Listening to sol speak before they left, their eyes couldn't help but to trail him a bit as Sol went to the golem. “Everyone makes mana and it's very hard to avoid touching people when attacking, even with only weapons. A living body makes its own mana, so any traces would be gone unless a spell was used. Dead bodies don't make their own mana anymore, making them better at holding onto traces of it. There are things that can remove it pretty easily or prevent it, but its not as simple as non magical means being used to kill.” There were issues with traces this small though, he did know that. “This information is researched for me though, I haven't exactly first hand tried to grab from corpses. That information did say its not always useful for tracking for reasons besides the attackers skill in avoiding leaving traces.” Honestly this was one thing he wouldn't mind never getting firsthand experience with. There was always a chance he might have to, considering their own job. Corpses happen, like what Sol was bringing them towards. Just because he could handle seeing and examining a corpse and knew they could, didn't mean he wanted to. Their curious gaze shifted to looking else ware as soon as the golem took off. The traveling was nice, even if this was an area they had seen before.

There was still a stark difference between above and below. The young man had 'seen' above many times with mapping spells, but the greyscale of the carbon matter with its carved appearance wasn't the same as the real thing. His spells had detail, but not life or color. It was good at showing information, but not 'feeling alive'. That more likely than not was connected to how the magic grew and acted for him. Ones first magic was connected to their emotions and identity. Joseph wasn't even completely sure what that magic was for him anymore. They had originally thought that was sound from what family had said, at one point he even felt it change from sound to carbon matter. When he had sound though? It wasn't even as intuitive for the individual as carbon matter, which came after. Thinking of reasons behind his magic changing in the past and how it reacted when the changes went against his own nature, sound seemed to fit in that category. They had no memory of the first one, the second one had been something he felt disconnected from, and the one he had for the longest time was carbon matter. For him it wasn't a magic that reflected anything inside, rather data collected from the knowledge he collected, a conductor that used the sounds of others to learn and craft their own spells.

This was likely one of the reasons that his magic would be unlikely to ever look 'alive' in any sense. The only part of him that was inside was information and mana. It was easier for him that way anyway. He would never insult their own magic, for it was quite useful when it came to gathering information and displaying it. Such things didn't change how amazing the view was from above in person. Cobborn was typically in or under trees, but not above them. Their pale pink eyes couldn't help but wander, the sparkle of curiosity strong in them. With how light spoken he was and gently dressed, it would be easy for someone who didn't know them to assume this to be a completely innocent person, naive to the ways of the world. But this was the same person that hadn't realized not everyone had seen murderous intent enough to think knowing how it looks was a normal thing. A sheltered person would also be less likely have a mellow toned chat about what one could possibly find on corpses. Of course admitting the information came from a book was also admitting that there was a chance Sol had more experience in this area than him, which wasn't exactly bothersome. What would be the point in lying about your experiences, or where the information gathered had come from? Though some information was better to figure out via hands on experience.

Their knowledge on wildlife was a different matter though. One didn't spend as much time as he had in forests without knowing and seeing a few things on that. The less you knew after all, the more likely you would run into trouble and possibly get attacked. As someone who had no form of attack magic during most of that time in forests, avoiding danger was far wiser than attacking it. Thus, when speaking on the matter there was no waver in the tone of their voice. It wasn't louder or firmer, but the orange haired adult wasn't the type to typically raise their voice anyway. “Wolves will actually avoid attacking humans in order to avoid more coming to attack, even if they go in their territory. Bears are more violent when their territory is invaded, but dying by a bear attack would also leave the cause of death recognizable. Deer and other ungulate can get violent during mating season or to protect their children, but deaths by such animals are unlikely as they typically avoid violence. Even when they do attack or kill, the type of damage they leave is very easy to read. Hoofs and antlers leave distinct marks.” On this information he had far more confidence in. It wouldn't make sense for any of those animals to not have distinct attack markers besides wolves, but wolves were less likely than bears or even deer to attack people.

