Flashback For the love of.... why can't I be on my own? (Fox Starseer)

[Aleksi]

Summer, 10, 512 AV

Soft, slow steps could be heard moving through the grass, followed by a strong set of hooves and a playful tap of someone's, what it seemed, cotton-like tail against the higher, thicker bushes. Yes, another morning, another early start and another, well planned hunting day. Or well, that was what Aleksi, her kitten Luc and her Strider were expecting. A day filled with excitement, sun, panting of dead or worn out Elk, maybe a fire and some food somewhere along the way, a few rolls around in the grass.... and well, Luc's little head might have expected some rubs on the belly, after a decent meal. It all looked perfect, as Aleksi lightly pulled her dagger out and got down on her left knee. Her fingers curled through the cat's fur as she leaned in and whispered in Pavi Explore, not too far out, we have a hunt to do, before, as if he literally knew what he had to do, Luc ran off into the see of thick, unpredictable grass. That was probably the only time Aleksi was ever scared. When her companions left her and were in potential danger. She pulled herself together though, stood up and slowly scratched the horse's neck, whispering into his ear that he should stay back, unless she needed to move really fast. In the distance, a light tapping of Luc's paws could be heard, with a low growl every now and then, escaping his muzzle. Aleksi knew what that meant. He was coming back with good news. Elk were about, highly likely quite a few of them. But where there are elk, there are predators hunting them, so being careful was a must.

[Fox Starseer]

Fox had been scouting the area with one of his mothers birds, a small peregrine falcon that was making it's first mission at this very second. His arm was outstretched, the arm guard made a good perch for the young bird. It landed and make a selection of noises telling it's handler that there where elk near by, and possibly a pack of some kind of grassland predator, although none had been seen. Fox smiled as the falcon went up into the air again to lead him and his strider, to a location near the elk.

Fox dismounted his strider and crouched to his knees. He had no ranged weapons to speak of so he would have to rely on the newly sharpened longsword his father had given him and all the speed and strength he could muster to take down at least one elk, then he had an idea. His twin had used her strider numerous times to get in range to stab various kinds of prey when her bow was broken or out of arrows; or just when she felt like it.

He signaled in Pavi to his strider to move slowly with him as he crept into position, the falcon circling over head to help drive at least one elk towards Fox.

[Aleksi]

Aleksi smiled and moved her fingers through Luc's coat as he came back. The two seemed as if they understood each other perfectly. Her fingers gripped onto the dagger as she was getting ready to run towards the area where the Elk were. All of a sudden, the cat growled for no apparent reason, which made the young Drykas grip onto her dagger tighter. Her eyes moved about, trying to find the reason of Luc's growling and she did. She saw a human male approach her slowly, with some form of a bird it seemed. Her strider got quite edgy and Luc, well, it was obvious that he was just waiting for her command to attack. She though, didn't seem to care, she was a bit wary, but not enough to pull her away from that day's goal... hunting. Her body moved slowly towards the human, mumbling something and rolling her eyes. She tried her best not to appear as a threat, so he wouldn't make too much noise and scare off all the Elk. Her animals followed her every step and remained ready to attack at even the smallest of signs. The young Drykas' eyes moved over the human male, before she added in Pavi Be quiet, there are enough Elk out there for the both of us, but please, don't ruin this hunt for me, I've had enough of that this week

[Fox Starseer]

Fox saw the other girl, human, possibly full-blooded Drykus. "I know, I always escorted my twin sister and her hunting party" he replied. He stopped and surveyed the area then turned back to the other girl. "We should work together then since there is enough for both of us" he said. He had a plan and hoped the other hunter would decide to help him and hear him out, otherwise this hunting trip could get interesting fast.

[Aleksi]

Aleksi frowned at the male's words. He escorted the hunters? A male within their clan escorted hunters?! What was he? Why would he only escort and not hunt with his sister? She rolled her eyes and knelt down, whispering to Luc in Pavi Lure at least three of them in kitten, we will meet you there, before pointing at the large bush in the middle of the field in front of them them. Her petite frame moved back up, she took off the cloak, showing her heavily tattooed, obviously strong body. Only if one got close enough, they could see the scars that her tattoos are covering. Around her neck, there was a large, leather necklace with teeth and bones of various animals, pieces of armor and clothing. It looked like a trophy on her, standing so proudly. She put her hands on the horse's frame, jumped up and all of a sudden, she looked like a pure blooded Drykas she is, with the strongest of all bonds, on her Strider. She grinned.... it was time to do what she did best. Looking towards the male, she added again, this time a bit louder so he could hear her Just lay low until Luc rushes them towards us, then, do your magic on one... I will get one and he will get one for him and your animal As soon as the last words were spoken, the large feline stretched, preparing for its task. A low growl escaped its muzzle before its quiet paws started speeding up, towards the area where Aleksi had pointed earlier.

