Virian wondered why his parents were worried, but seeing them in such a state wasn't unusual. Their masters were usually in poor health which was one cause of worry, the other was that his father was still considered a slave, not yet having paid off the debt to their masters yet. The amount dwindled each year, but the strain never seemed to ease. It didn't help that most of his mothers funds went to the tutor who taught him the things that his parents could not.
It felt good not to have to worry about bookwork. For now at least. His Masters had decided on moving to one of their many homes elsewhere and it was the first time that Virian had left the place he called home. Though it wasn't so much his home as the place he had been born in. The house was owned by his masters. He hummed to himself as he looked the window for the fourth time. Everything was so different! For one, the houses weren't close enough to touch and it was also much cooler here then he was used to.
Neued was interesting, well, the small bits he's managed to see. There were so many people of all different species and walks of life running around. But he'd been told not to leave the house until they'd all settled in, and even then only with his parents or the masters son. Debu was like a brother to him, seeing as how they were only a year apart in age. It also helped that he never treated him like a servant or a slave, instead seeing him as a person.
Reluctantly Virian pushed himself away from the window as he heard his mother call for him. He knew that she would ask him to either unpack some of their things or to go help out in the kitchen.
Lirende rolled 2 4-sided dice:
3, 2Total: 5 (2-8)
Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:46 pm
Spring Shower World Event: Jauhar Maglardilla x 10
Word count: 1,272
Spring Showers Prompt 1
Solo or RP Format Can be used toward Solo or RP req
After the frigid chill of the harsh winter had left Tendaji, it seemed that most were happy to just return to their normal routines, though the normal routine didn’t seem to be what the weather had in mind. It wasn’t long before almost everywhere noticed the way that the winter air had seemed to push precipitation onto the land in its place. Rain flowed seemingly non-stop, reaching all the areas of Tendaji, even frozen Zena saw its share of rain, though the temperatures were still much too cold to support such a thing and rain turned to hail, which froze over the ground.
The critters of Tendaji only wanted to seek shelter from their flooded homes and the wet downpour that surrounded them. They found their way into homes, huts, sheds, anywhere that could stay dry - and preferrably warm.
Roll 2D4 Roll 1: The type of familiar in the area you encounter. xxxxxJauhar || 1: Illo, 2: Spitorog, 3: Maglardilla, 4: Nondwa xxxxxTale || 1: Virma, 2: Merik, 3: Kuona, 4: Poscuta xxxxxSauti || 1: Lerim, 2: Sailscale, 3: Moracker, 4: Capramel xxxxxZena || 1: Parak, 2: Roati, 3: Awatta, 4: Raptrix pups xxxxxOba || 1: Ward, 2: Perzi, 3: Impa, 4: Zore xxxxxMatori || 1: Alol, 2: Sirenn, 3: Kehtra, 4: Zanteer
Roll 2: How many are encountered. xxxxx1 || 5 xxxxx2 || 10 xxxxx3 || 20 xxxxx4 || 30
Virain looked mystified at all the rain that had seemingly flooded the town overnight. It still came down in buckets upon buckets and didn't seem like it'd stop anytime soon. While he himself wasn't bothered by it, the Master and Mistress had been and the two Obans were miserable. But then again, they usually were. Reoccurring sickness did that to a person he supposed.
It kept his parents together at least while his mother tried to work off the amount his Master had given her, to be able to purchase his fathers freedom.
The water was ankle deep in puddles that had yet to be absorbed by the ground and Virain was happy to play outside, out of the way of the adults. His mother had left a towel for him inside the house, where it wouldn't' get wet. He'd heard her muttering about how grateful she was that the house was built on raised land, so that it wouldn't flood like everything else was going to. Despite being a native to Matori, his Mamae didn't like having muddy water in the house as it was harder to clean up then sand.
