Closed Leave Me Alone (Kahno)

[Cailet]

Timestamp: 17th of Fall 512

With the silent determination in which Cailet did everything else, the tall woman practically marched through the streets of Riverfall, her purposeful steps parting the crowds without even a word. Well, for the most part Akalak just stepped slightly to the side to let her through but the fact remained the same… people go out of her way.

Soft, bright white cotton tunic and matching pants that flowed freely around her legs, a pair of sturdy soft leather shoes and her staff were the only things upon Cailet’s person as she left the Main Gates of Riverfall. Alone, as usual, the former Shinya searched for someplace new to practice and meditate, having grown tired of the stuffy and crowded buildings within the city. Pausing for just a moment after leaving the protection of the walls in order to determine where she should go, Cailet took a sharp turn and continued her march towards the Fringe Forest. There had to be some kind of quiet, open space some where nearby.

It wasn’t until the trunks of the individual trees were discernable that Cailet stopped in a relatively flat stretch of land, a lone boulder nearby a perfect perch for not only her meditation but to also rest her staff; the weapon was dear to Cailet, the thought of leaving it laying on the ground like a common stick was almost repulsive.

It took only a few minutes to kick the space she would be using clear of smaller stones and twigs, things that would otherwise trip her up or hinder her movements. A prickle of the hairs on the back of her neck made Cailet glance up and around. But there was no one there. Frowning slightly and shrugging her shoulders to loosen them and possibly rid herself of the uncomfortable feeling, Cailet removed the last few stones with a sweep of her foot.

Leaning her staff against the stone, Cailet took the wealth of long, straight black hair the fell to her upper thighs and began the tedious process of twisting and pinning it at the top of her head, her gaze idly tracking about the surroundings as she went about the mindless task.

A flicker at the edge of the wood caught her attention, her body instinctively shifting to face the spot as she continued to wind her hair up, her chocolate gaze never leaving the spot of motion. By the time she was done, Cailet was positive that there was something there, watching her.

[Kahno]

A breeze rustled the leaves above, twisting the branches so that the tender leaves broke loose and fell. There must have been a thousand scents carried on the wind that day, but the most repulsive of them all came from the city of Riverfall. Kahno’s fur bristled as he snorted and shook his body of any particles that may have stuck to him and made him smell like one of them. Padded feet barely made a sound as he patrolled the edge of the forest, eyeing the city. Only the slightest bit of curiosity whispered its way into his thoughts. He wondered what they did in there every day, with their weapons and magics and shops. The thought was brushed away easily enough. Splotches of rusty auburn and creamy white dappled with blacks and browns stuck out against the canvas of evergreen forest against which he was painted. With his moist black nose stuck nearly to the ground, the perused the area half-heartedly. He had eaten already that day, so tracking and hunting was not his priority. He was bored, and though there was certainly nothing this close to the city that could maintain his interest, he did it frequently enough anyway. And yet, no matter how often he did, nothing ever changed his mind about how he felt. A wisp of something new lit Kahno’s nose like an open flame. It was fiery, yet clean and fresh at the same time. Fuzzy ears pricked forward and a long muzzle swung towards the city. A woman with long hair hustled around, clearing out a spot for some unbeknownst reason. He planted his bottom on the ground as she kicked the sticks and stones and other things out of her way. Why was she moving the little sticks on the ground, but carrying around a big one of her own? It seemed slightly improbable. Another breeze carried her scent to him again. He turned his ever-alert gaze to other goingson near the city. Not much amused him other than the stick-woman. Powerful jaws split in a yawn, black lips peeling back to reveal an intimidating set of carnivorous pearly whites. His golden eyes turned back to the woman. It was then that he realized she had spotted him. She was playing with her hair, turning it over and over in her hands, making it grow shorted. He launched to his feet and turned, long bushy tail following suit like a shadow. He turned and took one last look at her, then padded off into the belly of the forest.

