RP:Trapping Plans For The Future

Summary: Meri and Khitti head to Frostmaw to explain their lack of hunting the white wolf that bit Meri to Aira, the psion and the templar move up in the Ranger's Guild, and the three make plans for future hunts!

Hunter's Lodge, Frostmaw

Meri :: Aira would have received a briefly worded letter explaining that Meri and Khitti would like to come up to visit at a proposed date and time. Sufficient warning seemed wise, Meri had a feeling that the vixen was inclined to wander. A wasted trip to Frostmaw was not something that Meri was inclined to make, even if she was finally starting to move past certain paranoid thoughts about this region, it was still murderously cold here. Meri has definitely dressed to combat that. The woman was wearing fur-lined boots, a big ol' fuzzy coat, a warm hat, mittens, pretty much every winter item that one can think of just to stay warm was on Meri. Meri murmurs to Khitti as they approach the lodge that they know to belong to Aira and Orikahn, "I really hope that she got the letter and that she is home." Meri's breath is visible in the cold air with every word that she speaks. The blonde is not going to waste any time, she reaches out with a gloved hand and gives the front door a solid knock.

Aira had, indeed (and thankfully!), received that brief letter from Meri alerting her to a visit from her and Khitti. They were lucky, even, for Aira had grown quite tired of being stuck in the lodge firstly due to her ankle injury closely followed by a strong blizzard that blew through Frostmaw. The itch to escape was so strong that the huntress was liable to go all the way west and stay for a length of time before returning to her lodge. But that would be avoided for the time being as she was to receive guests. Aira, despite her more feral nature in recent years, was actually a properly trained woman, brought us in a lower house of Rynvale's elite high elves. Unfortunately, for Meri and Khitti, a formal reception would not be available. Mostly, she had prepared a pot of tea (although a wineskin of grog was also readily available) and a spread of various smoked meats (the result of living with an obligate carnivore). She had managed, at least, to procure some cheese and a nice, crusty loaf of bread from Drargon to supplement the small meal. Just as the huntress moves to stoke the fire she hears the knock and immediately crosses the room and throws back the animal hide that acts as a door. The pair are treated to a rare smile as Aira steps back to allow them entry into the lodge. "Hey Meri, Khitti! Come in, come in. It's freezing out there," she says obviously.

Khitti || The cooler months that were passing through down in the lower regions of Lithrydel were not being entirely kind to Khitti as of late. It’d suddenly become apparent to Khitti, as snow fell occasionally in Kelay-Sage where she worked, that she was getting old. All those joints and bones of hers ached, and only ached more as they made their way up into the bitter cold--thank all the gods for warm clothing, painkillers, a fast feline mount, and an Aira being home. “It would seem so,” she said back to Meri as Aira opened the door. “Hey. And yes. Yes, it is.” If her joints had mouths, they’d be screaming. Also Khitti would probably want to see a doctor if that was the case. “Hi, Aira. How are you feeling?” While she hadn’t known the extent of Aira’s injuries, hardly anyone on that ship to Twister Island got out of there without a few bruises. Khitti immediately noted the food, especially that bread--look, she’s a sucker for carbs--and had to resist the urge to drool everywhere and need a bucket to contain her leaking saliva. “Oh man… Is that Drargon’s bread?! I’d know that smell from anywhere.” It doesn’t take much to please Khitti, clearly.

Meri was relieved when that door cracks open and reveals Aira, the blonde can't wait to get into side. While Khitti and Meri might have come with the purpose of giving Aira an update on wolf matters, the blonde is not so eager to rush into business. Hellos and chit chat were nice. Khitti seems to have a craving for Drargon's bread, and has just asked a question of Aira. Meri might have thought to ask how Aira was doing, but a similar question has already been posed, that seems sufficient. "It's good to see you," Meri says as she slips into the room. The blonde beelines for the first available chair, where she begins to strip herself of her layers. Now that she was indoors, she was quickly heating back up. Gloves are off, hat is gone, and jacket is soon removed and all tossed into a chair that Meri intends to claim for herself. It's probably at this moment that Aira finally gets a full view that Meri seems to be...quite pregnant. More pregnant than Aira perhaps would have anticipated her to be given the duration between their visits. "Teeaaaaa..." Mer exclaims now that her hands are free from their gloves and she can manage to help herself to a cup. The rest of the snacks would gain Meri's attention afterward, it was a long trip up to Frostmaw. You bet your bottom that the preggo wants to eat. "Thanks for all this. You really did not have to go out of your way, but it's much appreciated." Especially the tea and the bread.

