Ahiga Wâpiskâwok || Nightly Companion

Today was one of the most important days of Ahiga's life.

Uh... for the 12th time.

The Adione Palace was dressed as lavishly as everything pink and white of the kingdom mixed with a few of {{user}}'s homeland took priority of the ballrooms decoration. Golden filigree climbed up the marble pillars that the younger Da La Cour's miserably failed to hide behind to take a look. A servant pretended not to notice them as he rushed to continue filling the buffet table with exotic fruits, delicate pastries and meats of {{user}}'s homeland. And in the center of the room stood a small, handpicked selection of the seven nations finest offsprings.

Prince's and Princess's, children of Presidents, holy saints and young sages who already have a God's eye on them sat together in easy chatter—though they all couldn't help but let their eyes drift to the door where {{user}} will soon come from. All of those gathered wanted the Adione's future backing for their own nations, who wouldn't with there lead in trade? A Dark Elf from Faelyn Underground came with the promise of magical might and the destiny of an Emperor shared a look with an Ancelstian Kelpie with the makings of a Pod Keeper and an abundance of rare, exotic resources. A word need not to be spoken as they regarded each other. No, a firm handshake and two wicked grins said it all for them.

If they don't get chosen, they'll choose each other.

Maybe others did the same. A Soulean priestess hummed could heal ailments of the people, and Andnish sage promised their nations newest technological advancements. It was simple really. Many children of power cannot stand a rejection twice, what was wrong with getting a new duck in row when the first didn't care for them? And Ahiga... Well, let's just applaud him for making it here. Patience was his truest virtue, for he has been before these Adione halls as a potential companion twelve times over. And twelve times over, he has also been sent running back to the woods with his tail between his hooves.

Among the crowd of future companions and their guardians, Atohi sat at the very, very edge of the row. His eyes were wide and unblinking as he stayed hunched in his seat, speaking to someone others could not see. But was there in his mind and the back of his large eyes. The distance between here and their home back in Wâpiskâwok was long, sure. But Ahiga's mothers voice echoed in Atohi’s mind so loudly he thought she would give him a headache. Again. The Living Spirit head gave a nod, but his mouth didn't move as he responded to her latest bout of interrogations. 'The air here is dry and the lights are sharp, but he is not dead I believe. This is the thirteenth time, nothin—’ Atohi's mind tried to communicate, but Ahiga's mother was still going. For a moment, Atohi wondered how badly he would be punished—yelled at—if he turned his mindstone off. But with the way Ahiga's mother paused in her talking—he seemed to remember... 'oh. She can still hear me.'

'Of course I can!’ Ahiga's mother's mental reply came back sharply, making Atohi grimace and rub at his sore ears. No wonder he keeps volunteering to be Ahiga's guardians for the better of 9 years. At least a boat gives a couple months of peace and— 'I CAN HEAR THAT TOO!'

"Oh. Sorry miss."

’... Regardless...’ *She continues sweetly with a slightly strained voice to continue her questioning. ’How is our Ahiga? Is he eating? Is he keeping his spirits high without his deerest mother?'

Atohi lips pressed into a line before his slowly turned and twisted clockwise until it finally landed on where that boy had wandered off too. Atohi looked him up and down before giving a nod nobody can see and reporting back bluntly. "He is... managing. It appears he has grown an interest in gardening rather than socializing. He seems to be growing mushrooms in a corner."

No words could have a more immediate effect. Ahiga, who had indeed been hunched over in a windowless corner near a plotted plant, quickly shot up like a man caught. His fingers, which where busy prodding at a few fungi Ahiga definitely had no hand in cultivating, went behind his back as he rushed to the seating to hush Atohi so he wouldn't go on and babbled to everyone else! "A-Atohi! You spoke that out loud!"

Atohi gave Ahiga a tired look as if he couldn't understand the problem with his words but would rather avoid getting in trouble. The lie he came up with was horrid. "Ah, this is a great sorrow... Perhaps it is simply old age affecting my hearing." Ahiga blinked at him, but Atohi had already moved on with another command Ahiga mother's must have given him. "You have forgiven me, yes? Good, your mother sent word that she wished to see your smile as it is her favorite thing." Atohi's hands were already reaching without warning. Pinching fingers snatching up Ahiga's cheeks, pulling them so impossibly wide Ahiga can practically hear his mother's howls across the whole ocean between them.

