Hebeny's Story

Leonis and the Mira hunting party made their way back to the Mira village without further incident, though more than a few had cast wary glances over their shoulders at the thick plumes of smoke and fire that had tore through the jungle in their wake. They were clear of the worst of the heat that wafted through the jungle as they traveled upwind from the area of the bombing, but even from here the destructive nature of the run was clearly apparent.

They Mira were apt to traveling in small scattered groups and frequently left little trail for pursuers to be led back to their villages and today was no different as extra care was taken to cover their tracks and to ensure they did not betray their tribe with a careless misstep.

Meanwhile back at the village dozens of men, women and children had gathered outside of shanty shacks and tree-houses with watchful looks and mutterings among one another. They had all heard the jets fly by overhead before the sounds of the napalm bombing had shook the rainforest, and their words of conversation seemed caught between wishes to stay and await the returning hunting party, or to move out. Without a clan second in Shief Leonis' absence, there was some confusion over who should make the call.

Fortunately the decision would be stayed as signal whistles broke out from the surrounding wood. In their homeland of Aelora such measures were ingrained into every Mira until they were second nature, and each whistle had a distinctive meaning; the system of communication almost serving as a language of its own. The Mira were a semi-nomadic people and with dozens of villages scattered through the rainforest, an early warning was all that was needed for the Mira to have a village evacuated and the tribe moving on to another before it could be taken by the void that had once served as enemy. These days their enemy came in a different shape and form - but old lessons remained strong.

Today though the whistles were not a warning, but rather they served as an announcement of the hunting party's arrival. It would be another fifteen or twenty minutes yet before the returning Mira reached the village and the uneasy bantering shifted to speculations of just what had transpired out there in the jungle while small groups of excited children exchanged bets and declarations of just how many of the human aliens their favorite hunters had no doubt slain. Of course a child's imagination and reality were not often hand in hand, and on this day it would seem there were no casualties to be spoken of for either Mira, or the ever encroaching Aschen.

Tila's attention was wrapped up in staring towards the village's entry as she, just like the other Mira there, impatiently waited for some sort of sign or signal. Up in the higher tree house, she sat on the edge of the walk with legs hanging down while leaning against the loose rope that served as a guard rail. That stub of a tail twitched anxiously as her ears suddenly perked to a sound in the jungle. It was a signal - though she couldn't remember what that particular signal meant. Ohh! Why didn't she pay attention during communication lessons!

At least it seemed it wasn't a signal to evacuate. All the same, the teenage Mira slid back on the planks and stood to get a better look down at the paths below. The hunting party was coming in and among the hustle, Tila scrambled to start her decent to the path. When she got down one level, she paused to look for her friend, Makya. Usually he was up towards the front, preferring a spot in the lead, but Tila could see the first few of the hunting party and there was no Makya. Was he injured?

Knowing that she would lose her good vantage point by going lower, she looked before taking in a deep breath to call out.

"Makya!" Though her smaller voice was easily drowned out in the large group. "Where's Makya..." she muttered to herself, crooning her neck out for a better look. Her hair was given a strong toss to get out of her eyes when she cried out once again.

Having arrived back at the village only shortly before, Ryth and the warrior with him had already been subject to questions regarding the conflict with the humans. Most seemed relieved when he said that there had been no casualties on either side to his knowledge, but there were those who were disappointed that the Aschen had not been slain. The whistle had already been sounded, though, and so many had been content to wait for the Shief's return rather than bother the young Shamana for a debriefing.

Indeed it was a matter of minutes before the hunting party returned. Ryth had waited at the entrance to the village, anxiety well hidden beneath a mask of perfect calm. It wasn't that he doubted the others' ability to survive, far from it, but the few years he had spent in the Forest of the Fall had taught him that even the most capable of warriors could be slain. These Aschen were far from the persistent threat that their homeland's denizens had been, but they had strong weapons and flight machines - they were dangerous in their own right.

Baako walked along with the group of hunters. His deer was still slung over his shoulders, he was quite proud of himself. He held onto his deer, machete, and spear throughout the whole ordeal. Despite almost being killed, Baako was in a good mood. He had a deer and he was returning home.

