A Chase Beneath the Trees (southern belle, Zanza?)

OoC: This is the debut of my new BA character, Ilyena. As such, it will not be a battle in the normal sense, but I've already explained that in my challenges. Here's hoping everyone enjoys this. ^_^

Zanza, I haven't gotten a reply from you yet, but I thought I'd waited long enough. Feel free to join in if you decide you want to, though.

BiC: Ilyena walked slowly between the great trees of the old forest, her horned head lowered so that she could feed on the grass that grew beneath gaps in the canopy high above her. Dew gathered on her hooves as she walked, making them glisten in the bright, early morning sunlight. The warmth of summer was just beginning to creep into the chill air, announcing the end of a cool spring and the start of the unicorn’s least favourite time of year.

Still, the young mare intended to enjoy herself. These lands were new to her, which promised long days and weeks of exploring the forests and mountains and plains, of finding their secret places and hidden groves. There were few things the beautiful creature enjoyed more – indeed, there were few things that any unicorn enjoyed more, which was why her kind rarely offered to guide another through the many paths they knew.

Raising her head briefly, Ilyena flicked one of her ears happily in acknowledgement of the birds singing her praises in the green canopy. Aware of the courtesy extended to them, they sang all the louder, building a natural symphony that would never be heard again to honour the lovely creature visiting their forest.

Ilyena grazed for a while longer, enjoying the sound of the birds’ bright, cheerful music as she fed. But, as the sun climbed higher in the sky, and the last of the great shadows beneath the trees were chased away, she decided her meal was finished and reared up on her hind legs. The unicorn neighed loudly, somehow making the sound as sweet and musical as the birdsong in gratitude for the forest’s hospitality, then sprang away and ran for the edge of the forest.

The song of the forest followed her, bidding the unicorn a safe journey and a warm haven at it’s end.

~ ~ ~

By late afternoon, Ilyena had travelled many miles away from the old forest. She stood perched on a rocky outcrop that overlooked a much younger wood of tall pine trees, her white coat flashing in the sun. She could make out small figures moving between the trees through gaps in the canopy, humans and elves and the like going about their lives. A surge of excitement running through her body, the unicorn turned aside and made her way swiftly down and into the forest below.

Okay - that's the set-up. You can decide how and where your char sees Ilyena, and then the hunt is on. Good luck - you're gonna need it!

OoC: YAY! I've been waiting for this! Sorry it took me awhile to post in here. I'd started posting in here right after you posted it, and got called away right after I started. I forgot that I hadn't gotten to post after all, was waiting on you, lol. ^_^

BiC: The sunlight filtered through the tall boughs of the pine trees, bathing the forest in dim, dappled light. Bella walked along an old forest path, her feet making no noise along the dusty trail. Her arms swung loosely at her sides, and her walk was peaceful and calm. This forest was very near to the one where she had grown up, and she had visited it often. She was very comfortable and at home in it. She would've liked to have said she knew all the paths of the forest very well, but the forest never seemed exactly the same as the last time she was there, and so that was a claim she couldn't make. She knew forests in general though, and so was pretty much garenteed to never get lost, or to at least find her way again quickly.

As Bella was walking she heard a distant rustling. Her head turned just in time to see a small flash of silver far in the distance. Her curiousity piqued, Bella turned off the path towards where she had seen it. It may have just been a trick of the light, a phantom that she was chasing, but Bella went after it anyways. She didn't see what harm could come of it, and she was bored. Hopefully she really had seen something, and something of interest might happen soon.

Bella weaved her way through the trees. The space between them was growing ever smaller as she continued on her way. She had been walking for almost half an hour now. She was certain now that what she was chasing was no phantom, though she still wasn't quite sure what it was. She had seen several flashes of silver though, and there were indistinct but visible tracks that she could follow. Most probably would've passed right over them, but Bella was a very skilled tracker, and was able to follow the elusive trail.

The tracks began to get fresher, as the walking space grew still narrower. Bella smiled, certain that she was hot on the trail of her unknown quarry. Quite suddenly, she stepped into a clearing. All traces of the tracks had vanished. Bella looked around in confusion, looking for a broken twig or something, anything to hint of the creature's passing. There was nothing. She backtracked a little to see if she had missed a branching off of the trail, but she found none. Bella returned to the clearing, resignation beginning to give way within her. Bella was dissappointed, this had served as nothing more that a waste of time, a slight distraction.

