Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » Forest Encounter (with hannahc28) (closed)

Archer was sitting on the forest floor by the fire. He just finished eating. He was now bored, so he took some sticks and leaves, and chanting a random chant he was taught, started making designs.

Kasa ran through the woods, feet pounding, heart racing. Her moccasins tore through the ground as she stumbled over roots. Branches whipped her face and arms bringing tears and dirt to her eyes. The air was bitter cold, stinging her lungs and throat, drying her mouth. Don't look back. Don't look back. Time moved slowly; every step more heavy than the last.

The ground came close and embraced Kasa. Coughing and sputtering, she rolled over in the slush, eyes toward the night sky. No stars or moonlight were visible only clouds. Shaking, she sat up and looked beyond her shoulder: fire, screaming, fighting. Ash floated amongst the sleet.

Kasa's stomach dropped, like when one's air runs out under water, and before she knew it, she was on the run again; Her stomach twisted in pain, legs numb with constant vibration, hair matted with sweat. Kasa's braids fell as she ran below the mountains. The snow dissapeared.

Slowly, fear was replaced with exhaustion and adrenaline was taken over by fatigue. Her strides became spastic and weak as she propped her arm against a tree. Her legs collapsed beneath her and she leaned against the big sap tree. Still shaking she reached into her pocket to pull out a stone blade. The tree was dripping with sticky, warm liquid. Kasa reached and twisted the knife into the trunk, releasing syrup. She pressed her mouth against the bark, licking up the sugary sap.

There was still snow, just no longer falling. She reached down and rubbed it on her mouth to clear the syrup from her dirty face.

I have to find shelter. Kasa stumbled around the dark woods, tripping occasionally until she smelled a fire. Her first instinct was fear, but after a moment she realized it was not what had recently plagued her.

Quickly, she scurried up a tree and leaped from branch to branch until she reached the orange blaze. She saw a man there, mumbling some chant to himself. An ant bit her arm. "Shit!" she swatted it with crack of her flesh.

(That size difference in our posts though )

Archer sensed a presence. He dismissed it as just an animal until he heard someone say 'Shit!' from the direction of the presence. He quickly leapt into a tree. To the unready eye, it seemed like he just disappeared. He pulled out his bow and pulled the sting back, an arrow forming as he did so. He aimed in the direction the voice came from and waited.

(It was just an intro )

Kasa felt a change in the winds. The air was cold, but still in the valley. There was a noticeable difference. She gently slid down from the tree and landed softly in the snow. Kneeling on all fours she sniffed in hope to pick up an animal scent. Nothing. She sat quietly and listened.

Swiftly but quickly she darted closer to the fire, still covered by a tree. More waiting. She darted over to the fire comforted by its brief warmth. Kasa noticed a doodle in the dirt around the fire. It was strange, something she did not recognize. She notice a small rodent cooking over the fire. It made her mouth salivate. She quickly grabbed it, slightly burning her hand, and darted to the brush.

Taking a bite, filled her mouth and morale. It was warm and hurt her mouth, but it was good and it didn't matter. Kasa's hand stung so she buried it in the snow as she indulged the easy meal.

Archer saw a girl dart towards his fire and grab his leftovers from the fire, burning her hand. She darted back into the brush. 'Well she looked hungry. Better go treat her hand.' he thought, putting away his bow and literally melting into the shadows. He reappeared near her. "Here let me help you with your hand. It's burned." he said, pulling out bandages first.

Kasa screamed, startled by this sudden apparition. She jumped up and dropped the rodent, darting behind a few trees. Hands shaking, she reached into her pockets and fumbled with her stone knife. It bounced around a bit and she almost dropped it but maintained her grip.

Kasa firmly grasped her dagger with her right hand,sap still dripping,and pushed her hair out of her face with her left. Her eyes narrowed as she became alert of all of her senses. The air was warmer,her vision had adjusted to the dark, and her ears perked in two directions, ready to listen. Kasa's breathing was fast with tension. She could handle whatever was here.

Archer dove for the food, catching it before it hit the ground. "You dropped your food." he called towards where she ran off. "I'll keep it warm for you then, I guess." he said, walking back to the fire. "Oh, and you should let me look at your hand, make sure it's not too badly damaged." He sat down next to the fire, taking a nearby sturdy stick, and impaling the rodent, set it to keep it warm.

Kasa emerged from beyond the tree moving closer, but still making a point to grasp her blade. She noticed the food clean and on the fire. She felt slightly safer around this man but also better than he; his guard was let down so easily. Even in the isolated tribe in the mountains she knew to be wary of those she knew not.

"Why did you scare me?"

"You were the one that scared me first." Archer said. "And sorry about that, it's just that I saw you burn your hand from my fire, and I wanted to help." He pointed to the food. "I saved it for you."

Kasa stood still, observing him. Hansom, taller than she, he had a weapon, possible threat.

She looked down at her hand, it has now blistered and is in searing pain but she is determined not to show weakness. This could be one of the men who attacked her and her home.

Archer pulled out the bandages and burn cream, moving towards the girl. "Let me know if it stings." he said, applying the cream. "My name is Archer, by the way."

Kasa winced and bit her lip and she held out her hand, moving blades from her right to left. "Kasa."

Archer finished applying the cream. "Hi there Kasa." he said, starting to wrap her hand with the bandages. "You really shouldn't be sticking your hands in a fire."

"There was food," Kasa muttered. Her eyes flickered around, looking for a possible escape. She eyed his arrow and tightened the grip on her knife. She looked at the bandages and flexed her hand, moving her fingers. Kasa looked Archer in the eyes. Analyzing his next move.

"Well, just be careful next time ok?" Archer said, picking up the food and handing it to her. "Here." He then picked up the leaves and sticks on the ground and put them in the fire.

Kasa took the food. "Why are you out here?" She put her hands in her pocket and kicked the dirt

"I was just stopping for the night while I'm on my travels." Archer replied. "What about you?"

"Travels?" Kasa walked toward him and sat in the dirt, pulling out her food and eating it. She noticed the sky getting darker and snow flurries falling. She put the knife in her pocket and warmed by the fire.

"I was walking" she smiled.

"Yep. Travels. I'm a wanderer." Archer said. He looked at the sky. "We should probably get some sleep. Do you prefer sleeping in trees or on the ground?" he asked.

"I prefer sleeping wherever I'm safe." Kasa stood up and threw the bones in the fire. "Thank you for the meal and bandages."

She brushed off her dress and made her way into the woods for a bit. After about a half mile from Archer she looked around to make sure she wasn't being followed. It was much colder away from the fire. She looked for dry wood but it was all soaked by snow. Shivering, Kasa climbed a big tree, covering herself with some moss to keep warm. Kasa draped her arms and legs off the limb, laying stomach down on the branch. The snow fell on her lashes ad hair, sticking to her. She huffed and buried her face into the moss. It was going to be a long night.