y'd be helpin t'keep Jack safe, and y'd even be able to keep y'huntin party safe, and y'colony safe." She'd swallow, and continue, "Y'were under a lot of stress last night, so y'might not remember this. But I told you then , I have an arrangement with Jaabir. I neither help him, nor hinder him in his huntin. Only exception to that rule is when some pred comes after me first." She'd sigh and straighten. "So when I'm out and I happen t'see prey, I don't tall Jaabir where I seen 'em." In a rather softer voice, she'd add, "I actually don't wanna get a reputation of bein some sort o'monster, who goes out tryin t'trick prey into feeding her snake."

The rat raised his head, and nodded, though hesitantly. He'd take in her words, and the reminder of the night before. Tarik listened calmly, but would cringe at the 'exception' to her rule. Relaxing once more, a new smile crept up on the rat, "just the ones. . . who choose not listen. . ." He'd sigh and nod again. "It would. . . be my fault. . . if any. . . were killed from me telling you. . ." His eyes shut, no doubt the rat was at great unease. "I. . . I. . . think I'll tell you. . . trust you. . . not to tell him. . ." Tarik's eyes opened slowly, "It. . . would make things safer for them. . ." He'd pause for a moment, "I wouldn't know for sure where they hunt though. . . or if they choose a new location one day. " His head lowered, "I don't get assigned to hunting partys. . ."

The mouse would nod. "Well that makes me think more highly of you, not less," she'd answer softly. She'd glance downwards, leaning against her staff. "Jaabir has to hunt. He has to eat meat. He's told me on more'n one occassion, he'd eat fish or fruit if he could." She'd sigh. "I consider m'self lucky t'be prey. As bad as at is t'be near bottom on the food chain, I consider it a blessin not t'have t'eat somethin that can talk to me just to live."

The rat's head would raise, and he'd blink some. it was obvious he hadn't dwelled on these maters too much. Finally though, he'd nod. "Y-yeah. . ." Tarik paused, "it. . . wasn't my choice though. . . the leaders decided I wouldn't be good at hunting. . . so I was never assigned after my first. . ." He'd look to the side some, tensing as if he were about to admit a horrible secret. "I've eaten mice. . ." he'd say softly, then look back to Lichthia, "but. . . they were already killed. . . brought in my others. You'd of been the first I'd taken myself. . ."

The mouse would give a small smirk at the rat's admission. As he continued, she'd put a paw gently on his arm. "I'm not exactly shocked," she'd assure him. "I lived in a colony for years, I know what rats do. Witnessed a radin party or two in m'life, saw the results of plenty of others." She'd smile. "Makes me happy t'know y'haven't actually takin a mouse down with y'own paws." She'd give a slight shrug. "S'not part of our agreement. Y'free to hunt whoever y'like, s'long as it's not Jack or me. But if y'lookin for ways t'express y'gratitude freely, not huntin would be one." Her smile would widen just slightly. "Sides," she'd add, shaking her head, "Y'not really good at it."

He'd look up as Lichthia's paw touched against him, gazing back softly. Tarik would still look a bit embarressed, this was his kind she was referring to. Still listening close, the rat nodded slowly then. . . shirked back: the final words doing a number on his pride. "I g-guess so. . ." he'd reply sadly.

The mouse laughed at the rat's reaction. "I'm teasin!" she'd insist. Still laughing, she'd shake her head. "Goodness, I gotta be careful with you. Y'so sensitive." She'd lift her head and gesture in the direction of the nest before. "Y'seen how I am with Jaabir. If I'm teasin you, it means I like you."

Tarik blinked at the sudden laughter. Was she making fun of him? The explaination would be met with a slightly raised head and a stammered "o-oh. . ." He'd sigh, and look over to the nest, then. . . quickly turning back. "You do? . . ." he question with a tone of surprise. After all he'd been through, he'd fear the mouse secretly despised him and wanted to watch him to suffer. "I. . . wouldn't of thought that. . ," His head quickly moved down, "I'msorry. . ." he'd blurt out to avoid offense.

"S'no need to be sorry," the mouse would naswer, picking up a berry and lowering her head. She'd pause in that position, thinking a bit. "Must be cause y'a rat, and I'm a mouse. We don't think the same way," she'd conclude, and take a bit out her berry.

The mouse would take a bite out of her berry and swallow, before looking up. "You rats are always fightin for position, for status. I could see how that'd make y'sensitive, someone teases you, it's probably cause there thinkin of takin y'place." She'd take another bite and swallow before continuing. "Mouse colony isn't like that at all. S'pretty much all sorted out depending on who y'parents are. . ..If y'born chief, you'll die chief. If y'born an underling, you'll die one. There's a little movement up and down, but it's all predictable, and doesn't usually depend on who y'fight." She'd give a small shrug. "I was born lower class breeder, which meant I was supremely unimportant." She'd smile. "If I'd had kits, I'd still be lower class, but it'd have been much nicer. Even a lower class mother, y'treated with respect, get plenty t'eat. Y'certainly aren't expected t'forage, unless food stores are really low."