Then, Bella heard it again. The rustle off to the side in the woods. She spun in time to see the disappearing back flank of what appeared to be a beautiful, pure silver horse. Bella smiled in glee and then continued the pursuit. This time she relied on sound instead of tracks, having realized that she was dealing with a very smart creature, and had been lured into a trap by the tracks. She didn't intend to make the same mistake twice...

OoC: Meh, it's probably time for me to make my intro. ^_^ I've had a busy last few days though, the main reason for my absence. The other, of course, being that I'm on vacation and therefore very lethargic and lazy. ^^ So, because I will probably be getting my rear in gear to start my over-vacation calculus (>_<), I should probably make my entrance now so I won't be distracted. ^_~ So, without further ado, I give you, Aurora Flemming entering the chase. *fanfare* Incidentally, Tiroth, did you PLAN to have two characters chase yours who are, say, somewhat INDENTICAL?? ^_^

Bic: Aurora walked comfortably along a narrow forest path, whistling a few notes to keep herself occupied as she moved through the timber. The onset of summer lifted her spirits, as more job opportunities grew as fast as the first spring weeds. Goblins and ogres and other such creatures seemed to enjoy the brighter weather as much as she, for they always increased their activities during this time of the year. From late spring until the first snows of winter, Aurora was sure to have some means of employment, money, food, and shelter. Rescued souls were rarely surly and unappreciative.

Gradually, the path around her thinned as she came to the base of rocky bluff. The over-grown trail wound away into the rocks, scrub-brush and scree almost obliterating any traces of it. However, her elven eyes helped her locate the hidden path, and she continued up, climbing at a slower rate to conserve her energy. Her traveling harp burdened her sometimes, but she would rather have the added weight and extra work than to be lonely at night. Her harp was her one comfort whenever she was camping alone. It generally amused and soothed her various hosts and hostesses as well.

She climbed for some time, before reaching a huge boulder that jutted out of the hillside like a beacon pointing to some far-off paradise. The stopped and surveyed the majesty of the valley she had just left. Below her, the forest stood quiet and peaceful, its inhabitants going about their little animal lives. Behind her, smoky grey mountains rose in regal glory, sentinels guarding the lush valley. She spied the smoke from the village she had just left, way down below and somewhat to her left. A large track of road cut through the expanse of the forest, wending down into the plain on which that village sat near the forest’s edge. A serene environment with undisturbed lives.

A few months ago, this had not been the case. Aurora had once again been summoned from her last port o’call to come and aid the villagers against the ravages of some mountain wolves that were preying upon the flocks of sheep the peasants kept. That had been near the end of winter. After defeating the pack leader, and convincing the pack to retreat back into their mountains by means of a few well-placed arrows, Aurora had stayed on to help with the spring planting. She often did this wherever she went, becoming part of the people’s lives and customs, wanting to repay them any favor they needed to ease the toil of serfdom. Now, as the rows of new green stems pushed up the dark soil, produce that she had planted herself, she took to the road again, moving on to help other less fortunate societies.

Smiling, she turned from the scene, the wind whipping her long bangs into her face. And suddenly, she saw a flash of silver, a disturbance in the lush greenery and dark brown of the forest. The path had split behind her, one trail heading up the mountain, the other heading back down into the forest going east. Intrigued, she looked again, scanning the trees for some notice of that brilliance that had disturbed it. It did not reappear, but suddenly, a flock of birds took flight, scattering out of the trees. Without hesitating, Aurora leapt down the path and into a whole new adventure.

OoC: There you go. I’ll catch up to you all a bit later, after someone else posts some more development.

OoC: I'm sorry I took so long to get back to this. I hope you'll forgive me for that.

Originally Posted by Zanza

Incidentally, Tiroth, did you PLAN to have two characters chase yours who are, say, somewhat INDENTICAL?? ^_^

Let's just say that I was aware it could happen, but I was more after the BAers themselves than their chars. ^_^

Anyways, here is the next bit. It's largely geared towards getting Aurora down into the forest and entering the chase - the tricks and such will be coming thick and fast after this.

