[PRP] Let's Make A Deal (Adversary x Comfort Lies)

[Lutz]

The weather was...well. Nice. Adversary didn't care much for the cold that winter usually brought and up until a week or so ago it had been looking like it was shaping up to be another dreadful dark season. But then the winds changed, bringing warmth and humidity to the swamp once again. It was a pleasant surprise, one that he didn't want to take for granted. Generally this time of year the other kin in the swamp gathered together for merriment and gift-giving which really wasn't his idea of a good time. He'd headed to the edge of the swamp where the trees thinned, the ground became less soggy, and the warm winds from the desert curled through the air as he usually did this time of year, ready to hunker down as close as he could to the invisible line where the Ache would set in. Normally he wintered in this area, the trees helping to keep the winds from the desert buffered while the warm air still filtered in, but this year it seemed he could have stayed wherever he wanted and been just fine.

Ah well. He was ready now if this boon of warm weather suddenly stopped.

Not many kin were in this area was the only problem. Adversary - despite his dislike of the Winter Market - was always on the lookout for a kin to 'befriend', made a deal with, perhaps indenture them to a lifetime of servitude to him...you know, casual things like that. He always hit a bit of a dry spell this time of year and he resigned himself to boredom for the next few moons, focusing instead on making a little hollow for him to rest in if it ever did get chilly again. He'd found a nice, dead tree that had its insides eaten away by termites, leaving a perfect little shelter for him should the need arise. He'd made that his base for now and he didn't travel too far from it, hoping instead that some hapless traveler making their way to the booths and festivities elsewhere in the swamp would walk by his temporary home.

[seru_ame]

A hapless traveler indeed. Comfort Lies was wandering about, horned head slung low and swaying with some melody or another as he hummed to himself. He had forsaken his thick hides when the weather refused to cool, but habit lead the gaunt buck through to more or less stable ground. Marsh or sand, which was less secure? It was hard to say, if he were pressed, but he found that he liked both less and less as he aged.

Still, there was some succor to be had in both. Pleasantly cool nights in one, plentiful prey in the other. But there was little to be had in the crowd, the hustle and bustle of the winter meet. Well, little he wanted to _eat_ there. He had partaken in one or two booths, but restlessness had set in, made his hooves twitch as he sauntered about.

And so, he had found this... Charming little nook. Some bordering boundary bedding, or some such. He lifted his head, tipping it some to get a better glimpse of the fallen tree. Too hole-addled to be of much use to him, personally, but... There was a figure about. He simply watched a moment, his brow knitting together as he debated calling out a greeting.

[Lutz]

The sound of hooves pricked Adversary's ears with interest and he peered out of the hole in the log, watching as a lanky buck strode into his view. He observed quietly for a bit before the other buck spotted him, the pair making eye contact in silence. There was no greeting, no movement to leave. So Adversary put on his winning smile that had charmed so many kin in the past before stepping out of his shelter.

"Well, hello there," he said with a friendly, if a bit predatory tone of voice. He stopped outside his tree, not wanting to seem imposing, though now that he got a better look at the kimeti he felt like he probably had nothing to worry about. The buck was tall and had a rather fierce look about him, what with his horn and the claws on his hind legs. Curious...

"Not the Winter Market type, either?" he asked, tilting his head with interest.

[seru_ame]

A greeting extended, a smile on the ember-red zik's muzzle. He mirrored it well, his eyes half, closing and his chin dipping just so. He lifted himself to his full height before canting his horns in the buck's direction gracefully. He took one step forward, one hoof in front of the other, and settled his weight comfortably.

His own voice was smooth as a water-worn stone as he spoke, words lilting. "No, not much in the mood for the strangeness of it this year. It was a pleasant thing for a day or two, but..." Comfort rolled his ears, snout tipping to the side as her pulled up his lip in distaste before clicking his tongue. "Say, I don't believe I've seen you about this part of the swamp. I'd remember such a handsome fellow, I should think."

[Lutz]

Last year's winter market had been strange as well, what with the patches of light and darkness pervading the Swamp. As a rule Adversary kept away from it, the cheer and joy making him gag. Though the changes to the swamp every year around this time did have him wondering if other things were afoot. Perhaps the veil between this world and that of other things thinned? There were larger plots at play, he was certain.

But those were thoughts for another time. Right now he had an equally charming fellow on his doorstep and he wasn't going to ignore an opportunity.

"It's not my normal place to hunker down for the winter, no. I prefer not to stay in one place for too long," Adversary returned, the compliment not lost on him. "I do try to find a warmer place to stay during the cold months and this year you're lucky to find my hideaway." He motioned back to the tree trunk he'd stepped out of, the charming smile still on his muzzle.

"I suppose I should say that goes for both of us, then. If you frequent this area I've certainly passed through it a number of times and I'd certainly remember someone like you. What's your name?"