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The sky was dark, with a cool haze filling the night air. A nervous grey rat laid hidden in the grass, watching. His head would turn behind, and he'd go about positioning himself toward a near burrow, in preparation: Standing out in the forest without a clear escape route was dangerous. And at night. . . near suicide. Owls were a great threat to a rodent with poor sight, and the fog only made it worse.

"OOOOH-HOOOO. . . ." "OOOOH-HOOOO. . . ."

Tarik froze. The sound was that of an owl, he was sure of it. And yet, unlike any he ever heard. Deep, bellowing, it sounded. . . big. It sent a chill through him! He'd force himself low, suppressing an urge to run: Tarik sighed lightly, with regret.

The wind blowing in her face and threw her robes, the mouse in the owl's taloned claws stared wide eyed at the ground. Oh, she had missed this! It had been over a week since she'd gone flying, and while she'd treasured every moment she'd spent in the serpent's layer as he'd slowly digested the gazelle, she was spoiled now that she'd experienced hat it was to fly, and a part of her would resent having to once again trudge along the ground. She could forgive Morathi his arrogance; how easy it would be for a creature of the air to to disdain those creatures forever married to the earth. Of course as excited as she was, at this hour the ground was mostly a dark massive blur, with the outlines of the canopy of trees just visible in the blackness. Some day she'd ask Morathi to take her on a long flight during the daylight hours, but she didn't want to push his hospitality too far.

The eagle-owl's great wings flapped powerful strides. "OOOOH-HOOOO" He would continue to sound his cry, amidst glides. Warding off others from his territory and invoking fear in those below, even choffering a mouse, it was not something to be resisted. Eyes too would fixate in set directions as if he were already hunting. Darkness? Fog? It was not enough to hide one from his gaze, and even the slightest of rustles could alert him.He'd peer off toward the lake, spying just that. A rabbit? A squirrel? Whatever the rodent, it's fate had already been marked. . . only partially extended for the time-being. "We are. . . approaching. . ." he'd inform, aware the mouse herself was unable to tell. His wings lowered, bringing the two into a sharp descent, before tilting them lightly to slow. "I suspect. . . this is. . . near enough? . . ." He was never told the exact location of Lichthia's burrow, but with each 'delivery', aimed closer by prediction.

The mouse would scan the ground as best she could. She couldn't tell exactly where they were, but there was the river, and there was that copse of trees, she'd get her bearings when they set down. "This'll be fine!" she called back.

At her words, moving just before the ground. . . the claws would open, dropping free his passenger. Morathi circled back, spotting a low branch, and taking hold of it: While not as high as he'd prefer, it was still more dignifying than placing his talons upon. . . the ground. His form loomed down. . . ever-studying the mouse who showed no fear, the mouse who fought a rat, the mouse who. . . slayed an owl. He'd watch as she got to her feet, beak forming to a cruel grin, "Most I drop. . . are from greater heights. . ." There would be a pause, head turning as he gazed up to the rising moon. "But should it prove still too distant. . . the next shall be lower. . ."

---

The call sounding nearer and nearer, the rat would grow more and more uneasy. It was entirely possible he was already seen. He was good as blind, and could only stay frozen. For how long, he didn't know. Tarik's eyes widened, he could see it now, just barely in the sky. His envisionment of the creature from its voice, did not at all match reality: It was bigger! And, growing larger by the second. Maybe. . . he was seen. His legs tensed, heart beating strong as he gave a quick glance behind. If he was the target, he couldn't give up his only chance at escape. . . but movement could bring about a danger which might not be there otherwise.

As Tarik wrestled with uncertainty, his nose gave the lightest of twitches. . . a scent, a familiar scent: That of a mouse doe. 'Lichthia? . . ." he'd think to himself. The scent though, it wasn't coming from around him but. . . above? Tarik blinked, sniffing again, that couldn't be right. . . . could it? The distraction would serve to keep him in place. . . even as the owl continued to descend. This was it, Tarik thought, he had no choice but to run now . And yet, no sooner would he come upon his decision, would see (with limited vision) something small and white being dropped down from the owl's claws. At first he'd think the worst, that Lichthia had been killed. . . but the worst didn't make much sense: Why would the owl drop them here? The sound of her voice would bring further relief, if not greater confusion, as he took a sigh. Still, he would stay as he was. . . too afraid to move as the owl circled, perched and spoke.

The mouse would land lightly on her feet, bending legs absorbing the impact. She'd turn around and look upwards, moon shining in her eyes. "If you were t'drop from a little higher I shouldn't mind!" she'd call back. "Could be a new practice for me," she'd continue giving a shrug. "After all, maybe someday I'll get in a tussle on a high branch and need to fall properly." Grinning, she'd bow her head. "S'been a pleasure as always, sir!"

