[Northern Wilds] Good Morning, Sunshine (Jean Forestre)

[Andalusia]

A distinctive bright light at the end of the winding path began to glow brighter and brighter as they neared it; a blinding contrast to the muted, dim glow of the forest. The bleariness was so peaceful, mild, and sleep-inducing, threatening to dull the senses of any unsuspecting, easily distracted traveler or hunter. It took a lot of strength for one to switch their focus from the mystifying beauty to the gifts that it held. Andalusia's mind narrowed down to that one slit of light, her focus tunneling into the fact that food was close, and she needed to be alert and in charge, in order to obtain some.

"No need to be sorry, really. It's nice to meet you too, Andalusia. A beautiful name, by the way," Jean replied with a supportive smile, shrugging her shoulders casually. Andalusia returned the smile with a simple nod, watching with an anticipating expression on her face as the auburn-haired woman took quicker steps forward to catch up with Dante, who already through the light and into the clearing. "I'd like to keep on the move, if that's okay," she turned to glance at her as she spoke. "Mhm," Andalusia hummed enthusiastically, breaking into a little jog to catch up. She let out another little chirping whistle as the pair of women had their first steps into the clearing. Dante, bathed un the sunlight of the clearing, immediately stopped in his tracks and turned around to return to Andalusia's side. "Th-there was nothing left, f-for me, in Zeltiva..." she trailed off, her tone a little sad and reluctant to delve into the topic. But, once again, her need for a friend and her want to trust overcame her doubts and fears. She turned to look at Jean, giving her a reassuring smile as she spoke once more. "I could, I could tell you about it l-later, after th-this," she added enthusiastically.

A wide, circular expanse of thick grass, framed with the deep brown trees and the shadow of their thick leaves and branches. From their place at the end of the dirt path, the rabbit holes were barely visible, situated in tiny mounds around the far edge of the clearing, camouflaged by the long blades of grass that swayed to one side whenever the breeze would come in. The sun flooded the area with a bright warmth, contrasting the cool atmosphere of the forest. Andalusia tightened her grip on her bow and made a move to retrieve an arrow from her quiver. It was secured around her waist conveniently, decorated with carved leaves and branches that were reminiscent of an autumn tree, mixed with the colors of yellow, red, orange, and brown. She gave Dante a firm nod, and the canine began sniffing the ground once more. Glancing at Jean, she waited for her to make a move to prepare an arrow for herself.

[Jean]

There was a break in the trees a ways ahead of them so she made more of an effort to quiet her steps on the forest floor. This must be the clearing with the abundant supply of rabbits. She was alert and watchful now, no longer letting her mind wander in appreciation for her surroundings. A trio of small, brightly colored birds took flight from the brush along the side of the trail, chirping sonorously as they fled into the branches above. They flew too fast for her to identify the breed. She and Andalusia broke into the clearing at the same time. Her companion had picked up her speed to a jog, and they both stopped at the edge of the path, where it ended just a few paces out of the trees. Andalusia let loose another of her bird-like whistles, calling Dante to her side. Jean looked sideways at her, smiling apologetically. "You don't have to tell me about it if you don't want to. Don't feel like you have to. I'd understand if you didn't." She couldn't imagine having nothing left at her home in Syliras. Her parents were wonderful people, and the citizens she knew were familiar and comfortable, like an old blanket. She might not like being cooped up in the city all that much, but it was still her home. Albeit the forest was just as comforting, having familiar company was always a wonderful thing. Her voice was more hushed now that they were in the clearing, taking any precaution she could think of not to scare the game away. She thought she could make out some dens at the far side of the clearing, but she wasn't sure. The grass was thick and tall, spreading in front of them like a miniature of the forest surrounding them. It blew toward them with a breeze, dancing around her waist, caressing her like a lover. She ran a hand through the thick blades in front of her. "Is that it up there?" she murmured, jerking her chin toward the far end of the clearing. Andalusia plucked an arrow from the quiver around her waist and readied it to her bow, then glanced at Jean. Dante had been given the que to go back to his search for a scent, and he went sniffing along ahead. With a last look at her companion, Jean slipped an arrow from the quiver strapped securely to her back, nocked it, and position her hands. She held the arrow steady between her index and middle finger. The rest of her arrows rattled faintly as she took a few tentative steps into the grass, glad that the breeze masked her sounds when it hissed through the tall blades around her.

