Nowhere to Hide {Naomi}

[Akira]

Naomi slowly blinked her eyes open and smiled happily when she saw that Korvin was still lying beside her. He had stayed with her all night, and he actually looked really peaceful when he slept. She slowly, and extremely carefully, slid out from under the fur, and out of the make-shift bed, trying her hardest not to wake him up. A small smile spread across her lips as she looked down at him for a moment before carefully standing and stretching. After she was fully stretched, she carefully walked over to where the glowing embers of the fire still burned. She put a few more logs on it, and then used the little bit of tinder that she had found, and started the fire anew. She didn’t finish tending it until she had a nice warm, welcoming fire that would stay lit until she was ready.

Naomi then woke Akela and Sarabi, and the three of them left the cave to go find breakfast. She could see that the sun hadn’t fully set yet, and was giving the sky a nice dark orange hue. After gazing at the setting sun for a moment longer, she took her canines out into the forest to have a quick hunt. That was something they hadn’t done in quite a while, but watching her dogs quickly pick up a scent, and start tracking their prey made her actually miss the old days when it was just her Akela and Ayame. Thinking of the old dog made her sad, so she quickly changed her thoughts to something less depressing, and instead focused on the hunt. It wasn’t long before the three of them found, and took down, a nice sized wild herdbeast. It actually took all three of them to drag the thing back to the cave.

Naomi quickly set to skinning, and preparing the food to cook, and was thankful Korvin had had enough sense to keep a few useful cooking supplies. Soon enough she had the majority of the meat over the fire roasting while she finished working on the hide to make it so that it would be useful as a sleeping fur if needed. She had cut up what had been left over and was also preparing some food for the dogs and whers. What Korvin would do when he saw her cooking was beyond her, though she could picture him with quite the astonished look on his face. She smirked at the thought, and realized that he had never seen her do anything that what a normal wher candidate would do. She tilted her head to the side and wondered if he would be willing to let her hunt with him one last time before they parted ways forever.

[Zirin]

It wasn't the sudden careful movement beside him that woke Korvin, nor was it the sounds of the fire being restarted by Naomi. He couldn't quite say what it was that woke him, but either way he blinked open tired eyes in time to see Naomi and her canines leaving. So, this was it then. It would be her walking out on him this time that brought their... whatever it was to an end. He glanced about, noting that even Boar and Gray had slept through Naomi's departure. Perhaps she really was a good huntress, to have avoided waking any of them. It was then he realized that Nask was likely still at the back of the cave, since he hadn't see the wher leave with Naomi. So.. would she be coming back? He yawned, still much too tired to get up and do anything just yet, so he settled back to sleep, deciding to worry about everything later.

Gray lifted her head as the scent of naomi's canines reached her, and she skittered over to great the returning canines before settling in to hungrily watch Naomi. It had been a long time since she had gotten a good meal, and to have meat so teasingly close was driving the young female insane.

Korvin blinked his eyes open once more at the sound of something being dragged across the ground. Groaning, he sit up, clutching his head as his eyes adjusted to the light in the cave. It was then that the image before him finally registered; Naomi had somehow dragged a whole herdbeast into his cave! The huntress was correct in assuming Korvin would have an astonished look on his face, though she was probably too busy tending to her kill to notice he was even really awake. Gray noticed, however, and was quick to bound to his side, yipping happily as she tackled him back to the ground.

"Whoa, y'crazy mutt. Ge'roff me!" He pushed her to the side, giving her a good few moment of petting before remembering that Naomi could see his act of love. He glanced back at Naomi, gulping at the idea of her having a knife. He couldn't deny that seeing just how capable she was was.. well... alluring. The last time he had known such an independant woman was when his mother and sisters were still alive. He suddenly felt horribly dirty for some reason... and with a quickly barked 'Mornin' ran out of the cave, Gray at his heels, yipping like there was nothing wrong.

He returned a few moments later, completely soaked but feeling wide awake at least (and probably smelling a bit better than he had). He sat down across the beast, giving it an appreciate glance for the sheer size of it. He knew he should say something, but he didn't know what.

"Uh.. D'ya.." He scratched his head. "D'ya need help?"

