The newly adult buck had been eager to set off on his own from his parents for so long already, he felt barely anything but complete and utter release and joy as he left. Into the swamp he went, alone, looking for a place to call his own, and to start his own new adventures! Leopard was anxious, but he was already a fair hunter, though he preferred to gather and forage anyways. He found it more efficient, personally, and he always rather enjoyed the other things he happened upon while searching, rather than expending all that energy for stalking, chasing, running, killing...wasn't really his style. He hadn't been lucky with the ladies in the neighbourhood, but that wasn't really his top priority. They all thought the large buck was a jerk. They were probably right.
Leopard had never really cared for others too much, he had really generally been a one-man-show most of his life. He had not really been too dependent on his parents, well, his father...his mother had run off with another buck before the young Leopard even spoke his name to her. He tried so hard not to let that bother him though.
As he had already been travelling a fair amount of time, the spotted Kimeti decided he may as well stop and have a look around. There might be something close by to snack on, was his thinking. Or maybe there's some other Kin hanging around somewhere that I could make friends with! He thought, also noting to himself that it would be nice to have an adventuring and foraging partner. All in good time, Leopard figured.
He glanced about eagerly, his long fluffy tail swooshing behind him of it's own volition. His ears were perked, and his keen vision was focused as he examined his surroundings. Then he brought his muzzle low to the ground and sniffed about the mossy mud for a moment. Maybe there were some mushrooms nearby...he could almost catch their scent. The large young buck took a few steps to the right with his muzzle still to the ground...
Nope, that wasn't it...
He then turned and took some steps to the left, in the same fashion, and it was then his sense of smell caught onto the scent of delicate little morsels for him to snack on. He stood tall and puffed his chest a little, proud of his find. It was strange that there was nobody here to brag to, but Leopard was certainly enjoying the freedom of being a bachelor buck, out on his own to show the world who was boss. He followed the scent as it grew stronger, and happily munched the mushrooms once discovered. Rather satisfied with himself, Leopard decided it would be fine to continue, and so he did, travelling through the trees and the mud and water, until he came across a little grove of birches, set into muskeg as if they were holding it from sinking.
It seemed special though. Something about it called his name...and as he approached, he weaved his way through the thick trees, curious as to what might be calling him so from the other side. As the large buck pushed through the trees, he stumbled into a clearing, which led to what looked like it may have been a waterfall at some point, but was dried up to reveal a small cave. The young adventurer's eyes lit up as he spotted it, and Leopard knew that this was the place that he would come to call home. It was perfect.
