Adventures in the Wilderness (Aello)

[Alenias]

Alenias frowned slightly when Aello said that hunting involved killing. She'd never killed before, and didn't even know how she would try and kill something. It was quickly replaced by a smile as Aello explained how she could help, and that was soon replaced by a mix of confusion and curiosity as Aello explained about the fire and what they would do with the animal's body.

"I'll come with you," Alenias reaffirmed with a nod, "I can look and talk to the birds, but I don't know how to start a fire. Treanas always made the fires when it got cold," her face fell at the memories of those happy nights.

While her time with Aello had certainly helped the emptiness to be smaller, it was still there. There was still something missing, but she didn't know what. As much as Aello was like Treanas there was just something... missing. Until she could find it though, by Aello's side was the best place she had found to be.

Following after Aello as she explained what they were doing Alenias gave a small nod, and looked around at the forest they were walking through. There were trees, bushes, birds, rocks, dirt, and all kinds of things around. Aello had said she didn't want to eat birds, so Alenias guessed they weren't good for hunting. After some time walking through the forest and not seeing anything Alenias softly asked, "What are we looking for Aello?"

[Aello]

Aello continued to walk along in silence for a few moments. "We are looking for something tasty to eat," Aello replied to Alenias, breaking her silence. "We are looking for animals such as rabbits, and perhaps deer. Although they may be too much to eat in one sitting." There was a slight pause before Aello continued, "a squirrel would do, as would a beaver if we could find one... a number of small animals would suffice." There was another short silence as Aello reached over her shoulder and plucked a raven feather fletched arrow from her quiver. She held it in her right hand, her fingers curled around the middle section of the arrow. Slowly, Aello brought the arrow around her shoulder, and lifted her bow. She turned it so that the wooden frame would run horizontally, from left to right. Gingerly, Aello laced the arrow onto the serving. The feather with the red line was pointing up and towards the sky, the other two, cut diagonally across the bowstring in either of two directions- southwest, or southeast. When she heard a click, Aello knew the arrow took. The young spiritist wrapped the three middle fingers of her right hand around the arrow, and held the bowstring loosely. Her left hand tightened around the grip as she continued to walk along in silence, doing her best to step lightly, and not on anything that would produce a sound- say a small stick when it snapped underfoot. Her bow was pointed downwards at the ground, about an inch before her left foot when it stepped forward. This way, if she got scared and shot accidently, it wouldn't hurt anybody. The girl's eyes remained peeled, looking for something larger than a small bird to eat. "Another thing you should know Alenias, if you don't already, is that animals tend to run away if the hunter, or in this case hunters, make any sounds. Well, loud ones anyway. So, it would be best if we don't speak, although, should you need to, you could always whisper. Or tap my shoulder and use hand signals. Point if you have to," Aello explained at little more than a whisper. Aello continued through the forest in silence, ignoring the fact that the occasional low-lying branch would brush against her skin, sometimes tickling, and sometimes scratching her skin. At times, the scratch would leave a white line, at others, the branch would simply feel as though it were digging into her clothes, trying to get at her fair skin. Her breathing was even, and rather rhytmnic. Every seven seconds or so, she'd breath in through her nose, and then out through her mouth. Her heartbeat was fairly regular, if not on the faster side, and her throat felt somewhat dry, as though she hadn't bothered to drink anything recently, and should probably start thinking about doing so. Aello ignored her other basic needs though, as she traveled through the forest on her hunt. Her stomach was still rumbling on occasion, and the edges of her stomach felt as though they were about to gave in. Your hunger takes precedence, she silently told herself. Unless you want to go hungry, eat so many berries you grow sick, or eat your Kelvic friend, you will find something to eat before you drink, or you sleep. A dead brown leaf crunched beneath Aello's boot. It's unlikely either of you will like the middle option... considering how helpful she is. Not to mention, that's probably not exactly humane. Alenias is at least a little human, right? After all, she can shift into one at will it seems. Much like she can shift back into a blue jay. Aello crept forward, slightly disturbed by her thoughts. Alenias and Yune were too nice to eat. Not to mention, Yune wouldn't provide much of a meal anyway. She was all feathers... really. A small smile crept across Aello's lips, and her eyes seemed to sparkle. Just get yourself a nice rabbit to eat, and this hunger-inspired madness shall cease.