Baako could see the village and this excited him, he could smell home. He saw all of the Mira waiting for them. Well they were more likely waiting for Leonis. Baako scanned the crowd. Baako could honestly say he didn't have a close friend in the bunch. Baako didn't care. Then he saw Tila, a Mira he had seen a few times before, but he couldn't recall if he had spoken with her. The Mira was clearly shouting something. Baako thought he heard "Makya". Baako looked around, He realized that Makya wasn't with the group. This troubled him. He said nothing, however. Perhaps Makya had just fallen behind.

Hebeny sat on the edge of her dwelling, one foot dangling while the other sat counting the passing moments. In her hand, she played with, and sharpened her spear. Countless times, she had removed and adjusted the tip. Things around the village had been quite dull while the Clan awaited the return of Leonis. Her nerves were shot at the resistance to leap forth through the gates and hunt down the warriors as she saw the jets and heard the explosion. She was in no position to make decisions, and as such, had to follow the orders of 'staying put.' Such was the way of her people, questions merely left for one to ponder on.

Her ears perched as the arrival signal whistled throughout the trees. Her excitement could not be contained, as she climbed, leaped, and shimmied down the tree house to race towards the village's entry gate. There she saw Tila stretching her thin body above the rest trying to get a glimpse. This comforted Hebeny, in that she hadn't missed the hunting party's actual entrance. She took a stance towards the back of the crowd against a tree trunk, and posted her spear into the ground.

As Hebeny continued to scan the crowd with her grey eyes, the hair on her collar eased back as she saw the fire red mane of the Clan's Shamana standing at the village entrance awaiting the rest of the party. At that point, she felt all was well, and was only too prepared to hear of the assumed success Leonis would talk of later that evening. Hebeny had been told on a numerous occasion that she held too much blind pride in their leader; but some things that had been taught by her Mother stuck, even through the mess of Aschen threats. Hebeny knew the Aschen were of no match for the fearless Mira, even with their technology. No one could convince Hebeny any different.

Tila was busy stretching from the back of the crowd and didn't notice Hebeny at first. When she relaxed on her feet and stumbled against a spear in the ground, she looked up at the fellow female on the other side of the weapon. After the ungraceful bout, Tila frowned and stood to wipe off her skirt.

"Hey Hebeny...I was looking for Makya, did you see him come in before? Maybe I just missed it. I'm sure he's here..." The Mira was a mess already, and the hunting party was still filtering in. That wasn't unusal for the lynx like feline, however. Tila always did seem to be a hot mess, after all. It was well known that she was friends with Makya so her concern wasn't totally unfounded, but she was certainly wigging out.

"Hebeny. Let me up on your shoulders so I can get a better look." The command was given little time to sink in before Tila was climbing on the other femme, attempting to get up on her shoulders for a better vantage point. If Hebeny shoved her off, Tila would just transfer to the tree trunk near them and after a moment she would prefer that branch to another Mira's back. Claws digging into the bark, Tila clung to the plant with all fours, turning her head to look out over the crowd.

"Do you see him? I don't see him..."

Hebeny gripped her spear a tad tighter as the lynx tripped over it's edge. She responded with a flat, dull look. "Hmm.." She paused a split second, "Actually, no I haven't seen him. But then again, I don't believe everyone has made it through the g.." She cut herself off with a "No, you may not...Oomf!!" Grabbing hold of her spear with both hands, she planted her feet firmly into the jungle floor. Tila was the same age as Hebeny, but quite the opposite of personality. And thankfully, lighter in weight.

Annoyed, the young feline reached up with one claw after Tila had climbed fully atop her shoulders, and grabbed a hold of her hind leg. "If you don't mind!" Hebeny was relieved; more of the frustrating presence, than the awkward pressure that Tila had put upon her while jumping into the branches of the tree.

Hebeny didn't consider herself any more 'close' with one Mira than the next, but Tila had been in many of the same training courses as Hebeny had. She was more of a constant, than a comfort, but Hebeny still appreciated the young Mira; at times. Standing at the bottom of the same tree, Tila's tail began to brush against Hebeny's face, "I can't see anything! Will you please calm down!" Hebeny stood straight and backed a few paces away, to keep form for the eyes that turned around looking at the pair. Judgment from the elders was not something Tila ever seemed to be worried about, a reckless side effect of keeping her company.

Tila's lynx like bob-tail twitched in the folds of her skirt as she finally settled on a branch. For a rare moment, the young Mira looked nearly adult, posture rigid and right on the branch. A hand went up to her long bangs, holding them at bay so that she might get a better view of the procession. Her toes twitched a bit as she let her feet hang there, skirt splitting the tree.

