Completed The Hunting Games

[Alori Sai]

Aela nodded and took a deep breath before helping the woman with the animal. It was heavy and she almost lost out and found herself trapped under it's weight. Yet, somehow they were able to do what she would have thought was impossible and fix the elk across the back of the horse. Once it was done, Aela followed as they started their journey back to town. She walked a bit slower, her limbs were weakened from lifting the animal and caused her to walk funny. When the woman removed her cloak, Aela saw her face for the first time. There was a confident look about her, and even stronger pride as she carried herself. Aela knew that she wasn't an Endal but she could act the part easily. She continued to walk along side the woman, glancing at her every so often. The woman didn't talk much, and that was something Aela had rarely seen. She grew up in a city that was known for it's boastful, arrogant, and unique bravery. While the woman seemed to fit into the others, she wasn't very boastful. Alea was pulled from her thought when the woman suddenly stopped and tossed a squirrel at her. She held back a yelp as she quickly reached out to catch it. The woman's next words caught her off guard, and Aela narrowed her eyes towards the woman. Was she referring to when Aela pulled her away from the elk? "You don't owe me anything." Aela said quickly and started to walk again. The woman hadn't asked to be saved, nor did Aela asked to be rescued. Aela was used to looking after herself, as was her teaching and she never looked to anyone for a favor, and didn't expect anything in return for the ones that she gave. "Thanks for helping me with the elk Apola." She said without looking back at the woman. The huntress had a strange way of keeping her at arms length and only telling her information as needed. It would seem that this Apola had trust issues, which couldn't be solved on a hike back to town, if ever. OOCI'm confused, She tossed a squirrel at her? The animal?

[Apola]

"You save my horse, and me as well probably, so I gave you a squirrel. This way you can have fresh meat tonight, in a stew maybe, while you wait for my friend to carve the Elk." The woman was slow. This must have been a very exiting day fro her and she must be tired. This was an average day for Apola, with the exception of meeting Aela. She would probably come back after she dropped the elk of at with Dave to hunt some more and check her traps. She ate any animal that was unlucky enough to fall for her traps. Rabbits, squirrels, birds, porcupines, weasels, and anything else. After a long walk through the dappled forest, the trees began to thin and the pair arrived at the gate. She called out to the gate kepper who let them in right away. Apola led Aela through the labirenth of streets, until they arrived at Dave's. He welcomed them with a smile and took Apola's elk happily. "And do you have anything you wish for me to carve and ready for you?" The man asked Aela kindly. His hands were stained a pink from working with the meat. His apron was a deep red as well and most of his teeth were missing. At least three of his fingers were gone and his hand were full of cuts. He had been doing this a long long time. OOCYes the animal. She doesn't really understand the concept that eating squirrels could seem repulcive to others, as she eats anything she can catch. Also in my previous post she said her name was Apola.

[Alori Sai]

Aela looked back down at the squirrel in her hands, then back to the huntress known as Apola. The stew was actually a good idea and she could have a meal much sooner as well. Looking around, it would seem that the woman had traps set up to catch small game while she was out hunting the elk. She was resourceful and knew her away around the forest very well. " Why the petch didn't I bring any traps?" She thought to herself as they continued along. The walk from there was quiet,yet with little tension. Aela assumed that the silent huntress had given her all the information that she wanted for that day, so there was no point in talking to herself. Upon their return Val, the gate keeper let them in. He took his time as he always did. Val was older than most of the people in Wind Reach and held a lot of respect among the people as well. He leaned down a bit, narrowing his eyes to them and the horse behind them. A raspy chuckle escaped his tried, wrinkled lips as he moved to open the gate. Once they were inside, Aela followed Apola as she led them through the streets and to the butcher's shop. She stood back and watched as she spoke with him about carving her meat. It was obvious by the friendly transaction, he must have known her. But Aela found it hard to believe that anyone really knew the mysterious woman. "Could you carve this elk for me?" She asked kindly to him. Aela smiled and waited for his reply before she turned back to speak to Apola. As usual the woman had a far off look on her face and Aela wondered if she should pinch her to bring her back to Wind Reach. "So, I guess you're heading home?" OOCSorry, didn't see that, I fixed it.

