Flashback A, B, C, Dead [Ayatah]

[Tinnok]

A, B, C, Dead
1st of Spring, 496 A.V.

"Tinno', Dun fugget yow daggew!"

Stubby legs paddled across the grass in front of the set of the lodges that marked the Tempered Steel's clan clearing. The young half breed girl, yellow eyes much too large for her head, turned to see her brother racing across the grounds, holding the dagger like a knight would hold a lance. "Rarik!"

She snatched the blade out of his grasp as quickly as she could, flipping it around in her hand and sliding it into her belt in a singular fluid motion. "Don't hold the weapon by the blade! If you trip you'll stab your own eye out and mother would just laugh, do you want that?" Rarik shook his head, mollified. Tinnok nodded. "No you do not." She smacked his rump. "Now get back inside." She turned to leave and heard a whimper that could have emanated from a pup.

"Tin?"

The half breed turned and glanced backward at her toddling brother.

"Reesha says you gunna get dead, cause you's a snake. Don't get yo eye stabeed out, kay?"

Tinnok smirked. "I won't, Rarik." The boy looked very comforted, and turned on a dime to race back the way he had come. Tinnok let out a long sigh and began her trek towards the heart of Taloba.

------

For the most part she heeded her brother's request. She got glares and spit thrown her way when she proceeded to strange idea that Myrian's had for a classroom, more of an open area in which children could practice with their weapons and learn of Myri's great history. The teacher was a massive female, old, and respected for her age, probably around 70 years if Tinnok was to guess, for she sure as Myri wasn't going to ask. She told a passionate story of Myri's rise to glory and her conquering of the previous god of war, a pathetic male.

Tinnok's legs twitched with impatience, and she noticed without surprise that no one would sit next to her. It didn't take long for children to catch sight of the way her skin glinted...and those black slits ensconced in golden orbs.

After the woman told the great tale, she began to discuss some of the creatures that lay within the forest. She started with insects and birds, which fascinated the curious half-breed, who always loved creatures of all kinds, but the other children grew bored. One spirited female, already a foot taller than her peers didn't even bother raising her hand as she cried out. "Tell us of the tigers that Navre gave us!"

Silence rung across the clearing as the teacher stepped forward and slapped the girl out of her stone seat, then continued discussing army ant swarms. Tinnok snickered along with a few others, and then her eyes caught sight of another figure at the far end of the area. She seemed rather alone as well, isolated from the rest, and seemed...paler than most. The half breed's curiosity was piqued for a moment until the teacher than began speaking of poisonous beetles and Tinnok was suddenly back into the subject matter while others yawned around her.

[Ayatah]

“Aya, you look ridiculous.”

”I don’t care! I’d rather look stupid than shiny.” The voice of a young girl cried out, frustrated and stubborn.

Paira smiled and shook her head tiredly. There was no wavering her daughter’s mind when it was set on an idea. That trait, thankfully, was one that her daughter had inherited from the Scattered Bones.

But there were other qualities that were typically… Eypharian. The gilded skin, for a start. Her daughter was already paler than any other Myrian child, but when she stood in the sunlight, her skin shone with tints of gold. It was beautiful, but then again Paira looked at her daughter through the eyes of a mother. Other Myrian children would not be so kind. But still, there was no hiding that her daughter was different, and if Ayatah wore her split-heritage with pride, she might be accepted…

Hey, mothers can dream.

”You’ll draw more attention to yourself looking like that.” The woman nodded to her daughter, who glanced down to her feet, scowling.

Ayatah had taken one of her mother’s cotton dresses and attempted to cut it down to fit her. She had done a poor job; the hemming was shorn and the material hung off her bony shoulders. The young girl grumbled, pulling the dress up over her head so she stood in her own clothing.

”I don’t see why I have to go. I can read, mother.” The girl folded her arms and pouted. She knew very well what waited for her in Taloba city centre; teasing and jokes. Ayatah was quick-witted for a child, but it still grew tiresome to defend oneself against the stupid jibes of your peers.

Her mother sighed once more. Another Eypharian trait; that thirst for knowledge that reminded Paira so much of Ayatah’s father. She might not remember his name, but the Myrian woman certainly recalled how the academic multi-armed man had poured over books, deciphering languages and exciting over new ideas and theories. Her young daughter reacted in much of the same way.

”Just… don’t let the other kids realise that a hell of a lot sharper than them, okay?”

Ayatah grumbled something under her breath before marching towards their city centre.

I don’t have to make it obvious they’re dumb. They do it for me…


xx

”Do you mind not sniffing me?” The half-Eypharian turned in her seat, glaring at the three boys that say behind her.

