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As you wander around the village, you're so caught up in enjoying the way your footsteps crunch in the snow that you're a bit startled when you find yourself facing a somewhat imposing cabin just at the edge of the treeline. Though it looked rather picturesque among all the snow-covered pines (much like the rest of the village), there was still something about it that made your hair stand on edge - and it wasn't just the cold. You stand there for a long moment, staring at the cabin, poised to make a run for it in case anything happens... (Though you weren't quite sure what you were waiting for.)
Still, your curiosity won over your apprehension in the end - after all, everyone in the village seemed to be very nice so far - and you carefully make your way towards the cabin.
You struggle a bit in the snow, internally cursing at whoever opted to not clear the path to the cabin, but you eventually arrive at the front door. As you're trying to make out whatever is written on the many, many snow-covered signs attached to the exterior of the cabin, you realize that the inside of the cabin is lit up and, even more surprisingly, there seemed to be people inside. Picking your way through the deeper snow by the windows, you stand on your tiptoes and peer through the foggy glass, your earlier concerns forgotten in your need for answers.
Through the frosted windows, you're just barely able to make out two blurry shapes sat at a table.
Right away you notice that one of them is tall, hulking figure, sitting still as the other - shorter and more animated in their movements - gestures vividly as they appear to be engrossed in their conversation. As you take in the taller figure's physique (seriously, what do they feed the kids up here?), your earlier sense of unease returns and you decide to quickly leave before either of them notices you. In that moment, just as you're trying to free your boots from the snow, the tall figure seems to spot you and whips their head around to stare you square in the eyes.
Even through the murky windows, you can feel their gaze pierce through you.
You're so startled by the sudden moment that you fall back, boots still stuck, flopping backwards into the (thankfully) fluffy snow. As you struggle to free yourself, heartbeat loud in your ears, you almost fail to notice how the door to the cabin flings open and the tall figure from earlier rushes outside.
Geez, how did they manage to move that fast?
They seem even taller up close, and you can feel your heartbeat in your throat as they start to speak.
"What're you doin' out 'ere?!"
You stammer out a reply that's foreign even to your ears, stunned by the sudden turn of events and the low rumble of his voice. The figure huffs, rolling his eyes, leaning over to pluck you with ease from the snowbank as the second figure from earlier rushes out the door.
"Hunter? Hunter what are you doing?"
The taller Kalon - Hunter, you manage to gather, still dangling from his wrought-iron grasp - huffs and fixes you with a steely gaze.
"They were bein' suspicious.
You know better'n most what those poachers do out 'ere, Sunil."
The shorter Kalon - Suni - rolls their eyes, sighing heavily as they move to tug at Hunter's arm.
You wobble a little as his grip loosens slightly.
"Hunter, they're probably just a tourist and got lost or something.
Look at them, I don't think they could do anything suspicious if they tried!
Better drop them before Toma catches wind of this and has a chat with you again..."
Hunter stares at you for a long moment, seeming to quietly weigh the implications of Suni's comment as you internally pray that he listens. After a pause, he lowers you back into the snow with surprising gentleness, even reaching out to dust some snow off your head after he did so. You flinch, of course, though that's to be expected given your recent experiences. Hunter at least has the decency to look a little guilty as you do so.
There's a long, uncomfortable silence as the three of you stare at one another, before Hunter mutters a quiet "sorry" and turns to briskly go back into the cabin. Suni gives you an apologetic smile as they go to follow him, half-jogging to catch up with his large strides. They pause right at the threshold of the door, hesitating slightly before turning back to you.
"Listen, don't pay him too much mind, alright? He means well but...
He's not the best with social interactions and he's been extra stressed lately."
You give them a shaky thumbs-up as their expression brightens a bit, before continuing.
"Say, I'll even tell you a secret for being such a good sport and not telling Toma about this little kerfuffle we had.
Hunter's not really a hunter or a fisher! Isn't that funny!
Anyways, it looks like a storm will be picking up soon, so you better head back into town before then.
I gotta go help Hunter with the animals."
With an almost too-cheery wave, Suni heads back into the cabin and closes the door behind them. You stare at the weather-beaten door for a long while, perplexed at the quickly-moving series of events, before giving yourself a shake and deciding to go back to the inn for some hot chocolate.
At least your blood was pumping now, enough to keep you warm until you made it back...
[Head back to the village square.]
