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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 26, 2017 3:10:47 GMT
Huh. Somehow he wasn't surprised by her approach to leading a pack. She wasn't demanding a specific job or role from him. She wasn't confining him to a specific place. She wasn't even making it sound like most packs. Too many alphas expected members to contribute for the greater good without receiving much in return, perhaps nothing more than a place to call home.
"You are," Aurek blurted. "Pleasant, I mean."
He allowed himself to imagine making a life in Atheria. Too his surprise, he didn't find the idea repugnant. Days spent fishing -- on this very island, no less -- swimming in the lake... wandering through the forest, tracking all the game trails he'd spied earlier. He doubted he would ever build a hut or claim a formal den. But... a whole territory to call his, in a sense? The ability to wander where he pleased? And to answer to an alpha who did not demand but rather asked, one who respected her pack members.
Aurek set his spear aside and stood up, moving to kneel next to Periwen, facing her. "I can't promise I'll stay forever, Iwen, but... I think I wanna see how this goes." He extended a hand toward her, as if he intended to shake on a good trade.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 26, 2017 3:44:31 GMT
She watched him closely, her golden eyes searching his blue eyes and looking closely for more shock or perhaps any sign the offer was appalling and yet none appeared. In fact she watched him rise and then kneel, offering his hand to her, the gesture taking her by surprise so much so that she almost didn't catch his words agreeing to make her pack of one a pack of two.
"Perhaps I'm too pleasant? Should I be grumpier you think? Maybe then others would take me seriously and join the pack?" She put on a stern face and crossed her eyebrows changing her gentle and naturally smiling face into one that looked to scold you for stealing a meal. "I'm kidding of course. I would be most happy to have you for however long you feel like staying, though I'd be lying if I said I didn't hope you'd find this place welcoming to spend the rest of your days. No pressure."
She chuckled now, she hadn't been this happy in many months, possible even over a year. The child in her, the everyday average pack member wanted to throw her arms around him and hug him. Thankfully the Alpha she had grown to become held back those impulses and the biggest indicator of her joy was mearly her smile, she was certain Aurek would appreciate her restraint if he knew. Quickly as if from fear his offer would be retracted she clasped his hand in her own and shook it eagerly. Upon letting go she shot to her feet.
"Let's do some fishing!" She wasn't one for winter fishing but this news called for celebration and a feast for two!
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 26, 2017 4:31:08 GMT
Her hand felt warm and strong in his as they shook. It was the first bit of physical contact he'd had with another canine since his mother's passing, and with a pang of surprise, Aurek found that he missed the sensation. He felt the slightest bit of loss when their hands separated, finished shaking.
"Don't change a thing," he said earnestly, smiling at her antics. Judging by her tone and the way she sprang up, Periwen was now one very happy alpha.
He followed her lead at much more sedate pace. He stood and retrieved his spear before making his way to the water's edge. Swift shadows darted around just underneath the surface. If they were smart -- and patient -- they stood to enjoy a very good meal later.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 26, 2017 5:14:47 GMT
In her excitement and haste to give fishing a go she had forgotten she lacked the proper tools, looks like she would have to get creative. She looked around her and found the reeds that had been too stiff to form a basket thinking that perhaps she could make a spear of at least one of them though it would have to be a temporary one, if only she hadn't rushed to show off her fine lake though it seems to have won over her company. Quickly she dropped to the ground, pulling the dagger from its home against her thigh and binding it to the shaft as tightly as she could with bits of the reed leaves that had not yet joined their companions in the shaping of the basket.
"In your expertise, think this will do?"
She held the rough creation up for Aurek's inspection, knowing it was not the best of her work but trusting it to still be recognizable as a spear.
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Post by Ravoshra on Feb 27, 2017 18:10:19 GMT
He had watched with mild curiosity as she made her makeshift weapon, and he had to admit, it was a creative solution to the problem. He gave her a small shrug as he slowly, surely stepped out into the water.
"It might work," he said, voice pitched low. "Cattails are pretty sturdy, but I'm not sure if they're that sturdy. No harm in trying, though."
He focused on the water in front of him, digging his toes into the sediment. Slowly, he took his own spear in both hands and moved it into position, ready to strike as soon as the moment was right. Then he stilled his body, doing his absolute best not to move a single muscle. All he had to do was wait.
