Rydag smiled and even blushed a bit at the light touch of Amelia, making him wish very much for his home once again. If they had been there he could have spoken to her mother about a mating and worked on proving himself to be worthy to care for her and any children she would have. Then again if he was back home he would be with his mate now, holding the child she was carrying and feeling content in his life. Yet that was no longer meant to be and he had to move on with his life eventually, he had been here for many seasons now. Eventually he would have to move on....right?<br/><br/>Pushing these troubling thoughts from his mind he focused on Amelia which only made him smile more. â€œGreat. Um...it is not going to be till later so um...if you want....you could come along while we get everything ready?â€<br/><br/>Amelia chuckled a him again but nodded and said she would come along with him till then.<br/><br/>Walking with her they made their way back to the site of the kill, just in time to watch the metal man Arthur leave. Approaching Cris he nodded toward Arthur and Cris just grinned and shrugged, â€œI guess he did not like the options that I gave him. You know death or humiliationâ€<br/><br/>Ry just shook his head and nodded him toward the others, ignoring the peculiar look that Cris was giving him as he looked to Amelia. Cris ever the charmer and wanting to get under Ry's skin a bit took up Amelia's hand and kissed the back of it lightly, â€œMissâ€. Finishing off with a playful wink he was quick to get out of the way before Ry's foot could find his ass. That out of the way Ry and the others set about loading up with their cuts of meat and taking them back to the place they called home.<br/><br/>The trek back took longer then the trek out there but that was because everyone was loaded down with as much meat as they could carry safely. All but three of the hunters were returning home this trip, the three remaining were going to guard the kill till they could return with more people for a final load of the night. As the approached the rocky terrain that marked the beginnings of their territory, several times there would be a piercing whistle that sounded somewhat animal like and Ry would give an answering whistle; guards hidden in the jungle lowering their weapons. On the small group trekked with Ry making idle chit chat, to the best of his ability anyway. Mostly talking about how he kept track of the seasons and the passing of years. Some in his tribe thought him mad for doing that because it would just remind him for how long he had been there, but for him it was a way of knowing the comings and goings of his new â€œfamilyâ€.<br/><br/>Yet before he could possibly bore her with details the entrance to their home came into view.<br/><br/><div style="margin:20px; margin-top:5px"><div class="quotetitle"><input class="button2 btnlite" onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = '';      this.innerText = ''; this.value = 'Hide'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerText = ''; this.value = 'Show'; }" style="text-align:center;width:100px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" type="button" value="Show"/></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;"><a class="postlink" href="https://dl.dropbox.com/u/9718239/2003_0101MermaidCave0018.JPG">[ img ]</a></div></div></div><br/><br/>A welcoming cry went up as the whole area became alive with excitement as those left behind welcomed their weary hunters home. The energy was ten fold considering the fact that they were successful in their hunt. Men and women, young and old all those who had been left behind rushed to remove the packs filled with me from the backs of the hunters. Some of the meat would be smoked, some turned into jerky, more placed into the cold storage pits. There would be more then enough to last them most of the season, with only hunting occasionally for fresh meat. Many of the others questioned Ry's logic in storing food and not hunting for it daily. Ry would just smile and explain to them, that the great mother provided them with more the enough to live and live well. It was up to them to not be greedy and squander what she provides.<br/><br/>With their packs removed the hunters took a moment to drink and rest a moment before heading out again. Ry talked with a few people before he took a moment to go to the small pool that was in the edge of the clearing. It was fed by a small waterfall which provided all of their fresh water and was one of the nicer features. All around there were huts of sorts set up around the main clearing, several of them built up higher into the niche of earth they call their home.<br/><br/><div style="margin:20px; margin-top:5px"><div class="quotetitle"><input class="button2 btnlite" onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = '';      this.innerText = ''; this.value = 'Hide'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerText = ''; this.value = 'Show'; }" style="text-align:center;width:100px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" type="button" value="Show"/></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;"><a class="postlink" href="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_259/1208178661h9YSLI.jpg">[ img ]</a><br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="http://www.igoweb.org/~wms/personal/photos/2000/wedding/honeymoon/hilo/junglePool-med.jpg">[ img ]</a></div></div></div><br/><br/>Getting to the pool he removed his shirt and dunked his head into the water, pulling it out as he whips his head of dreads back with a big smile. Nice and cool he walks back over to join the others and Amelia, â€œAlright lets get ready to go out again. I want to be back well before dark so that we can start the celebration. Those not going get working on storing the meat and preparing for tonightâ€ he said in a voice that was loud enough to be carried by the acoustics of the surrounding stone walls. As people began to move out or work there he looked to Amelia, â€œAgain you are welcome to follow or stay?â€<br/><br/>For the second time that they they traveled together and the chatter was once again small and pleasant. When they finally returned back to his home once again there was already a large roast cooking over the fire as well as several other side dishes. The fermented drink was beginning to be drunk and the musicians were already tuning their instruments. Again loads were exchanged and the hunters were guided to the large fire to sit and relax, Ry excusing himself to go and change into a fresh pair of trousers though he decided to forgo the shirt as the evening was warm and sitting by the fire he expected to only need to remove it later.<br/><br/>Standing there at the fire he raised his cup, â€œMy friends....my family....â€ he paused for a moment to make sure he had everyone's attention â€œHere it to another year together. Another year of being strong and growing. Another year sharing in the bountiful gifts of the Great Mother...â€ pausing he took a moment to look at Amelia, â€œHere is to an even better futureâ€ as he downed his drink a cheer rose up, several others followed and the music began. The cleared space soon being taken over by couples dancing. With his speech done he took his seat beside Amelia, â€œSo what do you think of our home?â€