Tarik flicked an ear, alert. The mouse was still alive, but she could well be injured:She had been dropped by an owl after all. And the owl. . . was just beside. He'd swallow hard, knees shaking as he held them in place. Should he. . . run and grab her? Tarik closed his eyes, it was. . . not something he wanted to do, but even so, would lightly raise. His ear then. . . flicked again. Did she say 'higher' and. . . 'practice'? In all his worry, it had been afterthought that the owl was the one Lichthia left to see. Could it be. . . THAT was Morathi? And if it was, then. . . did he fly her home? Given the mouse was not running, and the owl was not maiming her, it certainly looked to be true. Tarik's left eye would twitch, and he sighed.

Morathi's gaze drifted back, cackling as he did. It was undoubtly the first time a creature requested a higher altitute. Though, typically the drops were aimed to kill or incapacitate. He'd roost there, furthering his grin. "Quite. . ." His body slowly lurched, returning the mouse's gesture. "I. . . must hunt. . ." He'd begin to prepare his legs to press off, but would suddenly pause, still, head turning toward the grass. . . starring.

The mouse would grin. "Good huntin to you." As a matter of politeness, she would not turn her back on the great owl, but would stand waiting as he lifted off. As his eyes fastened on something, her smile would fade and she'd glance back; perhaps the owl's hunting had gone quicker than they expected. She'd glance around, but wouldn't say a word; just as with Jaabir, she wouldn't interfere with his hunting.

Even through the darkness, even through the fog. . . Tarik could see those bright piercing eyes focusing inward. 'Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.' He'd hold his breath, steadying. Not making a sound. Not budging an inch. While the owl didn't seem to be ruthlessly murdering Lichthia, he may not receive the same courtesy. His eyes shut, seconds feeling much like hours. Yet, in time, luck would favor the rat as a light breeze swayed the near grass.

The owl continued his stare. Waiting, watching. . . still and silent. Even when the wind swayed, it would take a few second of prolonged staring to satisfy the owl. He would then look back and nod slightly, a grin returning to him. With no other word spared, his powerful legs pressed off. With but a few slow flaps, he'd glide high above. . . turning in a wide arch toward the lake. There would be one final cry, "OOOOH-HOOOO. . ." before the sky took a dead and eerie silence. . . the owl's visage disappearing within the mist.

The mouse would stand watching as the owl flew off, then turn and peer in the direction he had stared. It was probably nothing, after all the owl had left. But a missed dinner opportunity for Morathi might be a pred for the mouse, and so she wasn't going to take it for granted. "Anyone out there?"' she'd call out, as usual taking the direct approach. "If you're rpey, don'worry the owl is gone." She'd girn. "And if y'some pred thinkin of comin after me, y'should know he is my friend, and y'probably better off leavin me alone."

'don't see' 'don't see' 'don't see' The rat would slowly raise a lid, to no longer find that gaze against him. He wanted to sigh out, but this time. . . he'd resist. It wouldn't be until the owl departed would Tarik even think to breathe again. His paws came to his legs, and he'd drape his head down, panting hard. He'd flick and ear and turn his body, grass further rustling from his movement. He'd begin to answer. . . before falling to a short pause, the warning feeling uncomfortably familiar. Thinking he should speak before he was beaten, he'd quickly stir and get to his feet. "Y-yeah. . ." Voice part way breaking, the rat would take another deep breath, "It's me. . . T-tarik. . ." He would make sure that was spoken first, before stepping out from his cover, and even then with hesitation.

"Tarik?' The mouse voice would be full of happy surprise. "Whutcha doin out here?" She'd tilt her head. "Y'didn't come out here jus t'make sure I made it home alright, did'ja?" Even as she spoke, she decided that must be why he was there, and as he emerged she'd approach him reaching up an arm from beneath to give him a very gentle hug.

Tarik would lower his head slightly as the question. At her embrace he'd look down, blinking and still more than confused. Still, he'd place a clawed paw against her carefully, returning the gesture. Given what he feared, it did feel reassuring to know she was unharmed. "U-uh. . . y-yes. . .." he'd admit, somewhat embarrassed given the circumstances. "It was. . . getting darker. Jack said. . . you come back earlier. . ." Words slowing to a pause, the rat would blink, "that was. . . Morathi?" He'd shake his head. "Did. . . did he fly you here? . ." there was an unnerved and disbelieving tone to his voice.

