[prp] A new partner (Rejected & Streams of Silver)

[Lirilei]

[imgleft]https://matope-swamp.com/images/phoenix ... uncert.png[/imgleft] Rejected had become enamored with the muskwolves at the winter market, the lone booth he found himself drawn to and participating in. He was normally not a buck to join in such things but he couldn't help it. Talking with the buck there, Musk, he'd learned much but still, he had them on his mind, and the help one would be on his scouting rounds. Not just for keener ears, nose, and eyes than his own but for the companionship as he wandered the tribes borders to keep those within the tribe safe and sound. He wasn't sure how his mentor Leech would react if he brought one back, but one problem at a time. The current one being...how to get one. The market had ended, and kin had started to leave for their respective homes, but he hung back, hoping to speak to Musk, or someone about the muskwolves.

(150 words)

[Anhelisk]

[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgright] The winter market was, as every year, a magnificent place to behold. And while she hadn't quite gotten as many ideas as she may have wished during the festivities, she had definitely enjoyed watching kin come in and interacting with the animals. The booth had been cleaned up, a small midden buried, and the only flag-tailed animal around was her own Catty, snuffling here and there at whatever lingering ghosts of scents past interested her.

She had been idling for some time, working at readying herself for the feeling of doneness to really feel the festival was over, when she noticed a green-faced buck standing, looking unsure of himself.

"Do you need somehing?" she called out to him. Maybe this had been why she felt she needed to stay!

[Lirilei]

The called out question made him move forward without hesitation, and he gave a nod of his head as he looked around, and spotted Catty, a light smile on his face. "The musk wolves... where does one tend to find them? And go about getting one? I've never seen them before today and...well I think one would be a wonderful companion for me to have."

He had no reason to try lying to this doe, it wasn't in his nature after all. There was just an earnestness to him as he asked these questions. Maybe if it wasn't too far...wouldn't take too long...he could try finding one and taming one to take back home with him. He already missed the tribe land deeply, but he couldn't just walk away... not now. Not yet. He didn't just want the answers to these simple questions, he absolutely needed them.

"Of all the questions I asked Musk, those were not ones that came to mind that day, so now I find myself wondering, and having to bother you as you're trying to leave. I apologize for delaying you with my questions."

(339 words)

[Anhelisk]

Ah. Well, that was a simple enough question to answer, but perhaps a hard one to hear.

"Musk confirmed for me what I suspected-- they come from the plains. I met my girl, here, Catty, when I was walking the north border-- I guess, perhaps, it was her curiosity that drew her over into the swamp." The doe smiled. "Though, more and more are coming south of their own accord, and there are enough males that they've been breeding here."

[Lirilei]

His ears fell a little hearing they weren't exactly native to the swamp, which meant they weren't terribly common. That did cool his hooves a little as far as plans went. Still he shook off the momentary disappointment. It was a setback, nothing more, that was all. A long term goal, not something that could be done quickly. That was just fine.

"That's dismaying to hear but, also still promising in its own way. It's a little more difficult, but not impossible is what you're saying." that was fine, he could work with that. "Any tips on befriending them?" he was thoughtful, trying to find out if there was anything else he should ask before he was on his way.

[Anhelisk]

Well, he seemed sincere enough... but his determination could be harmful if he got it in his head to try to push into the borderlands for too long. Perhaps it was best to shape his plans here....

Yes. She could at least offer a solid plan going forward. If he made different decisions, she couldn't be blamed. "If you could happen to find a pup from someone's companion, they're very easy to train at that age. Naturally curious, playful, reliant on outside help... I believe that would have the best odds of success. It's how I helped home pups with my granddaughters."

[Lirilei]

He listened closely to her words, and grew thoughtful. He thought of the various familiars at the tribe, and how those befriended at a younger age seemed to do better with and around kin than older ones. It made sense honestly.

"Thank you for those wise words. It made me think about the pets within my tribe, and how those found or gotten at an older age don't do so well around one kin, let alone many but those raised from a young age do."

He gave the doe a warm smile. "So, I'll keep my eyes and ears open, and see what happens. Thank you!" well really, it didn't hurt to just wait and see if he heard of pups either from someone he knew, or just spotted in the wild, letting him investigate, and figure things out from there.

It wasn't the answer he was hoping for in the end, but the one he needed to hear.

(617 words)

[Anhelisk]

((This is permission for Liri to get a male muskie for Rejected!))