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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2021 12:32:34 GMT
As Yun Mibu had told Simba, though the savanna was hotter by degrees than the forest he'd been used to, as long as he wasn't out under the burning sun without protection and shade for too long, the clouded leopard would be fine and comfortable with a grove of trees to claim as his home.
Despite Tara being fascinated and drawn to the sky in a way that was hard for him to understand (but then he didn't have to understand it), this did work out perfectly for them both and for him to still keep an eye on her, as was his reason for being allowed into the Pride Lands.
Tara had chosen to build her 'nest' in the trees. Near Zazu and some of the other birds and off his request. The king's majordomo was teaching her to fly, it seemed. Something Yun Mibu was all for. He couldn't teach her, though his cliff knowledge had come in handy out in the Backlands and unclaimed territories they wandered through on their way here, and as he showed her tips for getting up off of a cliff if she ever found herself trapped with climbing her only option to get back to level ground.
He was always careful to chose a tree no birds were hanging out in, to not seem like he was hunting them, and to not startle them. While birds were technically on the menu (or could be) any birds living in this grove he gave a pass for Zazu and Tara's sake. So he was lounging on a branch of a sturdy unclaimed tree currently.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2021 4:10:47 GMT
Nearly blending into the sky, white and blue feathers circled overhead. Zazu had been so pleased by the human girl taking his advice, that he paid little mind to the friend she would be bringing. Certainly she had told him, but it slipped out of his bird-brain. Yet when he perched on a tree at least near her nest, he was startled to meet with something brown and striped... or was it spotted? His position had happened to be at the creature's rear.
"Oh dear..." he gulped, but tried to regain composure. "Excuse me!" he said, with a tone as if asking Yun Mibu to move, but he followed it with a slightly more polite tone. "Excuse me, you must be the er, other new resident of our grove?" he chuckled, "I hadn't expected you to be interested living among birds, Yun Mibu." he seemed to have expected Tara to have another friend, than the one he knew; but certainly he remembered the leopard himself!
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2021 19:46:35 GMT
A voice spoke from behind him. Yun Mibu turned with the practice skill of a cat used to climbing and, therefore, used to trees even among the more mountainous areas he was familiar with. If the first statement had been a bit like trying to shoo him off, he didn't notice it until he had turned and taken in the second.
He also thought and came up with who this red-billed hornbill probably was.
The clouded leopard smiled, trying to not look threatening and show too much teeth in that, "And you're Zazu, correct? You...work for the king?", he had picked up from both Tara and general knowledge around the Pride Lands. Of course he had asked this before answering the bird's question and realized this.
"Sorry, but to answering your question first, yes, I am Yun Mibu and...well I knew I would have to pick a grove in general, Tara picking this one aside, the hot sun with no shelter is too hot for my kind of leopard", he explained, "And...I'm friendly enough to birds...though smaller prey is on the list, as I told the king, but not neighbors and birds sort of down the list in that", he assured.
Zazu being one such neighbor. "Uh, I will not be taking flying lessons though", he added, kidding of course in even thinking Zazu would offer.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2021 22:34:03 GMT
The hornbill luckily had wanted his attention, and now he did have it. He gulped at the stranger's smile, it was only natural with anyone, or thing new when you were his size. Abrasive as he was, it also wasn't hard to intimidate him even without trying.
Zazu nodded, but was perplexed at his manner of asking. He heard him out as he explained himself. "Oh. Do not fret, The Circle of Life is far better than how things are... out there." he pointed into the distance, the bird did give some prey wisdom to the question, that was for sure. "We both know Tara, of course." he put one wing behind him, getting a tad nervous. "Of course not, the thought of using that glider." he shook his head. "Not to call you... a scaredy-cat or anything. So long as you respect the rules, we will have no trouble."
The hornbill thought a moment, "Welcome, anyway... We birds will be happy to be your neighbors, and your offer is appreciated. On neighbors being off the menu." he noted. "His highness did mention er..." he hrmed, muttering for a few short moments, he looked at the tree they were in. "Friendliness isn't exactly your problem." he started with a smile, of a nature that clearly had a "but" to follow it. "However, we want to keep you happy. This is your home, so let me know if anyone does give you trouble. Or anything else I could to make you feel at home." he chuckled, "It is all part of my duty to know all that is going on. If your peaceful enjoyment of your new home is disturbed, we birds outnumber you but your meow is as good as a squawk."
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2021 15:42:58 GMT
Other animals might have seen it as a bit of that Pridelander's arrogance, stating that things were better within King Simba's realm than outside it, but Yun Mibu had to agree to an extent and so he nodded. "More security for sure, for both predators and prey". Simba's thorough questioning of him before allowing a new predator access showed it even.
The Clouded Leopard didn't think himself lacking in self esteem in any way, but he was humble enough that he wasn't likely to be the one to judge if someone had been too harsh and certainly not a king!
"I know little of the Outlands, but beyond that, in the unclaimed territories it is sort of every animal for themselves". Yun Mibu was just lucky his neighbors had been mostly pleasant.