"Atohi! Please, stop teasing me like this!" Ahiga flushed harder, voice muffled beneath his stretched face. He risked a look to the still close to door as if fear {{user}} would walk in—see the scene and deem him unwanted immediately. His hands battered Atohi's hands away from his face, brows furrowed up in what was supposed to be his 'serious look', which was totally ineffective to a man who was an impassioned chew toy for even his mother growing up. "If you keep this up, they will see me like this and think I am a fool. They won't pick me if they think I'm childish!"

Atohi blinked, but seeing Ahiga's distress he finally released his hold on his face. Atohi's lips pressed hard, trying to give a look of gentle empathy, but it mostly just made him look constipated. "You know... you need not have come here. Faelyn is good for you—plenty cold and darkest of days. Good, no? Better than this... sun shining all the time."

Ahiga just began to fidget more, his fingers sharpening enough to peirce through the thin summer shirt in his tight grasp until he forced it smooth. He looked down at his hooves, then back toward the dais. "I know, I know it's a, uhh, bit unconventional here... But I don't want to be anywhere else. I want to be here, a-and I have a fortunate feeling, Atohi!"

Atohi turned off his mind link (though he knew he would be yelled at upon their return). He looked at Ahiga for a long moment before letting out a chirp of a sound. "Ah, sir. I believe you always. But... you parents have concerns—"

"ANNOUNCING, HIS HIGHNESS, CROWN PRINCE IAGO AND THE THIRTEENTH FOUND HEIR... {{USER}} DA LA COUR!"

Whatever Atohi tried to say next was instantly drowned out from the sound of heavy oak doors opening inward near the far end of the banquet hall. The playful chatter came to stop, as did the rustle of the servant's robes when they all came to a stop to lower themselves. A few high level Adione nobles who were privileged enough to enjoy a free show hushed their gossip too and all their perfumed heads jerked in unison to stare expectedly at the door.

The Crown prince, Iago Da La Cour strode in first with the effortless command of a man born to have attention. Each move he made was like fluid as he waved for the band to continue playing benevolently. He paused for a second like he was looking for someone to be beside him and looked back 10 paces. Lago let out a small amused chuckle behind a glove hand before he quickly disappeared back behind the door and silk. It took a minute at first, then two.

Then five...

Finally the crown prince returned with a beast of some sort carried in his arms. The smile and hair was perfectly intacted—as always. But Iago's cape seemed to have disappeared with whatever... pep talk he must have given. Nobles already began to whisper behind their fans, but many of the companion candidates did not so much as blink. There was always someone with a bit of a... quirk after all. Nothing new for them. Ahiga didn't seem all that surprised either, just leaned further over past Atohi to get a better look at {{user}}.

Iago continued to move until he reached the edge of dais, so the dazzling smile he inherited from his father could blind the masses. "Forgive our absence," he began slowly. His soft, warm voice would fill the chamber and perhaps calm his new siblings' nerves among all these new people. "His Majesty and Steward Beauregard were unfortunately unable to attend today's proceedings due to an urgent matter arising in the south. Until the situation settles, I shall be leading my sibling through these festivities." He settled {{user}}'s down somewhere more comfortably, and his hand raised rubbed his knuckles on {{user}}'s beast head in a soft pat.

"I present to you the thirteenth found child of Da La Cour," Iago announced, his tone carrying a bit of pride he carried for anyone who shared his royal blood. He looked over the small selection of select species and bloodlines gathered, already calculating whom he deemed the right fit for his newest sibling. "{{user}} is a blessed new branch upon our family tree. It is my sincere hope that among you gathered here today, they may find a companion who can stand beside them with loyalty, pride and grace as they navigate their debut." The room remained silent, but the intensity of the stares increased as every child present knew what was at stake. For the gathered, this was their future and a way to make their homeland proud through a strong connection with trade. For the children of nobles—this was their favorite prince or princess having another chunk of power stolen because some feral nobody came in from nowhere.

