[imgleft]https://www.matope-swamp.com/images/pho ... uncert.png[/imgleft][imgleft]https://www.matope-swamp.com/images/pho ... uncert.png[/imgleft]Weighted Words had a not-so-secret crush on a beautiful doe.  He bribed his sister once again with fine berries to "happen" to walk through the area he thought Summoner might be gathered with her friends.

"There she is, Stardust!" he whispered.  "How do you think I can get her attention, I cant just walk up and ... TALK ... to her!"

A litle grumpy at the same song and dance, Stardust huffed and said, "Have you considered just trying a little harder to talk to her? She doesnt seem the most welcoming but I havent seen her set any tails on fire or anything...."

He nodded, lifted his heavy head with courage and started to step towards Summoner.  As he got closer, he could hear what they were talking about.  Summoner had spent several nights seeking a special Familiar - finding many among the swamp but not picking any yet.

[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgright] Her smooth voice carried quite well, "If only I could find one that just had that certain.. unique flair.  It is not an easy choice to find ones first Familiar!"  she laughed and saw Weighted and tossed him a small smile and a polite nod.

Encouraged, he called out, "I will find you a special friend! If I can, will you take a walk in the starlight with me?"  Puffing out his chest, he held his breath and she eyed him consideringly.

"With such an effort put forth, how could I not at least consider such a delightful plan?"  Summoner bowed her head towards him.

And with great gusto, he trotted out of the glade to seek a fine, special, beautiful, the very BEST familiar for Summoner.

That evening, he began his search....

Sleeping as a swan probably wasn't the smartest idea she'd ever had. But it was convenient sometimes. Easier. Nest in a tree, find an emptied nest... Anything to keep off the ground when others were around. It made her travels easier, kept her on a fast wing. When the urge to help, the need to follow the call came to her, Roses in Bloom could simply unfold her wings and take off.

Usually, anyway.

The weather had been so oppressively hot, and tonight, the mud was cool. With her feathers puffed up around her, Roses had made quite the cool nest for herself. Satisfied, she lowered herself down to the ground to rest for the evening, eyes drifting shut as she nodded off.

It was the approach of hoofsteps that woke her, Roses snorting awake and looking around.

"Honk?"

[imgleft]https://www.matope-swamp.com/images/pho ... uncert.png[/imgleft]  "Ahha! That is the prettiest swan I have ever seen, surely Summoner would like that one...."

He snuck slowly, one hoof ahead of the other, towards the sleeping swan and when it honked at him he gasped and pounced forward... "Gotcha now!"