The time had finally come in which a young lad named Videl had left his village behind. In order to escape the preconceived judgements and prejudices of his people, and in search of the truth behind what had truly been going on with the gods, Videl had fled in the dark of the night. He was free now.. To a modicum of a degree. Free to choose his own fate. To live his own life. And free to face all the burdens that accompanied a life away from others.

Having never really undergone such an experience before, the young T'saya had found himself at a loss. Just what should he be doing now? How exactly was he going to accomplish his goals? This... was admittedly a rather poorly thought out idea. One that he refused to turn his back on. Rather than give in to his own failures, Videl would continue on. He would make his way through the pine trees of the Cold Wood and would continue on in hope of discovering some new path. One that would grant him access to new information. After all, in the grand scheme of things, knowledge was power.

Several days would pass as Videl had pushed on through the Cold Wood. Up until this point, he had encountered very few other inhabitants of the forest. There were a few hunters from other tribes that he had passed, and a couple of monsters that he had ultimately avoided, but ultimately only one individual had caught his attention. It was on his fifth day of travel that he would come upon a man that was rather unlike those that he had met up to this point. A scientist from Moonglade that had gone by the name of Lloyd.

When Videl had found said scientist, this Lloyd fellow had been making his way back towards the Pale City. The scientist had been out in the field, performing research of some sort, but didn't wish to speak of it all that much out here in the woods. Unbeknownst to Videl, this was frankly due to the fact that Lloyd had simply not wished to spend too much time speaking with humans. "Feel free to come back with me to the Pale City. If you're looking for a bit of work, my comfortable looking friend, then I suppose that I'll have some for you once we get back to the inn. Should have people waiting for me there so.." Not even needing to finish his sentence, Videl had agreed and decided to follow the older gentleman back to the city. Once there, he would begin the process of explaining the task at hand.

---

Lloyd's Field Guide to Charon - The Creation of Oozes

After wandering the frozen wastes of Frost Gale for weeks, Sylvari wouldn't have been surprised if the frozen tundra scared away all potential inhabitants. But the resolve of mortals proved strong, as the peoples of this land did not satisfy themselves with merely surviving in the land. They had built a thriving metropolis. Pale City was bigger than most cities that Sylvari had yet visited, and it stood as a staunch defiance of humanity against the elements. 

For her part, Sylvari was just glad she wouldn't have to survive by desiccating squirrels anymore. A collection of people meant that Sylvari could slake her thirst cleanly and safely, for both herself and her feeding partners. Thus, thirst properly slaked, she had resolved to go for a bit of questing. The rumored master in these lands still eluded her, but whether it was because of the harsh environment, the arcana dormant within her from her transformation, or the rich blood of the people here, suffused with frost, Sylvari had managed to master her first ice spell. More would be incoming.

Unfortunately, Lloyd had found her again, deeming her to be 'a reliable sort after dealing with that Bogaboo.' Sylvari was never one to deny a person in need, but, given that Lloyd's last assignment had nearly killed her and her partner, she was more than a little trepidatious. What is that researcher even doing up here in Frost Gale anyway? He had refused to give Sylvari more details of the hunt, citing the need for 'precisely one more body', so she was obliged to wait for his return. Luckily for Sylvari's dwindling patience, she did not have long to linger as he swiftly returned with a bundled-up man in tow. 

"Lloyd, so good of you to return swiftly. And this one is to be the other... 'body' as you so poetically put it?" Sylvari turned her attention to the newcomer. "Sylvari Dawnsage, a pleasure."

'Body,' was all that Videl could think as he had made his way into the room. 'Just what is goin-' Before Videl could even finish that thought, his gaze would fall upon the woman that had been speaking up until this point. What his eyes had happened upon had completely cleared his mind of everything else. There, standing before him, was an individual like none that he had encountered except for but once. Her silvery blonde hair had already been exceedingly different from what he had been accustomed to but that armor.. He had never seen this much armor on an individual before! None but the adventurers that had passed through his settlement anyways.

Briefly lost in his thoughts, Videl could do nothing but stare at the woman. It was likely exceedingly awkward but that hadn't been his attention in the least. This was simply a differing experience than what he had been used to. One that had reassured him of this path. Once a sense of clarity had washed over the him, Videl would blink several times and then offer the woman a bright smile. For the most part, it had been his typical mask of a smile that often appeared when dealing with others. Mixed into that though had been a sense of genuineness that he hadn't held for quite some time. "Videl Vaddaria."

