(VITAL FAVOR) Mika_Yumi

[Mika_Yumi]

Floating Leaf was unsure what it was that prodded her to wakefulness. Sunlight on her eyelids? A gentle breeze against her fur? Or perhaps it was the same curious sensation that caused her to immediately turn her head to seek out the animal nearby.

It took her eyes a moment to adjust, to really see the tiny face mixed amongst the grasses nearby. Bright blue eyes gazed out from creamy fur, but there was something behind them. The green doe didn’t notice that it was fear until she moved and the head retreated slightly. She stopped. She didn’t want to frighten it. She waited, slowly peered over the brush around her, found the tiny shape again – a small foxbun with light fur and red markings. Markings? No, she realized, those were not markings… that was blood.

Startled, she let out a gasp. The creature’s eyes found her again, but it did not move. It waited. Even without knowing what had happened to the poor thing, Floating Leaf could see that it was badly wounded, and might not survive left on its own. She couldn’t just leave it, could she? Its eyes were locked on hers, piercing, pleading… There was something about this little being that drew her in. It wasn’t just that it was hurt; despite being injured and afraid, it was holding its ground. This foxbun was strong, holding Leaf’s gaze steadily, prepared to react however it needed to try and keep itself safe.

She couldn’t leave the foxbun. She didn’t know much about how to help it, but she would do her very best. Quietly, carefully, she lifted herself from where she’d been sleeping and cooed at the small creature. She would try to make it known that she meant no harm and approach it slowly so that she could see better what was wrong.  

[Mika_Yumi]

FIRST TASK: Bribery

She could take all the care she wanted to approach quietly, but she knew that she needed to try and prove that she was there to help, and not to further hurt the small foxbun. Taking a glance around, Floating Leaf noticed a small, purple flower nearby; she could not remember its name, but she knew it was tasty. Perhaps a small snack? She broke off a small sprig of the blossoms and turned back to the foxbun, trying to be gentle in her offer.

Bright eyes blinked up at her, and the foxbun slowly craned its neck to sniff at the flowers. It seemed to agree that the flowers were a tasty treat as it opened its mouth and nibbled at some petals. Floating Leaf gave a smile, which unfortunately shifted the flowers and caused the foxbun to pull back before she could get a good look at what was happening. Still, its nose stayed in the air, and Leaf felt she had not entirely scared it off for good.

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 30/30
Current Trust: 10 + 2 = 12
Section notes: Attempt to bribe with flower is... semi-successful (4-5: You find something it likes, but it doesn't stay close long enough for you to get a good look. Still, you gain 2 trust.)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

Though the small bun had retreated, Leaf laid the flowers down on the ground within reach. Perhaps there was another way she could encourage the foxbun out from the shelter of grasses? She turned again, and caught sight of a nice scoop of bark. She could bring the small thing some water! Water was good, yes? Retrieving the bark, she found a pool of water nearby and brought it back to where the foxbun waited.

Unfortunately, as she tried to set the water beside the foxbun, the bark tipped too far and spilled, startling them both. The foxbun seized, retreating further into its grasses and no longer meeting Floating Leaf's eyes. Oh dear! She had to fix that...

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 30/30
Current Trust: 12 - 2 = 10
Section notes: Offer of water is... unappreciated. (1-3: It's injured, but it's still picky. It dislikes your bribe and stiffens further. Lose 2 trust.)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

Now worried that she had lost the foxbun's trust in her, Floating Leaf had to find something new to offer. The flowers had worked nicely before, but would the bun be inclined to go for them again? She wasn't sure... It had only eaten one flower before, there were still some on the sprig. It was at least worth a try, knowing that it had like the flowers before. The doe found the small sprig of flowers again and quietly held them out. She lowered herself to the ground, as well, trying to make herself smaller and not quite so intimidating.

Something about the way she lowered herself didn't work right. She twisted her ankle a bit, and her leg buckled. Luckily, she managed to hold back any squeak of pain. She settled, wincing, but managed to keep the flowers steady. The foxbun poked its head out again, cautiously reaching for the flowers.

