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 Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:07 am
Aminah felt her chest tighten with the monster’s death. She did what had to be done, but it didn’t mean she had to like it. The beast looked so sad before it passed, like it was just waiting for that final blow to put it out of its misery. She walked up to the battered body and put a hand against its side. A scale flaked away upon contact and Aminah put it in her bag, keeping it as a sign of her first battle and of the casualty that resulted.
Aminah gathered her composed and walked back toward Keilana and Jacinthus, though now she held her arm, the pain getting the better of her. The beast’s last strike had drawn blood from Aminah’s right shoulder, though it wasn’t too terrible a wound, it was the worst Aminah had ever had.
She greeted her friends, who seemed just as winded from the battle. “Are you two all right?” Keilana had delivered the final blow and Jacinthus still seemed to be rather upset with his weapon.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:30 am
Ayo watched as the best fell and couldn’t help but wonder if they’d done the right thing. It had looked so tired, so disoriented. It was sad to see an ancient beast felled. There probably wasn’t another one like it in all of Tendaji.
The woman approached the beast, letting her hand fall against its large head, its milky eyes still open, still unseeing. ”May Bergchi guide you…” She whispered to the ancient creature. As she moved away, a rocky scale flaked off of its head. She picked up the small remembrance, tucking it into the thick belt at her waist. She may have done poorly in battle, but this would serve as a reminder, a promise to do better.
Ayo grimaced, pain shooting up her right arm. She babied her shoulder gently. It wasn’t broken, but “sore” was certainly an understatement. Her ribs were stinging as well, an obvious line where the creature’s tail had connected with her abdomen. She lifted the edge of her shirt gently. A dark, green and purple bruise had already begun to blossom, spreading across the top half of her torso.
The woman sighed and looked around. It didn’t look like anyone had been severely injured. Everyone looked to be about as battered as she herself was. Ayo noticed Takoda, tending to the other Shifter who had been with him. She approached the duo, a small smile on her face. ”You did well out there, Takoda. Thank you.” If it wasn't for him and the others who had managed to strike blows, who knows what damage the ancient creature might have caused.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 11:03 am
Once the creature managed to land an attack, there wasn't much left for anyone to do. The heavier hitters did their job, which was good because the tail of the rock-monster connected square into Phenyo's side and shook her more than just physically. When Jerarda approached her, she was finally able to get her head to stop spinning.
"Thank you," she said as she took the offered hand and let Jera help her up, quietly inspecting her Sister for blood or open wounds as she wandered off to help up the half-breed. From here, Jera looked ok...bruises and bumps were no real concern, though Phenyo knew Jera wanted something to leave a scar for great storytelling later on.
Satisfied that Jera was not seriously wounded, Phenyo began attempting to collect her practice bow and whatever arrows she could retrieve (they aren't easy to make, you know). Approaching the beast, she felt the quietness in the air - the silence of death - and bowed a respectful head to their fallen opponent.
The scale fell off when she took the arrow out from under the eye; she caught it deftly in one hand, and like many of the others decided to keep it. Both that and the arrow would remain in her home...if she ever managed to get back to Jauhar.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 1:50 pm
Respect for dead animals was not exactly Shukri's strong point, added to that was the fact that the legendary beast had attacked them first, sort of, and so he wasn't particularly mournful about it's passing. His naturally curious nature made him wonder just what the rocky hided creature had been like in it's prime though. Even bruised and aching Shukri could feel some awe over just having hand a hand in taking down something that had been part of his people's stories for generations. For the pale haired boy he supposed what he felt was less sorrow at the loss of a unique creature than regret that he had not understood it better being being forced to defend himself.
Whatever feelings were warring for attention in the prentice's mind, the thing that won out in him was pride and it was with no small amount of pleasure that he made his way forward to the felled giant to claim his trophy. It took practically no effort to slide an undamaged rocky scale from the reptile's rapidly cooling body, as if in death it's whole body had given up and was allowing itself to fall apart. The scale was heavy and light in Shukri's hands at the same time and once again various feelings pulled at him as he head continued to throb from his earlier connection with a wall.
