[PRP] Holding Out For A Hero

[luxluna]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/images/valkymie/openeyes_uncert.png[/imgleft] The sun set on another day in the swamp, casting an orange glow over everything. Open Eyes could feel the warmth of the day fading as the world turned to night. He was quite comfortable in the cool evening air, as it was closer to his time underground. He felt a pang of sympathy, thinking of all the non-Zikwa in the swamp who were not as accustomed to the dark. This was a natural setting for him.

The buck's thoughts turned inward, as they often did. He had come aboveground in the first place with a purpose; there was bound to be conflict among the varieties of kin that lived up above, and he followed his strong sense of justice up, certain he was meant to help. So many kin were so self-involved, never stopping to think of how they may harm - or could help - their fellows. This responsibility was his burden, and his alone.

So lost in thought about his purpose in life, he hardly noticed he was no longer alone in this stretch of swamp.

@Jynk

[Jynk]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]

Super followed the trail set forth by the thief. He'd been following so long now, he was concerned it might be growing cold. He'd been asked by There and Back Again to retrieve some of his pretty rock collection that had been taken by what had only been described as a gray and red kimeti doe running into the swamp. From Super's experience, that could be many does, so hopefully he would find other clues.

As the large buck came forward through the trees and passed by a small pond, he noticed a glimmer of white glowing through the underbrush. That was different. Perhaps it was a clue? He moved toward the glimmer cautiously and noticed this was not a kimeti, so it was not his quarry, but maybe this one had seen something to help in locating her.

"Hello?"

@luxluna

[luxluna]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft] Snapping out of his reverie, Open Eyes' head snapped up at the voice. "Hello," he responded in kind, while working on locating the stranger by scent. Once he'd found the direction of the newcomer, he paused. If they meant harm, surely they would have acted by now.

"What business do you have here?" he asked, doing his best to shed any impressions that he'd been caught by surprise. It would not do for word to get out that he'd ever been anything less than vigilant.

@Jynk

[Jynk]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]


"I was following the trail of a doe that might have come this way. She took some stones that did not belong to her and I was tasked to retrieve them. I think I might have lost her, though," Super said, glancing about and sniffing the air for signs of the doe. He stepped closer to the zikwa, regarding the other buck curiously. "I don't suppose you would have noticed the doe in question?"

@luxluna

[luxluna]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft] Open Eyes perked up, now standing at full attention. "She took what wasn't hers? Unconscionable. No, I haven't encountered this doe. But this wrong must be put right."

Stepping forward, he introduced himself. "My name is Open Eyes, and I will help you."

@Jynk

[Jynk]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]


"I agree that the wrong must be righted, and I'm happy to have the company for the adventure," the darker buck agreed, nodding. "I'm Super, by the way. I mean, that's my name. Well, I am super, but it's also my name." He gave an awkward shrug. "I was heading in this direction, so I suppose we can check around for a clue as to where she might have gone from here." He lowered his head, walking about slowly, and snuffled along the ground, searching again for the doe's scent.

@luxluna

[luxluna]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft] Being unfamiliar with this particular doe's scent, Open Eyes raised his nose and sniffed about for any traces of anything or anyone unusual.

"Have you gathered any other information on this doe? Her usual hideouts, has she stolen before? Any sort of hint could help us track her down. Even so, I intend to leave no stone unturned until justice has been enacted." While he would unable to recognize the stolen stone from any other, his nose and ears were tuned to the night, constantly scanning for the slightest irregularity.

@Jynk

[Jynk]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]


"All I know is her coloring," Super admitted. "I am unsure of her habits, but I have heard of belongings disappearing of late, so she likely has done this before." He lifted his head, looking east. Yes, that was the scent again that he'd been following all night. Looking back at the other buck, he tilted his head. "She went this way if you'd like to come along." Honestly, Super wasn't sure what Open Eyes would accomplish, what either of them would accomplish, but it would be nice to have someone watching his back, so to speak. He began to walk in the direction of the scent.

@luxluna

[luxluna]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft] At their direction changing, Open Eyes tilted his head in that direction, catching what he assumed was the doe's scent. Her coloring would be of little use to him, so he had to take what he could get. He followed along with Super, never considering another course of action.

"Forgive me if this is too intrusive a question, but do you have a reputation for helping others? Or was it happenstance that lead you to this task? I only ask because it seems to me that the swamp needs more strong, reliable kin who are able to help those who can't help themselves."

@Jynk
((dude i'm sorry i haven't been getting the @ notifications for this ;; ))

[Jynk]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]


Super gave a shrug as he walked, unaware the other buck didn't see. "I happened to be there just after There And Back Again's rocks were taken, but I usually try to be helpful to those in need, so I suppose it worked out nicely." He glanced toward the zikwa. "How about yourself? Do you go for the heroics, too?"

He heard a soft rustle up a head and paused. Something, or someone was just up ahead...

@luxluna (It's alright.)

[luxluna]

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]
Open Eyes' ears perked up curiously at the Kimeti's question. He'd never thought about it in those terms, but if he was honest with himself, he did find himself drawn toward those who needed help. "Heroics? That's a strong word f-"

Noticing the rustle at the same time, Open Eyes fell silent. Hopefully it was the doe they were after, but it was hard to tell who or what was behind the sound.

@Jynk

[Jynk]

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]






As the two males headed in the direction of the sound, a red and gray shape roughly the size of Super's own form barreled into the large buck, catching him by surprise and nearly knocking him off his hooves. He braced himself and pushed back, equally catching the attacker by surprise. It was her; the doe that Super had been tasked to locate. She looked furious as well, moving in for another assault.



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



"Who are you?!' Dark Thoughts bellowed, lunging at the large dark buck before her. She had not yet even noticed the zikwa nearby, focusing her ire on the one who had been following her all this time. As the kimeti buck sidestepped, nearly causing her to run into a tree, she turned on her hoof and glared at the two males. "What right have you to follow me around like this?"

@luxluna (It's alright.)