Aira quickly ushers her guests inside and towards the fire where they could hopefully relax and defrost a bit. She hailed from an island and knew how harsh Frostmaw could be, even after living there the past few years she felt it. Khitti's exclamation about the bread is met with an even rarer chuckle from the vixen as she nods her head. "It is! I also got the cheese from him. The meat is from Kahn and me. I have jerky as well if you prefer that over the cured stuff." The pair would see various meats suspended from the ceiling, a necessary preparation for the winter as game was normally limited. As she goes about grabbing some tin mugs to fill with tea she pauses when she spies Meri's obviously pregnant belly as she removes her layers. The vixen's eyes widen slightly but she quite literally bites her tongue to keep from speaking--at least the huntress still had her manners and was not about to comment on it unless Meri did! Clearing her throat, she pours out the tea and hands the first tin to Meri and then to Khitti. "I'm better thank you. I'm pretty sure I fractured my ankle but except for the occasional twinge of pain it's much better. How are you two doing?" She offers the platter of food to the women and shrugs her shoulder slightly. "My apologies for not having more, uh, suitable dishes and flatware." Her mate was a murderous sabercat so dinnerware was not exactly something he felt was necessary.

Khitti soon took off her own coat and gloves, as well as the black scarf she’d gifted to Brand during their first Yule together a couple years ago (it’s not like he’s using it anyway) and hung it all over the back of the chair she sat in. She’d pluck up a bit of meat, some of the cheese, and bit of that bread too while they wait for their tea, “Once you’ve got a kid, you don’t always have time to use tableware. Especially once they start crawling around and setting things on fire.” That last bit was said as nonchalantly as possible, as if this were a totally normal happenstance for every parent. “I’m alright. A bit sore, a little tired. Nothing too out of the ordinary.” She’d not delve into the realm of her mental health right now--she’d made Aira rather uncomfortable last time and she wasn’t about to do it again anytime soon. The food is devoured as if she were some sort of vacuum--okay, it’s not that bad--and her praises sung for it, “It’s all really delicious, Aira! Thank you.”

Meri can see it now. Aira: No Orikahn, don't shove the dish off the table. Orikahn: *nudges dish closer to the edge*. Meri smirks at the thought, but keeps her thoughts to herself. There is no comment on the lack of tableware, for Meri is perfectly fine with it. She might not have a child yet, but her stint in Rynvale has shown a whole different level of uncouth. Pirates. Lovely. The ladies seem to have gotten their food and their drink and have settled into their seats. It seems like a good enough time as any to get right to the heart of the matter. "So Khitti and I were thinking it would probably be a good idea to come up here and say hello, as it has been awhile since we've had the chance to catch up. We also thought it would be a good idea to appraise you of the situation with our white wolf. I know we had plans, and it has been some time since we have really had a chance to talk about that too." Meri pauses here, because the pregnant woman really wants to have another bite of cheese. Once she swallows her bite, she goes on to say. "Unfortunately, Khitti and I have not really had much luck in finding any additional sightings of our wolf. I don't know if she has moved out of the area or...." Meri shrugs. "....But even if we did manage to catch a decent lead on a trail for her....Well...." Meri points to her pregnant belly as explanation. "Obviously our plan would not really work out as hoped. I mean, I guess it could have, but it would have likely been a level of reckless that none of us are really willing to stoop to."

Aira opts to sit on the floor beside the fire but in front of Meri and Khitti, it's a habit of hers now and one that she doesn't even consider as takes a bit of cheese for herself. The templar's comment about her son setting stuff on fire doesn't seem the faze Aira in the slightest. She had been a most...rambunctious child growing up so she wasn't about to pass judgement. "Does he have magic or did he just get a hold of a candle or something?" she inquires with a smirk. The compliments on the food are easily waved off. "It's not a problem! It's the least I could do after you trekked all the way up the mountain to get here." Aira picks up her own tin and takes a sip of the hot tea before turning her attention to Meri when she offers an update about the wolf. Her vulpine ears literally stand at attention and her matching tail gives a twitch, absentmindedly brushing against Meri's booted feet. Her face falls slightly at the mention of there being no more sightings, but she is equally relieved that there seem to have been no more attacks. At least there was that. The psion is given a sweeping glance when she gestures towards her swollen belly and Aira smiles. "Congratulations!" the huntress offers genuinely. "Had I known I would have told you to keep your rear south of the mountain and I would have come to you." Aira might have questionable morals but she was not about to risk Meri (or her cub's) life for some wolf hunt. "Obviously we wouldn't do that," she agrees before chomping down on a bit of meat. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Khitti || “He got his magic just recently. Just fire so far. He set the couch on fire by flinging a blazing stuffed chicken at it,” Khitti said, with one of those sighs parents utter with regards to their children. “Had to get him this bracelet to dampen it for awhile until he’s old enough to be taught how to use it and we’ve still got no clue if he’ll gain a natural ability for the other elements… or if it’ll end up being something out of the realm of arcane magic entirely.” Khitti had been pregnant while she still had her dark magic, after all. She’d let the two blondes converse as she snacked away again and drank her tea, olive-green eyes shifting between the two as they each spoke. “By the time Meri’s had the kid and healed up, maybe there’ll be something else that with need our attention, hunting-wise. It doesn’t seem like there’s ever any shortage of things that needs dealing with. In the meantime, if you need more food or anything while Orikahn’s out doing… uh… “cat things”, you and I could go hunting in the south somewhere for easier game. My Tikifhlee can haul whatever’s caught up here for you.”

