Old wounds and new faces (Kali)

[Banir Ironwood]

21st Fall 512AV

A large man of six feet walked along a dirt path, clad within a dirty green coat. White scarf shrouding his face, and a hood to reveal only his colour changing eyes, the only sign of emotion on his face. Large and heavy shoulder pads held in place by a tough leather, entrenching on his person as it worked to restrain the cold iron to him. The metal on his right hand bladed and sharp, meant for all manners of brutality. Blazing hate filled red eyes with a bit of calm white blossoming from the pupil. The man was taller than the average Isur and far wider than most Vantha.

Banir had taken a stroll his body sore from his recent training with Xi. He'd had a few days to recover but his shoulder still hurt like hell. This little walk of his was to help him get his mind off the pain. His side had started to ache again as well, that was easier to ignore it, the pain was not as bad there. Though banged up a bit he believed that if he was well enough to walk he'd be fine. He'd dare not visit a healer, not to waist their time with him. Besides if anything was broken it would heal in time on its own, and heal stronger than it was before. So it would be pointless to see a healer anyway. 'Maybe I'm just, making up excuses' he thought, he could hear the voice of his mother in his head. Or at least what he thought she would sound like. 'Why would you be making excuses Banir? There is no reason for you to suffer with this pain.' He shook his head dismissing his thoughts, finding them unimportant for the time.

Deciding for a run he needed to find a nice place to carve, his armour loudly clinked. When he had taken off his armour he'd felt so light, with it back on he felt slow again. Taking long deep breaths he kept up his stamina as his greaves slammed his feet to the ground. He could feel himself weaver in strength, he only took another long deep breath. The weight of his armour would simply add to his strength later on. And when he got to used to the weight, maybe he could find a blacksmith. Let down his armour, purchase some more. Make it thicker and heavier, make himself stronger and faster by adding the weight. But these where thoughts for in the future. As he broke free of the thoughts that trapped his mind he found himself slowing to a stop near a large smooth pool of water.

It was remote, a place where he could see his face. Perfect. A perfect place for him to sit and carve. Moving up to a tree he inspected it, tapping it a few times and running his armour free hand. He suspected it was oak, looked strong enough at least. Looking around it seemed like he was in luck. A thick branch was on the ground looking like it was splattered from force of a high fall. Perfect, picking up one of the smaller pieces he took it to the pool of water. With his clawed armour he began to carve. He needed to replace his hood and scarf with something more protective and effective. Pulling down his scarf and throwing off his hood. He showed his face. The hideous scars that mauled him. The skin that was pulled towards the once scorched flesh, his left eye and part of his lip. A chunk of his nose just gone, lips still fused together from this morning letting only the corners of his mouth open. The scars almost a quarter of an inch into his face, he was missing a tooth or two. He was hideous and hard to look at himself, but he would carve a mask to fit his face.

[Sahashkalila]

Kalila stepped out of Nature's Nurture with a relieved sigh, grateful that she could finally have a bit of time to herself. There was a never ending stream of patients, something that she grew used to and helped as much as she could, but she was grateful for the moments she was able to escape for a little while. The weather was subtly changing, and she shivered as she stood outside of the building, untying the silk head wrap from her waist and wrapping of around her head so just her eyes showed. She then pulled her jacket closer around her before setting off, letting her feet carry her to wherever they decided to go. 

She hadn't been in the city terribly long, but the time that she had spent there she had grown to love the city. She had a purpose here, one that was appreciated even though she was a monster....something that Hethe and S'Vanka never held over her. Even the citizens seemed at ease with her, and she was with the person that she loved, something that she had never experienced before in all her long years. Eventually her feet led her to the stairs that descended to the forest floor, and for a brief moment she hesitated. She hadn't told anyone where she was going and Stigandr might worry.....but she would deal with that when she got back.

She descended the steps easily, stopping and listening for a few moments before she continued down the small dirt path, ironically heading for the base camp. The forest was a dangerous place, and not many threaded it lightly. But she knew of the dangers, the world was full of them, and she felt that she would be able to deal with whatever came her way. At least most of it. She only suspected that she had at least walked half a bell from the city when she happened upon a figure in the path. Slowing her walk, she moved fluidly behind a tree, her golden eyes studying what was ahead of her intently. It seemed to be a man, a rather large one at that, and he was....cutting up wood? She wasn't exactly sure what he was doing to the branch, and while he certainly looked like he could cause trouble....she didn't not feel threatened by him. However appearances could be deceiving, she was living proof of that.

