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Alek has a second greeting with her bondmate, who looks quite different than their first meeting

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Not found on any map, Endrykas is a large migrating tent city wherein the horseclans of Cyphrus gather to trade and exchange information. [Lore]

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In the Light of Day

Postby Alekxandra Winterflame on July 2nd, 2017, 8:32 pm

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20th of Summer, 517 A.V.
10th Bel
l


Starting a fire was never as easy as her brother had made it appear. It didn’t seem to matter how she held the flint and steel her fingers felt clumsy and uncoordinated. Alek tried to remember what angle her brother held the tools, how close they needed to be to the tinder to catch the spark—but all she could remember was how he smelled, and the goofy grin that he always had on his face. Any other day it might have been painful to remember such a memory, but at the moment it was just annoying. Not due to her brother’s smile, but because the Kelvic considered herself fairly good at remembering the small facts when being taught something.

Just off to her right the ox—which she still had refused to name—was lying in the grass watching her. The creature was completely unafraid of her, in either form, but it seemed he found her a fascinating thing to behold. The wolf refused to acknowledge the beast’s gaze even though she could practically feel it. Despite her attempts to learn how to work with the ox, things hadn't improved much between them. The two of them seemed to be stuck on some type of stubborn loop that wasn’t going to change anytime soon.

Sighing, the Kelvic dropped the flint and steel to dig into her backpack lying next to her to find her hair pin. The heat from Syna had already caused sweat to build on the back of her neck. With a quick twist of her wrist, she gathered all her hair up in one go and stuck the hairpin through the middle. It was a haphazard mess, but it would do. Alek pressed the fingertips of her right hand to her left palm, pressing them backward until she could feel the strain of muscles telling her to stop. She repeated the process with her left hand before wiggling the fingers repeatedly. Her hands felt cramped and unskilled—something she couldn’t have if she was going to butcher the fat off the meat she had purchased.

Picking up the flint and steel again, the wolf leaned forward once again and got the steel as close as she dared. The first several strikes of the steel against the flint rendered no results, not even a spark. Shifting the steel's angle seemed to yield better results however and the Kelvic managed to strike several sparks from the flint, just too far from the tinder. Carefully she pressed the flint even closer and repeated the strikes until she swore she saw a faint red glow in the tinder. Small and barely present, but the light from Syna also made it more difficult to see. Regardless the girl leaned forward to gently blow at the tinder in hopes there was an ember that might catch.

Just as the tinder began to smoke the beast next to her let out a snort. Lifting her gaze for a moment from the hopeful beginnings of a fire, the wolf glared at the ox. Maybe it was the lack of social grace for the past two seasons, or maybe the beast was one of her sisters reincarnated—either way, it felt as if the animal was judging her. “Keep your opinions to yourself would you?” Alek never considered herself crazy, but talking to the ox as if it understood her made her feel like it at times. Outside of her new bond, he was the only thing that kept her company. Talking to him, or rather having a one-sided argument, made her feel better nonetheless.

Going back to blowing on the tinder, the redhead actually had her thoughts focus from the ox to her bondmate. She had given the girl a bit of space after their first meeting. It wasn’t so much that she doubted Taurina would back out on her—rather the opposite actually. The two of them needed a little time to absorb what had come about so quickly. In the light of day, there was no hint of regret, which was a good sign. Now it was the rest of it—everything that followed that was the difficult part. Alek wasn’t sure how to get to know her new bondmate… something that wouldn’t have been a problem before Morwen’s choice.

The she-wolf had to find a way to make it back to herself.

The idea was a little hard to swallow, though not impossible. Having someone to focus on other than herself would likely help the process if she was honest with. For far too long she had felt like a lost little girl hiding under a table while the world moved around her—a feeling that hadn’t entirely faded either. But now she had to focus on becoming someone else, someone better. And that started with the tiny fire that spread across the tinder.

“Yes!” The excitement of her small victory filled her, startling the ox next to her at the outburst. Without thinking she crawled across the grass the short distance to grab the snout of the animal and pointed to the smoke and tiny flame. The creature didn’t resist her grip, just snorted once again and went back to chewing. “Okay fine. It doesn’t need to impress you. But it does me.”

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In the Light of Day

Postby Taurina on July 4th, 2017, 12:52 am


7th bell of the 20th of Summer 517


It had not been a dream. Ever since that night the Ethaefal was stumbled into by the Kelvic she had felt different. There was something other pulsing through her soul that had never been there before. That part of her that was the bond was not unwelcome, but it was taking some getting used to. In the roughly three days that had passed, Taurina had been able to calm and allow her nerves to recede. She did not regret the decision she made that night when waking up the next morning and there was still no regret. The belief that it was meant to be was still strong within her and slowly she had gotten used to the idea of having another so close to her.

It was so strange to think that within the time span of a few ticks, a complete stranger turned into something so much more than that. There was a connection with Alekxandra that Taurina shared with no one else. It was not as though her affection or trust in anyone else changed, it was more that every time she felt a particularly strong emotion she remembered another might be feeling it too. Sometimes she felt emotions through the bond as well, but everything had been rather spotty and indistinct. She suspected that as the bond strengthened that would change. That was what the Kelvic had told her anyway.

The bond had been the main focus of Taurina’s mind ever since it happened. She found herself almost obsessed with trying to figure it out and what her feelings were about it. It seemed best that they had decided to take things at their own pace and not rush anything. The Ethaefal realized quickly that she liked having her space to figure out how exactly she felt. She had not been ready right away to tell anybody else, not even Azmere. The lack of communication was nothing against him or anybody else she had in her life, she just needed time to sort out her own thoughts on the matter. If she had brought the Kelvic home that night she would not have gotten that time.

Taurina sucked in a slow inhale with her mouth as she raised her torso up from the ground and touched her chest to her knees. It was so hot in the pavilion that she probably ought to have been doing what she was outside, but she did not want to deal with the embarrassment. For the amount of muscle on her body that reflected her past life, she was rather weak and unknowing of how to use those muscles. Any sort of physical work was slow and painful for her, the heat was not helping with the comfort level either. At least she had the ability to open up that panel in the ceiling of her area of the tent. That got at least a bit of air flow moving through.

Sweat soaked through the Ethaefal’s hair and made her skin sticky. Her abs were sore and her head throbbing. Everything cried at her to stop and just lay out panting, but she refused. An exhale was let out as she lowered herself back down to be parallel with the floor once more. Three ragged breaths were sucked in and let out in pants before arms were crossed once more over her chest and she repeated what she had done before. Her form was no where near perfect for she had not asked exactly how to do the movement. Just watched others doing it and figured out the rest on her own best she could. Her neck was sore and she was unsure if it was meant to be. There was doubt that that was true, but Taurina had the tendency to be a bit prideful and stubborn. She was not keen to ask for help.

Taurina repeated her movement ten more times before she could just not take it anymore. A total of thirty had been all she had been able to complete before this giving up. Standing to her feet, the Eth fetched her water skin and drank deep. The water was warm, but at least it was water. She could feel it spreading through her body, exploding through her chest before settling in her stomach. Taurina breathed deep and sealed the waterskin back up before putting it amongst her things once more. Her hands went up to her hair after that and she gathered up all the pieces that had fallen from the braids she wove in the early morning, holding the sweaty mop up off her neck and shoulders. Head resting back in her hands, Taurina closed her eyes as she continued to suck in deep breaths. There were other things to go out and do this day, but she wanted to get back to functioning as near normal as she could first.

