Try Something New

TundraGhost • Shauku • He/Him • Incomer

The sound of a grumbling belly groaned quietly in the communal den. Shauku was laying flat against the cold and moist ground, his head resting between his front paws. The hunters of the Magi Giza, the Executioners, would return with their kills soon. Like many other hyenas here, he was waiting to get a few scraps of meat in before the sun rose and they all went to sleep.

So far, Shauku had avoided eating hyena meat. Usually there was at least a little variety to choose from when the hunts came in. He had always chosen the normal food. Or went without eating. But the strain was growing on him— especially tonight. He always got near-last dibs on the food. Always hungry for more that he wasn't allowed to have.

He rolled slightly on his side with a long sigh, feeling the cool soil much into the fur on his cheek.

BΣΛЯ  • Taja • She/Her • Novice Executioner

The clattering and stomping of dark manes through the weaving labyrinth of tunnels leading into the Communal Den foretold their return from a midnight hunt. Taja, one of the lightest and smallest amongst them—despite the dried mud that hid the better part of her fur—followed suit in the middle of the crowd. The only thing she could say was a plus about being younger than the rest was that her safety was priority compared to the adults that had a better fighting chance. Although unable to partake in the hunt itself, she had a good understanding that it was important to be made familiar with the geography of the land first and foremost in the onset of her training, her assigned teacher preaching a sharp tongue in the form of defense and awareness.

Every day was a lecture veering redundant on the dangers of the swamp and the dismal state of resources they were lucky enough to find, followed by the preaching of teamwork and maneuverability, especially in swampy waters. Although she would like to complain about the onslaught of information, Taja knew better than to make light of something invaluable and so important in life-saving, last minute situations. So, she nodded and carried on, not saying a word edgewise.

When they finally arrived into the open clearing, Taja and many others split from the party as the hierarchy swarmed the prey in question: A Sitatunga and a cute little Nyotan hyena, venturing too far from the nest. The party plucked them with ease, cries drowned out and quickly replaced by the insects buzzing all around them. In that moment she had snapped a few dragonflies to hold her over as a snack, licking her chops of decapitated wings.

As the chain of command pilfered through the best of parts, the Executioner's were next in line, taking the parts left for them. In a surprising display of competition, her teacher had managed a hefty portion for himself, scampering off in the direction of Taja, whom perked at the attention she was about to receive.

Surprise fluttered through her expression as a ripped portion was split for her, his words ringing in her ears, "The next time we move out, you will be in the waters. Heed this, it is heavier than it looks, and stronger with a croc in tow", before departing with a strong huff. Okay, not exactly the words of endearment she was expecting, but she knew it was for good measure.

Usually the sight of hyena meat set her fangs on edge and made the hair along her spine stand, but today it looked spiteful as it stared back up at her, flies mindlessly buzzing about, drawn to its presence. Her lips curled in a..'pout'?

A harsh whisper pierced the air. "Yeah, well I didn't do this. And anyways, it's about time you did well, you look unkempt and without manners. Consider it a favor." Jerking out of subspace, she looks around. Was she just arguing with a piece of meat?..

Giving herself a half-shrug, she picked up the grey-furred morsel and made way toward her den, but not before catching the small existence of Shauku, looking miserable on the cave floor. A single brow rose judgmentally at the pathetic sight, heaving a disgruntled sigh as she debated walking on.

Ill-preserved meat soiled quickly, and if Taja wasn't going to eat it..... She abhorred the waste of good food.

Turning on her heels, the Novice greeted the Incomer only through the sound of squelching as hyena meat dropped just an inch away from his nose, without so much as a 'hello' as she settled herself against the cold floor, watching silently for his reaction.

TundraGhost • Shauku • He/Him • Incomer

Shauku had not even moved when the fresh Sitatunga and dead hyena were brought for a feast. He waited quietly for the higher ups to tear the hooved beast and poor hyena apart, only to leave little for the Incomers and Bitten. His stomach growled at the scent of food, craving for him to sink his teeth into it. The nagging hunger was hard to fight off, particularly tonight. 

