[Syliras Quest] Twin Cries In The Night (Kami & The Whites)

[Satu]

The kitten’s cries distressed Satu’s inner calm, not from the sad little mewing, but because of the force of feeling behind them. Pain. Fear. Rage. Helplessness. That all creatures harbored these emotions was both a beauty and a curse to the HeartSeer. How easily and without conscious thought Satu took it all in. How easily it built inside her into a tension that preyed upon her nerves.

Satu was wary, Gromhir was agitated and her companions on edge this night and their emotions flew about the alleyway, mixing with the kitten’s cries to sit deep into her awareness No one seemed to know the direct cause of the uneasiness, but Karona was surely the main focus.

Karona did not help matters by holding one of the vocal pair against its will, while its companion tried feebly to free it from her clutches. Did she not care that the tigers were afraid, and wearied from some unknown battle? Did she not care that she was now covered in blood also, along the pretty gown? Satu did not trust her, something was not right… with her and with this alley.

Instinct bade her reach for the suvai. Only used in Mura for artistic endeavors, Satu was not wont to idly draw them. But in light of the kitten’s injuries and the stress building on her HeartCenter, her hands wanted to feel the weight of the suvai in them…, not that she planned on fighting anyone. That was not her way.

But she could not deny their smooth surfaces would help sooth the conflicting emotions surrounding her from the group and the tiger cubs, while they afforded protections against the unknown. To have them in her hands, touching her skin would also offer a semblance of clarity and focus that she needed in this odd situation. How easily, how effortlessly the weapons would slide into her palms. All she need do was to open her willing fingers…

But then Aselia asked Karona about ownership of the kittens and Satu found her focus shifting, curiosity pulling her away from her weapons. Her hands unclenched as she too waited for an answer. But the kitten bit down on the pale hand that held it, causing it to bleed freely from the new bites and scratches. Pleasure and Fury radiated rapidly outwards from Karona and then stopped. Satu had felt the odd mixture of feelings and she was deeply concerned.

The woman let the kitten go, and now hovered closer to them, unnaturally bloodied and ghostly in appearance. The Ivaski blocked the way, unmoving and defiant. Satu’s hands once again caressed the suvai, ready should the woman threaten them. What that might entail she couldn’t say, but the inky colored desires swirling through her HeartCenter held her attention. A sticky and foul malice was there behind the pleasant smile and fine manners.

Satu watched her every move, the alertness in her body saying, “I see beyond your surface. You will not hurt my friends.”

Kamalia introduced the group and the kitten jumped into the mural and became a full grown and very aware tiger. Roaring, it jumped back. Again, it was a kitten… The more Satu was around the Timandre sisters the more magic she had become witness too, but this Magic was beyond her experience. Kamalia, always drawn to magic, went to examine the mural and Satu kept her footing on the cobblestones, ready with her suvai if she had need of them.

[Aselia Timandre]

The cubs answered her question in an unequivocal way. Aselia flinched. Although she felt the urge to burst out laughing at the scene that was unfolding in front of them, she also felt slightly dizzy at the sight of so much blood. The woman didn’t seem to care … What kind of creature was she?

Aselia watched, always observed before she took sites. When one of the cubs jumped into the mural and suddenly transformed into a bigger version she gasped. Magic! It felt unnatural to experience magic so far away from Mura – where the Timandres had been the epitome of wizards –, but then she knew that regarding magic as exclusively Kontinese was ridiculous. That kind of magic, however, lacked any rational explanation. Perhaps Kamalia who was more proficient in that craft would know. So when she stated that Aselia should take care of the pups, Aselia cast a quick glance at her sister. “Be careful”, she whispered back in soft Kontinese.

However, before focusing on the little white tigers she carefully listened to Karona’s words. There was no doubt that she spoke the truth – which somehow made Aselia sympathize with her. Not many people cared to mean the words they voiced, not people like Karona, that is. But the fact that she was honest didn’t erase the danger that radiated from her. It was obvious, even to someone without the ability to gaze into their opponent’s heart and mind. Something about Karona was completely and utterly wrong, as if something had reversed her sense of moral. At that point Aselia started wondering about what the woman might have done or experienced. Or had she simply gotten it through the dark blood of her ancestors? It was a possibility, but still Aselia wanted to hear reasons.

She took a step forward, aware that Satu and Gromhir were watching her back. In order to make the opponent trust you, you had to show interest as well as understanding. For understanding, however, a few important factors were still missing. So Aselia decided to keep the woman occupied. The red splotches of blood at her innocently white clothing fascinated her. “Oh, the blood adds a special touch to your elegant raiment. I like that.”

Then she took another step, carefully and cautiously, although she seemed to enjoy the conversation and was curious about Karona’s reaction. Pointing at the cubs at the ground, she grinned a bit. “Care if I examine them? You want to kill them while they’re still in good shape, don’t you?”

Granted that Karona would allow her to approach them, she would do just that, although not without shooting a calming glance to Gromhir. I know what I do, she silently told him. Don’t worry about me, rather watch Kamalia. Although she didn’t carry weapons with her, she trusted Satu’s suvai and the speed of her own, slender figure to escape quickly. Also, she already felt like walking a very, very thin line – it couldn’t get worse, could it?

She slowly approached the cubs, trying to move fluently and avoid loud noises. Fortunately Syliran streets were paved. While sending feelings of warmth and safety towards the animals she held both hands out in front of her to prick their curiosity and maybe even let them approach her and explore her smell. Konti were good with animals – Aselia even moreso, because she had picked up some tricks at the animal center back in Mura. How far away those days were now … but she quickly pushed nostalgia aside. Instead she looked back to Karona and asked, seemingly absentmindedly: “By the way, why are you intent on killing them? Why not take … say, chicken meat instead? It’s easier to get.”

The situation was full of energy aimed at one another, yet Aselia was aware its ironic humor all the time. That made her want to laugh like mad, but still her need to survive and stay calm was stronger. However, she was perhaps more at ease than she should be.