Hunting bunnies with a bunny

Leila Vergious  ❃  H-rank  ❃  Silver Wolf

Not every day would the Silver Wolf’s guild master get to worry about problems that were actually so small, one could easily forget about them. With her usual contracts being ones where she would have to face earth-shattering threats, an overpopulation of snow bunnies was truly on a completely different scale. And so, she was sitting on the steps leading up to the entrance of the guild hall. The storm that was normally completely hiding the guild from the rest of the world has calmed to the point where it was transformed into a simple light snow shower, too. Something that would make exploring around much more simple.

Normally she would have already gone off in a random direction in a search for the solution to this oddly mundane problem, but this time, she was waiting. Another member of the guild was to join her, the youngest of wolves, or in this case, yet another bunny. It honestly made Leila question how Neru would react to this whole thing or how she would deal with it. Despite her current form of being, she did disclose that she was once a completely normal bunny, after all. She could only wait for the answer to show itself to her.

Sighing, she got up and started stretching for a bit as well. Thanks to the runes all around the place, the temperature here was quite warm despite all of the snow. As such, she wore her new usual outfit of a skin-tight bodysuit covered by a white jacket and a brown short skirt. Sometimes she missed the old battle coat, but it was not like she tossed it out. There was always the possibility of going back to it. Though this new appearance helped her settle down with her new role in this world of magic. But enough of that, Neru should arrive any moment now.

❃ Character Reference 

313 / 1,250 WC 

@Neru Kipper 

Leila Vergious  ❃  H-rank  ❃  Silver Wolf

As Leila thought, Neru arrived just a few seconds after she got up to stretch. Looking back at the bunny girl, the guild master smiled warmly to welcome her newest member outside. Considering the fact that they did not quite know each other yet, a trip like this was pretty much a golden opportunity for them both. The silver-haired maiden was always interested in the people she worked with, even more if they were part of her guild. It was most unfortunate that her entry to this place was not the most… relaxing one. It made her sigh internally, as well as thankful that Neru just didn’t run away after all of that.

She eyed the other girl’s outfit for a moment before her fluffy wolf ears twitched a couple of times at the sound of her voice. “I am sure that there will be no other problem like that. You got into a bath meant only for the guild members, so your presence disturbed others a bit. Now that everything has been sorted out, I’m sure you can walk around with your tail and wings at full view, no one will judge you here. I took a great care to set up a friendly sanctuary for everyone who joins Silver Wolf.”

The guild’s focus was one of exploring the magic of this world itself, yes. But Leila also had a sort of a private goal. The wolf theme and everything, it was meant to inspire loyalty and sense of family. She wanted her members to feel safe in this place, not judged by anyone or having to restrict themselves. “If there is anything I could do to make your stay more comfortable, do tell me. I’ll do my best to provide.” She also added while chuckling lightly.

Though it did not take long before she turned around again and walked few steps away from the building, her shoes gently sinking into the thin blanket of snow that covered the ground as far as one’s eye could see. “Now for our assignment… I’m sure you noticed all of these bunnies everywhere. I analyzed some of them and there appears to be something strange going on. I believe they do not appear here naturally, at least not in these numbers. We need to track down the source of them, whatever it might be and stop their spreading before they drive out all other species from this place. Any questions?”

❃ Character Reference 

721 / 1,250 WC 

@Neru Kipper 

Leila Vergious  ❃  H-rank  ❃  Silver Wolf

Leila had never once expected someone to just change how they felt, acted, or what they believed upon joining her guild. And from her own experience, she also knew that the world was far from perfect. Even if a place seemed safe, it often was not. And finding people one could truly trust with their very life was more difficult than anything else. But that was all fine. She expected others to join with those kinds of feelings already present. With doubts and suspicions. It was then her job, and the job of other members, to welcome them with open arms and warm smile.

Provide protection and the ability to grow, be it through research and development of magic or anything else. Grabbing her left wrist with her right palm behind her back as she walked, the girl smiled at no one, considering the bunny girl was walking behind her. “I understand perfectly. Don’t worry, I fault you for nothing. Perhaps with time, this place will become a true sanctuary to you, where you can freely be yourself. As for other possible incidents… well, I am here. As long as I am present, I will make sure that no other member does you harm or the other way around.”

She was determined to protect everyone. And it was not just a silly wish either. One of the Gods of Ishval now, the girl was dubbed one of the four strongest individuals in Fiore. A title that not many would take lightly. Of course, she did not feel all that powerful. But her actions spoke for her, especially when she got serious for any given reason. Though she did also always try to solve things peacefully. She was the type of person who hated killing and would never take a life unless it was absolutely necessary. Strangely enough, it got her far, this view of the world.