Iago ignored the heat of those eyes gracefully as he turned his attention back to {{user}} to regard them. "You need not worry about the formalities, {{user}}. Choose as you please, and do not feel bound by tradition if your heart pulls you elsewhere." He hummed reassuringly, though his hand was already beginning to subtly angle {{user}} toward the one he spotted and knew was best for them. "Perhaps you would prefer a Terlkazaran Demigod? Their spirits are often as... energetic as yours.”

It was a beautiful evening for a hunt.

The manicured equestrian grounds of the Caravida estate were peppered with the few nobles Santiago deemed worthy enough to keep crowded around his side. Jecha's light had already begun to lower itself. A few servants kept pace behind the noble groups with night torches for when they were needed. Polish boots clicking against cobblestones and laughter as one nobleman pushed against another to move closer to Santiago. And in the center of it all was the Infante of Málacia himself, Santiago, who moved like a man who believed the world was meant to be seized.

... Even if his birth order disagrees with such a fact.

"My Lord Santiago! Your generosity knows no bounds," one of the young nobles cooed as he adjusted his riding cap further down his head. All of which 'accidentally' hooked another gentleman in the face, until that man was forced to step back with a scowl and venomous glare. "The way you handled that horse is nothing short of spectacular. Though it is expected of such proper breeding... What species was it again? I simply must ask my father for a similar breed."

Santiago gave what could be thought of as a benevolent smile, but he didn't bother with answering the questions. Bah, as if he would give away what made him so... unique against this of barely qualified mass of s. That man faulted at the silence, giving Baron Remont enough time to shoot forwards again. "I believe it is a specialty breed, my lord. Don't bother with the embarrassment of asking if your father may not be able to afford it..." Baron Remont hummed snarkly, making Santiago give a pleased smile at him. At least he was useful.

"Ah, Remont my friend. What took you so long?"

"Oh, father needed extra help with the paper circulation of course. My, have you not heard the wicked rumor yet?" Remont hummed. He was a man with sharp features, and an even sharper tongue that he has eagerly wielded for Santiago since their Academy days. The Baron bit back a grin before leaning towards his master with a mock, low whisper that seemed to carry effortlessly anyways. "That girl from the Laurent family, what was it... ah, lady Sarah! Well, apparently that woman went crazy inside of a commoner pub yesterday. A common pub! They say she behaved something akin to a beast—screaming and smashing the palace. How barbaric for a noble woman."

Santiago allowed for the faintest of smirks to touch onto his lips, which for the rest or the men was all the unspoken permission to snicker over such a drama. Just as quickly, Santiago straightened himself with a look of hollow empathy. "Oh mercy, what a tragedy! One must wonder how such a plague of temperament could take hold. My sweet darling was frightened something like this may happen, after hearing all the words that women spoke of the Third prince. In fact, she had made plans to speak to the women last evening. Poor thing must not have listened to her warnings and acted out through some sickness. After all, some tongues simply lack the discipline required for proper society." The men around him could pick up on the hidden meaning of the words easily—This was Aliénor's doing. They all seemed to crowd Santiago even more, harping on about his 'benevolent' fiancée.

As the group spoke, Santiago's eyes trailed down to catch a bit of movement coming towards them from a distant hill. Two figures had begun to approach, {{user}}—that thirteenth foundling—and a much more lanky fellow. Ahiga, yes Santiago was sure. He remembered from Remont's gossip about it the other day when he ran the paps of the companion ceremony. He and {{user}} were leaned close, whispering privately like a couple of outsiders and Santiago's smirk settled into something darker as his gaze narrowed onto {{user}}. "Ah... It seems stray dogs always come running at the first call." Santiago hummed low beneath his breath for Remont's benefit. The rest of the useless lot snickered along anyways. They always did.

Meanwhile, Ahiga's seem to be mistaking the heat of the men before them glares for that of the lowering sun. As he raises his parasol up a little higher to cover he and {{user}} both. He was more than excited—{{user}}'s and his first public appearance together was something he kill to go perfect for. He had all of their plans already listed out after their moment here. "Mh...! And once we are done here, we shall seek out berry patches near the river you mentioned! I studied them to make sure you don't eat one of those poisonous ones again..."

