Drooping Willows Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

@Castiel late afternoon with medium snow on the ground.
Riddick - You discover a fresh kill and feast to your heart’s content.

It was cold. Not nearly as cold as last winter, but still cold all the same. Riddick had decided to take a walk, exploring the terrain surrounding the pack his sister had joined. He didn't much care for the male alpha- Lord Grizzly, as he made so named him within the confines of his mind. As angry as a bear- and he looked like one too. Riddick knew he wasn't the most agreeable of wolves, but Lord Grizzly just seemed intent on steamrolling him. Reminded the Faye too much of his father.

The female...She was alright, he supposed, wondering how things might've went had Lord Grizzly not appeared. She was undoubtedly the wish the star had sent him- a Silver Sign. Now if they would just tell him where his sister was.

A deep sigh in frustration helped the cold winter air impulse his nose, allowing Riddick to scent a smell unmistakable- a fresh kill! Instinct and eagerness kicked in, and the Faye began bound through the snow towards the smell, tongue lolling out to catch small clumps that flew through the air. Jumping over a large snow drift, Iddi was rewarded with a glorious sight- a stag, downed by a mysterious attacker. The predator must have been small, for it didn't take a lot of it's meal before leaving. Which meant he could have his fill, and perhaps- for good standing- take back some meat for Lord Grizzly as well.

So sorry for the long wait @Riddick!

The late afternoon came with cold, not a freezing cold that sent him scurrying into the den, but a cold that kept him on edge for a winter storm. There was already a medium layer of snow on the ground, which earlier in the day he had rolled around in, but now it just made his paws go numb as he padded through the Drooping Willows. The first time he had seen snow he had been wary of it, gently pressing a paw into the white, mushy material, but now he thought of it as normal, with the exception of wondering just why there was snow. He knew that it came from the sky, but why? That was one of his many unanswered questions of the world.

When Castiel caught the unmistakable rich aroma of a fresh kill - a deer most likely, if he was putting the correct scent to prey - he picked up his slow pace to an easy lope, intent on finding it and seeing what was left of it. He was a bit hungry, too, but before he took even a single bite he'd alert one of the members of his pack. There was a rule of feeding the pack first, and he followed all the rules to the dot, within reason, of course. Especially after that incident involving his older brother Deacon disappearing one day. Ever since then he had vowed to be the best pack wolf he could be.

Soon the Ridge Prince came upon another wolf and he slowed to a standstill. The male sported a tan, brown and black coat, very much like himself but with more darker shades. Pricking his ears forward, Cass's pale golden eyes fixed on the stag that lay partially eaten in the blanket of snow before flicking to the unknown male. Even though they weren't that close to Willow Ridge borders, he still felt the instinctual need to defend his pack. The hair on his back and scruff stood slightly on end as he stared unblinkingly at the wolf before him, jaws clicking together softly. He was a nice guy, yes, but he would also do anything for his pack; he was anything but a pushover. "Hello, my name is Castiel Archer Lyall, one of the three Princes of Willow Ridge, a pack located not too far away from here. I see you've found the carcass as well, and as I know the life of a lone wolf is hard, I'll allow you to take your fill before I call one of my pack members and take it to the pack caches." He smiled softly, making sure his stance was friendly and neutral - mostly, but his voice was stern and left no room for argument.

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Just as soon as the Faye was about to pray and give thanks towards the find, he heard a young voice. Raising his head calmly, as to not set the newcomer on edge, Riddick took in the absolutely adorable sight of a young pup putting on a rather good demonstration of firm negotiation. The fact that the lighter shaded youngster was seemingly undaunted by Riddick's larger size brought a smile to his face- a warm one, he had no intention of hurting him. The way Castiel carried himself reminded Iddi of the way he used to practice guardianship in his youth.

"Thank you, Castiel. " Though he did want more than just his fill, Riddick couldn't see himself challenging this pup over food. Even if his pack hadn't laid claim to the kill yet, or that Iddi himself had found it first, or that this little boy was at least two years his junior, or that he really needed to get in with Lord Grizzly's good side. It was against his very nature to lift a paw against one so young. A wolf who acted with words first deserved words in turn. "Though, I have to ask, may I have my fill and a portion of the thigh? I'm trying to impress a particularly....grumpy alpha." T'was the truth and Riddick would settle for no less.

As he waited for Castiel's reply, a thought came to mind- where was this boy's caretaker? As a pup, Riddick and his siblings had never been allowed to venture beyond pack borders without someone watching them. So where was the pack mate that watched over Castiel? "Do your parents allow you to wander so far out? Or is there someone nearby?"

@Riddick gives Cass so much muse <3... and he thinks he's such a grown up xD

The earthy coloured stranger slowly and calmly raised his head from the dead deer, a warm smile emerging on his face. So far the male seemed friendly and not dangerous, so he let his ruff fall flat, but kept a wary gaze on him. He knew there were wolves out there that weren't very nice, as his parents and caregivers told him, then there was also the wolf that had abducted his older brother when they were younger. But he doubted that this wolf could abduct him easily: he'd fight back, and one of his pack mates would arrive before anything serious happened. They wouldn't let anything bad happen to him.

Dipping his head in response to the earthy coloured male's thanks, he let a smile of his own grace his young yet handsome features. "It's the least I can do, sir," he responded respectfully, aware that he needed to respect those older than him, within reason. When the stranger asked if he could have his fill and then also take a bit of the thigh to take back to his grumpy alpha, a thoughtful expression crossed the Ridge Prince's face, his brows furrowing slightly. He could very well refuse the male the extra portion, but he understood wanting to impress those higher than one, he felt that every waking moment. He was also sure the pack wouldn't miss half a deer thigh when they had the rest of the carcass to feast on anyways... it was at least something to bring back to the pack.

