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

[hornedomen]

[He saw that, but he did not speak about it.]

You could stay with me. There's no one else living in my room. I don't think Celena will go in there. But she's really not bad.

[wolfuncaged]

That is...very generous of you.

[hornedomen]

We have to look out for each other, right? Besides, that's what the building is there for.

[He stopped pulling for a moment. He was breathing heavily now and he needed a rest.]

Just a little moment, please. [He held his side.]

[wolfuncaged]

I do not know. It is a rare trait, back home.

[He pauses, frowning.] You should get help, when we return. There is a clinic here, yes?

[hornedomen]

[The more he heard, the more it seemed that Fenris' home was a difficult place. It would be rude to say it aloud, though.]

I think so. There are a lot of us here that know how to heal. It's probably somewhere different now that everything's changed.

[wolfuncaged]

[Oh, he had no idea.]

Hmm. It would be wise to go as soon as possible.

[hornedomen]

You're right, I'll go once we're back.

[He got ready to pull the bear again.] I'm ready now.

[wolfuncaged]

If you are certain. [He pulls again and off they go.]

[hornedomen]

[He pulled without complaint. His side hurt but he tried not to show it.]

Who are you going to give the bear meat to? It must be enough to feed a lot.

[wolfuncaged]

I have some...companions. But as you helped bring it down and bring it here, half of it is yours.

[hornedomen]

I couldn't possibly eat all that. Besides, you did most of it. Please, take more. How many companions do you have?

[wolfuncaged]

There are three of us. [Look, he'll even be nice and include Merrill.]

[hornedomen]

Including you? Then, may I have a quarter of the meat?

[wolfuncaged]

[He considers, the gives a firm nod.]

That is agreeable, thank you.

[hornedomen]

[He smiled. It felt like he should have been the one thanking Fenris.]

Thank you, Fenris. This is very kind. Would you show me how you cut it up, too?

[wolfuncaged]

Certainly. We'll need a better hunting knife for the task.

[hornedomen]

[As the buildings appeared in the distance, Ico sighed with relief. Soon he could rest.]

Where should we go? The place I'm living at is over there. [He pointed.] I have a knife with me now, but I don't know if it's a good one.

[wolfuncaged]

That will be as good a place as any, and I am sure your knife will suffice.

[hornedomen]

Okay, just a little further now.

[By the time they reached the building, Ico had worn himself out. He sat down and then he sluggishly moved about setting the fox carcass and his backpack down.]

Here's the knife. [He gave him the knife. There was nothing bad about it, but it was not exceptional either. It was just an average knife.]

[wolfuncaged]

[Fenris took it with a soft not, silently starting to work on cutting the animal up, making sure that Ico gets his fair share. He's an elf of his word.

[hornedomen]

[As grisly as it was, Ico forced himself to watch. He watched the way Fenris cut into it, learning his techniques. His jaw clenched, but he did not say a word about it.]

Thank you, this is plenty. You'll stay here, right? We put the meat up there, in the ice so it'll keep it cold. [He pointed up before he began carefully wrapping the meat.] Can you cut any animal in the same way?

[He looked at the fox, wondering if he could use what he just learned on it.]

[wolfuncaged]

[He nods.]

You can, the technique is much the same, only smaller.

[hornedomen]

[He neatly wrapped the other portions and gave them to Fenris. Now there was still the fox to handle.]

Maybe I should cut it up before I go to the clinic. Would you help me, please?

[wolfuncaged]

Certainly. Take your time, and I am sure you will manage.

[hornedomen]

[His words gave him confidence. Taking the knife, he looked at the fox's eyes. He muttered something in that strange language again. It was not a prayer; it sounded more like an apology.

He cut into the animal, much like how Fenris did to the bear. His hand hovered over the belly, a moment of hesitation before he began gutting it. Occasionally, he looked to Fenris for guidance when he was not sure which part he should take out and which were edible.

Before the task would feel too overwhelming, he quickly asked:] How old were you when you first started hunting?