The Ethaefal thought so much of the bond that it should not have been a surprise that it consumed her thoughts now as well. There was a quiet to the day, but the busy of the insects of the earth reminded her of how much the Kelvic hated all the things creepy and crawly. It brought a tiny smile to Taurina’s lips to remember that. She let out a sigh and allowed her hands to fall back to her sides. She would have to rebraid and fix the wrap in her hair before she went out to try and maybe be presentable. So her comb was found and she began working through the hair. It did not take her long, her sloppy braiding coming much quicker to her now. Though it was always the same so, practice made perfect. Maybe not perfect, but faster. The wrap that had become one of her prized possessions shined out a shade of white against her mixed colored hair.

Taurina stood after that and gathered her things, including the yvas. She planned to take Starfire out for a ride and see if she could find Alekxandra. The Eth felt ready now that some days had passed. It did not feel like it was too soon and they had never said how many days had to pass before their next meeting. Now that she had gotten somewhat used to the idea to be bonded to the other woman, she felt the need to reach out. They had much to learn about each other and that would not be accomplished by spending time apart with only scattered emotions transpiring over the link between them. So, wearing only a sash made of cotton wrapped around and bound across her chest and her worn pants with her equally worn leather boots, Taurina exited the pavilion.

Whoever was around learned that the Eth was leaving, but staying within Endrykas. She promised not to go anywhere out of the tent city with anyone before she went to fetch Starfire. The Stallion was an easy find, but was not very cooperative with Taurina has she put the yvas on him which was strange for him. Taurina suspected it had to do with the heat. It took a great clump of sugar to convince him to do what she wished, but all that matter was that in the end she succeeded. With a sigh and sweet whispers to her strider, Taurina mounted and directed him to get moving.

The Ethaefal had no idea where to even start looking for her bondmate. All she knew about her home was that she had an animal known as an “ox”. Because of the gnosis of Morwen, Taurina guessed that the woman likely would not be anywhere in the city where there might be a concentrated amount of people. The outskirts seemed like a good place to start. The Ethaefal sighed at the thought. Endrykas was big and spread out, it could take a very long time to find the one she was looking for.

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In the Light of Day

Postby Taurina on July 4th, 2017, 12:54 am


10th bell of the 20th of Summer 517


Taurina did not know how much time had passed. Her and Starfire had been going for what felt like many bells. He was tired, she was tired. They were moving at a slow walk now. During the journey they had moved from walking to slow trotting to some faster trotting, back to walking with breaks for water and rest in whatever shade they could find in the middle. Taurina was all over the place as far as her riding though and worried about falling with no one around to help her. She did not brave much more than a trot, bouncing around too much at that speed as it was.

In all honesty, the Ethaefal was wearing out at this point. A part of her wanted to give up and return home, wait for Alekxandra to come and find her. A much smaller piece of her wanted to keep going. Taurina suspected that whisper was in her heart because that was the only explanation for her continuing to pursue the search. Her mind was begging to go in the other direction. Starfire was hot and sweaty, she was the same, it seemed to make more sense to go back. Give it up for another day when maybe there was more of a breeze. Taurina sighed, that whisper playing with her heart though. That desire to find what she was looking for. She sighed again.

“Alright zulkina, just a little longer and we will return home,” Taurina promised gently before she brought the stallion to a halt.

Taurina slid off the strider’s back and wrapped around to the front of him. She rubbed her hand down his face before she sighed for him to follow three times with her hands. After giving scratch against his jaw in reward, just like Azmere had once showed her with Skylla, Taurina began on foot with Starfire following behind her. She wanted to give him a break from carrying her for a little while. It might be better if they reached Alekxandra on foot anyway. Starfire was weary of her because of her second form and she did not know how the stallion would react should they actually find the other woman.

The pair wandered on, weaving through the few tents that dwelled along the edge of Endrykas. Starfire followed along diligently, Taurina looking back frequently to make sure he was still near. They were nearing a border between two clans and the Ethaefal was just about ready to give up now. They had covered a fairly good distance with her on foot by this point and she was simply tired. To sit and rest sounded pretty good at this point. She sighed, really not wanting to give up and wishing that she had had the forethought to ask where exactly the Kelvic lived before they parted nights before.

Returning to her stallion’s side, Taurina pulled out her waterskin from one of the yvas bags. She took a swig, but found the water to be running dangerously low at this point. There was little to return home with. She groaned and put the waterskin back before aimlessly scratching along Starfire’s neck. Her caramel gaze moved through the area they were in, just searching. Perhaps she had missed something. Though, she did not find anything. No signs of the red head. Disheartened, the Ethaefal went to mount back up on her strider so they could return home. Only, Starfire caught something his rider did not as a breeze whispered past them.

Taurina fell back rapidly from Starfire as he surged upwards. She was glad that she had not yet taken hold of the yvas for her arms would have surely been ripped off with the amount of force he possessed. The surprise alone was enough to knock her down to the ground. Scrambling up, Taurina kept out of his way as her hands rapidly signed for him to calm down.

“Starfire, stop!” she demanded of him with eyes full of panic and fear.

What had gotten into him? Starfire came back down on four legs and pawed restlessly at the ground. Taurina had a look of concern written across her face as she looked at him and continued her attempts to bring him to a calm.

“What’s wrong? There is nothing here,” Taurina tried to assure him, unsure of what else to do.

Starfire was not having it. Taurina was at a loss. Perhaps it had not been a good idea to bring him out this day. Though, he had not been acting like this earlier. In fact, he rarely ever acted like this. Like he was afraid. Only once before came to Taurina’s mind… it took her a moment to figure out what it must be. It could have been any like her, Taurina knew, but she dared to hope that it was the one she searched for.

“Hey, it’s alright. No one is going to hurt you,” Taurina promised in a soothing voice.

Taurina whispered to him gently, waiting until his ears were facing forward once more before she approached him. He allowed her to come to his neck and stroke him. Taurina continued to speak murmurings of pavi as her gaze wandered to the area around her. It took her a moment, but she caught what she had spent a great part of the morning looking for. A head full of familiar red hair bent over a fire. The Eth must have missed the sight her earlier search. A smile spread over Taurina’s lips, finally she had found who she was searching for.

“Alright, you are alright. We are fine, she is not going to hurt you,” Taurina promised gently, slowly moving towards the red head.

Starfire was very slow in his following of the Eth before he finally just stopped all together. Taurina sighed, deciding he was close enough that he would remain in view. There did not seem to be any way he was going to come any closer and the Eth was not going to make him. She signed for him to remain where he was before she turned and made her way over to her bondmate. There was a bubble of nerves rising up from her core that she had to work in shoving down. It was silly, she thought, to be nervous. They were bondmates, their souls connected by something created outside of their own power. Nerves did not have much of a place.

“Hi,” Taurina greeted softly after switching to common as she came up to stand across from Alekxandra, a soft smile lingering on her lips.