Silently he hoped that the favourite food of tonight would be the Nyota so he wouldn't have to have the same quarrel with himself again and again. The chances of that felt slim.

The abrubt sound of the juicy meat flopping to the ground in front of him jolted him out of his thoughts. His nose twitched at the scent, quickly realizing it was hyena meat. His head rose from the cool soil as he corrected his posture to be laying upright on his belly while he looked for who offered the food. He made eye contact with the familiar face of Taja as she settled down near him. 

"...Isn't this yours?" He asked oddly timidly. His stomach gurgled once again, even at the scent of his own kind. He held himself back from the salivating temptation to satisfy his hunger as he waited for Taja to respond. He pleaded quietly for the possibility that the offer was a mistake— or for Taja to change her mind about sharing. Which was already surprising enough. 

BΣΛЯ  • Taja • She/Her • Novice Executioner

Immediate dismay settled into her bones, heaving one long unhappy sigh. Was this really the first thing he would say to her? The thought of having miscalculated his level of hunger made her seeth inwards, tingling with the sudden impulse to force it down his throat. With a crick of her neck, she subdued the dangerous feeling.

"If I wanted to claim it, do you think for one micro-second that I would give it to you?" Tone sharp and pointed, like the edge of a carved bone, with a little hint of sarcasm at the end.

Taja looked away from the expression of prodding confusion, keen to the meat instead. "You look like a corpse. Just eat it." Briefly, her lip twitched and molded into something wicked before forcing herself back to neutrality. "You haven't even had a bite of the real deal yet, have you?" The mud on her fur was causing some irritation on her skin, and her head shot back to quickly rectify the nagging sensation, front fangs digging into the affected area.

When she was done she turned to regard Shauku once again, awaiting a response that would hopefully glean some of her satisfaction.

TundraGhost • Shauku • He/Him • Incomer

His lips pursed at Taja's sharp words, letting his head lower wearily. He felt the tiny hairs on his neck stand up knowing Taja wasn't one to be trifled with — her tone already made him not want to venture making her more peeved off. Though, when he imagined a moment where he might make Taja snarl at him,  his reluctance to share food with her wasnt not one that came to mind until now.

His eyes fell on the hyena meat, staring at it with two sides of him fighting for and against the urge to devour it. His stomach pained for the relief of something to satiate him.

"No, I haven't..." He answered almost shamefully with a disapproving glance towards the tan hyena next to him. Her grin as she watched him squirm against his instincts was starting to make him feel ill.

An audible gurgle from his belly again, his reaction being to turn his head away from the delightful snack within his reach. He rested his head over his forelimb, sneaking closer to giving into the need to just eat something. 

BΣΛЯ  • Taja • She/Her • Novice Executioner

When at last his answer came, the line across Taja's wicked face ceased its uncanny furl. Was this not enough? He really didn't care at all, it seemed.

The Novice turned her head away, blinking as the lack of thoughts processed into an empty and quiet atmosphere. No longer did she taunt or scorn or tempt in any shape or fashion. Instead, a very soft—oddly uncharacteristic for Taja— whisper-like coo left her,

"I just don't understand. I'm only trying to help you."

TundraGhost • Shauku • He/Him • Incomer

The thoughtful sound that bellowed from Taja caught him off guard. He looked to her with a pained expression, feeling sorry for being so difficult to please. Taja didn't mean any harm. In fact, this is likely the kindest action he's ever witnessed her do. His and her circumstances of eating hyena meat would be vastly different, and he wondered if Taja ever had inner quarrels with herself over it. It seemed like she didn't, and was better off for it.

This time, he moved his head closer to the meat, his nose catching the scent of the fresh food again. He couldn't keep living like this— not with the Magi Giza. He would surely grow weaker than he already has and he was all too aware of what happens to underperforming hyenas around here. The idea of others making bets of 'how long will he last before he gives in?' flickered in his mind. All things considered— he thought he persevered for a damn good time considering the clans life style. He had lost count of how many undistinguishable hyena carcasses the Executioners had dragged home since he arrived. His heart beat ached with the horrid decision he was about to make.