'Don't think the same way' those words would be met with a slight head tilt, confirming their implication. Tarik would try to understand, consider what was stated. She. . . was probably right, he reasoned. An insult of any sort in rat culture is a common precursor to a challenge. If someone implied you were 'weak', 'slow', or 'stupid', they'd soon challenge you to show their superiority: the insulted would have to admit defeat and acknowledge the statement as truth. In Lichthia's case. . . she already won the challenge.

As she continued, the rat's thoughts would shift. Born into status? It. . . it was a terrible thing to consider in Tarik's mind, and his expression of disblief would support that notion. He'd shake his head as she finished. "How can. . .the colony function. . . If the leaders don't have to prove themselves. . . as the best choice to lead" he just couldn't fathom it.

The mouse would munch on a berry, and at Tarik's question, she'd shrug and swallow. "It works out alright," she'd answer, and lift up her head. "Who's t'say the best leaders the one who's gonna win a brawl? No system y'come up with is gonna be perfect." She'd pick up a berry and regard it. "Least if y'know who the leader is from birth, y'can prepare 'em, give him best trainin t'be a good leader."

Shaking her head slightly, looking at the berry, she'd glance up to Tarik. "Mind you, I wouldn't wanna live that way m'self." She'd sigh. "Rats and mice don't think the same way. But just t'add a little complication t'the picture, I don't think the same way as most mice no more neither ." Gaze would drop and she'd sigh wisttfully. "There was a time when all I ever wanted was t'grow up, raise a family, serve m'place in the whole. When they drove me out, it felt like they were rippin m'soul out of m'guts." The mouse's gaze was fixed downwards, and her voice had become strained. "And now. . . ." she'd add, her voice softening, shaking her head again. "Just the thought of goin back is suffocatin t'me! S'all so rigid, s'almost no freedom there. I wouldn't go back, lest I was dragged kicking and screamin. And if I did go back. . . ." She'd lift up her head and look Tarik in the eyes, ". . .they'd be scared of me."

At her reason of 'fights' not nessicary being able to decide the better leader. . , he'd nod reluctantly. Tarik wanted to debate that fact, that it was more than just fighting! But, for now he'd remain silent on that front, unsure if she could understand.

The rat looked up as she went on. He wasn't exactly surprised by her statement: Lichthia certainly didn't think the same way as other mice. Of course, the only time he had really heard mice talk before, was when they were squealing for their lives as colony members made short work of them: Still, he couldn't imagine Lichthia doing that much, and so his limited knowledge for comparison didn't change much. Tarik blinked, the mention of her past would garner sympathy in the rat, who'd look a little sad at the idea of her being banished, he could relate after all. One thing be couldn't relate on, however, was the idea that followed. He DESPERATELY sought to return! Her intense stare pierced his mind and inhibited further thought. "scared of you? . . . " he'd repeat. He wouldn't have to ponder on that too long before nodding. He was a rat and Lichthia scared him. . . why not other mice?

The mouse would look into the rat's eyes and nod in reply. "But yeah, I do like you," she'd continue, looking down. "Leas a little!" she'd add, wanting to be honest. "I wouldn't have gone t'all that trouble comin up with a way y'could be useful, if I didn't care for you at all." She'd shrug. "I'll try not t'tease y'so much, cause I can see y'don't like it, but I don't tease someone less I like them some." She'd place one paw on the stone behind her. "If y'remeber, I didn't tease you at all when II first caught you, and carried y't'Jaabir's nest. S'only after I warmed up to y'a bit I started." She'd look down to the nest and grin. "And I tease our lazy python down there all the time!"

At first there would be another simple nod from the rat. Then. . . Tarik would smile again, faintly. "You. . . were trying to help?" He'd look down a bit, in consideration, "I wasn't sure. . ." He'd look to be grateful again, but the expression wouldn't last too long, as his mind reminded him the mouse was the reason he was in such a situation in the first place. Or. . . was she? Was she in the right? He. . . had tried to kill her. "thank you. . ." he'd say softly, then nod. Following Lichthia's eyes to the nest, he'd shiver at a new thought. "W-when. . . he comes out. . . I'll be s-s-safe right?" He'd swallow, "he'll remember? . . ." Even after all he's seen, the rat half-expected a hungry python to come slithering out in anger. . . lunging at him. squeezing and crushing his body till rendered lifeless.

The mouse would nod at the rat's question, though to be sure, there was more to it than that. Had she really wanted to she could have kept Tarik alive without him having to prove himself as he did. Had Jack been in that position, not that she could ever imagine Jack in that position, he wouldn't have to go through all that. But she certainly had tried to help him, there was no doubt. She liked him, at least a bit.

