Jasmine Smoke was on the hunt. Not for food, of course. That was first on the list of 'things hunted for', therefore Smoke avoided it. Too mainstream.
Second on the list, however, was 'cute does'.
Entirely fair game.
She had timed it just right. Ash had decided to eat and bathe and nap, and Smoke, full of nervous energy as she normally was, had cried boredom and gone for a walk, saying she would 'be back in a bit'. Hopefully Ash would stay put and decide not to hunt her down... she wasn't sure if she could still fast talk her way out of chance meetings with fine-looking does after the hundredth time. She had used up all her excuses.
Smoke watched intently as the doe cavorted in the stream, splashing. Maybe she meant to bathe? All alone, what a shame. Nobody to wash those hard-to-reach places. How fortuitous that she was here, Smoke the ever-helpful, ready and willing to aid any doe (and perhaps even the bucks!) with bathtime activities.
She struck a pretty pose, head held high, prancing in place. Oh yes, she still had it. But she needed something else, something to break the ice. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a clump of fragrant bushes, perfect for freshening up. Who could resist?
Mincing up to the bush, she delicately broke a branch from it, the heady perfume surrounding her. She sampled a few of the leaves, then rolled about in them. Truly did the swamp provide for all tastes!
Meaning to break off another branch to offer the doe, she stuck her head in the bush. And froze, as she got instead a faceful of grayish hide and backspines.
Someone was already here, camping her doe!
Her doe!
