(Flashback) A Walk in the Woods (Elysia)

by **Blythe** on January 5th, 2011, 12:43 am

30 Summer, 507 AV

Blythe was leaning up against the trunk of a tree. The bark was light brown, old, and gnarled. It made Blythe think of a wise old man. She sighed, running her hands over the yellow-tinted pages of her journal, which was resting in her lap, trying to think of something to write as she peered out at the sky, which was hidden behind the treetops. The sun was shining through the bright green leaves, causing their edges to blur. Small yellow dots with blue rims appeared in Blythe's vision, and she instantly shut her eyes, and bent it down towards her journal again. She shook her head a bit, before opening them, her vision now, more normal. The dots much smaller. It took a few moments for them to pass, and for Blythe's mind to clear long enough for her to come up with the lines:

it cuts
like a blade
through flesh
bringing tears
and blood

Well, that's rather... morbid, Blythe thought, silently scolding her brain, as she began to make out the subtle sound of a few leaves rustling behind her. Blythe shut her journal, just as she heard another faint rustling sound. Now what could that be? Blythe wondered, as she stuck her journal back into her bag, and slowly got to her feet, slinging her bag over her shoulder in the process.

Just then, something whooshed past her head. "What the?" Blythe began, lavender eyes wide, as another thing shot past her head. She supposed she wasn't going to get much done that day. Blythe looked around, wondering where the projectiles had come from, trying to determine which direction she should head in to investigate.

by **Elysia** on January 5th, 2011, 1:03 am

With her eyes locked on the target of the tree a head of her quite a few tiger lengths away, she took her aim, one light brown eye open staring at the tree; she pulled back and let go.

The arrow soared only three tiger lengths away out of the seven. Elysia missed her target by a long shot. She so badly wanted to get to her target. How was she supposed to save mom and dad with such a pitiful aim? Frustrated, she rustled against the bushes.

She reached for another arrow from her quiver across her back. Her hand reached only air. Out of arrows, she thought. With a defeated sigh, she went to search for her arrows.

A girl with a backpack stared back at her, she looked terrified. Then is hit her, this girl was there when she was shooting the arrows.

"I'm so sorry, I checked to make sure no one was here before I started." She apologetically exclaimed.

by **Blythe** on January 5th, 2011, 1:26 am

Blythe stepped out from behind the tree. Her bag slung over her shoulder, she walked forward a few steps and met the gaze of a young Konti woman. The woman was holding a bow, and had an empty quiver latched to her back. Perhaps that's what that whooshing noise was, Blythe thought, arrows.

Blythe smiled shyly at the woman, allowing herself to take in each of the woman's features. The woman was shorter than Blythe. Long, wavy strawberry blonde hair tumbled down past her shoulders, coming to an end at her lower back. She had pale skin, that almost seemed to glow, and light brown eyes.

"I'm so sorry, I checked to make sure no one was here before I started," the Konti girl exclaimed, apologetically, her eyes growing a bit wider. Blythe tilted her head to the side, watching her with a playful glint in her eyes. Blythe didn't know of any Konti archers. Guess each day brings something new, she thought, before saying, "well that's quite alright, it's not like you hit me," Blythe laughed, hoping to cut through some of the fear and tension that surrounded them with her words.

by **Elysia** on January 5th, 2011, 1:45 am

A nervous smile curved her lips from the comment and then looked away. This girl had a pretty face, not to mention her pure white scales that seemed to shimmer a pale pink when the light hit them just right. Her short blond brought out her lavender eyes as she stood there staring at Elysia. Also this girl was taller than she was which made her feel more a child.

"Truly, I am sorry. I could have hurt you." She said as she started searching for her arrows. She found one and put it in her quiver. She remembers that she had about five of them. A thought rushed to her mind. Being so worried she would have maimed this sweet girl, she forgot to introduce herself.
"My name is Elysia Sylph, what's yours?" She said in a shy voice.

by **Blythe** on January 5th, 2011, 2:00 am

"Truly, I am sorry. I could have hurt you," the girl said, as her gaze darted back and forth across the forest floor, searching for something, or so it seemed. Perhaps she had been afraid of Blythe's gaze? Blythe wondered, as the girl walked a few steps, and reached her hand down to the ground, bracing the area around what Blythe soon discovered, was an arrow, and gripping the area closest to the tip with the other, she wiggled the arrow out of the ground. The girl stood back up straight, placing the arrow in her quiver.

