Forge's closeness from the Nahtlil didn't falter as she spoke, dark soot dusted tail remained very still. The Pipe in his maw remained shifted to far side of his lips, he had been very mindful to make sure it wasn't in her own face or hair. The Tahtil had that much of decency to do, he worked around smoke enough to know it wasn't pleasant when it was wafted directly in the maw. Ears turned forward just a little as too his surprise the conversation seemed to take a different direction, then he previously thought. Orange eyes narrowed slightly as he wasn't sure want to make of this drastic change. Did he believe it, the silence seemed to show that he was contemplating her words. A slow rumble rattled in the chest of the Tahtil, his sooty tail shifted and swished as his guard seem to lower. Taking in a slow breath though his nostrils, he kept the smoke in his maw.
A subtle shift of his paw slipped back and caused the blacksmith to turning away from the Nahtlil, Forge released the held breath of smoke from his maw in a silent released breath.
Where they so much a like? She claimed so...
She even seemed to want to help him with the ore...
Hmpth.
He would be a fool to turn away such help....
A dark ear turned back as he took steps toward the crevasse in the raised cliff nearby. Taking a glance back he looked over his shoulder to the Nahtlil. Looking back toward the cliff, his thoughts moved the mortar from his horn, and it was carefully set aside on the rough ground near his apron.
"What is your name?" The words rumbled from the blacksmith as his attention turned back to the darker rock in the cliff. Stepping forward, he tilted his head down and placed his horns on the rock surface. With a step forward and a raised of his head his horns scrapped the rock. His paw reached out and claws came forward and with a grasp of the earth at wall, he scrapped back the hard earth. The motion, that would seem so awkward to do, yet Forge had done it with precision and his strokes where smooth. It was something he had done did so very often it was as simple as breathing.
For him it was.
Seruta
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2016 11:57 am
Well, it wasn't a clarified affirmation of a deal, but it was enough for her to solidify it as one. Good enough, she supposed.
She remained quiet as he went to work, exposing the precious material he had apparently found. She took mental notes on his method. She doubted she would ever have to use it, but in a grand sense she was still a cub learning everything.
Then he broke the strange silence with a query. One she only just began to realize they had never exchanged. Her ears perked forward before she fully acknowledged. "Oh, Yahui." she started then shifted to sit proudly. "My name is Yahui."
She let him work a little more on the rock before she tilted her head. "And yours?"
[ Radical Dreamer ]
(Just a heads up - I'm going to be moving at the end of the month. We're unsure how the internet situation is going to be once we get there, so my responses will likely be via phone from here on out until we can settle it. x.x)
Forge's dark ear turned back as the Nahtlil spoke, after coming to realization to that they hadn't shared names with each other yet.
Yahui
That was a nice name.
A breath left the Tahtll as she asked for his name. Dark soot dusty ears turned forward as his tail remained angled to help keep his balance. Freeing some more rubble with his claws and horns, the strong and dirty Tahtll took a step back.
A heavy breath pass the nostril's and maw of the black smith.
"As I said before, I am the Forge." The Black Smith spoke and let his ember lit gaze rest on the pretty and idle Nahtlil.
"And it is named after me." Releasing a breath, his eyes turned back to the fallen and strayed ore about the cassavas.
His thoughts picked up the rubble and moved it over his apron, which was carefully tied at the ends with his telekinesis. Picking up his pipe he moved it to his maw and returned the mortar to his charred horn. Tilting his head down, he crouched slightly ready to grab one end of the apron with his maw. The other he waited for Yahui, to do just as she had offered
Seruta
Okay! good luck! When you can, I totally understand, My posting wont be too great. I am heavily medicated, and get really dizzy while typing on the computre. So I hope it's okay.
Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2016 8:38 pm
Forge...
She quickly came to the conclusion that the name suited him well. Very well, in fact! In what little time she had spent with him thus far, he was strong and sturdy. Unrelenting in his ways. Chiseled and buff, yet worn and rough to show that he valued good hard labor over smoldering coals and molten metals above anything else.
When their eyes met again, she offered a faint but true smile. "A pleasure, then."
