Post by Therdde on Dec 16, 2007 2:07:49 GMT -5
Mad props to Luna for the title.
Part One
Characters:
Therdde - Male Duck
Dichali - Male Bighorn Sheep
Chesmu - Male Cougar
Keegan - Male Wolf
Lotus - Male Wolf
Plisken - Male Rattlesnake
Paoro - Female Cougar
Moonseeker - Female Adolescent Cougar
Conwell - Male White-Tailed Deer
Ayita - Female Adolescent Horse
- Wooded Terrain -
Therdde is at least not thirsty or hungry. He made it to 'his' lake last night, and managed to keep himself from succumbing to dizziness long enough to eat, drink, and get back to dry land. It would be pathetic if, instead of being a dizzy duck, he became a drowned duck. After that he settled down by Dichali and eventually drifted off, though his sleep was fitful. He awoke about the same time as Dichali, and they have since set off in search of the cougar who may provide them with more information. The trek has been slow and arduous, though, as neither Dichali nor Therdde is at the top of their game, and Therdde is not capable of flying ahead to scout the area, as he might if he weren't so ill.
Dichali would indeed set about things faster if he could. However, due to the illness, he's lucky if he can hold his head straight for more than a few minutes. For once his horns seem rather burdening. If only they weren't so HEAVY. The ram's currently making a slow and steady trot. He is debating taking a quick lay down soon, however.
Chesmu, having managed to stop distracting himself, caught himself a hare or two, which held him over pretty well. Now he's not as hungry as he was yesterday, and in reality, has no interest in eating his "friend" the ram. So, what he does is continue on his way, thinking nothing of what he has heard of this apparent disease that is sweeping the land. He's not sick, so he doesn’t care.
Therdde can at least keep up with Dichali. Still, it's getting more and more difficult to walk in a relatively straight line. Having walked in silence for some time, the male duck finally speaks up. "Have you seen the types of rocks the squirrel mentioned?" In other words, are we there yet? The duck is not as well-travelled as that troublesome raven, not up here in the mountains. He talks quietly, not attempting to attract too much attention in his current condition.
Dichali says, "Honestly, I don't even know..." The ram hesitantly peered around a little. "Want to lay down for a little bit, Therdde?"
Chesmu is still just padding along. He's not considering a meal, so when he comes within visual contact of the ram, he just blinks. Wasn't that the food he was trying to get yesterday? When that annoying Raven messed up *his* side of the plan? He grumbles at this realization. They're probably looking for that cure...
Therdde doesn't take being asked a second time. The mallard practically jumps at the chance sit down and close his eyes. He's sure the world is still spinning out there, but at least he can't see it spinning when his eyes are closed. After taking a long breathe, he asks, "How're you holding up, Dichali?" At least the duck isn't dealing with weakness. He's got enough energy, even though he hasn't slept well since he became ill. He just can't use any of it! *frustration*
Dichali sighs a little. "Walking's difficult, but there's nothing to be done about it," he stated, "I can deal with it...hopefully long enough to find this place the squirrel spoke of." He let himself fall down into laying position and peered around wearily. "How are you holding up?"
Chesmu decides maybe he must now find out the nature of what they are going through. He remembers what the squirrel said. Though he logically (and correctly) infers that perhaps staying away would reduce his chances for being exposed, curiosity. He approaches the ram, and muddled duck.
As Keegan tops a nearby ridge, his first thought was that, in his tired state, he -must- be seeing things. But, the scents from the two didn't lie. Normally, this would be a good opportunity. A ram (or a duck, if it didn't fly to safety) would make a good meal, but he'd eaten already. Besides he certainly wasn't feeling up to tackling anything near his size. Unsure why, he started on his way down the ridge line, making for the two animals that shared his illness, even if he wasn't aware of that. He didn't even see the cougar making his way up the opposite slope.
The duck, whose eyes are closed, has no idea, yet, that not one, but two predators are very, very close. He needs to have a talk with his creator over that lack of effective scent glands. Responding to Dichali, the mallard says, "I'm managing. I wish I could be more help." It's all he can do to walk. If he were to attempt to fly most of the time, he'd wind up flying himself right into a tree or a bush.
The ram twitched his ears, wondering if he was hearing something, but he likely was hearing something other than the two predators. "Well you can ride on me if you need to," he stated. Granted his own body was feeling too heavy for him, but he doubted he'd even notice Therdde's weight at all.
Chesmu finally reaches to two. He is oblivious to the wolf approaching. He has a lot on his mind, after all. "I am curious." he says. "Just what exactly are your problems?" Not the best way to ask a question. Chesmu would likely have been happier just wandering like he always does.
Keegan reached the bottom of the ridge before either of the two noticed him, but it certainly wasn't thanks to him being stealthy. He'd stumbled once or twice, before finally pushing out some of the thin brush to come before the... Three? A cougar? Was he really -that- off his game? At this point, he only wanted to go back to sleep, and rest those heavy eyes. He stopped a short distance away, the cougar's appearance changing things. "I don't mean to interrupt, but I have to ask.. What's going on here?" A ram offering to carry a duck around, and another predator seemingly -not- interested in snagging either for food. An odd sight indeed.
