Jonathan
Alcuin was rather thankful for his familiarity with the forests of his home. He was also grateful that his friend, Yrsa, was not particularly careful, at times. Hopefully, these two things would make it easier to find her. She had apparently shifted into her bear form and wandered off from their camp while he was asleep, if their messy, destroyed food supplies leading a trail away was any indication. Picking his way carefully through the brush, he was concerned but not in a hurry. Occasionally, he would stop to pick an herb or look curiously at a flower. 

It was very easy for the elf to get distracted by plants. He was an alchemist and healer by trade, though he'd been doing less of that lately. He found himself connected to a great, evil being with new power he had no idea how to control. And her goals, her purposes were so opposite his, he was still trying to figure out how to make it work.

Looking up for signs of bears, trying to track his friend, he sighed. He was no hunter, and he was worrying he had lost her trail. Taking stock of his surroundings, he also noticed he hadn't been in this part of the forest before. At least if he had, it looked different here now. He'd lived here all his life, surely he wouldn't have missed a treehouse like that. Curious but cautious, he approached the house in the distance.
Jennifer
No rush, I'm only available a few times through the day anyway
Diana
*Lance awoke from the sun hitting his eyes. He stood up with a yawn and a stretch. He then went about his normal morning routine. Feeding animals that live at and around his home. He then put on his elvish attire.*

*He then went to the stream where he usually gets his water from. Filling up a bottle, he then took a huge drink before putting his bottle into one of his leather pouches. He looked up at the sky, and as he did he heard some crunching leaves in the distance.*

*He quickly put up his hood and climbed into a tree. You would think he'd make noise when Jumping from tree to tree. But he was completely silent. Eventually he ran into the source of the crunch.* 

*"Another hunter ugh..." Lance thought to himself.*

*He drew his bow and fired a warning shot right next to the so called hunters feet. He stayed silent.*
William
I may be a bit rusty bare with me lol
Jennifer
You're good man, no worries ❤️ I may have time in a few hours or so but most likely it'll be tonight or tomorrow that I reply.
Jonathan
Before he realized what was happening, Alcuin heard the whistle of the arrow and watched with horror as it struck his leg, the blood immediately beginning to bloom around it. But feeling no pain, he closed his eyes tightly, then reopened them, to see the arrow stuck in the ground next to him. They weren't as bad as they once were, before he became reacquainted with his patroness, but the visions that plagued him were still present, still made it confusing sometimes to tell insanity from reality. 

His golden brown eyes darted around, searching for a source of the shot. He heard no sound, not that he was some trained combatant to even be listening for that sort of stuff anyway. But he was certainly paranoid enough to notice. It didn't seem like it had come from the house, but as he scanned the trees, he saw nothing. The alchemist didn't look terribly threatening. He was wearing a brown jacket over a green linen shirt with tan breeches and boots, a large backpack overflowing with herbs perched on his back. He had no visible weapons, the only one he carried being a dagger in an inside pocket of his jacket.

Holding up his hands, he walked forward very slowly, speaking loudly and clearly, **"I mean no harm! Actually, I might be able to use your help... I'm looking for my friend."** He hesitated a moment, trying to decide on the right words, then just decided blunt honesty was likely best, since he was already getting shot at, **"Right now she's a big bear, kinda reddish thick fur, probably sort of angry looking. Have you seen her?"**
Diana
*He looked at the elf confused his head filled with thoughts. He was thinking whether he should help or not. Is he trying to trick him. Maybe he'll stab him the second he gets close. He puts his bow on his back.*

*Lance let out a large sigh as he used his vine magic to wrap the elf up in vines. It's better to be safe than sorry. He jumped down from the tree landing on his feet.*

*He then looks at the elf with a confused look. **"What do you actually want... Why are you here?** He then pulled his hood down as the wind blew his white hair.*
Jonathan
Panic filled Alcuin as the vines began to bind his feet to the ground, climbing up his legs. His mind raced, trying to think of how he could get out of this when he saw the elf jump from the trees; that explained why he was so hard to find, his attire was perfectly suited for blending in with the forest. And as a fellow elf, Alcuin knew they were well-adapted to this land of their birth. The other elf didn't look particularly threatening or evil, mostly irritated and cautious. The vines continuing to climb up, now past his hips, spurred his mind on to find some solution that, hopefully, wouldn't offend his countrymen further—he needed a way out.