It was then that Taurina caught sight of the ox, forgetting instantly that the Kelvic might not recognize her in the earthbound form she wore. The Eth’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of the creature. It was no horse, that was for certain. It was.. Taurina was not sure what it was. Nor was she sure of how she felt it.

“What is that?!” the words slipped out before Taurina could stop them, a blush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks instantly after.

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In the Light of Day

Postby Alekxandra Winterflame on July 4th, 2017, 7:34 pm

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The sounds of the city were something Alek had become accustomed to over the last few seasons—especially those of the horses. The city thrived on them and so it was one of the first things the Kelvic had to learn to tune out in hopes of sleeping when the city roused early. While her sharp ears picked up the sound of Pavi and an unsteady horse, it was the ox that actually reacted to the commotion first. He pulled his large head from her grasp to calmly look off in the distance as Alek rolled her eyes. The beast was the farthest thing from jumpy, but it seemed it would move for anyone but her.

In the span of a tick panic and fear flooded over her mild sense of victory. The emotions set the Kelvic on alert, back going ramrod straight and eyes set to scanning the land around her. In the back of her mind, Alek was aware it wasn’t her ears or sense of smell that set her off, but the effect was just the same. These emotions often meant danger—or at least it was how Alek processed them since the loss of her family—and it took her several moments to realize they belonged to Taurina rather than herself.

The thought alone set off a different string of emotions through the redhead. Worry flared in the pit of her stomach and for the first time in a long time, it wasn’t over herself. It was foreign and heavy, weighing her down to the grass to the point she felt as though she couldn’t move—the fear of losing someone else so quickly. The Kelvic may have known nothing of the woman, but she was deeper in Alek’s soul than anyone else had even been—irreplaceable. Her hands shifted to the back of the ox across his shoulder blades to give her something to grip as she shifted her weight.

Rolling up onto her knees the first thing her eyes landed on was the horse and woman her ox was currently watching. The woman was unfamiliar to her. Short in stature with hair that appeared to have two different colors braided through and tanned skin. It wasn’t the human that stopped Alek’s rise to her feet though, it was the horse. Even with the distance between them, she could easily pick out the white coat of the animal. Something her bondmate had pointed out to be rather rare among striders. It was enough to draw the Kelvic up short, fingers lingering on the dark brown hide of her ox, stuck between sitting and standing as she observed the two before her.

She wasn’t left waiting long either. The woman calmed the horse, stroking his neck in a gentle way that seemed familiar to her. Something she had witnessed before. The she-wolf had an inkling the emotions she had felt—which faded as the horse calmed—were coming from the unfamiliar woman. It wasn’t until the two of them began to approach Alek that she let herself relax and return to her backside to wait. The ox shifted under her fingers as his head followed their approach as well and unconsciously the Kelvic let her fingers twitch across his shoulders as if she was scratching an itch.

The horse, however, refused to budge after a certain point but it was more than close enough for Alek’s nose to catch a whiff of his scent. She couldn’t tell the difference between most horses like the Drykas could—they all looked similar to her—but by the smell it was everything. Even with the decrease in efficiency due to her human form. The horse was certainly Starfire so unless Taurina shared her horse with others in her home, then the woman approaching her had to be her bondmate. The night they had met the Eth had mentioned she too shifted forms but the Kelvic had never considered what other form she might take. To her, an animal form came just as easily as her human so Alek had never thought to ask just what the Ethafael might look like outside of her nightly form.

There was an underlying burst of nerves the Kelvic sorted as her bondmate greeted her. Alek couldn’t have kept the smile that crossed her face at bay as she fully took in the new form Taurina possessed now that she was closer. She was definitely shorter than her Leth given form, though both were well fit and slim. There was a similar undertone to her scent, hidden beneath the sweat and very human smell. Something the wolf couldn’t pinpoint but brought a sense of comfort as well. A landmark that would make it easy for her to find Taurina despite her form. It was the reaction to her ox though that pulled Alek from her thoughts back to the present.

There was no helping the laugh that bubbled out of her chest at Taurina’s face as she observed the creature Alek was half leaning against as she sat. The ox cared little about either of them, nosing the grass and dirt beneath him. “Well, this is… an ox.” The redhead chuckled and shook her head. “He doesn’t have a name, not sure he needs one. He’s my rather stubborn companion,” The Kelvic snorted slightly and shook her head. “If you could really call him that.” The ox lifted his head at the words, snorting once again through his nose before nudging Alek’s shoulder roughly. The Kelvic let out a huff as she pushed herself to stand, brushing her fingers off at the dust that had collected across his chocolate fur. “I’d swear he’s as intelligent as one of your horses. Or maybe he’s just stubborn to a fault. I can’t decide which.”

The Kelvic let her eyes move from the Eth to the tiny flame requiring some assistance. Blowing out a rough breath the girl moved from the ox back to the round center of stones. Carefully she knelt until she was sitting on her knees and reached for a small pile of tinder made up mostly of dried grass and flower. Without much rain and the intense heat of late, it wasn’t too hard for her to find something that would light up with ease. The redhead carefully placed the tinder next to the flame, careful to ensure she didn’t snuff the flame out completely by overcrowding it.

Glancing back to Taurina, Alek realized she was being a bit rude. The girl had obviously come to find her as there was nothing nearby that could have been much use of much use. Alek chose spots as such for her own protection. She might have even blushed a little if she wasn’t already red from her time in the sun. Adjusting the finger-less glove that covered her left hand—and the subsequent gnosis mark—she patted the ground next to her as an invitation. “I don’t think I need to ask what brings you all the way out here.” Alek grinned in jest before moving herself into a more comfortable position, legs brought out from beneath her so that her forearms rested across the tops of her knees.

“Are you in need of anything? You gave me a bit scare just now." The Kelvic tapped her ribcage with her right hand as her left moved to grapple her backpack. Alek didn't have much, but it wasn't an offer she made lightly either. An effort in trust—and to gain such a thing in return.

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In the Light of Day

Postby Taurina on July 4th, 2017, 11:14 pm


Taurina’s look of embarrassment only grew when Alekxandra’s bubbly laugh rose to fill the temporary silence that had settled between them. Pink tinged cheeks turned positively crimson as the Eth lowered her gaze. She felt foolish, but at least she was not feeling judgement from her bondmate. Just amusement. Bubbly, overflowing, amusement. Despite herself, Taurina felt her own lips pull into an awkward and lopsided smile in reaction. She even attempted a laugh in an effort to brush aside the fumble she had made. It came out strangled and nervous, but it was a laugh nonetheless. If Alekxandra noticed, she did not make it obvious and instead answered the question that had so unceremoniously fallen from the Eth’s lips.

The ox was a strange beast indeed. Taurina watched it with caution as Alekxandra explained what it was and some things about it. The Eth learned that the animal was a male and that he was stubborn. She realized that he must have been animal the Kelvic had told her about the last time they were together when the subject of home had come up. The Ethaefal had known that she might find her bondmate with a creature called an ox before leaving to find her, but the connection did not register until now. In her surprise, she had forgotten all about it. The creature, at least, did not seem to mind. He seemed very unconcerned that another had entered their small camp at all.