Therdde first hears Chesmu, behind him. He opens his eyes to look behind him just in time to see Keegan arrive. Letting out a startled quack, he jumps to his feet, wings spread and prepared to carry him into the air. Alas, neither his vision nor his feet are entirely steady, and he can't react fast enough to save himself, or so he thinks. Some guard duck he is, indeed. Of course, it doesn't occur to him that either of the predators surrounding him might also be sick or really interested in anything other than making an easy meal or the two ill prey animals.
Dichali raises to his feet in attempt to protect himself and the bird, but he's not that convincing. "Why do you ask," the ram asked as he peered wearily at the cougar, trying to give him an evil eye. It wasn't working at all.
"I keep hearing your talk, passing through here." Chesmu says. "If you're looking to stay alive, you'd be smart *not* to be so loud, and you'd be smart *not* to lie around out in the open like this. If I were hungry, how easily do you think I would have found you as a meal?" Lesson over. "So I ask again, what is wrong with you?"
Keegan blinked. Maybe this bunch weren't as friendly with each other as he thought. It was then that he closely examined the two, noting how they looked a little worse for wear. "So.. You're sick too, eh?" The wolf sat back on his rear, head heavy. The cougar didn't seem to be ill though, judging from his talk. He asked the question, so Kee just waited for the answer-- trying his best not to look threatening to either of them.
Therdde remains on his feet with his wings spread, keeping his eyes on the ill wolf, who seems like the least threat, both in tone and for the fact that he's sitting down, theoretically leaving Dichali to the cougar. The duck's feathers are ruffled, but he is notably still not in the air. Just very jumpy. Keegan practically answers Chesmu's question--they're sick. The mallard isn't entirely sure if he should confirm that in the presence of two potentially hungry predators, but what Keegan says, implying that the wolf is also sick, convinces him. They could stand to have a wolf on their side. "Yes, us too. We're looking for the cure." Please, let Keegan not have heard about the cure yet. Because then he and Dichali would have a real bargaining chip.
Dichali nods to Therdde's words. "We're in the open because we are looking for the cure," he muttered, "And we are trying to stay near the water...we're both ill with some mysterious sickness as the wolf said."
Chesmu cautiously approaches the creatures. He doesn't want whatever this mystery is. However, due to its nature as a mystery, Chesmu cannot help but be roped in. "And there's where I find my fascination. The real mystery to me is *why* this is a mystery to me." He considers the irony of this situation. If he were hungry, he could have picked off all of these creatures with ease and there was little they could do about it. "Ah, the cure..."
Keegan's ears perk at that. "A cure..?" It's obvious he'd heard nothing about it. Heck, he didn't even know the illness had spread, or was contagious. Having come down with it himself only a few days ago. Seems the prey animals had their bargaining chip alright. He stood, padding closer slowly, as cautious as the cougar, "How do you know there's a cure?"
Therdde can hear movement behind him. It's not very well defined, but he gets an idea. Attempting, ha!, to appear unfrightened, he lowers his wings. Nevertheless, he takes one cautious step back, to place himself closer to the larger ram. "A squirrel told us about it the other day. She said this illness came from beyond these parts, and they'd found a cure." Of course, Therdde is cautious about offering up too much information too quickly, but just having this information that the wolf doesn't have allows him to relax the slight amount that he has.
Dichali gives a nod. "It'd likely be in your best interest not to eat much of anything till you know if it's sick or not," the ram stated, "Given how this sickness has no boarders on who it affects, I would highly suspect that eating an ill creature would make you sick as well." In Dichali's mind being ill was enough of a bargaining chip when it came to the healthy. That and he was honestly being helpful too. In his mind, it was his place as a ram to see to it that his enemies were strong enough to take him on. It was backwards thinking, but as a ram, the duel was nearly a religion...being sick like this left him a bit depressed thanks to his weakness. When it came to ill predators? Yeah then he'll be bargaining for real cause they're both weak and there's nothing to get them better or keep them from killing each other except that cure.
Chesmu contemplates this. "So, how are three sick creatures, likely weakened, going to *reach* this cure?" An idea begins to form in his mind. He's not one for being evil, but he wouldn't have a qualm about say, eating the ram as soon as he's cured, so he won't get sick, perhaps. He thinks of the smorgasbord before him. The problem is they'll be stronger. Perhaps another benefit from helping them reach the cure. "What is it worth to you?
Keegan raises a furry brow, looking across and over to the cougar. "Three? Who said I was traveling with anyone?" He wasn't quite so trusting of anyone here to say he could believe them. A squirrel just -happens- to show up with knowledge of this disease, and a cure for it? This all seemed a little off to him. "Where did this squirrel say the cure was? I'm assuming it's not around the mountain."
What is it with meat eaters, which includes the raven, and their propensity to enter interrogation modes at a moment's notice? The duck shakes his feathers, which are still ruffled from his momentary panic earlier today, then says, "She didn't have any details. She was passing on what she had heard from a cougaress who, yes, lives somewhere south of here. But the cure is somewhere else." Probably not in the mountains, but he has no intention of leaving the mountains until after he has found the cougar the squirrel mentioned.