The thoughts hadn't even fully formed when he heard his patroness whispering in his ear, *Thou hast the means to easily escape... Like this...* And it was as if he no longer had control of his body, for a moment. He held out his hands, palms up, and almost seemed to pull the shadows up from the ground, out from under the canopy of trees, to swirl at his feet. They climbed up his form more quickly than the vines, fully covering him, until he and the shadows were gone. With a burst of shadow that quickly dissipated, he reappeared several yards away, but still within talking distance (at a shout) of the other elf.

Looking a little confused, he mentally whispered thanks to Alekhya, and tried again to explain himself. **"Look, I really don't want to fight. I don't want anything from you. If you haven't seen a bear or a woman with red hair, I can just leave."** He sighed, worry coloring his tone, **"I just really need to find her... She has a penchant for getting into trouble and not thinking things through."** For now, the warlock stood his ground, hoping to resolve this peacefully.
Diana
*Just as Lance thought he had the other elf he vanished. Lance had a surprised look on his face. **"H-how did he...? No time."** Lance grabs his bow from his back pulling back an arrow.*

*He then heard the elf speaking to him. Lance kept his guard up but responded. **"A Bear...? Well I could probably track a bear down easily... But. Why..?"** Lance still has his bow drawn pointed in his direction.*
Jonathan
Standing his ground at a distance, Alcuin attempted to explain. **"She's a human fighter with the ability to shape shift. Right now, she's a bear. I just want to find her."** Running his hand through his messy brown hair, which had leaves stuck here and there, he looked somewhat dejected, **"I'm no hunter. Plant life is my specialty. I haven't had much luck finding her, the trail has gone cold."**

Getting a sense that this elf was trying to protect something, Alcuin added, **"She and I take care of each other, the way it seems you're taking care of something here. I just way to do my job as her friend."** His eyes were determined but held a small plea, **"If you can't help me, then I'll be on my way. I don't want to bother you, and this is all I would ask of you."** A slight nod of his head, **"Apologies for the trouble I seem to have already brought you."**
Diana
*He looked at the elf bow still drawn he thought to himself for a moment. Was he lying? Can this guy be trusted? Is he really looking for his friend? All reasonable questions though he wasn't the type to keep two people separated. After all he is all alone out here.*

*He sighed as he undrew his bow and put his bow on his back. Putting the arrow back into its quiver.**"Fine... I'll help you look for your friend just... Don't try anything ok... I'm Lance."** Lance walked over to the other elf keeping his guard up but becoming a bit more trusting.*
Jonathan
Alcuin saw the uncertainty on the other elf's face and understood entirely. He himself had worn that look of wary confusion too many times not to. Though he was more likely to see the good in others, sometimes even trusted too easily. It had been so hard for him for so long to really expect bad things out of people. But that had begun to change. He still mostly felt that people were generally good. But with the dark things swirling in his head, it was harder and harder to maintain.

The warlock heaved a sigh of relief, dropping his own hands as he saw Lance put away his bow. Putting on a warm and welcoming smile, he introduced himself as well, **"Pleased to meet you, and also to not get shot. I'm Alcuin, and I really appreciate your help."** As they began walking, Alcuin heard the familiar whispers in his mind that had nearly become constant background noise. Though now, instead of alarming him, they were strangely comforting, as if he wasn't alone. He wondered if they meant she was watching him. Speaking as they walked, he wondered out loud, **"I've lived in Velaris all my life, wandered its woods countless times in 50 years. How have I never found this place?"** It struck him as odd, but Velaris was rather big. He supposed it was possible he hadn't actually explored all its forests like he thought he had.
Diana
*Lance kept walking and looking around. He made a strange sound which was him trying to communicate with bears. He held his arm out as a crow landed on his wrist. He made some more strange noises which the crow seemed to understand. It crowed then flew away.*

