Predator and Prey (Zahlee)

by **Asher Salvatore Arc** on July 13th, 2012, 2:24 am

OOC :

45th of Summer, 512AV

Salvatore didn’t know how to do much. In fact, he never did much of anything. He tended to wander until something caught his eye or he would look around for a place to find work. But he wasn’t looking for work at this time, he was instead trying make himself useful. Sort of. The Spires had not been the most inviting places when he found it but now it was more a matter of attempting to find someplace he could help rebuild. Of course, there weren’t a whole lot of options left.

He had tried building and found that he either crushed his own fingers or someone else’s. Helping gardening hadn’t been bad but he learnt that he seemed to have allergies to various plants and coughing all over the food was a no-no. So, yet again he had been shoed away. The Jamoura seemed to mostly trust him, if only because he didn’t have a weaponing and even with his scars he did not look threatening. Or so he had been told.

So lost in these thoughts and wondering what exactly the plant coming out of the tree was he nearly missed his step and fell off a petal. Again. Luck was on his side though and rather than fall off the petal he fell into it face first. Lifting himself quickly and straightening out he instead found himself staring into the eyes of an un-amused being. It almost looked as if they pitied him. Smiling slightly he spoke briefly, “Second time I’ve nearly fallen off these things. I’m beginning to think I’m afraid of heights.”

by **Zahlee** on July 13th, 2012, 3:38 pm

As Zahlee walked towards city's main entrance he began to realize just how hot it was and how hard it was going to be to catch anything. Nonetheless he continued forward bow slung across his back and few arrows resting in a mostly empty quiver. He knew that sooner or later he would either have to go buy some or make them. He would of course try the latter first in an effort to conserve money. That's when he spotted a man walking towards him along the road.Curious as to why he had never seen him before he was about to ask when he was cut short as the man almost fell off the petal. Zahlee's heart skipped a beat and ran forward in an effort to help but he realized he wasn't needed as the man pulled himself up.

"Are you alright?"

by **Asher Salvatore Arc** on July 13th, 2012, 4:46 pm

I am afraid of heights. The last fall was not pleasant. Oh! Look a person.

Straightening himself out a bit more Salvatore gave the other person a quick once over, not really remembering how he had ended up this close to the cities edge in the first place. Only just realizing the person was, in fact, speaking to him he gave a lopsided smile "Fine, fine. I fall often."

I sound much to proud about that. "So where are we, then?"

His eyes only just now taking in the other mans bow and appearance, the second thing catching his attention that this person was not a giant ape. Seemed that there would be other people aside from himself in this city. Or almost city. Gesturing to the boy and leaning around the other a bit he got a good look at it before asking the question, though it was more directed at himself than his unassuming companion.

"So, is it hunting or shooting? Wonder if they hunt in the trees?" Shrugging lightly he began walking and speaking, almost as trying to coax the other into coming with him, as if he had been the one to start this little venture. "Do you stay up here or go down?" Inviting oneself is rude. But I do want to go, so I'm not seeing a problem. Asking is nice. "Right then, mind if I join you?"

Salvatore was not exactly waiting for an answer though, he mind ambling away with his body, almost pacing the petal because in all honesty he wasn't quite sure how one left the city, he didn't even really remember how he'd gotten up there in the first place. He'd have to work on that.

by **Zahlee** on July 13th, 2012, 5:54 pm

Zahlee didn't know how to react at first. He had never once seen anyone talk to themselves so openly before. It made him curious as to what else this strange man would do in public."You are close to the edge of the city. I take it your new here?" he asked politely. Zahlee had always been one for showing manners even if the people even if they were complete jerks or like the man standing in front of him who was a tad bit weird. After several moments of mental debate, and looking the man over thoroughly he made a decision. "I do not mind you coming along. Do you have any hunting or tracking skills?" he asked rather curiously now that he had thought about it.

by **Asher Salvatore Arc** on July 14th, 2012, 2:35 am

“New?” Am I new? Not to Taldera. But I don’t think he meant that. “Yes, came an interesting time too.”

He waved his hand lightly, as if waving any forth-coming questions away. Salvatore was not one to divulge in secret trading, he preferred idle unimportant chatter. Switching from on for to the other awkwardly for a moment he decided the best course of action would be to stop pacing and let the taller man lead.

