Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh Yeah! {Veles/Victor}

[Deleted]

“T'was the night before last. The woods were deadly silent, nary the chirp of a cricket. Could hear the sound of my boots crunching the...” And Veles could hear the sound of his life slooooooowly driiiiip awaaaaaaaaaay. The other patrons of the tavern seemed to be caught up in the woodsman's riveting tale. They had all sat, gathered 'round his table, while he sipped away at his ale and regaled his story. Neither Veles nor Victor had asked the man about his nightly routine or whatever he was prattling on about. They just wanted to know what the hell they were supposed to be hunting.

At least Veles did. For all he knew Victor was as sucked into the man's tale as the rest of them.

“...that's when I heard it. The deafening roar that broke the silence. I spun around and saw it with my own two eyes-”

“As opposed to your buddy's own two eyes. That'd be pretty awkward, huh?” The entire bar fell silent and cast a gaze at Veles. Mild looks of irritation and outright confusion were fixed on him, but their shock only fed his growing grin. “You're telling me none of you always thought that phrase was weird as hell? Ah, whatever. Continue.”

“...As I was saying.” The woodsman cleared his throat and reclined into his seat. His voice somehow captivated the drunken, oh yeah that's how, masses once more. “Not but fifty feet away stood the great beast. I could hear its snarling, but could only make out its massive, brown body. The stench of it too...by gods it was the worse I-”

“Sounds like someone ate too many Etrurian Pastries, if you ask me.” No shame from Veles, and in fact it wound up being completely worth it. This time the crowd's gazes were not even annoyed, merely shocked or appalled. Really? Was Veles in the one tavern that wouldn't have men laughing at a crap joke?

“I-”

“Yeah yeah, dude. We get it. Big beast. Smells like crap. Probably is crap. Out in the woods. You want it dead, never tried killing a pile of actual manure before, but...” Veles glanced over at his partner and brother, brow quirked. “What do you think, Vic? Up for taking it?”

[Victor]

In earnest, Victor had partially toned the man's details out. Adjectives like Deadly, when used by others, almost always put him in screen-saver mode. Victor, your job is deadly! In other news, water is wet!. So until the man began to use meaningful words, Victor would quietly stare at the man behind his hat and risen mask and imagine he was sewing the mans lips shut. Goodness, wouldn't that have been fun? Weaving the needle and guiding the suture until he was no longer able to part his lips, and merely exuded brief muffled sounds. Fortunately, he did get something interesting to listen to when his brother chimed in. Sure, they couldn't see the smile spreading on his lips because of the black mask that handily obscured his facial details, but it was present. More so because of the expression of their client than anything. It'd always given him a small modicum of amusement to see others thrown for a loop.

Though the man began to use more pointless words, Victor noted at his brother chimed in once more. This time he quietly let his thoughts drift elsewhere. To sea-side towns and places filled with the salty scent of oceans spray and the distant thunderous rumble of the tide breaking upon the shores and rocky cliffs. It was just a simple fact. He couldn't concentrate on such boring topics. If he had something to actually focus on perhaps. As it stood though his mind was quietly wandering. The familiar tones of Veles drawing his attention when Victor finally heard his sibling address him. The younger hunter turned his gaze briefly to the crimson clad older brother with a thoughtful gaze. Eyes then drifting back to their client before the boys soft tone reverberated through the mask that slightly muffled it.

"I'm content to fulfill it. A contract is a contract. As long as I get to hunt something I'll be content. Provided there's actually something to hunt."