[Alenias]

Alenias listened quietly as Aello explained what they were looking for, giving a small nod. She didn't think animals looked tasty, but if they looked tasty to Aello then Alenias would do her best to help her find one.

Moving as quietly as she could through the forest next to Aello Alenias' dark eyes flitted about the area, looking for something tasty for Aello to hunt. Bird, tree, rock, bush, rock, tree, dirt, and over and over again Alenias looked at thing after thing, but she couldn't find anything. Not yet at least.

When Aello spoke again of the need to be very quiet Alenias nodded in reply silently. She understood being quiet, there were times when she was hiding that she had had to be very very quiet, and she had been. So she would do so now as she continued to look back and forth and up and down for an animal Aello would think was tasty.

Hearing the soft sound of Aello's stomach growling Alenias started to get worried. Would Aello not keep taking care of her if she couldn't help find something tasty soon? Maybe if she turned into a bird she could help find something faster...

Before she could think long on that she spotted something a little ways away, hidden from her sight by a bush. Quietly walking a little ways away from Aello to get a better view Alenias spotted a large and familiar looking dog eating from a deer. Alenias' eyes widened as she realized where she recognized the big dog from, and a smile appeared on her lips.

"Tenebrae!" she called out as she ran from Aello towards the dog, happy to see him again. The dog looked up at her at her call, and then gave a rather scary growl. Blinking in surprise Alenias slowed in her run, but continued to approach as she asked, "Tenebrae? What's wrong? Don't you remember me? I gave you bread in Ravok."

The dog responded to her question by growling more, baring its' blood covered teeth at Alenias.

OOCObviously this isn't Tenebrae, but a wolf whose dinner has been interrupted by Alenias. Let the fun begin.

[Aello]

Aello gulped. "Hey Alenias," she whispered. "That um... that doesn't seem like Tenebrae, whoever he or she is." The girl's heart began to pick up the pace as Yune flapped her wings wildly in a frightened manner, and flew off her shoulder. The sparrow hopped off into the woods and hopefully to safety. Aello's palms were growing sweatier by the second, and her grip on her bow seemed to lesson. Oh why does trouble always seem to follow us around? No matter where we go and what we do? Aello seemed to shrug as she slowly lifted the bow, so as not to startle the snarling wolf, whose saliva, along with the deer's blood seemed to be dripping off its teeth. Glistening from time to time in the thin trickle of pale sunlight that made its way down through the trees. "Just try not to move. To breath, to show it that you are afraid," Aello whispered, as she closed her left eye and raised her father's bow another few inches. She was sighting down the arrow as her fingers inched the bowstring back. It seemed to creak as it came to a rest beside the girl's lips, and then again, when it was resting in her fingertips, an inch behind her ear. Aello's breath had caught at her throat, and her heart was beating even faster. Alenias is far too trusting, isn't she? Aello thought as the wolf's eyes darted back and forth between the two girls, as though trying to decide which one would be easier to kill. As though trying to figure out which to go after first, which would be the best meal. "Growl at her one more time," Aello whispered. "We dare you." Her fingers curled into the string as her eyes began to flash menacingly. If that wolf moves so much as a single muscle, if he so much as blinks, let go. Aello's ears began to ring, as the numerous birds overhead chirped their warnings to each other. There was a hungry, snarling wolf about. Aello's muscles continued to tense, as did the wolve's. If his nostrils flare one more time... The wolf seemed to be pawing the ground, preparing to charge. Aello could just make out the scattering of dirt, a blade of grass being ripped out of the ground. But she didn't look, she couldn't allow herself to look away. The first to look away usually lost. A pale pink tongue seemed to ripple behind a row of glistening teeth. Oh Dira, is that thing really licking its chops? Aello wondered as she gulped again. Did it honestly think Aello would let it kill them? she wondered, as she stood silently, waiting. As soon as it moves, just shoot it. Hopefully the Kelvic can dodge... or add a move or two of her own. The bowstring inched even farther back. Her right hand was trembling slightly, the left was just immensely sweaty. Aello remembered the last time she got into a fight with a wolf. Of course, she had escaped with her life; but acquired quite the number of scratches in the process. But then again, she didn't have Alenias to look after at the time, nor was she as skilled an archer. Aello grit her teeth as the wolf pawed the ground again. Just make your move... you filthy animal. OOCUm... are you controlling the wolf, or are we sharing? P.S. I am so getting a wolf claw as a souvenir... think it'd make a pretty necklace.