Virain agreed with her on that account, and had promised to not track in as much mud as possible. Tweet on the other hand, he wouldn't be able to control as much. The Kinfa seemed determined to get as wet as possible, swooping through the trees, collecting as much water as possible in his feathers. This of course backfired as it made him too heavy to fly after a few moments, and the yellow and green bird took to his normal perch, which was on Virains head.
Tweet sang sweetly as the young matori walked through puddles that went as high as his ankles, happily kicking up the dirty water. He was alone as far as he was aware of, the other children in the town being kept inside. He knew the Oban children he sometimes saw would be huddled up in blankets, trying to keep warm. He hadn't seen any Matori children, but there were adults, they were perhaps keeping the kids inside for some reason. Or whenever he was allowed out he might have just missed them. Either way he wasn't too heartbroken over it, not having any playmates growing up made him used to the solitude.
Humming to himself Virain stepped on something spiky and squishy and an aggravated croaking sound told him just what he'd stepped on. The Spitorog blinked at him, all puffed up once his foot had been jerked back. It croaked at him again, a sound that was echoed by others. Virain froze, and carefully examined his surroundings. Creatures of all sizes and species ambled around, water running from their hides. He saw a few standing under overhanging cloth and under the more dry looking trees. Suddenly it made sense why there wasn't anyone else outside, enjoying the rain.
Carefully Virain backed up and trying not to draw any attention to himself, hurried back home. He winced as he heard the splashing of the Spitorogs as they tried to follow him, and sped up a bit. It was easy loosing the odd amphibians as they couldn't keep up with him once he started running. He slipped a few times but managed to catch himself before he fell into any puddles. His downfall was waiting for him when he did finally arrive back home.
His Mamae stood inside the doorway, broom in her hand as she swept out what looked like a swarm of bugs. The critters flailed at being back outside and few tried to venture back in. It looked like a never ending fight for a moment until the insects finally gave up and crept back into the rain. Virain looked at the creatures, his face screwed up into a grimace. They were...interesting looking, and, alright no. They were gross looking.
It was then that his Mamae looked up and the exasperated look on her face melted away into a fond smile. His mothers dark hair was swept back into a messy bun, the stray stands clung to her face and it was then that he noticed she looked damp. Perhaps she'd been out in the rain at some point while he was out. The thought made him happy for some reason.
"Hello Guppy, already tired out?" His Mamae asked as he drew closer, obediently sticking his feet out into the downpour to let the water wash the mud that still clung to him off. "Nope, there's a lot of animals out and I don't want to get eaten." Came Virain's matter-of-fact reply. He picked up the cloth that his Mamae had left out earlier and used it to dry Tweet off as much as possible before using it on his hair. He wrung the cloth out and wiped his face and arms off, then his legs. Tweet was perched on his Mamaes shoulder, cuddled up against the side of her neck and looking quiet content.
"I hope you're hungry, your father managed to catch the largest of this bunch before I shooed them all out." Aeme said as she swatted another Maglardilla back outside. "I've heard that they taste much like some of the shelled fish we used to eat back home." Aeme continued, "Your father managed to get his hands on some butter and some root vegetables so we'll have a nice meal with the fruit juice you got yesterday. The Master and Mistress retired earlier so they wont be joining us."
Virain couldn't place why he thought his mother sounded happy about the Master and Mistress not joining them, but she did. Perhaps there had been another argument of some sort between the two while he'd been out. Anything was possible really and while he made him sad, he knew his mother was getting tired of the constant bickering between the two Obans. If it wasn't for the contract that still bound his father to them, he was sure his mother wasn't hesitate to leave them behind.
Aeme smiled at him and set her broom off to one side and picked him up. She hugged him close and closed the door behind them. It came as no surprise to see more of the Maglardilla's crawling around inside, the smallest ones able to hide better than the larger ones.
