Joseph
``` Person Left x.X ```

*After wandering the lands for quite some time Athel would manage to find himself in a rather odd forest with trees tall enough to drown out the warm kiss of the sun. Taking in a few deep breaths he'd quickly exhale taking in not only the view but the pure air that was surrounding him. Soon enough however he'd snap out of this daze of wonder and would continue to press forward quickly making his way deeper and deeper into the forest. With each step the sound of snapping branches and the crisp crinkle of leaves would follow.*

*Finally making it deep enough into the forest he'd find himself a nice clearing. Carefully he'd place his bag upon the ground and would begin to rummage through his bag pulling out random clumps of fur and would begin to neatly stretch them out and would place them upon the ground to dry... Finishing up rather quickly as if he'd been doing this for a while, he'd step back and look at his work with pride, before slowly letting his limbs go limp, causing him to fall upon the ground. Once upon the ground Athel would sprawl himself out, enjoying what little sunlight could pierce through the heavily wooded area unaware he was even close to civilization.*
Sonja
*High above the clearing where the air whisked its way through the overlaying branches that stretched out from the trees, sat a Canifor. A mark of a Hunter emanated from her, well signatured by the bow that slung across her torso accompanied with a quiver of arrows across her back. The leaves sprouting from the branches provided good cover for her, allowing her to relax more up high above when the knowledge that none would be able to find her simply resting up top. 


Her eyes sat closed while she peacefully took in the warm day of nature only to be disturbed by the sound of something passing from far below. One ear twitched, drawing in the noise as Athel drew closer, each leaf crunching underfoot. There was a flair of nervousness that went through her, one that always passed when she knew her Jackal would be somewhere down there, most likely searching out for animals to hunt. She drew in a quiet breath, lowering herself on branch before peering down at the person who had lain down in the center of the clearing. A kitsune it seemed. Her head tilted a bit to the side as she watched him sprawl out on the ground, wondering if he was planning on falling asleep in the middle of the forest.*

"Hello there."*She said quietly from where she rested on her branch, keeping still so as not to attract the attention of where she was at.*"You're not planning to sleep out in the open are you?"
Helen
*Being rather close to dozing off as his guard was let down completely, his zone of silence was quickly broken as his ear would flicker catching the greeting and his body would seem to tense up. Slowly he'd begin to stand up not wanting to draw up too much energy in his movement. Not paying much mind to the sound of another's voice in that moment he'd look down upon his person and would scowl at the sight of mud splattered across his attire. Walking over his his travel bag he'd kneel down and would rummage through it some more before letting out a long sigh before standing, and would proceed to kick his bag a good distance.*

*Remembering quickly that there was someone near he'd clear his voice and would straighten his posture before gazing around the clearing. Spinning and spinning not being able to locate the voice he'd finally look up and would spin once more giving off a rather clueless nature. Still having no clue of the voices location he did not pay mind to this and would look the exact opposite way, leaving his back to her. Pointing up to the tree with his claw like finger he would finally speak in a rather proud yet loose tone.* "Those who hide are the ones who are the most nimble of folks, though I've always preferred to let myself be known." *Letting off a small chuckle to his own comment, he'd lay his arm to rest from pointing and would proceed to fold his legs into a seated position.* "So what is another soul doing out here in this forest as I assumed I was alone, though I can take a guess as you're not here to drive me out as you've not attacked yet."
Sonja
*Juna had let out a quiet giggle at the Kitsune's annoyed actions, coming to relax more on the branch she rested on. She watched Athel speak out towards the trees in the complete opposite direction, but nevertheless she didn't want to bother redirecting him to face the right way. As confident as she felt with the high ground, she was unsure of what this traveler was capable of. He seemed nice enough for now which was enough for Juna's tail to give a light flick to the side, however she decide to maintain her area in hiding.

"There is mud on you-"*She decided to teasingly point out before returning to her normal cross-legged position on the branch, deciding she preferred it more. After the Kitsune had finished speaking, she opened her mouth to introduce herself only to close it quickly before any word could come out. She recalled a moment similar to this happening, though it was a Macen instead. The Canifor shook her head briefly, speaking in a voice that carried more confidence to it, while holding its sweet softness.*"I am a friend."*She said.*"I watch over the forest and those who pass through it."
Helen
*Letting out a small hiss at her comment about the mud he'd attempt to run his hand against it in attempts to pick it off. Only for his hand to now be covered in the murky substance. Letting off another sigh he'd fail his hand around removing it of any mud. Looking down at his attire once more he'd smirk slightly at the small victory he'd manage to pull off.* "Thank you for reminding me that my clothing attracts the earth. Though I am in bad fortune as I cannot afford new clothing so a bit of earth is bothersome."