The ram is starting to not enjoy this cougar's attitude. "What's it to you what the cure's worth to me," Dichali wondered, "There's no real need for you to know anything about this unless your affected by it, you've given me the assumption you aren't....so why are you so interested...some sort of preparation?" He then turns to look to the wolf. "I'd be more than willing to help you, so long as we can all keep it with us to get along till this mess is behind us."
Slowly, but surely, a grin begins to form on Chesmu's face. "I see. And when you do find this 'cougaress' the squirrel claims to hear it from, how do you plan on *convincing* her to tell you what she knows, may I ask? Seems more likely the cougaress might take advantage of your situation, rather than help you." And now for his hook: "Now, suppose you had a *healthy* cougar come with you and help talk to the alleged cougaress..."
Even the wolf could hear something in Chesmu's voice that just screamed bad news. He was suddenly sure that he would be safer not going with these three, not that he really planned on that to begin with. Too much here for him to worry about. "You still didn't quite explain what you'd have to gain from helping them, cougar." He never did trust those overgrown cats. "As far as I'm concerned, I don't see how anyone can just take this mysterious advice about a cure so seriously."
Of course, of the two prey animals, Therdde is probably the more skeptical one. Not just of the intentions of these predators, but of the cure in general. His initial desire was to find a safe place and just wait it out. Walking into a cougar's den and travelling to unknown places hardly seems like his idea of a good time, especially when he can barely fly. But there's the chance that this illness won't just pass, and being unable to escape, or, for predators, hunt, is certain, and potentially slow, death. Responding strictly to Keegan, the duck says, "And if your illness doesn't pass on its own? What if, by the time you decide you need to search, you're too weak to move?" There's a chance this is something minor. He has never experienced such dizziness before, but his body could heal itself. But what if it doesn't? That, in addition to some ridiculous notion of actually being able to help the also-ill ram, is what has Therdde here.
"Well...look at it this way...we have something, small as it might be, or we have just wasting away as the sickness worsens and we die accomplishing nothing," Dichali said in reply to the wolf's doubt, "I understand if you don't see it that way, but I'd think it better to try than to do nothing..." "Otherwise," he said before peering back to the cougar, "The wolf speaks truth...you don't strike me as the helpful sort, what's in it for you? Especially considering that helping us might get you sick and if our news is faulty...where would that leave you?"
Chesmu smirks. He starts to pace around the sick lot, eying the three. "What is in it for me, eh?" he says. He chuckles. Well, if one has to ask... "What is this worth to you, a sick, motley bunch who likely can't tell their up from their downs... two *prey* creatures trying to ask a *cougar* for help. And if she refuses, do you imagine she would let you on your merry way?" Then he laughs again, "And then you ask why I would want to help you? Perhaps you have something I want, and I suppose you'd be right in assuming I am not altruistic. Perhaps a cougar like myself is incapable of helping you from the sheer goodness of his heart? I feel a slight insult at this. Perhaps if I find this cure, with *your* help, I could lead *other* unfortunate creatures to this self-same cure. One of them is bound to have something I am looking for. What this something is is my business. But I suppose I could let you two try to find it alone in *your* condition." Translation: Sure, he wants something, but he's not sure what he wants, yet, though he's tempted to try to kill them for food once they are cured. He'd be able to see more lands, and he wouldn't run low. But perhaps they might be more valuable alive then dead. Favors. The possibilities are open to Chesmu.
Keegan is silent for a moment, hesitating to answer. The duck's words were true. But.. "There are others here that need me more right now. I won't leave them to fend for themselves while I go chasing something that -probably- isn't there." It's almost reluctant sounding, but he's firm in his own words. His place was here. For now. The circling cougar, on the other hand, had him on edge. He followed him, never letting him have his flank. "If you wish to lead them to this 'cure', then I won't stop you. But-" He glanced back to the two behind him, before eyeing the large cat again. "I wouldn't trust you. Nothing about your reasons make much sense. Both in the long term and the short, the risks will out-weigh the rewards." Nothing about a lot of this made much sense to him anymore. Blame it on the fatigue, maybe..
Therdde is certainly more likely to be kind to Keegan than Chesmu, who also sets the mallard on edge, although perhaps only because he has been out of the duck's limited sight range. Letting the two larger creatures address the adolescent cougar, the small duck keeps his undoubtedly unpleasant comments to himself. Instead, he addresses Keegan, who has done nothing that could be considered even remotely threatening or rude. Shortsighted, maybe, but that's predators for you. "I'm not going to try to convince you to leave your family, as Dichali did, for fear he would infect them. But if we learn more, or find the cure, I'll look for you." And hopefully earn himself, and perhaps Dichali, spots on a 'Do Not Eat' list, but that's beside the point. Prey species are no strangers to ulterior motives.
"Forgive me for not entirely trusting you," Dichali says to the cougar, "It's just how you're presenting yourself...It speaks rather badly for how you're coming off considering I'd be willing to help every /other/ predator I've met so far without bothering to question their motives...then again before it's always been just myself I had to worry about as well." He gives a small shake of his head. "None the less...as much as I might still be able to fight you off, I'd rather not test my abilities while I'm ill like this, so honestly, it's not like we can get rid of you either way," Dichali notes, "So we may as well try to make the best of it..."
