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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 6:00 pm
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⚘ Current Things ⚘
Ash joins the shop! (5.8.17)
Art (?)
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 6:00 pm
Name: Achashverosh Nickname: Verosh / Ash (Family only) Stage: 4 Race: 1/2 Wind 1/2 Alk Gender: Male Future Path: Future Guardian (*Alk Class) Appearance A rather bulky man who stands at the average height for an Alkidike. He towers over everyone and has soft brown markings on his wind tone skin along with earthling crystals. Alk Traits Antenna, Ears, Markings, Eyebrows, Height (6'2 ish) Wind Traits Hair Color (Gold as can be) Eyes (Blue) and Skin Tone (Darker spectrum) Very few crystals on his shoulders.
Personality: Blunt, Determined, Competitive
Thanks to his mother’s influence Ash has a very blunt personality. If he sees something desirable, he expects to obtain it and if he dislikes something he will automatically reject it or sneer at it. He is never afraid to voice his opinion and does not understand how to be subtle about anything. If he wishes to fight you then he will declare a duel and if he wants someone talkative to shut up he will tell them that they are annoying or even smash a fist against a table in protest. This bluntness is both a blessing and a curse as Ash is never one to be deceptive about his true intentions or feelings while at the same time it’s not the best way to make friends if you point out all their flaws upon the first meeting. While some may find it amusing for the young man to point out what he believes to be weaknesses others may not take too kindly to his blunt approach.
Ash is also a very determined individual. Part of the reason he is so keen on pointing out flaws is because he is constantly looking at himself. As an apprentice he wanted to train and become the best fighter possible because he idolized his mother’s strength while he also respected the importance of a keen mind because of his father's influence. Basically if he sets his mind on something Verosh will work at it.
Because he is determined to prove himself Ash is also very competitive. Even though he is older now and settled down with a family the man can still get a bit heated when it comes to challenges. He is always pushing himself to do the best that he can, especially when it comes to those that he loves.
History:
Short version - Wind Healer saves an Alkidike warrior. They fall in love, part ways, then reunite during war time. She saves him the next time and they finally get together. Ask for a bloom and then move to Sauti due to anti-hybrid feelings within the sisters.
Vykal was an Alkidike warrior who enjoyed the hunt. While her love for battle was not unusual for any Alkidike warrior the woman’s lust for it brought her far out of Jahaur. She was eager to find all the beasts of Tendaji and battle them. Through battle she believed that she could become one of the best warriors for her tribe, one who had conquered the earthling’s beasts and become stronger for it. When she left Jahaur Vykal was hot blooded and full of ambition. Her pride and stubborn mind would not bow to any challenge – including this desire to fight any creature or earthling who dared to challenge her. Admittedly she did taunt that any earthling would be easy prey and that she would much rather hunt down a witu than some earthling male especially.
However, no warrior can be forever triumphant. Vykal was in Sauti when she first fell to beasts. The Alkidike had been tracking one semral, but had not realized that it was simply a juvenile. When she fell the creature Vykal stirred the wrath of its family. Surrounded by Sermals the tired Alkidike found herself cut and battered by their strong bodies and sharp claws. But as stubborn as she was Vykal did not give up so easily. If she were to go down then at least one of these beasts would fall with her! Perched on the edge on the cliff the Alkidike wrapped her arms around the creatures’ body before pummeling down towards her death.
Or at least what she expected would be her death.
Instead of crashing into the ground the Alkidike splashed into a deep pool of water hidden by the cliffs. It was there that she startled Mio, a wind man who had been in the process of bathing when Vykal fell into his life. Luckily for the blade the man was a scholar and a medical expert. So while he did take a moment to appreciate that a gorgeous woman had fallen from the heavens for him Mio did manage to drag her onto shore and onto the back of a Xaraan which helped to take the woman to his home in Sauti. There he cleaned her wounds and bandaged her while giving her his own bed.
Of course, when Vykal did finally stir a few days later the Alkidike was indignant that she had been saved. Not only had she fallen in battle, but an earthling – an earthling man out of all things!- had spared her life? She was so proud that the Alkidike immediately tried to roll out of the bed and drag herself along the floor so that she could leave. At which point Mio had to come back inside to a half deranged Alkidike trying to pull herself up enough to open a door. From there began their strange dance of the wind man having to constantly make sure that Vykal wasn’t trying to escape while recovering and for Vykal to slowly begin to accept that an earthling was truly helping her. It harmed her pride, but at this point the man had caught her interest and had convinced her that sometimes you had to survive before facing the next battle. Still she was impatient and wished that she could heal much quicker!
The next couple of weeks were filled with bickering that then turned slowly into banter and a strange sort of companionship formed between the two. Mio with his light heart and his sense of humor slowly began to chip away at the Alkidike’s tough barrier. If anything, Mio thought that the tough warrior in her own way was rather adorable and to teach her more about his race while she recovered helped to strengthen his bond. In a sense, she was like a child slowly beginning to see the world in a new light and he was honored to be the one at her side to show her these things. Thought it was rather hilarious to see some of her reactions to things like open markets, new foods, and even new body types! Admittedly that one was accidental as she walked in on Mio bathing, but nevertheless after receiving a series of startled blows from the Alkidike the healer would constantly tease her later.
Eventually everything must come to an end. As Vykal recovered and could take care of herself Mio found himself saying goodbye. But as she began to walk away from his home the healer ran after the taller woman and did something daring – he grabbed her arm and twisted her so that he could kiss her. (On the cheek since he didn’t want to die just yet, but still a bold move!) He would miss her and honestly if he could the man who want to let her stay with him.
But Vykal nervous about the concept of loving an earthling fled from those feelings.
His confession had caused her great confusion and even as she came back home to Jahaur the warrior was distant, constantly lost in thought. Her sisters worried and constantly took her on hunts to try and revive her spirit, but still something seemed to be missing. Vykal would wander the forests and then turn quickly as if she heard Mio’s voice or saw his silhouette in the trees. Then she would have to remind herself that this was Jahaur and not Sauti. As both moved on with their lives it was obvious that something was missing now that they were apart. Vykal would continue to hunt, to distract her mind from wandering towards Sauti while Mio would continue healing and practicing magic to keep his mind clear of an amazon warrior.