Deciding to satisfy her curiosity, she stepped quietly away from the tree and walked a few paces up the path, stopping a safe distance behind him and crossing her arms beneath her breasts, her weight resting on one hip. "One doesss not normally ssseem ssomeone out thiss far from the city. You are both a ssurprisse and a mysstery," she said softly, her head tilted to the side slightly as she regarded him.

[Banir Ironwood]

Slowly Banir's claw started carve away at the wood, letting his instincts take his bladed hand carve as he needed. He had managed to actually get a decent shape going, the features where still far from done. But it was a damn good considering when he started he was really just putting lines into wood. As he began to brush off the shavings from the wood he stopped, maybe he wasn't alone anymore. Placing a hand a top his head, his hand brushing his short dirty blonde hair. The minute he heard a sound he reached for his hood and pulled it over his head. Using the shadow to hide most of his face, turning around, using his hand as a pivot point to turn around. The sharpened claw poised and ready to slice his opponent apart. Keeping his head low to prevent showing it he glared from under his hood. Eyes slowly turning raging red, the calm white slowly disappearing as it was consumed. Banir could feel the Surge pulse in his blood, his muscles tighten almost spring loaded.

He forced his rage back for a few moments, he needed to analyze the threat. Quickly Banir's eyes searched over the woman and they stopped at her mid waist. She didn't have any sort of fighters stance, and she didn't appear to have a weapon. His eyes traveled back to her face and gave it a good look over. She was rather nice to look at, her eyes looked a little strange and she had some sort of mark on her head. But otherwise she was really quite a delight to see. He'd say she was a better sight than himself but that wasn't much worth of a complement.

Slowly he relaxed a little, making sure he was still ready to attack. His clawed hand twitching gently, the metal clicking as it remained poised. She was no immediate threat, so he kept his hand at the ready and instead he stood. Almost like an animal he kept his eyes trained on and his head turned downward. Making sure to attempt to keep his face hidden. Taking a deep breath the focused his words prepared in his mind as his throat steadied itself. "I'm not, exactly normal, more importantly, what are you, doing here, who are you, what are you?" He had an extreme lack of manners at the moment. He'd have to apologize for that afterwards, manners where incredibly important. Especially while meeting a new stranger. However meetings like this weren't something to trust easily. Once he knew a little more about her maybe he could decide to trust her. Until then he'd keep his rage at the ready, no need to let down his guard without good reason.

[Sahashkalila]

As soon as her greeting left her mouth she regretted it, knowing that she had more than likely startled him and perhaps put herself in a situation that she would not like. Her body immediately tensed and he began to turn around but she did not move, keeping her easy stance. She caught a brief glance of sandy blonde hair, but that was immediately covered by a hood, effectively cutting her off from seeing any more of him. He was poised for an attack, and she slowly released her arms, her palms facing upwards to show she meant no harm.

He seemed to study her intently, at least that was what she assumed seeing as she couldn't see his face, but she could feel the unseen eyes on her. She studied him as well, noting the armor and clawed hand, the faint clicking making her slightly uneasy. It was a vicious weapon, one used to inflict grievous wounds upon the flesh that Kalila did not approve of. But she could not choose another person's lifestyle for them. For a time, silence seemed to stretch between them before she heard a rasping of breath, her healer senses immediately going on alert. His voice was raspy and strained, his breathing slightly stressed as he spoke which caused her brows to furrow. She could hear that he needed medical attention even if she could not see it, but she made no mention of it yet.

Her hands slowly came up to unwind the wrap around her head, revealing the rest of her face and letting her dark curls tumble down her back and shoulders, then tying it as a sash around her waist before she regarded him. He was abrupt, and her lips quirked upward slightly before answering him. "Well you do know how to ssay hello to a lady,"she said, her feet shifting slightly as she crossed her arms again. "My name isss Kalila, a healer. Asss for what I am doing here.....I could asssk you the sssame thing. It isss not everyday you sssee ssomeone out carving." She glanced down at his handiwork before looking back at him, wondering what he planned on doing. She did not know him, nor did she necessarily trust him, but she felt compelled to help him. The rasping worried her, and she hoped that he wasn't coming down with cold, something that did not need to happen this close to the coming winter. "I ssimply have come for a walk, which I feel the urge to do now and again. It givess me a few momentss of peace after taking care of patientsss. Can I assk your name?"

