[Despite all the warnings in his mind that following the path isn't really a good idea, Simon finds himself following it. He's never once seen or read anything where following a dark path up to a castle ended well, but he can't quite resist the lure to investigate. He's on full alert, however, listening out for the slightest sound, looking for anything that might be dangerous. His approach is slow, close to silent, and when he reaches one of the signs he stops, reaching out to trace the letters.
Be Bold, Be Bold, But Not Too Bold
He doesn't feel bold, let alone too bold. He swallows, dropping his hand from the sign and looking along the path doubtfully. He's about to move on further when he hears what sounds horribly like a growl coming from not far off. He freezes, listening intently, hoping desperately the noise was something he imagined.]
[Hulk had only just managed to find his way out of the castle, and he's not happy about it. A few trees in the vicinity pay for it, uprooted like they're nothing. There no goal yet, no one to attack and no one to protect and all he can do is make sure everything around him knows how unhappy he is. He lets out another roar, a good deep sound that sends all the bird in the forest into the sky.]
[Whatever it is, he definitely hasn't imagined it. It's destroying the forest. It almost sounds like it's tearing trees right from the ground with the noise it's making. Simon stands frozen, unable to do anything but feel the panic set in. He's certain whatever's ahead is dangerous, but his feet won't obey him and he's left wondering exactly what sort of creature is about to discover him, and just how painful his death will be.
It's the roar that shakes him out of it. As it trails off, he lets out a shout of his own as he disappears. His transformations are still painful, but it's mercifully brief, and it's sure it's nothing compared to the pain of whatever's further into the forest could have done to him. He finds himself hoping he hasn't been heard, but even with that fear he finds himself calmer. He can't be seen now. Or heard. Just as long as he can stick to the path. He doesn't think he can be smelled out, either.
Despite that, he knows he should turn back. Even with the protection of his invisibility he's still at risk, but his curiosity gets the better of him. He finds himself stepping forward, ignoring his better judgement for the second time that day.]
[Hulk thought he heard something, and eager to take out his current rage at something anything he tears in its direction, ripping trees out of his path as he goes.
But by the time he reaches the path, he can't see anything. He tears past a few more times, anxiously searching between the trees, and lets out a confused roar when he can't find anything. Someone's playing tricks!]
[Whatever it was he expected, that was not it. He thinks back in horror to his conversation with Bruce, not quite able to wrap his head around what he's seeing. It's the Hulk. In person. Far closer than he had ever hoped he'd see him. At least in seriousness. He'd admittedly had fantasies about being this close when he was younger. Now he finally is he's deeply regretting them.
Very glad for his invisibility, Simon stumbles back along the path, not quite daring to turn his back in case it stops him getting out of his way.]
[He lets out another roar, frustration mingling with anger until he's too confused and has to take it out on the nearest signpost. One he will now be flinging in your direction, Simon.]
[He raises his arms in time to stop it hitting him square in the face, but it still hurts. And worse; it bounces off, giving away his location. He doesn't stop to think, darting into the trees. The movement of the foliage doesn't exactly help him stay hidden, but it's too late to turn back now. He just hopes it slows him down enough until he can find a way to lose him.]
[He probably over-estimated how much The Hulk would notice a sign bouncing off him, but he certainly notices the moving of foliage. The rage is starting to give way to curiosity, so it's with slightly less venom that he takes after him into the foliage.]
[He's not all that inclined to check how angry the Hulk actually seems. He keeps running until he finds a clearing, backing against one of the edges to decrease the chances of being knocked aside or stepped on.]
[He stops when he reaches the clearing, pausing to turn and look around him, huffing. There was a trail before, and he's good at following trails. Now the strange noise making thing could have gone any direction and he's not sure where. He makes a few more huffing noises before he starts searching around the edges of the forest, looking for The Bad Man from the castle before.]
[Simon stands as still as possible, trying to catch his breath as he watches the Hulk's search. If he carries on searching the edges there's a good chance he's about to be found. He could go back into the forest, but then he'd definitely know where he is. He isn't convinced about the middle of the clearing, either. The forest ground is easily disturbed, and the last thing he wants to do is draw attention to himself.]
[He finishes his search without any luck, and returns to the middle of the clearing to re-group. So far what he's able to establish is that:
1. Bad Man in castle wanted to hurt Bruce 2. He would like to be far away from Bad Man, or potentially if forced into the same vicinity with him, then he would like to smash 3. He cannot find, nor smash, Bad Man in the woods 4. There is a pond a little ways over and Hulk likes to eat fish 5. Hulk can smash after eating fish
Satisfied with his decision, he starts knuckling his way over to the pond.]
[Simon lets out a sigh of relief once he's left, all but collapsing against a tree as his breathing slowly returns to normal. It's a good few minutes before he can bring himself to brave the forest once again to find the path, and once he has he finds he has no desire to push his luck any further. He returns to Burby rather than investigate the castle, and it isn't until he's safe in the room he's using at the hotel he finally allows himself to become visible and reflect properly on exactly what it is he's seen.]
[Action] - Backdated to Thursday
Be Bold, Be Bold, But Not Too Bold
He doesn't feel bold, let alone too bold. He swallows, dropping his hand from the sign and looking along the path doubtfully. He's about to move on further when he hears what sounds horribly like a growl coming from not far off. He freezes, listening intently, hoping desperately the noise was something he imagined.]
Re: [Action] - Backdated to Thursday
[Action] - Backdated to Thursday
It's the roar that shakes him out of it. As it trails off, he lets out a shout of his own as he disappears. His transformations are still painful, but it's mercifully brief, and it's sure it's nothing compared to the pain of whatever's further into the forest could have done to him. He finds himself hoping he hasn't been heard, but even with that fear he finds himself calmer. He can't be seen now. Or heard. Just as long as he can stick to the path. He doesn't think he can be smelled out, either.
Despite that, he knows he should turn back. Even with the protection of his invisibility he's still at risk, but his curiosity gets the better of him. He finds himself stepping forward, ignoring his better judgement for the second time that day.]
no subject
But by the time he reaches the path, he can't see anything. He tears past a few more times, anxiously searching between the trees, and lets out a confused roar when he can't find anything. Someone's playing tricks!]
no subject
Very glad for his invisibility, Simon stumbles back along the path, not quite daring to turn his back in case it stops him getting out of his way.]
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
1. Bad Man in castle wanted to hurt Bruce
2. He would like to be far away from Bad Man, or potentially if forced into the same vicinity with him, then he would like to smash
3. He cannot find, nor smash, Bad Man in the woods
4. There is a pond a little ways over and Hulk likes to eat fish
5. Hulk can smash after eating fish
Satisfied with his decision, he starts knuckling his way over to the pond.]
no subject