"We'll be fine," she'd answer him. "By the time he gets out of his nest, he'll be himself, and we'll see him coming out first from above and can climb back if we need to." She'd sigh a moment, making sure she was seated so she could see Jaabir when he came out. They could move further down the hill, but it was so wet down there. "So, you tell them how Jaabir caught you. But then after a while he let you go," she'd continue tentatively. "Because he's been angry about rats trying to pred his mouse, and he wants 'em t'know I'm off limits. He wants 'em to know if any rat does ever touch his mouse, that you whole colony will pay." Licthia would give a hals smile. "Which isn't too far from the truth." She'd think a little further. "And in return for your promise, he also gave you a bunch of food, which you took home." She'd raise her eyes to the rat, to hear what he thought.

Tarik's body would slowly relax, as he leaned forward to peek down to the entrance himself. With the assurance he wouldn't have to be fleeing from a crazed python, the rat turned his head back, ready to listen to their plan once more. He'd look forward to her, ears twitching, mulling over the situation. The rat would look to be a great thought, at least, he'd look to attempting such. Momentarily pausing his thoughts. . . Tarik would shirk down just a little: The mention of Jaabir destroying his colony 'not being far from the truth', was certainly something the rat looked fearful of. He'd blink at the mention of food, and nodded his head. "I think. . . th-that. . . would work. I. . . thought I could say I found the food myself. . ." The rat looked away a little, "but. . . they would they would question me. . . to learn how they could find more food. . ." He'd shake his head, "Telling them. . . the snake offered it. . . would. . . be best." The rat would blink, and shift forward a bit on his seat, "It should. . . be fine, the leader's should. . . make sure everyone knows. . . just to be safe" He'd pause, "in a hunting group. . . that means just one needs to remember and remind the others. . ."

---

The rat looked to be a little more confident now. It, wasn't a bad plan, he thought. That is. . . until a small flicker of doubt made itself apparent. He'd swallow, and frown. "If. . . I said the snake gave the food. . . and told me to go back. They. . . they might think. . . he sent me. . . so he could follow. . . and learn where the colony is. . . they. . . might cast me out again. . . for safety. . ."

The mouse would purse her lips and nod. "In that case, maybe it's better t'distance y'self from Jaabir. Maybe it's better y'found out about us by spying on us." She'd lean forward. "Maybe we could make up a story about what happened to some other rat, who went after me." She'd smile. "We got plenty of time. Think we shouldn't worry to much about the problems to start with, jus' throw out ideas, then eventually we'll pick the best." She'd lift her head ans smile. "Think you'll likely make the final choices, cause you the one who know you're people, and what'll work best.

Tarik continued to peer forward, blinking, as Lichthia spoke how to remedy this potential danger. His frown fading, the rat would nod. There would be a small sigh, as he released his stress. He'd look up and. . . return the smile. "Y-yeah. . . I'll. . . decide what to say. . . and practice too. . ." Seemingly unable to just stay relaxed, the rat peered down once more, eyes looking up hesitantly. "If. . . if. . ." he'd sigh, "if s-something happens. . . if it doesn't work. . . or if. . . I d-don't go back. . . will. . ." The rat looked away, "will Jaabir. . . "

Lichthia wouldn't let Tarik finish the sentence. "S'long as y'do your best, Jaabir will understand," the mouse would assure him. "Cause I'll understand, and I'll make sure he does. You don't need to worry." She'd take a breath. "But even so, I think it's better that it does work and y'do get back, so let's focus on that.," She'd smile.

The rat's head would raise, and he'd. . . smile wide. It was a big worry for him, to think his life was still undecided. It was only just now that he truly considered such. But now. . . now that didn't mater. The snake wouldn't harm him if he failed, it was decided. Lichthia, as Tarik had come to realize, held as much power as the snake himself: She could speak with him, she could reason with the beast. Because of this. . . anything she decided. . . Jaabir decided. "Th-thank you. . ." he'd whisper softly. "Thank you. . ." Tarik would breathe deep and nod. "Y-yeah. . ." he'd agree, "I. . . rather go back. . . but. . . at least I know. . . I'll. . . still be ok. . ."

The mouse would feel queasy in her stomach as the rat thanked her, though ti would only be visible in a slight lowering of her eyelids as she glanced away with an expression that was a touch guilty. It was getting harder and harder to deny she'd saved him. Yes, he'd saved himself, and yes, in the end it had been Jaabir's decision. But it couldn't have happened if she hadn't tried to make it possible. She'd smile though at his last words. She was actually happy he'd be ok.

"Y'gonna wanna bring up Tabatha, I imagine," she'd say, shifting the subject. "Maybe you saw her and Jaabir talking. If Jaabir caught you, then she left you alone because you were his prey." She'd look at the rat and her voice while still soft would become more earnest. "I wan'cha t'be very careful what you say about Tabatha. Tabatha is. . . . ..not exactly one of my favorite people." She would smile then, and chuckle softly. "And I don't think I'm one of hers." The mouse's smile would fade and she'd be serious again. "But she's been very generous with me. I wanna respect that generosity, as well as her integrity. I wouldn't wanna use her reputation in a way she would disapprove of." She'd pause a moment, looking up at the rat. "Which means its important you describe her as Jaabir's friend and nothing else. I don't wanna give anyone the impression she is my protectress as well. I don't think that would sit right with her." The mouse would lower her eyes. "It's fair to say, if someone were to attack me and she saw the opportunity, she'd protect me, but that would only be on Jaabir's behalf, as a courtesy to a friend and a fellow pred."

