As a hunter stalks... (Somewhat mature)

[Mitsukai]

Up until midday, the walk had been in silent, peaceful companionship.

Eve was certainly not the one to complain.

To her, sharing a moment with someone with no words exchanged and no shared awkward feelings was a sign that the two were intuned with each other.

And unbeknownst to Ashen, she had been lost in her own thinking too. Her thoughts consisted of plan of action for when they encountered the creature, and other scattered, unorganized bits and pieces.

So engrossed was she that it took a while for Ashen's questions to register.

"Where are you headed? What are you planning on learning as you go, and what do you know of already?"

Pursing her lips slightly, Eve mulled over the questions in her head before answering.

"I would tell you my past if I could, but I don't have much of a past to tell," she answered softly with a wry smile before falling quiet again.

Perhaps I will explain further... later on...

Moments passed before Eve remembered that she hadn't answer her full yet.

Shooting Ashen an appologetic look, she started talking again. "Hmm... where I'm going..." Eve trailed off, shrugging her shoulders. "To rid the people of that horrid creature first of all."

Eve grinned at Ashen before going on.

"In all honesty, I'll likely head towards my next destination but after that... I'm not so sure. I'd like to visit the local healers at the villages I go to and learn more of the art... maybe study a bit more magic... learn all that I can... and what I know already? Certainly not everything," she chuckled. "My knowledge is limited to healing, elemental spells, basic survival skills, and lessons learnt from past experiences. Not really much to speak of."

[3kul]

The Demon Who Hides In The Grass was huffing and puffing in exhaustion, having not anticipated that walking would be such rigorous exercise. For someone who'd never left his tiny plot of grass too far behind, the simple act of walking out and beyond the village was proving to be incredibly difficult.

To begin with, following the two women had been very tricky - he had to exit the safety of the grass to cross pathways and such, but at the same time he had to make sure that he wasn't seen by them or anyone else. On more than one occassion he'd almost lost them or that they'd spotted him, but thankfully they seemed to absorbed in their own thoughts to notice anything but themselves.

Finally he had reached the outskirts of the town, where he could take a break. He could travel much faster through these wilder areas as he didn't have to leave the grass at all, and there was no longer any risk of them spotting him. He sat behind a tree for a moment to catch his breath, listening to them converse about something or other. Something about where they were going, but not in a literal sense, so it wasn't really worth listening to.

After some pestering from the Seedlings the Demon dove back into the grass once more, silently following the two women as they continued to walk towards their destination.

((Excuse the severe lack of dialogue, but there doesn't seem to be any need for it ))

[Chronos]

In the resonating sinkhole, Mortracta could feel vibrations very well. It was the equivalent of hearing for her. Frantic footsteps. Some creature was running. Straight toward her.

Mortracta got very excited about this. She waited until he got close enough, then she raised seven of her roots and pushed them through the perimeter of the sinkhole, collapsing it. A long rasping vibration told Mortracta that there had been a scream. She loved screams. Mortracta could not locate where the boy was in the collapsed sinkhole that now amounted to a small crater, she could only tell that he was not trapped under the sod. This was bad. Snaking many roots outward, she felt around for the boy with her sensitive root hairs. Finally, she touched something that tasted just like fear. She wrapped her root quickly around Allan's legs and raised six more roots in the air, preparing to bring them all down hard on the foolish hunter's body.

[GBE]

((Aaaaaahm. Ashen cheated..... lol... Hmm, I'll try and work his personality around it all. An overbearing child, could be interesting.. ))

Rolan had heard someone wondering about somewhere, but, whilst he was distracted in his own thoughts, he'd let himself get caught of gaurd. By a twelve year old girl! A twelve year old girl!! Silently, he scolded Valis for not having spotted the girl during her flight around the farm, but then, perhaps the girl had been travelling beneath the trees.

As she tugged him towards the farmhouse, he knew she wasn't going to be listening for an answer as to why he was outside, as it did seem more rhetorical more than anything else. Noticing the bread, he figures she must have been picking up supplies. But, a farm, that didn't make its own bread, something must definately be amiss here.

