[plum]

Plum was not the sort to remain idle, often spending her days on the move. She didn't like staying still too long unless she was working on a personal project. Besides, staying still was dangerous. If she stayed in one place, it would be easy to find her. She didn't want to be found, not after last time. Members of Syn Cardys could try all they like to be rid of the feathered youth or at least "civilize" her but she had no interest in complying. She intended to stay free from their clutches for as long as time would allow, perfectly content living in the wilderness if it meant she didn't have to deal with politics or families or hear the word "bloodline" ever again.

Though that didn't keep her away from the tribe. In fact, she spent a good portion of her time hidden away in Padme's room or causing little bits of chaos with her adopted sister. Sometimes, hunting wasn't good and the fruit that the plants bore was not always ready. Sometimes, she had to steal. Really, she didn't mind. She knew it was wrong but sometimes, it was fun. And really, she only stole from those who deserved it. (If she were honest, she would say that most of the tribe members deserved to be stolen from.) And she never stole too much, always toeing the line between stealing enough to sustain herself but not too much that she attracted too much attention to herself. That would be... very bad.

Sitting outside her newest den, a capybara at her side, Plum looked to Hibiscus curiously. "Whelp, there's our winter hideout!" she stated, gesturing to the tree a short distance in front of them. The small Aviari wormed her way into the hollow base of the tree, concealed by roots so that it was hard to see unless you really looked. She re-arranged her two quilts (both gifts from Padme) and adjusted some of the sparse feathers within. Soon, there would be more. She tended to shed them quite often, unfortunately.

Poking her head out to look at the capybara (who was snuffling in some nearby grasses), Plum grinned. "If we get a warm night or two, I could sleep in the branches. Then you'll have the place to yourself," she explained, gesturing to the thick branches above and the birds that chattered on them before winking. There were a few birds sitting on the large rodent's back, some of them migrating to rest on Plum once she shimmied her way out of the small den.

"Do you guys wanna decorate the new den?" she asked, looking at Hibiscus and the birds nestling into her thick fur. Some of the whistled a reply, ones she met with a trill of her own. Hibiscus raised her head, staring at Plum as she chewed on a rather large leaf. Smiling and beginning to whistle a tune all her own, the youth began a brisk trot into the jungle with her capybara companion close at her heels. Sometimes she broke the whistling with gentle hums, falling completely silent if she thought someone was potentially nearby.

Eventually, something caught the youth's eye as she walked along. Pausing in her trot and surprising some of the birds on her back, the blue-eyed youth took a few tentative steps toward the object. It appeared to be a silver ring, partly poking out of the ground. What was exposed was very dirty, only one bit somewhat clean enough to catch the light--and a certain young Aviari's eye. "Hm... maybe an old necklace?" she pondered, looking back at Hibiscus who was already laying down, one bird picking at her ear.

Shrugging, the fledgling looked at the birds on her back, "You might wanna move to Hibi." Once each one had fluttered away to either leave or sit on or nearby the capybara, Plum turned her full attention to the silver ring. Was it actually a ring, or maybe it was something else beneath the earth? Regardless, it was shiny and Plum wanted it. Taking the exposed part in her jaw, she began to yank the ring and try to pull it out of the ground, grunting from the exertion. She really wasn't that strong and considering the fact that she hadn't eaten since the last morning, it was understandable. Huffing in frustration, she got to work digging out some of it, mumbling all the while as she sent dirt flying behind her.

She tried once again, straining, even more, to free the ring from its earthly binds. Still, nothing gave beneath the girl's show of strength. "Oh come on!" she cried in frustration, frowning at the ring. Sure, this wasn't her smartest endeavor, but it was certainly one of the most frustrating.