Suddenly, she would stop and turn to face Neru again. She spoke of how she saw many of other rabbits willing to sacrifice others in order to survive. “Doing anything to survive, it’s perfectly natural. Especially in the world of the weak. Even if at this very moment we were to face an incredible danger and you push me away to save yourself, I would not blame you. We gain power precisely so we can change how we can act in those moments. Open more options for ourselves.” With that, she looked up to the skies. Was she really giving a good example here?

Thankfully the conversation shifted to a different topic. That was how to figure out where these rabbits were coming from. The moment Neru suggested hunting one, Leila would smile at her and then nod. “Then go ahead and hunt, if you can. I’ll be right behind you.” The truth was, the silver-haired maiden was more than capable enough to figure out where the source of these rabbits was in more ways than just one. A task like this was pretty trivial for her. Which was why she wanted to see how the other girl would deal with it all. And if the need would arise, she was willing to guide the bunny girl as well.

❃ Character Reference 

1,256 / 1,250 WC 

@Neru Kipper 

Leila Vergious  ❃  H-rank  ❃  Silver Wolf

Never say never. It was a very good saying that Leila always remembered when she was about to utter that very word. Never. One could never confidently claim that they would never do something, especially something connected to survival. Living beings change and evolve, as do their circumstances. That was the reason why chaos reigned supreme in a world like this. Because unpredictability was in the nature of things. But on the outside, Leila simply nodded to Neru as she listened to her. The bunny girl was free to do as she liked, think whatever she wanted. The wolf would not dare to try and change her in any way.

The other half of information provided was more about the other girl’s combat prowess and style of doing things. She seemed to not be a fully focused healer, but still, a mage that focused on a more supportive role. “That’s quite rare. What you see most in the world are people who heavily rely on raw power, destroying any and all obstacles before they themselves can be even injured. But it’s reassuring to have someone who is capable of supporting around.” Saying that, she also looked around at all the white bunnies running about in every possible direction.

So she had little offensive power and claimed to still have the mindset of a prey. It was good to have reserves about killing others as far as Leila was concerned, but it was also necessary to sometimes take the initiative. To attack and draw the enemy’s attention so that others may do as they can. Or to simply show dominance. Leila was no longer walking anywhere. Instead, she stopped and turned around, approaching Neru. She swiftly moved to the other girl’s side as something started growing in her hand. “Then maybe we should start with the learning?”

Saying that, she moved her hand up to show a bow made out of vines and roots, along with a few arrows from the same materials. She conjured them for Neru to see if she could use them. “We’re not here to really ‘hunt’. We just need to spook one of the rabbits and then follow it, right? Think you can handle that much?” If she couldn’t, then Leila would naturally do so herself. But she truly wished to see just how far was Neru willing to go right now and what was present in her skill set. And from that, what she had yet to learn.

❃ Character Reference 

World Count complete 

@Neru Kipper 

Leila Vergious  ❃  H-rank  ❃  Silver Wolf

Taking a hit in order to have the enemy close enough for powerful counterattack was a good strategy. If one was sturdy enough to withstand the first attack, that is. It was a very dangerous tactic that only those who were confident in their defenses should ever employ. Leila wanted to make sure Neru knew that, though she probably already did. “Allowing the enemy to get a hit on you, do so only if you absolutely must. When facing true predators, that first strike is often their last as well. Precise and very lethal. Remember that and be crafty in order to get close enough to use your powers.”

There were many methods that one could employ when fighting at close range. The wolf girl knew this very well, as her own fighting style often heavily relied on physical contact. But all of that aside, it seemed that she did not actually know how to use the bow. What better time to learn than now, then? Before she would be forced to fight a real opponent, it was best to teach her now when there was little to no threat. Positioning herself right next to the bunny girl, Leila easily broke her personal space this one time, so that she could slide the bow into her left hand.

Her own palm would trace over the back of Neru’s fist “Hold it tight.” After that, she moved behind her to put an arrow into her right hand. “Extend your left hand’s index finger, use it to guide the arrow.” She said that, but there was a good chance the other girl did not quite know what that meant if she never used a bow. And so, standing behind her to the point where her chest pressed against Neru’s back, she guided the bunny’s hands in such a manner that she would be ready to fire the bow whenever she wanted.

“Now, calm your breathing and pull the hand with the arrow back. Take aim and release when you feel the time is right. Don’t worry if it takes you a minute to properly aim, it can be quite difficult when doing for the first time. Just focus on breathing and relax your muscles.” Neru also mentioned at one point that her body was frail? It might have been a lie, but Leila prepared herself to help her pull the arrow back if she wasn’t strong enough to do so on her own, just in case.