Virain made a face at them and clung to his mother as she carried him to the kitchen. Something did smell good and once they crossed the threshold Virain was able to see the large pot of soup on the hearth and the carefully gutted shells of the bugs on one table. He wrinkled his nose at the shells but curiosity made him creep closer to pick one up. Without the head and legs attached it looked useful, and he couldn't deny that it was pretty to look at. He was sure that wasn't the case while it was still covered with the bugs insides.
He counted the shells, 10 in all, and each was bigger than his hand. He shuddered, there was no way he would have been able to catch them. The tiny ones were creepier then anything he'd ever seen before. He made another face and turned to look at his parents, both were bent over the pot that hung over the fire, a spicey scent wafted from it. His mamae was currently tasting the contents of it and by the thoughtful look on her face, it wasn't lacking.
Huffing softly Virain turned back to the shells, wondering how he was going to eat bugs of all things.
Virain wanders off during his first time allowed into the forest surrounding his home and meets V'demhe. He's afraid of her at first, but quickly warms up to her kindness. They part under sad terms but Virain won't rest until his Mamae meets her and gets to know her for the person she is, and not her tribe.
Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 7:55 am
Beliefs and Values Prompt 3 Word Count: 1,127
Solo or RP Format Can be used toward Solo or RP req
Summer was drawing closer and closer and the different villages around Tendaji were beginning to plan their summer festivals. It was a tradition in Tendaji - to celebrate the Gods every year in the summer when spirits were high and food was at its most abundant.
All the races had their own gods to celebrate, whatever those might have been, and every person had their own feelings one way or the other.
What did they mean to you? With the summer fast approaching, it must be somewhere (no matter how small) on everyone’s thoughts. And what are your thoughts on the other culture’s gods?
Tendaji Gods
Fire: The people of Oba believe in a whole pantheon of Gods and Goddesses, partitioning all parts of life to a god such as birth, death, fishing, ocean, a king and queen of the gods, etc. There is always a different name to pray to depending on the situation at hand. The major players in their pantheon include: Nerad - King of Gods, god of judgement Essd - Queen of Gods, goddess of life and death Drach - God of storms and rain On’os - God of time and fortune Lenoxe - Goddess of fishing and feasts Kiyom - God of wood and lumber Hatald - Goddess of fertility, marriage, and women Jonal - God of men and war Ubeli - Goddess of the moon and ocean Atun - God of the sun, forging fires, and desert
Water: The people of Matori, due to their close though rather forced relationship with Oba, believe in the same pantheon of Gods and Goddesses as their former enslavers, though a few of the names seem to have shifted and evolved. There is always a different name to pray to depending on the situation at hand. The major players in their pantheon include: Nessat - King of Gods, god of judgement (Oba: Nerad) Ome Essd - Queen of Gods, goddess of life and death (Oba: Essd) Drach’ti - God of storms and rain (Oba: Drach) On’os - God of time and fortune Len - Goddess of fishing and feasts (Oba: Lenoxe) Kiyom - God of wood and lumber Hatald - Goddess of fertility, marriage, and women Jonal - God of men and war Ubeli’ae - Goddess of the moon and ocean (Oba: Ubeli) Atun - God of the sun, forging fires, and desert
Summer was getting closer with each passing day, and while the heat wasn't too bad yet, Virain wasn't sure if he was alright with the change in seasons. On one hand, it meant that there would be more time spent with his parents, on the other it meant that everyone was going to be incredibly busy with the upcoming harvests and festival preparations. Giving thanks and celebrating gods that had no direct impact on his life. Gods that he barely knew anything about other than the scraps of conversation he could hear while he went about doing his errands or chores.
The young Matori sighed as he slowed down the scrubbing, the brush under his hands filled with suds and bits of food from the pan he was washing. Blankly he stared at the multicolored bubbles, the light that reflected off of them flickering with the shifting fire. Behind him he could hear the sound of a knife cutting through some leafy material and the sullen bubble of water just starting to boil. He bit his lip and started to scrub again, half heartedly as he turned over what little he knew in his mind.