[Akira]

Naomi turned her head to look over as Grey started yipping, and raised her eyes as she watched Korvin petting his dog. At least he’s able to show something love. At the thought she quickly turned away, and focused on what was left of the herdbeast. She lifted her when she heard him say morning, and watched as Korvin ran out of the cave with his dong hot on his heels. Well, I guess it’s true what they say then. Never get in the way of a man and his morning constitutions. She shook her head and sighed, well, that was something she wasn’t going to miss. Even though she might miss him, she wouldn’t miss him running out the doorway every morning. Akela just snorted and then went to lay down by Boar, waiting for him to get up so they could have their morning argument.

Sarabi on the other hand was already lying down by the fire relaxing and half-asleep. It wasn’t long after he had left that Korvin and Gray returned. You look like someone tried to drown you. Her voice was matter of-fact as she watched him with one eyebrow raised. She tilted her head to the side a little when he asked if she needed any help. Well, you could check and see if the dog food is done cooling. She gestured to where she had a big bowl of meat set away from the fire. It was the meat that the humans would most likely avoid, but held enough nutrition for the four canines and two whers. If Kosk and Nask don’t like what I’ve made, then they can go get their own food. She was talking as if she were talking about two little kids who could walk to the kitchens and get something to eat.

[Zirin]

Korvin just huffed at Naomi’s comment. Really, she even found reason to taunt him about bathing. Not that he could call his jump in the river a bath, but it was better than nothing. He wondered if she would be offended that he hadn’t thanks her for bringing food; he had been raised in such a way that offering help with a kill, and sharing the food amongst the family was a silent form of thanks. Shaking the wet hair out of his face he gave a grunt of acknowledgement and moved to test the dog food. He shrugged to himself; his canines could eat it pretty warm, so he assumed Naomi’s could too and went about tossing chunks of the meat to the various animals in the cave, including leaving a few chunks for Nask and Kosk, though he had no doubt Kosk would go out and try to catch herself a sleeping wherry of some sort.

To Boar he went last, settling near the sleeping dog and pulling out a nice in order to make the few remaining chunks of meat as small as possible. The poor male could barely chew he was so weak. Boar tried to lift his head, growling weakly at Akela before accepting a small bite of food from his owner. Korvin sighed, running a hand lightly over Boar’s head.

“I ‘ave t’go back.” He finally said after a long silence, his chin resting solemnly in his hands. He had been thinking of it for a while; Boar wouldn’t survive if he continued staying out here and the fact he had to rely on Naomi’s kill for a decent meal was proof enough; he wasn’t able to hunt properly as long as Boar was here and ill. Being in the cave this ‘morning’ with Naomi was a rather unexpected experience. It took him back to the days of his family life and somehow he felt more comfortable now than he ever had with Naomi. Maybe… maybe going back to the Wherhold wouldn’t be as bad as he thought it would be…

[Akira]

Naomi hadn’t been expecting anything from Korvin really, except maybe a little help handing out the food. Which it seemed he was ready and willing to do. Sarabi took the piece that Korvin had tossed to her, and started to eat it delicately, just like the little lady she was. Akela on the other hand dug in, and made a few growling and snorting noises as she ripped it to pieces, obviously teasing Boar, and trying to get him to act a little like the old Boar she remembered. Whether it would work or not she wasn’t sure, but hey, at last she was trying to help. Naomi shook her head at her canine’s actions and sighed heavily before turning back to the work that was in front of her. She needed to get the fur clean so that she could dry it so it would be ready to use by bed time.

Naomi turned at Korvin’s words, and frowned a little. I thought you never wanted to go back. Her voice was a giant question mark. She wasn’t sure what had finally made him realize he needed to go back, but she couldn’t help but feel her heart soar with joy at the knowledge. I can help if you want. Her voice was a small whisper as she offered to help. After all, she wasn’t sure how happy the Wherhold would be to have him back after being gone so long. Though she had a feeling he wouldn’t want her help, and would turn her away just as he had before. She looked down at Boar, and wondered what it was that was making the poor old male feel so terribly sick. Has he gotten into anything strange? She had heard a few rumors about farmers putting out poisons for wild predators.

