Andrea was lying in the ground completely still. She was maintaining her breathing pattern so as to steady her heart beat. She knew that the moment in between heartbeats was the most optimal chance to take a shot. Although she could eliminate these human calculations through her abilities she would rather not use them now to have an even playing field with her hunting friend Mr. Pine. For she knew he would complain endlessly for not having an ability like hers and would later add teasing words that she was not able to hit anything without her abilities.
That is why during the hunt she built up her basics and grew with each mistake she made. She found that hunting with a handicap was not a big concern like she thought in the beginning. In fact, right now she did not think of it as having a handicap anymore. She found it more satisfying to stalk a prey and land the shot using pure skill.
Her target now stood still smelling the earth looking for signs of food. She focused on the target and with no doubt that she would miss, she pulled the trigger. Not a second later her target fell to the side squealing and trying to get away but its legs no longer worked.
As she approached the prey to end its futile struggle she heard a voice from beside her.
"Great shot Miss Andrea, I couldn't have done better myself"
It was Tigu Pine Nana's father. She couldn't help but scoff at him while dispatching her recent kill "I bet its bigger than the one you caught last month"
Tigu smiled "We'll see once we weigh it back home" he knew she didn't mean any insult it was all in the spirit of competition. For they had been hunting together for years now. Sometimes they would even invite others but few understood their hunting ways and passion for firearms.
Andrea smiled back and sighed "Hah, it's good that I caught a large one today but how are we going to carry it back?"
"Don't look at me. I am barely able to carry my kill back to the truck" Tigu retorted.
"Well we should go back to the truck and get a cloth. Maybe I can just drag it back with us"
"Alright, and I'll drive the truck as close as I can"
"Thanks. We should start heading back now because this might take a while"
As the two was heading back to their truck. Tigu was telling a story to Andrea how he had once caught her daughter Nana burying his precious rifles in the backyard. How he had to clean them one by one due to the soil getting inside the barrels while he was getting berated by his daughter on doing nothing else other than cleaning his rifles.
Andrea couldn't help but sigh at her companion's story. She knew of Nana's true concern as she herself was not really close to her father. So she thought that Nana just probably wants to spend her limited free time with her family.
"I thought her rebellious phase was over years ago. I always thought my daughter to be more mature than others but I didn't think she would still have a childish side to her" Tigu explained "She wouldn't even hear my explanations about how it is bad for the firearms to be-" Noticing that Andrea stopped in her tracks she looked at her.
"What's wrong?" he asked as he turned to look at her face. Only to find a look of shock and disbelief. He followed her line of sight and was startled by what he saw.
Ashes was there floating near a tree. Covered in bloodied rags. Andrea was so bewildered she did not know what to make of what she was seeing. Her mind raced to find an explanation on what she was currently witnessing. The bloodied rags must be what Ashes was left with after the battle years ago. She didn't know whether to cry for help or avert her eyes as she could not stare at Ashes directly.
"You broke your promise Andrea. You said you would protect Tilly yet here you are" Ashes spoke
Andrea's mouth gaped even further she felt her hairs stand on edge. It was Ashes' spirit coming to haunt her for having fun on her own and leaving Tilly unguarded.
Tigu immediately hid behind the nearest tree and called for Andrea to take cover.
"Quickly hide!"
"You can't hide from your sins Andrea. I shall haunt you until you fulfill your duty" Spirit Ashes said while still hovering in the air.
"Ah! I-I'm sorry Ashes I didn't mean to leave her side! You see it's my week off work and-"
"Silence! Tell me no more lies" Spirit Ashes exclaimed
"fu fu fu" Andrea heard a strange sound coming behind the tree Ashes was floating from she looked closely and she saw a blue figure poking out from behind the tree. As her mind began thinking rationally again she approached the giggling tree. Only to find Molly holding back her laughter by clutching her stomach and the blue figure holding Ashes up behind the tree.
Molly and Ashes were holding their head heading back to Tigu's truck. Andrea slammed her rifle in their heads for the thing that they did and made Ashes carry her prey back to the truck.
"It wasn't my idea I was just tagging along" Molly defended herself "besides Ashes is back shouldn't you be happier instead?"
"I am happy" Andrea said grumpily still not able to forget what just happened from the smug look on Ashes face "It would have been better seeing her back normally. This better not reach Tilly's ears" she warned Ashes
"I doubt it would make the Graycastle Weekly but there are birds and animals everywhere it's bound to reach Honey's ears at the very least and of course we are in the Misty Forest so Leaf probably saw as well" Molly explained.
"Ugh" Andrea grimaced "I'll remember this Ashes. I keep telling you that's not how a noble Lady should behave"
"I know, a noble lady should stay still shaking with a wide gaping mouth while making reasons for her shirking of duty right?" Ashes said smugly
"Fine! I'll give you this one but since you're here I can get you back anytime I want. Hmp" Andrea pouted and entered the passenger side of the truck. "You better tell me everything that happened on our way back"
Ashes carried the beast in the back of the truck
"Alright. I'll tell you then"