Wandering through the mountain forest is always a time that Jade looks forward to. The cool breeze, the shade of the trees, the foragable mushrooms and fauna to be used in a plethora of instances... potions, food, art, and of course, terrariums. There is also something to be said about the wonderous feeling of being the strongest predator among these trees.
That is, until possibly today.
He's felt the presence for a while now, though where exactly the object of his human affections is is still up for debate. Occasionally a small creature might cut through the brush and a footstep or shift of an arm is carefully moved in perfect tune. The sound is subtle--but that is what makes it so exciting. Jade kneels, fingers wrapping around the handle of the knife strapped to his thigh so that he can draw the blade to elegantly cut at the base of a colony of mushrooms. Their vibrant orange would normally hold his attention, but such vulnerability could be dangerous.
"Ufufu..." The mushrooms are carefully added to his bag. These ones, (un)fortunately of an incredibly edible variety. "How long has it been, I wonder."
Rook doesn't need to be close to Jade to know right where he is. Between his UM and sharp hunter's eyes, he has the foraging merman right in his sights. That isn't to say, of course, that he expects an easy target. No, oh no, quite the opposite--and to his great delight, in fact.
He can barely suppress a giggle as from his perch some ways away in a sturdy tree, he pulls the arrow back. Rook's smile widens from ear-to-ear, taking aim squarely for Jade's temple...and firing. Any ordinary animal seeming so unsuspecting--Seven, even alert--would be felled by the swift accuracy of the shot.
This quarry of his, however, is so much more than what he appears. Jade's always a few steps ahead in any given situation, as Rook's come to learn over the last couple years of observation. To take a shot any less serious than with intent to kill would be an insult.
As well oiled and cared for as his hunter's tools are, Jade's hearing is on a different level. While he may not have the same aural mobility and skill as he has in his true form, it's still just enough to hear the bolt click into place.
With a pleased hum he ducks, needle-like teeth flashing as he swiftly turns his head toward the direction the arrow flew from. The knife in his gloved hand flying free in the direction it came from. He expects only the thud of the bark, but it earns a hum of amusement all the same. He keeps his long, large body low for the moment. He briefly considers the river behind him as a potential escape route... but he has to wonder if it would be worth preventing himself from capture.
Not that he wouldn't make his hunter earn it all the same.
Rook, of course, leaps away from his position as soon as he's freed his arrow. He should retrieve the knife, but feels a rush of excitement that doesn't allow him to turn back. Marvelous! Such a speedy reaction! Jumping from tree to tree with the sort of ease that a squirrel might exhibit, Rook lets a peal of merry laughter escape him before he swings down onto the loamy earth, instead.
Jade is an expert survivalist--and having already given away his earlier position, the only choice now was to embrace that challenge. To sink himself into the forest floor and track his prey through the underbrush. Certainly, the merman would appreciate the send on him. The thought gives him goosebumps as he reaches behind him to retrieve another arrow, holding it in his teeth while he makes his way forward on all fours, slow and stealthy.
How long will he be the hunter, he wonders, before the tables are turned on him?
Oh, the thrill of the hunt is unparalleled, when every venture into the wild may well be your last!
He isn't surprised for the wood to split behind his knife, but it gives him a decent idea of his hunter's general location. The thought of Rook's height, weight, the type of brush and trees around the area and the camouflage they could provide... He pauses just long enough to slide his prize of mushrooms into the bag he's brought with him before jumping up high enough to yank his blade from the tree.
As careful as Rook is, it is impossible to completely prevent having an impact on the environment. Leaves bend, grass blades crack. It is simply a part of nature.
Jade starts on the trail. Following along the line of the river just in case he needs to make a quick getaway... though such a merry laugh brings a genuine smile to the merman's lips. They have always had this in common. Among the humans he has met, Rook is one that feels the most like 'home'. Ruthless, intelligent, violent. It makes his skin crawl in a delightful way. Had he known that Azul had been running him into the ground the past month? It was rare not to feel his eyes these days...
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🍄 Rook. - Hunting.
That is, until possibly today.
He's felt the presence for a while now, though where exactly the object of his human affections is is still up for debate. Occasionally a small creature might cut through the brush and a footstep or shift of an arm is carefully moved in perfect tune. The sound is subtle--but that is what makes it so exciting. Jade kneels, fingers wrapping around the handle of the knife strapped to his thigh so that he can draw the blade to elegantly cut at the base of a colony of mushrooms. Their vibrant orange would normally hold his attention, but such vulnerability could be dangerous.
"Ufufu..." The mushrooms are carefully added to his bag. These ones, (un)fortunately of an incredibly edible variety. "How long has it been, I wonder."
no subject
He can barely suppress a giggle as from his perch some ways away in a sturdy tree, he pulls the arrow back. Rook's smile widens from ear-to-ear, taking aim squarely for Jade's temple...and firing. Any ordinary animal seeming so unsuspecting--Seven, even alert--would be felled by the swift accuracy of the shot.
This quarry of his, however, is so much more than what he appears. Jade's always a few steps ahead in any given situation, as Rook's come to learn over the last couple years of observation. To take a shot any less serious than with intent to kill would be an insult.
no subject
With a pleased hum he ducks, needle-like teeth flashing as he swiftly turns his head toward the direction the arrow flew from. The knife in his gloved hand flying free in the direction it came from. He expects only the thud of the bark, but it earns a hum of amusement all the same. He keeps his long, large body low for the moment. He briefly considers the river behind him as a potential escape route... but he has to wonder if it would be worth preventing himself from capture.
Not that he wouldn't make his hunter earn it all the same.
no subject
Jade is an expert survivalist--and having already given away his earlier position, the only choice now was to embrace that challenge. To sink himself into the forest floor and track his prey through the underbrush. Certainly, the merman would appreciate the send on him. The thought gives him goosebumps as he reaches behind him to retrieve another arrow, holding it in his teeth while he makes his way forward on all fours, slow and stealthy.
How long will he be the hunter, he wonders, before the tables are turned on him?
Oh, the thrill of the hunt is unparalleled, when every venture into the wild may well be your last!
no subject
As careful as Rook is, it is impossible to completely prevent having an impact on the environment. Leaves bend, grass blades crack. It is simply a part of nature.
Jade starts on the trail. Following along the line of the river just in case he needs to make a quick getaway... though such a merry laugh brings a genuine smile to the merman's lips. They have always had this in common. Among the humans he has met, Rook is one that feels the most like 'home'. Ruthless, intelligent, violent. It makes his skin crawl in a delightful way. Had he known that Azul had been running him into the ground the past month? It was rare not to feel his eyes these days...