[MySpoons]

╳ ǤƲΔЯƉƖΔИ ѲҒ ƬĦЄ MΔЯƧĦ | 𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍 ╳
MySpoons | The Protection | Male | 7 years

collar color: medium value brown leather with a greenish tinge (like he's been in a marsh a long time) and a silver buckle with some green, please~

It was one of those long days that bleed into the night with work. Someone said they spotted an injured animal stuck in the marshlands deep in the reserve along the most isolated hiking trails-- mostly just service roads and old paths no longer being maintained. Speedy cannot even remember what sort of animal it was. A fox? A large cat? Or a zebra? Maybe it was like a lion or something... it would explain why Ada was so insistent on trying to find it.

But it is way too dark and while the weather is nice, the bugs are not and the marsh is gross and wet and super muddy as it always is. They're on the way back to the jeep, having combed through the area for all of today without luck. Ada was able to restock some of the emergency stop supplies that dot the reserve for staff, hikers, and visitors. Pretty boring stuff.

Too bad they're returning home without anything to show for it.





Ada steps back, shouting in fright as Speedy cowers under the massive dog that jumps out of the reeds at-- no, over her. Her handler takes a protective stance, ready to fend off--





Crocodiles?! How did that water creep up on them so fast? Speedy is frozen, trying to puzzle out how the swamp had encroached on the path behind them so quickly. Ada, though, it not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. She takes Speedy's collar in hand.

"Come, girl!"

The two of them flee into the night, out of the swamp and back onto larger roads. Speedy spends the long drive back thinking about the hound's wild appearance, the green in his fur, and the odd sensation that his medallion gave off when he confronted the crocodiles sneaking up on them.

Ada spends the drive muttering about "nonsense ghost hounds and sketchy magic and cursed woods".

╳ ╳ ╳

Of course, Ada wants to head back out to check in on that hound. Even though Ada isn't a fan of the... mythical stuff she wants to make sure that if that hound is corporeal that he's okay. He looked really dirty but he seemed fine. But of course Speedy cannot share her opinions with her handler so off they go, armed this time with food, a spare collar, a snare pole, a large animal trap, and a kennel. Ada always covers all her bases.


Oddly, the hound is waiting for them at the edge of the marsh. Ears pricked but not standing stiff-legged. Alert not hostile. Speedy hops out and starts sniffing the ground around the jeep, just trying to find something to do. Ada prepares a dish of dog food and puts it about fifteen yards out from them. Far enough away that he'll come but close enough that Ada can get some photos.

Maybe he's feral?

Speedy is ready for lots of outcomes-- but the quiet way the marsh hound trots out to them and starts eating is quite... disappointing. She lays down on the grass and yawns. The hound-- she was right, he's a male-- is calm and doesn't scarf food down like he's starving. Actually he looks really well fed. Maybe he isn't a stray after all?

"Good boy." Ada praises him, placing another bowl of food down closer to the jeep by about five yards. He walks that way and polishes off that snack, too. Speedy, feeling sort of left out, goes and sits near him since he's so close to Ada.

You're not gonna bite her, are you? 'Cuz then I'll have to track you down and we don't want to do that. Speedy doesn't say that he would be put down due to suspected rabies even though he appears healthy and calm. No fun for anyone.

No.

Ada watches them interact, searching for any hostility on the male's end. Pleased to see no signs, Ada coaxes him over with some food and a soft voice. Working her own version of magic as she always does. Speedy stays close. She's no fighter but she'll be damned if she lets some strange hound bite her handler without a fight to show for it.

No chip, no collar. Only that strange medallion with an hourglass on it. Ada takes a few more photos of him. She feels for his ribs and for any injuries. A little on the slim side, sure, but not sick or unhealthy.

No need to live in the swamp all alone. Speedy says when it becomes clear that the hound ain't gonna talk to her unprompted.

No? A guy of many words, clearly.

What are you doing out here all alone anyways? No one lives out here. Speedy presses.

No, they don't. The male sounds... somber but Speedy pushes on because she wants answers. Not unlike her handler, who is busy mixing some anti-parasite medication into some more treats.

Yeah, so what are you doin' out here? You can come back with us if you like to work.

No.

Speedy huffs. Is that the only word you know?

No, the hound replies, a hint of amusement in his strange magenta eyes.

Speedy flops to the ground. Ugh!


╳ ╳ ╳


The hound-- Ada calls him Guarin-- sticks around and lets Ada check his paws and his teeth and even give him some vaccines and anti-parasite medication. She pronounces him dirty but healthy and tries to coax him into the car. Guarin is very comfortable around people... even though it's probably been a while since he's seen a person last.

But Guarin doesn't want to go. He stays out of reach, ears low, tail wagging as if trying to apologize to Ada. Speedy already knows he won't come and made herself comfortable on the seat with her paws hanging out the door.

Adalaide calls the hound's location to the base before she packs up most of the things and takes off. Another task to add to the daily rounds, Speedy guesses: feed the Marsh Guardian.


[999/1000]

[eleutheromania]

Winner is MySpoons. I really enjoyed how the lore behind the hound was used,
and the hashing out of reacting to people and whether leaving the marsh or not. this hound doesnt count to your daily count. Thank you to all who entered and had completed forms. i felt this one clicked the most for me in terms of character. Till next time ^^.

[MySpoons]

Winner is MySpoons. I really enjoyed how the lore behind the hound was used,
and the hashing out of reacting to people and whether leaving the marsh or not. this hound doesnt count to your daily count. Thank you to all who entered and had completed forms. i felt this one clicked the most for me in terms of character. Till next time ^^.

Thank you so much <3