27th of Summer, 518 AV
Nieve had found her way to Uta's, remembering the path from when she had visited with Randal. She'd meant to visit the botanist again but hadn't gotten around to it, so she decided it was as good a time as any. Not to mention, she was getting some nasty snarls in her curls; the sand and drying ocean salt didn't help, and she'd heard that Uta may have something to help keep her hair knot-free.
"Uta?" The Kelvic called out as she approached the open-walled home, eyeing the comfortable swing over the stream. She still wanted to try it out... "It's Nieve. Are you around?" Of course, while Nieve hadn't gone to see Uta specifically since meeting her, she'd caught glimpses of her around. It was impossible not to, with how small the settlement was.
Nieve stopped at the edge of the house, and a few moments later Uta popped up from where she'd been bent over behind her desk. "Nieve, it's good to see you again. How are you?"
Evie smiled at the other woman. "I'm good, thank you. Yourself?" The two exchanged pleasantries before Nieve cleared her throat somewhat sheepishly. "I do actually have something to ask you. I've been getting very bad knots in my hair that are difficult to comb out, and I heard you might have something to help?"
Uta laughed, shaking her head. "I should have known it wasn't just a social call," She teased. "Stay here a moment." She turned to go and rummage through her storage before returning with a small lidded container, handing it to Nieve.
The Kelvic took it, opening the lid curiously; inside was a clear liquid, and the distinct smell of coconut wafted out to her. "It's really just coconut oil," Uta explained. "I've found it works wonders for the hair. Keeps it soft and smooth and, most importantly, knot free. Every so often just take a little bit in your palms and run it through your hair. It will make combing it a lot easier. You don't need to wash it out, but don't use it too often, or it will just make your hair greasy." She explained to the curious yowlwing.
Nieve nodded. "I see. Thank you so much. What do I owe you for it?" Uta hummed thoughtfully, then waved a hand.
"That one's on me, for helping Randal out last time you visited. I do still need those pots though," She winked at the Kelvic. "So from now on perhaps we could trade, hmm? A pot or two for a jar of that."
Nieve nodded enthusiastically. "That's perfectly fair. Thank you so much, Uta!" She waved to the woman before turning and bounding back down along the path she'd come.
Once back at the beach, Nieve began to make her way back to her piece of land. It was still relatively early, so she took the time to sit down at the mouth of her tent, catching the early morning breeze that came in with the ocean as she followed Uta's instructions; she scooped out a small amount of the coconut oil, rubbing it between her fingers before beginning to comb it through her curls, rubbing it into any knots she encountered.
It was dull work, but as any cat, Nieve had a certain sense of pride and vanity when it came to her appearance; not only that, but the knots were downright annoying, so she didn't mind taking the time to sort them out. Once her hair was saturated, she picked up her comb, and began to pull it through her oiled strands.
The oil was practically magical; just as Uta had said, it made combing out the knots incredibly easy. Oiled and combed, Nieve's hair lay silky and straight when she was done, the tips brushing just past her shoulders as opposed to her chin, where the strands normally ended.
Marveling at the difference, Evie screwed the top back on tightly, setting the jar and comb aside and tucking her newly combed hair behind her ears. Pleased, she stood, wiping the remaining oil off her hands and onto her thighs, her loincloth swinging around her knees.
With that taken care of, Nieve decided it was time for breakfast. Perhaps she'd actually get geared up and try to hunt something in the jungle...there were plenty of small critters near the treeline. Then again, she mostly relied on her animal form to hunt; a kukri wasn't very useful in that regards. Perhaps she'd just be better off going to the Tidepool Bar.
Nieve thought about it for a long moment before deciding she might as well take a look around the jungle, and see what sorts of prey animals lurked near the treeline anyhow. It would be useful in the future. Perhaps she should learn how to use a bow...
With that in mind, Evie took the time to gear up; her scarf and loincloth were swapped for her jungle-faring clothes. Leather pants, shirt, leather jacket, cowl, boots,, climbing claws in her pocket...check. Nieve sheathed her kukri, safely in its scabbard, in her waistband and applied some insect repellent before leaving her tent.
