Shh! We're Huntin' Wabbits [Attn: Roan/Bastian]

Hama Valon, the city around the Grey Tower.
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Welcome to Hama Valon! The aptly named 'mountain guard' is the city that has grown up at the gates of the Grey Tower at the western edge of the Two Rivers. Like all cities, there are quiet quarters with pleasant inns, such as Elman's Creek, which used to be the nearest village when the Tower was young, but was absorbed as the new city grew; its Band of Brothers Inn is still a favorite relaxation spot for many of the Tower's denizens. And again, like all cities the world over, there are less pleasant places--narrow, nameless streets that house hells and other houses of ill repute. Most of the city falls somewhere in between, with hawkers crying their wares in the streets, respectable shopkeepers ready to serve you, and petty cutpurses happy to follow you.

Novices, Soldiers, and drin'far'ji must be accompanied by a chaperon when outside Tower walls or they risk being picked up as runaways and duly punished.
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Bella
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PC: Miahala Darrow Sedai
SC: Lysira Viathene Gaidin
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Location: New England

Shh! We're Huntin' Wabbits [Attn: Roan/Bastian]

Post by Bella » May 25th, 2018, 10:23 pm

The tiny Gaidin crawled adeptly along a thick tree branch, eyeing a buck with an impressive rack down below. It was gazing serenely in a clearing just a little ways ahead, not visible if you were tracking from the ground but able to be seen from a higher vantage point. And as Lysira had spent many years of her life climbing trees...

Once satisfied in the terrain and quarry, she crept back just as carefully and then dropped to the ground.

Her small feet in their soft-soled boots hit the ground without a sound, landing almost precisely where she had been before and directly beside the Ji'val Bastian Vass, where he had been waiting on her to report her reconnaissance. Once she waited for him to be aware of her, she used a combination of signs--of which she'd taught him a few--and more rudimentary gestures to tell him.

One buck. Just over twenty paces northeast.

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Re: Shh! We're Huntin' Wabbits [Attn: Roan/Bastian]

Post by Roan » May 27th, 2018, 7:48 pm

Bastian
The large Ji’val didn’t hide that he’d been somewhat startled when Lysira dropped next to him. He’d learned over the months he’d trained with her that she could quiet as a mouse when she wanted to be, and hadn’t ever met someone so light on their feet as the smaller Gaidin. Smaller, but certainly intimidating in her way.

He watched closely as she signed what she saw, and a slow smile came to his lips, “Sounds. . .” He stopped himself, option to practice the signs he’d been learning while working with the Gaidin. Sounds perfect. One of us should stay, he hesitated, looking confused. Eventually, he whispered, “Stay downwind.”

The large Ji’val continued with the signs once he got passed the word that he didn’t know, And the other of us can flush him out. He looked to her bow with the Herons on it and smirked a little more, You will be the better shot, so I will do the flushing.

There was an advantage to using the signs when hunting. It was less likely that a hunting party would startle their prey, as they could remain a bit more stealthy signing rather than talking.
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Bella
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Re: Shh! We're Huntin' Wabbits [Attn: Roan/Bastian]

Post by Bella » May 28th, 2018, 4:01 pm

Lysira smiled, pleased with his progress when it came to learning and using the language of signs. Some people took to it better than others did, and he'd taken to it fairly well. It was a pleasure for her because it meant that she could communicate directly with someone, rather than having to use an intermediary. While she'd long grown used to that, this was still much preferred.

Truth was, she liked the big Ji'val. The fact that he'd been willing to learn her language at all had instantly put him in her esteem.

'Good plan,' she agreed, signing a little slower than she might have otherwise just to be sure that he followed along. She gestured for him to head off into position while she pulled three arrows and held them in her one hand, though she knew she'd only need one. But overconfidence never got anyone anywhere good.

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Re: Shh! We're Huntin' Wabbits [Attn: Roan/Bastian]

Post by Roan » May 28th, 2018, 5:03 pm

Bastian
Learning how to read and use her signs made their hunting trip possible. Trying to hunt the buck with her translator in tow would have been more than a little challenging. Part of Bastian was also glad to have the one on one time with the Gaidin, though realizing as much was surprising to him.

Pushing the wayward thought out of his mind, the Ji’val moved off in the direction indicated by Lysira, doing his best to be as quiet as he could be. As he moved through the brush, he caught sight of the buck, and knew the Mistress of the Kitchens would be pleased if the pair could bring it back for her.

Careful of where he put his feet, Bastian managed to get upwind of the buck. It did’t take long for the beast to catch his scent. Its head came up and the ears shot forward in Bastian’s direction. Taking a step towards the buck was enough to get the beast to turn and run. The Ji’val followed, though was careful about his distance to not just the beast, but also his position relative to the Gaidin.

