About a quarter of an hour later, and after much fuming and fussing, Bradley felt the van slow, and when he looked up he felt his beak drop. This new ostrich farm was twice the size of his last one! "Where do they get all these birds?" He murmured softly in surprise. However, his wonder was short-lived as the back of the van suddenly opened up, and Bradley was looking down upon Maurice. The man held an electric prod in one hand, but his cheerful smile told the bird that it most likely wouldn't be used.

"Come on then, mate," Maurice encouraged.

Bradley fluffed up his feathers and made an indignant sort of snort. He would come when he wanted to – even if he was really curious about this new place and did want to see it – and not a moment before, and there was nothing this human could do to make him!

Almost as if Maurice could read the ostrich's thoughts, he primed the electric prod, and the tip buzzed and glowed a bright blue. Bradley started, and he raised an eyebrow. Oh, is that how we're gonna play?

Maurice said again, his voice tone even, "Come on. Your new friends are waiting." He waved the prod in the direction of the gate.

How is this guy so calm? Bradley didn't like it. At his last home, the man Seth would always give in after a few moments of obstinacy, and would usually give in by stomping his foot and swatting with his hat.

But Maurice was different. And Bradley wasn't sure he wanted to see how this man was going to react. So he stepped forward, his two-toed feet sliding down the slick metal of the van's ramp, until he reached dry earth. Maurice was guiding him in front, the prod still in his fist. Bradley eyed it suspiciously.

He followed at a slow sort of strut, his big moss-green eyes sweeping across the vast fenced area in amazement. As he gazed, he couldn't help the little flutter in his ribcage. Now this was what he was talking about! This space, with all its superb openness, was just what he needed! "Finally!" He whispered.

With Maurice leading him, Bradley strode through the big gate and then into one of the many spacious pens. Maurice hadn't used the prod once. He rarely did, if ever. He felt that all the big birds needed was some respect, that and a little visual reference just so they knew who was in charge. Maurice whistled cheerfully as he locked the gate and then walked to his front door, prod balanced over his shoulder. He figured he'd better call Seth just to let him know how the journey had gone. He had no doubt the bird he'd just purchased could act out - after all, Maurice was a seasoned farmer and knew the big birds well. He made a mental note to keep an eye out for him.

It was now late afternoon, nearing evening, and Vivian's herd had since moved on from the plains. It had been an unproductive day for the wildebeests, between chewing mouthfuls of dry plains-grass and keeping a sharp lookout for stalking predators, the herd found the hours to pass in relative leisure. Now, Vivian and Mosi were traveling shoulder-to-shoulder, keeping quiet but not silent.

As the heat started to ebb, Mosi spoke. "Now how much longer till the rains?"

Vivian chuckled. Her daughter's persistence both astounded and amused her. "Mosi, child, look up above you."

Mosi did, and blinked up at the darkening sky, once a bright azure, now a cool bright sapphire flecked with turquoise. Mosi gasped softly. "What am I looking at?"

"The sky, child."

"I know that, but what exactly?"

"When the rain comes, there'll be clouds. This whole sky will be covered, mm-hm."

"The whole sky?" Mosi's jaw dropped slightly.

Vivian nodded.

Mosi inhaled. "So when will it be covered?"

Vivian sighed. "Child, you are like to talk my ears off." She gently nudged her firstborn.

Mosi giggled softly. "Sorry, I'm just excited."

"Me too, my love. My too."

The herd continued its trek in search of a resting place. Wildebeest were group-minded, and there was safety in numbers. As long as they all remained in a group, there was little any predator could do to them. However, little did they know to be mindful of one predator in particular.

A leopard - massive and sinewy - was following the herd at a distance. An unnatural distance. An accident at birth had caused this cat's right eye to become blinded.

But not completely useless.

Wazzzaap yo!

Slowly, very slowly am I attempting to update. Here's to hoping this energy is here to stay :)

R&R!