[Alenias]

Part way between Aello and the wolf Alenias barely heard the first whisper from the woman, and her eyes widened as she turned her gaze from the wolf, to Aello, and then back to the wolf. Her heart started to race at the realization that this wasn't Tenebrae, but a normal dog. Dogs weren't as bad as cats, but they were still bad.

Just as Alenias was about to turn and run from the growling dog Aello spoke again, and Alenias froze for a moment. All her instincts, not to mention what Treanas had told her, was screaming at her to run and get away from the scary dog. She wanted to do what Aello said, she didn't want to make her angry, but as the wolf pawed at the ground and licked its lips Alenias' body trembled with fear.

Her heart was beating so fast and hard now she barely even heard when Aello spoke again. She had to get away, she had to run from this dangerous beast. When it pawed the ground again and gave another menacing growl her fear overcame her. Letting out a sound that was a mix between a squawk and and squeak she turned from the wolf and ran.

That was all the wolf needed to decide between the two and with a snarl it charged after Alenias. While she had a head start and a bit of distance the wolf was definitely faster. It wouldn't be long until it pounced upon Alenias.

OOCI've got no problem with controlling or sharing, so whichever one ya prefer.

[Aello]

Didn't we tell that girl not to move? Aello nodded as she turned abruptly on her heels. She watched the snarling ball of fur chasing after her newfound friend. "Oh for crying out loud, how many times do we have to shoot arrows through the length of a body before they learn not to piss us off?" Aello whispered as she lifted her bow. She knew that if she moved, after them, and tried to shoot while running, her aim would be off because when one ran, their body trembled far more than if they stood still. Not to mention, she would be more likely to accidently run into something and lose them if she ran, considering how she'd been working on her aim. Of course, the last thing was that if she shot at too close a range, the arrow may not hurt the wolf as much. The girl sighed as she pulled back on the string and sighted down the arrow. "Trying to hit a moving target is always the worst..." Aello's left eye closed as she did her best to realize where the arrow would go should she let go of the bowstring. After all, she didn't accidently want to hit Alenias. The young spiritist grit her teeth as she moved her bow an inch to the left, you don't want to fuck this one up. The girl's fingers were starting to tremble, and finally, she let go. Her heart skipped a beat as she watched the arrow fly, before lowering her bow so that she could reload. She knew that one arrow wouldn't stop much of anything, if anybody at all. To make sure that she didn't lose them, Ariel took a few steps forward, as she laced the raven feather tipped arrow onto her bow. Click. As soon as the arrow had taken to the bowstring, Aello heard a startled yelp. The girl raised her bow, and prepared to shoot once more. Aello's fingers were inching the bowstring back when the wolf turned to look at what had just caused it so much pain- a single raven feather fletched arrow was sticking out of its right hind leg. It had pierced its flesh, just above where the foot and the rest of its leg met. A trickle of warm, crimson red blood was spilling out of the wound, matting the creature's fur. It snarled as it stared at Aello angrily. Perhaps it had realized who had shot it, and thought it should reconsider its plan. Although Alenias may have been far more fun to chase, and an easier person to kill, it would have to kill Aello first, wouldn't it? Since she seemed more than capable of killing it. The wolf growled one last time, before it seemed to finally decide that it should go after Aello. By that time, Aello was more than ready, her bow had been reloaded, and her aim had been perfected. As of now, it was pointed at the center of the creature's back. Slowly, the wolf turned to face her, and Aello let go of the bowstring. The arrow shot through the air just as the creature started to charge at her. Should it have stayed in one place, perhaps Aello would have hit the wolf head on, but it didn't. So instead, the arrow seemed to skid over the creature's back, pulling out small tufts of dark black and grey fur. The skin closest to its tail seemed to part a little, making a small incision from which the occasional trickle of crimson red blood would appear. Aello's eyes grew wide as the snarling creature grew closer. She should have time to shoot one more arrow before it reached her, right? Wrong! Before the girl knew it, the wolf had tackled her to the ground. Her bow went flying from her hands, and into the air. It twirled a few times, with a low whooshing noise, before landing on the forest floor a few feet behind her with a muffled thud. The wolf's paws were wrapped around the length of the girl's body, and its mouth was in her face. She could feel its hot breath on her cheeks, and smell its metallic, blood-stained breath. A shooting pain was coursing up the length of her back, and the area behind her temples seemed to be trembling. Perhaps that was simply her veins pumping adrenaline rapidly through her body. Whatever it was, Aello found it uncomfortable, but she did her best to ignore it so that she didn't wind up being the wolf's latest catch. Aello's trembling arms were the only thing holding the wolf back. They rested in its fur, just below its neck, pushing it away to the best of her ability. A trickle of bloody saliva escaped the creature's mouth and dripped onto her right cheek. It was so cold. Gross, the girl's body seemed to shiver as her arms grew weaker and weaker. Note to self: kill all wolves when they are small so we no longer have to deal with this nonsense. "Hey Alenias!" Aello called. "Any time you want to join in, and I don't know, kill this guy, it'd be lovely!" OOCSorry, but I absolutely refuse to ruin another outfit since she just bought new clothes, slash get too severely injured... or injured basically at all. I could live with a scratch or two though. Um... you could stab it with your eating knife... Iris did that once...

