wits or a dagger (open)

[ennui]

Apples. Delicious apples. Katherine stood on the ground, surveying the pile before her. She clicked her tongue in obvious approval, before kneeling to gather them safely within her pack. She'd have to leave before dark, that she knew. There's no telling how many people knew about this little oasis in the forest, but she couldn't stay long enough to find out. Her food secured and safe, Katherine rose to her feet.

An oasis it surely was, she thought to herself. Tree upon tree bearing the ripe red fruit towered before her. She'd spent the better of the morning and afternoon collecting, always careful to pick the ones that looked healthiest. Now she glanced at her hands, sticky with tree resin and the juices of fruit.

Her find would surely last her a good time, enough to weave through a nearby village and pilfer some bread. Perhaps even beg off a hot meal. Reaching for the strap of her pack, Katherine heard a twig snap behind her. The effect was instantaneous. In a whirl of color she had slipped from her heavy cloak, crouched to the ground and wielding her blade at her side. Then she waited.

[Azrek]

(Mind if lust and I join?)

Vincent walked along side his sister, Sophie. The sibling’s had become bored in Lorraine. But as they journeyed the land, they did not talk much. They just soaked in their surroundings. Vincent didn’t know about Sophie, but he had never seen Selkia Forest. He looked over to her and sighed. “Hmmm…” He ran ahead of her and looked around at the awesome trees. “Wow.” He wanted to climb one of them so badly. They were the largest trees he had ever seen.

He looked back at Sophie. “Hey!” He yelled back to her. “I’m gonna climb one of these. You can just go ahead if you want. I’ll catch up!” Vincent grabbed a hold of a thick sticky branch, pulling himself up slowly. He planted his feet on the extension of the tree, and looked back at Sophie, who was close to him now. “I bet cha couldn’t do this.” He said rather quietly. Turning his head he saw water, and some stranger walking around it. “Woah.” Vincent lost his footing, stepping on the thin section of the branch that was even farther out. He slipped, falling to the ground and crushing the many twigs. "Oh... that's gonna leave a bruise." He groaned through clenched teeth.

[ennui]

ooc: of course not

Relaxing her hold on the dagger, Katherine rose slowly to her feet. It was only a boy, intent only on climbing the trees. Nothing to worry about. Still, she kept her weapon casually at her side. Turning a blind eye to those that seemed harmless was dangerous. She walked forward, intending to greet him.

He was sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain. The boy seemed to have fallen from his perch in his trees. His landing was what she had heard before. It was amusing to be sure, but she didn't want to offend him by smilling. Changing her expression to that of concern, Katherine approached him.

"Are you alright? It looks like you took a nasty tumble."

She reached out a hand to help him to his feet.

[lust]

[[Late as always, didn't feel rpful yesterday sorry =[... =D]]

Sophie had been enraptured in the beauty of some unknown flower when she heard a loud thud. She immediately jumped up and went looking for Vincent. The part of the forest they had been walking in was gorgeous. She had never seen so many type of flowers, and most she hadn't even seen before. The tree's were huge, towering above her it seemed they reached heaven. So many different shades of green, not even a crayon box could contain all of the colors.

She spotted Vincent on the ground. It was on second glance when she noticed the girl. She looked young, alone? In Selkia forest? How odd. Sophie narrowed her eyes. She slowed her pace as she approached. She wasn't very trusting of strangers, even if they were around the same age.

She stopped a few feet away from the two. "You ok?" She asked Vincent softly. She knew his bones were practically rock and a fall like that wasn't uncommon with his constant tree climbing.

[Azrek]

"Are you alright? It looks like you took a nasty tumble." Vincent heard in a very unfamiliar voice. He lifted his head into the air and looked around in front of him.

“Huh?” He looked back and saw the girl he had seen walking around the little oasis while he was up in the tree. “Oh, hi.” He groaned. “I’ll live. I’ve gone through much worse falls than that without even a broken bone.” Vincent grimaced as the stranger helped him to his feet. “Ouch. But I always get some nasty bruises. I heard that cat’s can fall from really high and not even get hurt. I wish I was a cat.” He laughed. “I totally just rambled on and on there. I tend to do that a lot. Hey where’s Sophie?”

Just as he asked that he heard her. "You ok?" Vincent turned around, looking at his older sister.

“Yea.” He responded. “Oh, hey, hey! I found someone.” He turned around and put his finger in Katherine’s face, waving it around and almost poking her in the eye. “Her name is something.” He said. He looked directly at the stranger. “Hey, what’s your name? I’m Vincent. This is my sister Sophie. What’re you doing out here in the forest. You must be lonely. Do you need some company?” Vincent tended to be annoying at times.

[Ariana]

Careful to make as little noise as possible, Ariana walked through the forest, scanning for food. True, the boat from her land to Valear took longer than she thought. Plus, since she was a stow-away, she couldn't dare go up to the galley, even with her special circumstances. The first thing the captain would do would turn the boat around to drop her off. There was no way Ariana would allow that. The people on the boat were trying to escape the dreadful war in her land- to send them back would crush their spirits, and possibly their lives. Plus, how would she explain to her father that she was running away to try to seek help on a whole other continent about a war that never concerned them in the first place? So, for the whole boat ride, she ate all her own food and kept to herself. Which was why she was in the situation she was in now.

The sun above was hot and bright. The canopy of trees helped, but it still was pretty bad. Tabeth'El didn't get suns as bright as this one- so this was all new to Ariana. Her cloak was safely tucked away in her rucksack. She would normally wear it, but today it was far too hot. Her long hair caused sweat on her neck and back, but there was nothing she could do. She nothing to tame her hair, and there wasn't much water around to cool off with. So, uncomfortable she may be, she pushed on. After all, she only needed food for a few days, then she could leave.

After walking for about thirty minutes, the calm silence was broken by a loud thud up ahead. Instantly, all her senses were on high alert. What could've made that sound? It must've been big, or at least from a high tree, for the sound it gave was enormous. She carefully pulled her bow from over her shoulder and held it in her hand. If it was something big...she needed to be ready. Her walk now a jog, she made her way up ahead.

When she finally was closer to what made a sound, she saw three figures standing together. Instantly she knew. One of them had made the sound. Personally, she would've rather it be a panther or cougar or some other ferocious animal. The last thing she wanted was to be seen by other people. Quickly, she made her way behind a nearby tree, hoping that she wasn't seen. As careful as possible, she turned her head around the great oak to examine the trio. She needed to learn more about them before they could learn about her.

That is, if they haven't already seen me. She knew that the chances were slim. But, once could never be too careful.

[lust]

Sophie sensed a presence, body heat, that didn't belong to the two before her. Yet, she kept her eyes on the unknown girl that Vincent had found. It was probably some wild harmless animal anyway. Sophie was a bit annoyed by what Vincent had said. He always trusted so easily. This girl could easily be some sort of assassin or wanted criminal. They were out in the wild. She waited for the girl's response, taking a step closer to Vincent just in case.