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Post by Cyn on Feb 28, 2017 0:03:47 GMT
Periwen considered what he had said, indeed they were sturdy but would her makeshift spear snap should it hit prey or, more likely, the lake bottom? Truth be told she was a bit nervous to fish along side Aurek, true she had never seen him in action but she had no problem believing he would be very skilled at it. She on the other hand was mediocre at best. Unlike Aurek she would not wade into the water, certain it would chill her too completely and the shivering that would result would surely be a dead giveaway to their prey that something wasn't quite right.
Seeing him go into action mode she thought it best she not speak, in any case she needed to do some focusing of her own. Looking down into the water Iwen watched for any shadowy signs of fishy life only slightly disappointed when nothing large enough to target swam past. She would simply have to be patient and wait.
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Post by Ravoshra on Mar 1, 2017 0:40:13 GMT
The silence didn't bother Aurek; he didn't even notice it. Fishing was something he'd done his entire life, and it was a quiet, relaxing activity that didn't mix well with excitement. Loud and rambunctious people were more likely to walk away with empty baskets -- and empty bellies. He tried to pay attention to Periwen, to see how her makeshift spear would work, but he quickly lost himself in the sound of the water, the numbing cold against his feet, and the shadows of movement that slowly swam closer to certain death.
He saw an opportunity, and he took it.
With one smooth, full-body movement, he thrust his spear into the water with nary a splash. He carried through with the action until the point of his spear bit into the mud. Only then did he bring up his catch for inspection.
A decently sized trout. It struggled weakly, fins flopping uselessly as its gills gaped for breath. With a grin and a happy swish of his tail, he made his way back to dry land.
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Post by Cyn on Mar 2, 2017 3:35:52 GMT
She had been focused on the water just beneath her when swift motion out of the corner of her eye distracted her, at first perplexed the sounds of steps in the water indicated to her that her company had been successful in his water hunt. Now it was her turn. Gaze once more on the water and the various moving shadows beneath she was determined to catch even the tiniest of fish for herself. Spear at the ready she watched a particularly lazy specimen making slow, regular loops until she was certain she had worked out his pattern. Not quite so smoothly but still with great speed and power Periwen launched her dagger headed spear into the side of the beast. The shaft splintered and the head lodged in the much but between the two planes was an average sized fish that would make a tasty meal.
Pulling sharply on the ruined spear she managed to get what remained of it and her sqewered meal out of the liquid which up until now had provided it a safe home. "It's a good thing I made us this basket!" She hollered out to him, nudging the basket with her toe. "Looks as though my spear was a one and done contraption though. If you'd like to continue I could clean the two fish?"
Periwen sat now, placing her catch into the newly woven basket, untying her dagger from the reed and tossing the remains into the water because wiping her blade as dry as she could upon the grass and then returning it to it's sheath against her thigh. She looked up from her task to see if Aurek needed a hand.
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Post by Ravoshra on Mar 3, 2017 0:59:24 GMT
Aurek shook his head, waiting out the fish as it slowed in its flopping and gaping. He turned his attention to Periwen, blue eyes seeking out her golden ones. "Nah. I take what I need, nothing more. This'll be a fine meal. What do you say we head to your village and clean these up? I don't know about you, but I'm starving."
As if on cue, his stomach gave a terrible rumble.
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Post by Cyn on Mar 6, 2017 3:04:13 GMT
She listened to him with full attention, they had only met this morning but she felt they had done well to develop their relationship, she was fairly certain she could trust Aurek and she was very pleased to have him as a member of her pack. He was right, their catches would mike good meals and she had some produce back at home to really make it a celebration.
"I like your thinking and I appreciate your conservation of our food and wildlife. Let's head back to the village, we can follow the river right to town." Iwen was just turning to cross the bridge and join Aurek but stopped when she heard his stomach growl "Sounds like we've both found dinner at just the right time."
She jumped quickly across and began to walk west along the riverbank, fish in basket, basket in hand trusting that Aurek would follow close behind.
:Exit to village:
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Post by Ravoshra on Mar 9, 2017 1:32:07 GMT
"Right on," Aurek murmured. He held his spear carefully, kill still impaled on the end, as his long, narrow legs carried him across the ground, following Iwen's footsteps. He was looking forward to seeing the village proper, if only to familiarize himself further with Atherian territory. He didn't foresee choosing to stay in the village. Still, it was nice to know it was an option he was welcome to -- as a member of the pack, no less. Him, part of a pack! He almost didn't notice the smile that had crept onto his lips as he followed his new alpha.
:exit:
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