Keegan turns back to the two prey animals, padding closer-- but with his muzzle low and ears splayed. They didn't trust him completely either, and they shouldn't. Had things been different, Kee may have been hunting them. If he was healthy? He would've had plenty of opportunities to strike. "Bird." He looks towards Therdde, hiding between the ram's front legs. "Can I speak with you, privately?" He didn't want the cougar overhearing what he was going to ask. At least not for the answer. Chesmu didn't need to know the cure's location at the moment anyhow.
Therdde doesn't know the cure's location himself, not exactly. And despite the fact that Keegan hasn't done anything threatening, yet, he is a sick predator, and he does need to eat and feed those who depend on him, those who are keeping him here. As such, there's a brief moment of hesitation as Therdde looks up as Keegan, trying to decide if he wants to leave the safety of his ram companion. Finally, Therdde says, "Sure." He takes a couple wobbling steps towards the wolf, away from Dichali, while mentally yelling at himself that this is probably a BAD idea.
Dichali keeps an eye on the cougar as he ponders what in the world he should do about him. He doesn't entirely want to turn him away, but everything seems to be pointing to the fact that he /should/. As he said though, it's not as if Therdde and himself could get rid of the cougar if they'd wanted to...
Chesmu keeps an eye on the other animals. Now he is more interested in meeting this cougaress, than anything else.
Keegan walks with the duck a short ways away, well within sight of the two others. He made sure to wait up for the bird, noting his own problems with walking. "The squirrel told you where this thing is, right? This cure?" Speaking softly, the wolf stepped closer. "I have no desire to follow you, or your friend. In fact, I wish you luck. I'd probably go with you, if I could.. But there are things I have to do first." Why he would, he didn't know. Wasn't he the one that said it probably doesn't even exist? "You have no reason to tell me, but.. I'd appreciate it, at least to have the knowledge."
Therdde follows Keegan, walking slowly and keeping his head low to minimize how much the world is spinning. He does keep a "safe" distance from Keegan. If the wolf were to snap at him in a fit of hunger, Therdde /might/ have enough time to get airborne, at the very least until Dichali could respond, or not... he doesn't have anything valuable for Keegan, though. Answering truthfully, the duck says, "She couldn't She didn't know. That's why we're searching out this cougaress to the south. The only thing the squirrel could tell us is it was beyond the rivers." Which could mean anything, to one end of a river or the other, and no specific distance beyond. All save useless.
Dichali seems to find the cougar's change in manner a tiny bit unsettling, but at least it gives him a moment to stop trying to think about the whole thing.
Keegan nods. This brought up some more questions in his mind, but none that Therdde could answer. "I'll keep it in mind then.. Thank you." He turns back, looking between Dichali and Chesmu. "If you both go with the cougar.. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you to be careful." Then, he strides back towards them without another word to the duck. He couldn't think straight enough to find anything else to say anyways.
Therdde trusts Keegan much more than he trusts Chesmu. That Keegan didn't attempt to eat him just now helps. Making his way back towards Dichali, he says, to Keegan, "You're welcome to come with us, even if you go no further than finding this cougaress. With luck, she will have more to tell you than I can." Because Therdde's not sure how much more of this dizziness he can tolerate.
Dichali nods in agreement with Therdde. "You've given me no reason to think you've got other motives," he states toward the wolf.
Keegan shakes his head. "I have business that needs taking care of. With the Viridian, and some others." He glances down towards the valley. "I was on my way down when I spotted you two. If things were different, maybe. The timing was just bad."
Chesmu looks at the other creatures. He is ready to go this minute, even if they'd rather not have him. "I suggest we go, I doubt your illnesses are getting *better* by the minute." he growls.
Therdde gives a slow nod and tells Keegan, "I'll keep an eye out for you on our way back, if we return this way. Good luck." The duck wonders if he should take Dichali up on his offer to allow him to ride further. The dizziness has faded a little in the time he was sitting on the ground, but just in what movement he has done, it doesn't seem to have faded to any useful level.
The ram looks mildly irritable with Chesmu's statement. "Alright, you have a point," he mutters, "I've rested long enough...it looks like we should go, Therdde."
Keegan sits and watches the three start off, giving a small nod to Dichali. "Maybe so.. Good luck, to all of you." Then he turned his own way, back down the mountain. He still had stuff to do before he could finally rest up. The sooner, the better.
Go? They just decided to rest moments ago, and that was interrupted by the arrival of Chesmu and Keegan. Regardless of whether Chesmu has a point or not, the duck is irritated. "All right." Making his decision, Therdde hops up on Dichali's back. The adult mallard barely weighs two pounds. it's unlikely he'll be felt. He feels like he's taking advantage of his ram friend all the same, though, especially since Dichali's illness already has him weak and tired. He'll get down as soon as he can see straight, he promises himself.
Dichali stands up and peers around. "So...keep going south," he wonders aloud. He's not entirely sure that the cougar would be straight south of where they were, and she could have moved by now. Still at least they had a direction at all.
