Flashback Meeting Your Other Half (Bonding Thread)

[Atia]

32nd of Winter 508 AV The Unforgiving The mixture of dirt, small rocks and a thick blanket of snow lead to an uneven pathway that Atia was having trouble navigating through. Her leather ankle boots provided a thick guard from the freezing snow, however the cold still seemed to seep through. Atia had been aimlessly wandering about the Unforgiving for a good two hours. She hadn't meant to become lost when her trek had began, she had been planning on just stepping out of Mt. Skyinarta for a bit of fresh air. It had been more than a struggle since the roads were blocked and the Yasi in charge of sweeping it away were busy enjoying themselves in the white powder. However, by the time that she realized that she was incapable of getting home, Atia had resulted to retracing her steps, literally, but the snow that billowed overhead had so kindly covered up her tracks. So, now the 17 year old was wandering about the dense forest and mountain area with nothing but her Katinu keeping the cold out, partially. Her red hair billowed around her face, a red fire pulling her forwards, and her steps seemed to become slower as time passed and her energy was slowly depleting. She needed a rest, but everywhere she looked, she saw white. A thick cloud of white hanging near the ground and making her unable to rest anywhere. No caves were visible and as far as Atia could tell, any place of warmth was miles away. Muttering a few curses under her breath, she dared let go of her large overcoat to run her hands through her hair frustratingly. This was followed by a strong gust of wind that nearly blew the Katinu off of her shoulders and Atia's hands quickly returned to grasping the Katinu close to her body and sealing it shut with her fists. She needed a fire. It was a simple enough process, she had heard of older Endal doing it for warmth when they got lost, and she knew she just needed a few dry sticks and grass. However, that seemed practically impossible in the cold weather and wet snow. Shivering uncontrollably Atia decided that she needed to reach higher ground, it would enable her to spot Mt Skyinarta. At the height she was currently at, a thick, dense copse of trees surrounded her vision. Her feet searched for a safe foothold as she began her ascent. The slope, so far, wasn't steep which left her hands free for clutching her Katinu which she greatly needed. As she got higher, she noticed a jutting rock providing just enough space for her to lie in, it was placed at such an angle that only a small amount of snow blew in and if she positioned herself in such a way that her legs were tucked near her body in the fetal position, no matter how uncomfortable, she would be able to dodge the drifting powder-like snow, that often felt like a tough pinch to her bare skin. Scrambling to get to it, Atia's feet slipped dangerously on the mountainous area as she pushed herself into the small space. She pulled the overcoat closer allowing it's warmth to engulf her as much as possible before drifting off into a slumber.

[Atia]

