Welcome to Gaia! ::

The day had started warm and sticky, the mid-morning sun staring as a red-hooved buck followed the river's edge. Word on the wind was that a special gathering was happening in these parts, and, despite the silver hiding in his mane, Watch was still the curious storyteller he was known for.

The result was far more exciting than what he had imagined. Never Idle, a fabled stag with the power of creation, was inventing a thing, and a big one at that. Despite the sun setting on his life, Watch's story was far from over, and another chapter had just shown itself. And so, with out a thought, As The Sun Burns offered up him assistance and wandered off to do some chores.

In his search for food stuffs or building materials, Watch wandered deep into the wood, searching with his set set eyes. Beneath a bush, something shone, catching his attention. Hurrying over, he lifted the bush's branch and found the tail of what looked like a salamander, still alight from the creatures heartfire. Deeply intrigued, Watch lifted the find and carried it back to the group. Maybe this would come in handy?

Taking a detour to avoid the annoying bird, Watch found his way back to the river he had followed in earlier that day. Slowly, he wandered, the water lapping at the scarlet hooves he stood on, his matching eyes still searching for anything else the stag would find useful.

Ah! There! In the middle of the shallow river, at a dip, where the water followed a set of stair like levels in a small water fall, a few large stones parted the gentle current. It was perfect, he thought, a large, round stone! Setting down his back up, Watch waded in and studied the boulder. It was far too large for him to push himself. Maybe he should go get some help?

And so, marking the spot in his mind, he stepped out of the river and made his way back to the camp to see if anyone would be willing to lend a hoof.

Ears flicking up at the sound of another voice, Watch spun to look over his shoulder. Spying the lavender bespotted buck and offered a friendly smile and turned to greet his guest.

"Hello, there! A river, oh yes, there's one right back this way. Here," He offered, starting back that way, "Follow me, I'll show you. I am As The Sun Burns, by the way."

A large smile filled Watch's face at his inquiry, "Why yes, actually! You see, I'm assisting a kin in need and there's this rock," He gestured with his snout at the large, round boulder dead center of the river. "Well, he needs it for some contraption he's building, but it's too heavy for me to get on my own." His eyes gleamed, "I do have an idea, however. Will you help?"

Watch gave a nod, "Wait right there, I'll return in a moment!" He said before darting off to the brush. Moments later, he returned with two thick vines and a bright-tailed mongoose upon his shoulder, chittering happily.

"Trees, this is Sprectrum, she'll help us out too. Here," He said, passing the two ends of the vines to the small creature. After a few moments, both ends of each vine were tied together to make a circle. "If we wrap this around the boulder with each of us on either side, and slip this here..." He stepped into the vine and pulled it up over his shoulder, "Like that, we could defiantly pull it out!"

Watch gave a nod and a grin and followed him into the river, silently reveling in the coolness of the water as it ran through his fur. It was clear fresh water now, but he knew that at some point, this very river met with his great ocean, a passing thought that was always welcome. Carrying the other end of the vines in his mouth, he stood on the other side of the rock and passed them over to the lavender buck after wrapping it around the rock. "On three?"

Watch pulled and he pulled, his years of travel showing in the strength of his half-kiokote legs as his aged weight managed to match that of the spry young buck beside him. As the boulder came loose, a laugh tore from his lips as they pulled it ashore. "Wonderful! Great work!" He have the buck a large grin and a nod, "Right! It's this way, not too far. Watch out for roots, though!" And he pulled and pulled some more, "Thanks, Trees. I really appreciate it."

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Panting and exhausted by the effort it took to get the boulder to the construction site, Watch couldn't help but smile proudly as he and Trees pulled it into the pile of recovered items. Thanking him once more, Watch then turned to find out what to find next!