1/4 150 words

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    Mikael smiled and skipped along as he walked with Sable by his side keeping an eye out for any signs of the owl bear he had been told was roaming the area, seeming disoriented and injured making it more hostile than normal. He walked quietly as he listened for any sounds that could tell him where the beast could be. He looked to sable next to himself and smiled feeling safe with the other by him as he then looked to the small drake on his shoulder "Darius can you get a high viewpoint and see if you see anything?" he asked as Darius gave a little noise and flew into the top of the canopy of trees looking around for any signs of the creature. After a while he came back down signaling that he saw no signs of the Owlbear. Mikael nodded and continued to walk "I'm sure it's here somewhere"

It was strange to be back outside the city walls again. Stranger still was that it was so soon after being outside them once already for a similar reason... though he shouldn't have been surprised, he supposed. Mikael had made it clear that he spent his time helping the various animals and creatures of Charon, a tall order in and of itself made taller by the teifling's caring heart that likely made it impossible for them to ignore anything that was in need.

At least he wasn't unarmed this time, the familiar weight of a crossbow secured across his back once more. Luck was a fickle thing, after all, and Sable wasn't about to chance it all being spent the last time he accompanied Mikael with the woolful. There were dangers present in the woods at all times, and there were fewer forests than Shadewood that were deadlier. For the spiders alone if not for the criminals that used its reputation to lose themselves within.

They were two of several reasons Sable had thought to dissuade Mikael from his pursuit after an owlbear. This forest was... not a place you simply walked through unguarded, unprotected, and without keeping your head on a swivel for something that could be lurking at all times. Of course, that was the reason why he was here if he had to guess.

A skilled hunter. A skilled guard. He was not one to brag about his skills, nor was he one to understate them, but the thought of having to protect Mikael made him uneasy. He had already failed once when it came to protecting someone. He had failed to save them, and now he was walking alongside another that might need to rely on him in the same way should something find them instead of the other way around. It begged the question of whether or not there was anything else left inside him to break should he fail again.

He didn't want to find out.

Heart squeezing somewhat tightly in his chest to catch a glance of Mikael's carefree smile, Sable forced himself to look away, to not be lulled into a false sense of security. His wintered gaze sharp as it pierced through the veil of shadow, he remained aware of their surroundings, unwilling to let either of them be caught off guard with something as undoing as a momentary lapse.

...and when Mikael spoke to Darius, it was only a moment later in which Sable was doing the same. "Go with him," he encouraged Celeste. "Watch the branches for movement and webbing. Return to us if you see either."^[1]

Fortunately, his concern revealed itself to be unfounded for the time being when they both returned without incident, but it did nothing to make him less wary of their surroundings. Which was the only reason why his heart tightened further when he glanced towards Mikael and realized that he had drifted a little from his side, his steps quickly correcting this mistake and bringing him nearer.

No sign was neither good nor bad. It simply was, but perhaps they simply weren't close enough or needed to alter the signs they were looking for.

"...keep an eye out for claw marks on the trees," he said softly, motioning absentmindedly to those they passed. "Owlbears have been... known to claw those at the edges of their territory to warn others off and stake their claim."

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[1] Language Used - Draconic (denoted by red)

2/4

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Mikael listened curiously and nodded with a smile "Right then I will be sure to look for such things!" he smiled as he walked blushing ever so slightly at the others closeness. The more time he spent with the other getting to know him the more conscious he became of the others actions and movements and his face would heat up and he would be nervous though he wasn't sure why. Even his heart seemed to react but he did his best to focus on the mission right now looking for the owlbear

It took a good while of walking as they went and soon he saw a few drops of blood and some claw marks nearby "looks like they may have passed through here" he remarked a bit quieter now, so that he wouldn't alert anything as they were walking closer. He walked by the other and looked around for any other signs of direction

Sable let out a slow breath, working to keep it even and controlled, almost meditative, as he kept his steps quiet. An old trick. An old doctrine. To leave as little a presence as one could in places such as these that were filled with predators whose nature it was to track those that might hunt them, to turn on one another should hunger or circumstance allow, to sometimes kill for sport outside of baser instincts.