He knew the names of the gods and some of what they represented, but he didn't know any of the stories. He didn't know why they were what they were or why they did what they did. He didn't know why they allowed the things to happen like they did. He supposed that came with having as much power as they did, they could ignore the little things, or in their case, the little people. The thought should have made him bitter, and in a way it did, but how could he judge someone he didn't know anything about?
"I can smell smoke from over here Guppy, what's got you thinking so hard over there?" Taha asked, turning his oddly colored eyes towards his son. The knife in his hands stilled as he looked away, greens half chopped. Unlike his wife, Taha had gone mostly silver during the years he'd spent as a slave. The stress causing him no ends of problems that still lingered. Virain sighed and looked away from his father.
"Just thinking about the festivals." He replied, vigorously scrubbing at the pot between his knees, as if by doing so would solve all his problems. The only thing it did do was cause his hands to cramp up and had his knees aching from how tightly he had to hold it.
"Ah yes, you're old enough finally to be able to participate in more then just eating." Taha replied with a chuckle, eyes growing distant for a moment. "Has so much time passed already?" Virain could hear him murmur to himself. "It was just yesterday that your mother came to me with you bundled up and squalling, red in the face." He could hear his father laugh, the sound a tad wistful. "Such a demanding infant you were."
He could hear the knife start hitting the wooden board again as his father started working on the food preparation again. "What did you want to know? I'm no lore speaker but I know a bit about the gods, both our own and that of the Obans."
Virain mulled over the possibilities for a moment before carefully choosing one to ask. "Why do they let the things happen that they do?"
Taha was silent as he turned the question over, knife never slowing except when it came time to clear the board and start over. "The Gods aren't there to take care of us. Yes they watch over us, but its more like...hm. It's more like an overseer watching the workers. They step in to punish us for stepping out of line, or because we've become too prideful and so they start things to humble us again. But they also reward us for being good. They give us the ability to have children, to find the one we wish to join our lives with." Taha said, pausing only to hum a bit in thought, "In a way, their lives are solidly intertwined with our own. The harshness is softened with the tiny bits of happiness they allow us."
Virain wrinkled his nose and dropped the brush into the pot, lifting it as he stood. He walked over to the washing tub and poured it out, watching the soapy water mix with the already murky water. If only his thoughts would merge so easily.
"But if they live so easily with us, wouldn't it make sense to make our lives better?" He asked, "Wouldn't Hatald want all of her children to have children, to find and keep their mates? Wouldn't Jonal want all of his sons to be strong, strong enough that there wouldn't be a need to fight?" Virain dipped his pot into the wash tub and started to scrub again, more to keep his hands occupied than any real need to continue cleaning an already clean object.
"Ah, but if they did that, then we wouldn't have a reason to grow as people. We would be weaker in general, complacent. Atun wouldn't be worshipped as we wouldn't need to make as much armor or weapons and his forges would be used for small things. Knives and pots and the like. Ome Essd would embrace only the very ill, the old, and those who've passed because of an accident. Nessat would have no job, because there would be no need to judge those who've lived life without doing a single misdeed. An easier life doesn't automatically mean that everyone gets along." Taha countered, "One example would be that we Matorians would have never been enslaved, but on the other hand, we would have still been enslaved. Not by physical chains and violence, but by peaceful means. Empathy. Oba isn't exactly an ideal place for bountiful harvests of the kind that would feed her people all year long. Her neighbors would take pity on them and send over the food they could spare. So, Matori would be herself, but her children would be slaves to the need to please others."
Virain scowled, it seemed to all fall back onto slavery, subjugation of any sort when it came to talks like this with his father. He loved the man with ever fiber of his being, but he couldn't see the world like he did. He was among the first generation born or raised free. While it didn't feel like freedom with one member of his family still in chains, admittedly of his own choosing, Virain didn't know how to express this frustration without hurting his father.
"So the Gods are like us. Chained without even realizing it." He muttered to himself, disappointment coloring his words.