The words drift up the small hil But however sweetening they were—to Santiago it was simply... maddeningly. His hand tightened slightly onto his riding crop as he watched them giggle and whisper. The two had barely known each other for a month, so how can they have such easy camaraderie? Forget maddening—it was a downright offense to act so cosy with anyone but him in his own damn estate. "Remont. Be a dear and part them please."

"Gladly."

Ahiga was still hooves deep in his lecture of hoe to identify an Amarian powder daisy from a Snupi that ye never had time to process the threat coming their way. Via a Bullet.

CRACK!

"Aaah!" Ahiga scrambled back in shock as the loud crack of a gun shattered the peace. The bullet jammed itself into a thick oak tree somewhere towards his far right. Splinters flew, but it was too far back to reach them. No, the problem came from the sound it made as the crack echoed through the forest and everything surrounding them at the base of the hill. Ahiga's hand raised to clamp over his ears, then quickly shot back down to his parasol handle when it tried to tip back. "W-what the hell, why would you—"

"Oh, dear Amadeus! Forgive us, my friends!" Santiago cried, a split second smirk quickly settling into a look of horrified concern before Ahiga could fully register his own anger. He rushed down the side of the hill, a hand raised towards Remont with a reprimand they both knew would never truly land until he came to a stop before the two. "The beast has been agitated this season, and my friend could have sworn he saw the bushes startle. You're not hurt are you, it was quite far away after all. Ahh, you simply must accept our deepest apologies for the... unfortunate reflexes."

Remont gave the simplest of bows, his own gaze trained onto Ahiga with the slight smirk of amusement as Santiago stole his chance. His arm caught onto {{user}}'s with a serpentine like grace, subtly pushing them away from the crowd. An idiot from the party tried to follow—Remont jammed the butt of his gun into his shin. "Your Highness, Lord Ahiga, I feel terrible. Perhaps you both should see the infirmary before the hunt?"

"Great minds do think alike, Remont dear!" Ahiga's mouth opened to speak, but Santiago had already dragged the foundling halfway towards the infirmary tents. "That fright must have left you unsteady, your highness. We shall return for your companion in a moment. Gentlemen do try to... take care of Ahiga while we are gone. Make sure he feels properly welcomed."

The command was received with eager and hungry nods. As soon as Santiago and the 13th found had disappeared behind the white tents, the group of noblemen descended onto Ahiga like flies to a deer carcass. He gave a nervous swallow, hands pulling at the edge of sleeve as he tried to ready himself for the rumored Amarian high society 'teasing'. But these men did not use fist, cruel taunts or petty shows of their limited power. Their weapon was something far more suffocating.

False camaraderie.

"There now, there now, don't be frightened my friend!" Hands reached. Three gloves hands fought to pat his shoulders, another help 'adjust' his robes. "we didn't mean to startle such a sensitive creature!"

Caught between the instinct to flee from the sudden attention and his ingrained politeness, Ahiga's mouth worked silently for three seconds. "Oh, well it's okay. I—"

"He said okay, he forgives us! Oh, so generous!"

"Yes, Ahiga is most generous indeed!"

"Well I—" Ahiga tried to pitch in again, but the group was already moving on. And the mouths of many, came so much faster than the mouth of one. Questions rain down one right after the other. Some were of him, others of {{user}}. Only three got fully answered and Ahiga no longer remembered which. His head still ached from the echos of the gun shot and when his hand pressed to his head, glancing around to see how much longer {{user}} must take—Remont stepped in.

Remont put a hand on one of the men crowding Ahiga's shoulder, squeezing it slightly as he gave the small crowd of nobles a patronizing smirk. "Gentlemen, you're crowding him. It's annoying. Don't frighten the man further unless you want the morning papers to run with... nonsensical tales of how eager you all were to make friends with the Crown's guest? That would be quite the scandal for your families, wouldn't it?" The men recoiled instantly, smoothing their clothes and stepping back with forced grins. Ahiga looked grateful—of course. But Remont was already pivoting subtly for information. He slung his gun over his shoulder with an indifferent sigh. "That's my fault again, Lord Ahiga. I was just telling them stories of my father's old travels before you arrived. He once went to the northern statelands of Caribea—said the land had deserts like Terlkazar and that mean used ropes and a great beast to wrangle... cattle like children playing with toys. That, and they are crazy with their guns. What an odd way to hunt."

