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It was late in the morning, the sun's light shining quietly over a small pond. A pond, a source of water so near the forest, would usually be gathering of life. Small creatures all about, wishing to drink, eat or rest. And yet, there would look to be only but a few instincts buzzing abou,with no birds near to claim. The nest which rested just beside the waters, could be thought to blame. Anyone who ventured close enough would know the area was territory for a large serpent. Those among large families, such as rodents, would know this by spoken word alone. The lack of visitors was to be expected. What creature after all, especially the small, would be foolish enough to visit. . . a python?

A little mouse head would peek about a large stone and look up towards the rocky hill in the distance. Staring for a moment, she'd nod. "He's not on the sunnin stone?" she'd call back behind her. "So he might be out hunting." She'd smile and sigh. "Though more likely lazy snakes lying somewhere in the grass in the sun." The voice was cheerful and firm, as though the mouse didn't care at all that a huge python hidden somewhere nearby in the grass might hear and take offense. And truth to tell, she didn't! What's the worst he could do to her after all? Spring at her out of hiding, wrapping her tight in his coils. . .. squeeze the life out of her. . ..break her back. . . .make a nice . . . .slow. . . . meal of her. . . . The mouse shivered and forced herself to pay attention. Day dreams were pleasant, but she had a companion to look after, after all.

"u-uh. . . I-if he m-might be hunting. . . m-maybe we should go? . ." would come a deeper, though more fearful voice. Standing further back at a distance from the mouse would be a lanky grey rat. His long tail part way curled against a leg. . . with clawed paws moving against one another nervously. He'd cast a wary glance around as Lichthia continued. Moving himself behind, the rat, Tarik, would now stand with his back to a lone tree with fallen brown leafs, leaning himself forward to watch. Tarik, like any sane rodent, was terribly worried that a huge python was hidden somewhere in that nearby grass. He could even be offended! The worst would surely befall him then: The python springing at him out of hiding, wrapping him tight in his coils. . . squeezing the life out of him. . . breaking his back. . . to make a horrible. . . slow . . . meal of him. . .The rat shivered and forced himself pay attention. It was a terrible thought, but he was suppose to be helping Lichthia, after all.

The mouse stood tall, a bright smile on her face as her head moved back and forth. "I said he might be out hunting," she replied. "More likely he's sunning himself somewhere nearby." Licthia was familiar with the snake's hunting cycles. At the beginning, he was typically lazy about hunting and he didn't get out until late. Most likely he'd wait for the mouse's visit. As the cycle progressed, he'd become more and more energetic until he caught something and the cycle would resume. She'd considered encouraging him to put more work into hunting so they could be together earlier, but hunting was a serious business. . . she'd seen what could happen when he became over eager to hunt for her sake. "Jaabir?" she'd call out. She was cautious; she didn't want to lead her charge right by Jaabir and give him a scare. "You should keep your tongue in your mouth. I brought Tarik with me." She'd grin. "He's been lookin after me, t'help keep me safe."

Typically when Jaabir would bask it would be out on his sunning rock. Sometimes, the sun was warm enough against the ground that the serpent might be found in the grass by the pond. For an ambush predator, natural cover provided a sense of security, comfort, even when not hunting. Though Jaabir, being a tan python, green grass wasn't exactly preferred cover, it was simply sufficient enough to provide him that security when nothing better was near. No, what he really liked. . . what he could really just blend straight into, were fallen. . . brown. . . leaves. The serpent, laid out against the his tree, would stir at the call and wake from his rest. "Hissss. . . ." His eyes would narrow, coming out of a sleep he was rarely himself, less so when hunger settled in. The mouse's words, warnings, they would be interpreted as noisy rodenty squeaks and little more. By why was a mouse squeaking at him? He hadn't crushed it, yet. The python would lift up tall, dead leafs pouring off him in his reveal.

Tarik's right ear would flick at the sound, the distinctive call. . . of a snake. He'd swallow hard, and spin behind, but would still see nothing. Maybe, that alone was more intimidating. His body would tense, and his stomach would sink. "L-lichthia. . . m-maybe we s-shouldn't. . . *SQUEAK!" The sudden appearance of the snake would cause the rat to stumble backwards, large eyes staring upward as he trembled.

Jaabir, still half-way lucid, would turn his attention away from the distant noisy mouse, to the not-so-distant noisy rat. His tongue would part, and his coils would tense, "Hissssssss. . ." It was a nice scent, a fearful scent. A bit of drool would form along his fangs, displayed with wide jaws. "HISSS!"