Tarik's peace of mind would, once again, be shattered. The mention of that feline would be met with immediate worry. His eyes down casted and his ears sagged. Couldn't they talk about defenseless rabbits again? He'd sigh and struggle to pay attention, nodding his head slow. As Lichthia's tone shifted and continued, the rat swallowed. Oooh, the prospect of making Tabatha unhappy, was not one he liked. "Y-yeah. . . I w-wouldn't. . . . s-say anything else. . ." Tarik took a deep breath and shook his head, before leaning in closer. "Y-you won't. . . t-tell her about me. . . right?" He'd look off, "If. . . I do as I say. . . you won't tell?" His fear was easy enough to rationalize. Life in a forest is dangerous enough for a rodent. One key advantage, however, was the sheer number of other prey you could hide among. Yet, if predators started knowing of you as an individual. . . it meant your end was a mater of time.

The mouse would smile slightly, seeing the expression of worry on the rat at the mention of the cat. She should have expected that. It was difficult to reassure him, Tabatha really was even scarier than he knew, but she'd do her best. She nodded at the question. "I generally speak with Tabatha as little as I can," she said softly. "We're all business." She'd take a breath, lifting her chin and placing it against her staff. "I'll ask Jaabir to not mention you by name at least," she'd continue. "To be honest, I don't expect she'd be mad at you at all if you were doin somethin Jaabir asked you to." She'd smile. "In her mind, prey are s'posed t'be deferential preds. If she was annoyed, I believe she'd take it up just with him."

Looking back Tarik would nod, feeling if not a little assured. "Th-thanks. . ." he'd say softly. The rat look to be calming, and peered down at the food. Having just cleaned, he opted to go for a nut as oppose to a berry. Grasping it in his paws, he'd part his maw wide and *CRUNCH*. . . shatter the shell with ease, just as before: It wouldn't be hard to imagine Tarik's jaws capable of doing the same to a mouse.

Swallowing a mouthful of meat, he'd pause to look up. "It's. . . more I was worried. . . of her knowing of me at all. I. . . w-wouldn't want her. . mad either." Tarik sighed, and munched once more. "You wont tell the owl either?. . ." he'd add mid-chew.

The mouse would smile. "I won't describe you specifically if y'don't want me to." She'd hold her staff closer to therself. "But he's quite different from Tabatha. He's prideful, but in a different way. If he knew what you were up to, I think he'd find it amusing. N'I'm pretty sure he'd leave y'alone if he thought you were helping me."

She'd take a breath, looking upwards. "Nonetheless, m'pretty sure y'won't wanna have a talk with him. He's very scary, even when he's not tryin t'be." She'd shake her head. "No reason he'll find you though. He doesn't hunt down this way, and one black rat probably looks just like another t'him."

The rat sat blinking. An owl finding this all. . . amusing? That's odd. No odder than the mouse's python resting below, but odd none-the-less. Tarik began to nod. . . then gulp. A mouse could beat down a rat. . . A mouse which lived with a snake. . . A mouse who spoke with one of the most infamous predators known of his colony. . . considered this owl 'scary', 'very' even. If such a mouse found this owl scary, and cautioned against seeing him. . . Tarik would happily oblige. "Y-yeah. . ." he'd mumble, then shake his head with a frown. The rat paused, "w-worse than. . . Jaabir? . . . and Tabatha?"

The mouse would blink at the question and think. "hang on just a moment," she'd say softly, and crawl down to the entrance. She'd creep inside, satisfy herself that Jaabir was still asleep and out of earshot.

Inside the neat, the great serpent would be sleeping soundly, though he would squeeze his coils a bit with a an expression of minor 'annoyance': His prey was missing! Such wouldn't be enough to rise him, and instead, he'd go about the daunting task of finding new rodents in his sleep.

The mouse couldn't help but smile seeing the python stirring and realizing he missed having her and the rat in his coils. She'd climb up to rejoin Tarik and pick up the food. "Let's just go a little further down the hill. Should be dry enough by now," she'd say softly.

Settling herself down, she'd continue in a soft voice. "Alright, do not repeat this t'Jaabir. But speaking purely physically, I'd have to say that Morathi is the most terrifying of the preds I know. Imagine an owl, 'xept three times bigger than any you ever saw, with huge cruel taloned feet, a great crooked beak, and a scary smile." The mouse would smile, as though she were telling ghost stories for fun. "And unlike Jaabir, Morathi is cruel, he delights in scarin his prey. Y'ever have one of those nightmares as a kit, where some owl carries y'to their nest?"

Tarik would blink a bit and force himself up. He'd find his legs still a bit stiff from yesterday, and would have to stretch them before moving forward. The rat followed Lichthia and made himself comfortable at their new location.

