Closed [Glistering Geysers] The Man In The Mist (Aider)

[Kaie]

81st of Summer, 513 AV
17th Bell

The savage woman could hear it. The rush of water. Each sudden explosion seemed to rock the ground with its power. The sound of gushing liquid sounded as loud as a full Tiger of mounted warriors stampeding through the Killing Ground of Taloba. The hiss of air right before the watery eruption almost reminded her of a Dhani's, giving her that slight edge of awareness. She behaved like a ghost between the trees. Flitting between the shadows like some sort of predator on the prowl. With her horse secured safely in the forest, the hunter had come out to explore.

Kaie was crouched low to the ground in the woods. Chocolate brown eyes scanned the earth by her feet, inspecting the markings she found. The tracks were unclear, but prominent and in a specific pattern. She reached two fingers down to touch into the abrasions. Dragging them through, judging the spacing and shape, she assumed they could easily be some sort of deer. A worthy animal to prey upon. Her stores were running low again and needed to be replenished before she danced dangerously close to Nyka. As a Myrian, she naturally loathed the establishment. Doing her best to avoid any contact with the city, she decided to veer north toward the Taldera border instead. A slight detour which was all the more reason to make a point to hunt.

Eyes glanced up to see the tracks continued on. Suddenly she lurched forward in her stalk. Feet moving quickly upon the damp earth, the Myrian was almost silent. Still her feet made that occasional squashing noise in the mud, but she had done her best to remain silent. Stealth was highly valued within her society. She would make a point to continue practicing it even in the barbarian lands.

Brown hair flowed freely behind her in a flurry of loose curls and waves. Syna's rays reflected off her skin giving her that characteristic bronze glow of her people. Outside the human cities then, she dawned only her vest and loincloth. There would be no denying her ethnicity nor her origin. She was proud of her people and embraced her Goddess Queen. There was no need to hide either in Caiyha's domain.

Before long the forest became a bit hazy with another gust of vapor. The young hunter skid to a halt, squinting through the watery air. The tracks were largely obscured up ahead. Kaie didn't really enjoy strolling into the unknown especially if she couldn't see a yard ahead of her. Nonetheless, she continued cautiously. She clutched the spear at her side, hoping to find her quarry before it evaded her yet again.

Nearing the geyser, the forest became less thick. Syna's rays shot a rainbow through each droplet littering the air. Gusts of wind carrying an abundance of water became more frequent though she couldn't yet see their origin. instincts became hugely aware as a primitive alarm went off in her brain. Kaie turned to hide behind a tree (childish, she knew). With her back pressed hard against a tree trunk, the Myrian peered around her shoulder.

Through the deep mist she heard a cry. It was animalistic in nature but it wasn't nearby. She almost breathed a sigh of relief and laughed at herself for being so uptight. Yet, as she stared through the thick vapor she found a shadow. No, a silhouette that appeared to be a male. Tilting her head curiously Kaie couldn't help but wonder...Who was the man hidden within the mist?


OOC:I do hope you didn't find the title too cheesy in reference to your avatar. What can I say? I couldn't help myself.

[Aider Silander]

Aider slowly moved through the thick woods, the normally clean and tight looking man was now messy. His hair had a few twigs and leaves and his body marked with spots of mud. He didn't leave the city, but he had to every once and awhile. Bow in hand he stalked low, his knees bent as he slowly traced there way along the ground. He was nearing a geyser, which this land was known for. He took a deep breath, he could feel the heated moisture in the air. He stopped and stood straight up, the mist flowing around the almost open space. Few trees scattered across the area, his eyes quickly scanned the area and sighed. "Where did it go... Aider, you sir are not a great hunter" he chuckled. He lowered his bow, now holding it in one hand. "Maybe I should get some more training" he said looking down at the bow. He wiped a few drops off of his forehead as the moisture started to build up. He turned towards the thicker woods, slowly making his way towards them. Little did he know he was heading towards another person, from a land hated by his home. Though Aider didn't really consider himself to be like the other Nykans, maybe a few of them, but he considered himself to be of a smarter breed. To have just been born in the city out of chance, rather then good planning. He sighed as he stepped into the thicker woods, not really paying any attention to his surroundings he picked up his bow. Holding it at a position to fire, he walked forward heading deeper into the woods. He kept his head on a swivel, looking from left to right over and over again.

