Closed Finding Beauty In Unlikely Places (Kiyono, Leaf)

[Iosha]

Time Stamp: 56th of Fall, 512AV Location: The Edge of the World and the Underground Forest Who: Kiyono Ever since Iosha came to Wind Reach three weeks ago, she was busy asking Keah a fellow healer in the Infirmary about the sights of Wind Reach. Keah was a nice girl, but she was shy and quiet, so it took some convincing to get her to talk to about her favorite places to view the city. She mentioned a place by the climbing wall, and Iosha sighed to herself because she found no solace in mountain climbing. However, she wanted to see the whole city and the surrounding area before the snow made the trails impassable on the cliffs near the Edge of the World. Slowly making her way up the steep trail, Iosha noticed she wasn't the most athletic woman in the world and found the trail much harder than Keah made it out to be. During her trip up the trail, Iosha lost count the amount of times. She lost her footing on loose rocks or tripped on a exposed root. Feeling a little parched, Iosha stopped walking and leaned up against a tree. She retrieved her water skin and took a long drink. Corking the water skin, she tied it to her waist and continued her accent to her destination. When she was almost to the top, Iosha was hit by a strong cool wind. She brushed the hair from out of her eyes and saw the famous climbing cliff called the Edge of the World out in the distance. She quietly admired the dare-devils as they tested their climbing skills against the vertical cliff face. She knew she could never do something as dangerous as climbing a cliff because she never thought it was feasible to her to risk her life for the sheer pleasure of knowing she could conquer something. On the other, Iosha did study magic and there was plenty of life threatening dangers in the arcane arts. Iosha spent years learning the dangers of over-giving to know that magic could be consider one of the most dangerous activities a person can participate in. The most humane and quickness consequence of magic is death, but Grandmother told her wizards can be mutilated, maimed, deformed, and even have their soul ripped away from their bodies. She was always told Iosha magic came with a steep price even if the wizard was careful using it, but the rewards and the wonders that one can achieve by magic was worth the danger in the end. Iosha looked at the climbers in the distance and murmured to herself, “Good luck my friends may you find your reward at the end of your journey.” When Iosha made it to the top of the trail, she smiled to herself about how flat the terrain is on this cliff. She walked into the scruffy grass and sparse underbrush of the rocky plateau. Looking around at her surrounding, she noticed a small leafless tree standing all alone in the middle of the clearing. She walked over to the tree and sets down her pack next to the tree. Reaching into her backpack, she pulled out of it a purple ribbon. She reached back and tied her hair, and out of the corner of her eye, she noticed black hair blowing in the wind. She turned in the direction of the black hair, and she saw a young woman sitting by the edge of the cliff looking off into the world surrounding Wind Reach. Figuring she shouldn't interrupt the young woman from her sight seeing. Iosha decided to walk to the edge of the cliff a little bit away from the silent girl. Looking out at the beauty of her father's homeland, Iosha said to the girl without looking at her, “You know when I see views like this one. I can't help but feel small compared to the world around me...” She gave the girl a warm smile, and she asked, “Hello my name is Iosha Moonchaser. What is your name?"

[Kiyono]

Kiyono had been looking out, over the cliff, pondering many things. It was a place that she came to, for rarely did anyone dare to come here. It was the only place she felt she was not judged, for who was ever there to judge her? As she thought about the day's events, her mind began to drift to other things. She though of what it would be like to feel the wind on her skin as she flew above the clouds, watching the birds as the soared and looped through the air. She heard a faint sound behind her, the sound of pebbles rolling and the sound of dry leaves crushed. Someone was wandering up her path, but she did not move, preparing herself for the intake of breath, and the insulting comments to follow. Instead, she heard said person trying to catch their breath. Few people from Wind Reach would need to do so... Perhaps it is an outsider like me, she thought. At the sound of the other person, a woman from her voice, she turned. The woman was about the same height as herself, with hair that shone silver-blond, and had unusual, violet eyes. This woman, (I believe she called herself Iosha..), must be Konti, she thought to herself. "My.. name is... Kiyono," she said hesitantly, "You are Konti... are you not..? What brings you here?, she gestured to their surroundings. "Not many people venture to this area...", because they do not wish to be with a half blood, she thought bitterly.

