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A lanky grey rat would walk along the grass. His were movements slow. . . hesitant, with lightly drooped ears. He wouldn't look behind, not yet, but was certain beyond all doubt he was being watched. Watched. . . by a predator. It wasn't uncommon for a rodent to suffer paranoia in the wild, especially after several close-calls: Tarik certainly had enough of those. The thought wasn't at all unjustified, he had just left a snake's nest after all, and was not yet out of sight. He'd pass a glance to the mouse which moved to the his right, before staring ahead to a hill.

Tarik worked himself up, shaky knees part-way locking on him. He'd keep his balance, barely, and ascend. Back to the natural barrier. . . the rat would look loosen and breathe a bit deeper. "I. . . he. . ." Tarik shook his head, looking down. There would be a long pause before a soft, "T-thanks. . ." He'd look up, "for getting in-front of him."

Unlike the rat, the mouse walked along steadily, and while she was habitually alert and attentive, she appeared quite relaxed, a soft smile on her face. She'd stick out a paw to steady the rat, drawing it back when it appeared not to be needed. At the thanks she, she smiled and nodded, answering casually, "Seemed only right. Y'did the same for me, yeserday morning." She continued to walk, eyes surveying the immediate surroundings. "Sides, I know how to talk him down." And if she hadn't talked him down, she knew how to dodge him. And if she'd failed to dodge him, the thought of ending up the python's prey was far from terrifying to her.

The rat would keep where he was, feeling the need to gather himself. He'd been through worse, far worse. It wasn't as bad, but. . . it wasn't pleasant either. How could one endure such things again and again? Tarik flicked an ear, and. . . offered a light smile. A few kind words and the support of another was enough it would seem. "I. . . g-guess so. . ." Of course when he was shielding the mouse from the python. . . it was because he was forced to. Still, he'd nod. . . and give a long stretch. While the mouse had been sitting comfortably at the python's side, Tarik was standing before him rigidly. He could have sat too of course, he just lacked the confidence or desire to do such. "That doesn't. . ." he'd look to her "happen often? Him. . . c-changing like that?" As they moved, Tarik's eyes would glance to a small pile of leafs. . . he'd shift away from them, and look back. "I-it. . . looked like you've done it before. . ."

The mouse's smile would fade as the rat started speaking, but would reappear at the question. "Not for a while," she answered him. "Remember, when I first got to know Jaabir, I didn't look for a den of m'own. It was only after. . . well after we had some close calls. . .. that we made the arrangement where I keep away while he's huntin, and come back when he's fed." Even as she spoke, her eyes continued to scan the forest, habitually aware of her surroundings. "That's when I saw it, n'I learned to talk him down. At this stage in his hunger s'just beginnin. He'll only act like that when he first wakes up." She'd sigh then, a slightly sad inflection to her voice. "If he doesn't make a catch, it'll get stronger. A few more days n'it'll start t'happen when he's awake." She'd purse her lips as they walked. "A python's hunger is a powerful thing."

Tarik would blink. It was hard to remember much of what happened those few days past. He remember the mouse explained quite a lot when they first met. As it turns out, it's difficult to pay attention when you're tied up with your paws behind your back, awaiting your fate within the nest of a python. Then there was all the begging, and attempts to reason, that's where any spare thought went. The rat gave what look to be a grimace, and. . . would then nod. "Y-yeah. . . I think I remember that. . ." He'd watch as she spoke, thoughts of there initial encounter now fresh in his mind. This mouse, which. . . had saved him unintentionally. . . and now on purpose, didn't at all care before. Tarik tilted his head lightly. "W-worse? . . ." He'd sigh and look back, studying her. She. . . didn't seem to like that thought. But was that much of a surprise? The mouse looked estatic when she was by the snake's side. "I. . . I guess that's why. . . you almost. . ." Tarik lowered his head, "I mean. . . you w-wanted him to. . . eat me." He'd sigh. "You would be with him now. . . if he did. . ."

The mouse's head turned, and for a moment, she looked directly into the rat's eyes, before her gaze turned outward to its habitual survey. "Well, s'not just cause of that. . ." she replied, perhaps just a bit defensively. "He is my love, n'I want him t'be healthy and strong, n'that means bein fed." She'd sight then, and in a softer voice would continue, "But yeah. M'happy when when he's fed. Cause then I can be with him, nd I don't have t'be careful or formal, I can just. . . be with him."

