01-22-2010, 07:14 PM
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http://i950.photobucket.com/albums/ad34 ... s/truc.png); background-repeat:no-repeat; padding-top:187px; background-position:top center; background-color:#F8BB4D; text-align:justify; font-family:georgia; font-size:11px; color:#AB360D; line-height:15px;padding-bottom:10px;">I think we can fade to black. ^^ This'll be my last post then... y'all feel free to reply again if you want, or if not, we can archive it!
@&#&$Like a depression era grandma who squabbled over three cents on a gallon of milk at the check-out line, he'd never quite snapped out of that "famine mindset." Like his smaller companion, he'd grown up where resources were scarce--wolfing down any captured prey immediately was highly advisable as it was otherwise impossible to eat in peace. It was for this reason, too, that cooking food did not occur to him; if the scent of cooked meat didn't get 'em, then surely the smoke would. They'd be drawn in like moths to a flame, it'd take that much longer before the food could be eaten (supposing it wasn't done or it wasn't cool enough), and that didn't even touch on the fact it was wildly unnecessary. The Caelum was hardly a picky eater--though he certainly preferred fresh food to carrion, he didn't mind picking at another hunter's leftovers in the winter especially.
@&#&$As food was so plentiful in this pocket of the world, he found the sheer amount of regular violence doubly ridiculous. Pride didn't count for much when you were struggling to survive--with basic needs no longer a cause for concern, they were all free to get caught up in more trivial, superficial things. He'd long believed that egos alone stood in the way of peace here in Nova Scotia. No one who came from a desolate wasteland as he'd grown up in would ever want to fight supposing there was no real need; they'd be grateful for the general feeling of security. He'd been stuck in that rough and tumble frame of mind when he first came here, but into his older years he grew weary of such unnecessary bloodshed. In some ways he was simply tired of it; he craved stability more than anything else and inter-pack politics were certainly a part of that.
@&#&$That said, this cordial little visit was doing him rather well. Though he'd never be able to turn off the part of his brain that demanded he absorb absolutely every detail possible--from each unique scent to the more beaten in pathways--he did it calmly and almost passively. He did not feel the usual adrenaline rush he experienced when taking an inside look at another pack's land; this was largely due to Naniko's generally easy-going demeanour, but Snake's cool presence was also reassuring. By the time they reached their destination, there seemed as much white as dull greenish-brown--the herd was truly of a remarkable size. Any questions he might have had could now be "answered" by simple observation. He peered at the barns in particular, guessing that the animals holed up here at night or if it grew too cold outside.
@&#&$As she presented their intended snack he offered a gracious nod, sniffing at it curiously. "The texture of this animal's fur seems similar to that of some fabric found in the old city," he observed, poking at it with his nose. He waited to see if she would like any for herself first before tearing off a few small chunks. He chewed on the meat thoughtfully, savouring the unique taste rather than gulping it down all at once. "It reminds me of a mountain goat above all else--but more tender, less stringy," he remarked, impressed by the first quality most as the meat was partially frozen. If he'd known the difference, he would've simply called it less "gamey." As all food he ate had that wild, lean taste to it, he had no use for such a distinction (or the terminology that followed).
@&#&$"This whole set-up is mighty impressive," he complimented at last, as he licked the last few tastes of sheep from his lips. "If there is some way to collect these animals' milk, I may a business proposition to discuss with you in the future," he added, suddenly remembering Rurik's recipe. "That likely wouldn't be until the summer, though," he told her, assuming there was no sense in getting into the details now. He'd need the apples and other fruit before he could brew the samogon anyway. Something else clicked into place then, too; wasn't Naniko the woman Savina had spoken of? Maybe it was wrong to speak of a drug deal with the former Commander; maybe she wouldn't even be interested. She certainly seemed perfectly friendly and coherent now, but now he couldn't help but wonder. He fell into some sort of mental loop then, utterly uncertain as to whether or not he should follow up on his proposal if she expressed any interest.