[Iosha]

Iosha brought her knees up to her chin and looked out over the forest. Looking over at Kiyono, she was a pretty girl, and she couldn't be no more than seventeen. She had long black hair with red highlights scattered throughout her hair. She figured she is Inartan, but she wasn't sure the other race. She said to the her with a grin, “I lost count how many times people in Wind Reach ask that question, Kiyono.” Turning her head back to the scenery, Iosha said to her without looking at her, “I decided to live in Wind Reach to learn about my father's people. I guess I am learning about the other side of my heritage. Maybe living with my fathers people will teach me something about myself.” When Iosha saw the girl gesture to the surrounding area after her question, she laughed at herself and said, “I think...I just gave you the wrong answer to your question. Well, I wanted to see the land surrounding Wind Reach before the snow falls. I sure the trails up here are treacherous in the winter.” Looking at the surrounding, Iosha smirked and said to her, “Honestly, mountain climbing isn't where I seek adventure. If I am close to a ocean or a lake, I tend to enjoy exploring underwater. I guess the dangers are as real as a mountain climbing depending on where you are swimming.” Iosha said to her with a smile, “So Kiyono. Were you born in Wind Reach or some place else. I can sort of tell you are part Inartan, but I can't put a finger on your other heritage?” Iosha looked back to the girl hoping she doesn't get offended by her question. Shortly after her last question, she put a stray bang behind her ear asked with a grin, “So why are you up here, Kiyono, or is this your favorite place to hide out from the world?”

[Kiyono]

"It is dangerous here, espcially in winter... Mostly why not many people venture to this vantage point.", she said, smiling slightly. "What is it like? Swimming? That might be useful to learn..." Kiyono nodded slowly, absorbing what Iosha had told her. "So your father was Inarta too... My mother was a Vantha, and I was born in another place, I do not know, though I sometimes dream of snow... All I know is that her people brought me here to my father... who died when I was small...", she looked down for a moment to compose herself. In reply to Iosha's last question she grew quiet. She thought about how almost every moment she was in the city, people watched her, giggling behind her back, called her the "mongrel", though those where only the most racist ones. "Yes, this is my favorite spot... but also the only place where I can be free of all the other... pure blood Inarta...", she said quietly, a bitter tone creeping into her voice. Sighing, she looked to the sky, a cloud passing over head, a soft breeze rustling her hair. A small bird with blue, and a few variations of grey to black plumage, flutter over head. She smiled, "and it is the best place to see these birds."

[Iosha]

Looking at Kiyono, Iosha was kind of surprised at the fact she never swam before. To her swimming was like walking, but she sort of understood if the girl never went swimming before. She lived on a mountain, and she was sure the ocean around them is quite cold all year around. Iosha listened intently as the young woman told her sad story about how her father fell in love with a Vantha woman, and she was the result of their union. It was vary much like her parents story. It seemed to her at least that Inartan men do enjoy the less ginger women from time to time. Seeing Kiyono mood shift to sadness, Iosha decided to give her a compliment, “Kiyono I am sure your parents are proud to have such a beautiful child, and I am sorry for the loss of your mother. It must have been hard growing up without her.” Looking out at the birds, Iosha did agree with her that this was wonderful spot for bird watching. Iosha stared at the girl when she talked about the pure blooded Inarta. Was this girl being singled out because of her heritage? Iosha looked at her and smiled warmly, “Well, Kiyono you don't have to worry about me because I am a pure blooded Konti. Because I am basically the poster child of being a outsider in Wind Reach. Honestly, you shouldn't be ashamed of your heritage. In Avanthal, you would be as beautiful as any woman in the city. Honestly, I think the pure blooded Inartans are just jealous of you because you stand out unlike them.” Iosha had a soft spot for the loners because in Mura she would be considered a outsider too because of her personality. Iosha looked back over the cliff and watched a pair of hawks dove into the forest below. She said to her without looking up, “Maybe I will teach you how to swim someday. It is a useful skill to have and quite relaxing."

[Kiyono]

Kiyono nodded, smiling at the thought of swimming, pushing the thoughts of her life in Wind Reach to the back her mind. Though, what she had said about Avanthal.... "You've been there?", she asked hesitantly. "To Avanthal, I mean..." She thought of what it would be like to meet her mother's people. Avanthal was farther to the north, but probably as cold as her current home when winter was in high gear. "Is it true that their eyes change color like mine..? That it is just like the changing lights in the sky? Oh! Is it true that there are large, white bears?" Kiyono had suddenly gotten excited at the thought of it, for the outside world fascinated her. Realizing her out burst, she reigned herself back, re-cloaking her self control. "Sorry about that...", she mumbled looking down, and blushing slightly. She was happy that there was a girl who would finally talk to her, and she didn't want to weird her out, or scare her away. The little bird from earlier perched on her head, looking at the Konti, tilting it's head this way, and that. Kiyono reached a hand up, and the small creature waddled onto it. She stroked it's had gently with a finger. She had come to this place so many times, that some of the inhabitants in the area had gotten used to her. She looked at Iosha shyly, "Would... would you like to say hello?"