But he knew that there was one animal blamed for attacks and being aggressive more often than it was responsible for. The young man had no intention of entertaining the idea as something likely. “Because wolves are canines, their attack markings had similarities to other canines attacks. Even then, there were still tells that an experienced person that knows the attack markings of well enough could recognize. These tells are how the hunting behavior is reflected in things like where the person was attacked, how aggressively, the size of the marks and so on.” Deer could be brutally violent when cornered, or when they feel their child is in danger, or during mating season when hormones are running rampant. Even then though, it would be a bit strange for an entire group to be taken down by deer. That was something he had never heard about, mainly because people only run into some many deer at once, only so many get aggressive at a time. This allows others to flee before they are attacked as well. These are not the type of ungulates that are hunters, thus have no issues with letting people run away from them, especially when the animal is already busy attacking someone else. Then again, looking big and shouting can also cause an attacking deer to speed away. As dangerous as they can be, their instincts as prey animals make it easy enough to get away if you're smart enough about it.

“I spent too many hours in the forest to believe for a moment that an attack from any non magical best that I named off wouldn't be plain as day, besides wolves. Even then, its at least obvious if its a canine attack of some sort.” The more aggressive animals were typically ones that had a lot of mana in their systems, not normal wolves and the like. His pink eyes started to shift a bit, briefly looking at Sol as the other gave a command to the golem. Should he stay on the sidelines and let Sol handle this himself since this was something meant for them? Very likely, unless asked for assistance. Neither of them were children after all. The spiral decent, was this due to the creations shape? Knowing that it could make sounds was also very interesting! It was easy enough to dismount from the thing, despite its size. Seeing Sol dismiss it made sense, but he was almost a bit disappointed. That golem had been very interesting to see, hear, and experience. But this was pushed out of his mind by the silence in the forest. Was there a predator nearby? But what kind would get all the forest to grow silent in fear? Sol addressing the silence and dismissing the boar from the list of suspects made sense. Even the giant mana ridden ones didn't have this sort of effect on nature, even if they were animals that could shred through walls.

Boars couldn't climb trees and the like, no matter how tough they are. Animals would still be sounding somewhere. Following his friend along just made things feel worse. It was like the silence followed them, or like they were going towards the reason for it. Which one was it. ~Are we walking towards the predator, or is it following us?~ Somehow, the forest was silent enough that even the silent signed words felt a bit noisy in their own mind. They desperately wanted to cast a mapping spell, but resisted the want. This was sols mission, he was just someone invited to come along. Doing it would show a lack of trust, something he didn't want to do. When they did get to the location, the young man was a bit surprised. Why did he think it was multiple bodies? That was definitely one corpse. Well, it didn't matter now. Joseph remained near but didn't approach the body when Sol moved towards it for examination. ~The description otherworldly isn't all that comforting when describing attack wounds on a corpse.~ He wanted to say that out loud, but the silence still being around was a bit unnerving. The female voice... made no sense? It didn't line up with anything they knew as a tracker, or as someone who knew about forests and survival in them. There was no want to agree with Sol, but they were right.

“That's not the only thing that makes no sense about the voice. People typically run or move erratically when in danger, making them easy to hear even when a forest isn't dead silent.” Though they were sure of these things, it didn't stop their quiet voice from being filled with confusion. The situation was confusing, not really something they had dealt with before in all their years around forests. Then again, this was also their first time not actively avoiding silent areas like this one. They were dealing with a myth? Separating might cause them both to get eaten? The threat of death was certainly enough to cause him to cast Reverberating. After signing the spells name, it started to form the carbon matter that quickly shaped itself into a map form. The spell was functioning fine, but it was also off. “...My map spells are designed to make physical tracking easier by grabbing data from anything it can in the form of sounds than using that data to craft a map with as much physical detail as possible. Why isn't it singing any of that information...?” There were multiple low humming sounds from it, but that wasn't really the same. This was not a spell designed to be quiet, even a quieter version would be useful. But the confusion was quickly untangled in their mind. ~The spell is likely quiet for the same reason the forest is. I can't expect a spell that reflects data to not reflect current data.~

His pale pink eyes moved to look towards Sols red ones before quietly moving closer to the other. Even if that meant getting closer to a corpse, it also meant getting nearer to the only living person for possibly miles. “What myth or legend do you think we are dealing with right now? You already know how little I know of such things. Do you think whatever it is can throw its voice? If it can, do you see any physical features in the forest or on my map that might hint where we should go to avoid whatever it is?” The young man had no interest in dying, but Cobborn was pretty positive that neither of them planned in that. There was a dislike in not having all the needed information, not being fully certain how to gather it, or what to do next. This was at least a sign that they needed to start studying mythology, at least enough to be able to figure out when such creatures popped up, if they did.

