Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ingwe was packing up what small amounts of stuff he had. He couldn’t stay here anymore not after what he’d done! The villagers said they forgave him…. But they were just saying that. He’d stampeded (on accident) a Gani herd right through town! Sure most of the buildings survived and no one got hurt... but the damage to the gardens and few shops that were on the ground! He felt so guilty over it. Why had he even done that stupid act of trying to ride a Gani? Oh wait... it’d seemed like a fun idea at the time... and he was being dared... and that cute Delani had been watching…..

He shook his head as he grabbed his pack and left a note on his bed for his mother to find before leaving from his window. Next time I’ll just say no! He hoped he’d be able to resist the urge to show off and do reckless things.. His track record so far wasn’t impressive so he had a feeling he’d probably give in…

They may have said he was forgiven but he couldn’t forgive himself for what he’d caused. I shall leave that way my mistakes don’t hurt my tribe anymore! And maybe by traveling I can grow up and becoming a real man! He thought as he landed on the ground and headed out. I’ll come back all grown up and responsible!

The sky was barely light as he fled his village to head south towards the cliffs. He knew his da lived somewhere this way… Might as well see where my old man lives, he thought to himself. See why he isn’t with ma in our village!
Every month for about a week, he and his mother would leave the village to go wander the wilderness gathering herbs, crystals, hunting… and seeing his father. They’d head south to meet him at the arranged spot and then go west of east but never back north towards his village or south… I’ll head south! Ingwe thought, see what’s down there and maybe find out where Da lives!

Ingwe set off, running in a ground eating pace; his long legs stretching out eagerly, bare feet hitting the rocks and soft sands between the tall sharp crystals and grass with practiced ease. Dawn lit the eastern sky and dyed the high scattered trailing clouds a pale pink and vivid gold and he slowed to enjoy the sight for a few moments before rushing off again. As the sun rose above the horizon, the shadows of the tall grasses and clusters of trees stretched out to stripe the landscape in gold and black; Ingwe’s shadow ran with him, a huge thin giant along the ground weaving in and out of other shadows. Dawn and dusk were fun times to be out in for Ingwe; he loved the way the land looked with the changing light and shadows and the vivid colors that tinged the sky.
As he headed further south the forest opened up to become more savannah like, just as it was further north in Tale. At noon he rested and looked about; this was new territory for him. Around midmorning he had passed the meeting place where he and his mother would meet his father. They usually went east or west to spend their days gathering stuff and spending time as a family, so he did not know the landmarks, but something told him to keep going south… his father had always come from the south so that must be where he lived! Ingwe finished his lunch, mostly packed stuff from home and headed off at a slower pace. Now he traveled cautiously, he could hear a river nearby and that meant food... and more predators! He had his small hunting horn so that he could call for help... but he didn’t know if there’d be anyone out here to save him should he get hurt! He knew how to use the small knife… but what hood was a knife against a Witu or Lirith that struck from behind with little warning? No, he would have to rely upon stealth himself.

As he walked, he spotted patches of herbs, things he knew his mother used for medicine, tubers, berries… These he collected some of. If I do run into someone, I can trade for stuff, he thought with a smile as his pack filled up. Like a spear or something so I can hunt for meat. He was humming softly to himself, digging up tasty thick tubers for his dinner when he heard something behind him. He whirled and stared out at the still grass about him, heart pounding. Had a predator found him? Liriths normally didn’t attack earthlings... but then he was alone and not the tallest yet… Witu’s could and did hunt his kind….
“Ingwe?” He heard a familiar voice say in a surprised voice.

“….Da?” He asked hesitantly as he scanned the area…. Where’d the voice come from? It sounded like his Da!

“What,” Gibeli, his father stood up a few feet from him, spear in his hand; “are you doing here?”

“Um… I left my village….” He said nervously. Da didn’t look too happy to see him. What’s he hiding? Why does he not live with us, Ingwe thought again.

His father sighed and then smiled sadly. “I figured I’d have a few more years before you tried following me… But why did you leave?”

Ingwe hated telling lies but also didn’t want to admit what he’d done. It was embarrassing! But eventually his better side won; “…I tried riding a Gani and ended up stampeding the whole herd through the village.”

Gebeli looked shocked than laughed, his hand reached out to clap Ingwe on the back. “You really are a scamp! Next time you ride a Gani... keep yourself between them and the village so they run the other way!”
Ingwe was a little shocked at this; no anger? Just.. laughter? His father grinned.

