A Friend and a Foe

After finally allowing themselves a rest, the pair of Outcasts
meet a new day, a new friend, and a new danger.

- Kube River
This fork of the river doesn't appear quite so ... calm. Not from this point
of view. If you don't know how to swim well - you're pretty much out of luck,
for the current will carry you were it will. However, if you are able to swim;
by all means, do so. The water is chilling, and the river is quite deep around
the middle area, but this should present no problem to the determined. Muddy
banks slope on either side of the river, while crocodiles can sometimes be
seen craftily drifting by. Looking accross the river to the east, the Pride
Lands ends the the border gives way to the dreaded Outlands.
Exits:
[Pl]ains, [Cr]oss the River to the Edge of the Plains, [In]to a [D]en

The night was cold and unforgiving for the youngsters, but huddled together to swap body warmth gave Teza the energy she needed to regain useful encouragement and strength. Though her paws are still quite sore, and will possibly be painful to journey on for the rest of the day, the girl appears willing enough to resume blindly trudging.-- Because there she sits, haunches folded and tail curved around the stone slab buried within the moist earth of the embankment. It's apparent she'd been awake for a longer period than one might expect, for the slick mud that latched on to her tender underbelly and her legs, have mostly been cleared. And so, Tezzy awaits for a stir, or mutter, or /something/ in her brother to signify his awakening, but she, herself, doesn't bother his most needed slumber.

How long his sister has lain awake beside him, Matata will never know; but indeed it could be argued that he has never in his life felt so close, both physically and emotionally, to his scarcely younger kin. His sleep had been cold, blank and dreamless, and so tired had he been that even the cold chills of the night and the caked mud seeping into his fur had not served to wake him. His arousal into a wakeful state is brought on solely by his body's own announcement that the time is right to do so; no inner or outer force pressing it otherwise. A twitch of a whisker, a bat of an ear, and then his lids open; and the young male fox looks out upon the new day for the first time.

For now, all his sleek movements are abandoned, and, instead, Mbio swaggers into the area, a light bounce to his sauntering step. He moves to a beat no one else can hear or imagine, for it resides merely in his own mind, commanding his feet to move in time with it. Today has been good, so far. A plump mouse for breakfast, a quick drink at the river, and he's set. Now he moves alongside the river, his keen senses seemingly dulled today -- but, no, he never lets himself go entirely off-guard. For a moment, the beat of his music escapes him, coming out in a brief, soft-spoken, "Da-da-dah --- doo-doo-doo, ba-da-doo-da-/bam/.." Hardly audible, for the music soon slips into silence again. This is when his acute senses kick in, and the two foxes, nestled together for warmth, are scented. His walk is cut to an abrupt halt, and Mbio lifts his snout to the air slightly, as the familiar scent of his kind wafts towards him.

Having been watchful of every twitch or quaver from her brother started to pall poor Teza as she patiently waits without a frown or an uncomfortable shift. However, these watchful eyes were briefly caught by a splosh of water, signifying a fish who'd just leapt for an annoying insect who intrepidly flew much too close to the water. For the girl, the aquatic animal wasn't viewed, but the rippling surface and droplets of water began to make her mind hypothesize and her expression curious of the sudden, dramatic episode of Predator versus Prey. Unfortunately, this only remind her of her own hunger, but this also brings her attention back to Matata who finally rouses. A bright smile quickly finds itself place upon the fox's slender maw, and she bounds from her rocky-roost to the slick mud in which her brother is found upon. "Tata! Tata!" Chimes the child, but a sudden pause to her excitement is faulted by the breezy wind that ruffles through her dense coat of crimson. Nostrils flaring, ears curbing, and ears searching, it would seems Teza had caught the scent of something. No other words are spoken, but the youngster does hunker her body submissively and crawls behind Matata to crouch behind. "Something." Simply spoken, she explains the reason why she's unexpectedly unsettled.