“Stubborn to a fault I suspect,” Taurina murmured her opinion with a faint, but amused smile on her lips, “the striders are.. well special. I doubt many other animals compare. Even the other horses don’t.”

Taurina shrugged. From what she knew it was pretty well accepted, at least in Endrykas, that the striders were superior to most all other animals that roamed the plains. She thought perhaps ones such as Alekxandra who were part human would be the only exceptions. The Eth did not say anything about it, however, but instead watched as her bondmate worked to keep her tiny fire thriving. Dried grasses and plants were used, but Taurina did not see any of the dung patties that had become the fuel she was now accustomed to seeing the people around here use. She wondered why Alekxandra did not use any seeing as it would surely keep the fire burning longer and easier. Perhaps the red head simply did not know? Taurina pondered this as she continued to watch.

“Huh?” Taurina was brought out of her pondering over the fire and Alekxandra’s methods when she heard the girl speaking to her.

The Eth blinked slow before she realized what was being said. A tiny smile and new blush tinged her cheeks before she nodded and easily walked over to her bondmate’s side. Though have the ox behind her rather than in front of her where she could see it made Taurina weary, she slowly came to a seated position by Alekxandra’s side. She gave the other woman a tiny smile as she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned forward some, away from the ox. Her abs ached in protest of her position that was the opposite of leaning back and resting, but she did not give in. She did not even let the fact Syna’s heat filled rays were beating down against her mostly exposed, windmark covered back coax her into leaning back.

“Oh no, thanks. I’m alright,” Taurina assured as she realized Alekxandra was going to her pack to likely offer the Eth whatever she could that was within, “sorry about that, I did not expect him to react like that..” The Eth nodded towards her stallion who was grazing where she had left him. “I actually did not know that we would find you at all and was beginning to give up hope when he spooked. I’m glad he did despite the scare, finally caused me to see what was right in front of my face.”

Taurina let her caramel gaze move from its place on the fire and settle on Alekxandra. She gave a better smile that touched her eyes and was created out of happiness rather than amusement, though it did remain close lipped. It was rare for her to give anything more. She was happy that she had found her bondmate and glad that her nerves were receding. Her speech was bound to be a little more coherent without nervousness chocking out every word she attempted.

“Anyway, as you guessed, I came to find you,” the Eth admitted, her smile lingering though her fingers played with a loose strand of her hair as she felt her nerves slowly resurfacing within her, “I thought maybe it was time to see each other again now that a few days have passed.”

There was a hopeful look that came over Taurina’s face as she said this. She did not know if Alekxandra agreed with her that it was time, but she hoped that the other woman did. She hoped that she had not spent the better chunk of the morning searching for someone who was not yet ready to see her again.

“The bond.. well I have gotten used to the idea. As used to it as I can on my own anyway,” Taurina continued to talk before giving Alekxandra a chance to answer her. A chance to disagree with her. “And I wanted to get to know you a little better.. so things are not so strange and give you a chance to get to know me better… I can.. I can go if you are not ready yet..”

Taurina was unsure why she was so nervous, so awkward. Yet, the why did not matter so much in this instance. She just was and she was unable to overcome it. Her words came out in stutters and her fingers continued to fiddle with the piece of hair. There was a sigh of resignation before the Eth crossed her arms once more and buried her fingertips into her arms to keep herself from making her already messy hair worse. Her gaze was almost shy, though still a bit hopeful, as she raised it back up to Alekxandra’s face. She half expected hatred and refusal to flood the bond at any tick, not finding her nervous self worth spending any time with.

“So.. um.. yeah.. It is up to you,” she stuttered out in a low mutter, biting the inside of her cheek as she waited for her bondmate’s decision, “but I… I would like to start getting to know each other better..”

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In the Light of Day

Postby Alekxandra Winterflame on July 7th, 2017, 11:18 pm

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The Kelvic let out a hum at Taurina’s assessment of the ox. If stubbornness was his way then she would have to find assistance on handling him for sure. She had an idea where to start at least, but it was a problem for another time The most important fact was that she was currently able to keep up with the city. The rest she would handle before it became an issue. The Ethaefael assured her however that everything was alright despite her panic. The girl shifted her gaze from her bondmate to the horse that insisted on keeping his distance. Baltair’s horse had not spooked so easily, but even the horses in Avanthal had their own personalities. It shouldn’t have been a surprise that Starfire would have his own.

“The time apart certainly made it a little easier to come to terms with everything I’ll have to say.” The statement came out a little awkwardly, as Alek recalled just how suddenly the whole thing happened. Her right hand moved to scratch lightly just behind her ear as she fixed her gaze to the fire as she tried to stoke the flame higher—without much success. She didn’t have enough knowledge to keep the thing going. The wolf tried to recall how they kept the fire burning in the practice kitchens, but her attention had always been stuck to the food. It seemed her brother was right about her lack of attention coming back to bite her.

“I am sorry about how quickly this came about though. I certainly don’t wish to change it, but it wasn’t my finest moment.” The Kelvic was aware of Taurina’s own nerves, which mixed with hers. Alek wasn’t sure why the feelings were there—perhaps living on the outside for so long had left her with nothing but jagged edges. She knew how to skirt around people, but not truly interact with them. In the very least the two of them were on even ground—ridiculous as it was that they were this awkward. Alek cleared her throat, shaking her head as if to rid herself of the cobwebs holding down her thoughts.

The she-wolf took note of the little things as Taurina settled next to her. The tattoos that wound across her back to the nearly two toned color of her hair. A brave smile crossed her lips however as the girl suggested they take some time to get to know the other. “I’d like that. After a few days to myself, I realized if I want to keep this bond then I might actually have to interact with you at some point." Alek pulled her left hand from her pack to make vague up and down gesture at herself. “My sisters never found me to be social—just nosy.” The Kelvic snorted and rolled her eyes, ignoring the slightest pang of loss buried in her chest.

“I won’t hide things from you if you ask, though some things will be undoubtedly harder to speak of. Perhaps this bond is a reminder that I can’t hide forever.” The final sentence was muttered to herself more than it was directed to her bondmate. After over a chime of rifling through her pack, however, she managed to find her goal. With a triumphant grin, the Kelvic pulled the small set and plopped it down in front of her as she moved the backpack off to the side.

“First thing to know about me. I love cooking. I’m not used to most of the herbs available here, but I’m sure—if nothing else—it will be the easiest part to pick up while living here.” She lifted the small pouch of herbs, giving it a gentle sniff before wrinkling her nose. “It’s been awhile, but if I ever get this fire going I would be more than happy to share.” The wolf sighed and put the herbs back next to the sharp paring knife. “And I suppose he’s something we’ll have to discuss at some point as well.” Alek let her eyes drift back to the Eth’s other bond, frowning slightly at the horse. “He’s going to have to get used to me at some point, I’m just not sure how we’ll go about that. A problem for another day…” Shaking her head, the wolf leaned back on her hands and watched the tiny flame sputter against the tinder. Wood wasn’t something easily found here… and it hadn’t been in Avanthal either.

