Going the Distance (Kaie)

by **Tinnok** on May 21st, 2014, 6:34 pm

She continued her work methodically, but her hands shook...hopefully the young girl wouldn't notice. This was not a topic Tinnok enjoyed to be honest about. She would rather brush it off, either with rudeness or laughter. But if she couldn't tell Kaie, who seemed so bold faced and honest, then who could she tell? She listened carefully. So she was more open because of another half breed she had met.

This made the half breed smile. In truth part of the reason she was so normal now was because of Ayatah, her own half breed friend. They both overcame much of Taloba's stigma together. "My friend Ayatah, is half Myrian, half Eypharian. I do not know much about them, but I know they come from a land with little trees and mostly sand where it is as hot as here without all the plants." She shook her head as if trying to grasp the concept and simply failing. "She is very pretty now, and most men cannot resist her." She grinned. "For me that is never a problem." The smile faded somewhat as she continued plucking, now having a heaping pile of the shimmering feathers, as well as several bundles of meat. She glanced over to Kaie "What was Turrin?" She asked, curious.

Once Kaie had answered she started to rise, opening her pack and stowing away the meat. "We should get moving, if I need to get back to my clan, I am sure someone is worried about where you have been."

by **Kaie** on May 22nd, 2014, 2:36 am

So there are others, Kaie comprehended with a slow nod, brow knitting as Tinnok went on to talk about another girl with a similar inborn conflict: Ayatah. Another name to add to the small, but apparently growing list. Taloba had plenty of open spaces within its interior for a city but it was certainly well populated by the Myrians that inhabited it. Perhaps there were more half breeds living among them than Kaie had realized. Turrin, Tinnok, and this Ayatah were the only three names she was aware of; and there had been those horse-born children Keikyo had mentioned seeing once, but she did not even remember the clan they belonged to. The latter's father had come from a place far across the Suvan sea and well into foreign land. Tinnok's had no doubt resided closer than any of their people would've liked, but how far away had Turrin and Ayatah's been? By the way Tinnok had begun to describe her companion's, something told the young girl it was quite a trek away. Kaie blinked at the older girl, her expression blank and utterly lost to the dreadful, barren visual.

To Tinnok's question, the little Myrian gaped in thought before her face twisted in revulsion. "His cousin Kasha of the Twisted Vine said he was hatched from an egg," She replied with eyes wide in shocked, childish ignorance. A shiver ran down her spine at the thought. Then she found herself gazing back at the Dhani blooded. "Were you hatched from an egg?" Little eyebrows shot up in panic before she scrambled to her feet. "Well...nevermind. The child ventured toward a mossy tree where long vines twined up and around its wide trunk. With spear in hand, Kaie crudely cut a section of thick vine away. She proceeded to neatly bind the folded rubber leaf and tie it on the top.

"I guess you're right. Better we find our way back before the meat spoils," The little Myrian agreed with a nod. The spear was tossed from the left hand to the right, and then back again. "Thanks for letting me tag along. I'd probably still be wandering lost in the jungle if you hadn't come along."

by **Tinnok** on May 22nd, 2014, 2:02 pm

Tinnok assessed their work. There was still meat left on the bones, but neither of them had the skills nor the time to effectively pick the carcass clean. They had managed to cut away most of the meat and feathers, and as a parting gift Tinnok set her dagger to the comb on top of the cassorwary's head, slicing it off and passing it to Kaie. A trophy of her hunt, either to give to another or keep. The rest would be left to whatever lucky scavenger happened across the body, which was probably for the best. Her eyebrows were raised high when Kaie asked her if she was born from an egg, but she did not reply. Let the child wonder about the mysteries of half breed origins a bit longer...

"Come, I think I know the edges of the Cutthroat lands enough to help you back home." With her meat wrapped, stomach lining, and feathers stored away she hefted a much larger pack, a section of breast meat wrapped under one arm, and gave the clearing one last scan before heading off into the woods with Kaie.

When the girl gave her thanks, Tinnok was silent for a few solid ticks before replying. "I think it is that should be thanking you. Not often someone like me can get a good hunt in, learn a bit about a weapon, and have a good hunting partner all in a day." She smiled, her tone jocular, but a seriousness in her eyes that stayed put. It wasn't often indeed.

They had walked for half a bell when Tinnok recognized a strangely twisted tree that worked as a good boundary point between clans lines. There she stopped.

"It was an honor meeting you, Kaie of the Cutthroat Shadows, I hope it is not the last time we see each other." A true Myrian accord, one of respect and honor. Her tone was serious, but her lips quirked ever so slightly. Her day would surely take a turn for the worse when she arrived home...but this had been more than worth it.

oocAlright this will be my last post, once you make yours I'll post it up for grading, thanks for the thread that took us both way too long to finish, haha it was super fun!

by **Kaie** on May 25th, 2014, 3:56 pm

Little fingers wrapped around the trophy, a grin easing across her young features. It was heavier than she expected, and she couldn't help but wonder just how the bird was comfortable with such a piece poking from its cranium. She stacked the gift neatly on top of the folded rubber lead, and cradled the pair against her torso with her left hand. The spear was clutched tightly within her right. Sooner enough she was following in the half breed's steps, smirking at the smell of raw meat within their grasps. It was unusual for any child her age to bring back such a bounty on their own, even if technically Kaie hadn't taken the creature down herself. She couldn't wait to see the look on Keikyo's face when she came back not only alive, but with something to show for her exploits. Perhaps even her mother would be impressed...or maybe not.

Her movements were cautious. Each foot did its best to avoid fallen twigs and leaves that might again yield noise. Her steps varied in depth when she pressed into the earth, as if she had been searching for a way to be firm but silent in her trek. For the most part she was unsuccessful but she was trying. Too often did she find her quarry knew of her presence before the Myrian herself even spotted them. Spear throws and arrows were utilized but it had been all to late. The quieter I can be, the better the chance I will one day be able to bring down kills those ours today myself. So focused was she on her task that she was almost surprised by Tinnok's voice.

"I was glad to run into you again, Tinnok of the Tempered Steel. Maybe one day I'll repay this favor." The child gave a dutiful nod and a flash of a smile, and then she was off toward the smell of a longhouse fire. Soon after Tinnok might've heard the whoop of victory and the brandished head of a bloodied spear. For once Kaie had been gifted a day to bask in a different kind of glory, and for that she was indebted to the Dhani-blooded girl despite their differences. She'd find the girl again somewhere in that jungle. Of that she was certain.

OOC:Haha I agree! It was definitely a fun thread to write. I'm curious as to how Kaie's experiences across the Suvan might have altered her personality/behavior compared to her younger self. We'll just have to find out whenever she manages to get back.

by **Catastrophe** on June 17th, 2014, 1:55 am

Tinnok :

Kaie :

Notes :

Flashback Going the Distance (Kaie)