Mio, however, was not so good at letting go. Never before had the man felt so strongly for anyone so the healer found himself finally packing up his belongings. If Vykal wouldn’t come find him then he would go find her! At first he lied to his friends telling them that he was going on a medical mission to go gather more knowledge across Tendaji, but the truth was that he was focused on getting to Jahaur. Even if he had to risk himself by getting inside of Alkidike territory the man was determined to see how Vykal was doing. If he could just see her one more time, then perhaps he could clear his mind of the woman. Just once more to truly say goodbye.
It was then that the extremists moved. Mio, on the borders of Jahaur, found himself caught up in the tides of battle. Unable to ignore those in need, Mio began to act as a healer as he moved through the area. He would help those who had fled from attacks and then later volunteer to help the earthlings and sisters who were on the same side against the extremists.
Meanwhile Vykal found herself turning against her sisters who sought to take over the earthling lands. Her cheeks burned in shame at the insults flung her way, but the Alkidike was resilient. She would stand on the side of earthlings and fight for them! Even…even if it meant fighting against even her own blood.
“What has happened to you, sister? You were so against the earthlings and thought them worth less than the dirt at our feet!”
“I have found out that such thoughts are not completely true. Can we not learn to exist with them?”
“Vykal! You scorn our mother’s great intentions for our powers!”
“Tyn, please don’t do this-“
“No, you may ignore what your destiny but I shall not. No earthling will deter me from my path! Whatever happened to you in Sauti sister has made you weak. Go leave and fight with those crystal weaklings. I just pray Aisha spares your life on the field so that maybe you’ll one day come back to us.”
“As I one day pray that you realize the truth, Tyn.”
So Vykal and Mio both ended up on the same battlefield, thankfully on the same side. Had she never met Mio those many moons ago the woman probably would have been on the side of the extremists. Yet just thinking of striking any earthling made her think of her Mio, her goofy healer who had warmed her heart and showed her that there was more to life than the hunt. There was love as well.
It was on the battlefield that she saw that familiar golden form. Mio! The healer had been bold enough to enter the fight so that he could help recover any fallen allies and heal those that he could before it was too late. His magic, however, was not meant for fighting. It was only with Vykal’s intervention that the injured healer got dragged out of the battle so that he too could recover. His leg, however, was struck so severely by an Alkidike warrior that he would never be able to walk properly again. As he recovered Mio would forever keep a limp, but at the same time had gained something even better than a good leg – his future mate. Since they had found each other again only to almost lose each other in this battle both Vykal and Mio came to the realization that they truly wanted to be together. Vykal had already stood up to her extremist sisters for the earthlings so any more shame she would bare. Nothing after all could harm her after losing her sister bloom to the extremist mindset. Now that she had sent her sister to a prison, to Yael the woman could no longer be concerned with petty matters like pride.
She gave up all of that so that she could love Mio. Mio was delighted and willing to move even to Jahaur for his lover, but she declined. They were to ask for a bloom as she wanted proof that earthlings and Alkidike could live together and have a family. She wanted to experience the family that Mio always talked of and wanted to give him one since he had lost his before in the Oban war. So the two lovers pleaded with Aisha and waited patiently. When a bloom was given to them they were delighted and made plans to raise the child the best that they could. Vykal wanted to train him in the way of her sisters and teach him to be a proud warrior, but fear from the left-over feelings from the extremists had her wary. After all many Alkidikes still shunned the idea of earthlings and Alkidikes living together and were against the idea of hybrid children. Because of this she would take their youngling and they would travel to Sauti for a while until the family could figure out exactly where their future awaited.
Ash then has been blessed because despite his strange appearance the boy has learned to love a lot from both of his parents. Admittedly he still gets confused on occasion with how easily his mother will fly off the handle at his father while the healer simply laughs it off while running away, but the boy has caught on that such acts are play. As he grew he enjoyed private time with his parents who kept themselves secluded from much of the world so they could just spend time as a family and in peace. War had worn out both Mio and Vykal and they wished to give their child a happy childhood, something they feared would not be completely possible if they lived in a village of earthlings or Alkidikes as feelings from the war still lingered. Hybrids still were viewed with scorn and Mio was aware of that even in Sauti. So, he would set up shop in the wilderness with those in need traveling to his secluded home while Vykal would teach her son and her husband more about the hunt. Mio tended to the home, their small garden while Vykal brought home the meat for him to cook and turn into clothes and other necessities for their small family.
So, Ash grew up with creatures as friends and his parents as teachers. From both he has learned a little of the healing art and how to fight. His mother, especially, has enforced the way of the Alkidikes on him and he even wears his hair in dreads and runs through the forest as if training for the hunt. As he recently grew into apprentice-hood his mother and father have discussed the possibility of returning to Jahaur if only to show their son his heritage. Now that he is no longer a defenseless youngling and can fight they are less worried about him. Plus, he has been rather curious himself about the world and would love to learn more of it by seeing it rather than hearing about it in stories from his parents and those random strangers that his father tends to.
Notes: - Because of his childhood seclusion the boy is admittedly a bit socially awkward, much more blunt and less subtle about his feelings.
-He like his mother enjoys the hunt and any good challenge.
-Has an aldabuck familiar, Tae, who was his friend and kept him company during his younger years while his parents were busy.
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 6:00 pm
⚘ Relationships & Plots ⚘
* Family *
♥ Jhana - Mate, companion. The love of his life and the mother of his children.
♥ Noll & Zira - his dear children.
Mio - Father, Wind Earthling, Healer. A petite man with a golden heart. Seems a bit laid back, but truly has a sharp eye when needed.
Vykal - Mother, Alk, Amazon. A very dedicated huntress who sneers at most earthlings though she has a horrible soft spot for Mio. Doesn't speak of love and things often, but tends to show affection more through her actions.
