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Nicknames: N/A Race: Elaria Gender: Female Significant Other: Kanika Parents: Kou (NPC) x Fassala (NPC) Siblings: Myrcella (NPC) and Pruu Children: Enya & Pyanka Physical Description: Petite curves, kind of lanky
Personality: Motherly Pyrrha is a very kind and caring young lady. She likes to check in on as many of her sisters as possible, offering to help in whatever tasks she can. Especially with baby sitting. At first it started out as nothing more than wanting to be close to them since they’re ‘cute’ and ‘so tiny’. However, as she grew Pyrrha began to see herself as a sort of big sister to the little ones, even if their mothers weren't so keen with having the weird girl hanging around so much.
Pyrrha is doting to the younger generation, often isolating herself from girls her own age to spend more time with the smaller ones. Often times when talking to those her own age, or even those older, she can come off as condescending, since she’s so used to talking down to the wee ones. It isn’t intentional; Pyrrha doesn’t even realize she’s doing it until called out by the offended party. She simply treats everyone as if they're toddlers, even if they're twice her age.
That being said her people are her 'babies' and she won't hesitate to strike down anyone who actively tries to hurt them. If an earthling were to harm one of her sisters or cousins she'll do whatever she can to help.
Spacey Pyrrha is almost constantly smiling. Unlike a lot of her sisters, she comes across as a more relaxed soul, which can also be called ‘absent minded’. She’s habitually forgetful and can seem inattentive at times. If she isn’t particularly ‘focused’ on something the instructions may have to be repeated several times simply because she was watching a flock of birds nesting overhead instead.
She spends a lot of time on her own just observing nature. Pyrrha can often be found with twigs in her hair, mud caked on her skin, and with the biggest grin on her face, spouting some information regarding a baby limbara she happened to see. That being said she rarely rushes anywhere; instead, she takes her sweet time getting around, more often than not stopping to smell the flowers or chat with passing cousins, even if she needs to be somewhere as quickly as possible.
While Pyrrha knows that it causes unending frustration in others to see the lack of ‘fire’ within her, she doesn’t see much need to change herself. Elzira made her this way, so she must be doing something right. However, this doesn’t mean that Pyrrha is immune to the barely veiled disappointment being directed at her by her peers. Every time she chooses a peaceful walk through Yael’s never ending jungle over weapons training she can feel their scathing glares on her skin.
It’s unnerving, to have that amount of pressure on her shoulders, but instead of crumpling under it she does her best to maneuver around it. Instead, she may spend more time speaking with Elzira or just playing in the woods. It doesn’t solve her problems, if anything they are just delayed, possibly making them worse, but Pyrrha doesn’t seem to mind.
Spiritual Pyrrha believes deeply in her goddess and Elzira's mother, Aisha. She just worships a little differently than most. She shows her love by 'communicating' with the world that Elzira calls home. Pyrrha often speaks with plants and crystals on her walks, as if she were talking to the mother goddess directly, even after being told multiple times that such a thing is not only impossible, but more than a little odd. If anything it's a way of coping with her loneliness; by believing she's speaking with Elzira she's able to stave off the depression that seeps in, and keep living a meaningful life.
Often when she takes out a kill she will say a prayer over the animals corpse. She will take great care to respect it's remains, and will make sure to take as much as she can so that nothing goes to waste.
Pyrrha also performs her own rituals from time to time, on the shore line with the ocean stretching out front of her, in hopes that Aisha can feel her love as well.
Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 7:23 pm
❋History❋
Fassala loved living on Chibale. She was content to keep to her island with her family and let everyone else go to Jauhar. Unlike some of the others, she had little desire to take over the mainland. As the views of the extremists began to grow in popularity and power, Fassala kept her opinions to herself. She just wanted a peaceful life with her wife, Kou, and their daughter, Myrcella. Though they were more inclined to the extremist mindset, she loved them dearly.