❃ Character Reference 

World Count complete 

@Neru Kipper 

Leila Vergious  ❃  H-rank  ❃  Silver Wolf

“Still, I’d hate to see you injured like that. Especially on regular basis.” Those simple few words were what Leila seldom whispered to into Neru’s ear when she was helping her gain the proper posture to fire the bow. It was probably the same way for anyone else, right? Holding at least a certain level of distaste to seeing one’s companions and acquaintances hurt. The wolf girl was a type of person who always wanted to protect everyone, or at least as many as she possibly could. Which is why it was somewhat painful for her to hear about the other girl adopting such a dangerous fighting strategy.

At least when they would be together, she hoped that the bunny would try to stay back rather than risking her own life. After all, Leila was very experienced with being in the front lines. And furthermore, a little fact that not many people knew, she was also immortal. Quite literally. Even if her entire body were to be evaporated, she would simply come back days later. That was Leila Vergious, the mysterious girl that came to Fiore couple of years back. Her past undisclosed to most, a treasure trove of secrets and stories that only few would believe.

But that was hardly what she should be thinking about right now. During their little practice, the girl suddenly felt something brushing against one of her legs, which made her almost jump back. Though she quickly realized it was just the succubus tail that appeared. Not something she paid a whole lot of mind to, considering the fact that she thought it was because of the fact they were practicing archery. Shooting an arrow in order to ‘hunt’, perhaps that awakened the more aggressive succubus blood. That was the explanation the wolf girl went with without questioning it.

And finally, they fired the arrow together. Though it ended up being a rather lackluster show in the end. “Hmm… suppose such weapon might not be quite for you. If you ever want to get some ranged weaponry, I’d say an actual gun, or a light crossbow, will suit you much better. They require little strength to handle and your animal-like senses should help you with precision.” While saying that, she gently took the bow out of Neru’s hand only to conjure another arrow and fire it herself. Her own shot was almost as fast as a bullet, only narrowly missing an ear of a nearby snow rabbit.

Or rather, it actually grazed it ever so slightly. Just enough to not draw blood, but to alert the animal that now started running away from them. Looking at the other girl, Leila smiled gently at her, those shiny blue eyes of hers trying to make sure that her companion was doing alright. “Shall we follow it then?” If they had any luck on their side, maybe it would actually lead them to the source of all these snow bunnies, so that they could deal with it once and for all.

❃ Character Reference 

World Count complete 

@Neru Kipper 

Leila Vergious  ❃  H-rank  ❃  Silver Wolf

Leila couldn’t quite help herself but smile. After all, people often liked being rebellious and saying things like not wanting to see them hurt would only result in retaliation, as the young generation often felt that they needed to put themselves in harm’s way in order to grow stronger. Something that was not the case at all, as there were plenty of ways for a person to grow stronger and more mature as well. Though the words and actions of Neru that followed might have been much more effective than the guild master anticipated, blushing a bit herself the moment she saw her face this close.

Averting her gaze and laughing nervously, as spoke still pretty calmly. “I’m sure there are plenty of people prettier than me waiting for you somewhere. But I can most certainly try to teach you how to use certain weapons to your advantage, yes.” She swiftly changed the topic and wondered for a bit. She-wolf, that was something no one else had ever called her. Well, it made sense, given her current vessel. She didn’t even rightly know why she added a furry tail and ears to it. Actually, she had a pretty good idea. One she did not wish to think about, however.

And though she kinda wished to see if the bunny was good at tracking animals at all, it seemed she was out of luck. Neru wanted Leila to follow the snow bunny she just shot at instead, even going as far as suddenly grabbing her hand. The guild master stared at this gesture for a second before figuring out, that maybe this other girl was also not the fastest of runners despite being a bunny. Not wanting to fall behind, she grabbed her companion’s hand to be able to keep up. It made sense to her, so she questioned it no further. “Alright. Though you should keep in mind that sometimes you will have to follow others on your own.”

Not always would she be going on missions with partners willing to do this, after all. Nevertheless, she started moving after the snow bunny at a pace Neru could reasonably keep up with. The chase did not actually take all that long, maybe a minute or two before they arrived at a different area of the mountain, one that was more out of the hand that the rest of this place. Many larger rocks were created a bit of a natural wall here, hiding something in the center. Looking at it even from distance revealed that it was some sort of machine, with a ton of snow-white bunnies around it. “I think we have found the source of our trouble…”

❃ Character Reference 

World Count complete 

@Neru Kipper