Emberwood banned from the gucci store

When he found his way back to Emberwood, the scent markers were stronger than before. Caracal stopped at what he perceived to be the borders, setting down the doe’s leg he’d fetched for Rose. Now he hoped to gift it to @Killdeer. He just hoped he was here.

Tag is invitational but not obligational! Anyone from Arcana is welcome. :)

Sweet leg, dude, Killdeer remarked, coming through the brush with a wry smile curving his muzzle. Last they'd seen each other, Killer had been taking a monster dump; he'd finished up to find Caracal gone, and had been coaxed into a hunt soon after that.

So they'd split up. For a while. But today, the dynamic duo were, for now, back in force.

He nosed at the limb, nostrils flaring. It was still fresh. Where'd you get this? he asked. He was almost positive Cal couldn't take a deer down on his own. More likely he'd snagged it off a carcass before the vultures got to it.

But, still cool, anyway.

Killer didn’t seem to be pissed, so Caracal sighed in relief, dropping the leg at his friend’s feet. He did a little dance with his forelegs, then bent down to nudge it toward him, making it clear he intended it as a gift.

I shit you not, I found it floating in a stream. It was still attached. Hopefully the cold water kept it pretty fresh. Anyway, it’s for you, if that wasn’t clear. And I was hoping I could talk to you, he said, pausing if only to take a breath, about whether you want to keep traveling?

He was way too mellow to be pissed; besides, he knew Caracal couldn't be away from him for long. They were bros, right? And speaking of a bro move. . .

Thanks, Killdeer replied, smiling. He took a cautious nibble at the fleshier part of the leg, chewing slowly, methodically. Hmm. Nohh' badh, he drawled with his mouth full.

He nudged the leg the other direction in invitation and was swallowing when Caracal went on.

The meat went down like a cold, hard lump, and it seemed to stick in his chest. Yeah. I dunno, Cal. I'm torn. He cleared his throat briefly, and shrugged.

I like being near my parents. And this place is pretty cool. But I miss the rest of 'em. Gramma—er, your mom, and Rue 'n' your sisters. It's just not the same without everyone here.

His phrasing gave no indication of how he expected or hoped Killdeer might answer. But when he said the word “torn,” Caracal visibly sagged. That was exactly how he felt! He should’ve known Killer would be on the same page. He reached out for a casual fist bump of solidarity.

Maybe we could join a pack, just for a bit? This one, or… my mom’s living with Moonglow. Even if we don’t want to go there to stay, we should definitely visit. I’m not sure about Auntie Woo… but maybe mom knows.

Flopping down beside the younger wolf and his meal, Caracal let out a relieved sigh. It was good to get off his feet. That reminded him, I ran into Sphyra and helped pluck some thorns out of her ass. She wasn’t here, so he let himself snicker about it. Made me think of how I wouldn’t mind going somewhere where I can pick up my caretaker training again.

He picked at a blade of dead grass as he thought aloud, though he paused and looked at Killdeer’s face, wondering suddenly if his nephew had any particular vocations. What kind of training might interest him, if they did decide to crash somewhere on a more permanent basis?

Ah, he was glad they were on the same page. The prospect of visiting Towhee intrigued him; he need not say anything, for his ears perked up and a delighted look spread across his face.

Ew, he remarked briefly at the whole thorns-in-ass sitch. But, yeah, sure. Wait—you wanna be a caretaker?

He'd noticed Caracal was fairly adept at taking care of wounds and the like, but he just assumed that was something they needed to do on the road. A duty out of necessity.

He was under the impression that girls were caretakers. Guys were warriors, big and tough. . .it didn't add up.

But. . .whatever floated Cal's boat, he supposed.

I'm down to visit Towhee, he added.

Bro, Caracal said in reply to Killdeer’s surprised question, slinging an arm over his buddy’s shoulder, how do you think I’ve kept you alive all this time? I took care of ya. He clapped his paw on his nephew’s back with a playful chuckle, then gestured meaningfully at the deer leg, all in good fun.

Alright, let’s head to Moonglow soon. We can ask her about Auntie Woo. I know she knows a bit about healing, so she could teach me. Or, y’know, your mom could, Caracal mused aloud, wondering what it’d be like to learn from Fennec. His older sister kind of intimidated him.

Wanna fade this’un with your next post? :)

yerp!

He supposed that was true, but like, that was just what bros did? He didn't think that necessity necessarily correlated to a career passion—but then, he hadn't yet found his own "calling," or whatever. If Caracal wanted to do it, Killer would be behind him all the way.

My Mom would play tricks on you the whole time, he mused as the two stood and traipsed back into the woods. Auntie Woo would be much easier to deal with.