Closed Hunting or being Hunted?

[Aradia]

20th Spring, 513 AV Noon Unforgiving Aradia decided on this day to try her hand at hunting. She had never been hunting before, and Red was too busy with his Endal duties to take her. So being the stubborn person she was, she decided to go by herself. Once she made it to the Unforgiving Forest, she quickly decided that maybe it just wasn’t the best of ideas. But the little Singer was determined to learn how to hunt, she was decent with the bow, so why not use that for something good. Why not provide some food to Wind Reach, every little bit would help feed the mouths of the city. Aradia gave a sorrowful sigh, as she walked through the thick forest. She was not sure which way to go, what trail to take, what to look for. But she kept her eyes open, observing her surroundings closely with an intense need to do good. She walked a little ways into the forest, maybe more than a little, the Singer had lost track of time trying to find some kind of animal print in the ground. She kept walking a few more paces, staring at the soil beneath her feet, until she finally found a print. She did not know enough about hunting to determine what animal it may belong to, but it obviously had claws, and was quite large. The prints led further into the thick foliage, which made Aradia shiver with a little fright. If it had claws, that could mean that it was a predator, which could mean she was acting as a prey right now, which could also mean that she was about to die. Aradia brought herself back up from the ground, standing at her full height, as her eyes darted around the thick foliage, trying to find a pair of eyes watching her. The Singer’s heart started to beat against her chest, a loud thumping that echoed in her ears. She needed to hunt the animal down to kill it, to bring food to Wind Reach, but she did not want to be the one that was being hunted. The little Singer was scared, scared that she had inadvertently become prey for some hungry animal. The sound of twigs snapping under something or someone made Aradia jerk around to see who or what it was. Unfortunately a little squeak, that was supposed to be a scream, emitted from the woman as she looked around like a mad woman, trying to determine where the sound was coming from. What have I gotten myself into now… Aradia thought to herself, as her wide violet eyes tried to find the source of the sound…

[Alori Sai]

For anyone who didn't know the fiery Inartan, they wouldn't have thought that they'd see her going back into the Unforgiving again. For anyone else being hunted and the near death experience may have been enough to keep them away for the rest of their natural life. But Aela wasn't just any girl out for adventure. There was something that she looked to claim, something that she needed to do to prove to herself that she was in fact as good as the Endal.

The little huntress had doubts about herself as others did, but she would never allow herself to give up or to stop believing that she could accomplish anything that she put her mind to. Her dream had been shattered, tiny pieces blown into the winds never to be put together again, but Aela wasn't done yet. As long as she breathed, as long as she could fight, she would find a way to claim what she wanted, that or make a new dream.

She often thought about it, a new dream sounded nice, but she had no idea how she would go about it. How could a person give up on a life long dream and find one to replace it, was that even possible? Aela wasn't sure, nor was she willing to give up on something that had pushed her forward since her days as a yasi. But for now, she would bide her time and work on other skills. Which is what led her back to the Unforgiving.

The forest in Spring and Summer were filled with game and predators alike. It was dangerous be it could also but rewarding if she caught enough game. To this point, the little huntress arrived back in the forest with her bow and quiver as well as her hunting kit. She now had two knives as well as traps and rope to help with catching and storing game. She left her normal arrows at home and instead brought mostly game arrows with a few for fishing should she decide to attempt that as well. Aela was ready this time, she would take on the hunt as if she were a pro and most of all she would have patience....she hoped.

The curly haired blonde made her way from the road and into the brush. Her loving pet Gyrfalcon had perched himself upon the heavy bag at her back. Aela stopped just before she entered the brush and lifted her arm which was wrapped with a leather gauntlet and called to Skye. The falcon screeched and flapped his wings to lift himself into the air high enough to soar over her head and land on her arm.

"Okay, we're going to try this again and this time you're not going to rush off and leave me to get my own food. We eat together understand?" Aela instructed in a motherly tone to her pet. Skye stared at her curious, even clacking his beak as if offering her a retort. "Oh don't you give me beak! Just do it." She jerked her arm then, prompting Skye to rise up and fly into the forest. Aela wasn't the best falconer by far but she did her best to train him. Once he cleared the opening and entered the tree line, her hazel eyes lowered and found red amongst the green bushes. By now the girl had learned to identify it as the red hair of other hunters.

"Hey!" she called out. "Are you setting up here, I can go further if I need too."