Seconds later that was forgotten though and as he answered the young man his chest puffed out like a birds and did not bother to keep the gloating out of his voice, “Of course I have skills.”Yea right. I can’t even hold a sword let alone a bow. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully,

“We can toss around some ideas.” Or glean whatever bits I can before I make a complete ass of myself. “Though I think that’s a little late. Right then, shall we get going then? You lead.”

He spoke as if he knew the way, his competitive nature rooting itself firmly even as he knew it would not end well and mostly likely with him half dead. Again. But it was always worth it…sometimes…most times…well, very rarely. That one time on the boat hadn’t been bad. Realizing he was drifting off he shook himself and jerked his head downwards.

“Is it going to be down or up? I’m partial to the ground myself.”

Contrary to his original plan Salvatore began to eye his surroundings muttering quietly to himself and making idle chatter the leaf that had fallen on his shirt. Hopefully they would be off soon or he would probably find himself accosting someone else with frivolities. Maybe after they could get a drink.

That does sound like a plan. If I live. “There are big cats out here.” He agreed with himself.

by **Zahlee** on July 14th, 2012, 3:02 am

Zahlee chuckled to himself and pressed forward motioning the man to follow him. Within a matter of minutes the two had mad it to the edge of the city.

"You said you preferred the ground and I had planned on going to the forest floor myself. Oh where are my manners. I never properly introduced myself. My name is Zahlee. What might yours be?" he asked as he extended his massive hand forward in an attempts to shake the man's hand.

by **Asher Salvatore Arc** on July 14th, 2012, 4:02 am

Salvatore followed the man carefully, eyes darting around as if to memorize the exit but really only looking for something else to hold his attention. Ah! There was something, what a pretty shape of bark, looks a bit like a dogs face. A massive hand thrust to his face broke his little musings and he found himself trying to comprehend the sounds the other had made as words.

He had been speaking, right? His mind only seemed to be processing the last few words though and he pushed out his own hand, brow furrowing as it was nearly blinked out of existence in their hand shake. “Right. Zahlee.” I’m supposed to give my name too, aren’t I? “Well, he did ask. Right. My names Salvatore but I go by Sal.”

Pulling his hand back he surveyed their surroudnings only now realizing they were actually on the forest floor and looking mildly surprised. From here he could barely see the Spires, it was if the city had winked out into the sky. He nearly toppled back as he leaned, craning his neck awkwardly to try and catcha glimpse of movement, a faint rustling to his left alerting him that there was still another person present. Not another person, Zahlee.

“Right, so. Zahlee what are we hunting?” he clasped his hands together and vaguely wondered what he was supposed to actually do. Shifting his weight awkwardly as his lie of experience already began to catch up on him. Well, no matter now, he could only press on. “What do you think?”

This question he directed at the fly-away on his shirt which he promptly stuffed in his pocket without waiting for its answer. “Don’t suppose it will be something small? Like…a deer?” Were deer’s even small?

He didn’t actually know the answer and instead set his sights to the ground, flicking around as if looking for something with purpose. There! Squatting on his hunches abruptly he motioned for his fellow companion to crouch down as well, “There! Tracks!” he crowed in delight.

What tracks they were he was not even sure or if they were even tracks but they were dents in the ground and it worked for him.

by **Zahlee** on July 14th, 2012, 6:38 am

"It is nice to meet you Sal. Now for as for what we are hunting...." Zahlee was cut off by Sal's sudden outburst which at first annoyed him but once he realized he was talking about tracks his irritation subsided and he gave Sal his undivided attention.

"Oh? You found something already?" Zahlee asked curiously as he squatted down slightly confused. As far as he knew not to many animals strayed this close to the city but as he examined them he could tell that they were indeed tracts but of what he could not be sure. The only thing he could tell about the track was that is was small, incredibly small and they had a curved shape along the outer edges. After studying the indent a little more Zahlee decided to inch a little further along the tracks to see what else he could find and that's when he discovered several more pair of the very same track except they were smallerIf that is even possible then the first set.

"I don't know what it is but you're right these are definitely some sort of tracks." he said as he placed his index and fore-finger against the soil, trying to get a feel for how moist the earth was. Still somewhat moist. he thought to himself. Then his mind started to wander off leading him to past memories. He saw his father bent down next to him as he tried to show Zahlee which track was which. He tried to remember but sadly he hadn't been paying attention enough to remember anything from that lesson. So instead he decided to wing it like he has always done.