Tyni - Distant cousin, Alkidike, Blade. Very kind and flirtatious Alkidikek who is rumored to be one of the best shots with a bow in Jahaur.
⚘ Growth Reqs ⚘ Stage 2 - Stage 3 2 Month's Time 50 Growth Points 1 Completed Growth Solo
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 6:00 pm
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⚘ Apprentice Solo 1 - Affinity ⚘
He had always known what he wanted.
Even as a child Verosh had been enamoured with his mother’s tale of the Sisters and of how they hunted throughout Jahaur. All creatures, big or small, feared the Alkidikes and even menzuri found it hard to set up a nest near an Alkidike settlement. The Sisters blessed by Aisha were the strongest of warriors and they would be the ones to defend the jungles of their home. It was only by Aisha’s mercy that they tolerated the earthlings in the forests near their lands, proven by the fact that they had thus far kept any from coming to Aisha save for those in love with a Sister and wishing for a child.
Verosh was one of those children and he had never hated that aspect of his life. While others may scorn him he was content knowing that his father was an earthling healer. Secretly even though his mother trained him to be strong Verosh was thankful for his father’s gentle nature and healing arts. He idolized him and considered him different from most earthlings. Most earthlings, after all, irked him and he found them a bit foolish if not weaker than the Sisters. A fact which only grew as he lived in Jahaur after leaving Sauti with his parents.
So it was no wonder that when the time came for him to choose his path that the boy accepted dreads and a spear. He wasn’t much of one for arrows as he enjoyed getting up close and personal with his opponent but the daggers were meant for someone speedier than him. He was all about brute strength, a fact attested to with his broad shoulders and imposing height inherited from his mother’s blood. If not for his strange coloring and his awkward male gender tidbits the boy would stand equally with any other Alkidike. Already he stood at their level and very few Sisters his age towered over him.
And he made certain they knew it.
“Verosh are you really going again?!” HIs cousin chastised him as he took off after other Sisters, “They really don’t need you to waste your effort like this. Always proving yourself by beating up radaku or sparring with others…” The younger Alkidike simply shook her head as she watched the golden hybrid disappear through the jungle.
Leaving his cousin behind Verosh focused on the area around him. In Jahaur the trees were thick, huge creatures that blocked out much of the sunlight. Unlike Sauti where he could rely on light to help him the boy had to instead rely on the antenna to navigate the darkest of areas. Only the faint glowing violet and amber hues from crystals along the floor truly gave him any hint of vision and so as the other Sisters darted ahead he took his time sensing the world about him. They could go and hunt their radaku but he was having second thoughts.
Did he want to bond with a radaku like the other future guardians?
Frowning Verosh found himself plopping down on the ground thoughtfully. If not a radaku then what beast would suffice? He couldn’t help thinking of that other boy and the Chiavi he had….ugh. It would be a bit cliche to pick up the same creature that another hybrid warrior had, right? But at the same time he had seen the Chiavi while in Sauti. They were massive creatures who could easily control the skies yet they seemed so graceful and so natural there.
They were meant for the cold but the springs of Jahaur could be just as cool. Sighing Verosh dug the butt of his spear into the ground in frustration. At least he knew that he wanted a spear. Perhaps the beast could wait. It wasn’t like he was going to go through his guardian ceremony just yet. But he was certain of one thing - he wanted to be a rider. He wanted to take to the skies when fighting and help the Sisters from above.
Plus it was slightly lonely at times to be a hybrid in Jahaur. His cousin couldn’t baby him forever...spitting at the ground the boy just sighed before pushing off of the ground and getting back on his feet. It was a frustrating realization to know that he would want a familar so that at least one living thing on this planet could hear his woes. It wasn’t like he would ever let his guard down near his parents. His father would try too hard to encourage him while his mother probably would make him run through yet another gauntlet to prove that he could be as mighty as any Alkidike.
For now though Verosh turned away from the sounds of fighting and decided instead to visit the river. Since it cut through the borders it was a pleasant enough place to go and he could swim there. Swimming, after all, was another favorite thing for the hybrid to do and if any of the Sisters could use water as a weapon then he surely would pick it up as his own power. But since he was no mage the boy just settled for using swimming as a way to cleanse his mind and strengthen his body.
Out of all the routines that Verosh had picked up for his training it was swimming that he enjoyed the most. The rivers in Sauti had only been slightly warm enough in the summer to tolerate and far too chilled in the later seasons for him to even consider diving into. The rivers in Jahaur, however, felt like taking a pleasant bath, one of those rare things that his father had done for him as a youngling by using magic to warm the waters when his mother wasn't looking. After all any mighty warrior to be didn't need pampered in such ways. How could he become stronger if his father protected him from every little sniffle? Verosh smirked at the memory because for someone who spoke such words it wasn't as if his father had to twist her arm for them to take a warm bath together. Though he would have to think that there were more than just relaxing intentions whenever his mother and father did such unique things behind closed doors….something he’d rather not ponder anymore about and so he found his mind drifting again.
And admittedly now that he had been in Jahaur several years the apprentice was actually missing the cold of Sauti. The appeal of snow decorating the ground and all the fun he had as a youngling in it was still there but he knew that such things would unlikely ever be in his life again. Even if he should go back to Sauti it was not like he was one to play around in snow, that was something for the young to do. But it was nice to reminisce about those days on occasion, something that he could do while swimming in the coldest part of Jahaur - the rivers. So at least he could enjoy the water still even if it was for training.
That decided he dove into the waters and started to swim. While he moved he thought about his recent struggles in Jahaur, the stress of training and of constantly fighting others to prove himself while also taking care of his family. His father’s bad leg, his father’s ability as a healer, recent events with the Dretch, his decision to pick up the spear and become a guardian...all of it continued to roll through his mind. And for once he found it actually hard to relax. Instead he continued pushing himself to swim faster and faster until his body was completely worn and with it he hoped so would be his mind.
