|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 8:07 pm
Faulina? Just as soon as Nimueh opened his mouth to ask, Callum had answered - so instead the alkidike pressed his lips together, curious. He knew plenty of people throughout Zena and Sauti had familiars that they saw as dear friends - but no creature had sung to him in such a way. Even the mammu he was wrestling with was just a pack animal, loaned to him by his Zenan family. That being said, he was still glad that Callum had a companion, not to mention amused by the strange gynophobic trait it seemed to have.
Moving to angle sideways through the narrow crevice, Nimueh froze when he saw the arc of rock, awed by the odd formation, not to mention pleased. He almost ignored the kinfa as she came to greet them, but somehow managed to tug his eyes away from the shelter, instead met the bird’s gaze. For a long moment, Nimueh wondered if him being descended from an all female race would confuse whatever it was in the bird’s brain that hated women, but he seemed to pass the test - and she went on her happy little way.
Thank the gods. Once introduced, Nimueh stepped towards the pile of belongings, under the shade of the swirl of rock (which he kept stealing glances at, mind turning over how such a monument would have been formed) and dropped his own satchel next to it. “This place is - how did you find it?” He asked, backing away from the pile so he could crane his neck and look up at it. Maybe this sort of thing wasn’t terribly impressive, here in Sauti - but he had been much the same when moving to Zena. Ice, snow… wooden buildings and lodges to live in… compared to tree houses and giant trees, everything out here was amazing!
He wondered if he could chip some of this stone apart, for his necklace - a growing collection of places that called to him - or if that would risk collapsing the entire thing?
Face lit up like a lantern, Nimueh turned back to Callum and Faulina, gesturing excitedly around the small clearing, “Are there more? Is this ‘normal’?”
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 6:15 pm
His avian was proving far more pleasant than Callum was used to. Perhaps he had been away from her too long this time? She needs a companion. Another kinfa to chatter with, and help to guard the camp while he was away. His Faulina was far too small to do it all on her own. One day she would prove to be a formidable ally, but for now she was little more than an overgrown chick. His father’s love of the breed made it hard for Callum not to dream of a flock of his own.
“I didn’t; my tribe did.” Callum dug around in his pack for a bit of flint. Faulina saw fit to bite at his fingers while he rooted around, making the simple task a challenge from Bergchi himself. “When I was young we...found it.” Catching himself giving away too much, the young swordsman brought his story telling to an abrupt end. When he rose from his satchel, Callum caught the glint in Nimueh’s eyes as he took in the earthen wave. There was more enthusiasm there then he had ever seen in the boy, and it was frankly the cutest damn thing he had ever seen. So cute, in fact, that Callum had to smile like an idiot. “I wouldn’t exactly call this ‘normal’, but there are more. Two that I know of, though this is one is in the best shape. One of the others is barely intact. I can show you sometime if you’re interested.”
He moved towards the designated fire pit, and began the process of striking up a flame. “Is this your first time in Sauti?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 10:39 pm
Nimueh glanced at Callum, lips briefly twitching upwards at the bird as she popped about and kept nipping at her master. Grunting quietly in comprehension, Nimueh looked back at the natural formation, crossed his arms and tapped his lip thoughtfully with a forefinger. He wandered what had created it? His Alkidike mother - the one who had found him in Zena - had insisted that Aisha had influence, even out here so far from her earthly body. But her ice tribe wife had told Nimueh, when he was smaller, that the ice people worshipped a mountain god - and many other, lesser gods.
Could they have crafted such a thing? Was it possible, for them to exist alongside Aisha? Furrowing his brow, Nimueh fell into thought, grunting vaguely in acceptance of Callum's invitation, but was snapped out of it at the telltale snapping sound of flint striking. Curious, he turned to watch, his head canted slightly to the side. Were they only used as fire pits? "Well, no... I've mostly been near the Zena border." He admitted. Then, blinking, Nimueh realized just what it was Callum had previously offered. "You'd show them to me? Really?" Nim's voice caught, surprised - and honestly pleased that Callum was insinuating that there would be a sometime. He hadn't said 'today' - but 'sometime', and that quiet suggestion that there would be a future meeting between the two made him feel ridiculously pleased.
