[FIN] [PRP Sauti] Stardust and Beaten Paths [Jak | Har]

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

“…and all along the wandrin’ path, they laid their armor down, they laid their armor down, they laid their armor down…” Jakkoa’s breath made ghosts in the morning air, still too dark to see much by, but lit enough to track movement. In any case, his hands moved over the knots of his bags on instinct, and he felt he could have done it without any light at all: testing the straps, securing the last few items. “With ne’er a soul to hear the sound, they lay their armor down…” The notes of the song were breathy as the white mist that marked their path, and when he finished, his task was as well.

Standing, he took a step back to survey his work.

It was a small cart. Just one, laden with the few things he’d take with him — some items that his parents had allowed him to take for barter, others the basic tools of his craft, and then bedding furs, clothing, and his instrument. If pressed, he could have carried it himself, but a small cart seemed a worthwhile investment for a potentially extensive trip with two men, and it did allow for several extra amenities here and there.

Satisfied with his last line of prep, Jakkoa’s gaze moved out, over the quiet landscape — brown, deep blue, and rimmed with the pale accents of early-morning white. His family’s cart was a dark shape in the pastures outside the Farys house. Off, out of the way. Empty. They’d been invited in to sleep while they were there, and the comfort of the indoors was welcome. But the look of abandonment now, in particular, struck some chord within him.

This would be the last he saw of it for quite some time.

It might be the last he ever saw of it.

After a frown crept onto his features, Jak dismissed the thought, schooling his expression back into something more neutral out of habit, though there was no one there to observe, and smiling instead. It wouldn’t be that way. He didn’t have all the time in the world, so he would make do with what he did, and make it work. It was, in the end, the only option, after all. Or, certainly, the only option Amarda had.

He started towards the house, wondering how early his chosen escort typically rose—and how early he could be convinced to rise, going forward.  

[Painted Moose]

The Only Black Uke

Calloused fingers flitted through soft, ethereal curls in the early morning hour. Hargitt sat atop his raised pallet, which was far too sparse to ever truly be called a 'bed', and looked down at the sleeping form of his youngest brother, Tivis. The boy had slept by his side ever since he was big enough to claim the space for himself. Most nights Hargitt pulled the boy atop his chest to save space in their small, little area, but now Tivis would have the whole bed to himself.

A soft, saddened smile claimed Hargitt's lips. He'd barely had any sleep thanks to his little brother, who had spent the better part of the night either pleading for Hargitt not to go or pretending that he wasn't crying, when it had been as obvious as the sun in the sky. "But I don't WANT you to go! Why can't you and Jak just stay here?" Trying to explain to a six year old that it was a necessary trip, something that would hopefully save Jakkoa's sister, was difficult when all he saw was the immediate changes in his life.

Hargitt pulled the edges of Tivis' blanket up around the boys shoulders before rising to his feet. From across the room, which was littered in sleeping Farys boys, Merritt let loose one of the loudest snores Hargitt had ever heard a moment before one of their younger brothers threw a pillow at his face. The action did little more than to muffle his sleeping brother.

He was both going to miss this, and yet...would he really? Hargitt had valued his freedom just as much as he reveled in spending time with his family, so a trip away sounded like the best course of action. The young archer bent at the knee to scoop up his packs and once ready, he slipped his way out of their room, through the communal space and outside.

Hargitt packed light out of sheer habit more than necessity. His uncle never allowed him more than he could carry up, so he saw little reasoning in bringing more than that, even if Jakkoa had a cart. All he truly needed was a dry place to sleep at night and enough arrows to keep them safe; all of which could be provided on the road.

In his strides towards the cart he came across his 'fiance' in the wisps of early morning light. He did nothing to brush away the locks of hair that fell around his face, not until it became too much for him to see through and only then did Hargitt bother with brushing them aside. His hair still looked sleep mussed; as if he had just woke up despite his relatively sleepless night.