Remaining silent, as the farmer pushes him aside to scold the girl, he grins as she outwits her own father, and merrily walks away down a hall, dumping her basket of bread and disappearing into another room. Turning to the father, as he begins to speak to Rolan, he can't help but notice even that tiny bit of embarrassment from him. Siezing the oppurtunity to maybe get a few answers from the farmer before he appears to be something of an interfering old man, "Heh heh. I don't mind really. Your daughter definately has a strong will of her own. Rare in some parts you know."

Pausing, to take a good look at Morgin, Rolan politely takes his hand and shakes with a mock semi-frailty, playing on his age sometimes got him exactly what he wanted. "I couldn't help but hear you discussing some kind of beast waiting to eat a hunter. Is there something out there that's been bothering you nice folk?" A small twinkle in the old mans eye provides some encouragement for the famer to speak.

As he allows time for the farmer to answer, he lifts his shoulder bag from his side, and places it on a nicely polished large surface that looks like its been used for preparing food. A few clinks sound from inside the bag, but the old man pays no attention, still fully aware he hadn't given his own name to the farmer, as was custom with his people to hold back their names until a more suitable time, or if prompted again...

((Just so you know, Rolan appears to be about 87. If you need an idea of what he's about, I can provide a link to his profile...))

[Ashen Rain]

~(Grah! Sorry guys... There's a lot going on right now it seems- especially this weekend. I'll try to post when I can!)~

[TheBlackSoul]

((I would join this if i wasn't too lazy to read all that!))

[Ashen Rain]

~(There's always the option of skimming, or politely asking for a recap. =p)~

[TheBlackSoul]

((Never mind. I read the whole thing. Sounds good-I'm coming in.
Is it day or night?))

Lunagon rested under the shade of a tree just outside of Sol'Arten.

Although it seemed like a time for him to be wandering, right now, he felt tired, and resting was more important than travelling when he felt that way.

But he reminded himself that he musn't stay here long-he had heard of some nasty creatures that lived here, and he would bet some wouldn't mind eating him, given the chance.

While he was going over all this in his mind, he noticed 2 women going past. With his sensitive hearing, it wasn't hard for him to figure out they were hunting for a creature called a "squid tapir." Whatever that was.

Regardless, what buisness a couple females had hunting down a monster intrigued him.

After some decision, he got up and silently followed the women, making sure to keep out of sight.

[Mitsukai]

((It's midday now if I'm not mistaken.))

[Ashen Rain]

~(Alright! Back, after a somewhat busy-ish weekend. It's going to get all the more busy for me for a while, and then it will simmer down for the summer before I start college...

In the mean time though, I shall now post what I can!

By the way- Yup, it's midday. However, when Ashen and Mit reach the farm, it will be evening.

And GBE, I didn't cheat. Your character said he was looking for shelter, riiiight? I just openly handed it to him!

Just so everyone knows, I may progress the story line like that at times- by using your characters slightly (though not too terribly). However, I will never, EVER power play them at all when it comes to a battle- I'd never want to endanger any of your characters and have you hate me for it later... >> unless you expressed that you wanted to be put into that type of situation.

Speaking of power playing!- *pokes Chronos* Careful with the fight scenes a bit. Seeing as how Allan is an NPC, it's not all that bad for you to say that he fell into the pit trap. Buuuuuut, if he were an actual character, you might want to try and have Morty bury herself and wait for him to stumble into the pit, rather than just saying that he did yourself. If you think about it that way, you're at least playing it safe- and he'll have to fall into the pit to progress the story line eventually. Just a... Warning isn't the right word. Information? A bit of insight for when you're not role playing against an NPC? I can't word it right, so if you don't understand, let me know and I'll try to explain again. =/

I will attempt to get a post up here soon, so you all know. I may have to do it in portions, but I'll send you all PM's to let you know when your section is up so you can read it and reply.)~

[Chronos]

((Aww. That's the problem with posting when you get back from a band concert, you don't think of things.
*kills self*
*resurrects*
*kills self again*
*resurrects and apologizes*))

[Mitsukai]

((Band concert? What do you play? And funny that you say that... I had a jazz band trip... playing for little elementary kids... during school... ))

[Chronos]

((For the band, I play Bass Clarinet and Tuba. I also play the organ, however, along with another few instruments. Those are my main three, though.))

