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[Solemn Warborn]

Solemn liked Danila. For the first several stones, Solemn couldn’t lay his finger on why. Then, he saw it. She reminded him of Hiberna when he had first met his sister. At that time, Hiberna would have been about the same age as Danila was now, but it wasn’t just her age that reminded Solemn of Hiberna. His sister and Junco’s shared a similar fiery spirit, an unwillingness to lose. If she was like Hiberna, that made her the big sister and Junco the little brother, and if that was the case, she was doing this all for Junco’s sake. Yes. Solemn liked her. Until she made that proposition. “You have to kiss the sloth.” Solemn was glad he had his balaclava on. It covered his face and hid the shock and the fear he was certain would have been showing on it. How was he always getting dragged into situations like this? He didn’t want to have to kiss anyone, especially not someone whose name he’d only learned today. Plus, he had seen Junco’s shooting skills, and while the hunter wasn’t bad, Solemn had seen the Frostfawn miss at least once today already. He was about to object when Junco took the bet, winked at him, turned back to the tree, and loosed his arrow. And missed. Solemn was horrified. Until Danila started to laugh. It didn’t matter if Junco won this little game of theirs, because she had won this bet. Once again, he was reminded of his own sister and her will to win. Not to mention, her laughter reminded him of Hiberna’s. Still, the last thing he wanted to do was kiss Junco, who was equally uncomfortable with the idea. Maybe he should have thought of that before he had bet his and Solemn’s dignity on it. Solemn smiled at Danila as her laughter grew to the point where she could no longer breathe. She looked like she was in danger of passing out, but at Junco’s objection, she calmed herself enough to catch her breath, proposing an Eskimo kiss instead. Relaxing, Solemn took this news well. His mother had taught him the Eskimo kiss and the many similar greetings and the traditions behind them. Though most saw it as a kiss to be shared by lovers, it was meant for a much broader application than that. He would let them know, but only when he was certain Danila wouldn’t go back on what Solemn and Junco had to do for completing the bet. “Just an Eskimo kiss? You’re sure?” Danila smiled and continued to laugh but nodded, giving Solemn the reassurance he needed. Dread was on Junco’s face as he looked over at Solemn. The Vantha girl’s laughter was infectious, and Solemn couldn’t help but laugh at Junco as he gave the Vantha hunter a wink. “Not so confident now, eh, Junco? Relax. An Eskimo kiss isn’t as embarrassing as you think. It’s not just a greeting for lovers, though its other meanings and uses have faded into obscurity. It can signify the bond of brotherhood. It can be the extended hand of peace between two people who have never met but who are connected by being born to the same world. In some cultures, when the noses touch, the couple draws a breath together through their noses, a breath signifying the common breath of Kihala that gave them both life. “In a way,” he went on, “the Eskimo kiss is more intimate than the kiss on the lips that lovers share, because in sharing this breath of life each individual is sharing their soul with the other, if only just for a moment. For that instant, the bond of life connects them both.” Shooting a quick glance at Danila, he noticed her disappointment at this revelation. Solemn had taken the embarrassment out of the Eskimo kiss which had been the entire point of her bet, to humiliate Junco. Solemn shook his head briefly. He’d have to do something to make up for that. Stepping up to Junco, Solemn caught the Vantha by his shoulders and pulled him close. Dipping his head forward, he let his nose gently sink forward until it met Junco’s, and then the Kelvic closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he hoped Junco was doing the same. As life giving air flooded his lungs, Solemn imagined his soul rushing out of his body to make room for Kihala’s breath, imagined his soul dispersing and mixing with every particle of air until he was drawn back into his own body and Junco’s in the very same breath that had displaced him. When he heard a sigh from Danila, he knew this hadn’t turned out the way she had hoped. Her disappointment sparked his mischievous side. Determined to help the girl since he had already helped Junco, he decided he’d do his best to embarrass the Vantha hunter. Opening his eyes, Solemn rubbed his nose against Junco’s in an affectionate manner, hoping the gesture was awkward for the Vantha man. It was awkward to Solemn, but if it made Danila happy, it was worth it. He glanced over and caught her smile as it seemed Junco responded uncomfortably. Throwing all caution to the wind, Solemn pulled the front of his balaclava down, grabbed Junco by the shoulders again, planted a big kiss on his cheek, and shoved him away. Solemn wasn’t sure how angry Junco would be, and not taking any chances, he scrambled for the tree, moving faster than he ever had before. It was impressively fast for a sloth; it even managed to be fast for a regular person. Ready to make a quick escape, he jumped and caught a low hanging branch, pulling himself up several branches farther to ensure he was out of Junco’s reach. That’s when he remembered Junco had a bow and knew how to use it. Danila was a good egg though. Solemn was fairly certain she wouldn’t let Junco hurt him. He called down to Danila. “Be sure to tell all the pretty ladies he brings home that Junco’s in the habit of kissing sloths.” To Junco, he added, “Truce?”