[Apola]

Apola watched her friend take the elk from Aela with a small smile. Dave had known her since she was a babe. He watched over her when her father died and taught her how to skin and gut animals. He always did it for free if she gave him a piece of the meat. Aela broke through her thoughts with a simply question. "No. I'm going to go back and check more of my traps. I have some favors to pay back... Would you like to come? I could show you what I know about making traps." She replied Apola waved good bye to Dave and told Aela that he would need some time to carve the elk. She weaved around buildings, nodding hellos to old friends, ignoring many women who waved. Most of her friends were men. Women didn't really understand the way she lived. Many thought that a woman's place was at home. She had tried to explain that the forest was her home but many just shook their heads. Suddenly, she thought of Aela and the offer she gave her. Apola turned and squinted through the dust to see if Aela was following, or if she was gone. OOCAlso the Butcher, name dubbed Dave, Asked Aela if she wanted him to carve the deer. Just letting you know

[Alori Sai]

Aela watched the man as he took the elk, his features were rough and it looked as if he had lived a long and hard life. She nodded her thanks and turned back to Apola when she spoke to her. She assumed that it would take him time to carve up the meat, but she still had the squirrel that Apola had given her so she could eat that. Aela was surprised when Apola invited her to travel back into the wild with her. Was it her imagination, or was she starting to grow on the silent huntress. "I guess we better get going then." It was late in the day now, not quite dark yet but the travel to the wild and back did take time. Aela spun around as the woman suddenly took off without so much as a word. Aela gave a final wave to Apola's friend and followed behind her. The huntress moved fast, most likely sensing the lateness and knowing that time was not on their side. Aela moved a bit faster to catch her and noticed the kind and yet somewhat awkwardness between the greeting she received from the people. It would have been much stranger had it happened to anyone else but Apola was still a mystery. As they made their way back through the streets and eventually back to the gate, Aela took another look at the sky and wondered if they would make it back before dark. "Are you camping in the wild tonight?"

[Apola]

When Apola saw Aela following her she kept walking without so much as a word. Soon they arrived at the gates. IT was getting late so she mounted her horse with speed. She offered her hand to Aela before answering. The light was fading fast and she would talk on the way. She tapped Traverisa's flanks and he started through the open gates. "Of course. I almost always do. If you wish my tent is a four person. Its quite roomy. You can stay in there. Usually sleep outside anyways, unless its raining." She rode to her campsite as the shadows lengthed. She hopped down and looked around. All that was visable in the clearing was trees the two women and the horse, but Apola brushed aside some branches to reveal a del green tent that was rolled up and a dark green backpack. She pulled both out and set up the tent. Soon they were sitting by the fire, when Apola said, "I should check the traps."

[Alori Sai]

Once again, Aela followed her companion through the streets of Wind Reach as they made their way back to the gate. Val turned again, looking down at them. A quizzical look drawn upon his face, and he wondered where the two were going in such a rush. Surely they weren't about to try to hunt at this hour. Aela watched as Apola climbed onto her horse, and as she reached out her hand, Aela took it and climbed aboard. "You don't like the city much huh?" If she had answered no, it wouldn't have surprised Aela, and if the woman had any psychology training, she would see a pattern forming. Still, it was kind of Apola to offer her room in her tent. Aela simply nodded as she held on to the woman to keep her balance. It was the first time that she had been on a horse, and while it felt exciting there was also a bit of uneasiness. "Why do you have such a large tent? Whoa!" Aela said at the surprise of the horse's sudden pick up. Using her head to fling her hair away from her face, Aela glanced back toward Val. Her emerald green eyes were a bit widen, and her cheeks flushed, and she hoped to the God's that he didn't see her almost tumble backwards off the horse. The ride to Apola's campsite didn't take long, but Aela did notice the time since she spent it trying to keep her balance, while trying to sit comfortably on the saddle. Aela waited for Apola to climb down and then followed her movements as best she could and hoping that she didn't fall face first onto the ground. A sigh escaped her lips as she placed her feet back onto the ground, and brought her hands to cup her backside to rub out the soreness from the ride. Aela stood beside the horse and watched as Apola put the tent together and started a fire before she joined her. The sun was gone now, leaving only a remnants of it's rays etched across the sky in blends of red and blue. "Okay, I'll go with you." She wasn't sure if the huntress wanted to go off alone or if that was her way of inviting her. Either way. she knew she's find out soon enough.

