He dropped to his knees, searching the ground. Tracks, a mass of them in the sandy soil. He scanned them all, processing them and casting them out of his mind until he came upon the right one.

It was fresh, recent. He allowed himself a smile. He was on the right track. But he musn't get too cocky now. Overconfidence often led to failure at best, a maiming at worst...

He shot forward, but only in a short burst. Too far or too loud and his prey would be made aware of his presence. Caution was always key. He crouched low again, squinting his eyes against the brightness of the sun. He lifted a hand, to shield them further.

A sudden flash of movement. His breath caught in his throat but he waited. Maybe his prey had caught wind of him, maybe not. But either way he allowed them to believe they were safe.

Elphaba put down her papers and looked annoyed with him. "What in Oz are you doing?"

His presence had not gone unnoticed. Alarmed, the hunter retreats a few paces and conceals himself to regroup and devise a new strategy.

He closes his eyes and listens. He fancies he can hear the beating heart of his intended prey. It calls to him like a siren song. He smiles again, this time at the prospect of gratification.

"You look like a fool down there like that. What are you doing?"

A sudden display of aggression. The prey still observes him, watching warily. He holds his breath. The prey leaps up from where it had been lazing in the sun, looking ready to face off. He can show no fear. If he does then that will be the end of him.

"Stop this nonsense! I mean it, Fiyero. You should see yourself, really."

More aggression. The hunter is surprised. Rarely has he seen this sort of spirit. But he is not quailed, rather he feels invigorated. He must have this one. Nothing can be done for it.

She spins on her heel and stalks away. Malky teases at her ankles but she tosses the cat away. Annoyed, incensed even. She turns back to him once more, about ready to explode at his foolish behaviour.

The hunter stopped short. The weight of a realization has struck him. It was suddenly clear that things had gone terribly awry and that he was the one ensnared.

Alarming, terrifying and at the same time exhilarating. There was a sudden rush of joy; of heat. He had to remind himself to breathe.

"Are you done," she asked, irratated with him.

Fiyero collapsed into the bed next to her and propped himself up on one elbow. "Of course, Fae. You complete me. I already told you that," he said.