JackMythicc

Rocky and Ryland are talking about freak all when the topic of human evolution came up once again. Specifically, how did humans hunt? How did this — the most clumsy, forgetful, sleep-needing — being ever become and apex predator?

Grace could only shrug, then think for a bit, "Well, we're endurance — or persistence — predators. We chase our prey until they get tired, exhausted, and pass out. Then we kill them and eat them. We'd even seek them out for multiple days if we have to."

Which, that is terrifying. And also: how? This is Ryland Grace, who was tired all the time upon Mary. Who could barely focus on anything. Who would forget who Rocky was if he slept too much (that was the most terrifying).

How could Grace even begin to try and hunt an Eridian?So, Grace, in the name of science, answers, and also presents a challenge, "Well, chase you until you get tired and pass out, flip you over, and crack you open like an oyster." And Grace shrugs, as if that is not the single most unnerving thing their friend could say: "I know exactly how to kill and eat you if I wanted to."

Lucky, very lucky, for Rocky, Grace does not. The challenge comes when Grace suggest, Rocky let Grace hunt them. And Rocky obliges.How hard could this be?At first, it's infuriating. It mostly feels like they're just walking through Grace's synthetic forest but Grace isn't right next to Rocky.

Grace is talking, making much sound. Rocky is getting tired of it.

Grace is not taking this seriously.

Rocky would rather take nap.

Rocky is tired.

That's the point.

And Rocky starts into a sprint, just running. They can find a safe place, surely.

Grace, does not run toward Rocky. This beetle has his entire jar memorized, thus, knowing where would be most effective for Rocky to hide in if danger occured. Or for right now.

So Rocky just runs, because, if Grace cannot see him and cannot do so quickly, he'll just give up.

Right? Grace has wanted to give up on things that did not give immediate gratification before. Why would this be any different?

Grace does not give up, walking in the vague direction of Rocky. He's saving his energy, Rocky knows this.

They can get away. Rocky can get away. It's fine.

Rocky does, in fact, find a neat little hole to curl up in.

Safe.

By the time Rocky wakes up, they're flipped over while Grace is perched on their lower half, grinning like a human hatchling. He's got his limbs bent in ways Rocky has never seen."