Sensing that the young T'saya's reaction had been a bit strange, Lloyd would step in and bring things back into focus. "Precisely. To get to the matter at hand, I have asked you both here to assist me in a matter of field research. You see, I've spent the last couple of years on creating a field guide one of Charon's most undiscovered creatures and well.. I am now in need of your assistance." The word 'your' was meant in a more broad sense but this much hadn't occurred to Videl. In his eyes, this was his calling. The one that he had been searching for in order to prove to himself that leaving was the right idea.

"To complete my guide, a ton of field work and data is needed, and well, I can not do it on my own. As such, I am recruiting those that are capable to assist me in this activity. Naturally you will be rewarded for your work so there's no need to worry about that. Either through creations of my own design or through things that I have found in my travels. Those of which we can discuss after you have completed the tasks ahead." The fact that there were several tasks to be completed had flown directly over Videl's head. All that had mattered to him at the moment was to be of use. "So to start, should you choose to accept, I am going to need the both of you to work together to discover just how it is that these creatures are created."

By this point, a glint of raving curiosity would find purchase within the mans eyes. It was clear that this topic was one of hot debate. The kind that propelled scientists such as Lloyd forward with enthusiasm. "As for what these creatures are called? Well that would be Oozes of course. Where do they come from? Do they give birth, lay eggs, or just bud from one another? These are the things that I need the two of you to find out." By this point, the extensive conversation was beginning to get to the man. Honestly, he would much rather be out in the field than here. "Find this out for me and I'll reward you where I can."

Up unto this point, this point, Videl hadn't personally encountered such a creature. This was yet another new experience that he was rather looking forward to undertaking. Without even consulting Sylvari beforehand, Videl would jolt a hand up into the air and state, "I accept!" But his answer alone wasn't enough. And embarrassingly enough, after having accepted the quest from this Lloyd fellow, Videl would come to this realization. A tinge of red would overcome the mans bronze cheeks as his hand would slowly drop back down to his side and his eyes would fall upon the veiled woman once more. "T-that is.. If you'll have me, Miss Dawnsage."

A flush of scarlet overtook Sylvari's face under the weight of Videl's stare. Her face half-concealed as it customarily was, most people only spared glances for her darkened set of full plate. There was some of that too, but Sylvari felt as if she held far more interest than usual. She wasn't sure whether it was refreshing or unnerving, but Lloyd's interruption saved her from having to decide.

Sylvari listened silently to the researcher's spiel. When she was younger, she might have scoffed at such seemingly pointless inquiries, but her travels had taught her otherwise. Even just the scraps of Lloyd's field guide that she was allowed to peruse were invaluable in her hunting of several monsters that she otherwise had no experience with, so in her eyes, he had earned a bit of eccentricity.

She had, of course, encountered oozes before: an exceedingly troublesome creature for one specializing in blunt weapons such as herself. She didn't relish the thought of facing them again, but Lloyd's determination and Videl's enthusiasm overcame her dissent. "Very well, Lloyd. I will do my utmost to aid you in this research. In this, you have my solemn vow." Turning to Videl, she continued. "And just Sylvari is fine, darling. In this we are partners, and I've no intent to lord formality over you if it comes to life-or-death combat." She gave a sincere, close-lipped smile to her partner.

"It most definitely cannot come to that, Miss Sylvari. This is quite different from the last assignment you assisted me with, and violence could interrupt the natural reproductive processes." Lloyd gave Sylvari a pointed look, who merely sighed in response. Why am I not surprised there's a caveat on this outing?

"And just what do you expect us to do, Lloyd darling, if the creature should come upon us with murderous intent?" Her tone was sickly-sweet, and the implication was pressing.

Lloyd gave an exasperated sigh. "If you absolutely must, incapacitate the creature, then withdraw to a safe distance and observe it. This data is critical to the guide!"

Sylvari sighed again, knowing that concession was likely the most she would be able to elicit from the man.

"Any other questions?" Lloyd looked pointedly between Sylvari and Videl, the former of whom merely shrugged and looked to the latter as well.

Upon bearing witness of Sylvari's acceptance of the quest, a toothy grin would find purchase upon Videl's face. It would take a lot of energy for the T'saya to mask his rather open feelings about the situation and so, he would ultimately allow for this smile to be on full display. "Great!" Without a seconds notice, Videl would saddle on over to Sylvari's side. He had stood proudly beside her, excited to get going with the mission that lie ahead.

