Fractured Red

Everett and I head towards a communal eating room. When we were getting water this morning a shifter found us and told us everyone eats there. It isn't mandatory, however it shows good nature to the pack. Everett keeps a tight hold on my dress as we enter the room.

The hum of chatter fills our ears and I head over to the table on the left. Across it are a variety of things. Taking a wooden bowl I fill it up for Everett and I. Once it is filled, I head over to a corner, choosing one of the emptier tables. I hand Everett bits of greens as soon they will be more scarce with the cold coming.

There are maybe sixty or so shifters here, though I don't doubt there are many more. A pack like this needs a lot of members, especially if they are helping many shifters who are injured.

"Red. Whah's that?" Everett picks up a strip of meat, bringing it to his nose to sniff. He looks confused, unsure of what to make of it.

"I think it's venison. I've never caught it for us because I don't think I have the skills needed to. As well as the fact that between the two of us I don't think we could finish a whole deer." I take the piece from him. "Don't poke your food please. Would you like to try it?"

"Yes! Try, try try."

Tearing off a small portion I hand it to him. I nibble on some kind of bird. I'm not sure what it is, though I've tasted it before. It's seasoned with herbs, lovely after the unseasoned meat I've been cooking while on the move.

"Do you like it, Ev?" It's a bit chewy, though not overly so. Lily licks her lips, enjoying the flavours from it.

"More?" Everett reaches over for more.

"Yes, you may have more. Have some trefola too. It will be harder to find soon." I pick out the three leaved plants from the mix of greens. Placing them before Everett, I start eating the other meats.

Looking around I observe the others so see that they do when done. I notice they head to a basin. Crouching down like the others, I use one of the rags to wipe wipe the inside of the bowl, then rise it in the water. I also have Everett dip his hands in the water to clean them off. Standing up, I set the bowl on a table nearby.

"Are you Luna Redaliya?" I turn to see a shifter standing a few paces away.

"Yes. Do you need something?" Everett grasps my hand as he surveys the male.

"High Healer Lou told me to get you. Healer Tila is going to be ready for you soon. If you'll follow me, I can show you where to wait."

"That would be helpful, thank you." I follow him out of the eating hall, and into the corridor. There are lanterns hanging from the ceiling, glowing with a warm light. There are some plants creeping up the walls, adding a nice touch of greenery and nature. The air is very fresh, the plants help keep the area calm.

'Red. Who iz Lou?' Everett tugs my sleeve as his eyebrows furrowed in though.

Looking down I grin, ruffling his hair playfully. 'Pack members usually refer to their fellow ranking pack members by their title then their first name. Outsiders refer to ranking pack members of another pack by their title and their last name. The male was supposed to refer to the High Healer by last name when talking to us, however, it's a common mistake. I would assume it's Healer Akana.'

'Why? So compl'cated.'

'A matter of respect, I suppose. It can be Everett, however, if you learn young it isn't that hard.' Maybe I should be teaching Everett these kind of rules. Just because I am not in a pack doesn't mean Everett won't be. Am I being selfish by not teaching him what I know?