Silence is a truly rare thing. Often despite our assumptions that things are quiet and peaceful there is something going on unnoticed, or taken for granted from familiarity. So, despite the quiet, it was not silent. No, there was the occasional shudder from the engines, a creak of their ship as it drifted in space, or the muffled thumps of others walking the halls as they prepared themselves for the coming hunt.
Vho�dar was among this number, waiting for the dawn to come and mark the start of things. Waiting, and waiting, and waiting some more� He was tired of it already, and they had only just gotten here. His comrades busied themselves with meditation, conversation, or feasting before the trials to come, but not he. Restlessness coursed through him as he paced through the ship to stop before one of the windows viewing outside. Hanging in the empty space like a giant marble was the planet that had been chosen for this hunt, all greens, blues, teals, and turquoise. It was a wet planet from what they had been told, mostly swamp and bodies of water with interspersed copses on the more solid areas, and he was looking forward to exploring the landscape. There would be many options for hunting, ways to stalk and study his chosen prey, and these thoughts brought a short chuckle from the hunter as he placed a large hand on the glass. Soon.
But not soon enough. He knew barely any time had passed during his musings, despite being lost in thought for a time. An explosive sigh escaped him as he processed this thought, unable to be reigned in, leaving Vho�dar berating himself mentally for his lack of discipline. If the others could wait, so too could he. Something to occupy his time wouldn�t be amiss though. Away from the window he went, looking for something to put his mind to, to busy himself with, and this time his wandering brought him to the trophy room� It was, of course, empty. For now, at least. He walked among these empty cases, trailing fingers over the tops of the glass as he went. What would these hold when they were done? How many would be his?
Fantasies were allowed to run free as he let his mind wander once more, thinking on their later prizes. He�d seen some of the trophies gathered by the clan elders before, displayed for the young to marvel at in hopes to further marshall them into training themselves. Even he himself had been motivated by the stories they told, hoping to have much the same to do for the future younglings. Perhaps he would have a weapon to place within? Humans were crafty, clever prey, though a bit flimsier than the R�ka. They made up for it with their technology though, even if it was nothing compared to their own. Still, cowardice was rife among them� Perhaps their weapons were the cause in the end? Another chance to find out would be presented soon, and he hoped to be wrong.
Maybe it would be the hide of a serpent he placed within though? A careful stalking of his chosen mark, herding it somewhere they could battle without being interrupted, the life or death clash that came with the hunt� He got his blood up just thinking about it, but still time moved faster for no one, nor did it slow down. Vho�dar would simply have to continue to wait.
A second sigh was forced back down before he turned to leave the trophy room. There was nothing to see here yet, and musing more about the coming hunt would only further increase his restlessness. Perhaps meditation would help calm his mind and stem the endless flow of his thoughts? In the doorway though, was another. They were watching him, apparently amused, and Vho�dar gave them a questioning look in return.
�Do not fantasize so much you forget to hunt, Vho�dar. Are you already prepared for what comes?�
�Prepared is an understatement. I have been waiting too long for another hunt, and this lull before the fighting will not dull my blades.� It was, perhaps, a bit too much bravado, but he was young, and proud of his abilities and clan. What was one more hunt when he had already succeeded with less?
The other nodded, but did not seem convinced. A bit of competition would do their hunt good anyways, would make them strive for the most impressive prey that could be found.
�Very well, I will bother you no longer, and we shall see on the field of battle who is truly ready.�
They left, likely to continue their own preparations, and left the entrance empty once more to allow Vho�dar to depart as he considered their words. One more thing to worry about, but still not enough to occupy his mind. Set on trying to meditate as his clan had taught him, to try and settle his thoughts, he headed for the room that he had chosen for himself to settle in.
It was not a long walk, and he was soon sitting cross legged on the floor attempting to clear his mind. Certainly, this was easier said than done though. Soon enough his restlessness once again got the better of him, and not long after he began one could find Vho�dar stalking the ship once more, energy unable to let him sit still. There was one last way he could handle this, and that brought him to their training area. If he could not relax, then he would work the energy out of his system with practice. He left his gear nearby and settled in to work with his feet and fists, forcing the free energy he had into the mock fighting. It wouldn�t do much for his skills without someone to train with, but he could at least wear himself out a bit.
Finally he managed to lose track of time, focusing only on which limb went where, on the motions and movements of melee, and was left pleasantly spent and stretched out when he finally slowed to a stop. That had been just what he needed: An outlet. But now he hungered, and donned his gear once more before seeking sustenance with the others. It would be time soon, likely immediately after his feast.
He was ready, and soon everyone else would know it too.