His throat tensed as he gulped down a bit of saliva. And for that moment alone he swallowed his fear, his morals.

With only slight hesitation Shauku lifted himself up and leaned over the generous helping of meat, his mouth nearing it, watering. He paused for a brief moment just inches away — before finally taking a large bite out of the dead hyena. His teeth tore through the flesh with ease and his movements were ravenous and  starved. When he tasted and swallowed his first bite, he froze with wide eyes, staring straight ahead processing what he had just done. Blood dripped from his lip falling back onto the meat. He couldn't think of anything to say.

He liked it. He fucking liked it.

BΣΛЯ  • Taja • She/Her • Novice Executioner

Head still turned away, Taja was ghostly quiet within the walls of her mind as Shauku slithered reluctantly closer to the inevitable. Saffron pools danced in the sockets as she stared down directly at him through her peripheral, feigning just how interested she was in this development.

Lips curled and uncurled, impacted by a flickering expression as it appeared and disappeared just as quickly. Forcing a blank canvas, a gentle flick at the base of her tail would assure the gentle touch of its end-hairs to caress his bodice in passing as it fell to the floor once more.

"Well done," Her voice held a deep, almost other-wordly whisper, and faced him when she was satisfied he wouldn't relent, giving in completely to the void.

Taja continued with a paw pressed gently in between his shoulder blades, providing a crutch for what was no doubt a moment of weakness. She would know.

"Welcome to the Magi Giza. You're one of us now." Had this been the plan all along? To feign hurt to appeal to his better nature, the feather to the camels back?

Gently, she rubbed back and forth against the bunched skin forming the crevice down his back. "You're one of us now." This time, it sounded more impactful, seemingly beyond the pride of a tribe-mate. This was important to her.

After a few moments of silence and what she assumed to be comfortable, let her paw drag from his body, almost forcing herself despite what she really wanted.

"....You should feel better soon." 

TundraGhost • Shauku • He/Him • Incomer

He was receiving praise for eating another hyena. Now he shared what most Magi have in common. He was one of them. What the other clans and possibly even Outlanders consider the most brutish, savage, dastardly hyena clan around these parts, he was truly one of them now. He was no different. 

As Taja consoled him — Something else he was shocked by — He had to hold himself back from the desire to tear into this hyena meat like any other prey. He still felt as though he had to respect it more than just prey. Shauku shared more in common with this scrap of meat than just living under the same sky, breathing the same air. This was one of them, a hyena. 

This time he feigned reluctance, and more casually stripped off pieces to chew and swallow without looking like he enjoyed it. The truth that he would avoid admitting to anyone was that he had just discovered a new favourite taste. It rivaled his love of ostritch eggs, as rare as that feast was for him. And that scared him. For once he felt uncomfortably close to the Magi Giza. Like now in some twisted way he belonged here, and perhaps always has. Call it fate or destiny, but maybe he was intended to end up among this clan of hyenas.

He forced a weak laugh in response to Taja saying he would feel better soon. He felt great. Not hungry, and a curtain had been opened for him. But something didn't want her to know that yet. "Thanks for– for sharing. I needed this." He paused to look at what was left of the meat, and against his stomachs wishes he felt it only right to offer Taja a little back as something more than just saying 'thanks.' He tore off a mouthful, tossing it in her general direction and already missing the taste of fresh hyena blood on his tongue.

BΣΛЯ  • Taja • She/Her • Novice Executioner

It could easily have been assumed that she didn't hear him with the way she was silent and unstirred, but there was an indecipherable emotion brewing within, and she was currently in the motions of wrangling it. It reared its head as she turned to look at him next to her, blinking a few times before speaking.

"I can't let you starve. You're the only one else besides my last living kin that's like me, after all." Abruptly, her head craned away. Almost like me.

"Don't mention it to anyone else. Not many have the pleasure of experiencing my mercy. Eat the rest, I'll leave you in peace." Uncharacteristically, there was a calm that washed over her as she pulled her weight up and made way for the exit back into the clearing. The need for chaos had dwindled ever so slightly in her mind, and there was a fleeting moment of tranquility.

That wouldn't do, perhaps someone would brawl with her.