He'd blink. Did they move. . . because she was going to tell something that she didn't want the snake to hear? At the mention of the owl being the worst, Tarik sunk back, looking a little woozy. His mind was imagining an owl just like the mouse described, and he very much did not want it to: The prospect that the creature was 'crueler than a snake', did not help. The rat gulped, and slowly nodded his head. "Y-yes. . ." he'd answer softly. "Not just as a kit. . ." he'd mumble.

The mouse nodded. "Well Morathi's nest was worse than anything I ever saw in m'nightmares." She'd chuckle lightly. "It was literally something I never imagined. There was bones and pellets coverin the floors, n'spider webs coverin the walls." She'd smile lifting a paw. "He had it set up, so when y'run from him, y'cornered against the wall. There's one crack through the tree where the light comes in, and as he approaches you, he cuts off the light." The mouse would shake her head. "S'kinda nuts how much effort he's put into makin that place scary. He's very proud of it."

The rat looked horrified. His ears drooped. His head lowered. His mouth would even hang open. Tarik didn't want to think about it, but his head already begun filling with a terrible visage of the owl's lair. "o-oh. . ." He'd shiver. . . then blink. Effort into making it scary? Did something so menacing. . . even need to try? Tarik took a breath, and tilted his head faintly, "h-how. . . how do you know? . . ." he'd look. . . sympathetic, "did. . . he take you there?. . ."

The mouse shook her head at that. "No, I go there to visit." She'd smile a little, leaning against her staff. "It's hard t'explain. . . . ." she'd venture hesitantly. "He'd heard rumors 'bout a mouse who lived with a snake, n'other things that caught his attention, n'found me here." She'd shrug. "When he saw I didn't just run at his approach, he became interested in me. We talked." The mouse would glance up the slope to make sure Jaabir was still out of earshot. "I impressed him enough he gave me his promise he'd never pred me." She'd pause and take a breath. "I was. . .interested in him enough, that I sought him out. Eventually I found his tree." The mouse would shrug and smile. "That's the short version. I go there and visit him on occasion."

"V-visit? . . ." Tarik would mutter in disbelief. Initially he imaged this poor mouse being captured in the night, dragged through the sky and forced into this horrible nest. . . perhaps that factored into why she was so. . . different now, was she suffering from the trauma? But no. . . no. She wasn't a victim, not in this case. She literally sought it out. He'd blink, then nod slow, his head tilted slightly. At the least, he reasoned, the owl sought her out first. And, he'd blink again, "w-wow. . ." The idea of a small mouse impressing a giant owl enough to not be considered a food item. . . what was she?

The mouse would crane her head in the direction of the entryway to the nest. "Careful how y'talk about Morathi around Jaabir," she'd say softly. "Jaabir doesn't like Morathi, and isn't exactly happy I go and visit him." She'd look up to the rat apologetically. "I like Morathi. He's interestin t'talk to, he's the deepest thinker I know." She'd look in the direction of the nest. "But I could never care for him the way I do for Jaabir. He has a cruel heart." She'd smile. "Can't really bear to spend more'n one night with him at a time."

Tarik would nod quite quickly. It was going to be a challenge, he reasoned, to keep up with what to do and not to do, to avoid upsetting any of these predators. . . but he certainly had enough motivation. "a-alright. . ." he'd say softly, "I w-won't say anything" He'd blink though, at the mention of her caring for Jaabir, but try to not let this confusion show. Instead the rat would offer another quick nod. He'd then shake his head at the mouse's opine of only spending one night with the giant owl in place of the giant python, muttering "I w-wouldn't do that much. . ." The rat sighed, "w-well. . . as l-long as. . . he d-doesn't look for me. . . or my. . . c-colony. . ." His tail pulled a little closer and wrapped part way against his body.

The mouse shook her head. "Doubt you'll ever see him. He doesn't hunt round these parts. And I can mention to him I prefer he not interfere in our little project." The mouse would smirk.

The rat breathed a small sigh of relief. Of course the mouse had already mentioned the owl doesn't hunt close, but after hearing how terrifying this creature was. . . the reminder was most welcome. "O-ok. . ." His head then tilted. 'Tell him' did this mouse have the same power over the owl that she had over the python? "H-he. . . l-listens to you? . . ." the rat would question curiously. After knowing of thr snake, it wasn't too far fetched, but it was still strange. A mouse, a doe even, that could control the actions of two predators. He'd blink. Maybe. . . three predators? Had he not been. . . added to her ranks just the same? Tarik sighed.

The mouse nodded. "Well he likes me, he enjoys talkin with me, jus like I enjoy talkin with him." She'd give a small shrug. "I'm careful not t'be greedy, mostly I just ask he not misuse our relationship, usin me t'pred on people I know." She'd look at the rat. "He wouldn't wanna do nothin that would discourage me from visitin, and I don't generally ask things that'd cost him much."