[Aradia]

The flapping of wings stirred Aradia, making her wonder if that was what made twigs snapped. You idiot… They are not twigs in the air! The Singer looked around, her wide eyes searching for the noise once more. I am going to die. Why did I do this alone! Aradia muttered under her breath, the mist of tears from the fright she was experiencing pooling in her violet and blue eyes. Just when Aradia thought all hope was lost, that she was going to be a mangled bloody mess, a slightly familiar voice pierced the air. She knew that voice, she knew it! But who… who was it? Aradia paused for a few ticks, thinking of who that voice belonged to, images of faces flashed through her mind until finally she came to the blonde woman, Aela. She did not know her very well, but Aradia being a singer picked up on the tones and rhythms of voices, putting them to faces easily. A-Alori…? Is that you..? Help please! The mixed blood called out in a rush, the fright she was experiencing made her voice come out in a slight shriek, her usual calm and musical voice disappeared. Aradia wanted to move towards the sound of the voice, but she was not sure in which direction it came from. The thick foliage was confusing her, the clawed foot print frightened her. If she knew more about hunting, she wouldn’t of been so frightened. But not knowing a damn thing about it, and trying to go out into a dangerous place and attempt it alone, well she was foolish. The Singer was a soft hearted person, she was not sure if she would be able to even kill an animal, even if it was about to kill her. Why do I do this to myself! Aradia groaned as her words echoed in her mind. She hoped it was Aela she had heard in the brush, she hoped she would come to her and not think her stupid. This forest was frightening to be out in alone. [/color]

[Alori Sai]

Aela waited to hear back from the person further into the forest. The young huntress knew the dangers of hunting in the area where other hunters had already set up. There were traps to consider, foot prints to throw one off, and also crossing lines of fire. It was also considered rude and possibly dangerous to hunt in rival quarters with someone tracking the same game.

So she waited, taking a moment to readjust the straps of her backpack against her slender shoulders. Her normal gear combined with that of the hunting kit made it twice as heavy but once she removed the traps and snares, it would become lighter again. Even so, she never hunted while wearing her backpack anyway so it would matter once she started to hunt.

"Hello?" she called out again, lifting up on the tips of her toes so that she could see over the thick bushes growing up and around the trees. Finally a voice called out, a soft sing-song chime that she recalled from a redhead that she'd recently met and came to like. "Aradia?" she asked as she moved into the brush and slipped out to the other side.

Aela was surprised to see the woman standing in the forest. She didn't take her for a hunter and by the looks of whatever she was doing, it surely wasn't hunting. The little huntress' hazel eyes focused on the woman's features and noticed the panicked look in her colorful eyes.

"Are you okay, what are you doing out here?" Again she adjusted the straps on her shoulders and made her way over to Aradia as gracefully as she could, which meant that she tried not to topple over.

[Aradia]

Aradia was slightly frozen in place, simply because she was panicked from the fright she had overwhelmed herself with. Going out to hunt with only a bow and quiver, was not the brightest of ideas. But the little Singer had no idea what all hunting entailed. It looked to be so simple. When she watched other’s perform the task it looked to be easy. When she saw other’s bringing back game that they had caught and killed, the load looked easy to gain. But once the Singer came to the forest, became lost because everything seemed to look the same, and then she found clawed foot prints leading in to the thick brush… Well… The whole simplicity of hunting was diminished, and she soon realized that she could not hunt solo, that she was stupid for even thinking that she was able to do it. Her name was called out from that familiar voice that she hoped was Alori, when the blonde came into view Aradia exhaled a large breath, her body was still trembling from the horror she had played inside her own imaginative mind. Oh… Alori… Thank the stars above! Aradia called out, still not able to make her trembling legs move forward. I found these foot prints… And… Well… I think I scared myself into thinking… That the predator was you. Lurking in the bush to kill me. Aradia explained, her cheeks flaming with the admittance of her stupid actions. The Crimson haired woman wiped the cold sweat from her brow, then stepped forward to greet Alori, I have no idea… what to do. I thought I could.. But I can’t She held her head down in defeat, the mist of tears that had pooled in her eyes began to slip out, but she quickly brushed them away. She did not like to show such emotions to people; it made her feel weak, like a coward. She knew that her friendly acquaintance would more than likely laugh at her failed attempt at hunting. Maybe even scold her for such rash and foolish behavior. It hurt her to know that, but she knew she deserved it. Aradia looked over at the foot prints, and they made a chill run up her spine. That could have been a bear or a cougar, not Alori. I could have been devoured in a few chomps… Aradia shook her head, looking up at the woman with a small smile, her trembling body finally starting to ease into stillness once again. [/color]

[Alori Sai]

Aela moved a bit closer to the woman, glancing down first to the paw print that she had mentioned and then up to the bow that she carried. "What?..You were hunting?" She paused for a moment, waiting to see what Aradia would say next. One thing she knew was that she seemed very scared and spoke of nearby predators which caused Aela to take another look around just in case there was something there.

"I didn't know you liked to hunt, I could have come with." Smiling, she gently placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and rubbed it. "Hey, you're okay. There's nothing here but me." Looking down again to the paw print, Aela stared at it but couldn't figure out exactly what it was. "Looks like a big dog's, maybe even a wolf but I don't see anything here so it probably left already." The little huntress wasn't completely sure about it, but her instincts told her they were alone. "You might have scared it off...it happens."

