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 Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 8:12 pm
A crisp, mischievous smirk lit up her face. "Oh, I will, have no doubt about that." Wouldn't he just love it if she mentioned the reason for her muscular physique was a fascination of the alkidike culture? She tried to make an Amazon out of herself, antennae or not. At the time she'd had a few alkidike friends (and more than a few hybrid family members) who helped train her their way. It gave her an edge in earthling fights, but against them? Even to this day she didn't stand a chance.
Spirits alive, how could he sit so straight? Ujana couldn't imagine that was comfortable. The only time she'd seen anyone sit like that was because she was ill. Or the nobles. Then again, most nobles acted like they had a stick up their asses anyway.
"Yeah, okay, sure. Not much to tell, really." Ujana waved her hand, rotating her wrist in a very blase manner. "I was on the streets for a while before Medina and her husband took me in. They own the tavern in Kalv that I worked at. She needed the help, so in exchange for a place to stay and food to eat I worked." Ujana shrugged her shoulders. Some days she served drinks, others she cooked, and most every day she was the one to bust some heads when needed.
All at once her eyes bulged and she let out a bark of laughter before slapping her thigh. "Oh, and the time I burned down a noble's house! That was recent. This girl came into the tavern looking for her friend, and I said he was with these really nasty pieces of work; Collectors, I think. Nobles that think just because they have money they can keep hybrids like slaves and slip under the radar. Anyway, we broke in, held their son hostage and burned their estate to the ground. They rebuilt, though, so it's not like we did much good." She was pretty sure no one was hurt; at least, no one that didn't deserve it. "So, what's new with you? And where in spirits name is Padma? I thought she'd be with you."
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Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2016 8:33 pm
Perhaps it was for the best she didn't mention that little nugget of information. Even if Ujana had appeared safely, that didn't eliminate a decade of resentment. She had still gone missing because of the Alkidike extremists, but with her return he could at least keep his own biases quietly contained.
Not much to tell, she said. As she continued on, Uquin's open, interested gaze slowly changed until he was staring at her, grumpily quiet and tight-lipped. She was on the streets, homeless, in Oba after having traveled from Sauti ALL the way to the south. As a girl barely into her adolescence! She had traveled right past her father and sister, and had gone to the den of a people that Uquin had fought against in a war when he was her age.
How easily could she have been taken in to a place that had nefarious intentions? That she was, instead, taken in by an innkeeper was a small miracle.
When she laughed, though, he jumped slightly, his nerves more than a little raw from his recent suspicion of insanity, and it only served to make his frown deepen, until he had processed her words. She... she had...
He should disapprove. He should want to yank her close and hold her until she could never put herself in danger again. And yet, instead, he covered his mouth, shoulders shaking silently, until even his polite gesture couldn't contain his mirth. He threw his head back and let out a sharp, startled laugh, one that only lasted the briefest of moments. She'd burnt down an Oban noble's house! It was... terrifying that nobles did such things to hybrids, and yet it was so like his daughter to break into a home and ...
Spirits, she was the luckiest brat in the world, and she seriously felt that 'not much' had happened since she'd left? "And here you thought you were different than you were as a girl!" He choked out, smothering his laughter with his hand once more. The sound of it was strangled, as if he hadn't made such a noise in a long time... honestly, Uquin didn't know if he'd ever quite laughed this hard!
And then to casually continue her conversation... as if he or Padma had anything of equal interest to offer up! "I cannot believe you-- you burned down a noble's home? Ujana! He shouldn't be condoning this. Obans were supposed to be their allies, and he'd met a few that he could count as contemporaries in healing... good trade partners, and pleasant people to speak with. But the idea of 'nobility' among the Obans... especially the sort of people who would casually play with someone's life, it rang of the Obans who had gone to war as a power grab, and he honestly couldn't NOT revel in their misery.
And he doubted Ujana would make a habit of razing houses in the future, right? "Spirits, the more you speak the more I unlikely you reaching adulthood seems." And, saying this reminded him of the very fact that, against all odds, she HAD. Looking at her once again, sobered from his recent fit of laughter, Uquin couldn't feel anything but pride in her for growing so strong.
Of course, Padma... would she resent him even more, seeing how her sister had flourished?
Almost instantly, Uquin knew what would happen. That his daughters would leave, together, on some grand adventure. Padma's fear of the unknown, of being alone, had been all that was keeping her grounded, and now? Now she had her sister back.
