[B] Swift Blaster (Albatross x New Grave)

[fluo]

Albatross alternated between swimming upstream with the currents and going down the rapids. It was a simple life she lived, and she wasn't going to give it up for anything. Who knew furbodies were so buoyant? At least she thought they were still alive as they collected at the lower pools. Their chatter could be heard upstream. She swam lazily in circles, chased a caiman, stole some oysters from napping otters, and even swat nearby frolicking kin with all 8 of her tentacles armed with cattails. Out of all her forms, this one was her favorite. Not only was she a fast swimmer, benign thievery was a breeze. She never stole anything big. Just like lies, her thefts were of the fib sort. The sun was reaching its peak and Albatross slowed her swimming. Finding a shady alcove, she nestled among giant lily pads intent on getting some rest.

[fluo]

New Grave had a new agenda: find a legendary. Whatever that meant. He was kicked out of the den he shared and was told in no uncertain terms to NOT come back until he achieved the goal. And so the buck was cast out without a thought in the world of where to look for one or what one looked like. He had tried to listen to the elders but the old kin were so old that they would fall asleep halfway through their stories. It wasn't his fault he fell asleep. But now he was in a real pickle with real dire consequences afoot. After hours of a fruitless search, he made his way to the waters to quench his thirst and re-assess his plans or rather, lackthereof. He nudged aside some reeds and stuck his snout face first into the water. He wasn't careful with his splashing either.

[fluo]

Albatross could not remember a time when she was so rudely awoken. Not even when she had her own growing brood. Incensed, she got up onto the lillypad and blasted the offending kin with 8 sprays of indignation before wiping away the sleep from her beady eyes. She landed a hearty slash across the buck's cheek. That was going to leave a mark. Not content to let the interloper run away unscathed, she scooped up floating debris and started hauling them at the honey beehive above. If it fell, she could easily dive into the waters of safety. Yes, it was an excellent plan.

[fluo]

New Grave yelped and tried to leap back, but instead slipped on the wet banks and came crashing down. Rocks pelted him. His face stung with the telltale warming that a bruise will form. In between mouthfuls of water, he screamed, "STOP. Stop. I'm sorry. I was just thirsty from spending the entire day looking for a legendary for a blessing."

He was babbling like the brook he had passed up. If only he had stopped there to get a sip of water he wouldn't be in this mess. Instead he had a deraged, murderous octo furbody riled up. Who knew they had incredible aim!? Not this buck. He edged away slowly. Perhaps if he could shift all his weight to the other side, he could beat a fast escape. Judging by the glow of the eyes, he wasn't sure if he would survive their next outburst.

[fluo]

Albatross waddled to the bank and shifted until she loomed over the fallen buck.

"Serves you right. Shithead." Albatross was a dignified Mare. She resisted kicking him for good measure. She wrinkled her nose. She was a legendary and she was supposed to operate under some modicum of respectability right? She grumped. Being good under the MotherFather's watchful eye was overrated and it said nothing about taking matters into her own tentacles when interlopers interrupted her leisure activities. Still, this was a pitiful buck.

"I bless your brood to have better sense than to intrude. They will be healthy in sound and mind and have respect for danger and dangerous kin. Now go away."

Albatross shifted to her crane form to fly away from the idiot. She would have to find a new resting place. It was time she checked on the pooled furbodies anyway.