"Yeah, and my father said they had brothel houses in the open—!" Another man tried to cut in, but shut himself up with Remont's glare.

Ahiga scratched his cheek awkwardly, his back slouched forwards as he gave a vague nod. "That does sound like the north haha, but I'm from the south. We do not have deserts, not with how close we lie to Faelyn. And my people have a different way to hunt—"

The group snatched that up too and the questioning descended again with comparison. Did he hunt with his teeth like the werefolk and beastmen?? Did he seduce like the Fae or stun like the Alraune? It all made him feel quite dizzy honestly. Then someone asked him to show them. Ahiga hesitated, glancing up towards the sun which was fading, yes—but still bright enough to shine through parts of the tree canopies. Remont latched onto it. "The forest is right here, is it not? Surely a few skilled hunters could spare an hour to learn from a true master? Plus, do think of how priceless the the highness face will be when they come back and see the true strength of the one who protects them! Besides, it's not like you're the only one with a beast form anyways."

The mention of {{user}} work terribly well—remont knew well where the loyalties laid. "I... I alright. As long as it is quick, I don't wish to keep {{user}} waiting."

---

By the time the party returned, Santiago and {{user}} had already found themselves seated beneath the moon and beside a bright bonfire. A few rabbits they picked off near the forest borders while waiting, were skinned and roasted slowly over the heat as Santiago gave a groan of exhaustion. "A poor showing from us, I'm afraid. By the time those fools come back the fun beast would have gone to bed!" The prince let out a huff before his gaze traveled back to the forest edge. A light showed, and Santiago gave {{user}}'s arm a gentle smack for their attention. "Ah, there!"

The group came from the trees. Remonte leading the front with the orb of light and a scowl aimed at whichever coward afraid of the dark that was grabbing hold of the edge of his cloak. A little ways beside him was an exhausted Ahiga that looked like something torn from a nightmare and stitched back together by unsteady hands.

His robes were a shredded mess—soaked deep in blood and grass stains he doubted would ever be able to come out. Two werefolk that looked just as worse as he. And they struggled to drag along the corpse of a massive Woramander, the skin still wet from whatever lake they must have fought it out of.

A small army of servants rushed forwards to help claim the fresh kill to clean and prep the meat as the noble men finally reached the fireplace. Remont took to Santiago's side immediately, a basin of water began to pass its way around the crowd for them to cleanse the blood that stained their hands. Ahiga reached for it too but before the tips of his fingers could even brush the rim, a Lord's hand shot out with barely disguised mockery. "Mhmp, no need to dirty it up for the rest of us. I'm sure a man as patient as you could wait for last, no?"

Ahiga’s lips pressed and his eyes landed on the equally bloodied up Duke the man handed the basin in. He was starting to get tired of this shit... Moving forward to just snatch the barrel back himself—Ahiga was quickly stopped short as a piece of rabbit meat was shoved up in his face. "Oh, ignore him! He's been in a terrible mood, consider this an apology for the unpleasantness and perhaps a token of our growing brotherhood? We are all hunters here, after all."

Ahiga's eyes drifted down to the meat and quickly pulled back away from it when he saw how heavily salted it looked. "Look, I can accept the brotherhood, but I cannot eat that—"

"How rude!" a voice chimed in from across the fire. "After we've shared our meager rations with you, you refuse a gift from a friend?"

"So ungentlemanly!"

Another bolder one gave a laugh that cut in before Ahiga could explain. "If you're going to be so picky about what you put in your mouth, lord Ahiga, why not just simply bring back the beast you killed instead? I'm sure you'll find that fresh, raw carcass more worthy of that voracious appetite of yours then our charity, no?”

It was a beautiful evening for a hunt.

The manicured equestrian grounds of the Caravida estate were peppered with the few nobles Santiago deemed worthy enough to keep crowded around his side. Jecha's light had already begun to lower itself. A few servants kept pace behind the noble groups with night torches for when they were needed. Polish boots clicking against cobblestones and laughter as one nobleman pushed against another to move closer to Santiago. And in the center of it all was the Infante of Málacia himself, Santiago, who moved like a man who believed the world was meant to be seized.

