The Hunter or The Hunted?

by **Fyra Ashworth** on August 12th, 2014, 2:22 am

When Arvo mumbled, “Good at tracking, hn…," Col let out a tiny, "Hey!" that certainly didn't help them seem more grown-up.

Arvo continued to smoke. “Well then. In a moment, lets hunt, since you two are obviously such confident hunters and trackers, am I right?”

Fyra and Col looked at each other and grinned. They never let a challenge go unanswered. Besides, Fyra felt a strong desire to impress Arvo. Standing with one hand on her skinny hip, she answered for them. "If overconfidence was an art, you'd be the master, not us. Let's hunt."

Col noticed Koruma before Fyra did. The young boy kept glancing at Arvo's dog, eventually asking to pet him. Col piped up excitedly, "Ooh! Can I pet her, too?" Rather than waiting for an answer, Col immediately approached the dog and began petting her. "Come on, Koruma! She's so fluffy!" Col wore a wildly excited expression on his face. Fyra thought the mutt looked more mangy than furry, but leave it to Col to see the positives.

Seeing Col and Koruma's reactions to the dog made Fyra realize that the two boys were kind of similar in a way. Both had a certain pure innocence about them. Col just wasn't shy about it the way that Koruma was. Fyra realized that Col might be just like Koruma if it weren't for his close ties to family and friends. Maybe they should let the boy tag along. Goodness knows he could learn a few things about traveling in the woods... If they did he'd probably scare away all the prey, though. Fyra looked at Arvo, who was asking Koruma what he was doing in the woods. How was she supposed to prove that she was a good hunter while this boy was around? No, it wouldn't work. Koruma would have to depart. Fyra promised to herself, though, to treat Koruma kindly if she ever saw him again.

by **Koruma** on August 14th, 2014, 4:21 am

A long huff slipped through the boy's lips as he listened to the three brag about their hunting abilities. Fyra had turned several shades of scarlet as she spoke to the older man and Koruma fought the urge to roll his eyes. Her attempts to impress him were somewhat embarrassing and Koruma couldn't help but wonder if the man even cared. Between puffs of smoke, he challenged them to a hunt, but Koruma had the feeling like he was being ignored. Koruma wasn't really confident at anything, much less hunting. All he could do was stand and admire the guy's dog, and admire Koruma did.

People sucked. All everyone ever did was look down and pick on Koruma. Dogs were a completely different story. Loyal and strong, the animals never tried to belittle Koruma. His lips pursed together as he waited with baited breath for the stranger's answer. The child inhaled quickly, his eyes lighting up as a toothy smile stretched from ear to ear. Koruma was about to step forward when Col cut in front and made straight for the dog. His smile wilted into a crooked pout as leaned away from the over excited boy. With a shake of his head, he too stepped forward, bowing slightly to the man with a whispered, "Thanks."

Koruma stepped forward, but stopped when he was within arms reach of the dog. Twisting his body so that he faced towards the owner rather than he canine, Koruma crouched. With one hand hugging his knees, he offered the other for a sniff. His eyes switched rapidly from the beast to the owner, a mixture of exhilaration and suspicion clouding his gaze. On one hand, he really want to shower the dog with affection, but he knew better than to instantly trust a stranger in Sunberth.

With all attention on him, Koruma looked up at the stranger with an unblinking gaze. "Yeah," he replied as the other inquired about his name. "That's my name. But I didn't catch yours." Koruma glanced back at the dog and he smiled. Leaning forward, he tried to gently brush his finger's against the dog's muzzle. Without looking back at the man, he replied, "I was training... Or trying to anyways."

Grey eyes glanced back up at the other and a look of confusion mixed into his features. "Yeah I can use it. Wouldn't carry it if I didn't know how. Although... I guess I know how not to use it more than anything else." His free hand drifted to the scar hidden behind his bangs, tracing along the line before he caught himself. His cheeks reddened slightly and Koruma's hand shot back down to his knees.

[/quote]

by **Arvo** on August 14th, 2014, 7:35 am

“It aint overconfidence if you can back it up” Arvo rebutted. As soon as the invitation had been issued, Kourma bowed his head and whispered his thanks. Col on the other hand leapt in front of him to pet Marci first. Arvo frowned, and put a firm hand on Col’s shoulder “Now don’t crowd her.” Arvo said “You’ll make her nervous, which can easily translate into aggression.” The warning was clear in his voice “Don’t wanna lose a finger do ya?”. Kourma was different in his approach, he held his hand out for Marci to sniff. Tentatively, Marci leant into Kourma’s hand. Arvo chuckled as the boy got defensive. He was beginning to like this kid. He reminded him a little of himself as a child. “Name’s Arvo.” He said, kneeling down beside Marci and turning his attention to Kourma as he traced his fingers over a scar on his forehead, before blushing with embarrassment and hiding it with his bangs.

“You like dogs?” Arvo asked Kourma, changing the topic slightly. Most people didn’t like Marci, cause she looked mangy and was a rather unattractive and vicious looking dog. But that was what had drawn Arvo into buying her in the first place. It was silly to think he was like Marci, because what did a dog care what others thought of them? It helped to imagine they were the same though. “She’s a good dog, Marci.” Arvo said scratching behind her ears. “You need to find someone to train with.” He told Kourma “I can’t fight with a dagger, and my hand to hand combat needs some work, but you’re welcome to train with me.”

Standing up again, and finishing off the last of his tobacco, and pocketing his pipe again “But right now, I came here to hunt, and that’s what I plan to do.” He looked over at Col and Fyra “Whoever can bring back the bigger catch, wins.” Arvo said, with a smirk. “Kourma, why don’t ya come wit me and I’ll teach ya how to track, since they got a team of two over there.” He shrugged “Or not, don’t matter to me.” He said, waiting for answers to his propositions.

by **Orion Michaels** on November 24th, 2014, 4:51 pm

Frya :

Koruma :

Arvo :

Notes
Sorry to see this thread cut short, seems like it had a fair bit of promise. I like the awkward teenager you play, Koruma. Keep it up!

Open The Hunter or The Hunted?