When Licthia stared, the rat's lowered gaze would raise to meet her. He wondered if he such even mention such things. A day before he would have been too afraid to, least he gave her any ideas. Now though, she. . . he. . . didn't feel that now. After all, she could have easily let him take the blunt of the serpent hunger earlier. She would have only needed to stand still. Tarik turned his head just the same, nodding lightly as he did. "I. . . u-understand. . . I think." he'd look back, "I. . . it. . . was my fault. And. . . you couldn't trust me." There would be short pause as he considered just what the mouse had given up. "I. . . I'm sorry that you. . . have to wait longer, then you would have. T-thank you. . ." As much repeated those two words, it didn't feel enough.

As the rat spoke, she wondered if she ought to feel guilty, having nearly fed him to her python. After all, she liked him now, she could see he was a decent fellow. But she didn't feel guilty. And why should she? No one ever felt guilty about predding her, and she never asked them to. That stream of thought was broken as the rat continued to speak. "It was worth it, makin a new friend," she answered simply. And it was true. It struck how he'd picked up on her motivation for wanting Jaabir to be fed. That was something she couldn't really talk about with Jack, or with Morathi for that matter. She couldn't discuss her feelings of guilt with the rabbit, and as for Morathi, he'd think her ambivalence was silly.

"I used t'worry about that," she continued, a little abstractly, "I suppose I still do a little. But it used to be. . ..I'd see Jaabir with a bulge in his coils, and I'd feel happy!" She'd sigh. "And then I'd feel guilty. . . .cause I felt. . ." Her words became more labored, ". . .I shouldn't feel happy. . . Cause, someone lost their life somewhere, and I shouldn't feel happy about that." The mouse would take a breath, looking about. "But then I decided that was silly. I feel how I feel, and there's no need t'feel guilty about it." She'd shrug. "And just cause I was happy Jaabir was fed, didn't mean I was happy someone lost their life so that could happen."

The mouse's words would bring a smile. Lichthia may not have cared if he died two days prior but. . . she liked him now. Liked him enough that she didn't mind her python going hungry awhile longer; which was a large sentiment, he'd consider. And. . . two days ago. . . did he care much differently either? His goal was to hunt her. To incapacitate her. To carry her off to his den. To feed. Even aside from that, when he got incapacitated, carried off and. . . he shook his head. Even aside from his plans backfiring to the highest degree, he would have been more than happy at the time if a hawk snatched her on the way or the snake himself swallowed her: It would have meant assured life for him. . . well, assured death as it turned out.

The slightened change of subject would prompt Tarik to flick an ear. Lichthia's world was still alien to him, but. . . he was beginning to understand: He had insight now. The rat looked to her, listening calmly enough. "I. . . I see. . ." Guilt. It was certainly an emotion Tarik could sympathise with. "S-something. . . would. . . have to die anyway. . ." As Lichthia explained to him before, the snake had no choice but to kill. A python like Jaabir couldn't eat fish, couldn't eat berries or nuts. But. . . rats could. "That. . . that makes sense. That. . . you stopped worrying." Tarik looked away some. "I. . . just started worrying. Or. . . maybe I did before. W-when I. . . was first sent to hunt. I never had to look at what I ate after that, at least not close. The. . . hunters just brought in their catch. . . and later. .. meat was given out." Tarik would frown "I'd . . . probably feel guilty now. If I saw it. And. . . I. . ." his tail dragged lower against the ground, "still feel g-guilty for trying to. . . hurt you. . ."

The mouse smiled. She slowed down a little, and put a paw on the rat's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Like I said, was worth it," she answered.

As the paw brushed along his fur, the rat would startle. His head turned fast and body stiffened. Was it a snake? Maybe a tiger? No. . . just a mouse. Well, not just 'a' mouse. When the rat was tied by he, he had suspicions a tiger would have been safer. Tarik sighed, but as the words reached him, he'd smile back. She brought comfort to him now, as any from him family: Not many spoke as kindly. Family though, that thought calmed Tarik further, he. . . could see them soon enough.

