The cool air of the day was as relaxing as one could expect from the stretching land. Its entirety composed itself of grass and sporadic plantings of trees or bushes - very little room for hiding had emerged for the settlement. Ndege could not rightfully declare that he was pleased with such a thing. Danger lurked around every corner, and with little cover he had come to assume that they were in greater trouble of being spotted or harassed in their resting. On the contrary, he was not unnerved by the lack of vegetation throughout the area. It was a gentle observation. It was an analytical idea brought about by memory of nights and days patrolling the area in its stark glory, and of occasionally meeting an unorthodox creature of which he would fend off.
It had occurred scarcely in their time wandering the land of Heathens. But it had occurred often enough for him to be left skeptical of security from a logical stand-point. If there were little cover, little shade to rest, they were likely easier to see - and Ndege held not desire to be witnessed by anyone unless the eyes were a familiarity.
In that respect, he had been granted a misdeed. From the moment he had awakened to the moment he had been mid survey, a pair of carnivorous birds had circled over head. They had watched him with increasing interest and had spoken in a lewd manner; it had been enough to make his own blood boil with each passing step he took. Their barbarous voices were shrill and amused; their knowledge had appeared vast and keen. With each loop about his figure, they would squawk and chortle horrid comments about mumblings he had stated several moments prior - possibly even several days.
"Looking for home?" One of the birds had cackled. "You heard that last night, right? He's looking for home!" The voice had piqued in a vexing manner as the bird had landed at his feet. Its head had twisted in awkward ways before it had began laughing once more and leaping away.
"Aren't we all? You'll never find it." The other bird had commented in a pessimistic way. However, it had soon been countered by a malicious smile and enthusiastic breath. "You think he'll drop anytime soon? Or better, mayhaps that fine brown one - she looks tasty!"
"Which one? All of the women look tasty!"
The birds had gone on and off over a conversation of meat and whether or not a member of Ndege's own family would make a scrumptious meal were an accident to occur. All the while they had pestered him with their gazes and stares. They had tormented him like the demons of which they were, until they had both posed a question that Ndege had been incapable of listening to.
"Hey, blue-boy! Which one do you think would taste the best?"
His heart had pounded angrily. His temples had throbbed with frustration, and, as he neared the highest point of the grounds he had permitted a roar unlike any he had in several days. His mouth had opened, his eyes had bugged, and his teeth had caught a fragment of glistening light. The noise itself had been intimidating and furious. It had been enough to startle the birds, and they had seemed to waver in their torture for a mere moment.
When they had not departed, Ndege had roared again. Each moment they neared him, he had given a snap or a swat - occasionally hissing for them to leave before he killed them both. In the end, the ordeal had been satisfied prior to his arrival at the summit of the grounds. The birds had swooped for a brutal peck; Ndege had thrust his claws forward, narrowly pinning one and forcing a scrape. However little pain he had caused the bird, it had been more than enough for them to leave him alone for the time.
He was happy with that fact as his feet touched the ground. The complacency to fill him as he took in the texture of the grass and dirt was remarkable. Slowly, he had began to relax and return to his normal state.
Then he had witnessed Embamba resting. His face had been drawn into a somber expression as he approached, as if suspecting something were not proper. There were other locations to rest. The highest point of the area was no place to be climbed. In his own mind, especially by his love. Under such justification, he felt something curious had awakened within the day - other than the scavengers awaiting a death to occur.
"What are you doing up here?" He had whispered with concern. Every once and a while his eyes would flicker from side to side, searching to make sure the birds had truly vanished. When he was certain, he had heaved a sigh of relief. It was easier to remain calm when the object of frustration was no longer within his own sights - and he wanted to be calm. It had been a careful construction on his part, but he had attempted, in certainty, to hide away any anger he felt. Vigorously, he attempted to appear smooth and collected. Obsessively, he attempted to appear as if he were in control of himself.
Unfortunately, the facts were only a partial truth.
