"It was nice to meet you too." Erik said after her, still smiling. The mention of food had made him realise how hungry he was. They hadn't taken too much with them on their hunting trip and during the last couple of days the only things they had to eat were any roots or berries they found. For all he knew Taya could have been a terrible cook but he was sure a warm stew would seem like the best thing he had ever tasted. He also couldn't help but hope that the offer of stew was an indication of Taya's availability, as it was often intended to be. 

By now he had been surrounded by some of the other villagers who have come to welcome the hunters home and Erik was distracted from his thoughts of Taya. After a few congratulations and retelling of stories, people began to go back to their daily business and Erik picked up his spear, heading over to the fire. He stuck his spear in the snow and took a seat on a rock, warming his hands for a moment before turning his attention to Taya's stew. Some cooking and eating utensils were left close to the fire and he took a crude wooden bowl from the pile. Ladling the stew into his bowl, the smell hit his nostrils, fuelling his hunger. Ravenous, he began to wolf down the stew. It was hot and burned his mouth slightly, but it tasted too good and he was too hungry to care.