The mouse continued forward, silent for a bit. When she continued, it was in a soft voice. "When I chose to stay with Jaabir, even after he told me I could go, I knew I was cutting myself off from all my kind." There'd be another short pause, before she added, "Jack is different. Some day he'll find a warren sensible enough to take him in. He's only a guest of Jaabirs, n'someday he'll find his way home." She'd sigh. "But I knew when I made my decision, I could never live among mice again. Can't have divided loyalties. Can't be in a colony with friends n'value, and m'love a python all at once, and I chose and I have never looked back." She smiled and glanced over at the rat. "So friends are precious to me." She'd smirk a little as she looked up along the path. "Specially friends who aren't top tier preds."

Tarik would begin to frown at the mouse's words. Having just thought of his family, it made him sad to think the mouse would never see hers. He thought to encourage her but he was reminded she had no desire, or at least, preferred the snake if she did. Rodents, both mice and rats, they had a need to socialize. . . to be with their own. And what if another was not their own? Could it satisfy that need? Tarik wasn't sure, but it looked like Lichthia had managed to with the snake. And he was starting to with the mouse and rabbit. . . once he got past their differences. Still, he identified more with Lichthia than he did with Jack. Mice to his family, they were not thought to be anything like a rat. Rats were wise, fast and strong. Mice were stupid, slow and weak. The fact they were similar in everything aside from size, was an afterthought. . . but not to Tarik, not anymore. She was a rat to him, a small rat who fawned over a giant python, spared with an owl and took weapon advice from a cat.

"I guess. . . you have enough of those." he'd consider with a smile. "I understand though." His smile faded lightly. "It must of been hard. . . to be alone. It was only a few weeks for me, but it felt longer." Tarik would look off, his words softer, carrying a weight of sadness. "It wasn't suppose to be like that. Everyone thought the others formed a colony together. That they didn't try to come back. . . because they were happy."

The mouse shivered as she listened. For the first time, she suspected perhaps the rat's ostracism had been worse than her own. At least she hadnt had any hope. She pondered his words, that touched on something she'd been thinking about. Jack. . . .Sylvia. . . . and now Tarik all had something in common. "I think our miss Tabatha has a penchant for goin after outcasts," she said softly. "I expect she might have caught me, if Jaabir hadn't found me first." She pursed her lips; that was something to be grateful for. "She probably thinks she's doin 'em a kindness." She frowned. "S'a kidnness I could do without."

"M-me too. . ." the rat would answer quickly, considering the prospect after. Had the massacre of his friends been done with the best of intentions? It was harder to see that from his prospective. Within his colony, Tabatha was already thought to be a monster, a temptress that could lead the young and experienced a-like into a feeling of safety, before swiftly ending their life: And they didn't know the half of it! The few instances of a rat seen wandering astray, and being captured, that had been enough. Some of the colony mystics suspected she might be a demon, but that was almost always their first consideration. What would they think of her now? he wondered. "I t-thought it was because it easier for her. But she could get the others too. She had before. . ." He'd think awhile longer, "She. . . she told me she was worried I 'endured' too much. And that I'd have to. . . endure more." The rat's words grew softer and softer as he recounted; his head drooped low. "She asked if I wanted her to. . . take me anyway." Tarik winced at that, he had hesitated after all.

The mouse gave a grim smirk and shook her head. "She's kind of nuts," she answered. She glanced up to the rat and added with a smile, "And don't y'ever repeat that t'anyone." Continuing forward, she'd add, "But y'shouldn't take what she says seriously."

Fearful of being seen, Tarik would pass a care grance behind and around. Maybe the cat was watching? He'd then look back, to nod. "Y-yeah. . ." he'd answer, looking off. It was clearly an uneasy subject for him, to even think of the feline. Speaking out against her. . . that was worse. He had little desire break the safety she had given him, it was fragile enough as is. His head turned back "Oh. . . I wouldn't. Repeat that I mean. . ." He'd nod again, looking a calmer, though . . still distant. "I've. .. been trying. To just not think of it anymore. . . . I can still hear her." He'd sigh, head raising lightly, "It's. . . not as bad now." The rat would be silent for a time, still keeping to the mouse's side. "You said. . . you went through the same with a jackal?" he'd question as they went, "But not with the sna. . . Jaabir? You never felt afraid. . . had nightmares? I probably would have. . . if I didn't see Tabatha." He'd consider the close-call mere moments ago and frown, "I might anyway. . ."