*His ears would flicker once more as she began to speak once more this time his head would move to the side slightly as he was beginning to get an idea of her whereabouts. In a rather quick motion he'd stand once more and would point at another tree with confidence in his selection.* "If you're the one who watches over this forest then my guess is you're some sort of elf.. And I must decline the thought of another soul being a friend and those around you and I are only filled with greed and the thoughts of their own well being.." *Crossing his arms, he'd slightly tilt his head before grabbing the edges of his clothing and would flick upward revealing two rather thin swords, almost as if he felt a sense of hostility in the next few moments.* "If you claim you're a friend show yourself.. If you continue to hide I can only assume you're upset at the fact i've taken the lives of a few small creatures..."
Sonja
*Juna let out a quiet sigh, only to straighten up at the sight of the knives being revealed at Athel's side. It wasn't the fact that he had them that filled her with shock, but more so of the reveal that left her thinking back to the day she nearly lost her Jackal at a bar with an Elf doing something similar. There was an obvious pause in her words while she pondered over what to say to the Kitsune's aggression, the sudden need to remain hidden flourishing within her.*

"I..."*She began debating on continuing that statement or not.*"I cannot..."*The Canifor said her ears pressing against her head as she watched him from her perch having to constantly tell herself that he won't be able to find her, though her confidence at that seemed to falter.*

"I cannot stop the actions of those committed to hurting the creatures here, merely punish the actions taken for self-gain rather than survival and necessity."*She thought it over a bit in the somewhat truth of it, but it seemed like she wasn't planning on showing herself anytime soon.*"Elves are not the only ones that seek to maintain the will of nature."
Helen
"As i've said. Those who hide are the most nimble of creatures so my guess has lead me to assume elf. Though with your words I am slowly understanding what you are.. Yet you're still not what you claim to be... Hiding in the tallest of trees out of the sight of most, and yet claim to mean no harm. I've never trusted one that lurks in the shadows and I am not going to change that mindset anytime soon." *Athel would begin to rotate his ears around slowly picking up on her voice until a deep smirk would appear before his face. Slowly he'd turn his head and would glare up at a tree as his eyes would flicker for a moment of color.* "Though i've been very fond of gaining skills to see those who are acknowledging me.. As you have a very pretty aura."

*Bowing his head down slightly, Athel would pace up to the tree's base and would turn around before sliding his back down the bark as he'd take a seat. Reaching into his attire he'd pull out a pile of what looked like cloth, though as he begun to unravel it a reddish tint would show. Reaching in to the pile he'd pull out what appeared to be a small strip of dried meat. Opening up his mouth he'd flash his fangs before pressing his jaw down upon the meat, shaking his head slightly to tear at it.* "So then tell me.. By chance do you have a name? As you've wanted to gain something out of this conversation, or else you'd not have spoken to me and only watched.. So I might as well be a bit formal with you now that i've let my guard down..."
Sonja
*Juna's heart thudded in her chest as he drew near the tree from which she perched, loud enough to where she worried he would be able to hear it from all the way down there. As he sat back against the tree to eat a piece of meat he had, she drew in a tight breath and said:*

"There are more reasons to hide than just to attack someone..."*Her hand drew towards the string of her bow, running her fingers along it in the unintentional nervous action she always did every now and then. When he asked if she had a name, she considered going on to say it with the thought that maybe he would take to a more kind stance with the knowledge of her name, but she stopped herself. Names hold power in itself and thusly she kept that knowledge to herself, instead she said simply:*

"No... No I don't have a name..."*Her voice seem to take on a more disappointed tone, whether that was because of her answer or the Kitsune's reaction to her hiding, it was hard to tell.*
Helen
"Oh?" *Athel would seem rather off put by the fact she had still decided to keep with-in the shadows which off-put him slightly yet he continued to chew happily on his rations. Speaking with a mouthfull his voice would be muffled but would have a hit of seriousness to it.* "Now then, you claim to have no name yet every soul is given a name, so what you spew to me is a lie of its own. You also have claimed to be a friend of mine which was rather odd.. Yet I recall friends sharing information as simple as a name.."