[Swix]

((Hope you don't mind my joining too Ashen . I've had this girl in my head for a while))

~Damn foolish kids...~

The thought echoed throughout a creatures mind high up in the sky, one enjoying the midday sun as it skimmed below the wispy clouds, which occasionally afforded it a break from any heat. From this high up to human eyes it would appear to be no more than a large bird of prey, however this creature was something more than that.

This creature had the elegant head of a bird with a hooked beak, and intelligent brown eyes had been watching the young wannabe hunter as he'd ran towards his doom. The feathers that ruffled the creatures face lasted only until they reached the neck, where they shrank and changed elegantly, becoming soft fur that ran the length of its entire body, including the four feline legs and paws attached to said body and sporting vicious claws. As the fur ran along it's back it changed back into feathers where the large, elegant wings joined, beating powerfully to keep the creature airborne. A long tail, also covered with feathers, allowed steering and extra lift for something about the size of a large lion.

This creature was a griffin, and from her height in the sky she'd first watched the two female hunters leaving the village, and then with significantly more interest the young boy, attempting to attack what the humans had called 'the root monster'. She herself was classed as a monster, not just because of her strange appearance but because griffins tended to collect gold for their nests, which often got them in trouble with humans who had a weakness for it.

This was why they'd had to evolve a certain type of defense against them, so preventing drawing too much attention to themselves.

For now, however, she had no need of this defense and so circled lazily in the sky, though continuing her vigilant watch. She noticed with some interest the two females were headed in the direction of the same farm so many others had been, but had come back missing limbs, so she resolved to keep an eye on the two.

[Ashen Rain]

~(Hey... Wait a minute Chronos! You don't get that spell till you're a level nine cleric! You're only level eight!

Chronos: I don't?
Ashen: Nope.
Chronos: Oh. That would be why I'm still bleeding.
Ashen: ... So?
Chronos: ... So what?
Ashen: *gives him a look*
Chronos: ... Oh! Right! *collapses, very dead like*
Ashen: ... Good... Now, on with the show! =D

EDIT: On a side note, if you happen to read closely, you may be able to see where this story line is going.)~


To Mit, 3kul, and TBS...

Ashen's lips suddenly widened into a large smile at the mention of the word 'spells'. So the girl did know she had a gift. That would make things quite the bit easier to explain the next time Ashen had need to shift forms or summon something.

Even as the word 'summon' crossed her mind, the cogs in the back of her brain began to whirl quickly in thought. "Learning more, you say?" Ashen asked in a somewhat giddy manner as the tattooed part of her right shoulder suddenly began to glow.

Moments later, the strap to what appeared to be a thick yet somewhat flat purse appeared. Still trotting along, the banded huntress slid the thing from her shoulder and lifted the item it was attached to- not a purse, but rather a book. A spell book. Namely the one Ashen had added to her inventory of hunting items long ago, after finding it on a dusty shelf in a random room of her tree home. It was one of the few 'weapons' she could summon in her normal form, though the most she could do with it without amplifying her magical abilities was conjure a feather or enough heat to light kindling.

"Why not take a look at this?" Ashen asked, holding out the binder of spells to her companion. "You probably have enough time to red through, memorize, and practice one of those spells in there before we get to the farm- so have at it.

"Just don't go running off with it," she added with a wink, though she didn't believe Eve would do such a thing. "Other wise I might have to hunt you down along with the squid-rat."

A shadow passing over head caused Ashen's expression to wane. Looking back up at the now sinking sun, she could see ever so slightly the form of some flying creature, and what appeared to be another creature flapping it's wings quickly to catch up with the first. What they were, she was unsure of, but she hoped that it was a sign of good omen for the battle to come.

"We should be there soon," Ashen finally said, her heart beginning to beat with excitement. A strong gust of wind blew toward them, pushing the hair out of Ashen's face as she peered ahead. "Not too long now... Study up. We'll need all the help we can get."

~(Feel free to teach Eve one new spell. it doesn't have to be from the list that I have in Ashen's character sheet, since she's got more spells than just those. The ones in her character sheet are simply the ones she uses most often.

