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 Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:47 pm
Oqaia sat next to the firepot, having just knelt down to free a chunk of meat from the stew. It was in her mouth, now, rolling around and releasing the heady flavors of gypsy herbs. Marissa had gathered quite a stock, and the way it enhanced the flavors of their sparse meat stores was phenomenal.
She kept her eyes on the circle of wagons- the one she'd summoned with a note upon her wagon door... with instructions to bring her Fortunette... would likely be along soon. At least, Oqaia hoped that was so. She had learned much since she'd joined the caravan... but she still did not have the far-seeing abilities of her half-sister. Perhaps she never would. But it didn't bother her overly much... the girl supposed she'd be frightened, being able to read the future.
In preparation for the coming, Oqaia doused the fire. Smoke floated up through the air, protesting the death of the embers.
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:56 pm
Altaira had been surprised and please to find the note, and just a little bit anxious. She'd gone to read and think alone, and was worried she was now late. Stowing the book away any which way in the cart, she moved towards Oqaia hurriedly. The half-gypsy offered her usual shy smile.
"Good evening Oqaia." The flint was in her hand, where it fit smugly and always was such a comfort to the wary girl. No need to worry, surely nothing was wrong, else she'd have come found you Al, not leave a note...
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 1:59 pm
"Good evening Altaira," the pink-haired woman said pleasantly. "Sorry to leave a note instead of sticking around, but I wanted to have some of the stew before the leftovers were fed to the animals. Sit down. Would you like some?" She held up the wooden ladle in offering, then put it back in the pot and continued to speak.
"How have you been? I'm glad you still have the flint."
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:04 pm
"I'm fine, thankyou and no worries." She sat down as well, pushing her curtain-like hair out her face for once rather than hiding away. As usual now she was actually talking to someone, she settled down. Such a worrywart.
"I've been well, it's been wonderful to travel with others again. If I hadn't be told this flint was a Fortunette, I'd have sworn it was a good luck charm." Fingers stroked over the dark and scarred surface. Odd, Altaira thought, how much she loved a lump of rock.
"You've been fairing well too?"
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:14 pm
Oqaia beamed. "Oh, yes, thank you. Fairing as well as can be expected. All these new Fortunettes, all these strange happenings- it just makes everything so exciting, don't you think?"
She pulled from the pocket in her skirt a collection of stones. "Speaking of exciting... the meij has called for your Fortunette's growth." She looked into Altaira's eyes. "Don't worry." Then she cast three runes to the earth, and knelt down to examine them.
"Well, this one is wholeness. This... passion, and the other- uncertainty. Looking at how they're placed... and what they mean in conjunction with each other..." She paused, surprised. "Well, that's surprising. I thought this would be more... dangerous, considering the element. This says, basically- that your son craves... belonging, craves to have some use. To find peace and power." Oqaia looked up. "He will be very passionate in what he does- and it looks like all you will have to do to coax him to his next form is to give him some sense of being whole, of belonging."
She looked at the decoratively carved fire-starter in Altaira's hands. It had deep grooves in it... claw-marks, almost.
"Use the starter to make a fire."
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:23 pm
"Oh." Altaira's heart swelled with happiness. Had she been a singer, she'd probably have sung. The news was getting better and better, first of her Fortunette's coming growth, and for his readings... Her son. Those words hit home. She'd been so lonely, had longed for some more friends and family. Wished for it even. A son!
She knelt down and got out her tinder box, letting her usual flint alone. She had not dared use her deer flint to start a fire before. Getting out some kindling, placing the sticks just so. She could have restarted one already made but just a small fire, just for him.
In her excitement it took her a few minutes to get the sparks going. Al blew and smiled as a tiny flame licked the wood. The fire had started, even if it was not yet strong. She'd get it going if needs be - fingers stroked the flint again, happily.
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:28 pm
The tiniest of flames licked the wood, caressing it with its warmth. But it was enough to show the piece of flint that it was real- that it was useful... and that it was ready to enter the world. Far, far to the east- the Stone Mountain Bobcats had descended into the gypsy villages, and one had marred this piece of beautiful artwork. Or, at least, so it seemed. Truly, those iron-clawed creatures had blessed it- for the spirit of the meij had chosen that object to become, and now- to transform, in a swirl of yellow and red light- not unlike a flame itself.  ((Massive, I know. XD))
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:39 pm
((He's lovely, hardly matters. X3))
The fire was forgotton as the bobcat appeared, startling his mother a little - for like other's she'd half expected a stag to come from the deer shaped flint. A lesson in not taking things by their outward appearences. Altaira reached out to stroke down his back, cautious but pleased that after one moments stiffening, the bobcat seemed to enjoy the touch.
Golden eyes looked up at her and grey eyes stared straight back. He had her now, and she had him. It was that simple. They were family, the meij be praised.
"Thankyou Oqaia." A smile that wasn't shy, just overjoyed, turned her way.
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