Bastian didn’t hear the Gaidin’s shot, but that didn’t surprise him. What he did hear was the buck collapsing not too far in front of him. He also wasn’t surprised when he came upon the buck’s body that it was already dead. Looking up, he signed, Beautiful shot. I don’t think he knew what hit him.
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Bella
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Location: New England

Re: Shh! We're Huntin' Wabbits [Attn: Roan/Bastian]

Post by Bella » May 29th, 2018, 10:15 pm

'I hope that he didn't,' she replied, her smile and expression earnest. 'This creature's death will serve so that we can live, but I would never wish the animal to suffer in the process.' She hoped he would be able to follow all of those signs, though some she couldn't quite recall if they had worked with or not.

She moved closer to the body and knelt down beside it, double-checking that it was dead and then pulling out the arrow. She put it back in her quiver. 'Let's get him field dressed and then back to the Mistress of the Kitchen to work her wonders.'

Stepping back, she began to take care of her bow so it wouldn't be in the way, letting him start the process, but she hadn't gotten very far when she heard something. Her head snapped to one side and she stomped one foot on the ground to get Bastian's attention. Her eyes widened slightly as she searched their surroundings for the source of the sound...

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Re: Shh! We're Huntin' Wabbits [Attn: Roan/Bastian]

Post by Roan » May 30th, 2018, 12:26 am

Bastian
The Ji’val focused on her signs, and followed the gist of what she was saying. There were one or two signs that he wasn’t sure about, but he was able to fill in the blanks. . .dressed and Mistress were new signs for the large man. He smirked and nodded as he moved over to the buck and tugged it over to a pair of trees that he’d be able to tie it between.

Pulling his pack off his back, Bastian was about to pull a rope from it when he heard Lys storm her foot. Looking up, he realized something caught her attention and he froze in place and strained to listen. After a moment or two, he stood up and an arrow landed between his legs.

The arrow was the only warning the pair got as chaos erupted all around them. Buck forgotten, Bastian pulled his two axes from his belt and brought them up in time to block a sword swing that was meant to decapitate him. Someone kicked him from behind, and he let the momentum carry him forward into a roll. He came up on his knees, and brought his right axe around horizontally into the one man holding a bow.

The archer didn’t have a chance, and doubled over as his insides became his outsides. Bastian twisted and stood, bringing his left axe up to block another swing, but he didn’t see the sucker punch that came from the opposite side. As he went down, he counted six assailants still alive.

The one who sucker punched him kicked him in the mid-section while the other one turned to take on the Gaidin. From where he was, Bastian couldn’t see the small Gaidin for all of the bodies between him and her. He also didn’t have much time to really look as he rolled away from another kick as he looked for an opening to get to his feet.
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Bella
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Location: New England

Re: Shh! We're Huntin' Wabbits [Attn: Roan/Bastian]

Post by Bella » June 4th, 2018, 11:42 pm

Why did this stuff keep happening to her?

Lysira almost just stood and sighed, looking at the men that suddenly flooded into the clearing around them. It took but a moment for five to be moving in on her. At that second moment, she wished she had a voice so she could shout, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! But, alas, she did not have a voice so she could not shout.

In the third moment, it was a brawl.

She leaped from the ground directly at the man right in front of her. Given that he had two long swords and she had a hunting knife, he clearly didn't expect that. She didn't care. The element of the surprise could be a glorious thing. Her tiny form slipped through the gap between his big arms and she latched onto his head.

The Darkness was already starting to crowd in, and she couldn't spare the energy to hold it back for long. Five men was still a lot, even for a Gaidin of the Grey Tower...particularly when they were too close for her to use her best weapon. So, she drove her little hunting knife into the back of his neck.

He fell instantly. She threw herself off him and hit the ground on her hands and knees, rolling to the side so he didn't land on her. On her back, she saw the legs of another man right by her head and she instantly swung her knife-hand over her head and back into his shin. He screamed and fell beside her, where she tackled him and slashed his throat.

When the hot blood hit her face, she couldn't seem to stop herself from licking her lips.

The Darkness consumed the blood, the metallic taste on her tongue sending it screaming to the forefront of her mind. The storm clouds rolled through her eyes as her head snapped up and she grinned, blood on her lips, at the man who had started to come toward her. The look on her face made him stumble a step, but it wouldn't save him.

She sprung off the ground like a cat, grabbing him and driving him to the ground. They rolled around for a moment while he flailed in an inelegant attempt to stab her. She was like a viper, diving and ducking away from his attempts. Her head drove up into his, breaking his nose and spraying her again with blood.

A silent scream flew from her lips as she as she bit his neck, latching on with her teeth. His flailing only made the flesh tear easier until too much blood had fled his veins to sustain his life.

Who is next...
Spoiler: show
OOC: Three of the five are dead. You can have Bastian do something to one or both, or see Lysira gut one or both, etc., and then do your thing. :P

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Re: Shh! We're Huntin' Wabbits [Attn: Roan/Bastian]

Post by Roan » June 16th, 2018, 3:32 pm

Bastian
Bastian ducked as a sword flew within centimeters of his head. In a rather unorthodox move, he launched himself into the assailant’s mid-section, tackling him to the ground. The man flailed and tried to bring his sword around, but he was at a distinct distinct disadvantage given Bastian was well within the man’s guard. With one solid swing of his axe, Bastian returned the bandit to the Pattern.

