Wind Eagle Killer Caught ~(OPEN)~(Morality & Action)

[Na'Leigh]

Time Stamp: 50th Winter 511AV Concept: The wind eagles killer has been caught and is being dragged through the Wind Reach's market square. The Inarta, clouded in a haze of anger, riot in the streets screaming insults at the man. Eagles gleefully gathering to watch the torture and death of the criminal. A great raucous rose in the streets as the man was dragged, bound and gagged. A herd of angry Inantra following in his wake hurling rocks and sharpened bits of glass. Shoved along with the crowd Na'Leigh strained to see what the focus of the Inantra's infamous fury was directed toward. Catching a glimpse of the shackled man, her knees weakened. A rock in a river she stopped gazing after the mob in horror. The world spun on its talon, noise blurring as the panic blossomed in her chest. Hysterical, she threw herself into the crowd following the man with her eyes. "No...no. No!" She murmured desperately to herself. A triumphant screech tore through her ears and head. Turning her gaze to the heavens she watched Gunesh descend, his massive body heaving itself upon an icy overhang to watch the proceedings triumphantly. Turning his slate blue head along the crowd he screeched encouragement to the festering excitement in the square. Scrambling toward the bird she bolted up the edge of the small cliff scrambling along the outcrop her hands hardly touching the freezing ice filled holds. "How could you?!" She screamed at the eagle, "They'll kill him!" Turning calmly to face her Gunesh explained softly, "I know, that's why I brought him back." Fuming she longed to beat her hands against his dark plumage and beg him to take the prisoner away. "But why?! He could have a family, children...an eagle..." She added, no longer meaning the prisoner. Glinting eyes turned back to her angrily, "Even an Eldar is no above the law Na'Leigh, this scum deserves death just as much as your father did." Silence stretched out, cutting worlds between them. His voice softening measurably he leaned forward his great eye taking her in, "That's one thing you have yet to learn fledgling. You will never become an Eldar no matter how much you wish it, or how much you train on that silly cliff..." Her face blanched, a faint blush erupting on her cheeks at his comment. "...you must face the eventuality of death..." Drawing away he stared down at the preceding's, "If all death is eventual then it is no great crime to inflict it sooner if the crime warrants it." Tearing her eyes away from the great beast she pelted back towards the ceremonial punishment and death. She could feel the beat of the whip against her own back with every electric snap that cut through the air, crying out at the thought of the glass fragments slicing and ebbing into his back. Standing at the front she watched on helpless as they shoved him against the tower in the middle of the square nailing his earlobe to the wall she continued down his body, nailing palms, calves and ankles. Each tap of the hammer echoing in a resounding scream from the captive. Bolting away Na'Leigh slipped into a dark corner to puke.

[Miana]

She was just passing by, honestly. She really didn't know how she had ended up next to a scarred young woman, slipped away inside a corner that even the druids avoided. As she patted the nape of her back as the young girl continued to puke, Miana berated herself; there were more important things to do than nurse a naive Chiet in some suspicious alley. She glanced at the basket that waited patiently against the dirty walls of the alley. She could only hope that the freshly laundered clothes that she had painstakenly spent all her afternoon on is still as pristine as she had seen it. Underneath her, the crouched girl retched. Patiently, Miana could only continue her steady patting.

Watching her, Miana reasoned her small act of mercy- they were both the underdogs of the caste after all. It was fine, as long as the girl wasn't niave to think of this act as more. But as much as she made her thoughts turn brutal and shrewd, she couldn't help but soften, an infuriating trait of hers, as she remembered the desperation and anguish that filtered through the young girl's scarred face. Although slightly muffled by distance, the roaring cheers of the crowd from the public execution reached her ears. Briefly, Miana wondered what the poor sod had done to have gotten the death penalty. Lately, the higher castes had been skitterish, as they always were in winter, for the lack of adventure and hunting had, no doubt in Miana's mind, given them an even more unpleasant demeanour. Mentally, Miana braced herself at the thought. Soon, there will be even more unreasonable demands from them.

Miana sighed heavily, wondering abysmally about the girl's problem. Did she know the accused? How were they related? Lover? Friend? A sister? Miana could only sigh. Whatever her reason was, she had Miana's pity. For no woman, let alone a young girl, would upset enough to puke on some alley without good reason.