”Shut up, Eypharian. I’ll smell yer if I want.”

Those dark eyes flashed with anger, but she did not physically retaliate. No, if she was going to castrate these stupid boys, she’d do so metaphorically. ”Are you somehow mentally incapable of normal social behaviour? Are all you from the Shit-For-Brains clan?” Those two furious questions demanded an answer, but none of the boys seemed able to piece together a sentence. She stared at them, each in turn, until their cheeks flushed and their eyes drooped with sheepishness.

Only then did she turn back to face the huge woman at the front of the class. Their teacher - to say the least - did not seem impressed with her student’s outburst.

”Did little miss Eypharian want to add something to lesson?” Those words were said so sweetly that Ayatah swore they rotted her teeth just by her listening to them. She shook her head slowly, holding the older woman’s gaze in an indignant and proud manner. ”Well then I think you should shut the shyke up and learn what it is to be Myrian.”

Only when the lesson continued, did Ayatah finally exhale. ’Your mouth will get you in trouble one of these days’; it was something she had been told throughout her life, but only now was Ayatah realising just what ‘trouble’ meant.

|| Ayatah's speech || Ayatah's thoughts || Others' speech ||

[Tinnok]

Eypharian. Tinnok sounded the word out silently, her mind sinking deep into thought as the class progressed. Strange that the teacher's verbal assault of the pretty girl had seemed so much harsher than her slapping the child. Perhaps it was because Tinnok knew already how words cold cut so much deeper than blades.

All the children began shifting and moving and Tinnok watched their progress, with a calculating gaze. Some broke off into groups based upon their clan, others based off of skill or age. Like it or not this child's play would effect the fangs formed in the military at later dates, sometimes loosely, other times, quite directly. Of course the nine year old couldn't quite fathom the depths of these separations quite yet, but she had an idea, an inkling.

As she rose off of her seat a firm hand shoved her back down into it, and she saw the tall female from before towering over her. "Hey, snake. I'm surprised your mother didn't kill you when you were still in her stomach." She grimaced and feigned slicing her own stomach open with her thumb. Tinnok's lips curled and she smiled. "Pretty blood, everywhere, all over her, and me dead and pink and bleeding in the middle of it." She rose and the girl's eyes widened as Tinnok grabbed her stomach. "Flesh peeling out, muscle sliding off, tubes and chords leaking out of her body. You're right, she should have killed me." The smile she gave the girl was rather morbid, and dark eyes widened in horror as the half-Dhani began laughing, an alarmingly low sound for such a small girl. She turned and ran and Tinnok snickered to herself, calling out. "Hey, wait! Come back, it was a funny joke!"

Her smile faltered a bit as other children's glares pinned her down, but with that bit done, Tinnok had an entirely different mission in mind.

Giant yellow eyes blinked with curiosity up at Ayatah as a girl no too much shorter than herself dashed over, wearing loose fitting trousers and a shirt, feet bare, hair a mangled chaos of wavy rivulets loosely pinned in a ponytail."So you're a half-breed like me? Name's Tinnok. Tinnok of the Tempered Steel." The self proclaimed Tinnok outstretched a hand of greeting, the promise of a smile hanging behind her twitching lips at the prospect of some sort of alliance. It wasn't often one had the chance of meeting an acquaintance that might not despise her very essence, so the half-breed attempted to make the most of it.

"Get into the yard, dogs!"

Their teacher was moving her considerable muscular bulk out into the field to watch them practice their weapons, but Tinnok was undaunted, there were clearly more important matters to attend to.

[Ayatah]

"So you're a half-breed like me? Name's Tinnok. Tinnok of the Tempered Steel." The girl had surprised Ayatah, and she flinched as if to ready herself for a punch or kick.

But it didn’t come.

And it was only after looking at this other girl - with her strange eyes, skin that glinted not unlike Ayatah’s own - that she realised that this was not an offence. It was a bridging between two outcasts, two half-breeds. She extended her own hand warily, as if she still suspected this girl to be playing some sort of trick. And then, albeit slowly, Ayatah processed the words that the other youngster had said.

Another half-breed…

”I am Ayatah of the Scattered Bones.” There was still an edge of suspicion to her words, but now she did not watch the other girl quite so warily. Instead, a small smile broke through her lips, charmed by the idea of having a friend - especially a friend that shared the pains of a half-Myrian.