Gradually, slowly, the young fox brings his consciousness fully into focus, each separate sense slipping forwards in its own time. Scent first; he is quick to take note of the smell of his sister still nearby, which is of great comfort. Then there's a sense of touch, a curt breeze ruffling the lengthy hairs from within his ears, causing a flicker of discomfort; which brings about sound. Little noises they are, from the world around him; that very same fish that bursts briefly from the water, a rustle in the grasses over yonder, and an odd sort of hum that is barely audible... one that Matata almost begins to crane to hear better - until little Teza makes her bound towards him, announcing her acknowledgement of his awakening. A smile crooks his muzzle without beckon; even his still heavy feelings cannot hide his gratefulness for her company, despite the guilt he feels that she should be here with him. The sound that had roused his attention so briefly might have gone by totally forgotten, then, had she not darted behind him and uttered the word. He does not raise to his feet, however; but lifts his head and blinks out warily, ears titled erect and for'ard with caution, every muscle tensing.

He's been spotted, but that's no surprise, really. He hadn't been attempting to hide his presence or approach, this time. As both adolescents come into sight, the female's quick dash having immediately stolen his attention, Mbio straightens just some, ears tilting forward curiously. Then they both tense up ahead of him, while he still goes slightly unseen -- but it's easy to tell they're looking for him, the creature that caused the faint noises, and threw his scent into the wind. And he doesn't make them wait much longer. A casual smile spreads across his maw as the boy steps boldly forward, into the open. Now he can see them better, as they can see him. A male and a female, mm? A couple, perhaps? Or not. "Why, h'llo there," he calls towards them, lifting his head a bit, his voice quick and steady. Soon, though, he ducks down into the grasses again, for whatever reason.

Timid Teza. -- As her brother finally, and thankfully, rises to his paws, she merely stays hidden behind him, but dares peek over his side with her head canted and eyes curious but slightly fearful. "Who s'it?" Tezzy hunkers her body behind brother, but her whispered query can be easily attained by his ears. "Don' want it to be som'un bad." A momentary pause, then; "Don't want to be any'un, actually." Teza finds no remorse admitting her fearfulness to her brother, even if he doesn't find the heed to answer her panic as he stands proud and somewhat heroic. His stance is comforting enough. Teza just needs some brave front; for it would he hellish to know if they're both very afraid and unknowing. Perhaps this is why she never ask too many questions regarding their condition. Teza doesn't think she'd have the heart or courage to hear Matata is as concerned as she. Someone has to be brave, and it's surely not the girl huddled behind Matata with her bushy tail sweeping against her haunches while her ears lay across her skull. Yet, a single half-drooped ears flicks to the charismatic greeting, and once more Teza sneaks a fleeting look. --A fox?-- She quickly pulls her head back, and resumes hiding behind Matata, but a combination of curiosity and fear makes it's expression clear upon Tezzy's muzzle. But, she voices her concern again, louder this time, but muffled for the stranger. "Go away!"

In his heart, Matata does not feel nearly to be the bold and brave protecter that she may see him as and hope him to be; but it's all he can do to keep up the pretence, whether it's for the purpose of intimidating the stranger, reassuring his sister or helping him to face any potential problems. As said 'stranger' brings itself into the open, Matata swiftly recognises it to be one of his own species. A little oddly coloured, perhaps, which makes the instant suggestion that it is in no way related to their family, but a young fox nonetheless. He stares a moment, eyes narrowed suspiciously as though unwilling to believe such a friendly offering. But before he can speak in reply, the strange male drops back down, and his sister calls out from behind him. Indeed, he finds himself slightly surprised at her words, but his tone is far from unkind as he whispers her a light "Hush..." before turning his eyes and his voice back to where the stranger had been. "Hello?"

Having ducked out of sight, Mbio suddenly reappears, now a few feet nearer the pair. Silent, nimble movements have brought him closer. "Hello," he says again, as if answering the male's questioning sort of greeting. It's not often he spots a creature of his own species, and never when he's in such good spirits. The female's strong urging of him to leave had been heard, and now he looks to her, ears lifting a bit. "Oh, I'm harmless, really," he assures with a faint grin, twitching an ear once. His hindquarters are lowered easily, as if sitting doesn't involve him putting his weight down, and then the boy examines the duo a bit from afar. "Foxes don't seem to hang around here, a lot," he remarks idly, disregarding any fear the two may have for him. Hey, they're two, he's only one. "'Cept those ones with the /giant/ ears, you know?" His tone has slowed now, so as not to appear jibber-jabberishy, but still not slow enough to assume he's the cool, totally laid-back type.