He couldn't have been more happy for her. In the wake of Ujana's homecoming, he couldn't NOT be happy. But, logically, he knew he would feel the realization later, when the two had left. For now, he instead shook his head. "Restocking. She'll be back soon, I imagine. I'm afraid though we've traveled... quite a bit, it's become a well worn trek for us, and nothing exciting. ...She'll be glad to see you, Ujana."
He felt like he'd talked more today than he had in years, at least about things that didn't relate to his work. And the realization of leading such a quiet, lonely life for Padma hadn't hit him until the cloud of misery lifted, even if for a moment. Again, he was reminded of what a good thing it would be for Padma to get a chance to leave and see the world, really see it. Because despite Ujana saying she was 'coming home', Uquin couldn't believe that it was a permanent thing.
[9/10]
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 6:53 pm
[9/10]
While there wasn't much point in hiding any of this from her father, Ujana still didn't like seeing that tight-lipped look. It oozed tension and possible lectures, though neither came. She supposed it wouldn't have made him any happier to know her goal had been to reach the shores of Matori before settling. Medina had simply been a pleasant stop that had lasted so much longer than one night.
And when she really expected some cross words....he laughed. Laughed. It was so unexpected that Ujana was brought to a speechless halt. This was...this was amazing!
Her grin returned two fold, "Hey, I got taller, right? That's a change." She didn't know why he was trying to hide it back; laughter was good for the soul, and he sounded as if he needed more of it in his life. With a laugh of her own, Ujana shrugged her shoulders helplessly, a twinkle in her crystal eyes. "What can I say? Their party didn't have enough spark." The young woman waggled her brows. Truly, she might not have even thought to burn it down had Talisia not suggested it. That hybrid had meant business, and Ujana wasn't about to stop her.
"Go big or go home, I say." In her eyes there was no point in living if you walked the straight and narrow. She might reach old age that way, but what enjoyment would she have? A hoard of grand-babies and a basket of clothes to mend? There was no way in hell she was going to spend the rest of her life as a homemaker. It was way too safe, way too boring, and how was she supposed to get cool scars staying home?
Knowing that her sister was so close caused Ujana's heart to flutter. She craned her head back towards the entry way as if just by sheer will alone Padma would appear. What would her sister look like after all this time? Would they be nearly identical, or would there be noticeable differences? Ujana didn't expect Padma to have the same sort of muscles she did, but maybe after so long she would be surprised.
Ujana patted the tops of her thighs twice before moving to stand. She tossed her hair back over her broad shoulders, and fluffed up the strands closest to her neck. "I'm going to guess it's okay that I stay with you two? I'll need to go get my supplies, and make sure the xaraan I rode here didn't kill over. Or maybe just find someone to buy it off me; hateful little s**t tried to bite my hand earlier..." Trailing off, the young warrior looked back to her father and held out her hand to him. "Feel like coming along? Or are you in that stage of old age where you nap all the time?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2016 8:26 pm
Burning down a house, and making bad jokes? Spirits... it was ridiculous, but Uquin reveled in the simple conversation. His gaze followed Ujana eagerly, watching as she stood, her poise so casual, easy-going and confident. He considered, then snorted, reaching to accept her hand, allowing her to pull him to his feet. She was, after all, obviously quite strong, and he had always been lanky, even in his middle age. "It's tempting." He drawled, cocking a brow at his daughter once he was standing again.
He pulled his hand away once he was standing, letting his gaze move over her, truly taking her where she stood, noting the speckling of bruises that still littered her form. ... Later. He had all the time in the world, now, to make her comfortable. "But I'll resist, somehow. ... Now, lets go find your sister." Once again composed, Uquin took the lead, bustling past Ujana and back to the lip of the tent, dismissing the few lingering hopeful patients with a flick of his wrist and a distasteful look.
[10/10]
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2016 8:54 pm
"Isn't it, though? Now that I've said it a nap sounds really good." She shouldn't have mentioned it at all. It's what she got for teasing her old man. It was completely worth it, though; what use were terrible jokes and jabs if there were no parentals around to give you 'the look'?
"Lead the way, father." Ujana followed behind him, much more relaxed and even slightly amused. She caught more than a few indignant gasps directed at Uquin. One quick over head arm flex was enough to keep them at bay. Whatever questions - and compalints - they had could wait for another day.
Right now, it was Ujana's turn and she wasn't going to give him up for anyone other than Padma.
(Fin)
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