As he reflected upon such matters Verosh was already moving through the waters like some golden fish. It was only when his legs were completely exhausted and the muscles in his arms and upper back burning that he decided to slow down and float on his back instead. And so there he drifted, a golden being with skin that gleamed in the sunlight from the water that clung to his mostly exposed body, and he continued drifting as he finally enjoyed the peaceful sounds of the river. Ah, now this was what it felt like to finally relax.
And to think an obnoxious kid had ruined this for him last time. Verosh opened his eyes as a memory surprised him and disturbed the peace that he had finally achieved. Would he really think of that now? But what would she do with her life? Was she going to stick to the earthling paths or go to become a warrior? She’d be a fool to deny her heritage so. He quipped quietly to himself before continuing on down the river, proud of his decision to become a guardian.
He would never doubt himself and his role as a warrior among the Sisters. No matter who tried to judge him for being a hybrid he would be proud. That much Verosh knew.
[1527]
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2020 6:00 pm
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⚘ Apprentice Growth ⚘
Another rainy day in Jahaur.
Verosh was thankful that the drought seemed to be letting up but at the same time he was slightly irked that the skies seemingly downpoured in an attempt to make up for the lack of water. How was he supposed to train in such miserable conditions? Pursing his lips he simply settled for doing inside chores for his father such as cleaning up the small yard of their simple home and aiding with herbal remedies while also tidying the highest of shelves.
It was while he was cleaning up that a ruckus came to their front door. Frowning Verosh turned and watched as two shifters dragged in someone severely injured, “Mio, Mio!” They called out before freezing at the sight of Verosh who they had never seen before, “Is...is Mio here?” Asked the woman as she gestured towards the girl in her arms, “She needs help.”
“Just lay her on the empty cot there.” Verosh motioned before leaving the hut to go and find his father in the back gardens, “Someone is injured and they’re asking for you.” He addressed his father who took off hobbling towards the house without a second thought to his baskets on the ground. Sighing, Verosh simply scooped them up in his arms and made certain that the plucked herbs were contained before heading after his father and into their clinic.
And since he was there Verosh was drafted into helping. He brought bandages to Mio and even helped to apply salve. In their rush to aid the girl neither of the two noticed her inky black hair or the markings hidden beneath the crystals scattered across her shoulders and legs. Her ears as well were longer than the typical shifter ears and it was only after Mio had stabilized her that he did comment on her height, “She’s tall for a shifter.”
“Well…” One of her friends who had been quietly standing in the corner quietly spoke up, “She’s not exactly full shifter.” She smiled weakly, “Her grandmother was an Alkidike.”
“Ah, that makes sense.” Mio motioned towards the girls, “As it is she’ll need to rest here for a couple of days and I’ll make certain her wounds are healing properly. You can go home if you’d like and my son can escort you.”
Both girls gave Verosh a long look before noticing his dreads and shying away, “We’ll be fine. Thank you Mio.”
Frowning Verosh watched as they disappeared back into the forest. What had been with that reaction? Their friend was a hybrid so why had they frozen upon seeing him? Was it the tribal clothing he wore, the spear along his back, or his dreads? Something had made them wary of him and it did actually bother him just ever so slightly. This was why he didn’t like earthlings so much - they reacted so quickly to the smallest of things. Huffing at the thought he turned back in so that he could continue helping his father for the night.
It was only the next morning, after breakfast, that their patient stirred and Mio had tasked Verosh with trying to get soup to the shifter girl. Sighing, as he would much rather be out training, than trying to socialize with some hybrid girl Verosh found himself equally surprised when she seemingly jumped away from him.
“Why? Where’s Mio?” She called out with a glare as she too noticed his attire and dreads.
“He’s out in the yard doing work. Something simple as giving you soup I could do so he sent me instead.” Gruffed Verosh, “I’m his son so don’t worry so much. I’m just bringing you soup.” Sitting down the bowl he watched as she struggled to lift the bowl and with a sigh he sat down next to the bed and took the bowl back.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m helping.” He dipped the spoon into the broth and held it to her lips, “Whether I like it or not you’re a patient here so and I’m surprisingly cordial in my father’s home so here. It’s medical so you must drink.”
After a long thoughtful look the girl slowly nodded and allowed Verosh to help her with the meal. When they finished he was preparing to clear away the bowls when she caught him by surprise, “Why did you pick them?” She asked, hurt obviously in her voice, “Why do you have dreads? Are you really with the Sisters?”
Pausing Verosh debated simply walking away before putting the bowl down. After seeing the reactions of the shifters yesterday he was curious about things, “Yes, why do you ask? My mother is a Sister so obviously I would go with the stronger group. Why did you not go with them as well? Even a portion of blood is better than none.”
“Are you serious?” She scoffed from her bed and turned on her side so that she could study him, “Did you see these wounds? Do you think some radaku did it? I was punished for going too close to Chibale. I wanted to try and see if my grandmother was still around and instead because I chose to live as an earthling I was punished.” She spat towards the ground, “I would much rather be anything other than a Sister. How can you be happy with such a bigot of a race?”
Startled Verosh just stared at her.
“They’re rude, obnoxious in thinking that they must be the ultimate warriors, and they harm those that they don’t see as fit to live.” She sighed, “Obviously not all of them are like that but….I’ve met quite a few who haven’t been too kind to earthlings. How can you stand to live with them?”
“I’ve proven myself time and time again.” He finally replied, “And I do not regret it for there are great warriors like my mother who have sense to see what is valuable in this world. Not all Sisters are cruel.”
“Tell that to the one who cut down my grandmother for loving an Alk.” Retorted the girl sharply, “Though I know we aren’t to hold the Sisters to the actions of the Extremists there are still many who support what the Extremists did here. And even those that did stand up for earthlings still treat them like crap when they’re together. They’ll never let someone like me feel at home nor will they ever fully accept even a half-blood like you.”
“I will carve my place.” Replied Verosh quietly as he turned to leave but then he paused, “If you wish to try to find your grandmother in Chibale let me know. I will find a way.” Family above all was the most important thing to him and he would not let someone suffer for it.
