Private Providence Like Attracts Like

[Ueno Mizuki]

180 / 180

Mizuki had her entire frame close to the ground, her clawed hands supporting her upper body as she sniffed a marking left behind by her prey. The dirt had been scratched open by the claw of a great beast. While the visual mark was barely visible the smell was distinct, causing Mizuki to wrinkle her nose before she shook her head and moved ahead.

Her prey of the day was a bear, which was what she usually ended up hunting if she wasn't targeting something more interesting. She didn't have much interest in hunting wolves, most herbivores didn't provide much of a challenge, and bears could be found almost everywhere. Although this bear was a lot bigger than average: she'd heard that in the last four years a new type of bear had begun to roam these parts of Falderen, driving away their smaller cousins and securing their position as one of the alpha predators of Providence.

She didn't know why they were called moon bears, but she was definitely interested in tasting its flesh.

Rather than running recklessly through the woods, Mizuki followed the trail cautiously, sniffing the ground along the way and making sure not to leave a trail herself. While there weren't many creatures in Falderen that could pose a serious threat to her, she still didn't want to deal with a starving or maddened predator ambushing her from behind. The terrain was rocky and uneven as the forest stuck up from the slopes of the mountain range that protected Falderen from the crystalline threat of Zalra. As she made her way forward she'd slowly descend from the slope, until she came upon her prey.

The moon bear was certainly large enough that it would probably have been comparable to the cave bears on Earth thousands of years ago. Currently, it was scratching its back by rubbing it against a tree with a particularly thick trunk, bits of bark covering the ground as evidence of the ursine's desire for physical satisfaction. It wasn't paying much attention to its surroundings, which meant that this was the perfect time to strike.

Keeping her distance, making sure she couldn't be seen by her prey, Mizuki circled around until the wind was blowing towards her and the bear wouldn't be able to smell her. Remaining low to the ground she slowly advanced, her mismatched eyes sharp as with each step she carefully placed hands and feet where there weren't any twigs or other forest debris that would alert the bear.

However, as she got closer to the bear she caught another scent. A beastfolk, and in fact... a wolfkin. Another hunter? She might have to act quickly if she wanted to claim this kill for herself. Otherwise, this other wolfkin might claim the bear before she had the chance to.

Quickening her pace Mizuki used the trees as cover as she closed in on the bear, her large, ursine prey still busy scratching its back. However, its movements were becoming less energetic, so clearly it was nearing the end of its self-massage.

Player Sheet

Moon Bear​

❰ 3 / 3 ❱

DC: 30
RETAL: 20

@Lucille Fer

 

[Lucille Fer]

160 / 180

-20 HP from Retal

As the day slowly turned to night, it was once again time for Lucille to go out and hunt. Well, it was just a glorified way of her practicing her skills, increasing the level of her masteries… but it could probably still be called a hunt in some way. The one big thing was that the lupine did not really track any kind of prey. She swiftly moved about, hoping to find something that would not be fast enough to run away. The only reason why that might have been working up until this point was because of her enhanced beastfolk senses that allowed her to spot her target before it could spot her.

The same was happening tonight as well. Despite moving to a different location for once, she had caught a sight of a bigger animal from quite far away and readied herself. The bear would fall prey to her tonight! Dark magic swirled all around her, coating her limbs in a thick layer of inky blackness radiating a red outline of excess magic. The various tattoos and markings on her body glowed in the same way, her entire form was permeated by darkness and power!

While she caught a glimpse of the bear, she did not know that another player was nearby. Not that such knowledge would change much. Lucille was rather forward with how she approached things, and few could change her mind mid-way. Putting all of her strength into her legs, she would dash forward from the side, and before the bear could even fully register someone dashing through the foliage, the tree behind it would be cleaved in half. Or perhaps it was more appropriate that it was shattered in such a way that made it look as if it was cut.

The girl's fist smashed right into the trunk, instantly breaking it apart and sending splinters in every direction. The attack retained enough force even through the tree that when it collided with the bear's back, it would send the large creature flying quite a bit. Sneak attack successful! Though Lucille might have actually put a bit too much force into it all as her body tumbled forward into several rolls before she could stop her momentum, obtaining a few minor injuries in the process. Nothing that wouldn't be healed by the end of the day!