[Banir Ironwood]

The moment he saw her full face he was dumbstruck for a moment. He had to shake his head within his hood. She was pretty damn beautiful! He was genuinely surprised that his brutish demeanor hadn't scared her off. Certainly she was different from the other races that he had met but that mattered little. It was apparent to him now she meant no harm, she had no weapons, she didn't portray a fighters movements. But he should remain careful she could be a Kelvic, she didn't seem to have the behavior. But the eyes did suggest it who knows, maybe she could be? Well it didn't matter for now so he would be at ease, the clattering metal turning silent at last as he relaxed. Listening to her carefully, she seemed to have manners! Morwen help him, he was being so rude to her! He hoped she would understand his reasoning though.

Quickly Banir turned around and picked up his white scarf, it was getting a little dirtier these days. Stained with some of his blood, dirt, a singe mark from a fire. But it was the only thing he had trusted to hide his disgrace, with swift hands he managed to tie it around his face. Though in his haste had made a mistake, what normally would cover the large missing chunk of nose was flopped outwards. Showing the disgusting sight for a moment before he adjusted it. Showing his face always seemed to set off his anger, now that he was meeting with someone. It would be best to be civil rather than go ballistic on them because of some foolish emotional reaction. Pain screamed in his throat as he cleared it, with a long deep breath he began. "I apologize, to you for, being so rude. Out here its, not uncommon, to run into, poachers or, worse." Taking a small break as his gruff and graveled voice called for rest, a hand moved to rub his throat absent of mind. Before it could slip beneath his scarf and rub his throat, he stopped it. Instead taking another long breath.

"My name is, Banir Ironwood. Ms. Kalila, it is a, honor to meet, you. I hope that, my reaction, didn't insult you, at all." Taking a break to rest his throat he could feel the leather constricting against his muscles with each breath. Metal shifting slightly on his right arm and shoulder pads, the heavy cold iron shifting gently on his person. Banir had proved he had a brain behind his muscle, mind you it wasn't very large. Had trouble understanding complex problems, reading was a bit of a challenge, and often he puts his thoughts into more things than necessary. But he at least had enough intelligence to be polite, think about important things, and understand what happened around him.

[Sahashkalila]

Kalila watched him intently as he turned around, her body tensing as if she was preparing for an attack by him. Better to be safe then sorry, and she certainly didn't not wish to pick a fight with this man. The marks on her temples made it forbidden for her to attack someone, which she would never do in the first place. She relaxed slightly though as she watched him pick up a rather dirty scarf and tie it around his face....and she was able to catch a glimpse of it as well. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw for a brief moment the damaged skin, a large piece of his nose was missing. He then quickly covered it and she smoothed her facial features, not wishing to bring him any attention that he clearly didn't want. Instead the her lips quirked upwards in a small smile, trying to keep things friendly until she could figure out what his ailment was and help him.

"Perhapss I am worsse, perhapss I am not. I ssupposse that iss up to your interpretation," she said with a quiet laugh, watching him intently with his body language. She heard the way that he had cleared his throat, the slight catching as if it caused him pain. His speech was slow and strained, and as she watched him further, his hand reached up in a movement born out of habit. Before it reached his throat however, he stopped it, and that only confirmed her suspicions that something was wrong.

"There iss no need for missss, I am jusst Kalila,"she said with a smile, uncrossing her arms and stepping closer to him, hoping to get a closer look at his face. "I would expect nothing lesss of you for me sstartling you, do not worry about inssulting me." She hesitated for a moment, a slight blush coming to her cheeks as she looked up at him. She didn't want to insult him by pointing out what was wrong with him, but she could keep seeing and hearing him suffer, even if she couldn't do much. "You are carrying a lot of pain,"she said carefully, reaching out slowly to hover her hand over his heart. "I can hear it in your voice and can see it in your actionss.....I can help you, if you will let me."

