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 Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 9:05 pm
Not all afternoons were spent on the border of imagination and bravery. Some were spent at home, where chores were as intimidating as dragons, and the smell of freshly laundered bedding could be as charming as any prince. On such a fine day, when Taijana wasn't slogging through swamplands trekking after beasts, she liked to throw the doors open wide and let in as much fresh air as possible into her home.
She'd risen with the sun, and after making sure all of her morning chores were taken care of the huntress bid adieu to the two bespectacled members of her household. Taijana had asked for a little one on one time with her eldest, and in exchange her husband could have a little time alone with their youngest. Inevitably there would be a switch off, but for the moment she had the whole day to devout to her daughter.
"Kitya, sweetie, can you come here?" It would have been easy enough to track her down, but Taijana only liked doing that as a last resort. Better to have her children come to her voluntarily.
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2017 2:54 pm
If she placed another book here then the fort would be complete. Kitya pursed her lips as she concentrated on arranging one of her father's many books into a solid wall, only one of four that created her fantasy castle made of pages and words. She wished that her sister was here to witness its magnificence but she had left earlier in the morning with their father - something that made Kitya pout. If her sister got to go on the adventure then what would she be doing with their mother today? Not that it bothered her too badly to miss out on an adventure when she was creating her own world in the den of their home. Still as her fingers gently let go of the thick binding of the journal the girl turned her head at the sound of her name, "Aww." She whispered before slowly scooting on her behind so that she could safely vacate her construction zone. Dusting her dress the girl reached out for her faithful keldari companion, a cream colored plush named Mr.Wiggles, who slithered behind her on the ground as she dragged him with her, "Yes, mother?" She called back as she peeked out from the den in search of Taijana.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:54 am
Taijana turned towards the voice, stepping a little closer at angle so that she could better see her little girl. She had a tentative look on her face, one that was equal parts worried and excited. "I know I'm not as exciting as papa, but I thought that maybe we could do something special today? Just me and you."
Of course she wasn't as adventurous as her husband, but what Taijana had up her sleeve might very well make up for it. Maybe. If he daughter didn't outright shun the idea first..."It's too pretty outside to stay in all day." A loud loud, chuffing sound could be heard outside that made Taijana first turn her head, then smile, "Plus, Otroka's waiting for us."
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:20 pm
Kitya pursed her lips at her mother's words, "Not as exciting?" She shook her head quickly a slight flush decorating her cheeks, "No, no! I just enjoy being outside so I can soak up the sun like...Mr.Wiggles here!" She held out her Keldari with a grin, "So what's the plan, mama?" Though at the mention of the weather Kitya's eyes lit up, "Exactly! Sunlight, sunlight!" She moved so that she could grab her mother's hand, "That and Otroka is very bad at waiting, super terrible at it." She nodded sagely before tugging at Taijana's hands, "But what are we going to do outside, mama?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:40 pm
"Mr. Wiggles might need a bath after today." If Taijana had anything to say about it her daughter's stuffed animal might have been a more...tame creature, since keldari still unnerved her, but because her husband's connection with his own she had yet to say anything about it. So long as the girls were safe then she would just smile and keep her mouth shut.
"Oh, well in that case we definitely need to get going then." She squeezed Kitya's hand and led her outside, where the limbara who was scarcely older than her waited. Even though he was still 'young' he was still a towering behemoth, one whose appearance might have made him scary to outsiders, but whose sweet demeanor had him walking over to them immediately. He nuzzled Kitya's side, making happy little chuffs as he did so. Strapped to his sides were moderate provisions, as well as Taijana's crossbow.
"Do you want to try some practice with me today?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:46 pm
Kitya tightened her arms protectively over Mr.Wiggles, "Maybe...if I can splash with him a bit." She did rather enjoy baths, something that some other younglings may not like but Kitya found it relaxing to be in the water - as long as her parents didn't scrub her to death during the occasion. Not that they had to do much of that since she was able to do a lot on her own now. "Sounds good!" Kitya bounced alongside of her mother before smiling towards the Limbara, "Hi Otroka!" She beamed towards her mother's familiar before reaching out to pat at his side in return for his own nuzzle, "Hehe." She rubbed her face along his leathery skin before pulling back at the sight of his 'luggage'. Oooh, that was a lot of things. Kitya blinked in surprise at her mother's suggestion and stared at her for a moment before a wide smile spread across her face, "Yes!" She patted Otroka's side one more time before dashing over towards her mother for a hug, "That sounds like a lot of fun, mama! Where do we go though? Is it far? A big adventure to get there? Do we get to camp overnight outside by ourseeeeelves?" Ooooh so many exciting things they could do!
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 4:55 pm
Taijana smiled, feeling some of her anxiety start to slip again. She wasn't sure if Kitya would have been excited about this or not; she had a feeling, but one could never be too sure with kids. "Calm down, or you won't have enough energy to hold the crossbow." The huntress couldn't help laughing as she hugged her little one close. Taijana bent down to kiss her on the forehead,
before shooing her towards Otroka, who lowered himself enough to give Kitya a way up. "It's not far, but the walk can get a little steep. It'll be safer for you on his back."
