It had been quite some time since Look-See ventured out past her area of the swamp. She was far past her glowing stones, steadfast night-blooming florals, and all that was familiar. Even the trio with Doom and Gloom were no more. Everyone had spread their wings and conquered their bit of the swamp, taming the ever wild swamp land to do their bidding. A flower crown of wildflowers situated between the furry pointy tipped ears of her lynx form. Look-See had grown complacent and comfortable. She was pulled in a direction, and heeded the calling. Aside for a few blessings, she did not have much interaction with those of the swamp. Even the Zikwas were undiscovered and new to her. How she would dine and ask them questions on the lack of sight that was common in many of them. One paw in front of the other, Look-See took sure but small steps to the rustling of bushes she heard near the watery banks.

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft] Today had been a day that By the River had planned to spend closer to home but Smudge had different ideas. She'd gone to visit her mom, which shouldn't have taken so long to get there, but with Sheer Dumb Luck along, it was a slow, tedious trip there. Though the way home had been much quicker since she didn't have to travel at the turtles pace.

After visiting her daughter and leaving Sheer with her for a few days (Smudge and Opal really didn't seem to care for the turtle and she just didn't have the energy to stop the pair from throwing little territorial hissy fits at the turtle continually. She really needed to figure something out about the three familiars), rest seemed like a good thing.

Smudge, had other plans though. The flox had decided that it was a good idea to dart off, and not come back when called and River was worried, since it was still winter and she didn't know how well it would fend for it's self. So she'd gone after it, crashing through bushes and undergrowth it slipped through with ease. "Smuuuudge!" she called for the flox off and on as she chased after, the Toxin colored tails always just in sight, but too far to grab.

The little Flox was having the time of it's life at this point, happier now without the turtle around. It was merely being playful and Chase Smudge seemed like an excellent game. Not that Smudge would have called it that. More like 'Can't catch me!' was the name of the game here.

So darting in and out of brush and such, hearing River behind was a good thing! Until Smudge darted out, in front of a Lynx and stopped cold, teeth bared a little, River still crashing her way through the brush.[imgright]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgright]

Look-See was frequently called the "Old Blind Bat," but she recognized warning colors when she saw them. Her lynx form had sharper eyes, but the hazy cloud was still there in her vision. She felt and heard the hiss and baring of teeth moreso than viewing it with her own milky eyes. Some animals give off vibes and this one was playful but calculating. She saw the duo of tails of the frozen form. Unsure what propelled her, Look-See pitter pattered forward and bopped the creature on its nose with her own cute nose.

And then she heard the crash of a larger being, a kiokote come barreling by.

"Hello" she mentally greeted the other kin.

Smudge was surprised by the sudden nose boop and took a step backward tails twitching even as her kin friend stepped through the brush, and in a few steps was hiding between River's front legs, staring at Look-See-Lynx trying to make sense of the strange animal.

While River looked between lynx, and flox, and back, a surprised note from her. "Oh! Hello there!" she looked down at Smudge and smiled. "Is this what you were going after silly? This lynx? It could eat you, you know." the flox didn't seem to care, and it proved as much by running back to the lynx and booping it's nose with it's own this time before running back to River, who looked down at her little pet in surprised amusement. "You're behaving so strangely Smudge."

@fluo

Now that was a surprise and a very welcome one at that. Look-See was chuffed and a genuine, clumsy smile was let loose onto the swamp. She liked this flox. She liked it a lot from when it scurried back to between the legs of the kiokote for protection and to when it came back for vengeance. It probably wouldn't like it if she called it cute. It was mighty but fierce. The more Look-See thought of it, the more she wanted to steal it from the kiokote, but things didn't quite work like that in the swamp. The swamp demanded balance and it self corrected those who veered off the beaten path. While she doubted she would get struck down by lightning, she had her own cherished pets and familiars and knew if one ever sent missing, she would be bereft. Affording the kiokote the same courtesy, Look-See left that errant dream die.

Continuing her smile, she bid the fun group farewell, and walked back to plot her next steps. The light hit through the trees just so, highlighting something significant had just ocurred. Look-See lacked the forethought and patience to decipher what was at hand, but knew it was pivotal. The swamp changed and something shifted in her heart. Things were going to be just alright.