"What's first, Yero?" Oval asked, as he hopped to keep up with Fiyero's long strides.
"First, we have to find the best spot in the woods. You got to find the things you're going to hunt first. Then we will continue from there." He smiled down to Oval, who had told everyone in the village that Fiyero was taking him hunting today.
Elphaba couldn't help but have smiled at the young Owl's excitement to go out to learn to hunt from Fiyero - who to the little Animal was the best hunter in the whole wide world. Oval had come down to their cottage at 7 o'clock' sharp telling Fiyero that his father said that morning is the best time for hunting, and also evening was, but the tyke said he couldn't last that long. He was eager to learn.
Once in the woods, Oval found a low lying tree, to perch upon. Fiyero stood behind the Owl.
Oval turned around, "Now what, Yero?"
Fiyero pointed to the forest floor in front of them, "We stay very quiet, and watch for any movement of the mice that you want to catch."
Oval nodded, "And after that?"
"That's when you silently swoop down at it, in attempt to catch it. It make take a few try, but just trust your instincts and leap." Fiyero nodded, watching to help the little Owl find a mouse.
They watched minute, after minute, until Oval whispered, "It's no use. There's no point, there's no mice here." His small head drooped low, his beak touching his chest, and he ruffled his feathers in disappointment.
Fiyero heart clenched for little Oval. All he wanted was to hunt with him, and they weren't having any luck.
Until, Fiyero heard the rustle of something running across the ground, and silently pointed Oval in the direction. Oval's face lit up and he gave Fiyero a firm nod.
His little wings flapped silently, and he leaped.
He landed beside the mouse, startling it, and it ran away. In Oval's defence, its only very small field mice out here. It may take a bit of practice.
He turned to Fiyero with wide eyes, before flying back to Fiyero and sitting on the branch. His shoulders dropped, "I missed." He admitted in a little voice.
Fiyero ruffled the feathers on his head, "It's okay, Oval. When I was just learning to hunt from my father, I missed my arrow's target the first few times too."
Oval turned around, wide-eyed, "Really?"
Well, if Fiyero missed his first few times, then it was okay. He would just try harder, that's how Fiyero got better, right?
Oval watched the forest floor again, looking for the movement that Fiyero had pointed out before.
He waited a few moments before he saw it again, and left the branch he perched on.
This time, Oval did not miss. He attacked the small field mouse, before holding it by its tail, flying back to show Fiyero, "I did it, Yero. I caught a mouse. I can't wait to show Miss Elphaba, and Momma and Father!" his voice muffled by the fact that the tail was in his beak.
Fiyero laughed at Oval's excitement, "Well done, Oval. See, I knew you could do it."
Oval smiled, ruffling his feathers as he leaned into Fiyero, "Thank you, Yero."
Fiyero looked down at Oval, seeing how proud he was of himself, "You're very welcome, Oval."
.
.
As Oval hopped down the path to go back home, he spotted Elphaba in her garden, "Miss Elphaba! Miss Elphaba!"
Elphaba turned around at her name, and smiled seeing Oval and Fiyero coming towards her.
"Miss Elphaba, look what I have!" Oval announced.
Fiyero had to bite his cheek to keep himself from laughing as he watched Oval show Elphaba his mouse, and he could tell Elphaba was trying to keep a grimace off her face as she looked at the little mouse in Oval's beak.
Elphaba smiled, struggling to find words, "That's…great, Oval. Fiyero must be a good teacher."
Oval nodded, "He is!"
And he headed down the path again.
Fiyero smiled and nodded his head towards Oval, indicating that he was just going to make sure Oval got home safe, and then he'd be back. She nodded and smiled, before turning back to her garden. She loved seeing him with the little Owls, as well as the other Animal children that loved him.
Fiyero knocked for Oval so he didn't have to let go of his mouse, and Kiada opened the door, "Oh, hello Fiyero. How was the hunt?"
Oval pushed in front of Fiyero showing his mother the mouse he caught, "Really good, Momma! Look what I caught!"
Kiada was surprised, "Wow, Oval. Well done!"
But before Kiada could call out to Adize to show what their son had learned, Avro, Oval's older brother appeared at the door, and took the mouse from him, running back into the house.
"Hey! That's my mouse! Give it back!" Oval yelled, as he waddled and jumped, trying to catch up Avro.
"No mice in the house!" Kiada yelled over her shoulder, though she knew the boys wouldn't hear her.
"Thank you, Fiyero, for taking him out hunting." Kiada said, sincerely.
"It was no problem. He has good potential." Fiyero smiled, before he saw the small ruffle beside Kiada.
He leaned down to the little height, "Hi, Mae."
The smallest, and youngest Owl leaned out from behind her mother, shyly smiling, and waved at Fiyero, "Hi, Yero." Her small voice squeaked. Then like that, she was hidden amongst her mother feathers again.
Fiyero stood to his full height, "Well, I have to get back to Fae. I'll see you around. I'm with Marza at the market tomorrow."
Kiada nodded, "Then I shall see you tomorrow." Then she shut the door.
As Fiyero walked down the path, he could still hear Kiada yelling at the boys to take the mouse outside. He just shook his head, smiling as he saw Elphaba come into sight.