It took only a single moment, after all, a single misstep. Silence could easily be shattered by a roar, by a sudden cry of alarm or challenge before fangs and claws found those that were too confident in their ability or were not paying as much mind to their surroundings as they should. A lesson Sable had learned, though... he had been lucky that the scent of his blood spilled across the ground and dripping from their fangs had been enough to frighten them off.

He doubted that would be enough for anything lurking within the shadows of this forest, something that had him more than once considering reaching out to Mikael to draw him back to his side when he wandered off just a little too much. Or speaking. 'Be careful, please,' had been a request on the tip of his tongue several times, but it was always bitten back and left unsaid.

Because he... cared. For this person—Mikael. Stranger turned acquaintance turned... He didn't know. Or couldn't know. Or couldn't allow himself. He didn't wish to see them hurt. He didn't wish to fail them as he had once already. But he was at war with what to consider them, with what he could allow himself to consider them. A distraction. A frustration. A constant voice in the back of his head that was warning him as he reigned everything in and simply... focused.

...did it make him lesser if thinking of this as a hunt helped? Was he betraying himself in doing so? Did it break the promise he had made?

The answers that the forest held were not for his questions, though they were answers of a sort. They were a clear direction towards the owlbear Mikael was in search of, and more than that, they held a partial glimpse into what had happened to a trained and experienced eye.

Kneeling by the tracks, Sable surveyed them for some time in silence, his eyes darting wildly as he envisioned what happened, his mind building an image where none was for him to see. "It is retreating from a fight," he said after a few moments of stillness, pointing out a distinct few marks that told him this. "...and it has a limp from it. You can tell by the way its gate is... uneven as it walks. I do not know if it was the victor, though, but..." Sable stood, walking over to a few claw marks and comparing them to the others that were around. "...I believe that this is not its territory and that it was likely looking for a place to claim as its own."

Icy eyes returned to Mikael, then. "We should... proceed with great caution. If it is injured... and if you are sure you want to... pursue it."

Mikael watched the other examine the scene with a curious look which switched to amazement at the others assessment “you can tell all of that? That’s amazing! Can you teach me sometime?” He asked hopefully as he moved to the other before nodding with a determined look “I wanna help it no matter what” he smiled. Even if it seemed naive or reckless he was determined to find and assist the creature no matter what. He looked in the direction the tracks led following a little but not far without the other “we can do this” he encouraged as he looked around as they went

As they walked their were a few noises here and there, a few spots seeming more recently walked through than some of the others from before, mikaels ears twitched towards sounds as he listened, behind him his tail swayed slowly as he was on alert. It was a habit of his he had never truly noticed as it was just a part of his nature to do such things as he went. He would occasionally look back towards the other to make sure he wasn’t far off. He knew the other was more of a protector than he could be but he wanted to protect the other in return, pausing as he heard a faint noise, his ears turning that way as his tail went still

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3/4

It was Celeste landing back on his shoulder that shook him from the moment of... bewilderment he felt when praise came from Mikael. Reading signs of passage and gleaning what transpired from tracks made was something he could simply do, the many years of training having granted him that ability, but it was very much a part of him in a way that he thought nothing of it. Amazing wasn't something he would consider it to be, and yet...

"...I could try," Sable found himself saying after a beat. "Teaching you, that is. It takes... a lot of practice, and I have... many years of experience, but it is... not impossible to do if you truly wish to learn." Considering it for a moment, he then added, "I would not mind, either. Teaching you that... that is..." he trailed off as he realized he was repeating himself, a heavy breath released as he drew his attention away from the embarrassment he felt for his... limitations.

He shouldn't have been surprised, though, when Mikael seemed set upon this task and the path they had to follow to complete it. Even if the path was stained with the blood of a creature whose species was known for its aggression and to be provoked by very little. Many a hunter had long, raking scars from owlbears, and they were considered to be vicious for well-founded reasons.

And yet, Mikael seemed unperturbed, something that only added to Sable's worry. He did not wish to think ill of this person—this acquaintance of his that had proven to be a source of... consistency in his life from random moments during his shift where he was found to the rare few times they met one another in one of the many taverns throughout the city, but it was... recklessness to push forward to help a creature that might not even wish to be helped. If it could even understand that they were there to help it.