Besides, a ride might be a little funner than having her mother fuss over every little crag and snare on the way. "This time we'll be back before bedtime, but if you want we can go out a little further next time. We just have to tell your papa and Xenia about it first, so they won't worry about us, okay? "
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:15 pm
Kitya giggled, "If you saaay so." Her without enough energy? Never! Grinning once more as she squeezed her mother a final time the girl darted towards Otroka and wiggled onto his back, "What about you, mama? Will you be okay on your own?"
Pouting at the shortness of the trip teasingly the girl leaned against Otroka's back, "Okay this time. Next time though we should! The stars are super pretty at night so we should definitely look at them together and have a biiig fire to watch too!"
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:30 pm
"I'll be fine." As happy as she was to have her daughter with her, Taijana had traveled this path many times before even Otroka had come into her life. She knew it by heart, and the walk wasn't burdensome at all to her anymore. Reaching down, she tapped his side, encouraging the lumbering creature to follow her as she moved.
It was the familiarity of the path that allowed her to speak as she moved. The shifting of the paths, as well as the steeper terrain, didn't deter Taijana from speaking to the younger yaeli; though she did remain careful about her footing, however. "We'll have to go to the beach one day. It's a longer trip, but feeling the water against your legs is amazing." Of course it would be nothing like matori, but she wasn't about to expose her daughters to the mainland.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:35 pm
"Mk." Kitya wrapped her arms the best that she could around Otroka as they moved. It was a really pretty day and the youngling was enjoying every moment of it as she allowed Mr. Wiggles to even 'crawl' out around her shoulders so that he could bob up and down in the wind. If she closed her eyes and boldly stuck her arms out, of course not if her mother was looking as to not scare her, the girl could imagine that she was actually flying! Just wait until Otroka is ever bigger then I can touch the moon!Her gaze did widen at the suggestion from her mother and Kitya almost fell from Otroka with how excitedly she wiggled, "Oh yes please! Papa always talks about the Ocean but we've never been! I would love that so much Mama!" Kitya beamed towards Taijana, "Can we build a sandcastle too and ride on Papa's snapper since she's so good in the water? Papa tied ropes to her once and she pulled a raft through the water for me...it was uh a very shallow and safe stream of course, but super fun!"
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 5:54 pm
They were getting closer now. The hike itself was further from her parent's home, but from the house she now shared with her husband it wasn't far at all. Taijana already had several 'dummies' set up; several of which had been made by her father, years ago. They were older now, and the stuffing had to be refined from time to time, especially in harsher weather, but it would do well enough.
"L-let's take it one step at a time, okay, Kitya?" She was alright with the sandcastles, but riding the snapper, on her own? No no no, Kitya was too young! She knew Kieran would likely take it safe, but this was the ocean, not a stream or any kind of shallow pond.
At least she didn't have to worry about it for long. Soon enough Otroka was pulling up to a stop, lowering himself down once more as they came into the little clearing. Taijana moved over to his side, where she unlatched her crossbow and quiver. "Okay, pick out your target." Some were larger, some smaller and some were even set further out into the woods.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:24 pm
Kitya pursed her lips in silent protest before slowly nodding her head, "Okay, mama. Don't worry I'll be super careful and won't do anything crazy." Ooooh she would totally do some reckless things - just when her mother wasn't looking of course! For now though she was going to be the most behaved girl...err the best that she could be at least. "Oooh." As she scooted from Otroka's back the girl spun on her heels and glanced about, "There's so many here!" Biting her lower lip thoughtfully she spun one last time with a raised hand before stopping at a target that was slightly in between the further ones and the closest and was peeking out from a tree, "How about that one, mama?"
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:51 pm
She's lying. Taijana knew that Kitya would likely try to be good, but such things were hard with rambunctious little girls. At least this time she wouldn't have to worry about her daughters tag teaming her.
The first bolt Taijana loaded for her; right now, she just wanted Kitya to get a sense of what was to come without having to worry about reloading. Looking at her target Tai knew it was going to be a little trickier...but maybe if Kitya didn't hit it she could talk her down to a closer one. "Okay, widen your legs, to give yourself some balance and be prepared for the weight," She had the crossbow within arms reach of her daughter, ready to hand it over whenever the youngling was prepared. "And for the sake of the Gods never point this at someone you aren't prepared to shoot, especially if it's loaded, okay? Accidents happen but we don't want any today."
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:04 pm
Kitya watched with interest as her mother loaded the bolt for her. So that was how it went? It seemed tricky...she hoped she could learn easily though. Wouldn't that be so cool to show off to her sister? She'd be super jelly. Teased Kitya quietly before blinking at her mother's instructions, "Okay...so like this?" The girl tried to widen her legs, a bit comically, before straightening up to a more reasonable stance. Grinning she nodded at the advice, "So only point if they reaaaally deserve it - not really though of course." She smiled to her mother before holding out her hands, "I think I am ready if you are, mama."
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:11 pm
"Don't lock your knees like that; be loose enough so you won't pass out." She nudged the backs of Kitya's legs with her foot, trying to gently guide her daughter into an appropriate stance. She was close, though not quite where she needed to be.
It felt....weird, handing a weapon off to her child, but strangely satisfying, at the same time. By teaching Kitya young how not only to wield a weapon, but to respect it then she wouldn't grow up fearing them like Tai had. Gently, she lowered the weapon into her daughter's hands, careful to hold onto it just long enough for the girl to get a feel for it. "Got it?"
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