The river. It had been a good spot to stop, and Ivy was glad that they had. Water would attract prey, which meant they’d have plenty to choose from. Well, at least they should. While some of his siblings had raced off to play, or nap, or grab something to drink, Ivy had something else in mind. He’d gotten hungry after their long walk today, especially because he was too stubborn to climb up in the cart. Well, too stubborn or too antsy.

Ivy had called for whoever wanted to come with him, and maybe… maybe they would? The more the merrier. They’d be safer as a group, and not only that, they’d have a better chance of taking down something that they could all eat together. Bigger critters meant bigger rewards. As of yet, Ivy wasn’t looking at the risks.

Carefully, he set about his search for the earthy, gamey scent that came with ungulate prey. It wasn’t long before he caught something… pig! Surely, they could take out a wild boar together. Trying not to move too quickly, lest the creature catch sight or scent of him and take off, Ivy set off in the direction of what he could only hope would be dinner.

"Words"

Lotus was more often than not in his brother's shadow. He looked at the cart, and the donkey. Stuck in the mud, with the two adults nearby. Having been given permission to explore, Lotus was quick to warm up to Ivys suggestion of a hunt. Not that his legs needed stretching, having walked most of the way so far. A part of him wanted to take a nap, but he couldn’t let Ivy run off and have all the fun without him.

His elder brother took them to the river, eyeing the water for a time before starting his search for prey. Lotus sniffed along beside him. The scent of the boar catching his attention a moment after Ivy’s he looked across at his brother, a grin alighting his face, as they both started to track it together.

"Words"

Before long, Ivy wouldn't be able to cast much of a shadow on his brother at all. Still, they were inseparable. Entirely, in every way, inseparable. With Lotus by his side, it was like the smaller pup was invincible. Nothing could hurt him, nothing could touch him-- nothing could cause him harm and get away with it. And then same went for Lotus. Never one without the other, and stronger together. It was the way they'd always be. The pair came into this world more together than together would be. It only made sense that they would be by each other's sides, no matter what.

A grin cracked his features, shared with Lotus. Together they tracked, wordless, into the thick vegetation around them. Two moving as one, maintaining the same pace and the same gait. Ivy had to remind himself not to hold his breath from the sheer excitement of it all. Right, breathing was probably good. Through a break in the trees he could see the boar, and Ivy's eyes lit up. He paused, looking to his brother. "We should have a plan," the boy whispered. Exactly what that plan should be? Maybe that was a little less clear. The boar was bigger than Ivy had anticipated, and that made him even more excited at the prospect of taking it down.

"Speech"

Lotus returned Ivy’s grin in force. Their first hunt was rather exciting. He could still hear the sounds of the caravan and the wolves surrounding it in the distance. He knew they weren’t wandering too far. Though surely Valentine wouldn’t actually leave without them. Right…?

He followed after Ivy, letting his brother do the lion's share of the work and track the creature. He did eye his brother's paws a few times, and thought about tripping his brother a few times. But, in the end, the allure of the hunt was far stronger than teasing his brother.

Then they could see the boar, and the two brothers identical side by side would stop. He returned Ivys gaze and furrowed his brow. “We could try and chase it? Or… maybe one chase it to the other…?”


"Speech"

Moving together, they couldn't be stopped. One animal, two hearts. A soul that was split into two, so they'd never be anywhere other than by the side of the other. Together. Always together. Though Ivy's stride was shorter, he moved in perfect time with Lotus. He would always move in perfect time with his twin brother. Two of a kind. Still, it didn't stop them from teasing and messing with each other. It doesn't escape his notice that Lotus considers taking him off his feet, but that's okay-- payback would never be far away. That, and they're having fun.

The pair stops to stare at the boar, and Ivy nods once. Ivy might be faster than the boar, but was Lotus? Probably not. The stringy pup looked to his brother, a soft hmm to himself. "I'll chase it toward you, and then you can clobber 'im." A grin played on his features, already starting to make his way from the undergrowth they'd been hiding within. His gaze was fixed on an adolescent male that was close enough to them, cutting wide around their prey so he could get a good angle. Yes, he'd be able to push it toward Lo, and they could take it out together. As with everything, they'd do it together.

He remains under cover of brush as he moves, gaze intense and bright. They'd eat well tonight.
"Speech"