"My name is Elysia Sylph, what's yours?" the girl inquired in a shy voice. "Blythe," Blythe replied, still eyeing the girl warily. She seemed innocent enough, but also, somewhat flaky. Blythe absentmindedly ran her fingers through her short blonde hair. She shifted her weight from her right leg to her left, before asking, "do you need any help finding the rest of your arrows?" Blythe figured that she may be able to help her find them considering they had shot past her head only a few moments before, not to mention, who didn't need someone else to talk to? The potential of making a new acquaintance, even a life-long friend?

by **Elysia** on January 5th, 2011, 2:45 am

"Blythe," she replied back with a blunt tone. Elysia could see she was still uncertain about her, seeming how she almost injured her. Though fair her feelings were, Elysia felt even worse.
Blythe shifted her position before asking, "do you need any help finding the rest of your arrows?"

Blythe didn't smile and yet still asked if she could help her find the remaining arrows. Curious. Elysia saw her question was genuine and replied with a smile, "If you wouldn't mind."

Searching the green grass of the woods, they each picked up the remaining arrows, Blythe gave the arrows she found to her and put them back into the quiver. After thanking Blythe for her assistance, Elysia examined the area of where the arrows had embedded themselves and looked at her target. She didn't get very far at all. She frowned.

by **Blythe** on January 5th, 2011, 3:00 am

"If you wouldn't mind," Elysia replied, as the two walked through the forest, pushing past low-lying branches, leaves, and bushes complete with thorns. The ground beneath them was moist, and their feet sunk into it as they walked, but neither of them seemed to care, being too engrossed in their task.

The two then pulled the remaining arrows out of bushes, as well as the ground, which had swallowed them up in its dark depths. The only thing that signified the arrow's presence being the brightly-colored tones of their fletching.

When they had found all of Elysia's arrows, and placed them all back in her quiver; Elysia thanked Blythe for helping her. "You're welcome," Blythe replied simply, as the two stood around awkwardly in the forest, as if each of them were waiting for the other to break the eerie silence that surrounded them.

Elysia glanced around the area, as if looking for something. Blythe gave the area a quick glance, seeing nothing other than trees, leaves, and dirt. "Something wrong?" Blythe asked, as she tilted her head to the side again, and looked over at Elysia.

by **Elysia** on January 5th, 2011, 3:26 am

"You're welcome." Blythe simply stated.
Elysia didn't know how to react with such a blunt person. Then again, she had a right to be dismissive for her actions earlier. Standing in the awkward silence, hearing the leaves rustle against the slight wind, she heard something.

Analyzing the area, she heard what sounded like something moving quickly. She saw Blythe do the same but for a different reason than Elysia's. "Something wrong?" Blythe asked as her head tilted to the side in curiosity.

For a moment, Elysia closed her eyes to concentrate on the sounds she was hearing. More movement, the rustling of bushes leaves, the ground thumped slightly. What ever it was, it was watching them. She could feel it. "Something is watching us." She made sure she said that quietly.

by **Blythe** on January 5th, 2011, 3:56 am

Blythe watched as Elysia closed her eyes, as if concentrating on something, but what? Blythe looked all around them, the only thing that seemed to have changed were the leaves. They were now swaying softly in the cool breeze that swept through the forest. Making a soft rustling sound.

Slowly, Elysia opened her eyes. "Something is watching us," she said so quietly, it was almost a whisper. Blythe glanced around, slightly tense, her muscles all bunched up in her body, her eyes growing wider, as if to allow for greater vision. Still, Blythe saw nothing, but she heard footsteps, she heard the rustling of leaves... coming from.... their left? She wondered, as she glanced over at Elysia, who seemed about ready to shoot another volley of arrows. Blythe simply hoped that she pointed her bow and her arrows away from her this time.

Blythe gestured toward their left with her hands. "That way?" she silently mouthed to Elysia, uncertain of whether or not the woman could actually read lips; or understand basic hand gestures.

Blythe stood silently, waiting for someone or something to make a move. Her palms had started sweating, her heart beat picking up its pace. Blythe's throat grew dry, and it felt like all the air in her lungs was being choked right out of her. Blythe seemed to scarcely be breathing. She wasn't moving anything other than her eyes, which continued to make nervous glances towards their left, so if Elysia didn't get it the first time, hopefully she would now.

by **Elysia** on January 5th, 2011, 4:18 am

Once Elysia had mentioned something was watching them, she noticed Blythe glancing around everywhere wondering where is was coming from and possibly a place to hide.

"Get behind me." She whispered to Blythe in which she immediately did so. Elysia was soon convinced her new found friend was afraid. To be honest, she was too since she didn't know what could be out there, watching, possibly even hunting them. At that thought, her heart began to race.
Don't fear, don't fear, she kept telling herself. Whatever it was she didn't want it to sense her distress.

Blythe then gestured toward their left with her hands and mouthed the words, "that way." Unsure if this was a question or a certainty, she pointed her bow and pulled back the string tightly at the direction of the possible threat. Peering through with one eye in the location, suddenly bushes rustled the bushes rustled wildly. With a gasp, she let go of the string and the arrow went flying into the dark bushes.