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If one were to travel to Jauhar this time of year, they might have described the land as damp, muggy, or even stifling. The heat of the lingering summer weighed down upon the jungle, wrapping it into a warm blanket as the wet season started to roll in. For those who were used to such transitions, this was a time of prosperity, a chance to hunt the game of the wood and the water as they thrived.

Really, it was the dry season of the winters that were the painful time for the locals. At least that is what Crocus was raised to believe. Be thankful for the discomfort, because at least your belly was as full as the food stores.

That being said, a foolish Aishan would sit around and take the prosperity for granted, so he had a job to do. Every day was a time to prepare for the dry winter, and so he was off on a hunt. He traveled away from his secluded home and toward Ast, the settlement where most of the shifter population began. He was still south of the area, but often he would run into fellow hunters of Aishan, Earthling, and Hybrid make, and so he wasn't too worried about those he'd cross paths.

Instead, he was focused on his job, one he was quite good at, and that was getting as much meat as he could comfortably carry home before the sun set.

[Crocus 2]

Today he had a spear in hand, and a few strapped to his back. They weren't anything fancy, glorified wooding sticks, but they did the job. On his hip, he had a small blade to finish off the creature in as humane a way as possible. He hunted for food, not for sport, and so he made sure any creature he attempted to snag was within range and able to fell.

Throughout his travels, he saw a few herds of Maglardillas, avoiding the big ones in search of solitary creatures. That was the best best to catch and have minimal impact on the greater ecosystem.

Finally, he caught the sight of a solitary one gliding through the trees. Long ears twitching in excitement, Crocus stilled his body as he prepared to throw the spear at his prey.

[Crocus 3]

The sound of the spear gliding through the air was one of years of practice. Crocus was used to such hunts, and thus his aim was swift and true. The beast fell to the ground, cleanly struck as the hybrid rushed over to ensure he need not finish the job. Taking a moment, he swiftly pulled out a blade to be sure, and silently thanked the three gods for their blessing.

It would take only a few minutes to wrap the creature, and judging by the catch, he probably needed to get one more (at least) before heading home.

[Crocus 4]

Curse his lack of antennae - his mother always said he was at a disadvantage in terms of sensing others. At least his eyes allowed him better sight...sort of. Many Yaeli also struggled with eyesight, so Crocus was a bit of a disadvantage either way. That was beside the point, as he stilled when the knock was sounded, his hands mid-wrapping his catch, and his brain calculating where it came from.

He turned at the sound of the voice and evaluated the hybrid before him. Another Aishan hybrid, with the deep blue skin of either ice or water. Thankfully he seemed to be keeping his distance, at least enough for Crocus to feel secure and he continued to wrap his kill, if a bit quicker.

"Not quite new, I simply stick further away from most encampments." His gruff voice was a bit guarded, be it from distraction or him not quite certain how to interact with the other before him, and finally when he finished his wrapping he put the kill on his sling and stood.

His dark eyes evaluated the boy before him, contemplated his current catch and finally he shrugged.

"Sure, why not." He said, not really keen on the company but also not wanting to compete or cross paths yet again.

[Crocus 5]

The darker hybrid began to pull his bow up and over his shoulder, securing it to prepare for movement to a new hunting area. Then, with the kill on his shoulder and the bow as well, Crocus moved closer toward Syaa and considered his words. He hadn't quite experienced such behaviors, maybe because he was so dark that he could fade into the shadows and avoid attention.

But he understood. His mother warned him of the reality of his blood, even if most Alkidikes were kind. Kind compared to the land where his earthling mother came from.

"It's an important skill when you live in the wood." He replied simply, "My mother ensured I knew how to hunt from a young age. It makes it easy for us to live undisturbed."

He debated a moment before deciding he might as well keep up the conversation, at least until they got close to more prey.

"Where do you hail from?"

[Crocus 6]

Crocus nodded at the comments, he hadn't be that far out but he understood the location considering his mother had traveled through Matori to get here. He didn't really see hunting the same way as his new partner, it was more of a means to an end than a way of life, but he wasn't one to comment or bother others. As always, he let his actions speak louder than his words.

Suddenly, he heard a faint flutter of wings, and looked out into the distance. He pulled his bow out and nodded to Syaa, "Well, time to show off your skills then. Looks like we're close to a den, I'll take the right and you the left?"