sticksandbones | Warmblooded

Entry tags:

Warmblooded

Who: Will, Clive and Joshua (Bird)
What: Hunting a biblically accurate deer to appease Winter
When: Some time before the god fight, just in case
Where: The Woods
Warnings: Animal death, gore, occultism

[Will would never consider himself a hunter- for all his adventures, he was always more a city boy than not. He COULD snare a coney or shoot down a bird for a meal. But full deer hunting was something he was not that experienced in.

But he had an ace, if what he was told on the journals was true. But that just made this all the more dangerous.

He was bundled head to toe in winter gear the sad-looking shopkeep had provided, his armor on under it and his bow unslung]

So 'pparently these deer are meat eaters, so I gotta package of roast steak here- [He pats a cloth bag on his hip. It has a bit too much give to be anything but wrapped raw meat. And if the brothers have a decent sense of smell they can likely smell it out right.] - so we can try to bait it out. This time'a year a fresh kill outta be tempting for all kinds of beasties.

You two still up for this?

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[Thankfully even mutant bucks seem to have antlers meant to be shed and broken off. So the first antler shears off- stronger than a normal deer, but not hard for Clive.

The beast bellows in rage, but the look in it's eyes is a bit more panicked over rage]

You got 'em, Clive!

Have that net handy! It'll bolt soon! Joshua, mind those exits!

[ He's sure of it, now that this deer knows it's "prey" bites back as strongly as it does. Garuda seems oddly energized, responding more readily as he sends out another talon, gripping this time onto the beasts back to drag himself onto it. So he can bring his sword down again in closer proximity, battering as hard as the other antler as he's able.

Come on! Come off already! ]

On it!

[ He's watching the deer, but his eyes are also on Clive. Antlers are nothing to sneeze at, and one wrong move could puncture or worse.

For now, he sheathes his rapier. He won't be in need of it. If the deer makes a run for it, he can manifest a shield, perhaps stun it with impact. Make it easier to catch. ]

[The second antler puts up a fight, but finally comes off in Clive's hands. And with it the deer has clearly had enough. It's head lashes around looking for an out. Will is the smallest, but he's starting to swing the net around to gain momentum, and the deer does nooot like that. So instead it goes for Joshua, trying to bolt.]

[ Time to go before this deer remembers it has teeth and Clive is right there. He quickly jumps from it's back as it bolts, stumbling a little on the landing due to the snow and his coat, swearing. ]

Will, throw it!

[ Because it's going right for Joshua and while he's sure Joshua can shield himself - that protectiveness makes him bristle. ]

[ There is nothing in life quite as terrifying as a large, angry animal rampaging towards you at top speed. And that's saying something, considering that he's faced down far larger and angrier things. ]

Shit...!

[ That bag of meat gets rapidly tossed aside. Sorry, Will, but he doesn't think it's going to be needed after all, at least not right now. Flame gathers in his hand, but as he flings it out before himself, it spreads and slowly cools into a white shield, ready to bounce the deer back. ]

[ And bounce off the shield the deer does, making it rear again. Will takes the chance to whip the net over it, and the beast bucks and kicks wildly- which only tangles it more]

[ Hearing his brother swear is wild, but he guesses if there's ever a time for it, it's now.

And he stays back, watching and letting the deer tangle itself further. Without the horns in the way, the netting is doing a fine job of wrapping it tighter. So Clive relaxes a little. ]

You two all right?

[ Listen, sometimes there is case for it. Usually, he does not. Sometimes, he is allowed.

As the deer bounces off the shield and is subsequently tangled in the net, Joshua lets out a heavy breath, lowering his hands to his side. With the antlers off and the hooves tangled in the struggle to escape the netting, they should be fine. For now. ]

I'm fine. I should ask the same of you.

[ If any wounds were sustained, he wants to heal them sooner rather than later. ]

A bit spooked, but not hurt. Bugger was ballsier then I expected!

[Soon the deer's legs are too tangled too move, but it keeps wiggling.]

We should let it wear itself out, then maybe try and tie that snooter.

Good, and I'm fine.

[ He is, nothing got him. He sheathes his sword against his back, his eyes on the deer still. Just to make sure. ]

It's likely incredibly hungry. Small prey is about the best you can get in the dead of winter, so you coming up to it was worth the chase.

[ And he feels bad they're going to slaughter it for a ritual, so he moves over to grab the meat bits. The least they can do is treat it with some respect before hand, so he walks over, voice low. ]

Easy, easy. Hey....

[ He fishes a meat chunk out of the sac, trying to catch the deers attention. Look, look, calm and have some nibbles. ]

Good.

[ Clive had better be. He's going to keep an eye out for any twinges.

But, for now, his attention goes to the deer. He does feel bad for it... The poor thing had been minding its own business. But this winter weather has to stop. The wraiths have to stop. ]

Do we need to take it back? Or can the ritual be done here?