Lirende
Excitable Zealot
Offline
Lirende
Excitable Zealot
Offline
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 3:51 pm
It was with a nervous confidence that Virain found himself walking back home. Talking with the shifter Isolder had helped him sort out a lot of his feelings. If he was ever going to get out from under his parents thumb he would have to stand up for himself. He wouldn't let them walk over him or plan his life for him. He was born a free Matorian and while his parents sacrificed so much for him, it wasn't what he wanted.
But what he wanted didn't matter to them, or they just didn't see the point he tried to make. Perhaps he stuttered or his arguments were weak but gods abound, he was going to be heard. He pressed his lips together and willing his hands to stop shaking. He was supposed to be confident, strong, a pioneer of his generation. It shouldn't be so hard to confront his parents about something as vital as his survival. He would never be able to do anything by himself if he couldn't even express himself to the people who'd known him his entire life.
He felt his steps falter and halt right outside of the modest home his father's Masters lived in. The Oban couple were bed ridden again, the turn of the season having not agreed with them. He often wondered just how it was that they could fall ill at a drop of the hat. With an unsteady breath Virain pushed open the doors and quietly closed them behind him. He was home several hours earlier than he'd intended, having told his parents that he'd be wandering the market. He wondered if they'd believed him but was ashamed enough to take that thought back. Of course they trusted him, he'd never lied to them about anything in his life.
Honesty was so much easier than lying.
There was an odd scent in the air Virain noticed as he headed towards the small workroom his parents used to mix medicines. He wasn't allowed in the room by himself, as there was too many powders and items that could harm him if ingested in the wrong doses. The door to the workroom was open, as it was when it was occupied. He poked his head in and sneezed at the fumes, startling his parents.
"Guppy! What're you doing in here?" His mother chided, a cloth tied over her mouth and nose and not an inch of skin below her face to be seen. His father was similarly covered up. Quickly she shooed him out of the room, pausing to drop the gloves that had been protecting her hands on the table next to the door. She hurried behind him and wouldn't stop herding him until they reached the kitchen.
"Mamae what were you doing in there?" He asked, eyeing her as if he'd never seen her before. "That didn't look like medicine you were making." In fact it smelled like the faint whiff of poison he'd been allowed to smell at a rather shady looking booth in the market. He'd been poking around and had stumbled upon it on accident. Looking back on it he was lucky that the hybrid running the booth had been more amused by his questions than offended. He supposed that it had been a long, slow, and boring day for that shopkeeper, else Virain doubted he would have been indulged as he was.
"It's nothing sweetheart. Your father and I were trying out a new reci-"
"Don't lie Mamae," Virain said, cutting her off, "I know what you were making. Why were you making it?" His eyes were trained on her and he was worried that she'd just brush him off again.
"It really is nothing! The new medicine calls for it to be added as it neutralizes a few of the other ingredients." Aemae replied, voice calm. If it wasn't for the spark of desperation in her eyes he would have believed her. She was begging him silently to just let it drop, to not meddle in affairs that he had no business interfering with. To stay innocent that much longer.
"Mamae." He said, tone flat and dry. He crossed his arms and shifted his weight onto one foot. His look told her that he wasn't buying anything she said. The older Matorians shoulders dropped and she started to wring her hands. "We're doing it for you." She said in a rushed voice, "They need to go, if they do then we can get everything. All of that which they own will be sold off if those that work for them don't take it first. Don't you see guppy? Your father will be freed from this impossible contract and we don't have to live by the whims of another." She took a step forward to grip the front of his shirt. "Guppy, oh Guppy. They tried to take you from me. I told them I'd never forgive them for it. I took their son from them in return. Then they took your father and now I'll take them both."
The smile she gave him sent chills down his spine.