The Ji’val had been aware Lysira had taken on three of their attackers, and had been vaguely aware the fight between Gaidin and bandits was vicious and bloody. He got to his feet and saw Lysira engaged with what looked to be the last of their attackers. She showed no mercy as her hunting knife moved swiftly, gutting the man where he stood. She followed it up with a slash at the man’s neck, and seconds later, he fell to his knees and then to the ground, dead.

Looking to the corpses, Bastian saw the viciousness of the Gaidin’s attack. Did she bite that one’s neck? he thought.

Movement caught his attention, and he realized Lysir was moving towards him, looking like a predator ready to pounce. The look in her eyes was wild, and he wondered if she recognized him. He got the sense if he made the wrong move, she’d end him as he did the others.

“Gaidin. . .Gaidin, the fight is over,” Bastian spoke in a soft tone, trying to reassure the woman in front of him. “I am no threat to you,” he added, holding up his axes, “See? I’m putting these down.” He moved slowly, not taking his eyes off the Gaidin as he knelt down and placed his axes on the ground. Coming back up just as slowly, he held his hands up, “I am unarmed, and no threat. The threat to us. . .to you is over. The fight is over.”

Unsure if he was getting through, Bastian took a hesitant step towards her, “Come back to me, Gaidin. Come back to me, Lysira.” He continued to speak in soft tones, hoping to pull her out of whatever her current reality might be.
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Bella
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Joined: April 14th, 2015, 11:28 pm
PC: Miahala Darrow Sedai
SC: Lysira Viathene Gaidin
TC: Gareth Tomosan Asha'man
QC: Natlya Cade Gaidin
QC: Andraste Alhandra Sedai
Location: New England

Re: Shh! We're Huntin' Wabbits [Attn: Roan/Bastian]

Post by Bella » June 18th, 2018, 2:41 am

The Darkness prowled slowly, staring at the big one across the clearing from her. The look in those dark eyes was stark, clearly determining whether he was something to fight or...well. Something else.

She wiped the blood from her mouth and chin with the back of one hand, then licked the blood from it without taking her obsidian eyes off of him. He was speaking, and the words slowly seeped into her mind. They didn't mean much just yet, but the fell through the shadow like faint rays of light piercing storm clouds.

He put the blades down. That made her pause. She tilted her head in a sudden, jerky motion, like a curious raptor. Her nose twitched as she smelled the air, filling her scenes with the heady metallic tang of the blood.

"The fight is over."

What nonsensical words, The Darkness thought. When was the fight ever over? No. No, the fight was unending.

The big one stepped towards her and she tilted her head the other way, her dark brows drawing down over unblinking eyes. His voice was soft, almost preternaturally so. There was... There was something about it that she didn't understand, but it coiled around her brain in a way that displeased The Darkness.

And yet for all its displeasure, it felt its power weakening.

"Come back to me, Gaidin."

Come back...

It felt like her brain shuddered, the shadows swaying--they fled to the edges, then fell back in, then shifted out again. The battle for her mind was well underway, and she stood there, staring, as the war was waged. The predatory look slowly left her eyes, though. At least some of it did.

"Come back to me, Lysira."

Lysira... She knew this name. The sound of it, especially from his lips, pierced the shadows and drove them away. She blinked once, and then she blinked rapidly. Swaying for a moment, she felt her body drop to her knees and she just barely caught herself on one hand as she held her head with the other and groaned without sound.

Shifting her weight, she settled back on her knees and looked up at him. The beast, the shadows, were gone. Instead, she just looked weary, and still partly swaying where she sat.

'It happened again, didn't it?' she signed, even her hands somehow conveying her tone of remorse something akin to fear.

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Re: Shh! We're Huntin' Wabbits [Attn: Roan/Bastian]

Post by Roan » June 19th, 2018, 1:05 am

Bastian
It seemed touch and go as to whether Lysira would launch herself at him. If the Gaidin did, he doubted he’d be able to defend himself. It seemed to take forever, but eventually, the diminutive Gaidin sunk to her knees and signed. Bastian noticed how her hands shook slightly and how every part of her seemed. . .shaken? He wasn’t sure he could quite read her emotion, but he sensed regret or remorse.

Closing the distance between them, Bastian knelt in front of her and shook his head, “I am not sure what you mean by it happened again, but. . . I think I lost you somewhere in the course of the fight. You fought like a woman possessed.”

He looked at the carnage that surrounded them, “The thing is, had you not fought that way, I’m not sure either of us would be standing here while these bastards have been returned to the pattern.” The Ji’val reached up and wiped blood from his nose and lips, “The last one I fought nearly got the drop on me.”

While he spoke, Bastian was examining Lysira, but he couldn’t tell if she was injured or not, “Are you hurt at all? And. . .what do you mean ‘it happened again’?”
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