A few weeks later the boy came home with injuries himself. But he did not regret standing up for the girl and for fighting for his place. Seeing the girl, Mito, and hearing her story had stirred something wthin him. While he would never regret being a Sister the boy had to wonder that perhaps earthlings were not completely bad. Or more so that the Alkidikes as a race were not completely so pure themselves. There was still strife in their family and he was slowly starting to understand more and more why there was a gap between earthling and alkidikie in the first place. And it was not entirely the fault of the earthlings...something he was loathe to admit but a truth he could no longer ignore.
It would lead to more fights for him in the future but it would also fuel his determination to try and find a way to close that gap so that hybrids like himself who chose to be a Sister could fully be accepted while those who did not could at least go about their lives peacefully rather than being scorned.
[1325] Verosh was always proud of the Alkidikes. He valued them above all other races and saw them as the purest of warriors while scorning all earthlings. Yet meeting another hybrid, one who has chosen the earthling path and has been bullied by sisters, has shattered that pure image in his heart. Rather than deciding to ally against the Sisters he has instead decided that he will work hard to change things, even if just a little bit, so that the gap between earthlings and Alkidikes can lessen.
It's a lot to sort out, especially considering how he still idolizes the Alks but it is a step forward for the boy who used to be closed off from anything earthling...
Character Name: Verosh Class Promotion: Stage 4 - Amazon Current Location: Jahaur Journal:[X] Growth Point Links: 75/75 [Blossoming Futures] [Advice from a Youngling] [Afternoon Errands] [Take on the Beast WE] [Disaster WE] [Harvest WE] [Reunion] [Crossing Paths] [Lost in Translation] [WE - Back Alley Potions] [Guide in a Strange Land] [Boundaries] [The Stray Solo] - 15 pnts Growth Blurb: Verosh has grown much more patient and collected than before, the usual grump starting to soften as he learns and grows into his role as a father. He has traveled more this stage and learned things about the world outside of Sauti and Jahaur, the man struggling with strange customs but learning to acknowledge them while doing his best to help others when before he would simply shove them away and focus on himself. Opening up his heart to others and finding patience will allow him to step forward as a mentor instead of always acting alone. Physical Description: Feel free to take inspiration from his current outfit and the following! (Still not prone to smiling that much expression wise) [X1] // [X2] // [X3] // [X4] // [X5] [Spear] - if shown he usually relies upon a spear and various hunting knives. Body Type: Tall, muscular Preferred Artists: Scar, Kana [Full or Collab] WIPs: Sure!
Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2022 6:56 pm
Growth
The morning mists of the isles always mystified Verosh. Even though he had been living in Jahaur since his teenage years the man was still finding himself in awe of the beauty of the jungle. Perhaps lately even more so since his life was developing in a way he had never imagined before. Verosh flushed as he thought about his recent confessions. It had been a beautiful starry night spent in his favorite location with Jhana and surely would be one of his favorite memories for the rest of his life. Verosh was actually on his way towards that spot now. As he walked along he already knew that up ahead would be the curving path that twisted up along the cliffs, the sheer edges covered in layers of vines and other foliage, and eventually it would all open up to a wider area that gave a lovely view of the open sky, a rare sight in the typically super dense jungle. Below was a valley of tangled trees and a variety of gleaming crystals that jutted out of the ground and cliffside. Through the crystals was a stream that cut through the lower landscape and even the sound of a waterfall was faintly heard in the distance as the valley continued on. Verosh enjoyed how the tendrils of the fog swirled in from the lower edges of the valley, the ocean mist coming in from the cove and floating across the landscape. If one was to tell a story then it would be ideal to start with how the spirits of past warriors reached out from the great beyond to greet the dawn.
The elders would say that it was figures dancing on the waves, happily reunited with friends and family after finally meeting their great mother in spirit. That was why they gave their departed ones to the ocean so that she could take them home to Aisha. It was intriguing to see how one could shape images from the fog and when he was younger Verosh like to sneak around the beaches near Chibale and greet the morning mists before training. Now though he just appreciated the mists for the ambiance they gave the valley, a reminder of how magical the area had seemed when he first arrived in Jahaur. At that time he had been so focused on how he could match those warriors and become as strong as possible. Now the valley was even more important to him because he had shared his first kiss with Jhana here and learned that there was something even more important to him than strength.
Now Verosh was determined to take another step forward. He was gaining the courage to ask her to create a home with him. Verosh felt his heart jump in his chest as he realized how important this moment was for his life. He was finally opening his heart to another and ready to take the plunge into the scariest waters of his life, finding love and perhaps one day even forming a family. It was definitely scarier than anything he had faced before but Jhana was worth it. He would do this and begin this new chapter of his life. Perhaps he would even begin building it in this very valley.
[547]
Verosh has always been focused on training and just proving himself as a strong warrior. Now he has found something even more important and this is a changing point in his life as he decides to slow down and embrace love. He is putting his trust in someone else, something he has never truly done before, and is going to make the bold move to suggest starting a new home together.
Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
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Sabra Knight
Feral Galaxy
Offline
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2023 10:04 am
The Stray
Verosh has the fun task of getting his family's help in taking in the teen he found back towards Tale...discussions and preparations are to be done while he reflects upon his own personal growth as a father.
[wc: 4580]
I need your help. Verosh knew that this would be a difficult situation to explain to his family, but even more to his father who would hopefully offer shelter to the boy that he had picked up in Tale. While there was some extra room at his home that he had built with Jhana, Verosh was afraid of how his whole family would react to the presence of the stranger with his…quirks. Still, he was not one to leave behind a starving soul and this one in particular had to be watched over more than your average stray. “You see when I was in Tale, I brought back more than just the herbs.” He finished after telling his father basically what had occurred when he was visiting the other herbalist and the hotsprings there.