When the war broke, Kou was one of the first to take up arms. She had had enough with uppity earthlings, asking for children from Aisha when they shouldn't have been able to get near her at all! Although Fassala was reluctant to join them, she joined her wife and daughter in Sauti for the battle to come. Bow and arrows in hand, Fassala kept to the rear with Myrcella in her care, focusing her efforts on keeping her little family safe. What enemies Kou could not take down with her spear she brought to their knees with her bare hands. While Kou worried for her mate and daughter, she had also never been more proud of them. She knew Fassala had her reservations, and surely their daughter was too young to see all of this; but to have them both there meant the world to her.
The exile to Yeal was extremely painful for the women. For Fassala, leaving her home for a cause that she hadn't been too enamored with cut deeply. For Kou, the loss of a beloved homeland was also a new beginning. She mourned the departure, of course, but now that they had been separated from their traitorous 'sisters' the extremists could start over. She only wished their daughter felt the same. Myrcella thought of this as the death sentence the earthling's meant it to be. She didn't want to die out on some miserable island! For a time neither woman really knew what to say to calm her, but in time, hope was given to them all.
A new race meant a new chance! Fassala felt that she was clearly part of something bigger than herself, and that made leaving Chibale worth the sacrifice. As the Elaria began to age, the pair decided to take a step into this new life by praying for another daughter. At first they feared Elzira in her youth might not be able to grant their wish, but soon enough they were called to the young goddess' side. Myrcella accompanied them, as the mothers felt it only right to include their eldest, and it was the younger alkidike that noticed what her mothers' minds struggled to comprehend. There was not a single blossom waiting for them; rather, there were two. Kou gave a whooping cheer and scooped Fassala off her feet, kissing her mate with all the passion of a woman in love, much to the embarrassment of Myrcella. Their family was expanding! The war had been so hard on all of them, and losing their home had almost broken their spirits. As a family they weathered the storm and now when all was going well, they were going to welcome two more little souls to the mix.
The elaria born from these blossoms were similar enough in looks, but their spirits could not have been more different. Pyrrha, was light hearted for an Elarian, while Pruu showed herself to be a fighter. With her sister showing herself as a model daughter, Pyrrha was expected to be the same; except, she didn't quite feel like it.
Pyrrha was mocked endlessly as a child for her laise-faire attitude, and her mother, Kou, allowed it. The woman knew of her youngest's troubles, of Pruu defending her sister and being drug into it, but honestly, Kou hoped it would 'straighten Pyrrha up' and give her the backbone she needed. Instead, Pyrrha spent more time in the woods on her own, often returning at odd hours in the night covered in muck with wild tales of swamp creatures. She had no intention of changing; in her eyes, Elzira wouldn't have allowed her to be this way if she didn't like it, and that's all that mattered to Pyrrha. It felt wrong to be so angry all the time. When she was angry she made mistakes and when she was mean she missed out on the little details. But when she was calm she was level headed and able to see the world through clearer eyes. It felt right to be that way, so no matter how much iron her mother tried to put into her, Pyrrha resisted. So, to save her sister the effort of fighting so much on her behalf, she distanced herself.
Tensions rose quickly between Kou and her daughter. In public Kou was proud of all three of her girls, often defending Pyrrha's right to be 'different', but behind closed doors the woman would often harass her daughter. Have you even tried to fall in line? I know you skipped training, where were you? What's wrong with you?
At first Pyrrha would try to defend herself, but in the end she kept hitting a wall with her mother and she gave up on trying. It caused her to avoid the woman as much as possible; usually only coming home when Kou was away and making sure to stay as far away as possible during her waking hours. It wasn't that she was ashamed of what she was; rather, she wanted to avoid conflict, as it tended to upset her sisters and Fassala. It seemed easier just to stay away from it all than to deal with her problems head on.
Painted Moose
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2020 7:24 pm
❋Rp Log❋
Stage 2 Trust Building Exercises - Cey Never Without You - Niva A Zen Afternoon - Kanika Betrayed - Kanika United - Akel/Pruu
Character Name: Pyrrha Class Promotion: Sacred Heart Current Location: Kiros Journal:x Growth Point Links: [75/75] [3] Solo 1 [5] Future Considerations - Kanika [5] Through the Roses - Kanika [5] Tendaji Treats - Nayyara [5] Imagine That - Kanika [5] Peace At Last - Qila [5] Little Minnow - Miovadi/Enya [5] Whoops! - Shikoba/Enya [5] Celestial Omens - Nayyara [5] Greatest Fear - WE [5] New Year, New Me - Pruu [5] Endless - Pruu [5] Bonds - Pruu/Akel/Ali/Lu/Enya [5] Auntie and Me Luleta [5] Summer Festivals - WE [2] Solo 2
Living on her own was possibly the hardest task Pyrrha had ever taken on, and yet, she wasn’t really alone.