When she noticed the girl crying and wiping away her tears, Aela hobbled a few feet closer where she could wrap her arms around the woman and hug her. "Awww, you're okay." She lightly patted and rubbed Aradia's shoulders before lifting up to look at her. "Everyone has a first time ya know. It can be scary..." The teen didn't think anything bad about the woman showing up to hunt with only a bow. In truth it reminded her of herself, as she had done the exact same thing only a few seasons before.

That had been a very frustrating day for her back then, but it had also been an eye opener. She met another hunter that day, and she introduced traps and hunting tips to the little Avora, things she's used every since. "I remember my first hunt, it started out horrible. It took me forever to find a good mark and when I finally did, another hunter stole my game. I was so upset I really wanted to fight her, but..I didn't. And later I finally got an elk. So it wasn't all that bad." Aela smiled, her gaze wandering off for a bit as she remembered the fun and excitement she had that day. "If you really want to go home, then I'll walk you back but...I think you should give it another try."

[Aradia]

Alori reassured her with her calming and kind words. But she still felt like an idiot out here in a place she didn’t know, with a bow she wasn’t really good at using. ”I am not sure if I like to hunt. I figured I would just give it a try. I am not sure if I could even… kill” Aradia said with a sigh. She wasn’t sure if she could actually kill an animal, the thought of it made her sad. Then again the need for meat was so great that she just wanted to help. She was slightly conflicted about the whole mess. Aradia looked down at the paw print once again when Alori spoke of it, maybe it was just a dog or wolf, maybe a dog that belonged to a hunter even. This made Aradia feel even more foolish. The Singer ran her hand through her crimson hair. ”I hope I did scare it off. I am not sure if I could even win a fight with a large dog.” The Singer chuckled sadly at her own weakness, laughing it off. Aradia did not realize the woman saw her tears of fright, but the hug was comforting and made her blush harder. Embarrassed once again at her own weakness and foolishness. She just nodded her head and gave the woman a smile. ”I am better now that I am not alone. But you are right, this is my first time, and it is scary. But having someone else here it isn’t as bad.” Aradia said, giving the woman a thankful smile. She was not sure if she would have made it out of the forest alive if it was not for Alori coming along. She might have driven herself insane to the point of death in the thick forest if it wasn’t for the company. Aradia shuffled her feet, her eyes still looking around them, checking to be sure, listening to her story of her first time hunting. At least she found a mark, and attempted to go after it, instead of being struck still with fear. But someone else stealing her game, that was wrong, the person deserved a punch in the face. ”You should of punched her in the face.” Aradia muttered under her breath, as the woman went on to say that if she wanted to go home she would walk her, but she believed her attempt at hunting should be tried again. Aradia inhaled a deep breath, looking over at the blonde haired woman. ”No, I want to give it another shot, if you will help me.” Aradia said with a smile, just now noticing how heavy her gear was, ”Let me carry some of that for you.” The Singer said, offering her hand for some of the gear to lessen the weight on the woman’s shoulders. She did not make it a question, instead she insisted on helping her, if she was going to help her hunt Aradia would also contribute in any way that she could.

[Alori Sai]

Aela understood Aradia's hesitation, she had been there as well. She knew the fear of the first hunt, and the stupidity of attempting it alone. For her, she hadn't much choice as there was no one willing to teach her. People laughed at her, and said that she wouldn't be able to pull off using a bow so large. Even her mentor at the time said that it was all a waste of time and that she should focus on her glassblowing. Many times later she had felt that he was right, that they were all right and that she should have just stayed in the hotshop. But it wasn't meant for her, and even if being an Endal wasn't either, she knew the glassblower's life was to calm and boring to ever satisfy her.

"I get it, I really do. I tracked a rabbit for almost a full bell but when I got close enough I didn't think I could kill it, and so it got a way." Aela combed her fingers through her curly blonde hair as she looked to the woman, allowing her to see right into her bright hazel eyes. There was no exaggeration to her words, she simply told the truth as sad and goofy as it was. "The hunters say that some of the animals in the woods are just as scared of us as we are of them. It sounds crazy right? But it's true.."

She chuckled softly when Aradia agreed that a vengeful punch was in order for the huntress who stole her game. "I know, but she wasn't that bad. She did teach me about traps and the best places to hunt. Sometimes it's better to find a good spot and wait out the animals instead of running after them..like what I did." The huntress' name she had forgotten, but she remembered the strange encounter and that unlike her, who walked a good ways, the woman had a horse. Aela wondered if it would be a good idea to get one of her own..if she could learn to ride it. Although, she couldn't imagine it being as hard as riding a Wind Eagle, and she had managed to do that.