Thankfully Sylvari had been rather versed in dealing with Lloyd at this point. She had managed to ask questions that Videl wouldn't have even thought of. While the circumstances of their meeting had been rather strange, Videl could already tell that he was lucky to have met one such as Sylvari. If nothing else, he was sure that their bond would be interesting as time had gone on. Perhaps she could even show him the proper way of doing these sorts of things? The possibilities were nigh endless. "There's no need to worry, Sylvari. I'll do all that is within my power to keep us safe if things get out of hand." A laughable notion considering that she was the one that had been decked out in a set of armor that she was fully capable of utilizing.

"After all, we've got to stick together, right?" His full attention would turn back towards the silver blonde haired woman once more as he would say this. "Can't go losing my first companion." Due to the lack of interaction, he kept the word that he truly wished to use to himself. Friend. Something that he had hoped to call her some day, if he could prove his worth.

Getting the sense that there were no questions to be had from the T'saya, Lloyd would simply gesture towards the door. "Right than. Feel free to get on with your work. You can find me here once you've finished up with your task. For the couple of days or so anyways. I can't quite say that I'll be here after that." Knowing that he was more or less being rushed out of there, Videl would than make his way towards the exit of the inn. He would be sure to stop by the door on his way out though, holding it up for Sylvari so that she could make her way through. If she had allowed such a thing anyways. Regardless, once the two were outside of the inn, Videl would simply ask her but a single question. "So where would you like to start? I have a thought on where we might be able to find an ooze or two but I can't quite say for certain."

Sylvari couldn't help but smile at Videl's enthusiasm. Was I once so starry-eyed? People adjust to things so quickly; it's the gift of the youth to show us what we've lost, and what we may yet regain again through effort.

An impish grin spread over Sylvari's face at Videl's proclamation that he would keep them safe. "I appreciate the concern, darling, but considering which of us is wrapped in steel, I do think I'll be taking point in this endeavor. I anticipate you'll have ample time to demonstrate your skills, however. I'm quite adept at holding enemy attention."

Sylvari was all too happy to comply when Lloyd rushed them out of his makeshift workshop. She had felt too cooped up between the waiting and the briefing anyway. She took the time to stretch her coiled joints, ^{[Light as a Feather]} moving with a grace and balance that defied the seeming limits of her cumbersome armor. She had learned early and well that going into combat with an unready body was akin to having a dulled sword and would hinder a fighter just as much. Once she was satisfied with her readiness, she turned to look at Videl, who had a suggestion for finding their quarry.

"By all means, dear Videl. You're a native of the land, I take it? My own homeland is far away and quite different than this so I would bow to your wisdom in this respect. Tracking isn't really my specialty in any case, so if I took lead we would be relying on good fortune and the gods." Sylvari's easy smile was carefully crafted to set her companion's mind at ease, but given his earnest likeability, it wasn't hard to fabricate.

If Sylvari had intended to hold the enemies attention, should they find themselves in any trouble, than Videl would just have to be the one to cut down their enemies. Given that their main tactic of fighting was attempting to be quicker than the opponent and then piercing them with a spear of ice, he was sure that he could make good on his word to help keep them safe. The only real matter would be whether or not he could actually hold up against an actual person. That wasn't something that he had ever really done before. An actual fight would be far different than that of a shadow fight within his mind.

"I have all the faith in your abilities, Sylvari." His gaze would turn back down towards her armor once more before pulling back towards the direction they were heading in. "While I haven't really seen all that many people walking around in armor, I know enough to know that you're pretty well versed in the use of yours. The adventurers that I saw previously were far more sluggish in their movements. You, on the other hand, walk with the grace of a snow leopard. Truly exceptional."

Videl would then take the lead, heading off in the direction that he had seen those hunters previously. It wasn't all that likely that they would easily encounter said hunters, or the oozes themselves, but Videl had faith that they could track one of the two down. The Coldwood was known for being a hotspot for hunters, after all, so he was sure that one of the two would appear at some point or another. All that they have to hope for is that they can track down an ooze before the hunters do. 

As the pair would make their way towards Coldwood in search of an ooze, Videl would try and get some conversation in. This was the first real adventurer that he had met outside of that encounter in his village and there were a ton of things that he had hoped to learn. Starting off small though, so as to not bombard Sylvari with questions, Videl would try and get to know her a bit better. "Soooo.... What brings you to Frost Gale?" With this being the first time that he's really attempted to do this, Videl couldn't help but come across a bit awkward. Even he had been aware of how hesitant he had sounded as he spoke those words. It was enough to warm his cheeks, that is, if he could ever feel that warmth.

