Isuma, perched high above and blended into the pale bark of an elm, had let him know that company was approaching so he didn't jump when Hotaru spoke. The gryphlet had saved his dignity, for which he was grateful, so he could turn to the eminently capable and competent woman who had helped him build the perch with a flicker of a smile.
"Hotaru, glad to see you well. And no, you're not interrupting at all." The worms didn't have the best hearing, so though he kept his voice quiet as well he didn't whisper. She had proven an able hand with an axe before, but he realized he knew little of her past or other abilities since at the time he had been distracted by the blight. "Quite the contrary, in fact, if you'd care to join me in a little hunting." There was a hint of mischief in his smile as he made room for her behind the broad stump he was using to mask his presence from the puddle beyond. "Walk softly, though. They can get aggressive this time of year, and they'll aim for movement." What would get aggressive? It was hard to tell at the moment, ripples spreading across the puddle but the forest floor was relatively quiet around them while the birds sang in chorus above, so whatever it was couldn't be too bad.. right?
"Hotaru, glad to see you well. And no, you're not interrupting at all." The worms didn't have the best hearing, so though he kept his voice quiet as well he didn't whisper. She had proven an able hand with an axe before, but he realized he knew little of her past or other abilities since at the time he had been distracted by the blight. "Quite the contrary, in fact, if you'd care to join me in a little hunting." There was a hint of mischief in his smile as he made room for her behind the broad stump he was using to mask his presence from the puddle beyond. "Walk softly, though. They can get aggressive this time of year, and they'll aim for movement." What would get aggressive? It was hard to tell at the moment, ripples spreading across the puddle but the forest floor was relatively quiet around them while the birds sang in chorus above, so whatever it was couldn't be too bad.. right?