Seasonal Preparations (for alittlehinky)

[brother_alone]

The first overnight frost crept through the Wilds, leaving the plants stiffly dressed in lacy offwhite as light crept hesitantly back in to the deep wooded area Joshua claimed as his own. Winter's not far off, now. Winter's not a time anyone who's been here for very long ought to take for granted. Not since The Storm. It's less of a detriment to Josh, considering what he is now. He was made to hunt through deep snow, to find prey even in the darkest of nights.

He was made to hunt. Unconcerned for the cold. Winter makes him different though. Less aware of his surroundings.

Less aware of his friends.

He's still got those, some-fucking-how. They won't be as well equipped to handle another bad winter as he will if one comes. They've still got time to prepare but a bit of help certainly wouldn't hurt. The half-wendigo spends a good week hunting hard and often. Keeping himself so full he's nearly sick. Hoarding a good stock of meat to keep at his little shack for a few days. It's important to prepare if he's going to visit his Human friends. People who so often flag as Prey to his senses.

The extra hunting isn't just for himself though. He's got enough memory of social niceties to shoot Cricket a text on his PINpoint telling him he's headed to the distiller's place. He didn't mention he'd be hauling a bled out deer over his shoulders though.

It's important to bring gifts to your friends if you're dropping in!

Comments

[brother_alone]

"Best time of the year to get 'em. Everything's trying to stock up for winter." His old man was a hunting enthusiast back when such things mattered. Venison's almost a comfort for him, even if getting it and consuming it are far different prospects than they once were. It feels good, being able to provide like this for a friend.

Because Cricket is that. Somehow. Despite everything their relationship has remained mostly uncomplicated. Cricket offers his good hand, and Josh is actually able to take it if not gently.

"Sssounds good." He gets no benefit from most drinks but he does miss human food and drink something fierce. A taste now and again is good. Reminds him that he can still like things. That Joshua the man isn't as much of a dream as he sometimes seems.

"S'decent work. I used to do it. Running deliveries I mean. So long as you can keep up it looks like it's been good for you, bro."

[alittlehinky]

Cricket bends slightly to pick up the tub of juice he's been pressing. It's heavy, but his upper-body strength has always been better than that of his legs, and he doesn't look like he's in danger of stumbling with it. "I was thinkin' about that the other day," he tells Josh. "Went up one of the bluffs not too far from here and there must've been dozens of raccoons snapping up fallen nuts."

"I might gather some walnuts and hickory myself, before it gets too cold."

He walks toward the house slowly, glancing toward the chicken coop as Stir Fry squawks and flaps. The chickens don't care for his visitor, evidently, and that's understandable, but it takes a domesticated animal to kick up a fuss instead of stay out of the way like a sensible creature.

"I got some biscuits and jelly, too, if you got a taste for that." He knows Josh is pretty much an obligate carnivore now, but it would be rude not to offer.

He smiles wistfully, thinking to himself that if it were possible he'd love to hire Josh now, but it's far too risky for the both of them. "I remember," he says instead. "And talkin' about eggnog with you. I reckon I won't see you over Christmas but if the weather ain't to rough to walk through I'll leave you some of mine."

[brother_alone]

"Don't think I've ever seen Fresh walnuts before." One of those foods he only recognizes in its dried, roasted, supermarket form. Course, it's possible he's already seen dozens of them out in The Wilds and just never recognized them. Cricket doesn't need help gathering though and Joshua's not too great about finding small things that sit still anymore. Has a hard time focusing.

His gaze snaps to the chicken though is it raises a fuss. There's something akin to a hiss from the half-wendigo....but it comes in starts and stops. Joshua's actually laughing, quietly raspy though it may be. The hen is damned lucky that Cricket is a friend. That, and Loki would probably use some of their weirdass magic if Joshua so much as twitched toward that poor bird.

"Nah, I'm good. Drink's more than enough. Sssssides, I ate real well before I came." It's kind of nice to walk into a home that's furnished. Something more than the mattress on the floor of a shed barely big enough to house a speeder. Brings back memories of a lodge filled with carved cedar furniture. The amenities of a home long, long since abandoned. Even before he lost his humanity.

"I won't be round much when Winter comessss." Joshua confirms. "Safer for fuckin' everyone."