[GrayGriffin]

Franciscus hadn't really expected to run into Lucky again after they'd both attended that seminar for people dropped in from another world. But they'd exchanged contact information as a matter of politeness, and Franciscus had asked the other man/Lucain to keep an ear out for rumors of strange creatures showing up.

Gerard was still missing, after all. It had taken him a while to realize that, with his Pokeball still there, but when he'd tried to open it up he'd found it empty.

[GrayGriffin]

Hydrangea was still there, to his relief, but he couldn't help but keep worrying about Gerard. It had taken him a while to remember the exact situation, but thinking back, Gerard had been gliding next to him and Osomatsu when they stumbled into Evelon. It made sense that he might not have stumbled through with them. Still, if this place could pull a whole group of existing companions in, couldn't it have done the same for Gerard?

[GrayGriffin]

He hadn't expected to actually get anything from Lucky, considering how big a place Evelon was, but eventually he'd received a call saying that some of Trash and Torchie's kids had heard about strange things going on near the Sekudui Farmlands. And that had been where he and Osomatsu had stumbled in...though the locations they'd found then were no longer around, for some reason. It wasn't even a case of the season changing-the building and lake should have still been there, after all.

[GrayGriffin]

Still, the mystery of the changing locale wasn't as important as retrieving Gerard. So he'd agreed to meet up with Lucky-apparently the kids had their own thing to attend that day and couldn't join, though they'd been quite aggressive in wishing him luck over the phone. He supposed he could appreciate it.

He'd arrived in mostly-human form, doing his best to keep his tails tucked against his back. He would much rather not be asked questions about them.

[GrayGriffin]

Lucky grinned at him a little when they made it to the rendezvous point, though at least he didn't say anything. But Franciscus was pretty sure he'd noticed the change anyway-he supposed he should be grateful for the lack of teasing about it. So he relaxed a little, letting his tails hang a bit looser, revealing the intricate patterns spiraling among them.

"So," said Lucky. "Apparently whatever showed up was attracted to Auris-it actually lunged at him for a moment before hiding back into the bushes."

[GrayGriffin]

"Auris?" asked Franciscus.

"Torchie and Trash's oldest son. And according to him, it was going for his wingblades first. So apparently it's attracted to golden colors. He's got the shiniest coat compared to Cora and Citra, after all."

Franciscus nodded thoughtfully. It didn't sound like what Gerard would do, just attacking someone because they were shiny, but maybe the gold had reminded him of Franciscus, and he'd fled once he realized that'd not who he'd tackled.

[GrayGriffin]

"The one I'm looking for...is somewhat excitable, at times," noted Franciscus. "A friendly tackle might have been taken as an attack."

"Yeah, it could have," agreed Lucky with a chuckle. "Auris' always been the high-strung one, suppose it makes sense considering how lackadaisical his sisters can be. And the poor guy used to be the only boy among the siblings, too."

Franciscus was a little surprised at how easily Lucky agreed to this fact, but nodded.

[GrayGriffin]

"So where should we go first?" he asked, tilting his head curiously. "There was a specific spot they...encountered that creature, right?"

"Yeah, though they couldn't point it out on a map. But they left pretty clear directions!" said Lucky. "Citra wrote down all the landmarks, so we've just got to follow them now." He reached into a pouch he was wearing over a shoulder and pulled out a laminated sheet of paper, holding it out to Franciscus, who took it.

"Mind carrying it while we walk?" he asked. "You've got the hands, after all."

"Oh, no problem," agreed Franciscus.

[GrayGriffin]

The walk was fairly pleasant, all things told. Lucky didn't pry overly much into Franciscus' business, mostly focusing on asking him how he was settling in to life in Evelon, which was a fairly innocuous topic, all things told. Franciscus did ask a bit more about his family, as well, learning that apparently Lucky was the only one still romantically unattached.

"Well," he'd added, "technically Flinch and Cheater are too. But they've managed a few dates. That's not really my style, though."

Franciscus nodded. "We all must go at our own pace, I suppose," he said, before pausing. They were at the spot indicated by the landmarks, now.

[GrayGriffin]

For a while, there was no response. Finally, with a slight frown, Franciscus did some sleight-of-hand to look like he was pulling a gold coin out of one pocket, and held it up, letting it glint in the light. For a while more, there was still no response-

And then a shape came flying out of the underbrush, brushing against the coin in his hand, then lunging back in. Franciscus had barely managed to brush it himself, but the texture...frowning, he opened his hand, revealing that the coin was still there...along with some strange scales. Definitely not Gerard's.

"This...isn't what I was looking for," he admitted. "Sorry for dragging you on this wild...goose chase."

Lucky smiled. "It's alright!" he replied. "Hey, it was nice just talking. Maybe next time you can call me?"

"...sure," said Franciscus, as they started back to where they'd go their separate ways. "Next time I have to go hunting a rumor."

[Wild Pet Found]