...not that he would leave Mikael's side as he metaphorically rushed forward into danger, of course. He would remain and guide them forward, his gaze cast wide and to every shadow between the trees as he kept watch for anything that might be stalking them. Occasionally, he would catch a flicker of movement from Mikael's tail and return his attention to them, small, disjointed pieces within him that were shifted and dislodged from his concern settling a little in seeing that they were still there and alright. That reassurance... peaceful.

That uneasy peace along with the quiet atmosphere around them was shattered, though, when Sable heard the same thing that Mikael did, his hand immediately going to draw his crossbow before he stopped himself from acting on that instinct. Quiet steps quickened to bring him to the tiefling's side, he motioned for them to crouch as he did so himself, and taking the lead, he found a path through the undergrowth that allowed them to remain as close to silent as he could.

It was not much longer after that they spotted the owlbear, and Sable stopped at once, holding himself unnaturally still. "I... do not know if speaking to it as I did the woolful will prove... useful here, depending on what state it is in," he whispered as loudly as he dared. "...but I am willing to try. To see if maybe it would... work."

Although he would not say it aloud, Sable would prefer if it was him that was made known to the injured beast over Mikael. In case it acted in desperation or violence. He would much rather it be him that was on the receiving end of any attacks. He was no stranger to scars, after all... or being mauled.

His smile brightened more if possible as he nodded excitedly “great! I’d love to learn! Thank you so much!” He remarked happily as his tail swayed “just let me know when you have time when we are back okay?” He asked tilting his head happily looking up at him with a look of pure joy.

He smiled as they walked on though his tail slowed as he became more focused on things around them knowing of the danger they could find themselves in. After stopping upon hearing the noise he was surprised to see the other move a bit in front of him though nodded and crouched as instructed. He trusted the other quite a bit and knew to follow his lead in a situation such as this that could turn to danger rather quick

Upon seeing it he nodded to the other “if you could try that would be helpful. Just let it know we are here to help if it is willing to accept it and it will be safe…” he remarked before adding “I’ll be by your side and maybe I can help coax it into relaxing and trusting us a bit” he replied looking at the other then back to the creature before them

Sable watched the creature for a moment after Mikael spoke, his eyes darting about its form and the area around it. From where they stood, he could make out the injury that was likely the reason it was limping, and as he studied it further, he could see that there were a few others, as well. While they were bloody and matted, though, they did not appear to be life-threatening, which worked in their favor. A creature such as this put into a situation where it would be thinking of itself as fighting for its life would make this task all but impossible to do without getting scathed.

Especially if Mikael would be at his side, something that... had every fiber of his being all but crying out in protest to have them putting themselves in such danger. Yet for all that he wanted to tell the other man, 'No.', that he would be remaining here until it was safe, Sable could not find the words. Even as it burned, it was not his place to give Mikael commands, to deny and refuse him. Not when it was he who put them on this path and saw to it they were here. No matter how wrong it felt.

He had to say something, though, the hunter and protector in him demanded it.

"Alright. I will... attempt to speak with it, but... if I tell you to run, you run. Understand?" Icy eyes that always regarded Mikael gently now bore into the other's illuminated gaze with a firmness that was born of necessity, urgency, and importance. "If I tell you to run, you must do so, Mikael," he said once more, imploring them to listen. "Please. I will... I will be right behind you," so long as he was able to, "but these creatures... if it does not listen, you must run. Back the way we came. And you do not stop until you are out of the forest. Not even to look back for me."

This was not something Sable would budge on. He would not accept anything less than Mikael agreeing, begrudging or reluctant it might be. The only thing he might bend was with reassurances to the other man that he would run, too. He would promise that he would if asked, but in his heart, he knew that he would only do so after making sure he had bought the other enough of a head start to escape himself.