[Zirin]

Boar did his best to nip at the piece of meat that Akela was taunting him with, though his bite was weak and he wouldn’t have been able to even attempt to pull it away anyways. With a worried sigh, Korvin left the rest of the slices up meat for Boar to slowly work through. He rose and went to the back of the cave to where he had been storing many of his things; though his main cache was in another cave not far from here. He pulled out the tool he usually used for skins before going back to Naomi.

“Give it ‘ere. I’ll scrape it.” He spoke quietly, as if he was avoiding answering her actual question. He knew it wasn’t fair for her to have to cook and clean the beast when she had been the one to hunt it. If she allowed him to take it, he would be quick in getting to scraping it clean. Either way, he finally answered.

“I don’t wanna go back.” He replied finally. “But y’can see his state. If I stay out ‘ere he has no chance.” It was a truth he didn’t want to admit, but had to. He couldn’t ask her for help either; it was hard enough being honest without also coming off as stupidly weak. That said, he comment on what Boar could have eaten did cause him to give Naomi a searching look.

“He goes off on his own all th’time. He could ‘ave eaten anythin’.” Could the canine have gotten into something poisonous? If that was true… the male could be in more trouble than it seemed. He really had no choice then… he would have to pack up and head back to the wherhold. He gave a deep, tired groan.

[Akira]

Naomi listened silently as Korvin started moving around the cave again. It sounded as if he had finally finished feeding Boar, either that or he had just left the meat for the old male, either way he was moving around and she watched him curiously. She handed Korvin the hide she had been working on when he asked for it. Well, he didn’t really ask her to give it to him, he just sort of told her to. Oh well, she considered this pay back for killing the beast in the first place. I know you probably don’t want my help, but please don’t fight me on this. After all, I don’t think Trelis is very happy about you just leaving. She looked at him seriously, and tried to keep her emotions out of her voice, but she couldn’t help but worry about what would happen when he returned to the Wherhold.

Naomi turned to look at Korvin when he groaned, and sighed softly. She didn’t know what to say that could help make him feel better, or even what she could do really. She turned to look at Boar and decided for Korvin that as soon as the wher’s woke, they would take him back to the Wherhold whether he liked it or not. Come on, can’t do anything useful on an empty stomach. With that she walked over to the meat that had been cooking over the fire and made sure that it was ready to be eaten before splitting it between the two of them. To tell the truth her voice left little room for arguments, and neither did the fact that she sort of just shoved the cooked meat right into his chest before walking to the other side of the fire, sitting down silently, and eating her own food.

[Zirin]

"Fine." If she really thought it was going to be that much trouble to return, than Korvin wasn't going to stop her, as long as agreeing would get her to drop the topic of helping. Besides that, having some help would definately make it easier to transfer his things back to the Weyr. "If they don' want me back, I'll just get the stuff I need an' leave again. Ain't no helpin' it then." He wasn't going to stay anywhere that didn't want him.

He jumped as a steaming hot meal was basically shoved into his chest, not wanting to get burnt by the crazy women. With a look as she huddled down far away from him he took a few bites, chewing slowly before finally deciding to say something. As much as he liked this independant, 'get-things-done' Naomi, the silence seemed almost unnerving. "Yo're cookin' sucks." He finally said, his voice holding a hint of challenge. "Ain't no seasonin's on this thing. How d'ya survive eatin' like this?" He had to hand it to her though; the meat was tender and had a decent taste despite being unseasoned.

[Akira]

Naomi raised her eyebrows as she listened to Korvin’s words, and sighed. He really was a stubborn man. Everything was going pretty good, until he decided to open his mouth, and talk about her cooking. That’s when her eyes became piercing daggers as she glared at him. If you don’t like it then don’t eat it. Her words were overflowing with poison, and her voice was a hiss. She didn’t think it was all that bad, she did agree that it could use some seasonings, but she didn’t know if he had any, and if he did, where he kept them. At that point he could choke on the food for all she cared. Though she knew she would be terribly upset if he did choke on, and that might even make her stay away from cooking for the rest of her life actually.

