[FIN] Investigation of the Stolen Turtle (BH x Glossbones)

[fluorescein]

Glossbones had a habit of bringing home items that did not belong to him. Food, skulls, or anything green or owlcat related, in tow did it go. As River-Swollen and him were awful hunters, and not the best of foragers, it was best not to ask how they fed themselves. Through the kindness of others, they claimed. Blatant theft was more accurate, but they weren't keen on details on things other than their precious decorated skulls in which they sold. And so when he chanced upon the turtle on its back, he had no qualms whatsoever bringing it home. With nary a stop in his gait, he scooped up the turtle to his humble clearing.

A short while later, he left the turtle amid a pile of skulls for safekeeping. The owlcats would keep it safe. Unfortunately one deemed it the perfect napping space in the afternoon sun.  

[fluorescein]

anemosagkelos

Not a clue, but I suppose Glossbones stole the turtle and it became the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

The napping owlcat yawned and stretched in annoyance. Its fur stood on end. TRESPASSER! it hissed to his comrades. Jumping from the turtle surrounded by bones, he went to find Glossbones or the brown one. She scared him, but was a fierce poker of things with her stick.

Deep in thought, Glossbones' tail scooped up some sand and he watched the small granules and sun flit through his well and hairy tail. He was thinking of how to best eat and cook the turtle. It wasn't like he had a fire salamander. Perhaps some live burying or salting would help. The fact that it was still alive was troublesome. Interrupted, he looked at the curious owlcat that beckoned him to follow. Leaving the sands for another time, he ventured forward and saw the red buck. Crap. The shop wasn't much to look at as they were between seasons and the two Mares hadn't been around in a while. Strange how they had become dependent on them for food, patronage and companionship. Curiouser and curiouser.

"Can I help you?" he asked, hoping to not start the tense red buck.  

[fluorescein]

Glossbones looked on the buck with a look of pained dismay. With ribs sticking out, it was no secret that food didn't come by so easily. Loathe to give up on his ill-gotten gain, he said nothing. Of course he would give the turtle back, but were the other buck's knees shaking? And didn't he see the squealing turtle, still on its back, next to the pile of bones?

Sighing, Glossbones' mind played out various scenarios. Kicking the dirt, he admitted it without the help of a fire salamander, the turtle would be quiet chewy and hard on the digestive system. "Your turtle must have followed me home" he suggested nonchalantly. "He is playing with the skulls it seems." Never had the swamp seen a more downtrodden buck. He sighed once more and walked to the pile of skulls, trying to covertly lick his lips as he looked down.  

[fluorescein]

Ehhh, Glossbones mentally stuttered for he was still bemoaning the loss of slimy reptile meat and the usefulness of a turtle shell. His ears twitched. And puffed out his chest in a silly attempt to seem bigger and plumper than he really was.

"Yes, yes, I fish" he pushed out a little too eagerly. Nearby, as if sensing the large pile of s**t the green buck would soon be eating, two green owlcats chittered and heckled to themselves before diving back into the pile of skulls and bones.

Glossbones coughed. "There's a stream opening over here unless you prefer somewhere else?"  

[fluorescein]

Glossbones noted to himself to cease pilfering so close to his home. Foal mistake surely. To be sure his sister River-Swollen would not fall to the same line of thought as he, Glossbones picked up a necklace of daisies and placed it around the turtle. It would be better for all if his sister mistook the turtle as a new pet or at least off-limits from senseless consumption.

"Ok!" he replied way too cheerfully, hoping his enthusiasm would hide the fact he was an utter failure at it. Reasoning told him to compensate for his inadequacies. "This is a good spot." He was stalling.  

[fluorescein]

OK. Maybe there was more to fishing than just finding water and hoping something would jump into his mouth.

"Yes, yes. That sounds like a grand plan. I have a very nice tail I can add shells to it to make it into a bait?"  

[fluorescein]

Glossbones' eyes slid to the side briefly before acquiescing. "Yes, yes."

Inwardly he groaned. He was becoming a "yes" buck, one his sister would raze him rightfully so over. While he watched the other buck fish, Glossbones' thoughts ran to what they could do with the fishbones. Though small and delicate, when grasped with clenched teeth, they could puncture holes into leaves or flayed skin. Maybe the scales could be crushed up for sparkly pigment even. The options were limitless. Why yes, it would be a wonderful if he could also use the wings of dragonflies. On and on his mind whirled while oblivious to the labor Bitter heartbeat was intent on completing.