[Junco]

His face was probably very red and Junco had his fantastic beard to thank for hiding at least some of that embarrassment. Solemn looked absolutely horrified for a moment before he seemed to resolve his fate. Junco just thanked Morwen that the man was a man right now instead of his animal form. Oh how much more he would never live that down.

"Oh shut up, you're so full of shyke, Sloth." Junco exclaimed as Solemn rambled on about the history of the Eskimo kiss. 'Brotherhood?' Junco would have laughed if he wasn't so upset about his lost bet. The last time Junco could remember sharing an Eskimo kiss was with his mother, twenty years ago. "Lets just get this over with."Junco sighed

It hit him before he knew it and somehow Solemn made it even more uncomfortable than it should have been. He could hear and feel and the sloth breathed him in, something about connecting or whatever he mentioned during his rambling. Junco held his breath tightly to his lungs, refusing to 'connect' with this man during an Eskimo kiss. As for the rest of his body Junco was extraordinarily stiff and unmoving. He hoped Danila was happy. He was going to get her back somehow.

Just as he thought it was over a sighed an annoyed and upset sigh but he was happy it was over. He could easily say that was the most embarassing thing that has happened to him in a while. He was glad, at least it was only Danila and Solemn. Though he was sure Danila would be spreading the story so much it would be around the Hold within a day.

Before he realized it, though, the sloth had grabbed him again and plastered a horrifying kiss on the hunter's cheek. At first the man was so stunned she stood still, allowing it to happen. But as soon as the Sloth had finished invading him Junco stumbled back, making an awful face of disgust at the animal. He tripped a bit stumbling backwards, but managed to stay upright instead of falling on his behind. He was extremely horrified about the situation and honestly wasn't sure how to respond.

He didn't get much time to think about it as the sloth quickly turned hind and ran, as fast a sloth could, to and up the nearest tree. Junco wasn't sure if he could curse, shout or shoot the man. His thoughts were interrupted by Danila's roaring laughter once again and he looked dimly over to her smug face. He glared at her.

Raising his sleeve he moved to wipe the remains of slobber off of his cheek. Her gripped his bow and began hiking through the snow forward again. "Just find another stone you petching Sloth." He murmured. Danila giggled.

[Solemn Warborn]

Solemn smiled. Danila’s laughter told him he had made the girl happy, and it made him feel less bad for having helped Junco find some stones. Junco’s anger just made everything a little better, though Solemn felt a slight twinge of guilt at having humiliated the man. The hunter had been nothing but amiable, but the favors Solemn owed Danila had to be settled. She was convinced Solemn was helping Junco cheat, so now Solemn had to even the score. There was still more to be done to bring that back to balance. “Just find another stone, you petching sloth.” Solemn caught the murmur and started farther up the tree. “Of course.” With both hands on two branches above and to either side of him, he walked his legs up the tree trunk until they were above the two branches his arms still held on to. Once they were high enough, he dropped them to one side, draping them over a branch. Slowly, he pulled himself up. It wasn’t necessary to pull himself up this way. In fact, it was highly inefficient, but it wasted some more time, balancing things a bit for Danila. The motion was not one any reasonable climber would use and was, in fact, making things more difficult for Solemn. He had to curl his abdomen in on itself as hard as he could, all the while pulling with his arms and shoulders to drag himself up over the top of the branch. By the time he was actually finished pulling himself up, he was out of breath. The little bit of pudge on his belly didn’t help him breathe when he contracted his core. Once he caught his breath, he moved up the tree with the steady grace of a sloth. With the advantage this new height brought him, h scanned the forest for more stones. It only took him a moment to spot two out to the east, but he continued to scan the forest as if he hadn’t. When he was facing southwest, he brightened as if he spotted one. If he was going to misdirect Junco, he knew better than to send him in the exact opposite direction. He’d expect that once he caught on that he’d been lied to. He pointed. “I can see two in that direction. They’re both out a few hundred paces.” There was a moment of confusion on Danila’s face, but when Junco looked in the direction Sol had pointed, Solemn shot her a quick wink. A smile flashed across her lips as she caught on, but it quickly disappeared as she did her part to play along. She muttered unhappily, “That’s still cheating.” Solemn waved Junco on when the hunter looked back up to him. “Go on without me. I have to head home now. Before it gets dark.” That last bit was one last jab at the hunter, reminding the Vantha that he was quickly losing what little time was left in his game. Danila waved a happy goodbye to Solemn as she followed her brother toward the imagined stones. Once the hunter and his sister were headed off in the wrong direction, Solemn scampered down the tree and trundled off as fast as he could, not wanting to be there when Junco discovered Solemn had lied to him.