[Na'Leigh]

Using the back of her hand to wipe her mouth she cleared the acidic bile from her chapped lips. Na'Leigh rose, her eyes closed for a moment to get her bearings. Turning to face the Dek before her, she walked her eyes up the thin woman's frame. She was no beauty certainly, her dark hair making her pale Inarta complexion look stark and dead rather than snowy and light, her dull grey eyes not giving way to the compassion she must have felt to stop and rub a strangers back. "Thanks.." Na'Leigh muttered gruffly, regretting her gruffness as soon as it slipped from her mouth. The girl was pretty for a Dek Na'Leigh admitted, reminding herself that she had no right to judge another's appearance in her own disfigured state. If she was a Dek though she must be stupid or lazy the teen reasoned, how else would she end up in such a role after school without being disfigured. "Thanks," She repeated correcting her tone, and nodded her head to the girl in recognition of the kindness. Glancing over at the gathering throng she bit her lip softly, "What do you think of that?" Na'Leigh questioned, voice strong with revulsion. Turning intent eyes on the woman before her. The Inarta celebrated death and punished those that violated their few laws severely, though she loved Wind Reach and her people their outbursts of violent anger repulsed her. No one should die by another's hand no matter their station or crime. Each thought reinforced her fury and anger, clenching her fists her eyes hardened, jaw jutting forward.

[Miana]

Finally, for what seemed like ages, the girl had stopped her puking and calmed down. Turning to face her, Miana blinked in surprise by the amount of scars that riddled her face. Indeed, this girl had a good reason for her actions. This girl certainly had history...

"Thanks..." her gruff murmured voice startled Miana, who had drifted off once again from her thoughts, not expecting a facade of a conversation to bloom between them. But then again, most young Inarta was rather awkward with the Dek's. Maybe she was one of them?

For a second, the girl looked a little guilty. "Thanks," she repeated again and nodded. Yes, Miana decided, this girl is definitely one of them. She sighed and tucked her hair behind her ear. It was especially frustrating for her to work with them.

The young woman moved her head towards the direction of the raucous cheering, her face painted with utter disgust. "What do you think of that?" Her voice, although small and soft, held a particular strength in it. As if to prove this strength, she turned her intent eyes towards her, prodding her mind.

She returned her look with her own questioning expression. Whether the Inarta held public executions or not, the Dek's really weren't part of it. Nor were they asked for their opinion. Miana wanted to leave it at that- a passive silence to counter the girl's intensity. But, again, she made the same mistake of glancing at the girl's face for the second time. And again, she wavered.

As the girl looked on to the crowd, her face hardened with rage. For a second, Miana thought that the girl would once again charge into the crowd again and provoke the already excited crowd. And if that happened, there will be no doubt what would happen to the both of them.

However, despite the unpleasant possible future that loomed over her, she still didn't want to talk to the girl. Or unable to. She had forgotten which one. So, using the only way she knew to communicate without having to use her voice she pointed her index finger towards her throat and shook her head. And moving her mouth slightly, she mouthing, 'I am unable to speak.' Hopefully, that can stop her from asking more stupid questions.

[Na'Leigh]

"That's the problem with all of you, the Dek's outnumber any other class and yet the only thing you pathetic people do is riot for food. Don't you realize we're all starving?! That's part of being Inarta not Dek." Rage building, Na'Leigh struck out at the girl shoving her to the ground, "Apathetic fool!" She screeched tears boiling at the edges of her eyes. In that moment she hated the Inarta. Fingers shaking, her breath growing shallow Na'Leigh couldn't move for the rage that bound her like a pillar to the cobblestones. Consumed with her hate and rage she didn't notice the Deks frightened explanation. Exhausting her, the intense rage seeped away leaving a coldly determined teen in it's place. Grabbing the girl by the wrist she hauled her to her feet, "Come on Dek, you're going to help me free him." She demanded, yanking the girl through the crowd to stand at the pillar. Overwhelmed by the pain the man had passed out, his back a shell of blood. Grabbing the Deks newly washed laundry she pressed the cloth against the mans wounds. Snatching Miana's hands she pressed them to the cloth. "Hold it firmly, the blood will clot quickly in the cold." She directed Miana.

[Miana]

This girl, Miana decided, was truly naive. So naive it hurts, apparently. She understood well where the girl was coming from. In fact, she even shared some of her opinion. Yes, it was a tragedy to watch someone die. Yes, she knew everyone was in the danger of starving in Wind Reach. Miana understood all of that, wasn't that basic knowledge? No matter how tragic, the man- the criminal- still killed another living being. With own hands, he snuffed out another life. Although Miana didn't believe in equal revenge or anything like that, she wasn't about to go rescuing a murderer either. And, she added glumly to herself, that girl has better food ratios than us. That girl has a place she could call her home. That girl doesn't have to be kicked around for no other reason other than being a Dek.