Huffing out a breath, the Kelvic let her eyes drift to Taurina—more specifically her back. The tattoos that laced her skin were rather intricate. She couldn’t imagine how long such a thing would take to have done. Tilting her head, the question spilled out of her before she could stop it. “What are these?” It was soft, full of curiosity. “I’ve noticed most of you around here have markings like them.”

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In the Light of Day

Postby Taurina on July 9th, 2017, 5:33 am


“I do not know that we have control over these things,” Taurina pointed out softly with a shrug, “some parts of life are just decided by things outside of our hands and we have to adapt or fall behind.”

The Ethaefal gave a small, slightly sad, smile. There were few things she felt had been in her control since her fall. Everything else seemed to be dictated by fate or perhaps the gods, if they cared enough to play with the lives of mortals. She felt like they should have better things to do, but of course she did not know and she liked to think that she did not pretend to know. Things just were how they were and though change was not something she was very keen on, she lived a life that was in a constant state of change. Her home, her family, and her very life was evolving and shifting all the time. It seemed as though it was high time to stop dreading change, but instead embrace it or, at least, expect it.

“That to say, don’t apologize to me. I don’t find you at fault for this. I still do not think it would be if it was not meant to be,” the Ethaefal’s voice was gentle, but she was sure of herself and the words she spoke.

Strangely enough, Alekxandra’s nerves made Taurina’s own lessen. She did not feel alone in her worries and more importantly, she did not feel judged for them. Instead, she was able to relax a bit and allow the jitters to escape in a slow breath. Yet, they only fully disappeared when her bondmate agreed that they should grow in their knowledge of each other. A happiness spread through Taurina when she heard that and a smile lit her face. Even the brown eyes that she disliked so much were radiant and shining under Syna’s gaze as the new emotion filled her. She even laughed at the Kelvic’s words. A sound that was light and airy in reflection of all the worries that had plagued her being washed away.

“Yes, I suspected interaction might be crucial in making this a functioning relationship,” Taurina pointed out, the skin around her nose and eyes wrinkling with her smile as she shrugged, “I don’t care how social you are. We’ll have to figure out each other regardless, might as well get to know all of each other’s ways.”

Taurina shrugged again, her smile beginning to fade when Alekxandra brought up what could be shared. Everything. That was what the Kelvic offered her. Some things would be harder, but she promised not to hide anything if asked for it. The Ethaefal contemplated if she could say the same. There was not much that had happened to her in the four years she had lived since her fall, but something things would be hard to revisit if asked. So many monsters lay within the darkness of her mind. A mixture of memories, nightmares, and emotions. The things that she hid from even those who cared about her.

“You do not have to share anything you do not want to, that is too hard to speak of,” Taurina promised, “I will not demand that of you.”

While her promise was true, it was also spoken because the Eth did not want that demanded of herself. With time likely all would come out. All the secrets, the monsters, the past.. but none of it needed to be rushed. They had decided to take this bond at their own pace and Taurina wanted that to remain true. She did not wish for the burdens of her heart to be placed on Alekxandra. Not until she learned what the Kelvic spoke of, that she could not hide forever.

“Cooking.” It was just a statement spoken as Taurina looked at the things Alekxandra had pulled out of her pack with a great amount of fascination. “Looks interesting. I do not know much about it or about the herbs around here so I won’t be of much help. Some of the others in my pavilion might be able to help though, when the day comes that we introduce you to them.”

Taurina smiled faintly, looking at the fire. She suspected that at some point she would have to mention that she had not told her family yet. She did not know how Alekxandra would react, if it would be poorly or not. Since other things had gone well so far this day she decided to try and be positive and let herself think that her bondmate would not mind too much. The Ethaefal would tell them. She had full intentions of telling them and soon. Especially now that her and Alekxandra were getting to know each other better. She just had not gotten around to it yet, had not been ready before now.

“I would love to try some.” Taurina shook off her thoughts about having not told anyone and allowed herself to return to the present with a better smile. “Your fire though.. you need some dried dung. That is what I have seen most all of the Drykas use to keep their fires going. Better fuel than just dried grasses and best we have out here since there is no wood.”

The Ethaefal shrugged. It was another one of those things that was just a way of life. Some she had met were not so thrilled with the idea of using the animal waste as a source of fuel, but she did not care really. She cared more about the fact that they had to still use fire when Syna’s light made the grasslands so very hot all on its own.

“He will come around,” Taurina promised quietly as he gaze drifted over to Starfire, “with time I think he will get used to you and at least tolerate you. At least, I hope he will.”

There was a sigh released. Taurina did not know if that would ever be a reality, but she hoped for it. It did not seem like it would turn out very well for any of them if the two intertwined with her soul remained eternally at odds with one another. The Ethaefal sighed once more. This would have to be figured out, but not right now. Sometime in the future.

“Windmarks,” Taurina said with a bit of pride in her voice as she answered the question, glad for the change of subject, “a status symbol here in Endrykas. They show that a Drykas has bonded with a strider. That they are true Drykas.”

The Ethaefal smiled as if she was remembering a fond memory. Her hand even drifted back so that the tips of her fingers could move across her lower back where the marks began. She did not remember much about receiving these windmarks. Just the pain really and sometimes she wondered if that was true memory or just her knowing what it must have felt like. She remembered the horse though. Barely, like a dream that she kept having but could never capture all the details of.

“I did not earn these for bonding with Starfire,” Taurina admitted almost sadly, “I did have windmarks inked on my skin after he chose me, but they did not stay. These do only because this body reflects how I once was. In the past, likely long ago. A life I only remember bits and pieces of. A life I will always be trapped in no matter what I do to move on.”

The talk was going to grow depressing if she allowed herself to travel down this path. The Ethaefal already felt her heart beginning to grow heavy.

“It is actually my job to create windmarks on others.” A piece of Taurina given up in an attempt to move on from the sadness. “Well it will be, someday soon I hope. I am just an assistant right now as I work my way up. Just like you love cooking, I love sketching and tattooing. It frustrates me at times, when my mind does not want to work with my hands or the other way around, but I love it regardless. I cannot wait for the day when I run into somebody who got their first windmarks from me. That day… it will be a wonderful day.”

The Ethaefal was smiling as her mind drifted off into a dream world. That part of the future did not look very scary. Her soul was light in that future. Light and happy, floating on air. She could not wait.

“Anyway, we should find some dung patties for this fire so you can cook and we can eat,” Taurina pointed out, abruptly standing up, “come on, I’m sure we can find enough around here.”

While the Eth was no longer smiling, her face had an eager expression written across it as she encouraged Alekxandra to join her. It was not that she was excited to go searching for dung, but she was excited to spend time with her bondmate. Excited to show her this little bit of knowledge that she had about how one got a fire going in the tent city.

“Maybe if we can get your fire going nice, you could show me a few things about cooking?” Taurina suggested, “I would not mind learning if you are willing to teach me.”

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In the Light of Day

Postby Alekxandra Winterflame on July 15th, 2017, 11:09 pm

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Taurina’s words were sure—in both tone and emotion. If nothing else the Eth believed their bond was meant to be, and Alek wasn’t one to try and dispute the fact. She had grown up in a world that embraced the bond and she had not found someone in her frozen city. It was here in a world that was quite literally opposite of everything she was used to that she found her bondmate. She didn’t want to imagine it took such lengths to find her, so it left the Kelvic little choice but to let the idea go.

