Billy
*The sun shone brightly against Gabriel's tan visage as he stood at the edge of the forest. He looked up at the clear blue sky, shielding his eyes as he does so. He'd been missing a few ingredients for a healing salve he wanted to craft. So, today he would be going out to replenish his stock with wild herbs. It had become a routine for him. He'd alternate between training at the guild and his herbalist craft. He'd purchased a new crossbow and needed to learn to use it. He's not too great with it yet, but he's at least confident he can hit a mark. He hasn't taken any bounties recently, either. He had chosen to train himself a little bit longer before taking one on. 

'Doesn't look like it'll rain soon, at least,' he thought. He brought his hand down in front of him and drew glowing blue sigils across the air. Soon enough the circle is complete and its inside glows blue. A full-grown gray wolf emerged from within. It trotted up to his side and awaited his command. It was wearing a loose collar made of rope and decorated with bright blue feathers. A method to distinguish between his three wolves and wild wolves. Gabriel patted its head, then turned his attention to back to the woods. He focuses on his sense of smell, his tool of choice when herb hunting. Gabriel then entered the forest, making sure to move quietly and in a way that's hard to see. Call it a safeguard against potential hostiles within.*

`Gabriel has summoned a Spirit Wolf for 15 Mana, 105 Mana remaining and capped at 105. He has also activated with Hunter's Nose, Blurry, and Silent perks.`
Lisa
Kateri had hoofed it out of town without the use of her family's mare, today. As much as she enjoyed riding, her feet felt restless as ever, plus, the morning had shone promise of sunlight with its absence of clouds and less than chilly breeze—at least to the woman. Not much affected her in the way of weather. 

Slinging her bow and arrow-laden quiver over her shoulder, Kateri followed her usual route towards the forest. This was her escape from the troubles at home. Father was getting worse and worse each day—this last week he had almost taken his rage out on the horse; this was another worry that burdened her brow with each passing step. 

*What if I come back to carnage?*

Shaking her head in hopes of disappearing some of her angst, the brunette disappeared into the woodlands and crouched behind a tall redwood. She had caught sight of a deer along the way, but her mind wasn't really into it. As a result, her steps were heavier and she even managed to trip a couple of times—each time scaring off her prey. With each view, the deer appeared more and more anxious, so much so, that she was on the verge of returning home empty-handed.
Billy
Strolling through the woods accompanied only by his wolf is a serene experience. One that he enjoys very much. The rustling of leaves and the chirps of various woodland creatures is a welcome change. There are no shouts, no chatter, the constant din of other people absent. Gabriel found himself sighing and humming to himself.

The quiet ambience of the woods was broken by some rustling a ways away from them. His wolf noticed it first, perking up and looking to their right. It whines to notify him of the disturbance, to which Gabriel shifted his focus. Sniffing the air, he tries to suss out what it was that alerted his wolf. Though faint, he seemed to catch a whiff of an animal. A prey, he thought. It would make sense that his wolf would be somewhat excited at the scent. He's not much of a hunter himself, but wolves are natural predators. He could give them a little exercise, seeing as the opportunity presented itself. With a flourish, Gabriel conjured up two more circles of glowing blue sigils, one after the other. Two more wolves joined them. Each wolf wearing a loose collar decorated with green and red feathers respectively. He set them about hunting whatever it was that alerted the first wolf, while he trails them from behind. 

`Gabriel summoned two more wolves (taking 2 turns worth of time) for 30 Mana, 75 Mana remaining and capped at 75.`
Lisa
*Come on, Ri. Get yourself together,* She self-reprimanded. Despite today not being feast or famine, it still was *Embarrassing* To squander a full day of hunt. Craning her neck around the tree, Kateri paused her motion and halted her breath while her eyes stabbed through the greenery for life. Chocolate orbs scanned the low ground in front of her but came up absent of prize.

"Doesn't seem to be my day." Her voice was giving into resignation, while she pressed her back against the tree and allowing her legs to fold. She set her shoulder weights down gently beside her and brought her knees up to her chin. 