[Iosha]

Hearing Kiyono asked about Avanthal, Iosha smiled over at her with a nod slight nod of the head. She ran a hand through her hair and said, “Yes, I enjoyed the two years I spent there. It is winter all year around, but the people are as warm as the summer sun.” Looking at her at her eyes, she said with a grin, “Those eyes are something I really enjoyed up in the frozen city. It was fun watching their eyes change with their moods. Sometimes during a long conversation, I think I counted a friend of mine eyes change about four times during a span on the conversation.” Iosha smirked and laughed out loud at the excitement in the teenagers voice as she asked about the polar bear kelvics, and she said softy, “Yep, I knew a few of them myself. Honestly even if they are huge beasts, they are as kind and cuddly as a stuffed animal...” Suddenly Iosha frowned when she apologized for her excitement. She looked at her and said softly, “Kiyono don't apologize for your excitement. Honestly, when I came to Wind Reach, I was so excited I could barely contain myself. The Vantha are your people too along with the Inarta. It is quite understandable why you are curious to know about your mothers side.” She watched a little bird land on her head, and she said softly smiling at the bird, “Now I see the reason you come up here, so you can see your friends. Hello little one my name is Iosha or Io.”

[Kiyono]

The little bird watched Iosha for a moment more, before fluttering over to her, clearly unafraid. Kiyono smiled, glad that her little friend was being so forward. She had come up to this area since she had been very small, and she had seen many birds. However, about 3 years ago, she had made her way up to the cliff, particularly distraught, since someone had snapped some of her arrows, which had taken her a few days to fletch. She had been upset mostly because it was some of the ones her father had taught her to make. She remembered crying in private, until this little bird had come along, alighting a rock nearby, staring at her. Kiyono smiled at the memory. "I named her Koupronounced "Ko" ", she said observing as the little creature became acquainted with her new friend. "I know I shouldn't name them, but it she seemed to like it, and now I can call her without all of her nest mates coming.", she explained, referring to the bird's siblings. Looking down for a moment, she entered deep into her thoughts. This may be... the only chance I'll get to ask about my mother's side.... She looked up having come to a decision. "..C..Can you tell me more about my mother's people... and their homeland? Even just a little... You said that you spent two years there?", she asked Iosha. "...and... may I call you Io..?", she added shyly.

[Iosha]

