Rhyn blinked and flicked her ears. "I hunt." She shed her cloak so that it would not hinder her, and fell to all fours, trotting off into the underbrush. Deer will be scarce in the area. Her thoughts came simply as she lifted her nose to search out the scent of prey in the air. Sorting through the many scents of old and new, loam, trees, leaves. It wasn't her nose that found the source of food, but rather her eyes, as she came near and saw a rabbit's path. No deer tonight then. But a few rabbits would do.
Carefully, so that her scent didn't linger next to the path, she moved away and crouched to wait, patient as she had ever been in her home. It didn't take long, in her eyes, for a rabbit to come along. When it did, she pounced, springing upon it and breaking it's neck. The move was mostly for good measure, as it was just as likely that the poor thing had died of fear when she was atop it. She stayed out a while longer, and when she finally returned, just as the cave was falling into shadow, she had two rabbits and a pheasant hanging from her arm.
"Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Nodding and walking in the opposite direction from Rhyn, Kaevad began to gather lumber. It didn't take him long to gather a large armful and stepped over the sunbathing Soneya with a chuckle. He dumped the pile in a corner before moving back out to gather a couple more armfuls, whistling a tune on the last load.
"That should be good enough..." He murmured before looking back at Soneya, amused at the girl. "Comfortable?" He asked, crouching down beside her, his tail coming around him to tickle her feet, though his claws were in clear view.
"That should be good enough..." He murmured before looking back at Soneya, amused at the girl. "Comfortable?" He asked, crouching down beside her, his tail coming around him to tickle her feet, though his claws were in clear view.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Blinking, Soneya looked at Kaevad, yawning and stretching. With a happy sigh, she nodded. “Very comfortable, thank you.” Closing her eyes again to enjoy her current position a little longer, she suddenly felt something tickle her feet. Instantly she jumped up, squealing and frantically scrambling out of the way of Kaevad’s tail, which was tickling her. Punching him in the shoulder, she gasped: “Stop that!” Though her facial expression was one of shocked annoyance, her eyes were glinting with a still hidden laugh. How she hated being tickled, but she still always had to laugh about it despite herself.
“Oh Rhyn,” Soneya smiled when the leopard appeared, thankfully distracting her from dealing with more tickling, or so she hoped. “Wow, you’ve been successful in your hunt! Do you need a hand with the skin or the feathers?” She really had no idea how to skin an animal though, despite having watched from time to time, but she still offered her help regardless. One day she would learn, one day she would be able to do it herself without needing someone to explain it all to her. At least she wasn’t completely useless when it came to plucking feathers.
“Oh Rhyn,” Soneya smiled when the leopard appeared, thankfully distracting her from dealing with more tickling, or so she hoped. “Wow, you’ve been successful in your hunt! Do you need a hand with the skin or the feathers?” She really had no idea how to skin an animal though, despite having watched from time to time, but she still offered her help regardless. One day she would learn, one day she would be able to do it herself without needing someone to explain it all to her. At least she wasn’t completely useless when it came to plucking feathers.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn paused at the sound of Soneya's voice, her ears twisting as her pale eyes studied the girl. After a long moment, the snow leopard nodded. 'Come. I teach you." She jerked her head in the direction she was going to step, to where she could skin the rabbits slightly away from camp. "Kaevad? Fire?" She was back to using as few words as possible to get her meanings across.
The furred woman stepped just the slightest bit south of the cave, downwind, and far enough away that it was less likely for them to be bothered by anything that wanted the innards. It was here that she dropped the animals to the ground for a moment, and reached for the rope that stayed wrapped around her with her belt. "Come. Pheasants are easy. Feather-plucking, but skin stays on. Rabbits, fur comes off. Still simple, but more work." She strung both rabbits up by their hind legs, and the corpses dangled loosely with any movement that came from the branch.
Rhyn pulled out one of her knives, making a smooth cut down the belly of the rabbit and around the joints in the rabbit's hind legs. "See? Cut here and here. And then..." She slid her knife under the edge slightly, so that there was enough skin to grip, and then in a smooth move she tugged sharply. The rabbit skin came free with a ripping sound, getting caught on the neck and head, which Rhyn happily cut away. "You try." She held the blade out to Soneya, handle first.
