middaeg | . summer's play

[Just outside the main entrance to the Wilde hunting grounds, Dimitri wears a small dirt path into the scattered grass as he checks his weapons once more. He's come equipped with two spears, a long dagger, and some calming tonic he's not entirely sure is legitimate. Upon arrival, the stewards of tonight's hunt had given him a temporary bonding potion despite his protests.

He owns several already, but had left them back in his quarters.

Now it's tucked away with his other vial, a small pouch on his hip padded with bandages and a few pieces of jerky.

In preparation for a long night hunting shades. He fastens his spear to his back and adjusts his cloak, the final survey of his weapons complete. Then, a familiar scent appears, like mist in the air, and he turns to find Sylvain approaching down the road.

He'll wait patiently for his comrade to arrive before greeting him.] Good evening, Sylvain. What brings you here? [This isn't the kind of hunt he usually goes on hmm]

[He's right - this isn't Sylvain's usual kind of hunt, but with the moons waning, he's been feeling his magic building exponentially - more than it usually does on a monthly basis, and ordinary training hasn't been doing the job of burning it down like it should.

It's buzzing under his skin, itching to be let out, and it isn't even a new moon, yet. Not even three monster bonds are doing much, so he can only imagine what it would be like without them.

Dimitri might well notice a few odd things about him, as well - fire licks up his hands from time to time, but it blinks out as quickly as it comes, a side effect of so much study. His body heat is running much higher than it ought to, as well, and - this one's new - there's an odd glow of light around him, since he's begun studying spells he might use to implement those beam swords of Dimitri's dreams.

Other than that he's... fine. Exactly what he's used to of him, and he'll greet Dimitri with a bright smile and a wave.]

The same thing that's brought you here, I expect.

[Sylvain is... radiant.

Forcing his eyes shut in two heavy blinks does nothing to dispel the glow that surrounds him. Dimitri's gaze tracks the flickers of fire as they course over Sylvain's skin - he wonders if he feels it.

Even watching makes Dimitri sweat, a distinct prickling on his back under the weight of his weapons reminding him why he's here ~~it's not to stare at Sylvain~~.] Oh?

I'm impressed. Hunting shades is difficult work, and you're already so occupied with your magic. [The fact that Sylvain has changed - has a mote more responsibility to him than when he was a teen - is finally beginning to sink in.

Dimitri is happy to see his friend living up to his potential.] Though, I won't turn down a partner. [He gives a small smile and a nod, then leaves his worn path to head into the hunting grounds proper.]

[He does feel it, but... the flame isn't burning him, much like his magefire from home doesn't burn him. He has enough of a handle on that, at least, though he's sure even seeing as much... can't be pleasant for Dimitri.

Patting it out only works for so long, though.]

Mm. It gives me a chance to practice safely, especially lately with how... strong... it's been.

[He's noticed how everything seems to be going a little haywire, from his magic to accelerated monster transformations to the way newcomers seem to have been showing up out of nowhere. It's... a lot. And hunting shades puts his energy to good use.]

I've been working on your beam swords. [Hence the glowing.] But I need a break from study, so here I am... And where are you going without a bond, Dimitri?

[CALLING YOU OUT, FAM.]

[Safely, huh? Sylvain has become quite the capable fighter in his years at war, and Dimitri is sure that his intense study of magic has only bolstered his prowess further. Perhaps the lesser shades that dwell here really aren't much of a challenge for him.

But they are a danger for anyone, given how easily the infection spreads. Dimitri narrows his eyes in response to Sylvain's attitude-

Some things don't change, he supposes.

Though, now it appears he's the one being nagged. Dimitri sighs, and continues to walk. He'll slow his pace enough for Sylvain to catch up at a stilted jog before taking off in purposeful strides again and expecting his companion to match.] I told you, I'm looking for shades.

To assuage your fears, I do have a temporary bond vial. Should it be necessary- [Which he believes it will not - clearly, in the way his lips press thin.] I will share it with you.

Acceptable? [He stops where underbrush thickens, tree trunks growing closer and darker.]

[The lesser shades really aren't much of a challenge, with how weak the infection is to fire, but the hunt gives him a chance to burn off the magic that was building inside him before it got to be too difficult to manage.

