slip slidin' away (don't break a bone rhythm)

Beat had woken early the previous day; up before the sun. The black and white youngling had made his way out into the wilderness with a surprise in mind for Twig. For all of them, really. He wanted to work on his hunting and was intent on bringing back food for the kill stores. It had been a difficult task, but he'd managed just that.

Having traveled in a southerly direction, Beat moved away from the snows and into warmer climes. There he found wild pigs for the first time. There were many of them and they seemed rather small, so he imagined they would do well. Well... they were tough. Not only were they quick as whips, but the screams that they made when caught scared the hell out of him. He had actually released the first one in complete surprise when it had wailed at its capture. In the end, the boy was victorious. He caught two small pigs. Not being able to carry much more than that, Beat did his best to tie them together with vines. He gutted them to rid them of excess weight, then tossed them over his back and made his way back home.

By the time Beat arrived, his white coat was a little bloody, but he paid it no mind. That was what happened to hunters and, as his kill proved, he was most definitely now a hunter. Ducking into the kill stores, Beat deposited his catch. They would make a good meal for someone. Pig had a much different taste than deer or rabbit. It was a nice change.

Back outside, he imagined that he had returned before the rest would even be awake, and yet there sat Rhythm. Beat's ears tucked against his skull for a moment. He didn't exactly know how to approach her. He knew that she was blind, but other than that, he didn't know much about the old woman. Did she want to be left alone? If so, why was she sitting openly in the common area? Beat was still pretty awkward when it came to social interaction, but he would try.

Padding forward, the onyx and snow boy cleared his throat to let her know that he was coming. His voice, deepening as he came closer to adulthood followed. "Hello, Rhythm. It's Beat." He didn't know why he told her his name. He assumed afterwards that she could tell him apart by smell. It had been a natural reaction to give her his name. He felt stupid. Like a young pup again. Once more ears tucked against his skull. He was so awkward...

WC-439
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