A Taste of Mossflower

Characters: Coaxoch and Vannon

There's not much that's happened yet... but Coaxoch figures that it'll take more than a day to get some real entertainment. He only hopes that this gang he's joined does more than just talk tough. After all, he'd left Marshwood Hill to escape from weak beasts, not to just relocate amongst a different set. He shrugs to himself, staring into the campfire, relaxing the best way he knows how... with a mug of some dark liquid that's got a distinctly bitter and caustic smell. Sure it used up a lot of his supplies from home, but they were meant to be enjoyed.

Like a boomerang that can not be thrown far enough Vannon returns to the camp. He comes strolling into the old shrew vilalge with a smug expression and a smile on his lips. With more food to keep his belly full the fox has started to slowly grow...healthier. His ribs still show a little but at least he doesn't look like a scrawny toothpick any more.

The fox has also ditched his loin cloth. Thankfully in favor of something else. He strides into camp wearing a red cloth vest over a black tunic and a pair of red trousers. All of which look at least three sizes too large for the fox. Nothing a bit of sewing wont fix he tells himself. Or maybe he will take the easy rout and just feed himself until they fit. He laughsat the last option. "Hey guyYyYyyYYyYyYs! I'm baAAAAA- ACK!" The last word of the sentence quickly turns into a sort of half gasp half yelp as he stares, dumfounded at the lizard by the camp fire.

The announcement of Vannon's presence makes Coaxoch's head flick towards him, the reptile's cold eyes regarding him, unblinking. With a mile-long stare like that, it's no small wonder that most beasts are put off by his species, but Coaxoch seems blissfully unaware of the effects of doing such things. Nor does he seem to put much concern over the fox's feelings about him lifting a strip of absolutely bizarre looking dried meat to his mouth and tearing off a strip. Coaxoch smacks loudly as he waits for the fox to either say something more than just scream at him, then washes it down with a hefty draught from his mug of steaming whatever the hellgates it is.

Lizards. Why did it have to be lizards? Kydo Vannon has had the...unique experience to be a family cursed by lizards, and snakes, and other fox eating beasts. Oh how many of his kin have met their ends at their terrible stew pots, or turned into a rug. Seeing one here so suddenly has taken him aback. But maybe...maybe its friendly? The fox thinks on this, where does he think he is? Either the lizard was hired by his employer, ate and killed his gang, or his gang decided to pack up and move while he was gone and the lizard just happen to be here.

Wouldn't be the first time...

The fox gulps, gripping his backpack even tighter, "Well...somethin NEW has been added..."

On the other hand, Coaxoch has very little of an opinion on foxes. He hasn't even know if they taste good yet! But not only has his new leader been very clear on what is and is not food, it's a waste to kill and eat another in the same tribe besides. No, he'll keep his stomach sated with the stock of food he'd built up during his travels. Of course... this fox could be prey. He seems like the type to run rather than fight, and doesn't look like he'd be much good at defending himself if he did stand his ground. Still, not food. Yet. Coaxoch doesn't nod in response to the statement, but rather just lets out a simple, "Yesss. New." before scooting over on the log he'd parked himself on, thumping the spot next to him with his tail. "Sssit." Clearly he's made the mistake of thinking that Vannon wants to share the fire.

The fox gulps. If he runs, will the lizard chase? IF he fights, can he beat him? Is he just being nice or just getting him closer to bite into his delicious foxy meats. Well, at least Vannon will be well dressed if they have to bury him.

Shyly the fox trots over, gingerly sitting on the log, about as far from the beast as he can with out falling off of it. "S-so..." He swollows, getting his barings strait, "So you are the new guy then? These people are multiplying like rabbits! Everytime I come here there is some new beast waiting to be met, ya know?" The fox rambles on, laughing nervously at his own joke, "So how long have you been here...in the gang I mean?"

Coaxoch's face is impassive, just like most reptiles, but in his head he's wondering just what seems to be troubling this fox so much. Does he not realize that if he fears for his life he could stab Coaxoch and that would be the end of it? Why worry if someone else will harm you when they themselves can be killed in turn? He can only hope that the fox won't choke in such a manner when it's time for the band of beasts to put others to the sword. "Yesss. Coaxoch join yesssterday." Every time he hits an 's' sound Coaxoch flicks his tongue out. "Wanted to find beassstsss not weak. Think found what Coaxoch wasss looking for." Tilting his head quizzically, the lizard asks point blank. "You weak? You fear me?"

The fox let's loose a torrent of laughter, "Me? Fear you? Pffft, yeah, no, not at all. Maybe i fear your smell is all, right?" The fox laughs, jabbing the lizard in the arm with his elbow, "Er...not to say you actually stink. You're sent is quite nice, very, um...deathly, full of..." the fox sniffs the air, "Meaty lizardness...and...um..." He poitns to the fire in an effort to change topics with out putting his foot in his mouth, "Are you cooking anything?"

Apparently jabs to the arm aren't something that Coaxoch's culture is familiar with, because shortly after the jab he aims a punch at Vannon's arm, a purely retalliatory thing that he immediately forgets. Blows were exchanged, time to move on. The babbling is... harder to follow. It reminds Coaxoch of attempts to bargain for one's life, but without any of the situation that would make such things make sense. "Ssstop talking fassst, fox." The lizard shakes his head; he'd finished cooking his drink a while ago, and the meat he has with him is dried. Reaching into his satchel, he pulls out a slice of it and holds it out to the fox. "Done cooking. Eat. Good meat."

The fox cringes and holds back a yelp as he bends forward, clutching his arm. "Don't...talk...fast. Duly noted." Vannon leans back, eyes fixated on the meat. That isn't bird meat, or fish. That is real grade A meat. Coming from a lizard. He doesn't want to sterotype but, there is a distinct possiblity that he may become a canable if he eats it...or maybe the lizard is fattening him up for a later meal.

Either way, its free food so he decides to take it, if nothing else to avoid offending the beast. He gulps again, taking the meat and tenitivly taking a bite out of it.

And now Coaxoch knows that the fox cannot take a punch worth anything. Well, his new leader said that he couldn't eat any of his companions, but there was no rule that said that Coaxoch would have to stand anywhere near the fox during a fight. This beast was the last one he wanted to watch his back. Indeed the meat does look strange. The color is off, and it doesn't seem the right shape to have been peeled from a bird or a fish. At the very least the fox isn't wasting the food. Coaxoch watches the fox eat while sipping from his mug. "Meat good, yesss?"

The fox chews into the food and swollows it down. Rubbing at his tummy with a content smile the fox replies, "You know, that's not bad! Did they hire you as a chef? Cause if they did, you are my new best freind." That is where Vannon should have left it. He should have said no more, but the fox decided to tempt fate by asking, "What was it made of?"

The source of the food is of no mind to Coaxoch, and as a result his response of "Mousssemaid. Dried with ssspicesss." doesn't bother him in the least, the lizard talking rather casually about the sentient, happy beast he chopped up for his meal. "Tassstesss good, yesss? Wasssn't too plump, but wasss sssoft from no work."

Vannon twitches an eye. He just ate a woodlander. It takes a moment for that to fully process in his mind. It's not uncommon really, after all vermin are built to eat meat. But to actually practice eating a sentient beast. A living breathing mouse with a family and friends...that was...that was...

Unexpectedly delicious.

The fox feels bad about it but, he leans forward, tail twitching excitedly, "I don't suppose you have another?"