*Cranking his neck back he'd look straight up into the tree and would almost seem to peer at her for a moment as a sickly smile would appear before his face.* "So then miss... No name, no soul.. Give me a reason as to why you hide upon the shadows if you do not wish to attack? Would it be that you simply fear me? If that's the case then what was the point of revealing yourself in the first place? Or is it that you have something to hide and you dont want me to know simply because im a stanger..." *He'd raise his voice almost as if mocking her in a childish way* "Im your friend after all so it's ok to tell me your reasoning..."
Sonja
*She gazed down at Athel, the glint of her dark brown eyes peering back at him. Her tail stuck out straight behind her as she pulled her knees to her chest.*

"Yes..."*She admitted to his questions of her being scared before turned away so as not to stare to long at his sickly gaze.*"You remind me of an Elf I once met... He seemed like a friend... Before he revealed his weapons to threaten me and my companion."*It seemed she was referencing the knives Athel had shown earlier, not taking a liking to it.*

*She stood up atop the branch and placed a hand atop the trunk of the tree, her claws digging into it for balance.*"He seemed like a friend... Now I'm not so sure..."*Juna said quietly.*"You two are similar in that way..."
Helen
"You would really compare me to a lowly elf? And you claim he seemed like a friend.. And yet I've made it very clear I do not consider you or anyone a friend as greed and self benefit are what run through everyone's veins.." *He'd then gently set down the rest of his meal and would shuffle around for a moment before pulling away his attire to reveal the slick thin looking blades. Reaching down for one he'd unsheathe it and would swing it around for a moment. With each stroke it would soar through the air with little resistance. In a quick moment he'd quickly sheath it again.*

"And for what reason would I try and harm a soul? Do you think I am a mugger? Or are you so fearful of that elf that you stoop low enough to fear a simple merchant like myself?" *Letting out a soft chuckle he'd stop his upward glance and would nuzzle into the trees roots more as he was getting comfortable. Looking to the remaining rations he'd point to it* "Now then.. It's very dishonorable to attack someone while sharing a meal. If you wish to speak face to face rather that hide in the shadows no name.. Then you can have the rest.."
Sonja
*Juna tilted her head a bit to the side so that it pressed against the trunk of the tree.*"You did just say you were my friend."*She pointed out.*"Yet you seem quick to wield your weapon at my presence..."*Her eyes closed as she let out a quiet sigh before opening them once more and before allowing herself to drop down to the branch below her. It shook beneath her wait, causing a few leaves to fall down to the ground below her.*

"My companion wouldn't mind the meal,"*She said, from her lowered height. With where she stood, her dark-toned legs had become visible in the light of the sun, leaving a more shadowed appearance to the upper half of her body as she looked own at him.*"He... Doesn't like new people too much though..."
Helen
"No no.. You've been mistaken with my words as I do not claim anyone to be my friend. Those are not needed when you travel alone.. Though the way you react to my blades means you're used to traveling alongside someone.. Those who are truly alone have to hold up a small front of aggression to hold their guard. If you are weary of my blades then my act is simply working. I have no need to fight as it's a nice day and im rather comfortable where I am sitti-" *Athel would cut of his speech when she finally had shown herself and all he could do in reaction was slowly clap his hands together.*

"Well then it seems the shadow does have a body to go along with the voice." *He still refused to look up though he acted as if he knew her direct location as his speech would seem to travel directly to her.* "I think your companion would have a lot more in common than you dear. As I do not like new people either, though sometimes you just have to deal with it." *Tapping his hand on one of the roots he would gesture to the meal once more.* "Dont let it go to waste or I will actually be mad."
Sonja
"But you... Oh..."*Juna fell silent to his words at his claim of not liking new people nor seeing her as any sort of friend despite his mocking words earlier. When he gestured to the meal, stating to not let it go to waste, she gave a small dip of her head. Juna never really ate food that came from someone else unless there wasn't another option, however, Jace was another story. The Jackal never did care where the food came from so long as it was food.*

"Would it... Be okay if I called my companion...?"*She asked him as if needing permission. Juna didn't, but she'd rather know early on with whether or not it would be safe for her to call her Jackal over, what with the aggression of the Kitsune below her.*"He... May seem aggressive, but he really means no harm."*It was a half truth, so long as the Kitsune didn't do anything to attack either one of them, her Jackal wouldn't go for him, though Jace was never good at first impressions. Juna had finally squatted down at the branch, more and more sunlight coming to reveal her as she lowered herself on it. Huntress clothing, covered her while from out behind, a dark furry tail slowly waved to and fro in the breeze. Her equally dark ears remained pressed atop her head, hard to see with how well it blended in to her hair.*