After being called out, the four members that comprised Kawari's group stood together for a few awkward moments, sizing each other up, each wondering how to proceed.
"Uh, hi," Kawari began in attempt to break the ice, though she stiffened a bit as the others turned to look at her.
"M- my name is Kawari... I have been a potter at Kal's Kiln since the beginning of last season, and I am originally from Syliras." She paused, searching for what else to say.
"Oh, I am tanuki Kelvic... sort of like a dog. I have a strong sense of smell and hearing, I can forage for food and use this dagger..." she said, motioning to the hollow pommel dagger on her belt. The Kelvic looked at the others with a slightly unsure smile.
"It is nice to meet you," she finished weakly.
"My name is Jiekkan, and I am an Akalak, originally from Riverfall. I am skilled in unarmed and armed combat," spoke the dark skinned man in a baritone voice, who then looked at the rest expectantly, apparently done with his introduction.
It was the first time she had encountered one of Jiekkan's kind, and she marvelled at his dark blue tones of his skin, his elongated ears, and pale eyes, while he in turn returned her inquisitive gaze with indifference. Although she could see some silvering in his black hair, Kawari also saw some of the Akalak's power displayed in the muscle that played beneath his skin. On the other hand, it was Jiekkan's confident posture and the firm expression in his eyes, combined with her instincts, that hinted to the Kelvic that he would be a strong, if not reliable ally.
"Hello! I'm Gelvus, pleased to make yer acquaintance," said the man with shorn brown hair in an amiable tenor voice.
"I'm an Alvad born bloke of many talents and I hope we can get along," he said, smiling at the two women in particular.
Gelvus was an average man in both height and build, and he seemed to be of a witty and easy-going nature. Alongside his smile, the man's brown eyes were sharp and his posture held a ready, almost eager quality, with his weight balanced on the balls of his feat. Before she could decide what she thought of him, the finally member of their group spoke.
"Hello, my name is Tara," she said with a kind smile that warmed up her expression, which still held her determination.
"I am skilled with the bow and dagger, and I know the area around Alvadas somewhat better than most. I hope we are successful in our endeavours and it is nice to meet you all as well," she finished, giving Kawa a firm pat on the back.
The Kelvic returned her smile and felt instantly reassured and at ease with the older woman's touch. To Kawari, Tara seemed to hold the steady and calm strength of weathered stone and the warmth of afternoon sunshine.
The older woman then turned to the rest of the group, apparently taking on the role of leadership as she spoke naturally with a voice of authority.
"Well now, shall we head out?"As mid-day came, the group had made their way cautiously through the uneven terrain in relatively good time, avoiding any potential danger as they travelled. For a hunter, Kawari was surprised by how talkative Tara was and she tried to answer any question that came her way, which for the most part concerned her occupation and Syliras. As for Gelvus, he was more than happy to engage Tara in banter and wit, and soon it was made known that he was some sort of animal tamer, though he was quick assure Kawari that he did not use his tricks on Kelvics. Jiekkan seemed content to whittle a small piece of wood he had picked up, and though he did not speak up, Kawari sensed that he was at least in part listening to whatever the trio said.
Lunch was a quick affair, and soon they were off once more with Tara in the lead, using her experience with the local terrain to her advantage.
As she indicated towards the steep slope, Kawari took a deep breath, scenting the air around them. The earthy, damp scents of decaying foliage, wood, and pants met her nose, along side that of rodent droppings, birds, and the odd mushroom. The Kelvic let out a soft pleased hum as she caught the fresh scent of water, though it was much fainter than the rest of their surroundings.
Following Tara's directions, Gelvus and Jiekkan began to descend the slope, while she and Kawari made back-tracked a little ways to lower ground, before they wound their way through the trees towards the water source's approximate location.
The women were in luck as they found themselves a small game trail through the brush, which Tara used as an opportunity to teach Kawari a bit about her hunter's craft, specifically tracking.
"Here are the tracks of a deer- a doe to be exact. You can tell because she has wider hips at the back and a smaller chest than a buck. See how the hind tracks are further apart than the front ones?" The Kelvic nodded, her eyes following the hunter's finger as she pointed from one print in the dirt to the next.
"That's how you can tell. From the looks of how them, since they are about a bell or two old." As she rose from her crouch, the older woman pointed towards a bush not six feet further down the trail.
"Over here, you can see that some fur had caught on this bush of thistles. It looks like it might be from some sort of cat, if you look at the mixed colouring and the feline tracks below. You can tell by the large wide pad in the middle, and how the toes are more in a line than that of a wolf or dog." Kawari grinned.
"Yes, my tracks are much smaller and... narrower." "Exactly," Tara smiled in return.
"Now we should hurry up and meet those other two. Who knows how those two will fair if left alone for too long," she said with a chuckle as she ushered the younger woman towards the sound of running water.
As they broke through the trees into a rocky clearing, two heads swivelled towards them; Gelvus waved them over, while Kawari giggled softly at Jiekkan's slightly relieved look. Before them flowed stream, which gurgled along its bed, littered with stones, many of which had been smoothed by water and time.
"Well, looks like we succeeded," said Gelvus,
"so what next?""Yavos said to send back half the party," said Tara, considering each of them in turn. After considering them, she gave decisive nod.
"I think Kawari and Jiekkan should stay here, while Gelvus and I report back. We will be faster and I can find the easiest route for the carts. Kawari can keep lookout, while Jiekkan can provide muscle should anything bad come their way.""Makes sense," Gelvus said, while Jiekkan and Kawari nodded in agreement.
"Kawari and I will find some cover in the trees while we wait," Jiekkan told Tara, nodding towards the direction from which the two women had come.
"Sounds good. We will try to get back as soon as possible," Tara said in return, as she readjusted her armour before gesturing for Gelvus to follow her.
"See you before, if not by sunfall.The Akalak and Kelvic bid their time in companionable silence for the most part; Jiekkan continued to whittle away at his piece of wood, while Kawari contented herself with listening to and familiarizing herself with the calls of foreign birds, mimicking them every now and then while she picked samples of the various unfamiliar plants she found; the Kelvic had every intention of picking the heads of either Tara or one of the cooks for any knowledge they may have of her finds.
Soon enough, sunset arrived with the sounds of the rest of the camp, and the pair headed over to join them, parting ways to help with various tasks before bunking down for the night.
oocSorry for the wall of text. ^^' I got a bit carried away.
Please let me know if I should alter anything. Cheers!Common,
Pavi|