Navigating Nature (Closed)

[Tiki]

TS: 81 Spring 512 A.V. – Early Afternoon --> WIP (End Spring?) The Wildlands, outside Nyka From the hill, he could see everything. Working his way into the wilds, Tiki paused to look back at Nyka. The ripple of the Aperture had not been realized until this moment. Then he looked north and remembered the splendor of Mura, the sands, the woods, and the Silver Lake. Little Aurrealis was safe there. Next he looked south, and then felt sorry. Hadrian had been so good to him, even in their short time together. He missed Kendall and Ethan too. Maybe one day he’d see them all again, together. At last, Tiki turned his head westward. If his eyes could pierce the terrain, and defy the curvature of the world, he would see his destination in the clearest sight. The Spires, in all their magnificence and attunement with nature, beckoned to him. He had prepared himself the night before. He had waited for Hadrian to say good-bye, and the others. Hopefully knowing Tiki at least rested himself gave some comfort to the wizard, if he at all really felt for Tiki. He had the essentials, and all his coin and things he could stuff in the bag. He’d need a home soon. His strong legs, worked and built up from…a year now of hunting on his own would carry him across the world back to the Jamoura. He could hunt for himself. His seasoned nose would smell the pond life for water, or hear the trickling streams. They would also hear, in the night, the howls of the wilds and know which way not to turn. Looking back at Nyka, the only civilized lands for miles between him and his destination (excluding Ravok of course), Tiki made up his mind. He might never wish to return to a place like this. It would take a force of passion, desire, or great need to take him away from the wilds again. Civilization didn’t suit him. His feline form shifted, shoulders rising and falling like mountains during the Valterrian. He was headed west. He had much ground to cover before nightfall. The setting sun would not wait for him, or the threats of the Wildlands.

[Tiki]

It was incredible how much Caiyha’s realm consumed the world. Well, she was the world, so to speak, as far as any living things were concerned. Tiki just took a look at her handiwork. It had been maybe…five minutes walking from the edge of the woods. Just five minutes away and all signs of Nyka’s domain vanished, veiled behind winding trees and the shadows that dwelled here. Syna’s rays were touching Tiki again, a gentle good night as she reached over the western skies and traded with Leth. Now, it was their time together. Stopping to estimate the time he had left - about an hour he rationalized – Tiki saw the rose and purple hues taking over. It reminded him of Vantha eyes, haha, yes, the colors. The remnants of blue in the sky also reminded him of someone else’s eyes, Hadrian’s. Tiki felt sad then, and didn’t look at the sky anymore. He knew what he was doing. Still, Tiki peeked back towards Nyka, where he had separated from the young wizard. His active mind lost its desire to look through the trees anymore, and Tiki was back on track soon. He couldn’t shake the feeling though, his stomach feeling full and heavy, uncomfortably so. Something was pulling at his innards, a tension, a void. Hunger… He had an hour. He could catch something in an hour, hopefully something that would last him into tomorrow. He’d be busy these next few days – and by few days he meant about forty or so. He wanted to stay on track though, and found himself trapped between two loves: food and the Spires. Well, three if you count the sinking feeling, despite Tiki’s denial. Tiki kept on his path, trying to void all the feeling he could, save for the sensations of the environment: the scents, sounds, sights… Birds were still chirping, and he heard the light jingle of the mizas in his bag. He was happy he’d made it the round trip and managed to not use all the money up. Tiki was thinking of home in Syliras then, and his family. The Kelvic stopped, looking back in the general south direction…for the castle. The feline expression was secretive, no sign of weakness showing. The golden spheres of his eyes, the thickening slits, were focused, but not telling of the conflict inside of him. He had not been home in over a year now, and could come home, but…but he never accomplished what he set out to do. How could he address his parents, after all they had sacrificed, after all they had trusted him with, only to come back with nothing to show for it? He left saying he was going to ride the eagles in Wind Reach, and had only deterred himself further from that path.