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 Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:37 am
 It wasn't very often that Tomyris found herself heading around or into the lush oasis of Homewood, so needless to say, the dark doe was taken by quite a surprise when there was this excited sort of buzzing in the atmosphere. A resident life bringer was to bring new life to old bones, reviving them from the cradle of Vykeli's earth. There was talk of some new place, but she didn't stop to ask for details. She had been travelling all through the night and, now in the late morning, she was feeling her exhaustion in her bones. The bright light and the want of sleep was making her head throb. She needed to rest. She'd get up around sunset and would then maybe see about information on what all the excitement was. The barrens-dweller found one of the abundant streams that wove their way through Homewood, slaked her thirst, and then set about asking around where would be a place a traveller could rest. Most Homewood folk were kindly, helpful sorts, at least willing to offer directions for prospective places she could curl up for the day. Some even offered their own dens for her to rest in for the day, to which she politely declined. Tomyris was wanting someplace quiet that wouldn't potentially burst with activity as the day went on. Some seemed only interested in chatting with her, perhaps her appearance clued them into the fact that she wasn't a local. Regardless, she kept asking around, extricating herself from getting snared into drawn out discussions as deftly and politely as she was able to manage. [WC: 268 ]
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:40 am
Yarah was just about beside himself with the curiosity of what mysterious this newly discovered Mistfruit Forest held. What did it look like? Was it warmer than Homewood? Or cooler? He figured likely the latter since it was far to the north east. He had to go see things for himself! Only...he had a problem. He hadn't really ventured too far from Homewood, specifically alone, if he could help it. He wasn't stupid and planned to live a long, full life if he had any say in the matter. Sure, sometimes he and a couple of friends would day trip out to the Barrens, or the Ruins, because there was a business out that way that they simply HAD to check out, or the bog. Not so often for the bog, but, you know, gotta keep one's mind and/or body busy! Yarah had posed the possibility to a few of his regular exploratory friends if they would maybe want to make the trek to check out Mistfruit Forest for themselves. He didn't understand their reticence. Wanderlust had provided maps, directions, and stories of their own explorations through the predominantly dead forest. Still, Yarah was determined to check it out. On top of being a new interesting place, there was something in it for him to go and do so. Either one of those mysterious fruits from the sole living grove within the forest, or a tale of what was seen for a feather from the ascendant themself! If his friends weren't going to tag along, he'd need a guide. There was safety in numbers, even just an extra set of eyes. It was a slim chance that he'd be able to convince a scout to accompany him on such short notice. He couldn't think of a single navigator off the top of his head that he could ask. Maybe he could convince a traveller to go with him. Someone who kept on the move might not be so put out by idea of such a trip. Venturing to a common area, the buck casually set about noul watching. There were familiar faces, some familiar, even casually, nouls here and there, but he was looking for something a little different than the folk he more regularly spied around here. Yarah nodded to someone who made eye contact before moving along their way. Fortunately for the merle leopard buck, he didn't have to wait too long before someone of potential interest wandered nearer, occasionally stopping to briefly chat to venders and artisans. The dark, well built doe's mane and tail had been twisted into dreadlocks and she had gear that marked her as one who frequented the barrens. Positioning himself near to an artisan, when she approached the artisan, he listened. [WC: 459 ]
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:46 am
"Well met," Tomyris greeted the vendor. Her tone was civil and even, though touched by the exhaustion that tugged at her. She had traded a few of the things she brought with her for supplies she'd need to a return trip back towards home. She was still in want of a place to bed down for the day. "Might you know of a quiet place I could rest. I travelled through the night and I need to rest, hopefully someplace quiet and out of the way."
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Before the artisan finished opening their mouth to speak, Yarah chimed in with a greeting and introduced himself. "I know a potential place for you to rest your head. It's quiet and out of the way. One of the healer's I know has a den site adjoining theirs. They use it as a place for any patient of theirs that may need extra attention or need a peaceful space to recover. It's currently empty, so I don't see why they would turn such a weary voyager away." He smiled upon finishing, looking to her expectantly.
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Eyeing up the gregarious palomino as he spoke, she weighed the options that had been presented to her since she had started asking around. Sleeping in a nest that is next to a known healer was probably among the best possibilities. Folks would know to respect the space as an area of recuperation. "Very well, noulja. I'd like to talk to this healer of yours to see if they'd be willing to loan me their extra den space. Would you kindly lead the way?" The buck was happy to do so, and she fell into step alongside him. Tomyris bit back the urge to sigh at the thought of being able to lay down. Of course, her longing reverie was brought back to the present, when her guide cleared his throat, apparently having decided he needed to be chatty.
[WC: 320]
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:53 am
"Please, I've introduced myself! Yarah is fine! Anyway," He began after a beat. "You mentioned you travelled all night. You look to be well travelled, well prepared. Do you navigate for a living? Scouts don't usually bring so much with them." There had been a long pause before she had answered.
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"No. I navigate when I need to, but it isn't the full extent of what I do." And then she quieted again.
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Yarah waited for a moment to see if there was anything else to add. Turned out no. "I can't say I've seen you around. I try to keep active here in Homewood. Do you not live here?" He fought a wince, hiding the grimace by keeping his gaze on the path ahead of them. Even to his ears, the question sounded terribly young and naive.