*Lance looked at his companion **"Well I usually don't see anyone coming through this forest... Unless it's to hunt. Other than that I'm pretty much alone here... It's not like this place is anything special... Well at least not to most people.."** His white hair flowed with the wind as he looked around.*
Jonathan
Alcuin watched the elf beside him as they walked. It wasn't often he ran into elves younger than him; how had this one ended up on his own so young? It seemed odd. But the alchemist wasn't one to pry and left it alone. He was impressed by Lance's knowledge of animals and the land; a true elf, so very connected to nature. 

Nodding in understanding, Alcuin called out his friend's name, Yrsa, a few times, before speaking in a gentle tone, **"I'm a healer and alchemist by trade, so I'm out foraging a lot for various plants and herbs. I've walked out forests many, many times in my years."** Taking further stick the forest around them, he hummed approvingly, **"I can see why you like it here. It's incredibly peaceful, blissfully quiet."**
Diana
*He got some water out of his pouch. He took a quick drink the put it back. Guess he's not as bad as Lance thought. He became a bit more trusting.**"Yea I would rather die than let it go to crap... This is my home and I love it... Though it can get a bit lonely."**

*He looked up at the sky then back at the forest. His crow eventually flew back cawing like nuts. Lance made some strange noises. He then looked over at his companion.**"He picked up some bear tracks up to the right up here...**" The crow then flew off.*
Jonathan
Looking back at the treehouse shrinking behind them in the distance, Alcuin wondered how old it was. He was no architect or builder and had no way to date the structure. But he guessed it wasn't terribly old; at least not to an elf. Lance must've built himself, which was quite impressive. Especially for one so young.

With a soft chuckle, Alcuin empathized, **"I can see how it'd be lonely. Before I met Yrsa though, I could be in a sea of people and still feel lonely. Life is what we make of it."** Meeting the other elf's eyes a moment, he asked, **"Do you** ***Enjoy*** **Your solitude? I know I didn't."**

Watching the crow and nodding at Lance's words, **"Let's check this way then. But,"** He looked back at Lance uncertainly, **"If we seem to be getting close, I'll need to part ways. She doesn't take kindly to strangers. Sorry."** He didn't want to endanger this man any more than necessary.
Diana
*He was saddened by the thought that the first friendly person he's seen in months had to leave. He sighed but got over it he can deal with solitude. He kept walking.*

*He kneeled and examined the tracks these ones are fresh as in they've been made in the past few minutes. They right on his friends trail he stood up and looked at his companion.*

*With a slightly saddened looked he said **"Well I uhhh... I guess this is it then... I hope you and your friends reunion is a nice one."** Lance turned around getting ready to head out. He sighed.*
Jonathan
Nodding, Alcuin prepared to say his thanks but noticed the impending sadness of the other. He'd had too many similar moments of grief at parting to not recognize it. He resolved internally to seek Lance out again in the future, when he could. While solitude could certainly be nice, too much was certainly a detriment. He couldn't let such a good young man waste away alone here.

Reaching out but not actually touching, he retracted his hand before speaking, **"Wait, Lance! You've done me a great service today, and I'm very thankful. I won't forget."** Looking around at the beautiful forest, he smiled his usual warm smile, **"I'll come back to visit, when I can. I swear it. You've created quite the lovely sanctuary here. I'll commit it's location to memory."** He tapped his head.

With his own sigh, Alcuin turned to follow the trail, **"I'd stay now, but I'm afraid finding her is rather time sensitive."** He laughed nervously, **"She can be, uhh... A little reckless and destructive."** Giving a wave and one more smile, he said gently, **"Thanks, again, friend."** With that, he left to follow the trail deeper into the woods.
Jennifer
If you're not ready I can delete it, I just assumed since I hadn't heard from you yet 🙏🏼