Mikael looked at the creature with a worried look hoping it wouldnt mind some help but nodded at the others words "As long as you are with me I will" he nodded with a serious look to match the others. It was a bit surprising seeing such a look from the male but her understood why. His worry grew some hearing the other "I will run... but I dont want to leave you behind..." he replied with a small frown, his ears drooping a bit in worry for the other. "Just promise you wont get hurt..." he said looking at the other with a hopeful look to the other wanting some reassurance that the other wouldn't endanger themselves.

He held the others gaze as he awaited an answer only looking away towards the owl bear after receiving one, assessing what he would need in order to help and heal it.

He couldn't promise that he wouldn't get hurt, much as he wished he could give Mikael that reassurance that the lines of worry that sharpened their features might ease some. "I am... faster than I look," he said instead. "You will not leave me behind." Not willingly, at least, and he hoped that it... helped some, even if he couldn't give his word for the worries that truly mattered, the one that he would break if it meant Mikael's safety.

With a heavy breath, one that carried the weight of all that had been said and of the danger they were about to place themselves in, Sable reached a hand up to his throat. As his fingertips brushed the leather and silver of the necklace, a bit of relief washing over him as the illogical fear that he wasn't wearing it despite his certainty of that fact, he did not feel at ease by any means. He felt... tense, his concern so viscerally felt that it threatened to root him in the spot. But he had to move. He said that he would try to speak to the creature, and so, he would do just that, even as it went against everything he knew and had been taught.

"...slowly now," he whispered to Mikael before Sable rose to his feet, an arm held out to create something of a barrier to keep the other man at his side... but also behind him as he began to lead their approach towards the owlbear.

Footsteps cautious and slow, he kept them to a pace that wouldn't immediately provoke, and to make sure he did not appear to be challenging the wounded animal, his wintery gaze was averted. His thoughts willing the wind to remain as it was and not shift to give them away and startle the beast, he only stopped them both once they were halfway into the clearing, the owlbear on the other side, shuffling lamely at the edge of the furthest trees.

"In peace we find you, great one,"^[1] he began, shifting to stand more in front of Mikael now. "We come not to challenge you nor to injure you further." Sable was hyperaware of every move and response that came over the owlbear as he spoke, adjusting his stance and where he stood in relation to it to keep himself at the forefront of its attention for the time being.

"My... friend here wishes to offer you help. Healing and safety away from here," he continued, daring now to meet the owlbear in the eye. "You may trust in them."

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[1] Item Used: Necklace of Animal Speech (denoted by gold)

Mikael gave a small worried frown, ears dropping a bit at that though he nodded a bit "right then..." he replied quietly before soon following the other slowly after carefully standing, following the taller male towards the creature carefully and quietly.

Mikael watched the creature and its movements as he listened to sable words hoping they would comfort the creature as he examined the wound which was easier to see now. His cheeks tinted a bit at the others words of kindness as he always did feeling a little flip in his stomach as he smiled ever so slightly

The bear, standing as best it could now, looked between the two taking a small step forward seeming to question how it could trust them and how this could all be a lie. It didn't want to be tricked into death and was more defensive now that is was in a wounded state

That the owlbear did not simply turn on them and lash out with claws and fangs was an impossibility that came to pass with a step being taken towards them in trepidation rather than aggression. It was something that defied the certainty Sable had that they would see themselves threatened by the creature by its behavior, even as it might not charge them.

Yet he could release the breath that he had held as his words began to settle in those moments when they were noticed by an animal known for its ferocity. He could slowly drag in another before the exhale made his lungs ache with the way the air left him, one after another. And despite the tension in the air that bound them all in an unnatural stillness, he could think about what to do next, what he might say to convince a defensive and wounded creature that they could be trusted so that he, in turn, could trust it with Mikael being near enough to tend to it.

...how strange this all was to consider when not ten years ago, he was a hunter.

"We will not harm you," Sable said, his voice a touch firmer as he grew more certain of himself. "There is no danger here. Not from us. We wish only to help... if you would let us."

Sable took a step forward himself, his gaze flicking from the owlbear to Mikael to make sure that he was still at his side and not pushing forward yet. There was still too much uncertainty in what it would do in response for them to draw that much nearer.

