Two | [Action]

[leviathanclaw]

[The forest was an old one from times long ago. The branches were bunched together so thickly that no light filtered through. If it was day or night was anyone's guess. Sounds of the creatures in the distant were foreign. Not birds or insects, but growls, light laughter of hushed tones, or even silence

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[everhoping]

[ This is Riou scratching his head as he looks around. He's followed by his trusty flying squirrel, Mukumuku, who looks just as lost...

Oh wait, dirt road! Maybe that's the way out?

With a big smile, Riou follows it.... ]

[stargathering]

[ Tyr is used to being in the forest, but this? This isn't the forest he's used to. While he's careful not to get lost and walks along the path he's found, he's not too sure about this.

When he finds Riou, though, he's excited--even rushing forward. ]

Riou!

[everhoping]

[ He recognizes that voice! He turns around and-- yeah, it's Tyr! He waves, and Mukumuku does too! ]

Tyr!

[ He also runs forward. To hug Tyr. Okay, maybe no. 8D ]

[stargathering]

[ Only Ted gets running hugs :( Tyr still picks up his pace to close the distance between them faster. ]

Hey-- What're you doing out here?

[everhoping]

[ Smiiilee. ]

I'm looking for the stuff they want us to find... and then I got lost inside here...

[leviathanclaw]

[The path is long and winding. However, the dirt is well packed as it has been well traveled. It doesn't take him long before he hears someone coming toward him. It is an old woman hunched over and behind her is a deer walking behind her obediently. She has a shawl that completely covers her face so only the eyes of her face can be seen.]

Outsider. A moment for a word.

[everhoping]

[ Suspicion, what suspicion? Riou, after turning and finding the old lady, approaches her with a smile. He remembers his Granpa Genkaku's teaching too- always show reverence to much older people. He makes a quick little bow. ]

Oh. Um.

Yes?

[leviathanclaw]

[The old crone smiles at him. From a pack on her companion she produces a red cloak.]

The stones foretold of your coming. Take this. It will protect you from the those who dwell in the Margrave. Go north and speak with my sister and return with what she has foraged to the village. He knows the way.

[The old woman motions and the deer at her side comes forward. It even bows back to Riou.]

[everhoping]

[ Riou accepts the red cloak, curious but not about to dispute the old lady. Hey, it matches Mukumuku's red cloak too! He can finally be an honorary member of the squirrel brigade.... ]

Thank you...

[ And when the deer bows at Riou, he bows back curiously. Mukumuku, at his side, does so too before flying upwards and coming to rest on Riou's head. ]

Uh... so north? Okay... Thank you again!

[ And so he goes north... ]

[leviathanclaw]

[If he ever looks back as he heads north the old woman would have disappeared. Her footsteps stop at their exchange and stop leading in no other direction.

As Riou heads north he'll have to navigate through pretty thick forest. The deer seems to know the way and Mukumuku buries deeper into his hair to avoid getting snagged away on a low hanging branch. The group will travel for a few minutes or more before a voice cuts through the woods.]

I wouldn't step zere, ja. A little accident might happen.

[everhoping]

[ Riou stops then, looking around to search for the source of the sound. He turns to the deer and quietly tells it to wait as he wonders where- or well, who said that. ]

A little accident?

[ He repeats as he continues to look around. ]

[leviathanclaw]

[Yeager steps out of the trees to Riou's right.]

Zis forest has zese little things all over.

[He picks up a stick and seems to poke at an area of ground in front of where the group was walking. After a few prods two metal clamps come together and crush the stick in twain. Who puts bear traps in a forest where he's seen not hint or mark that bears even inhabit it?]

I don't know what zey are trying to catch, ja, but zey are very determined.

[And he has almost stepped in one more times than he wants to remember.]

[everhoping]

[ Sees the bear traps snap close. Gulps. Mukumuku seems to react as well, he's paws clutching at Riou's hair all the tighter. "Mu! Mu!" ]

Oh!

[ He turns to Yeager and smiles. He looks really thankful. ]

If I kept going... that thing... [ He makes a low bow of gratitude. ]

Thank you for saving us!

[leviathanclaw]

All zis hopping to and fro is dizzying. I think ze lesson is to not stray out, but zat hardly seems possible. For ze people of ze City zat do, we watch out for ze other people, ja.

[Yeager pauses and gives both Mukumuku and the deer a glance.]

Ze woods are full of little friends.

[everhoping]

[ follows Yeager's gaze on Mukumuku and the deer-- ]

Oh, Mukumuku isn't from here! He came with me! He's from my world...

[ Mukumuku seems to confirm this by.... making a peace sign at Yeager and winking :| ]

[leviathanclaw]

[Yeager waves back at Mukumuku.]

How splendid. Where are you off to or are you wandering around in ze circles?

[Like he is, but, hey, he'll admit that later. Possibly. The deer takes the moments to nudge Riou in the back. There are dinners to bake and people to see. Off we go!]