BiC: Standing where she had carefully concealed herself with a simple illusion, Ilyena snickered at the Hylian woman that had been following her trail. The unicorn watched as she stopped at the edge of clearing and looked around, obviously puzzled at the apparent lack of any further trail. The young mare fought to keep from laughing when the archer’s gaze passed right over where the tracks she sought lay concealed by the same illusion that hid Ilyena herself from the woman’s eyes.

After a moment, she watched the archer turn back into the forest and retraced her steps a little way before returning to the clearing, a disappointed expression on her face. Acting on a sudden impulse, Ilyena sprang from where she stood and into the trees at one side, dropping her illusion just in time for the Hylian to catch a glimpse of her vanishing form and spur her on.

Glancing up through the canopy for a brief moment, Ilyena caught sight of another figure standing on the outcrop where she herself had overlooked the forest earlier that day. When it started down the trail that led into the pine trees, a surge of anticipation ran through the unicorn’s body – it had been a long time since she was chased by two people at the same time.

Stopping where she was, Ilyena turned her head to look back at where the red-haired Hylian was quietly and swiftly following her. The beautiful unicorn waited until the woman looked up for a moment, allowing her to catch another glimpse of what she sought, but not enough to know for certain what she was, before springing lightly away again.

Ilyena danced through the trees with a firm destination locked in her mind, moving ever closer to where the second figure would soon enter the pine forest and the chase could truly begin. Artfully stringing out small glimpses of flashing silver, she kept the Hylian eagerly following her lithe form. A leap, a twist, the flick of her silver tail or a toss of her horned head – that was all it took to keep the archer’s interest firmly centred on the unicorn.

Finally, Ilyena dashed across where the trail from the outcropping entered the forest. The unicorn’s muscles bunched and catapulted her ought across the space, lifting her high enough to sail over the head of the person she’d seen earlier. The mare was delighted to see that the newcomer was an elf, and her pretty face showed her shock at the unicorn’s impromptu flight.

Landing easily on the other side of the trail, Ilyena looked back at the elven woman and the Hylian beyond her for a moment before dashing back into the trees.

OoC: Wow...I completely forgot about this. Sorry guys. ^_^' Btw, I loved your char. Zanza...heh, that bio was so long I was beginning to forget what it was I was reading. And I though I went overboard, heh. ^_^ And the multiple similarities between our characters is rather amusing, heh. ^_^

BiC: Bella continued chasing the elusive white creature through the trees. She was expecting more tricks, but her quarry wasn't doing anything overly clever, nothing more than what you might expect from the common forest animal. In fact, the mysterious creature almost seemed to want Bella to follow her. Bella tried not to think about this too much though, and concentrate instead on waiting for the next trick.

Unexpectedly, the creature seemed to be heading for the outskirts of the forest. Bella had expected to be led further inward, where it was more difficult to follow. Just as the plains became visible through the trees, the phantom-like beast leapt through the forest edge, over the head of a beautiful young elf, revealing itself in all its splendor.

It was a gorgeous, pure white unicorn. It seemed to dazzle and glow in the sun. Immediately the mythical equine hurtled back into the trees, having gained another pursuer. Bella stared in awe where the unicorn had been for about half a second. Then, casting a quick glance at the elven girl near her, she raced onward after her quarry.

She was very curious about the elven girl, whose appearance gave her the look of something between a noble and an adventurer. An odd mix for sure, and she seemed like someone whom Bella would very much like to meet. But her curiousity about the unicorn was greater, and if she stopped to learn more about the elf, then she'd surely never catch, and probably never even again find, the mystical being. So she continued tracking the unicorn, who was now letting even less of herself be seen. Near her Bella could hear very slightly the rustlings of her fellow pursuer, but she attempted to block it out, to better listen to the unicorn.

OoC: Hey guys, I'm SO sorry I haven't gotten to this sooner. What with school starting up for the new term, it gets lost in the shuffle of reality. Story of all our lives, I expect. ^__~ However, now presenting the continuation!!!

Oh, this goes back to before Ilyena jumps over Aurie, k?

IC: Aurora stopped her brisk walk down the path. Although she couldn't see the silvery flashes this close to the tree line, she was certain something was out there. She gazed steadily into the underbrush, willing herself to become one with the forest. Every sound came to her perfect elven ears -- insects buzzing at vegetation, a soft wind blowing the tree-tops, a bird call....