[Fox Starseer]

Fox nodded and accepted this plan. He knew this might have been better then the separate the herd and they take their chances taking one down plan his twin would have used. I guess that plan would work well with a larger group anyway he thought. He watched and waited for the cat to attack. He then gave a signal with his hands for the falcon to support the cat in luring three to them.

As he waited his mind went to thoughts of his sister. He had just realized this was the very spot he had heard the call from, he had been right here when everything changed for his family.

[Aleksi]

She gripped her Strider's mane, leaned towards his neck and smiled wide. Elk hooves could be heard rushing towards them as Luc growled and made them move forward. Her eyes moved to the man next to her, noticing that he is lost in his thoughts. Mumbling something, she thought that he might not be the best partner to hunt with, since he was not really concentrated on the task, but oh well It's time to go, she yelled towards the man, hoping she'd snap out of whatever he was thinking about. As her fingers gripped onto the mane of her Strider, her eyes filled with tears. It was so uncommon for her to do that around anyone, but she couldn't help herself. It reminded her of Tebridiar, the little Kelvic she missed so much.... the only person in her life that actually knew her.. For a few seconds, she remained still, trying to shake it off, to concentrate back on what she was supposed to do and when she finally managed to, she whispered Run, which of course, her Strider understood and he moved like the wind, towards the animals. Her fingers gripped onto the dagger as her body leaned to the side, ready to jump on any of the Elk that was near her.

[Fox Starseer]

Fox had of course been paying attention, just because he had been thinking a bit. Okay maybe his concentration had lapsed for a second, but what did she know about what he was thinking. He gave the order to charge to his Strider, watching as his falcon separated two from the herd, one towards Aleksi and one towards Fox, leaving the cat to deal with the third one.

Fox's eyes narrowed as he came in behind his target. His Strider was faster then the elk, which he was beside quite quickly. A quick stab to the neck brought the prey down. Fox had to release his sword or risk falling from his Strider. He swung around and grabbed his sword. In a split second he decided then realized there was not enough hunters to take back any more meat or hides, so he returned to his kill and watched the girl as well as their hunting animals. He didn't dismount until he was sure it was clear, if one of the other hunters needed help he would have to react quickly, and dismounting then remounting his Strider would cost valuable seconds.

[Aleksi]

Aleksi chuckled loudly as one of the Elk was near enough for her to jump on it. It was obvious she liked close combat, she liked to kill. Her eyes were no more filled with tears, but with pure joy. Whenever she needed to be distracted, all she had to do was go hunt. Her fingers were holding onto the dagger tight as it sank through the Elk's meat and the poor animal lost its strength. Making another final cut underneath its throat made the animal fall and Aleksi right next to it, to the grass. Proudly, she knelt next to her pray and looked around for where Luc was. That was a sweet moment. For the first time around that male, he could notice while she called Luc kitten. He was openly playing with the Elk, toying with it, teasing it and wearing it out before finally jumping and grabbing its throat until the animal finally couldn't breath anymore and he snapped its neck. If one knew how to appreciate hunting, that would have been a beautiful sight, if not though, it would be quite disgusting. Her lips curled up in a smile as she yelled Good boy!, to the feline, hearing him respond with a loud growl

[Fox Starseer]

Fox smiled and chuckled to himself, the falcon circled over the scene. The blood-stained grass, three dead elks, one hunting cat and two hunters who couldn't be any more opposites to each other if they tried. What a sight they must have been for the birds, and the gods.

Fox dismounted and petted his strider's mane before moving to the body of the dead elk. He knelt down and examined the cut, nice and clean, exactly how he was taught. He stood up and looked at his fellow hunter, his smile never faded even though she seemed very antisocial, but seeing her smile was refreshing to say the least, he always relished in seeing people having fun. Now they had to work out how they should get three elks back to the city and their family pavilions. But even that wouldn't diminish the rush from the hunt, as short as it was, is was still something to do, other then sit around all day.