Suitably dressed, Nieve trotted over to the edge of the jungle, peering in. She had yet to venture into its depths alone, but she didn't plan on going far. Stepping into the underbrush, Evie ducked under a vine, not bothering to be quiet just yet as she wandered some ways in, passing the small stream that snaked through her portion of land.
Deep enough in the jungle for the ocean to be nothing but a distant, muffled sound, but still close enough to the treeline to be able to see the beach, Evie decided it was a good place to stop and see what sorts of animals lurked around.
She stopped moving, going perfectly still. Quietly, she called out to the shadows, trying to coax them nearer to help hide her, but they simply laughed. She had become familiar with the ones along the beach, but the ones within the trees were new to her, and had no reason to listen to her.
"Fine then," Nieve huffed in Makath, but there was no real anger in the words. Slowly and quietly, Nieve crouched down, her sharp eyes peering through the foliage as she went still. She inhaled deeply, and while the lingering scents of animals were plentiful, nothing in her immediate area was fresh enough to catch her attention...until suddenly a familiar, canine scent entered her nose.
Her head perked up. Was Jace around? She cocked her head to listen intently, and sure enough, Nieve could hear footsteps through the undergrowth not too far from her. Quietly as she could, she crept forward, still in a crouch. It didn't take her long to see Jace.
She had no idea what he was doing, but a grin slowly crept over her face; if she'd been in her animal form, her tail would have been flicking back and forth. Trying to be mindful of any twigs or branches on the ground, Nieve lowered herself further, hunching her shoulders as she crept up behind Jace. She steadied her breathing, almost holding it. The shadows, amused by her, held silent as they observed.
Feeling she'd gotten as close as she could, Nieve suddenly sprang upwards out of the underbrush; she wasn't foolish enough to actually pounce on the other Kelvic, knowing she could easily be mistaken for a genuine threat and thus attacked by mistake, but instead leaped forward with a yelled greeting and chorus of giggles as she landed in front of him, whirling on her heels to face him with a wide grin. "Hello, Jace!"
Word Count: 1,283
"Uta?" The Kelvic called out as she approached the open-walled home, eyeing the comfortable swing over the stream. She still wanted to try it out... "It's Nieve. Are you around?" Of course, while Nieve hadn't gone to see Uta specifically since meeting her, she'd caught glimpses of her around. It was impossible not to, with how small the settlement was.
Nieve stopped at the edge of the house, and a few moments later Uta popped up from where she'd been bent over behind her desk. "Nieve, it's good to see you again. How are you?"
Evie smiled at the other woman. "I'm good, thank you. Yourself?" The two exchanged pleasantries before Nieve cleared her throat somewhat sheepishly. "I do actually have something to ask you. I've been getting very bad knots in my hair that are difficult to comb out, and I heard you might have something to help?"
Uta laughed, shaking her head. "I should have known it wasn't just a social call," She teased. "Stay here a moment." She turned to go and rummage through her storage before returning with a small lidded container, handing it to Nieve.
The Kelvic took it, opening the lid curiously; inside was a clear liquid, and the distinct smell of coconut wafted out to her. "It's really just coconut oil," Uta explained. "I've found it works wonders for the hair. Keeps it soft and smooth and, most importantly, knot free. Every so often just take a little bit in your palms and run it through your hair. It will make combing it a lot easier. You don't need to wash it out, but don't use it too often, or it will just make your hair greasy." She explained to the curious yowlwing.
Nieve nodded. "I see. Thank you so much. What do I owe you for it?" Uta hummed thoughtfully, then waved a hand.
"That one's on me, for helping Randal out last time you visited. I do still need those pots though," She winked at the Kelvic. "So from now on perhaps we could trade, hmm? A pot or two for a jar of that."
Nieve nodded enthusiastically. "That's perfectly fair. Thank you so much, Uta!" She waved to the woman before turning and bounding back down along the path she'd come.
