[Trade] to aid an elder

"Well found anything that was to your liking?" The tone of voice of the Haedian talking eluded to the fact that they currently had a smirk on their face. And why wouldn't they! They had customers! One returning another new. The curiosity in their eyes spoke volumes. They were considering a purchase.

Amirqu being a return customer was once again examining some of the gear on sale, sure last time they bought some arm guards, but there were more pieces of armor they could consider buying that were on sale in Varricks pop-up store. The papillion tailed runner seemed especially interested in some of the jewelry Varrick had for sale which he noticed with a smile.

"This one would look good on you." He said, hands already fetching the jewelry another fetching a mirror and holding it to show Mori what it would look like on her.

That is when another customer stumbled upon Varricks shop. The gleam of his canines as his smile widened was noticable in the dim light, yet said smile dropped when he noticed the condition of this visitor. Stumbling inside was an elderly man from a village closeby, clearly weakened. "Please, I need some food." their old raspy voice carried a hint of desperation but more predominantly exhaustion.

"I got lost out in the forest. Havent eaten for days." the old mans face collaborated the story. Varrick thought for but a split second- currently there was no food for sale in his store. Which was quite the predicament. But- they could get something.

Varrick slinked closer to the old man, helping them sit down.

"Worry not. You wait here and I will procure something for you." the Haedians eyes fell on the two reoseans who had been browsing their wares, and Amirqu already having experienced that side to Varrick once before, gave the Haedian a nod in response, yet all they got back from Mori was a confused glance mixed with concern for the elderly man.

With a few practiced hand motions Varrick had bundled his store together after the man had agreed to wait, once again transporting their goods with them like they usually did.

"Uhm- excuse me but what is the meaning of it?" asked the silver coated runner her voice quivering. Amirqu came up beside her and answered for Varrick. "It seems like we are both volunteered to help this old gentleman by proximity." the runner looked shocked, but not upset, just giving a nod in response.

"I-Im in." she reaffirmed. And so soon the three found themselves in the surrounding forest. 

"I think we should hunt something for that man." suggested Amirqu, knowing that berries were also appreciated but in his mind theyd be much quicker to catch game than theyd be to scavenge for vegetables and edible fruit in the forest.

Varrick nodded, Mori on the other hand felt nervous about the whole ordeal ahead of them.

"I've never been really good at h-hunting." she admitted, head dropping as her tail was drawn closer to her body for comfort.

Yet the Haedian was quick to deal with those doubts. "Do not worry. Hunting is more than running after prey. You can help heard the prey into our arms if you arent good at delivering the blow." Amirqu nodded. "Yes and you can help with finding tracks or spotting prey too. Please dont feel like you'd be a burden in this undertaking. There are things you are good at. Leave the things you arent good at to us."

Mori gave a smile in response, her mind at ease now that the others had reassured her that she wouldnt jeopardize their task. She knew it was important. That man had been in desperate need of food.

Some time passed as the trio treked through the forest, trying to find game they could hunt for the man, only finding tracks every once in a while that either lead to burrows or were too old to realistically yield anything if they followed after them. Amirqu had been using their energy to keep tabs on where they were within the forest,yet soon they found something promising.

Fox Tracks, fresh even. If theyd be able to find the fox and bring it back to the old man to cook it would help get him back on his feet.

Varrick was the person to take charge of the hunt, determining the direction the wind blew from to make sure theyd approach the fox without it catching their scent before. Foxes were fast and dexterous. The haedian knew that if they give it the chance to it would make use of these abilities to take paths through the forest to throw the three of off its trail they wouldnt have thought possible otherwise.

Mori had been following, having been asked to try and spot the fox, which due to her small form and quiet footsteps that were usually thanks to anxiety causing her to sneak around to remain unnoticed and avoid social interaction would be quite advantageous here. The runner wanted to do a good job and help Amirqu and  Varrick succeed on their hunt.

If being quiet hadnt been her top priority she would have probably yelled out a 'there' yet here she elected to simply tap Varricks shoulder, using her paw to direct the Haedians gaze further ahead into the deep forest. There partially curled up in a hollowed out dead tree was the unmistakable tail of a red fox, hanging out of the tree hole. Varrick and Amirqu exchanged glances, both of them starting to stalk closer to the tree to strike the fox down. Mori followed, albeit as a distance. If the two wouldnt manage to secure the fox right away, she wanted to be there as the trios backup plan and at least attempt to hunt this Canidae down.

As the three creeped closer to the tree their hearts pounded with a mix of nervousness and excitement. They knew that the old man relied on them and that brought with it a mountain of pressure that stemmed from them knowing that the mans condition could worsen if they didnt succeed. And theyd have noone to blame but themself and their botched hunting attempt.

Yet for now they needed to focus on what was ahead of them and try to surpress the growing pressure they were feeling to succeed.

Varrick and Amirqu were now nerve wreckingly close to the tree. The fox tail, lightly swished from side to side, almost as if to taunt the Haedian and Runner. Then suddenly the foxes head popped out of the tree hole, big black eyes staring down at the hunters, before all hell broke lose.