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 Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 2:41 pm
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Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:12 am
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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2014 10:48 pm
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Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2014 2:16 pm
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 4:28 pm
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 4:41 pm
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2014 11:52 pm
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:33 pm
How Far the Apple Falls
Samoset often wondered why he was always the last person to leave the house in the morning, unlike his sloppy brother who woke up before the crack of dawn. He supposed he liked the scent of his pillow and the warmth of his bed a little more than the others. The comforting feeling of blankets was much better than the savory waves of breakfast billowing through his door, no matter if he was hungry or not. It was if he equated this comfort to something else, something larger and warmer. It was always when he began to emerge from this ball of warmth that he would feel disappointed and, briefly, sad. He wanted to stay in bed, but in yet, he did not. And, so, he would clamor out and allow his blankets to fall upon the floor, and rub at his eyes as he padded down the corridor.
Early morning wasn't his favorite time, especially if it were raining. It was when shadows found it best to cling to the corners and wiggle towards his feet as if to swallow him whole. He knew that these fears were simply nonsense, but the child behind the front would cringe and tuck away, longing to crawl back to his room again. Back to the good feelings of warmth and comfort. But, as much as he wanted to crawl away, he also knew that he had a purpose. Another self, one slightly younger, who needed to be pursued.
Where was his brother, the first question posed like the sound of an alarm clock chiming away, to which was always paid little attention to. Frustrating feelings of anger and resentment would blare in response to this, earning sighs and tumble rubs from the others in the room as he lumbered across the floor. Kennet needed to be kept in line, Kennet needed this, Kennet needed that, again and again, even as he ate and gathered his clothes, until there was no one left to listen to him anymore. The house would grow quiet and dark, much like his room when he woke, and he, too, would sigh. During this part of the morning he often had a piece of fruit in his hand, which he would gnaw on and crush until he felt he was ready to move along. Where were his sandals? His arrows? He had things to do and places to be, even if that wasn't entirely so.
Sunlight was welcome, as well as the sight of people towards mid-morning, and training was like playtime. Though his skills with his arrows weren't the best, or to be honest, not even close to where he should be for his age, he reveled in the chatter of the women all around him. He found them wiser and noble, like princesses of the forest, walking around with their heads held high and their weapons clanging at their hips. Their hair, like his, black and dreaded, told stories to him without words. Graying and beaded or short and kept in bow, it didn't matter the style, it was all for the glory of Aisha, and to show gratitude for all that she had done.
Towards noon, when it was time to part for lunch, he'd cling to his usual group and wander alongside them through the trees. It was time to show off his skills, or lack there of, and earn attention in the form of snickers and eye rolls as he missed all his targets. Part of him knew that they meant to make fun of him and would dent inwards as a result, but another part of him would relish in the attention, something he felt he never got enough of at home. The darkness of the forest liked to distract him, however, and his thoughts would turn back to his brother, and to the face of another similar man. Had anyone seen his father today, he'd ask, hope in his eyes, only to be crushed again by a resounding no from his group. They'd return to training shortly thereafter, his heart a little heavier than before.
Afternoon melded into evening and, like devils in disguise, the shadows would come crawling back. It was time to hunt down Kennet, if he hadn't already made it back home for dinner, and argue with him about how his lack of training attendance made him a dissenter. Hair pulling, punching, even bites to the shoulder, there was no fair game in an argument with Kennet, but it had to be done daily, in hopes that repetition was the key to getting him to listen. Kennet would arrive home first and sprint to his room, leaving Samoset with the remaining dinner chores to handle on his own. Soon enough, it would be dinner, and it was back to his room for the night once more.
Samoset often wondered why he was the last person to go the bed at night, unlike his stupid brother who seemed to pass out right after eating. He supposed he followed after his father, Yaholo, in ensuring the safety of his family before turning in for the night. Locking the doors time and time again was a thing he'd seen him do more times than not, no matter if he was tired or not. It was if he equated bed time to something else, something more sinister and troubling. He would never turn in unless he'd checked each room at least twice and kissed each forehead goodnight. And, so, Samoset would do the same each night until he returned home. It was what he would have wanted, right?
(Word count: 936)
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:39 pm
Heights
There wasn't much he could do when it happened, the fluttering in his chest. The way it blew into his lungs and caused the leaves to shine made it all the more appealing, further silencing him under it's trance-like grandeur. The curve of her smile, the glint in her eyes. She was different than the others, special and precious, like the sound of an arrow knocking a fresh apple down from it's branch. A satisfying sound, a sweet melody... Perfection from the very embodiment of it. Aisha had taken her time upon the her features and curves, he longed to trail his hands along them and allow her to overtake him as if he were a toy. Her hands upon his skin, her hair dangling at the crook of his jaw, yes... Fantasies, crisp, beautiful fantasies. How he longed for them to bear fruit in reality.