When she spoke of a new friend she’d met during the last storm most of Zinris’ elder members scoffed. They assumed that Ko and Fassala’s wayward daughter was having another ‘fit’ as they called it. Some sort of delusion, perhaps, or a dream she could never shake herself out of. Every time she asked for medical supplies to bring back Pyrrha was shunned or given the bare minimum. It was better than nothing, she supposed, for a friend who asked for nothing in return and yet she wished for more.
What they failed to understand was that her ‘friend’ was an alkidike sister from the mainland. She’d tried to steal herself aboard a yaeli ship in pursuit of the Elaria after they left Chibale and had been quickly found out. Stowaways of any kind were tossed overboard and no amount of ‘sweet talk’ could save her. Apparently she’d even offered coin, but one look at her appearance had been as good as a death sentence. Few yaeli seemed to want to cooperate with the alkidike after what they’d been put through.
So it was that Pyrrha found the near drowned sister washed up on her shore and took her in. Her leg was fractured in more places than the elaria could count, her pulse was erratic, there was a fever...and who could Pyrrha confide in? She’d tried several times to tell the elders that Aisha had sent one of her daughters through the ocean to her, but no one wanted to listen! In her time of need she’d even sought out Nivalis though she hadn’t been able to find her. Who else was there? If she told Pruu she might actually believe her, but then Ko would find out….She’ll murder her before we can even talk to her.
A few weeks had passed since her initial panic. Seeing as she had no visitors it was easy enough to hide her new ‘friend’ away. Finding herbs had been the business of trial and error where in a few times she’d worried she’d killed the woman. One batch of tea had made her guest violently ill for days, another had given her spots as large as her palm, the next had nearly stopped her heart, but finally Pyrrha had found the right stuff! She’d managed to concoct a working fever reducer and even managed to help the poor woman expel the remaining water from her lungs.
Once she’d regained enough of her senses the woman had been able to tell Pyrrha her story, and more importantly, her name.
“I’m Stria.”
Her voice had been so graveled that Pyrrha wondered if her illness had done any lasting damage, but the alk was very quick to prove that no, that was just how she spoke. Physically she was much larger than Pyrrha with muscles heavy enough to make lugging her into the elarian’s little hut difficult. If she seemed off-put by the way Pyrrha spoke, by the oddities found within her beach front hut or even by the disheveled way she dressed, Stria never said anything. She was nothing if not polite to her hostess the entire time she healed and by the end of the month Stria was well enough to walk on her own.
“Zinris is through those trees, right? Straight on?”
“Yes. It’s about half a day's walk. I hope they like you; I do.”
Pyrrha remembered the way she smiled. There was something utterly charming about a woman so large being so genuinely kind. She’d even been gracious enough to wear the flower Pyrrha had given her, tucked away in dreads as thick and dark as the night itself.
That was the last Pyrrha ever saw of Stria.
Weeks passed, then a month, and when Pyrrha went into Zinris for supplies she inquired after her friend. Maybe she’d simply settled down in camp instead of coming back?
As it turned out Stria hadn’t been accepted as openly as Pyrrha hoped. She’d been taken in under strict watch and under the first sign of a slip up told in no uncertain terms that she would be slaughtered. For a while she’d done everything right, but then came the hunt….
Her party had been met with a few yaeli huntsmen and a fight broke out. When Stria hesitated to kill and another sister had instead been forced to step in she hadn’t come back. They deemed her unworthy on the spot and culled her from their numbers. Just like that a soul’s worth had been judged without actually knowing anything about it.
