So Much Snow! (Open)

[Arandolya]

Arandolya The only limit is the Stars . . . Timestamp: Day 6 of Winter, 511 AV A small figure, black against the snow, trudged through it with silent determination. Wrapped in her warm Kantinu, and her feet protected by knee-high boots, she was ready for the cold. Flame-colored hair hung free, unhindered by a cap, something she didn't own. Her hands were bare, holding a shortbow, a quiver on her hip. A small pack rested between her shoulder blades, full of some food, her flint-and-steel and some extra arrows. The Avora was hunting. It may seen a tad loony in this kind of weather, but everyone needed to eat, and she had to do her part if she was expect any kind of pay at the end of the season. One might say Arandolya was nuts. She said she was simply doing her job. When Arandolya let her mind wander, and her golden gaze traverse the wintery world that surrounded her, she smiled. As much as the season hindered the Inarta, Arandolya couldn't help but love the glittering radiance of the snow. It was so majestic, a silent goddess gently caressing the mortals below in this white embrace. She hummed quietly, to herself, and looked ahead of her at the crags where she hoped prey lay. Perhaps something small. Arandolya was only out here for a small bit of prey, hopefully catch a few slumbering animals. Anything too large and she wouldn't be able to bring it back. Feet crunching in the snowfall that surprised all the Inarta, she remembered how the snow cut everything off a lot faster than Arandolya or any other Inarta predicted. To Arandolya, it was a bad sign, and one that meant this season was to be a difficult one. If their mild Winter last year was any indication. Arandolya paused when she saw a small pair of prints in the snow, crouching down to glance at them. She was no tracker, and frowned slightly, wondering which way this creature was going. Looking closer, she noticed the toes were pointing behind her, and pursed her lips. Well what could go wrong? With a huff, Arandolya started setting her feet down more gently in the snow, keeping the tracks running to the left of her, eyeing them warily. She felt like they're disappear. Arandolya preferred hunting in groups, because she disliked finding herself having to track down animals by herself, but if she was going to try best to it in Winter when the tracks were clear in the snow. The tracks must've been quite old, because Arandolya found herself walking along them for a while, and was getting frustrated. "Little one, if you want to hunt, you cannot lose your focus just because your prey doesn't lay down for you." Arandolya frowned when her mother's words haunted her mind, and muttered a curse under her breath before narrowing her eyes. She will find the end of these tracks!! The wind picked up a bit, throwing little bits of snow into the air to mimic the snowfall that had happened the days previous, although not nearly as lovely as a snow storm. Arandolya raised her hand slightly, watching a few melt on her creamy palm, musing how it was rumored each one was different, as skillfully made as Inartan glass. She glanced at the tracks, worrying they were starting become a bit more covered over with the wind, but decided they must be ending soon, and carried on without a thought. A rabbit was innocently chewing on some sort of nutrition it had found when Arandolya almost walked into plain view. She caught herself, stilling her foot that was about to land hard enough to alert the mammal. Slowly, Arandolya nocked an arrow, drawing the string back, her finger resting underneath the smooth wooden shaft for precision. Closing one eye, Arandolya breathed out at the same time her arrow flew, striking the rabbit in the rump if not the heart she aimed for. Running with lithe steps, she was quick to dispatch the rabbit before it could get too far, with a simple eating knife, but it did the job. Muttering a word of thanks, Arandolya huffed and sat down at the roots of the tree. "All that for one little rabbit!" Arandolya was miffed she stayed on task for that long, congradulating herself with a bit of a relaxation session and some water. Arandolya broke out some food too, so it wasn't until a couple hours later when she rose did she realize the mistake she'd made. The wind had steadily whispered through her hair, enough to cover hers and the rabbits tracks to just more than small depressions in the snow. "Ah great." She was at least an hour's walk away from home, but leaving this place would risk travelling father. The Avora sighed, and wondered if she should risk just leaving. Well nothing good was going to come out of just sitting. Knowing enough as she approached behind the tree, Arandolya set out, keeping herself cheery with a tune, and a small smile. She'd find her way back, there had to be someone else out here, right?