"Hebeny...I don't see him anywhere." The tuft of fur on her chest rose and fell slowly as she tried to calm herself down. "You don't think anything happened do you? I mean, I'm sure he's fine. He's probably going to be at the back of the group dragging in some huge buck." Tila laughe a bit nervously while chattering on, but after a moment she falls quiet.

Her breath caught in her throat as she stared intently at the back of the group. "He'll show up...He's right around the corner...Right, Hebeny?"

Leonis' return was met with the clammer of voices as several of the veteran warriors gathered to exchange words with their Shief. The exchange was brief as those gathered shook their heads at whatever news Leonis had provided them before they moved off to spread word through the village.

Grunting gruffly, Leonis slung his great axe over his shoulder as he made his way through the gathered tribes-people.

"We're leaving tonight," he informed them.

This village was too close to the encroaching Aschen patrols for his taste and it was time to press on deeper into the jungle. Nightfall would give time enough for Tapu to return.

He didn't linger to discuss the matter further as he and a trio of others made their way through the gathered Mira to discuss further action in the privacy of the Shief's hut.

Still wiggling on the branch, she spotted Leonis and tried to wave to get his attention. It seemed he was going to pass under the branch she was on, maybe if she just scooted out a little bit further...

"Shief Leo--!" FWOOP. It was by pure luck that she hadn't landed on top of anyone, though the heap she was in on the ground in front of Leonis was not very...ceremonious. Scrambling, she pulled her skirt down and got situated on her knees before just going into a bow there on the path. Past the blushing, she finally pried one eye open to look up at her leader.

"So sorry, I err...sorry." Slowly her eyes lifted to look up at the great Mira before her. "I was looking for Makya - is he with you?"

Hebeny recognized the seriousness in the Shief's voice, "We're leaving tonight." She herself, didn't have that many belongings, but that didn't mean others did not. As Hebeny had no 'parents', to speak of, she spent a lot of time helping the other Clan members in whichever way she could.

Pushing herself up from the tree, she respectfully waited for the Shief to pass before making her way back to the hut which she had been occupying. The uneasiness that surrounded Tila's ungraceful dismount of the branch stalled her. Hearing the desperation in her friends voice, she stayed to hear of any news Lenois himself would have, but mostly to try and coax a positive reaction from her friend if needed. It was well known the young Mira Tila wore her heart on her sleeve, and sometimes, her reactions could prove most bothersome. Makya himself was one that could tolerate and steer Tila's emotions down their smoother courses. If he was no longer with the Clan, or hurt otherwise, Tila would need to be preoccupied during the move.

So, Hebeny stood as a shadow behind Tila's skirts. Ears peaked, and eyes darkened.

Hebeny stumbled through a batch of berry bush, as she wandered around the Falls. It wasn't unlikely to find her making rounds solo. Though, her Clan members suggested traveling in pairs, Hebeny seemed to enjoy the lonesome atmosphere. Smelling the crisp water of the Falls, she picked a few berries and continued along her way to the waterfall. Hebeny's own personal project was to decorate her walking staff with rare flowers she would find along the pathways. The waterfall was home to many wonderful new kinds of plants. She was anxious to what she might find today. Humming a tune that she held dear to her heart, Hebeny pushed through a batch of thick greenery to expose the loud mists of the Seshka Waterfall. She stepped through, and approached the water first. Crouching down, she didn't even bother to look for any other patrons, not many found the beauty of the place as illuring as Hebeny herself did.

Hebeny's ears perked up before her body rose. Standing upright, she immediately grabbed her staff with both hands, and pointed the top end at the standing panther. Due to her nature, she first acknowledged the panther as a threat before the two legged woman standing behind it. "I..I wasn't aware anyone else came here during the day to...uh..." She darted her eyes from left to right, and gained her Mira composure, "State your business here!" This time, her tone was quite firm.

With the pole pointed at him, Chi the panther let out a growl. It seemed he didn't like weapons being pointed at him much. "Chi," the magician spoke. "Calm down. No one means any harm here." she repeated herself, this time laying a hand on the black cat. Turning its head to look up at the woman, the beast finally sat back on its haunches and licked its long white fangs.