With the fear and the fighting over Shukri was able to let himself begin to settle down again. He could see most of his friends and allies spread about the room tending to their injuries and busily commiserating about the experience. As he slipped his trophy into a traveling pouch Shukri sought out Maya and Pacju again, he'd lost track of them in all the commotion and hoped they were ok. fortunately for him it was hard to miss the glow of Pacju's horns and he walked stiffly across the room and around the giant hole to them. " H..having fun in Sauti?" he asked, stumbling over the words a bit as pain spiked in his head again. Still, the young man was mostly smiling and there was something approaching a teasing tone in his voice.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 3:11 pm
Small whimpering whines where drowned out as people approached and backed away from the beast. Looking over to Pacju as she nudged her muzzle into Maya's hands the Alkidike smiled running her hand along the beasts head and neck in a rhythmic pattern. In her other hand rested the scale she had previously picked up. Turning it this way and that under Pacju's glow Maya furrowed her brows, Sauti sure was a strange place. She was starting to think it was no place for her to live. The trees were her home after all and she found safety in the bark and roots that grew in both Jahaur and Chibar, sighing as she placed her prize in the satchel on her waist.
Pacju nuzzled against the young Alkidike woman again, smiling she gazed at the Radaku for a moment before the familiar male voice spoke from behind her. Eyes grew slightly wider as she spun to face him, her face flushing when she saw him though the bright smile only seemed to grow. He was ok, though he looked about as battered as the rest of the tribes around her including herself. "About as fun as facing a pack of Radaku unarmed!" She teased back stepping towards him. "I'm glad you're ok." She muttered her voice considerably softer.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 6:50 pm
"Tch, you could climb away from them though, I don't think Pacju could get up a tree," Shukri had a lot of respect for the radaku, especially for seemingly staying calm during the monster attack but her kind didn't exactly look suited to climbing trees. He understood what Maya had been joking about though. Sauti, for all it lacked the poisonous giant crystal spiders of her homeland, was dangerous and seemed to be determined to make sure those of the new tribes knew it. Shukri had never thought of this land as an unwelcoming one, just a harsh one that took years of experience to learn to thrive in. Even then most people didn't run into the situation they'd just faced everyday. The blond was grateful for that too because he didn't think his body could handle that.
"Thanks and you too, Faiza would never let me hear the end of it and I let her know either of you two got badly hurt on my watch." The youngling missed Maya and Pacju, she had embraced Maya as a friend quite quickly and lamented about her inability to leave the band and go see the alkidike so she could hear more stories and play with her. Of course Shukri too genuinely thought of Maya as a friend and would prefer to see her not come to regret her travels to Sauti.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 7:30 pm
The bright smile remained on the Alkidikes face as she tilted her head slightly to the side, her antenna shifting with gravity as well though they seemed to twitch absently from time to time. "You know, maybe it would be a good idea for you and Faiza to join Pacju and I in Jahaur." The comment was made rather absently and realizing she had said it her mind started swimming with ways to change the subject. "How is Faiza, I haven't seen her in a while." Maya's smile faded slightly replaced with concern. She had found the child quite charming not to mention her care she tried to show Pacju though the Radaku would have nothing to do with her until Maya had regained some of her health back. "It's a good thing she didn't come with us. Maybe you should find something to take back to her."
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 8:06 pm
"Fai is good, getting bored in her lessons a lot lately," Shukri replied as he reached up to rub gently at a sore spot on the back of his head. Faiza seemed to be one of those people who understood concepts quickly and then wanted to move on to the next thing, she often seemed to feel held back by the other younglings. Shukri's younger brother Yasir was close in age to her and was often full of stories on how she would get bored during class and end up causing trouble. " She is thankfully too young to be traveling outside of camp perimeter alone and her parents don't trust me enough to take her on trips," Shukri admitted. While they didn't mind the friendship he shared with their young daughter neither of Faiza's parents were willing to let a mere prentice be responsible for their child's safety. "If there is treasure hidden somewhere in the mountain I'll grab something for her," he assured Maya. Of course he was going to take the best things he could for himself first but still it was the thought that counted.
"I think we'd both like to see Jauhar someday but it will probably be a long time before that happens." Various circumstances meant that neither himself nor Faiza were really capable of leaving Sauti in the near future. " What are Alkidike younglings like?" he asked curiously trying to stay on more pleasant topics. Shukri didn't know what lay ahead for himself or the others and would rather end up facing whatever else the save had in store for them in a good mood.
As he spoke the blond's eyes searched the room for the other Radaku he had seen approaching them just before the monster had made it's grand entrance. He had no idea who the darker creature belonged to and was curious to get a better look at it and it's owner if they ventured back towards them.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 7:09 am
Enki, Yansa, and Antiope made their way around the room, checking on members of their own tribe while finding treatments to the cuts and bruises that they too had received.