Once back at the beach, Nieve began to make her way back to her piece of land. It was still relatively early, so she took the time to sit down at the mouth of her tent, catching the early morning breeze that came in with the ocean as she followed Uta's instructions; she scooped out a small amount of the coconut oil, rubbing it between her fingers before beginning to comb it through her curls, rubbing it into any knots she encountered.
It was dull work, but as any cat, Nieve had a certain sense of pride and vanity when it came to her appearance; not only that, but the knots were downright annoying, so she didn't mind taking the time to sort them out. Once her hair was saturated, she picked up her comb, and began to pull it through her oiled strands.
The oil was practically magical; just as Uta had said, it made combing out the knots incredibly easy. Oiled and combed, Nieve's hair lay silky and straight when she was done, the tips brushing just past her shoulders as opposed to her chin, where the strands normally ended.
Marveling at the difference, Evie screwed the top back on tightly, setting the jar and comb aside and tucking her newly combed hair behind her ears. Pleased, she stood, wiping the remaining oil off her hands and onto her thighs, her loincloth swinging around her knees.
With that taken care of, Nieve decided it was time for breakfast. Perhaps she'd actually get geared up and try to hunt something in the jungle...there were plenty of small critters near the treeline. Then again, she mostly relied on her animal form to hunt; a kukri wasn't very useful in that regards. Perhaps she'd just be better off going to the Tidepool Bar.
Nieve thought about it for a long moment before deciding she might as well take a look around the jungle, and see what sorts of prey animals lurked near the treeline anyhow. It would be useful in the future. Perhaps she should learn how to use a bow...
With that in mind, Evie took the time to gear up; her scarf and loincloth were swapped for her jungle-faring clothes. Leather pants, shirt, leather jacket, cowl, boots,, climbing claws in her pocket...check. Nieve sheathed her kukri, safely in its scabbard, in her waistband and applied some insect repellent before leaving her tent.
Suitably dressed, Nieve trotted over to the edge of the jungle, peering in. She had yet to venture into its depths alone, but she didn't plan on going far. Stepping into the underbrush, Evie ducked under a vine, not bothering to be quiet just yet as she wandered some ways in, passing the small stream that snaked through her portion of land.
Deep enough in the jungle for the ocean to be nothing but a distant, muffled sound, but still close enough to the treeline to be able to see the beach, Evie decided it was a good place to stop and see what sorts of animals lurked around.
She stopped moving, going perfectly still. Quietly, she called out to the shadows, trying to coax them nearer to help hide her, but they simply laughed. She had become familiar with the ones along the beach, but the ones within the trees were new to her, and had no reason to listen to her.
"Fine then," Nieve huffed in Makath, but there was no real anger in the words. Slowly and quietly, Nieve crouched down, her sharp eyes peering through the foliage as she went still. She inhaled deeply, and while the lingering scents of animals were plentiful, nothing in her immediate area was fresh enough to catch her attention...until suddenly a familiar, canine scent entered her nose.
Her head perked up. Was Jace around? She cocked her head to listen intently, and sure enough, Nieve could hear footsteps through the undergrowth not too far from her. Quietly as she could, she crept forward, still in a crouch. It didn't take her long to see Jace.
She had no idea what he was doing, but a grin slowly crept over her face; if she'd been in her animal form, her tail would have been flicking back and forth. Trying to be mindful of any twigs or branches on the ground, Nieve lowered herself further, hunching her shoulders as she crept up behind Jace. She steadied her breathing, almost holding it. The shadows, amused by her, held silent as they observed.
Feeling she'd gotten as close as she could, Nieve suddenly sprang upwards out of the underbrush; she wasn't foolish enough to actually pounce on the other Kelvic, knowing she could easily be mistaken for a genuine threat and thus attacked by mistake, but instead leaped forward with a yelled greeting and chorus of giggles as she landed in front of him, whirling on her heels to face him with a wide grin. "Hello, Jace!"
OOC :
If you want to roll a d100 and maybe add your observation to it to try and beat that then by all means go for it!
Word Count: 1,283
