[littl3chocobo]

the food was gone from the basket and from the jar behind the house and he had been back to hunting for days though with the days warmer he was able to get baby hares in their burrows and snakes from the rocks in the fields so he did not starve and as was the case in the spring and fall he grew fat. it was on one of these excursions he ran across the hunter though before he was away completely he caught the voice of the boy red. he was not sure why he felt betrayed by what he knew was inevitable

[Poggio]

He was following some kind of tracks until he saw something move in the bush. The creature moved away fast but he was some what on its heels. It wasn't until he saw that the fur was dark and it was not a deer that it was in fact Mr Growl that he stopped and laughed. "MR GROWL?" He called sure to scare away anything he could have possibly hunted. He scampered close to the man. "Mr Growl! Mr Growl! my brother taught me to hunt, he says I can protect my self... MR GROWL" He was flushed with happiness until his feet missed a step and he landed on the ground.

[littl3chocobo]

only a couple days after the last time he encountered the boy red he did so again. it was the lack of hunter, or so that is what he figured it to be, that encouraged him to draw near enough though it was a poor idea as the other realized he was there and gave chase. he gained distance as he ran from years of outpacing the dogs but only until he heard his name. slowing for no reason he could fathom he nearly let the human catch him when a crash and a cry alerted to him that he would not be followed anymore. circling around but warily he got close enough to see the red cape and flush face and to smell cooked meats and bread, "congratulations little hunter. have you caught any wolves yet? the hunter should teach you to be silent when hunting your prey"

[Poggio]

"Wolves? No and I am not hunting things, it is mostly to protect myself from bears and wolves though I haven't encountered either." He looked up at Mr Growl. "You don't like it? Its only because my brother can't come into the woods after me any more. It is too hot and my sister is very needy." He managed to push himself up to his knees. "I snuck you some more stuff this time though, bacon, ham, lambs meat."

[littl3chocobo]

he was not sure he trusted the boy's bait though i had never proven itself to be poison before. carefully he came over and minding where the soft hands were at all times offered to help him up, "you are very kind but i have done nothing to deserve such kindness. why are you here? more errands for your granny or have you gotten lost just to get found?"

[Poggio]

He laughed and more of his red crept into his cheeks. "If it is both can we have fun? It is summer and ripe for berries and fish. I am sure my granny will not mind a delay if she reaps the benefits. Besides.." His smile deepend. "I can't seem to stay in the woods with out thinking about you Mr Growl."

[littl3chocobo]

sincerity and something else though it was not deceit more, something extra like an unknown smell was in those words and feeling as much comforted by it as nervous he decided to entertain the youth's wishes and they walked arm-in-arm to go find treats for the basket while cooked slivers of meat were pulled out to have now. as they walked the boy red chatted and he was content to listen as the other spoke of domestic things he did not understand or care for and in return glutted on the bits of meat offered by pale fingers

[Poggio]

He only noticed Mr. Growls silence each time he offered him some meat. It seemed that this time they found a spot closer to the stream to have their picnic and Red was prepared. He brought out a quilted blanket for them to rest on. He showed Mr Growl his bow, and after many attempts was even able to catch them a plump wild turkey. He plucked the feathers off the turkery while the other made the fire.

[littl3chocobo]

once they made it to the place where the berries were abundantly growing and had already started to ripen they stopped and the boy pulled out a blanket from the basket leaving it mostly empty but for a bit of meat. he watched while everything was laid out and the red hood the other wore always was folded up and put inside the basket. still silent he continued watching while the other got out the bow and offered to catch their lunch, laughingly he accepted and watched as the other failed to catch even the slowest of creatures until a young turkey came through. the arrow pierced it's neck and with a happy whoop the human went to fetch it while he started the obligatory fire. while the fire burned around the large center stone he took the bird and allowed the boy red to go do as he intended and collect berries for his granny

[Poggio]

Many of the berries did not make it to his basket. When he returned to Mr Growl his belly was half full and his face was stained and sticky with purple. Happy he fell on the blanket and stared at the sky as the smell of smoked turkey consumed him. "Mr Growl do you like pie?"

[littl3chocobo]

the bird was half cooked when the boy returned with a heavier basked than before. he paid no mind as the other laid down though the question did catch him, "i have not had or have not met 'pie' i would not know if i like such a thing"

[Poggio]

He drew in a sharp breath. "Mister Growl, my grandmother makes the best pies, she is the reason my family has been doing such good business. When I see her again I will besure to make sure you get one. Do you like apples, berries... or would you like a meat pie?" He said in jest. It did not matter the answer he would have all three by the time he returned to see Mister Growl again.

[littl3chocobo]

the first two held no interest but the third might be tolerable. flipping a chunk of the bird over he responded, "if it is not full of green things i would not mind to try meat-pie. the bird is almost cooked"

[Poggio]

He said nothing more and managed to doze until Mister Growl pronounced the meal ready. As always Red was ready with the addition of bread. Carefully he let Mister growl peel off a chunk for him and setting it down on the blanket, Red layered it with the bread. "Do you like salt?"

[littl3chocobo]

taking a bite of his own bread-free piece he shook his head, "salt is natural and good but i do not like as much as you humans use for your meats. it makes them dry and hard to eat"

[Poggio]

He stuck his tongue out at Mister Growl. He asked the man about many other spices and herbs and none of them seemd to his liking. Red contented himself with his salt-less meat. When he was full he lay back on the blanket. "Mister Growl I had intended to show you what fun was, so I brought a book. Would you like to hear some of it other wise there is a game we could play."