Meri smiles at Khitti and Aira discuss her nephew, this was definitely a topic that Meri was a fan of. It was definitely a proud aunt sort of smile, even if they were discussing how Dominic was a little firebug. Meri gives a slight shake of her head to answer Aira's question, there was nothing that Aira really needed to do on Meri's behalf. The subject shifts back to hunting, this time Khitti is offering to help Aira hunt for food. Meri bobs her head in approval, this seems like a worthwhile way for the two women to get some hunting excitement in. "Well I was thinking that once I am all healed up, I am probably going to want to get right back into the swing of things. I don't want to end up feeling rusty with the bow or anything like that....So maybe it would be a worthwhile venture for us to target creatures in various regions for us to try and track and hunt. It's not like we've got to kill every single being that we decide that we are going to hunt. It could be a catch and release style hunt....Depending on the nature of the being we decide that we want to try and take on. But for example, maybe our first hunt could take us to Gualon in search of a Swamp Elemental." Or some other location or being that they deem more appropriate. Meri is just tossing out one possibility. "And once we complete that hunt, we'd pick a completely different manner of terrain so that we're getting plenty of diverse practice in."

Aira wrinkles her nose slightly when Khitti mentions that the source of the fire was not a playful candle toss but rather budding magical abilities. It wasn't that she had issues with magic, she didn't. Just she knew how unpredictable it could be even in the most apt hands--she couldn't imagine trying to parent that in a young child. Basically, Aira did not envy Khitti and Brand at all. The huntress presses her palms against the animal skin she lounges on behind her, leaning back casually as she considers the conversation at hand, her favorite thing, hunting! It makes her little vixen heart swell. "I really, really like that idea. Hunting, very basically, of course, is the same principle regardless of where or what you hunt. But I am definitely stronger at hunting here in Frostmaw than I would be in, as you suggested, Gualon. We definitely need to keep our skills sharp in all types of terrains and climates." Aira hums thoughtfully before sitting up straighter and considering the two women before her. "Actually, I'm glad you guys are here because I wanted to talk to you about something as well. I know we haven't been able to go on any real exciting hunts, but your willingness to learn and track haven't been lost on me. I think it's about time you two are promoted to professed hunters," she declares with a proud sort of smile. "What do you say?"

Khitti smirked at Meri’s ever-so-proud smile, nudging her a bit, knowingly. Yes, yes. Dominic was definitely adorable, even if he’s as much of a fire hazard as his parents now. Khitti had voiced her ideas and now the other two did as well. “I definitely agree on the other terrains. I’m pretty good in forests, thanks to Vailkrin, Frostmaw, and Sage, but… I’ve barely been to Gualon and it’s about the same for the desert as well, so I’m not really adept at swamp and sand.” She pondered it over a few moments before adding, “You know, I think I still have those breathing masks, from awhile back, still floating around in the cargo hold of the Tranquility. We could try our hand at underwater hunting too, if you guys would like.” Then Aira brought up their ranks and the fact that they were well on their way to making their way up in the guild, “Really?” She blinked a few times in disbelief, then smiled, “That’d be great!”

