Now that Beat was back in the world of the living and was no longer a sad, dejected wraith, it was time to pull his weight. It was funny how quickly his whole outlook on life had changed. With his curse freezing and dying in the north, the young man was now free. He felt weightless. It was a miracle. It was magic. He was embracing it.

Spindle-like legs took the child to the plains. He was bound and determined to learn how to hunt. He would learn to hunt and he would learn to fight so that he could protect Twig. She had worked so hard to keep Beat and his brother's safe. It was time that she had someone keep her safe. He would be that someone.

For hours it seemed like the boy was just running back and forth after deer. The hoofed animals made it into a game, staying just out of his clumsy reach as he gave chase. Beat lacked so much skill... he was like a newborn pup chasing a puma. Eventually, he gave up, throwing himself to the ground and burying his face in his crossed arms. He was hopeless.

"Chatting." & 'Thinking'

With the weight of the impending raid weighing upon them, learning that at least one of Twig's nephews had returned was a much-welcomed relief. He'd promised Twig he'd do his best to help look for both of them, as best as he could... and it seemed Beat had found Abaven before he'd had to do much looking at all. He was relieved - for beat, for his family, but most of all for Twig, who he knew cared deeply for her family. Seeing her hurt had been upsetting for him, and to know that at least some of that hurt had lessened was a relief for him.

He was even more relieved to see that the young Abaven member was out and about on such a lovely summer day. Corvus caught a hint of his scent as he scouted the plains, and decided to follow it. Might as well get to know one of his kin sooner rather than later. His mantra that family was everything wasn't just a saying to him, but something he firmly believed in, with all his heart. Beat's scent was mingled with that of deer and other prey animals, who were no doubt grazing and enjoying the lovely afternoon. Corvus himself was distracted by the good weather, at least until he found Beat, who was.. lying in the grass? Concern wove itself across his features as he drew closer, clearing his throat to announce his presence and not alarm the boy. "Beat? Are you alright?" He knew who he was, but had no clue if the boy knew his name or not - not that it mattered.

The boy hadn't even heard the approach of the other wolf. He was a horrible hunter and had to face that fact. A voice called out to him and the dejected child raised his head. He knew this wolf, but hadn't spoken to him before. Searching his brain for the name, he eventually spoke . "Corvus. I..." Beat sighed and pushed himself upwards into a seated position. "I was trying to teach myself to hunt, but I'm really, really bad at it." His head shook in the negative. "I don't know what I'm doing at all."

Looking toward the herd of deer in the distance, the boy glared. "They know that I'm not a good hunter too. I think they were just playing with me." With a sigh, he brought his two-toned gaze to the earthen brute. "How am I ever going to take care of Twig if I can't hunt?"

Slowly Beat raised his head, looking quite dispirited. Now what wast this all about? Wasn't he happy to be home? Maybe he was having a hard time adjusting? Corvus furrowed his brows as he gazed at the yearling, trying to figure just what was wrong. But he didn't have to guess, instead Beat spoke up, explaining that he was trying to hunt but that he was bad at it, and didn't know what he was doing. His expression softened sympathetically. "I'm sure you're not that bad. You just need to take what you already know and apply it to something bigger," he explained, deciding it was the perfect time for a lesson.

Beat had survived this far on his own. Surely he'd caught small creatures himself, even if he'd never taken down a large prey animal... that was a good start, either way. And the fact that he wanted to learn to hunt to help take care of Twig.. well, he felt his heart warm at the thought. He was so very glad that Beat had returned to her. "You know how when you're trying to snatch up, say... a squirrel, or a rat, you need to be super quiet? That's basically the first step." He didn't know what Beat knew. Maybe he'd survived on fish, Corvus had no idea, but he had a feeling he'd at least eaten some small rodents. Granted, that was much different than hunting a full-grown deer - or even a young one, which was likely what he and Beat would need to chase down, if they decided to turn this into a real hunt.

"Deer, unfortunately, are much smarter than those small critters. They're more likely to notice us, even if we're being really quiet and still." Corvus lowered his voice, zeroing in on the small group of deer that lay across the plains. "But sometimes they're hungrier than afraid, so even if they know we're nearby they might keep grazing. That's probably what they're doing now. As long as they keep an eye on you, they're free to eat. But... if we sneak up on them..." Corvus gestured toward a thicker patch of grass to their right, a bit further away from the deer. "Here, let's sneak this way, and cast a big circle around them. Stay low! They're smart, but their eyesight isn't always that great..." Hoping Beat would be encouraged to follow, he crouched low to the ground and headed toward the spot he'd been eyeing.

Beat had survived, but it often hadn't been on meat. Most of the time he had eaten whatever was in front of him. Grass, leaves, even dirt. Twig had provided him with food here and there when he was around, but his overly svelte figure was thanks to not eating much at all. The boy was severely underweight. His growth was stunted because of the lack of nourishment. All of his bones stuck out at odd angles. He was a mess, but he wanted to turn that all around. Hunting would be the first step.

As Corvus explained the machinations behind hunting and deer in particular, Beat soaked up the information like a sponge. He could be quiet. He could sneak. So, when Corvus motioned for him to follow, the boy mimicked the older wolfs stance and crept along behind him. His white pelt would most likely be visible if the ungulates were paying attention, but he had to hope that they were hungry and distracted like the earthen man had said.