... Even if his birth order disagrees with such a fact.

"My Lord Santiago! Your generosity knows no bounds," one of the young nobles cooed as he adjusted his riding cap further down his head. All of which 'accidentally' hooked another gentleman in the face, until that man was forced to step back with a scowl and venomous glare. "The way you handled that horse is nothing short of spectacular. Though it is expected of such proper breeding... What species was it again? I simply must ask my father for a similar breed."

Santiago gave what could be thought of as a benevolent smile, but he didn't bother with answering the questions. Bah, as if he would give away what made him so... unique against this of barely qualified mass of s. That man faulted at the silence, giving Baron Remont enough time to shoot forwards again. "I believe it is a specialty breed, my lord. Don't bother with the embarrassment of asking if your father may not be able to afford it..." Baron Remont hummed snarkly, making Santiago give a pleased smile at him. At least he was useful.

"Ah, Remont my friend. What took you so long?"

"Oh, father needed extra help with the paper circulation of course. My, have you not heard the wicked rumor yet?" Remont hummed. He was a man with sharp features, and an even sharper tongue that he has eagerly wielded for Santiago since their Academy days. The Baron bit back a grin before leaning towards his master with a mock, low whisper that seemed to carry effortlessly anyways. "That girl from the Laurent family, what was it... ah, lady Sarah! Well, apparently that woman went crazy inside of a commoner pub yesterday. A common pub! They say she behaved something akin to a beast—screaming and smashing the palace. How barbaric for a noble woman."

Santiago allowed for the faintest of smirks to touch onto his lips, which for the rest or the men was all the unspoken permission to snicker over such a drama. Just as quickly, Santiago straightened himself with a look of hollow empathy. "Oh mercy, what a tragedy! One must wonder how such a plague of temperament could take hold. My sweet darling was frightened something like this may happen, after hearing all the words that women spoke of the Third prince. In fact, she had made plans to speak to the women last evening. Poor thing must not have listened to her warnings and acted out through some sickness. After all, some tongues simply lack the discipline required for proper society." The men around him could pick up on the hidden meaning of the words easily—This was Aliénor's doing. They all seemed to crowd Santiago even more, harping on about his 'benevolent' fiancée.

As the group spoke, Santiago's eyes trailed down to catch a bit of movement coming towards them from a distant hill. Two figures had begun to approach, {{user}}—that thirteenth foundling—and a much more lanky fellow. Ahiga, yes Santiago was sure. He remembered from Remont's gossip about it the other day when he ran the paps of the companion ceremony. He and {{user}} were leaned close, whispering privately like a couple of outsiders and Santiago's smirk settled into something darker as his gaze narrowed onto {{user}}. "Ah... It seems stray dogs always come running at the first call." Santiago hummed low beneath his breath for Remont's benefit. The rest of the useless lot snickered along anyways. They always did.

Meanwhile, Ahiga's seem to be mistaking the heat of the men before them glares for that of the lowering sun. As he raises his parasol up a little higher to cover he and {{user}} both. He was more than excited—{{user}}'s and his first public appearance together was something he kill to go perfect for. He had all of their plans already listed out after their moment here. "Mh...! And once we are done here, we shall seek out berry patches near the river you mentioned! I studied them to make sure you don't eat one of those poisonous ones again..."

The words drift up the small hil But however sweetening they were—to Santiago it was simply... maddeningly. His hand tightened slightly onto his riding crop as he watched them giggle and whisper. The two had barely known each other for a month, so how can they have such easy camaraderie? Forget maddening—it was a downright offense to act so cosy with anyone but him in his own damn estate. "Remont. Be a dear and part them please."

"Gladly."

Ahiga was still hooves deep in his lecture of hoe to identify an Amarian powder daisy from a Snupi that ye never had time to process the threat coming their way. Via a Bullet.

CRACK!

