#ihatedangling

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Scar was a clever lion, but even he had to wonder what went on inside the mind of the third hyena that he interacted with. He was an eccentric individual, often only communicating through sounds, but that didn't equate to anything being 'wrong' with him. Plus, both Shenzi and Banzai valued Ed's opinions on certain matters.

It was certainly optimistic to have expected some form of an answer. Ed had stayed while the other two departed. It was hardly unreasonable to hazard a guess that something was on his mind - it's not like anyone willingly wanted to spend time with the older lion.

The moments ticked by, and no hint of a response was made. If anything, it seemed like Ed had zoned out again.

Simba had been strolling through the Pridelands, careful to stay in a spot not terribly far from the Watering Hole. In this section of their home were plenty of lovely rocks that animals loved to sunbathe on. Including one silly hyena who wasn't supposed to be there, but he was!

The young prince saw a cricket and was on the hunt! He was following it stealthily behind tall grass, close to the sunbathing rocks. With his body low to the ground, Simba prepares his pounce. But the cricket had leapt out of the way. Though it would appear Simba had overshot his jump, since he would collide into Ed's body and tumble down the small hill with him.

"Get em Ed!!!!"

The young spottie looked out from between her mothers front legs with curious eyes--this had never happened before and she had no idea what to make of it.

New adult males joined the clan occasionally, she knew that but....these were cubs. Like her. They couldnt have been any older than she was---one seemed much braver than the other as he was the one talking to her mother as she spoke of accepting him and his brother into the clan.

The other was....odd. He hadnt spoken--only giggled and stared at them but his eyes were never entirely focused.

"Shenzi"

Her mothers voice startled her slightly, causing her to look up with raised ears. "Yes, mama?"

"Why dont you show Banzai and his brother, Ed around the dens? They're youre newest clan members, and will be sleeping in the communal whelping den." The matriarch smiled, taking a few steps back to Shenzi was no longer sheltered between her legs and under her belly. Nudging her forward with her nose.

"Ok mama" Shenzi made a small 'hup' noise as her rear end was nudged, watching her mother walk away before trotting over to the new cubs.

"You two have never seen me as....me before have you?"

Theyd seen her as a hyena, a leopard, a king cheetah, even a honey badger; but never as herself. Generally she avoided being a human, given the remoteness of the area and the fact being herself stood out and was vulnerable.

Though as safe as the transformations helped her feel....she only had so much 'battery' so to speak before it ran out and she needed to take a rest.

She didnt unknow it it was a good or bad thing her two hyena friends had come to call while she was resting. Human as could be, arms wrapped around her knees with a small smile on her face.

"Oh you'll survive, big baby." Shenzi chuffed with a slight snicker, clearly not caring much about the paws pressing on her as she licked around Ed's ears and nibbled near his mane.

Even if her paw was getting a bit slobbery in his reciprocated efforts.

The matriarch simply sat with this bonding for a moment before speaking again. "...the kid's not doing good, I dont think. He was all worked up when I talked to him. Tried to act like he was fine, but they're dealing with a whole lot back on our old turf." She focused her grooming efforts near a particularly stubborn tuft of fur behind Ed's ear.

"I think ya gotta talk to him, Ed. Hes yours, think he might be most comfortable talking to you. Those younglings are having an even worse time of it than we did." 'Talk' being relative in this case as Ed hardly ever communicated verbally, but she knew he would understand what she meant.

Oh. Guess uncle did not get what the cub was trying to convey. Understandable, he had been a bit too excited and did not really think this through. Okay, he can try it again!

"Zai," gotta have the full attention after all, so best to use his first word from the water hole back then, his uncle -- mainly to make sure Banzai would hopefully pay close attention.

"Pa..." Yes, Papa should also watch - just in case his uncle still doesn't get it.

Then, the little hyena points at his red nose, no quills anymore in it, so it's harder to convey that in anyway-

"Porkypine!" New word.

And points to his overgrown teeth before looking back at his uncle. That's what the nibble was for. The teeth were suppsed to be quills. He was trying to tell him about the quills.

"Zai...Porkypine." He repeats, pointing to his nose again.