open transmission: 03 [audio, open commentlog]

[were_it_so_easy]

[The Arbiter roars, the call a challenge to these 'monsters' that threaten the very existence of-- well, they might eat a capybara.]

This is what you would have me fight?

['Sup, Vertiline. The Arbiter is stalking around, dual-wielding sword and torch. His capybara is reluctantly in tow, with a few vorpal bunny corpses strapped to its harness

Comments

[bellator_lucis]

[This guy has the right idea.]

Where would you have us meet?

[were_it_so_easy]

[This guy was the Supreme Commander of a Covenant fleet; he's got this.]

The south edge of the forest. We will burn them their plague from these grounds before they touch the temple.

[bellator_lucis]

I will be there shortly.

[Before long - 'sup, Arbiter, here's a tall human in blue plate armor, also dual-wielding sword and torch. The sword is dripping blood - he ran into another of the rabbits on his way here.]

Are you the one I was speaking to?

[Just to be sure, you understand.]

[were_it_so_easy]

[The Arbiter has seen his approach and nods approval at the weapons and evidence of battle. Good; there is another who deals the same deaths upon this infestation.]

I am the Arbiter.

[He confirms it with such authority that it is clear that he has been leader of many, no matter his role now.]

Others come to join our ranks. We will end this.

[mezzaline]

I have faced much worse than this at home.

[Though she sounds amused, she also sounds a little weary; as simple as the mice are to dispatch, the rabbits are faster, tougher, and delicious.]

Where are you, Arbiter? I will join you.

[were_it_so_easy]

As have I.

[Camaraderie of experienced aliens/monsters = get.]

I stand at the southern edge of the forest. How near are you?

[mezzaline]

Near enough. I will be there in a few minutes' time.

[She doesn't take long to find the arbiter. She carries no torch, but in her hands is a sticky web filled with jack-mice. As she approaches, she wraps it around itself tightly, and then holds it up to the Arbiter. It wiggles in her grasp, but the mice are secure.]

Will you burn this?

[were_it_so_easy]

[The Arbiter stands in patience and company, his call beginning to be heeded. He eyes the trappings and the Sangheili equivalent of a smile takes his mandibles.]

Lay it on the ground. I will burn them.

Can you lay such traps with speed?

I rise and live again!

[bondedgryphon]

[Zhaneel snarls softly, dispatching yet another rabbit with the swift strike of a talon. Her beak and feathers are smattered with blood, various bites marking her legs and flanks from where a group of mice had caught her off guard at first appearance. She had not let such happen again. Her voice rumbles over the communicator, thick with a growl as she replies to her comrade, voice thick with trilling and hiss syllabants.]

Though viciousssss, they arrre not sssso overrrrwhelming a foe .. I have not been hungrrry sssince theirrr appearrrance.

[She has not, her craw full of vorpal rabbit remains. The jack-mice are not so easily devoured, their tendency to replicate upon death making them impervious to everything but the flame that had been announce soon after the invasion began.]

Wherrrre arrre you, Arrrbiterrrr?

Praise jeebus!

[were_it_so_easy]

[The Arbiter nods to her assessment - not so far off his own. Though he has not taken a taste, leaving such habits to the Kig-Yar. Still, her comment brings a grunt, amused and acknowledging it.]

We gather at the southern edge of the forest. Can you join us?

<3

[bondedgryphon]

[Zhaneel is in the air before his request finishes, nodding once to herself.]

I can.

[The area is known to her quite well by now and as she passes over head, she catches sight of those beginning to gather below. Familiar figures, at that. She screes, ear tufts pinning as she sights on a pair of vorpal rabbits approaching from the flank of those gathered. Her dive ends rather abruptly as she skids through the damp leaves, the broken body of a rabbit in either forefoot. She hisses, tail lashing wildly as she mantles, a low growl rumbling deep in her chest as her gaze darts around the area.

She stalks toward those gathered, eyes darting around the area as her ear tufts flick toward the slightest sounds.]

What issss the plan?

[Bleeding or not, Zhaneel wants done with these retched creatures. There is a collection of rabbit corpses near her pod and far too few dead jack-mice for her liking.]

[were_it_so_easy]

[An elegant kill, and one that eases his role. The Arbiter dips his head in respectful greeting towards fellow warrior. Two more dead increases the margin through which they can claim victory, if they act in concert.]

With flame we will burn them back, force them into the traps than Mezzaline lays. Deep into the woods to purge them from this front, and then we can turn towards the other!

[The Arbiter growls in his throat, precursor to the battle roar that he throws in challenge to the little beasts.]

[stormcleaver]

Yes. Sorry it's not more interesting, but we'd prefer nobody starved this year.

We've dug a few firepits. See if you can find one and drive the mice in.

[were_it_so_easy]

An unfortunate effect of war - one that gleans weakness from the ranks.

Have you any near the forest?

[stormcleaver]

[He won't comment on the first part of that. Only the second.]

Some. Near the edge. Far enough from the trees to be safe. [As safe as fire ever is around wood, anyway. At least any danger of burning has been lessened by the recent rain.]