When they made it to the kitchen the boy started to cook right away. He gathered up various things, though he seemed a bit confused on how to use the appliances. Miranda had managed to figure out how to make an open fire stove and oven with Jonathan’s help. They were powered by Wisdom and Dream so they wouldn’t have to worry about burning down as long as you could control the magic.

However, since they were based on the appliances from Earth they were somewhat difficult to explain so Howard ended up helping by keeping the stove at the temperature he wanted. That being said, Howard had forgotten something. All of the local cuisines were spicy. Even the fruit had a kick to it.

Selina came in as the boy was serving up some food. {Oh, back to spicy? We haven’t had that in a while.}

{Yesterday’s food was bland,} Denewulf agreed.

The food hadn’t been particularly bland but it had not been spicy. Azul and Dov hadn’t said anything so Howard hadn’t noticed. It was a good thing they hadn’t gone through with the restaurant idea.

{Bland? I don’t know about that,} Selina replied and reached out to take some food.

Her hand was blocked by the boy, who frowned. {Not enough for you.}

Selina pouted. {Now I know I didn’t like spice when I first came here but I am rather fond of it now. Can’t I have just a taste?}

The boy frowned before making a small skewer and shoving it towards her. Selina brightened and took it. {You’re a good kid, Hiroshi,} she said and patted him on the head.

Everyone froze. {Selina, I think you just named him,} Howard pointed out.

{Wait, really? I didn’t even notice. That is kind of scary. I don’t think I like accidentally naming people.}

{Hiroshi,} the boy repeated, seeming fairly dazed. Then he smiled. {I am Hiroshi now. I have a name!}

Hiroshi’s twin sister frowned in jealousy. {I want a name too,} she complained, {I know, maybe if I do something I am good at my name will appear! Let’s go after we finish eating.}

{Go do what?} Howard asked.

{Hunt and skin and butcher,} the girl replied with a smile, {I am very good at those things.}

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{You are?} Selina asked in surprise, {I know you were traveling on your own, but I thought Denewulf would have done the hunting.}

{I was the only one with Wisdom and I did not want to risk the chance of losing it if I killed something,} Denewulf explained.

{That’s right. That is what most people here think Bloodcry is like,} Selina realized, {I guess you guys should talk to James. He is the hunter here so he will know how to get you started.}

{Should we bring Dorian?} Howard wondered, {It might be that we should give them one name each.}

{I don’t think so,} Selina replied, {Dorian is busy right now and he didn’t want to have anything to do with naming in the first place.}

{It is a heavy responsibility,} Denewulf agreed, nodding.

{I will contact James to let him know we are coming,} Howard told them. He had to admit he was curious what the girl meant when she said she was good at hunting.

James responded almost immediately. {Howard? Do you need some more meat tonight? Did Jonathan finish the crossbow?}

{Neither of those,} Howard answered, {We have some visitors and one of them wants to prove she is a good hunter.}

{The woman?} James asked, {I really don’t think fire is the best way to hunt in a forest.}

{No, the little girl.}

{The little girl? Are you sure that is a good idea?} James questioned, {I don’t know if there are child protection laws here but letting a child handle a weapon seems like a bad idea.}

{I don’t think she should use any of our weapons. We just need to let her shows us her skill in her own way.}

{You seem to have high hopes for her,} James noted.

{After seeing what the other two can do, definitely,} Howard agreed, {If they choose to stay, our colony will be a lot better off. If not, we won’t have to worry about them out in the wild.}

{I will wait at my place, then,} James replied.

Howard led everyone to James’ place. His was an ash tree decorated like one might expect a hunter to with animal furs and bones. Unlike normal decor, everything at James’ place had a purpose. Howard approved completely.

James came out when they arrived and turned to the girl. {What do you want to hunt?} he asked her.

{Whatever is closest,} she replied, {I have my own weapons.}

{Is everyone going?} James asked.

{Why don’t I stay with the other two?} Selina suddenly suggested, {I wouldn’t want to get in the way.}

{I am going,} Howard informed James.

{So just the three of us?} James checked, glancing at the boys, {Then we should get going. There isn’t too much night left and we don’t want to be out when the sun rises.}

{Is the new wall going to make hunting take longer?} Howard asked. James’ house was right by the wall and he had his own exit, but it still might cause issues.

{If anything, I would say it makes things easier. Living at the edge does not make for an easy night’s rest,} James explained.

James led them outside and to the nearest hunting ground. The nearest hunting ground was a small pool of water where many animals came to drink.

The girl hid and watched until an animal showed up, and then the animal suddenly collapsed with a knife buried into its chest. She left her hiding place to retrieve the knife and the animal. The animal resembled a rabbit, but Howard knew from experience it tasted surprisingly like beef but was incredibly greasy.

{I got one!} the girl exclaimed with pride, {Now let’s take it back. I will prepare it.}

{Good idea,} James agreed, watching the sky.

They made their way back quickly and the girl efficiently skinned and prepared the rabbit-like creature.

{You were trying to name her, right?} James asked, {I know a name that was popular amongst the hunters, and Veda took requests.}

{What is it?] Howard asked.

{Lula. I think it suits her,} James replied.

Howard also got a strong feeling that the name suited her. {Lula,} he repeated, {I think it fits her perfectly.}

Lula looked ecstatic. {I have a name! Denewulf! Hiroshi! I have a name!} She darted out to tell her brothers.