“It happens more often than you think! Boys dare each other to do it all the time.” His grin vanished and he sighed. “Now what to do?” He muttered to himself. Ingwe frowned and figured his Da was hiding something from him… Like the honest and upfront person he was, he spoke his mind.

“Da, why don’t you live with us? And why do I get the feeling you don’t want me here?”

“They’re the same reason.” Gebeli said with another sigh as he came over to sit next to Ingwe. “Can’t marry your mother as I’m already married…. ”

“Wait! What?!” Ingwe was startled; his da was married? Did that mean he was the illegitimate child? He reached out and said the one question that bubbled up in his mind. “Why?”

“My brother is chief… and I was married to secure an alliance….”

Ingwe just stared at the man he’d called father and loved till now. “Then what are we? What’re Ma and I to you? Just… something to pass the time?” He asked angrily. Mother loved this man! And he was just using her!

“No! No.” Gebeli said loudly. “No, I truly love your mother… and you. If I could you think I’d stick around in my loveless marriage? The tribe demands it… and it is my duty…”

“Does Ma know?” Ingwe asked suspiciously. He’d never thought that this would be why his Da wasn’t with them… ANd wasn't it his duty to be with his family? His son and the woman he said he loved?

“Yes.” He looked at Ingwe and smiled sadly. “We’d met before my marriage… I tried to stay away but…. Well..” He shrugged. “It’s hard to stay away from a beautiful woman who stole your heart…”

“It’s wrong!” Ingwe burst out. “You know what people say about Ma in my tribe? All cause you’re not there? And now I find out that you… you’re married? Choose one! You’re just hurting us and that wife of yours I bet!” He grabbed his bag and ran. How dare his Da not be the man he’d always thought he was! How dare he be a cheating man just playing with his mother!

"Wait! Ingwe!" His father called out.

But Ingwe ran on, angry tears in his eyes. How dare this man say those things! Duty? Married? This wasn't what he'd come here to see!

meets Serr~

Ingwe woke up, sore from last night’s activity. He blushed just thinking about what Talin done. I’m a perv aren’t I? He thought as he pulled on the pants. He glared at the holed that exposed most of his upper thighs. I’ve gotta patch these up… Talin’s too quick to use them. He flushed as he recalled those caressing hands and .

He looked around; speaking of which… where was Talin? He didn’t see the older wind man about, something he had mixed feelings about. On one hand he was glad of the respite, a chance to try and gather his thoughts, think over what he’d done, been talked into, and the events that’d happened in the rain drenched groove.

But on the other hands, he could feel a sort of disappointment that Talin hadn’t been there when he awoke. I wonder if he just… used me and left? He shook his head as that thought popped up; Talin had mentioned a group… so unless he’d lied about all sorts of things (which was possible) then I don’t think that’s true. I mean… Talin’s a nice guy right? At least... I thought so… Course I’m not exactly unbiased; he thought with a wry smile as he finished wrapping up his bandages. Talin could have convinced me to do anything last night… which, another blush stained Ingwe’s tanned skin, he did. Jeeze, he thought as he felt his body react to the memories and his thoughts. How can one person distract me so much? I can't even think about him without getting aroused...

“Drat, you’re awake.” Came a soft purred voice that slid over his skin like silk. Ingwe felt a thrill of heat pass through him as Talin snuck up behind him and slid his hands through the holes to run down Ingwe’s thighs. “And dressed, mores the pity.”

“Talin!” He squeaked in surprise, relief that he hadn’t been duped flooding thourgh him as he flushed at the touch.

“Thought I’d leave after such a lovely night?” Ingwe saw those pale blue eyes gleam as Talin smirked at him. “And here I was hoping for a repeat performance this morning.” Ingwe’s breath caught as Talin kissed his neck.

“No—not completely.” He said breathlessly; relieved and disappointed as Talin withdrew and didn’t follow up on his threat of a repeat performance.
“Um… what about the... stealing thing?” He asked hesitantly, wanting to know more about what he was getting into. He knew he’d join, he’d already agreed the night before and Ingwe was not one to back out of a promise.

