WHISPERS OF OCTOBER — joining

[MAYARI M.]

Mayari listens to the lion's explanation thoughtfully, her ears slowly lifting from where they had been pinned to the back of her head to collect as much data as she can. She figures that there must be enough prey in the nooks and crannies of the swamp for different species to not be in direct competition with one another, but when prey runs out, would they still hold onto their camaraderie? Would they still honor bonds forged in a comforting life when food is scarce and satisfaction takes the form of the creature standing next to them?

He seems convinced, however, based on the way he talks about his group. The tone of his voice paints quite a pretty picture, and while Mayari doubts that it would stay ideal for long, she won't deny the feeling of yearning that springs in her chest at the thought of it. Maybe she's a little interested. Maybe she's a little curious.

Maybe she's a little lonely, too.

"Then I hope you don't mind another hungry mouth to feed," she responds, relenting to the idea of having a safer place to stay; perhaps it might even remind her of home. She straightens her body, thinking that they might need a little more than a verbal confirmation of her intent, and speaks with a stronger voice. "Very well, ginoo, I would like to join your Tanglewood—"

Before she can continue, she finds her sight blocked by the blunt face of the spotted hyena, hot air puffing across her own mouth. Interesting, Mayari thinks, keeping her mismatched gaze on the other canine's and refusing to give any ground. The hyena seems to be showing remarkable restraint for someone of her kind, but Mayari is curious to see just how much of a beating Vathmos can take before she breaks. A little test, she tells herself—these creatures insist on living against their primal instincts, but how much would it take for them to inch back into their old habits?

"Above me?" Mayari eases a grin onto her face but refuses to inch away from Tangler. She only moves to flick her large ears upwards, keeping her stance straight and tall, striking an imbalance to their similar heights and making herself just an inch taller (and only because of the ears, but she doesn't mind the technicalities of it). Vathmos looks so angry. Perhaps pushing her buttons is far too easy a task; painted dogs and spotted hyenas have never gotten along well, anyway. It's only a matter of time, she thinks, before the unruly Tangler shows what Mayari already knows. "You might want to look again, Chuckles. It looks to me like I'm above you."