There was easy enough distraction to go around. Her ability to make a joke wasn’t lost on the Eth and the wolf was glad she was able to draw out a smile out of the woman. It faded a little at the mention of her willingness to share, but Alek could understand the hesitation. Up until this point, she had hidden everything from everyone. It was her own way of forcing herself out of a shell she had created to protect herself. “I don’t expect the same of you Taurina. At some point, I’ll have to talk about it. I’ll hold it in until it eats me alive otherwise.”

The memory of her fur against the white snow and the mark that followed played through her mind. The Kelvic refused to let bitterness and pain overtake her however and pulled a deep breath inwards. “Trust isn’t an easy thing to do sometimes. But if I can’t bring myself to trust you then I’ll never trust anyone.” Her fingers drummed a line on her knee for a moment before she shook her head to focus on the look on the Eth’s face over her cooking kit and the mention of the pavilion. “I’m sure they’ll have plenty of questions of their own. Family always does.” The words were muttered, but not dark. Alek knew it was another reason why she wouldn’t hide things from Taurina. If she wasn’t going to ask, someone else would.

The she-wolf wrinkled her nose at the mention of dung. The idea of it wasn’t so much of a bother, but it suddenly made sense. “That explains the smell.” Her nose had mostly grown used to the unique way the fires smelled, but she had never considered dung to be the reason. Part of her had always wondered if the Drykas had a gnosis related to fire much like she had one for ice. The Kelvic had little knowledge of other gods and goddesses. “Well as neither of us plan on going anywhere soon, the horse and I will just have to learn to deal.” She shot her bondmate a half grin before shrugging. Perhaps when she learned more about her ox she could get some advice on the special horses as well.

It was the mention of the windmarks and that her body only reflected those of the past that jolted her mind in another direction. The tone of her voice told Alek it wasn’t something she was particularly pleased with. Her brow furrowed slightly as she tried to think of words that wouldn’t further upset Taurina, but yet satisfy the curiosity that sprung up inside her. The Ethafael moved on, however, focusing on the fact that she was an artist and was practicing for the day that she would create such beautiful marks herself. Given the momentary glance she had seen of her drawings from the other night, Alek had no doubt that she would be successful. “I can’t imagine how long it takes to have such ornate—and large—marks put into the skin. Isn’t it a painful process?”

Alek stood as Taurina did at the mention of finding some dung to help her poor pitiful fire. The ox grunted at their movement but remained still on the ground with his endless chewing. If dung was needed then she had a good idea of where to get some. “I think I might actually have some for use. He doesn’t eat for nothing.” Her voice was rather sarcastic as she pointed at the ox over her shoulder. The wolf led the way, skirting around her small wagon to the far side. “As for cooking, I never mind trying to teach. No promises if I’m any good at it though.” The redhead shot the Eth a bright grin before scouting out for evidence of her ox.

As she came upon some of the leftover deposits of the ox, the Kelvic leaned over to investigate them. There was a nagging question at the back of her mind, and the words fell out of her mouth before she could properly stop them. “So… you do not like this form?” Her head cocked to the side much like a dog as she glanced back at the Eth before she realized the question was probably too personal. If the woman felt stuck in the past and that brought sadness—well it was a reflection much like Alek’s own past.

But the Kelvic could never imagine disliking one form or another of herself.

“I’m sorry that’s…” Alek huffed and shook her head a little. “You don’t seem much different in this form than you did in your other. I mean physically of course. But Starfire doesn’t seem to notice much. Or am I making an assumption there?” Perhaps the horse did have an issue with her two forms, but had come to accept the two sides. The Kelvic felt Taurina’s emotions regardless of the form—to her there was no difference between the two. There was even a mildly shared scent.

Clearing her throat, the wolf prodded at a few of the drier remains of the ox dung. She imagined it would work better than something fresh with more moisture, but there was no way to tell with her limited knowledge. Regardless the Kelvic gathered what she could, trying to ignore the smell that her sensitive nose picked up. While she never disliked her animal side, she had to admit there were times where there were downsides. “These will have to do for now. I’ll have to keep better track if this is how things are done around here.” The redhead grumbled before standing straight and eyeing Taurina carefully.

“It doesn’t matter to me what form you’re in.” It seemed like an important statement, though she wasn’t sure why. Maybe because the Kelvic had two of her own. Shaking her head she let out a long winded sigh and started back towards the fire. “So perhaps you can tell me what all of the hand gestures mean?” The girl flopped down rather unceremoniously and placed the dung behind her. The fire was barely lit, the tiny flame sputtering in the dry grass. Before the dung would light she would need something a little bigger so the wolf pulled at the remaining pile of dried grass she had collected earlier to feed the flame slowly.

“You have your own language you speak, but I noticed you all use your hands as well. Sometimes you don’t even speak just…” Alek made a vague gesture with her hands, having no idea if it was an accurate word in Pavi or just a movement resembling flailing.

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In the Light of Day

Postby Taurina on July 18th, 2017, 6:57 am


Taurina found herself nodding slowly to most of what Alekxandra said in response. There was a swell of appreciation and knowing that spread across the Ethaefal’s chest with some of the words her bondmate spoke. Alekxandra had given her the freedom to decide to give as much or as little as she desired. It was not asked of her to trust fully during this early stage of their relationship. The Ethaefal was thankful for that freedom, but she also felt a twist of knowing in her core. She knew what it was like to let the past eat her alive. To let it come and smother out all of the light that might be found within her. To push back that darkness, to open up and let it flow out from her so that she might be separated from it was something she had not yet fully allowed herself to do. Maybe her bondmate was onto something. Maybe if she let herself, the burden could be made lighter by giving up some of secrets she held so close to her heart.

There was the mention of family and the questions that they would no doubtably ask which Taurina just nodded to in response. She wondered if perhaps her bondmate already knew somehow that she had not shared with her family about the new bond that had formed. The red head did not make it known one way or the other, but she did not press the matter of family. She did not ask when she would meet them or seem particularly eager for their questions to come. So though she felt guilty for not having told them yet, Taurina was able to calm a bit and breath a sigh of relief. ‘Our own pace,’ she reminded herself, ‘we are taking this at our own pace.’ Accented by a light chuckle, a grin spread over the Eth’s lips at the mention of the smell explained. Her worry over her secret forgotten for a time.

Though Starfire and his dislike of Alekxandra was something that would one day need to be sorted out, it was not a topic lingered upon either. Taurina just shrugged, her grin becoming just a shadow over her face. Her strider and her bondmate would work it out eventually. That was her hope and she decided that she would try not to let herself worry about it too much. For now his dislike of the Kelvic helped the Eth in locating her. Until living arrangements changed, maybe it was better if things staid the way they were. Taurina did not voice this opinion, but left things as they were as she stood and moved onto her hunt for the dung patties. She did not respond to the inquiry about her windmarks right away either, but instead let herself think on an answer as she allowed Alekxandra to lead her to where her ox creature most frequently deposited his waste. A small smile tugging at her lips as words dipped in sarcasm escaped her bondmate’s lips.