As everyone began tending to one another and wishing farewell to the fallen beast, Vescillea and the men of the Wind Tribe who had carried the drill (which had been destroyed in the battle) made their way over to the open hole. They each pulled ropes from the bags that they carried with them. Securing the braided cords around sturdy rocks and overhangs, the group began descending into the lower layer, leaving the ropes up so that the others could follow them down, if they so desired.
The floor below was sealed off; no other entrances or exits to the area could be seen. It was musty and cold from years of being sealed off from the world. The walls were surprisingly smooth, except for one area near the back. Here, it appeared as though something had been ripped directly from the stony slabs. An almost perfect outline of the Legendary Creature could be seen, and the hole was nearly as large as the beast’s body. It seemed clear that this is where the ancient beast has slumbered, sealed away. What had awoken it was still unknown.
A pungent smell had begun to take hold of the room and it didn’t take long for the adventurers to discover the source of the smell. In the hole made by the creature, the two corpses of the missing Wind Tribe boys were hidden away, uneaten but left to decay. Vescillea signaled to her men, who quickly moved forward to retrieve the bodies. ”May Bergchi guide you…” She whispered, before stepping into the hole to investigate further. The room was sealed, so how has the creature gotten out?
The woman moved along, her fingertips running along the wall. Eventually, they connected with a small imperfection, one of the few in the room. She pushed in and the wall sank into the floor, revealing a hidden room and a secret passageway. The passage led up, back into the mountains. A cold breeze had begun to blow, entering the room, much colder than the air of Sauti. Within the room itself, small piles of glittering treasures could be seen, little hunks of gold and sparkling gems.
Vescillea ignored the treasures, heading up the passageway, out of the hole and into the mountains.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 8:58 am
Takoda posts in green
Keilana posts in brown
Jerarda posts in purple
Takoda tended to his friends wounds no matter how minor they seemed, he turned when Ayo approached and thanked him for his efforts, his face blushed and he swallowed looking down and away from her,
"Ah...well I am glad I was useful..." The shifter managed as he finished tending to Chal before standing up and looking over Ayo and without even asking began to heal the wounds that were visible on her. Using his water magic like a salve he spread it across whatever wounds he could see, his face solemn as he worked only moving into a small smile once he felt that he had done a good job.
"Let me know if I missed anything." He murmured as he looked over to the dead beast a sad look on his face, he had helped in killing that...but..if they hadn't fought it may of killed the people he cared about, upon discovering the two dead bodies of the boys he felt himself grow even more solemn, who was going to tell their parents? Such a senseless death....untouched..not even for food.
Moving for ward he felt himself wrap his arms around his body as if to help warm him from the chill coming from the room that was opened up by the Wind Tribe leader, he moved past the dead beast quietly before entering the room. He may of been amazed if he didn't feel a bit dead inside, to come rescue two people and then only to find out they were dead...numbed him a bit.
Moving past the sparkling items he moved following the elder to where the cave entrance was, and where the wind was coming from. It caused him to shiver but he quietly just went to stand beside the woman wondering just where they were.
Keilana after making sure her brother was alright she had noticed his ill temper at his bow, but she didn't get a chance to ask him about it when she noticed Animah's wound. Keilana had a long gash on her leg but she hardly noticed it, she had worse it was more of an inconvenience than anything,
"Ahhh your hurt." Keilana stated with a frown and she removed her arm band and began ripping into shreds making a makeshift bandage for the girl and applying it. Her brother and her had enough practice patching each other up over the years this would be no different.
While doing this she noted that two bodies were being brought out of the hole where the creature had come from. Bodies that didn't move or breath life... it unsettled her for that meant the creature had probably intended to eat them at some point...and she was glad it was dead now.
Once finished she moved along with everyone when the door way was revealed, and despite herself was in awe of all the sparkly things that were in the room. The shifter she had antagonized once before in the forest moved past her as if such things weren't worth looking at, but what would he know about surviving? These things could help her and her brother live comfortably for a long while.
Grabbing a few things she stuffed them into her bag, she would look at them later, as everyone seemed to be moving towards the exit. Giving a look of longing she managed to grab one more thing before exiting the cave, all the things she grabbed were small and could fit into her satchel.
The alkidike woman was furious, furious she had bungled up in the endevors of fighting this beast, her contempt for the spear in her possession was growing. Regardless only time and practice would make her better with the weapon as it was right now she just felt a fool to be using it. Granted she was pretty sure after she took possession of a scale from the creature that her hands may of been a disastrous mistake.