He'd look confused. So the owl did what she said. . . out of fear he'd lose his guest? It felt more reasonable to imagine Lichthia using dark magic. Though, again, she didn't need any spell to render himself to her whim. His mind struggled to make sense of it all, but Tarik would ultimately nod. "O-oh. . . I. . ." he'd blink, "I see. . ." It was obvious he didn't, very well anyway; but that held true for most things.

The mouse nodded, pulling her knees about her staff. "So yeah," she continued, taking another glance at the nest to make sure Jaabir wouldn't hear, "like I said, Morathi is the most physically intimidatin pred I know. . . " She'd tap her nose with the staff thoughtfully. "But overall, I'd have to say, Tabatha's easily the most terrifyin." She'd glance downwards thoughtfully. "I mean it's sort of like comparin berries and nuts, Tabatha and Morathi are completely different." The mouse would smile to herself. "Tabatha doesn't need a big scary nest or theatrics to scare you. She's more subtle."

Tarik would take another sigh. At the least nothing else in this discussion could be more unnerving. She already told him of an owl which was the most intimidating predator. . . wait. . . 'physically'? He'd blink twice. What could be worse than a giant owl with an intentionally haunting lair? As Lichthia continued, the rat raised an eye. "T-tabatha?" That name: She was certainly an infamous predator in his colony, but. . . with what this mouse had said, the cat wasn't nearly as frightening. This rat certainly wouldn't want to be before either one, but a huge owl with bones littering his nest sounded. . . less desirable than a feline with cheese in her purse. He'd reason that her score was higher because she hunted closer to his colony. "Y-you. . . r-really think. . . she's worse? . . ." His head tilted.

"Well it depends on what y'find scary," the mouse would answer, bowing her head. "I was terrified of her when I first met her, and that was when I was with Jaabir, so I was in no danger." The mouse inhaled, thinking. "She's always very polite, very gracious,. . . .sweet, even" she continued. "She never says a harsh word." She'd tilt her head. "In a way that makes it worse, she's deeply confident, she knows deep down she doesn't have t'pose or do anything special to scare you." The mouse would look upwards. As she continued to speak, she grew more serious; she didn't find the cat amusing in the way she'd found owl. "More than any other pred I know, she's made a deep study of prey. When she looks at you, s'like she's lookin deep inside you, like she can see y'soul. She knows y'hopes, y'fears, y'desires, better'n'you do, and she knows what you'll do before you do. And she knows there's a deep bond 'tween you and her, 'tween prey and pred. And while you may beg and struggle and cry, those eyes taunt you, tellin you beneath at all you wanna be hers as she wants you to. All your protests for show, y'both fulfilling y'destin, takin part in an ancient dance of what must be."

"D-depends? . . ." he'd mutter as the mouse spoke. How could it possibly 'depend'. The owl she discribed. . . a creature worse than the ones in his nightmares, was terrible to even think about. Tarik had always had a personal fear of owls. Cats as well, but being carried off in the night was by a large avian and ripped to shreds seemed worse than being pounced on the ground and ripped to shreds, if only just. Based on the what Lichthia said of this owl. . . his discretion matched up well with his origional thoughts of owls. . . and far surpassed them in terror on the same realm of logic. But Tabatha. . . 'polite'. . . 'sweet', it just. . . didn't seem scary. Of course any creature which wanted to eat you had to be scary to some degree, but the owl still seemed worse. Tarik held to that thought. . . but seemed if not a little disturbed as Lichthia explained. The mouse's words were. . . creepy to say the least. His ears lowered and flicked, and his stomach tightened in what felt like a knot. "Th-that sounds. . ." the rat's words trailed and he shook his head. 'Be reasonable Tarik, you arent a kit' he'd tell himself, 'being destined' 'a deep bond', it was a silly thing to fear compared to something intentionally cruel and intimidating. Still, the rat knew not to offend this mouse, and he didn't exactly doubt Tabatha was 'scary', she had eaten several family members after all. "Scary. . ." he'd continue after a brief pause for his thoughts. "I. . ." he sigh and shake faintly, "really wouldn't. . . w-want to meet either one. . ." Looking over to the nest, he'd add partly under his breath, "the s-snake either. . . if I could of'd."

The mouse would nod as the rat spoke, though at the mention of the snake, she'd smile. "Y'might change y'mind about Jaabir when y'get t'know him," she'd say. "He really is a sweetheart."

She'd smile in the direction of the nest, before peering down and frowning. "Last night. . . " she began, "I mentioned to you that Tabatha showed me a thing or two 'bout usin the staff?" She'd look up at the right and sigh. "That was careless of me. S'not the sort of thing I think Tabatha'd be wantin me t'mention t'others. I'd appreciate it if y'did y'best t'pretend I never told y'about that."

Tarik blinked a bit at that, having almost forgotten what the mouse was even referring to. Of all the things he was focusing on that night, such a detail had contained little importance for him. Still, he'd recall it well enough now, that. . . what the mouse used on him, was actually taught to her by the cat. He'd nod slow. "O-ok. I. . . won't mention it." Of course, it was confusing to him, in that he didn't plan to tell his colony that Lichthia knocked him out in the first place. . . but he wasn't going to argue.