It proved to be useless, his attempts of getting her off of his mind, in all senses of the action. Beneath the canopy of trees or against the light of the moon, her sweet expression lingered in his vision like the scent of a fresh lotus blossom in the springtime. He'd sigh about it frequently and allow himself a pause against a tree, but ever true to his pride, he'd never let it slip past his lips. Pursed or relaxed, pouted or parted in a grin, it was his secret and his secret alone that she was his reason for his fervent training. He wanted, so desperately, to catch up to her. Her height, her speed, her aim, and take his chance while walking at her side in her stride as well. Of course, there was Kennet as well, who'd somehow managed to surpass him well before he would have liked him to. But, with that aggression and disappointment aside, it was her who drove him ever forward along his path. Everything he managed to hit with his arrows felt like a new peg along the ladder, and it was only logical that he'd make it to the top eventually. He'd get there alright, just not as fast as he'd like.
During the morning he'd find himself idly lingering by the water and place his thoughts within the eyes of his reflection, where he felt they'd ripple away with the twirl of his finger like a mage would do a fire with a spell of water, and he'd be done with it all. But, as he had seen with his father at a young age, these things weren't so easily erased. In fact, along that train of thought, they were impossible to dent, let alone erase. Love was a tattoo, a permanent alteration to the self that showed in the reflection as well. A glimmer in the eye, the fluttering of a heart, it was all connected somewhere among the mangled mess that was his being, and it was a thing that would remain in place. No matter the disturbance, it stayed. You could add all the pebbles you wanted and build yourself a tower to keep from having to deal with it, but eventually, it would find a way to sneak through the cracks, like water through the spaces between a pile of rocks. It seemed the only way to go was forward, unless you were the sort to run in the face of danger, which was something he wasn't quite sure of yet. Was this a dangerous thing, his feelings for her? It felt similar enough, but not quite the same as fleeing for your life. As the day would pull it's way along, he would wonder, pebble in hand, if this fear was really fear at all. But, if it wasn't fear, then what was it?
Maybe one day soon he could abandon his tower and walk as her equal, in love and in status, he'd decide after dinner. Yes. He could, one day. Just... Not tomorrow, or the next, or the week after next. He'd learn the same control and poise his father had adapted to and be an equal. He'd grow tall, strong, and stand as if he'd always been there instead of wandering underneath her gaze like a youngling strolling with their mother. Sure, the view from below was nice, but he knew that things like respect and acceptance were at the highest rung. The fruits of his labor were waiting for him, all he had to do was let himself grow.
(Word count: 744)
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 2:48 pm
Class Affinity: Taking Back What's Ours
"Are you kidding ME?"
"I'm afraid not." The elder explained, her arm draped impatiently around her food basket. "Earthlings have already swept through this area and taken most of what it had to offer, Samoset. You'll need to go further into the woods if you want to gather anything good."
The hybrid made a sour face and clenched his fists. Damn those stupid Earthlings, didn't they know what was reserved for the Alkidike? They really were a stupid bunch of creatures, weren't they? He paid the elder a nod and turned his attention to the barren trees behind him. Not a single ripe, clean fruit was left upon their branches, a sight that sent waves of fury up his spine. It wasn't for them, he thought, his back arching forward. It was for his Sisters and his family, not for the greedy hands of the Earthlings! He moved through the area slowly and kicked at a half-eaten apple that lay along the path. Disgraceful, they couldn't even finish what they'd taken! Wasteful, disgusting, UGH! That apple could have been for his cousins or himself, but NO, now it lay half-eaten and covered in dirt like it had no purpose. He hoped whoever had stolen the food had fallen in a ditch somewhere by now or keeled over from having such full stomachs. It would make them all the more easy to catch!
It took him a bit to calm himself down enough to move away from the scene and continue into the forest, but the urge to catch those responsible still lingered in his mind. He scanned his surroundings like a predator, his arrows at ready by his side, and hoped he'd catch someone along the way. However, as he neared the next patch of fruit trees, his antennae stuck straight out and began to wiggle around. He was being watched. He quickly readied his bow, got into position, and leaped into the area.
"I've caught you red handed!" He exclaimed, aiming his bow towards a rustling bush. "These trees are for the Alkidike and the Alkidike only! Show yourself!"