“I’ll learn through watching if nothing else,” Taurina said with a shrug as they made the trek around the Kelvic’s wagon, “that is how I have learned most things anyhow.”

Taurina shrugged again. Despite having learned that it was far easier to learn from those more experienced than her by asking for their help, she had never been one to go out and seek help. Being so unknowing made her feel foolish. Having to ask for help was always a heavy blow to her pride. She would rather struggle to figure it out on her own for so much longer than necessary than put up with the mild embarrassment that asking and learning so much quicker would cause. The Eth sighed, a flaw of herself acknowledged before she pushed it to the back of her mind.

“As for the windmarks,” Taurina came back to the question she had earlier put off answering, “I do not really remember how painful it was. The fragment I have left of that memory tells me it must have been something close to being lit aflame, but never being consumed. Just burning for bells and bells until it was over.”

Taurina brought a hand up to her head, stroking fingers down the loose end of the wrap twisted throughout the biggest brain in her hair. The fabric was a shock of grayish white in her multicolored hair. A sign of her pavilion, of belonging. She was thinking of that now, remembering that she did belong here despite her windmarks being ones of an old bond she hardly remembered. A shaky breath was dragged into her lungs before she closed her eyes and let the world pause for a moment. She could feel memories pulling at her, willing her to let herself just dwell in the past. It was her bondmate that pulled in the other direction, yanking her back into the present before the past could really take hold. The Ethaefal’s eyes burst open and she blinked at the question she was asked, stunned that it had even come out.

Taurina just stared at her bondmate for a time. Alekxandra was still talking, apologizing for asking the question and pointing out that Starfire did not seem to notice a difference. The Eth did not even look over to her stallion, she just looked at the Kelvic before her. She was not really offended by the question. Her tone earlier must have made it obvious that there was some resentment or at least sadness when it came to this form. Either that or she had sent some of that emotion down the bond without meaning to. Whatever it was, the question had come and the Ethaefal had to decide whether or not to answer it. Was it too personal to give her bondmate this piece of her?

There was only silence from the Ethaefal as Alekxandra settled on the dung patties she had collected and began the journey back to their spot by the little fire. Taurina followed, still just watching her bondmate and listening. She sat down next to the red head once more behind the fire and in front of the ox. The Eth was still unhappy about the strange beast being behind her, but she was slightly more relaxed as she rested her crossed arms in a casual manner on her raised knees. She was still deciding on how to answer. What was okay to give away. It was only when Alekxandra gave her assurance that it made no difference to her which form the Ethaefal was in, though, that finally caused Taurina to come to a decision.

“Do you ever wonder how your existence started? Like in this life,” Taurina began with a gentle voice, “Those who I have run across all have the same story when it comes to that. Each start out an infant and then a child. A person with a past and usually a family, but not always that. Life happens to them, they grow and become who they were meant to be or some other version of it.”

Taurina paused a moment and took a breath, she did not wish to ramble on about this. The start of others’ lives was not her priority, but she wanted Alekxandra to understand. To see how very different Taurina was to her and others like her.

“I was not born as others are born. I just awoke in an instant as I am before you now, surrounded by water. My first struggle was to reach the shore and I barely made it,” the Ethaefal gave up this portion of her story so that Alekxandra might understand and to prove that even she did not wish to keep everything hidden, “I had no memories of who I was. No idea of what I was suppose to do. My body was fully grown and formed with these scars and marks of the past written all over it. A past I cannot remember more than small fragments of.”

The Ethaefal lifted her gaze to the sky. She saw Syna there, shining, but she was thinking of Leth. The god who had once shared his realm with her, but now was only silent despite her faith in him.

“I dwelled with a god once. In a realm that I cannot recreate even in my mind. I had a different name there even, but I cannot say it in this world. It is like my mouth has forgotten how to form the letters and my vocal chords have lost all trace of the sound.” As Taurina spoke she felt tears forming in her eyes, this talk bringing so many emotions she had wished to avoid, but the question had been asked. “My nighttime form is as close as I come to being one with that life again. As close as I come to being close to Leth again. It was him with which I once dwelled, before I fell back down to Mizahar. This form..”

Arms were extended outward, elbows facing the ground so that Alekxandra might see the scars that laced up her forearms. Some were burns, some from blades, the ones on her palms likely the result of gaining magic like she had now in her former life. The marks were always the same, never changing, never able to be altered or covered up. With each shift she was always once more back to the state of how she had been at the time of her fall.

“It is a broken memory of a life I once had, but have no longer. It is like a cage to me really. When I want to move on, find my place in this life so that I might exist with some happiness, I am reminded of how this will always be apart of me. A life I cannot remember or truly connect with,” Taurina further explained before wiping away the tears glistening in her eyes, “I do not hate it though. I just.. I have a harder time during Syna’s light. It is a stronger reminder of what I have lost than my nighttime form is. But I guess that I should be thankful really. Being this by day led me to Endrykas, to my pavilion, my strider, and even to you.”

A small smile came to light Taurina’s face as she returned her arms back to being crossed over her knees. She looked at her bondmate and her smile grew a bit more. This form was not all bad. She was learning to live with it. Maybe she would even like it one day.

“I think you and Starfire agree on this one thing,” the Ethaefal pointed out with a ring of laughter in her voice, “neither of you have treated me differently based on my form. The same cannot be said for others, not even for all of my family…”

‘Not even for Azmere,’ she added only in her mind. A slight sigh escaping with the thought. She released it as it was not something that needed to be dwelled upon at the moment. She let herself giggle at the Kelvic’s strange hand motions and inquiries about pavi instead. At least there was something to move onto and this depressing talk of her thoughts on her two forms did not have to set the mood for the day.

“Oh Alekxandra, stop before you sign something terribly wrong!” Taurina laughed as one of her hands raised up and motioned for the other woman to stop, “Pavi is a mix of words and sign. Sometimes signs are needed, sometimes not and the same can be said for words. I’m not really great at it, but seeing you… I feel better now.”

Taurina smirked, her last words a tease that she giggled at. She was glad for the distraction. For the lightness that was filling her in this moment.

“Do not worry, I can show you some,” Taurina promised, her words genuine, “I do not want my bondmate going and getting herself in trouble because she used the wrong signs at the wrong time. I cannot even bear the thought of it!”

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In the Light of Day

Postby Alekxandra Winterflame on September 22nd, 2017, 11:34 pm

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Alek couldn’t help the chuckle that bubbled in her chest. There was something that she was completely opposite of her bondmate—watching rather than doing. “Watching tends to be fruitless for me unless I can mimic the motion right afterward. Small batches of watching and putting things together, otherwise I lose all track of what I’m doing.” Cooking was a prime example. She had watched her mother for as long as she could remember, but until she had actually picked up the knife or spoon the complex movements had been just a rushed flow that somehow became beautiful.

