[B] Dig Deeper (Albatross x Aplomb)

[fluo]

Holes. There were so many of them, some the size of a feral jerboa and some that would trap a chonky eaglehound. Albatross followed the path of dirt destruction until she saw the tip of some kimeti horns peeking out from the ground. In a deep hole wholly of their own making, the doe was oblivious to the Mare's curious stare. Uncurling from her side , a long oddfurbody inspected the whole, chittering its approval and some criticism. To make a point, it shuffled some dirt in while pointing with its tail to a weak ledge.

[fluo]

[imgright]http://www.matope-swamp.com/images/ryuu ... uncert.png[/imgright]Sweat broke across Aplomb's brows after the second hole and continued to drench her, but the doe's determination was a thing of beauty. She dug and dug as a means to an end. Her goal was simple enough, but when some fluffy dirt dropped into her hole, she saw red. Looking up to find the culprit, her anger was mirrored by a long furbody's outrage. How dare she dig like that. The walls will collapse and make it easier for things to escape. Doesn't she know any better? The chittering was so loud, Aplomb was amazed she missed it the first time. Lifting her head, she came face to face to two idiot furbodies- one long and one that crawled out of the sea and was thrown into a hurricane judging by the mess on its head.

"What do you two idiots want? I'm digging here! Either help or go away. I am running out of time," Aplomb snarled and hissed.

[fluo]

No Face turned exasperated to Albatross, his many paws vibrating with impatience. Albatross waved her tentacles in kind and faced the Kimeti. An audible sigh escaped from her beak. Shifting, she gained height and stared down at the doe who was clearly taken aback.

[fluo]

"Do you want us to help bury yourself in the hole? It's a very nice hole. I'm sure we can finish by sundown since you're in a hurry? But as my business associate mentions, if you plan on catching things with this hole, this snare isn't well fortified around the edges. They could climb up and escape." She swished her tail amiably enough to show that she was harmless. A nearby bird landed on her hair in serendipitous confirmation that the furbody duo meant no harm.

[fluo]

Several thoughts ran through her head. Who they were was irrelevant. She was more after what they were, or rather, the talking Kin. She was a legendary and just who Aplomb was looking for. Though the previous furbody form was easier to toss in and threaten with burial. But if what the other long furbody said was true, that meant her hostage plan was structurally not sound. Swallowing audibly, she stalled as she thought through possible outcomes. She really needed the help. She could ask, but would it really be that simple? Would that work? She did call them idiots but that was before. Surely the Mare would understand. Furbodies didn't exactly command the most stellar reputations around these parts.

"I NEED A BLESSING" was wait she said except it was all rushed out so it sounded more like a made up word. Inhaling, she tried again. "I need a blessing. If you're okay with it. I don't think you two are really idiots." Aplomb cringed. She tried. Nervousness made her mouth run before discretion kicked in.

[fluo]

Albatross found herself in a predicament. There were many furbodies and she usually had them in spades but not this time. She looked at her companion, No Face, and felt a lurching in her black heart. There are many furbodies, but this one was fine. This one was hers and she was loathe to give it up. Maybe if No Escape asked, but that was a very specific situation and the circumstances had to be dire or mutually beneficial.

Okay, she would do this unique blessing and it would uncharacteristically non-transactional. No Face was that special. No one understood structural integrity of holes quite like him.

"Okay, what do you need? Are you looking for something specific?"

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"No. Hit me with your best shot," was the doe's reply.

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Albatross moved quickly to block the black furbody from launching itself at the pregnant doe.

"No, wait," she murmured. Positioning herself inbetween them should one go flying, she got down to business before further mayhem was unwittingly unleashed.

"Your brood will grow up to be marvelous diggers with an eye for structural integrity and use. They will be clever in what they use their abilities and holes for. They will have endurance to dig many holes under the same sun or moon."

"You good?"

She paused and looked down at the doe and her heavy belly. "Do you need help getting out from there?"

[fluo]

This was in fact the largest hole she had dug and now that her goal was met, desperation gave way to clarity. She was stuck. She did not think this through much like the events that led to her down this path. She ran headfirst into any new situation or foreign territory. She was out of her element, but still had her wits about her. Somewhat. And with humility from calling the twosome idiots before and with gratefulness for the blessing received, she tried her luck once more. Surely the offer for help was sincere even if the black furbody looked like it wanted to tackle and pummel her into the ground.

Taking up the Mare and her furbody up on the offer proved to be a muddy task with the sweat combining with the freshly turned dirt. It took longer than expected and by the time she waddled, yes, waddled out to freedom, the clouds joined in a light sprinkling. Washing away their perspiration and hard work, she looked back at her hole and begrudgingly admitted it was not well made and that the black furbody was correct. Already runoff was weathering away at the edges into a muddy mess. Looking up, she saw the other two walking away. She might as well ask.

"Hey, do you know which way is the sea?"