They didn’t wait for Stria to tell her stories of Aisha. They didn’t ask if Stria was versed in more than one weapon (she was just as competent with a bow as she was with swords) and hadn’t cared to learn that she preferred sweet food over sour things. They saw a potential threat, tested it, and nullified the problem. In the eyes of some the situation had been solved but for Pyrrha…
All she could do was feel that sadness like a deep, gaping hole in her chest. Who would be there to listen? If she explained things now to Pruu then her twin would likely condemn her for keeping a threat hidden for so long. If anything this entire ordeal had just reaffirmed every reason Pyrrha had for keeping her distance.
She believed in Elzira and Aisha; believed in the word of the Mystic with a zealous fervor, but Pyrrha just couldn’t stand her elders. Some were more open than others and had earned her respect, but this….this was senseless! Stria shared their beliefs and came so far just to be killed! For what? Hesitating in the hour of her first kill? Who hadn’t been afraid in that moment, when facing down their first earthling and knowing that a life, no matter how base, was about to be taken? Maybe she’d seen the face of an old friend? Or even a lover? No one knew what Stria felt in that moment because they’d killed her before bothering to find out!
“Did you know her?”
Pyrrha looked to the elder before her and was met with an aging alkidike. Her dreads were nearly grey now with a softer look to them. She’d answered all of Pyrrha’s questions to the best of her ability, and yet...she’d managed to look sympathetic while doing so.
“We’re not all heartless. We’ll mourn her loss like any other sister and yet...Many of us have families that need to be protected, and doing this ensures their safety. While I don’t necessarily agree with the harsher sisters she went with I don’t disagree with their actions either. It was a hard decision, but one that had to be made. You’ll understand someday, Pyrrha.”
Maybe.
Maybe she would, but for now Pyrrha just wanted to scream. Maybe the real problem here wasn’t Stria’s softness, but her own. Who was to say she was the right fit to be one of Elzira’s children, anyway? Nivalis? Just because the mystic had faith in her didn’t mean that Pyrrha was fit to stand in her shadow.
Pyrrha turned to head back to her hut. First and foremost she needed sleep and tomorrow....tomorrow she needed to visit Elzira.
[1253] [4]
Painted Moose
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Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2020 6:02 pm
❋Stage 2 Solo 2❋
Pyrrha hadn’t been sleeping well lately. Her nights blended into days and after a while she’d resigned herself to exhaustion. Stria was gone; she needed to accept that, and yet, she really couldn’t. It may have been easier to overlook had she not found out that her own mother, Ko, had been part of the party who brought her down.
She wanted so badly to confront the alkidike on what she’d done, but Pyrrha knew in her heart that it would do little good. What could she say to Ko to make her believe that what she'd done was wrong? What words would be strong enough to express the grief that plagued Pyrrha’s heart? The one time she’d seen Ko since Stria’s death had been in passing, and there had been a look in her eye, something akin to pride, that just made Pyrrha’s heart shrivel up.
How could Fassala ever bond herself with someone like that? Her mother was kind; she saw the cause for what it was and had joined to preserve the purity of their race with as little violence as possible. And yet, she’d still fallen victim to the biggest monster in their world. Even as far away as she was from her mother Pyrrha could still feel Ko’s hand on her shoulder, pulling her back into a rigid training schedule and berating her every step of the way for each misstep. Pruu had thrived under the pressure; she’d carved a niche for herself, but Pyrrha....she was wilting more with each day.
Looking out over the ocean was calming enough to her, which was why she’d built her own little hut on the beach. It kept her close to the things that mattered. Sisterhood, bonding, preserving traditions…not needless slaughter.
Maybe...it was time for a change.
[306] [1]
Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2020 10:08 am
❋Stage 2 Growth Solo❋
The witching hour was upon Pyrrha before she knew it.
From her hut she could hear aggressive slaps as each wave pushed itself further and further up the shore. When looking out through the open doorway all Pyrrha could make out were great crests of ink writhing along the sea, beckoning her further and further from Zinris. Mother Moon, in all of her guidance and light, had turned her back on Pyrrha. With each night that the elaria questioned her purpose on Yael the moon had grown slimmer and slimmer until finally disappearing all together.
And yet, swaddled in darkness as she was, Pyrrha’s soul had never burned so bright.