Feeling the wind picked up on the cliff, Iosha put her hair behind her ears and looked at teenager. She wondered if this girl is being singled out by her peers since she was part Vantha. She noticed since she arrived in Wind Reach that people were only curious about her. Mostly asking if she could see the future, but after the initial shock of seeing a Konti wares off most Inartan could careless if she even existed in their world. Yes, she met a few people like Keah, Micquel, Sira, Aidara, and Kovi. They seem friendly enough some more friendly than others. Watching the Kiyono speak friendly of her bird friend, She decided to sit cross-legged and faced the sad girl. She looked at the bird, to Kiyono, and said softy, “Kou, I like that name it seems like it fits your friend. I have to say. I am impressed with you. You seem to have a way with birds that must be your Inarta side showing.” Iosha smiled at the young woman, and said with a smile, “You would have loved it in Avanthal. The people of the north are probably the nicest people. I ever met. They welcome everyone with open arms regardless of race or creed. Honestly if you went to Avanthal, you would probably be able to met the goddess Morwen herself. Kiyo your mother's people love to tell stories. They tell the most elaborate stories that often include song or dance. My favorite storyteller was a old Kelvic polar bear named Bjorn. This old man always enjoyed the company of pretty women while he drank at the tavern. He would tell me stories that could make you cry, laugh, and hold your attention to the very end. Most of them were true stories of his life, but he could make a simple task like going to the store into a epic tall tale. Honestly, my favorite experience with him was the time. In polar bear form, he gave me a ride on his back to the ice palace, but along the way he started to give me a narrated tour of the city, but the only way, he could stop and tell me the long history of a landmark. He would have to turn back into a human to talk to me.” Iosha laughed out loud, blushed to herself, and continued trying to hold back a laugh in the process, “Kiyo... you honestly should of seen it. At our first stop, Bjorn walks into the Temple of Everwinter in his polar bear form and with me still on his back. He walk straight up to the High Priestess Lee'ena Snowsong. She was sort of surprised because she was lecturing to some students at the time, but she was delighted to meet a Konti woman... Kiyo the reaction on her face was priceless.” She took a deep breath and her face turned a shade redder, and she said with a slow shake of her head, “Suddenly, Bjorn turns back into human form right besides me. Now you might not know this about Kelvics when they change into a animal form, they are totally naked head to toe, so when he changed forms, Bjorn's and his white butt was mooning the twenty or so school age kids behind him, and Lee'ena had a full on shot of his...well...wrinkly..” She now is beat red and making the length with both her hands, and continued hesitantly deciding to choose her next statement carefully, “...um..what a good word to describe it....I got it! Manhood!” Iosha didn't mean to shout the word, Manhood to the world. Iosha was sure they could heard it from the Edge of the World. Actually, she knew the climbers heard it because a couple male climbers yelled back to her, “If you want it, I have it!” Iosha laughed out loud stands up and yelled back to the men, “Not right now, but thanks for the offer guys!” She shot Kiyono a impish smile and said proudly to herself, “Well I guess I have opinions..” She sat down and continued her story, “Well it gets worse Kiyono. After introducing me to the High Priestess, he turns around to the class and starts reciting to the full history of the Temple of Everwinter to a class of children. Lets just say the Vantha children were in shock and eventually the class exploded into quiet giggles and questions from the confused children.” Remembering a few other details, Iosha laughed to herself and continued with a giggle, “Now as I told you before the Vantha love to add theatrics to their stories, so he was jumping around in front of the class mimicking all the moves of the builders and ice revers. Who constructed the temple. The best Bjorn theatrics was during this performance...” Iosha suddenly stuck her hands in the air, and continued with a giggle, “Suddenly, he put both hands in the air, and he shoots wet snow all over her holiness Lee'ena. Honestly Kiyo I thought she was going to smack him. Right there in front of the class.” Realizing she should end her story, Iosha looked off over the forest sadly, “I miss him Kiyono. He was one my best friend in Avanthal, and he died three months after he got me to the Ice Palace of Morwen.” She said to her with a wink, “I will tell you what happened when Bjorn and I met the goddess some other time... Lets just say, It took us eight hours for us to get to the palace, Kiyono it literally took about two hours to tell each story at each part of the tour. Lets just say my experience with him was enlightening and horrifying at the same time.”

[Kiyono]

Kiyono perked up at the mention of Avanthal. She had always wished she could learn more about them, and here was someone offering to tell her! She concentrated on her words, wondering how such a place could exist, where people did not care if you were different. When Iosha told her of how the Vantha loved telling stories and music, she thought about her own love for songs and stories. She usually came to this spot to be by herself, but also to sing, for she was shy and she was generally uncomfortable around others. As for stories, she occasionally made some up, speaking to the birds and inventing fantastical characters, sometimes based on herself. The name "Morwen" sounded familiar, but she could not place it, moving it to the back of her mind for later thought. Kiyono listened as her new friend spoke of one of her own old friends, an old, Kelvic polar bear. As she listened to Iosha's story, she began to picture it, seeing a big, white bear and an old, mischievous but cheerful, old man. She smiled as Iosha described him fondly, her eyes lighting up. To her friend's comment, she shook her head, not knowing much, if anything, about Kelvics. At the sound of the men's voices calling back to the Konti, Kiyono froze, tense at the unexpected nearness of them. She had thought that the area the were in was far enough, that others were not likely to come near. However, she began to relax as Iosha continued her story. When Iosha began describing the scene with the priestess, she tilted her head, confused. Finally understanding what she meant, Kiyono blushed scarlet, her eyes turning pink in embarrassment, only to giggle helplessly at the old Kelvic's antics. As Iosha looked over at the forest sadly, Kiyono grew a bit somber, her eyes turning a mellow blue, saddened by her friend's loss. She watched as Iosha quickly switched expressions, winking at her. Hoping that her friend was alright, she gave a small smile, thinking that it must have been quite fun to have been told stories for 8 hours, by such an interesting person as she had described the polar bear man. "Horrifying...? Do you mean times like at the tem-", she halted mid-speech, regaining a hint of her blush. "Like when he, ummm... well... when he changed... infront..." She began again, "Ah... I meant... something like that... Y-you know what I .... mean....", she added weakly, giving up on trying to word it.