[Banir Ironwood]

With his ever changing eyes he watched Kali listening to her speak. The slur again was something hard to get used to but soon enough he understood each word she spoke perfectly. However he didn't understand why she had laughed, what on Mizahar was funny? But regardless his clueless expression was hidden from the world as was the way he liked it. But to her statement she didn't seem worse at all. She was beautiful, seemed kind enough, and had a strange air about her. He couldn't quite place it but something was definitely, better? For some reason he just had the feeling that she was better than most. There was no other way he could think or describe it to himself. His attention was snapped from his train of thought as he listened to her go on. As she stepped closer he noticed her body once more. But his eyes where brought to hers, though he suspected she meant well he stepped back a few times. Seeing her advance more caused his right bladed hand to twitch nervously. Why in the name of Morwen was she getting so close? What was she doing?

He was glad he hadn't insulted her but he was getting a little anxious with her approach. Though she didn't have the fighters stance what if she where a djed user? As she grew closer to him he only grew more nervous his eyes turning to a cautious yellow. He tried to restrain himself as she drew ever closer, his hand twitching a little the claws becoming poised to slash. But his hand was stayed as he felt her hand on his thick chest. Red rushed to his hidden cheeks and his heart for a moment skipped a beat. A bit of light pink touched his eyes, he felt weird. What had she done? Did she just use some sort of djed on him? He felt strange inside, he didn't like it at all, it just felt odd.

Looking at her eyes he could see something in them that he'd never seen before. It was strange, he had lost what idea he had of what was going on now. Carefully he listened to every word she spoke, watching her face, why was there pink upon her cheeks? She could see his pain, in his actions and voice? He knew of her only that Ximal had told him that she was a healer but she must be very skilled to see such things. His heart hammered in his chest as she touched him above his heart. She could help him if he let her, he needed to think about this. Yes he should get his injuries cared for but, the scars on his face however. Where his disgrace, they caused memories to flood back, they caused his rage to break out of its confinement. Taking a deep and nervous breath he spoke. His damaged voice slightly muffed by his scarf. "Your help would, be greatly appreciated, but their is risk. I may become, enraged and I, lose myself to it. I do not, wish for you, to be harmed, because of, my anger." Shame shook within his voice, it was clear he actually hated himself to some degree. Like he was undeserving of kindness towards himself. He took a step back, though in control now he was still a threat to himself and those around him.

[Sahashkalila]

It almost physically hurt her to hear the pain in his voice, her hand on his chest tightening as she listened to him. She had already felt that he may be slightly unstable, and it was clear that he felt the need to separate himself from her when he stepped back, her hand coming back to rest at her side. It was a delicate situation at best, and that was really putting it lightly. But she couldn't sit back and watch him continue to suffer if there was something she could do to help him. She shifted her feet and kept her eyes on his, wanting him to know that she was sincere in her desire to help him.

"Pain comesss in many formss. Ssometimesss it iss physsical, and ssometimess it iss a burden upon the heart and ssoul,"she said softly, her hand coming up to touch the necklace at her throat before letting it rest at her side once more. Something had happened to him that was more than just physical, and she was able to relate to him because she too knew pain. She knew the burden that it placed upon the heart and mind, and knew that actions sometimes couldn't be explained because of it. She wasn't afraid of him, now understanding him a bit more. "I may not be able to easse the pain that ressidess in your heart...but I just want to easse the pain that I can ssee. If there iss a rissk to that, then sso be it. I am not afraid, and I do not feel that you will hurt me....all that you need to do iss to trusst me."

She knew that what she was asking may have seemed ludicrous to him, but all she could do was hope that she had said the right thing to him. "I do not have my medicine bag with me, it iss back at Nature'ss Nurture. If you are willing....we can go back there and I will do whatever I can for you,"she said hesitantly, holding her hand out to him as if she was going to take his and lead him. She wasn't going to push her luck and take his own hand, it was going to have to be something that he would have to choose to do on his own.

[Banir Ironwood]

He could feel his heart hammering in his chest, his eyes flashed chrimson then dulled to a curious orange and cautious green. Flashing red once more before mixing down into a sad blue, only to be sparked by a happy yellow. The eyes that showed his emotions where truly putting on a beautiful display of colour. At this moment his eyes where showing the reason why the people of his mother, believed they came from the sky. As each vibrant flair of colour passed carrying with an emotion. Banir was utterly dumbfounded with this woman. Fear Why wasn't she afraid of him? Rage What did she know of pain? Depression Why should he trust her? Sadness How could she understand? Happiness She'll leave me alone if I stay quite.