[Cailet]

Striking quickly with her staff, Cailet dodged under an imaginary opponent’s guard and swung her weapon quickly to strike what would have been the lower part of a ribcage. Since it was simply open air, Cailet allowed the swing to continue as if she has missed, feeling the muscle in her shoulder pull as she over extended her reach and fumbled to regain control of her movement and pull the staff back around in front of her. It was a novice mistake, and had there really been an enemy she would have been unconscious. Or dead.

Wriggling her shoulders to loosen them back up, wincing a bit as the freshly pulled muscle protested, Cailet sighed inwardly and noted that it would be stiff by morning. Holding the staff back out in front of her, Cailet quickly lunged forward, jabbing the staff sharply straight out in front of her while she pushed off with her left leg, landing on her right a few feet away. Again and again she did this until she was at least a dozen feet from her original spot and slightly winded. Straightening and turning so that she could lunge back into position, a flicker out of the corner of her eye made her glance up.

Having turned so that the forest was in front of her, Cailet was unable to miss the bushy flick of the wolves tail as it turned and slinked back into the trees. Alarm bells instantly went off in the young woman’s head, and she adjusted her grip on the staff, holding more tightly to the wood as she took off at a sprint after the beast without a second thought.

What was it doing so close to the city? Had it made a kill? Was it scavenging the livestock from Riverfall? Either way, Cailet felt it her duty to go check, whether or not she could actually do anything to help once she got there. It was her instinct to protect, and she wasn’t going to ignore such a threat. Especially since there was no doubt in her mind that the wolf had been the source of the uncomfortable, tingling sensation she had experienced earlier.

Upon reacting the edge of the trees, Cailet slowed to a lope, the shadows that the trees cast barely giving the woman pause as she saw easily through them. The wolf was nowhere nearby, apparently moving more quickly than she had guessed. A glance back over her shoulder showed Cailet that she was indeed still alone; no one else capered outside the gates. No one had followed her.

Turning and casting another searching look at the surrounding bushes for any sign of movement, disturbance or blood, Cailet began walking carefully between the trees. She was no hunter or tracker, but if something was wrong… she had her ways of finding out.

[Kahno]

The sound of careless footfall fell in somewhere behind Kahno. His conscious laughed and shook its head. He had spent many a morning curled up and hidden in the forest watching hunters who thought themselves stealthy trample through the terrain. Curious beasts, those hairless, two-pawed mammals. He was feeling generous today, though the idea of being spotted and followed annoyed him. Whose business was it but his own? No one’s. He was well aware that his pelt or ivory bones may be sought after. He had seen the hunters take from the carcasses of other animals in the woods. Meat, bones, and fur were apparently of value to the people of the cities. Thick paws broke into a lazy lope as he wound through the trees, sinking deeper into its territory. Banking wide, he circled around the way he had come, slowing to a creep as he peeked through the foliage for his aggressor – assuming it was an aggressor. His blood began to bubble as if a tiny flame in the pit of his belly had been lit. Irritated, he wanted to warn this silly intruder. A thick scent on the wind blew by, again, fiery yet clean. His ears pricked forward as he recalled the scent was carried through the stick-wielding woman’s hair at the edge of the forest and up his nostrils. Slinking to a halt, he laid down between two tall evergreens and waited. Sensitive ears picked up the sound of leaves and twigs crunching, but only time would tell who or what it was. Massive paws pulled his body forward, dragging his legs behind him. He had been taught patience very well, but he was curious to see if his assumption was correct. Was it the dark headed woman? Creeping footsteps grew louder as the hunter laid low to the ground. And then the feet passed by. The woman with the stick moved apprehensively. That she should, being in his neck of the woods. He gave her some distance before he rose onto his four paws. Stepping lightly, he fell in behind her. He zigzagged around any fallen branches or other debris that could give him away. He couldn’t stay hidden for long, he knew that for sure. The ones that stood on two paws were smarter than they seemed. They may not all have heightened senses like his, but he had watched them and would give them credit where credit was due. Some of them were respectable, perhaps. Kahno’s heart raced a bit as he trekked behind her. The time passed painfully slow. A fleeting image of being smacked repeatedly with her stick nearly made him wince, and he backed off of her a bit. A part of him hoped she got lost out here in the wild. How long could that stupid stick protect her in the wilderness?