This Forest is my home. (open)

[Noklie Berues]

    Noklie's hazel gaze glanced about as he sat on the log as if he was a frog, leaning a bit forward as if looking for something. Well at least things were quiet, not too quiet to were he would be worried. Things had been rather okay lately, he didn't have any meetings with hunters that had come in so he was a bit relaxed. He liked the peace in the forest it was what he was born into and honestly, he couldn't understand why so many preferred towns and villages. They were so noisy, his ears always hurt so much being there.

   It was then a sound came to his ears, it wasn't too far off. Jumping down from the log, he made his way toward it carefully. Only to pause a little bit away from the source, he ducked down behind a tree and slowly looked past it.

[Deleted]

Raymond cleared his throat and let out a screeching cry into the forest. It hadn't been very long since he took up bird taming and catching but the young lad had proven to be quite gifted in it. So gifted in fact that the old man, a sage, had given him a remarkable gift. A remarkable bird.

He walked through the woods with his bow and quiver fastened to his back. His feather armor comfortable and light as he strolled along. Today was really just a day to be out and train his friends with flight, although he was in the hunting mood if he ever ran into something that might be a fun chase. Either capture, release or slaughter. He held out his hand the the falcon landed on his wrist. This one was Tafida. It wasn't his, he had been training several messenger hawks, falcons, pigeons... maybe he needed a less socially awkward hobby. Out an about there was another bird. Iolani. She was strong and brave... the most remarkable thing he had ever wittnessed was her hatching and he struggle to tame such a magnificent creature.

[Noklie Berues]

If he was in wolf form, his ears would've twitched to the sound of the screech but he was in his human form right now. And honestly, he was hoping to keep it that way. Some hunters had birds with them, and this person although young like him. He could be a hunter of some sort, after all, Noklie himself sort of was.

"Who are you?" Noklie asked as he changed his hiding spot.

He wouldn't show himself to the stranger until he was certain that he wasn't going to get a arrow run through his neck.

[Deleted]

Raymond touched the bird's beak and motioned with his hands in a few signals before releasing the bird. It took off, up through the trees and flew away... Raymond sighed but then quickly took off his bow and readied an arrow as he looked around. Tafida was supposed to locate the source of the voice... oh well.

"Raymond Longfellow. Don't you think it is sort of silly to try sneaking up and hiding around a grade A hunter such as myself?! I wouldn't want to hurt you after all... and if you mean to hurt me well then. You have got another thing commin!" Raymond exclaims as he looks around, giving every bush the stink eye. He was not a grade A hunter. He was confident... yeah that was perhaps the best and nicest way of putting it. He had become less egotistical and cock, but the young boy had talent and because of his bit of talent he was often times not so humble.

[Noklie Berues]

"Not silly, being cautious. I live in this forest, I merely being careful of who I meet here because I know many of ill intentions." Noklie answered. "I only fight if someone else starts it, so no. My intentions right now aren't to cause harm, but if you do shot that arrow at me I will change my mind."

This was a Grad A hunter? Hazel eyes looked the boy over and honestly, he had a hard time seeing it. True, he didn't doubt the lad was a hunter. Noklie didn't pause for long, he soon moved from his hiding place again.

[Deleted]

Raymond lowered the bow and released the tension, putting the arrow back in the quiver.
"You live out here huh? I live in a forest not too far from here... looks like we have some stuff in common them." Raymond yawned and placed his bow back on his back. The string firm across his chest.

"You know, it may be in your best interests not to shout out to people you may think are dangerous. That could be dangerous." the boy says with a chuckle. "You going to ever come out or am I going to have to findya?" Raymond smirks.

[Noklie Berues]

Seeing Raymond put the arrow away, Noklie remained put in his hiding place.

"I was born out here and raised, there's nowhere else to go." Noklie said as he stayed put.

Thinking it over as he sat there, he debated about Raymond's words. However, he kept his hands away from the knife on his belt and stood up. Revealing himself to Raymond.

"Noklie Berues." Noklie said.

[Deleted]

Raymond nodded. "So you were watching me then? How come?" He questions Noklie. Raymond saw the the boy was younger than he was, and out in the forest all alone? It reminded him of Olaf, Razor, and Chase, the terrible three. Boy had he been on so many task set before him by Leon to get them out of trouble or clean up after them.