The answer to the Eth’s windmarks, however, made little sense to the redhead. If such a process hurt, why ever did anyone go through them? Culturally Taurina had already explained their purpose, but she failed to understand why it took bonding to a horse and receiving such marks to be considered truly apart of this place. She supposed it wasn’t entirely different from her own desire to receive the mark across the back of her hand. The one that would mark her a follower of Morwen, the love their people had for their queen. Her fur had marked her as an outsider against the snow… the lack of these painful marks apparently marked those who had not fully ‘become Drykas’. “Well, I’ll skip the… painful burning if you don’t mind. Perhaps I’ll visit to watch you though. I’m kind of curious as to how it goes into the skin… if you don’t mind.” Alek stared at her darkened skin for a moment longer before shaking her head rather akin to her canine form. “I can even stay out of human form if it might make it easier?” There was hope in her voice, and rather obvious curiosity she had no doubt was seeping from her. A rare occurrence given how she had avoided people for nearly two seasons.

Regardless of the answer, Alek shifted her attention to her bondmate’s hand. The fingers caressing the simple fabric woven into her hair like a gift. There was a shift across the bond, almost like a fog. There were emotions, but the Kelvic was unable to nail any of them down. They trickled like water through her hands, but she had the oddest desire to reach out and touch the cloth as well. She barely managed to keep herself in check and moments later the fog seemed to lift as Taurina pulled her attention back at the rather blunt question over her form. There was no answer from her, though the she-wolf couldn’t sort out any negative emotions over the question. It was just silence and the girl was very conscious to remain quiet after she fumbled over her apology.

So in the quiet, the Kelvic focused on trying to rebuild what little flame still existed. The small amount of tinder she had left was carefully prodded close while doing her best to keep the grass from snuffing the fire out entirely. It took several tries, all the while keeping her face close and blowing gently before the new offering lit up. Pursing her lips slightly she reached for one of the dung patties, examining it closely for a moment as she tried to decide which way might be best to arrange the fire starter without crushing the flame entirely. She settled for trying to sneak the edge of the patty as close to the flame as possibly, letting the corner touch the flame all the while doing her best to observe if it would even take.

It was the Ethaefal’s voice that drew her back from her concentration. Soft—maybe almost distant—the words came from her mouth. The question of existence and how one came about in the world. It was tempting for her to answer, though Alek realized the question wasn’t entirely meant to be replied to. How the two of them came to be was a startling difference… one that the redhead couldn’t even imagine coming into. A past buried in a part of who she was, while the other half belonged to a place she could no longer reach. Neither of them within her grasp, leaving her stranded to find her own way. On some level, she could empathize with her—though she could never truly understand the hardship of what Taurina went through… was still going through.

Blowing out a rough breath, Alek tilted her head as she stared at the fire. “It sounds difficult… being neither here nor there. No way to get back to either life.” For a moment the girl considered letting the Ethaefal know a little about her past, that a part of her—however small—could understand. But this hardly seemed the time or place. This was about her and why she felt more comfortable in one skin or the other. There would undoubtedly be a time when her past would come to view. Biting down on her lip, she considered all the things she could see of the Eth despite their short time. The small things that translated across their bond that seeped into her soul.

“Being of a race that has two forms, perhaps you shouldn’t entirely view it as something lost? Each side of you may bring something different to your life, but they as a whole make you who you are now.” Alek pursed her lips once again as she tried to figure if her idea made sense in spoken word. “Things lost… may never be recovered. And there is nothing wrong with trying to recover some of them but, who you are now is who you were meant to be. Two sides of the same coin. You would not be who you are without one form or the other.” Sighing heavily the wolf frowned slightly. The words sounded mundane, perhaps flat to her own ears. The mention of her family, of others unable to see past the physical change, nearly made her huff in frustration. “The reason Starfire and I can agree is simple. It doesn’t matter which form you take… you are still you.” It seemed like such a simple thought, the idea that others close to her being unable to grasp it seemed ridiculous. But then this was a race that marked themselves just to show a horse had chosen them… maybe with time, she could understand this culture better, but for the moment they seemed just as strange as when she had first arrived.

Giving a half-hearted shrug Alek took a moment to fully look upon her bondmate. Her form was indeed different, but the bond had not shifted or become broken with her change. If there was one thing the Kelvic could be certain of, it was that Taurina was solid—much like she was—despite the day or night. So she gave the woman a strong confident smile. If nothing else she was confident in her final statement and moved past the subject before either of them could fall too deep into emotions that would be difficult to push past.

At least for now.

The redhead felt her face flush deeper than her hair at her terrible signing. There was a hint of embarrassment but she grinned brightly as she dropped her hands back to the herb packet resting in front of the fire that was finally beginning to show signs of growing. “I can’t imagine saying something with your hands that you couldn’t just say with words.” The Kelvic smirked before reaching for the deer meat she had purchased that morning. The cut of meat was smaller than she was used to, but given the circumstances of the land around them, it didn’t surprise the girl. The meat was hard to come by, and expecting more than what was available was just out of the question.

So instead of judging the size of the meat, the Kelvic instead tested for how fresh it was. The first thing that was easily identifiable even in her human form, was the smell. There was nothing particularly pungent about the slice of meat, though if she didn’t cook it soon it wouldn’t be long before it spoiled. The color showed promise as well, and as her fingers lightly traced across the surface of the meat she was happy to confirm there was nothing off against the grain of the meat, no stickiness or slimy texture that signified spoiling. Satisfied she wasn’t bound to give Taurina food poisoning with bad meat, the wolf reached out and snatched up the herbs. “Despite the heat, it looks like the meat is still good for the moment. It’ll need to prepared soon though or it’ll go bad in no time.”

Opening the end of the pouch the Kelvic carefully emptied a small amount into the palm of her hand. Dried herbs were something she was familiar with from their useful lifespan in Avanthal’s cold embrace, but most of them seemed to be herbs she had never used before. There was what appeared—and hinted at through her nose—lemon zest, and she was fairly certain some type of rosemary, but the rest were probably more local herbs found among the grass than she was used to. Pinching the herbs, the wolf quickly tossed them onto her tongue, rolling them around her mouth for a moment as her nose wrinkled up slightly. There was definitely lemon zest hidden within, but the flavor swirling around her tongue was more—earthy?—than she was used to.

“I don’t think I’ve had these type of herbs before,” The wolf hummed lightly before she turned and faced her bondmate with an almost sheepish smile. “Do you often cook meat over a fire? From what I have mostly experienced your culture seems to prepare food for travel. It makes sense, given how active the entire city is in moving” The question set off a thought that hadn’t crossed her mind in some time. She was going to need a job. Alek leaned back on her head slightly as she tilted her head to one side. “Do your people even employ those without windmarks?”

The question didn’t halt the Kelvic’s movements entirely. She reached outward for the meat once again with her right hand and retrieved her small knife from the kit she had purchased. It felt almost felt odd—a cross between unfamiliar weight and the forgotten desire behind the simple act of lifting the tool. She twirled the pointed object three times between her fingers before nodding to herself and once again returning her gaze to Taurina. “So what exactly would you like to learn about cooking? There is everything from simple prep to the actually act itself.” Motioning to the firepit before her, Alek bit down on her bottom lip hesitantly. “Once I know how to arrange the dung to get the fire hot enough, I’d be more than happy to show you anything you wish to know.”

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Alekxandra Winterflame
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Joined roleplay: May 10th, 2016, 6:56 pm
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