[CLASS QUEST] Niabi

[Suhuba]

This Quest is for Niabi who is striving to become a Blade.

OOC
||. You may not control any NPCs or other characters; Niabi must face her trials alone.
||. Respond to the prompts given as you would any other RP.
||. Your responses may be as long or short as you feel necessary.

IC

It was a day of reckoning; the elders had gathered together to discuss one particular sister that seemed very reluctant to take up any of the traditional weapons that were expected of her. She didn't need to love them all, but she would need to choose one to embellish and train with.

Mumblings about how the girl was hard to find at times, and often missed her training sessions were passed around and they had to figure out what exactly to do with her.

A summons was presented to Niabi, and she was expected to arrive at any moment. The elders had gathered one of each weapon and placed each one in front of an older sister who specialized in them. The sisters were told to not say anything, to act cold and indifferent; after all they didn't want the girl to choose based on the one who may take it easier on her. All three women were highly skilled with their weapons but they hung back against the wall.

The elders recalled having problems before with sister's who didn't want to use the weapons presented but at least they still had the drive to fight; Niabi....just didn't have any interest at all in fighting and it was something they hoped to correct.
 

[kaname423]

Niabi frowned as her mothers passed on the summons to her from the elders. She didn't know exactly what this was, but she had a feeling it was because of all of the practices she was missing. Well, she sighed, it couldn't have been helped. Eventually she would have been found out, she just didn't think that anyone was paying attention to her. Especially since she didn't really like to fight, she didn't know people were noticing when she was gone.

She was probably going to get a scolding from this. She only hoped that the elders weren't going to tell her mothers. She could feel her cheeks get hot with embarrassment at the thought as she walked to the meeting place. She fanned her cheeks to get herself to cool down before she came before the elders. That would be even worse; if she was already flustered when she met with them. And she wasn't a very good liar to boot.

She approached the elders and saw the three weapons and their holders standing in front of them. What was this? Niabi could guess what it was that was coming next. Oh, man.
 

[Suhuba]

The elders went quiet as Niabi arrived; allowing the seriousness of the meeting to sink into the young girl. All three sat cross legged on the floor though one wore more important tribal fetish's around her throat and arms. It was this one that spoke up;

"Sister Niabi, you have been summoned for a few reasons," She began, her eyes focused completely on the young woman before her. Her colleagues nodded their heads slightly at what she had to say. "First: your instructors have informed us that you miss quite a few of your weapon practices...for what reasons can you explain to us your constant absence? Do you not pride yourself as a sister who will help to defend the Great Mother tree, Aisha?" Though her tone wasn't accusing, the looks the two other elders gave Niabi could only betray how disappointed they were in her.

"We are told you often go missing and can be hard to find. Please explain your actions to us, Niabi. We know of your reluctance to fight but we do not understand why. Please...enlighten us."
 

[kaname423]

The elder in front of her had just begun to speak up - had barely said her name - and she already could feel her cheeks get hot once more. She looked down to the ground to try to calm herself. She needed anything but eye contact at this particular moment. The other two elders gave her a look of deep disappointment and Niabi frowned deeply. Explain to them why she didn't fight? How could she possibly explain to them why it was she couldn't fight? Her own mothers didn't understand.

But she guessed that it was time to face the music. There was only so long she could have run from what she knew she had to do, and it had come to the time where there was no more running.

She cleared her throat meekly and squeaked out a response before trying to settle her voice and sound not as pathetic as she felt. "E-elder... I... I miss practice because I c-can't bring myself to bear the thought of... well... h-hurting others." She swallowed hard and looked up at the elders in front of her, hoping that they would understand at least some of what she was saying. "Holding a weapon... it feels... wrong." She tried to speak slow and chew on every word, hoping that the ones she chose were right. She didn't want to offend her elders, but they had asked a question and she couldn't lie to them.

But there was more to the story than that. Niabi might not want to fight, but she knew that war was coming, and she knew that sooner or later it would be forced on her. It was a fate she had resigned to already. "B-but... I am a Sister." She said this with some force to her voice, the most anyone had heard from her yet. "I know what I h-have to do. I don't... pretend to be able to live like a youngling forever." She closed her eyes briefly, waiting for the scolding she was sure she was about to receive.
 