[Kaie]

She watched the shadow for some time between the droplets of water. Watched him lift his bow back up and heard him mumble a few phrases to himself. And then he was gone. Or so she thought. Right when she was prepared to follow him, or better yet ditch him all together, he was back. Suddenly the tip of an arrow peeked through the fog sending the Myrian right back to her hiding place. She adjusted her grip on her spear and gritted her teach aggressively. She counted his steps, listening to how close he was getting. Kaie could hear each foot step like it was right beside her own ears. Like any barbarian, he was lacking in subtlety. Twigs, leaves, and mud squashed and crunched beneath him. Each was a sound beacon to his location. She was grateful for the tell, but then he was really close. Far too close.

Kaie could feel her adrenaline beginning to click in. She wasn't afraid. Just...Startled. She had heard strange noises in the mist. Noises different from the constant hiss of exploding water. They were the sounds of creatures she didn't know much about. They kept her on edge and forced her to keep quiet. The Myrian did not know the man, where he hailed from, nor what his intentions were. Yet he still came forth like any other hunter. It would only be seconds until he reached her. She might as well get the jump on him first. Let him know he is not alone.

"Do you barbarians always talk to yourselves so much when you're alone?" Kaie called from the safety of her tree, still hidden behind its trunk.

[Aider Silander]

Aider paused dead in his tracks, as a voice called out to him. One of a female, a female of which he didn't know. "Well that depends on what you consider a barbarian. I, for one, am just hunting.... Terribly of course. But trying none the less, and you... Are ether a spirit of some sort, or you are hiding somewhere and contemplating if you should kill me or not" he said, looking around but not noticing anything. "Am I right?" he asked, he lowered his bow. "I mean you no harm" he said. He held the bow, and arrow in his hand, as best he could. He raised the other one as a sign of friendship. "Wasn't really expecting to find someone out here" he said. His sense's up, his head turning looking around. Keeping an eye open for any sort of attack. He slid his foot back and quickly raised his bow. He shot an arrow away from them, towards a small brush. A rustling could be heard and a small hare darted out, rushing away from them. "You... wow" he said, turned back to where he thought the voice was coming from. "My name is Aider Silander, I come from Nyka" he said.

[Kaie]

Kaie grinned invisibly from her hiding place at his return. An intelligent barbarian she could assume, though she still refused yet to see him. Composing herself, the Myrian finally tilted her head enough to see around the trunk. She eyed him through peripheral vision curiously. Simply watching how he moved and where his bow was. For a moment he seemed to change his mind and go hostile, raising him bow and shooting off an arrow. Kaie disappeared behind the trunk again. Rather than the dull thud of an arrow hitting trees, she heard it drop into some bushes. Then there was a rustle to which he seemed to react to. Finally after a bit of contemplation, the savage decided to reveal herself.

Stepping out from behind the tree, Kaie stood before him. She eyed the man curiously through the fog, appraising him. Scanning him, this Aider. Of course the fact he was from Nyka immediately cast distrust over him like a dark, ominous cloud. She naturally couldn't allow herself to completely feel comfortable around any hailing from such a place. After all, there were still men there that called the Goddess Queen "Usurper."

"You're from Uphis's domain then," She spat with obvious venom, conveying her pure hatred for the demigod. Everything about Kaie shouted how undomesticated she was. Though always appearing clean and well kept, her hair billow softly behind her shoulders in the wind carelessly. Her stance was a bit proud, displaying her tradition attire boldly and unashamed. The Myrian's face glowed a soft bronze though the gentle features were cast over by natural intensity. At her side, her fingers tapped the shaft of her spear. Immediately he caught her interest for a reason she could not point out. Was it his mannerisms? The way he talked? Kaie couldn't quite decide but there it was. She couldn't help but play out her muse.

"I am Kaie of the Cutthroat Shadows. I come from Taloba," She introduced herself effortlessly, well aware he might attack at the very idea of her presence. If such a choice was made, the savage woman would be three steps ahead of him.