"Okay." Tezzy peeps shortly after she's commanded by her brother. Still, she shows no protest, and nor does she mope. Rather, the girl attempts to hide her clumsily built body behind her more-slender brother. She does a horrible job of hiding, too, because it would seem that Matata has two tails instead of one, and another head that slowly, but frequently peeks from behind his back. "Is he gone, yet?" Teza finally murmurs, but before she's given an answer, she finds out for herself and curiously glances over his shoulder. Sadly, Tezzy's honey-brown eyes bore upon the oddly-marked canine that babbles about something-or-other. Whatever he prattles about, Teza doesn't concern over, especially when he mentions his harmlessness. Ears flat and surly, the timid adolescent drops to an awkward sit, hind legs splayed, forepaws fiddling with a pebble betwixt them, and her tail gently flipping. Not so much concerned over the stranger-fox, for he is, after all, a fox, but still wanting him gone. She'll wait it out.

The foxboy makes an effort to increase his stance, lifting his chin ever so slightly and keeping both ears keened carefully forwards, as he'd see Warithi do a great number of times as trained by their parents. Their parents... a lingering thought, that causes young Matata to blink once or twice, before sending the memories packing from his mind. They're not to be dealt with now. Instead, he shifts a paw, drawing his forelegs just that little closer together, so that he can stand just that tiny bit taller than previous, fluffing out the fur at his chest and bristling his tail. But there is no true menace in his stance nor his manner, seeming to make a protective shield of himself solely for Teza's comfort rather than any need to do so. A nod is offered at the stranger's words, but he struggles not to tilt his head to one side in contemplation. "Yeah, I know what you mean." A pause then, as his lips tighten slightly while he considers his next words. In the end, he makes do with a blunt question. "D'you live 'round here?"

His quick, sharp gaze seems to miss nothing; he takes in the female's obvious timidness, and the male's will to stand over and protect her. Whether or not they're just friends, siblings, or perhaps something more, though, he still has to figure out. Mbio says nothing more until the other boy's question is addressed to him, causing him to tip his head to one side just a bit. "Right now, I do," he replies with a simple shrug of his shoulders, pale-tipped tail twitching once. "Sometimes I live far 'way from here. I live wherever I want." The young fox stands, and dips down into the grass again, creeping forward a few paces, even nearer the pair. However, his approach probably would be visible, by now, or expected. His head lifts again, ears curved forward, an enigmatic smile spread across his long maw. "You two live around here?"

You don't have to make conversation with him! Teza almost squeaks combatively as her brother initiates conversation between himself and the stranger. She's quick to refrain from any complaining, however. Though, Tezzy cannot withhold from taking another swift look, and so, she does. Head turning, eyes alighting, the girl quickly notices the closing distance between herself and the stranger. Thankfully, Brother's standing over her protectively, and that's enough encouragement for young Teza. In fact, she'll learn from him. Having decided the quaint fox is no more of a threat than her own mind playing with her fears, the girl bats aside the pebble and slowly raises to her blackened paws. Her bushy tail flicks casually, but her ears, one half-drooped, comes to comically poise atop her head. Honey-brown eyes connect with his own of gray-tones. She attempts, though awkwardly, to position herself as imposing as Matata had done. And she talks, too! -- "We're going. Now." Her attention swings briefly to her brother, hoping that he'll ultimately catch her hint that's she uncomfortable, not fearful mind you, of this bizarre-looking fox that captivates her curiosity. In fact the strange colours of the supposed red-fox are too ponder some, that Teza finally blurts after her declare of wanting withdrawal; "You're funny looking." It's hard to imagine Teza an adolescent, as she finds herself with the same inquisitive mind as a child.

Matata hears the question, but rather than go on to answer it for himself, he turns his head about with a quick movement to view his sister, as though to see if she'll take up the initiative to respond to the query that is quite obviously aimed toward them both. Encouraged by her new upright stance, he even takes the liberty of stepping aside, so that Teza and the stranger may gain a clearer view of each other; but not so far that he's left her completely open. He knows better than to do that. But the words that she offers, when finally speaking, are hardly what he'd expected, and his jaw fair near drops open in surprise, brows raising slightly and brushtail moving in a side-to-side sweep. "Tez-" he cuts in, not exactly to chide her, but definitely not in agreement. He runs his tongue over his lips, then shoots a glance back towards the stranger - almost apologetically, and moves his muzzle from one side to the next. "No, we're not from hereabouts-" he offers quickly, though not before young Teza makes her second blurt, which causes an almost embarrassed duck of Matata's head.