@&#&$As with most else, he resolved to cross that bridge when he came to it. He offered a gentle smile, but somehow deep in his heart it felt wrong. He didn't want to run out on her after her display of generosity; perhaps they could discuss something neutral instead. "So what do you do for them deep in the winter? The sheep, I mean.. assuming not enough grass grows to keep them fed?" Yes; this seemed as good a topic as any. Perhaps they could discuss the woolly animals a bit longer before he and Snake took their leave.
mall-caps;font-weight:bold;text-align:right; border-top:1px solid #AB360D">SoSuWriMo +857
@&#&$As food was so plentiful in this pocket of the world, he found the sheer amount of regular violence doubly ridiculous. Pride didn't count for much when you were struggling to survive--with basic needs no longer a cause for concern, they were all free to get caught up in more trivial, superficial things. He'd long believed that egos alone stood in the way of peace here in Nova Scotia. No one who came from a desolate wasteland as he'd grown up in would ever want to fight supposing there was no real need; they'd be grateful for the general feeling of security. He'd been stuck in that rough and tumble frame of mind when he first came here, but into his older years he grew weary of such unnecessary bloodshed. In some ways he was simply tired of it; he craved stability more than anything else and inter-pack politics were certainly a part of that.
@&#&$That said, this cordial little visit was doing him rather well. Though he'd never be able to turn off the part of his brain that demanded he absorb absolutely every detail possible--from each unique scent to the more beaten in pathways--he did it calmly and almost passively. He did not feel the usual adrenaline rush he experienced when taking an inside look at another pack's land; this was largely due to Naniko's generally easy-going demeanour, but Snake's cool presence was also reassuring. By the time they reached their destination, there seemed as much white as dull greenish-brown--the herd was truly of a remarkable size. Any questions he might have had could now be "answered" by simple observation. He peered at the barns in particular, guessing that the animals holed up here at night or if it grew too cold outside.
@&#&$As she presented their intended snack he offered a gracious nod, sniffing at it curiously. "The texture of this animal's fur seems similar to that of some fabric found in the old city," he observed, poking at it with his nose. He waited to see if she would like any for herself first before tearing off a few small chunks. He chewed on the meat thoughtfully, savouring the unique taste rather than gulping it down all at once. "It reminds me of a mountain goat above all else--but more tender, less stringy," he remarked, impressed by the first quality most as the meat was partially frozen. If he'd known the difference, he would've simply called it less "gamey." As all food he ate had that wild, lean taste to it, he had no use for such a distinction (or the terminology that followed).
@&#&$"This whole set-up is mighty impressive," he complimented at last, as he licked the last few tastes of sheep from his lips. "If there is some way to collect these animals' milk, I may a business proposition to discuss with you in the future," he added, suddenly remembering Rurik's recipe. "That likely wouldn't be until the summer, though," he told her, assuming there was no sense in getting into the details now. He'd need the apples and other fruit before he could brew the samogon anyway. Something else clicked into place then, too; wasn't Naniko the woman Savina had spoken of? Maybe it was wrong to speak of a drug deal with the former Commander; maybe she wouldn't even be interested. She certainly seemed perfectly friendly and coherent now, but now he couldn't help but wonder. He fell into some sort of mental loop then, utterly uncertain as to whether or not he should follow up on his proposal if she expressed any interest.
@&#&$As with most else, he resolved to cross that bridge when he came to it. He offered a gentle smile, but somehow deep in his heart it felt wrong. He didn't want to run out on her after her display of generosity; perhaps they could discuss something neutral instead. "So what do you do for them deep in the winter? The sheep, I mean.. assuming not enough grass grows to keep them fed?" Yes; this seemed as good a topic as any. Perhaps they could discuss the woolly animals a bit longer before he and Snake took their leave.
mall-caps;font-weight:bold;text-align:right; border-top:1px solid #AB360D">SoSuWriMo +857