ᴜsᴇʀɴᴀᴍᴇ: ʜᴜɴᴛsᴍᴀɴ (VIDEO)

[dishearten]

( graham doesn't like using the video feature much, so mostly he avoids it. people might recognize his username, though, he hasn't been silent on the network that connects members of ALISTAIR. in fact now that he's a fugitive he has a bit too much time to flip through messages, though that's neither here nor there.

still, the fact he's using it means he does so with a purpose. after Sakura encountered him in the woods, he doesn't see a better way to get his message to everyone that needs to hear it. hopefully the townsfolk themselves will just stay away, and his brother is clever enough to stay clear of people that might hurt him. he's smart and wary of humans, it doesn't seem impossible he'll manage on it's own. it just feels dangerous to leave him out on his own without trying to assure people the wolf is not a threat. )

A friend of mine came from home. I hear that happens on occasion.

( Graham tilts his pendant enough to capture the wolf in the feed, just long enough for the details to be picked up. a vibrant red eye, white and gray fur. a little too friendly with a human, one could argue, as the wolf is looking up at him with an open-mouth grin, much like a dog. )

He's not a threat to humans. He'll more than likely run if you get too close to him, but all the same. If you see him, don't hurt him. He won't hurt you unless you threaten him.

( the wolf still has instincts enough that he will fight if he feels he has to for survival. being so close to a human has tempered many of his wilder instincts, yet the wolf is still and will always be a wolf. )

If you hurt him despite this message I promise you'll regret it.

( there's a steel edge to that threat that is very sincere. Graham was a better man than the Hunstman ever claimed to boast, and the wolf is about all the family he's ever had. if someone is bold enough to try and harm him (or worse), they'll have a dedicated hunter after them, and a ruthless one at that.

with that the video feed closes. if there are questions, they'll likely be answered via text. )

Comments

[dishearten]

( gush away. it would warm his heart... you know, if he had one... still, appreciation is a good thing, much better than the alternative. )

I've never seen him trust anyone enough, no. Though I don't suppose it's impossible.

[bougy]

( it's a pleasure to gush, at least. and it would be a shame not to--anyone who couldn't appreciate the charms of that face is probably a bit shady. )

Oh, well, that's all right then. I'll just have to pet him when his master's around. ( now directed at Graham ) What's his name? He's a very handsome fellow. It's a pleasure to have such a strapping teammate.

[dishearten]

He's well enough about that.

( his brother seems to operate on if his human trusts, then he will as well. Graham himself isn't so far from that, either; if the wolf doesn't like someone, well, it's likely they're not someone he should like, either. )

He hasn't got one, but I think I'm going to try and change that. I think he deserves a good one.

[bougy]

( no name? she wouldn't say that's tantamount to neglect or abuse, but it certainly seems odd. )

Really? Perhaps you haven't had him so long, then. ( she pauses and tilts her head somewhat. ) He does. Do you have any ideas?

[dishearten]

No, I have. It's a bit of a long story.

( a long story, that he doesn't want to tell. back when he met the wolf, he hadn't had a name either. neither of them had needed one when it was just them. wolves didn't need names. humans were the ones that liked an identity. )

I'm not sure. Something faithful, I think. He's always been by my side when I need him.

[bougy]

Well, when the time is right, would a pint or two last long enough for the telling of it?

( meaning more than anything that she's trying to be friendly. going out drinking with others is the best way she knows to socialise. also, to be fair, it's where the best stories are told. she's smiling again because 'faithful' and 'by my side' are pleasant things to hear; right about now she's missing her own faithful companion. )

That's a good start at least. Is there anyone in your past who could be a namesake?

[dishearten]

I think it'd take more than that, we might have to stick to a shorter story.

( which means he's willing to be friendly, but that might not be something he's ready to talk about. maybe with a deeper acquaintence he could get there. )

No, not that I can think of.

( he doesn't have a lot of people in his past. )

[bougy]

Well, as much as I like drinking myself under the table, I'd say in that case you'll just have to give it to me in parts. Like a serial. ( yes, those awful ones that come in cheaply printed magazines, but it isn't meant mockingly. it can be a lovely thing, the dedication one puts in to see a story out to its end. in any case it's just nice to be affable with fellow colleagues. )

I see. ( a slight pause ) Is Huntsman your name? ( so far there have been people who've had some strange names and, in her experience, mostly given or family names used as a username. )

[dishearten]

Maybe if we get through some easier stories I can work my way up. ( he's not even sure it'd be a good story, but there's other ones he could tell. his land was quite magical, after all, there were stories that didn't involve the discomforts of his past.

as for his name, no, the huntsman was only ever a title, not a name. ) No. My name is Graham. It's just something I was called back home.

[bougy]

Fair enough! I'd love to hear the story of how you got your nickname. Or maybe you have some good hunting stories? With some that feature this handsome fellow. ( she means the wolf, at whom she's smiling for a moment. )

Graham, then. My name is Hawke by the by, it's nice to 'meet' you. ( so much for good manners; her mother would be offended but not surprised. ) I was going to say maybe you could name him something true, I know that being called after your function is a naming convention in some cultures. ...Maybe something like 'Buddy'?