He gave a small smile to the scardy-cat comment, not offended. "There are some who would call me that, but then I don't think anyone likes being growled at really". Even those who boldly fought back did so for this reason, even if that hadn't been Zazu's point.
"As for flight I'm reassured a bit if even a bird doesn't like the idea of Tara's glider". Yun Mibu still thought her brave to take on something she wasn't built for, though her intellect seemed up to the task. He was pleased to find Zazu, for one bird, and as the king's majordomo maybe one the others listened to, accepted him readily enough.
Timid as he was, Yun Mibu did hope he could make it known if birds annoyed him, yet even then he'd probably start with an Excuse Me vs. a full on growl of his own. He nodded again, "Thank-you, though I hope to not cause trouble so hopefully not have trouble".
Something that didn't always work, sure. "Do you know everything that goes on in the Pride Lands?", he asked curiously as Zazu admitted knowing what was going on was his duty. Still it sounded like a lot to keep track of.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2021 2:47:47 GMT
Zazu's beak became more and more a proper smile the more this timid leopard spoke, especially his respect toward the relationship between animal kinds. In response to his description, he gave a nod. "Precisely, most of us think the Outlanders are savages." He scoffed, "Better a scaredy-cat than a savage, that's for sure." he chuckled. He wasn't trying to be mean, but he was getting more comfortable about Yun Mibu.
"Ah yes the growling, you especially should have no trouble on that." he noted, again thinking of his timid nature. "Er, how are you at being squawked at?" he thought on that one, "Not all birds are as polite as I." He hoped that would work itself out. "Of course, she takes all the proper precautions... it is rather..." he swung his wing around as he thought "Leave it to the experts, you might say." he chuckled nervously.
"Everything?" he scoffed. "Only fools think they know everything. I check on most things that are going on, and I relay messages, combined with years of wisdom I do have a great deal to say." he smiled, raising his beak smugly.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2021 2:28:14 GMT
For his own part, Yun Mibu was moving from what he had heard on Zazu to getting to know the bird himself, and liked the impression he was receiving as well. He smiled, "Honestly I was a bit afraid all of us were just thought 'Outlands', when it's really just many territories, before you get to the Tree of Life anyway", remaining lounging, he shrugged.
Did the Pride Landers know of the Tree of Life that far out?
The clouded leopard chuckled softly, "Oh that's fine, it's...mainly among other cats". He thought a bit and finished. He had been going to say intimidating animals, but maybe birds wouldn't appreciate not being thought intimidating.
It didn't surprise Yun Mibu that Zazu, as a bird, thought Tara could only get so far in flight and it was better left to birds. He nodded. "Yes, she's still explaining that to me as well, but it seems a human thing to...find something they can't do and learn to do it. Admirable, really". Or in his humble opinion. "Though I can only imagine how birds see it", he admitted. "She says they learn to climb as well".
Yun Mibu gave another soft chuckle, "I've no doubt of it", he replied, still politely, "King Simba told me about many of the others who call the Pride Lands home, and whom I might encounter, but I'm sure your knowledge will be helpful as well".
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2021 9:34:24 GMT
The hornbill had grown not just comfortable around Yun Mibu, but complacent. He chuckled some as Yun Mibu expressed even more fears, he felt a bit sorry for him, but as a foreigner he didn't care as much as he might about a more local creature.
"Many of us do, but do not blame them." he said simply, "It may not be ideal, but when you only see outsiders when they come to eat you.." he noted, a bit judgemental perhaps. He was pleased he didn't have to watch his tone, just make sure the cats were aware not to growl, he chuckled some. "Noted." he listened to the clouded leopard talk about Tara, and on this his eyes opened as much as his ears. "Yes, it is amazing that they can pull it off at that. Climbing... hm..." he smiled with the beginnings of pride.
"I for one would appreciate more company in the skies, friendly company anyway. Those vultures... if only we could have a sky border." he scoffed, "His highness, yes" he smiled, "A great lion, if you haven't heard his story then you most certainly should find the time to hear it." he said, smiling with pride in his part of it.
He hrmed at what he might have to impart to the leopard, "I can certainly answer any questions, or point you in the right direction." he said, "But it would do you well to learn some other things. You very well could like being a butler, as Tara once referred to me." he suggested, "Assisting her, serving even." he smiled, "It would be a tad odd for a feline, but you are an odd cat."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2021 15:15:40 GMT
Yun Mibu smiled, slightly and without teeth showing as he'd learned to do around prey, as Zazu said many in the Pride Lands didn't blame the Outlanders just for their harsh surroundings. "Yes I imagine that would only give you one view on them, though...um, passing through I still gave Zira's pride a wide space, I...hear they're...well intense".
He was a bit aware of how he came off and didn't want to mention growling again.
"I never thought about how the sky doesn't have a border", he said, looking up, "That must be complicated", he agreed.
