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Things hadn't been going his way the past couple of days, and he wasn't happy with it. Fio growled under his breath, as he tossed and turned in his den. There was no use lying here any longer, he wasn't going to get any sleep tonight. He was on a dry streak, and he never slept when he was having one of those. Shaking his head free of the many thoughts whirling around in it, Fio stood to his paws. His joints creaked slightly as he forced himself into a stretch, quite enjoying the feeling it gave him.

Looking out into the night sky, he took a whiff of the fresh air, allowing it to fill his lungs. He would have to get going soon if he wanted to find anything of use, or if he just wanted to get away. The darker it got, the less likely he was to leave. It wasn't that he was scared of the dark, he was just a little less coordinated when it got pitch black outside. Which made him far less inclined to go out.

Stepping away from his nest, he looked around his den, finally finding what it was he had been looking for. A single grey feather, attached to a thin leather chain that slipped around his neck. The feather was an odd one, often losing its shape and turning to ash, but always forming back into itself in the end. He quickly slipped it over his neck, and slipped out of his den. Making a point of setting up a simple 'spook' before he left the den.

He called them spooks, but they were more like traps. Not meant ot hurt the intruder, but to scare them away. Though he was careful to let no one know where he kept his treasures, he was even more careful to protect them, while the hid in plain sight.

With a contented sigh, Fio finally set out to leave Uliacha, not quite sure exactly where he was heading at the moment. But sure that his feather would show him the way.

What was that?

Just ahead - hardly out of sight, a shadow, something moving quickly across the plain before him. It was a lion - of that he could be sure, his eyes were quite good. Though he wasn't exactly a super hero, all he could tell was the structure. He would have to get closer to investigate, and naturally he was going to investigate. He was quite the night owl, and in all his time spent within the pride, never had he met another secretive night owl. It was ... an interesting mystery, one he had to solve.

He lurked silently, pacing his treads to catch up with the figure. He could tell he was getting closer, not only could he now see the sleuth's prints, but he could smell them.

Another quick flash of the figure, as it slipped behind some cover.

This chase was getting tiring, he would end it now.

Ignoring all care for his sneakiness, the male took off at full speed, the dust kicking up into clouds behind him.

"Hey!" He controlled his voice to keep it low, but still high enough that the unknown figure could hear it. "What are you doing out here?" His voice was accusatory, but non threatening. At the least he just wanted their attention, a chance to introduce himself. To test the waters, if you would.

Ah a female, Fio sighed a bit to himself, though he wasn't really sure why.

"Huh? Yeah I guess it is." He attempted a small smile for her benefit, but it just wasn't happening. Instead his suspicious eyes seemed to stare her down. What was she doing out here? Did she have any idea what time it was? By the look in her eyes she did, why else would she have been sneaking?

"Well? What are you doing out here? Sort of late to be out for a stroll isn't it?" While usually not so up front about his actions, this was an exception. He had a puzzle of sorts, before him, and he wanted to solve it.

"Don't mistake my tone for rudeness, I am simply asking a question. I mean no ill will in my statement." He finally managed a weak smile, though his eyes remained, concerned, and suspicious.

Fio could tell you with 100% certainty that she was lying. It came with the territory, being a high class merchant, you dealt with a lot of BS and sob stories. Eventually you learned to tell the difference, or you got jipped ALL the time. He was one of the few who had learned to know truth from lie - why else would he be in such high ranks?

Taking a few steps closer to the female, he sighed, shaking his head from left to right. As though he were about to lecture a child. "You realize, I know you're lying don't you?" His smile returned, though this time it was pure. "Not that its a big deal. If you wanna 'go for a walk' - go for one! Who am I to stop you?" His toothy grin was shining in the moonlight as his tail swished behind him.

"But if you insist you aren't lying, you won't mind much if I escort you on your walk .. will you?"

"Great! Then its a deal, i'll escort you around for the evening, and in exchange you'll tell me what you're really up to!" He smiled, as he ushered the female to follow at his side. "Come on now, if we dally too long we won't have much moonlight now will we?"

Pausing a moment, he realized in his haste to discover what her true intentions were he hasn't introduced himself. "I'm Fiorello by the way, but I prefer Fio." Looking up at the night sky he could they had a few hours to kill, but who knew who long it could take to get this female to spill the beans.

"Well lets gossip like schoolgirls shall we? What are you doing really? Sneaking out to meet a male at the borders? Or something more sinister?" He laughed at his own small joke, not really intending to hit the nail on the head. More just trying to break the ice, she seemed very tense, and he wanted her to feel at east. Just as he wanted his customers to.

Fio shook his head with a cheesy grin on his face. What kind of a question is that, of course he wasn't going to let it go. Didn't she know who he was? Well likely she didn't, but that was besides the point.

"Shari was it .... interesting." He paused a moment, allowing his words to sink in. Perhaps she would be a bit more frantic if she felt he had dirt on her. Which he didn't, but it wasn't exactly hard to find out. He'd stacked up a lot of favors over time, maybe it was time to cash in? Who knew, but if she kept up this charade much longer he might just be tempted to.

"Items huh? Well seems like we're out for the same thing. I guess that makes you a rival of sorts?" He laughed at his own comment, as if someone could rival him! the very idea was ridiculous. "So what kind of items are you after? Have anything particular in mind?" Walking at a snail's pace beside the female, he decided it better to allow her to think she'd won. Perhaps then maybe she'd let something slip.

If he hadn't known she was lying, Fio would likely have been struck stupid by her comment. Wanting the most famous shop in the pride? What exactly was she up to? Anyone who was anyone knew his services were the best around, much better than any shop. But he knew she was a fibber. He tracked the lands every night on his hunt. Once or twice he'd encountered other lions, but never this one. In fact her scent was particularly new to the area, something he was quick to catch on to.

"That's ... quite a goal you have there. And I might be worried ... if it weren't a total lie." Fio continued his pace, not allowing his steps or expression to alter in the slightest.

"How about this! If I tell you one of my most secret of secrets, will you do the same?" His words paused a moment, wanting to make this completely fool proof. "And I don't mean some silly lie, I will tell you a serious secret, one that very few lions know."

In a way he was telling the truth, not many lions knew of his secret. But it wasn't due to his lack of hiding it. They just weren't very perceptive. So it would mean nothing for him to share it with this female. His secret, after all, wasn't necessarily a crime.