The teen smiled, wetting her lips as she had seemed to persuade Aradia into attempting the hunt despite her fear. "Sweet! We can hunt together, maybe we'll get some good stuff." Aela nodded with Aradia asked to help carry some of the load and glad to be rid of the full load. She keeled down and started to remove items from inside her backpack to give to the woman. "Here you can carry these traps. They're not too heavy on their own, and I'll take the rest. We can probably head in to find a better place and go on and put down the traps at least." The little huntress finished repacking her backpack before slinging it over her shoulder again and stood up. "You ready?"

[Aradia]

Aradia listened to her fellow hunter’s story about second guessing herself on the killing of a rabbit, and with that she lost the rabbit. Aradia knew the same would more than likely happen to her, especially if she saw those timid eyes of the animal, begging her to spare it’s life. Aradia gave the woman a grim smile, and continued to listen to her say that the animals were as scared of them, as they were of the animals. Aradia could imagine why, with all the hunting going on, if she were an animal she too would be frightened. ”If I were a rabbit, I too would be frightened. Knowing my death was soon to come at the sounds of feet on the earth.” Aradia said with a half-smile, the words making her feel worse once again for the little, cute, fluffy rabbits. Though she was a little saddened to hear that Alori had forgotten the woman’s name. Though maybe it was for the best, everything seemed to happen for a reason in this world. The huntress did after all teach Alori how to use traps, so at least she did get something out of it. Aradia was thrilled the huntress had agreed to hunt with her, help her learn how this all works. She even gave a little jump, and clapped her hands, ”Fantastic! With me and you as a team, we will be the envy of the Endals!” Aradia laughed at her words, giving the woman a bright smile. Maybe they would be, maybe they wouldn’t be. Either way, all that mattered was that they tried. She took the traps offered to her to carry, they were a little heavy but she would manage. Plus it would help build her body and muscles to carry things, and she needed that anyways. She had become to plush for her own liking as of late, with the lack of training on her part. So exercised was a welcome. Aradia nodded her head smiling, ”Yes I am ready! Maybe we can even find some tracks that will lead us to an animal?” Aradia said thoughtfully, learning tracking would be interesting. Being able to spot the correct tracks, where they are going, how fresh they were, that would be a great thing to know, if she ever had to fend for herself one day. Aradia abandoned her thoughts, and followed Alori as they traveled further into the forest, Aradia hoping that they were hunting, and not being hunted…

[Alori Sai]

Aela smiled weakly and glanced away for a tick. She understood Aradia's feelings about the poor defenseless rabbits, but that was no way for a hunter to think. If the woman couldn't get over those types of feelings she would never be able to hunt. The mischievous teen had an idea suddenly and bit her lower lip to hold back a chuckle before she spoke. "That's not all that we can hunt though. There are foxes, goats, wolves,..even bears." she glanced over at Aradia and waited to see her reaction before she said more.

The little huntress released a chuckle and shrugged her shoulders happily at the excitement that Aradia was showing. This was exactly what she needed now, to be around people who weren't blinded by their roles in the city and letting their jobs define them. The girl needed to be around others, people who were just enjoying the simple things in life and not concerning themselves with politics and other BS. "Hah! oh yea. I'm sure we can catch something...we better after I went out and bought these traps."

She felt so much lighter once she handed the traps off to Aradia and she could already feel her shoulders relaxing. From there she waited a moment to be sure that her new hunting buddy was ready and headed off with her. In truth Aela wasn't much of a tracker, but she would give it another good try as she had times before. In that moment, she was reminded of the huntress that she had met, the one who's name was still lost to her. The woman had seemed to do well at tracking as well as knowing her way around the forest.

It was her time to lead this time, and the little blonde could only hope that she was good enough. Aela decided to leave the clawed foot print alone and headed off into a different direction. She was looking for a simple hunt and something that wouldn't get too out of control while she was trying to teach another the trade. Walking slowly, she scanned the area, looking for any signs of life as well as watching the ground for tracks of some kind. It wasn't easy for her, sometimes spotting what she thought were tracks only to get closer and realize that it was half buried tiny rocks. Other times she spotted fur hiding behind trees that quickly turned into moss once she got closer.

Still, the young Avora wasn't discouraged, it was early and they still had plenty of time to find game. As they continued on, Aela started to hum softly. Soon, she started to add words to the humming without even realizing at first that she was doing it.

"Mmmhmmm."

"Lock doors.."

" Hit the floor.."

"Send the eagles away."

"Because now the fisherman are out, and we are going to play."

The girl stopped suddenly, putting an abrupt stop to her strange rambling song. She scanned the area again, finding low grass and mostly even dirt-covered ground. "We can set one of the traps up here and the other...maybe a bit further down. Just have to remember where we put them." Aela kneel down then and started to set up the first trap. She just hoped that she remembered the right way of doing it.