Hunter's Log: Day Two (Closed)

[kaydox]

The pegasus just chuckled as she tripped on a root, but, did stop for just a second for her. Just a second. Then he continued walking, shooting her glances now and then but more or less keeping his eyes on the forest for any sudden movement. "Well of course I own a jewelry store! You don't think I would be mucking about here just for fun do you?" The pegasus snorted, "Heavens no. This is a business trip m'dear."

[treasuremare]

"Ya know, you could have said that from the start and avoided this entire mess..." Trace sighed. "Even if you don't ah'm able, ah'm a treasure hunter and the bag you stole from me," she gestured to the bag on her back with her head, "it's full of gems ah found in this forest. Ah take 'em into town and sell them to folks like you to make a living." she explained, "Ah got more back at my camp, too. Maybe we can... make a deal."

Trace couldn't believe she was doing this. Just moments ago she wanted to send him to the hospital, and now she was trying to talk business with him. She shook her head at the idea and took a look around while she was at it. She was starting to recognize where they were, "Hold on." she called and picked up her pace to move in front of him, taking the lead, "Ranger set up traps around these parts to keep the critters in the forest." she told Lush, "So watch your footing."

[kaydox]

"A treasure hunter, eh?" Opulent looked her over again. "So you do the dirty work that the other jewelry ponies make profits from." The pegasus snorted, "What a boring lot they all are. There's no thrill of adventure if they just sit around all day." Opulent shook his head a bit, "Snooty brats." He grumbled as he continued along with her. "... But I guess I can't exclude myself from that group entirely. Every now and then I do take the easy way out and buy gems." The pegasus said with a sigh, "This hunt didn't go so well for me anyway, I suppose I can see what you've harvested." Opulent's playful nature subsided for a moment, it really was boring to just buy the gems, but so much easier in the long run.

The white pony slowed down when she went to take the lead, confused at what she was doing at first. "Oh. .. I see." Opulent said softly, "You know you're a weird one. For causing such a ruckus earlier you're sure singing a different tune now... Well, I suppose it wouldn't have gotten out of hand if your boyfriend hadn't interrupted."

[treasuremare]

'I got to give it him,' Trace thought as she smirked, a real smirk, 'he also earned my respect with that speech.' Calling his peers 'snooty brats' and making a point about the 'thrill of adventure', had their meeting gone better, they could have really hit it off.

"Ah'm weird, am ah?" Trace laughed, "If ah remember right, you were the one that started the name callin', Sug'." she smiled, blushing briefly as Opulent finished his sentence. She was glad as she in front and hoped he couldn't see it, "...And he's not my boyfriend. --Trap on the right.-- He's a friend who's helpin' me out while I'm in town, is all." she tried to keep her voice even as to not hint at any underlying emotions. "Anyway...Ranger should just be up ahead."

[Ranger]

"SHUT UP!" They heard the call from up ahead, "I DO NOT." Quickly followed it, then again by, "Oh, look at you, you know it all don't yo..." and then it stopped, "They're coming."

In front of them, they saw Ranger, sitting upright and looking at them. Though his side was mostly covered by his cloak, a tiny stretch beneath it could be seen, covered in some sort of cream.

"Hey," He said, "You two alright?" He asked.

[kaydox]

Opulent chuckled; "I only did it to get a rise out of you.. And it worked." The white pony continuted trotting behind her, moving aside so he didn't snag the trap. "Oh? He sure was protective over you to a point where it was most unpleasant.." The pegasus trailed off and didn't finish the thought as they both approached Ranger who was sitting on the ground. Opulent's white ears were not perked forwards and he was looking around the forest.

"Who were you just talking to?" He questioned the injured pony as he surveyed the flank that had been kicked. Opulent let his eyes flash back to Trace, "You sure hit hard missy. Might wanna be more careful who you deal your damage to." The pegasus winked to her.

[treasuremare]

Trace rolled her eyes and tried to ignore Opulent, focusing on the trail in front of them until they reached Ranger. "Yeah, we're fine..." she answered the masked pony's question, but found herself looking around as well, and mimicked Opulent, "Who were you talking to?" She spun around to shoot a glare at the Pegasus at his comment, then slowly turned back to Ranger. "Forget it. Are you alright, Ranger? How your side?"

[Ranger]

"Better!" Ranger stated, casually trotting around to show her he wasn't limping anymore. "I hope you didn't run into trouble!" He said, "We should probably get out of here as it is."