"Apathetic fool!" The girl screeched at her after she had pushed her into the ground she had been so wary of. Great. Now she had to take another trip towards the laundry. No doubt they'd be screaming at her too. Miana almost growled. From her eyes, the only apathetic fool around here was the girl herself. What good was it to get angry over a corpse now? It certainly wouldn't give her any thanks. Nor would it give her any of their spare years. Her own anger started bubble in her and she cursed herself for her own stupidity; she should've left this insolent girl puking her eyes out in that street.

Now, with cold hands, the girl made a grab of her wrist and hauled her to her feet. Her grip was strong, holding her securely so she was unable to make a run for it and rescue the waiting basket that would be, even more likelier now, to be stained by all sorts of dirt. "Come on Dek," the girl thundered as she lead her to the pillar that the man had passed out on. She looked at her with fierce eyes, "You're going to help me free him.". Through the once again lively crowd, this time lively for all the wrongest reasons, Miana had barely heard the girl's proclamation. Barely. She had heard it of course, and she scowled at her. Trust a Chiet to make her sacrifice her life in exchange for this stupidity. At least Endals and Avora's were straightforward; they either wanted something to be done or didn't. For all her bitter musings, Miana didn't realise the girl had dragged her basket with them as well until that is, the girl pressed the fresh laundry into the torn and bloodied back of the man, in a poor attempt to wipe it away.

Maian twitched. This girl really had no concept of returning kindness at all, she thought bitterly to herself, only thinks about herself and what matters to her. Despite all her attempts in forcing her to dress the man's wounds, Miana let her hand go limp, frustrating the girl to no end. "Hold it firmly, the blood will clot quickly in the cold." Her snappy direction made Miana even more bad tempered. But a life was writhing beneath her feet. No matter how much Miana hated both the girl and the situation she was in right now, to refuse life in front of her would be absolutely shameless. When it came down to it, weren't they all trying to survive? Didn't she promise herself to never refuse to help another being struggling for life? She blew a frustrated sigh and looked at the advancing guards and volatile crowd screaming on top of their lungs. They wouldn't make it out alive. Like the man who was nailed on the square, their lives would surely slip away from them. Those guards wouldn't even bother to ask for explanations, even now, she could see their hands reaching for their quills. Yes, they were gonna end up dead if they stayed near the body any longer. And what use would the man find for two more bodies under him? Nothing. Nothing, Miana repeated in her mind. Quickly, she gathered the girl's hands and the basket full of laundry, placing all her strength in keeping them in her grip and ran towards the stairs that led down to the lower levels of the mountain, not bothering to spare the girl's desperate screeches and pleas an ear, instead at each of her pleas, Miana only held her tighter. For she knew those bows that was trained on them only missed them by a hairs width and were intent on following them.

When they finally reached the first floor of the Inner Warrens, she loosed her grip and thought about letting her go, only the girl had beat her to it and violently yanked her hand away from her, shouting and screaming all sorts of things at her. She let this go on for a while, and calmly set her basket down once again and grabbed the hysterical girl into an awkward hug. She didn't know she was doing it- it was only appropriate to hold a child when they're upset, wasn't it? She wasn't sure. No doubt the girl would strike her and kill her herself, so cautiously, before the girl could get over her shock of being held by a disgusting Dek or whatever, Miana held her face with her hands and looked straight into her eyes and mouthed, 'We are no good to him dead, understand this.' And for the second time in their meeting, she hoped once again that this young girl would understand.

[Na'Leigh]

In her desperation Na'Leigh hadn't noticed the guards approaching, nor the raucous crowd tightening around them. Exasperated by the girls limp hands she almost shoved the girl away to take over, leaning to do so she tilted off balance and was easily yanked off her feet by the women. Screaming and fighting the women's strong grip the Yasi was led into the depths. Fuming loudly, she yanked herself away. A gusty show of disgust followed, each curse directed ten fold unto herself. The girls unresponsive reaction only infuriating the hot-tempered Yasi more. Pulled into an awkward hug Na'Leigh's tirade halted mid-sentence. Breaking the pattern of accumulated fury Na'Leigh calmed, the intense emotion claiming it's allotted chunk of energy. Suddenly exhausted, she gazed back into the girls eyes letting the women's wordless intent wash over her. Though she couldn't understand the Dek her actions spoke much louder than most people's words. Nodding slowly, Na'Leigh placed her hands lightly on the girls. "Thank you," she murmured, her words soft for the first time but with equal gravity. Eyes meeting, Na'Leigh squeezed the women's hands softly, though brief she poured as much emotion into them as she had the rambling screaming. Moving away, Na'Leigh leaned down hoisting the basket onto her hip. "Come on, we can clean the clothes up together..." Turning away she glanced over her shoulder, smiling weakly at the Inarta, "I'll make sure you don't get into trouble over my mistake..." She added, hoping the women would understand the apology behind her words. She couldn't say she was sorry, she didn't regret her actions but she did regret dragging the women into it.