Part One
Characters:
Therdde - Male Duck
Dichali - Male Bighorn Sheep
Chesmu - Male Cougar
Keegan - Male Wolf
Lotus - Male Wolf
Plisken - Male Rattlesnake
Paoro - Female Cougar
Moonseeker - Female Adolescent Cougar
Conwell - Male White-Tailed Deer
Ayita - Female Adolescent Horse
- Wooded Terrain -
Therdde is at least not thirsty or hungry. He made it to 'his' lake last night, and managed to keep himself from succumbing to dizziness long enough to eat, drink, and get back to dry land. It would be pathetic if, instead of being a dizzy duck, he became a drowned duck. After that he settled down by Dichali and eventually drifted off, though his sleep was fitful. He awoke about the same time as Dichali, and they have since set off in search of the cougar who may provide them with more information. The trek has been slow and arduous, though, as neither Dichali nor Therdde is at the top of their game, and Therdde is not capable of flying ahead to scout the area, as he might if he weren't so ill.
Dichali would indeed set about things faster if he could. However, due to the illness, he's lucky if he can hold his head straight for more than a few minutes. For once his horns seem rather burdening. If only they weren't so HEAVY. The ram's currently making a slow and steady trot. He is debating taking a quick lay down soon, however.
Chesmu, having managed to stop distracting himself, caught himself a hare or two, which held him over pretty well. Now he's not as hungry as he was yesterday, and in reality, has no interest in eating his "friend" the ram. So, what he does is continue on his way, thinking nothing of what he has heard of this apparent disease that is sweeping the land. He's not sick, so he doesn’t care.
Therdde can at least keep up with Dichali. Still, it's getting more and more difficult to walk in a relatively straight line. Having walked in silence for some time, the male duck finally speaks up. "Have you seen the types of rocks the squirrel mentioned?" In other words, are we there yet? The duck is not as well-travelled as that troublesome raven, not up here in the mountains. He talks quietly, not attempting to attract too much attention in his current condition.
Dichali says, "Honestly, I don't even know..." The ram hesitantly peered around a little. "Want to lay down for a little bit, Therdde?"
Chesmu is still just padding along. He's not considering a meal, so when he comes within visual contact of the ram, he just blinks. Wasn't that the food he was trying to get yesterday? When that annoying Raven messed up *his* side of the plan? He grumbles at this realization. They're probably looking for that cure...
Therdde doesn't take being asked a second time. The mallard practically jumps at the chance sit down and close his eyes. He's sure the world is still spinning out there, but at least he can't see it spinning when his eyes are closed. After taking a long breathe, he asks, "How're you holding up, Dichali?" At least the duck isn't dealing with weakness. He's got enough energy, even though he hasn't slept well since he became ill. He just can't use any of it! *frustration*
Dichali sighs a little. "Walking's difficult, but there's nothing to be done about it," he stated, "I can deal with it...hopefully long enough to find this place the squirrel spoke of." He let himself fall down into laying position and peered around wearily. "How are you holding up?"
Chesmu decides maybe he must now find out the nature of what they are going through. He remembers what the squirrel said. Though he logically (and correctly) infers that perhaps staying away would reduce his chances for being exposed, curiosity. He approaches the ram, and muddled duck.
As Keegan tops a nearby ridge, his first thought was that, in his tired state, he -must- be seeing things. But, the scents from the two didn't lie. Normally, this would be a good opportunity. A ram (or a duck, if it didn't fly to safety) would make a good meal, but he'd eaten already. Besides he certainly wasn't feeling up to tackling anything near his size. Unsure why, he started on his way down the ridge line, making for the two animals that shared his illness, even if he wasn't aware of that. He didn't even see the cougar making his way up the opposite slope.
The duck, whose eyes are closed, has no idea, yet, that not one, but two predators are very, very close. He needs to have a talk with his creator over that lack of effective scent glands. Responding to Dichali, the mallard says, "I'm managing. I wish I could be more help." It's all he can do to walk. If he were to attempt to fly most of the time, he'd wind up flying himself right into a tree or a bush.
The ram twitched his ears, wondering if he was hearing something, but he likely was hearing something other than the two predators. "Well you can ride on me if you need to," he stated. Granted his own body was feeling too heavy for him, but he doubted he'd even notice Therdde's weight at all.
Chesmu finally reaches to two. He is oblivious to the wolf approaching. He has a lot on his mind, after all. "I am curious." he says. "Just what exactly are your problems?" Not the best way to ask a question. Chesmu would likely have been happier just wandering like he always does.
Keegan reached the bottom of the ridge before either of the two noticed him, but it certainly wasn't thanks to him being stealthy. He'd stumbled once or twice, before finally pushing out some of the thin brush to come before the... Three? A cougar? Was he really -that- off his game? At this point, he only wanted to go back to sleep, and rest those heavy eyes. He stopped a short distance away, the cougar's appearance changing things. "I don't mean to interrupt, but I have to ask.. What's going on here?" A ram offering to carry a duck around, and another predator seemingly -not- interested in snagging either for food. An odd sight indeed.