She pulled back and patted his cheek, "Why don't you go get cleaned up and forget about the horrible things you saw today. It really isn't what you think Guppy." Aemae said, "Will you help your poor mamae out by peeling the root vegetables for dinner tonight? We're going to have a meat stew." With that Aemae turned and left the kitchen, leaving Virain to stand shaking in his place.
Who was that woman and what had happened to his Mamae? She wore her face, had her voice, and knew who he was, but he could have sworn on the moon herself that, that person was not his mother. He shuddered and set about peeling the roots as requested. It was a mindless task that kept him occupied for a little while as he digested what he'd learned.
He gave himself a shake and with a disgusted noise set down the knife he was using. He swept the peelings into the basket next to the table to take into the backyard. He walked out of the house, basket in his hands and carefully placed the contents around the plants they grew. That task done he left the basket there and slipped back out to the market. He still had the seeds and other little things his parents had given him to purchase things with in his hip pouch.
He refused to go back and talk rationally to the people who were essentially killing others when they'd sworn to heal them.
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 3:53 pm
Fight in the Marketplace
Virain couldn't understand what was wrong with Phaedra, how someone could be so blind to the effects words had. They were just as effective a weapon as any blade or bow or spell. He hoped that she felt the pain of her actions for years to come, as her words had brought about the loss of life.
Lirende
Excitable Zealot
Offline
Lirende
Excitable Zealot
Offline
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 5:05 pm
He touched the elder Alkidikes shoulder to get her attention. Tears slid down her face as she stared at the body of her daughter. "Ma'am?" He tried, "Lets get the both of you home." The Alkidike blinked, finally seeming to come out of the grief stricken trance she'd fallen into. Dark eyes looked at him blankly, "You tried...you tried to help." She whispered, voice thick and broken from screaming. She wiped at her face and slowly pushed herself upright, wobbling on her feet until she managed to regain her balance.
She was a mess of lacerations and while the cuts seemed to have stopped bleeding she didn't look too good. He bent down to scoop up the still body of a girl who'd only wanted to protect her mother, and couldn't help the shudder that raced down his spine at the tacky feeling of the drying blood that covered her. He shifted her weight until he was sure he'd be able to carry her without dropping her. The Alkidike stumbled down a street, people who hadn't been a part of the commotion giving her a wide berth. Startled exclamations erupted as Virain passed, but from his grim look no one tried to stop them.
The journey to her home was a short one, as they lived right on the outskirts. It was only when they arrived at her home that Virain gave thought to the girls other parent. "Ma'am?" He started, only to get cut off.
"Nyteim." The Alkidike said, glancing over her shoulder at him before pushing aside the cloth that served as the door. The home was small, until Virain noticed that it extended down under the earth and only the entry way and the kitchen were above ground.
"Nyteim," He started, the name unfamiliar on his tongue. "Where- where is her...father? Other mother?" He stumbled over the terms, unsure what was socially acceptable for him to use.
"Father. He went out to train a few days ago by the large lake." Nyteim grimaced, her eyes glossing over with fresh tears. "Will you do me a favor child, will you go tell him what happen-happened to her?" She asked, "And will you do me a favor? Distract him. Kybell is the vengeful sort and he'll hunt after that girl like the flaming hound was after him." She wiped at her eyes, "I'll take care of...of giving her the rites. Please, find my mate and break the news gently."
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 6:19 pm
It took Virain several hours before he could leave Nyteim's home as he'd had to strip down to wash his clothing and his skin. It would have been an insanely bad idea to meet with this Kybell covered in the blood of his daughter. Especially if Nyteim's words were correct and he would be out for blood of his own. He enjoyed living a pain free life thank you.
Once his clothes were significantly dry enough Virain made his way to the lake that Nyteim pointed out on the map she had unrolled for him, before gifting it to him. She hinted that he should ask him for training, as it would be something that the man would consider seriously before running off on a harebrained halfcocked idea.
