King Elk Forest Like a Gilded Idol

Hah-oh-nee-yah-oh, He enunciated. It's fine; you can call me Yao for short, he wasn't old enough to be referred to by his full name anyway. Even if he returned with epic stories and scars aplenty, he wouldn't have the clout. He didn't mind it much anyway. Yao was easier for foreigners to pronounce.

He had not been hungry when the hunt had started, but the exertion of the chase and bringing down the elk had riled up his hunger. It tapered when his companion — he hadn't gotten his name yet had he? — spoke of his familial duty. A family then. I won't take much then, He avoided the juicier bits, the nutritious things that a pack with an expecting mother would require. Instead he began to tear into one of the elk's hind legs. It'd be tough with muscle, but it'd give him something to chew on for a while.

"Yao," He repeated, settling down onto the ground to take the pressure off his new friend as he ate his fill. He'd never heard a name like Haoniyao before- so he wondered where Yao had come from, what his home was like, and naturally, he wanted to learn more about the other language he spoke. In part, of course, he wanted to hear Yao speak more because he liked his accent- but he knew it'd be impolite to distract Yao with questions while he ate. 

Selflessly, Yao offered to take less- but Bronco wasn't having it, and he shook his head. "We hunted together, we split it even. You c'n save some for later, but don't take any less'n what you want. An' eat some of the good stuff," He said with a laugh, having noticed that Yao seemed to courteously choose the tougher parts to begin with. To give Yao some silence, Bronco began to tidy himself up, cleaning his fur to rid himself of some of the blood spatter even though he knew he'd just get bloody again when the time came to tear the carcass into chunks- but it was something he could do quietly, and take the pressure of conversation off Yao while he ate.

Yao shook his head. He really couldn't take half their catch! Not when his family was much more deserving. Even if his companion insisted, he couldn't let himself do that. I'll start here, though, Yao conceded, beginning to tear into the leg. He worked his way through the junction between the leg and the body, getting into the softer parts and working his way inward. After a few moments of gnawing and chewing, he pulled his head back and returned the question to his companion. What's your name?

He gave Yao some space and time to eat, but he looked up from his primping when he was asked a question- and only then did he realize that he hadn't introduced himself. "Oh! Sorry!" He blurted, realizing it might've been a bit rude of him not to identify himself as well. "I'm Bronco," He said. "And I'm from a pack called the Firebirds, that lives just-" He said, gesturing with a flick of his nose in the right direction, "there, in a place called Sun Mote Copse." He said. "I dunno if you're looking for a home, or if you belong to a pack," He said, "But I'd vouch at least for you being a good hunter," He said with a smile. "An' for not bein' a total nutcase like blondie there," He laughed.

He looked at the man, satisfied that he had a name. Bronco, he said. With his accent, the r was rolled. Yao chuckled. Maybe that'll be enough for me to get in, He couldn't imagine that anyone sane would tolerate the golden wolf. No one in his family could, that was for sure. Too pompous, too cowardly for anyone he knew to handle. I'll consider it, He nodded. I'm not sure how long I will be here. He had only been in this place for a few moments after all. Though he felt that he would stick around, given the exotic array of species he had already found.

Bronco smiled. He couldn't imagine why someone like Yao wouldn't make the cut- he was calm and reasonable, a capable hunter and he knew how to be serious when it counted. He hadn't lost his temper at Solanus, and he had also been ready to follow a stranger into a hunt without exchanging even so much as an introduction. Of course, Bronco wasn't trained yet on what exactly was necessary for a wolf to be admitted into the pack, but he had a good feeling that Yao was exactly the kind of wolf who would fit in. He'd probably get along quite well with Wraen, Bronco thought- and maybe that'd be nice. Wraen was making too many jokes about being an 'old spinster,' so maybe someone like Yao could change her mind and make her feel young again. 

"Just that way," Bronco said, smiling, as a reminder to Yao where the pack could be found. It was a second invitation, to encourage him that if he did choose to stay in the area, he would be welcomed- in the very least as a visitor. The Firebirds were the welcoming sort, and would permit visitors so long as they were escorted by a packmate, and Bronco liked the idea of getting to know Yao more, learning from him...And possibly introducing him to Wraen. "Well...I ought start gettin' some of this torn up," He said, stepping forward to their kill, and felt his stomach gurgle. He was hungry- but he'd wait until he'd dragged his portion home before he ate. 

It wasn't difficult to sever the creature, given the fact that Haoniyao had already eaten his fill and in doing so, had created a fair gouge into the elk's side. The toughest part was, of course, the bones but his teeth and jaws were made for strength. He was able to tear the carcass into two parts, albeit messily, leaving a good portion for Haoniyao to eat or cache, while he took his own prize back to the pack with him. "This has been a pleasure, Yao," He said, with a fond smile. "I better get this back to my pack...But...I do hope our paths cross again," He said, with a small nod.

Thanks so much for this first thread for Haoniyao! Last post from me

Yao nodded and turned his head in the direction Bronco pointed to. He committed the direction to memory, though it was hazy within his internal map. He wasn't entirely sure yet what he would do, but one day he would have to see the place for himself, if only to expand his knowledge of this land.

He assisted Bronco in breaking his portion of the carcass off. He couldn't just leave the man to struggle, after all that they had done together. Safari njema. He turned his attention back to the elk carcass, still marveling over the size of the creature. He would have to stay here awhile.