She watched intently as he returned to his work, chiseling out the ore with his horns and collecting it in his apron. 'Very clever!' she thought to herself, then immediately felt a slight bit of sadness at not being clever enough to wear a cloak or a scarf or something... Perhaps - if she ever decided to aid him in the future - she'd remember such a trinket. Though given their previously scraggly conversation earlier, she doubted she'd see much of him in the future unless she was asked to by Shen via a task...
She watched further, taking more notes until she realized his pause, looking to her in momentary silence as he held one end of the apron. There was a breath of calculation on her part before she seemed to spring into action. She swiftly sidled over and careful - but firmly - picked up the other end in her own maw.
Once she was sure she had a good grip, she gave a gentle nod to his direction and watched him for further direction, mirroring him wherever he led or whatever he did next.
As Yahui grabbed the other side of the cloth, Forge made sure she had a firm grasp before his heavy paws started slowly forward. He could have easily tied up the apron and carried it with his own thoughts. However, with her offered help, he could carry more like they where now. Forge just only had to make sure the apron held together. It wasn't a light load, a ember gaze slipped over to the Nahtlil. It was impressive to see that she really was holding her own, and keeping to her principle. It was a rare trait to see, especially in such a time.
Slowly Forge gave the Nahtlil a nod, perhaps it really was a 'pleasure'.
Hmpth. They didn't start off in such a manner, and Forge still didn't know what to make of the Nahtlil....
At least it was quiet and they where no longer aguring. Perhaps her helping with keeping her maw tied up with the apron was more then just hindsight....Careful calculation perhaps.
Dark sooty tail lowered to carefully drift just above the red dirt of the fire-plains. Careful gaze remained focuses ahead of them, and his ears where keen to pick up on any moving surrounds. With both of them working, Forge wanted to make sure they could make it home safely. It was just the kind of Tahtll he was, they may not get along-but she was helping him and they seemed to have found some common ground. What they did...why the did, was for the Fire-Tribe and their b'alam.
Steady Paws lead Yahui toward the main entrance of the Tribe, just where they had first excited and meet. Soon, he wouldn't need the beautiful Nahtlil's help any more. Though it was wordlessly appreciated.
(Fire sage count to here)
Seruta
Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2016 2:02 pm
Given the circumstances, she remained quiet for the rest of the trip back. Wordlessly following his every turn and footfall without much trouble. A small slip here and there, but it was minor and to be expected. She wasn't used to the terrain like he was.
Every few feet, she would also look up from her path and scan the areas ahead. Ears pivoting left and right to pick up anything threatening. Probably the only proof he would get of her rocky start of life was how she now seemed to latch on to certain sounds and lighten her steps on her paws before determining all was ok. Part of her relaxing was merely based on his own reaction to the sound. If he didn't seem alarmed, why should she?
As they made it back towards the gates, she internally thanked her lucky stars. The load they carried was heavy and starting to spur an ache in her jaws. Not to mention the rise of a bad, sooty taste in her mouth. She silently praised him for all his hard work getting everything made if this was the hardship he endured just getting supplies. Then again, this was something he likely did his entire life. He was probably used to this by now. Glancing at him... she was more than sure that he was used to it by now. He still didn't seem bothered by it.
Tired and likely sore, the gates were a pleasant sight to behold. She continued on, eager and determined to follow through with the task to the very end. After all, she had made it a point to follow Shen in his "only the strong will prevail" speech. If she backed out or gave up now, she'd likely lose any favor she had with the great Tah and she didn't particularly favor the possible outcomes of such displays. Besides. As heavy as the load was on her end, she could only imagine the weight of the load in it's entirety. Forge would probably have a small bit of struggle continuing without her help. And now that they had come this far, she wasn't about to resign on her offer to help. What kind of impression would that give Forge?
Despite her small and subtle signs of struggle she continued on, following his lead into the great city and towards his forge. She started mapping the route in her mind, getting a better layout of the city - one could easily get lost, after all - as they moved.
Moving through the city, Forge's pace was steady and his breathing calm. A orange gaze took a watchful glance over to the Nahtlil that help carry his burden of ore. She seemed to be doing alright, she didn't seem too fatigued, that wasn't to say he didn't see the struggle she faced. Just that she was handling it well. He couldn't help but be reminded of a few of his own apprentices. Dark ears flicked back at the reminder of them. Hmpth.