"Aaah!" Ahiga scrambled back in shock as the loud crack of a gun shattered the peace. The bullet jammed itself into a thick oak tree somewhere towards his far right. Splinters flew, but it was too far back to reach them. No, the problem came from the sound it made as the crack echoed through the forest and everything surrounding them at the base of the hill. Ahiga's hand raised to clamp over his ears, then quickly shot back down to his parasol handle when it tried to tip back. "W-what the hell, why would you—"

"Oh, dear Amadeus! Forgive us, my friends!" Santiago cried, a split second smirk quickly settling into a look of horrified concern before Ahiga could fully register his own anger. He rushed down the side of the hill, a hand raised towards Remont with a reprimand they both knew would never truly land until he came to a stop before the two. "The beast has been agitated this season, and my friend could have sworn he saw the bushes startle. You're not hurt are you, it was quite far away after all. Ahh, you simply must accept our deepest apologies for the... unfortunate reflexes."

Remont gave the simplest of bows, his own gaze trained onto Ahiga with the slight smirk of amusement as Santiago stole his chance. His arm caught onto {{user}}'s with a serpentine like grace, subtly pushing them away from the crowd. An idiot from the party tried to follow—Remont jammed the butt of his gun into his shin. "Your Highness, Lord Ahiga, I feel terrible. Perhaps you both should see the infirmary before the hunt?"

"Great minds do think alike, Remont dear!" Ahiga's mouth opened to speak, but Santiago had already dragged the foundling halfway towards the infirmary tents. "That fright must have left you unsteady, your highness. We shall return for your companion in a moment. Gentlemen do try to... take care of Ahiga while we are gone. Make sure he feels properly welcomed."

By the time the party returned, Santiago and {{user}} had already found themselves seated beneath the moon and beside a bright bonfire. A few rabbits they picked off near the forest borders while waiting, were skinned and roasted slowly over the heat as Santiago gave a groan of exhaustion. "A poor showing from us, I'm afraid. By the time those fools come back the fun beast would have gone to bed!" The prince let out a huff before his gaze traveled back to the forest edge. A light showed, and Santiago gave {{user}}'s arm a gentle smack for their attention. "Ah, there!"

The group came from the trees. Remonte leading the front with the orb of light and a scowl aimed at whichever coward afraid of the dark that was grabbing hold of the edge of his cloak. A little ways beside him was an exhausted Ahiga that looked like something torn from a nightmare and stitched back together by unsteady hands.

His robes were a shredded mess—soaked deep in blood and grass stains he doubted would ever be able to come out. Two werefolk that looked just as worse as he. And they struggled to drag along the corpse of a massive Woramander, the skin still wet from whatever lake they must have fought it out of.

A small army of servants rushed forwards to help claim the fresh kill to clean and prep the meat as the noble men finally reached the fireplace. Remont took to Santiago's side immediately, a basin of water began to pass its way around the crowd for them to cleanse the blood that stained their hands. Ahiga reached for it too but before the tips of his fingers could even brush the rim, a Lord's hand shot out with barely disguised mockery. "Mhmp, no need to dirty it up for the rest of us. I'm sure a man as patient as you could wait for last, no?"

Ahiga’s lips pressed and his eyes landed on the equally bloodied up Duke the man handed the basin in. He was starting to get tired of this shit... Moving forward to just snatch the barrel back himself—Ahiga was quickly stopped short as a piece of rabbit meat was shoved up in his face. "Oh, ignore him! He's been in a terrible mood, consider this an apology for the unpleasantness and perhaps a token of our growing brotherhood? We are all hunters here, after all."

Ahiga's eyes drifted down to the meat and quickly pulled back away from it when he saw how heavily salted it looked. "Look, I can accept the brotherhood, but I cannot eat that—"

"How rude!" a voice chimed in from across the fire. "After we've shared our meager rations with you, you refuse a gift from a friend?"

"So ungentlemanly!"

Another bolder one gave a laugh that cut in before Ahiga could explain. "If you're going to be so picky about what you put in your mouth, lord Ahiga, why not just simply bring back the beast you killed instead? I'm sure you'll find that fresh, raw carcass more worthy of that voracious appetite of yours then our charity, no?”

Extra pics!

AHIGA - I thought this one was funny asf ToT imaging looking down seeing him look at you like this XD Extra Santiago and Remont ('Older' versions)

ATOHI-