[GrayGriffin]

Once again, Franciscus found himself and Lucky out on a trip to hunt down rumors of some mysterious creature. This time, the place they were heading was much less wide open than the farmlands, but it also meant that Gerard was more likely to escape detection. A rainforest was at least slightly more similar to the natural habitat of Archeops, after all, so he couldn't blame Gerard for potentially deciding to hide out there instead of stick around where he stumbled in.

[GrayGriffin]

"You know, some of the kids wanted to come along," commented Lucky. "But I figured you'd want a bit more privacy on this trip, or at least you'd be bothered by me making the choice for you."

Franciscus nodded. "I wouldn't begrudge their company sometimes, but I definitely prefer not having too many others around on this kind of expedition. After all, the more of us there are, the more likely we'll scare away the one we're looking for."

[GrayGriffin]

"You're looking for something shy, huh?" noted Lucky. "Guess that's why you thought something that lunged out and then went back into hiding almost immediately would be what you were looking for?"

"Precisely," agreed Franciscus. Another drop of water dripped down on him, and he looked up with a frown, brushing a bit of imaginary dirt off his shoulder as his ears twitched. He wasn't wearing his best suit, but he was still wearing a suit.

[GrayGriffin]

"You know, you could always shift into full quadrupedal form," suggested Lucky. "I'm pretty sure that means your clothes won't end up stained, even if your fur does."

"I'm...still unused to it," admitted Franciscus. "How are you so accustomed to walking on all fours by now?"

Lucky chuckled. "Oh, it took me a while," he said. "I'm flattered that you think I'm good at it by now. But sometimes I still find myself trying to reach out for something with my hands when using my teeth would work better."

[GrayGriffin]

"That sounds bothersome," noted Franciscus.

"Not that bothersome," replied Lucky. "After all, a lot of the facilities in Evelon are designed with various species in mind. So it's not like there's stores full of shelves that I can't even reach. Though Trash has definitely got the best deal out of all of us. Once he got used to being able to use his power casually, that meant he could just use telekinesis to make up for his lack of limbs."

[GrayGriffin]

"It does sound like a useful ability," noted Franciscus.

"Yeah," agreed Lucky. "Most of he and Torchie's kids have it too, so usually at least one of them goes along on shopping trips. But I figured we wouldn't need that on this kind of trip. Not like we even have a list to carry this time."

They'd stopped while they discussed transoforming, and after another look up at the canopy Franciscus let out a sigh.

[GrayGriffin]

"Alright, I suppose transforming is the best idea here," he said, before glancing over at Lucky and making a "turn around" gesture. "Pardon, but would you mind not looking while I do so?"

"Oh, sure," said Lucky gregariously. He turned around, sitting down and looking in the exact opposite direction, as Franciscus closed his eyes and focused once more. The transformation came a little easier this time, and his landing on all fours was much steadier as well.

[GrayGriffin]

"You done?" asked Lucky.

"Indeed I am," said Franciscus, tilting his head back. The scent of this place was even more overwhelming than the town he'd been in when he last tried transforming, a mix of various plants and creatures and soil. He sniffed harder, trying to pick out a scent that might be Gerard's, but it was hard when he'd never smelled Gerard's scent in this form. He could definitely smell Lucky next to him, and he was pretty sure he'd be able to pick up the other Lucain's scent if they met again.

[GrayGriffin]

"Shall we continue on, then?" he asked, walking onwards. They'd been given a much more general location this time, with only a vague description of the area, but there would also be tracks, which was what he was hoping to look out for.

"Sure," said Lucky, falling into step behind him. After a pause, he added, "You know, your wingblades are colored pretty close to Trash's. Hopefully that doesn't mean you're going to get tackled by that creature too."

"If it's the one I've been looking for, I'll gladly accept a moment of disorientation," replied Franciscus.

[GrayGriffin]

After a bit more walking, they finally arrived at where the tracks had been found. Franciscus leaned closer to them, taking a better look. They were claws, true, but not in the same shape as Gerard's. And there were no signs of where his foreclaws would have dug into the dirt. With a sigh, he lifted his head to look at Lucky.

"I'm afraid this is still not the one I'm looking for," he noted. Lucky nodded.

"Well, at least we don't have to wait around this time," he said, before blinking and pawing at the ground, revealing another set of those scales they'd found.

"Huh," noted Franciscus, leaning forward to scoop them up in one paw. "I suppose I should head back to that saloon to inform them of these."

"Sounds like a plan," agreed Lucky with a nod, as they headed back. "I hope you find what you're looking for soon, you know."

Franciscus nodded. "I know. And I'm grateful for that."

[Wild Pet Found]