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 28/30
Current Trust: 10 + 2 = 12
Section notes: Trying to offer the flowers again is... semi-successful. (6-8: You manage to find something the animal likes, but unfortunately, obtaining the bribe came at a price. Gain 2 trust; lose 2 HP.)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

The foxbun nibbled at the flowers in a dainty way that made Floating Leaf smile. Perhaps it was hungry. Could she find something else to offer? She left the sprig and pulled back, looking about her for something else the creature might appreciate. A bush a little ways off had some berries on it that she thought looked good. Carefully, she got up and picked her way across the grasses, limping a bit on her injured ankle.

She came back a few moments later with some berries. She placed them on the ground near where the flowers had been. The foxbun looked up from the last purple petals, scanning the berries -- and its head jerked. Apparently these were not good berries, at least not for foxbuns. Floating Leaf hurried to try and pull them back, sorry that they were so offensive.

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 28/30
Current Trust: 12 - 2 = 10
Section notes: The berries are... unwanted. (1-3: It's injured, but it's still picky. It dislikes your bribe and stiffens further. Lose 2 trust.)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

Floating Leaf retreated with the berries and looked around desperately for something else that would appease the foxbun. A little ways off, in the other direction from the bushes, it looked like there was some mint growing. Mint might be good. It was not only tasty, but soothing as well. Perhaps a couple leaves of that would help?

No, apparently not. It did not seem to like the smell of mint either -- stiffening even at her footsteps as she returned with the leaves. The doe halted and gave a sigh. What else could she offer? Dejected, she dropped the mint leaves aside and looked around once more.

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 28/30
Current Trust: 10 - 2 = 8
Section notes: The mint is... not well-received. (1-3: It's injured, but it's still picky. It dislikes your bribe and stiffens further. Lose 2 trust.)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

Floating Leaf was at a loss. She wasn't sure what else she could try.
Having had decent luck with the flowers twice, she looked back to see if she could gather some more. She found another small sprig and carefully put it near the foxbun again, debating her other options. The flowers seemed fine, but perhaps because they were only offering some small nourishment. What could she offer that would keep the bun occupied while she tried to assess the wound?

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 28/30
Current Trust: 8 + 2 = 10
Section notes: More flowers, decently received. (4-5: You find something it likes, but it doesn't stay close long enough for you to get a good look. Still, you gain 2 trust.)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

She decided to try getting water again. On the way to filling the bark with refreshment, she tried to scan the area for other plants. She saw more of the purple flowers, a small ground berry that might be better than those of the bush, and what looked to be some lavender in the distance. Surely one of these would be enough. Lucky for her, when she returned with the water and set it down (much more carefully) this time, the foxbun was very interested in the water. It sniffed, still took a moment, but finally allowed itself to give in to thirst and trust Floating Leaf for long enough that she could get a decent look at its injuries.

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 28/30
Current Trust: 10 + 3 = 13
Section notes: Water well-received, trust gained, FINALLY. (9-10: Success! It's allowing you closer. Gain 3 trust and move on.)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

SECOND TASK: Identification

Apparently quite thirsty, the little foxbun kept its lips to the water for quite a drink. Floating Leaf approached carefully, kneeling once more to get a better look at the injury. With so much blood, it was hard to get a clear look at the cut beneath the fur. The green doe made sure that the bun was still calm, then took a closer look by nosing at its hip, leg, and stomach to look beyond the fur and drying blood. Luckily, most of the gash was superficial, but it ran deep in two places along the stomach and hip. The foxbun twitched at the touch, but seemed to realize there was no threat and turned to briefly return a nose of affection before returning to its drink.

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 28/30
Current Trust: 13 + 3 = 16
Section notes: Semi-success. (7. You examine the animal carefully and methodically. It seems to think you're expressing your affection. +3 trust)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

Floating Leaf pulled back from investigating. The little foxbun seemed content with its water, no longer nosing over the edge of the bark. Wanting to get a better look at the area around, Floating Leaf started to move back and prepare to get up. Something about the way she moved back and began to hoist herself, or the sound the grasses swishing around her, or the shadow she cast must have triggered the small foxbun, for it began kicking at her and made a lunge for her foot with its teeth. The doe jumped back and out of its range, startled. A sting drew her eye and she realized the foxbun had caught her ankle and left a gash. She would have to be careful about how she moved from here on out...