"Alright you wanted to know what we were going to hunt earlier and the reason I didn't answer was because I did not know at the time. Now I have decided. We will follow these tracks that you found us and just see where they lead. Maybe if we are lucky enough we'll be able to snag us some game. You ready to go?" he asked the eagerness in his voice seemed all to obvious to Sal but Zahlee didn't care. It had been ages since he had left the peaceful city and he was itching to 'spread his wings' so to speak.

by **Asher Salvatore Arc** on July 14th, 2012, 7:54 am

A surge of self-satisfaction wound its way up Salvatore’s spine at the others assured answer. He did not even bother to make another observation, much too pleased with his own dumb luck. Still he listened vaguely to the others words, not quite comprehending but understanding he was speaking. It lulled him into a sense of security and allowed for his mind to wander until he could hear the higher pitch of the others voice. A rise in excitement much like an animal that had found prey, not a pleasant comparison considering. “You’re telling me!”

Clapping his hand he followed suit straightening up and standing as if he was ready for action but only succeeding in looking a tad jittery. Again, not having entirely heard what the other was saying and now trying to count how many arrows Zahlee had without being obvious, Salvatore found himself simply nodding in agreement and generally following the Zahlee’s lead.

“Right then, so we are following the tracks,” Tracks of what exactly? “Not a clue.”

Nodding once more as if this made perfect sense Salvatore strode a bit ahead of his companion, favoring to look at the trees and other things rather than actually following the tracks. His mind slowly working its way through ideas and thoughts without a care other than the fact that they were on the move and that maybe he would find a new animal to learn on.

Flicking his gaze down he wondered at the tracks, some seemed smaller than others but they all looked the same to him, tiny imprints in the ground, probably from rocks but he was not about to voice that opinion. Instead he found himself bringing back the other focus of this journey, “What happens if we’re not lucky?” Or if it’s not friendly? “Presumably we’ll be eaten.” Of course we will.

by **Zahlee** on July 14th, 2012, 4:11 pm

About an hour after they had started following the tracks the two companions wandered into a thin mist that slowly grew thicker the farther they went. Zahlee was just about to give up on the chase when he heard something through the fog's eerie silence. What was that a twig snapping? He asked himself wondering if the eerie silence was playing tricks on his mind. He turned to Sal and asked him in a hushed tone.

"Did you by chance hear" he was cut off as the sound was made again. He steadily hoisted his bow from it's resting place along his back and then gently plucked an arrow from the quiver. Tch... Only three more left.... he thought to himself as he noticed the arrow along the thin bow string. He then crouched down motioning for Sal to do the same and they both began to inch a long in the direction of the noise.

Not moments later they appeared at the edge of a small clearing in the trees which was flooded with thick patches of grass and some of the most exotic flowers Zahlee had ever seen. His mind wandered off yet again to a time where his mother had tried to teach him which plants were which, yet just like the memory of his father's lesson there was no knowledge to be gained. A small twinge of pain set into his heart as he realized how foolish he had been for not caring about the lessons. Then a sudden movement broke him from his reverie and brought him back to the misty clearing.

There not ten yards away stood a group of small animals. Their fur took on a light shade but with the mist it was rather hard to tell. There were three of the small creatures two that were roughly the same height and weight while the third was nothing more than a baby. Never having seen the animals before, Zahlee did not feel confident enough to guess what how old the baby was but it did not matter to him. He had already found the one he wanted. So after pulling the string back he carefully aimed for the animals chest cavity. Please don't miss arrow he pleaded but something happened that scared both Zahlee and Sal out of their whits.

From the other side of the jungle a black mass leaped out of it's hiding spot and slammed down the the antler-less animal hard enough to cause the poor thing to crumble underneath the weight. As the other two animals scampered off Sal and I were left stunned as we watched what we now realized was a cat, not a huge cat but a cat nonetheless. With the short black fur and the huge fangs that protruded from his mouth he made one for one really scary cat. If that wasn't enough though there were his eyes. Eyes that were pure white and seemed to be infinitely cold. But wait.... how can I see them both......uh oh.... he thought as fear tingled up his spine. He turned to Sal with terrified eyes.

"Run." was all Zahlee had time to say before the cat let out an ear aching roar and bound after them.