In the near-by snake's nest, light would finally work its way inside. . . casting itself upon Jaabir's eyes. His coils squeezed a bit. . . and his expression was that of a long frown. He'd yawn wide, before flicking his tongue. His eyes raised, as he flicked again. There was. . . there was a. . . no. . . two. . . two rodents in here. The snake looked about, swaying his head. He'd drape his head down to his coils, that's where the scent was strongest. There was a mouse and. . . a scared rat. He could still smell some of the fear! It smelled good! Oooooh, he wanted that one, he was hungry! But. . . there wasn't any rodents in his coils, not now at least. He'd snort. But. . . why were there rodents lounging in his coils anyway? And. . . why did the mouse scent seem so familiar? He'd flickered again, this time focusing on the mouse. Jaabir blinked once more. "L. . . Lichthia? . . ." With another great yawn, the python stretched and made his way to the nest entrance. Once there, his head poked out, and his tongue flicked.

The mouse would nod. "S'anyway, we got plenty of time t'work out how w'gonna do this." She'd look up in the direction of the nest's entrance, opening her amount as if to continue, but then a smile would cover her face at the sight of the python. "Jaabir!" she'd call out joyfully. She'd hesitate just a fraction of a second to make certain he recognized her, then she'd walk swiftly up and throw her arms around him to give him a hug. "Mornin, Jaabir! Bout time y'got up," she'd tease him, holding him tight, her ear pressed against him, a blissful expression on her face.

Tarik continued to listen as the mouse spoke. Hmm. . . why did she stop? The rat instantly sunk back, and trembled. 'Jaabir'. The snake woke up. Very slowly he'd look behind himself, his flaring instincts urging him to run. He'd take a breath and stay where he was, however, his head looking down.

The python looked to his left and right as he surveyed his surrounding. He remembered Lichthia told him they'd be outside. 'They', Jaabir yawned again as he thought. Oh yes, the rat. He was still hungry so the rodent must of made it after all, that made him happy. . . in most ways, and so, woukd smile. He'd then hear a squeaky voice, and smile much wider. "Lichthia. . !" he'd answer back, head raised as he pushed himself forward. When she hugged, he'd begin to hug back, wrapping a small amoung of coil around her and squeezing gently. Mmmm, that soft mouse ear against him. . . felt nice. . . and that warm body against his scales. . . "Oooh. . . " He'd breath deeply, "G-greetingssss. . . Lichthia. . ." he'd say softly, then chuckle, "Yesss. . ." His head swayed some, "How'sss. . . my rat?"

The mouse churred as the coil wrapped round her. Mmmmmmmm, even through her robes, those beautiful cool scales felt so nice, the coils so strong the python could have broken her back with ease, yet he held her so gently! *churrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!* At his words, the mouse would lean back in his coils, and look up at him, smiling. She'd turn her head to look over at Tarik, then look back at Jaabir. "Well I wouldn't taste the air just now if I was you," she'd tease. "But he's just fine!" In a louder voice, she'd add, "Aren't you, Tarik?"

Tarik wouldn't look up, but it didn't mater, at this distance all he'd see would be a tan blur surrounding a white blue. However, The rat's ears would begin to flick, as he easily picked up the conversation. Jaabir's voice sent a shiver down his spine. And. . . did he say 'my' rat. He'd gulp. Did the snake. . . consider him. . . property? It wasn't the most surprising of thoughts. After all, he was only living because the serpent deemed him useful enough. Tarik was also coming to grips with being below the mouse, or being one of her 'predators'. Still, outright implication of being owned, it. . . didn't feel good. And if the snake owned him. . . did that make him the mouse's property as well? They were practically two halves after all. . . as far as his fate had been concerned. Tarik sighed, and looked up as he heard his name called directly. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. He'd swallow and try again. "Y-y-yeah. . ." he'd answer back meekly.

The snake laughed softly at the mouse's joke, but. . . would keep his tongue inside just to be safe. He'd nod and look to the. . . trembling rodent as he answered. Jaabir kept his smile and laid his head low, just beside Lichthia's ear. Looking up to the mouse, he'd whisper especially soft, "You wern't joking. . . he'sss terrified. . ." He'd call out in a normal tone, "Good morning Tarik. . . ssslept well?" His smile would raise to a small grin, "There'sss no need to fear me. . . you are sssafe now. . . you sssurvived."

Ooooh. Now the snake was talking to him. Tarik had to take a few breaths, as his ears picked up the message. Slept. . . well? It was quite possibly the worst night of his life! He could of easily been crushed to death in the night and feasted upon! "Y-y-yes. . . J-jaabir. . ." he'd reply with a quick nod. The other statement took a bit more for the rat to process. He could certainly think of a few reasons to be afraid of this python. But. . . being 'verbally' assured did help a little. "Y-yes. . ." He'd breath deep, "Thank you. . ."