He's realized the longer he "stores" it the stronger a spell will be by default, but... he'd rather expend the little bit of extra energy when it's necessary for something to be stronger for the sake of having control over it.

Maybe that's odd. Maybe that's even reckless. Hard to say.

Better to nag Dimitri than to think too deeply on it.]

...Fine, so long as you actually make use of it should it be necessary.

[He knows Dimitri is unlikely to want to actually use it, so he'll also be looking out for an occasion where it would be necessary, too.]

Of course. [Curt - Dimitri does intend to follow through on his word, but who will decide when the bond becomes necessary? That, he leaves vague, as he steps into the woods.

Immediately, the canopy cover snuffs out all light but what litter flickers from Sylvain's body. A strange, but effective, torch. Dimitri takes his steps carefully, wary of uneven ground and any skittering creatures that may carrying the infection. His greaves provide protection from any immediate danger, but he'd rather not need to strip them away so soon.

Silence falls over them quickly, like a palpable thing. Dimitri's eyes adjust quickly, but more than sight he relies on smell. He hasn't quite narrowed down the stench of a Shade, but...]

This way- [There's something dead several meters ahead, the path twisting around a trees with tangled branches and traveling along a stream. Blood runs in small trails down the water, and Dimitri slows when he catches sight of it.

Ahead, there's the unmistakable blackened form of a dead animal, and a smaller creature gnawing on its flesh.]

[For now, the vague decision-making is fine. If Dimitri doesn't want to when he thinks it ought to be necessary, he'll keep a closer eye on him, and if Dimitri wants to before he mentions it, then he'll take him up on it. Simple as that.

For the moment, though, he follows his friend into the woods. It's odd, being the light source present, but even so, he still makes sure to step carefully, keep wary, unwilling to have another brush with the infection, if he can help it - and even less willing to let Dimitri have to contend with it himself. He knows monsters are affected differently, but even so... it wasn't pleasant. There are very few he would wish it upon.

The silence, too, is unsettling. He thinks to fill it with idle chatter, but he knows better - war, and the nature of the fighting they'd had to do in the five years before the professor and Dimitri returned to them, taught him that an oppressively silent forest was one with enemies about, and so it was better to remain silent yourself, lest they surprise you.

So it's lucky that Dimitri's nose picks up on something before they see eyes peering at them from the darkness. He follows him to the site of death and while it isn't a shade, it's still something that needs to be taken care of.]

Good job. I'll burn these.

[Better to eradicate both entirely, after all - and better still to warn Dimitri, before letting fire spark in his palms.

Unfortunately, the crack of flame and scent of sulfur sends the smaller creature bolting off into the underbrush before Sylvain can catch both of them in the simple spell he'd built.]

[Dimitri heeds Sylvain's warning and takes a step back, prepared to watch Sylvain's shadow grow distorted by rising flames. Wide eyed, he tracks the small trail of flames along Sylvain's arms, and then-

Motion startles him, but instead of simply looking he runs.

Underbrush cracks underfoot as Dimitri sprints off into the woods in pursuit of the small scavenger. He's hardly graceful, spear clattering into a tree trunk as he leaps over a raised root. Despite how the creature ducks and weaves, Dimitri gains on it.

Catches it in his palm with a lunge that cracks its skull under his weight.

Eat.

Heart thrumming in his throat, Dimitri opens his mouth. Feels his teeth and how his saliva pools in hunger-

He leans down, and only when he gets a strong whiff of the rot coating the animal's belly does he recoil. It's disgusting, but he cannot leave it...]

[Well, shit.

The scavanger bolts, and Dimitri bolts after it, leaving Sylvain in the dust. He could chase them, as well, but he has to burn the infected corpse left behind first, so he's delayed in his own pursuit.

So he kicks it closer to the edge of the stream before setting it alight, certain that damp ground will prevent the fire from spreading, so he can set it alight and set off after his friend.

At least the reckless crashing through the underbrush is more than enough sound to track him by, and as he doesn't have to track the movements of a small creature, he's relatively quick to find him... and his fresh kill, looking as though he's about to tear into it.]

Hey, Dimitri, good job. Why don't you set it down, so I can burn it, too?

[Best to just be cheerful with him, make an offering, talk to him like he's not doing anything strange.]

. summer's play

. sylvain

zipping this ahead to the 14th so they can be equally messed up by the moons o boyeee

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