She knew what needed to be done, but committing to the act was her biggest trial to date. Following her heart was treason, and stepping outside of her hut could very well be a death sentence. If any of the sisters so much as suspected her intentions then they may have been watching her all along, and the moment she slipped....it would all be over.
Nothing in this hut would travel with her; the less she had to pack, the better. All she needed was her bow and a few sturdy arrows, anything else would slow her down. Since Pyrrha was planning on meeting with Kanika and her mother she couldn’t risk drawing attention. What if something clanked or rattled when she moved? That might be all the Amazons’ needed to find them. The fear of being caught was at times completely overwhelming. Pyrrha had never been a confrontational soul, but if she was forced, then what would she do?
Proudly offer her life to atone for the sin of abandoning Zinris, or fight for her right to live the way she chose?
Even now she could see the note she’d left for Pruu, nestled on her cot, along with the necklace her twin had given her so many years ago. Pyrrha wasn’t sure how long it would take Pruu to notice anything was amiss; sometimes the two went weeks without seeing one another and other times it was every day. Even though their lives were vastly different, Pyrrha still felt the same connection that had carried their bond since infancy, and she hoped that Pruu did too. She’d poured her heart into the letter, spoke of Stria and everything that had happened to her, all while telling her twin how much she loved her. If Pruu hates me afterwards, then so be it, but she’ll know. She has to know.
Stria’s death was the catalyst for change. Pyrrha had wilted in an environment so absolute that any errant flower was snipped before it bloomed. She owed so much to the mothers who had given her life, to Elzira who made it happen, and even Myrcella who had tried her hardest to live as proudly as she could.
And yet, Pyrrha couldn’t find it in her to be grateful.
Since she took a backseat to training most assumed she was weak. In all actuality Pyrrha excelled in her classes, when she decided to attend, and found motivation in love and kinship. She’d found all of that with Nivalis. Her friend had pulled her back time and time again when all Pyrrha wanted to do was run. Nivalis was the reason Pyrrha had chosen to be a Sacred Heart, despite an entire village telling her she wasn’t worthy. And yet, over time, that confidence only grew. She’d met Akeldama, Pruu’s girlfriend, and saw a budding love between them. And for a while, she’d thought things were okay.
Then Stria died and Kanika offered an escape.
She offered Pyrrha the chance to go with them, to seek out a new world and a new way of life. At first she hadn’t known what to think, but as time ebbed on Pyrrha knew what she had to do. Leaving home and everything she knew was difficult. The indecision had robbed Pyrrha of sleep for weeks and still ate her subconscious. She feared dying, being caught, disappointing Nivalis, breaking Pruu’s heart….but losing out, that was the biggest fear of all.
There were no guarantees with Kanika. Maybe her other mother, Lumikani, had told her more than Kanika felt safe to share, or maybe she hadn’t said anything at all. Pyrrha just wanted out. She wanted to live in a world that didn’t leave her living alone in a hut on the edge of the village just for peace; she wanted to be happy.
I hope you’ll forgive me one day, Pruu. I love you so much, but I can’t stay here.
With her heart resolved, Pyrrha stepped out into the night.
[783] [The purpose of this solo is to illustrate exactly why Pyrrha wants to leave, despite the risks and her personal ties. This decision doesn't come lightly; up until this point Pyrrha has been happy enough to live on the outskirts of her community. Yet, now that there is a viable option for a better life being dangled in front of her she feels compelled to at least try. ]
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Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 12:54 pm
❋Stage 3 Solo 1❋
Akeldama,
I’m sending this letter to you specifically in the hope that my sister won’t see it. I’m sorry for the deception, but I thought that having a different hand address the letter to you would bring about less suspicion from Pruu. As hopeful as I am to be able to see all of you I cannot help, but to fear for you. The journey here was not an easy one and one I had hoped to spare your daughters until they were old enough to bear its weight. I cannot stop you from coming anymore than I can ask the sun not to rise, but I thought if anyone could keep Pruu at bay for just a little while longer it would be you.
