A-Hunting

[mordredeschain]

 *It's a nice day for a hunting trip. Mordred is still in human form, but his mind is reaching out to look for prey like the creepiest of spiders. Somewhere not far off there are deer, birds, other hunters . . .*

(So, what shall we catch today? There are humans near, I'm sure at least one of them deserves to die.)

Comments

[mordredeschain]

(They'll learn ta live without thee. Perhaps they'll even learn that huntin' be a bad idea, though my hopes aren't high.

(What's it like in cocoon, if I may ask? Confinin', I imagine, but I've never been in one. I do so hope the silk is comfortable, sai, ya might be in there for a day or so.)

[wordsofwater]

"A bit like being in the womb I should imagine, cosy." she interjects. The silk thread in her hands feels luxurious, strong yet smooth.

"I wouldn't worry about your little ones," she tells the man.
"I'm a father, you can't do this to me. To them. I have responsibilities."
"Hold on a minute. Does that mean that I am expendable? Just because I don't have children then your life is more important than mine?"

[mordredeschain]

(Like bein' wrapped in blankets, mayhaps.

(Aye, that would be the implication. I've no children either, sai, but I'm worth ten million o' thee.

(Ah, I'm afraid thy friend has been drunk dry.) *The unfortunate hunter he'd been feeding on is ineed crumbling to dust now.*

[wordsofwater]

"I think you'd better shut up now before I kill you myself."

She swings herself higher.

"How are you feeling now, after your feast?" she asks Mordred. "Nicely full and content I hope. they do say that fresh food is the best for you and you can't get much fresher than this. "

[mordredeschain]

*The spider becomes a youth again, so he can smile properly at her.* Quite content indeed. Our poor friends here are probably less content, o' course, but that be okay. They'll only be scared for the rest o' their lives, aye?

*He laughs as the poor prey starts to struggle.* Hush, silly humes. You've got no way out an' no way down. I'll be eatin' thee tomorrow no matter how ya scream an' beg.

[wordsofwater]

"Nobody can hear you anyway, so there's no point in wasting your energy."

She admires the way the silk threads, far from being silkily slippery, seem to tighten as the prey strugles, getting more caught on themselves and making the cocoon neat.

"Perhaps you should hide the cocoons so that if anyone comes looking for the missing hunters they won't find your lunch and try to steal it."

[mordredeschain]

Mmm, true. One moment.

*He'll just be hanging them upside-down from a treetop, then, so no one will be able to reach them in a hurry even if they are found.*

[wordsofwater]

Her head tilts back as she watches. "The speed with which you can scale the tree is impressive."

[mordredeschain]

I be a spider, climbin' be what I do.

[wordsofwater]

"And you don't suffer from vertigo up there?"

[mordredeschain]

I can change iffen I must. It gives me a sense o' safety.

[wordsofwater]

it must be nice knowing that you can spin a safety net too, quite literally, if you need it

[mordredeschain]

Precisely. *The almost-human lad returns to ground cheerfully enough.* What shall we do now that I've a full belly? Sleep, perhaps, an' eat them in the mornin'?

[wordsofwater]

"Okay." She takes one last look at the cocoons securely tied up in the tree before letting go of the swing just as it reaches the front. She glides through the air and lands neatly on her feet a few metres away.

[mordredeschain]

Where would ya like ta sleep tonight?

[wordsofwater]

"Somewhere warm? I don't know, What are the options?"

[mordredeschain]

Well I could always make us hammocks, if ya like.

[wordsofwater]

"Sleep outside you mean? I guess that could be fun, as long as the weather holds. Not here though, I don't want to be kept awake by your breakfast."

[mordredeschain]

Oh, they'll be quiet if they know what's good for 'em. I've never had a chance ta flay a man afore, kennit? (Kennit very well, ya idiot humes?)

*Of course he never said he'd be nicer if they keep quiet, but with any luck they won't notice until he feeds.*

[wordsofwater]

"I'm not sure I know what flaying is," she says , pondering the word. "Is that the same as hitting?"

[mordredeschain]

No, it's closer to skinning. *He grins.* They'd look awfully tasty with no skin on.

[wordsofwater]

This gives her pause. While the concept of being able to peel a person out of their own skin is a curious one, she wouldn't agree with them being tastier to look at.

"I'm not sure that's something I want to see. I think I prefer people with their skins on."

[mordredeschain]

Aye, but you aren't eatin' them. When Mordred's hungry, fresh meat looks awful tasty.

I'll make thee a hammock not too far off, an' I'll sleep up there with them afterwards so they know better than ta run. Not that they could if they tried, say true, but it'll keep them from gettin' loud enough ta wake thee.

[wordsofwater]

Not being woken by a man begging for his life or crying with pain is a definite consideration. But then, so is being left all alone in the night.

"You won't be too far away will you?" concern etched in her voice.

[mordredeschain]

Of course not. I'll watch over you, sai, I promise.