[Andalusia]

"You don't have to tell me about it if you don't want to, don't feel like you have to. I'd understand if you didn't," Jean murmured, looking at Andalusia from the side, an apologetic little smile on her face. "I-It's fine," Andalusia smiled back reassuringly, giving her a gentle nod. It was a story that needed telling, but just not at this time. As they began to slowly stalk down the clearing, auburn-haired woman gestured over to the mounds up front. "Is that it up there?" she asked, her voice still and soft, almost blown away with the constant breeze. Andalusia nodded, looking straight at the dens as she licked her lips. Words were no longer appropriate; now, they had to communicate using the language of the forest.

Another chirping whistle. This time, however, it came out it little bursts from Andalusia's lips, and softer, more natural. If any other person weren't so close, they might've assumed it to be indeed, coming from a real bird. Damte wagged his tail thrice, indicating that a good number of rabbits have already gone out. A wag to the left, and a wag to the right. They were everywhere. The raven-haired girl wondered if Jean would understand their silent messages, and hoped that she did. She nodded at Dante, implying that if Jean were in need of any help, he should come to her aid. The leaves shuffled in one thick area, and Dante pointed his snout over to it. Andalusia aimed her arrow into the grassy bush, but paused. "If I hit this rabbit, the others may flee," she turned to Jean and waited for her to make a move first.

[Jean]

Another cue to Dante by Andalusia. His tail wagged, and nothing more. Jean's mouth was set in a hard line and her brows were pulled together, making her forehead crease. This was a more complex signal, and she tried to think of what it could mean. She understood the nod from Andalusia though. Dante would be her backup. Her brow pulled further together as the foliage moved ahead of them and to the left. She noticed it just a moment after the hound, and he pointed at the grass with an alert nose. As Andalusia readied her bow she warned, "If I hit this rabbit, the others may flee." Jean gave her a sideways look. Was that supposed to mean her arrow wouldn't scare them away, then? A half smile twitched up her lips, and she didn't comment. Her tired muscles burned as she pulled back her bowstring, anchoring the arrow to her lips. It felt like a hot coal was sliding up her spine, but she tried her best to ignore it. Next time I run, I think I might try breathing right, she thought sarcastically. As luck would have it, the wind decided to blow just right. The thick grass parted in a way that allowed Jean to catch a glimpse of brown fur and a partial rabbit's ear. It was crouched there, and appeared to be grooming its front paws. She sent a silent prayer to Dira, Kihala, and Caiyha, sighting the rabbit's body as the grass closed back around it. Holding her breath, she released the arrow. Thwang! The bowstring resonated and vibrated from the release of energy, then the body of the rabbit leapt above the top of the grass in shock, an arrow sticking into its side. It landed back into the foliage with a soft crunch of grass. I won't waste it, she promised Caiyha silent, then thanked the other goddesses with the kill. Jean lowered the bow to her side, waiting for Andalusia and Dante to make a move.

[Andalusia]

Grinning, Andalusia flashed her companion a thumbs up. She took quite a while to prepare herself before shooting the rabbit, and it intrigued her if it always took that long for her, and if she had anything in her mind beforehand. Giving Dante another nod, the canine made his way through the tall grass, practically disappearing in it if not for his tall, pointed ears. Andalusia tiptoed through the grass behind him, and when the canine stopped, so did she.

The Luvanor turned his head to the left, and then to the right. There were two this time. Andalusia turned her head to the side and glanced at Jean, a silent gesture that told her that she could have one of them. "They're far enough from each other," she thought, preparing an arrow and pointing it towards the direction that Dante had pointed her to. Three deep breaths, and she brought the arrow tail towards her, pressing it close to her cheek, her eyes in line with the arrow's tip. The wind blew too softly, and there was no clear shot. She could only see long ears from time to time, and even if it was enough for her to track the head, it was a risky move. Quickly, before her arms could grow weary, she turned to the rabbit on her right. Its ears were jerking about, obviously sensing Dante's presence, as the canine was much closer to it. As luck would have had it, it immediately rose on its hind legs to scan the area over the grass. Her breathing hitched and she held it, aiming and shooting in one fluid motion. She hit the rabbit dead in the neck, its body going limp as it fell upon the grass.

"Good job, boy," she mouthed as Dante turned his head to look at his master, seemingly swelling with pride as he reached over to lick her chin. She stroked his head gently, a careful reminder of their need to be cautious. The grass began to rustle quite a bit as the other rabbit began to scamper away, only fortunately, into Jean's direction. Other rabbit ears began to move around the tall grass in the distance, rising up to check if the coast was clear, only to find nothing from where they stood. Thankfully, the pair hadn't charged in just yet. If they had, every single rabbit would probably flee and return to their burrows. Some other bushy tails bounced closer to them, but it would be for the best to take things slow.

