Trees were not easy to climb while holding onto a staff. Raston had a lot of practice, but one could not underestimate the difficulty presented by not actually being able to see hand and foot holds. Oh sure he could see the shape created by branches because the sunny sky beyond was so much brighter. Still not easy. Raston only made it far enough that he could hang onto the lowest branch, his weapon between his teeth, when the noises nearby presented themselves to be people.

Ignore or not?

Of course his first choice would be ignore. Human company had not treated him well over the years and silence soothed him. But then, they were being so interesting. He turned his ears to listen more fully. By their voices a woman and a man. He knew nothing else except she sounded quite cocky and he amused. Unfortunately, paying attention to something else ruined the precarious balance Raston had. The staff slipped out of his mouth and tumbled to the ground. "Ah...crud." A second later, he went tumbling down after it, partly on purpose. At least landing on it meant he didn't have to search and he clenched fingers around the wood.

For good measure, he decided not to act like he didn't know people were near. "Please ignore me," he called out because he was pretty sure at least one person was staring at him.