Mio and Verosh simply stared at one another as Verosh's words settled in. “So you brought something more than herbs with you this trip.” Mused Mio as he repeated the words and looked away to once more stare back at his house, the older wind earthling thoroughly both confused and amused by the whole situation. While he adored his son the frail healer was accustomed to the rougher personality from the hybrid’s teen years whenever he would shove everyone else away and keep to his own business. Now he was bringing home a strange teen who thought himself to be a spirit? What in the world was happening? “Fatherhood truly did change you, son.” He acknowledged finally, leaning against his cane of twisted wood before glancing back to Verosh. “I’m really proud of you, Ash.” Ah, the nickname that was mostly used by his earthling family and something Verosh only heard when he was alone with his father since most of the time he went by Verosh or the full name his mother had given him, Achashverosh.
“Proud of me how? I only did what was right since no one should let a teen starve like that no matter how delusional he is. We actually passed that village on the way back, father. I could have given several of those earthlings black eyes or worse for this foolishness if I wasn’t trying to take care of the kid instead.” Verosh let out a sigh as he paced around the small clearing where his father had set up several fires with sturdy metal pots dangling above each one, the chains keeping them floating there while only a strong breeze could move the heavy materials that held bubbling brews. Mio had already gotten to work on dissecting the medical herbs that Verosh had picked up from Sauti and even tossed in a few that he had dried out from Verosh’s trips to Yael and the market in Neued. A few had roots that he had planted, hoping to regrow more in the large building that was built along the edge of the family home. After spending some time studying Belrean researchers and how they grew some of their crops, the man had opted to try to make a greenhouse of his own in this clearing deep within the jungle. Thankfully Verosh and Vykal had both been around and not away hunting so they had time to help Mio set everything up and now there were five rows of different herbs and the like growing in the space where Mio could easily tend to them since it was along the ground and not up in the trees like many Shifter settlements. It allowed Mio to concoct potions of his own design though that were thankfully for healing and nothing strange like what Verosh had found within Yael where they wanted eyeballs for clairvoyance and the like. “I just do not understand how he can be so focused on believing what he does. Did I end up back in Yael somehow?” Maybe their curses did exist and someone had cursed him while he was wandering between Pajore and Zinris? Not that Verosh blamed them for being wary of him, but it was a bit too much for anyone to try to curse him without knowing him or him doing something wrong first! It was simply too much. Verosh made a face as he thought about what he had learned while traveling with Eudom. Even though most of their trip had been quiet, the men simply walking alongside of each other and only answering a few questions whenever Eudom wanted to point out some key landscapes for Verosh to be able to know his own way through the area in the future should he need to visit his relatives in Zinris again and opted to use earthling ships instead of finding whatever route the Aishans had into the Elarian territory, there had been moments around the evening campfires when they shared stories and Verosh learned more about how the Yaeli had been affected by the Extremists all those years ago. While Mio had been injured in the war, never able to truly walk with ease again because of his leg that had been completely shattered, at least the wind earthling had survived and found a home with Vykal afterwards. His injury though was getting worse with age, the Sautian’s tanned skin growing more wrinkles and his ashy blond hair showing some grays growing there finally as he passed into his later years. His own sister, Verosh’s aunt, was still bouncing about in the fields while Milly and Trel did their best to keep her from overworking during the harvests but unlike his father at least his aunt could keep up with the work even though now grandchildren kept her busy. Meanwhile Verosh had his own family with Jhana at the smithy but it was fortunate that his father had set up near the village as well, just on the opposite side. It wouldn’t be a harsh walk for anyone healthy to go back between the smithy and this place, but for Mio it was a struggle lately since navigating the forest floor with a lame leg even on the worn down path could be dangerous. Verosh had seen his father fall more than once and that was why he had opted to cut down his travels to only once or twice a year, making certain most hunts and missions he acquired stayed within only a few days of the area. His own mother was lingering around more, that much he noticed since she had often during his late teen years and young adulthood disappeared for months to participate in hunts and the like with Sisters now that they lived in Jahaur again. When they were in Sauti the family had been much closer, spending so many days together with Vykal only disappearing for maybe one or two days at the most before returning with fresh meat from a hunt that they could prepare and store away for the harsher months of winter. Then when they arrived in Jahaur the tension against hybrids was still there but the pure Sisters tolerated the presence of earthlings and hybrids after the Extremists had been exiled to Yaeli making it easier for them to settle back within the area. When she knew that the village was not going to attack her family and rather help protect them his mother had started hunting again and only been around to check in with them a few days a month before going away once more with her Sisters. When she was home though from those hunts just like their days in Sauti there had always been something going on within the family, his mother and father constantly engaging in arguments and playful spats despite how deeply in love they were with one another. Both simply had different personalities which balanced one another out. If his mother was the raging fire then his father was the calm water that kept the flames from destroying the whole forest, his patience never ending save for whenever he wanted to playfully rile up the much bigger Alkidike. It was strange to see how the years had passed and how they all had changed in a way. His mother was acting more as a mentor to the newer generation of sisters wanting to train, the bulky warrior with vine markings that Verosh had inherited lingering more than going out on reckless missions and even teaching the younger generation to take a bit of caution instead of going straight into the menzuri’s nest. His parents still had playful moments together but there was less of Vyka chasing Mio around the house and more of her supporting him as he tried to make his way across the clearing, their smaller home thankfully easy enough to navigate with the spare bedroom kept for whenever Verosh or the children had to stay the night. Now though the room may be used by someone else, the very thought bringing Verosh back to the issue at hand. Verosh shook his head at the very thought. He had gone from the superstitious island of Yael to go get some final herbs from Sauti before winter hit the landscape only to return with a strange child from Tale! The teen was in bad shape, obviously malnourished and mistreated over the years with a gaunt figure that hid nothing even when they washed off the dirt and applied medicine to his wounds, but the most frustrating part was even if Verosh got the iceling to recover physically it was near impossible to get logic through to him that he was actually a living creature! So he came to his father for help, thinking that maybe Mio could use the aid around the house whenever Verosh or the rest of the family couldn’t stop in to watch over him. Verosh may have not trusted many, but even with those mutilated teeth there had been an honesty in Wren’s smile that led Verosh to believe the teen truly needed help and was not out to harm anyone. Mio was the perfect choice since the older healer was patient enough to deal with ridiculous situations and could help take care of the teen and have him get the nutrients that he needed. Already they had made certain to get him new attire, simple but loose clothing over breathable leggings so that he could adjust to Jahaur’s heat, and Verosh had helped to gather a lot of medical ingredients for supplements and bandages since there had been obvious signs of neglect and abuse on the boy’s body. He had been adamant that he didn’t need help or to take care of such things as a spirit but still had taken food and medicine from Verosh when the hybrid encouraged it.