Words: 2,104
Total: 10,269
The symbol ~ will be used in the post to reference when sign language is being used.
Spell in Use

~Something intelligent, not someone?~ That was signed to himself, feeling a bit of concern. Still, Sol had a point. Whatever killed had to have been intelligent. The two he brought up were more interesting, but it couldn't be at least one of them. “Tsuchigumo drain the fluids from the body, so their victims are easy to spot, though they are still dangerous. With a wyvern though, I hope it isn't that. They are intelligent and can eat in a way that doesn't make it particularly obvious they are the culprit. That would be very dangerous to deal with though, if it was still around.” Both of those would be dangerous and preferable to avoid, but he did know that not everyone knows how to spot the signs. What was worse, was sometimes those spiders took the dried corpses and made them move as if still alive, luring those in who didn't know what signs to be weary of and avoid. A wyvern didn't need such sneaky tactics though, considering how strong they typically were. Though not the biggest type of dragon, it didn't change what they were. Even if they were strong, it didn't change that they were intelligent beasts. Even if they didn't have to make their attacks unclear, it didn't mean the reptiles would want to risk getting attacked over a meal. At least, it was a bit calming having a possible culprit at mind.

But of course that conversation happened before the body had been examined. When Sol asked about the signing, Joseph felt a bit confused. “I didn't say in Kikka? I use it for talking to myself so my head I more clear and when my emotions get too intense it will be all I can talk in. I typically tell people that as a warning when I first meet them. I know its weird for someone who isn't mute or deaf to have signing as their primary language and it would be easier for everyone if common was my primary.” The young man wasn't going to pretend that he didn't know it was an issue. Even before joining the azure deers, he knew. It was something that made it harder to communicate with people, despite how important communication skills were for someone whose main purpose was to gather information. At least that information was typically put in a paper report, not something that needed vocalization to have it known. Missions that had combat and information gathering that was required for survival was different. In cases like that, without a way to clearly communicate during emotional and deadly moments? It could be quite costly. In any case, was it a hunter causing the silence? It was without a doubt a predator, be it animal, monster, or human one. He didn't know enough yet to guess which of those it might be categorized by though.

Signs were pointing to it not being human or animal. The monster category was a harder subject to figure out though, so it would be much preferred if that wasn't the case. Of course reality doesn't care what would be 'easier' for someone to figure out, that simply wasn't how things worked. Be it with or without you, things would happen that might or might not boggle the mind, may or may not be easy to understand. As for the bait commentary? “Bait would still not pop out of nowhere. This is more likely a lure; something that resembles bait, but is the hunter or the hunters tools to create that vocal or physical resemblance. But if it can create lure sounds, than the direction it sounds like it may be coming from might not be so. Some people have the ability to throw their voice, so I wouldn't assume a monster can't as well.” The idea of throwing your voice was nice for plays and puppetry, but not really when in fear for your life. Being hunted by an intelligent predator hadn't exactly been on his agenda that day. Hearing it was a wendigo didn't exactly make him feel more confident about their survival, though he wasn't going to give up either. ~Hearing that they can throw their voices makes me glad that this map is here, or the forest would start feeling like a death trap.~

But being told they would have to face it? He was so unprepared for combat that even their spear was not on their person. This had been meant to be a visit to a friend, for catching up. Maybe watching Sol work and take down some criminals, not an intelligent beast. Watching it move erratically on the map wasn't exactly a good motivation, but at least it meant he likely had more sensory than the wendigo? That or it wasn't trying to hide itself from the large and detailed mapping system. If that was the case, then that would definitely be another good way to mess with their minds. His confidence in both of them living wasn't firm, but they were still not the type to give up. This didn't change their expression when the thing popped up before them. Josephs pale pink eyes filled with terror, widening a bit. The smell, the old stale rot like smell of old death and the fresh gruesome scent of new death intertwined on the best. It was certainly showing no fear and he couldn't help but to fear it. “I don't have any attack spells and my weapon was left at the azure deer base. I'll try to keep out of your way in fighting and heal any wounds you gather.” There was no giving up, but he was certainly taking a step back to try to get out of the way. If you couldn't fight, than being too close would just cause someone to be in the way of things.

