A place only // open+scavenger hunt // we can find

[rochelle]

[align=center][div style="borderwidth=0px; text-align: justify; width: 520px; padding-bottom: 17px; overflow: stretch; font-family: verdana;"]Fischer was stirred by Jacob’s voice when she’d been lounging around camp, trying to observe the scents of crewmates passing by. She was itching to get out and try to get reacquainted with the vast jungle’s interior, now that her sight was gone, but she was glad she didn’t. A scavenger hunt? She couldn’t help but smile a little bit. It was humorous, really, but mostly endearing, to see such a lighthearted nature of the Typhoon. Lately there’d been a dark cloud in the form of the Snowbound looming over the place, but this event seemed to really perked things up.

Fischer considered participating for a little while, though she tried her best to listen in on everything that Jacob said. Could she really handle a scavenger hunt in her state? The feline huffed. She didn’t want to be treated differently, sure, but how about treating herself differently. Now that she had sight, did she no longer think she was capable of solving a riddle and navigating through the island? If she could do it with sight, she could do it without it, too.

This scavenger hunt was becoming less and less of a competition for a prize and more of a testament to her skills, which she felt much better about. And then, suddenly, Jacob was giving out the first riddle. Instantly, her ears tilted up, haunches rising a little to get a good earful of what the Dealer was saying. Jewel of darkness ... waiting in the sea ... what was a part of the territory that was actually in the ocean? The Tempest, right? Fischer remembered ... the dark wood of the ship, and that clicked, but what about the jewel part. Someone ... someone had called it that once, right? Or was she trying to convince herself? The black smoke sat for a while, pondering the riddle. Making sure her guess was right was crucial to her, as traveling to the destination would take much longer, and she didn’t want to waste time going to the wrong spot.

It must be The Tempest. She decided it then, and rose, taking careful steps in the direction of the shore. From the center of camp, she knew she would half to just follow the coast until she heard the creaking wood and lapping of water on timber to know she’d found the Tempest. And that’s what she did, making her steps light, her breathing soft, to really listen into the sounds of the Island. The world around her would speak to her, would lead the way, not herself.

By now, she was sure others were way ahead of her. It wasn’t a silly thought, she was taking her time, strolling, strolling ... right into a totem. "Mercy me!" The Striker exclaimed, a sharp yelp erupting from her. She stepped back a few steps, at first ashamed, but then instantly full of joy. Yes! She was near the Tempest, with those totems standing tall before the dock! Fischer continued, though she carefully made her way around the statue this time, feeling her way up the dock, and to the Tempest.

Here she was especially careful. The wood of the dock was wet, slippery, and if she went too fast, or misstepped, she would plunge right into the water. Any other day she’d be alright with that, but she was keen on at least finishing this part of the scavenger hunt. It would mean a whole lot just to get this one thing right, the rest of the riddles were stored in the back of her mind, not really believing she would be able to finish the thing anyway.

When she could hear the sound of the sea water slapping against the boat, she paused, knowing she was near the end of the dock. So, hesitantly, she felt for a lift in the wood, which hopefully would be the plank. No, no, no. Her paws kept feeling around, inching closer to the edge after every moment or so. There! Rochelle smiled, and gingerly stepped on to the shipboard. Unfortunately, when she reached the top, she never thought to stop, and tumbled right down the small step that led on to the Tempest. "Oh, goodness ..." Fischer hastily got the her legs, staggering a bit by the sway of the boat, but after some recuperating, began to sniff around the ship for the blue cowrie shells she prayed would be there.

And, much to her surprise, it was there. The blind feline let out a huff of amusement, collecting one of the blue shells being held in the basket. She kept it in her teeth, heart whelmed with satisfaction. While impressed by her first success, she was exhausted, and sat down, trying to catch a second wind to carry on. Huh, maybe she could do this.