Until now, Ayatah had not met another half-breed before. She had heard of them - or rather, heard of one. Asheera, the strange half-Dhani that wore a fantastically over the top headdresses to conceal her face. Apparently, she had snake eyes --

- Exactly ike the girl in front of Ayatah. ”You’re half-Dhani…” She muttered, walking amongst the rest of their classmates. The rest of the Myrian children laughed and spoke amongst themselves loudly, boasting about their prowess in an impossible number of weapons. Ayatah merely rolled her eyes, completely unconvinced by the tall tales her peers were claiming to be their own.

”It is not enough to simply learn what it takes to be worth of our Goddess-Queen,” the enormous old woman was barking out, but Ayatah had lost what little interest she already had, ”but you must prove yourself. This is done by battle, and killing our enemies…”

She gave the two half-breeds a pointed look, but it was Tinnok that her frosty gaze lingered over for the longer time. The woman openly sneered, before ordering the children (as well as the ‘mutts’, as she so kindly labelled the mixed-bloods) to select a wooden weapon and get set for training.

It was this part that Ayatah had been dreading. Her legs and arms were too long, and were impossible to coordinate. Sure, she could fire a decent enough arrow. But face-to-face combat, so far at least, had been a complete and utter travesty. The pureblooded children were too heavyset, and far too strong for the half-Eypharian girl to even try to overcome. The best she could do was dodging their clumsy swipes, but even then, her legs and arms sometimes seemed to have minds of their own. More than once she had ended up doing the splits when she meant to step to the side.

Except now, the playing field is a little more even…

”Fancy a spar?” She said brightly, taking Tinnok’s arm and leading the way to the weapon crate. Almost instinctively, her fingers brushed the hilt of a wooden double-bladed dagger. She picked up the weapon, and her decision was made.

|| Ayatah's speech || Ayatah's thoughts || Others' speech ||

[Tinnok]

She was surprised by the almost immediate physical reaction the girl had, and flinched herself when Ayatah grabbed her by the arm and dragged her towards the wooden weapon rack. Truth be told she hadn't been expecting such a warm welcome, the half-Dhani had grown used to disappointment during her short time upon Mizahar, and she had imagined that this meeting would go only a modicum better than any other friendly advances had gone...but perhaps not.

And she was intelligent too...not that it took much to see those giant eyes for what they were...a snakes, but still, it seemed like this girl wasn't just another grunt that followed what others did. Of course, when you were only half Myrian, there were very few people to follow...weren't there?

"Ayatah, nice name." It wasn't an insult, but neither was it truly a compliment. Truly the half-breed was unsure of how to proceed socially with this 'Ayatah.' The only one's she socialized with were her clan, and even those interactions were often frosty, but she was trying, right? Tinnok reached for a regular long bladed dagger as her choice of weapon and smiled at her new companion. Clearly they had more than one thing in common. "Sure! I mean, we're gunna fight anyway, right?"

She moved out into the open space, ignoring the stares of others and the harsh words of their teacher that looked torn between verbally abusing her new friend or gutting the half-snake. She reverse gripped the pommel of her dagger and eyed her taller, lankier opponent. Not as strong as other Myrians, but probably quick, right? The half-Dhani grimaced a bit to herself, then cocked her head to the side. "Scattered Bones, what do they do anyway?"

When the girl opened her mouth to respond, the spritely half-breed charged forward, aiming her left foot to stomp on the girl's right, and slashing at her stomach, whole arm going into the blow, which became a long horizontal sweep. Just because they were going to become friends didn't mean she was going to go easy on her.

[Ayatah]

"Sure! I mean, we're gunna fight anyway, right?"
Ayatah had also noticed the similarities in their weapons, but she was far too busy thinking of the tactics and maneuvers she knew (even if they were limited at this age). Dhani were strong and powerful foes to any Myrian - this fact she was certainly aware of. And of course, Myrians themselves were incredibly powerful warriors. So as a combination of the two races, this other girl certainly had the potential to be a… troublesome opponent.

Why couldn’t be half-Konti or something?

When they moved to their empty space, Ayatah slid into the position she had seen her older cousins stand in before sparring. Her right leg slid forward, her left remaining where it was, but at a right angle to the former. Her dagger was held in her right hand: but after sneakily glancing at how the other half-breed was holding her own weapon, Ayatah chose a forwards-facing grip. She had learnt, after previous spars, that mirroring your opponent was impractical: it made it difficult to return any jabs if your foe was using their dagger as you were using your own.

”We… Scatter Bones…” Her words were slow, and her head tilted to one side as she gave her careful answer. The clan name was fairly obvious, surely? The Scattered Bones… we’re not exactly going to specialise in flower arrangements, are we? Perhaps this girl was not as sharp as Ayatah had first thought. ”What do the Tempered Ste-- oof!”

