They'd doubled back to keep good on their word to V-Onyx-Three, eventually- all their items strapped to their back in their odd net-like sack and straps, shard of their chrysalis affixed to a new wood handle and several stone tipped spears added to the assortment of confusing shapes they carry. One arm bears their metal bracer from the Blacksmith, and they tap out rhythms on it as they walk and walk and talk with V-Onyx-Three and their terrifying guardian.

The Sentinel. A gembound of few words, but blunt action, they would like someone who was quiet like this, if they didn't feel like they were being judged every moment they stood near the other.

"So, this tunnel has been a bit of a trek," They finally say, gesturing at the jutting and chaotically frozen walls of stone and ice of Tunnel M, which itself seems to never be flat in any direction but straight up and down. "But, from what I've been able to check, those weird naked deer who try to fight you and the friendlier, fuzzier deer from the ice room are here, so we have equal odds of finding them and tracking them down. You doing okay, Onyx-Three?"



"When I speak"
When I think

@V-Onyx-Three

Time had passed since he had last seen Renasci. Onyx-Three had been left with plenty to think about, and in that time, he had also grown like he had hoped he would. At this point he would be around six feet tall, having hit a growth spurt. Onyx-Three was not full grown yet. Not nearly. But they were a larger threat now that they had gained the advantage of size- and additional training. It was just a few learned skills here or there, the basics of fighting, but none that made this task an easy feat. Hunting, though similar, was still in the end quite another beast in comparison to combat. Luckily he would have Renasci to teach him. The Sentinel would be around of course, but ultimately it would be just him and his friend. There was still the ever present pressure to perform. This would be a fun outing, but also one in which to improve his skills and prove himself worthy of being a called V-Onyx-Three. Child of champions.

His gait was steady as he followed the harpy through the tunnels and caves. They found it much easier to travel on all fours for long distance journeys such as this one. Their eyes were filled with amazement upon gazing at each new cave, simply because they were all so different from what he was used to. He had no idea that so many caves had no Voidlight. V-Onyx-Three had always thought Pegasus was an anomaly in not having the calming purple light, but now his perspective had been flipped. It was really Draco and Cepheus that was the strange ones in having such light.

But despite the long trek, Onyx-Three thought it was worth it. It wasn't often one could learn to hunt deer, and with Renasci no less. "It is no problem. The journey has not been boring." It was much harder to slip when walking on four as opposed to two legs, but in this tunnel, he still found himself struggling to keep his balance at times. "Yes." They raised their nose to sniff at the air, "Is there a specific kind we are looking for?" Onyx-Three wasn't sure if Renasci wished to target the skinny looking ones or the fluffier ones, or if it didn't matter which ones they chose to hunt. After all, they all looked of a rather average size to him. And they didn't even have any teeth or claws that he could see. Surely they wouldn't be too dangerous? Though horns could always be a problem. He knew that.

@Renasci

One ear angles in Sentinel's direction, keeping half a braincell on the canine-like Other.

"Well, I figure a Wooly Deer will be the easiest to target. Less likely to cause injury if we corner it, and the pelt can be useful for you guys after we dry and clean it." A shrug, and using their wings like a second set of arms, they clamber up to perch on a pinched peak of stone and ice, talons scoring deep in the slippery stone. "They move in groups, some have young- don't target the smallest ones. Let them live, they'll grow up and have more deer. Same with any of them with no horns that maintain the babies. If we find a group that's mostly ones with horns, then we're fine. Target ones with horns first. Do you... hunt with claw? Or would you like to use magic. Or a spear?"

As they set their rules, and ask their questions of Onyx-Three, they scan the cave, keeping their voice low to avoid echoes and try and pick out the sounds or sight of anything living in the caves.

"When I speak"
When I think

@V-Onyx-Three

The keen eye of an experienced hunter--or the keen nose, or ears--would pick signs of prey from this bare white tunnel.

Here a small pile of pebble-like dung hidden where it'd sunk into the snow with heat; there, a little hole carved out by a Frostbiter to make its lair; and the faint guano streaks and odor where one or another of the cave bat species were roosting in shadows high above.

Right now, the sound of clicking hooves would provide their cue: a distant clack-clack, soft but distinct, of deer-on-ice. Renasci would catch movement upon looking in that direction: an antlerless, tall and scrappy-looking creature in dark violet-gray, furless and thin. It seemed to be moving with purpose, obliquely away from them, no doubt only passing through this place of cold--which must have been unpleasant, with its lack of fur.

