[ P ] What Goes Around Comes Around

Everything seemed to happen so fast. He was now desperately clinging onto the shell, refusing to let go as the dark thief tugged back. Kestrel tried to take a step back, but his opponent was putting up quite the fight. It was clear neither of them were about to back down, grasping onto the treasure much like how a couple of starving wolves may fight over a scrap of meat. The stranger's growl stood out against the quiet of the night, and so did the mysterious cracking sound which accompanied their tussle. A cracking sound... It was somewhat concerning, but Kestrel wasn't about to let it distract him from winning. Though, as he continued to tug, it suddenly dawned on him what that sound actually was. Before he could do anything, the shell suddenly gave way, shattering into a few small fragments under the pressure of their grip.

With nothing left to hold onto, he stumbled backwards, eyes widened in surprise as the broken pieces of shell fell to the ground. This was not at all what he had planned. As much as he told himself he didn't need the treasure, it hurt to watch it lose its perfect form and value all at once. He glanced at the other thief, barely hesitating before he darted forwards, attempting to grab as many of the fragments as he could. It was unlikely he would be able to carry many, but he was determined to get something out of all this. Now it was just a competition to see who could gather the most.


@Colburn

The harder his teeth clenched around the contested treasure the more it began to crack and fracture in his mouth. His game of tug of war was not won by a battle of wills, but defaulted by the fragility of the shell. It shattered and the tension in his whole body, the force of his tugging sent him falling backwards onto his rump with a grunt. Before he could react the other boy was already scrabbling and gathering up as much as the shell as he could. Colburn glanced down at the pieces of the shell and huffed in disappointment. It was hardly worth all the effort he had gone through to steal it now. He watched the pieces be gathered up by his former rival with a look of vague disinterest.

Keep it, he said as if he were being unusually generous today and not a child who had grown bored of a new toy. He shifted back on his paws and considered leaving the thief to his spoils. He didn’t have a reason to follow him around anymore which was a relief. Colburn preferred to be the one to do the stalking and not have an unwanted tag along.

Gonna get a bigger shinier one, he bragged, even though there was no guarantee that another shell as grand as the one they’d broken would be there. Still even if he had to steal another he would find one just so he was right. He headed back into the woods, determined to make good on his promise.

Exit Colburn

Art by Ashon

The fragments of shell clattered together as Kestrel tried to fit as many as he could in his mouth, but something about it didn't seem right. It was far too easy to pick them up. Glancing to the side, he noticed the other thief just standing there, seemingly uninterested. The dark thief told him to keep the treasure, then added that he was going to go and find a better one. Surprised, Kestrel released the treasure's fragments, scattering them on the ground once more. He hesitated briefly, suddenly feeling a bit disheartened.

"...Good luck." His words were oddly sincere as he watched the mysterious stranger begin to leave. This whole experience had been unusual to him. He had discovered a side of himself he didn't know he had, and now that he had won, he wasn't even sure he wanted the prize anymore. Gazing down at the shimmering surface, he couldn't help but feel kind of guilty.

Closing his eyes and letting his ears fall back momentarily, Kestrel took a moment to collect his thoughts before turning away. Perhaps someone else would stumble upon the treasure and find a better use for it. However, as he stepped back into the depths of the forest, he glanced back, noticing the way the moonlight shone on the pearlescent shards. Maybe he could keep just one...

(Kestrel exit)

(@Colburn)