The mouse churred happily as the python lowered his head, and smiled as he whispered. "Y'keep forgettin what a terrifyin pred y'are," she'd whisper back softly. Maybe not as terrifying as Morathi, but really, he was terrifying enough! Though of course the mouse wouldn't be at all frightened, leaning back in her love's coils, so content and relaxed.

"Tarik stayed in y'coils all night, protectin me," she'd reply in a louder voice after the rat spoke. "He didn't get out until I was up and clear. He kept his word." She'd look back to smile at the rat.

"Isss that ssso? . . ." the python asked with a smile, his eyes still to the rat. "I do. . . ressspect. . . and appreciate that." He'd chuckle lightly. "And yesss. . . you are welcome. It wasss. . . a hard decission. . . but. . . I think it wasss right." Jaabir's head would nod, "I do hope. . . your family takess you back. . . " He'd calmly nuzzle against Lichthia, "you. . . dessserve it. . ."

Tarik would look a little surprised as Lichthia began to speak for him. Was she. . . helping him again? The serpent's reply. . . it sounded like she did help: Jaabir seemed pleased. "Y-yes. . . I did. . ." he'd answer, then. . . stare. At first a chill ran through him. 'I do hope your family takes you back' Was that. . . a threat? Did he plan to kill him of he didn't? The mouse said. . . she would convince him otherwise, but what if she couldn't!? The rat's anxiety would be calmed once Jaabir finished. The serpent. . . just wanted him to be back? He'd continue to stare for a moment, then lower his head to nod. . . in a (nervous) solemn gesture. "Th-thank you Jaabir. . ." He'd breathe. "I hope so too. . ." There would be a short pause before he added, "thank you. . . for the c-chance. . ."

The mouse leaned back in the python's coil, her eyes closed to slits, churring softly as she was nuzzled. As much as she loved to tease her python for his lazy ways, at times like this, all she wanted to do was to rest in his coils forever. "I told you m'love's a sweetheart," she called out lazily. She'd take a moment to wrap her arms around him again, pressing her against him and giving him a long hug. "Tarik's gonna take me and show me his burrow, so I can find him again when we need to," she'd say finally, relaxing her hold. "Then I'll go see Jack, he's probably wonderin why I'm late comin home." She'd smile and look down at the python's coils. "Hopefully, y'ou'll catch somethin good t'eat soon." She'd look up at the python and smile. Evidently since the gazelle, she'd decided it was alright for her to wish the python luck with his hunting. "Then Jack and I can come home. I know it's hard for you sleepin without us."

Jaabir gave a friendly nod back to Tarik. Then, he'd nuzzle his mouse some more. At the hug, he'd pull his coils a little tighter, in his own embrace. He'd peer to her, blinking a bit as she announced her and the rat would soon be going. It took a moment for that thought to weigh in fully. His mouse wasn't going to come back to him. . . until he made a catch. Jaabir frowned and sighed. Her good wishes on his hunt however, seemed to perk the serpent up. "Yesss. . . and sssoon." He'd smile and offer a new nuzzle, before releasing his hold, "It isss hard. . . but. . . I rather you both. . . be ssssafe. . ."

The rat would nod, hesitantly, to Lichthia's statement of the snake being 'sweet'. A fluffy rabbit. . . maybe. A giant python? Tarik wasn't sure. At the least though, the snake didn't seem to want to eat or crush him right now. . . and seemed to be 'nice'. It wasn't hissing at him or baring his fangs like he witnessed the night before, which was a welcomed change. Tarik took a sigh of relief as Jaabir's attention turned to the mouse. His ear's twitched, unintentionally, and picked up the new conversation. The way they interacted. . . it was so strange. Did they. . . did they. . . actually love each other? Tarik shook his head.

The mouse reluctantly released her grip and took a step back. She'd stand there a moment, her staff in her paws, obviously not really wanting to leave. "And be careful!" she'd tell him. "Don't rush y'catch, or take unnecessary risks just so we can home. I don't wantcha hurt. . ." Her voice would trail off and she'd look down and smile. "Didn't we have this same conversation jus yesterday?"

Jaabir sighed as Lichthia moved away. He'd nod slowly, with a smile still bared. "Yesss. . ." he'd answer, "Yesss. . . we did. . ." the snake chuckled. "I'll want to sssee you both sssoon. . . but I'll try. . ." His head rested along the ground, he didn't really feel like moving just yet. "Ssstay sssafe. . ." he'd grin, "Keep your robesss on. . . " his eyes passed a quick glance to Tarik, "you'll get lesss ratsss. . ." With that, the python's eyes shut, and he'd coil in on himself.

The mouse would laugh at the python's teasing. "I will. . ." she'd say softly. "N'I'll see y'again soon," she'd add, as much to comfort herself as to comfort him. She'd back away then, she never turned her back on the python when he was hungry. Even as she walked, she felt something inside of her, pulling her back towards the coiled python, wanting to return. Finally, she'd be beside the rat. She'd smile at him. "Time for us t'go." She'd lead the way, walking down the path they'd come up.