"With Jaabir?" the mouse asked, as though the question surprised her. She thought about it and shook her head then paused as though to think. "No. .. . not nightmares, but first time it happened, it did scare me," she'd answer with a smile. She beckoned to the rat, leading him to a little alcove that was safe. If they kept going much further, it wouldn't be appropriate to talk, and she wanted to prolong the conversation.

Tarik nodded lightly at the initial reply, and allowed Lichthia to take the lead. When they stopped, he'd give another light stretch and stand there beside her, ears flicking to listen.

"But this was well after we'd first met," she continued. We'd gotten t'know each other, and I trusted him. He'd even told me I was free t'go if I wanted, and I was there by m'own choice. So I was scared, but maybe not as scared I otherwise might have been."

"Oh. . . " he'd reply, blinking some. It was still hard to imagine for him, how the mouse was so contented at keeping to the snake's side. Well, she was frightened to begin with at least. "I see. So, it. . . didn't last long?" He'd pause to consider. "But you were scared of the Jackal though, for. . . awhile after?"

The mouse peered at the rat, wondering what he had in mind. "Oh yeah, I was shaken up for a while." She leaned her head back. "It was mostly the thought of bein taken, alone, Jaabir n'Jack not even knowin what happened to me." She smiled. "Jaabir n'Jack helped through that. Specially Jaabir." She'd give an odd smile and stretch. "But I doubt what worked for me would work for you." She'd peer at the rat. "Best thing for you s'probably t'rejoin y'colony. S'harder t'bear somethin like that when y'alone." She lean back. "Not that y'alone anymore, but y'kin could probably help you in ways others might not."

Tarik listened quietly, appearing interested. He clearly did have something on his mind. He'd frown some when she mentioned being taken without others knowing of it. The same almost happened to him, and. . . very much did happen to many of his family. The colony as a whole, probably thought most outcasts were still alive. He'd then give a small tilt of the head, not quite sure what had 'worked' for the mouse, but he didn't think to question that, at least yet. The mention of his family helping. . . he'd give a sigh, and. . . and smile. "I. . . think so too. . ." he'd mutter, before looking down, head lowered in attempt to be eye level. "S-so. . . you felt scared of the jackal. And. . . Jaabir. . . at first. And. . . I think you said Tabatha too. And. . . the owl?" there would be a pause, "You. . . didn't seem scared at all, when you met me." He'd still smile part way, but it was certainly seemed to dent his pride, "guess I wasn't as scary." The rat thought at that more, was it just him in that case? The mouse seemed to have no problem with checking his old burrow alone, even if it meant seeing other rats. Maybe she didn't find rats threatening? "or. . . you stopped. . . being. . . scared?"

The mouse peered at the rat. Funny. . . . only two days ago she'd been all set to feed him to Jaabir. Now, his questions were more probing than anyone's, save Jaabir's. "Somethin I learned from you. . . . . bein an outcast mouse isn't like bein an outcast rat." She'd shake her head. "S'not something that happens often. And when it does happen, y'not expected t'return. . . . y'not expected t'join up with other outcasts. . . . or to find a new home." She'd turn her head to the rat and enunciate very clearly, "You are expected to die." Turning back, she'd sigh. "For months, m'primary motivation for livin was just t'foil their expectations. But it was a miserable existence."

The mouse would give habitual look at the empty horizon and shrug her shoulders. "So I didn't mind it so much when Jaabir caught me. I mean I was scared, sure! And I asked him t'please t'let me go." The mouse would sigh. "But I don't think it was as terrifyin as it would have otherwise been. In a way, I was pretty much dead already."

The mouse would raise her staff to her chin. "And I was so hungry for a friendly voice. And Jaabir was so sweet with me. He called me miss Mouse, and asked me m'name." Course he was gonna eat me. But he was still kind. And while I didn't wanna die. . . . ." The mouse stared forward over her staff. "Losin my life in the embrace of someone who cared about me, who was kind to me, and knowin m'body would go to make them healthy and strong, seemed better t'me than goin back into the woods. . . . than bein alone." The mouse would look down and mutter, "I actually am gettin t'the point of y'question. . . just takin the long way around. . ."

