OPEN

[hornedomen]

Date & Time: All throughout January
Location: Outside places.
Characters: Ico and you!
Summary: Hunting and following hunters.
Warnings: Animals will die.

[a]

[The natural talents of a Sacrifice could only go so far. Though Ico picked up the bow and arrow with eerie efficiency, hunting was an entirely different matter. Not all his hunts were successful. It took time and failures for him to learn. Though at times he grew frustrated, he persevered.

Successful hunts ended in the death of a small animal such as birds. Ico did not enjoy it, but it was necessary. He prayed over the animal in a strange language. Because he had never hunted back in Toksa, he made up the prayers, and even the act itself. Once he finished, he hesitantly grabbed his knife.]

How am I supposed to do this?

[b]

[What better way to learn than by learning from a hunter? The hunters of Toksa village often hunted in groups, so he believed that by joining others, he would also better his chances of a successful hunt. Should Ico see another person hunting, he did not hesitate to follow. Snow crunched loudly under his feet as he quickly approached.]

Hey! [He waved to get their attention.] May I hunt with you? I'm still learning.

Comments

[inhumanity]

[The knife disappears, which is apparently Christopher's version of answering the question.] The feathers have to come off first. But in this weather, you ought to head back before doing that sort of thing. As great as it is that you're challenging Nature, she'll probably win and kill you if you stay out here too long.

[hornedomen]

It's not that cold.

[But he picked up the knife and bird like he was getting ready to leave. It was much warmer now that he had cover for his horns. He tugged on one of the warmers, getting a spot of blood on it.]

Do I skin it or do I have to pull them all out?

[inhumanity]

The skin should stay on for the cooking. You need to remove the feathers and the innards.

[Christopher's information is second-hand from listening to humans talk about it, but he is reasonably confident that this is correct. If it isn't, then now is the time to find out.]

[hornedomen]

[He turned the bird around in his arms. He saw how Charlie removed the insides of a deer, but how would he do that to a bird? They did not look similar, so their insides might be different.]

Would you help me, please? We can go inside. I live nearby.