Since Ashen and Eve are traveling in open plains land right now, Lunagon is probably having somewhat of a hard time keeping out of sight. The only way he really can would be to follow behind them at a distance at which he could barely see them himself, so even with his heightened senses he may not be able to hear them.

However! Since the wind is blowing, and Lunagon is indeed down wind right now, he might be able to hear bits and pieces of their conversations. ^^)~

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

To Chronos...

Well this was very odd. Very odd indeed. Moments earlier, Allan remembered that he had been running toward something. What it had been seemed a tad foggy to him at the moment- he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

But perhaps that was due to the fact that two of his fingers were now missing from his right hand.

As his vision cleared and the realization of the pain hit him, Allan screamed. He wasn't sure how his fingers had gone and misplaced themselves, but he knew he needed to get back to the village for help. It was at this point as he tried to move that he noticed his back was against a wall. Wait- not a wall. The ground. Allan was partially under the ground.

With another scream, he hurriedly tried to pull himself free from the hole he had fallen into, without knowing how lucky he was to have a few good layers of dirt between him and the root monster. It was the kind of mistake that could save someones life if the right course of action was taken. Allan's subconscious (yet also equally panicked) mind hoped that his actions would do just that.

While Allan struggled, a tight sensation wrapped itself around his leg, pulling him tight to what little ground he had left to stand on. In that movement however, he fell upon something hard.

Realizing what it very well might be, Allan quickly sifted through the sand beneath him as best he could, finally pulling out the only saving grace he had- the now blood stained shears that had accidentally removed his fingers when he had fallen into the trap. The morbid weapon was found just in time, as six long and spindly roots rose into the air around him, preparing to smash him into the ground.

Knowing that his legs were still caught, Allan brought the sharp blades of the shears to the thick roots entangling him before quickly snapping them shut. He was unsure if they had cut all the way through the root, or if they had even done any damage at all. He silently hoped that they had at least loosened the grip of the monster somewhat, as he attempted to tumble away from the six other roots crashing down around him...

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

To GBE... A link to the profile would be nice. =D

Morgin scratched the back of his head at Rolan's question of the monster. He didn't seem too shaken up that Rolan hadn't mentioned his name, probably because it was a common occurrence with how his daughter seemed to collect any one who strayed too close to their fence.

"Actually," the green haired farmer finally admitted, "There is. we've got a rather terrible beastie that keeps eating my crops up. It's a squid tapir I'm told- and I'm also told it's a strict carnivore, but it's out there, day by day, eating my crops and my profit. I don't know wh-"

"It's because your crops stink," came the shrill voice of the young girl. Again, she had snuck up upon them all. "They smell like something dead, so the beast wants to eat it. Simple."

Before Morgin could respond, Deanna had disappeared down the hall again. The green haired farmer growled slightly and turned back to Rolan, shaking his head. "One of these days," he muttered, "She'll realize my sacrifices for her... One of these days..."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Morgin finally began to calm down. "In any case," he continued, "It's a squid tapir, and it hasn't been safe outside since the first hunter came and the bugger got a taste of human flesh.

"Now all we can do is wait." Morgin bowed his head and turned toward the window, peering outside as the sun slowly sank. "If we don't get some new hunters soon, I wont have the crops I need..."

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~

As the griffin circled lazily, another creature of flight hurried to catch up with it. the wing beats of it's snowy white wings were near silent, and it's dark, wizened owl eyes sat blankly staring above a maw of razer sharp teeth. It's body shape was similar to that of the creature it sought, but they gray fur, black spots, and tufted ears of the beast would show at a glance that this griffin was of a different breed. By the way it flew, one would think it were trying to catch up and converse with it's lion like cousin, but the lynx/snowy owl hybrid's poised talons made it a different matter.

The anger and actions of the mountain griffin may have been different, if it had not been bred to listen to the commands of the pale elf riding on it's back. The fair skinned, fair haired humanoid moved into a somewhat standing position upon his mount, lifting a spear like object with him. Poised, he lifted the weapon and threw it toward the griffin before him with deadly accurate aim...