Unlike the man that she had yet to meet, Kateri found the forest equally as loud as the city. The sounds weren't alike, but there was communication. Where the wild was harmonious, the capital was cacophonous. Here amongst the trees, nature knew its place; everything within it acted as one unit. New Salvainia did the opposite. The population comprised of a false order; one crafted by one man—a king. Everyone under him battled and scratched their way to the top, defying the natural order with deceit and bloodshed. These were ironic words for a hunter born of a Fire Macen soldier, but Kateri felt strongly about peace before war. This had been a contentious topic over the years. If she had it her way, she would battle to reverse the effects of war. Perhaps a Hea—

It was then that Kateri heard it. It was faint, but it was a sound nonetheless. Something was coming her way. Unfortunately, the sound came from the hilly side that she had just trekked; from her low vantage, it was impossible to see the source. Quickly getting to her feet, the archer strung an arrow and readied herself for whatever or whoever sought to join her party of one.
Billy
Breaking through the bushes and trees, Kateri would first see the snout of a wolf. Followed by the entire wolf leaping out and sniffing about the ground for the deer's tracks. Two more wolves joined not long after. Curiously, each wolf seems to be wearing something around its necks. The bright colored feathers contrasted against the wolves's agouti coat. They circled the tracks. With their noses to the ground, they tried to determine which direction the deer escaped in. 

Behind them, the bushes swayed. This time, a man walks through. Kateri would find it difficult to focus on this man's features. At the very least, she can tell that he has long hair, tan skin, and wearing leather armor. He also seems to have a crossbow slung on his back.

Gabriel twirled his braid. He wondered if he should call it off and return to herb hunting, but he'd never seen his wolves hunt before. Plus, if they do manage to track it down, it's several days worth of food guaranteed. Now he wasn't poor, not so much that he had to resort to hunting. He had plenty of money stored away. But, he reasoned that any cost saved is worth the effort. Skinning the pelt of the prey would be worth it too. Perhaps he can even get some practice in with his crossbow.

The wolves spread out. The were each going about different directions, but one seemed to close in to her location. It notices her scent and growls, taking on a defensive pose. This calls the attention of the man as well as the other two wolves. For the moment, they all seem to be aware of her presence.
Lisa
It wasn't surprising to see the wolf; after all, she was invading *Their* Territory. That was the natural way of things—not that many Macer's cared for such ideals. However, that didn't lower her guard. A wolf was a dangerous predator, and although one wouldn't be an issue, if there was a full pack of them, then *That* Could pose a serious threat to her. As if on queue, one, no, *Two* More wolves appeared. Each one possessing a special collar that both differentiated them from each other, as well as, marked them as collectively unique amongst the wild packs. 

*Don't show fear. Don't show your back. You are fire. They fear you. They fear you. They fear you. . . .* It was a mantra that gave her courage now that six eyes stared at her, but so far, only the first one presented its ferocious fangs to the young woman. It was at this wolf, the one with the blue feathers, that she kept her arrow pointed towards.

More movement caused her to glance behind the small pack. A lone figure dressed in basic armor and armed with the typical Macen crossbow. Out in the wild, anyone could be your friend or foe; Kateri preferred to lean with the former, however, it would be unwise to welcome strangers with open arms. The colored feathers made a modicum of sense now. The wolves belonged to the hunter—a title she assumed by his garb and location—which made her unsure which target to point her weapon towards.

As was normal fashion for Kateri, she opted for peace before war. "Hello, Wanderer. These gorgeous beasts belong to you? I mean you no harm."
Billy
Gabriel was, of course, likewise wary of strangers. It can be hard to distinguish between a friendly hunter and a bandit. Admittedly, he hadn't met many bandits on his forest walks, but one can never be too careful. He put his guard up, wolves ready to leap in his defense if needed. He prefers to avoid a fight as much as possible. If worse comes to worse, he can run and disappear from sight. Upon the woman's greeting though, he allowed himself to relax, though only a little. He hoped that meant she also desires a peaceful resolution, and not trying to beguile him. A knife or an arrow to the back is the last thing he wanted after all. 

"Hello to you too, miss," He replied. Two of his wolves, the red and green collared ones, retreat to his side. He put one hand on each wolf's head. He hoped it would assure the other that he had them under control. The blue one remained in front of him, standing firmly between Gabriel and Kateri. "These boys are indeed mine. I do not wish for a fight either. As long as you don't harm me, my boys won't harm you. And neither will I."

With the greeting, Gabriel dropped the magical aura that shrouded his presence. Kateri could now discern the man's finer features. Somewhat squinted green eyes attempt to pierce her soul and read her intentions. On occasion, his gaze wanders to the bushes and trees around them. Likely to find if she had other companions hidden nearby waiting to ambush him.

`Gabriel has deactivated his Blurry and Silent perk.`