center][b][i]A meeting
Owen Fenix and Alicia of Tinath

A collab between Chromehound and Little Alice,[/center][/b][/i]

[center][b]summary :[/b]
Alicia is ''honing'' her skills outside, but is then surprised by somebody who approaches her.

[/center]

[hider=Owen and Alicia]

A thud sounded as the steel impaled the wood. Clenching her hands into fist, Alicia pumped her right into the cold winter air. She had her jacket on, but even without she wouldn't likely suffer the cold breeze. At least, she assumed not. After all, she was training. Training to become just as cool and strong as her father. Walking towards the board, that she had decorated with a bulls mark, she had a grin on her lips. The little girl grabbed the hilt of her knife. Though she had missed the center from several meters, she noticed she was becoming better at it. As result, she felt proud when she yanked out the knife and glanced at the steel. 

Sarah, her hound, was laying in the snow behind her. The curious dark coloured eyes of the animal never went away from her owner. As Alicia turned around and started to walk back, the tail started to wiggle a bit. [b]''One more time. I will hit it.''[/b] Alicia muttered, very enthoustastic. Taking some deep breaths, she narrowed her eyes as she took the knife and tried to aim as good as she could. Then, as fast and strong as she could, she suddenly moved forward with her body as she threw the knife. Another thud was heard as the steel pierced the wooden board. The eyes of the little girl widened as the head of the dog lifted from the snow. [b]''Do.. do you see that? Sarah?''[/b] Alicia became hyped as she pointed to the board. Whether luck or not, she had managed to finally hit the mark! Running towards the board, her loyal companion jumped up and ran after her. With a big and proud smile, Alicia yanked the knife once more out of the wood as she looked at her own reflection from it. [b]''What do you think?''[/b] Alicia asked, looking at Sarah, who looked back with her tongue out of her mouth and wiggling tail.

Watching from the shadows as the girl hit her mark, Owen nodded to himself. He had been watching the girl for some time now; observing her skills and seeing how she acted around other people. He had remained in the background during this time, not drawing attention to himself. The Corps had increased their demand that he find himself an apprentice and though he was loath to admit it, Owen had begun to think that they might be right.

Alicia Tanith had drawn his attention during his many visits through the city. The girl was smart, determined, and skilled in many ways that a Ranger needed to be. Even after watching her for some time, Owen was hesitant. He had to be sure. The life of a Ranger could be a difficult one, and though Owen understood the necessity, he did not want to drag the girl into a life that would make her miserable. On the other hand... She was already very skilled, and with the proper training Owen knew that she would make an excellent Ranger. Watching her for a moment longer, he finally made his decision.

Owen approached the girl silently, moving while she was distracted by her dog. He crossed the distance between them quickly, aware that the dog would most likely detect him before the girl would. Deciding to at least attempt to not startle the girl, Owen tried to sound friendly as he spoke. It was a strange thing for him to do. [b]"That is quite the arm you have there. Who taught you?"[/b]

Hearing and smelling the man, Sarah turned her head to look at the stranger. Alicia heard his voice and turned around as well, still holding the knife. Her eyes examined the man quickly. He didn't look as anybody she knew. When he asked who had taught her that, the natural distrust she had kicked in. Though she didn't had the knife up, she felt a bit threatened. The man was bigger than her and unknown. [b]''Nobody did, mister. I taught it myself.'''[/b] She answered, being honest about it. Sarah lowered her head, but the young hound didn't yet see a threat in the man. Though the tail was down and her owner a bit surprised, none of them showed any hostile reactions to Owen.

His eyes widened a little, impressed. Realizing that he still had the hood of his cloak up, Owen reached up and pulled it back. The girl was most likely not aware of who or what he was. He did not wish to make a bad first impression, and so he tried to continue with the friendly tone. [b]"Well you should be proud. That is not an easy skill to pick up. Especially not by yourself."[/b] Crossing his arms he eyed the girl, a small smile on his face. [b]"How long have you been throwing knives for?"[/b]

Looking briefly at her knife, given by her father, Alicia returned her gaze to the stranger. [b]''Father always say that I shouldn't trust strangers, mister.''[/b] Alicia said back with her voice a bit shaken. This person seemed to be friendly, but without anybody that she knew around her, she couldn't help but to feel a bit intimidated. Smelling the fear of her owner, Sarah whined only once before her tail went between her legs. Though Sarah was a big hound, she was nowhere in the size of Mitch nor actually being dangerous. [b]''Though I am a bit proud, mister. Thank you.''[/b]

[b]"Your father sounds like a wise man then. You should indeed be wary around strangers. But I am not a stranger, not really. Tell me girl, are you familiar with the Rangers?"[/b] He made no attempt to move, or do anything that would make him appear any more intimidating. His goal was not to scare the girl, yet he knew that it would be difficult to avoid doing so without explaining who he was first.

The Rangers? Who didn't know about them?! Trying to look more confident as she felt that looking scared wouldn't help her, Alicia responded to his question as if she was offended. [b]''I know the rangers from the stories I have read and been told. They are most of the time heroes or helpers of heroes. And they know a lot about the forest, like father does.''[/b] She said, feeling proud she could relate her father to a hero. Actually he was a hero! Just not a ranger. Or maybe, he was?

His smile widened. Owen was glad that her perception of Rangers was a good one. This would have been much more challenging if she was afraid of them. [b]"That is a very nice description of the Corps. My name is Owen Fenix, and I am the Ranger whose job it is to oversee this place. What is your name?"[/b] Though he already knew her name, it would not serve his purposes to let her know that. In fact, he was fairly certain it would do the opposite.

Wait, he was a ranger? Again, she examined him quickly. How could she test if he was speaking the truth? Rangers were craft people, so far she knew. Maybe he was saying to be a Ranger to impress her. But why would he want that? [b]''A ranger knows many things, doesn't he?''[/b] Alicia replied, staying cautious of this very friendly stranger. But she got interested as well. He had a certain aura around him. Or it was just likely her wish to meet a ranger and then tell all of her friends about it.

Nodding his head slightly, Owen spoke. [b]"They do yes."[/b] Noticing that the girl had not yet introduced herself, he wondered if perhaps he would have to prove his mettle. [b]"I sense that you are a little hesitant. So how about I prove what I am saying? Do you think that would be fair?[/b] He asked, wondering how the girl would respond. Nodding slowly, Alicia tigthen her grip on the hilt of her knfie. She was unsure why she did that as the man kept staying friendly. [b]''I would like to see some prove, mister Owen.''[/b] Alicia said, her eyes briefly scanning the surroundings around her. For a moment, she debated if if it would be possible to run. The snow would slow her down adn though she was fast, he had longer legs. But there was no reason yet why she would have to run, so she tried to calm down herself.

[B]"Hmm..."[/b] He mused. Owen's initial reaction was to want to make a display, but he realized that would probably scare the girl. [B]"Perhaps I could show you my skill with a throwing knife?"[/b] He asked. Hoping that he hadn't sounded strange. [b]''Would you?''[/b] Alicia asked in a enthoustastic manner, before calming herself down. She then spoke once more. [b]''Go ahead, mister Owen.''[/b]

Smiling, Owen moved into a position where he had a clear sight to the target. In one smooth move he pulled out three throwing knives and whipped them towards the target. All three struck the center with only a small gap between them.[/hider]