The smell, the horrible smell was familiar. When the beast moved, his mind saw a flash of a bot stepping on something not so wholesome. A room that looked to be part of an old abandoned building, the smell was everywhere. None of the small bodies were moving, most looked like they hadn't been able to for quite some time. The pursuer treated them like part of the ground. But those visions, the smells, none of it came with sounds. Memories or hallucinations? Either way, it was disturbing and distracting from the possible life or death situation the two were currently in. ~So terrifying that it sent my mind into a nightmare?~ He signed these words, but did so in a way that their hand movements were slow and unsure. At the very least, their mind had refocused on what was important, the present and what was happening now. Even if he couldn't fight, Cobborn had to at east be aware enough to not get in the way of things.

Words: 1146
Total: 11,415
The symbol ~ will be used in the post to reference when sign language is being used.
Spell in Use

It wasn't reassuring that Sol agreed that it wasn't human, but all signs did point that way. It wasn't nice to be right, because that meant it was more outside of his understanding. The less one knows, the more difficult it was to predict what was going to happen next. This would mean coming from this was less of a sure thing. This was certainly not a routine thing. Even if Sol later figured out what the beast was, it was still a being that Joseph knew very little about. At least the change of topic to sign language was something else to put the mind on. It wasn't unfamiliar, lacking information, nor terrifying. Not always speaking vocally was just part of life. “I'm always using it in some form, that included Kikka. It's not surprising that you missed it, there were far bigger things going on in that darkness than my silly silent chattering. I was shoved in after someone else was taken out of the mission by the deamons and during an attack. Not long after that everyone was broken up into smaller groups by the enemies. I'm not some noble, nor mute so its not a big deal if anyone doesn't immediately notice anyway.” It was just nice to focus on something that made sense, even for a brief time. It didn't change the situation they were both in that held so many unknowns.

Information not yet gathered can't be used in anything. The green mantis of the group knew more about wendigos, about the enemy they were facing than he did. As an azure deer, he felt absolutely defeated. The main task he trained for before entering the squad was tracking and information gathering. Even if their magics abilities to gather information had improved, not looking into mythological beasts seemed to have created a great shortcoming as it came to information. Wendigo were smart and know how to trick or confuse others, those were facts that Sol had spoken earlier too, right? ~It feels like a few minutes ago that he was explaining that about them in the Green Mantis base, but it has been longer than that.~ It was a reminder of information he should have remembered sooner, but had to be reminded by the other instead. They had let the maps eerie quiet hushed tunes, the stillness of the forest, and the presence of a hunter going for the two affect his mental capacity. “I'm just trying to give you fighting space, don't worry.” He wouldn't run off nor wonder too far, no matter how scared. There was always an uneasiness inside whenever violence occurred near him, like echoes of the mind playing out without pictures. Pale pink eyes watched the two trade swipes, the beast and his ally.

The sounds of the battle weren't pleasant, but his eyes only looked away from observing that to glance at the map. The spell gave a better overall view, even if it couldn't make anything look like like. It was angles of the battle the young man wouldn't see otherwise. At the least it seemed that Sol had gained the upper hand. The bad feeling from the battle faded to curiosity at the sight of the female appearing golem. It had such an interesting appearance that the young man couldn't help but to stare in wonder and curiosity, though only for a few seconds. The thing was still there, and thus he couldn't quite fully relax yet. It was likely going to die soon, hopefully. The red eyed persons commentary brought the peachy pale orbs back to viewing heir friend. They were friends, right? “I would assume its a newborn, as I would expect an elder to have better tricks.” If they were supposed to be intelligent, than an elder would have better tricks, right? “This ones tricks only fool the average person, an elder would likely have better tactics for dealing with people like magic knights.” It was nice to be able to share data and speculation, be it he was wrong or right. Conversations like this, it felt like he was learning and growing. But if it was a 'newborn', did that make the two lucky? Because he didn't feel even slightly so.

A newborn meant somewhere there was an older wendigo, one with better tricks and smarter tactics. That one was unlikely to be anywhere nearby, as young of most species travel far from the elder when old enough. For some reason, the idea that they would be unlikely to ever meet its elder wasn't a thought of comfort, but regret.

