[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... _lolli.png[/imgright]

It was a bright, crisp, day and he was enjoying the fresh air playing about his nose. It carried scents that told him as much about his surroundings as the soft chatter of birds in the dense trees that surrounded him did.

"HELP!"[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgright]

The cry rang out loud and clear, startling the birds of the swamp into silence.

"THEY'RE GOING TO EAT ME!"

If he followed the yell for help, it would lead him straight to a bright Acha, balanced precariously on high mangrove roots and trying to avoid the strikes off two angry lions.

"How--" the flashy totoma shook his head. Shouting wasn't going to help the situation at all. He wanted to help but was at a loss as to how to approach it.
If only he could think over the shouting. Didn't the acha-in-distress know that shouting was only going to draw more of the lion's attention?

Hey.

That wasn't a half-bad thought.

"HEY." He bellowed; making sure the sun caught the blues and greens of his fur just right.

"YOU WANT A SNACK? COME GET IT."

With their eyes suddenly on him, he started to pronk like a youngling in spring.

Her mouth went ‘O’ and her eyes were just as wide, as she paused in her desperate scramble for a higher spot. A saviour? Thank you Motherfather!

The lions seemed just as startled, their heads towards the newcomer. Their eyes narrowed with the slow calculation of hunters. Stronger prey but slower and meatier.

Tremendous wisely kept her mouth shut, her gaze flicking quickly back and forth between him, the lions and her escape route.

With a snarl, the lions turned towards the Totoma, slow and hesitant at first, sizing him up.

He knew the danger he was in, but he'd lived a life of moderate survival and though there were two of them he felt safe he could take them long enough for them to lose interest. Keeping a side-eye on the stranger he kept up his weird hopping until the lions were circling nearer to him. Enough, at least, that their previous prey could make a dash for safety.

"C'mon you dumb beasts. Easy meal. Tra la."

With a swish of his tail, he continued to taunt the lions.

As soon as the lions had moved far enough away, the Acha was ready.

Tremendous used the distraction as intended and jumped down from her perch. She paused for a second to pick something up off the ground, and then she was off like a bolt of lightning. A blur of blue and yellow, she didn't even look back.

Meanwhile the lions cared very little for their lost prey, not with a new enemy to take down.

The totoma looked over at the rock and noticed the acha was gone. He sighed out his relief but was reminded of his own imminent fate if he didn't find a way to escape the lions himself.

Going further into the trees was a terrible idea; he didn't want them being able to attack him from higher up.

His eyes darted around as he kept his horns low and tossed them back and forth. He needed a distraction for himself now.

Ah! His sight landed on a wasps nest and he smiled. He'd always been a good aim.
One foot back and a well-placed kick, and a rock soared above the lions and into the papery nest.

A loud droning and pained lion screaming accompanied his run as he took off as fast he could.

He stopped, huffing, when he couldn't hear or smell any more threats.

There was a rustle in the bushes and out popped the bright Acha, a dead bird with colourful feathers dangling from her mouth.

She dropped her prize, looking pleased with herself as she pranced in front of her Totoma saviour.

“Well done! You were the perfect distraction,” she praised. “They’re gone aren’t they?” She swayed to the side to peer behind him, checking to make sure no more angry big cats were going to try to take a bite out of her. All clear!

“They were sooo angry when I stole their kill. I thought for sure I was done for!”

When she stole their-- He breathed out of his nose in a patient huff.

"I'm very pleased that I was able to help." He said, bemused. "Yes, they are definitely gone."

He didn't think they'd be bothering anyone for awhile.

"Wonderful!" It had been a very exciting day and Tremendous was keen to return to the tribe and tell the tale.

"Come on then, you may escort me home."

She picked up get bird and stared at him expectantly through a screen of bright feathers.

He blinked, cocked his head to the side, and deciding that he was nonplussed by the command took a step in her direction. If she was still feeling unsure of her safety it was the least he could do. Though, he wasn't sure what he could actually do in the case of another attack. The situation with the lions had just been pure luck.

"What am I to call you?"

"Mmfgh," she replied around her full mouth, then dropped the  bird with a frustrated shake off her head.

"You can call me, Tremendous." She made sure to introduce herself with a little high-step dance. "Nice to meet you, Distraction." She grinned. "No more time to chat. Let's go."

Tremendous picked up her prize and turned to lead the way home, her tail flicking merrily.

Distraction.

It was an odd way to earn his name, but there it was. With a grunt and a smile, he followed Tremendous to her home.

End