The furred woman stepped just the slightest bit south of the cave, downwind, and far enough away that it was less likely for them to be bothered by anything that wanted the innards. It was here that she dropped the animals to the ground for a moment, and reached for the rope that stayed wrapped around her with her belt. "Come. Pheasants are easy. Feather-plucking, but skin stays on. Rabbits, fur comes off. Still simple, but more work." She strung both rabbits up by their hind legs, and the corpses dangled loosely with any movement that came from the branch.
Rhyn pulled out one of her knives, making a smooth cut down the belly of the rabbit and around the joints in the rabbit's hind legs. "See? Cut here and here. And then..." She slid her knife under the edge slightly, so that there was enough skin to grip, and then in a smooth move she tugged sharply. The rabbit skin came free with a ripping sound, getting caught on the neck and head, which Rhyn happily cut away. "You try." She held the blade out to Soneya, handle first.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Kaevad spit fire into the pit as requested and moved to the nearby creek to swallow some water groaning quietly as the cool fluid ran down his throat. He moved back to camp, pausing when he saw Rhyn teaching Soneya how to skin something. Half-heartedly he thought of teasing her and helping her from behind... but no. Not today. He felt a storm coming and tilted face back to scent the air. "You ladies may wish to hurry, a storm's brewing, and should pass us in a couple hours." He told them before moving to make a spit.
The cooking instrument complete, he sat back on the neatly arranged pelts with a groan, tail swaying back and forth.
The cooking instrument complete, he sat back on the neatly arranged pelts with a groan, tail swaying back and forth.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Soneya watched Rhyn intently, and was glad that she had done so when Rhyn suddenly handed the knife to her and asked her to skin the second rabbit. It had looked so much easier though than it actually was. Maybe it also helped that the catwoman had a little more strength in her arms when it came to actually ripping off the skin. The cuts at least she managed, and she tried hard not to squirm as some of the blood and entrails splashed onto her hand. The accompanying smell wasn’t the nicest either but she forced down a gag and simply did what Rhyn had shown her. After all, she wanted to learn, thus she was going to learn. There was no better way than doing it herself, disgusting incidents were part of the process.
After a bit of fiddling and more than a few attempts to get all the skin loose, Soneya finally presented the rabbit to Rhyn. “How badly did I do?” she asked with a grin. The rabbit had been mistreated a little bit and some meat had come off with the skin but all in all, most of it had been stripped away in an alright manner. Practice would hopefully remedy the lack of skill.
Soneya had been so focused on her task that she hadn’t even heard what Kaevad had said. The distant sound of his voice had pierced her concentration at some point but she hadn’t understood the words. When she now saw how dark the sky was becoming at a rather quick pace, she figured that was what he had said. A storm was brewing, and it wasn’t going to wait too much longer before the flood gates would be opened. Quickly helping Rhyn gather the game, she ran for the cave entrance. How much time had she spent on that damn rabbit? Or was the storm just moving extremely quickly?
After a bit of fiddling and more than a few attempts to get all the skin loose, Soneya finally presented the rabbit to Rhyn. “How badly did I do?” she asked with a grin. The rabbit had been mistreated a little bit and some meat had come off with the skin but all in all, most of it had been stripped away in an alright manner. Practice would hopefully remedy the lack of skill.
Soneya had been so focused on her task that she hadn’t even heard what Kaevad had said. The distant sound of his voice had pierced her concentration at some point but she hadn’t understood the words. When she now saw how dark the sky was becoming at a rather quick pace, she figured that was what he had said. A storm was brewing, and it wasn’t going to wait too much longer before the flood gates would be opened. Quickly helping Rhyn gather the game, she ran for the cave entrance. How much time had she spent on that damn rabbit? Or was the storm just moving extremely quickly?
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn lifted her nose to the air at Kaevad's warning of the storm, scenting the air for herself. Amid the thick scents of forest and glen, she managed to sort out the scent of rain, a slight sharpness to the air speaking of lightning. One round ear flicked at the dragon in acknowledgement, but her eyes remained sharply on Soneya as the girl began to cut at the rabbit. The task took longer, thanks to her inexperience, but Rhyn did not feel that it was a bad thing. New things always took a little while to learn.
But now, as Soneya was finishing up the rabbit, the storm was nearly upon them. She managed an openmouthed grin as she replied "Good. Beginner, but good." The leopard took the knife back, cleaning it on the furred side of one of the hides. She had taken the time to pluck the pheasant and remove the innards from it as well as the first rabbit while watching Soneya skin the second. Now, even though the storm was nearly there, she paused to take the innards from the second. Once that was finished, she hurried after the girl, her ears flattening outwards as the first droplets of rain found her a few steps before she reached the shelter of the cave.