Not only that, but Callum would also be willing to entertain his silly curiosities. Oddly touched, Nimueh gave Callum a bright smile, then stepped closer to where the silver-haired man was lighting the fire and stood next to him, a few steps back to be out of reach of the impending flame.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 9:56 am
"We'll have to fix that. Seeing Sauti from the border isn't the same as truly seeing it." The last strike birthed a spark that caught on the wadded ball of dried grass that Callum had chosen as tinder. He leaned forward, getting as close as he dared to the flame to breath life into it. Once he was sure it was stable enough to survive on it's own, he sat back, watching as it spread it's fire to the wood. Almost unconsciously he reached back for his elongated braid in an effort to keep it from getting singed.
When he stood up there was dirt on his pants from the knee down and some on his hands as well. It didn't seem to bother him though; actually, he was just pleased to have gotten the fire started that quickly. "If you don't mind doing some traveling, then I can be your guide. I have a feeling that you'll enjoy it." There were plenty of stone formations to keep Nimueh interested, and in the mean time Callum would have someone to talk to. It was a win win in his book.
He moved to go under the formation once again, this time only intending to grab a satchel before moving back out into the open. When he turned around, though, he saw Nimueh and stopped. That smile only made Nim's spectacular gaze light up, as if the sun itself were caught in his eyes. Catching himself, Callum shakily inhaled and gave a smile of his own. "Would you mind grabbing the larger satchel? The one with the feathers? I've got meat in it to cook."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 7:36 pm
Really? Nim perked up, nodding eagerly in agreement with Callum's words. It was true - he should head home with what he'd made off his trading but... it wasn't as if he had more items to trade. There was nothing to be stolen. He could bring the creature along with him, right? A small part of the hybrid felt as if it was akin to running away from home, but after a long moment he puffed himself up and shook the feeling away. He was nearly an adult - and he had been trusted to travel on his own. It hadn't come with the caveat of 'return home as soon as you're done', it was his own nervousness about being in a new land that made him eager to return.
And now? That eagerness had evaporated. He much rather wanted to stay - both because it meant seeing new and interesting things, but also...
He watched Callum light the fire, and attributed the heat in his cheeks to the flames as they caught, definitely not watching those graceful fingers as they slipped through silky silver strands, brushing the thick braid back securely. The smile stayed on his face, overwhelmed with the knowledge he was going to be traveling with a friend, even as Callum rose to fetch something from his bag.
"Hmm? Oh -- yes, of course." Nimueh shook himself and hastened to the bag, lifting it easily and carrying to to where Callum now stood, holding it out by the strap for the shorter hybrid to take. "I would enjoy that. Immensely." Nimueh finally answered, voice dropping low in a soft purr of gratitude. And if anyone ever accused him of trying to flirt, he'd say they were lying. Trying to imitate his adopted sister's dulcet tones proved harder than he'd imagined, and the attempt left him inwardly horrified, even if he stubbornly refused to apologize for the attempt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 11:03 am
Even having prior contact with Alkidikes and Alki-hybrids, Callum still found himself slightly in awe of Nimueh's height. For an earthling he was one of the tallest, but that meant little when standing so close to a young man that so easily played the part of an ethereal creature. Strangely, the difference in size didn't bother Callum; rather, it just aided him in openly gawking at his friend.
Callum eventually regained enough control over his thoughts to take the satchel. He was startled, however, into an abrupt pause. Was Nim...? No, surely not, but there was definitely a purr. Quirking a brow, Callum turned his hoary gaze up to Nim, an instinctively mischievous grin cropping up. For once in his life the hybrid was stunned speechless. He wanted to laugh, to prod Nim just to see if he would say something else, but pushing it too far seemed wrong. How was he supposed to keep his distance if Nim kept this up?
Shaking his head, Callum tried to keep a straight face as he turned away. "I think we'll both enjoy this adventure a lot better with a full stomach." And with his mind a galaxy away from his task, Callum began to prepare for their evening meal.
(Fin)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
