PM to join Hunting to Prove something (Merevaika)

[Jasmine Stormblood]

12th Spring 516 A.V.

Jasmine walked out of her tent a groaned gently. She rubs her face as the heat was becoming a pain though it was better than constant cold and rain. Sighing gently Jasmine walked over to Chaser in order to wake the stallion up. Whether he wished to awaken or not was the last thing on the girl's mind. She was a new member in a new pavilion with far different rules. With a new ankal who she has not found herself on the best of terms. The woman was ready to prove herself and at least show she was able to help her pavilion. Even while fighting to get the stallion up Jasmine looked back towards the amethyst clan missing her sisters and brothers. Shaking her head the girl yelped when the stallion finally got up causing her to fall over.

“Thanks a lot,” Jasmine said and coughed looking up at the stallion.

Chaser neighed and walked away from the girl to stretch his legs and graze. Jasmine looked towards the tent and went back inside. Grabbing her brush the blond brushed out her long blond tresses wincing at the tougher knots. Once satisfied with how her fingers ran through her hair Jasmine began to put the hair into a braided bun. Looking down she saw the Amethyst jewelry she had worn to the festival and glared grabbing her and stuffing it in her pocket. She planned to chunk the colored beads into the first body of water that appeared first. The bruises were bad enough of a reminder much less the colors of her home clan. She was a member of the diamond clan now not amethyst.

“Haven Lara wake up,” Jasmine said looking at the pair as they both yawned and uncurled from each other, “I know it's early you two but we have a long day ahead of us.”

She stood up straight and grabbed her extra top in case the woman needed to deal with a lot of blood while they were out. Jasmine stepped out once more as Haven and Lara raced behind her play wrestling each other. Whistling loudly Chaser returned to his rider and stayed perfectly still as she put the yvas on him. By no means did Chaser like the yvas, but he was becoming accustomed to the contraption his human needed when they left the camp. Jasmine got everything situated before grabbing her bow and quiver as well as some extra daggers for a clean kill. At least IF Haven didn't bark enough to scare everything away from the group. Jasmine put the packs that would hold any kills on the yvas before mounting up. Wincing the woman's ribs were sore from the bawl just days ago, but now was no time to let injuries affect her.

“Alright you two stay close,” Jasmine said to Lara and Haven.

Haven barked happily and Lara just looked up before jumping up to lay on the stallion's rump just behind her master. Jasmine smiled and shook her head at the twos antics before clicking her tongue and giving Chaser the nudge to start moving forward. She allowed him to trot while watching Haven as she ran right beside the stallion panting already. Jasmine decided she had best let Haven run beside Chaser more often to get her used to it. After about half of a bell Jasmine slowed the horse to a stop and allowed him and Haven both a little time to rest.

The Clan is Strength.
The Clan is Life.

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

Merevaika felt good with her bow back in her hand, clutching it tightly as she moved away from where she had set up camp. Eryunt moved firmly beneath her, happy to be back in this process again. She had a full belly, but now the last of the stolen food was gone and Merevaika hoped to get some more. Beast padded behind her slowly, although Merevaika doubted the dog would be able to keep up with the hunt. Still, the dog would come in useful. Beast wasn't a hunting dog - she wasn't trained and barely listened to what Merevaika said, but she was still loyal and intelligent, and an extra hand, or paw, in this case,

At least hunting was much easier with the magic that let her see trails. She moved beside the river she was following, closing her eyes and letting the magic rush through her body and pool there. Slowly, the paths became visible, patchy and weak in places but strong and bright in others. Some she didn't recognise, but others were more familiar, Merevaika having followed them before.

Selecting a fairly strong path, she focused on it, trying to take deep breaths to enter a more settled state. The paths flickered before her eyes, a sign she wasn't concentrating enough, but that was the thing she needed, latching in quickly on the path she was focused on. It twisted a little, obviously spending some time around the river, but other than that, it moved off fairly smoothly, stopping only occasionally.

Merevaika stopped, dismounting. She wanted to see if there were tracks, real tracks, that would help her find out exactly what she was hunting. Moving to where the glowing tracks met the water, she closed her eyes, taking steady breaths this time to get rid of the magic. The normal light that met her eyes stung them a little, but she adjusted to normal sight quickly, bending down over the muddier section. There.

Two prints, barely visible. They were side by side, facing the water, as if the creature had stopped there to have a drink. There were five fingers, each topped with a claw, but she couldn't recognise them. Some sort of small creature, judging by the size.

Getting back up on Eryunt, she was about to find the trail again when she saw someone in the distance. Training her eyes on them, she realised she knew the rider. Jasmine. Merevaika turned Eryunt in that direction, hoping to get a bit of free help. After all, that was what had happened last time.