She heard it before she saw it, the distinct growl of a canine animal. Her eyes flashed open to the suddenly dark surroundings to see nothing but a pitch black scene before her. She waited a few seconds as her eyes adjusted to her surroundings. The snow in front of the jutting rock she was underneath had grown to provide a barrier from the flying snow, however the other two sides were open and Atia's ears picked up the sound of growling about ten feet from where she was. She knew that the last thing she wanted to do was make noise. So, as silently as possible she tried to move around in her incredibly small temporary shelter and attempted to shuffle away from the noise. Another growl made Atia stop in mid shuffle as she soon realized that it was the dreaded Chameleon wolf. She promptly decided to back away again after shaking off the feeling of true terror. She didn't know much about the wolf, but it was a canine nonetheless and that was enough to make Atia want to leave. Especially since she had absolutely no weapons or means of fighting off the creature if it wanted to attack. Once she was safely out from underneath the rock, Atia, on her knees, peered around, eyes scanning the mountain. No living thing was in sight, or as far as she could see especially since her eyesight was so poor at night. She let out a short sigh of relief before deciding to go back under and wait until morning. * * * Gentle rays of sunlight seeped in, providing no warmth but the light was enough to make Atia crack open her eyes. It was day break and the sun was rising giving off an array of colors ranging from a bright and fierce red that almost matched her hair and a gentle, friendly yellow. "I need a fire," she muttered to herself, struggling to get out of the cramped space before stretching her limbs allowing them to relax after being cramped up for the better part of the night. Her shivering fit began as soon as she stepped out and after she was done pushing her hair out of her face and stretching, she looked around for Mt Skyinarta. It was a large mountain and easy to spot, but Atia couldn't see it and deemed it to be on the other side of the mountain. Her stomach growled, a loud rumbling she was impressed didn't begin an avalanche. "And food," she added. She had never felt so hungry. While at home, she had always been well fed, but now she was struggling to find food and because it was winter, the search would be harder. She began her descent down the mountain a few minutes after waking up and as she walked she picked up a few sharp rocks that she was sure would enable her to kill a few small animals. Her dry throat was meanwhile screaming and begging for water to quench her thirst, but with no water in sight, Atia was hoping the rabbit she hoped to kill would be enough. She was on a low elevation when she spotted a fat rabbit hopping past the trees at top speed. She squinted her eyes in order to focus all her attention on the animal, sharp stone poised in her hand awaiting a bloody kill. She let out a deep sigh awakening her senses, they all focused on the one thing before her, the rabbit coming closer with every second. She was expertly placed behind a tree awaiting it's passing when suddenly she heard a short scuffle. Slowly turning to see the rabbit, she saw the rabbit standing in the middle of the clearing, it's ears pricked as if sensing her presence. 1, 2, 3 She counted in her head before leaping from behind the tree stone aiming directly for the neck of the small creature just at the same time that a huge, golden eagle appeared swooping down and grabbing the rabbit in it's beak before flying away. Atia fell straight onto the cold damp snow in a grumbling mess. She pushed herself off before angrily wiping her face and looking up just in time to see the eagle going off with her meal. "AH!" she shouted loudly, awakening and scaring any other animals in a near vicinity of her. * * * An hour had passed from the rabbit fiasco and Atia was in the midst of setting up a fire in the same clearing where her lunch had flown away. It being winter a few green tree logs had fallen down, the coldness making them weak. So she lugged the smaller pieces back to her clearing before placing them in the center. She placed three layers of logs alternating in direction before she was pleased with her work and went out to look for twigs. They were thrown on top the four foot log tower and then, Atia quickly realized she needed a tinder of some sort. Searching her surroundings she dug up a few pieces of bark underneath the snow and placed that atop the pile. After much effort acquiring each of the individual pieces required for a bow and drill, the string found oddly in her pocket, Atia was ready. She began to twist and twirl the drill. After five minutes, nothing had happened and Atia was becoming impatient, she forced more pressure on the drill and twisted faster then before, a spark formed and Atia jumped for the chance to blow upon it, igniting her fire. A few hours later and the flame was still licking the logs alight and keeping Atia warm as well as melting the snow around it, however she was still terribly hungry and thirst. Taking the string from the drill and bow, she tried her best to tie her sharp stone and stick together to create an impromptu axe, after swinging it a few times and bettering it slightly, Atia moved forward. The sun still hung in the air, but it was slowly descending down below the horizon. She knew that once night fell she wouldn't get another chance to hunt until morning and by then she would be too hungry to move much. Suddenly, she spotted a rabbit and, her sense alert, prepared herself for the hunt.

[Atia]

Atia gulped hard hand poised and ready, she stood carefully behind the tree, watching the rabbit's moves but at the same time on the look out for the eagle that had stolen her previous meal. She waited until the rabbit was closer and without a second of hesitation launched herself towards it plunging the rock deep into it's neck. The small animal struggled, but her arms were tightly wound about it keep it from moving. With a jerking motion of her arm, the animal was dead and ready to be cooked. She stood up, dusting herself off before bending down to pick up the rabbit. However, a flash of golden feathers and the eagle was gone taking her kill with it. She gaped letting out a groan of frustration and chucking the small weapon she had made towards the eagle in fury. She stomped the rest of the way to her fire, the anger still fresh and boiling inside of her. As soon as the trees parted and she could see her fire, however, before her was the eagle along with the rabbit placing onto the fire to cook. It's claws were clamped around her weapon which it dropped before flying the rest of the way down. Greetings, it's voice appeared in her mind immediately. I am Duria. He introduced calmly bowing it's head slightly. Atia, still skeptical walking slowly towards the creature and picked up her weapon. Images of this beast killing her and ripping her to shreds passed her mind, but she managed to calm herself down. "Atia," she replied hand clenching and unclenching into fists. The bird looked into her eyes, his golden ones piercing her blue pair. I have been watching you, from a distance, admiring your skills when it comes to survival, however frowning upon your short temper. Atia crossed her arms in what she hoped was an intimidating manner to the eagle before her. "That was partially because of you, you realize?" she pointed out. Yes, and I admit that I too have problems with anger at times, Duria mentioned. But I control my emotions just like I hope you do someday, "Why?" she asked, "It's not like we'll be seeing each other again," she mentioned before shuffling closer to the fire. I hope to see you gain which is why I am asking you if you would like to join me in flight? Duria asked. A few chimes went past without any answer from Atia as her mouth hung open in shock she tried hard to mask. "Um, well of course. But why me?" she questioned. Because I see myself in you, he pointed out bluntly before a feeling of satisfaction and belonging washed over her pulling her closer to Duria. Her mind melding with his and his with hers until they were linked, until they were one.

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