She was knocked backwards by a swipe to her stomach. After regaining her balance, Ayatah threw the other girl a darkened look. But her annoyance was more introspective, rather than at the half-Dhani. Maybe I am the slow one… She had been distracted by conversation, and let out a low growl in frustration. She would not make the same mistake twice.

Speed. At that age, it was Ayatah’s only real tactic. In latter years, she would learn to not just simply rely on her quickness, but general battle prowess, accuracy and sharp thinking. But as a child, with those too-long limbs, she knew that agility was on her side, if nothing else.

So when she stepped forwards, the half-Eypharian did not waste time to position her stance again. She threw her dagger-hand towards the other girl, still in that forward grip, aiming for the girl’s ribcage. But before her dagger connected with flesh and bone, Ayatah shifted to the left, half turning away and twisting her elbow downwards. Her hand dropped, now leading the dagger in a reverse-grip and connecting it with the girl’s navel.

That’s more like it…

|| Ayatah's speech || Ayatah's thoughts || Others' speech ||

[Tinnok]

She appreciated the look of concern the half-breed got at such a stupid question, watching her face turn to one of realization as Tinnok charged head long into the fray. Her eyes were dark and calculating, and Tinnok tried to conjure to mind what she knew about Eypharians. Not much, she was afraid. She knew of groups of people that lived in the desert, but she knew some were like spiders, others had creepy black eyes, and well that was it. Whatever an Eypharian, was, she had no idea how to use that information to truly gauge her opponent, at least not yet.

What she knew so far was that she was tall, quick, and clever. Well, it was a start anyway.

Her initial victory was short lived, however. The girl was fast, and swiftly Tinnok learned exactly how fast. She grunted in pain as the blunt dagger pommel bashed into her stomach, feet leaping backwards out of range to allow herself some space from those long arms. Well she was glad this battle wasn't going to be a walk in the park, that would be no fun, right?

"Well, if you're going to be like that, we temper steel." Her tone was dripping with annoyed sarcasm, but there was a smile on her face, body literally bouncing with excitement.

She came in again, but this time her wide eyes were trying to assess the angles. She remembered her sister's telling her in the few moments that weren't insults that battle was sometimes more about watching than actually fighting. The phrase still didn't make all of the sense to her, but she understood a bit of it. She watched both arms, and came in sort of diagonally towards Ayatah's left hip, flipping her dagger into a more regular grip to slash towards the side. It was a move to be easily blocked, but with her free hand she attempted to jab the girl, all fingers pointed outward, right underneath the rib cage. Whether the attack succeeded or failed the half-Dhani didn't want to stick around, and she allowed her knees to fold beneath her and tumbled backwards.

It was a clumsy roll, to be sure, and she was a bit shaky as she jumped to her feet, but it got the job done as far as getting out of the way of her opponent's superior reach...at least temporarily.

[Ayatah]

The blow was a success, Ayatah was pleased to see. She allowed herself to feel the tiniest amount of pride, but swallowed a grin for the sake of modesty. Pride is an Eypharian trait, fool!

"Well, if you're going to be like that, we temper steel."

The mockery in the other half-breed’s words aroused a quirked eyebrow from Ayatah, but a crooked smirk at the same time. It was… nice to have some sort of banter that did not centralize around slurs or insults. ”I’d have thought you’d know your way around a blade, then.”

Her words, or perhaps the witticism behind them, were short lived. The half-Dhnai swiped towards Ayatah’s hip, which she blocked --

Just as hooked fingers collided with her ribcage, clawing right under the bones. Ayatah yelped, her legs kicked outwards instinctively, but it appeared that Tinnok had already rolled away. She grumbled in annoyance, ink-coloured eyes flashing. She appreciated the competition, and the tiny nod she gave would let the half-Dhani know as such. Sparring matches with her pureblooded peers usually ended with Ayatah being kicked viciously - for being beaten as well as for being victorious. It was unbecoming for a half-breed to champion over a ‘true’ Myrian, but it was pathetic for her to lose. Either way, she would be punished.

She eyed the girl opposite her carefully. I must ask her to teach me to roll like that… But she did not allow herself to get distracted complimenting her ‘foe’. Instead, Ayatah came forwards; quickly closing the gap that Tinnok’s backwards roll had opened. Slicing and swiping her dagger would not do - the other half-breed would expect that. So Ayatah dropped low, crouching downwards and steadying quickly herself before toppling to one side. Then she swung one of those long legs outwards, cuffing at the other girl’s ankles so she came tumbling down.