The area fell silent as the rustling of the bush paused and quickly resumed, before a tiny, dark hand shuffled out from inside. Samoset watched cautiously as a child, no more than three years of age, padded their way out and looked to him through their matted silver hair. A... Toddler? There was no way that a child of their size could take all of that food for themselves. He inched forward, keeping his posture, and inspected them. They were certainly shifter, but judging by the lack of whites in their eyes and stubby antennae, they were obviously half-Alkidike as well. It was then that he knelt down and gave the child a pat on the head.
"You're just a youngling, aren't you?" He said, shaking his head. "Where's your mother, sweetheart? I can take you back to her if you're lost."
The child tilted it's head at the sound of Samoset's voice, as if they didn't understand what he was saying, which drew a sigh from his lips. So, they weren't old enough to talk, huh? Well, that was useful. How was he supposed to get them back to their family now? He turned and leaned his elbow on his knee, before the child made a sudden move and wrapped it's arms around his shoulders.
"Hey, whoa!" He exclaimed, startled. "You okay? Why are you so..."
Suddenly, a barrage of stones flew over his head and skimmed through his antennae. He jolted up from his position and armed himself, his body tensing up again.
"Alright, show yourselves!" He called, his eyes settling upon a silver form just beyond the trees. "I see you there, coward!"
He lunged into a sprint and followed his attacker around the trees, before managing to corner them near a stream. A Shifter girl, about his age, unarmed and covered in dirt. He scoffed, spat, and kept his aim upon her before slowly creeping towards her.
"You aren't welcome here, Shifter." He seethed. "These trees are for my tribe, not for you greedy, ungrateful, pigs!"
The girl narrowed her gaze and spat in Samoset's face, before trying to flee across the stream. However, before she could make it half-way, Samoset struck her with two arrows, one for each ankle, and sent her sputtering into the stream. Blood from her wounds bled out into the stream and splashed against Samoset's feet as he made his way over, another arrow aimed straight for the back of her head.
"Stupid." He spat, kicking her in the side. "Nothing but stupid, useless, disgraces! I don't know why we put up with half of you! Always taking what is rightfully ours..."
He watched the girl as she turned her head up towards him and snarled, to which he retorted to with another swift kick to her back. He let out a laugh as she coughed, sputtered, and attempted to regain her bearings, before noticing a familiar face peering through the bushes. The child from before had followed them? He had to commend it, he supposed, they were clearly a hardy child for their age for it to be able to track them this far. He paused, offering the child a slightly proud smile.
It was then that he was knocked to his knees by another assailant. He flung himself to the side, growled, and took a good look at the male who had seemingly appeared from nowhere. This man was quite tall, lean, and armed with a bow and arrow, all things that Sam didn't pay any mind to. The girl had scrambled to her feet and nestled herself smugly behind the male, before prompting him to further assault Samoset. Samoset stepped back as the man approached him and readied his arrows, only to pause as the child from before came sprinting out of the bushes and stood between them.
"What are you doing?" Samoset cried, lowering his weapon. "Get out of the wa-"
His sentence cut off as the child was shoved to the ground by the taller male and snarled at. Gradually, his posture tensed and his eyes narrowed into a death glare. How... How could you just throw a child around like that? He growled. NO. A child of Aisha! That youngling was half Alkidike, something more precious than these filthy Shifters could ever dream of comprehending! At this point he didn't care if they knew the child personally or not, they didn't deserve to be around them, they were worthless, pitiful things that needed to be punished! He lunged forward and fired arrow after arrow in a blind, crazed rage, until he was certain that the other male, and the girl, were nothing more than motionless bodies on the side of the road.
----
"Ah, I see you've found some good fruit, Samoset." His elder said when he came back to Andile, before her eyes fell upon the sleeping child in his arms. "...Where did you find that child?"
"I had quite an adventure, Elder." Samoset replied, setting his bundle of fruit on the ground. "This poor Sister was all alone in the forest when I found her. I was going to return her to her mother, but I got ambushed. You can be assured that I've taken care of them, though. There shouldn't be any further problems."
The elder fell silent, her eyes still lingering upon the child, and eventually nodded. Samoset took this as silent affirmation and smiled to himself. Of course he'd done the right thing. Those Shifters got what they deserved and this little Sister was rescued from a life away from the truth and love of Mother Aisha. He continued to smile the rest of the day, even when he had to say good bye to the child. They would now grow up to be a proper warrior and help pave the way for the expansion of the Alkidike in the future. What could be a better life than that?
(Word count: 1339)
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Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 10:20 pm
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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2014 2:41 pm
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 9:35 pm
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2014 5:49 pm
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 4:00 pm
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