The Way We were Born

Pripyat Soul · 01-02-2012, 05:16 PM

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The boy arrived empty handed. Or rather empty mouthed. On four legs he came to them, barrel chest on long and lanky legs, his head held level with those of the others. Slowly his form was filling out, less thin and more defined, more muscular and yet he felt an awkward adolescent boy just then. Pripyat Soul walked into the group of canines assembled and felt more useless and unsure of himself than he ever had since arriving in Ichika no Ho-en. Eyes the color of the ocean looked from all the faces already present, recognizing them all but feeling drawn to no one in particular. "Namaste." Pripyat bowed his head deep and seated himself, unhappy to be still in his lupus form.

Four legs had plagued him since the morning. Before the sun peaked through the winter clouds he had removed the pouch at his hip, leaving all human tools in the Abbey. From then until now he had been out, looking for a proper offering to bring to Hibernal. Often he had decided against pursuing a rabbit or quail. Too small and quick to be worth the effort. Twice he had tried and failed at larger prey: a goose and a really large hare but unaccustomed to chasing things through the snow Pripyat had been too slow each time. The man longed for his bow as the sun sank deeper over the course of the day and he was still without prey in Wentworth Valley when he heard the call of Kozan.

Wearily he made his way toward Dahlia Valley, his heart hanging heavier with each step he took. Accidentally he came across Nayru, who was lounging outside the den he knew did not belong to her. Dipping his head low to the woman, eyes inquired if she would join him on the trek to the feast but she shook her head. "I cannot. I feel very ill today." And Pripyat only looked pitying at the pregnant lady, obviously weary from her own day as he moved on. Alone he arrived among the others, and felt very unhappy to not have his flint and stone and be able to make fire for them all. Tonight was not a night for bonfires.

"Nayru is not feeling well. She is taking to bed early this night." Pripyat spoke to no one in particular, but his eyes wandered over the family Jace and Temo brought with them as he spoke. Very soon their Jiryu would have one of her own, and if she choose to skip Hibernal this year that was her right. There was enough of them now, even if not all had joined, and he sighed heavily, waiting for any others to wander in later than he had himself.

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