Sylvari gave a light laugh as Videl complimented her, voice ringing out like a bell. "Take care, Videl. With such words like honey, people are liable to think your tongue is a greater asset than your arm. It is a good trait, to be sure, but unfortunately there have been those in our profession that have presented as such and very frequently they have not the skill to validate their words." Sylvari reached out to place a comforting hand on her partner's shoulder. "We who strive to be heroes must meet people where they are at, regardless of their errors. I only mean to spare you difficulty in the road ahead."

As Videl began to lead the pair out of the city, Sylvari took the time to evaluate her companion. Obviously, he was green around the edges, but she never begrudged anyone for a lack of experience. Indeed, she saw it as an honor and great responsibility to help guide others, and she hoped fervently she would be a good role model for him. More than that though, Sylvari could see that he moved with a confidence born of being molded by this environment.

Presently, Videl began to speak, inquiring as to Sylvari's purpose for being here. She smiled at him, as if to encourage the interaction. "I journeyed to Frost Gale for a rumored sage that lives among the wilds here. My mission is such that I require to be in peak condition, and the strive towards perfection is an endless climb that can only be achieved in community. Unfortunately, I have had some trouble in locating the master and was met with Lloyd in my return to the city. I'm not the sort to turn down a person in need, and Lloyd's research is a very valuable commodity besides, so here I am. What of you Videl? An opposite question, perhaps: where do you mean to go from here?"

Heroes..? That wasn't something that Videl that fully considered up until this point. In addition to his journey for information, he could become a hero? The mere thought was enough to spark a fire within the man. "You know.. That doesn't sound too bad. Being a hero." With a prideful smile on his face, he would stare off into the distance for a moment. "It'll take more training but I'm sure that I'll get there." One of his hands would than reach up and place themselves upon her own. "Make no mistake though. My words may sound honeyed but they are simply the truth." With that, he would give her hand a soft squeeze before returning his own back down to his side.

Eventually the conversation would turn towards him questioning Sylvari and her questioning him in turn. Her purpose for being here and the question that she had asked of him were both enough to make him think. Was there a sage like that out here? Perhaps it was due to the lack of interaction outside of his tribe but Videl hadn't ever heard of such an individual. Unless she is referring to one of the Vahkte. "A sage, huh? I can't recall anyone of such importance but I'm sure that you'll be able to track them down, if there truly is one out here. I'd be willing to assist you once all is said and done here, if you'd like. Albeit I can only assume that this sage is residing within the Pale City or Bleak Fort. Either that or it's one of the Vahkte of my people. That... feels a bit unlikely though."

His thoughts than pulling towards his own path after this, he would answer confidently. "As for myself? Well.. You opened up a few paths for me just now. I intend on traversing the entirety of Charon, so as to find the answers that I'm looking for. Whilst doing so, I could help those that are in need. Such as Sir Lloyd or yourself. Honestly, I'm not all that sure yet. I'll probably just.. take it one day at a time." He would then slow his pace a bit so that the two were standing side by side. He would offer her a slight nudge of the shoulder before laughing softly to himself. "And as far as I'm concerned? Perfection is the kind of thing that you've already mostly achieved. You just have to acknowledge those imperfections and accept them."

Sylvari blushed heavily, hearing Videl's praise. "Again, dear Videl, your words are too kind by half. Surely you've not had enough time with me to make such sweeping statements. There are many whose skill far exceed my own." Sylvari then switched mental tracks, her face becoming somber and sullen. "Besides, my faults far outweigh my virtues. I strive towards perfection, because I am anything but."

Sylvari trudged on ahead of Videl for the first time since leaving the city, intentionally outpacing her companion in the hopes their positioning would hide the well of tears that threatened to spill from her crimson eyes. She was acutely aware of her faults, of her nature, ^{[Chaos Touched]} sensing the soft swirling of Videl's arcana behind her. Too much blood. I've spilled too much blood to be called perfect. Even a warrior knows that killing is an ugly business, but I'm guilty of far worse. I'm a murderer, and a fool besides. I should warn Videl of the monster he travels with.

Sylvari straightened her posture and stood stock still, setting her face into a grim mask. As she addressed her partner again, her voice was hard as flint. "Tell me, Videl: do you think there are things in this world that are unforgivable? What lines must a person cross to be lost forever?"