Suddenly, something took a deep breath behind her and lept out and away. So intent had she been on the forest, she had forgotten her back. She ducked instinctively and looked up. A burst of diamond light was crossing over her head, and in the brilliant sunshine that it shed, this was all she could see. The being landed and threw a cocky, joyful glance back her. It was then that she saw the majesty of the unicorn.

Flawless, dazzling, elusive, and gentle, the creature seemed to smirk, then dashed away, once more racing into the trees. Aurora slowly stood up, her body slowly relaxing and fighting to restore order to her taut, startled, body.

However, her awareness, now not so totally focused before her, picked up a new presence, and almost before she could turn, a young woman burst through the trees behind her. Aurora looked at her, silent. The girl barely paused, gave her a glance, then raced after the majestic animal that had just graced the pathway. From what she saw, the woman was relatively short with auburn-coloured hair. Marvelous complexion, murmured the stately noblility within her. Must be from a good family.

Swiftly, Aurora chased after the unicorn and its pursuer, traveling deep into the wood. After a few minutes, she saw the dark-clothed person thrusting through the bushes, forging a trail and following the hints the unicorn chose to leave her.

"Hey!" Aurora panted. "Wait!"

The woman slowed, briefly glancing back at her, but did not stop. Aurora tried again.

"Wait, I can help you!"

This time, the young woman turned, and Aurora closed the few paces between them. The woman was of similar shape and stature as herself, though slightly taller. Dazzling blue eyes were set in an honest face admist a few fly-away strands of reddish-brown hair. The woman's garb looked comfortable and durable -- obviously she spent time in the forest. On her first assessment, Aurora guessed that she was a tracker, like herself.

"Well met, madam," she said politely. "I am Aurora Flemming." She inclined her head regally; somehow, it seemed that her nobility training would never leave her. "I think our quarry is toying with us, so I doubt she will leave us completely. I have a knack for some things like this. After all, unicorns are the nobility of the hoofed kingdom; that at much we share, she and I." Aurora stopped, suddenly feeling a little exposed. "That aside, would you mind introducing yourself? I think we have a better chance at catching her if we work together."

OoC: >.> <.< Ummm...sorry bout the really long wait guys...I really don't have an excuse...I just haven't been in here in awhile, heh. Alright...lets see what I can come up with...

BiC: Bella stopped to listen to the elf, intrigued despite her worries of loosing the unicorn. After she had said her bit, Bella smiled and said, "My name is Bella, I'm an adventurer and tracker. And I'd be happy to work with you to find the unicorn, if you think you can help."

Aurora smiled back at her. "Alright then Bella. The unicorn will be somewhere nearby, so keep your eyes and ears open. I believe she went this way." Aurora indicated the direction in which they had last seen the unicorn.

The two set off after the unicorn, who had indeed stayed close while they became acquainted. As she heard the rustling that indicated the pair were on the move again, the mythical creature bounded off again, knowing the pair would follow. The unicorn still allowed small glimpses of herself to be seen, but much more infrequently now. The two young women had to follow by watching the trail, and by listening carefully for the sound of hooves, so as not to be caught by another illusion.

OoC: Ummm...I really have no clue whatsoever what to write...so I think I'll stop there. I'm sure Tiroth has plent of tricks up his sleeves (he's had more than enough time to be thinking them up ) so I'll just let him take over from here.

OoC: Ms Belle is right - I have got a few tricks stored. Here's one of them. ^_^

BiC: Casting occasional glances back at the two young women to make sure they were still following her, Ilyena silently danced among the tall trees. From one leap to the next, she was never headed in exactly the same direction, appearing in her pursuers’ view off to one side and leading them deeper into the undergrowth, then taking them on a gradual curve in some new direction by pausing momentarily somewhere else.

After several enjoyable minutes of leading the two trackers by the nose, Ilyena snickered and dashed headlong towards a stream she could hear running nearby. She swiftly outpaced the slower, two-legged elf and Hylian, but the unicorn was careful to allow them enough glimpses of her pure white hide to follow her unerringly towards the running water.

Reaching the stream, the beautiful creature turned aside and swiftly settled herself in the forest’s undergrowth, out of sight of the two women, and set an illusion of herself at the water’s edge. When they came within sight of the stream, they saw their quarry standing beside it, her lovely head bowed to drink from the clear water.