At the sound, the mouse would, thern, the staff swinging into her paws. "Jaabir, will y'quit foolin around?" she chided the snake merrily. "Y'scarin Tarik," she said. Sudden movements were not a good idea when dealing with a hungry serpent, but as she spoke she'd walk directly and without hesitation in between the snake and the rat. Despite her light words, she was fully conscious of the gravity of the situation. It's just that light and cheerful words might confuse the snake until he regained his mind. As she blocked the path, she bent her knees and lifted the staff, taking the pose she'd practiced with Jaabir so often in play. It was, she reflected, a way of repaying the rat for putting himself in harms way that night he'd slept in the serpent's coils. She didn't feel fear so much as excitement. She'd learned to parry the snake's strikes without fail, but she always suspected him of holding back, and she wondered if she could do it when he was in his feral mind. There was only one worry on her mind, and that was for the snake, how he'd feel if he discovered he'd done her harm. "Y'know Jaabir, I love you more than life itself," she said softly. She wanted those to be her last words, just in case anything went wrong.

*HISSSS!* The python would poise himself to strike a the quivering rat before him. His body hungering to crush, coil and feed. *HISSsssss?* His head would turn, the mouse's squeaky words reaching him as before. Why was this rodent moving toward him? His tongue flicked. And why wasn't it scared, at all? His eyes would lock to her, a look of bitter frustration. . . and confusion. The python would poise himself as before, now looking to have found a new target. He'd look down, staring to that white fur, that lovely form. Eyes would blink at the stick with renewed confusion, but would focus just as quickly. His head would begin to sway, back and forth, back and forth, and then. . . his head would look to not lunge, but jerk. Those new words, they would reach him, no longer just squeaks. Jaabir. That was his name. And. . . that was his mouse. The eyes would shut and reopen, no longer narrowed slits, but soft regretful eyes. "L-lichthia?" the serpent would question, his tone growing lighter as he lowered himself. Jaabir would turn to the rat, blinking at him, and then back to Lichthia. "S-ssssorry. . ." he'd say softly, bringing his head low.

The mouse slowly set her staff on the ground and knelt before the python. Her manner was very different with him when he was in his hungry stage, careful not to present any temptation. Still if he came close enough, she'd set her paws on his neck and touch her head to him. "S'my fault," she whispered. "I woke you. I should have just left when I saw y'weren't on y'sunnin stone." She sighed. "But it's so hard jus t'leave without least sayin g'mornin to you. Only been away one night, n'already I miss you."

Standing behind, a shaken grey rat would look forward, removing a paw which was blocking his sight. He was more than surprised. It made more sense that the python sprang out to attack him, than it did for the mouse to run in between. . . and for the serpent to retract his strike. Tarik would swallow hard, form still trembling. His ears would flick lightly, hearing words from the mouse now, but not completely making them out. At least to know she was alright, as well as himself, gave him some calm. The rat would keep his head down.

Jaabir would begin taking long heavy breaths, before leaning in close to Lichthia, offering gentle rubs to her touch. The feeling of a rodents fur, it was appealing to him, especially when hungry. . . but he had control now. "It'sss not. . ." he'd correct, preferring to take any blame from her. "I misssed you too. . ." he'd answer back, words carrying deep affection. There would be a brief stare, a look of longing. He wanted so much to just hold her, not to crush, just hold. But. . . that was too much of a risk now, he couldn't, not yet. Jaabir would finally smile to her. "I jussst. . .wasssn't expecting to sssee you ssso sssoon. Either of you. . ." His eyes would look once more to the rat. "Hello Tarik. . ." he'd say in greeting, appearing to keep himself less intimidating, his words soft and tongue sealed away within his jaws.

The rat's ears would flick idly, as he stood there looking down. "H-h-hello. . . J-Jaabir. . " he'd reply, clearly nervous. Jaabir seemed friendlier now, but for all the rat knew the serpent could snap back just as quickly. At least, the mouse was between them, not that he wished any ill-will on her, but he suspected she'd have greater success at calming the serpent, should he turn again.

The mouse knelt still, gently touching the serpent, eyes half closed, a dreamy look on her face. "I've grown t'really like Tarik," she told the serpent. "He's not such a bad fellow when y'get t'know him," she added, a cheerful lilt to her voice. "M'glad y'decided t'spare him. . . even if it does mean we'll have t'spend a little more time apart," she'd finish with a sigh. No, she didn't have the power of life and death over others. All she did was tell the serpent the truth, in the full knowledge he'd never consciously do anything that might upset her. Sometimes, she'd learned, it was necessary to cling to a lie for the sake of ones sanity, but that particularly lie was getting harder and harder to take seriously.

