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Kaalnia stuffed a piece of fruit into her coat before she staggered out into the cold for the day's lap around the granary. The fruit was not native to Zena, of course, nor had she or Votzhem plucked it from the tree. They had seen no traders, either – they were alone, save for the murderers beyond the pass.
It was from them that Kaalnia had acquired her prize. Votzhem occasionally ran into – and killed – the bandit patrols in the area. The bandits had, apparently, overturned a merchant caravan and stolen it's goods. The little fruit had a trail of blood behind it, and Kaalnia felt that it was probably best in her hands.
Though, hopefully, it wouldn't be in her hands for long. She was hoping for the fluffy beast to return, and she wanted to be able to bribe it when it did. And what better bribe than fruit?
She began her exercise, determined to only take a few rests this time around. She was healing, she knew she was. She could feel it, even as she hurt. She wished she could see herself in a mirror – she was sure she was covered with scars. Her body paint had long since faded, leaving only her natural markings and scars, and those were covered up by a cloak protecting her body from the damnable cold.
She could not wait to get her hands on some body paint and to decorate herself again, but she knew she would have to be mindful of the scars. They would change the artistry of her body. Hopefully, they would make her more attractive to the ladies.
She stopped, gasping for air, her arms and legs shaking. “Okay.” she said to herself, slumping against the wall and wincing as her body protested. “Okaaay then.”
“Maaah?” She opened her eyes to see the fluffy beast from before staring at her questioningly.
“Eh, don't worry about me.” she said, waving it off playfully.
It didn't seem convinced.
Kaalnia smiled, letting her aching body slide down the wall to sit on the cold ground again. “Hey.” she said, rummaging in her coat for the fruit, “Got something for ya.”
The fruit intrigued it, or perhaps it's initial approach had made it bolder. It strode forward with determined purpose and, daintily, sniffed at the fruit. And then, equally daintily, it took the fruit into it's mouth.
“Good, huh?” Kaalnia said as it ate the fruit, “They've got lots of those where I'm from, cutie.”
Apparently, the fruit was enough for it to get over it's fear of twolegs. It began to nose at her, presumably seeking out more of the rare, unknown treat.
Kaalnia laughed. “Haha – liked it that much, did ya?” she pet it's soft head and ran her fingers through it's deep fur. “Don't have any more on me, sorry.” she apologized, “But hey, come back with me...” her voice caught, hopefull, “Come back with me, and, you know, we'll see what we can get for ya.”
(508/500)
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