Bribery

  Katana and Orchid had been busy hanging out on the beach. The soft crashing of waves upon the sandy shores setting the mood for a relaxing afternoon. The sun was high, the wind a gentle caress. The day couldn't have been more perfect for rest until it was interrupted by Scyth3 who came swiftly down the warm sandy dunes to where the two utahs laid. 

"I need your help-" Scyth3 spoke, a sense of urgency to his tone. Whatever it was, there was no time to wait. 

On the way to a peculiar human structure- what Scyth3 said was a library- the elder Utah, and Katana's father let them in on the situation. Apparently there had been a bunch of strange sightings- giant birds running around the island, planting seeds that soon grew to consume the area they had been planted. A council had been called- at least in their area to create a plan of attack on how to approach these elusive creatures and discover what they were up to. 

The conclusion the council came to was offering a gift of good will In the form of food, though no one knew what these things even ate. The members of the council spread out to share the plan, and it was now the job of the island inhabitants to help bring to rest these strange mysteries. 

That was the mission Scyth3 found himself on, as he recruited Orchid and Katana to assist along the way. 

First order of business was to find this creature some food. "If you were a bird, what would you eat?" Orchid spoke outloud, her voice light and sweet as she considered what to offer. 

"Best if we offer a mix of things-" Scyth3 chimed in, "if we find one and only have something they detest to offer... well then we will have failed in our responsibilities." 

Katana and Orchid both nodded in agreement. "So nuts, fruits and meat then?" Katana asked. 

"Precisely my boy." Scyth3 replied, a smile smile curling his lips. His son was turning out to be quite something. He couldn't help but be a proud father. 

"Let's get collecting." 

So, the three utahs set off to collect a myriad of offerings. Scythe had managed to hunt down a fatty rabbit- something small definitely, but if this bird was at all carnivorous it would be a tasty treat in exchange for some information. 

Orchid on the other hand had been tasked to gather fruit. Her eyes flickering from bush to bush in hopes for something bright to catch her gaze. The trails they were taking to this supposed library were mostly bare, however she did finally manage to spot a blueberry bush that still contained some prime pickings. Gingerly she plucked the berries from the bush, but even with such precision most of them had been squashed in some form or another... but they would have to do. 

And finally Katana, who was designated to find nuts to offer was on his own quest. His, a seemingly harder ask - especially since they didn't eat such things. It felt like a nightmare, seeking high and low with little success... only able to find something by watching some resident squirrels dip in to stash some nuts away. Perfect. He climbed precariously up into one of the trees to collect his portion of the offering pool... much to the dismay of the squirrel. 

Once all three of them had collected their offerings, they made their way to the rumored spot where the giant new creature had been spotted. At least, one of many. It had been said to frequent the library which was sunken down into the ground, almost like a pit. And sure enough, as soon as they arrived, the bird was there- staring right at them. 

"What on earth is that-" Orchid spoke, surprise evident on her face. 

The 'bird' wasn't very pleased with her statement. "That's rather rude." He huffed, feathers puffing up in annoyance. 

Orchid's mouth quickly snapped shut as her eyes timidly glanced to Scyth3 who reassured her. "Our apologies- friend..." He began though the bird wasn't having it. 

"We are not friends!! Now shoo! Be gone!" It practically hissed, before bending down to scoop up some seeds which had been sitting down at their feet. 

"Wait!" Katana piped up, scurrying to the front of their group to get closer to the newcomer. "Uhhhh... we bring, a gift. Well, gifts.. I mean." He fumbled, reaching out his hands which held the stolen nuts from the squirrel. 

"Hmmmmf- nuts? You're nuts! Hehe!" The bird squaked, attempting to finish picking up its seeds hastily, clearly in no desire to stick around. 

"Well- perhaps you'd be interested in fruit?" Orchid had finally found her voice after being shut down earlier. Her own hands opening up to present her collection of slightly punctured blueberries. 

The bird tilted its head, golden feathers glimmering in the setting sunlight. It looked as if it was considering the proposition though not totally sold. 

"What is it you want?" It asked. 

"We just want some answers- like maybe your name to start." Scyth3 chimed in. "I'm Scyth3, this is my son Katana and our sons mate Orchid." 

"Hmm-" the bird placed its hand to its beak, contemplating the question and whether to answer- though it seemed to conclude sharing its name wasn't a big deal. 

"I am Hippocampus! The greatest and the best!" He stated gleefully, his gaze flickering back to Orchids hands with the berries. 

"Nice to meet you." Scyth3 responded, gesturing to Katana to keep talking. 

"Yes, uh- nice to meet you. Say, you seem to really like those seeds. Are they special to you?" He spoke, unsure what to do. The bird didn't seem to be taking the bait. 

With a snort, Hippocampus shook his head. "You won't get a single thing from me! I'm like a safe, my lips are sealed!" He squaked again. 

"Would you at least take these?" Orchid spoke softly, gently stepping forward to place the blueberries at his feet. "We don't eat berries... and I'd hate to see them go to waste." She whispered. 

Bewildered, Hippocampus watched her as she walked away, bell jingling as she went. Taking her lead, Scyth3 and Katana followed suit- realizing they weren't going to get anything from this lot. They'd need to consider a new approach. 

However, as they began walking off Hippocampus piped up. "You've got a rabbit there.... mind if I take that too?" His beak parted hungrily as his feathered tail swished from side to side. 

"Sure.... will you be back here tomorrow?" Scyth3 asked, his eyes gleaming with an idea. 

"Bring me more food... and I will! But I'm not answering questions!" He huffed. 

That's at least what the golden bird said, but given how eager he was to have them come back with more food- perhaps there was a chance to bribe their way into information with bigger game to offer.