[Mojave]

The goose was almost done cooking by the time Tarot returned, and when Astraea saw what he was dragging along behind him, her gaze widened by a fraction out of surprise. I'm impressed, she said, regarding the Sahound. I rather doubt we'll be able to finish the whole thing tonight...unless Asianne choses to dine with us of course. She chuckled, shooting a teasing look over at the Hollowheart who looked loftily back down at her. For your information, she said haughtily, I have already sated my hunger whilst hunting to feed you all as well, she sniffed. Astraea only laughed and waved to Tarot as an affirmative as he left the clearing to go wash. Taking the fowl from the fire, she placed it on a small pile of leaves that she had gathered to use as a plate, and leaving it to cool a bit, she set to work on the water buffalo, carefully skinning and quartering it before setting a generous slab to roast on the fire. While she waited for it to cook, the sound of hissing juice dripping from the steak, she sliced the rest of the meat into a large heap of slivers, all the better for roasting. Finally, she took a few stringy leaves from some tree akin to a palm and wove the strands together to make a makeshift smoking rack to use later. Cutting the goose into slices, she divvyed up the portions and awaited Tarots return to begin on the meal.

Tarot returned quickly, a few sprigs of a strange plant held in his mouth. These smell nice. What are they, do you know? He dropped them next to Astraea, then went to settle beside Asianne. The food smells delicious, by the way.

(sorreh... my mind is on my homework that I need to start. xD)

[Flame]

As Tarot returned, Astraea gave him a friendly wave, noting that he was carrying a few sprigs of some sort of plant in his jaws. Not more of that bug repellant, is it? We still have enough to get by. As he drew nearer, he asked about what type of plant they were. Upon picking up the leaves, she gaze them a delicate sniff, certain now that they were not the pungent plant that provided them the protection against the biting bugs. Well, if I'm not mistaken, I believe this is origano...Strange that it should be growing this far out in the forest, but delicious on the food nonetheless. She grinned over at the Sahound, who had taken a spot beside Asianne. Picking up the individual portions, she spread a generous amount before Tarot, Tlilrys, and a few larger tidbits for the Hollowheart, who was not hungry, but eating merely for the flavor and pleasure of eating. She quickly chopped up the herb and sprinkled it onto each portion, then settled back against Asianne's side to dine.

(S'okay, I empathize x3)

[Mojave]

Thanks. Tarot nodded his head in appreciation after sampling his portion. After his share was devoured, he relaxed on his side, belly bloated to twice it's normal size. You know... I've never noticed just how annoying it is to depend on humans or apes to do things for me. Like cutting herbs. He mused. Makes me wonder.

{43}

[Mojave]

All of a sudden, Tarot sat up, ears perked forward. "I have to go. I'm needed back home." For an overfed sahound, he was up and gone quickly. Soon, even the sounds of his paws taking him away faded into nothingness.

{44}
(Sorry, but I need to train him for the war.)

[Flame]

(Gah...sorreh 'bout disappearing on you Zein. Parents can be a real pain at times ' Good luck with your training!)

Before they had time to react, the Sahound had disappeared into the undergrowth. For a few moments, the remaining three merely stared at the spot where he had gone, then, breaking the silence, Astraea said, "I believe it's about time we left as well." Gathering her things, she slung the rucksack over her shoulder, then mounted Asianne, a slightly more reluctant Tlilrys finding himself a spot on her back as well. Then, they were off into the night, a small, dying fire marking the spot where there had just been a gathering.

{43}