Therdde first hears Chesmu, behind him. He opens his eyes to look behind him just in time to see Keegan arrive. Letting out a startled quack, he jumps to his feet, wings spread and prepared to carry him into the air. Alas, neither his vision nor his feet are entirely steady, and he can't react fast enough to save himself, or so he thinks. Some guard duck he is, indeed. Of course, it doesn't occur to him that either of the predators surrounding him might also be sick or really interested in anything other than making an easy meal or the two ill prey animals.
Dichali raises to his feet in attempt to protect himself and the bird, but he's not that convincing. "Why do you ask," the ram asked as he peered wearily at the cougar, trying to give him an evil eye. It wasn't working at all.
"I keep hearing your talk, passing through here." Chesmu says. "If you're looking to stay alive, you'd be smart *not* to be so loud, and you'd be smart *not* to lie around out in the open like this. If I were hungry, how easily do you think I would have found you as a meal?" Lesson over. "So I ask again, what is wrong with you?"
Keegan blinked. Maybe this bunch weren't as friendly with each other as he thought. It was then that he closely examined the two, noting how they looked a little worse for wear. "So.. You're sick too, eh?" The wolf sat back on his rear, head heavy. The cougar didn't seem to be ill though, judging from his talk. He asked the question, so Kee just waited for the answer-- trying his best not to look threatening to either of them.
Therdde remains on his feet with his wings spread, keeping his eyes on the ill wolf, who seems like the least threat, both in tone and for the fact that he's sitting down, theoretically leaving Dichali to the cougar. The duck's feathers are ruffled, but he is notably still not in the air. Just very jumpy. Keegan practically answers Chesmu's question--they're sick. The mallard isn't entirely sure if he should confirm that in the presence of two potentially hungry predators, but what Keegan says, implying that the wolf is also sick, convinces him. They could stand to have a wolf on their side. "Yes, us too. We're looking for the cure." Please, let Keegan not have heard about the cure yet. Because then he and Dichali would have a real bargaining chip.
Dichali nods to Therdde's words. "We're in the open because we are looking for the cure," he muttered, "And we are trying to stay near the water...we're both ill with some mysterious sickness as the wolf said."
Chesmu cautiously approaches the creatures. He doesn't want whatever this mystery is. However, due to its nature as a mystery, Chesmu cannot help but be roped in. "And there's where I find my fascination. The real mystery to me is *why* this is a mystery to me." He considers the irony of this situation. If he were hungry, he could have picked off all of these creatures with ease and there was little they could do about it. "Ah, the cure..."
Keegan's ears perk at that. "A cure..?" It's obvious he'd heard nothing about it. Heck, he didn't even know the illness had spread, or was contagious. Having come down with it himself only a few days ago. Seems the prey animals had their bargaining chip alright. He stood, padding closer slowly, as cautious as the cougar, "How do you know there's a cure?"
Therdde can hear movement behind him. It's not very well defined, but he gets an idea. Attempting, ha!, to appear unfrightened, he lowers his wings. Nevertheless, he takes one cautious step back, to place himself closer to the larger ram. "A squirrel told us about it the other day. She said this illness came from beyond these parts, and they'd found a cure." Of course, Therdde is cautious about offering up too much information too quickly, but just having this information that the wolf doesn't have allows him to relax the slight amount that he has.
Dichali gives a nod. "It'd likely be in your best interest not to eat much of anything till you know if it's sick or not," the ram stated, "Given how this sickness has no boarders on who it affects, I would highly suspect that eating an ill creature would make you sick as well." In Dichali's mind being ill was enough of a bargaining chip when it came to the healthy. That and he was honestly being helpful too. In his mind, it was his place as a ram to see to it that his enemies were strong enough to take him on. It was backwards thinking, but as a ram, the duel was nearly a religion...being sick like this left him a bit depressed thanks to his weakness. When it came to ill predators? Yeah then he'll be bargaining for real cause they're both weak and there's nothing to get them better or keep them from killing each other except that cure.
Chesmu contemplates this. "So, how are three sick creatures, likely weakened, going to *reach* this cure?" An idea begins to form in his mind. He's not one for being evil, but he wouldn't have a qualm about say, eating the ram as soon as he's cured, so he won't get sick, perhaps. He thinks of the smorgasbord before him. The problem is they'll be stronger. Perhaps another benefit from helping them reach the cure. "What is it worth to you?
Keegan raises a furry brow, looking across and over to the cougar. "Three? Who said I was traveling with anyone?" He wasn't quite so trusting of anyone here to say he could believe them. A squirrel just -happens- to show up with knowledge of this disease, and a cure for it? This all seemed a little off to him. "Where did this squirrel say the cure was? I'm assuming it's not around the mountain."
What is it with meat eaters, which includes the raven, and their propensity to enter interrogation modes at a moment's notice? The duck shakes his feathers, which are still ruffled from his momentary panic earlier today, then says, "She didn't have any details. She was passing on what she had heard from a cougaress who, yes, lives somewhere south of here. But the cure is somewhere else." Probably not in the mountains, but he has no intention of leaving the mountains until after he has found the cougar the squirrel mentioned.
