ONE OF TWO. - razor

Chapter Nine

The reins that held back the inevitable began to give way the very next week, shattering the somewhat peace which had been fostered the way fine porcelain would when falling onto harsh, unforgiving stone. It was only a matter of time, he supposed, but he found that he'd been wishing for at least a few more days of relief, during which he could settle deeper into the new life he'd been living in the rainforest.

Razor had finally gotten the okay to go foraging with Collei from Tighnari, along with a pair of stiff, new leather sandals to wear on his feet. The girl had cheered with him at the announcement, turning to him with a wide smile and instantly beginning to give him tips and share her knowledge regarding the trail she'd be guiding them along.

He could barely contain his excitement at being able to run around the forest and see more of it, feel the wind against his skin and watch the sun's rays become mere flickers from beneath the trees' protective canopy as he'd sprint amidst bushes and bound over felled trunks.

"Master Tighnari warned us not to stray too far!" Collei called after him, laughing at the sheer joy in his expression and the way he wove through the trees ahead before circling back.

"Do not worry, I follow scent," He explained, chest snapping in and out with each heavy breath he took, having stopped to stand in front of her, "I, will never lose you, or village."

Collei hummed, content to see the grin on the boy's face and the glow in his ruby red eyes. It was an expression she had yet to witness from him at such levels of vitality and it felt to be an enormous relief, having him be so happy. She knew how difficult the current situation he was living through must have been for him and wanted to do all she could to lighten his burden.

"That's really cool. My father, the one who brought you to us here, taught me how to travel using the stars," She adjusted the strap of the bag of herbs on her right shoulder, then nudged her chin towards the bag he wore on his own back, leaves peeking out from its poorly fastened mouth, "Watch out, or you might spill some of what we gathered."

He had harrumphed in response, still beaming at her, when a minuscule movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention, his stance becoming rigid. Noticing the change in his demeanour Collei also fell silent, eyes beginning to glance around in search of what Razor had seen.

"What's wrong?" She whispered, leaning closer to him so as to facilitate them hearing one another.

Razor swallowed and looked at her with glee, quickly assuaging her building nerves.

"There is boar," He replied, equally hushed in tone, "I will hunt. Grass Girl, stay safe here."

"Oh, but are you sure you're alright enough? Don't push yourself too hard."

He gave a sturdy nod, then placed a hand on his chest, confident.

"Trust me."

It took a few more seconds of pondering for Collei to weigh the pros and cons of the matter before ultimately deciding there would be little reason to say no. Not only was he seemingly adept at hunting, but she also had experience. It should be fine to bring back some fresh meat – they could even roast it on an open fire with Tighnari and the others.

"Alright," She conceded, prior to slotting both straps of her bag on to secure it better, "but we do it together."

The two shared a smile, excitement sparking between them like electricity, and then they both took off, Razor leading the way with his nose and Collei moving with the dexterity and stealth of a practised hunter.

He could faintly see the scent of the animal with his eyes, curving and guiding them on through the trees, and the stronger it got the more he could feel the energy of electro thrumming within his heart, spiking with each beat. There was a crackle along his skin, a shiver that ran down his spine, and when the little boar – different from the ones in Mondstadt, this one with a green coat of moss and mushrooms growing within it on its back – came into view, his pupils instantly honed in on their prey.