The entrance of the cave was splattered lightly with a few raindrops as she shook herself. A few moments later, she was readying the rabbits to cook over the fire.
But now, as Soneya was finishing up the rabbit, the storm was nearly upon them. She managed an openmouthed grin as she replied "Good. Beginner, but good." The leopard took the knife back, cleaning it on the furred side of one of the hides. She had taken the time to pluck the pheasant and remove the innards from it as well as the first rabbit while watching Soneya skin the second. Now, even though the storm was nearly there, she paused to take the innards from the second. Once that was finished, she hurried after the girl, her ears flattening outwards as the first droplets of rain found her a few steps before she reached the shelter of the cave.
The entrance of the cave was splattered lightly with a few raindrops as she shook herself. A few moments later, she was readying the rabbits to cook over the fire.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
He was dozing - nearly asleep - when the two came in. Kaevad cracked an eye open to watch them, only to close it again moments later. The rain began to fall more steadily even as thunder rumbled overhead. The scent of cooking rabbit was a warm and welcoming one - even though he still wasn't really hungry. A bright flash and a crack of thunder signaled the true beginning of the storm as the rain began to torrent down.
"A beauty of a storm..." he rumbled, his voice and accent thick. "Shall be good for the healthy crops, and bad for the weak... a rain of cleansing." He stood, making a quiet noise as his joint popped. Out he stepped into the torrential downpour to tilt his face up and enjoy the cool droplets. He opened his mouth, allowing the water to slide down his throat. He laughed, giddy now, as thunder roared overhead.
"A bloody fine beauty of a storm! Changers be blessed!" he roared in laughter even as the wing gusted and thunder cracked and roared around him.
"A beauty of a storm..." he rumbled, his voice and accent thick. "Shall be good for the healthy crops, and bad for the weak... a rain of cleansing." He stood, making a quiet noise as his joint popped. Out he stepped into the torrential downpour to tilt his face up and enjoy the cool droplets. He opened his mouth, allowing the water to slide down his throat. He laughed, giddy now, as thunder roared overhead.
"A bloody fine beauty of a storm! Changers be blessed!" he roared in laughter even as the wing gusted and thunder cracked and roared around him.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Glad to be in the cave before the downpour hit, Soneya gave Rhyn a hand with the preparations of the meal, though there was little to do once the meat was cooking over the fire. The growing smell was making her stomach rumble and her mouth water – she hadn’t even realised she had been this hungry until now. She could already notice that she was gaining a little weight, despite the exercise they were doing with all the walking, but she had rarely had so many meals in so many consecutive days at home. Her headaches seemed to have grown less, which was a good thing, though it did make her wonder what the difference was. Being out of her parents’ house? Being out of Marn? Being with friends? She couldn’t pinpoint it but she knew it had to be a good change. For anything relieving her of constant headaches could only be considered a blessing.
When Kaevad went to stand in the rain, Soneya looked at Rhyn with a raised eyebrow? “Has the sun gotten to him or something?” She couldn’t fathom why the dragonshifter would suddenly want to bathe in the rain and play outside in the storm. He hadn’t done this the last time there had been a storm. It was odd, but hilarious at the same time.
Getting up from where she had made herself comfortable on one of the furs, Soneya stepped to the entrance of the cave. The smell of the rain was intoxicating almost and she inhaled deeply before stretching her hand out to catch a few drops of water. Instantly, she felt its cool touch soothe her down to her big toe. It was odd how wonderful she felt as soon as she was in touch with water and if it hadn’t been for the fact that her clothes would turn completely see-through most likely, she would have stepped outside into the storm as well.
Instead, she stepped back inside. The rabbits were practically done now as well and she couldn’t wait to dig in. Plus, the longer she sat on that fur, the more enticing it became to simply lie back and fall asleep...
When Kaevad went to stand in the rain, Soneya looked at Rhyn with a raised eyebrow? “Has the sun gotten to him or something?” She couldn’t fathom why the dragonshifter would suddenly want to bathe in the rain and play outside in the storm. He hadn’t done this the last time there had been a storm. It was odd, but hilarious at the same time.
