Oh Here, Deer Deer Deer... - Printable Version

It wasn't long before Renasci would hear a call in the distance--a short, melodic grunt. It was far off in the undergrowth, but a flash of bioluminescent green against the already green foliage a couple hundred yards away would give some clue as to location. And another clue, as well, for the brief spark of brighter color was making a hairpin turn with an agility that was astonishing.

If they were clever, those were the lessons he could learn from that brief sight and sound: there were glowing creatures a good distance ahead, they had seemingly not yet noticed them, and they were exceptionally agile and quick even in the thick growth.

And if Renasci were cunning, they'd find evidence of their passage just before them: a few hoofprints (indicating, if he had tracking experience, three or four beasts the size of a large dog); a tuft of fur and broken twigs showing that these creatures had been shoving through the underbrush and grazing as they went.

Given their swiftness, stealth might be advised.

The jungle deer were none the wiser to their approach. Flashes of bright green become the sight of moss-colored coats moving close by through the undergrowth.

It's difficult to tell how many there are, even this close--almost in range of a rope or even a flying lunge. Four, maybe five?

They did not seem like fighters, in any case. The agility with which they moved, however, suggested that taking out two before the rest could flee might be a great challenge indeed.

Heads snapped up, twisting toward Renasci--they had made no sound, so was it... ahh. Scent. Nostrils flared. Had the harpy failed to take the wind direction into account, or were their noses simply this sharp-? One stamped the ground; the two farthest began a halfhearted flight, a few scattered bounds just in case, but they were not yet fully certain of the danger.

It was still salvageable... with enough careful action. But any more mistakes might send the jungle deer into the thick foliage at full speed.

The herd stilled a dozen yards or so farther into the underbrush, and gradually returned to browsing. Their heads sometimes dipped low, brushing for grass along the forest floor, but more often than not they picked at the leaves at chest-height, eyes alert for trouble.

The miss crashed through leaves, startling the nearest Jungle Deer and sending first it--and then the rest, in a cascade of panicked prey--darting away through the undergrowth at remarkable speed. Their green-streaked coats would vanish into the jungle entirely in a second or two, though Renasci could perhaps intercept if they were very quick--or could start the stalking process again, though the deer would remain on high alert for some time.