Quirking his brow, Hargitt slowed his pace to a complete stop. "Forget something?"  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

Upon spotting Hargitt’s approach, Jakkoa paused, waiting where he stood instead of progressing further towards the house. Though it wouldn’t have been a hassle, necessarily, to rouse the other man, it was still a token relief to see him emerge and approach on his own. A large, dark shape at first, then with more definition as he drew closer and details became visible.

In the silence of morning, with the sky still dark but lightening ever-gradually by the moment and the air crisp, there was a different tone to it. No scurrying bystanders. No presentation to make before either of their families. No show or noise or interruption. It reminded him how little he knew about the man, when it came down to it. Not so as to make him uncomfortable, naturally, but enough of an unknown that this trip would be, if nothing else, a unique learning experience.

“Only you,” Jak said at length when Hargitt made it to him. “You may load anything you like into the cart. Whatever you don’t want on your back. I thought we could start out now, eat something when it becomes light enough to see by, and then travel at least until the sun reaches its high point. What sort of distances are you accustomed to traveling in a day?”

It was, perhaps, the sort of line of questioning he should have engaged in beforehand, but his options hadn’t been extensive, and somehow he doubted that Hargitt would for some reason not be able to keep up. All that mattered going forward was finding a schedule that worked for both of them, and got them from town to town, city to city as efficiently as possible without wearing thin either their patience, resources, or endurance.

No matter what, it wouldn’t be quite what Jakkoa himself was accustomed to, but such customs could be adjusted. And would be.

“I trust you haven’t forgotten anything?”  

[Painted Moose]

The Only Black Uke

"I'm good." Hargitt quickly motioned with his head to the back on his back. It was a well worn back, with as many patches on it as one would expect from a Farys. He supposed he could have placed it in the cart to save himself the hassle, but Hargitt preferred carrying it. His Uncle hadn't liked using carts, so the dislike had passed onto his nephew. It was a lot easier to escape from charging pray when one didn't have to worry over the damn thing being rammed instead.

"I'll go however long you need me to go, and when we rest, that's when I stop." Short, long; the distance never really mattered to Hargitt. He was used to traveling days in search of decent enough meat to feed his ever expanding family. His endurance had been tested over and over again in his Sauti home, but it was the other areas of Tendaji that gave him concern. How would he fair in the heat of Jauhar? Or the frigid cold of Zena?

Only time would tell.

"Here." Hargitt dug around in his pouch and withdrew a single ring. It was a simple thing, made of a pale gold with a solitary blue stone in the center. "It was my grandmother's. We can have it resized, but until this is over you'll need to keep it." He was already waiting for the snide comments. Hargitt had spent a fair amount of time buffing the grime off it's surface, as his father had kept it in storage for a fair amount of time, but it still wasn't all that grand. "You don't have to wear it all the time; just around anyone who might know me, which shouldn't be many."  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

‘…however long you need me to go…’

Jakkoa supposed he couldn’t ask for better than that, and frankly, satisfied though he was with his own hardiness when it came to traveling capacity, if Hargitt had for some reason proved incapable of keeping up with his smaller, less-weathered frame, it would have been disappointing at best, and not what he’d bargained for. So, just as well that his company wasn’t concerned in that matter. Better for both of them.

When the man began digging amongst his things, however, Jak’s attention turned that way, eyebrows raising as he identified the target item: a single, embedded gold ring. Perhaps it oughtn’t have been a surprise under the circumstances and given the nature of their arrangement. But it caught Jakkoa off guard just the same. Words were one thing. Smiles and touches and sweet nothings for the sake of an audience. A show to put on—that was simple enough. But, being as it had been his own idea to begin with and a shot in the dark initially at that, he hadn’t even known what to expect on that front, and certainly not anticipated any more initiative on Hargitt’s.

He decided though in that instant that he didn’t mind and cocked his head, one eyebrow arching above the other. “What,” he said at length, “you’re just going to hand it to me? Come, if you’re going to propose I expect a little more than that, or what will I tell your relatives? ‘Ah, he gave this to me and makes me wear it in public.’ I have standards, you know. One knee at the very least, and try to work something in about how beautiful my eyes are.”  