At the female's almost urgent, unexpected reply, Mbio lifts both eyebrows in faint surprise, although his smile lingers. "Oh?" he muses, glancing towards the male of the duo, and acknowledging his apologetic gaze in silence. However, at the boy's real answer to his question, the young fox parts his maw to reply. "Wher--" He doesn't finish, though. Instead, the girl's next remark, similarly unexpected to her first, cuts him off. He pauses, yes, but the expression he gradually dons isn't one of hurt, or indignance. Rather, it's an amused, mild grin. "Yeah, that's what m'siblings said, too. So I cuffed'm once, and lit on out of there." True? Who knows. Perhaps. His fur color, the silver phase, is not as common as the well-known reds of his species, but not entirely unknown by all. Still, 'funny-looking' is a remark he's received more than once. It just doesn't bother him. "I rather like it, though," he continues, lifting a forepaw and outstretching it, as if admiring his own fur coat. Jest is clear in his tone, though. "While everyone else runs 'round looking like little balls of fire, I get to look like the smoke."

There's obviously no repentance from Teza, because she stands there awaiting a reply from the stranger-fox without looking at Matata for assistance or a hopeful expressions, or anything that would increase her vanity. However, the way she acts, talks, and listens is all an echo of her brother whom she onviously has utmost admiration for. -- She'll learn from him what her parents forgot to teach her, even if these actions and questions didn't exactly fill Matata's heart with pride. Nevertheless, Tezzy, head tilted animatedly and ears curbed to the other, tentatively listens. Finally, it's spoken. A polite nod, at first, is given to show her attentiveness, but an alarming expression quickly crawls upon her slender muzzle and tugs her ears against her head. Cuffed them? She finds herself repeating his words in her head, which quickly destroys her perceived outlook on the stranger. "You're mean!" She scowls, and seeks comfort behind her brother. Everything else he said is ignored by Teza, and somewhere in between she urges her brother with a nudge forward; "Tell him to go away."

For a while, Matata finds himself unsure where to chip in and add some words of his own, for between his sister's blunt comments and the stranger's overtly charming responses, he finds little room for either curiosity, defense or simple rationalising and introductions. He almost finds himself caught, at the half-question that's sent his way, already dreading the half-formed response in his own mind; but then, little Teza surprisingly saves himself from having to answer, and instead he just listens to the silver fox's words, head still held high. Indeed, he too finds the statement about cuffing to be curious, but of course he's beaten to the mark before he can muse anything out loud. A pointed look is shot at his sister, then, a single brow shooting high. "Why should I tell him to go away? I didn' say anything rude to him, so 'e won't cuff me, and I'll stop him if he tries to get you!" Indeed, he speaks as though 'he' is some inanimate object that can't understand what is being said, though perhaps this is just a result of their earlier life, being treated in such a manner by both parents and elder sibling. Finally, he turns his head back to meet the stranger's eyes once more. "What's yer name, anyway?"

Mean? Little, innocent Mbio? Naww. Really! As the girl's accusing remark is made against him, the boy only grins a bit wider, and chuckles some. "Oh, c'mon, I was only joking," he insists, shaking his head a bit. "I wouldn't hit my own brothers'n sisters. .. But even if I did, those fuzzheads would've deserved it. They called me some nasty things." It becomes clear that the female has asked the other boy to make Mbio go away when the boy's reply is heard. However, the silver stranger says nothing regarding the words exchanged at this point, and just stands in silence, flicking an ear or twitching his tail, lifting a forepaw once or twice. He'll go away, if they ask him too. But they didn't ask him. Plus, soon the other adolescent male is asking of his name -- so, he must stick around to answer that, no? "My name? Well, that'd be Mbio. How about you two?" As he says 'two,' the boy makes sure to briefly make eye contact with the somewhat-cowering girl, almost as if to let her know he hadn't forgotten she was there, no matter how much she slinks behind her brother.