The ram is starting to not enjoy this cougar's attitude. "What's it to you what the cure's worth to me," Dichali wondered, "There's no real need for you to know anything about this unless your affected by it, you've given me the assumption you aren't....so why are you so interested...some sort of preparation?" He then turns to look to the wolf. "I'd be more than willing to help you, so long as we can all keep it with us to get along till this mess is behind us."
Slowly, but surely, a grin begins to form on Chesmu's face. "I see. And when you do find this 'cougaress' the squirrel claims to hear it from, how do you plan on *convincing* her to tell you what she knows, may I ask? Seems more likely the cougaress might take advantage of your situation, rather than help you." And now for his hook: "Now, suppose you had a *healthy* cougar come with you and help talk to the alleged cougaress..."
Even the wolf could hear something in Chesmu's voice that just screamed bad news. He was suddenly sure that he would be safer not going with these three, not that he really planned on that to begin with. Too much here for him to worry about. "You still didn't quite explain what you'd have to gain from helping them, cougar." He never did trust those overgrown cats. "As far as I'm concerned, I don't see how anyone can just take this mysterious advice about a cure so seriously."
Of course, of the two prey animals, Therdde is probably the more skeptical one. Not just of the intentions of these predators, but of the cure in general. His initial desire was to find a safe place and just wait it out. Walking into a cougar's den and travelling to unknown places hardly seems like his idea of a good time, especially when he can barely fly. But there's the chance that this illness won't just pass, and being unable to escape, or, for predators, hunt, is certain, and potentially slow, death. Responding strictly to Keegan, the duck says, "And if your illness doesn't pass on its own? What if, by the time you decide you need to search, you're too weak to move?" There's a chance this is something minor. He has never experienced such dizziness before, but his body could heal itself. But what if it doesn't? That, in addition to some ridiculous notion of actually being able to help the also-ill ram, is what has Therdde here.
"Well...look at it this way...we have something, small as it might be, or we have just wasting away as the sickness worsens and we die accomplishing nothing," Dichali said in reply to the wolf's doubt, "I understand if you don't see it that way, but I'd think it better to try than to do nothing..." "Otherwise," he said before peering back to the cougar, "The wolf speaks truth...you don't strike me as the helpful sort, what's in it for you? Especially considering that helping us might get you sick and if our news is faulty...where would that leave you?"
Chesmu smirks. He starts to pace around the sick lot, eying the three. "What is in it for me, eh?" he says. He chuckles. Well, if one has to ask... "What is this worth to you, a sick, motley bunch who likely can't tell their up from their downs... two *prey* creatures trying to ask a *cougar* for help. And if she refuses, do you imagine she would let you on your merry way?" Then he laughs again, "And then you ask why I would want to help you? Perhaps you have something I want, and I suppose you'd be right in assuming I am not altruistic. Perhaps a cougar like myself is incapable of helping you from the sheer goodness of his heart? I feel a slight insult at this. Perhaps if I find this cure, with *your* help, I could lead *other* unfortunate creatures to this self-same cure. One of them is bound to have something I am looking for. What this something is is my business. But I suppose I could let you two try to find it alone in *your* condition." Translation: Sure, he wants something, but he's not sure what he wants, yet, though he's tempted to try to kill them for food once they are cured. He'd be able to see more lands, and he wouldn't run low. But perhaps they might be more valuable alive then dead. Favors. The possibilities are open to Chesmu.
Keegan is silent for a moment, hesitating to answer. The duck's words were true. But.. "There are others here that need me more right now. I won't leave them to fend for themselves while I go chasing something that -probably- isn't there." It's almost reluctant sounding, but he's firm in his own words. His place was here. For now. The circling cougar, on the other hand, had him on edge. He followed him, never letting him have his flank. "If you wish to lead them to this 'cure', then I won't stop you. But-" He glanced back to the two behind him, before eyeing the large cat again. "I wouldn't trust you. Nothing about your reasons make much sense. Both in the long term and the short, the risks will out-weigh the rewards." Nothing about a lot of this made much sense to him anymore. Blame it on the fatigue, maybe..
Therdde is certainly more likely to be kind to Keegan than Chesmu, who also sets the mallard on edge, although perhaps only because he has been out of the duck's limited sight range. Letting the two larger creatures address the adolescent cougar, the small duck keeps his undoubtedly unpleasant comments to himself. Instead, he addresses Keegan, who has done nothing that could be considered even remotely threatening or rude. Shortsighted, maybe, but that's predators for you. "I'm not going to try to convince you to leave your family, as Dichali did, for fear he would infect them. But if we learn more, or find the cure, I'll look for you." And hopefully earn himself, and perhaps Dichali, spots on a 'Do Not Eat' list, but that's beside the point. Prey species are no strangers to ulterior motives.
"Forgive me for not entirely trusting you," Dichali says to the cougar, "It's just how you're presenting yourself...It speaks rather badly for how you're coming off considering I'd be willing to help every /other/ predator I've met so far without bothering to question their motives...then again before it's always been just myself I had to worry about as well." He gives a small shake of his head. "None the less...as much as I might still be able to fight you off, I'd rather not test my abilities while I'm ill like this, so honestly, it's not like we can get rid of you either way," Dichali notes, "So we may as well try to make the best of it..."