Player Sheet

Rolls

Sneak Attack
1d100 (69) + 15 + 5 + 10 + 30 = 129
129 damage
Sneak Attack successful! 30 damage added
Dark Magic | Lucille Fer | 1135C1

Moon Bear​

❰ 2 / 3 ❱

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

160 / 180

-20 from Retal
Vulnerable

As Mizuki approached her prey she tensed her muscles, ready to pounce. However, from the sounds of it, the other person was also getting closer, and there was a smell... Mizuki wrinkled her nose, her eyes narrowing as she realised what she was smelling. The other hunter used some sort of dark magic, which meant that if she didn't hurry up and take down the bear, it could end up contaminated by a curse or something. Dark magic was very versatile, but it was rarely pleasant.

While Mizuki had been expecting some kind of hex or curse, what she hadn't been expecting was for the tree behind the moon bear to be shattered and for the bear to be launched forward. Had the other hunter decided to go for an attack of raw force? Then why were they using dark magic? She shook her head as she instead dug her fingers and toes into the ground and launched herself forward, charging the moon bear who was still recovering from being hit with enough force to actually be sent flying. The massive ursine beast snarled as it scratched the ground with its huge paws while pushing itself back up, but Mizuki had enough of an opening to strike without hesitation.

Pushing herself away from the ground she growled as her hands turned into large claws, the nails long and sharp as she lashed out and embedded her claws into the bear's skin. Fur was parted and hide was pierced, attaching Mizuki to the bear's back even as her prey let out a furious growl. The huntress growled back, opening her mouth wide to reveal fangs almost as large as the claws she was using to hold onto the bear's tough hide. Bringing her head down she sunk her fangs into the bear's neck, her powerful jaws allowing her to dig deep with her fangs before pulling back and ripping a chunk of fur, hide, and flesh from the bear's neck.

The bear let out another snarl, this one more pained as suddenly it was suffering from a deep wound. Lucille's punch had already caused some serious bruising on its back, but now copious amounts of blood were pouring from its neck. To try and dislodge Mizuki the moon bear rolled onto its back, using its weight against the huntress as it tried to crush her. Mizuki let out a grunt as she felt her organs get compressed and her bones ground together by the massive weight on top of her.

Placing her feet firmly on the ground she strengthened her body, her grunt turning into a fierce snarl as she lifted the bear up and threw it against another tree. The beast smashed against the tree with a loud thunk, causing the tree to shuddering and pieces of bark to fly everywhere even as the bear regained its footing. Mizuki exhaled, ignoring the complaints of her body as placed her clawed hands back on the ground and prepared herself for the next attack. The bear looked unsteady, bleeding from the neck and having suffered two powerful strikes, so another good hit should be enough to injure it fatally.

Rolls

Critical Attack
2d100 (Advantage) (42, 71) + 25 + 20 + 25 = 141
141 damage
Gain the Vulnerable state
Metamorph | Ueno Mizuki | 1135C2

Player Sheet

Moon Bear​

❰ 1 / 3 ❱

DC: 30
RETAL: 20

@Lucille Fer

 

[Lucille Fer]

140 / 180

-20 HP from Retal

It was only after Lucille had partially recovered from her own attack that she realized there was someone else here, trying to hunt the same prey. The wolf's dual-colored eyes fixated on Mizuki almost immediately as she came into view, her attack on the bear appearing far more brutal than the one that arrived just moments prior, but only because of the drawn blood and flesh! Just because the spectacle was there, Lucille was not about to give up from just that. She wanted her prey and would not have some stranger steal it just like that!

"Out of the way, it's mine! It will taste the power… of my DARKNESS!!" Screaming the last word, the lupine girl's body was almost lit ablaze with dark energy and red glow as her limbs grew even more powerful, the claws of pure blackness clicking and stretching as they were about ready to rip the bear into shreds. She was not interested in devouring her foe, or skinning it, or anything of the sort. She merely wanted to end its life and prove that she was able to go up against such a foe with ease. She had to demonstrate it, even if the other woman was not interested in the least!

