Swish. Armando sent the net skipping across the tops of the weeds. The basket-net whistled as it sailed through the air. In one fell swoop Armando expertly twisted the net around so that the base of it was pointed downwards. It slammed into the ground with an audible thud and Armando quickly dropped the handle and scampered forward. He pulled the jar off his back - it was tied around waist and shoulder like a sash - and quickly pulled the stopper half way out but made sure to keep the entrance blocked so none of his captured bugs could escape.

Sparrow was amazed as she watched this tiny little creature try to catch bugs. If this guy could catch bugs, then he had to be smart. If he was smart, then that meant he was like Tyr's companions. If he was like Tyr's companions, but he wasn't Tyr's, then that meant he could be hers. She just had to be able to catch him first. Sparrow did her best to be sneaky and quiet as she walked up to the little squirrel creature. She did her best crouch and walk in tiny, steady steps. Once she was close enough, she stopped, taking several seconds to gather her feet beneath her. When they were all coiled beneath her, she tested her balance and prepared herself with another few seconds of butt wiggle.

Wait. She was supposed to be catching fireflies, right? Well, if she caught him, then she could also get the fireflies from his net. It was a perfect plan. With another butt wiggle, Sparrow launched herself at the creature and his fireflies as well.

Amaretto meandered across the island, minding her own business and quietly catching bugs. Her bag was slowly filling up with winking, blinking indignant insects and she was quite pleased with her haul so far. She didn't know what kind of prizes were at the end but she was eager to find out and happy, prizes or not, to wander the island. It was a gorgeous place.

Gently so as not to harm them, Amaretto swept her paws through a small swarm of lightning bugs. Perhaps this wasn't the best method, but she couldn't bring herself to catch them at all cost. Her gentleness was a bit silly - they were only bugs - but no one in Boreas would be able to convince her to catch differently.

attempt 4

Ash had been meaning to catch up with Sparrow before she ran off, but she was a little too fast and a little too excited. By the time Ash had caught up with her, she had already found a small... guy. She seemed pretty intent on grabbing him up and Ash had to lunge into action. If that thing was holding a net, then that meant that he was probably sentient enough to not want to be pounded on by a puppy.

Besides, if Ash saved him, maybe he would give him some of his fireflies. Ash needed the head start anyway. He snapped a few on his way over, but then made his way to Sparrow just as she lunged at the poor little critter. He scooped her up by the scruff, leaving her dangling and bewildered. She struggled a little and Ash was quick to sing her around and plop her down. With a quick scolding about pouncing on obviously intellegent creatures, he sent her on her way. Then Ash turned back to the... small bear.

"Sorry about that, that was my daughter."

Just then, he spotted that one girl from fishing earlier and came bounding up to her, making sure to fling his jaws open with his eyes squinted shut as he attempted to snag some fireflies.

Armando was greedily stuffing his jar full of bugs when a odd feeling, call it spidey sense if you like, goaded him to look up. He did just in time to see a wolf pup launch herself at him. He squealed, his fireflies escaping his paws as he skittered after the net's handle, and fell over backwards. Quickly he brought the net up and began to flail it wildly at the approaching pup.

Just in the nick of time a grown wolf snatched the pup out of the air, booted her away with a scolding and quickly apologized for his daughter's actions. In an instant he too was gone and Armando was left laying on his back with his net clutched in front of his chest like a crucifix and eyes as round as saucers.

After a beat he lifted his head and looked after the wolves to make sure the pup was really gone. When a firefly buzzed by him he slowly -tentatively - reached out to catch it.

Still somewhat in fear for his life he then jumped up and skittered off as fast as his little legs could carry him.

-exit-

Gingerly Amaretto goaded the lightning bugs from the pad of her paw to the rim of the bag. Before they had a chance to get away she poked them inside and then pulled the string so that bag closed after them. She then let the bag drop from her mouth and bang against her chest as the cord around her neck kept it from hitting the ground.

There was a heavy thudding of paws so Amaretto turned...and lo and behold, it was that exuberant guy. Much like he had during the fishing event, he threw himself after the bugs with abandon. All she could do was shake her head at him and then turn away to make another gentle grab at the hovering, blinking insects.