Private Finished Hunters in a Bountiful World

Bracken was not a huge fan of large crowds. Too many minds and too likely to be trapped in close quarters with someone he didnt want to be so close to. But sometimes one had to, as they apparently so aptly put it here, 'suck it up'. If he wanted to know more about the people here he had to go where the people were.

So he had taken to periodic walks through random areas of the city, with of course the frequent return to something more natural or less busy as a palette cleanser. This evening though he'd stumbled upon a small series of festively adorned tents for some kind of celebration of the sun. Or of the beginning of spring here. Or..., well it seemed like maybe there was a couple things going on at once.

But he smelled fruit and dried nuts and spicy meats. Maybe someone would come accompany him in scouting out what was going on.

Bracken contacted the others mentally but it seemed like most of them were otherwise occupied. All except Rho.

[Mentally] "Rho, I have found a small celebration within the city. Are you free to scout out what is here with me? I can direct you, of course." He sent the mental message and then stepped back into the shade of an overlooked flap of canvas on a nearby tent at the edge of the area.

@Zora

Naturally Bracken tracked his friend as she approached the site of the festivities. Had they been on their own, in the woods or similar, he might have tried to surprise her with a feigned attack. But they were in public and such things might cause too much of a scene. Or get him arrested.

So instead bracken waited for her to get closer and then strode out from his hiding spot, giving Rho a smile. "Glad you came. I think the others are busy elsewhere so it may be just us," he mentioned as he ducked around a random person not paying attention while they walked. There were some perks to usually knowing where people were around him.

"From what I've heard and seen some of the people are celebrating the season change. I know at least some of the food smells very good and.. I can point us to where the people are getting the best things- if you'd like," he replied as he subtly tapped a finger to one of the tattooed markings on his face. He was in contact with a number of minds given the mild crowd.

"But also, we do need to learn how to blend in with these people better," he added and gestured to the unconsciously formed bubble of personal space around them.

Not exactly what he had meant, but the effect was more or less the same. Bracken smiled again and clapped a hand on Rho's shoulder.

"That works too, though I meant more in general. For example very few of them are currently worried about being followed. We're more on guard than they are."

He stepped away to purchase a packet of warm roasted and spiced nuts. Apparently served in a paper cone. However he continued the conversation mentally as he interacted with the stall owner.

[Mentally] "We should learn to pretend to be more relaxed." He then immediately regretted that sentiment because the server thanked him for his business. To which he felt the need to place a tip in their tip jar and then step quickly away before they could thank him again.

Bracken took several breaths, staggering their length to distract himself from the jolt of annoyance and disgust- and the vicious cycle he could have been pulled into.

"Many of them have little sense how hollow their words are. They actually think they are doing us a kindness by saying those things," Bracken replied as soon as they were far enough from the vendor. And he tipped the cone towards Rho to wordlessly offer her some of the nuts. The least he could do after she pulled him away.

He didnt resist being led by the arm, though had it been anyone outside their group... well, he did have a vicious side that hadnt seen much action since they made themselves known on the island.

"Is the arm holding part of blending in or just trying to keep me safe?"