While he may have wished to step in once more to show Sylvari his own point of view on these things, there was a part of Videl that could understand where she had been coming from. The desire to strive towards perfection whilst truly believing that you are on the opposite end of that spectrum.. It was no easy thing to cope with. It was a feeling that he had encountered many times in the past, whenever he had been compared to his family. Why couldn't he have been blessed like the others? Was he simply defective? In the eyes of his particular tribe, he was nothing more than a stain on the great Vaddaria name.

"It's certainly true that we haven't known one another long enough for me to make such claims.. I suppose that this just means that I'll have to stick around long enough to prove my point?" He was teasing her a bit, hoping to goad her into a bit of laughter. Laughter that very well may not come, seeing as she has decided to trudge on ahead of him. "If I may, I would like to point something out though. No matter the faults that you may have, you are working to better the world from what it seems. To be a hero, yeah? That's already a step in the right direction. No great sage can make you take action on your own. All they can do is set you down a path that they believe to be the right one."

Once Sylvari had decidedly stood still, Videl would follow suit and stop a few paces behind her. He had wanted to ask her if she was alright but silenced himself once she began to speak, so that he could have his full attention on what she had to say. Honestly, the question that she had asked had been a rather curious one. How far would one have to go to be considered unforgivable? It's not the kind of thing that he had ever really put much thought into. Now that he had though, the words would spill forth from his lips rather easily. "Honestly? I'm not sure. The way that I see it, only you can forgive yourself for your actions. You can do everything that you want to try and fix something, or make it up to someone, but that person isn't obligated to forgive you. It's all about learning to forgive yourself."

It was a bit embarrassing to even bring up but Videl would opt to give her an example to prove his point. "Like.. I struggle to accept the fact that I had no control over the events of my youth. People weren't so great to me back home and that often led to me believing that I was at fault for it. At the end of the day, it isn't my fault that I am the way that I am. That part of me isn't important. It's not something that I can change. What I can change though is how I act in the future. So no matter what I went through in my past, or what I've done up to this point, as long as I can forgive myself than things will be okay. Because as long as I don't give up on myself, and try to forgive myself for whatever has happened, than I'm not lost."

Videl would proceed to close the distance between himself and Sylvari, stopping only when he was about six inches away. He would than reach up and ruffle her hair a bit while offering her a smile. "Just don't give up on yourself and things can change. If you lose yourself than trust in those that are close to you to help you find yourself again." He may have been incapable of absolving her of his past sins, especially considering the fact that he knows nothing of them, but he could at least be there for her while she needed him. "Step one is acknowledging that you want to forgive yourself. That can take some time so let's start at step point five. Finishing up this task that Lloyd gave us so we can talk a bit more over some tea."

Forgive... myself? How can I, when I see Banbraith's specter every time I close my eyes? When the voices of those I've consumed sing from every pore of my body, struggling to free themselves of the monster that took their life from them? Not even my family could allow such trespasses, and they are justiciars by oath. Some things cannot be undone, no matter how fervent the wish or how great the repayment.

As ever, despite her thoughts on her own situation, Sylvari took solace in attempting to ease the burdens of others. When Videl told her of his struggles in childhood, Sylvari's heart went out to him. He then went further, trying to cheer her up by rustling her hair. She smiled at that, touching his arm lightly in a gesture of appreciation. "Thank you, Videl, for sharing that with me. I wish no one had to go through such difficulty, but it's clear that these hardships have forged you in steel for a better tomorrow. It seems you're a better student than me; Mistress Experience has had to send me many harsh lessons to learn the determination you have already grasped. And I appreciate your faith in me: I won't stop, no matter the pain in my heart. But so evident in your concern and advice is a purity of heart, and I can't stomach bearing falsehoods to good people, even lies of omission. You should know who you travel with."

Sylvari slowly reached up to unclasp her veil, revealing her pupilless eyes of pure crimson, and opening her mouth matter-of-factly to reveal her pointed canines. "The oozes aren't the only monsters you have to contend with on this expedition. I understand if you wish to go separate ways."

Pupilless crimson eyes and sharpened canines. These were the telltale signs of a vampire. His mother had spoken extensively of them in his youth, as stories that were spoken around the campfire, but this was the first one that he had truly encountered. Unlike what he had heard from his mother though, Sylvari didn't seem to have the overwhelmingly repugnant feeling that often accompanied those of their kind. Was she perhaps a separate species of vampire? Certainly not the Nosferatu that he had been warned of.