[Jean]

She smiled at response to the thumbs up. Andalusia and Dante waded into the grass a ways, then stopped. Jean waited where she was, relaxing her grip on her bow so it barely stayed hooked in her loosely closed fingers. A message must have passed between the hound and his master, because Andalusia turned to look at her. She nodded and re-gripped her bow. Watching Andalusia ready and make her shot was a learning experience. The woman was obviously better with a bow, so she examined her technique. Her elbow was lower than Jean held her's, and her legs were closer together. She nodded absently, making note of this. A rabbit rose on its haunches not far from Dante, then a moment later an arrow was sticking from its neck. A good shot, Jean thought, impressed. Then the real hunt began. The grass rustled with movement, bobbing and swaying. The other rabbits were starting to run, but in the wrong direction. They were coming toward their hunters. Jean's mouth set back into a grim line as she nocked another arrow. She pulled the end back to anchor at her lips and aligned the arrowhead with a rustling line of grass. The hare was hidden by greenery, but hopefully she could still make the hit. Her elbow was lower and her legs were closer together, just as she'd seen Andalusia stand. It made it easier to hold the bowstring taut. She released the arrow. It hissed behind the mark, making the hare dart off in another direction. The thud of the shaft imbedding into the earth startled the rabbits in all random directions, away from the epicenter of the arrow. "Petch!" she growled under her breath. Quickly, she nocked another arrow, looking at Andalusia and Dante apologetically.

[Andalusia]

"It's fine," Andalusia mouthed, quickly nocking another arrow in place as she watched the rabbits scamper. Quickly, she aimed for one that seemed to be slowing to a halt not too far away. Without preparing, she immediately stretched the bowstring and sent the arrow flying, only to have it miss within a few inches as the creature immediately bounded off once more. The rabbit stopped, turned towards her and stared, its dark beady eyes seemingly laughing at her. The raven-haired girl sighed, running her numbing fingers along her head as Dante whined at the loss. She turned to the other rabbits and found that most of them had begun to retreat back into their dens.

She turned to Jean and smiled sadly, but then returned to looking about for more of the rodents. A pair of them was grazing near one of the rabbit holes. If she got this right, she'd have one of them to take home. She gave Dante a hand signal to stay put as she nocked an arrow, crouched onto the ground and began to stalk towards the oblivious pair. Unleashing the arrow while bent to the ground will be rather difficult, but it was a new experience all the same. She kept one leg up, her foot perpendicular to her target as her torso was, and had her other leg kneeling on the ground. Taking the arrowtail between her forefinger and middlefinger and pressing it lightly onto the side of her lip, she pointed the tip at the plumper rabbit's head. Dante sat behind her impatiently, his ears flicking with excitement at the sight of the potential meals. She took a deep breath and then held it, focusing her dominant eye on the prey, but as she loosened her grip to set the arrow soaring, Dante emitted an exasperated growl.

As she lost her focus, so did the arrow. It flung onto the rabbit's romp and had it squirming for safety, squeaking at the pain. The whizzing sound of the arrow was enough to send the rest of the rabbits home, including the one next to her target. "Oh no," she whispered, as a pang of sadness hit her chest so hard that it had her wobbling to get up. Dante quickly followed his master as she rushed to the injured rabbit. It lay there, very much alive, its paws shivering and ears shivering. The faint sound of gnashing teeth emitted from its pursed mouth and sent painful daggers through her veins. "I'm so sorry," she whimpered, tears threatening to fall as she knelt down and proceeded to remove the arrow as gently as she could. It was cracked and broken, and while it did not kill the rabbit, it had inflicted on it a mortal wound. Hunting was easy when your prey died at once, but she had never had to kill the animal after hitting it. It felt different, and a little wrong.

She didn't want it to feel pain, she didn't want it to experience any horrible things before it met its demise. Quick was her aim, and none else. "I'm so sorry," she repeated, as a few tears managed to escape her swelling eyes. The rabbit stopped gritting its teeth for a moment to gaze up at her weakly, and somehow, it felt as if she was accepting the apology. Andalusia gathered up all her strength and took out her dagger. Gently, she knelt down and caressed the rabbit's head, giving it a kiss on its forehead. "You'll be fine, you'll be fine," she cooed, but she choked on her words. She kept her head close to the rabbit, its shivering growing fainter and fainter. Before she could bring her knife to end the rodent's pain, its heart stopped beating. "I'm sorry," she mouthed once more, giving it one last kiss and a caress as she sat up.

OOCFeel free to bag another rabbit before they all scamper back into their dens. After your post, shall I take us to the Castle Commons?