"Pavi"
Grassland sign
"Common"

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine dismounted and smiled walking through the grass quietly watching the world around her. The woman turned and took out her glove and arm guard. Sliding the arm guard into place Jasmine fought to get the string tied. Growling gently she finally managed to get it on and easily got her glove put on her opposite hand. Taking her bow off her back the woman counted her arrows and decided to do a little practice. The woman took and arrow from the quiver on her side and too aim at a spot on the tree not far from her. She pulled back on the string till the end of the arrow was beside her cheek. When Zulrav's breath blew she could feel the feathers gently brush against her cheek. Taking a deep breath Jasmine released the arrow; she watched the arrow soar through the air. Finally the arrow lodged itself a few inches below her target point.

Jasmine growled and took another arrow out. She aimed once more and took the shot, the arrow whizzed through the air and punctured the tree right where she wanted it to. Smiling Jasmine raised her bow in success and went over to the tree. Grunting some she managed to get the two arrows free of the bark on the tree. Walking back over to the three animals the blond was happy to see the three content and excited in the open. At least Haven was excited, Lara was still curled up on Chaser's rump, and said stallion was grazing without a care in the world. Lara's head shot up looking back the way that the three had come from. Looking in the same way Jasmine spotted a Strider and rider coming towards them. Confused Jasmine looked closer to see who it was. Soon she recognized the figure and waved with a smile. It was always nice to see Merevaika again.

“Hey!” Jasmine called with a laugh and walked over to the rider and strider.

The Clan is Strength.
The Clan is Life.

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

Jasmine seemed happy to see her, which was a good sign. Merevaika stopped a short distance from her, pretending to grin. "Jasmine!" Greetings, hunt? Quick and straight to the point. Just like Merevaika liked it. After all, she wasn't here to chat and socialise. She wanted food and meat for money. If this was another hunter, coming over wouldn't have even been an option. But Jasmine, that was a different story.

Merevaika looked up at the tree she had been shooting. The marks upon it were clear, and gave her an idea. "You're getting a better shot." Not good, of course not good. Merevaika would never say that. "How about a competition?" Merevaika felt certain she would win, and with a competition, it meant winning would get her a prize. "Hunting, of course. You pick."

Smiling to herself, she brought herself round to the other side of Jasmine. Sizing her up. The girl wouldn't stand a chance. That wasn't a good thing. "Only friendly, of course. Doesn't have to be winner takes all." She wished it would be, but if it was, it was likely Jasmine would refuse. Merevaika couldn't quite tell.

Eryunt snorted, sensing her eagerness. Beast growled beneath them, red eyes glaring at the unfamiliar animals. She wasn't happy to be here. Beast didn't like things she didn't know, and at the moment, she only knew two of them. And it was only the two of them that knew her. "So, what do you say?"

oocFeel free to put anything you like. First to shoot something, first to find an animal, most hunted etc. I don't even have to win, either!

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine looked up to the woman with a smile happy to see a friend. She listened to Merevaika's proposal of a hunting competition. Jasmine was happy to hear that she was getting better. To have a validated hunter tell her that her shot was getting better meant that others saw her improvement more than she did.

"Sure. Say the one who kills the most by nightfall?" Jasmine asked.

She figured that she may be able to get some of the smaller animals and just out number the huntress before her. Suddenly a thought dawned on her.

"Has anyone around you been hit by the bandit recently?" Jasmine asked.

She was curious to know who all had been stolen from. Surely the person was not just singling out the people of the Amethyst clan. The blonde grabbed her hunting arrows from the yvas and replaced her practice arrows in the quiver.

The Clan is Strength.
The Clan is Life.

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

"Most kills by nightfall. Agreed," Merevaika smiled, certain it would be her. If she managed to find a group, that would make things so much easier as well. Jasmine wouldn't stand a chance. Merevaika smiled, feeling pleased with herself, then Jasmine spoke again, talking about the bandit. Merevaika frowned, wondering who the other bandit was, where they worked and why she hadn't heard of them before that. Then she realised that Jasmine spoke of her.

Merevaika almost smiled, then stopped, realising it would give her away. She couldn't let Jasmine know that she was the thief. That would be foolish. "Not really. I don't contact many people." Anyone. But that would be a stupid thing to say. She shrugged, trying to change subject. Taking her bow, she whistled to Beast, who growled at the noise, but drew closer to the horse anyway. "Meet here at sunset," she grinned, then turned her horse, leaving with a smile.

Returning towards the river, Merevaika searched the ground for tracks. She wanted something fresh, small and that travelled in groups. There. A collection of prints, all slightly different sizes. Some sort of bird, but from the distance, she couldn't see them clearly, and even if she could, Merevaika doubted it would make much difference. But Merevaika didn't care what they were. Just that there were plenty.

