into the woods [c]

A day in the forest was perfect for gathering berries! Not to mention getting exercise and getting plenty of fresh air. He had a bath in a cold river to rejuvenate himself, basked in the sun for a while to dry off and took a nice jog around then fetched his basket to gather food for dinner. The Eevee had picked more for his meal then he needed, intending to pass some out to anyone he found on the way back home. Though he wasn't sure how many others would be out and about so close to night time. Regardless, he was pretty proud of his haul and had a pretty good day![break][break]

He really didn't think to check for thugs lurking about, never really having a problem with them before. So, when the big Houndoom exited the brush and started after him, he didn't notice until the form of the beast was right next to him, making Cygnus jump a bit even before he was spoken to. He ended up slowing his pace a little so he could look up and get a better look at the big Pokemon talking to him. That scar looked pretty nasty but it wasn't polite to stare but it didn't really make the Eevee bothered. After all, it was something that the other guy couldn't really control! That was like making fun of a Psyduck for having a headache! [break][break]

It was also rude to not answer someone's statement so he'd pause to set the basket down and free up his mouth to speak, "It's not all that dangerous out here! And I'm 'chipper' because I've had a good day." Cygnus would give the hound a grin before nudging the basket with a paw, "Would you like some? I got more than I need so you can have some if you're hungry." As long as some was left for him he was willing to share!

Well, he was kind of helpless to stop the dog from just tipping the basket over. He did want to protest but that would be a little rude to do so, especially as the Houndoom admitted that he wasn't sure when his last meal was. Though, once it seemed he was done, the first thing Cygnus did was right the basket and started putting the spilled berries back. After all, having a mess just wouldn't do! And there were still plenty left over to hand out once he got back to town. He would have asked if that was all the stranger wanted but he was already moving on in topics. [break][break]

The change had him tilting his head a little before giving a smile. "I sure hope I am capable! I want to join the guild some day but I have to train first." it wouldn't do for someone frail to join and just end up failing a party after all! so of course he had to train. It didn't occur to him that his company may have been on the less than savory side of the law and that maybe, he shouldn't be telling this to the guy. Despite the scars, the Eevee had no reason to think this guy was evil! Just because he was a dark type didn't mean anything as far as he was concerned. [break][break]

Berries put back and he would have to ask. "Do you live out here or the city? I'm heading back there now if you want to walk with me." With that, he picked his basket back up and started walking. Not quite walking, it was more of a slow jog or power walk that was his usual speed. Being so much bigger than himself, the Houndoom should be able to keep up just fine, right? If not, he'd make himself slow down a bit.

Who wouldn't want to be in the guild? Someone who wanted to be boring, that's who! Well, that and Pokemon who wanted quiet lives or were in strict opposition to the guild. But he liked to pretend blatantly bad guys didn't exist or weren't irredeemable. When his question was answered, though, he would slow and look back. Was this guy one of those wild Pokemon that roamed about these areas outside the city? It sure sounded that way and he almost wanted to offer the guy to stay in his home. He did have a spare bed and it was more cozy then just some random shelter out in the woods. [break][break]

At the heavy sigh, he would stop and turn fully instead of walking blindly forward, quite literally. At the admission that he took as full truth, the Eevee set his basket down again. "That's terrible!" Wasn't finding items for people part of what the guild did? maybe he could use this as a test mission or something like that! a way to see if he was ready to finally poke his head into the guild and ask if he could try out. He still had his hesitations for his own reasons of course, but the idea sounded glorious at the moment. "I can help you look!" He should go and take his basket home and come back but he figured he could look around while carrying it.[break][break]

Of course it was one thing to wander the woods to known spots and grab berries safely. This was going to be a whole new bag of beans if he was going to split up with the stranger to help him find his missing bag. He was pretty good with direction so he didn't fear getting lost or anything, it was just kind of late and he was running out of steam a bit. But, he reminded himself, that if he joined the guild, he may be on a mission for days! There would be no going back home to rest before going back out. This was definitely a test. If he couldn't spend the whole day, from dawn to dusk, out of home then there was no way he'd make it doing actual work! "Where did you last see it? Maybe if we start there we can pick up your scent or something? Oh! Also, I'm Cygnus."

Of course the Eevee would insist! He would be remiss if he didn't! And at least the Houndoom was polite enough to return the name, making Cygnus smile and nod as he made sure to commit it to memory. Once they started off, he'd pick his basket up and follow as Ares was expecting. As the story started, Cygnus listened intently, trying to play the scene in his mind. There must have been a lot of pokemon to make a tough looking guy like the Houndoom run from his stuff. But it also brought about the question of if those ambushers took the bag! That just wouldn't do.[break][break]

After they got a good distance from the road he had to ask a few things, though it was muffled around the basket handle he was holding onto, "Wa' kod of hokomom umed yew? Aad woud day abe akem oure ags or ded day not notise it aas aire?" Ah, not too good at speaking with something in his mouth. That was annoying, he just hoped that the questions got across properly. It, admittedly, probably didn't make any sense but it was worth the shot. Though, he hadn't thought that it could have been seen as rude. If he had thought of that, he would have waited to ask! but since he wasn't eating he figured it was completely fine. [break][break]

Regardless of if Ares understood the questions, he was already formulating a plan. Once they found the clearing he'd have to set his basket down to sniff around. If it wasn't too long, he'd be able to find their scent and track where they had gone if the bag wasn't there. Granted, his nose definitely wasn't as powerful as a dog pokemon like Ares, but that didn't mean he couldn't put his sniffer to work.

Oh dear, it seemed he wasn't understood. Cygnus almost stopped to put the basket down to repeat himself but no, as he paused he was answered. Well, why did he ask what if he understood?! Ah well, he'd trot after the hound until they reached the clearing. He didn't know how many or what kind of pokemon, which was a problem, but that didn't matter. Seeing how they stopped, he guessed this was where the bag went missing. He set down his basket and started getting to work, pretending to be a super sleuth as he searched.[break][break] Only thing was, he didn't smell Ares there. This was suspicious, but maybe it was just the wrong clearing. There had to be plenty out there. Before he could get too deep down that Bunnelby hole, he was being questioned. "Oh, um. I just do chores for pokemon in my neighborhood. Nothing too glamorous, since I plan to join the guild I need to dedicate time to training and I don't want to disappoint any potential employers by having to leave when I do finally get in there." It was probably a good time to start thinking about talking to some of the people in the guild. If he had the money, he'd try commissioning a strong party to go see if they could find out what happened to his father. But the odd jobs he did didn't really give him enough to do that.[break][break]Of course he conveniently avoided answering the question about family, figuring that didn't need to be brought up as he pushed over a tiny rock in his attempt to find clues. Still no scent of the Houndoom anywhere! As far as he could tell any way. It couldn't be that old, right? With that logic, this was definitely the wrong place. "Is this the right clearing?"