Maybe she can help?

That last voice, he recognized, the one he believed his mother would sound like. But why should he trust her? She says she could heal his wounds, maybe he could let her heal the minor ones? But what if she turns out to be like Alea? He gives her an inch and she takes all of Mizahar. But getting healed by a professional was by far easier than healing on his own. Maybe she might even be able to remove some of the shame marked upon his face. Why did this have to be so hard? Why couldn't this be just a simple decision! Visibly nervous as his heart hammered in his chest. Rage ready to explode behind eyes that barely withheld against the bars of a forced steadiness. Looking at her, he was sweating under his hood and scarf, a beautiful woman offering to heal him. Steadily he raised his right hand, the bladed claw clattering lightly. No, he quickly made a fist with his right and brought it back to his side. Instead he raised his left hand to take hers. His right hand was his dominate hand, however it was the hand he used to harm another. Always he had used his left hand for defense, to protect. This was the most appropriate way to accept her help. Though that didn't make it any easier, his hand still shook near violently. Restraining himself as much as possible, trying to take long deep breaths. Eventually his hand found hers and he took it. Rage red eyes betraying him as the slightest bit of pink fell just on the outer rim.

This would be the first time he had ever willingly held the hand of another. Or really had much in the way of positive contact with another. A friend had offered to heal him, though then he had quite a load of stress then. And they weren't as kind, one was afraid, the other only stirring up trouble. He was wondering why he was doing this. Second thoughts already shooting through his mind, his large rough hand taking hers. Giving it a solid squeeze, though Banir fancied himself a fighter. His father made sure he still had a blacksmith's touch.

[Sahashkalila]

She could see the barely contained emotions passing through him, most easily with his eyes. They seemed to change color at will, colors that showed a kaleidoscope of emotions that he was keeping in check. Despite that, they were beautiful and fascinating, one of the most beautiful things she had ever had the privilege to see. She wanted to ask him more about them, but she didnt dare at this moment. It was crucial that she remained silent, because this was a fight that he had to wage on his own, and she was not about to influence him.

She could see his clawed hand twitch nervously, and she watched him raise it slowly, her legs tensing slightly before he dropped it back at his side. She did not believe that he would hurt her, but she was going to be prepared despite what her instinct told her. There was no need to take foolish risks. However her instinct proved to be right, because soon his unarmed hand lifted, and then wrapped around her own. Red rimmed eyes met her golden ones, and she could only assume that that was rage....but he had not harmed her, even though he did have a rather firm grip. She winced slightly at his squeeze, her hand much smaller than his own. "You have quite the grip there,"she said with a chuckle, wiggling her fingers until his grip slackened slightly. "At leasst I know I won't losse you in the foresst on the way back." She smiled and then tugged on his hand gently, turning and beginning to lead him back towards the city. They walked back in silence, and Kalila did not mind that. She did not feel that it was uncomfortable, although she could tell he was nervous. Soon they reached the city's staircase and she led him along it, climbing upwards and into the city, and finally to Nature's Nurture. Walking inside, she nodded to a few of the healers, puzzled looks following the pair until she reached the door of her quarters. She then released his hand and opened the door, walking inside and motioning for him to follow.

She headed towards the tea kettle she had over the fireplace, motioning for him to sit down on the bed while she brought the pot over to her work table. "Go on and ssit down, and perhapss remove thosse clawss. I don't want you accidentally tearing up my bedssheetss,"she said with a laugh, although her intentions were for him to remove his weapon. She really didn't want him to tear up the sheets, but she also didn't want a claw in her belly while she worked either. She didn't know if he would comply to her request, but she went about making two cups of tea anyway, pouring the hot liquid into two mugs. She then set the pot aside and pulled the jar of honey forward and picked up a spoon, dipping it into the jar and putting a spoonful in each cup. Tea had many purposes to Kalila, one being it brought warmth to chilled bones. It also provided energy and nutrients to the body, something that she felt was important for everyone. It also soothed damaged throats, and she felt that Banir didn't drink much tea. "I hope you like honey in your tea, it will make you feel better,"she said, picking up both mugs and turning around to give him one. "It'ss alsso good on a chilly day."