[Painted Moose]

The Only Black Uke

"...you're just going to hand it to me?"

Hargitt knew what to expect out of this trip in that very instant. The entire adventure was laid out before him like a well drawn map, complete with pitfalls and treacherous mountain ranges hellbent on seeing him fall. Except, instead of a gloriously silent piece of parchment the map was a waiting Jakkoa.

What was he to say to a fake fiance? How was he supposed to propose? I should have buried the ring. Or gotten him a simple string with a rock attached. Surely Jak would have been so offended by it that he wouldn't drag this out, but no, Hargitt had wanted to do this right. '

I have standards, you know.

Yes, definitely should have gone with the rock and string combination.

With a deep, aggrieved sigh Hargitt got down on one knee. He brushed locks of golden hair away from his face so that when he looked up all he could see was Jakkoa. The morning light illuminated his hair just like the fire in his home's hearth. It was a warming sensation that didn't quite match up with the fluffed up man before him. There was a subtle disconnect to that golden veil through which Hargitt could feel the warm of ethereal light. How odd.

"Your eyes are very...bright. Like the ring." Hargitt scrunched up his face, trying to work out the proper words. Or at the very least, something not likely to offend. "Or honey, though honey's sweet..."  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

Jakkoa watched. Waiting. ‘Patient,’ even.

At Hargitt’s eventual sigh, Jak’s expression lit, knowing he had won—at least in the sense of getting something more than a standing pass—and he watched with warm satisfaction as the other man knelt and brushed hair from his face. Judging from any combination of his posture, expression, and verbal hesitance, it was immediately obvious that it wasn’t exactly clear to Hargitt what he ought to do once there. But the fact that he was making the effort was satisfying enough. For now.

The instant he opened his mouth, the obviousness of his lack of clarity on how to smoothly handle the situation multiplied tenfold, and Jak felt a bubble of amusement gather at the back of his throat. Hargitt’s face scrunched. Jakkoa kept his lips closed, holding onto his composure.

Or honey, though honey’s sweet…

The laughter came of its own accord, rolling up and spilling into the otherwise quiet morning air. Fortunately, it was a genuine variety, true good humor making it difficult to restrain and lending it warmth and volume that rarely came naturally to him. In the wake of it, Jak took pity, gold eyes indeed bright with his lingering mirth as he shook his head.

“Gods be good,” he said, offering his hand and holding his fingers out splayed, to facilitate application of the ring, “perhaps it is fortunate that you’re not hoping to wed anyone in earnest just yet. Next time you find you have eyes for someone, consider running your proposal speech by me first. You’ve convinced me that you will need the help, but for now…” The corner of his mouth edged up, “…you may consider me ‘charmed,’ if only because I am not sure how much more of that I could handle. I do applaud the effort, though…and the view is nice.” If it was a more polite version of, ‘You look good on your knees…’ so be it. He clicked his tongue. “‘Like the ring’ indeed…”  

[Painted Moose]

The Only Black Uke

Hargitt wasn't...actually sure how he should respond to the laughter. He did what came naturally, however; let out a low, little chortle of his own and smiled. Even to his own ears the whole thing sounded lack luster and he wouldn't have been surprised if he'd been smacked. Instead, Jakkoa seemed highly amused by it all, so, Hargitt supposed it always alright if he found it laughable as well.

Carefully, Hargitt took Jak's hand in his own, and slipped the ring onto the appropriate finger. "Words don't come as easily to some of us as they do others."

Once the deed had been done Hargitt rose to his haunches and was about to stand when Jak's words caught him by surprise. He seemed to pause, right eye twitching a little more than the left. Did he just...? Hargitt leaned forward on a groan and reached up to massage his temple. This is going to be a long, long trip.