[Miana]

The mouth of the Inner Warrens was empty, the wind that entered through the majestic stone arches that was carved hundreds of years ago, calmly blew past them, skirting around their clothes and hair. For a moment, the two Inarta women stood in front of each other with Miana holding on to the smaller girl's face as firmly as she could, but not so much that she would hurt her. The touch of her slightly clammy skin, from the vast energy that seemed to pour out from her, was foreign to Miana. She was just a Dek. The only time where skinship was shared was through a bed or a fist. To touch another person as tenderly as this, Miana realised, was completely beyond her.

Her surprise was hightened by the girl's own brief and fleeting touch as she squeezed one of the hands that cupped her scarred face. "Thank you," she had said, ever so softly. The wind, still blowing the winter chilled air seem to push it back, dilute it's full meaning. But Miana caught what she meant. Her passionate emotions was poured not only in that briefest touch, but also in the way that she had held her gaze.

Almost immediately, as if burned by the friction of their skin, Miana dropped her hands to her sides and slowly took a respectful step back. She had so much already to have violated the stone clad laws of the Inarta in such a small amount of time. Spooked by their brief contact, Miana firmly decided to follow the said rules.

Whether or not the young girl was offended by the sudden movement from the Dek, Miana wasn't sure, since the Chiet had turned to her side and bent down, picking up the basket and hoisted it on her hip. "Come on, we can clean the clothes up together..." then, she threw her a glance over her bare shoulders, almost fooling Miana to thinking of her as a timid fledgeling when she sent her a small strained smile. "I'll make sure you don't get into trouble over my mistake.."

Miana cringed, her pride mortally wounded. To have a Chiet, or anyone in the higher castes, help her, a Dek, was just humiliating. No matter how unpleasant her work was, she still took pride on that fact she was able to do so many things she didn't even think had existed in Wind Reach. This was a way to confirm her status in Wind Reach after all. Didn't that girl realise that by helping her, no matter the intention, was essentially robbing her of her worth in the eyes of the Inarta?

Looking at the Chiet's retreating back as she slowly made her way into the deeper warrens of the mountain, Miana could only square her shoulders in agitation. She was about to grab the girl again, but faltered when she remembered her own haste promise. But, as a slow cloud passed over the afternoon sun, casting long shadows on the stone floors, Miana quickly banished it. I've already broken it, she reasoned hotly, no sense in stopping now. So using her surpringly strong legs to catch up to the Chiet before she disappeared through the beginning of the Spiral staircase.

And again, for maybe a thousandth time, Miana sent her a look of utter disapproval. Her grip was firm, not gentle like her previous caress but not as strong as she had held her when they escaped. It might've been a rash thing to do, considering how early she had earned a small part of the girl's favour, but Miana wanted her to understand the implications of what she was doing.

Shaking off her startled and confused expressions, she held out her free hand to take the basket from her hands and again, shook her head at her and pointed at the direction they had freshly bolted from. Pointing at herself, she made a gesture of a knife slicing at her throat. Watching the girl's eyes widen, Miana took the opportunity to strengthen her hold on the basket. Without much thought, she began her journey to the Tisuma baths once again, while still holding tightly on the girl's arm. Fully intent in forcing the little woman to wash herself, for her blood soaked clothes would surely garner unwanted attention.