[Cherie]

Cherie checked the she had not forgotten anything that she would need for her hunting trip and walked out of her small hut which stood alone on top of a small hill next to the forest. She lived there with her aunt, who also trained her in archery. The knee-high snow frustratingly slowed her progress towards the dark, mountain forest and Cherie was soon out of breath. Annoyed as she was, she could not help but smile at the sparkling blanket of white that covered the whole of Wind Reach. In the forest, where the trees were weighed down by piles of snow, her pace quickened. The pressing silence of the forest never disturbed her, in fact, she loved it.

High above the trees, circled her eagle, River, who was also hunting. Cherie envied him, gliding in the breeze, not moving a single feather until his sharp eye caught a movement on the ground far below him, then diving gracefully and again surfacing above the trees with a hare or some other animal clenched in his talons. Cherie brushed a strand of hair out of her face and trudged on, careful not to disturb the animals.

After about half a day, the rucksack she carried on her back contained a young boar and a hare. There was not much game this winter; it would be hard to keep herself from going hungry. Then, as if to invalidate her sombre thoughts, a deer ran across her path, a few feet in front of Cherie. Before she could reach for an arrow, the deer disappeared into the trees to her right. Quickly, Cherie nocked an arrow and let it loose into the trees. It did not find its target, so she reached to take another arrow from the quiver on her back and ran quickly after the animal.

She could just see the deer in front of her, but knew that she could not outrun it. Luckily for her, the beast led her into a small meadow, where she could have a clear range. Stopping abruptly at the edge of the trees, she drew back the bow like her aunt had taught her, and let go. The arrow flew the length of the meadow and hit the deer in the back of the neck, killing it instantly. Cherie was little surprised that she had managed such a difficult kill but also annoyed that there was no one to witness it. Breathing heavily, she quickly ran to her catch and bent over to pull the arrow from the neck of the deer.

Brushing away the blood from the arrow, she stood up, and sized up the deer. It was not large, but she was still doing to have some trouble carrying it home. Cherie heard footsteps approaching and stood up quickly, gripping the hilt of her small dagger. At the edge of the meadow stood another Inarta woman, she was holding a short bow, and by the looks of it had also just been hunting. Cherie smiled and returned her dagger back to her belt.

“Any luck today?” she asked.

[Arandolya]

Arandolya The only limit is the Stars . . . Humming at tune to keep her mind occupied, Arandolya's golden gaze searched the surroundings for prey, just hoping she wasn't getting as turned around as she feared. Her hands were numbing, and Arandolya had to constantly breath on them to warm them up, her breath puffing like mini-clouds in front of her. This was definitely not the hunting trip she'd planned. "I should leave these types of trips to the Endal," she muttered, sighing. Arandolya stepped softly, in hopes prey would appear, a rabbit or two to bring back with her other would be nice. At least it was something. Sharp eyes peering closely into the surrounding forests, and ears straining to hear anything other than her own breathing, it was more than sheer luck when another rabbit decided to hope out of its warmer home to venture outdoors. Nocking an arrow with practiced effiecieny, Arandolya tried not to fumble, as her hands could barely feel the wooden shaft. After just grazing the rabbit's ear, and it running, Arandolya frowned. Hunting didn't seem like a great option when gloves weren't. If she didn't hunt, she could kiss the prospect of gloves buh-bye. Perhaps they were more essential than previous thought. Dipping into the little funds she had made her worry, but if she wanted to get Seasonal Pay, she had to. Arandolya sighed, and agreed (with herself) to buy gloves at the first chance. Lost in her musing, she almost missed the deer that wandered onto her path, and practically stumbled on it. Arandolya really was not pleased with herself today, all this stumbling, and near-missing, she was starting to think she caught the rabbit more by chance than skill at this point. She crouched down, slowing pulling an arrow out, wincing at the soft sound it made brushing beside the others. The deer perked its ears, and bolted off, too finicky to risk anything. Stifling a curse, Arandolya was more than willing to give chase. The flame-haired woman ran swiftly over the snow, the pursuit giving life to her cold hands, that held an arrow already nocked, pointing to the ground. She hoped to catch the deer from it's side, where she had a better chance at hitting its wide flanks. The deer was fast to leave her in its dust though, and the arrow that almost tripped her surely didn't help. The Avora stopped, picking it up, not one to let arrows go to waste, although this was not one for her shortbow. Arandolya wasn't surprised to see the deer long gone when she glanced back up, and followed its prints, hoping to catch it off guard again -- from a father distance. Arandolya noticed a familiar flash of red in the white-lined foliage, and smiled. It had to be the hair of an Inarta! She hurried to catch up, hoping even more she was someone who knew their way. As she got closer, Arandolya stopped, seeing her draw her arm back, and backed away. She was hunting. The worst thing to do now was to barge in and scare the game away. Especially in times like this winter will be. Arandolya stayed where she was until the woman went to dispatch her prey, and approached quietly. The girl was definitely one of the Inarta, and although her hand clenched her dagger, Arandolya was happy to see she smiled and returned it back to its sheath upon seeing her. “Any luck today?” Arandolya dipped her head in a polite sign of respect, knowing this girl not to be one of the Avora caste, but of the Endal. There was not so many of them as to mistake them. She shrugged helplessly, and held up her one piece -- a pitiful rabbit. "Not as much as I'd hoped," she said with a small smile, shifting awkwardly. "Yourself?" she asked, tilting her head, untamed red hair falling in a cascade of fire.