Closing her eyes, she counted her breaths, matching them in time with Eryunt's. Slowly, she felt the magic spread through her, her heart pounding a little faster at the sensation. She felt so empowered using it, so special. Her eyes came open, the djed trails almost hurting her eyes with the amount. They were everywhere - some patchy, others perfectly clear. Merevaika had never truly realised the amount of life there was around the river, the pure numbers of the creatures that relied on it. And these were only the ones she could see.

The ones she wanted were fairly clear, and Merevaika focused on them, waiting for the other trails to fade out of her vision. "Beast, follow," she commanded, gesturing towards the trail she was following. The dog seemed to understand which one, for she began to follow the trail. Of course, she had smell to go from too, which Merevaika didn't.

They followed the trail further, Eryunt moving fairly slowly along the river, until she stopped, spotting that the trail ended not too far from where she was. Noting the clump of grass in her mind, she blinked several times, watching the trails fade into nothingness.

There. She could see the rustle of the grass. Grinning slightly, Merevaika steadied her bow. Her arrow slipped through her fingers until she could feel the gentle brush of the feather, and notched it, drawing it back halfway. Sinking from her horse, Merevaika touched the ground lightly, treading carefully as she paid attention to the wind. Beast slunk behind her, incredibly silent. The hunter stepped lightly, one at a time, careful not to knock the grass as she passed. Once she reached a position where she could clearly see the birds, but was far enough away to not bother them, Merevaika sank to her knee to steady herself.

Just as she drew back the bowstring, Beast darted out at the creatures, teeth fully bared and eyes almost glowing. Merevaika adjusted her aim to above the tuft and released the arrow. The birds scattered into the air, and the arrow slammed into one. Merevaika was fast to get another ready, lining it up quickly. It shot through the air, pinning another bird just as if lifted off the ground. Beast jumped, catching a third in her teeth. They didn't work together, not quite like she had worked with Denviel, but their common goal had helped each other.

Merevaika hurried to collect her prizes, stringing the two fowl across her shoulder. Beast had hers, but her grip was tight, one Merevaika didn't want to challenge. Let her have one bird. Merevaika felt happy with what she had caught. How was Jasmine doing? Hopefully worse than she was.

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine smiled and rode the other direction. After some time the blonde pulled back on the yvas getting Chaser to stop. Haven walked ahead sniffing the ground before a light growl escaped her lips. Slipping down the woman motioned for Chaser to stay still. Grabbing her bow and quiver she walked forward gently touching Haven's back causing her to stop and look up at the huntress. Kneeling down the woman watched the world around the group. A rustling caught her eyes, staying low the older girl slunk forward rolling her feet. Making sure that the dog beside her was silent and low to the ground Jasmine stopped a little ways from the prey. Focusing while going on autopilot putting the arrow in her bow the blonde pulled back.

Slinking forward more a slow bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face. The rustling finally had a shape. It was three rabbits eating ahead of them. Tall ears twitched back and forth listening for hunters and predators. Taking her stance the woman clicked her tongue while keeping her mouth closed. Haven launched forward still silent not growling. Raising up the bow the woman released her arrow. The weapon flew over Haven stabbing into the smaller of the rabbits. The sudden attack caused the other two creatures to run. Haven growled and pushed herself harder before jumping and grabbing the fatter and slower of the two rabbits. Walking over Jasmine picked up the rabbit pulling the arrow from its side. Wiping the blade on her pants the woman smiled and knelt down getting the other rabbit from Haven. Putting her arrow in the quiver Jasmine walked over to Chaser and tied them to the yvas.

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

Merevaika clicked her teeth at the gathering of wild pigs, who clustered just further down the stream. Her eyes had trained in on the trail, letting them settle into some strange unison with the twisting paths as she let the magic flow through her. That trail had led her to here, unfortunately after too long travelling. This would have to be her last shot, before she needed to return to where they had agreed.

She settled low on Eryunt, bringing him forward until they became visibly disturbed. Beast listened to her hushed warnings, the huntress training her eye on her target. It was a fairly large pig, not the biggest, but definitely something to go for. She clicked her teeth again, pointing at her target to Beast, hoping she would somehow listen.

With bow steady in one hand, she brought the other to an arrow, drawing it into place. Then she released, letting it slip through the air and immediately following it up on her horse, fumbling with an arrow to get another one in the air. The pigs scattered, darting in all direction into the growth all around. Her target shifted to the left, Merevaika leaping to follow it. Beast snarled, wild animal coming out from her. She bared her teeth and ended in pursuit, with Merevaika hot on their heels.

