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Thorne was no stranger to hunting, and especially not within the Wardwood. He had strayed far from his typical range today, however, and he found himself studying his surroundings carefully, picking out minute details and figuring out which way the wind was blowing from. Valerian plodded along lazily beside him, watching his chosen with half-interest. The deer was little use in tracking just about anything, and he seemed to know it.

The hunter's trained eyes finally caught sight of some peculiar signs of some sort of animal's passing; with a soft hmmm in his throat he set off in its general direction, tugging his cloak around his shoulders.

Frances approached the Wardwood, her steps slowing to a stop at its edge. She called out once, twice, and a third time for her father's hound, but the rustling of leaves was the only response she received. It was likely he'd gone to join the hunt on his own terms, but she feared more harm than good in such an endeavor, and Martha would be vexed to find her return without him. Still, she trembled at the thought of going further.

She turned towards home, then the wood, then back again. For a moment, it looked as if she would leave the dog to whatever the fates had in store for him. Then, gathering up her skirts, she turned a final time and plunged into the wood.

Today Elsbeth sits astride Kugrah's large frame, surrounded by gentleman -- mostly her father's friends, and a few of her elder brother's. She doesn't wear the pretty, cumbersome, skirts of a Lady, however, but the fine riding vest and pants of a man. Her long blond hair is done up in a braid behind her head, and her fingers rest lightly against her Guardian's neck.

The men look at her out of the corners of their eyes, but dare not speak against her within her hearing. She is a Chosen, after all, and she has made it quite clear since her return what she thinks about playing the part of a spoiled, soft-headed lady. They don't need to like it, she thinks, but they'll learn to accept it.

"Keep your eyes open, Kuhrah. We'll show these men what we're made of, won't we?" Her tone is light, and playful, and he snorts a bit, somewhat amused at her fire, but agrees silently. If doing this makes her happy, he has no complaints. Besides, he knows he can outrun any of the horses here easily.

When the shout is given, they rush off into the trees, together, and Elsbeth can't help giving out a cry of elation as the ground surges beneath them.

Euphemia stroked Daphne's ears thoughtfully as she stood at the edge of the wood, tucking a loose piece of strawberry blond hair behind her ear. Though she was wearing an actual pair of pants instead of her usual elegant dress, her lips were still stained a soft rouge and her eyes were painted with a gentle gold. She was still a feminine woman after all, and a walk in the woods would not take that away. Her parents had allowed her to do this, after much pleading and quite a few dirty looks from Daphne, but they had unfortunately required her to have an escort. She turned to look at the man, Felix, and had to crane her neck a bit. Though she did tend on the shorter side, Felix was quite impressively tall, and thickly built as well. But he was a gentle soul, and it was proven when he smiled warmly at her. "Well, Ms. Lowe, shall we?" He asked, though he made no move toward the trees.

Euphemia hesitated, but was urged along by an insistent nudge in her side. Daphne huffed and looked up at her with determination. She really wanted to go, too. Though she could be prissy and spoiled, she was still a deer and the opportunity to venture into the Wardwood was quite obviously greatly appreciated. "Alright, let's go."

You hear the loud pop of a branch breaking deeper in the forest. After a moment of consideration, taking in the dense bluish mist rising from the forest floor, you set off in the sound's direction. It could be nothing, but it's worth investigating… as long as you're careful.

You win two points this turn.

Total points: 2

Alice paced around the meadow, trying to keep her temper in place as she waits for her brother to arrive.

She stopped for awhile, and looked passed a group of trees with a worn dirt ground beneath, as people frequent the meadow often.

After staring as hard as she could, as if wishing for brother to burst through. She sighed and sat to pick flowers to make a crown.

"Boys will be boys, I guess. Even though he is older and should be more responsible."

She turned her head and looked at Tahlly.

Tahlly, blinked her eyes once and shook her head. Not in agreement, but for the lack of patience Alice had.

While Alice is adventurous, Tahlly is calm and tries to keep a level head about these things.

There were a lot of things Kozel hated, being the critical and fearful man that he was, and forests had to be right up there. But, for as high as it was on the list, it was still lower than feeling guilty, which was why he found himself in the Wardwood once more, even after he had sworn never to set foot in it again. He was here for the noble purpose of returning the... toy dog, was it? that he had taken from a tree here, which had weighed heavy in his pocket and heavier on his conscience since, but finding that spooky tree again had proven difficult. So difficult, in fact, that he was pretty sure he was no nearer to finding it since he had set out and completely lost instead.

And that was why Kozel hated forests.

His only comfort now, and really the only reason Kozel wasn't panicking, was that he had a companion, but even that brought more ire than anything. It had been Zharkov's idea to take a toy dog in the first place, then he had the gall to discourage Kozel from returning, and now he was enjoying himself entirely too much for Kozel's taste. At this point, returning the totem wasn't even the goal anymore; he just wanted to leave the Wardwood for good before he really did panic. Trudging along in a grim silence he just dared the other man to break, Kozel looked for any sign of... something other than trees. And rocks. And dirt. Forests were just awful, really.

The forest is quiet; by now most of the birds have migrated south, and the only sounds you've heard for the past several minutes are the rustling of the breeze in the trees, the plop of acorns falling, the quiet scraping rustle as a leaf descends to the forest floor, and the occasional rasp of a squirrel gnawing on a nut's shell in the distance. It is peaceful — or, depending on your character's preferences, a little eerie.

The shrill, almost-human scream of a rabbit's death cry shatters the silence. Once you've taken a moment to recover (or, if you're a badass mofo, coolly evaluate the situation) you head in the scream's direction. It could be the work of a hawk, but there's still a good chance a fox is nearby.

You win three points this turn.

Total points: 3

(Also, TOY DOG LMAO *dying*)