[Junco]

Although still sour about the previous interaction, Junco did appreciate Solemn's continued support finding the stones. Once the sloth had returned to the ground and pointed out a stone a few hundred paces away Junco sighed. He would need to hurry. Looking at the sky he knew it would be dark soon. Summer had the longest days, but still the game had started late and had had some interruptions.

He frowned at the sloth again as the Kelvic announced he would be leaving the little group. There was no way Junco would finish without his help... Perhaps if he really hurried. Waving a quick goodbye to Solemn Junco ignored Danila's cheery farewell to the animal. He rushed through the snow, his boots kicking up flurries, flakes catching on his beard and melting slowly. He gripped his arrow and headed in the direction his seeker had pointed.

Danila rushed behind, giggling in her own little way. Junco ignored her as well. He wasn't sure what she was so amused about but he figured she was just trying to throw him off. While he was running he felt an arrow out of the quiver and knocked it, waiting to draw back. He didn't want to waste any time having to knock it once he spotted the stone.

Speaking of stone, it only took Junco a chime or so to reach the distance Solemn had announced. He was looking into the tops of trees greedily, searching for that unique glow. Light was slowly fading and Junco thought it would be easier to see the glow with the slightly reduced light, but still nothing.

He wandered in large circles, his head craned and neck beginning to sore. It wasn't until Danila stopped idly following him and he finished a circle to see her leaning against a tree that he even noticed. She was grinning widely at him.

"What?!" He demanded, a little annoyed. He had been searching this area for a good few chimes now and still nothing, no trace. Danila just grinned and with her little hand she pointed upward, at the sky.

Junco glanced up. What? He had been looking up this whole time and her certainly had looked up in this area there was nothing. Then it hit him. It was dark. The sky was dark. It hadn't quite hit the land yet, but the sky was certainly dark. He had lost.

"But what about the stone Solemn saw?" That hit him like a brick too. How had he been so oblivious? It was clear now that Solemn had switched sides. He was no longer helping Junco, but instead helping out Danila. He should have seen it at the eskimo kiss fiasco. Of course. Junco shook his head at his sister, who was clearly very proud of her herself.

He sighed in defeat. "Want me to help you collect the last ones before we head home?" Danila just shook her head and held up the small leather bag that held the stones.

"I already did, while you were doing your circles."

He stopped in astonishment and was about to protest that she cheating. But then he thought that using Solemn was kind of cheating too. He let it go. "Fine, you win, come on. Let's go home. What do you want for winning?" Junco held out his hand after he slung his bow across his back. Danila took it and they started to trek back home.

[Shaqira]

G R A D E

J U N C O

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S O L E M N - W A R B O R N

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xp

Observation +4
Climbing +4
Investigation +1
Socialization +4
Subterfuge +1
Tactics +1
Teaching +1
Acrobatics +1
Flirting +1

lores

Investigation: By touch
Socialization: Nudity may embarrass others
Subterfuge: Reversing facts to obscure truths
Tactics: Gaining a higher vantage point
Climbing: Plan a route before to avoid difficulties later
Climbing: Memorizing ascent route to make descent easier
Climbing: Getting around spaces sparse of handholds
Danila Frostfawn: A fiery spirit, an unwillingness to lose
Kilhala: Goddess of Life
Teaching: Sharing cultural knowledge
Acrobatics: Stretching one's core
Flirting: A mischievous kiss

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