It took a moment, but Ranuk finally realized that Tamlin virtually knew nothing about him, other than what he's heard from the legends and the venomous tales from his brother. No one else would have questioned Ranuk taking in kits, he was a Beast Master, one of the best in the region if not<i>the</i>best among demon kind. It was his duty and passion to train animals to serve the hive.<br/><br/>But Tamlin hadn't known that. They have told him nothing about his betrothed. But to be fair, Ranuk knew very little of him in return.<br/><br/>The thought was enough to make Ranuk break his focus from the cubs and turn his eyes to the elf. In the low light, the demon's gaze glinted yellow and blue, like a forest creature in the night.<br/><br/>Tamlin offered him jerky, just as he had earlier when the snow cat had rested in the tree roots. And like before Ranuk gave a slight shake of his head, a gentle refusal. He could go days without meals before hunger gnawed at his stomach, but he knew elves could not go so long. They were grazing animals like rabbits or deer, they needed to eat constantly to keep their energy up.<br/><br/>Ranuk would never deprive one of his husbands, and that extended to husbands-to-be as well.<br/><br/>"No, thank you..." Ranuk murmured, his voice pitched low and as gentle as he could make it but it still rolled throughout the cavern like distant thunder. The kittens were beginning to get used to the sound it seemed, they did not scramble as urgently as they had before. "You hunt well."<br/><br/>-------<br/><br/>Ursalo's tone might have been teasing but he had been completely sincere when he told Jera to build a big fire. The temperature had dropped quickly with the sunlight and the snake haired demon dearly regretted leaving behind his robe. Jera's admiration, though very much appreciated, could only warm him for so long.<br/><br/>Luckily Jera had taken him seriously and a merry little campfire was roaring away when Ursalo returned.<br/><br/>"Oh, flatterer," Ursalo scoffed even though he sounded terribly pleased with himself. He handed the rabbits to Jera and took the pheasant for himself to clean while sitting by the fire.<br/><br/>He sat gracefully, legs folded with his back to the flame, and all his snakes slowly stretched themselves downwards, their serpentine bodies nearly straight as they tried to absorb as much warmth as they could. It changed Ursalo's silhouette dramatically as his snakes were always coiling or lifting their heads, a tangled writhing mass around his shoulders. It was much the same effect of having ones wild hair finally tamed.<br/><br/>"I do alright," Ursalo said, affecting modesty as he began to pluck the bird. He was careful to sort the feathers as some would make good fletching for arrows and others handsome quills, an apology gift for Ortel. He would like that better than a few of Ursalo's scales.