Mio let out a soft sigh as he pondered the situation, the petite earthling hobbling around to check on all of the boiling herbs. “I heard what you told me but I didn’t believe it until I saw the teen yesterday. It is amusing that you really left Yael and somehow managed to find the one child foolish enough to hold even such stronger beliefs and superstitions. Tale was always a wild place when I grew up, but I thought only the witu that bounced between Tale and Sauti were the most feral creatures.” He shook his head, torn between amusement and concern when reflecting upon this whole situation. The wind earthling had been distraught to see someone in such a state and who constantly insisted that it was fine to be the way that he was, just cursed to live while waiting for death. Who had allowed a child to be raised like that? What monsters… “As it is I am proud of you for taking the initiative and thinking of another instead of simply pushing him away. I’ll take him in, but you have to also help keep an eye out for him and provide whatever he needs. I can use an assistant, but Vykal may not agree at first so we’ll have to propose things that way.” Mio explained since even Verosh understood that his father was not one to turn someone in pain or danger away. It was something he had always taught Verosh despite the hatred the boy received as an Aishan hybrid growing up and that teaching was why they were in this unexpected situation now.
“That’s fair.” Verosh nodded as he thought over his father’s words. It would be better if he took responsibility, something he had been planning on doing in the first place as he wasn’t about to simply drop the boy off with his father and never come back. Not only would doing such a thing feel wrong it would also risk his mother’s wrath which no one wanted to face because of how intimidating the Aishan warrior was. “He is my responsibility since I brought him here.” He acknowledged as he started walking along, his nose twitching at the bitter aroma of the herbs as they continued boiling in the medical brews. Now his father was adding some strands of stringy roots, the silver strands almost looking like hair before curling up within themselves and disappearing into the mix. Verosh thankfully knew those dissolved and somehow helped to bind the rest of the ingredients together, something he had never taken the time to venture more into studying since he had focused so much on training and the hunt. He knew basic potions, knew how to take care of injuries that warriors could experience in the jungle like a dislocated shoulder or broken leg, but anything more complex had been left with his father. Maybe one day his father could find an heir, but Verosh knew that his heart was with Aisha and the Alkidike path of being a warrior. His children surely would be the same, right? A vague uneasiness made him think of Noll opposite of Zira but Verosh quickly shook the sensation away. They were strong children and surely would pick up a weapon soon enough. Maybe though this earthling teen could find some sort of place while helping out Mio? Verosh did not know what to expect but the possibility was there, even if he had not intended upon finding someone for Mio to train when he ended up bringing the boy to Jahaur. He simply did not like the idea of leaving a starving, feral creature out in Tale. It was the same feeling that Zira had for that radaku pup she insisted upon bringing home after they found it in the flooded river. “Now the main question is how do we bring this up to mother?” Both men winced at the very thought as they looked at each other, the boiling potions forgotten for a moment as something more terrifying kept their attention. Would Vykal be opposed to an earthling sleeping under her roof? She had gotten fonder of hybrids and accepted earthlings a bit more after falling in love with Mio and raising a child together but there was still that pride and disdain for the weak…
“She’ll have to accept it.” Mio finally acknowledged though his expression spoke otherwise, the earthling obviously worried about the idea as he bit at his bottom lip. “I don’t think she’ll mind though if I spin it as if I needed the help. We just have to hope she’s not home for another week or so while we clean up Wren's act.”
“Hope who isn’t home?” The familiar voice made both men freeze, their bodies tensing before they slowly turned to see the intimidating Alkidike emerging from the trees. Verosh loved his mother but she was notorious for a short temper and had the fists to match the loud voice that easily boomed across any clearing. Her form was just as impressive, Vykal standing taller than even most Aishans with broad shoulders and abs covered in crossing scars from her various experiences growing up within Jahaur and from surviving the war against the Extremists. Currently her head was shaved along the sides, her dark green dreads twisting along the top of her skull before falling towards her lower back with beads and feathers mixed in. Her dark eyes gleamed with the reflected light from the sky above, the markings surrounding them a mixture of her own and ones that she had painted on before leaving for a hunt. Such things made her even more intimidating and didn’t even cover the torn leathers that she had abused during her time away, bloodstains from her latest prey still lingering there along the dark colored leathers that hugged at her curves while offering her body protection. Hunting knives rested along her hips and her spear was once more probably broken from having hit the target far too hard, the warrior notorious for needing near gear in between almost every hunt since she dared to wrestle with the strongest of beasts. Several satchels also bounced against her hip as she walked forward, the bulk of her rewards from hunting not escaping Verosh’s notice. All he could do in the moment though was recall how his parents had first met because of Vyka’s stubbornness and refusal to go down to a group of sermals without a fight. According to his parents Vykal had been tracking one sermal, but had not realized that it was simply a juvenile. Refusing to acknowledge her mistake, especially since the young warrior had never really seen a sermal before that moment, Vykal defeated the creature which stirred the wrath of its pack. Surrounded by furious sermals the exhausted Alkidike found herself nearly ripped apart by their strong bodies and sharp claws. But as stubborn as she was Vykal did not give up so easily, even if her body was battered and broken she would have the last attack! If she were to go down then at least one of these beasts would fall with her! Perched on the edge on the cliff the Alkidike wrapped her arms around the creatures’ body before pummeling down towards her death, but to her surprise she had ended up splashing into a deep pool of water instead.