A heavy huff passed though the nostrils of the black smith as he continued to lead the Nahtlil to his work shop. The path they took was a kin to what one may take to get to the thrown room. Except instead of entering the long grand entrance, Forge turned his paw to lead away from the large hall. They where not heading to the main level of the center of the volcano, but rather to the lower one that was under the throne room. It was the hottest part of the city, and where Forge conducted his work with the help of the volcano's own heat. As they ventured down naturally formed 'halls' of the volcano, it was almost as if the Grand Weaver had Forge in mind, when he rose the great mountain from the ground.
The dark glowing corridor opened up to a vast opening that was almost as large as the throne room. Though instead of large throne acting as the room's center peace was a large opening and elegant 'oven' that was made and carved by the metals it help create. In front of the large 'forge' was a heap of read coals. Just before that was a large anvil, that rested on what looked like to be a set of metal fire b'alam horns. The room was dimly lit by the magma, that had kept the forge lit. It's natural glow was more then enough for the black smith's careful gaze.
Entering the underground sanctuary, it was surprisingly 'neat' compared to the living Forge's natural appearance. Just from the side of the entrance Forge gave a glance over to Yahui. Slowly he lowered his maw, and rubble to the ground. This was as far as she needed to go. Carefully, scruffy maw released the apron once the load touched the ground.
Seruta
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 3:31 pm
The path to his Forge wasn't as hard as she had initially expected. In fact, it was far easier to get to than she could have hoped!
She had originally guessed that the Blacksmith's place of work would be somewhat in the center of the daily life of the city! She never would have guessed that it was in the palace itself. However, now thinking on it, it was a prime location. Right near the Leader. Near the Armies. Near the Tahs and Nans needing the most protection out of all of them.
She took in the heat of the room as they entered it. The glow. The formation. The overall aesthetic.... It fit him. Almost as if it was created just for him... Perhaps it was, but now Yahui felt a small pang of regret for mentioning that she'd never bother him again. Weaver, permitting, of course... But... If she really wanted to follow Shen, she couldn't openly believe in the Weaver... could she? Such ideals could get her in the very trouble she was hoping to get Forge into today for merely leaving the city. Her ears rolled back slightly as she internally nipped at herself. Now there was no chance in possibly making a new friend, or finding out just why she wanted to just watch Forge work.
She had been autonomously following his movements ever since entering the room, and realized perhaps a second or two later that she had followed suit in lowering her end of the apron as well. Now she was just standing there, staring at the molten rock ahead and glaring at herself in her thoughts. Perhaps an odd thing for him to notice, but she didn't entirely care anymore. Her tail flicked slightly as she regained herself and fixed her composure a bit.
"Well. I suppose..." she took a step back and bowed her head a bit. "I suppose that's it then?" she asked, an ear flitting forward as if expecting a welcome to remain and help further. Yet all at once she shook her head, knowing he'd rather be rid of her entirely than ever see her again. "Next time you want-..."some help?"..a-an escort when leaving the city, just ask for me then."
Forge raised his horns as the raw ore was rested at their paws. Ember eyes remained hawked and focused on Yahui, she was in his territory, his focus was going to remain on her. Not in a treatening manner, just attentive to her actions and reactions...perhaps he was just curious. The narrowing of her eyes did not go unnoticed. Was she not impressed with the natural creation of the volcano?
His gray scruff ears turn forward as she spoke.
A habitual grunt rumbled from Forge. The pipe he had rested in horns floated carefully back to his maw. With a draw the pipe's end growled with a embery life.
"That will do." Forge answered, a hum of respect rattled in gruff voice. "Thank you." The blacksmith added. He was rough around the edges, but he wasn't one with out gratitude-espically when it was deserved. The Nahtlil, held her side of the deal and carried her own weight. He didn't need to make another trip which meant, He could work longer now...
"I'll keep it in mind." The b'alam answered. His tone wasn't thoughtful, but wasn't harsh either-however it did not offer the reassurance it was something he would do.
The blacksmith was use to being alone, so the thought would never normally cross his mind to seek help...
Seruta
sorry for the wait. And the lack of pretty colors. I am using my phone, as I don't have my laptop. Lol
Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:23 am
Yahui nodded softly and turned, making a swift exit from the forge. She had other things to do anyways....