Staring there to Tarik, Jaabir would blink slow. This rat, he had tried to hurt Lichthia but a few days ago. He. . . liked him some, despite the offense. But if. . . if he had eaten him then. . . or now, he wouldn't have to hold back with Lichthia. Her and Jack, they could be with him now. There wouldn't be any risk and he wouldn't have came close to harming his mouse. That's when a new thought came to him, why did she step between? The worst that would have happened was he took the rat, which evidently was better to him then losing his mouse. Why did she risk herself? Jaabir would turn back to Lichthia, raising an eye. He'd smile. "That'sss. . . good. . ." he'd whisper back, feeling a bit guilty in himself. "Then. . . I'm glad too. . . " he'd reply back, no longer regretful of his decision. If his mouse liked this rat, then that was more than enough reason to not bring him harm. Jaabir peered back to the rat. "Ssso. . . Tarik. . . you are. . . keeping my moussse. . ." he'd smile just a little softer. "sssafe today?"

The rat couldn't help but lean forward, straining to listen. Whispered as they were, Tarik sensitive hearing could make the words out now. Even in his worry, the kind words that reached him. . . would bring him to smile, though briefly. The serpent's direct question would catch the buck by surprise, and he'd wince himself back into a stand. He'd blink, and nod quite quickly. "U-uh. . . y-y-yeah. . . J-Jaabir. I. . . y-yes." he'd answer, with worry and little confidence aside. Internally he suspected the mouse didn't much need his 'help', at least not aside from encounters with other rats: Perhaps not even those?

Jaabir would chuckle, not unkindly. "That'sss. . . good. I. . . appreciate that. . ." The situation reminded him much of when Lichthi first brought her rabbit friend Jack to him. He had spoken with Tarik already, but this was a more 'friendly' encounter than before. The serpent would sigh lightly, it was hard to keep from tasting the air but he couldn't risk it: Unlike his encounter with Jack, Jaabir couldn't squeeze his mouse to take the urge off.

Licthia reluctantly let go of the snake. It wasn't right to be so intimate with Jaabir as though the rat weren't even there. Well a little was alright, she hadn't seen him for a day after all! But now she'd turn and move to sit beside the snake in what she hoped would be a more inclusive formation. "I told him I'd be goin by an abandoned rat's burrow," she said to Jaabir. "I'll explain the details in a minute." She'd turn to smile at the rat. "Tarik insisted on comin with me, even though it meant comin here, cause he wanted to be there in case there were any rats--he could make clear to them I wasn't for huntin." That was a bit simplified, Tarik had made the offer before he'd realized it meant coming to see the snake, but he'd followed through even after he'd found out, which was what was important.

Muzzle pointed to the mouse, Jaabir would tilt his head. Why was his mouse going to an abandoned rat burrow? He wasn't sure he wanted his mouse to go to an abandoned rat burrow. He wouldn't interrupt but the python wouldn't look especially approving of the idea so far. At Tarik's mention, Jaabir would turn to him, his smile returning. The serpent was feeling better and better about his decisions. He suspected sparing Tarik would make his mouse safer from rats, but he didn't anticipate that would happen already. . . and by the rat's own choice. "Oh? . . ." he'd lean himself forward, as if studying Tarik more closely in a new light. "That'sss. . ." Jaabir would consider for a moment, how scared Tarik was now, and what he was doing for seemingly little gain. ". . .very sssselfless of you. . ." He'd just stare to him. Was this a different rat?

When the mouse took a seat, the rat would stand as he was, fidgeting as she begun her explanation. Those words, they would bring his ears twitch. Was she making him look better to Jaabir? Everything she told the python, seemed to carry a stronger weight: It made him very thankful she thought of him as a friend. The effort was touching to him, but he was a little too nervous right now to smile. Those eyes were fixed to him. The accented hissing syllables, it was difficult not to be fearful of them. And Tarik wasn't exactly sure what Jaabir's assessment meant or how he should even respond: Reflex would take care of that for him. " *squeak. .?* " There would be a short pause and a quick nod as he cleared his throat. "o-oh yes. . um. . .t-thank you. . ."

The mouse would sit silently by the snake, smiling for a bit. "Tarik had kind of a surprise yesterday," she'd eventually continue. "The outcasts from his colony had been using a burrow. When Tarik came there, he found it abandoned. He's been looking for his missin outcast kin ever since." She'd give the rat a sympathetic look. "Turns out Miss Tabatha had already found that little burrow," the mouse continued hesitantly. If she were alone with Jaabir, it would have been easier to recount, but it was hard to speak with Tarik right there. "Seems she's been huntin the outcasts who ended up there." She'd look up at Jaabir. "She came very near to takin Tarik while I was away. But Tarik kept his head, and it seems Tabatha let him go, on account he's doin a service for you." Licthia would sigh. "I 'magine you'll want to thank Tabatha, for bein generous t'you as always."