Apparently Verosh’s father had been in the area and saw the fall, the man opting to help rescue the Alkidike and take her to his home where he could tend to her wounds. Of course, when Vykal did finally stir a few days later the Alkidike was indignant that she had been saved. His father always made certain to mention that part and how she constantly spat out no earthling should have saved her while trying to leave despite her injuries. Mio had thankfully been there and managed to get the half deranged Alkidike back into bed and away from the doorway. From there began their strange dance of fighting and getting closer, the man tending to her wounds over several weeks before they parted again to only meet during the war. Verosh understood those feelings though since he had been as stubborn in his youth, the hybrid refusing to back down from a challenge and hating to reveal whenever he was injured or feeling weak to others. But while fatherhood had softened his stubborn streak, there was still a burning spark within his mother that made both men take a step back as she approached. She was just like the jungle at times, wild and untamed with the potential to give and take from those who caught her attention. Today it seemed both of the men had thoroughly attracted her attention which made them extremely cautious.
“Jhana.” Mio quickly recovered with a smile to his wife, moving to greet her with a kiss despite her messy state. “Verosh wanted to surprise her with a gift, but needed her to be at the forge for it. We did have something else to discuss though when you have time. How was the hunt? Do you need a moment to recover? I can brew some tea while you settle back in.”
Verosh could only look at his father with a slight frown, shaking his head before glancing at his mother. “If you want to settle then that’s fine but we do have something to discuss.” He knew better than trying to dance around this forever. “I found someone who needs shelter for a bit that could help out father. I thought you were going to be gone for more than a week this time?”
“I came back early.” Vykal dropped the bags to the ground, not even hesitating as she picked a spot and plopped down. “Now start talking and we’ll see exactly how I feel about things. Mio, darling, you can go ahead and brew tea while I speak with our son.” And so began the conversation between the trio, some yelling as well, that eventually ended up with Verosh going to help clean out the spare room while Vykal cleaned up and started sorting through everything that she brought back. On occasion the woman would still mutter under her breath but there was an acceptance even if she still didn’t believe that even an earthling could be so ridiculously dumb. “Seriously a spirit?!” Verosh would have chuckled if it didn’t risk his mothers’ wrath as he heard her repeat the phrase once more from the front room of his family home. The round structure was built into the base of one of the largest trees in the area at the edge of the clearing, the Alkidike style obvious as it was spacious with large twisting roots arching up to support the doorway that could even allow a kinfa to come into their home. The spare room was tucked away from the main dining space, the kitchen built into the natural walls of the tree that had been hollowed out with time and fitted with windows and other necessities to make it into a functioning space for the cottage. His mother refused to turn their guest room into a place for an earthling stray since she did not know when someone would need to crash with them and so Mio had proposed the extra storage that they rarely used since building the shed nearby along with his greenhouse. Their home was built along the edges of this clearing for that reason and because when Verosh was growing up in Jahaur, Vykal had wanted a place that was not exactly within the small Aishan village as they were wary of earthlings coming into their territory. So she had helped to build this place with some of her fellow Sisters that grew to like Mio and appreciated his medicines, something they especially relied upon after the more dangerous hunts that often led to various injuries and exhaustion. Verosh winced though when he saw the narrow space covered in cobwebs, the door creaking since it had not been used in ages. “Are we really putting him in here?” He murmured with a glance back towards his father.
Mio simply sighed. “It’s the best that we can do unless we put him in a shed outside. Your mother is stubborn and refuses to budge. If I allowed him into the guest area then we would have to be on edge since she would throw a fit whenever she returned and caught him there.” The healer shook his head. “We can make this work though it will take some serious effort.” He gestured towards the knot in the natural wood of the tree. “Carve that out and I can place in shutters for another window, the boy will need fresh air and we can put a small cot there in the corner so that a trunk at least can hold whatever he needs. A plain dresser with a basin should be easy enough to commission as well from the local village.” Mio nodded before glancing about. “There’s the spring nearby so he can fully bathe there and meals will be taken care of by any of us in the morning unless he goes to the nearby town to get supplies for me.”
“Simple but it works.” Mused Verosh. It wasn’t as if his family was known for wealth or luxuries. They lived well enough to stay strong and healthy, taking care of their training and meals above having a huge or fancy home. What did it matter when his mother was constantly gone and his father already said the home was huge since it was meant for Alkidikes? The ceiling was huge because of the natural design within the hollow space of the giant tree and the rooms they built within the space were plenty enough with the kitchen and its storage, this storage now turned bedroom and the two rooms that had a small central study in between where the family could eat together at the round table, sitting on the cushions there and read over any materials, including maps with hunting logs from Vykal and tomes that Mio had gathered over the years. Verosh had seen some grand manors before in Matori and Oba but those buildings had seemed ridiculously over the top with far too much space for smaller families. Truly, what was the point of it all? Verosh was thankful that even though setting this particular space up would take the rest of the afternoon, other things like the dresser coming in to finish the setup over the next few days, at least it wasn’t some grand affair like those huge homes that could take weeks if not months to finish. “Go rest and I’ll have everything prepared. Your potions should almost be ready and I’ll gather the cauldrons for cleaning when you need.” Then he would have the trek back to his own family home to pick up the stray and introduce him to his father. Hopefully that would go alright without Vykal blowing up on the poor teen while Mio studied him for injuries. Afterwards Verosh could only hope for a good meal with family before returning to finally rest for the night. Truly this year had been a busy one full of so many surprises and he could only imagine what the rest of the year would have in store for him, especially now that he had another person to worry about. Plus, Zira was ready to train and he had to prepare for their next training session while also helping her to raise a radaku pup. The creature surely would be good for her though since Verosh relied upon his own familiars over the years to help him whenever he was traveling alone. He just hoped Zira was ready for the task and that he could keep up with her energy while balancing the rest of the tasks given to him from his family. He had to check in on Noll, see if he wanted to train with anything yet and then also offer help to Jhana at the forge should she need him since he had been away. He cherished his entire family, but his body was already aching thinking about all of the things he had to do within the next few weeks. Aisha, give me strength. Fatherhood had changed him indeed, but Verosh didn’t think it was a horrible thing. If anything he felt somehow lighter knowing that he had family and more friends than before. It was nice knowing that somehow after all of those hardships and trials he had found love and now could give hope to others.
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