[Aider Silander]

Aider wiped the moisture from his eyes as the beautiful girl walked from out behind the tree. He blinked admiring her small fit shape, then she spoke. With obvious venom and hatred in her voice when she mentioned the demi-god that was worshiped in his home city. He looked down at her spear and the fingers that tapped it. 'I would not want to be impaled' he thought as his eyes traced back up her arm, over her chest and coming to rest upon her face. He remained quiet for a few ticks before she spoke again, saying where she was from. Taloba, the home land of a race that the Nykans he lived around were not fond of. "Ah... I see why you have such a defensive mood then." he said, as he took a slight bow. "I promise, my dear, that though I live among them I don't share all the same ideals. Though yes I live in Uphis' domain. I do not pray to him" his voice rang out in the woods as soft and safe as he could make it. He really didn't mean the girl any harm. He smiled softly as a thought crossed his mind. He dared not make any moves, until she wasn't so hostile.

[Kaie]

As soon as he claimed he did not worship the hated demigod, Kaie somewhat loosened up. She stepped toward the warm, soft voice that appeared strangely..Welcoming when he spoke. It drew her in though not anything like Matthew's had. This one caught her solely from its harmlessness, it's innocence even. Though no creature was absolutely innocent, he seemed much kinder than she might've expected from a Nykan. It was a refreshing surprise that captured her interest. Bare feet quit moving when they were but a few paces from one another. Finally, she could see his face.

He wasn't a bad looking guy. He seemed muscular and fit though she could tell he wasn't too skilled of a fighter. Although looks could be surprisingly, she doubted she was wrong about Aider. That wasn't to say she didn't think he possessed admirable skills in different areas.

"Ah. In that case, what brings you so far from home..Aider?"

[Aider Silander]

"I could ask you the same thing Ms..." he paused for a tick. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name" he said, his voice sounding warm as the misty air. His eyes quickly glanced over her now that she wasn't blurred in the mist. A small smile played across his face, nothing threating. His eyes then fell upon her spear as he remembered her question, he needed to answer it would be rude if he didn't. "Well, I'm trying to hunt. Which isn't going over very well..." he chuckled. The warm air rose and clung to his exposed flesh, some beads of sweat dripped down his forehead. His eyes locked in hers. The daylight shining through the mist cause his eyes to light up, the light brown slightly bending in with the surrounding woods. He flashed a quick, toothy grin as the leaves rustled up in the trees. He was interested in this girl, in a curious sort of way. She was different from what he would normally see in Nyka and that was the greatest hook that sunk into his curious mind. "For a Myrian to be all the way up here isn't exactly something one see's everyday. If you have the time, I would love to hear about your people" he said, suddenly. Not really thinking about how it sounded to the girl.

[Kaie]

"Kaie," She obliged a bit softer in tone, taking a few calmer steps toward him and relaxing her spear hand. Kaie eyed his weapon choice and then looked back at him, smiling a bit. She wasn't so good at the bow herself so she couldn't make any comment there. Yet despite his heritage, she was still drawn to him. Oddly enough she didn't feel so obligated to dash off into the trees knowing there was no further threat. She should've really continued on with her own hunt. There was only a few hours of daylight left. Jervis was probably finally catching up to the place she left her horse (not that she cared so much). The last thing she needed was for him to try to search for her and get lost in the dead of night. Kaie wasn't about to go hunt him down. He was a burden enough. It didn't take her long to decide she'd much rather take her chances to remain with Aider though. Especially when he inquired about her own.

"Ah, no worries it happens," She said sympathetically in regards to his poor luck hunting. Then she quickly moved on to address his next comment.

"You're probably right. Especially not where you're from. What would you like to know?"

[Aider Silander]

The smile grew as he learned her name. His interest in her and her people could get him into trouble, if Uphis or any of his monks were to find out that he was talking to her and not trying to kill her. He glanced back at her spear for a tick, as she relaxed her hand. Well atleast that made him feel better. "Well to be truthful, everything or at least what you can tell me. I know that you are a military people, which is mostly lead by women. But aside from that I know nothing about you other then what the towns folk say. Which in all honesty I'd rather not think is true" he said, the happiness in his voice. Just the fact that she actually agreed to talk to him about her people made his excited. "Lets start with something easy. I've heard that all children are trained in some form of fighting since birth, is that true?" he asked, trying to contain himself from talking off her ear. The last thing he wanted to do was annoy her, seeing as she could probably impale him before he could draw his weapon. He sat his bow on the ground and leaned against a tree, relaxing his body and waiting for her reply.