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 Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 4:41 pm
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 2:48 am
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 "You're doing it wrong," Xefo croaked helpfully after studying the younger bird for a few moments. The ungrateful t**t just glared at him so Xefo inched closer.
"The hide is too tough to eat," he explained, "Any fledgling can see that. At this point in a carcass life you shouldn't go after that, not with your tiny little beak."
With a few flaps he landed on one of the stiff back legs and motioned to a better spot on the lower abdomen. A larger predator must have had a field day here already, but the remaining hole was of good use for latecomers to the party
---
 Raha was confused. The old vulture hadn't tried to steal his spot or chase him off. He didn't look very young, but he was obviously well fed. Raha was hungry, and since he hadn't managed to make a dent in the sun baked elephant hide he decided to take his chances that the vulture didn't have any ulterior motives.
"I'm an eagle," he said surly at the unnecessary beak comment. His beak was nice and sharp and just fine! "We look like this."
He was out of his element, and he certainly didn't enjoy being reminded of that fact. He wasn't suddenly going to sprout a beak fit for scavenging huge dried up elephants, and he didn't intend to make it a habit to eat long dead things. |
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:12 am
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"Maggots!" Xefo proudly announced, and motioned at the opening again. The other bird hesitated, so Xefo hopped down from his vantage point and stuck his head in. Within moments he emerged with a beak full of pale yellow maggots.
"After a few days in the sun the insides are pretty much soup," he explained after swallowing, "And the maggots really like all that goop. But you're better off feeding on them than on the elephant soup."
Xefo didn't mind a well aged carcass at all, but he wasn't sure how the other bird would handle it. Maggots were just easier.
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Raha looked at the vulture as if the old bird was completely out of his mind. He might be, after all... He didn't act like the vultures he'd encountered so far. Maggots? Really? Elephant soup didn't sound very tasty, and the carcass was quite smelly... Oh, what the hell. He dashed forward and took his chances with the maggot infested carcass.
It was indeed full of maggots, and he quickly snatched up a few before retreating. A bald vulture could stick his head into a stinky carcass all day and still get the grime out easily, but some birds had handsome feather tufts to keep clean. He swallowed and snatched up a few more maggots close to the opening. He wouldn't say that it was the best thing he'd ever eaten, but it was pure protein and he needed that.
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:23 am
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Xefo seemed pleased as the smaller bird finally did something right and tucked in. Another vulture had started to inch closer, sensing that this might be a good spot, but Xefo extended his wings and clacked his beak. There were plenty of places to nibble on, and he wanted the hopeless little eagle to get a good meal. It sure looked as if he needed one.
"Oh, get your head in there you big fledgling," he huffed as the smaller bird kept going back and forth, "I can help preen you if you soil your feathers."
It didn't make much sense to be so protective, but the scrawny bird made him think about his own chicks, all grown now. They were all safely paired with lions in the Bonelands pride back home, and he was sure Bora kept them in line... Bora...
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Raha had noticed that the vulture seemed to protect his new feeding spot, but he had no clue why. He couldn't be sure how long this protection would last, so he abandoned all dignity and climbed into the opening. If the vulture suddenly took off and left him to preen out the grime all by himself he'd be pissed, but at least he'd have a full belly.
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:43 am
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The small bird was satisfied and Xefo had snagged a few tasty and mostly decomposed morsels for himself, so it was time to abandon the spot to someone else. They sat down on the spine of a skeleton that was already picked clean, and Xefo made good on his promise. The eagle wasn't a very messy eater, but there were still some spots that could use some preening.
"You should get a lion," Xefo announced when he finished arranging the eagle's flight feathers. "You'd eat better."
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Raha was pleasantly surprised, if a bit freaked out, at the fact that he was being preened by a large vulture. He had timidly started to return the favor when the vulture started talking about lions.
"What?"
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"A lion," Xefo said again, "You could live good on the leftovers, and they seem to enjoy having birds around once you sell it in. You should find a good one and convince it that it has always needed a bird companion."
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"Uh... okay." Raha said, wondering if the vulture was crazy-crazy or just a bit batty from old age. "Err... What makes you think that would work?"
Raha was a competent predator, at least theoretically, but he wasn't sure it would be a good idea to start hanging out with a bigger predator. Lions hunted bigger game, but if they had a bird within snacking distance accidents might happen. It sounded like a recipe for disaster.
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"Oh, I've already got one," Xefo said, looking proud, "I would get by just fine on my own, but the poor boy needs me. And look at me, I'm almost fat! Lions leave a lot of leftovers."
He preened Raha's head feathers, in an almost fatherly manner, before nodding a final greeting and taking off.
"Thank's for the company!" he called down to the other bird, "Think about it! You should really get one."
---
Raha looked as the vulture climbed higher and higher on an up-draft. Well, that was weird. The eagle had dismissed the lion idea as crazy talk, but the seed was planted, and the next time he was hungry he'd remember the vulture and think about it again.
-fin-
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