Still low and hunkered in a patch of long grass and shrubs, Beat peered out into the herd as they filled their bellies with greenery. Casting his mismatched gaze towards Corvus, the young wolf whispered. "What's next?" He was eager to learn and believed that, once he had the necessary skills, he would be a great hunter.

Though Corvus was admittedly an awkward man, when it came to his pack duties - mentoring wolves younger than him, especially - he felt much more at ease. Maybe it was just having a goal and something to focus on that eased his anxious soul, but he suddenly felt more calm and confident than usual. Any hints of self-doubt that often prickled at his mind seemed to smooth out, replaced by his careful focus as they moved closer to the deer. Beat followed him, seeming interested and willing to listen and learn, which made Corvus feel like he must not be doing a completely terrible job. The first step to teaching was making sure your student was engaged, right? Everything else would surely follow suit.

"Next.. we strike. We need to be quick. I'll go ahead of you and aim for the throat... let's go for the smaller one, on the right side of the group," Corvus gestured vaguely toward one of the skinnier-looking deer. Even if it saw them, it might hesitate, too distracted by feasting. That was what Corvus was hoping, at least. "You come up on the rear. Aim for a leg, or whatever you think will help me take it down. A lot of hunting is just reactions. Not everything can be planned." Beat had lived on his own for awhile, so surely he knew a thing or two about being adaptable. Corvus believed in him. With a swift nod he took off, stalking through the thick grasses as long as he could before kicking off hard toward the deer. He lunged at the one he'd pointed out, aiming to keep up with the fleeing deer until he could lung for its throat, hoping Beat was able to keep up and put pressure on the prey animal's rear to cause it to stumble.

Corvus explained what needed to be done and, without another word, stalled off and began to hunt. Butterflies bagged themselves against the inside of Beats stomach. He was nervous, but he was determined. How was he going to care for Twig if he couldn't hunt? So, when Corvus rushed the deer, Beat was right on his heels. He was emaciated, but he was fast. The boy tried to forget himself as he raced along the plain towards the deer that Corvus had pointed out. He attempted to push all uncertainty out the door and focused instead on the task at hand.

Though his attention was mostly on the deer, Beat kept his peripheral vision locked on Corvus. When the earthen man lunged for the deers neck, Beat would be there as well. The slender boy leaped forward, snapping one spindly hind leg between his jaws. He jerked backwards in an attempt to either slow the deer or bring it to its knees.

Beat having no real hunting experience meant little, so long as he was receptive to following his lead and listening to what he had to say, and the boy seemed willing and ready to learn. Corvus wasn't the least bit worried; taking down a deer, at least for a wolf his size, didn't pose many risks. Maybe some minor injuries if things went poorly, but he was hopeful they could take down this deer together. They worked fluidly, Corvus nodding to Beat as he veered away from him and dove for the deer, singling it out from the others.

Though most of his attention was on their target, occasionally he glanced Beat's way to make sure the boy was keeping up. Before long he had reached the deer, and though the young buck turned to flee, he moved a second too late. Corvus leapt toward the prey animal's throat, his jaws clamping down hard as the deer went stumbling. Beat, at the creature's rear, helped aid in the deer losing its balance. Everything happened quickly, and Corvus relinquished his hold on his neck, sidestepping as the creature came crashing down hard. Only then did he dive toward its neck without another hard bite, making sure the life had been drained from it, rewarded with a mouthful of warm crimson blood.

Everything was happening so fast. The boy ran, his spindly legs pumping and carrying him quickly across the plain. His bite, when he did finally manage to lunge, was true. The deer fell beneath the weight of the attacking Corvus. The tumble dislodged Beats hold, but he was soon on the deer again. He threw himself on the back half of the buck while Corvus bit into the throat. He bit into the flank, securing his hold on the ungulate. Before long, it was over and their prey was dead.

Releasing his hold, the boy sat back, throwing himself into the grass. He panted a bit, catching his breath, but there was a smile on his face. It had been easier than he thought. He just needed to act on instinct and push his mind out of the way. "We did it, Corvus." A little laugh bubbled up and he closed his eyes, leaning his head back in the grass. The boy felt accomplished. "Thanks for your help."

"Chatting." & 'Thinking'

Beat caught on quickly enough, despite the fact that he'd never truly hunted before. Corvus was proud of the boy, and it was obvious that he was proud of himself, which was even more important - something that was obvious when Corvus pulled back and got a better look at him. He was uninjured and triumphant, though likely tired from their little hunt. "You did great," Corvus assured him with a grin, lapping blood from his mouth. He wasn't the type to just say things for the hell of it, to make others feel good; Beat had really done a great job and Corvus had no doubt with time, and more experience, he would only become a better hunter.

"Let's call Twig, show her what we've done?" For a moment he wondered if Beat knew just how close he and Twig had gotten, but he wasn't sure how to even begin to bring it up, quickly deciding against it. Surely he'd want to show Twig what he had accomplished, especially since he'd sounded like he didn't believe he could do it. The rest of the deer were likely long gone by now, but that was okay. The small one they'd taken down would make a good feast for the three of them, and hopefully it had bolstered Beat's confidence.