Tarik's ears would lower immediately at the change of subject. It was a sore reminder, hearing of what happened. The grey rat looked down, a little distant. He'd even forget about the snake before him, briefly. Lichthia's suggestion to the snake, would bring Tarik to look back up. Jaabir and Tabatha were friends. He realized such before, it was the reason he was spared after all, but he never really thought about it. If the snake was friends with the cat, a fellow predator. . . would Jaabir see making her happy, to be more important than the life of prey? The rat shook harder.

The python would look back to his mouse, head part way tilting. Jaabir, like most snakes, could be thought of as 'slow'. Yet, even as a snake, he would pick up on the implication, just after 'Tabatha' was mentioned. He'd blink, head lifting. It wasn't an uncommon practice, just one he never pulled off before; to find a hidden rodent home and pick off the unaware. And it seemed Tabatha found the perfect opportunity: A continuous supply of outcasts rats! From a predatory prospective, it sounded rather appealing, and he grew distracted just thinking of it. If he ever had such a thing, he could almost always be with his mouse and rabbit. "o-oh. . ." he'd reply, forcing himself to pay attention to the rest. He'd peer back to the rat. The cat must have been waiting to take him. Tarik looked so terrified, soft large ears part way drooping, long meaty tail curled around submissively. . . not 'plump', but his legs looked quite muscly. Ooooh he felt guility, Tabatha must have had a hard time giving him up! And not just that he considered, if Tarik was going back to his family he would warn them. "Yesss. . ." he'd reply to Lichthia, "I. . . will certainly thank her. . ." A brief thought came to him: He'd consider if for the sake of politeness to Tabatha, he should end the agreement between him and the rat. But no, his mouse liked him and. . . so did he: At least, he was certainly starting to, much more than before. And it wouldn't be right either way, he decided, after what he had went through.

It would be then he realized how the situation effected. . . the shaky grey rat before him. He'd give a look of sympathy himself. The rat had lost much of his family, and came very close to losing his life. And how many times now? Three times, in three days? "I'm. . . sssorry to hear that Tarik. . ." he'd choose to console, his voice soft. "I'm. . . very glad you're alright. . ." The snake would look to concentrate for a moment, thinking perhaps how he could make things better for him.

Tarik continued to stare back, nervous. He was still feeling a bit sad, but fear was of higher priority. The way the snake was looking at him, well, if he didn't know better it looked like he was being sized up. The mention of 'thanking', he'd go stiff, hoping such a gesture wouldn't involve him. When Jaabir continued, he'd blink. Did the snake feel bad for him? He was glad a rat was safe at the expense of his cat friend? It was a little surprising. Even still, it made Tarik relax. "T-thank. . " he'd begin, it took a little effort now to speak between his past emotions and. . . present concerns, "Thank you. . . J-Jaabir. . . " he'd say soft.

Again the mouse would be respectfully silent for a moment. Eventually she'd continue, "Tarik's stayin with me and Jack for now. We're discussin what he's gonna do when he gets home." She'd smile over at the right. "S'a complex business, but we got time t'think it through." She'd look over at the snake. "When y'catch somethin, we'll all get t'gether to forage. It'll be fun."

The serpent would offer a solemn nod to Tarik, before looking to the mouse. He'd listen now, but quickly tilt his head. "In your nessst? . . ." He knew how important a burrow was to rodents. . . and how nervous Lichthia was when she showed him her first one. Jaabir himself didn't even know where her current burrow was not that he wanted to know, least he ever recall where it was if he lost himself to hunger. That considered, it was a bit surprising that she would take the rat there, regardless the circumstances, he had tried to eat her after all. He wasn't sure how he felt about it, what if Tarik had predatory urges in the night and attacked his mouse. . . or bit his rabbit? Finally he'd nod, Lichthia trusted him enough and so would he. "That'sss. . . good he isss. . ." he'd smile then, words calm, eyes part way looking to the rat and back to Lichthia. "Oh. . . yess. . . that sssounds. . . fun." Jaabir would yawn wide. . . at Tarik's direction. "I'll. . . catch sssomething sssoon. . ." He'd stretch lazily "I'm sssure. . . " Jaabir would be distracted with a new thought, and blink. "You sssaid. . . you are going to an. . . abandoned rat burrow. . ." his head tilted, "why? . . ." Were they finding Tarik a new home? It seemed unlikely if he was staying with them, and he was preparing to go back to his colony. He'd blink, "Tarik'sss old nessst? . . ."