If there was one lesson Ayatah had been taught, it was the importance of having the upper hand against an enemy -- even if she physically had to knock said enemy down.

oocSo sorry for the delay. I've only been able to access t'internet from my phone and I didn't want to bombard you with ridiculous auto-corrects!

|| Ayatah's speech || Ayatah's thoughts || Others' speech ||

[Tinnok]

oocNo problem!


"I’d have thought you’d know your way around a blade, then."

She was mid roll when the words sank into her mind and she chuckled, nearly toppling over when she attempted to stand. The chuckle turned into a chortle, and the chortle a full out laugh. Their monster of an instructor raised an eyebrow, but unfortunately could not sling insult at the moment compared to the shoddy work a few other pure bloods were doing with their weapons, so she chose no words of insult...yet.

"Guess I'm just a little slow." Her head raised as she gave the self deprecating comment, only to realize too late that the swift girl had come in like a bird of prey, her legs being swept out from under her as she landed on the ground again with a whoomf.

Tinnok grinned at herself. "And there's your proof."

She pushed with both hands, getting on all fours, and looked up through a few stray curls at her opponent. Her slitted yellow eyes and wide grin were nothing if not the mirror of the serpent within her. Fast, long legs and arms, and a strong kick to boot. Did this mean she kicked the shyke out of all the other kids, too, or was it the other way around?

The half-breed made a show of beginning to rise, legs pushing off the ground, but about half way up she threw her hands behind her and dropped back down, swinging out her own leg in a kick for Ayatah's dangly ones. "Two can play at that game, though, no?"

Her eyes glimmered mischievously, realizing with a start she was having a whole lot of fun doing something that normally caused her quite a lot of physical and mental trauma. Was this how training as a child was supposed to be? Rough, but enjoyable? Well, perhaps for anyone but her...no her and this girl here. Her eyes glanced around the gathering of students and realized that this was the closest thing to a normal interaction she had had with another Myrian, yet she was only of half blood...like Tinnok herself. Her eyes grew a bit wide with wonder, then she groaned as she saw Aya's incoming attack. She had to start paying attention and get her head out of the sky. Isn't that what her mother was constantly saying?

[Ayatah]

Deception!

It was a tricksy tactic, but worked damn well. Ayatah had never been able to fool her competitors (perhaps because she was usually watched so carefully due to her being a half-breed abomination), but as she landed embarrassingly on her backside, there was still a grin on her face.

"Two can play at that game, though, no?"

She laughed at that; actually laughed. It was a new experience to enjoy herself whilst training, when usually she would be insulted left, right and center. But this girl was another half-breed, who knew the harsh words and dark looks just as well as Ayatah. They shared the same pain and hostility, so why shouldn’t they share the same joy and fun as well?

”Apparently, two can.” She said slowly, brushing the dust and dirt off her legs. There would be new bruises to her skin tomorrow, but Ayatah would know that they came from a fair game, and a fun one.

Now was time for her revenge, and her dark eyes watched Tinnok hungrily. Her mother had told her the importance of watching one’s foe, for a bad eye or weak hand. So Ayatah observed, dark eyes narrow in concentration. Tinnok was strong, healthy, so there would be no physical debilitation that Ayatah exploit…

Aha!

The half-Dhani seemed momentarily more interested in the rest of their classmates than Ayatah, and she would certainly make the most of the other girl’s distraction. The voice of her aunt flooded into her mind: Spin, twirl, and bend!.
They were not commands of combat, but dance. The art was one that Ayatah enjoyed immensely, especially the fire dances that told the story of her ancestors and family.

Spin, twirl and bend!

She came towards Tinnok, a flurry of feet and arms. Her steps were quick, almost graceful, but not quite. Stopping abruptly, Ayatah struck out her dagger, holding her arm straight in the same position from the dance. The flat of her blade connected with Tinnok’s stomach, but the blow was not as strong she would have liked.

Spin, twirl and bend… The ‘bend’ bit was always the part of the dance that Ayatah seemed to make a mistake on. But when in Taloba…

She lent backwards, throwing her head and shoulders into the bend. Her arms came up and backwards as well, catching herself at the last moment and landing a few inches behind her own feet. Finally, she kicked her legs in the air, carrying them over herself until -

”Wa-h!” She fell to the side with a thud.

Their huge teacher snorted loudly, stepping over the half-Eypharian without even looking at her. But Ayatah did not seem to notice. She was far too busy laughing at her own lack of grace and elegance.

|| Ayatah's speech || Ayatah's thoughts || Others' speech ||