At the rat's admission, the mouse would squeeze the rat just a little tighter, and would murmur, "Y'a sweetheart." As he continued to speak, she's slip her paw free of the rat's back and would lean against her staff, smiling. "Yeah he did," she answered, glancing off in the direction the owl had flown. She'd bow her head and admit, "I don't tell Jack Morathi carries me home, cause I don't want him t'worry. But it's actually safer than walkin home after the sun sets." She'd give an impish grin, cheek against her staff. "Sides, it's fun."

Tarik's mind raced. A mouse who a tamed snake, fought rats with a stick, and now. . . . flew with an owl? If that wasn't enough, the owl was larger than a wolf! Elaborated stories in his colony sounded more believable. It brought to question how he was going to explain any this to his family when he came back: He wasn't even sure he believed it. He'd just stare for a moment, dumbfounded. Finally he'd force a nod, "Y-yeah. . . he. . . would be." The rabbit looked worried enough by Lichthia being out past dark. The knowledge that she was riding in the sharp deadly claws of a giant owl might prove too much for him to handle: It was about too much for Tarik. He'd raise an eye. 'Safe'. 'fun'. Those wern't words he'd bring to mind around that thing. "T-the claws didn't. . . cut you?" He'd pass a squinted glance down the mouse's body. Maybe she was delirious from blood loss and he just couldn't see?

The mouse grinned up at the rat. His concern for her was funny and sweet all at the same time. "Nah, he didn't cut me," she answered. "He knows how to carry a passenger gently when he wants to, s'not the first time he's carried me." The mouse glanced around to make sure they were alone. She would have suggested walking back to the burrow, but she felt it best to answer these questions before they returned.

'Gentle' it was another word Tarik wouldn't consider when looking at that owl, no matter the context or form. "He. . . d-does that each time? " The rat shook his head, the thought of this being a common occurrence was difficult to grasp. He'd briefly considered what else the mouse might do on a routine basis he wasn't already aware of. Surely this was the worst of it? Tarik sighed, as a new thought surfaced. "W-what would. . ." he'd swallow nervously, "What would he have done. . . if he saw me?"

The mouse would tilt her head, considering the question. "Well I don't think he would have hurt you," she answered. "I made it clear to him that a certain grey rat was helpin me out, and I'd take it amiss if he were to do you harm." The mouse considered further, and added, "He likes our conversations, and he knows I would stop comin if he were to deliberately do you harm." She smiled. "Still, s'just as well he didn't spot you. ...you've had enough excitement these past few days."

The rat would blink. "O-oh. That's. . . good. Thanks. . ." It was certainly a relief Tarik, and he'd smile lightly. Still, it was strange. A large owl obeying the whim of a small mouse, on the grounds of. . . keeping his discussion partner? He wouldn't question. It was strange, but no stranger than any other aspect of this mouse's life. She managed to survive being near 'Morathi', and even coaxed him into choffering: He would take her word for it. And yet, even with 'safety', he didn't feel particularly interested in being face-to-face with an owl of any size. . . let alone a giant. "Y-yeah. . ." he'd agree, raising a paw behind his neck and rubbing, "I. . . think so too. . ." A mouse with a stick, a snake, and a cat. Even just seeing an owl was almost too much at this point. Tarik took a breath, tired eyes raising. . . and looking to the mouse's staff. "I guess you. . . trained?" As he spoke, he'd stretch a leg, looking behind toward to toward the burrow.

The mouse grinned wide at that. "Yeah we did!" she answered cheerfully. "i got to practice evadin and dodgin." The mouse grinned. "He flied down to try to catch me and carry me off, while I had t'dodge him. And he made me do it without lookin up at him. He wants me to learn how to sense and out maneuver a pred without needin to see 'em, usin m'whiskers and m'other senses." She'd sigh, and striaghten. "M'a little sore again, but it feels good. Shall we head back?"

Tarik's eyes turned back. "Dodging? . . ." the rat would mutter, a tone of confusion meeting her excitement. His eyes would go wide at the explanation. Putting yourself in a position to have large deadly talons lunge out for you. . . blind to their descent? It just didn't have the same appeal to Tarik: He much content with his own evening, which consisted of talking to a harmless bunny-rabbit. "I. . . I see." Looking past the insanity of it, he'd have to admit learning such a thing would be useful. Though, weighing that insanity, proved it too heavy a deterrent. . . at least for him.

"oooh-HOoo. . ." "oooh-HOoo. . ."

The rat's ear flicked, and muzzle raised. It was the a call from the same owl. . . but more distant. The tone too felt different, as if it were taunting. . . gloating. Tarik cringed, and nodded quite quickly. "Y-yeah. . . l-let's. . . let's go inside."