Private Finished To find an arrow

Today's venture was unlike any other; she was required to kill. A sacrifice has long been due, however, Raella was unable to find anything which sufficed within academy grounds. Standing at the edge of the forbidden forest, she hesitated. Malicious intent festered deep within her gut before spiraling upwards, consuming her being. Too late to turn back now. Studying the lingering threads of energy, she stretched her arm out, twisting, weaving and bending them to her will as Anthea would a tapestry. Focussing her attention on the accuracy and precision, she then masked her presence under a cloak of invisibility. Failure was not an option; should anyone catch her wandering into the prohibited territory, she could risk expulsion.

Cautiously advancing forward, she ensured her pace was slow and undetectable. It wasn't long before she heard a few arrows whizz through the air and a shuffling sound from the bushes soon after. Pivoting on her right foot, she swiftly spun round and brought her hands in front of her chest, readying herself for battle, however, upon seeing a familiar face, she let her hands fall to her sides once again with a sigh of relief. Liliana's auburn hair contrasted with her azure eyes but that somehow made her all the more fetching. An angular facial structure coupled with a striking figure would no doubt turn heads. Though Raella had crossed paths with her before, she failed to fully appreciate the other's charisma. Lips tilted upward to form a slight smirk, she casually approached her. Raella's voice calm yet slightly teasing.

"So what's a beauty like you doing here in the forbidden forest?"

Target practice? Though that was fairly obvious from bow and arrows, Raella couldn't help but be impressed. Advancing a few steps forward, she then locked her gaze on the woman before her.

"Ah so the lovely maiden remembers me, I'm honored."

One day she ought to lessen the teasing but such playful banter was too enjoyable to resist. Besides, perhaps Liliana would give her some interesting reactions. Letting out a small laugh, she allowed a genuine smile the dance across her lips as she extended her hand for Liliana to shake.

"I never expected our second meeting would be in a prohibited area such as this, I'm surprised you'd break the rules for the sake of practice."

Though Raella could have worded the sentence in a more tactful way, she was genuinely curious about the other girl's actions. Since her first impression, a model student, was clearly proven wrong, Raella realized Liliana had more to her than what she originally thought.

"Yeah, I recently transferred in a few weeks ago. And while you speak the truth, isn't the risk of getting caught a little too high to be playing around with?" Raella mused, folding her wings neatly behind her back. Adjusting her stance to a more casual position, she then continued "Anyway, as a fellow hunter who actively practices, you've earned my respect. Not many are daring enough to venture into this part of the woods." Her tone was light and contained no sign of hostility as she eased herself into the friendly banter.

Actually, it's not really that forbidden, well, not really, it's just dangerous and you might meet up with a monster or some other dangerous creature...

Ah, so unlike what she assumed, there were no major consequences awaiting her when she returned. Well, that certainly would make hunting much easier than she previously thought. Humming slightly, she then said "The more dangerous creatures, the merrier." Brandishing a small dagger, she twirled the blade idly in her palm.

"I hope no one would mind if I hunt them down." Her voice dropping to a growl, no louder than a whisper.

"Both." Pausing for a moment, she averted her gaze a little as she contemplated how to phrase her explanation. "Much like how humans require nutrition, I need a sacrifice to keep me alive and replenish my magical energy. However, I only hunt beasts which are causing a nuisance." Turning to face Liliana again, she narrowed her eyebrows, lips curled into a cold smile.

"Sides, those bastards deserve it anyway."

As she spoke, a vision of her previous hunt flashed across her mind. Her glinting blade sinking beneath the flesh of the beast, ruthlessly clawing and dismembering its guts in the process. With each strike, her bloodthirsty desire diminishing into thin air much like the creature's life force. Crimson blood splayed across the forest floor where it's mutilated body lay, motionless and unrecognisable. Yet during her sadistic assault, something screamed at her to stop, like a fading candle in pitch darkness. In the end it was always the same: bent over on her knees, claws digging into the earth, regret and despair encapsulating her in its unyielding grasp. She was and always will be a demon. With a sharp swipe of her tail, she snapped out of her recollection. Letting out a light chuckle to lighten the mood, Raella then flashed the other girl a soft smile, her fangs glinting under the serene sunlight.

"What about yourself? Do you enjoy a good hunt?"

Loving the hunt but despising the kill, huh? It was definitely a conflict which Raella resonated with. However, this conversation was edging into dangerous territory - death, murder and souls. While interesting, Raella didn't want the other to know what a despicable person she was just yet. Countless of times she murdered, blinded by a twisted sense of morals and a simple requirement; she needed to survive, no, it's her responsibility to thrive. But why should so many die for the sake of one? Well, best not to go questioning that now least her mentality collapse.

Attempting to switch the subject, she flashed Liliana a quick grin. "So, something like a grim reaper eh?" Advancing a step forward, she leaned in close to the other woman's face, observing her features up close.

"You almost seem too attractive to be one." Her tone was low, barely any louder than a whisper and her voice dripping with tease. As she spoke, Raella's warm breath grazed past the Liliana's cheeks, intensifying her playful gesture.