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10-04-2013, 05:01 PM
Politics and new meetings aside, there were needs every creature had to fill. Food was a sad necessity for all, and it was common sense for all centaurs to start searching for it before you started to get grumpy. Who, after all, had the patience to stand for hours on end on an open plain, with the wind tugging at mane and tail and snow drifting around the fetlocks while waiting for a hare to fall for the trap when the stomach was growling?
It came without saying that their appetite was the biggest weakness of any oh his kind, and there were many myths and fables revolving around the subject of their tummies. Food was a constant element in all the tales, whether as the source of argument or the resolution to strife; with two stomachs and a high maintenance body it wasn't all that surprising, and thus it was that hunting, gathering and eating was one of the more regular tasks for Kelec.
For now however, the work was over. A fire built from a dead pine tree crackled merrily before him, it's light illuminating the landscape in the gathering dusk. Earlier in the day the sun had been warming the snow into a soft, wet slush during the day, but now that the sun had disappeared a thin crust had formed, glittering and treacherous under the light of the dancing northern lights. It was cold, but where he camped in the delve between two gently rising hills the winds were gentle and the campfire provided all the assistance he needed in staying alive. And, best of all; hanging on wooden spits over the warming flames were fresh pieces of newly caught ptarmigan, the fat, plump meat of the bird slowly roasting while giving off a scent that made the mouth of the omnivore water in anticipation. He hummed where he stood and waited, arms crossed over the vest-clad chest and chestnut hips tilted in a relaxed stance. An image of complete calm, of supreme contentment as golden light caressed the tanned skin and reflected within glittering blue eyes.
Kelec found that he rather enjoyed this unforgiving, seemingly barren landscape. It was cold and harsh, darkness fell quickly in the evening and the sun was slow to rise. Despite this there were plenty of life to be found, from wild birds and rodents to small carnivores and quite a lot of hawks and other birds of prey. Not too long ago he had seen a snow falcon take a hare in a daring swoop, only to quickly begin devouring the red meat. It had been able to feast for some time, until the moment a small white fox had found the fresh kill. The falcon had tried to defend its food, but not surprisingly the fox had won and soon disappeared with its prize - leaving the white bird disappointed and unsatisfied.
Not unlike his own situation, come to think of it. But whether he was the hare, the falcon or the fox remained to be seen; all the centaur knew was that it would be wise to wait, to listen and learn before he did something. He itched to create something for himself, form a place he could call his own and make a living; but the unicorns he had met so far seemed slow to decide, unwilling to accept too much change at one time. Would they permit him to assist them in creating a more comfortable life? Would they stand to see him alter the shape of their valley, to suit his own needs and theirs too?
A log fell to the ground in a pile of charred coals, sending a cloud of red sparks towards the nightly sky. The red-haired horseman leaned down and threw a few more branches onto the pyre, then reached for one of the spits - and froze. A sound had caught his ears, turned his attention away from the alluring meal and out into the night. Slowly, while holding his breath he turned the head to the side and glanced towards the edge of the light, at a pair of golden, glowing eyes that peered back uncertainly. For a moment the half-horse and the lone wolf stared at each other, both unwilling to look away; then Kelec smiled quietly and reached the final few inches towards the meat and picked it up, pulled a good-sized chunk off the stick and threw it out into the cold. The the canine leaped into the air and caught the warm meat in its powerful jaws, a single slender movement exuding power and grace. It landed, gave the peculiar creature a single curt nod - and disappeared, as silently and suddenly as it had arrived.
"Well, that was... odd" the stud mumbled quietly to himself after a while before digging his teeth into the rest of the meat. He remained silent after that while consuming his meal - alone, enjoying the night and the dancing shadows that surrounded him.
@[Ranjiri]
It came without saying that their appetite was the biggest weakness of any oh his kind, and there were many myths and fables revolving around the subject of their tummies. Food was a constant element in all the tales, whether as the source of argument or the resolution to strife; with two stomachs and a high maintenance body it wasn't all that surprising, and thus it was that hunting, gathering and eating was one of the more regular tasks for Kelec.
For now however, the work was over. A fire built from a dead pine tree crackled merrily before him, it's light illuminating the landscape in the gathering dusk. Earlier in the day the sun had been warming the snow into a soft, wet slush during the day, but now that the sun had disappeared a thin crust had formed, glittering and treacherous under the light of the dancing northern lights. It was cold, but where he camped in the delve between two gently rising hills the winds were gentle and the campfire provided all the assistance he needed in staying alive. And, best of all; hanging on wooden spits over the warming flames were fresh pieces of newly caught ptarmigan, the fat, plump meat of the bird slowly roasting while giving off a scent that made the mouth of the omnivore water in anticipation. He hummed where he stood and waited, arms crossed over the vest-clad chest and chestnut hips tilted in a relaxed stance. An image of complete calm, of supreme contentment as golden light caressed the tanned skin and reflected within glittering blue eyes.
Kelec found that he rather enjoyed this unforgiving, seemingly barren landscape. It was cold and harsh, darkness fell quickly in the evening and the sun was slow to rise. Despite this there were plenty of life to be found, from wild birds and rodents to small carnivores and quite a lot of hawks and other birds of prey. Not too long ago he had seen a snow falcon take a hare in a daring swoop, only to quickly begin devouring the red meat. It had been able to feast for some time, until the moment a small white fox had found the fresh kill. The falcon had tried to defend its food, but not surprisingly the fox had won and soon disappeared with its prize - leaving the white bird disappointed and unsatisfied.
Not unlike his own situation, come to think of it. But whether he was the hare, the falcon or the fox remained to be seen; all the centaur knew was that it would be wise to wait, to listen and learn before he did something. He itched to create something for himself, form a place he could call his own and make a living; but the unicorns he had met so far seemed slow to decide, unwilling to accept too much change at one time. Would they permit him to assist them in creating a more comfortable life? Would they stand to see him alter the shape of their valley, to suit his own needs and theirs too?
A log fell to the ground in a pile of charred coals, sending a cloud of red sparks towards the nightly sky. The red-haired horseman leaned down and threw a few more branches onto the pyre, then reached for one of the spits - and froze. A sound had caught his ears, turned his attention away from the alluring meal and out into the night. Slowly, while holding his breath he turned the head to the side and glanced towards the edge of the light, at a pair of golden, glowing eyes that peered back uncertainly. For a moment the half-horse and the lone wolf stared at each other, both unwilling to look away; then Kelec smiled quietly and reached the final few inches towards the meat and picked it up, pulled a good-sized chunk off the stick and threw it out into the cold. The the canine leaped into the air and caught the warm meat in its powerful jaws, a single slender movement exuding power and grace. It landed, gave the peculiar creature a single curt nod - and disappeared, as silently and suddenly as it had arrived.
"Well, that was... odd" the stud mumbled quietly to himself after a while before digging his teeth into the rest of the meat. He remained silent after that while consuming his meal - alone, enjoying the night and the dancing shadows that surrounded him.
@[Ranjiri]