She kept close to Eryunt as he began the chase, thundering across the grasslands. Every moment, she could make out glimpses of the black streak and the shape of the pig, but they were hard to track in the grass. Shifting in her seat, Merevaika pushed within herself to bring forward the magic of lights and paths, snatching the tendrils of magic firmly as they came to view. Her grip on the yvas grew tighter as her head grew lighter, watching the lights of Beast and the pig as they moved in the undergrowth. Then, suddenly, she brought her bow up, sending another arrow flying towards the pig. Another miss.

Cursing her luck, she brought Eryunt round, trying to direct the pig towards the river where hopefully, she and Beast would be able to corner it. The pig gave a squeal, then halted suddenly, Merevaika practically passing over it. It changed direction suddenly, moving away from them. By the time she had managed to turn Eryunt around to begin the chase again, the trail had disappeared, Merevaika too weak to continue watching it. Beast could probably follow, but the huntress feared she would lose the dog too. No, it was better to stop. After all, it was almost sunset - she had to return eventually.

Whistling to Beast, she turned around, trying to gain her bearings. She had been tracing along the river all day, so if she headed back along it, the meeting place would surely be visible. Of course, it wasn't the most direct route, but who cared. Riding off in a random direction wasn't the best idea.

They moved at a light trot, arriving at the tree half a bell after sunset. Dismounting, Merevaika slung her two fowl across one of the lower branches, shifting her possessions around the yvas until they were more comfortable for Eryunt. Then turning to Jasmine, she smiled, checking out what the girl had managed. Merevaika hadn't got much, but honestly, the hunt had been fun. The magic had been fun, even though using it tired her. Even if Jasmine won, she could always steal the things back. It made no difference to her. Although her pride told her otherwise.

[Jasmine Stormblood]

The blonde mounted up once more and looked to the sky. Shielding her eyes from the light that Syna was shining down on her the woman figured she had maybe a few bells left. After that the group would need to get back to the meeting place and wait on Merevaika. Clicking her tongue the stallion snorted and walked forward flicking his ears listening to the world around them. The blonde's head swiveled around as they went through the grass. Listening to everything that made noise she quickly tried to identify it. Not everything she saw was worth killing to bring in. Such as the a family of skunks that ignored the group passing by. Making a face knowing their smell all too well the woman pushed forward. Shifting her legs the girl turned the group towards the river. Haven panted heavily beside the rider and horse ready to lay down and drink some water.

“I know guys. Let's get some water and rest for a moment,” Jasmine cooed to the pair.

Once the three made it to the river the woman slid down and took the yvas off the stallion. Grabbing a rag from one of her bags, she dipped it into the cool water and began to wipe down the horse so that he would cool off faster. Haven just about dove in drinking the liquid greedily. Shaking her head with a smile she finished his rub down as he drank from the river as well. Patting his side the girl walked around him keeping one hand on him at all times so he knew where she was. Ringing the rag out the girl raised her hair up out of the way and rubbed the back of her neck to help cool off without jumping into the water. Picking up the waterskin Jasmine finished what was in it before refilling it. Clicking her tongue the stallion raised his head accepting the yvas, while Haven climbed out of the water and shook off.

“Let's look just a bit longer okay? Once we meet up with Merevaika again and show what we have, then we can head home for the evening,” the blonde said with a smile.

Letting out a whine the stallion nodded his head as if agreeing that home was a great idea. Laughing she hugged him before mounting up and turning towards the meeting spot. She was hopeful that they would see a small group of animals that the woman could maybe pick off a couple of before reaching the meeting place. Watching around her the girl was saddened to not find anything else before making it back to the meeting place. Seeing the horse ahead of her the blonde knew she was a few minutes late getting back.

“Sorry about that. I lost track of time,” Jasmine said and dismounted walking beside Chaser the rest of the way.

[Merevaika]

Merevaika

"Don't worry about it," Merevaika batted away her lateness, flashing her eyelids before bringing her attention away from the woman to what she had scored. Her eyes traced across the body of the huntress then her horse, lingering when she spotted two rabbits, limp and lifeless.

Two. Was it only two, or had she missed some other prey she had caught? She hoped it was the former; she couldn't let Jasmine beat her. Jasmine, the student, the weaker, the less-skilled. Flipping straight to business, she made a gesture towards Jasmine, asking about her hunt, before flicking towards her own two birds. Winner? she signed, deciding to stay to the language of the hunt.

She moved over to the two birds, then halted, realising something was wrong. They never decided on what the victor would get. She remembered saying winner takes all, at one point, but couldn't remember the confirmation from Jasmine. Spinning quickly, she let the signs fly out, asking Jasmine what the reward was.

Finally, she spoke, "Looks like we're even. What now? Nothing?" She shrugged her shoulders, collecting her fowl again. "Let's ride and talk. Never good to stay out after dark too much."

She mounted Eryunt, scratching him behind his ear before gaining her bearings and pointing herself in the right direction. "Shall we go?" she smiled politely, planning to run, after the little trot they had entered.