"Well.." Teza nearly challenges against her brother this time, but soon ceases whatever it was she was about to speak. Then she lowers uncaringly to her folded haunches and finally to her stomach with forepaws splayed. A sigh is tossed from her parted muzzle, and her tail flickers back and forth steadily, but irritably. It's not as if she lacks patients, but Teza knows these lonely plains aren't a healthy place for either to linger within. Besides, she knows more-powerful animals frequently pass through, and that's not to mention the river that could very-well contain a hungry crocodile just waiting for the opportunity of either to stray too close to the embankment. Knock on Wood. --- Teza willing departs from the comments passed between the duo, and casually ignores Mbio's question that requires her input. Instead of paying any attention, the girl quietly goes about thinking, and finally manages to reposition herself so her paws are hunched closer to her chest. She ponders, but something unexpectedly distracts her thoughts. A splash. From the river; but this time louder than the fish she'd heard earlier. To Tezzy's ears, which perk atop her skull alarmingly, it sounded as if something big slipped into the water. Yet, upon inspection, nothing is seen in the swarthy river. Except a shadow. The girl's eyes dramatically blink, and she attempts to trace the quaint shadowy figure as it approaches their side. ".. What?" Tezzy murmurs softly to herself, barely audible to prick the ears of even her brother she daintily sits behind. Wait. Wait. .. Finally, much to the girl's surprise, the 'shadowy' figure grows and erupts from the casually flowing river, revealing his entire reptilian body, and a dangerous supply of pointed teeth agape. A crocodile who struggles up the lax portion of the slick embankment at a haste pace. Tezzy's much too close, but Teza can't talk, she can't warn; because she's panic-stricken and fearful.

"Mbio..." echos the other young male, as though tasting the name, trying it out for himself. "Quick." The word is not so much a musing as a statement, accompanied by a careful and proper look over the now not-so-strange stranger's form; a certain sort of satisfaction glimmering in his eyes upon knowing the meaning of the fox's name. He takes the liberty of introducing both himself and his sister, then, as she makes it clear by her silence that she's not about to speak further to the odd fox whom she seems awfully keen to move off from. "I'm Matata..." he chuffs lightly, with a dip of his head and a tight sort of grin, that eases gently and more affectionately as he then tips his head t'ward the direction his sister had been moments before. "And my sister's Teza- Tezzy?" his eyes widen slightly as he senses she's no longer so closely by his side, and he whirls in his spot to seek her. "Tez?" he barks her name again, careful not to slip up in the mud as he peers, finally in the right direction and spots her. But his eyes come to rest on her terrified form for scarcely a moment; and it takes less than that time to realise that something's wrong. "TEZA!" he shrills, making a leap towards her, a small firey counter to the huge reptilian bulk of the crocodile that charges from the other direction, jaws viciously splayed in the direction of the both of them.

"Yep," the boy replies with a smile and a light bob of his head, as the other male correctly states the meaning of his name. "My parents knew it 'fore I was more than just a nasty, little silver blob o' fur," he adds with a grin, a quick flash of teeth. And, indeed, he's quick. But most foxes are. As the names of the duo are offered, along with a quick 'sister' to let Mbio finally understand their relationship, the young fox nods in quiet acknowledgment, but doesn't have time to do much more. For as soon as 'Teza' escapes Matata's lips, both of them realize that she's not by his side. Mbio hadn't been paying attention - shame. The boy remains silent, his gray gaze merely flicking quickly and following the other boy's as Teza is searched out -- searched out, and found, a frozen-in-place ball of fuzzy fire, staring into the jaws of the offending crocodile. While Matata leaps towards his sister, Mbio slips into action quickly as well, darting low and using the same trick he used to approach the two other foxes in the first place. Seeming fearless, but obviously /foolish/, the boy 'reappears' close near the giant reptile and lashes out once before recoiling, perhaps in a stupid attempt to distract the croc.

Not even her name being so loudly cried by her brother causes a quaver to her pinned-backed ears. Rather than moving, which would be the intelligent thing to do, little panic-stricken Tezzy trembles and look wide-eyed. She attempts to speak, though, but her voice is a minute peep against the thunderous snarl of the reptilian whom continuously struggles against the incline. The girl watches as the crocodile finally achieves the embankment, and hunker against the ground with his muscular tail lashing in a fit of rage. Blotches of mud are tossed and airborne, and come to settle upon the ground, and even within Teza's fiery-fur. Still, she doesn't move despite her mind which so strongly urges. "... I... I...." The fox-girl begins to hyperventilate, but both her stutter and her will to cry become heightened as the beast lumber towards herself, and Matata whom stands before her protectively "Ohno..ohhno.. I.. 'ta'... .. Ohno!" Teza continuously shudders, but just as the reptile begins to lash out, it's quickly thwarted by Mbio's brave -and stupid, mind you- attempt to redirect its attention. Thankfully for the siblings, the crocodiles intent shifts from hunger to a combination containing anger, and it's now converged upon the silver-stranger-fox. Finally, though still very frightened, Teza makes a weak attempt to lift from her stomach, to her paws. Legs wobbly and surging with fear, she endeavours to do so. For now, she succeeds.