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Tomyris flicked her ears in subtle tired irritation. "No, I do not. I was born and raised out in the barrens. I go where I need to when I need or want to in order to survive. It's been a number of seasons since I last set foot here."
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"Huh!" She must be quite experienced and, to have such a dark coat, she must be tough! "Say, are you heading anywhere in particular after you leave from here?"
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"No. Likely towards home unless I get drawn elsewhere beforehand."
[WC: 226 ]
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:59 am
That was good to know! Yarah felt a bit hopeful. The seal bay doe wasn't in the middle of some ongoing quest or mission. "Hey, you know...I never got your name. What may I call you?"
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"I didn't give it...But my name is Tomyris." She side-eyed the inquisitive buck. It was starting to feel like he was winding up for something. The path they followed branched off from the larger trail they had been following. The trees drew denser here and path sloped toward a valley. Sounds didn't carry as well here. There was more space in the togetherness here.
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"Well, Tomyris, I am pleased to make your acquaintance." He glanced her way and caught the suspicious look she had been giving him. "We're almost there. Honest! Ohtli, the healer I mentioned, prides themself in the their quality of care and likes the quiet of this stretch of the forest." He nodded earnestly before looking thoughtful for a long moment, as if he was debating something. "Say, have you heard of the newly found forest far to the north-east of here? Have you been?"
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"I have not, on both accounts" None of the other diasporic nomads had mentioned such a place, or at least word of mouth hadn't reached her. The niggling feeling that he had something in mind just kept getting stronger. He was leading up to something.
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"Really? Well...I think I'll cut to the chase, since I have the feeling you are starting to see where my line of questioning is going. Tomyris, I would really like to go see this place for myself. I have a map, directions...You appear to be a very strong, capable, experienced barrens native. You seem like you've got a good head on your shoulders. Is there any way I could convince you to guide me, or accompany me to go check it out? I don't want to risk going alone as I don't have solo desert experience, plus there's always safety in numbers. I've heard talk of a few features of this place, Mistfruit Forest, but there's so much that isn't known. Imagine the sorts of things that could be uncovered! Perhaps there's something that you might find out there that could be useful to you. What do you think? Please, do consider it!" Yarah watched her face in hopeful expectation as the doe mulled over his words.
[WC: 396 ]
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:03 am
Mistfruit Forest. No such name registered any sort of recollection for her. How far north-east? Tomyris wasn't unaware of the flattery the buck was trying to employ. She wasn't a hormonally charged teen anymore, plus she didn't have any interested in bucks to begin with. Of course, he was probably just trying to stroke her ego to butter her up. Tomyris shook herself. What sort of place was this new forest? Could it be a place that would beneficial as a place to visit for the other nomads? What sort of damage had been done to it? How did the Others leave it? What resources might there be? What dangers? She'd be lying if she said she wasn't intrigued. Yarah already had a map and directions to get there. He himself seemed, ah...Soft? No. Untested, maybe was the word she was looking for. Towards the bottom of the trail, the doe stopped her walking and looked pointedly at the palomino. He paused a few steps ahead of her, half turning to face where she had stopped. "I'd be willing to take you to this Mistfruit Forest. However! You will do as I say, to the letter, when I say it. I'm going to see you safely there and, at the very least, start you on your way back home after you've explored to your satisfaction, if not bring you fully back here, if you require me to do so. Is that fair?"
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Oh! That was more than fair! Yarah just about felt fit to kick up his heels! He beamed. "Oh, Tomyris, I would be delighted to do whatever you require of me! I'm so pleased to hear that you're down for checking it out with me!"
[WC: 287 ]
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:12 am
"Excellent! Since we're in agreement, first things first...We will leave in the night, so you will need to collect what you feel you will need for the journey, and you will need to sleep. That is my way. I try to avoid roasting myself under the scorching sun if I can help it. If you work quickly, you could get to sleep in time to rest up to wake up around dusk. That's my plan. We can meet up back along the artisan alley where we met. Is that fair?"--------------- Travelling nocturnally? Having to sleep in the day? He swallowed the objections and nodded. He could see how that was beneficial to the doe with her predominantly black coat. She was going to be his guide and he would defer to her. Maybe he'd be able to pick up some tips or tricks along the way. It'd certainly be different! Yarah nodded. "That's fair. Want me to walk you the rest of the way? If not, Ohtli is friendly enough." --------------- She shook her head, sort of ready for the exchange to end. She felt her weariness in her bones. "That won't be necessary. I can take care of things from here, and you have a good bit to do and not a lot of time to do so. Work quickly, drink as often as you're able. Go sleep. I'll meet you in the market a little after dusk. Come ready to leave." She walked around to get ahead of Yarah on the path. "I'll see you then. Have a good day." Tomyris nodded to him and then went in search of this healer. -------------- Yarah returned her nod. "Sweet dreams," He called over his shoulder as he left her to see to her own business. He could work quickly. In fact, if he trotted or ran for most of it, he'd probably tucker himself out enough to help him get to sleep. [WC: 321 ] [RP Total: 2277]
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ll Grandfather Tree ll generated a random number between
1 and 100 ...
95!
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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 1:52 pm
REDEEMED
you found a hair tuft!
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ll Grandfather Tree ll Vice Captain
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