[Suhuba]

For the most part the three women sat quietly, waiting and watching Niabi as she seemed very nervous. Though it was evident that the two less important sisters were quick to show their annoyance with what words Niabi choose to use. Felt wrong? How could protecting your sisters and your mother feel wrong? One of the women looked about ready to scold her, though was silenced as the eldest decked out in her tribal fetish's raised a hand to silence her.

It wasn't until Niabi had finished talking did the trio shift on the floor, the two looking rather dour whilst the eldest looked stern. It was true that they were all dissapointed in her lack of pride of weilding a weapon, but at the very least she knew what she had to do and would do it.

"I will admit, that your method of thinking bewilders us. Holding a weapon should cause pride as its a symbol of your importance in protecting the great tree mother." She began slowly as if trying to remind the young woman why they weilded weapons in the first place.

"And since you understand it is required of you, and that you cannot stay ignorant of the training forever, we have gathered three of the best warriors, each one trained in a specific weapon. You may choose which weapon that you wish to learn and accopmany the weilder on a hunt. Learn from them..it could take weeks or even days but we hope that your training wil enlighten you the importance of fighting."

A hand guestured to the three weapons. The bow, the dual swords and a spear. To whom each weapon belonged to it was hard to figure out as the owners hung back lined against the wall of the room. All held an impassive expression, as if trying not to encourage her to pick a weapon just because one of them looked friendlier than the others.  

[kaname423]

Niabi opened her eyes as the elder started to speak again, not wanting to appear rude. She listened intently, hanging on every word the elder said and let it sink in. She may be a pacifist at heart, but she did understand the other side of things and sometimes wished she could be like the others. And be normal.

She gulped hard at the thought of going on a hunt. Of training intensely for the next... who knew how long. It wasn't exactly something that sat light on her heart. She looked to the three weapons and back to the women trying to look impassive and sighed slightly.

At least this was the easy part. She had told herself already what weapon she would eventually be forced to use and had already thought long and hard on it and what it would mean as a decision. The bow was the only option that would keep her being intact and preserved herself as a person. Niabi nodded her head to the elder, her silent acceptance of the situation and without much time passing, she slowly walked forward, reaching out for the bow and standing there waiting for who it would be that would come meet her.
 

[Suhuba]

Of the three women who were hanging back, there were none who looked pleasant. In fact they all held a rather cold and stand offish gaze as if they were disgusted with Niabi. As the bow was reached for the woman on the right of the trio stepped forward. Her hair was dreaded as was custom for their people but nothing special was done to it beyond being tied back in a pony tail. Muscular in primarily her arms, she stood in front of Niabi as if anticipating her to cower.

"We shall go then. This will be a test of your skills as well your heart so be prepared. You may bring that bow with you, I will gather the arrows and quiver you will need in your training. " It seemed giving her name wasn't high on the priority list.

The three elders nodded their heads as if they agreed with her choice of words, they slowly stood up as if dimissing Naibi without a single word. Only the eldest lingered.

"You have high expectations for you Niabi... don't disappoint us." And with those parting words the hut slowly emptied, only the archer stayed.

"I am known as Kerr'ba, and I will meet you on the western shores. You have until the sun reaches to sky to gather what equipment you think you will need." With that she turned and left leaving the poor girl alone with her thoughts.  

[kaname423]

Niabi's brows knitted together as the Sister stood and moved to where she was standing. She didn't look at all gentle... or lighthearted... or like this was about to be some bonding moment. And when her mouth opened, she was proven right. The woman was hard as ice. Niabi was shorted by at least a head, and she felt herself shrinking with every word. This was going to be a long trip, she could tell that already. She nodded meekly as the woman named the test she was about to take.

The crowd cleared out and Niabi winced at the parting words of the last elder. Don't disappoint. The words hung heavy in the air and she could feel her antennae dip in disappointment with herself already. How was she going to hold up to high expectations when she didn't even have enough of that for herself? Her frown increased as the woman who would be leading this trip spoke up once more. Kerr'ba, it was rather strong and rough, how the woman seemed to appear herself. But she was the spitting image of what Niabi should be as an Alkidike. She gulped and nodded slowly, acknowledging the command she was to follow.