Taking advantage of the moment where Mizuki had to recover, Lucille would charge back into the fray and head straight for the injured foe. Since this was likely to be the last attack, she had put a lot of extra power and magic into it, even conjuring several inky chains with a small spike at their end, shooting out and digging into the bear's flesh. They would keep the beast in place, ensuring it would not run. As the beast realized this, it would try to stand on its hind legs, the imposing frame towering above the girl.

She did not falter. With speed far surpassing the bear, she buried her fish deep within its belly, only to twist it and cause painful growls. The dark claws would twist and maim only to slowly reform and create a blade already embedded inside of the poor creature. And with a swift motion, it would be dragged diagonally upward, opening up its entire stomach and ensuring death!

❰ Devouring Dark • Visceral Strike ❱

The amount of blood that came out during the gore-filled attack was enough to give Lucille a bit of a coat. Not that she would mind. Quite the opposite, she was grinning widely. As the heavy body of the bear collapsed to the side, it would shake the ground beneath the two girls, allowing a moment of respite where the darkness surrounding the lupine girl grew more tolerable. "Haah… haah… that's right! Hahaha, I can still do it!"


Player Sheet

Rolls

Steady Attack
6d20 exploding (3 + 20 + 10 + 20 + 19 + 8 + 2 + 20 + 2) + 10 + 5 + 10 = 129
129 damage (Explosions: 3)
Beast Arts | Lucille Fer | 1135C1

Moon Bear
❰ Foe defeated ❱​

❰ 0 / 3 ❱

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki frowned as the other caenis yelled for her to get out of the way. Clearly, this girl wanted to take the bear down herself, and she was already charging forward even as the luna wolf was still recovering from almost being crushed underneath the moon bear. Those dark claws were only growing more malevolent, and the moon bear realised it as well as it faced Lucille and roared at her in an attempt to intimidate her.

Unfortunately for the ursine, that plan failed.

Seeing that the moon bear was already as good as dead Mizuki didn't bother to charge in again, as it would be pointless. Instead, she straightened herself up as she watched Lucille's dark claw turn into a stygian sword that pierced the bear, cutting straight through its vitals even before the dark magic user swept the blade upwards to decisively end the hunt.

While the other lupine was taking care of the bear Mizuki sniffed the air and sighed, shaking her head before walking forward. As she studied her kin she wondered if this was anything similar to how others saw her, with this girl even going so far as to relish being bathed in the bear's blood as that black blade had caused a fountain to burst forth from the bear's torso. It was quite the sight, although Mizuki imagined that others would have described it as disturbing or something along those lines.

You can do what? Hunt a moon bear? (She raised an eyebrow at the strange declaration.) That's not that strange, is it?

Rather than facing the other wolf Mizuki would walk past her and kneel in front of the bear, studying its remains. It was certainly dead, its bodily functions having ceased almost immediately once the final attack had removed most of the blood from its body. The wound was fairly rough, as the other huntress had clearly relied as much on destructive power as precision to reveal the moon bear's innards. What concerned Mizuki more was whether any of that dark magic still lingered in the wound. She'd rather not eat anything contaminated with the magic which was also used for curses and hexes.

Can't really do anything with the organs like this... A rough way of hunting. (She looked over her shoulder at the blood-drenched Lucille.) Were you planning on eating this?

@Lucille Fer

 

[Lucille Fer]

Having her victorious moment be not only interrupted but also made insignificant in such a way certainly left a sour taste in Lucille's mouth. She observed Mizuki from behind with a narrow and unimpressed gaze as nearly all joy left her body, replaced by questions about who had the audacity of ruining the moment like that. Sure, it might have been true that none of this was particularly impressive, but… admittedly, the wolf girl was still a new player, so this was actually quite the achievement for her! Damn it all.

Not only that, she then had such a strange question, too. What in the world did she mean when she questioned whether Lucille would eat the bear… was she being literal? There was no other way than being literal, right..? "Er… no? Why would I?" It honestly seemed like a silly idea. She wasn't hunting out of hunger but to gain power! To feel the thrill! To push herself to new heights that were yet awaiting her! Someone who simply hunted to eat would never understand such a mindset!

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Given that Mizuki didn't have eyes in the back of her head she didn't immediately notice Lucille glaring at her from behind. She was more concerned with inspecting the bear carcass, figuring out which parts she could still safely remove and consume and which parts she'd have to dispose of to make sure the dark magic didn't cause any harm. She'd have to ask the other caenis whether her magic had any lingering effects.