[Arandolya]

Arandolya The only limit is the Stars . . . Arandolya had sworn to herself this was the day she was to spend her sorrowed money and buy some mittens, her hands clenched deep in her Kantinu that billowed around her in a small cloud of cloth. Honey eyes gazed inwards, lost in her own thoughts as she pondered the type of mittens to get. Perhaps colored ones, although they would cost more. But Arandolya hunted most of yesterday, she still had time to fully earn her Seasons pay. Trith fluttered around her shoulders today, trilling absently. The Avora blinked as sudden hollering brought her unpleasantly back down to the Earth. Curious gaze following the sounds, she peeked her head around a corner to see the market square packed with flame-haired kin. Confused as to what caused these rancid insults, she danced up to a young Inarta, who looked vaguely familiar, but no name came up. Perhaps they'd passed each other in the market square before? "What is the cause of this?" she asked, gesturing to the loud chaos. "That killer was caught, he is to be dragged through the market square, and we can do what we like," the Inarta replied back fiercely, eyes flashing with a burning rage. Even Arandolya, one of the passive manner, felt embers of fury be poked at in her breast. Long had this killer gone unnamed - now to have him fully in the light!! Arandolya grinned, and nodded to the fellow red-head. "We have long needed this justice," she said, and moved off. Arandolya had a strong belief of justice, and getting what was served. She had no need for petty fights caused by some equally petty disagreement, but a killer deserved to be captured and tortured by the loved ones of the killed. The murdered deserved to be brought to justice, and his debts repaid. The amount of Eagles was no surprise, too many of their kind had been killed for this to not be cause for celebration. Picking up a nice rock herself, Arandolya figured to get one good hit in and call it a day, sensing she'd feel satisfied to see the man cringe, a fraction of the pain the killed and their families experienced. Weighing the rock in her hand, Arandolya pushed her way through the crowd to throw it. As her arm stretched back, she caught sight of an unfamiliar thing within this sea of seething red, a head of brown hair. It gave pause to her arm, a small frown tugging at her wicked grin. There was someone else? Before she could catch a glance at them, the brown-haired girl sprinted away down the stairs, with a smaller girl following. Lowering her arm slowly, curiosity overtaking her need to assist in bringing this man to justice, Arandolya slipped off after them, Trith settling on her shoulder. Placing her feet quietly, the soft boots giving little sound, which Arandolya was smart enough to with gusts of winds. She waited until they turned a corner before scurrying after them. The situation of a Dek following an Inarta, whom Arandolya guessed was Chiet or Avora, was no surprise. The Chiet offering to wash clothing with the Dek, was more odd. Arandolya was no eavesdropper, but she needed to make sure they wouldn't bolt upon questioning. Only after they paused for a moment, then began to move off in another direction, did Arandolya step out in plain sight. Her honey eyes were passive, abet a tad curious. "Odd sight," she commented, gesturing to the tight hold the Dek not only had on her basket, but also the blood-stained arm of the Chiet. "Get a bit too involved in the chaos out there?" she continued, a small smile playing in her eyes, Trith letting out a welcoming trill, as Arandolya tried to make it obvious she had no intentions of harming either.

[Na'Leigh]

Eyes widening slightly Na'Leigh realized the implications of her offer. Withdrawing from the basket she nodded, the hardening blood on her neck making the movement uncomfortable. About to turn away she was dragged after the Dek towards the baths, apparently the woman had taken it upon herself to clean her as well as the clothing. "I guess the Dek's clean so much they have an unavoidable urge to clean everything..." She muttered under her breath. Though the girl seemed rather sweet, protecting her from the guards Na'Leigh firmly believed her a coward, a gene that seemed to be linked with the Inarta's red hair, She thought vindictively. Stumbling after her she was brought up short by a voice behind her. "Odd sight," The woman murmured. Looking her up and down Na'Leigh quickly took the sight in. Gorgeous hair tumbled down just past her shoulders, beneath the same flame coloured eyebrows shone gold eyes. Though short the woman had startlingly long legs and body carved of curves. "Get a bit too involved in the chaos out there?" She added jokingly, obviously indicating Na'Leigh's blood soaked clothing. Glancing passively at the bird upon her shoulder Na'Leigh hesitated, recognizing the woman faintly. "Hard not to..." Na'Leigh replied hesitantly, letting her eyes wander up the stairway longingly for her. "It's nice to see you again Arandolya," She added beaming with her sudden recognition. Yanking her arm free from the Dek she offered a friendly bow to the Avora. "What are you doing down here?" Na'Leigh added, "Everyone besides us," glancing at the Dek, she hesitated before continuing. Instinctively she had been about to say something scathing about the girl, and blame her for their need to flee but thought better of it quickly, the odd looking Dek had saved her life, it would be rude to offend her so quickly afterwards, "Is up there...enjoying...themselves." She finished, not quite being able to contain the tang of disgust on her voice.

OOC: Hiya Arandolya pleasure to see you join our thread! Also, Miana can you control my characters reactions a little less, it's a bit frustrating...