Upon reaching the lake the Matorian scanned the area, eyes falling upon a sleeping adult Kinfa and a Snaptrotter sunning itself on the bank. There was a splash as a man emerged from the depths of the lake, his short hair was a dark brown but it was the pink crystals in his skin that showed him just what he was. A Leaf earthling.
The man, Kybell as he thought he was, swam to shore in a few short, powerful strokes. He waded out of the water and patted the Snaptrotter on its back before going to towel off. "Well? You going to stare all day or come out where I can see you." The man called out, startling Virain out of his stupor. He blushed, realizing that he'd been admiring the others physic.
"A-ah, Um." He rubbed the back of his neck and stepped out into the light, where the man could see him. "Matorian huh?" The man snorted, "What brings a member of the Water Tribe here?" He pulled on a tunic and waited for Virain to get closer, or at least in easier conversation range. It was the amusement on the earthlings face that gave him the courage to get closer.
"Mister Kybell? I...I bring bad news." He said, fidgiting. "Your daughter-" He bit his lip and looked away, before forcing his eyes back to the earthling. Kybell no longer looked amused. "What about her boy." He asked, voice neutral though his eyes promised pain if he didn't get on with it. "She died." He blurted out, taking a step back under those cold eyes.
He blinked and suddenly he was being held up by the front of his shirt. He let out a terrified mewl and reflexively grabbed onto the hand that was holding him up. "How. Did. She. Die." Kybell bit out, "Talk fast or I'll see if those rumors about your kind being able to breath water are true."
"I'm sorry! I didn't see who did it but there was a fight in the marketplace. She was trying to protect Nyteim and a knife caught her across the throat." Virain struggled a little but couldn't do much except wiggle in the unforgiving grip. "What else boy." He was lifted closer to Kybell's face, and Virain noticed that there were markings under his eyes, but because they were so faint he couldn't really see them. He imagined that they were small swirls of the palest green.
"I...would you train me?"
Kybell snorted, "A meek thing like you? The spirits would eat you alive." But as soon as he spoke Kybell seemed to give him a longer more appraising look. "No. I think I'll let them decide. You have a staff boy? No, look at you, you don't even have a change of clothing." Kybell dropped him and stalked over to his possessions where he noticed the half-grown yellow and green kinfa that was snuggled up next to his Dashte. The darker colored kinfa gave him a sideways look, as if daring the earthling to comment.
Kybell just shook his head and picked up his staff. It would be incredibly heavy for a beginner but it would serve his testing purposes. He turned and made his way back to where Virain was just picking himself up off the ground and shoved the staff into his hands. He noted how the boy instinctively gripped the staff, and correct his grip. He saw how he struggled to hold it without letting the heavier end drop towards the ground.
Grudgingly he accepted that he was stronger than he looked and for his staff to have not outright rejected him told Kybell that there was a small smidge of hope that the boy would succeed in becoming a shaman. "Alright. I'll train you boy. But know this, I give no quarter. The elements are no toy to play with, and the spirits even less of ones. You abuse them they'll turn around and bite you like a radaku that's had it's tail stepped on." He crossed his arms and took a step back, "But by the elements I'll turn you into a Shaman worthy of the art."
True to Kybell's words Virain was worked hard. From the moment he agreed to the training, with only a small tinge of bafflement at what a Shaman was, he was drilled in several things. For the most part he used Kybell's staff, as the elder refused to go back to town to pick up a 'wooden toy' for him to wave around. As such he learned first how to call upon the power, then how to moderate it so that he wouldn't singe off his eyebrows, which he did anyway.
Once he had a tentative grasp on what his power felt like, Kybell had him training with a straight stick, learning the movements of staff fighting should he ever run out of energy to cast with. Days passed in a blur and he effectively forgot about his family trouble. Kybell was a well of knowledge but otherwise was fairly close lipped. If he felt that Virain was being a bit too talkative he would assign him more physical work to exhaust him.
Eventually Virain caught on and would spend the nights in silence beside the man.
Reply