But first, she'd have to deal with the fact that this girl was apparently hunting moon bears without even being aware that eating them was an option. The luna wolf raised an eyebrow at the younger and more inexperienced huntress.

That's usually the reason why people hunt in these regions. If you weren't doing it to fill your stomach, what are you doing out here?

She turned back towards the carcass and raised her hands before getting to work, her nails growing longer and sharper so she could use them as tools to skin the bear and neatly cut its remains into easily processed chunks of meat. Of course, this also meant that she quickly ended up looking similar to Lucille, with blood drenching her hands and eventually her arms as she kept working without a shred of hesitation.

If you're not going to eat it I might as well. Do you know if your magic has any harmful properties? Dark magic can be dangerous and I'd rather not eat cursed meat.

Curses came in a wide variety of shapes and forms, but in general, they were unpleasant. Cursed meat would most likely inflict illnesses and debilitating effects upon the consumer, possibly even death. Even as she waited for Lucille's response Mizuki hummed a soft tune to herself as she kept working, having completely forgotten to introduce herself or ask about Lucille's identity.

@Lucille Fer

 

[Lucille Fer]

There was frankly not much for Lucille to do, but continue staring in mild disbelief at the casual behaviour of her fellow beastfolk and hunter. She was inspecting the corpse so nonchalantly, she must have done so countless of times. A sign of an experienced hunter, perhaps. But to assume that everyone was hunting for food still seemed rather silly. Even without magical powers, people out in the real world still hunted wild animals for no other reason than as a sport so why would it be any different here?

"Usually clearly doesn't mean always. I only wish to hunt stronger and stronger prey to grow in my own power and darkness!" The girl exclaimed in quite a bit of enthusiasm, even placing her hands on her hips and puffing out her chest with pride, as if someone was actually watching her. It was a method that was proving to work for her so far, so she felt no need to change her ways. Not to mention that as a wolf, she simply felt that she had to hunt others. And as someone from a restrictive household, she also wanted to feel free and run around forests and the like.

The fact that the other beastfolk wanted to take the meat from the bear was a big ol' bag of whatever to Lucille. Although, as she was asked about her own mastery, she actually didn't know how to answer. "How am I supposed to know. I'm not some kind of witch that casts curses and hexes, my darkness empowers my body and claws!" Ginevra would have probably been able to answer the question much better, but the dark swordswoman was not here, so Mizuki had to deal with the issue at hand by herself, somehow.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

The lack of motion from the other female lupine implied that she wasn't bothered by Mizuki taking charge of the carcass, which in turn implied that she hadn't intended to eat it. This was confirmed when Lucille pointed out that not everyone hunted for food, and that she just wished to become stronger and... darker? Mizuki imagined that she meant improving her Dark Magic mastery.

I see. Not often that someone comes to this part of the country to do that. (She looked away from the dead bear and towards Lucille.) Not bad for someone starting out though.

The praise was genuine, even if short-lived as Mizuki returned her attention to the bear carcass. Skinning an animal this big was a lot of work, and she had to make sure she did it properly as well. A good bear pelt could be turned into many useful things, so she didn't want to damage it because she was paying too much attention to the other lupine. A quick nod answered Lucille's admission of ignorance.

Better to cut away the parts you touched then, if you don't know what effect your magic has. (It was probably fine, all things considered, but Mizuki decided to err on the side of caution.) I know you said that you don't want any of the meat, but does that mean that you just go around killing things and leaving them to rot?

That would be a rather irresponsible thing to do. Mizuki halted her skinning for a moment to turn around and look at Lucille.

I'm Ueno Mizuki by the way. What's your name?

@Lucille Fer

 

[Lucille Fer]

With her arms folded across her chest, Lucille would scoff a bit. Of course it's not bad! I am a mighty Wolf of Darkness, after all! There is no way I could have trouble with something as trivial as a bear. She certainly did not lack confidence in her own abilities. And, to be entirely fair, she was doing nothing but running around, trying to fight whatever she would find. It certainly proved to be an efficient way of growing stronger relatively quickly. And as long as she was fighting wild animals and had the element of surprise, it was surprisingly safe as well.

