Jackalope/Imp Hunt

“I’m not meant to be chasing rabbits down holes,” Varrick huffed as he watched another cottontail disappear into a hole in the ground. “Should have gotten someone significantly smaller than myself for that.” Adjusting his bags, he watched Niue rush past after the jackalope as it emerged from another hole lined by crystals. The antlered rabbit rushed into a sprint, but the sleek vayron could keep up with it much better than the Haedian or their old puller companion. If they were being honest, Rhaegor hadn’t done any catching so far. Only idly following along, while he consulted his Osprey for prey and sending out the runner. 

“I’m sure you have some knick knacks to lure them out or capture them.” Rhaegor said matter-a-factly as he passed the Haedian. Varrick huffed at the assumption. It may have been true, but nevertheless he was no hunter. He haggled for his meals, he didn’t chase them around. 

Walking ahead, Rhaegor took sniffs of some of the small holes dug near rocks and stumps. Fresh scents lingered from Jackalopes still in hiding in their mazes. He could scare one out, so Varrick can catch it. Or vice versa if his companion is so against running after prey. Even Freyja could swoop down to catch one. He eyed up at his Osprey that looked back off a tree branch. That’d work. His ear perked at the sound of steps approaching from the trees.

Off in the distance, Niue came trotting back with a white and grey Jackalope hanging from his map. His nostrils flared with huffs and his hair was a bit windblown, but he was in his element more than the other two. “Goth it,” he muffled through the rabbit and came to a stop in front of Rhaegor and Varrick. The old puller took the jackalope to hang off his back. 

“Good,” he gruffed. “A couple more and we’ll be set to head back. Plenty more hiding in the ground, just need to lure them out. Do you-” Turning to address the haedian, he paused and looked around for their missing companion. A scrape of claws sounded from above and Rhaegor and Niue raised their noses up the nearby tree trunk to find Varrick having climbed up high. 

“That was quick,” Niue remarked. “Keeping watch?” 

“And taking my advantage best I can,” Varrick added. “I glide, my friend. I don’t run.” The Haedian grinned as he scaled up the tree with practiced speed. When he was at an adequate height, he leapt off the trunk and glided onto another. Rhaegor and Niue watched as he found a place to perch and keep an eye on the forest below. If he saw prey stopping to take a breath, he could swoop down like a bird of prey. 

“Hm,” Rhaegor hummed. He was familiar with Empyreans more or less, but their kin were still new. It’ll be interesting to see their strengths in action. 

The forest rustled with the movement of critters. Birds rustling in the eaves, rabbits holed up in the ground, and a few deer rushing off in the distance. Rhaegor’s ear tilted around to listen, when in the quiet haze flapped small wings. His brow furrowed as he eyed the air, but saw nothing but the odd little bird. Niue’s eyes followed his, scanning the trees for what he was hearing. 

With a sharp shriek from Freyja, Rhaegor’s eyes snapped towards his bird as his eyes washed over white. Last glimpse he saw before his sight changed to his Osprey, was Varrick gliding towards him. Through Freyja’s eyes, he saw the Haedian land beside him and Niue, snatching something front he air. With the squabbling and angry chittering it wasn’t hard to deduce it was an imp. A fiendish little thief trying to nick a jackalope from his back. A couple of them, by the looks of it. Leathery wings flapped as varrick pinned one down under his hand, and bit another that flailed in his jaws. 

Niue rushed around him to grab onto the one on the ground so varrick could finish the one he held. The blue runner laughed in surprise at the little fiends. 

“Sharp eye,” the blue runner laughed in surprise at the little fiends. “Little thieves were eyeing the rabbits.”

“My specialty,” Varrick gave a bow at the runner, before strapping the impps onto Rhaegor’s back. “Tricksters, drawing your attention elsewhere to snatch your belongings.” Patting Rhaegor on the shoulder, Varrick turned tail and began heading back the way they came. “That should do for today, hm? Not exactly rabbit, but someone’ll want it. As a matter of fact, I know who does.”

Rhaegor eyed the imps strapped beside the jackalopes, but sighed with a nod. “It’ll do for now.” Following after Varrick, Niue trotted along with the two of them, pleased with his catches for the day.