@V-Onyx-Three

Although Wooly Deer had less of a chance of causing injury, Onyx-Three wondered if it would also make it harder to hunt them as well. Considering he was not one to rely on magic in hunting, his main advantage was garnered from being able to get close to his opponent to deal damage. Wool had the potential to serve as a barrier from his attacks with tooth and claw. Though, he figured, Renasci could provide magical support.

They nod as they take in the information. This didn't sound like it would be too hard of a task, but they also knew not to underestimate their opponent. "I use my teeth." he pulled back his lips to briefly reveal his fangs, "and claws." He had spikes too, but those were more for defensive rather than offensive purposes. Onyx-Three was glad to be doing this with Renasci, they seemed to be incredibly experienced in the ways of deer. It was not often you met someone like that.

It took them a few moments, but his nose soon caught the scent of the deer. He focused, and four eyes fell upon the violet-grey deer. This did not seem to be the kind they were looking for. Though... it did seem easy to take down. Fragile. But it also didn't have antlers, which as Renasci had mentioned earlier, was supposed to be left alone so it could take care of babies. But this one seemed to be a lone. They felt their tail twitch, a certain sense of alertness creeping over them. "Is this one good?" he whispered to the harpy, aware that although it wasn't a wooly deer, it seemed to be a very tasty target at the moment.

@Renasci

Ears and head swiveling to try and see what Onyx-Three is calling out, movement catching their eye, they consider for a moment.

Single, so decent target, but those are fast. It gets a long stretch it's getting away, claws in stone.
After considering, they nod. "You can try. Those are fast and aggressive, and they will kick. If you use teeth and claws, try and aim for the throat and get away from it's hooves. If you want, I have a spare spear to lend... but if you feel more comfortable bare clawed, go for it. Try and get in front of it, if it gets started we aren't catching it. Not a high enough ceiling for me to stoop at it and break it's back with my feet." Saying as much of their though process as they can aloud for Onyx-Three's sake, they consider the see and decide to... not address the possibility that they could honestly possibly snag the deer with their magic or a rope trap. This is active hunting, not trapping.

"When I speak"
When I think

@V-Onyx-Three

He listened intently to Renasci's words, one ear swiveling back to keep tabs on the deer that was spotted. Stay away from the hooves, go for the neck, get in front of it- got it. "No spear is needed. Thank you." It would be a good idea to sneak up to it before striking. If it came down to a chase, Onyx-Three wasn't sure if he could keep up.

Carefully, yet at a quickened pace, he snuck towards the deer. It was moving away from them. This meant it was ever so important that he moved at a faster pace than it did. The snow and ice was slippery, proving to be quite the challenge. Claws did not provide as good of a balance as hooves did on such a surface. Onyx-Three was careful to stay among the shadowy parts of the tunnel and out of sight, though there were definitely a few times he almost slipped and gave himself away.

And there it was. Deer in all it's purplish-grey beauty. Though they were more focused on the fact that they were so close to success. They could imagine it now, just one well placed lunge to bring it down. Hopefully. Onyx-Three looked back at Renasci to see if they were following or chose to stay behind.

@Renasci

Renasci had indeed kept along- moving carefully with taloned feet and gliding where they could to interrupt their step pattern.

They're leaving this first attempt to Onyx-Three, just to see if they hunt weaponless how Ren does. The other had mentioned teeth so, they were curious. They just hope that their nod to the check in is as comforting as they hope it is, what with their ears and crest flared out to catch sound.

The harpy is behind, hoping that even if Onyx-Two spooks the deer, they'll have a chance to snag it when it comes their way.

And by all their feathers they hope it comes their way, and doesn't kick and fight.

If that happens, this deer won't be good for eating after their spells.


"When I speak"
When I think

@V-Onyx-Three

This seemed like a situation where it was useful to have wings. Onyx-Three had never considered that flying could be useful as a way to sneak up on prey, especially on surfaces that were harder to slip on and give yourself away. Since Renasci brought up the back, as long as he properly covered the front this should be an easy hunt. His eyes scanned the immediate area surrounding the prey to come up with a strategy. Go for the throat... but that was easier to miss. Maybe they should knock it over first? Then that way it would also make it harder for it to kick them. Their tail was useful like that.

Onyx-Three shimmied as close as he could before striking. They ran up, attempting to sweep their tail at its legs to knock it over. And it missed. Shoot.

Silent stalking erupted into a blur of motion: the flash of bioluminescent streaks, brilliant azure blue, sudden and bright against the hairless hide of the deer. It sprang high, then came down in a clatter of skidding hooves on the ice. A brief scrabble for purchase and it was scrambling forward, at first scraping too-fast and running in place like some distorted deer cartoon character--then it was off, leaping straight (and blindly) for Renasci. A collision would be an accident, a panicked flight, and not a deliberate attack.

@Renasci