His smile fell a bit as Zazu lightly mentioned King Simba's story. He had been born so far out he wasn't entirely sure, but word of the Pride Lands' trouble, how it wasn't what it once was and then how it went back, had reached vaguely even to the unclaimed lands. "I probably should...and should probably ask you so as to not upset the king, all we heard out in our lands was that there was...trouble. My parents did speak highly of King Mufasa before their own deaths". He knew 'trouble' didn't do it justice.
He chuckled at the butler reference, "Yes, from what she said it sounds like helping and I'm definitely going to do that for her". He shrugged, not offended by being called odd, Clouded Leopards were hard to place. "We clouded leopard's don't help ourselves being so shy, so that others don't get to know us, I...well I'm glad I get to fix that a bit".
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2021 9:39:06 GMT
The hornbill gave Yun Mibu a nod, "OH yes, stay far away from them." he said with sternness to his voice. "As for me, I stay here, in the pridelands, as my duty is to report on things around here. As for confusing, not really... just watching where us birds land."
"That question..." he gulped, eyes opening wide, as he sat down, wings folded in. "Yes... trouble." He first listened about Yun Mibu's plans with Terra, surprised that he took his advice, or had already been planning to assist her in such a way. "Wonderful!" he exclaimed, with more emotion than the bird had ever shown to the lions. "Ahem, I mean... wonderful, the both of you will be all the better for any aid you give her."
"About... well." he sighed, puffing his chest up. "Scar, the brother of the king." he started. "He, with the aid of hyenas seized power by murdering his own brother... the young prince escaped and by some miracle was saved by... well." he looked Yun Mibu right in the eyes, "A meerkat and a warthog." he tried to be as serious as he could, about that ridiculous idea. "One day, his betrothed went searching for help, for food, after Scar and the hyenas had devastated the land. She found Simba, and after a fierce battle Scar was defeated, ultimately consumed by his own hyenas."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2021 13:18:52 GMT
Zazu backed up Yun Mibu's guess that keeping far away from the Outlanders was best. The clouded leopard nodded again. Territory wasn't confusing to birds, that made sense.
The Majordodo got all but excited as he mentioned further helping Tara out, before clearing his throat as if such excitement wasn't usual for him, and going on in a calmer tone. Yun Mibu just smiled in slight amusement, wondering why he would be embarrassed to have gotten so excited.
"I agree" he answered to himself and Tara both helping each-other out.
The story of Scar was about as bad as he had heard. There was option of a slight chuckle amidst the serious as Zazu mentioned the king's guardians. "I don't know if that's really any odder than a clouded leopard looking out for a human...and learning what a human is firstly" he shrugged with another smile, one which fell at talk of the battle. "Gosh...I just can't imagine letting hate take over like that..." he shook his head.
Of course he was a pretty mild tempered cat so maybe that was what made it hard to imagine.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2021 22:25:12 GMT
Zazu was pleased that he took the story well, without questions or worse any signs of disloyalty. He seemed to be as he presented himself, and this pleased the bird.
"In a way. Humans inevitably are the outsiders here." he said, "Prey watching out for predator, as strange as those two are I must admit the Elders look highly upon them. One can do great things by simply opening their heart, you might say." he smiled.
"I would hope not. Hate is a terrible thing." he said, not that he said much with it, he narrowed his eyes. "Change only to better yourself."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2021 12:53:47 GMT
Yun Mibu nodded in agreement of kindness getting one very far. By the time he'd realized that he'd crossed from simply helping Tara to looking out for her he was already committed to the idea. "Yes, I imagine that's so...", he said thoughtfully on the subject of the Great Kings that were said to guard this place.
He chuckled, "I know a few predator species who would be jealous of them getting such, not me though of course", he shrugged.
He was too gentle a creature to imagine carrying a grudge as far as Zira had and just hoped he never met her.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2021 23:00:24 GMT
The hornbill nodded, "Jealousy can be as terrible... Scar was evil in more ways than one after all." he shook his head at further memory of him. "If anything, leopard's problem is more to do with laziness, from what little I know." he shrugged his wings.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see you apologizing to your food, or ugh, going the route of insects like that meerkat, Timon. he at least stopped short of calling Simba into the picture, even if it was known to most, he did want to keep the air of posterity.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2021 1:00:48 GMT
While Yun Mibu had heard more here, in the Pride Lands, than he had ever heard out beyond the Backlands, everyone had heard of Scar...even if vaguely.
He wasn't sure about asking for clarification on what he had heard or not, given it was still no doubt a fresh wound to those who had lived through it. "For one lion to be heard of in a bad way way out where I lived even before...yes, they would have to be" he agreed.
He felt the need to defend leopards in a way, though he didn't sound personally offended, and...many of the slightly larger leopards could be lazy perhaps. "Well...not always". He still couldn't say it was never true.
The fact that Simba had been raised on bugs had alluded him. "It is a thought", he agreed, "...if bugs would be enough for a cat my size".
He would see how neighbor relations went and it was a good backup for hard times.
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