Hmph, cut off whatever meat you want, it matters not to me. My work here is done. She just wanted to fight the thing and did just that, even before Mizuki could fully get to it. I don't see a problem. We're in a game so they'll just despawn eventually, right? Not my problem anyhow. But as rough as she seemed, she was at least somewhat interested in a fellow wolf. Mizuki, hm? Hehe, you may call me Lucille Fer, the mighty!

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki raised an eyebrow when Lucille introduced herself as a Wolf of Darkness. The other caenis did seem to be very invested in her role. Did other people look at Mizuki the same way when the luna wolf was fighting with fang and claw rather than sword and magic? She knew that people often found her habit of eating prey raw disturbing, but it wasn't like she was giving herself titles or anything.

Not that she disliked Lucille's enthusiasm. A small smile adorned her lips before she turned her gaze back towards the bear.

This is a moon bear, so it's a bit more dangerous than the average bear. But you're correct that you didn't seem to have a hard time handling it.

Her fingers moved swiftly as she separated hide from flesh, slowly but surely making her way over the bear's frame while humming softly to herself. When she started doing this it had taken a lot of focus and some suppression of her instinctive hesitation, but by this point skinning prey was almost relaxing. Although she did look over her shoulder at Lucille once more when the dark wolf spoke up.

This world is more realistic than that, so when you kill something the body remains until it rots away or is otherwise taken care of. As you've probably also noticed, they don't just drop random loot.

Well, Lucille wasn't entirely wrong that she wasn't obligated to take care of the carcasses. Nature could process the remnants of her hunts anyhow.

It's nice to meet you then Lucille Fer. If you're mighty, I assume you've been doing this for some time now?

Terrasphere applied an unusual kind of fairness in that everyone started out with the same potential, but also with the same limits. Nobody entered this world already strong, so anybody who was strong obtained that power through hard work.

@Lucille Fer

 

[Lucille Fer]

So that was how this all worked, huh? Regardless, it did not change Lucille's view on anything. Why should she bother with the bodies of her enemies? She had serious doubt that most people who played this game would care about that. Just leave the carcass where it lay and move on onto the next mark. That was undoubtedly the most logical solution to all of this!

Fufu, of course I am mighty. I have indeed been doing this for a while, ever since I started playing a couple of weeks ago! Well, that might have been much shorter time than people would have assumed, but it was busy couple of weeks! She was basically doing nothing but hunting things that she presumed were strong in order to increase her combat prowess. She didn't care about anything else, really.

Hoho, you may reveal in my darkness, fellow wolf, I won't stop you! You may even follow me, if you so wish! Aah, it can be hard to be this powerful and magnificent... but I shall bear the burden! Her body language was quite extravagant as well as she spoke. It was obvious she was enjoying herself and however she saw herself in this world.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

A couple of weeks you say? Not as long as I'd imagined then.

Mizuki could have been a bit more tactful, but with how self-important Lucille was acting she had the suspicion that if she didn't put up some resistance the younger wolf was going to praise herself into the heavens.

You look like you've been using that time to train a lot, but you still have a long way to go before you can claim a leadership position.

It was natural for wolves to form packs, but Mizuki wasn't about to become subservient to someone who by all accounts was weaker than herself. Her sharp claws dug deeper into the bear's body, scooping out a handful of raw flesh.

I wouldn't mind hunting together with you though. (Mizuki bit into the liberated chunk of bear flank, tearing off a piece and swallowing it.) I don't have much interest in darkness, but it'd be fun to work together with a fellow caenis. I might be able to help you become even mightier as well.

She took another bite, then another, quickly devouring the meat by tearing into it with her fangs and swallowing the results. She looked at Lucille from over her shoulder, her amber eye glowing faintly while blood stained her mouth and chin.

I'm not going to accept another caenis as my alpha though.

@Lucille Fer

 

[Lucille Fer]

If Mizuki thought she could somehow ensure that Lucille didn't feel like the strongest being in this game, she was sorely mistaken. As of right now, the dark wolf girl basically lived in her own reality where just about anything was a form of praise to her. So when the wolfess mentioned that two weeks were shorter than she expected, Lucille practically beamed. Fufu, yes, yes! I have been making extraordinary progress extraordinarily fast! It was only natural for someone like her, after all.

