Friksho

In the dim light that trickled into the large, red tent, many strange creatures lay and rested, locked away behind thick iron bars. One of them, a bilious green colored Saliko jill with slim physique and long legs lay on the ground, her head on her paws and the eyes only a tiny slit. She wanted to seem like she was sleeping, as this would make others keep their distance to her and not talk to the Kumba. Not that she didn't like her fellow show partners, just that day she felt more like relaxing by herself. It wouldn't take long until she was going to be called out to the stage anyway, so she wanted to use all the time she had for now. In the cage next to her, one of her friends was rolled up as well, already back from his performance and resting once more. It was a large, brown creature unlike anything else from Ibea, brought here form a far away place. It had fur and a longer, scruffy mane all over the neck and throat, a round snout and blue swirly markings in its body. But the most unusual about it were the horns on its head and the flat pupils in its bright blue eyes. It was something the Ataris seemed to call a 'Nir', though the jill didn't understand what that meant. The strange feline looking animal had said its name was Daeyang, yet compared to what the Saliko would've guessed, it was neither male nor female and therefore still a great mystery to her. Their body rose and sank slowly with its calm breathing and the jill grew more and more tired watching it. But before she fell asleep, she heard muffled cheering and clapping from the stage and something came towards her through the curtains.

It was a very large, cursortial bird with black and grey feathers, yet bright orange legs and beak. It had a frown on its face and looked at her with annoyance before an Atari that was only about the same height as the bird lured it back into its cell, where it gave the bird a bowl of dead mice and left again, leaving the creature to eat.

«Wake up, Nagini. It's gonna be your turn soon.»

«I'm not sleeping.»

«You look like you are.»

«Hsss...what do you know.»

Nero, the black bird, grabbed the mice one after another, threw his head back and swallowed them whole until the bowl was finished, then he walked over to the bars separating him from the Saliko and looked at the Kumba intently.

«God, I really hate this dump. I wanna feel the earth beneath my feet again, it's been way too long.»

«Stop whining, at least you won't have to fight for your life here. We're being treated very well.»

The Cara screeched and flapped its wings angrily, causing dust and dirt to be whirled up and blew it right onto the Saliko.

«I'd rather fight and die than live here as a prisoner!»

«Then you're more stupid than you look.»

He stopped and looked at her with one eyebrow raised, then gave a short grunt.

«What's wrong with you today, you're more cocky than usual.»

She finally sat up, shook her head to get the dust out of her mane and shrugged her shoulders in response.

«I don't know, guess it's the heat. Or maybe these horrible cages, I really need more space to move.»

«That's what I meant.»

«Well, from what Kreide said, the Atari should be done soon with the repairs of our old housings. And who do we owe this pleasure anyway?»

She clicked her tongue and looked at Nero judgmentally, who stomped his clawed foot on the ground and turned around, swishing his tail feathers through the bars and across her face, which made her twitch back and remain startled for a moment.

«I told you already, I'm not sorry for it! They went too far!»

«Don't be so sassy, you're overreacting. Also, you could've easily killed us all with that poison breath. We were lucky it only seeped into the floors and walls instead.»

«Well, I didn't kill anyone. Are you happy?»

«Could be better.»

Nagini stretched her legs and yawned loudly, then suddenly the room got brighter as something came in from the outside, lifting the curtain of the tent, making her squish er eyes until she adjusted to the brightness. A young, male Gil came in with dirty clothes and coal stains in its face. It was working here, usually preparing the food, cleaning the cages and preparing the beasts for the show. It noticed the dust in the green Salikos usually pristine fur and made a surprised, gasping noise, then immediately gathered the brush from a shelf behind it and opened the cell. Nagini remained calm, she had no intentions of running away and the Gil had always been nice to her, so as he kneeled down next to her, cleaning her body from dirt and grime, she remained where she wsa and didn't even pay attention to the door of her cage being open. Nero in the cell next to hers looked at it longingly and it was obvious he would've run if he had the chance. With a disapproving snort, he turned his back towards her and curled up on the ground.

A few minutes later, her pear colored pelt was shiny and smooth once more. The Ataris that kept her paid a lot of attention to treat her well and always made sure she was cleaned and brushed regularly and carefully, especially before she went to stage, so she could show her best side at the performances. After the Gil was done, he grabbed some colorful and translucent, silken cloths with finely crafted, shiny chains on them and put them on the jill. The cloths were draped cautiously over her back, head and legs and the delicate jewelry that was attached to it kept it in place. A while ago they had even put a tiny hole through her ear and nose to put accessories through them. Two rings which were connected by another thin and nimble chain were put onto her, one through each hole, and it dangled off her head softly, almost weightlessly. She was completely dressed up and ready to go now, patiently waiting in front of the curtain that lead to the stage, the Gil next to her. A long time ago, he used to hold her on a leash, thinking she might burst through too early because she was a wild animal after all, but soon enough he had noticed she was waiting for his signals anyway and let her roam freely now. More cheering and clapping could be heard, then a loud roar from a large beast and the heavy flaps of wings as the creature on stage was led back into its cage. It was too large to be kept where Nagini and the others were and needed a separate area, yet the jill had already seen it before and knew it was a huge, deep red bat with two strong legs and a long, thin tail. The Saliko had never talked to it before though and wasn't sure if she'd be able to understand its tongue right away, as it usually took the Kumba a while to understand other species.