How was she supposed to confess that it wasn’t just her twin’s daughters that she feared for? As badly as Pyrrha’s selfish need to have Pruu by her side was she couldn’t very well put her family at risk for it. While she knew that Pruu and Akeldama would die protecting them could the same be said for anyone else who might follow? Once a few sisters started to make the journey and found it possible more would follow, thus bringing an air of uncertainty into their calm little haven. Pyrrha had to admit that she was loath to have ‘outsiders’ come into their sanctuary. It’s not outsiders, it’s your family. And yet, how much did she really trust them if she couldn't even tell them she had children? Two little girls that meant the world to her and whom she was terrified would get taken from her at any moment? They lived such carefree and happy lives that Pyrrha couldn’t help wondering what they would think of the strangers, of what kind of evil they would unknowingly welcome into their hearts…
I can only imagine what it’s like to hear their laughter and to see their smiles. I am sure that Elzira smiles upon them both with every breath they take. With any luck the girls are giving their mother as much grief as I would were I there, only two fold. Daughters are a blessing and one that I had always hoped to share in.
If only she could tell Akeldama the truth. That her little Enya was as adventurous and spirited as Kanika, with a spirit so empathetic the trees themselves bent to her ear. And little Pyanka...What would they make of it? The simple fact that she had daughters at all in this strange land would be momentous enough, but to know what they were. Would they be happy? Or angry that the seed they took from Elzira had bore fruit?
I think the two of you should have as many daughters as you can. Fill the isle with love and purity. With kindness you can right so many of the wrongs that held us down and with a firm, guiding hand your daughters can help usher in a new world. We’ll never be able to erase the hate that bore us, but we can decide what to do with it.
With that being said I still urge you to practice caution. The moon has been high these past few nights and the stars are active as ever. With any luck that’s a good sign for your travels, but I still fear. If you speak with Pruu about this please don’t let her know it is me who encouraged it. I’m worried that if she knew it might give her even more cause to come.
Sincerely, Pyrrha
She folded the letter carefully and sealed it carefully with a bit of old, molten wax. The color was dark, much darker than anything else she’d sent and with any luck it would look more akin to something a yaeli would send. Whether or not it did any good only time would tell.
Seeing the twin beads sitting primly atop her desk brought a smile to Pyrrha’s face. It was such a sweet, innocent gesture that she felt guilty keeping them a secret from her daughters. More often than not all of her gifts that she’d received had gone to them under the guise of being from her ‘Aunts’ when in all reality the women had no idea they existed. Still, it wasn’t fair to Pyanka and Enya; it wasn’t their fault they were being sheltered. For the time being it was just...safer. At least until they were a little older, a little more prepared to keep themselves safe. Still, Pyrrha was determined not to let any hate or resentment build up inside of them so she told as many stories as she could. Tales of their youth, stories of great warriors and mystical creatures, of cousins across the sea who wanted so very badly to meet them….
She had to wonder who was older; her daughters or Pruu’s? How would they get along? Would they be fast friends or as different from one another as they had been as children? Any time they wanted to send gifts back Pyrrha had to fashion them in such a way so that it would look as if she sent them or at the very least, a local, and that bit hurt her. What she wouldn’t give to be able to say ‘yes, this painted leather was made by my precious Enya! Isn’t she talented?!’ instead of ‘would you look at what this craftsman made!’. One day she would be able to say it proudly, but today just simply wasn’t it...
[3] [940]
Posted: Sun May 23, 2021 2:15 pm
❋Stage 3 Solo 2❋
Ever since her daughter’s had grown just old enough to prefer some sort of independence over clinging to their mothers’ Pyrrha had taken to her wanderings again. She never went especially far, choosing to stay just close enough should Kanika or the girls have need of her, but distant enough that she could have her space. Pyrrha had never been one for the confines of a village and spending so much time around the other Elaria was...taxing, on a good day. She loved her ‘sisters’, her cousins, and her new family beyond words, but it could be very overstimulating if she wasn’t careful. The pressure to perform that had pushed her away from Yael would often creep back into her mind and it was then that Pyrrha chose to go on a long walk. While her daughters had been young the walk itself would only last for a few hours, but as they aged she’d taken to being gone longer. Sometimes for a day or so, sometimes longer, and she gave Kanika the opportunity whenever she chose to take it.