Still she placed her spear on her back, as if it was a burden, Rishi was fine just a bit marked up but so were everyone else and so she paid it no mind. 'She' could use a bit of toughening up. Sighing she only took a small note as the shifter...went healing a wind tribe girl, eyes watching she wondered why. Did he owe her a favor? Maybe she would find the time to ask him...he looked rather useless...and yet in the battle he had seemed the most effective ....
Moving forward she waved for Phenyo and Rishi to follow her, entering the chambers she paid only a slight note of the two dead bodies before moving forward. The room full of trinkets hardly impressed her, treasure wasn't exactly why she had come here, battle had been the true purpose and even then she hadn't been that useful.
The air was much cooler coming from the exit..and she tried to repress a shiver.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 10:59 am
"Our younglings?" Maya blinked as she watched Pacju wander off in search of the other Radaku. Something about its appearance here had perked her interest and she wanted to know more about it. Shrugging her shoulders she turned back to look at Shukri. "Well, full of energy. The sure like to fight alot with each other. Fearless. Then again there are a few who were the opposite." Pushing one of her dreads behind her ear Maya looked the earthling up and down. "Some of them are clingy to the older ones. It's been a while since I was home in Chibar." A forlorn look drifted across Maya's features as she seemed to stare at something far away.
She missed her great mother and wondered just how close the annual gathering was for the Alkidike tribe. Perhaps she would have to talk about going back to visit Aisha for a while over with Elder Kishku the journey and time home would probably do her good. On the other hand she had no idea what to do with Pacju, or how the Radaku would survive without her. She had raised it from a baby and they had a slight dependance on each other at this point.
"Even my youngling sisters can't travel far from Aisha until they are old enough. I'm not sure about with protection but, you rarely see younglings away from the great mother tree." Watching the others as they proceeded through the hole Maya felt rude wanting to travel through the hole mid conversation so she slowly started moving while talking. Hoping Shukri had the same idea. To get down the hole with the rest of the group.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 11:08 am
Ayo smiled at Takoda, bashful as always, despite his heroic deed. A look of surprise flashed across her face as his water magic began moving across her skin, soothing her wounds, working as a salve. She closed her eyes, a contented sigh falling from her lips as he healed her injuries. She lifted the edge of her shirt slightly, exposing the blossoming bruise that continued to move across her torso.
As he finished, she offered him another bright smile. ”Thank you.” She breathed again, feeling slightly indebted to the talented man.
A shiver ran up the woman’s spine as the door fell open, exposing a chill breeze. Everyone seemed to be turning in that direction. It was only then that Ayo noticed the two dead bodies being carried through the exposed path. A hand automatically rose, covering her open mouth. Tears pricked at the edges of those blue-green eyes, but she wouldn’t cry. Not in front of so many strangers.
Her friend… she had been hoping to help him.
Her heart seemed to be forming a hard knot in her stomach while simultaneously clogging her throat. Slowly, she made her way after Vescillea and the others who had moved through the room. She glanced at the small piles of glittering treasure. No doubt she would have been endlessly fascinated with them had this tragic event not suddenly numbed her mind.
Ayo stepped up next to Vescillea and Takoda, closing her eyes once more as the cold wind stung her face.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 11:12 am
Takoda posts in green
Keilana posts in brown
Jerarda posts in purple
Takoda breathed out looking over the expanse of white stuff that covered the ground, he was surprised to see a white fog emit from his mouth and realized it was his breath. Shivering he took a step back closer to the wall as if hoping the mountain could offer more heat. They were all very poorly dress for this climate and now he was wishing he had learned how to use fire magic.
Looking over he noted that Ayo had joined them, she seemed very closed off probably due to the young bodies that were found. Perhaps she had known them. He wanted to ask, but knew better than to, perhaps someday he could or would ask but for now he would leave it be. Just like how she respected his privacy about his parents deaths he wouldn't bother her about the two bodies int he cavern.
Takoda was slowly realizing he didn't like snow.
Keilana...if she knew that Takoda didn't like the snow she could quite possible claim she HATED IT. As the cold wind stole her body heat she felt her entire being wanting to flee! Flee back to Tale and away from this wretched cold. Teeth chattering she tried to rub her arms and finally was forced to turn and join her brother less she freeze to the spot right here and there.
Muttering under her breath as she went about how this place was quite possible the worst discovery in the entire existence of her being.
