Trouble in Paradise (Open)

[Samwel Igwe]

”Hey human, who said you were welcome around here?”

It took Sam a good few seconds to realize he was being addressed.

It had been a few days since his talk with Simba and it all seemed to be going so well. So when he had been addressed by the young crocidile while out with a few friends he made, honestly? He was a little dumbfounded. ”Yeah didn’t you hear, Pridelanders only!”

Sam didn’t betray the fact he was miffed. Standing up from his spot near the watering hole with his arms crossed. “Yeah and I’m a Pridelander now. King Simba told me I’m welcome to stay,” he said point blank. “So uh, do you mind? I was talking.”

”Pfttt I should have known, the king loves his monkeys,” Sam got a little ridged as he had just turned when the comment was made. ”Get real, you aren’t one of us. You’re just an outsider. Ain’t even got a pride, or float, or whatever you freaky monkey’s got to back you up.”

Sam had been about to throw a punch when one of the young lionesses he was with stopped him. ”Just ignore him, Sam,” she noted. ”If Simba says you’re welcome here, that’s what matters.”

Sam gritted his teeth. He wanted to go off, but at the same time, how would it look if he did? Instead he decided to ignore him and walk away. ”Yeah Sammy, walk away like a good little monkey,” the croc snorted. God he just had to call him Sammy. ”Gonna cry about it?”

That was it… Sam spun around with a loud. “LISTEN you oversized toad!” That no doubt was going to turn a few heads but he didn’t care.

[Deleted]

With the general peace filling the Pridelands, Tiifu had expected the day to go like any other. Just a relaxing, warm day in the savannah that warranted one to venture out of her den for a while and enjoy a leisurely stroll. Actually, it didn't seem like such a bad day to perhaps treat herself to her beauty treatments either. Maybe she could find Zuri and they could do it together, maybe even drag Kiara from her duties for a short while to relax. It felt like forever since the three friends had really just had time to themselves and to catch up after everything that had gone on.

Unfortunately, the peaceful chattering she expected to hear was replaced by mocking voices and angered yells causing the young lioness to frown slightly.

The cream colored healer came upon the watering hole, her eyes falling on the crocodile float presently in its waters before shifting towards the strange being that called himself a "human". It seemed like a similar situation with the Outlanders who were still trying to settle into their own places among the Pride. Not everyone had come to accept them, and it seemed no different from this young human who was visibly upset. Given what she had been hearing on her way there she couldn't exactly blame Sam for wanting to have the last word in, but he wouldn't exactly stand much of a chance against crocodiles either.

Hurrying the last stretch of distance, Tiifu quickly put herself between the young crocodile and Sam, giving a sharp glare towards the reptile, "I think that's enough out of you. This human has done nothing towards you and your float except having a conversation, so move along to the other side of the watering hole and mind your business." She growled softly before turning her gaze to Sam, her eyes more stern than glaring, "And you should try not to instigate it further. They want a rise out of you and they got it, just back away before you get hurt." Tiifu tried to urge, trying to stop a fight before it started. Though she could be a calming presence, crocodiles rarely listened to others outside their kind so she was probably delaying the inevitable than actually stopping anything.

[Samwel Igwe]

Sam had been about to throw out a few more insults when Tifu stepped in.

To say he was a little surprised someone had come to his defense was an understatement. While he’d started to become friendly and make more friends from the Pridelands these things typically didn’t work overnight. And to say the least, Sam was the last person anyone stuck up for in general.

But still, while he wanted to argue, he knew she was right. They’d touched a nerve and got what they wanted… Damn it, Sam.

”Who, us?” the crocodile tried to play innocent. ”Why I wouldn’t dream of butting heads with the king’s new pet. I’m just making it clear what everyone in the Savannah thinks. Someone has to say it,” he added boldly. ”He’s a freak, and I give him two more weeks tops before he runs back to whatever freak show he came from.”

One of his buddies giggled. ”Freak show, that’s a good one.”

With a humph, the lead crocodile turned around with a sly grin. ”But that’s fine. You wanna side with the alien? I’ll find somewhere with more sense.” he nodded off to his friends. ”Come on, boys.”

Sam watched them go without another word, though he was clearly biting his tongue as he did so. As he licked the side of his lip in thought he simply turned to Tifu for a minute. “Thanks, I don’t usually blow up like that,” he said with a roll of his eyes. “You’d think I’d be used to people wanting me out of somewhere by now. But sometimes I just wanna…”

Well he wasn’t going to finish his sentence. He’d already stooped down to their level enough, right? “You’re Tifu right? Kiara’s friend?”

[Deleted]

A low rumble of a growl could be heard in Tiifu's chest, the lioness briefly baring her fangs as her ears pinned back towards the small gathering of crocodiles. "Go ahead, keeping voicing your insults. The next thing you'll be answering to is Simba and why you're harassing a new member of the Pride." She growled threateningly. Not that it would probably do much, but if she had to get the king involved she would.

Letting out a soft huff after them, Tiifu waited until they had disappeared into the water before she relaxed her posture. With a crisis averted, she finally turned her attention towards the young human.

This was her first time approaching any of them before, having long heard the news that these two legged, almost furless beings had emerged from that metal bird. A few of them had been hostile, and others had attempted to make friendly relations such as Sam. "Don't let them get under your skin kid, they like to try to get a rise out of everyone." She told him, shaking her head. "Crocodiles can be jerks, so I highly recommend avoiding them if you can. Someone like yourself wouldn't stand a chance on your own." She pointed out gently, hoping the young human wouldn't take such a risk again.

But there was faint surprise in her eyes when he seemed to know her name already. Perhaps Kiara had told him? "Oh, well yes, that's me. I'm guessing Kiara must have told you huh." She confirmed, turning to face the human fully as she sat back on her haunches. "And what is your name human? I have heard of you, but I haven't had a chance to learn your name." She inquired. Between being a huntress and her job as a healer, she often found her days busy and filled with various expectations, so she didn't always get a chance to learn everything except idle gossip from those she was taking care of.

[Samwel Igwe]

Sam had to imagine that getting the king involved was the last thing they wanted.

But still, he could see the sharp glare that they sent their way. Even as he tried to ignore them. All the same, he listened to Tifu's advice. He wasn't surprised crocodiles could be jerks, given their propensity to eat anything that came into their territory in his lands. But still... "Yeah, I can tell you from stories humans do not have a good track record with fighting crocodiles," He joked. "Back home they were called man-eaters because they've eaten some humans. Don't get me started."

Oh! His name, right. He hadn't thought about the fact that he had probably been kind of rude not introducing himself first, hadn't he? But still - he guessed that she hadn't taken too much offense to it. "Oh yeah, Kiara kind of gave me a run down of things when I got here. Plus I'm trying to learn more of the Pride's names, obviously," He then added. "I'm Sam. Don't worry about it either. I don't think anyone really thought I'd be around this long."