Finally moving to stand, he turned to his companion. "May we go now?"  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

Jakkoa’s smile was warm, head barely tipped and lashes lowered with pleased intent as Hargitt slipped the ring into place. Even if it was all a game, there was something obscurely pleasant about the moment just the same, the morning air crisp and fresh, their journey new, Hargitt’s chuckle soft but genuine—and Hargitt’s calloused fingers warm and gentle on his in the application. One day, there was no doubt the man would make a good husband to someone.

Jakkoa blinked at the stray thought, and quickly dismissed it, redirecting his focus to the man’s words.

“True enough,” he conceded, tucking his fingers to the ring with the opposite hand and adjusting idly. “Especially easily to me—but that is why you’re fortunate to have me here, offering free counsel.” Jakkoa’s smile edged back up, taking on a privately pleased, mischieving glint at the other man’s lean and groan. He hummed, altogether entirely satisfied with himself. “Yes, we may. You certainly have my permission, in any case…”

With both of them being well accustomed to travel—despite dressing habits on Jak’s part which on occasion suggested otherwise—the pair made good time at the outset with no hang ups relating to ill-preparedness or fatigue on either of their parts. The first conflict of interest came, instead, upon their first arrival at a small pocket village in Sauti playing at civilization—and Jakkoa’s immediate interest in interviewing every breathing individual there. Though they came upon it initially early in the day, it was not until late evening, well after the sun had set, that Jak returned to site at which they had left their belongings to potentially make camp ‘if’ they lingered that long.  

[Painted Moose]

The Only Black Uke

Hargitt had been surprised at how well the travel had gone. In the beginning they were making good time, and although his choice in outer wear would suggest otherwise, Jakkoa was proving to very capable. At times Hargitt was reminded that while he himself had scoured most sections of Sauti, his family was indeed rather stagnant compared to Jakkoa's. It was enough to make the trip altogether more pleasant than it may have been if Jakkoa hadn't proved as useful; though, now he had to rethink things.

Since his companion was a notably chatty little thing.

Hargitt had assumed they could get a few more hours in at least, but Jakkoa was gone, fluttering no doubt all across the little village like the social nondwa he was. The archer had busied himself with setting up camp, checking their inventory, even running a few errands before returning to start work on a modest meal. It was a simple, broth soup; nothing fancy, but something that would keep. One that once was finished he was able to place back on the fire in case Jakkoa were hungry once he decided to waltz back.

Unaware of the returning hybrid, Hargitt sat atop a tall rock; a boulder, really, one that may have made lesser men squirm due to it's height. He had simple supplies next to him for arrow making, and was busy at work. One leg was tucked under the other, which dangled freely over the edge. His head was tilted down, long matted golden hair obscuring his vision from the world around him.  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

Jakkoa noticed the smell of food first.

Fresh, rich, warm, and meaty it leant the air an appetizing spice—and with it, the low crackle of a fire and woodsmoke, the glow of it bright against the backdrop of encroaching night. He hummed as he approached, stretching his arms above his head while his gold eyes flicked and trailed up to the high perch Hargitt had taken to. Despite the dim light, the clack, clack, clack and bent posture of the man told him what Hargitt was working at. He moved first to the low fire, encouraging it with a brief prod from the fire stick before meandering over to their things and fetching himself a bowl and eating utensil.

“Have you eaten already?” he asked, crouching beside the hung pot as he ladled some of whatever-it-was into his bowl. “It certainly smells appetizing. But you look like a dark recluse up there on your lonesome, you know you could have joined me if you liked. I should have brought company back to meet you—I almost did. There’s a couple in the village, Stefan and Ireyne Tanner—does your family know of them? She tends mostly to animals but had at least some to say about ailments closer to home.”

After settling to a sit, bowl in lap, he lifted a spoonful, blowing gently, but paused a moment after to at least hear if Hargitt might be joining him—though he doubted it. Surely the man had eaten by now, if the food was already prepared.  

[Painted Moose]

The Only Black Uke

When Hargitt straightened his posture he immediately winced. He hadn't realized just how long he had sat hunched over like that, and a sharp tug from his back was his reward. Setting his supplies to the side, Hargitt twisted his upper torso, first to the left and then the right until his spine gave a satisfying 'pop', releasing some of it's tension and leaving him a happier man.

