Talk:Doppelganger/@comment-30946942-20170111114923/@comment-27800590-20170210032452

With a sigh I enter the clearing and get her attention. She turns to me with a squeak, fear on her face. I try to explain to her that I can't take a woman as mine, because I already blong to another.

"Y-you do?" She asks, face falling to the ground. Indeed. I gesture to the woods around us. I belong to the trees, the animals and plants of these woods. They provide for me, and I protect them, a bond as deep as any lover.

She takes a moment to process this, then quietly starts to sob. I approach her and wrap my arms around her, feeling her stiffen as her body shifts again. This time she takes the appearance of a little girl, eyes red and feet covered in shadows. She shouldn't cry, and she shouldn't hide who she is.

I take a step back and smile at her, she is a beautiful creature, many of the women and girls who try to gain my attention are, but I cannot be distracted by a lover or worried for their saftey. I have my duty, and I cannot afford to fail it.

I turn to walk away and feel a hand wrap around my wrist.

"Could... could you..." she takes a deep breath, "could you just sit and speak with me for a time then? Please?" With a sigh I nod, agreeing to spend some time with the girl.

We sit and talk for quite some time, the young girl talking about the things she's seen me doing, the feats and challenges I've overcome. She explains how she's been practicing, but hasn't been able to finish a hunt yet, as she doesn't want to kill another living creature.

"I just... I get scared of what I might do if I kill something... would I feel the need to hunt for something bigger, or just be sad about ending another living things life?" I understand her plight. Where do you draw the line between hunter, and killer.

I stand and offer her an old hunters advice. Kill what you need, and you'll never lose sleep over it. With that I take my leave.

A few weeks later I come across a woman in leather, skinning an elk. As I turn to go elsewhere I hear a familiar voice muttering.

"Thanks old friend, I'm going to prove I can hunt thanks to you." I turn back, and all I can see is the elk carcass and a shadowy trail. I smile and continue on my way, from that day on I spot various women hunting, never more than once a day, and always muttering to me. I may not have a wife or lover, but I do seem to have an apprentice.