(((OOC: Sorry it's so short)))

[Zirin]

"You ain't got no sense o' humor woman." He replied grumpily. He should have known she would just explode. "All I'm sayin' is a couple o' herbs would 'ave done this dish some good. Y'learn to like spices when y'live out here all yer life." He huffed. It did him no good if she was going to be all grumpy at him again. Wait, women liked compliments right? Perhaps if he gave her one she would settle down? He finished the meat she had given him quickly and went back to scraping the hide.

"Y'did a good job skinnin'. Pelt like this'd fetch a decent price at a Gather." Thought made him wonder if Trelis would be having a gather soon. Bored with the tension in the cave, Gray barked back at Kosk, receiving a confirmation chirp. The white, still hungry despite the small meal, skittered out from the dark tunnel, happy to be able to leave the cave once more. Kosk hunt! Nask come too? She announced to the room before scurrying out the cave entrance, Gray on her heels.

[Akira]

Naomi waited until Korvin turned his head away from her before sticking her tongue out at him like a little child. She made sure she was looking back down at her own food with a serious face before the turned his head again. After all, she didn’t want him to see that she had done something behind his back. Well thank you very much I left all my spices back at the Wherhold. Her voice was matter-of-fact, and she nodded her head seriously as she spoke. If only he knew how much she enjoyed playing with him like this. She especially enjoyed teasing him, and making him get all frustrated. Why she liked it she didn’t understand, nor did she really care to either. She was having fun, that’s all she knew, and all she needed to know. As long as he didn’t find out, she was good as gold.

Naomi was a little taken aback by the compliment she received from Korvin. He had never complimented her anything before, well…actually he had. He had complimented her canine’s training the day they had met. She giggled softly at the memory, and at how they had become bitter enemies until the night of the Gather. Even though she didn’t remember everything that had happened that night, she still liked what she did remember. Remembering that night made her skin twitch with excitement, and even raised a few goose bumps on her arms. She did her best to hide the effects of that memory from Korvin, she didn’t want to know that that night still affected her the way it did. Thank you Korvin. So instead of looking at him as she spoke, she kept facing her food.

Nask yawned loudly as he stood and stretched. He looked around and snorted before taking one look at the meat, and downing all that was there. He was still hungry, and when Kosk asked if he’d go hunting with her, he quickly began to follow her. He was used to running with Akela and Sarabi, so he was excited to see that Gray was going to come with them. Kosk Kosk’s dog hunt with? His voice was an excited chirp as he quickly followed the white wher and the small female canine. Naomi shook her head at her wher, and decided that she needed to make an attempt at getting him out more, and definitely needed to get him socialized more. Socializing him wouldn’t be the hard part, but getting him out of the Wherhold more often would be.

[Zirin]

"Wha? A 'smart', 'experienced' hunter like yerself don't know 'ow to pick some plants?" He gave her a cocky look, having completely missed the childish look she had given him. He gave her a funny look of his own when she actually giggled. She GIGGLED! What in Pern was so funny!? He didn't miss the strange twitch she had given, though he didn't quite know what to blame it on. Had he known what she was thinking off he probably would have turned red again. As it was, just hearing her say his name was enough to make him turn away. He didn't know what it was about the way she said it, but it made him shiver.

Kosk chirped happily as the large blue joined her. Yes! Kosk's dog. Dog good sniffer. Find many yummies! She almost seemed to skip after the canine as the first scent trail was picked up, her white hide shining in the moonlight with each step. Kosk's no like Kosk's hide. Says too bright. Nask think so too?

Korvin stretched, starting to feel uncomfortable in his damp clothes now, despite the warmth of the fire. He rose and moved towards the back of the cave before pulling off his shirt. He had become so accostomed to living alone that he forgot he couldn't just do whatever he pleased here. Leaning over a small sack in the back, he began shuffling around for a set of dry clothes.

[Akira]

Naomi gave Korvin a flat look as he spoke, and felt like throwing something at him for his comment. A smart, experienced hunter like myself does know 'ow to pick some plant. Thank you very much. I didn’t think I would have enough time to pick any before you woke and started all yer bellyachin’ She did her best to try and mimic the way he spoke, but had a feeling she didn’t do a very good job of it. See, she had a sense of humor, even if it was a bit mean and sarcastic at times. She rolled her eyes and shook her head at him before standing up, and gathering all the dishes. She set them in a neat little pile and made a mental note to take them down to the nearby stream and wash them out as good as she could since she didn’t have any cleaning soaps on her.