Words: 768
Total: 12,183
The symbol ~ will be used in the post to reference when sign language is being used.
Spell in Use

Sol was the first person in awhile that seemed to notice something specific about Joseph, the reality that he could be a bit of a muttering chatterbox when it came to speaking in sign language. It was easy to miss or not notice when it couldn't be heard, but it was still a fact about him. ~It's easier to think when I can voice out what's in my head. There's no fear of repercussions when I know others can't understand me, or can't see my words. Everything feels nicer when nothing about me stands out, besides that I talk with my hands. It's nice when people can understand, but also a bit scary. It's more natural for me to talk this way, so its harder for me to avoid slip ups in what I share.~ Joseph was glad that he could still chatter to themselves in sign language to help both keep calm and to calm down more as a whole. This wasn't just a situation with some random monster, wild animal, or robber. This currently dangerous situation involved a creature he knew very little about. This meant it was all the more important to stay calm, no matter how clearly this was an entity that wanted their lives. Another thing that was helping was just talking to his friend Sol. That Green Mantis member was keeping a level head in a situation where it was needed. Talking out the possible details with him in a calm way helped Joseph and likely Sol understand the Wendigo more.

Before the conversation, there was very little, if anything Cobborn had really known about them. A lack of information on a threat that wants your death and suffering is terrifying when it's in your immediate vicinity. The conversation helped him learn more, be reminded of what he was already told, and he was even able to guess that it was likely a child without feeling uncertain. Information was cold, calming, and indifferent. Data didn't care who or what you were, which eyes were seeking it, or that it was found. Suxh things simply existed without any thoughts or reasoning of their own. There was so much information in all the magic everywhere that the azure deer member wasn't even surprised some thought it was alive, or had thoughts or feelings. It was easier to believe in little lies rather than accepting how indifferent such a fundamental power can be. It was only through the spirits that it seemed that magic gained sentience, even if that wasn't really quite the same. The world was crafted uneven because there was no higher power, in Josephs own opinion. This also meant nobody being chosen by any higher power to be better, even if it might feel like the opposite is so. With enough information and good enough thinking, almost any opponent could be taken down.

Not being anyone important to most, if not all humans meant it was easier to make choices for himself without fear of consequences as much as someone with more holding them down. But this also meant that if something important was released, that there wasn't really much of anything to hold onto. Bigger changes are more terrifying because your only safety net is yourself. He had been his own safety net before, it was terrifying. The young man was fully capable of physically taking care of himself when isolated within the wilds, but his mind wouldn't take too many days to start fading, the music of the forest tempting the mind more and more to become eternally lost within the knowledge of the world. But maybe it was needed to take the risk of ending up that way, much like he took a risk every day working. Even on this day off, he willingly came with Sol knowing there would be possible risk involved. “You wont leave my sight Sol, then I can heal you if you get injured.” But the risk was worth it. Maybe if he quit the Azure deer, he could sign up for a different squad the next time sign ups came up. This wasn't his end, not in this forest. The young man felt his nerves race a bit when Sol was punched. ~It's frustrating not knowing how to fight myself. I can only watch for the most part and keep out of the way. At least I can tend their wounds when its over.~

Only negative feelings came from seeing Sol bleeding, Even if the blood could only be seen by him through looking at the map. It was easy enough from behind Sol to see that they had been struck by the beasts claws, just not the damage. He would only be able to get a detailed view once the battle was over. Joseph couldn't help but to let out a heavy breath though. He was relieved that whatever damage that might have been done wasn't serious, or so it seemed that way. He was reminded how lucky they were that this was a newborn, not an elder of its kind. Fights were quick and Sols counter to its next attack attempt had been fatal. It was only after the wendigo had started dying that the music from his map spell had started to pick up again. It had been so quiet and low the entire time they had been in the forest. Some animals started to make sounds after its death, as if a balance of some sort had been restored. The head was off, the golem was gone, and Sol seemed to still be in one piece. Cobborn smiled before getting closer to their friend again. He signed out the words Melodious Mending, a bit of Carbon Matter forming on the Green Mantis member soon after. It took the shape of a licorice leaf, playing its own tune as the spell started on its healing effects.

“The head would be good to take with you, though probably cover it up with something on your way back. It might hold some information on those creatures that the reading doesn't have. Even if it doesn't, it could help show others what to look for on the very off chance they encounter one. At the very least, you will have a visual representation of what killed the group of civilians for your report. You fought against it really well.” But of course the azure deer was an emotional person, not just one who relied on information. His pale pink eyes scanned over his friend, trying to access their currently stamina and general health. It was better to be sure, even if they were mostly sure he was only a little hurt. “...How does your jaw feel? Two inches to the left and hit like a boulder doesn't exactly sound pleasant.” The spell hadn't been used sooner over the worry that it might be a distraction. That would have been a bad time to toss something like that into the mix.

Words: 1,166
Total: 13,349
The symbol ~ will be used in the post to reference when sign language is being used.
Spell in Use