"Get outta th' way!" Matata cries, desperately, turning back and trying to headbut his sister backwards the moment the crocodile shifts its attention, not realising the cause. "Get back! Run!" He continues to urge, tone stricken, efforts frantic, adrenaline rushing through his bloodstream. But before he can be sure his sister's found her feet properly, he turns about again to check on the reptile. And then he realises what had happened; Mbio has thrown himself toward the crocodilian, using his previous tactics now to distract the creature. Distraced, it most certainly is, a deep primeval rumble issuing from its gaping throat as it snaps at the comparatively tiny, smoke-furred mammal. "Ohjeez, Teza, RUNFORIT!" he yelps without a backwards glance, flinging himself back towards the first crocodile- FIRST crocodile? Yes; for a second now heaves itself up the mudslicked bank, with a great thrash of its powerful tail. "MBIO! GET AWAY, there's ANOTHER ONE!" and as he yelps, he draws the attention of the original reptile back to himself, who lunges forwards with a great clash of its jaws and then a heavy upward sweep of its head that butts the little red fox squarely in the jaws.

The fur-bristling snarl of the reptile is what finally thwarts Mbio into reality, into the stupidity of what he's done. However, he managed to do what he had intended, which was to, yes, distract the crocodile from the brother and sister, though its distraction will most likely not last long. And Teza still seems unmoveable, cowering in wide-eyed fear. Once reality has struck him, young Mbio's own eyes widen for a moment, but soon narrow as he tosses away any sensible fear. A quick leap backwards is made, but the fox snaps harmlessly at the crocodile again. .. That's when the second drags itself onshore, and Matata shrieks for him to move. Now the boy backpedals fiercely, retreating in little jumps and leaps, until he is out of immediate danger. But, since he's moved, he's able to see the first croc deal a painful whack to Matata. Uhoh. "Dammit, there goes my good day," the silver canine seethes quickly, quietly, before shouting, "MATATA!" .. Yes. Maybe he'll be okay? .. Or maybe he won't.

That's easier said than done, Matata. -- Sure little Tezzy can run for dear life, but it's all up to her physical and metal co-ordination that she's seems to have lost again. As the second reptilian hauls it's long, heavy body onto the mud-slick bank, the adolescent can do nothing but stare with her muzzle agape and her eyes large and terrified. "M..M..m-.. 'Tata...?" Her honey-brown optics quickly find themselves settled upon her brother moments before the awful collide of scaly snout against furry chin. Teza, though frozen to her spot, cringes at the Frith-awful sound produced during the painful moments that would obviously send Matata backwards, or at very least, upset his balance. It's as though she can feel his pain, but can't cry or bound over to him helpfully. -- Especially now, as a painful snap of crisp air is broken by a flaying tail and an angry rumble that seems to vibrate the ground. Thankfully, the spiteful anger and the tail-lashing isn't aimed at either of the adolescents. The crocodiles had begun a duel of teeth-showing, tail-whacking, snarling, and charging at each other. It's apparent they're fighting over the foxes, and poor Tezzy can only stare dumbfounded, shocked, and unable to move as the quarrelling crocodiles snarls and move ever closer. "... H.. help.." She squeaks, but it's possibly lost by the angry growls of the heavy reptiles.

