[treasure] Chest finding

As Elias slowly moved through the swamp his tail cutting through the thick growth over the water. His eyes were turned sharply to his surroundings looking for anything shining that he could scoop into his bag. His bag was made of woven seaweed and the layers of vines were gently woven with scraps of metal and shells that clinked softly as he swam the bag resting on his back. Soft hums eminated from his throat and caused ripples in the water around him. The sound of mosquitos and other insects buzzing around languidly filled the air in the humidity of the day.

Elias slowly continued his scan of the bank his eyes trailing back and forth,back and forth…till he paused. His eyes catching something buried partially in the mud of the riverbed. He turned and slowly approached his tail swaying with anticipation as Lily pads were pushed aside and out of his way in his excitement. Also disturbing a frog who didn’t understand his excitement as it croaked indignantly from its spot being flipped over unceremoniously.

His clawed fingers began to dig and push the mud aside. Slowly dreading having to clean this mud out of his nails later but he had forgotten his little shovel. As he dug he could see the shimmering shape of something! How exciting! He grasped it and yanked it free from the mud! Looking at the item in his hand he paused. Then grimaced. Ah. It was just a piece of metal that was rusted over and oxidized. He sighed slipping it into his bag, even if it wasn’t what Elias was exactly looking for he could still clean the swamp land nonetheless! Slowly and steadily he lowered back into the water trailing through it as he frowned. It had been like this all day. Just finding nothing but hunks of trash or rocks or other innocuous items buried in the mud from years of abandonment.

Elias’s brow was furrowed now his frustration melding into determination. He wouldn’t go home with just trash today! He had to find at least one good thing is this dumb river! He paused and decided to try a different tactic, he rolled onto his back and cinched his back shut before diving down to the riverbed. He slowly swam along carefully trying not to disturb the mud. Enjoying the view of the little creatures that swam by him and trailed around his slender form.

His tail however swayed and kept kicking up mud which frustrated him to no end but didn’t dissuade him from trying his best! His claws dug into the dirt with reckless abandon now! He wanted a new treasure and he wasn’t going to leave without one. He was too stubborn to accept failure at this point. He swam and swam. Digging deep into the mud to try to find something, anything at this point. His frustration mounted and he surfaced. Then shouted some. Very choice words at the sky before angrily trudging through the grass and dirt leaving the water behind.

He stomped along kicking rocks and muttering obscenities as he watched them fly. Before his foot hit something hard. Pain shot up his leg and he yelped. Hopping forewards and whipping his head around. A wooden corner poked from the mud and he gasped. He dropped to his knees and scurried over hurriedly tossing clumps of mud and dirt and sticks over his shoulder as he dug up the wooden piece. Slowly and steadily it began to get uncovered. Then he grabbed the two edges of the piece and yanked with all his might. A large wooden chest slid free from the muck! He held it up victoriously

“FINALLY!”

He shouted at the top of his lungs in relief.