[The beast eyes him warily... but starvation wins out over fears, and it chomps at the meat fast enough to risk fingers]

Hm... if you don't mind giving up some of the bells and whistles. It's kinda big to try and drag back, innit? Better... better to be fast and clean, yeah.

[he gets what you two are putting down]

[ Yeah, going to be careful not to lose his fingers here. He understands what his brother is saying. No use stressing the thing out by hauling it back. And he nods when Will picks up on it as well. ]

It's giving it's life. Let's do it kindly. What needs to be done?

[ He feeds the rest of the meat to the deer, letting it enjoy a little last meal. ]

[ Good, they both understand. With how things seem to work here, if they killed it while it was angry, it might just make another wraith-like being. Best to do things humanely. ]

So long as the bells and whistles aren't necessary to the sacrifice.

[ He glances over to the antlers. Surely something can be made of them, once everything is said and done. Perhaps the hide and bones, as well, provided those won't be consumed in the process. ]

I don' think they will. The author just has a certain flair for the dramatic. We'll have some words that need to be spoken. Prayers and pleas. Then the animal is killed- and the rite master puts a symbol on each of the folks there with the blood.

If we wanted to get especially flashy there's details here for eating the raw organs too... but I'd rather not get a parasite, ya ken?

[ Why is he not surprised about the being painted in blood thing. Wouldn't be the first time, he supposes. Clive sighs in acceptance and nods, catching his brothers glance towards the antlers and understanding it. They'll find something to do with the rest.

And yes, he makes a mild face - his brows furrow and his lips draw into a frown - at the idea of eating the organs. ]

Agreed. Passing on that.

[ He glances to Joshua, then back to Will. ]

We'll follow your lead, "Rite Master".

[ Well, that's... a little crude. Blood doesn't really bother him - there have been plenty of times when he's been splattered in various amounts of it - but eating raw organs feels like a bit much. He glances to Clive, and seeing that reaction makes him feel a little better. They're all in agreement. ]

Right. No particular need for flashy, so long as it works.

[ He folds his arms, looking back to Will. ]

What do we need to do first?

[Clive calling him the ritemaster makes his ears perk and his tail wag. Well, obviously it'll be him, he has the journal. But still, it tickles his fancy]

Well, if I'm doing the right then it'll be on you two to hold the beastie and... well, put it down.

[he gives a small empathetic look]

[ And Clive nods. He figured as much.

And he is most certainly not going to let Joshua do it. ]

I'll do it.

[ First they need to bind the mouth, and since he's already there... he quickly grabs some of the netting and loops it quickly over the beasts muzzle before it can snap, his voice soft as he speaks to it. ]

I'm sorry. I know you don't understand, but it's for a good [ hopefully ] cause. And we will honor your sacrifice.

[ He draws the smaller weapon from his side, a sharp knife for moments like this. And quickly he winds up and then jams it into the deers head. A quick death. He hopes this counts and they didn't have to slit it's throat and bleed it out. ]

[ Oh. Well. There goes Clive. Hopefully order of operations isn't written in stone. Joshua glances at Will, lifting his eyebrows. ]

Will, what words need be spoken?

[Wow. Clive sure is effecient, ain't he? Clive doesn't hear Joshua talking at first then startles.]

Ah! Sorry, sorry. Here.

[He digs the journal from his bag and goes to kneel next to the corpse. A few flips and he starts to speak. Whispers of the cycle of life and death. Of the balances of nature. Of Man, both of that primordial cradle and apart from it- we pay for our long lives and knowledge with suffering. With bitter fruits. Much of his lackadaisical tone gone with the weight of his recitation

He takes a glove off, dipping his fingers in the oozing head wound, gesturing with a flick of the ears for both brothers to come forward]

Do you accept the responsibility for this life? That you will live fully and graciously in it's place?

[ Okay he's not being scolded good. He steps back to let Will step forward, moving to stand with Joshua as he listens quietly to the rites. He doesn't like it, it doesn't sit right with him. All he can see is the Iron Kingdom "Fathers", kneeling and bowing before the Mothercrystal with the bodies of two children on an alter. All he can hear is Jills pain and rage.

He almost doesn't hear Will's question and he manages to keep the grimace off his face by sheer will. He steps forward, his voice deep with gravitas. ]

Yes.

[ It's not the most comfortable feeling in the world, but if it works, it's worthwhile. And if it doesn't... well, they have materials to use. And Joshua, if not Clive, will make sure that they are used responsibility.

He moves to stand beside his brother, placing his hand on his chest. ]

Yes.

[He nods, standing and pressing his thumb against each of their brows, smearing the blood there, followed by his own. There's a spark of magic there- but it might be clear it's coming from Will himself, not any divine source. Trying to imbue his efforts so someone, something, will notice.]

There... and hate to say it, but no washing it off 'till dawn.

[Yes, it's gross. His nose wrinkles]

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cw: gore

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cw: killing a deer

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