[Cherie]

Despite the cold, a blush spread across Cherie’s otherwise pale face as she saw the Inarta woman’s expression falter slightly at the sight of her dagger. She quickly sheathed it. Why was she always so cautious? Cherie’s guarded way often led her into these awkward situations. She pushed these thoughts away and focused on the response to her question.

The red colour of her face deepened as she noticed the girl incline her head in a nod that was only reserved for the Endal caste. Cherie was, most definitely, not Endal. Shy and timid by nature, Cherie felt embarrassed to be mistaken for someone of such high authority. She was about to correct her but the girl held up her catch, a rabbit.

“Not as much as I’d hoped” she seemed disappointed, “yourself?”

Cherie bit her lip; she knew that two of three of her catches were both flukes. The deer she had caught by sheer luck and the rabbit was basically blind; she had gathered that upon closer inspection of her prey. Still, she nudged the dead deer with her foot. In death, it had lost all of its majestic beauty and Cherie felt saddened that it was she who had taken away its life.

“Well, just this, a rabbit and a boar. I dropped my pack when I started chasing the deer and they were in there.” She looked at the other Inarta, and realised that her lips were blue with cold.

“How long have you been outside in the forest?” she asked, concerned, “you must be freezing!”

OOCSorry, I didn't make it clear enough -- her eagle (River) is just a normal eagle, not a wind eagle Cherie is an Avora hunter as well

[Arandolya]

Arandolya The only limit is the Stars . . . Arandolya studied the girl absently, eyes clouding with slight confusion towards herself. Even as her blush deepened, Arandolya caught her own mistake, this wasn't the Endal she thought. Another Avora hunter. She smiled apologetically, settling back on the balls of her feet. "Hawk got your tongue?" she teased lightly as the girl chewed her lip, as though contemplating an answer; although Arandolya thought it was more simple. Following the nudge at the dead deer, her light humor whisked away as her face clouded with a mild struggle of emotions. Arandolya smiled quickly, although she was disheartened the other hunter was successful where she was not. Chiding herself saying it was room to improve, Arandolya congratulated the female, "Nice shot," as she noticed the place where the arrow had puncture the pelt. This girl could probably teach her a thing or two! "How long have you been outside in the forest?" Arandolya paused in answering, although the girl continued, "you must be freezing!" "Not too long," she said vaguely, waving her hand (pointedly ignoring it was numb) in a dismissive fashion as though it was purely her choice why she stayed out. "I'm Arandolya," she added, hoping the girl would be easily distracted at the prospect of introductions. "Of the Avora caste; hunter. " Arandolya said formally, although her eyes glittered with mirth. Maybe she was too prideful, or maybe she just didn't want to admit it to someone new. Either way, Arandolya didn't want to say she'd foolishly gotten lost in snow. "Um, why don't we fetch your pack?" the hunter asked, shifting her weight in hopes the girl wouldn't persist on topic she so eagerly dropped. OOCOh that's okay! I should've caught it on your CS. *facepalm*

[Cherie]

“Hawk got your tongue?” said the Avora playfully. She seemed quite happy and approachable.