More often than not Pyrrha would simply venture into the swamps or, on days like today, she would go to Mea’ai. The older Hapuna had become something of a staple in Pyrrha’s life. She was kind in a way that no other elder had ever been and her knowledge of the reef was second to known. She knew of the other cultures, of course, but not enough that Pyrrha would have consulted her for that sort of knowledge. Instead, Pyrrha simply chose to visit Mea’ai when her mind started drifting into darker territory simply to hear the old women tell stories.
Sometimes her grandchildren were there and sometimes they weren’t. Regardless, Mea'ai would spin tales of great warriors, exotic locations and spirits that had long since returned to the sea. The warriors in her stories were just as valiant as those in the plethora Pyrrha had grown up on and yet there was less of an emphasis on bloodshed. Mea’ai’s warriors fought for love, out of misunderstandings and rivalries but they always had happy endings with both parties benefitting. Rarely did her stories end in tragedy, but even when they did it somehow worked out for one party. In the stories her own mother told the warriors would skin earthlings alive and make armor out of their bones. Of course, not every Elarian mother had been as zealous, but Kou was...as loyal to her cause as one could be.
She brought these stories home to her daughters. These were the sorts of tales that she wanted to fill their hearts with and anytime they asked to hear it from the source she was happy enough to bring them to Mea’ai. After all, what did Pyrrha have to fear from the older Hapuna? In many ways she treated the Elidae like her own grandchildren even though so many of her tribe were still coming around to the idea of sharing their home with the others. It was something pure, something good and in Pyrrha’s eyes she couldn’t expose the girls to it enough.
Maybe Kanika and her family wanted them to grow up strong. Maybe they wanted independent girls who would hold their own and face a thousand dangers without fear! All Pyrrha wanted was for them to be happy. If they turned into lazy slobs she would only shake her head and smile because in a way that was happiness. It meant they didn’t have to fight for their place in the world and that she’d done her part as a parent to ensure they were safe. In so many ways she was grateful to have a partner like Kanika in that respect; someone a little harsher to temper her softer parenting style. They could both spoil, they could both be stern when needed, but their unique personalities would hopefully mesh in a way that their daughters would turn out just fine.
[2] [676]
Painted Moose
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Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2021 5:09 pm
❋Stage 3 Growth Solo❋
[For years Pyrrha has been terrified of her mother, Kou. That fear has dissipated since moving and becoming a mother herself, but it never truly went away. Now that the demon from her past has threatened her future Pyrrha has to make a hard decision that will come with lasting mental scars, but ultimately a more secure world for her daughters to grow up in.]
Pyrrha had never once imagined that she would ever see Kou again in her lifetime let alone the shore of her island.
Several scouts had spread news of an older alkidike that disembarked from an earthling trader’s vessel some days ago. Since she had yet to make her way toward her cousins they understandably grew curious. Was she some sort of mainlander, simply investigating the Kahikina or was she from Zinris? And if she was, what were her intentions? At first Pyrrha had only given the stories passing interest. Raising two daughters and tending to her ‘duties’ was enough to keep the Elaria preoccupied. It was only when the woman’s description rang several mental bells that Pyrrha grew cautious. A taller alkidike, with broad shoulders and several defining scars. Her markings weren’t remarkable, vague lines and shapes, but a set across her cheeks reminded several of the elaria of Pyrrha..
That night Pyrrha had snuck away to see for herself who this interloper was. There was a strong possibility that this wasn’t the demon from her nightmares, but just in case she’d brought her bow.
Mother Moon, in all of her guidance and light, had turned her back on Pyrrha once more. The moon’s glow had disappeared all together, leaving the porous earth swamped in what seemed to be eternal darkness. And still, Pyrrha had never burned brighter. She crept along the ground, pushing further and further into unknown territory, until she was on an unused stretch of shoreline. The current came too fast, the stones were too sharp, and neither ship nor swimmer could stand the cold.
Tracking the woman’s very obvious trail had been easy; standing a few feet away from her, however….
Kou was older than Pyrrha could have ever imagined. Her shoulders which had once been strong enough to move mountains now looked broken under the weight of her sins. When she turned to face her daughter Pyrrha could see darkness under her eyes that spoke of the same sort of restlessness that plagued her. When she’d been younger Kou was as tall as Elzira herself, but now...she looked akin to a wispy horror and nothing more.