Naomi hadn’t missed how he had turned away from her when she said his name, and had been wondering why he had done so. Eventually she gave up trying to figure it out, and just sat quietly beside the warm fire. She watched as he stood and went towards the back of the cave, and watched as he pulled off his wet shirt. Would you like some privacy Korvin? Her voice was sarcastic as she spoke. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t already seen him naked, even though she didn’t exactly remember everything she had seen. She was kinda wishing that she hadn’t spoken up, since now he would probably want her to turn away, and she would miss the little show that he would be putting on as he attempted to change out of his damp clothes, into some dry ones.

Nask trilled as he followed the two females, and was having a lot more fun than he would have ever thought possible with his hander there. Nask no wait, Nask want more yummies too! He quickened his stride as gray found a scent trail to follow. What it was they were tracking he wasn’t sure, but he hopped that it would be as delicious as Kosk made things out to be. The thought of fresh food already had his blue jaws watering with anticipation, and he even felt like trying to hurry the little canine along, but he had learned better from Akela and Sarabi. He cocked his head a little to the side when he heard Kosk’s question, and snorted. Kosk no too bright, Kosk pretty white. He trilled happily as he spoke to the smaller female.

[Zirin]

‘O-oy! I don’t sound like tha’!” He reddened as she made fun of his voice. Seriously, hadn’t she learned any manners! “I ain’t been bellyachin’. I jus’ thought y’might like some pointers. Shards y’ur such a pain.” He crossed his arms with a huff, suddenly very self-conscious of his speech. He went even redder as she commented on privacy however. He was so used to being able to just change whenever and wherever he liked.

“W-well, I didn’t think y’were gunna be a nosy brat an’ stare at me.” He barked back, doing his best to keep his motions slow. He wasn’t going to be a sissy just because she was watching him! Even still, he fished out some clothes quickly and stuck his tongue out at her. “The pants ar’ comin’ off too girl. Better turn around or ya might get a view o’ somethin’ you don’ wanna see! Pervert.” He was mostly boasting though, which was easy enough to see in how he was slowly working away at his pants, giving her ample time to turn away. He could have just run into the back tunnel… but his pride and dignity as a man were at stake now. She needed to be the one to back down!

Kosk trilled at the blue’s compliment, beyond pleased that someone finally saw good in her hide. Nask really think so? Kosk happy! She crooned, playfully bumping him as she ran alongside him. Look look! Gray smell! Hunting time hunting time! Her sentences were always simpler when she was excited, but her words rang true; Gray had picked up the scent of what was likely a small flock of wherries. Kosk spotted them before the canine though and quickly passed the image on to Nask. There were a few of the birds just down the path! Nask show Kosk Nask’s stuff?

[Akira]

Naomi raised an eyebrow and shook her head at Korvin’s words. I am what I am, and why should I change that? She tilted her head to the side curiously. She had always been told to never change who she was, and she had believed that she had done a pretty good job of that. But Korvin’s words had her rethinking a few things. Had she changed since she had been at the Wherhold, or was it after she had impressed that she had changed? She didn’t know the answer, and suddenly she felt self-conscious, and that wasn’t something she had ever wanted to feel. She turned away from Korvin, and wrapped her arms around herself before leaning forward slightly, and staring into the fire. She was trying to figure out when it was exactly, the precise moment, that she had changed so much.

Nask crooned when Kosk trilled at what he had said. Nask think yes, Nask happy Kosk happy! He crooned happily as he spoke to the other wher. It was nice having someone to talk to other than his own handler and her two canines. Though, the two canines didn’t talk back, so talking to them was like talking to a wall. He trilled with excitement when Kosk told him that Gray had found the trail of something, and immediately went into hunting mode, just as he had been taught to do by his handler. He had spotted the wherries just a moment before Kosk had sent him the image. He was already sneaking around to the opposite side of the birds, hoping to ambush them. He was silent as he stalked his target, and it didn’t take him long to pin the bird beneath his heavy blue body.