Getting up from where she had made herself comfortable on one of the furs, Soneya stepped to the entrance of the cave. The smell of the rain was intoxicating almost and she inhaled deeply before stretching her hand out to catch a few drops of water. Instantly, she felt its cool touch soothe her down to her big toe. It was odd how wonderful she felt as soon as she was in touch with water and if it hadn’t been for the fact that her clothes would turn completely see-through most likely, she would have stepped outside into the storm as well.
Instead, she stepped back inside. The rabbits were practically done now as well and she couldn’t wait to dig in. Plus, the longer she sat on that fur, the more enticing it became to simply lie back and fall asleep...
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn shook her head as the dragon stepped out into the rain. She was not so silly as to get all wet. Granted, her fur would soak through eventually, and wet fur was a hassle. Instead the cat stayed and kept an eye on the rabbits. She would go out soon, and collect mud, to bake the pheasant in the coals. Or maybe she could make Kaevad do it. She wasn't all that fond of water. In the high reaches, melted snow meant death.
She yawned slightly the scent of the rabbits tickling her nose. It was quite delicious. If there was one thing she could be happy with about the low lands, it was the plentiful game. She could find food in the high reaches, but down here it was as though she simply stumbled onto it. Rhyn poked at one of the rabbits with a knife. It was done. "Dinner.
She yawned slightly the scent of the rabbits tickling her nose. It was quite delicious. If there was one thing she could be happy with about the low lands, it was the plentiful game. She could find food in the high reaches, but down here it was as though she simply stumbled onto it. Rhyn poked at one of the rabbits with a knife. It was done. "Dinner.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
He wanted to continue to roar and dance in the rain, however... he'd become aware of the looks he was receiving from his women. Chuckling and slightly embarrassed, he stepped into the cave, moving away from them politely so he could wring most of the water from his now crimson-looking hair. "I'll pass, thank you, still full from the other day." He voice rumbled easily to them as he eyed his pants. He would take them off and allow them to dry under normal circumstances... and they HAVE seen him nude before.
"Would you ladies mind if I strip to allow my pants to dry? It is not as though you have not seen me nude before."
"Would you ladies mind if I strip to allow my pants to dry? It is not as though you have not seen me nude before."
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
The scent of cooked rabbit filled the cave and Soneya sighed happily as Rhyn announced that dinner was ready. Her stomach cheerfully agreed with that statement and the girl gratefully took a piece of the rabbit she was being offered. From all the game they had already cooked, she started to think that rabbit may be her favourite. Or well no, maybe she preferred deer actually, but deer were harder to kill under normal circumstances – and by normal she meant without the help of a dragon or a really good hunter such as Rhyn.
At Kaevad’s question, she instantly blushed. She remembered the naked incident all too clearly and every embarrassment and rush that had gone hand in hand with it. There was no denying that she had found his body very enticing but he had done it to tease them and get some payback on Rhyn. This however.. This was different. He deliberately wanted to take his clothes off? Why? Why on earth would he…?! That was when she realised that his pants were completely soaked from the rain, and dragon or no, he could catch cold from sitting in wet clothes for hours on end.
“Ahm.. yeah.. ok,” she mumbled, feebly pointing towards the furs while frantically concentrating on the meat in her other hand. She really, really hoped that Kaevad would just wrap himself into a fur once the pants were off but she was already pretty sure that he wasn’t going to do that. ‘I am not going to look, I am not going to look,’ she repeated to herself over and over in her head but she couldn’t resist. As embarrassing as she felt this to be, she couldn’t not sneak a peek.
At Kaevad’s question, she instantly blushed. She remembered the naked incident all too clearly and every embarrassment and rush that had gone hand in hand with it. There was no denying that she had found his body very enticing but he had done it to tease them and get some payback on Rhyn. This however.. This was different. He deliberately wanted to take his clothes off? Why? Why on earth would he…?! That was when she realised that his pants were completely soaked from the rain, and dragon or no, he could catch cold from sitting in wet clothes for hours on end.
“Ahm.. yeah.. ok,” she mumbled, feebly pointing towards the furs while frantically concentrating on the meat in her other hand. She really, really hoped that Kaevad would just wrap himself into a fur once the pants were off but she was already pretty sure that he wasn’t going to do that. ‘I am not going to look, I am not going to look,’ she repeated to herself over and over in her head but she couldn’t resist. As embarrassing as she felt this to be, she couldn’t not sneak a peek.