Great reptilian bellows, many of which sounding far below the hearing range of, say, a chimpanzee - but well within the limits of the acute hearing of the small canines, reverberate through Matata's skull as he is hurled backwards by the impact of the powerful, leathery snout, his sharp yelp cut off abruptly as his jaws snap together, biting his tongue and causing a collission of teeth. But he's not swept unconscious; no; only served a great heaping of pain, and but moments after skidding to a halt the young fox trembles back to his feet, rounding back on the reptiles with a glint in his eye that is manic from desperation. His only thought is to set himself between the monsters and his kin, and so it takes a few ungainly moments for him to realises the crocodiles now pose a greater threat to each OTHER than to any of the foxes. So his attention shoots back to the quavering Teza, and his voice, already shaky, is almost drowned out by the thrashing of the crocodiles as he turns his bloodied muzzle to his sister. "TEZA! Teza get OVER here!" His voice is a sharp, pained whine, and he takes a series of unsteady steps towards her before halting, shaking his head furiously, and then spitting out a crooked molar. "Tezzy c'mon! We've gotta get away from here! Mbio! Help!"

As the impact of the crocodile's strong snout against Matata's jaw is seen -- and he could've sworn he heard it; maybe it was just his imagination -- Mbio cringes visibly, ears falling back and eyes squeezing shut, a pang of .. of /something/, something like pain or pity or fright, all whipped into one, flickers within his gut. And Teza still doesn't move. Mbio only remains in the harsh wince for a moment or two before taking a step forward again, watching as, now, the two crocs go at each other. What in the ..? The beasts must be stupid, but it's lucky for the foxes. As the two reptiles snap at each other, the young silver fox regains his blinding confidence and, before Matata can even bid him to help, the boy leaps ahead once more, scurrying as fast as his quick, ebony legs will allow, to Teza's side. He doesn't linger for long, though. A paw is lifted, and Mbio suddenly swats the girl above her eyes, not harshly enough to hurt at all, but hopefully enough to break her horrified trance. "/Teza/!" he snaps quick, batting her once more just to make sure. "Unless y'fancy living in one o' those croc's /bellies/, I suggest we -RUN-!" And, with that said, he leaps nimbly over her and halts, waiting for her to respond, if she's going to.

If it was easy, she's round like the Dickens. Be reminded of Teza's perpetual timidness that's faulted because of constant fear. Yes she's an adolescent, and yes there is a brain between her shoulders, but when panic had crushed her natural reactions to anything lesser of this degree, she becomes helpless and unmovable. The vicious fighting of crocodiles ever-so-close still doesn't convince Teza to run, nor doe Matata's weak voice heard somewhere off to the side. Yet, it is broken as the silvery-fox nears. Her ears instinctively twitch, and the chuff above her eyes distracts her attention enough for her to focus somewhat on reality. "... Matata?" Her hushed response is kept low, but it clearly indicates she's not fully mindful of her environment. - Not until her eyes flint past Mbio's silvery shoulders to find her brother, and another 'wake-up' call is gestured. "Okay! Okay!" Tezzy murmurs to indicate her liveliness, and begins to crawl from her frozen posture but pauses mid-step as a tail snaps towards her. Luckily enough, she swiftly dodges by a not-so-graceful backstep that upsets her balance. She topples, falling to her stomach, but quickly scrambling to lift to her paws and regain the balance. "Eerf." Teza grumbles, but soon rights herself and dashes towards Mbio. The strifing crocodiles continue to battle against each other, but it would seem the trio would be all right; despite Matata's painful blow.

Wide-eyed and frantic, Matata teeters on the spot as he witnesses Mbio leap to action and successfully get his sister into motion again, before the ever-present backdrop of duelling crocodiles. A great spray of mud is swept up into the air as one of the beasts slams its tail to the ground, flicking the slimy grit over the trio of foxes as they come near to each other once more; Teza stumbling after the dashing Mbio, the both of them finally making it past Matata who only then allows himself to begin his own stagger away from the reptiles. His head throbs, the sharp pain in his tongue, his gums, and the joint of his jaws only increased by the heavy aching throughout the rest of his skull. Blood dribbles from his jaws, soaking into the furr of his chin and throat, and he can taste it heavily as it blooms in his mouth. Still, the little canine struggles forwards, moving with the other two in the direction of the plains. Effort is not wasted on speech; and he hardly needs to voice commands for them to stick together.

"Living risky, never scared,
Wander closer to the edge.
Nothing valued, think no fear,
Always wondering why you're here."

Matata is the (s)queeproperty of Ras.
Teza is the (s)queeproperty of Ayre.
Mbio is the (s)queeproperty of Aidan.
Pictures may be drawn later if either is bothered.
Teh_Photos are from FoxForest, Lioncrusher's Domain and here.