Watching from her hiding place, their true quarry watched as the two companions approached, wary of another trick on the unicorn’s part – which, of course, this was. But not the kind they were expecting.

Ilyena allowed them to approach to within a metre of her illusion before moving. Stepping out lightly from the concealing vegetation, the unicorn stepped up behind the elven lady and snickered lightly in her ear, making her swivel suddenly in surprise. Her mouth gaping open, the blonde woman looked between Ilyena and her illusion a few times before hesitatingly reaching out to touch the unicorn, at which point she backed away, out of reach.

Then, Ilyena sprung the trap.

Both the Hylian and the elf shrieked as something whipped them into the air, hanging the pair from their feet a meter above the surface of the stream. Both the flesh-and-blood unicorn and her illusion dipped their heads into the water and flicked it up towards her pursuers before turning away and galloping a short way down the stream and back into the trees.

A moment after the illusion and it’s maker were lost to sight, the willow tree that had hold of the women gently lowered them into the shallow stream and released their feet, freeing them to once more join the hunt.

OoC: Sorry it's a bit on the short side, but I didn't want to go too far in one post.

Bella ran through the forest, breathing heavily. It somewhat irked her that someone had used plants against her... that was usually her role! That didn't matter now though, she just wanted to catch up with that unicorn. Aurora was running beside her, dodging the underbrush with ease.

Suddenly the trees thinned out, leading into a large clearing. Aurora stopped suddenly, holding out her arm in front of Bella. Bella didn't need the warning however, she had already been tricked once at a clearing today. She looked around warily, trying to find the trap she was certain was there. At first she saw nothing, but after a moment she saw it. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight before her.

OoC: Yes, indeed, I am evil. But I haven't a clue what to write, and dinner's ready, so deal with the cliffy. And sorry for the supreme shortness of this, but as I said, my dinner's ready and getting cold.

Aurora picked herself up, angrily wiping the dust away from her clothes. "Oh, that was SO unfair!" she growled, flicking a fly-away strand of hair behind her slightly-pointed ear. She glanced at Bella, who was smiling gently at her little tirade. She understood that the girl was slightly amused by her grand folly of being taken in my an illusion.

"Oh, alright," Aurora said grinning. "I goofed, I admit it!"

"Anyone would have done the same," answered the Hylian kindly.

The two women started off again, pushing forward into the trees, again following the clear trail of the wily beast that led them. Soon they were rushing through the undergrowth with practiced ease, eager to finish their hunt.

Suddenly, a clearing fixed itself in front of Aurora's face. She stopped just inside the tree line, throwing an arm up to stop Bella. The Hylian, however, had already taken note. Aurora threw her one assured glance, then looked out into the empty space. She tuned her senses into the place, trying to find the trap she knew was there....

OoC: Ok, I know I said I was done, Mike, but really, I just couldn't resist SB's cliff hanger. And, the fact that I was totally made a fool of, so I wanted to put that into play. Now, I give this trap to YOUR sense of creativity, seeing as how I seem to be out of mine. ^__^ Incidentally, I'm on vacation for the month, so I COULD be better at replying if you choose to continue this (and that's for everyone involved). ^__^

Bella stared. In the corner of the clearing was a young girl, unconscious and with blood dripping from her side. This... this couldn't be another illusion, could it? She pointed her out to Aurora, who had yet to notice the girl. Aurora gasped slightly.

"This wouldn't be an illusion again, would it?" Bella asked, her voice filled with worry.

"I... I don't know," the other woman replied. "But I think we have to check it out all the same, just in case."

"Yeah... but let's go around the clearing instead of through it, to be safe."

The two walked carefully around the clearing, looking for any traps as they went. They came over beside the girl. "You check on her... I'm going to keep an eye out for the unicorn," Bella said. Aurora nodded and walked over to the wounded girl.

OoC: There, to help get the battle going again. :3 I leave it up to y'all to decide whether it's another trick, or some strange twist. ^_^

OoC: I hate to say this, but I think that we ought to just stop. I'm too busy over in the Dome with my students, and Mike's just busy with approving characters and the Din Clan. Sorry, but I think I'm going to have to pull out. It's been wonderful RPing with ya'll, and though I can't say I'll necessarily *miss* our RP, I will say I will miss RPing w/ great writers like you two. ciao, and thanx for the fun!