*
*
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18th of Summer, 515 A.V
Tokia's Tonics
The morning had just begun, with the sun poking its light above the dark cliffs of Black Rock, and Kiva was jumping on one foot as she tugged on a pair of worn pants. She would have to buy a new pair soon, as her wardrobe was freshly washed but stained from dirt and blood. Usually not one to care about her appearance, Kiva noticed a woman snickering at her the day before and it had filled her with indignant fury. Unfortunately, one needed money to indulge and as she looked around at her sparse belongings, Kiva grimaced at what she saw. Pulling her pants around her waist, and her damn sandals on next, she slipped on her shirt and ran out the door, struggling to lock it and tie her hair up. Myrian curses stumbled from her lips and she stubbed her toe. Her stomach growled from skipping breakfast.
Kiva had woken up late and barely had time to wash herself before she remembered she had to work today. Tokia had given her a few days off, something about looking for extra help, not that she needed it in Kiva's opinion. Still, the other Myrian would not be happy if she was late and would be sure to give her an earful for laziness. And so she ran. Racing down the hill her cottage resided on, Kiva had to be careful not to fall, making sure to shift her weight with choppier steps to combat the decline. Her feet, normally bare, were clad in tall leather shoes that made her feel awkward. She resented that Black Rock had such unforgiving terrain on the skin, but thought little of it as she raced forward. Taking short, quick breaths, Kiva's arms were bent at the elbow and her long legs propelled her forward. People were beginning to leave their homes for the day, and Kiva had to tip and dodge their sluggish forms. At one point she ran face first into a massive, lumbering form, a man, and Kiva shoved herself away. She offered no apology as they looked at each other in recognition. Such a big man, even without the scales or proof, Kiva was sure this one was Dhani, and he seemed to understand what their impact meant. They growled under their breath and on a normal day, perhaps she would have said something, but Kiva only shot a look over her shoulder and continued running, picking up the speed she had lost.
The morning air was humid, but still cool. It would have been nice, had the familiar stitch in her side decided to spare her. Kiva's thighs had a small cramp, but the ache in her torso was picking up in intensity. She continued to push through the pain, although she had to pause to catch her breath. Tokia's shop was still a ways away, and Kiva looked to the sky.
"Petch," she muttered, spitting sharply to the side. Bending over, she put her hands on her knees and sucked in deep lungfuls of air. She was so out of shape these days. Her clan would laugh in her face if they saw her now. Her mother to tell her to steel herself and keep going. Her father... he would say something encouraging. Their faces flickered in her mind and she jumped forward, continuing the jog. She lacked the intensity of before, but kept moving. Lactic acid burned her limbs, but she focused on keeping her pace. If she slowed, she gritted her teeth and gave a surge of energy. By the time her employer's shop came into view, Kiva was gripping her right side and slowing to a glorious stop. Full of ragged breathing, and a bun that had more loose hairs than not, Kiva wiped her forehead on the back of her free hand and stumbled through the door.
The familiar scent of wraith mint filled her senses, and the sudden stop of exercise left her face hot and flushed. Dark eyes immediately landing on Tokia, and Kiva tried to grin. The other woman opened her mouth, but Kiva spoke first in spaced Myrian, "But... Am I late, though?"
*
*
18th of Summer, 515 A.V
Tokia's Tonics
The morning had just begun, with the sun poking its light above the dark cliffs of Black Rock, and Kiva was jumping on one foot as she tugged on a pair of worn pants. She would have to buy a new pair soon, as her wardrobe was freshly washed but stained from dirt and blood. Usually not one to care about her appearance, Kiva noticed a woman snickering at her the day before and it had filled her with indignant fury. Unfortunately, one needed money to indulge and as she looked around at her sparse belongings, Kiva grimaced at what she saw. Pulling her pants around her waist, and her damn sandals on next, she slipped on her shirt and ran out the door, struggling to lock it and tie her hair up. Myrian curses stumbled from her lips and she stubbed her toe. Her stomach growled from skipping breakfast.
Kiva had woken up late and barely had time to wash herself before she remembered she had to work today. Tokia had given her a few days off, something about looking for extra help, not that she needed it in Kiva's opinion. Still, the other Myrian would not be happy if she was late and would be sure to give her an earful for laziness. And so she ran. Racing down the hill her cottage resided on, Kiva had to be careful not to fall, making sure to shift her weight with choppier steps to combat the decline. Her feet, normally bare, were clad in tall leather shoes that made her feel awkward. She resented that Black Rock had such unforgiving terrain on the skin, but thought little of it as she raced forward. Taking short, quick breaths, Kiva's arms were bent at the elbow and her long legs propelled her forward. People were beginning to leave their homes for the day, and Kiva had to tip and dodge their sluggish forms. At one point she ran face first into a massive, lumbering form, a man, and Kiva shoved herself away. She offered no apology as they looked at each other in recognition. Such a big man, even without the scales or proof, Kiva was sure this one was Dhani, and he seemed to understand what their impact meant. They growled under their breath and on a normal day, perhaps she would have said something, but Kiva only shot a look over her shoulder and continued running, picking up the speed she had lost.
The morning air was humid, but still cool. It would have been nice, had the familiar stitch in her side decided to spare her. Kiva's thighs had a small cramp, but the ache in her torso was picking up in intensity. She continued to push through the pain, although she had to pause to catch her breath. Tokia's shop was still a ways away, and Kiva looked to the sky.
"Petch," she muttered, spitting sharply to the side. Bending over, she put her hands on her knees and sucked in deep lungfuls of air. She was so out of shape these days. Her clan would laugh in her face if they saw her now. Her mother to tell her to steel herself and keep going. Her father... he would say something encouraging. Their faces flickered in her mind and she jumped forward, continuing the jog. She lacked the intensity of before, but kept moving. Lactic acid burned her limbs, but she focused on keeping her pace. If she slowed, she gritted her teeth and gave a surge of energy. By the time her employer's shop came into view, Kiva was gripping her right side and slowing to a glorious stop. Full of ragged breathing, and a bun that had more loose hairs than not, Kiva wiped her forehead on the back of her free hand and stumbled through the door.
The familiar scent of wraith mint filled her senses, and the sudden stop of exercise left her face hot and flushed. Dark eyes immediately landing on Tokia, and Kiva tried to grin. The other woman opened her mouth, but Kiva spoke first in spaced Myrian, "But... Am I late, though?"