[Alenias]

Alenias' heart and feat were pounding as she ran from the wolf, but then she heard it cry out in pain. Confused and curious she glanced back only to find that the wolf was no longer chasing her, and instead growling at Aello. She washed with wide eyes as Aello raised her bow and released another arrow, but the wolf was moving at it only grazed it. Alenias gave a little jump as that arrow clattered against some rocks near her feet.

In a few moments the wolf was upon Aello, and Alenias' eyes went wide with panic. This was bad, the wolf was trying to eat Aello, and if something happened to Aello Alenias would be alone again! What could she do? She had to do something, she couldn't just watch as she lost someone again, but what could she DO!? Maybe Aello could fight off the dog on her own, but Aello's call swept away that idea in a flash.

Panicking Alenias grabbed up the arrow that had fallen at her feet and ran towards the struggling pair. Screaming in an expression of her fear and desperation she jumped on the wolf's back and stabbed at it with the arrow she held. The head sank a bit into the wolf's neck, but then the shaft snapped in her hand as the wolf snarled and jerked around at the sudden pain. Alenias screamed again and tried to hold onto the wolf's back, but with a vicious shake it sent her tumbling to the ground.

Alenias didn't have time to recover from the fall as the wolf pounced on her and bit, catching her arm in its jaw. A scream of pain came from the Kelvic as the wolf's teeth tore into her skin, and she weakly kicked and struck at the large creature with her free arm and legs.

[Aello]

Aello heard something snap, and then felt the wolf's weight leave her. Shit it's going after Alenias again, isn't it? Ignoring the pain in her body, and the pounding of her heart, Aello sprang to her feet. As she ran over to Alenias and the wolf, she pulled her cursed blade out of concealment. When she was finally standing over them, Aello raised her right hand, which was clutching the hilt of the dagger between her trembling, sweaty white fingertips. "Get away from her!" Aello screamed as she brought the knife down on the center of the creature's neck. The wolf seemed to howl, as blood spurted out of the wound, coating Aello's hands, as well as its fur. The howling was followed by coughs, and then a sort of gurgling sound. The creature's teeth began to loosen their grip as Aello pulled the dagger out, and then brought it down again on the creature's neck, an inch to the right of where she had made the first incision. More blood pooled around the girl's hands, and then some poured out of the creature's mouth. Aello grit her teeth as the creature's eyes began to close. "We gave you a chance to get away you filthy bastard," she whispered, as it finally collapsed on the Kelvic's chest. Aello pulled the dagger out of the creature's neck and put it away. She sighed heavily then, as she gently pulled the creature's mouth away from her friend. "Now what did we say about running, hmm?" Aello scolded, as she surveyed the girl's wounds. Well, it could be worse, couldn't it? Aello thought as she took in the sight of the scratches, the blood. She pulled her bag off her back, and rummaged through it for her waterskin. When she found it, she opened the lid, "this may hurt," she said, as she poured some fresh water over the girl's wounds to clean the blood off. When it had all disappeared, the girl ripped off the Kelvic's bloody sleeve, and tied it tightly around her arm. "That should keep you from bleeding too much... until we can get you to a proper healer," Aello commented as she pushed the wolf off her friend. "Just try not to jerk it around too much," Aello growled, as she walked over to the wolf. She wrapped her left hand on the wolf's hind leg. It surrounded her arrow, with the right, Aello gently eased it out, and placed it back in her quiver. "You'll be fine," Aello whispered, as she pulled her knife out again. She was in the mood for a souvenir. Gently, Aello lifted the wolf's paw in her left hand, while the right cut downwards, into the bone, breaking the paw away from the rest of the body. When she held it in her hand, a bloody mass, Aello put the dagger away, and wiped the blood on the wolf's paw off on the ground. "Surely the claws will be useful for something... perhaps we could even make something with them," Aello commented. "How do you feel about a necklace?" Aello asked as she looked over her shoulder at the Kelvic. She was doing her best not to simply scream at the girl for being an idiot and nearly getting them both killed. OOCMy this looks familiar... the Kelvic gets injured, and my medicinly- challenged pc is supposed to help them. *facepalms*