Cherie smiled in response, although she knew how the girl must feel when she listed her prey. She saw the Avora try to hide her emotions, and succeeded in doing so, as a bright smile lit up her face. Cherie opened her mouth to explain that she had just gotten lucky today and that she had missed more game than she caught, but thought better of it and let the topic drop.

When the other Inarta noticed the arrow wound in the neck of the deer and commended Cherie on it, she dismissed the praise with a shake of her head, “the gods must have guided that arrow! There is no way I could have done that by myself”

Although it was obvious that she was frozen to the bone, the girl next to her waved her hand, responding with a vague, “not too long” then paused and added, “I’m Arandoyla, of the Avora caste; hunter”

This diverted Cherie’s attention, as intended, as she was about to rebuke the Inarta for not dressing warmly enough in the middle of winter. She laughed at Arandoyla’s slight mockery of formality and let the name roll around her tongue, “Arandoyla… Interesting name, very distinct. Well, my name is Cherie, although it’s probably not half as uncommon as yours. I’m also an Avora hunter.”

Arandoyla’s idea for going back to get her pack seemed reasonable to Cherie. Then, Cherie decided, she would go straight back home. It was beginning to get colder and the sun was about to set. It was unlikely any more prey would come out of their hiding holes. Already, Cherie’s toes were numb with cold and she didn’t want to get lost in the dark. Cherie shivered as a cold wind blew through the clearing.

“Yes, let’s go” she grunted, hoisting the dead deer onto her shoulders and stepping into the cover of the trees, “And then we should probably head home, it looks like it’s about to snow again.”

[Arandolya]

Arandolya The only limit is the Stars . . . “Arandoyla… Interesting name, very distinct. Well, my name is Cherie, although it’s probably not half as uncommon as yours. I’m also an Avora hunter.” Arandolya smiled at the fellow hunter, that much was recognizable, if the deer at their feet was any inclination. The Avora eyed it again. "Gods or not, that was one hell of a shot," she said, waving away Cherie's excuse. Arandolya pretended not to be too anxious to go back, humming quietly as she waited for an answer at her prospect. She needed to feed her songbird too . . . Arandolya was thankful when Cherie agreed, and she even offered a hand with the deer. She hoped Cherie knew where to go. The sun was lowering it's grace of the sky, and relinquishing hold to the much colder moon. It would be a chilly night tonight. "Home sounds warm," she said with a mild laugh. "Where is yours located?" she asked to create idle talk as they trekked, two bright red flames moving in a solid pace.

[Na'Leigh]

"Watch Out!" Na'Leigh screamed, her feet propelling her clumsily through the snowy valley. Searching the field for an idea she stumbled, her heavy furs dragging her down. "Gully!", feeling him press against her side in response she grasped at his harness righting herself. Waving her arms frantically to get the attention of the Inarta's below Na'Leigh continued shouting warnings. Thinking quickly, she tore at the days catches attached to Gully leaving a bloody trail behind her. Reaching the bottom of the hill the Yasi looked over her shoulder to see if the trick had worked. Though the large brown beast had hesitated at the first rabbit, batting at it with his heavy clawed fist his attention soon turned back to the bright red creatures, their movement drawing his pale eyes. The cold air made Na'Leighs eyes blur and her cold limbs ached from the run through the knee deep snow fall. Slowly speeding up as the snow grew shallower her breath was quick and shallow. Halting in front of the Avora women she leaned forward resting her gloved hands on her knees breathing heavily. Glancing up through the fog of her breath her voice evaporated from the strain. "M-mon-ss-ter...w'we have to s-ss-to-pp it..." She hissed. Knowing there was no time to get back to the safety of Wind Reachs walls she looked around frantically for inspiration. Usually the Yasi girl hunted on the plateaus formed between the mountains. Though the prey was leaner, scarcer and more cautious in the higher reaches of the snowy realm she preferred it, knowing that the more talented Avora Hunters would catch the prey in the valleys far more easily than she. In Wind Reach everyone did their share; protecting, feeding, or trading, and in return were fed and protected and financially aided by the others. In the dead of winter they couldn't afford to lose potential food because of a stumbling Yasi's attempts at hunting. Besides, her hunting dog Gully made hunting in the frozen regions difficult but not impossible. The trees though scrawny could provide some protection she thought frantically, but not enough she knew to stop the beast. Never having seen a creature like that that charged down the hill towards them she was struck again by it's broad chest and table leg long fangs. "What do we do?!" She yelped, turning to the older Avora before her.