«Now, it's your turn.»

The Gils voice was low and soft and he nudged her carefully forward, showing her she had to go. She didn't understand the Gils or Ataris just yet as their language was way too complex, but she knew what he meant from his body language anyway and stepped forward through the heavy, red curtain, which fell back into place as soon as she had entered the room behind it.

Nagini found herself inside the familiar show room, which was another, round tent with a large cage in the middle in which the creatures were sent. Around the cage many large bipedals sat in the stands, watching eagerly what the green jill would do. Many different paths of different sizes led away to the rooms hidden behind the scenes, where all the performing beasts stayed for now until the regular housing was ready for inhabitants again. The bat monster must've left through one of the other ways all the time, as it was never brought back to Naginis usual sleeping place. A murmur went through the watchers as the pretty pear Saliko with the fine drapes over her body walked to the middle of the stage, her eyes straight forward, not looking around at all. There was nothing to see for her anymore anyway, she knew what was coming and it was nothing special. She'd perform her regular tricks, bend, jump and dance around, the silk flowing behind her. The announcers voice was sounding loudly through the tent but she completely ignored it for now. Once he'd say the commands she'd have to follow, she'd notice them.

But because of her utter disregard of everything around her, she didn't even notice someone else was on the stage with her. A Kumba with a partly bright, creamy pelt, dark shadow markings and filled spots on his sandy pelt entered from one of the other entrances, walking towards the jill that sat in the middle of the round cage. His mane went from the top of his head to the back of his rump and his brown eyes curiously watched the other of his kind.

«Well hello there, beautiful.»

Nagini was surprised about the sudden voice coming from behind her, whispering right into her ear, so she jumped back to her feet and whirled around.

«What?! Who are you? You're not supposed to be here.»

«No? I think this is exactly where I'm needed.»

«This is a stage performance, MY performance. Get lost!»

«I think you might've missed the memo, these Atari seem to think we should team up. And I gotta say...»

His gaze studied the jill from top to bottom and he winked at her before he kept talking after a short pause.

«I agree.»

The female frowned and put her ears back, obviously not happy about what was happening, yet the watchers seemed to be content. Now that she actually took a look at the strange hob, she noticed he was wearing some accessories and clothing as well, which was enough of a hint for her to know he wasn't lying.

«And what am I supposed to do with you now?»

«Improvise.»

He grinned at her and the next moment she saw his paw wooshing at her and she dodged just in time not to get hit by it. His moves were quick and snappy, yet very calculated and he seemed to know exactly how to 'attack' her in a way she'd be able to dodge. More and more punches, turns and whirls of their tails and legs continued, the other one always moving alongside it. It was a little like a fight, but to the outside it seemed more like a dance. Suddenly Nagini jumped over the hob, turning completely in the air, silk drapes flowing like in slow motion behind her, before landing back on her feet behind him. The crowd was whistling and howling with joy and the Salikos, panting from exhaustion, smiled at each other.

«They like us, sweetheart.»

«You don't say? Well I have to admit, you're better than I thought.»

«Thanks.»

They got so used to each others movements so quickly that they were able to talk while dancing around now, the viewers only hearing quiet barks and cackles from the fox like creatures.

«So, are you gonna tell me your name now?»

«Nagini. And you?»

«Caligula the great.»

«Oh come on. Seriously?»

«That's just what I've heard of course, I'd never give myself such a name.»

There was no mistaking the sarcasm in his voice as he said that.

«You can call me whatever you want though.»

A few more leaps and twirls later, they stopped and looked at each other, trying to catch their breath. The onlookers were amazed and kept applauding the two as the Announcer led the Salikos to the back of the tent, smiling in content about this show going so well.

Inside the Atari met the young Gil who was looking rather serious and unimpressed at the better situated creature before him.

«That was really risky.»

The Atari looked around in confusion, then pointed at himself while looking at the dark, skinny adolescent before him.

«I'm sorry, are you talk to me?»

«Yes I am. You shouldn't have put them together just like that, they might have fought and get hurt!»

«Everything worked out fine and the people loved it! That passion cannot be rehearsed, it had to be a surprise. But anyway, that's none of your business, squire! Stop questioning me and get back to work or you're out of here!»

The angrily growling bipedal left, leaving the unusual group behind. The Gil sighed and softly petted Naginis head before opening her cage, leading the Salikos inside and removing their equipment.

«I'm sorry, we don't have the space to give you both separate cells. I hope you two will get along for a bit longer. I'll check on you later.»

Nagini tilted her head curiously, trying to understand what he was saying, but it was a mystery to her. Yet as the Gil got up and left, locking the two into the same cage, her eyes widened as she understood.

«Hey, you can't leave me here with this stranger!»

«Am I really that bad?»

«That's not it. These cells are just small enough as it is. We've been living here for too long, we need to stretch our legs again.»

«I see. Well then we better use the space as efficiently as possible and cuddle up whenever possible.»

He seductively purred at her, but she just rolled her eyes. He's gonna be a bit of a pawful, that was for sure.