Keegan turns back to the two prey animals, padding closer-- but with his muzzle low and ears splayed. They didn't trust him completely either, and they shouldn't. Had things been different, Kee may have been hunting them. If he was healthy? He would've had plenty of opportunities to strike. "Bird." He looks towards Therdde, hiding between the ram's front legs. "Can I speak with you, privately?" He didn't want the cougar overhearing what he was going to ask. At least not for the answer. Chesmu didn't need to know the cure's location at the moment anyhow.
Therdde doesn't know the cure's location himself, not exactly. And despite the fact that Keegan hasn't done anything threatening, yet, he is a sick predator, and he does need to eat and feed those who depend on him, those who are keeping him here. As such, there's a brief moment of hesitation as Therdde looks up as Keegan, trying to decide if he wants to leave the safety of his ram companion. Finally, Therdde says, "Sure." He takes a couple wobbling steps towards the wolf, away from Dichali, while mentally yelling at himself that this is probably a BAD idea.
Dichali keeps an eye on the cougar as he ponders what in the world he should do about him. He doesn't entirely want to turn him away, but everything seems to be pointing to the fact that he /should/. As he said though, it's not as if Therdde and himself could get rid of the cougar if they'd wanted to...
Chesmu keeps an eye on the other animals. Now he is more interested in meeting this cougaress, than anything else.
Keegan walks with the duck a short ways away, well within sight of the two others. He made sure to wait up for the bird, noting his own problems with walking. "The squirrel told you where this thing is, right? This cure?" Speaking softly, the wolf stepped closer. "I have no desire to follow you, or your friend. In fact, I wish you luck. I'd probably go with you, if I could.. But there are things I have to do first." Why he would, he didn't know. Wasn't he the one that said it probably doesn't even exist? "You have no reason to tell me, but.. I'd appreciate it, at least to have the knowledge."
Therdde follows Keegan, walking slowly and keeping his head low to minimize how much the world is spinning. He does keep a "safe" distance from Keegan. If the wolf were to snap at him in a fit of hunger, Therdde /might/ have enough time to get airborne, at the very least until Dichali could respond, or not... he doesn't have anything valuable for Keegan, though. Answering truthfully, the duck says, "She couldn't She didn't know. That's why we're searching out this cougaress to the south. The only thing the squirrel could tell us is it was beyond the rivers." Which could mean anything, to one end of a river or the other, and no specific distance beyond. All save useless.
Dichali seems to find the cougar's change in manner a tiny bit unsettling, but at least it gives him a moment to stop trying to think about the whole thing.
Keegan nods. This brought up some more questions in his mind, but none that Therdde could answer. "I'll keep it in mind then.. Thank you." He turns back, looking between Dichali and Chesmu. "If you both go with the cougar.. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you to be careful." Then, he strides back towards them without another word to the duck. He couldn't think straight enough to find anything else to say anyways.
Therdde trusts Keegan much more than he trusts Chesmu. That Keegan didn't attempt to eat him just now helps. Making his way back towards Dichali, he says, to Keegan, "You're welcome to come with us, even if you go no further than finding this cougaress. With luck, she will have more to tell you than I can." Because Therdde's not sure how much more of this dizziness he can tolerate.
Dichali nods in agreement with Therdde. "You've given me no reason to think you've got other motives," he states toward the wolf.
Keegan shakes his head. "I have business that needs taking care of. With the Viridian, and some others." He glances down towards the valley. "I was on my way down when I spotted you two. If things were different, maybe. The timing was just bad."
Chesmu looks at the other creatures. He is ready to go this minute, even if they'd rather not have him. "I suggest we go, I doubt your illnesses are getting *better* by the minute." he growls.
Therdde gives a slow nod and tells Keegan, "I'll keep an eye out for you on our way back, if we return this way. Good luck." The duck wonders if he should take Dichali up on his offer to allow him to ride further. The dizziness has faded a little in the time he was sitting on the ground, but just in what movement he has done, it doesn't seem to have faded to any useful level.
The ram looks mildly irritable with Chesmu's statement. "Alright, you have a point," he mutters, "I've rested long enough...it looks like we should go, Therdde."
Keegan sits and watches the three start off, giving a small nod to Dichali. "Maybe so.. Good luck, to all of you." Then he turned his own way, back down the mountain. He still had stuff to do before he could finally rest up. The sooner, the better.
Go? They just decided to rest moments ago, and that was interrupted by the arrival of Chesmu and Keegan. Regardless of whether Chesmu has a point or not, the duck is irritated. "All right." Making his decision, Therdde hops up on Dichali's back. The adult mallard barely weighs two pounds. it's unlikely he'll be felt. He feels like he's taking advantage of his ram friend all the same, though, especially since Dichali's illness already has him weak and tired. He'll get down as soon as he can see straight, he promises himself.
Dichali stands up and peers around. "So...keep going south," he wonders aloud. He's not entirely sure that the cougar would be straight south of where they were, and she could have moved by now. Still at least they had a direction at all.