The rat peered back, head tilted lightly, muzzle leaning forward. When the mouse had him trapped, the stories of her past were only of importance in that they might have held a clue into getting her to free him (they didn't). Even then, he had to force himself into listening. Now though. . . well, he didn't have to now: The mouse's words were genuinely interesting when you were not about to be python fodder.

His muzzle soon formed to a frown. Even given what he had endured, Tarik looked sympathic. The mouse was deemed to die from her family, and not even from something dependent on her own actions. The rat had lost to a leader in attempt to move up in ranking, a gamble of great risk. . . understood risk. Lichthia, however, she was barren. Doe's who could not produce in his colony, wern't well off either, but it was rare such became a 'death sentence' to them. It was more likely that they take care of the sick or wounded in the colony ward, or help see-to food and divide it out. Poor skills in those areas, might lead a doe to being sent out for gathering, and likely with little training, but that was the worst he knew of: They were less likely to survive, but they still had a chance. This mouse. . . didn't have a chance, or at least, wasn't suppose to. Tarik could understand, why the mouse felt empty.

The rat raised his head. Empty. He could understand that. But to feel so 'dead' that even kind words before assured death were yearned for? Maybe. Tarik. . . didn't keep to himself long, even then he hoped his friends were still out there. He was already feeling lonely in a week. What if he already knew the others to be dead? What if. . . several months past? Would he have reacted to Lichthia differently he wondered? Would he have been grateful for a few kind words as he laid tied before the python's arrival? Would he have struggled as hard as he had? And the same of. . . Tabatha? The rat shuttered, not wanting to consider that. His left ear flicked, and his eyes lowered to her. So drawn to the subject, he had forgotten about what he asked, until reminded. He'd give a nod. "O-oh, that's ok."

The mouse smiled, chin on her staff as she took another look about. "I was happy," she continued, "all things considered. Jaabir was kind to me. He took me to places I would never have gone alone and watched after me while I foraged or explored. He kept me company, he talked to me" Gaze a little distant, she continued, "Course I had no idea how fond he was becoming of me. I knew he liked me, and he'd even prefer to eat someone else than me, but I was sure sooner or later, probably sooner, he'd fail to catch somethin, and it'd be time for me to pay m'last debt."

The mouse sighed. "And somewhere inside m'self, I decided I did not wish to die in fear." Her voice was soft, almost dreamy. "I did not wish. . . t'spend m'last minutes, last seconds in terror as the lights go out." The mouse swallowed, and bowed her head. Then she turned and looked up at the rat with a smile. "So I asked Jaabir to help me to face into my fear."

The grey rat would turn his head behind as the mouse spoke. Tarik didn't feel like standing, but sitting down in the middle of a forest, alcove or no, was typically an act of suicide. Leaning would work, but unlike the mouse, he held no staff. And so, taking a few steps back, Tarik would use the base of a small tree for support. His tail wrapped behind, and gripped him closer. He'd then peer back, head turning, as he nodded. "I. . . guess that makes sense, to not want to. . ." he'd frown "die scared. . ." Then, he'd blink, a paw raising to the side of head as he considered. "But. . . what do you mean?", he'd question. "How did he. . . help, 'face into. . . your fear'? " Support from others made sense in dealing with trauma. And while he wouldn't have said so around others due to male pride, a hug from Lichthia's rabbit friend helped as well. But, the very last thing Tarik suspected would help with a fear of being eaten. . . would be a giant snake.

The mouse glanced downard, for a moment a little shy. "Playin. . ." she answered. Leaning back, she'd look at the sky. "S'not somethin I generally tell folk about cause I know it'll sound strange. . . Jack knows. . .. .I told Morathi, but even he doesn't know how far it goes. . . . .But. . . .Jaabir and I play together. . . . We act out. . .fears I had. . .nightmares from m'childhood. . .." The mouse laughed. "Though I think Jaabirs bigger than any snake even from m'nightmares. . . ." Licthia sighed. "But he was kind t'me. . . he cared for me.. . . so I could play with him. . .face into m'fears in a way I knew was safe. . . ." She lowered her head. "N slowly. . . .over time. . . .I lost m'fears."