Alright then. And with that she was alone, and felt worse than ever. She didn't even have the courage enough to speak up any sort of assent or voice her acceptance of the situation.

She frowned and was enveloped with her thoughts of self pity as she traveled back to her home and packed her things. At first her mothers would continue to grill her on what the meeting was about, but after not getting much more out of her than she was going to meet with an elder Sister they left her alone. She had to pull herself out of her own head enough to decide what it was that she thought she would need. Food for starters. She packed some dried fruit and a little pack of fresh berries for the trip and decided that since they were going hunting, that was probably enough. She didn't want to travel too heavy and she knew that she would have much more to take with her. Her water pouch was heavy with fluid and she would have to grab another from her mothers' supply before she left. The trip would be long and water was more important than food really. She grabbed a light blanket for the nights, and thought twice about more food before caving and packing some strips of dried meat. She thought it was radaku beef, but wasn't too sure herself.

After she thought that she had had enough of those supplies, she stopped in the pantry and grabbed some bandages, salves, and an extra dagger, just in case something were to happen. She didn't want to be caught unprepared.

The sun was just peaking over the horizon when she finally reached the western shore. Already tired and wanting a break, but knowing that she couldn't show her exhaustion already. The pack was heavier than she thought it would be. "S-Sister. I hope I'm not late..." She trailed off. It was uncomfortable, just the two of them, when she knew that the other woman looked at her like she was a bug. Worthless and pitiful.
 

[jayoku]

Sister Kerr'ba wasn't looking at Niabi when she approached, she as looking over the meager amount of gear she had packed herself. Her own bow was strapped to her back and a quiver filled with the finest arrows. A second quiver was laying on the ground also neatly packed with as many arrows that would fit. A small bundle was tied together within it was a mystery but it was small and light enough that it wouldn't be any burden on the larger woman. Even when spoken too she didn't acknowledge Niabi right, so intent on the boat she was preparing to cast off it almost seemed like she forgot she was suppose to take the girl with her.

Finally after what felt like agonizing moments of grim silence she cast her gaze to Niabi a frown permanently on her face. Her eyes roamed over Niabi as if making sure her attire was appropriate as well the amount of gear she had with her.

Without a word hello she reached down and picked up the second quiver and handed it to her.

"These are yours. I will only explain to you once that I am not going to supply you with any more than these. Once you run out the training is over...and depending on how quickly you that is accomplished will determine what I say to the elders on your progress." The quiver was then shoved into her hands, upon closer examination there looked to be roughly thirty arrows and that hardly seemed like enough to be 'training' with. Moving over to the boat she cast her items inside, though her bow and arrows were handled in a more respectable manner.

"Get in. We travel every morning at the break of dawn to cover more distance."

kaname423

 

[kaname423]

It felt like ages before the elder spoke again. Niabi was almost startled at the sound of the voice after such a long streak of silence, but forced herself to at least try to make eye contact and take the quiver from Kerr'ba. She swallowed hard and listened to what she had to say before nodding her head in understanding. "Th-thank you Sister."

Niabi counted the arrows and frowned slightly. In all honesty, Niabi had only shot a bow enough times to count on one hand, so she didn't see her arrows lasting very long out here on her hunting trip. She could only pray that Aisha would humor her while she was out today. She didn't think her missing training would have come to this, but of all things, she didn't want to disappoint her mothers and her elders.

She hopped into the boat in compliance, thumping slightly as she landed from the added weight of her belongings and waited for her Sister to give her her next set of instructions. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't nervous. "Where to next Sister?" She asked meekly, more trying to break the silence and sound a little more assertive than actually wondering where they were off to.
 

[jayoku]

The older woman waited for Niabi to settle into the boat before she cast them off the shore. The bottom of the boat scrapped against the sand a moment before becoming buoyant. She worked quickly, as if this was something she did every day, taking the rope off the end and gathering it up to cast into the boat before she quickly climbed in herself. Picking up an oar she handed it to Niabi then reached for her own before dipping it into the sea.

"We will be heading to the shores of Jahaur. The forest is thick there..." The words trailed off as if she didn't need to say what was on the tip of her tongue. A thick forest would be difficult to shoot arrows in...so was she setting Niabi up for failure?