"Alright, I'll accept your terms," Cass said with a smile, moving a few steps closer to the unknown male so they could have a proper conversation between themselves. "And I know how you feel. I'm constantly trying to impress my father and mother with everyday tasks. And maybe just feel a little superior to my siblings." Though he was by far the kindest and most respectful of his brothers, he was still a pup, and a pup felt the need to prove to others that he was worthy of holding the title of prince, that he wasn't just a waste of space. The Ridge Prince stared evenly at the earthy coloured male when he asked why he was so far from his home, and if there was someone close by. Though it wasn't spoken with any bad intent in mind, Cass wasn't sure if the male was just good at hiding what he was really feeling and thinking. "No, no one knows I'm out here. But everyone in the pack knows I won't willing go too far from the pack lands, so if I'm away for long they'll know something happened to me and send out a search party for me." His words were said with a warning to the male that he shouldn't be messed with or there would be wolves after him out for his blood. That was one good thing about having such a loyal and close knit family; they would always watch his back.

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A relieved sigh elicited from the Faye, glad that at least some semblance of security was around the boy. "That's good. A little more lax than how I was raised, but at least you have family looking out for you. And you don't have to call me sir, small fry. Riddick will do just fine- sir kinda makes me feel old." He stuck out his tongue in a silly kind of manner, thankful in knowing he wouldn't have to worry about the kid. "Thanks for being so generous." The older wolf adopted a thoughtful expression, concerning Castiel's empathy towards his own plight.

"I wouldn't be so much concerned with impressing them, as doing what you know is right for the pack. I'm a guardian by role, and though it might seem like all the little things someone does makes a difference, when that person disappears, it's evident. So even if you don't wow them every time you do something, take pride in knowing what you do matters. Besides, they're family, right? I bet they love you any which way." Looking back to the part of the dear deer that was to be his meal, Riddick sat in preparation to give thanks. "One second please."

He wouldn't sing. Not in front of the kid. It would be rather embarrassing. Instead he merely said the words required to give respect towards the magnificent stag: "Thank you, great child of Nature, for giving your life so that many others may yet live on. As you return to your creator, I pray for your well-being." Even as he said the words, Iddi's mouth slavered- hungry was he.

(This post was last modified: Jan 02, 2015, 05:11 AM by Riddick.)

@Riddick

Cass noticed how the earthy coloured stranger seemed to relax, releasing a relieved sigh, after he had told the older wolf that he did, in fact, have some sort of protection. It made him curious. Though he knew not all wolves were evil or good in the sense of the word, he almost felt like he could trust the male before him as he seemed genuinely concerned for his safety. It wasn't at all what the Ridge Prince was expecting from a mere stranger, but it made him wonder how many other wolves out there in the world were like him. Definitely not all of them, but now he wanted to know. "Us wolves have to stick together, right Riddick?" He said with a genuine smile, tail swishing behind him in an eased manner as he relaxed his own posture into one of pure neutrality.

His ears pricked as Riddick began to speak, listening with his full attention to what the male had to say. After he finished, a thoughtful expression crossed Cass's face. He hadn't thought of it like that. It was always a case of pleasing his parents, and showing that he could do whatever work was set out for him to everyone else, but now, he realized that even if he didn't do that, they would all still think of him the same. They would all still love him. Glancing into the earthy coloured male's brown and pale gold eyes, he smiled, dipping his head in thanks. "I never really thought of that way. Thank you, for your advice. I'll certainly do my best to follow it."

The Ridge Prince curiously watched as Riddick asked for a moment - to which he nodded respectfully and closed his maw - before sitting in front of the deer almost expectantly. He didn't imagine the other male to give his words of respect to the magnificent stag before him, thanking the great child of Nature - the stag? - for giving his life up so others could benefit from him. As he was so young, barely old enough to stay away from the pack border for long lengths of time, he had yet to come across a wolf that prayed to a higher being. It fascinated him. Hesitantly, Cass opened his maw to speak, wondering if he should continue to stay silent or speak his mind. He decided to speak. "Um, if I may ask, Si-Riddick. What was that... what you just did?"

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Slobbering jaws opened to take part in his meal, ready to snatch and devour chunks of meat in order to fill his stomach. However, once again, Castiel's young voice interrupted Riddick's movements- this time more inquisitive than defensive. The question made the Faye cock his own head in curiosity. Had he never seen a prayer before? Did his parents not praise and respect the great being who gave them lives which with to live on this earth? The concept- for a young man raised entirely isolated from different ideals and philosophies- was strange.

"Praying- giving thanks to Mother Nature and this deer." His gaze switched from Castiel back to the deer. "We might not think about it all the time, but this fellow is no different from you and me. Though we do not speak the same words, nor live the same lifestyle, I'll bet he has a mate and a young son or daughter- perhaps even grandchildren. He had a life to live, and whoever brought him down interrupted it, necessary as it is." Odd eyes looked compassionately towards the younger boy. "Don't you think that he should at least get some thanks for dying so that we and our loved ones might live?"

This was- oddly enough, a thought that Riddick had come upon all his own. Most of his family thanked Mother Nature herself- but after taking part of a couple hunts the guardian noticed a pattern. A relationship as real as the one between he and his mother. And to die that others might live, whether they be carnivorous or herbivoric, was an accolade worth praise.