Once he was thoroughly stretched Hargitt retrieved his materials and slipped down the side of the large stone, dropping down to the ground with a solid 'thud'. Instead of answering the question of food, he merely grunted. He had managed to pick at it while cooking, mostly testing to see if the meat was thoroughly cooked, and that was enough of a meal for him.

"The Tanners?" Hargitt moved his 'operation' to the fireside in an attempt to appear more sociable. He thought on the name for a moment, finally settling on a nod. "Father has mentioned them from time to time." Merritt had as well, though Hargitt was less likely to believe anything the hot headed eldest Farys boy had to say. Perfectly nice people always turned into "monsters" around his brother, or so he said. Hargitt suspected the man just had a penchant for pissing others off with his sharp tongue.

It wasn't surprising, since he took after their mother.  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

Jakkoa glanced as he lifted a spoonful, blowing and happening to catch the moment of Hargitt’s wince and twist. After taking his bite and humming his satisfaction — it was as good to the tongue as it was to the nose — he swallowed and tipped his head, making a passive gesture to Hargitt with his spoon as he did.

“You know I could help you with that if you like,” he said. “Your back, that is. We can call it your first check up from your friendly, aspiring physician in training. I have a way with my hands.”

From what little he knew of the man already, he didn’t expect to be taken up on the offer, but that seemed no reason not to ask. Why pass up any opportunity to put hands on a set of shoulders that looked capable of toting a small village? When the man did at least come down to sit near to him, though, Jak smiled, noting in the back of his mind that Hargitt had not actually answered his other question — Have you eaten already? — but opting not to press. Hargitt clearly, surely took care of himself.

“What was it like, being still all the time? Sometimes I forget…you handle travel well enough, it’s easy to slip the mind that you’re a farmboy at heart. I think that it must have been boring, but then, you must have had multiple repeat visitors, like our family.”  

[Painted Moose]

The Only Black Uke

I'm sure you do. Hargitt gave Jakkoa a pointed look over the fire before returning to his work. As tempting as it was to have his aches worked out, he had no desire to let his 'fiance' man handle him like that.

If he just stretched a little before going to bed and after getting up he should be fine.

Better than getting worked up by someone who glowed like a little star.

"...I've traveled with my uncle more than I've stayed on the farm." He chipped away at the arrow's shaft, subconsciously making it as smooth as possible. "We were gone for months at a time, trekking into the mountains after prey." His older brothers would often tease him about what a kiss a** he was to Uncle Yuuria, but if only they had known what a hard a** he was. Yuuria demanded nothing but excellence from his nephew, even when Hargitt was small and inexperienced. "When your family came to visit that was the first time I had been home in seven months."  

[Miss Chief aka Uke]

Seven months.

Whatever Jakkoa had expected out of the man, that hadn’t been it, and in the aftermath of the statement, he studied Hargitt with curiosity, assessing him in a new light. “I didn’t realize,” he admitted at length. “I suppose that makes me even luckier than I thought to have happened upon you when I did. You must have a…unique relationship with your uncle.”

It occurred to him to assume that if he spent more time with the man than the rest of his family, they were almost certainly close, perhaps more so than he was with even his closer kin, and it might well have been so, but something gave him pause. It wasn’t even, now that he thought on it, anything in Hargitt’s tone or posture, all neutral and inconspicuous—if difficult to truly read, as Jak was coming to find. The more that he examined the hunch, the more he convinced himself it must be his own imagination, likely spurned by his own first impressions.

He had never gotten especially pleasant vibes from the man in their incredibly limited, passing encounters in the past. Not to mention, Jak couldn’t imagine spending seven months alone with anyone. He said as much.

“I suppose I’m just not suited to that much solitude, either. I think I’d be driven mad if I had only one person for company for a stretch of time so long, no matter how pleasant they were. But all your little brothers…they must miss you when you absent for periods like that.”