Well, one may not reach the very top so quickly. I must make myself more familiar with the world still. Even the one thing that could have been seen as a direct acknowledgement of possible weakness was simply accepted as something else entirely. Interestingly enough, however, the proposition of hunting together was not the first one she has received so far. Or, well, it was not the first offer that would allow her to grow stronger under the guidance of someone else.

Hoho, I knew you were merely shy of singing me praise! Yes, we should hunt and grow strong! Like the proper wolves of the dark that we are! She had no idea what the whole alpha business was or what the word even meant, so that must not have been important in the least.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

It looked like the other caenis was going to interpret anything Mizuki said as some kind of praise, leaving the odd-eyed luna wolf at a bit of a loss. It wasn't like she wanted to crush Lucille's confidence or anything, but she could see a bloated ego swelling to problematic levels when she was faced with one.

You've certainly taken to this place a lot faster than most people. Just make sure you don't end up biting off more than you can chew.

Possibly a rather ironic thing to say, given that Mizuki was currently the one eating chunks of meat directly from the bear the two of them had hunted simultaneously, if not cooperatively.

There's a lot to learn about this world, and it's constantly developing. That said, if you're interested in hunting and becoming strong you should like the Hylands.

Mizuki had been very disappointed to hear that contact with the Hylands had been established while she hadn't been able to enter this world, but she just rolled with it. Even if she couldn't be part of the first expedition she could still go visit the native caenes of these lands and learn their culture.

Swallowing another chunk of meat Mizuki stood up and turned around to face Lucille fully, wiping the blood from her mouth and chin with one hand before speaking.

Hunting together is a lot more fun than hunting alone. I'm not a wolf of the dark though: I think I'd be a wild wolf in your words.

To demonstrate she brought up the bloodstained hand, narrowing her eyes slightly as she concentrated. The blood on her hand stirred, but then gathered on the palm of her hand, where it extended into the air like a vine or root. The sanguine tendril curled and twisted its way upwards and then forwards, closing the gap so Lucille could touch it and discover that it was a real plant and not a mere construct.

@Lucille Fer

 

[Lucille Fer]

It is but one of many aspects of greatness to be in control of one's abilities and the situation! Of course this ability applies to me! She might have been rather careless or perhaps even clueless in her own hunt most of the time, but even she would instinctually avoid something that was much, much stronger than herself. It was not quite the self control she might have been speaking of, but it was at least something to keep her alive.

Her equally heterochromic eyes also observed the plant come about, only for her to laugh. What are ya talking about? 'Course you are a wolf of darkness... you just demonstrated it! For is not the ability to control blood something marked as taboo by the cowards of this world?! Such magic can only be of a dark origin! And thus Mizuki became a wolf of darkness that she surely always hoped to be. What an honor!

Taking a few steps to the side, Lucille spread her arms and stretched a bit before looking up at the skies. Indeed, I can hear the spirits of the dark whispering... this will be a journey most fruitful! Most wonderous! Rejoice at our union, fellow wolf of darkness, for chance truly has allowed for something spectacular here!

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

It seemed like even when it came to being cautious Lucille believed she was already at the top. Well, given that she hadn't mentioned dying yet despite her aggressive stance there was something to be said for her survival instincts being strong enough to curb her enthusiasm.

I'm glad to hear it. There's a lot of people who become intoxicated with their own abilities and get themselves in trouble.

She hadn't expected the other wolf to argue that blood magic counted as dark magic, however. It was true that people considered it taboo, but Mizuki hadn't really thought of it like that.

I think it's taboo moreso because people find it disturbing than that there's anything dark about it. (As she spoke she took the little blood plant and dropped it onto the forest soil, where it would have to grow and thrive on its own efforts) I just use it to feed my plants.

Raising her hand to her face she licked it clean as Lucille made some grand proclamations regarding their meeting. It was quite interesting to find another caenis whose mindset was similar to her own, although she wondered where her new companion got all her passion from. Once her hand was clean she planted it on her hip.

Did you want to start hunting immediately then? I've still got this bear to eat, but if you've got a journey in mind I'll listen.

@Lucille Fer