Much like everyone who was use to warmer and humid climates this place was a nightmare. White...everywhere, during the day the shifters would stick out like a sore thumb but at night they would become invisible. It disturbed her to think about such things...but at least everyone else was going to have about the same advantages and disadvantages.
Jerarda stood her ground, even if it was cold unwilling to leave her spot even if she lost feeling in her fingers and toes. After all she couldn't show weakness, not after failing at killing the beast herself.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 2:26 pm
Shukri was not always great with subtleness but he was able to pick up that Maya wanted to get a move on. That was fine by him, to be quite honest he didn't really want to stay in a room with a slowly disintegrating carcass, even if he sort of maybe would have loved to have had one of the legendary beasts teeth or claws as well. Now was not the time to harvest such things though, not when so many were still clearly upset, perhaps he would linger on his way out though. Nodding along with Maya's words but lacking a reply he followed her to the edge of the hole and then began to rappel down it with little difficulty..
Conflicting feelings soon swamped Shukri for the third time that day. On the one hand bile rose in his throat when he caught sight and smell of the bodies of the two fallen wind tribesmen. They had been too late although he supposed at least the bodies looked undisturbed and he could be grateful for that in some small way. The loss of life was still all too real to him now especially after fighting the beast and everyone escaping with only minor wounds, all of that and they had still failed. The boy's pale eyes shifted towards the floor, unable and unwilling to take in the reactions of others right now.
Of course it was on the floor he was currently navigating that Shukri spotted the greatest of joys, oh ho but here was treasure! The missing heirlooms surely but there was too much here for all that. The young prentice was barely done mourning and yet there was glee fluttering around in his stomach and he couldn't help but shuffle off to the side and stoop down to examine some of the jewels that had been hoarded down here. Some of them came in colours he'd rarely seen , oh and that one matched Faiza's eyes, he should totally take it back to her.
Shukri hadn't exactly forgotten about Maya he just wasn't quite sure what to say to her at the moment and he seemed somewhat distracted in the process of drowning his grief in greed. Even though his was a place of sadness he was not as eager to leave as some of the others, at least not until he'd finished picking out a few additional mementos. a few pieces of gold here, a few rare gems there. the pale haired boy had at least the decency to avoid anything that looked like it might have recently been owned by someone.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 2:49 pm
Maya stared down into the hole, her mind swimming when Pacju returned obviously unable to find the Radaku from before. Or at least her attention had turned back to her companion as she seemed to be moving with the crowd. Gripping the rope in her hands as she watched the blond shift and move his way down the hole with relative ease. Shifting when she felt Pacju's snout press against her firmly, Maya patted the side of the beasts neck closes to her. Staring down as she leaned over the side, still held up by her grip on the rope Maya sighed looking back to Pacju. How in Tendaji was she going to possibly get her large companion down to the floor below? Let alone how far was it. "Don't suppose you could make it down on your own do you?" Maya questioned looking back to the light colored Radaku.
Peering over the side of the drilled ground Pacju let out a hissing whine, take a step back. "I didn't think so." Glancing up at the ropes and to where they were tied Maya found one off to the side most seemed to be avoiding. Smiling the Alkidike trotted over to the barren rope tugging on it twice to make sure no one was currently climbing on it before she proceeded to selfishly untie it from the rock holding it in place. Pulling on it she wrapped it around in loops to better carry back towards her companion.
Once back to Pacju Maya ran her hand over the beasts body, before flipping the rope over to the other side. Reaching around and under Maya was impressed at how well she was able to maneuver around her large friend without so much as a twitch from Pacju. Tying loops and knots until she was satisfied, the Alkidike then ran back to the rock ready to brace herself for the great animals weight as she tried to lift it down the tunnel.
Pacju paced forward reluctantly but slowly dropped down into the hole finding herself well supported by Maya. Who on the other hand was gripping the rope as hard as she could. Both her feet had been planted on the rock between here and the hole and inch by inch she struggled to lower Pacju into the cave below. Finding her feet starting to slip on the rock Maya moved to take a step back misplacing her foot sending both Pacju and Maya down to the floor below with a yelp.
Thankfully for Maya, Pacju had landed first and it hadn't been a far drop for the creature so the pair though startled remained unharmed save for a couple bruises. Waiting for the shock to subside as she rested against Pacju's belly Maya burst out laughing it had been entertaining. She hadn't yet registered the corpses that lay on the other end near the exit.
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