Tarik leaned in further, almost unnaturally so. From a glance it might look like he could topple over. But, the tail curled behind the tree, that would keep him steady enough. He'd blink, and flick an ear, an expression of bewilderment on his face. Playing with a python. . . that didn't sound like a good idea at all. Personally, he doubted he'd enjoy any game a snake (or any other predator) would have in mind for him. But, as usual with Lichthia, the strange became 'understandable' once explained. Facing fear directly to help move past it. It wasn't exactly a practice he knew of, but it made some sense. But to put yourself in a position to be able to do such, to 'act out nightmares' with a snake that was in-fact larger than you ever before imagined. . . . it felt insane. Tarik would cringe just thinking of it, how could she have trusted the snake so much? He'd then consider she already felt 'dead' anyway, maybe. . . she just stopped caring. And. . . she thought it was going to happen anyway? The rat would relax himself more, and lean back further, nodding.

She turned her head to the rat. "That meetin with the jackal. . .. s'the last time I recall being really scared of a pred." She shook her head. "I was never scared of 'the owl' . . . of Morathi." She smiled. "Not even when I met him." She chuckled softly. "Mostly I was annoyed. S'like. . ..I'd already had a hard day. . . .and now I have t'deal with some owl thinkin he's gonna sneak up on me and carry me off?" She laughed, laughter fading to a smile and more serious tone. "S'what impressed Morathi about me when I met him. First, he wasn't abel to take me by surprise, second, I didn't run or freeze in terror when I spotted him, and mostly. . .he could tell I wasn't afraid of him. Hmph." The mouse leaned into her staff. "S'what convinced him t'talk with me. . .stead of tryin t'carry me off for a possible dinner."

The rat raised an eye. He imagined the owl would have been like the others, that she was scared first. . . then quickly overcame it. But. . . not at all? Just. . . annoyed? Tarik tilted his head. From what he heard, this owl was huge, larger than all others. . . big enough to eat those too if it wanted: Suddenly he didn't feel as self-cautious. He'd shake his head. "No wonder. . ." he'd mutter looking down, "you weren't scared of me. . ." The rat looked back, peering for a moment. "I guess. . . it. . . worked then. . ." he'd comment, a bit in disbelief. Somehow it felt more reasonable that his own attempts at inducing fear in a mouse, were simply that pathetic. A mouse or any rodent, to lose their fear of predators. . . it didn't seem possible. What would things be like, without it he wondered? "That must be. . . nice. To not feel afraid. . ." He'd blink and look to her staff, "and not be. . . weak."

The mouse was cautious as the subject turned to the rat. She was very careful not to smile or suggest in any way that her lack of fear of him had anything to do with not being particularly scary; she'd learned he was thin skinned on that subject. "I don't think of you as weak," she'd counter him quickly. "I mean . ..physically of course we're both weak compared to a cat or an owl," she continued. "But you faced down two preds." She drew the heel of her staff across the earth. "S'not many who could do that."

The grey rat which by stature was much taller than the mouse, continued to stoop down to regard her words. At the vote of confidence, he smiled lightly. "I. . . I guess that's true." he'd agree, though not at all in boast: Standing in quivering fear, didn't seem like much to him, but. . .maybe it was? He survived each encounter, when others hadn't: That was something at least. "But,I still get scared. . . tense up. And. . ." He'd scratch at his head with a small sigh "I don't fight so well. . . " There would be a pause, "was hard to ever improve my status. . ."

The mouse nodded, though in truth, this was a subject that was hard for her to relate to. Mice in the colony did have status of a sort, but it wasn't something that ever changed, at least not normally, and in Lichthia's case it hadn't been for the better. "Well, if you can think of a way t'use all this t'your advantage, I'm all for it," she answered, then smiled. "Though I dunno if knowin a crazy mouse who's friends with a big snake'll help you," she'd add.

Tarik looked up a bit, "I'm. . . not sure. . ." he'd consider. "I guess. . . it depends what I say to them. If. . . they think I'm stronger now." He'd then shake his head, ears lowering. "Someone would still challenge me. . . probably several. . ." he'd sigh, "It's what always happens when a new member joins the colony. . . to establish new rank. What I say might keep some from wanting to fight me. . . but it wouldn't stop everyone, then they would know. . ."