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 25/30
Current Trust: 16
Section notes: Success; 1/3 clues. (5. Something you did sets the animal off immediately, and it lashes out at you surprisingly violently in reaction. Perhaps that's a sign of what went wrong here, though. +1 clue, -3 HP)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

Even trying to be careful not to startle the foxbun again, it was still on edge. It squealed, having hurt itself in the process of trying to kick at Floating Leaf. She attempted to reassure it, return to its level and calm it -- but it kicked again, striking her across the nose. "Ow! Okay!" The doe jumped back. At least for a few moments, the best she could do was stay out of its reach and allow it to regain some trust in its boundaries.

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 23/30
Current Trust: 16
Section notes: No luck. (6. Unfortunately, there are parts of the animal's anatomy that you just have to look at, to eliminate all possibilities. The animal doesn't seem pleased, though, and the examination unfortunately produces no results for you this time. -2 HP)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

Leaf attempted to give her small friend some space. She stayed still for a moment, watched the foxbun and hoped that its breathing would calm. A moment passed and her nose began to sting, however, so she attempted to sit down so that she could rub at her nose briefly. Her tail, however, swished out of her way and the grasses violently shifted around it -- setting the foxbun kicking again, striking her ankle once more. "Ow! Okay!" Despite the noise it would cause, Leaf took an extra step back to give the foxbun more room.
Clearly the swish of grasses was a bit of a problem at the moment... Whatever had attacked the poor thing had obviously made some sort of ruckus, and possibly come from within the grasses.

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 20/30
Current Trust: 16
Section notes: This poor baby is gonna have so much PTSD. 2/3 clues. (5. Something you did sets the animal off immediately, and it lashes out at you surprisingly violently in reaction. Perhaps that's a sign of what went wrong here, though. +1 clue, -3 HP)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

Several minutes passed. Floating Leaf assessed her wounds, quietly,
licking them a bit and making sure they were not too severe. Foxbuns were delicate, but feisty when they wanted to be.

After a few minutes, she looked back to the small figure a short distance away. It seemed calmer, not breathing as quickly, not watching her as warily. The doe gave it a few more minutes of buffer, watching with her head on the ground. Then she stood, slowly, and attempted to quietly approach the animal again. It did not scurry. She set herself down closer and gave the bun an appreciative nod. Perhaps now she could try to resume her help again.

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 20/30
Current Trust: 16 + 2 = 18
Section notes: Small good things. 2/3 clues. (4. After sitting calmly in the animal's presence for a while without doing anything, it lets you closer than before. +2 trust)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

To try and ease the small amount of tension left, Floating Leaf got another small sprig of purple flowers to offer the foxbun. It was, at least for her,
a symbol of peace, perhaps. The foxbun sniffed at the flowers, and though it did not make a move for them, it seemed to stay calm. The doe could not see more of how to help the bun yet, but any change to regain trust was worth small efforts made.

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 20/30
Current Trust: 18 + 1 = 19
Section notes: Small good things. 2/3 clues. (3. You're careful to keep your bribe in full view of the animal as you make your approach. It seems pleased with you, but you can't tell what's wrong. +1 trust)

 

[Mika_Yumi]

Even after the small offering, and a moment of quiet, Floating Leaf thought that perhaps she could move in again to get a closer look at what she might be able to do. She wanted to reassess how much of the blood should be washed away to get a very good look at the wounds -- so she could gather the appropriate amount of water to do so. Unfortunately, when she bent closer and tried to nudge at the foxbun's hip again, it kicked and caught her cheek. Goodness, this was a touchy operation.

OOC Footnote

Current HP: 18/30
Current Trust: 19
Section notes: Alas. (6. Unfortunately, there are parts of the animal's anatomy that you just have to look at, to eliminate all possibilities. The animal doesn't seem pleased, though, and the examination unfortunately produces no results for you this time. -2 HP)