[Apola]

Apola just looked back at her and nodded. Silence in the forest a a nessecity. She treaded lightly, barely making a sound while Aela stomped behind her. The night was dark, but Apola didn't bother to bring a torch, afraid to frighten off potential prey. She knew her traps like the back of her hand and could find them with her eyes closed, walking backwards. Aela on the other hand, might be struggling. Oh well, she wanted to come and Apola wasn't going to make any exceptions for her benifit. She still needed to eat, and haft eaten animals was not something edible. She held branches out of the way for Aela, trying to make as little noise as possible, but it seemed that Aela was trying to do the opposite. Soon, they reaxched the first trap, which had a turkey in it. Apola heaved it onto her shoulder and kept on. The second trap was empty, as was the thrid, but the fourth, a water trap sitting in a stream had eight fish and a beaver. Apola killed the beaver quickly and handed it to Aela. If she was going to be here, she could at least carry something. Apola strung up the fish and flung them over her shoulder. Then they made their way baack to camp. Once there, she began to smoke the fish, not bothering to gut them, and began to prepare the turkey and beaver. She placed the tail aside to bait more traps and continuned skining the animals. "Do you mind plucking the turkey, you can make a pile of feathers right here." She pointed to a hole in the ground. Soon she had the beaver skinned and smoking in slivers with the fish. Apola decided that they would have turkey stew for dinner and went to collect wild herbs and stream water. When she came back she looked over at Aela to see how she was doing.

[Alori Sai]

Aela followed behind the woman, wondering why she didn't have the common sense to bring a torch or lantern. Even if her eyes had adjusted to the dark, she couldn't see better than the animals that could be lurking in the dark, but she kept to herself. She imagined that the silent huntress had to have a method and hopefully it was one that wasn't based off dumb luck. She continued to follow behind her, as the time pasted her eyes adjusted more and it wasn't as hard to see. Still she looked on oddly at the woman in front of her, it seemed as if she was trying to talk stealthy, but the twigs and grass under her feet still cracked and gave her away, yet she continued on. Aela just watched, thinking that more practice was needed. She watched as Apola searched her traps in silence, Aela had thought that the woman was going to show her a few tricks but it was hard to tell anything with her and so she just watched and took the dead beaver that she was handed. Once they were back at the came, she gave the beaver back to Apola and took the turkey to remove the feathers. Aela didn't mind helping out at all but simply plucking a turkey seemed as if the woman was toying with her. Still, she sat down and started on the task at hand, only looking over to Apola every so often to see what she was doing. Once the huntress spoke again and left the camp alone, Aela looked down at the turkey that was pure of feathers and took the dagger that she carried and started to skin the animal. It was messy and Aela even cut her hand in the process. Luckily the cut wasn't deep and she could wrap it once she was done with the turkey. It was a slow process, and took longer than she would have liked to remove all the patches when the whole thing was covered in blood. "See....I can do this too." Looking up, she saw that Apola had returned, still showing her confidence and cocky attitude as she sauntered back into the camp. There had been a nagging question that she had been wanting to ask Apola since they left the city and she figured that now would be a good time. However just as she started, she heard a grumbling noise close by. Aela looked up and her emerald, green eyes widened, and a blush grew in her cheeks as she realized that the sound was coming from her belly. "I guess I'm getting hungry."

[Sphinx]

Thread Award! Character Name: Aela Calder Skills: Observation +2, Hunting +2, Identification +1, Weapon (Bow) +2, Socialising +1, Bodybuilding +1, Lore: Someone Stole My Kill!, Approaching a Fellow Huntress, Character Name: Apola Skills: Wilderness Survival +2, Tracking +1, Hunting +2, Riding (Horse) +1, Weapon (Bow) +1, Detection +1, Socialising +1, Bodybuilding +1, Lore: Plotting the Future Demise of More Animals, A Literal Bulls-Eye!, Judging a Stranger, Notes: Aela and Apola- I award you both strained muscles for lifting up two massive elk and placing them on a full size horse. This includes soreness of the muscles and a constant dull ache for the next five days. As this thread took place in Spring, you no longer have to worry about the injury unless you flashback. It was amusing to see Aela meet this mysterious and apparently half-wild woman and throw them into a hunting opportunity together. If you have questions, concerns, or comments about my grading, please don't be afraid to PM me.