[Alenias]

Alenias' world had shrunk to just include her and the dog that was latched on her arm. She was terrified, in pain, and she had no clue what to do. She wasn't strong enough to push it back or hurt it with her hands and feet, and changing to a bird would only make her a smaller meal for the dog. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad though, then the emptiness would be gone...

Suddenly Aello was standing above the wolf, screaming and stabbing it, and Alenias' eyes widened as she stared up at the woman. As the wolf fell limp Alenias knew, without a doubt, that Aello would take care of her now. Quickly as the revelation came the emptiness left, filled with the comfort that she was not alone anymore. That was then followed by the realization that she had done something Aello had told her not to. She had run from the dog.

Tears began to pour from Alenias eyes at the revelation, and even as Aello scolded her she started to sob out apologies, "I'm sorry Aello! I'm sorry I didn't do what you said... I'll never ever EVER do it again! Never!" she meant it completely. Aello would take care of her now, and so Alenias would do anything she asked.

The pain of the water on her cuts was nothing compared to how Alenias felt about disobeying Aello, and she barely gave a whimper outside from her upset crying. Her crying died down as Aello spoke to her, as Alenias didn't want to be too loud for Aello, and she gave a small nod and a, "Thank you," as Aello finished bandaging her arm.

Carefully Alenias stood back up, still sniffling softly at the unhappy thought of disobeying Aello, as Aello removed the wolf's paw, and she blinked and gave Aello a slightly confused look at her question, "A necklace? They're pretty and fun to play with," she answered, not sure what a necklace had to do with dog claws.

OOC*giggles* Aello must have an invisible sign that says, "Come here injury prone Kelvics!"

Just a little note, Alenias doesn't really have a sleeve since all she's wearin in the cloak. Not a big deal though.

[Verilian]

Alenias +1 Wilderness Survival +2 Socialization +1 Hunting +1 Stealth +1 Observation +1 Brawling Lores: Wonders of the Forest, The Taste of Blackberries, What Happens When you go Hunting, Fighting off the Wolves, Bit by a Wolf, The Emptiness is Gone, The Pain of Disobedience Loot: 1 Torn Sleeve, 1 Master Aello +1 Wilderness Survival +2 Socialization +1 Hunting +1 Stealth +2 Archery +1 Dagger +1 Medicine Lores: What the Birds Say, The Usefulness of Having a Kelvic, The Taste of Blackberries, Fighting off the Wolves, It's Hard to Hit a Moving Target, Cleaning a Wound, Taking a Souvenir Loot: 1 Bloody Wolf's Paw, 1 Kelvic You Question My Logic? : Okay.. so there is a lot of xp here and I'm too lazy to explain it all. So if you feel I missed anything or got something wrong, feel free to PM me and I will be happy to reconsider. Notes: Well, Alenias, I hope you are ready for a life of terrible alleyway encounters, rabid wolf attacks, weird hypnotists, and scary ghost people.. cause that's what you'll get if you stick with Aello.