The mouse smirked. "Obviously, I don't understand rats. . . ." she muttered. "Seems like there's a lot of fightin. . . ." She'd look over at Tarik inquisitively. "Y'said y'were cast out cause y'challenged some leader and lost. . . " she began, a little hesitant not wanting to accidentally say something that might offend. "Why did y'challenge 'em?"

Tarik would blink, a bit confused. The way of his kind, it was what he was born into. It was hard to consider others not knowing. . . understanding. "Yeah. . . a lot." He'd agree, thinking that would cover it fairly well: They tended to fight as a settlement for most things after all. As she continued he'd begin lower his head, though wouldn't seem offended, as much as 'sad'. "O-oh. . . " he'd sigh. "That was. . . Severin." The rat would look off, "Hunter. . . he overheard a rumor that Severin was aging, and was seen gripping a leg just above his knee. He told me about it, and was going to try." Tarik frowned and looked back, "He. . . was fast and thought he could get to it quick enough." There would be a pause and a sigh. "He did, pulled at it, but. . . nothing happened, just. . . got pinned by surprise."

He'd look over to Lichthia, staring to into her, eyes heavy. "I. . . got to talk with him, just before he was sent out. He told me that he would be ok. That. . . he'd at least be with Aidan who was sent out before."

Tarik shut his eyes, head hanging low. "I spoke with Hunter often. We. . . were friends. A few weeks went by, and I. . . heard more talking, some of the hunters. They said. . . he made a mistake, the wrong leg. But no one wanted to try." His eyes opened, his expression a mix between embarrassment and regret, "I. . . didn't have high status. I thought. . . maybe I could do it. And. . . if I didn't. . ." He'd shake his head "the very worst is I'd be with the others, it. . . didn't seem so bad. . ."

The mouse nodded, subdued. That made sense to her, and it made the tragedy of his loss all the more painful. "Tabatha might not have gotten them all. . ." she said softly. "Maybe one or another didn't stay at that burrow." It was a meager hope but she wanted to offer him something, and couldn't think of what to say. "I s'pose y'could ask," she added, wondering if if perhaps she shouldn't have said anything at all. The idea of having to go back to the feline to find out seemed cruel. "Or. . . I could ask for you.":

The rat would raise his muzzle with heavy eyes, which subtly lightened. "You. . . think so? . . ." It was a prospect he hadn't at all considered, not since encountering the grey tabby. He assumed himself to be the only survivor. "S-she. . . only mentioned four. . . named three. I guessed the other. . ." Tarik would lean himself forward, thinking hard now. It didn't feel likely. . . but it was something to cling to. His ear flicked and expression turned to worry, the idea of Tabatha directly. . . to approach her, and endure the sting of certainty by her own 'taunting' words, it made him cringe. . . once was enough. Yet, if he knew someone wasn't taken, maybe he could look for them. Lichthia's offer, brought a shaky nod. "I. . . m-maybe. . ." He'd soon bare a frown, "If you mentioned a name. . . and she hadn't taken them. She. . . might go looking. . ."

The mouse shook her head. "I wouldn't mention a name. Fact, y'shouldn't even tell me who y'knew till after I've spokent to her," Lichthia answered. "I'll jus go n'ask her politely t'tell me about everyone she took. Then you n'I can compare lists." She swallowed. Listening to the feline recount all the rat's she'd taken was not something she was looking forward to, but it was certainly better for her to endure that than the rat.

Tarik peered outward, at first hesitant, conflicted. . . then would nod. "That would be. . . ok. . ." The rat's tail would unwrap; he'd bring his head down and shut his eyes: There was a great humility about him. A paw raised to closed lids, with a subtle rub. "Thanks. . ." he'd whisper, eyes raising. "I. . . I couldn't do that. . . not myself."

The mouse nodded. "Well that's settled then," she answered softly. She'd be quiet for a long moment then. Eventually, her paws would tighten on her staff. "We should head back," she said said, "Jack'll be waitin for us."

The rat would sigh softly, stepping nearer. It would be hard hear if turned out his previous expectations were confirmed, but how much worse would that be? And. . . he needed to know. If he made it back to his colony, he'd always be left guessing, left to wonder if there might have been another. He'd look off to the distance, giving his legs a new stretch in preperation. "Ok. . ." he'd finally say, his eyes looking to her. He'd look calmer, steady. "I'm ready. . ."