-- insert break for ORP at the training grounds --
Once inside the city, Yahui turned in to her home and seemed to pace a bit inside. She brewed over the knowledge she'd gained this day and tried to sort everything out. There was a reason behind everything. A purpose or a cause. What would cause that Nan to relay information to those that opposed them? What information would she have relayed? What information had she given already? All questions that were left unanswered. There was supposedly a few more in the city that had the knowledge she'd seek, but how to draw them out? How to find them? She had her Little Paroos, yes... but now that the war was basically upon them she rather not risk them being caught in the cross fire. They were children, after all.
She growled at herself as she paced some more and then sighed. She needed some fresh air. Pacing so close to the mountain fire left an odd taste of soot in her lungs....
Wait... Soot...? Forge! Perhaps she could talk to him? He'd likely be able to help her sort this out! .... Wait...... Why Forge? Why was he the first one she'd want to go talk to? Besides. He seemed pre-occupied with his own thoughts when he left... and he'd likely need his space anyways too. Now frustrated, she tilted her head up , telekinesis opening a chest at the foot of her bed and grabbed up a small cloak. She latched it about her neck and headed outside. She let her paws guide her for a time and eventually found herself retracing her steps and leading her back outside of the city. She didn't wander to the training grounds again, however... her paws led her back to that one spot far from the city walls where she and Forge had first gathered Ore. She blinked her red eyes over the rugged wall and stared, eyes soon narrowing. She sat down for a moment and studied it more. Clearly there was some hidden meaning for her being here? Some reason as to why her paws seemed to have a daring mind of their own to drag her out this far and likely into dangerous territory just to stare at a wall of rock...? She snorted softly before a glimmer caught her eye. She tilted her head softly and moved forward, spotting it to be a cluster of the ore Forge had sought for his work....
Did this mean something, perhaps?
Growing even more frustrated, she turned, starting to storm back to the city. She'd already wasted too much time literally running in circles. As she moved, her cloak shifted, sliding around in front of her and attempting to get under paw. She growled at the garment and tried to reposition it before her dim bulb brightened a bit. She looked back at the wall, then at her cloak. Face skewed into some small form of determination and she turned, using her telekinesis to unlatch the cloak and settle it on the ground below the ore spot. Another wave of Telekinesis pulled the decorative tassles off her horns, wrapping them gently about her neck before she set her crimson orbs to the ore again. White brows lifted to attempt a glance at her horns.... she then tilted her head, trying to judge where her horns would line up. The first few scrapes collected rock and rubble that was not the desired effect... She angled her horns differently and managed to find some ore that way. She felt herself start to swell a little with pride and dug a little further, gathering more and gathering a decent pile in her cloak. She stepped back after a moment, her nubs starting to ache from the new abuse, but she felt confident that this would be a sufficient gift.... offering? ..... Whatever.
She bundled the corners of her cloak together and lifted, giving a small grunt at the weight of it. Keeping the ends in her maw, she aided in carrying it back by using her magic to help with some of the weight. Before long she found herself back into the capital, showing the guards she carried ore for their blacksmith before retracing steps back down to his place of work... To the Forge...
Her pawsteps slowed a bit as she neared the door to the Forge... She doubted he would talk to her, but perhaps he would at least listen, right? Silky brows narrowed as she urged herself to step inside, she'd lowered the efforts of her telekinesis, now carrying most of the weight of the ore in her own maw. Unknown to her, her horns and head looked covered in dirt and ore from her efforts. She set the bundle down, keeping it covered for a moment.
"Forge?" she called out to the room. Her voice booming only slightly in case he was too close to the rumbling rivers of lava nearby to hear her. "Are you here?"
Word Count this post: 858
((*These posts are being continued via Discord Messenger and will be uploaded for word counts when able.*))
The forge was strangely still, and dim. All tools were straightened, clean and resting in their paw carved home. The forge, aside from a few piles of material the was kept in their appropriate area, was strangely.....clean.
The door widened as the heated pressure and the warmth of the sleeping furnace cause the air to shift as the cooler air was let in to the blacksmiths' work space.