[Noklie Berues]

"It's been quiet, not too badly to where it's concerning. But I heard a sound that wasn't of the animals here. So, I went to see what it was. Found you." Noklie answered. "Hunters come here often and many times I have a hard time dealing with them. They think I'm interfering with their hunt and...they come after me. Course, if their prize is with me they don't care if a boy is in the way. They try to get their prize and hit me as well."

[Deleted]

Raymond frowned and crossed his arms. His frustration quite apparent. "Ugh, I hate that! See that is the trouble the Cirle faces. Some jerks thinking they rule the forests. I'll tell you the Hunters' Circle has some work to do to clear up a name that brings them into a good light and respect." He smiles soon after, his enthusiasm returning. "We can do it though! What fun would it be if it was easy right?!"

Raymond walked over to Noklie quickly and the speed in which he did so was maybe concerning, but as he got close he stuck his hand out quick, a gesture of friendship. "You don't have to worry about me. if I or any of the members are around, we will straighten them up for you." it was then that he realized the boy may have no clue what he was speaking about. "You ever been to the city?"

[Noklie Berues]

"Circle?" Noklie said weakly, what was that?

When Raymond suddenly ran up to him, Noklie jumped back and took five steps backwards afterwards. The sudden movement and the speed of it caused Noklie to return more to caution than anything. The gesture was alien to the young man though.

"Once. Didn't like it there, too crowded and noisy." Noklie answered as he kept his hazel gaze on the outstretched hand.

[Deleted]

Slowly, Raymond lowered his hand and shrugged. "Only once huh? Well I don't like it too much either. That is why I live in Riverbed. I village in the Pine Forests." Raymond smiled. "The Circle is a group of hunters that wish to better the wilderness and life in the forests..." The man's exclaimation soon softened to curiousness. "So you live here all by yourself?"

[Noklie Berues]

"Seems people aren't listening to them." Noklie said as he started to relax. "I've lived out here alone for two years. It used to be my mother and me but...she...she and I split up after I turned ten."

[Deleted]

Raymond furrowed his brow, taking slight offense to that remark and critizism of the Circle. "Well it is pretty new so it isn't likely to change in a few days. Nothing ever does." He uncrossed his arms and walked around Noklie, checking the young boy up and down.
"You should be careful, find someone to stay with, these woods aren't always friendly as I am sure you know. If you don't have anyone you'll be torn apart out here."

[Noklie Berues]

"I'm not a weakling, I've survived two years on my own. I can last longer." Noklie said as he watched Raymond circle him. "I'm not leaving while this place still stands and I'm able to defend myself. If the forest burns, I'll go. There's no place for me to go but remain here."

[Deleted]

"And when werewolf packs come through and find you? What will you do then? Look kid in not saying leave but you should find someone else at least." Raymond stated, this kid survived two years... On what? Probably mostly luck.

[Noklie Berues]

"I've avoided them if there are any around." Noklie said. "Besides, they wouldn't waste their time with me. I'm not as weak as I look. Shouldn't judge by appearance."

Noklie was trying to stay calm, but Raymond was bringing up the wrong topics.

[Deleted]

"You are one boy. Sorry to judge your appearance but a pack of werewolves will tear commander Roland apart if he is alone like you." Raymond states. He stops circling the boy and shrugs his shoulders. "If you want to deny it than fine." He held up his hands. "I was just trying to help was all. I didn't want to see a boy like me, a wilderness adventure," he smiled, "get slaughtered because he would have rather been alone."

Raymond rubbed the back of his head in thought. "Do you even want any help?"

[Noklie Berues]

"My life is alone, just having my mother is pretty alone." Noklie answered. "I won't fit in at cities or towns. They're all too noisy and no one needs some extra weight in a town."

No one would help him even if he did want it. He was a werewolf after all but the difference was he was a natural born one.

"I doubt anyone would give it." Noklie answered.

[Deleted]

"I would!" Raymond exclaimed. "I've been trying to help ya man!" He laughed.

Abov er the two, Tafida finally arrived on the scene. It flew over the boys and Raymond placed his hands on his hips.
"Real nice job, Tafida. I already found him though. Quite some time ago." He sighs and held out his hand and the bird perched on his arm. Raymond took out a treat and have it to the bird as he per it lightly. He then looked back up.
"You..." He looked around as if someone was watching, listening. He spoke quieter. "You ever flown before?"