[dishearten]

That story actually isn't long. I was a hunter, so that is what they called me.

( see? super simple. )

He's more like a brother to me than a buddy... but something like that might do. And yes, it is nice to meet you as well.

[bougy]

But that's not all there is. You haven't even touched the where, the why, the what--you know, the bits that make a story a story. But you can save them, if you like, and dine out on them later.

( don't mind her. she's got a writer for a friend and has been the subject of several pulp series herself, so she's at least a little bit familiar with the process of how the simple truth becomes teased into a proper tale. )

Brother, maybe? I've heard stranger names. ( she's joking. mostly. ) You could also consider the nickname approach, naming him after a trait or quirk? Fluffy, Snow, Sleepy...

[dishearten]

Yes, I suppose that's true.

( there's more to his story than just how he got his name, but seeing as it's a story all sorts of people already think they know, he's not especially keen to share it. there are other stories he'd prefer to talk about. )

I can think of a lot of words to describe him, but... I've never tried to give him a name before. It'll take some thinking, but I'll get there.

[bougy]

I'm sure you will. You clearly care a great deal for him, and he for you.

( she pauses for a minute, smiling still because dog. she can't deny a certain curiosity she still has regarding something he mentioned. )

You said you've known him for a long time? If you don't mind me asking now, could you tell me how you met him? Was he a family dog?

[dishearten]

I met him when he was a pup. We grew up together, more or less.

( the wolf was born into the pack that had raised him, so it's not a lie. it's something he's carefully honest about, though. most people wouldn't quite believe he was raised by wolves and he's not inclined to tell them. )

[bougy]

( she does note the lack of a mention of any other family until now, at least. she can't deny a certain curiosity, though knows from personal experience how fraught the issue can be. )

So you met him when you were a pup yourself? Makes sense. It's rare enough to see a wolf trust a human, though it's been known to happen. But, now that I think about it, I don't believe I've ever seen one so tame before. ( she tilts her head a bit. ) Either you've got some really good luck, or that's quite a sterling character you've got.

[dishearten]

I suppose in the end that's my fault. He's used to humans, more than most wolves. He's still got most of his instincts, but a part of me worries he'll trust when he shouldn't.

( he definitely doesn't think it's his sterling character. the wolves trusted him because he was family. they'd protected him when he was too young to protect himself, but distance from it makes him aware of how flawed a situation it was. still, if he could change it, he wouldn't. the wolves were the only kinship he could remember, he wouldn't give that up. )

[bougy]

And usually shyness shouldn't be encouraged. ( in people or, at least, some pets. ) How odd. I'm certain I've met plenty of farm dogs who're much meaner though just as loyal to their masters. Which is probably the key difference there. I wouldn't say you're to blame, however. Maybe he's just naturally a gentleman.

( she shrugs a little. she doesn't have a strong opinion one way or another how people should related to their animals; her own dog was treated like a member of the family, but that was only to be expected with how few others she and her siblings had regular contact with. ) How much of what you say does he understand?

[dishearten]

He might be that. You're right.

( the wolf has always been a little sweeter and a little goofier than some of the others. she's not wrong that his temperament might just be calmer. )

He knows a few specific commands. I don't know that he understands everything, but the things that matter.

[bougy]

( she laughs a bit, because who wouldn't be at least a little pleased to hear that she's right? ) The things that matter, right.

Does that include jokes? ( where exactly she going with this is just as much her own guess; she doesn't have particular jokes in mind, but it's always easy enough for someone like her to come up with one whenever she has the chance. )

[dishearten]

Apparently not my jokes. He never seems impressed.

( that might be because he tells jokes that even dads would be ashamed by... but that is neither here nor there, obviously. )

You could give it a go when you meet him. Perhaps your humor is more to his taste.

[bougy]

Are you sure? Maybe he's just heard them all.

( surely they can't be worse than hers if he at least cares for his audience. but, regardless, she smiles because she's sure her own dog loves her jokes, one of which is encouraging him to bark. )

We'll see. I wouldn't throwing him a bone or two.

[dishearten]

( he laughs at that. )

You know, maybe.

( his jokes haven't changed much in thirty years, maybe the wolf is just tired of unfunny dad jokes. )

That's nearly cheating. He'll like anything if you give him a treat first.

[bougy]

( a laugh is always a nice sound to hear, especially from a man who seems so serious. she gives a good smile, one that's more an actual smile than a smirk as she continues on. )

Hey, now, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do when it comes to dogs that cute! Unless you've told him no, I think he knows just as well as I do that a little incentive is fair game.

[dishearten]

( it's true, laughs are rare out of him. it's a part of not having his heart, it's not often that amusement actually hits him. it is a sort of success when it happens. )

We'll just have to see, then.