Yahui's called beckoned the sound of heavy paw steps to echo in the distance. They hall thundered proudly as each step was placed on carved stone, yet lacked the normal scrape of callous and dirt that would usually follow its owner. From the glow of the open furnace, Forge's dark figure emerged slowly having traveled the length of his work space. In a quiet moment, Forge's body emerged. The collar that held his dirty smock was gone, all the scares that littered and raced misplace lines about his chest was revealed. The tool belt and hammer on his hunched was also missing. His ember embroidered horns no longer dangled his mortor. All must have been put up for the night, even his trusted lit pipe. Even more odd was his pelt held a strange shine that could be noted from the glow of the nearby embers....which a natural shine was not uncommon of normal balam, as they were not constant working around soot, which dulled and dried the pelt.
Same, yet Tired fierce eyes looked back at Yahui, with a glimmer of surprise. What was she, doing here? Not a lot of balam dared to disturb the blacksmith in his forge, especially so late. The one tied back scruff of his jaw shifted as he spoke.
"Yahui..." the black smith paused as he looked at her strangely unkepted appearance and the bundle she had set on the ground. Was that Ore? That she had collected all herself? By looking at her dusty and worn appearance, it answered his question. As impressive as it was.... "is everything okay, Nantlil?" Forge asked, find the whole situation a bit...odd. scruffy clean tail remained still behind him. His curious brow hid nothing of the surprise that was clear on his maw.
Word count this post: 365 words
Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2017 12:31 am
Seruta
To see the roles of cleanliness so reversed... it was a bit shocking to her but she twitched her tail in response as she took in this new side of Forge. So maybe he wasn't all work work work? This was turning out to be the case. She inhaled deeply and shook her head. Nothing was ok... She huffed a bit. Only then noticing the dust on her head as drifted from her forehead. She blinked and then shook her head a bit, using her thoughts to pull back her hair.
"I am afraid I'm at a loss of what to do..." she started and shifted uneasily on her paws. "I was hoping you would honor me with some of your time to help me sort out some of my thoughts and clear up some of my confusion?" She rolled an ear back at that, clearly not accustomed to asking for advice or finding someone else to let her vent. Her eyes shifted to the cloak she brought with her.
"It's probably not perfect..." she then started, pawing at the ends and opening it up. "But I thought I would bring you some more ore for your time..." The contents were mixed. More ore than dirt, but enough rubble was mingled in to show she had little experience in the effort but still put a good foot forward in the effort.
As Yahui spoke and requested some of his time Forge, let out a hum of a rumble. He wasn't much of a talker....or one to offer console. Gray and black tail shifted in thought. looking at her he was keen to pick up the awkwardness of the situation. It seemed they both were out of their 'element' so to speak, well rather-Yahui never had the pleasure to see Forge when he wasn't working-and getting ready for rest for the night.
There was a twinge of remorse as he looked to the pile of ore and rubble, that had been bundled up in a rather nice material. Had that been her cloak? She had done the same thing he did with his smock....except his apron was made for such a thing. What was even more resounding was the fact she had brought the ore, to have a moment to speak to him. Why him?! And why did she feel like she had to pay him...
Forge slipped his eyes off to the side as he somewhat felt guilty. He had left the training grounds rather suddenly, and she had been trying to talk to him. This stroke of concussions and being mindful of how he acted around others was....strange.
"Your efforts are more then enough." The black smith answered taking in a deep breath and slowly released it. Stepping over to the bundle, Forge opened the bundle and carefully shifted the ore off of the clothe, using a paw coupled with telekinetic thoughts. As the cloth was free, the black smith carefully raised it from the ground and folded it carefully.
"Come, the forge is no place for searching thoughts." Forge rumbled shifting the cloth to rest folded on his back. There was a better place for them to speak.....
Word count this post: 299 words
Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2017 11:25 pm
Seruta
She blinked, red orbs looking over him curiously. She watched as he came and inspected her shipment then tilted her head as he cleaned it off and settled it on his back. To always appear so gruff, it was a bit shocking to see him be so gentle and respectful with another's things.
She smiled softly at the approval. After seeing him seperate the good from the bad, she realized that she had brought little worth of anything, but was at least pleased to know he accepted it regardless. Her paws were slow to step in behind him and follow, but she dipped her head softly in thanks. Once he started walking away from her her steps were more sure. She followed him to wherever he wished to lead her as she slipped her mind back into her thoughts for the moment. There were many things she wanted to bring up. Many things she needed to get answers to, but what would she truly ask him? And how to go about asking them and still get a pleasant enough answer for it to make sense with everything...? This was the hardest part.
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