His heart flipped a Talin tossed a smirk his way and grabbed a bag he’d not noticed from some bushes. “I’m taking you with me there. The group should be done with their town shenanigans… And if they aren’t well.” His eyes lit up and Ingwe fought to keep from flushing more at the obvious lust in that gaze. “I’m sure I can find something to do.”

“As for what it’s about: we strike only Oban caravans and merchants who’ve got a bad rep. It’s a small group so we’ve got to use stealth, ambushes, and tactics to win.” He held out a scarf that matched the one wrapped about his own head.
Ingwe took it with a questioning look.
“Tis a sign you’re part of the group. We all wear one.”

He smiled a bit; part of a group was nice… And what they did sounded like a good thing; taking from those who had too much or were bad people! He could do that! And I can always give my part of the spoils to those who need it, he thought. I’d feel guilty just taking the stuff….

“Um… I .. I think I can help out… but I’m not too good with weapons or hunting.” He confessed as he draped the scarf across his neck and shoulders. “I can set snares but….”

He held out his hands; the only weapon he did know how to use.

“That won’t be a problem at all;” Ingwe looked up at Talin as the older man approached him. “We’ve got enough hunters to feed us all. You’ll also get some lessons… I can teach you some fighting techniques I know from my own training in Sauti, but the others will be there to help you.” He grinned and Ingwe blushed. “Of course… I do want you in my bed, lover boy. Last night was just a taste of what I plan to do with you!”

Ingwe gave him a smile, trying to match the confidence; “I—I’d like that a lot, Talin… Um… Didn’t know I liked guys…. But... you--.” He blushed and stammered to a halt. Talin merely laughed and kissed him passionately.

This will be interesting, Ingwe thought through the desire Talin woke in him. I wonder if this is love? If so… guess I can see why Mom is fine with waiting for father…..

May count as RP point

Ingwe missed the war and fights due to his wounds. He wanted to go fight; but the healer was very draconic and refused to let him leave until he was fully healed. Even if it meant having her son’s stand watch over Ingwe and drag him back when he tried to sneak off, she did it! Ingwe found himself stuck in a home that was not his own, fed by a woman who was not his mother, and surrounded by men who were not his brothers… but it felt like they could be. It made his heart ache and made him miss his home. Was his mother okay? Had that stupid father of his fixed his situation at all or was he still married to a woman he didn’t like while the woman he loved suffered alone in a different village?

He wondered if he’d ever have a younger brother or sister… being with this large family made him wish for it... but not till his father was with his mother as man and wife and not as a man cheating on his wife! The sons of the healer took to Ingwe; his open honest face and easy laugh meant Ingwe was accepted and befriended quickly.
Since he was wounded he couldn’t roughhouse as much with them.. but he did join in their tasks about the house; and once the healer gave her okay, Ingwe joined them in weapon practice. The sons were amused by lack on knowledge of combat… but respected his speed and durability. They taught him how to defend against a variety of weapons, and while he could never get the hang of using them, Ingwe soon learned how to fight against them and how to dodge and use his fists to greater effects. He wanted to heal fast… but he didn’t want to damage his body further, so he took it slowly… even if it meant stepping on his feelings and longing to be beside Talin. He never over taxed himself too far, didn’t start with complex training… just simple stretches and slow motions to begin with. Slowly speeding up, slowly adding more tasks and practice motions. Slowly more sparring. Always in increments with the healers advice and approval to ensure he didn’t rip anything or undo the healing.

Ingwe woke up one morning to find an aldabuck in his room with a note pinned to I from Talin.

“The tents cold without you—be ready for long nights as I make up for lost time!” Was all it said, causing Ingwe to blush and feel a different sort of longing. He knew the others had told him Talin was a hard man, willing to do what ever he needed too.. but he still saw Talin as a loving partner and comrade! Why else would he get me an aldabuk! Though.. He thought as he looked around. How did he get it in here without anyone noticing?

Ingwe smiled and got up and stretched, his mind distracted by thoughts of his lover and their soon to be reunion.. for he knew his body was healed.. no he just had to get back in shape!

Basically recalling the past and giving me some stuff to fill in the 5 IC years that passed with out rps or solos.

Ingwe gets hurts after fire: out for a year. Tries to return but then Obans happen and he gets laid out for another 2 years (bad broken bones and muscles that took forever to heal) (3 years: one of war and then one of healing) then he sorta wanders about and the extremists happen and that takes about half a year.

He is now all caught up and its been 5 years since he last saw Talin.