misborncat | Carpe - When the hunting is good... [Closed]

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carpe,
for:benjen

Carpe - When the hunting is good... [Closed]

Asato is putting the last minute touches on his blades before heading out into the snowy forest for a hunt. A bit of fowl would be nice and he could share it with Merlin if the old human was willing. Perhaps even a hare. Those were quite tasty.

He wondered for a moment if he should seek out Benjen for a hunt, but he wasn't sure if the human was available or willing.

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"The forest here is large. I don't think we will get in the others way at all." Asato smiles a bit.

"It is small compared to my home forest, but there aren't so many hunting here."

"I like sharing the wood with you," Benjen replies and it's accompanied by a true smile. He looks around, nodding as he glances up to the tree tops. "It is small compared to mine as well."

"I would like to hear more of your forest," Asato says. "I'm sure you must have many stories."

"Ah, but the forest is what surrounds the Wall. Protecting the people of the realm from wildlings," Benjen shares. From his tone, the Wall is in his heart.

"What are wildlings?" You have Asato's attention Benjen.

Benjen takes a deep breath as he has a lot to say. "The free folk are a race of people who live beyond the Wall. They consist of many oft savage tribes and village-dwellers. Some are not so savage, but most are hostile. They spend much of their time fighting one another, aside from the times when they are unified by a King-beyond-the-Wall. They have one now named Mance Rayder." He gazes into the forest. "There are also the Others."

Asato listens quietly, ears perked and focused on Benjen.

There isn't really a concept of 'king' in his world, but the translation serves well enough for the ribika. "They are a threat then to the people behind the wall. What are Others?"

"Ahh, the Others. To some minds, they are the same as the wildlings, but many have forgotten the old times. The Others are also called White Walkers. Some believe they are myth, as they are mentioned in ancient legends and stories from the time of the First Men and the Children of the Forest. They are believed to have caused chaos and war in Westeros before they were defeated in a great struggle and driven back into the uttermost north, with the Wall raised to bar their return. Current belief holds that they have either never existed, or to be extinct, as they have not been seen for thousands of years. According to legend, the White Walkers speak a language known in myth as 'Skroth'. Whilst held as myths and spoken in the same breath as 'grumkins' and 'snarks', there is a growing belief amongst the wildlings who live beyond the Wall that the White Walkers have returned." Obviously this is quite a speech for Benjen, but he is not quiet because he does not believe in talking. Instead, he doesn't believe in speaking without meaning. On this topic, he has much important to say.

[ooc: I have no idea how I missed this thread for so long! *cries!*]

"Do you believe they exist?" It's an honest question. He knows that there are things his people (and even himself) believed to be true that turned out to be false.

The Others sound frightening and something must have caused such fear to build something as grand as the Wall sounds to him.

No worries! Asato is patient. ^^

"Without a shred of doubt," Benjen answers. He feels certain the Others attacked himself and his men in the moments before he awoke in this place. "One should never discount mythology. Ignorance will only endanger those who we have protected all these many years."

Asato nods, thoughtful.

"Mythology is what kept my friend alive. And it is what killed my parents and nearly me. Ignorance of many things can harm, but relying solely on stories that one is told can also cause pain."

He was only pointing out things as he knew them to be, not disagreeing with Benjen.

"I think a healthy respect for the old tales and the old ways is as important as adapting to new contrivances," Benjen shares. Clearly he's not offended that Asato's opinion might differ from his own; he actually respects it.

Asato is glad that he didn't offend, and he nods. "That's true I think. I didn't often dwell on it though back home."

"Sometimes we have not the time to dwell, when action must needs come first," Benjen remarks.

Asato nods, then smiles, a flash of fangs. "You are very wise Benjen."

It's almost as impressive as his skills in the forest to him.

"I too think you are wise," Benjen replies, fascinated by Asato's smile. His gaze lingers. "We have things to teach one another." Despite his look, he means no sexual innuendo. Their conversation compartmentalized differently in his brain from his attraction to the ribika.

Asato's brain isn't in that realm at all.

"Then it's good we are friends," he agrees. He's pleased to know Benjen.

Fortunately, or not, Benjen is a very patient person.

"I agree with that sentiment," he replies, nodding to the forest. "Continue?" There is much more game to be hunted.

Asato bows his head in agreement. "We should. It will be good to be prepared for slower hunting."

"I thought to set some snares while in the forest," Benjen says after they've been walking quietly for a while. For him, the silence has been companionable.

Asato certainly hasn't found fault with the silence. "There are many fine animal trails to choose from," he offers. "Many are around the lake in the summer. As for winter, they are farther in and harder to see, but still good."

"I am more accustomed to hunting in snow than anything," Benjen notes, but sounds very appreciative of Asato's advice. "Summertime hunting sounds quite simple. Rather without sport." This seems to amuse him.

Asato's ears flick slightly and he smiles a bit. "Do you think so? Some of the summer hunting can be difficult."

"We shall see when we hunt this summer," Benjen replies, smoothly making plans to spend much time with Asato in the future. He watches Asato for any reaction to the assumption.

Asato looks pleased at the idea of having a hunting partner in the summer as well. "You will regret making that claim then," he says, voice a bit softer as it is when he makes a joke or teases. There's always the chance that it won't be taken well and he doesn't like to upset friends.

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