While one might expect the young T'saya to be fearful of the creature that had stood before him, in this moment, he had truthfully just been confused. Unless she was an exceptional actor, she certainly wasn't coming across as some kind of blood craving lunatic. She didn't even seem bothered by the sun. And those moments of kindness that she had shared with him.. Those certainly felt genuine. If Sylvari had honestly been some kind of monster than Videl just wasn't seeing it.

Unsure of how to really react to this new information, Videl would simply stand there whilst looking at her. He hadn't removed his hand from the top of her head and quite honestly, the confusion that he held had become rather apparent on his face. "I.." His head would find itself tilted to the side before he would speak up once more. "I'm not sure how to respond to that honestly. I'm hesitant to believe you, even with the evidence laid bare before me. I mean, you certainly don't come across like those that I've heard about. If anything, you're one of the most kind people that I've met. So either the stories of my people are exceedingly wrong or you're just different."

At this point, he would finally pull his hand away from her and would drop it back down to his side. "I guess that I can kind of understand your question a bit better now? Honestly though, my point still stands. You have the capacity to be forgiven, Sylvari. If you choose to change than that's what matters." Even with these new revelations having come to light, Videl had already given his word. He would do what he could to be here for her and prove to her that she is capable of receiving the praise that he had previously offered her.

In an attempt to pull her out of this shell of worry, he would softly boop her on the nose with the tip of his finger. They were cold, much like any aspect of himself, but that hadn't occurred to him as he had done as much. "Just promise not to slake your hunger with me and we're good. You've got the capacity to change if you so desire. You're no monster. Just a troubled individual."

Sylvari wanted to shout, to beg the young man to reconsider his easily-won trust and realize the danger he put himself in. As if I could promise not to drink from him if I lose control. How laughable. He doesn't know my demeanor is a carefully crafted façade to put others at ease. If only it could be so simple as me appearing as I am. 

How could he possibly know the suffering she'd inflicted, the people whose families would never see them again? Her family had recognized a wolf in their midst and rightly put it out of their home. She felt like letting loose, giving her companion a taste of the beast within, to persuade him of her stance.

In the end, though, Sylvari did none of those things. Her pressing the issue would only result in scaring Videl or prompting him to try and comfort her, promising things he could never know. Instead, she simply sighed softly and gave a solemn nod of her head. "I will try my best. Lead on, then."

As she trudged after Videl, she spoke up once more. "If we meet those hunters in the wood that Lloyd mentioned and they mean to threaten you, I may have to use all the powers available to me to protect you. If I ask you to look away, please heed my request. I'd like to have a friend that saw me better than I saw myself, way out here." Sylvari gave a sad smile before reclipping her veil and falling silent again.

It was relatively evident to Videl that his words weren't getting through to her in the way that he had intended. While it was a bit disheartening to acknowledge, he was aware of the fact that his words held no real meaning. Not so early on in this particular relationship. Even with that in mind, he had still attempted to comfort her. It was all that he could really do. If nothing else, he was hoping to provide her with the comfort that he had been stripped of.

After he had managed to take the lead again, he would continue to lead them in the direction of the location where he had run into those hunters. As they had made their way there, he would offer an agreement to Sylvari's prompting. "While I cannot say that I won't involve myself in the fight, I do swear to you that I'll turn away in the event that you request me to do so." An action he should be more hesitant about given her supposed disposition to feast upon the blood of others but one that he willing is taking on. "Trust is an integral part of a friendship after all." Or so he had believed.

For the remainder of the trip back to the Coldwood, Videl would remain quiet. A large spike forged of ice would appear in his right hand somewhere along the way and yet he wouldn't speak on it. He had chosen to keep himself in a sense of high focus whilst searching for this ooze. It was possible that they could encounter just about anything out here so it was best for him to be prepared. And after about twenty more minutes of walking, the pair would find themselves where Videl had previously encountered those hunters.

From the look of things, any tracks that had previously been placed had been wiped out by the snow. It wasn't going to be an easy task to track these people down, that was for certain. "This is where I last saw them.. It makes sense that they wouldn't still be here." Unsure of what steps to take next, the T'saya would cautiously look around. It was only a few moments later in which his gaze would fall upon a small trail in the snow. One that was difficult to even make out due to the light impact that it had left in the snow. "Do you think that that might be a clue," he would ask as he gestured towards the imprint of a trail.