Tarik looked up as the others spoke, offering small nods best he could. He was all too happy to let Lichthia do most of the talking. The rat could never imagine himself talking so casually with a python. Though, he couldn't imagine himself willingly standing in-front of one either. Or getting knocked out by a mouse. Or dragged to a snake by a mouse. Or standing in-front of cat. Or survive standing in-front of a cat. There were a lot of things that happened. . . he didn't imagine happening he considered. Maybe this would be one would too? The calm between them would at least bring Tarik would relax more. . . that is until Jaabir yawned. Was he turning? The desire for rodent-flesh had taken hold? The rat would wince as the jaws parted before him! Eyes closed tight! Then, raised his lids with a mild sigh. He'd never get used to this, he'd reconfirm.

Lichthia would nod. "Tha's right." Looking over at the rat, she'd continue, "Tarik didn't want to stay there no more, and I don't blame him." Glancing back to Jaabir she'd add, "Course I know Tabatha'd keep her word to you, but s'got a lotta sad memories for him now." She'd lean back. "We just checked back there case some other rat showed up t'warn em." Eyes would narrow and she'd look a little pensive. "Though I s'pose, I'm not sure if I should. I don't tell others 'bout your huntin habits, 'course. Dunno if that should apply to Tabatha." She shook her head. It was funny, when she'd been alone with Tarik she hadn't thought twice about warning any rats, but being with Jaabir made her see things from a predators point of view.

Hearing the mouse's new hesitation to their plan, Tarik would frown some. Still, he wasn't too surprised that she might not have as pressing of an urge to help his family members as he: Most would eat her if given the chance.

Being a python, Jaabir had little direct insight to the thoughts of prey. . . aside from Lichthia and Jack. Just as Lichthia learned how predators think. . . he had been learning. .. how prey think. As much as he learned, he wouldn't immediately understand why Tarik didn't want to stay where he was: Tabatha wasn't going to hurt him now after all. He'd consider that. . . maybe just the knowledge that a predator knew where you were hiding could be upsetting enough. But maybe there was something more? "Oh. . . I sssee. . ." Memories. . . usually weren't a troubling thing to a snake which worried little, but he could understand how they might bother others, especially something. . . traumatic. His mouse had been upset for some time after being caught by a jackal, and his rabbit. . . with a fox.

The snake would blink, and part way frown as Lichthia continued. It wasn't exactly a look of disapproval to their intent or what they were doing, it was more guilt at the reminder of what Tabatha had given up. He really did need to get her another gift for this. Maybe Tarik wouldn't have to tell others? No, it would be cruel to ask him to do otherwise, they were his family after all. Tabatha likely reasoned the same. "I'm sssure ssshe already knowss that. . . Tarik would. . ." He'd pass a glance "It'sss fine. . ." He'd smile as before. "I will. . . talk with her. . ."

Licthia chuckled. She'd lift her arms up, turn, and hold him, not quite in a hug, but a gentle gesture of affection. "Thank y'Jaabir," she said softly. "N'i"m sure she does."

Jaabir would lean in. He wanted so much to do more than. . . just lean. No, it wasn't worth the risk. He was hungry now, soon he wouldn't even feel comfortable being this close. The most he felt he could do with minimal risk, was a gentle touch of his tail against the back of her feet. . . as he stared to her affectionately.

The mouse would reluctantly disengage herself from the python. "Well. . . that's pretty much everything I needed t'tell you." She'd smirk. "Lot happened in just one day." She'd look down. "We should probably let y'get huntin. . . .and we should be getting back to the burrow."

The rat listened idly. While Jaabir hadn't brought direct harm to him, being near was still unnerving: He'd feel relief that it was almost time to go.

The serpent would break his gaze, head turning with a sigh. He manage a smile back, but wasn't at all ready. Yet, even that light touch made him crave more. That feeling of warm. . . live. . . prey. "Hisss. . ." Jaabir would nod quick, taking a breath. "Yesss. . ." he'd agree. "I ssshould. . . hunt." His tail would move away, and his head rested along his coils. He'd turn to face the rat. "Pleassse watch out for her. . . Tarik. . ."

An ear flicked when Tarik was addressed, twitching as those large eyes focused in. "u-uh. . y-yes. . " the rat would stammer, before lifting his muzzle. "I. . . will. . ." he'd add, gaining confidence.

The who rodents when then depart, moving away and heading up to a small hill.

"Ssssee you. . . sssoon. . ." the serpented call out as they went, a sad voice conflicting his smile. To spend more time with his mouse, there were few Jaabir wouldn't give up: Tarik was among them.