[Cherie]

“Oh, just on the edge of the forest” Cherie replied, smiling, “I’ve lived there with my aunt since birth, so I know this area very well. I enjoy spending time in the forest”

The words had hardly tumbled out of her mouth, when she heard a frantic shriek coming from above them. Cherie froze, staring in the direction of the sound. The scuffling sound and panicked breathing came nearer; until Cherie saw a flash of red hair and a girl with her dog stumbled through the trees towards them. As she came to a halt, the Yasi bent down to ease her breathing and stuttered something inaudible.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” she asked kindly. Cherie’s face was lined with worry, but before the girl could answer, Cherie saw what had panicked her. A huge bear-like creature was pushing its way through the thin trees that separated it from the three Inarta women. In fact, it looked exactly like a bear, except almost three times bigger and fiercer. This was a dire bear. Cherie did not dare to shoot an arrow at it, as she knew not what magic this creature was infested with.

The Dire Bear :

Instead, she turned on her heel and ran, screaming at the other Inarta to follow her example. Cherie didn’t check whether they were following behind her or not, instead concentrating on a path that she assumed lead away from the city and deeper into the forest. They could not risk bringing such a fearsome creature close to the Inarta. Her plan was to lead the dire bear away from the Inarta people and then lose it somewhere in the depth of the woods and return home.

Cherie had no idea how they could possibly lose the bear, nor how they could return home when night was almost upon them.

[Arandolya]

Arandolya The only limit is the Stars . . . Arandolya looked over to Cherie as they went along, following after the other Avora in comfortable silence. "Oh, just on the edge of the forest I’ve lived there with my aunt since birth, so I know this area very well. I enjoy spending time in the forest.” She nodded, calculating it couldn't be all that far. She had barely finished her train of thought, when a piercing shriek practically made her jump had she not been used to the shrieks of the aerial creatures. Arandolya looked up quizzically, following the sound, seeing a small figure flailing her arms. A Yasi? Alone? Arandolya glanced at Cherie, seeing the same confused, and concerned look on the Avora's face, and started to stride forwards to the racing figure. The Yasi was quick, a dog at her heels, and skidded to a stop in front of her, breathing hard, trying to get something out. The red-haired female raised an eyebrow, "Repeat that please?" she asked, hearing the question softly echoed by Cherie also. Kneeling down to the Yasi's level, she didn't catch Cherie's intake of surprised breath, only when she started running (and screaming) did she take notice and look beyond the Yasi. Instead of finding some surprised game that would chase a naive Yasi, she found a large mammal racing towards them. "Dire bear!" she gasped, straightening quickly. Moments before the bear was upon them, Arandolya grabbed the little girl's hand and ran after Cherie, hoping the dog would instinctively follow. Adreneline racing, she didn't notice if the Yasi tired, if she did, Arandolya would've scooped her up and kept running, knowing the Dire Bear was at her heels. She was vaguely aware Cherie was leading them away from the village, and for a moment wondered why, until she realized the Inartan would not be thankful to have a Dire Bear on their doorstep! Catching up with the other hunter, her lungs gasped for air, not used to running this quickly for this long; her body being more for a smooth long trek for tracking. "Maybe we can trick it with all this snow, some sort of hole or something? A cliff? We won't lose it in the woods, it'll just bash the trees and keep coming," she finally got out. Glancing at the Yasi, she wondered how in the Gods' name she got a Dire Bear after her! She would have some interesting stories to tell tonight. Assuming they all had a "tonight".