"I'm simply wandering, honestly. I bonded with this panther just a few days back and he's been leading me through the jungle. I'd ask him where we're going, but we don't exactly speak the same language. I uh, I don't mean this to be an insult or anything, but do you speak panther? I mean, you seem to be part jungle cat yourself."

At the panther's growl, Hebeny herself let a low hiss escape her mouth. As the animal calmed down upon the woman's command, Hebeny addressed the woman as the cat's superior.

Struck with shock by the situation, as Hebeny was still young within her years here on Terra, she still found certain new things to be quite disturbing. A powerful creature such as the panther, Hebeny was positive it shouldn't be bound to an owner, as the predicament presented itself.

"I am no jungle cat," Mira spat, looking down the tip of her nose, "I am Mira, devout follower of Leonis himself." Hebeny was very cocky within her own skin. "If you have bonded, as you say, what need you of translation? A true bond finds a language all its' own." Hebeny began to walk backwards, moving away from the water. Although the woman did not prove to be an actual threat, at the moment, many a threats hid themselves before becoming obvious. Hebeny knew this all too well.

"You hear that, Chi? We should be able to talk to each other." Raising a hand, Jasmira spoke some strange tribal tongue for a moment before snapping her fingers. The panther looked up towards the magician as a wisp of smoke went from her fingers, waft down and disappearing on the cat's nose. This elicited a sneeze from the panther as it licked its chops and spoke aloud.

"Must you really do all the drama, Jasmira?" Chi spoke in plain english. "The Mira already thinks we're strange enough, no need exasperating things."

"Mm.. You're right. Say, is she what you've been leading me to? Catfolk in the jungle?"

"Well you make them sound so common when you put it that way." the panther said with a smirk. "But yes, I was taking you to the Mira. They're really a fascinating people. I wouldn't suggest following this young one to their village, though. They're not the most hospitable people."

"Well if I wasn't going to be welcomed, why bring me here at all? C'mon now. Let's leave the kitties alone. We'll just keep wandering...alone...barefoot...hungry..." The panther rolled his eyes.

Hebeny lowered her staff, finally. She wasn't sure if the pair had waited to show off their magic intentionally before the Mira, or if their capabilities had just eluded them. Either way, Hebeny still didn't trust them to be harmless.

"Might I ask," she addressed Chi, "Why you have led this woman so close to a Mira village? If it's nourishment she seeks, you should be able to fetch something for her yourself." Hebeny would have to report her findings of the pair so close in proximity to the village, which would more than likely result in a search party to regard any threat that might be roaming. Any kind of information besides the obvious description of the pair, would prove Hebeny useful.

"I wished for her to meet Leonis, child." the cat spoke boldly. "That, and she would not eat the kill I brought to her."

"You mean that RAT you dropped in my lap? That thing was still bloody! It stained my dress!"

"You don't appreciate anything I do for you, do you?"

"Nevermind that, who is this Leonis you were talking about?" Jasmira inquired, folding her arms over her chest again. Her eyes went to the Mira after Chi did not answer. "He's your leader, right? Why would you want me to meet him?"

Sighing, the panther settled down on the ground before speaking again. "He's not just their leader. He's the whole reason the Mira are here at all and, more importantly, he's a member of the Patronus."

"Oh, you mentioned them before - those protector people."

"Your gifts are rare and special, Jasmira. You shouldn't waste them."

Hebeny stood taller a good inch or so as Chi called her child.

"Rats are disgusting creatures. I'm a very skilled hunter! I caught myself a healthy young fawn, just yesterday! Still full, as it would seem." The opportunity to best the panther was too easy to pass up, after his dismissing reference of her age. So she felt, anyways.

"Yes, Leonis is the great Shief to the Mira." She took on a more solemn face, "He is a great warrior, one that all aspire to be like, in my village. A leader of great integrity, discipline, and above all else, devotion to his people."

Pausing to hear the panther's response, Hebeny nodded. She cleared her throat, to try and offer something on the subject, "The Patronus admire Leonis, almost as much as we give thanks to them. Leonis has proven a very admirable ally in return for their efforts in aiding our arrival to this new land, Terra." She nodded slightly, feeling proud to say something about a subject she barely knew anything about.

At the mention of 'gifts', Hebeny grew more curious. "Gifts are skills that need to be preened and nurtured, I agree, wasting them is very dishonorable." Without wanting to show admiration, she left a lingering pause in the conversation in hope for an elaboration.