The owl bear looked intently at the two keeping its guard up untrusting of the others. It questioned their trust and words thought took another step forward sitting soon after with a grunt. It looked from its wound to the two then back again before looking away seeming to let its guard down by the two for the time being laying its head on its paws.

Mikael had been staying right next to sable with a small smile as he saw the creature reacting and relaxed a bit himself as he looked around then back to the creature. He then looked to sable waiting for an okay signal from the other. As soon as he got it he approached a bit closer with the other and got his Merlot out carefully and slowly setting things down for the bear to see “alright here we go” he took a breath before working on fixing up the wounds as best he could with just a travel kit glancing to sable as he went “could you explain the parchment scroll to him? I’m gonna put him in one for now so he can finish healing if he is okay with it” he remarked with a small smile

None of the tension that bound Sable eased when the owlbear made itself appear more... docile and calm, accepting of their presence. There was still so much uncertainty, still so much to doubt, and Sable, for all that he cared, all that he always cared, couldn't allow himself to trust blindly. Beasts, like people, were unpredictable, and it would only take one misstep to send them into a rage... as he was all too familiar with.

It was not his past and the experiences that lay within it that would determine the outcome of where they found themselves now, though. It was what they did now, how they acted, how they responded, and while it was reluctant, while his scrutiny on the beast did not waver, Sable signaled to Mikael that he could approach, the former hunter keeping in step with them until he stood before it as they moved to its side where the brunt of its injuries lay.

Yet as his... as Mikael set to helping the creature, Sable couldn't help but wish that he could draw his crossbow. Just in case. An instinctual thought, a desire born from his need to protect, but as time passed—far too slow for his liking—the owlbear didn't give him a reason to draw it, and he couldn't help but wonder if he and the beast weren't so dissimilar. Violent and dangerous... until they were desperate or until they were shown that they didn't have to be as such by someone else.

The irony wasn't lost on him... though his thoughts on it were put to an end when Mikael spoke up and asked him to explain.

His wintered gaze flicking from the owlbear to the tiefling, Sable let out a slow breath. "I... I can try," he heard himself say softly, unsure of what he was doing or if it would work. He hardly understood it himself, using the scrolls and magic to keep them somewhere... but he supposed there was a chance that it might work in his favor. It wasn't as though he could overexplain and cause any confusion that way. Not that he was a beast of very many words, to begin with.

Sable hesitated for a moment, his attention once more on the creature. Searching for his words, trying to make sense of what might be best used to convey, he only spoke when he was certain had some semblance of an explanation, using the magic bound in Tallas' necklace.

"Great one," he said, gaining the creature's attention. "Your wounds are... beyond what can be healed here, but my... friend has a means of letting you heal in perfect safety." He motioned between himself and Mikael, "Away from creatures like us... and creatures like you."

"...it is magic," he added, hoping that it was capable of understanding such a concept. "The thing before you... a parchment or scroll—paper if you... understand—will contain you. Away from here. Away from others. That you might heal." He looked to Mikael again, another part of him worrying that he failed to explain it all properly and to ensure they were alright.

"He will only do this if you agree to it..." it could not speak to give consent, he realized, "...by reaching towards the scroll." Gods be, what twist of fate that he now conversed what would have been a great prize at the end of a long hunt?

Mikael smiled with a thankful look and nod to Sable as the creature looked between them. It's gaze was cold and untrusting as it shifted a bit between the two before bowing its head in thought. It then reached a paw towards the scroll.

Mikael relaxed and gently moved the scroll to the creature, as it lit up and the owlbear faded into the scroll. Once done Mikael carefully rolled it up and put it in his bag before he began to put his medkit supplies away. He then turned to Sable with a bright smile "thank you so so much you did amazing! I would hug you if I could" he replied happily, his tail swaying behind him as his ears were perked up. "I really appreciate everything you do for me. It means a lot to me" he spoke softly, his cheeks tinting ever so slightly as he hoped the other didnt find his words too awkward or anything of that nature. Sure he really enjoyed his company, loved talking to him, felt happiest around him and safe and comfortable but that was normal right? Granted he wasn't so sure about the blushing and the butterflies in his stomach or his heart racing but that was fine right?