The creature scoured the land more confidently, with the night covering its body from the sights of those around it.

Its interest was not towards the farm, as the erupting sounds had ward it away from the time being. For now, it would rely on the rivers for its meals, with the hills to shield it from sight from everything. After enjoying itself a hefty shoal it decided to venture further upstream, with nobody around.

Well, all except one.

Tomobi had a rod laying next to a starved bucket, eyes away from even a droplet of water. His focus was on his given jewel.

‘Could’ve used this against Hudson. No. Kiorif would’ve known. But. Don’t even know what it does,’ pressing it against his head, he felt a cool soothing sweep across him.

‘I guess there is only one way to find out,’

A wind tickled his bare torso as he looked at the grove he drew the gift closer. His heartbeat was harder and heavier next to it as his chest kissed the gift before it was enwrapped into his body.

Looking down at it glowed its flushed colours that were exposed to the world. His body felt a sensation coursing through his body, a faint jolt that warmed him.

“Okay, now what?” he went for a deep breath, preparing himself for whatever he was going to do. Remembering the list of what could happen. Ready for anything.

When he exhaled a bubble flew from his mouth. He wasn’t ready for that.

“No,” another bubble grew to respond.

‘Great, this was just some sort of joke. There had to be a catch,’ smacking his head he felt a cool splash. Looking at his hands they started to foam.

“Perfect,” What was he expecting, Nana and Sprout probably thought of this as some sick joke.

It only got better for him as a trickle went into his eyes. Now irritated he let out a groan, his throat stinging from his rare note. Stumbling towards the river, he cleaned away the soap.

The creature got closer, Tomobi didn’t look behind him, it started getting a better look, Tomobi dunked his head, the bucket was knocked over, Tomobi turned his head.

Both eyes greeted each other.

After everything Tomobi now needed time to think, once it clicked though his thoughts were too quick to catch.

Repulsing from the creature he panicked back to the graveled bank, but there was no chase. Blocking his path, it circled around him. Forcing his stinging eyes on the creature he could make out what it was. It was something he had never seen before.

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A charcoaled beast that had the searing colours of fires burned on its underside, leading down to muscular talons. Above this ruptured spines ran across its back as they slowly shrunk down to its whipped tail.

His mind panicked. His pants were soaked. His body was foaming.

It stayed cautious. It was indecisive, but most importantly, it was distant.

Both stayed apart from each other, neither sure what to do.

The whim of a soaped bath washed over them, but their eyes were kept locked.

‘Okay, it hasn’t tried anything. Maybe it just wanted to see what was happening. I’ll just take a nice step, breath,’ As he tried to create a steady breath, bubbles would eradicate spawn. The bubbles drifted towards the creatures, dancing around its head until one popped at the edge of their snout. Suddenly standing up it began to chase after the bubbles, childishly following them as they glided around it.

Seeing an advantage, Tomobi slowly backed away with his continuous breath. His mind was not as stable, focusing solely on the unexplainable happening before him.

But that didn’t matter, all that mattered was blowing enough bubbles to entertain the beast. Though the crackle of dried gravel opposed this, calling the creature out of its soaped trance.

Their eyes returning to the other, Tomobi had to wait for it to do anything.

“Tomobi,” the echoing call traveled to alert both of them. Tomobi recognised Rookie’s voice, whilst the scaled oddity did not, rushing away from the area.

“Are you close?”

“Y-yes Rookie,” Tomobi scattered around to hide his tracks, rushing into his shirt.

“Just let me get everything,” fumbling to carry the rod and bucket he waddled towards the now visible Rookie.

“Oh, there you are. You’re soaked,”

“I tripped when trying to catch a fish,” blurting out the lie, Rookie took it and walked along with him away from the river.

“You were gone for so long and then it turned dark, not to mention the cret-,” her eyes turned to the glow inside Tomobi’s shirt, now realising the quality of Tomobi’s response.

“Hey, Tomobi,”

“Yes,”

“Take off your shirt,”

“Wh-what?”

“I said take off your shirt. Come on hussle,” as he took it off he realised why she ordered him, the pink glow now outlying itself against his green.

“Can you explain what this is?” Rookie’s voice lost its welcoming tone.

“Rookie I can explain,”

“Then do,” Looking up to Rookie showed a changed face. Her eyes were void of her sibling care, her smile killed.

“Well, I just got it,”

“Where?”

“I found-”

“Tomobi don’t lie to me,” Rookie’s words clawed Tomobi, making him want to run back to face the beast. At least it would be distracted by the bubbles.

“You are already in trouble, which I didn’t think was possible from you. Not only did you break a rule, but it is the most important rule. You were supposed to tell us if you found a gift straight away. Hell, what I’m meant to tell Kiorif,”

“I know. It’s just, I never got an opportunity,” Seeing him defeated, Rookie looked away for a moment for a change of air.

“Take it out,” knowing nothing could help him, Tomobi went to take it out. As it left him his body calmed itself as if losing a piece of himself he never knew he had.

“Thanks Tomobi,” but as soon as she looked at his defeated face she cracked.

“Damit, why do you have to be so adorable. Urgh-Okay, I will still be giving this to Kiorif. But, I’ll tell him that you just found it here. Nothing else okay,”

“Yes, Rookie,”

“Good, now. How did you not catch anything,” Her lifeless tone was replaced with her usual spunk.

“I tried but I’m not really good at it,”

“Ah don’t worry about it, once we can catch a break I’ll show you how. Reminds me of a story about my brother,”

The two continued the story as they walked away from the creature. Though from afar it noticed how the other plated being joining the glowing one. And within its different mind, a confusing plan grew. It changed where it was going to travel.