"We will be foraging for ourselves, I have brought us only the most meager of rations to see us through the tough times. We will be relying upon each other for shelter, food and water...understand?" The words were heavy, as if this was a life or death situation no some training exercise.

As they paddled along Kerr'ba corrected Niabi every time she seemed to send them off course, the shoreline they were headed for seemed to be so very far away, but at least having Kerr'ba talk...well...'correct' was better than silence right? Once the bottom of the boat seemed to rest against the sand in the shallows, Kerr'ba stood up placed the oar into the boat before jumping out and into the water. She dragged the boat higher onto the shore before she gestured for Niabi to get out and help.

"I want you to scout up ahead and look for a spot to set up camp. Not too far from the shore...there are some dangerous creatures in the forest."

kaname423

 

[kaname423]

Niabi did what she could to help the boat move along. In all honesty, she wasn't used to traveling by water. Definitely not since she lived in Andile, not exactly a place that was close enough to do sailing.

She hadn't been back to her birth place more than a few times, so being back on the islands was almost a sense of continuous sea sickness. She was more than glad when she could put her feet on land again. She hopped out of the boat, more eager to have her feet planted on something firm and steady than ready to start the trip. She nodded her head to Kerr'ba, signifying she understood what she was supposed to do and almost as an afterthought pulled the quiver and bow onto her back. It wouldn't do to leave it behind, that would defeat the purpose. It was something she hoped her elder wouldn't see she almost overlooked and tried to suppress the blush she could feel creeping in.

She padded along the sands of the beach, moving closer in toward the start of the forest, but also further down the sands of the beach, treading the coast line. Respecting Kerr'ba's instructions, she didn't want to go too far into the forest.

jayoku

 

[Suhuba]

Kerr'ba stayed on the shore, though she appeared unconcerned for Niabi's saftey she was in fact watching and listening to the sounds of the forest intently. She couldn't do everything for the girl, or hold her hand the entire way either. This was most certainly a trial for the girl and she needed to know why it was important she learn how to wield a weapon.

So she was unpacking the boat of their supplies, it was meager and they would need to hunt to make sure their rations didn't go to waste too early. Rolling her shoulders she felt how tense she had been in the boat, there was a lot of pressure on to make sure Niabi understood what was at risk.

A noise caught her attention, something… that didn't belong here. Standing up straight she took out her bow and slowly drew an arrow from her quiver. The sound was gone now… but she still would look on the alert when Niabi came back.  

[kaname423]

When Niabi thought she had about found a spot and was done wandering, she gave one last look around before slightly jogging back to the place the boat was docked.

She gave one look at the bow in Kerr'ba's hands and with unsure fingers and a lot of fussing she finally pulled her own bow, trying to follow her elder's lead. "D-did you see something?" Niabi's antennae twitched as she waited, wondering what it could have been that set the elder off.

jayoku

 

[jayoku]

The older woman took a moment to move or respond to Niabi's presence and question. Finally pulling her gaze away from where her gaze had been intently scanning she looked to the young girl.

"I am not sure...gather the things..you found a suitable place I imagine?" She managed to get her thoughts back together after a moment. What was it that she had seen? It put her on edge...and she wanted to get themselves moving. Gathering what items she could the older woman couldn't quite shake the feeling that whatever it was she had heard...wasn't too far off. But rather than make Niabi worried she shrugged her pack onto her shoulder and gestured for Niabi to take them to the spot.

Once they arrived Kerr'bra began to set up camp, she said little though it was easy enough to tell she was on edge. It was getting dark when they were about finished and standing up the fire crackling away at her side Kerr'ba looked down to Niabi and sighed before looking away.

"I am going to go scout around...watch the camp. I will be back soon." Were her only words as she then took her bow and hoisted her quiver onto her back. Taking to the tree's lightly before disappearing into the darkness.

Many hours go past but Kerr'ba never returns. The forest is dark, the fire light your only source of light. It would be many hours before there would be enough light to go out to search for her. As night wanes on it becomes evident she is not alone in the forest. A strange clicking sound would come and go from varying directions around camp.

[Write out how Niabi reacts to her situation being surrounded by bug mages. Will she go out to find Kerr'ba? Or deal with the mages first? You may write out as much or as little progress as you like but stop once you have her find Kerr'ba.]

kaname423