“I knew you’d find me. All I had to do was wait.”
“Why did you come here?” The question may have been vocalized, but they both knew why. Kou had unfinished business; she’d made that clear the moment she walked out onto this sand with her swords at her sides.
For that very reason Pyrrha never let go of her arrow.
“If I would have known what sort of stain you were going to be on this family I would have smashed your head against a rock the moment the elders handed you to us.” Kou crept forward, slowly drawing her swords from their sheaths. Pyrrha took a half step back, knocking an arrow as she went. “I had hoped the journey here would kill you and the rest of those traitors, but you just couldn’t die!”
Instead of answering her, Kou rushed forward. With a great cry she raised her blades and might have struck Pyrrha’s shoulder if the other hadn’t dodged. Despite her age the experienced warrior was fast. Fear caused Pyrrha’s heartbeat to meld with the roar of the waves around them as she fled for her life. Everytime she bounced out of the way Kou was there, the bite of steel singing past Pyrrha close enough to graze. Time and time again her skin was nicked, but never truly cut. At this point the only thing giving Pyrrha an advantage was her experience with the terrain. She could maneuver with far more assurance than Kou, whose feet kept sinking at the wrong time in the sand. When Pyrrha was finally given the chance she turned and ran straight for a nearby bank.
“YOU CAN’T RUN FOREVER, PYRRHA!”
Kou was right; she couldn’t run forever.
But then again, she wasn’t.
Pyrrha pulled herself up onto the bank as fast as possible and without even raising from her crouch the archer performed a half spin to pop off a shot. Her arrow sank deep into the flesh of Kou’s left thigh, but the pain wasn’t enough to bring the warrior down. She kept advancing, quite possibly gaining fury from the attack. Pyrrha attacked again and again until each of Kou’s limbs had an arrow embedded in it. Only then did the alkidike seem to falter and stutter to a stop.
At this point she was at the bottom of the bank glaring up at Pyrrha with years of unchecked fury in her deep, dark eyes. There was nothing there for her. Nothing she was saying in that moment mattered and thus, Pyrrha tuned it all out. She could see the woman’s lips moving, but it just….seemed to fade away. This creature that she’d called ‘mother’ for so long was nothing more than a shame. Aisha hadn’t wanted her, Elzira blessed her with daughters who could care less for her and as far as Pyrrha knew her own mate had abandoned her.
“If either of us is a disgrace it’s you.” Pyrrha snarled. “You took the pure love of a goddess and twisted it to suit your own ideals. You should have been celebrating the diversity of oth-”
“CELEBRATING WHAT?! All I ever wanted was daughters to make me proud, but now I’ve got you wretches. Once I’m done with you I’ll go find those little brats you call daughters and-”
“What?!”
Through her pain Kou’s smirk only grew. “You think I wouldn’t find out? I’ve known about the elidae and I know I’ll probably be killed before I can wipe them all out, but so long as I take out your spawn then I’ll consider that a victory.”
Pyrrha’s hands shook with....rage? Fear? She couldn’t name it, exactly, but all she knew was that in an instant it was all consuming. It was enough that this beast should seek her out, but her daughters?! In an instant Pyrrha was on her feet, an arrow knocked and pointed directly at Kou’s head.
The older alkidike simply laughed. “You’re not going to kill me; you don’t have it in yo-”
Before she could finish her statement Pyrrha let go of the arrow, and for good measure, shot two additional arrows as well. By the time the body hit the sand the elarian’s body was shaking. Molten tears were streaming down her cheeks and the sight of Kou’s lifeless corpse ripped a scream out of Pyrrha. It was just...it was just so much! Years of fear, shame and a sense of loss just….came barrelling out of her all at once…
This woman had been prepared to murder her innocent granddaughters and for what? Because they didn’t fit some outdated extremist ideal?! It’s for the best...what you did is for the best… And yet, while Pyrrha sank to her knees and sobbed she couldn’t bring herself to feel it.
A drastic measure had to be taken to ensure the safety of not only her daughters, but those of her sisters and cousins. Pyrrha had done her part to keep them all safe and that….was something she would just have to live with.
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