[Grim] Good Imp Hunting

This didn’t feel like the first time Grim got himself in a situation he didn’t expect. Perhaps he shouldn’t be too open (or eager?) about helping out, but well…it wasn’t like he was being open nor eager, it just so happened that he was in the right place at the right time (for the one who needed help). And that he was free, he supposed. Or the other party just looked that desperate.

In this case, it was the Imporium owner, Hutch, that was roping him into something random, and he was really just there to buy a new pillow for his Sceil, Paroli. A part of Grim wondered why he was mostly by himself when the store was so huge–it felt necessary to at least hire someone part-time, but maybe it was too much of a passion project for the bun. In either case, it led to the request of volunteers, which really seemed like a hassle…

But he was here, holding an Imp catching net, hiding behind some dark green bushes. Hutch was beside him with a pair of binoculars, looking rather pensive about whether or not they would be able to find the rogue Imp they were looking for. It was a runaway Chirop this time around; one that had appeared rather recently and was flying around, disturbing other buns in the park. Considering how large this space was, Grim was already doubting they would be able to find such a tiny thing by staying in one place, but Hutch swore up and down that this spot was where the Imp would be seen around this time.

It was afternoon now, and the crystals from the cavern ceiling were particularly hot, making him feel like he was melting. The trees around the park were spread apart quite far, so they offered little comfort and shade. How Hutch was used to broad daylight stakeouts like this, Grim had no clue. It didn’t help that his grand horns were difficult to hide, and every now and then, Hutch had to push his head down closer to the grass. As if the net wasn’t already obvious enough?

“How much longer are we going to stay here?”

“Ahhh uhhh just a little more! I swear they told me that the Chirop will appear any time now…”

Grim let out a sharp exhale, already regretting taking on this task because Hutch had offered the pillow as a freebie in exchange for helping him out. Frankly, it felt like he would’ve preferred throwing money rather than melt in the heat.

Just as he was about to mutter another complaint, he felt something land on the top of the net, which was still conspicuously sticking out of the bush they were hiding in. Confused, he looked up, only to see…

“Hutch?”

“Huh? Oh!” they were both staring at the top of the net, to which a black Chirop was perched precariously on the rim. Grim was trying his best to hold it steady, but he wasn’t sure how long he was able to do so with the added weight, and how were they going to catch it exactly without moving the net?

“Are you confident enough to move the net quickly?”

“No?”

“Drat.” Hutch’s tail was flicking around, thumping on the grass. “Oh! Wait a minute…” he ruffled through the knapsack that he brought with him, only for him to bring out a handful of black sesame seeds. He clicked his tongue, hoping to catch the attention of the Imp without scaring it off. To their luck (and perhaps because the Chirop already had a disposition that wasn’t afraid of buns), the little thing immediately beelined for the treat, opening its wings to glide down to Hutch’s hands before nibbling on the snack.

“Success!”

“Do I still need to swing the net?”

“Maybe just gently grab the Chirop from me?” he asked nervously, to which Grim felt was warranted. It wasn’t like he was confident with his aim with this thing.

“Sure.”

So the Imp was safely placed in the designated carrier to be brought back to the Imporium. Hutch was ecstatic about the successful operation (understandably) and Grim was not ecstatic by how he felt like he was overheating. He could at least be thankful that the Imporium had some strong AC by the time they got back, and the owner kept his word, giving away the bed that he wanted to get Paroli for free.

“You did really well out there, actually! Any chance you’d like to help me out with future–”

“No.”

Hutch clearly deflated. “A shame…not even for more freebies?”

Grim wasn’t entirely sure what he would need from here that required free labor in exchange, but he did feel bad that he immediately rejected the plea. “Maybe…ask me when the weather improves.”

“Oh! Yes, that can be arranged! Can I have your number?”

Still hesitant, he decided that he was in too deep to back out now, and decided that he just had to get used to being an Imp helper in the near future.