Ignoring Trace and Opulent's question altogether, the pony began to lead them outside, bringing them about to Trace's camp very shortly, and taking a seat near the fire pit. That was close, he thought, they almost found out. It's better to have the element of surprise on your side, always.

Wondering what had transpired between the two in the forest, he sat and waited for one of them to talk. Unsure of what to say really. He did not like Opulent, he thought he was arrogant, pretending to steal Trace's treasure and wondering why he took him down from the skies. Duh maybe because he was pretending to steal Trace's treasure? Maybe next time don't do a stupid, unfunny and very annoying prank like that?

Pranks are supposed to be fun, what he did was enraging, not to mention the whole talk afterwards. He hoped Trace at least managed to talk some sense into the haughty pony.

[kaydox]

Opulent snorted when his question was ignored but decided not to press the issue with cloaked one as he already disliked the self righteous pony. Quietly he headed out with the two ponies and stood quietly for a moment as the other stallion took a seat and then turned to look over at Trace.

".. You know, I didn't bring any my money with me. Why don't you just show me what you have, and if I like what I see, you can bring the gems to my shop in Manehattan where we can make a proper exchange." All business now, Opulent completely ignored the cloacked one and kept his eyes on the brown mare. "By the way, we didn't get to introductions earlier. I'm Opulent Lush.." The pegasus said, standing tall and proud. "And you would be...?"

[treasuremare]

Trace found it odd how Ranger's limp had healed so quickly and made a mental note to ask him about it later, and just followed him out of the forest. Back at her camp, she headed straight to her cart to put the bag away and pulled a tarp over the top of the cart, to discourage any other would-be not-thieves. Then she sat across from the two, so she could see them both easily.

"Trace Silver." she said plainly, her tail giving a small flick as she watched the pegasus, "And if ah'm gonna have to come trottin' to your shop anyway, why don't ah just show you there. Ah'll have more by then too." she kept her eyes on Lush, trying to be professional. She figured Ranger was probably confused by this sudden turn around, but she had to get this out of the way before she could explain to him.

[Ranger]

Ranger sat quietly, watching the ponies, what was Trace doing, was she going to deal with this colt? AFTER he tried to steal her jewels?! She was being conned, bamboozled! But what if he was serious? Ranger didn't want to spoil a good deal for Trace.

He sighed quietly behind his mask, this change of attitude of Trace towards the new pony made him think money will make her do anything. He didn't like that thought, Trace was fun, brave, and... nice. Why would she act like this? She must need the money bad... Maybe he can talk to Rarity...

[kaydox]

Opulent nodded, "That sounds good to me." Reaching into his saddle back he pulled out a business card and handed it to Trace. "See you in Manehattan later, m'dear." The white pegasus turned away from her, snorted at Ranger, then took to the skies, and flew off towards his home in Manehattan.

[treasuremare]

Trace took the card in her mouth and gave the Pegasus a nod as he left. Once he was gone, she visibly relaxed, letting her shoulders and head droop. She trotted over to her cart, sticking her head under the tarp to deposit the card, then returned to the campfire. Doing a quick stretch, she then sat across from Ranger with a soft sigh, "Go on then." she said, setting her eyes on him, "Ah bet you're itching to ask. So shoot."

[Ranger]

Ranger walked over slowly and sat next to Trace, peeking at her from behind his mask, "Are you alright? You looked a little tense back there." He said, "I guess, well I guess if he really is a jewler I can't blame you if you need the money. But you know, I know this designer in Ponyville, ALWAYS uses gems. A true fashionista! I could talk to her if you want, and see if we could arrange a deal." Ranger said.

He walked so that now he was sitting face to face in front of her. He removed his mask again, feeling more comfortable this time, since he had done it before. "Ponyville is much closer here than Manehattan, so you won't have to carry your loot that far, and we could go adventuring together. No need for you to deal with blank flanks like that guy." He gave her a tentative smile.

[treasuremare]

Trace gave a thankful smile to Ranger for being so understanding, "Yeah, ah'm fine." she gave her short mane a shake, "Ah don't like dealin' with his kind, but it's somethin' ah got to do." She shifted slightly to face Ranger properly as be moved to her side.

"Ah would love to meet this...fashionista of your's, but ah will be goin' through Manehatten sooner or later, and if he really does have a shop, then ah will have to deal with him anyway." Trace gave another little sigh, "And another adventure with you sounds great, but next time bring your own pillow." she playfully joked, giving a smirk.