Meri is both pleased and surprised for a variety of reasons, all of which are pretty obvious. First there was talk of promotion, that was definitely a pleasant surprise. Second, was the reception of her suggestion for some additional hunting fun. Third was because that nudge Khitti gave the proud Auntie. "Whereas I am probably quite comfortable with Gualon, I did live there for a year and a half or two. Whereas I would really not at all be a fan of Frostmaw. And while I might be comfortable with Kelay-Sage sort of forests...Frak Vailkrin. This sounds like this could be a promising exercise for all of us....And if not, then at least we are doing something we enjoy and blowing off some steam, yeah?" Mention of those underwater masks causes Meri to give a knowing smirk to Khitti. Khitti likely knows that smirk. Meri was game for some underwater hunting. Hunting talk with the group as a whole is put to the wayside so that Meri can find focus on Aira. "What do I say? I say the same thing that Khitti does, that'd be great."

Aira sits up just a bit straighter when Khitti mentions underwater hunting. She enjoyed fishing but she had never done anything like -that-. The templar had successfully piqued her curiosity and the huntress was definitely game to give it a try. "Erm, I should let you both know that I -cannot- go to Rynvale. You see, Kahn and I went to, ah, check on my family some months ago and my brother and ex-betrothed and they lost their heads when they saw I had returned..." Was she speaking metaphorically in that they lost their cool and were angry to see the vixen? Or had they -literally- lost their heads? Considering who Aira's mate was... "Perfect! You are both officially professed hunters! Obviously, Meri, you don't do any hunting until you are de-babied and healed up." Aira beams at the pair when they seem not only receptive but happy with the promotion. "It sounds like we all have an area we are comfortable with and can offer tutelage on the terrain. We should also focus on different types of creatures to hunt. Let's use this time to work on honing our skills and do some research into where we want to go and what we want to hunt. Then once Meri is able to, we can plan a hunt together."

Khitti tilted her head somewhat at Aira’s explanation about Rynvale, then nodded in understanding, “That’s fine. Plenty of ocean elsewhere. We can go to either the east or west coast and not even have to go near Rynvale.” There was another smirk given to Meri now, and her ‘frak Vailkrin’, “Oh come on. Kahn and I hunted in the woods there. Since I lived in House Dragana for awhile, I know that forest like the back of my hand. We don’t even actually have to go -into- the city.” Her attention returned then to Aira, giving her another nod, “I am the Queen of Research. You don’t have to tell me twice.” Once more Meri is turned to, crimson brows raised somewhat as she eyed the psion, “How are you doing? Feeling the need to go home yet now that we’ve got this all sorted out? If you don’t want to make the full trip back, we can always go stay at the inn. I can show you the room Brand and I lived in--I think the scorchmark from where I threw fire at his head is still there.”

Meri doesn't need to be told twice about no hunting. Like Khitti, who was discovering the joys of joint pain and growing old as a human...Meri was discovering the joys of not being able to bend over to pick something up. This really does not make for conducive hunting. Meri bobs her head in agreement with Khitti's point, there was indeed plenty ocean. "No argument there. But there is nothing wrong with doing a bit of research." Fine tuning the details of these hunts once Meri was no longer pregnant was also something that the blonde bobs her head in agreement too. Just as Khitti slides her gaze toward Meri, the pregnant woman is issuing in an involuntary yawn. "Now that you mention it...We probably should get on our way. I think I could make the trip back just fine, but I wouldn't mind seeing the scorchmark either." Meri chuckles, pushing herself up out of the chair. Even if Aira and Khitti still had goodbyes to say, it would take the pregnant woman a second to put all her winter weather attire back on. Moving quickly with this belly was easier said than done, so it took her a bit longer to get situated than it would normally. "Needless to say, Aira, you will be hearing from us...." Meri looks down at her belly, and considers. "Hopefully soon."

Aira wasn't particularly fond of Vailkrin herself, she tried to limit the amount of time she spent there. So she was in agreement with Meri on this one. As Khitti assures her that researching is a non-issue, the huntress grins. She appreciated the fact that her 'assignment' was met with agreement and perhaps even excitement rather that annoyance and groaning. When the templar asks Meri if she would rather stay at the inn as opposed to heading home, the vixen breathes out a sigh and the vulpine ears atop her head flatten. "Of course you both are more than welcome to stay here. Always. I just, ah, don't have the most comfortable accommodations," she confesses apologetically. "And I cannot promise that a grumpy Kitty won't make an appearance." As the two prepare to leave, Aira stands with them, stretching her arms above her head and offering to help Meri into her coat. "Thanks for coming to see me. We'll keep in touch." The vixen smiles and inclines her chin towards Meri's pregnant belly. "Let me know if you need anything. Anything at all." Aira would then see the two out, watching from the doorway as they disappeared into the snow before heading back inside to finish off the rest of the food before Kahn got home.