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Post by Kassdc on Apr 26, 2008 18:16:20 GMT 10
Kijah jumped slightly when Traf touched her arms and spoke to her. She didn't realize she was even speaking out loud. She leaned back against him and laid her head back, his presence there with her was so comforting. She closed her eyes and sighed, she knew he was right, but was she really ready to face Mitra again? She had never fought Mitra, perhaps those were lucky shots she got in, maybe not. She reached up and put a hand to Traf's cheek and smiled against him.
"Now what makes you think that I am going to let you fuss over me? You act like just because you braid my hair and treat me so sweet that I will just lay around to be spoiled? Come on love, you can't have it that easy all the time, no you will have to work for it." She kissed him gently on the neck before pointing at the makeshift skirt that had been thrown across the room. "That however shall need to be altered, its too long. Either that or I just run around nude the whole time."
Kijah picked up the newest braid and laughed, "You keep this up mum would never recognize me." She laughed more, "She'd get over it though. You know, its going to be hard sleeping on the ground after enjoying a soft bed this night, we're going to miss this something awful I imagine."
She sat up and stretched her arms and worked her shoulder, the soreness was easing up a little but it was still there. She turned and looked at Traf and grinned, "So its still rather early in the evening, what shall we do now."
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Post by fateandfaith on Apr 29, 2008 12:39:49 GMT 10
“Why do I think I get to fuss over you?” Traf repeated playfully. “Well, if you think you’re going to get anywhere near Southridge, then you are damn well going to be fully healed and well rested. I also think I get to fuss because I am the big, bad wolf and there isn’t much you can do about it.” He put his arms around her completely, trapping her arms at her sides momentarily as he laughed softly. As if he’d ever force her into anything, even pampering.
His gaze followed hers to where the skirt lay. A wry grin spread slowly across his face. Now how did that get there? he thought, amused. He didn’t want to leave her side, but unfortunately things needed to be done.
"So its still rather early in the evening, what shall we do now."
He had more than one thought that he would have blushed at had he said them out loud, and once again had to remind himself that he had to take care of a few things before they could leave. Not to mention they were probably in poor enough shape from the last few hours. He squeezed Kijah tight against him briefly in an affectionate hug. “Well, love, I’m going to make you a proper skirt,” he said, trying somewhat unsuccessfully to keep the regret out of his voice.
Traf had to force himself to release his grip on Kijah and climb out of bed. He retrieved his knife and a small bundle from his pack before picking up the skirt and going to sit at the table. He needed to concentrate, and that wasn’t entirely easy for him to do when he was close to her. Now that he had seen the way the clothe fit her, he had a decent idea of how to alter it, so he set to work. He unrolled the small bundle on the table to reveal a few meager sewing supplies.
As he worked, it didn’t take long for his mind to drift to Tes. He didn’t know what to do about her. He figured he’d caused enough damage already, and that she might not even want to see him. His eyes drifted over to the tiny desk in the corner where parchment, a quill and a tiny bottle of ink was set out. He sighed.
Without looking up, because he wasn’t sure he’d actually be able to ask if he did look up at Kijah, he asked softly, “Kijah, would you be able to write a note to Tes for me?” It wasn’t the first time, nor would it be the last, that he felt embarrassed by his lack of education, despite the fact that it had been well beyond his control. His father had valued fighting skill and physical strength over education, but that hadn’t stopped others from making him feel inadequate in the past.
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Post by Kassdc on Apr 30, 2008 8:07:50 GMT 10
Kijah grinned at Traf's reasoning for fussing. "I dunno, putting up a fight may be an interesting situation."
She watched him go to the table and start altering the makeshift skirt into something propper for her to wear. At a loss for something to do she started wandering around the room straightening things, the chairs under the table, fixing the covers on the bed, even straightening some of the remnants of the dinner. There wasn't really much that she was able to do but it kept her busy. She looked up when Traf posed his request, assuming he was just wanting to finish the skirt she agreed and started to make her way over to the table, she was stopped by a knock on the door however.
She looked to Traf and was about to say something when the visitor announced themself.
"It is Mirasta, I have come to update before I leave."
Kijah looked at Traf as she walked to the chair grabbing her shirt, she picked up a blanket and wrapped it around herself as if cold and then made her way to the door. She opened it slightly, just enough so she could be sure it was really the healer and stood back enough to open the door wider yet not give her full access.
"You're leaving already? She'll be ok over night then?"
Mirasta looked at the female and laughed to herself, it was clearly not that cold here in town yet. "She is resting, has been all evening. I have just applied the oil to her chest so she will be ok for a few hours but she will need it applied three times more this night. I will return in the morning to check on her and will stop by here to update you unless you plan on being gone or over there. The oil is there on the table by the bed and I have left bandages there as well. She may need them changed again, it depends on how much tossing and turning she does. I have changed them once already. There is a small clay pot on the table, in it is a paste, if the bandages need to be changed apply that paste to her shoulder, it helps keep away the infection. Otherwise she will be fine for the night, if you have need for me go to the tavern have Marco send for me."
Kijah listened to the healers words and nodded her head in understanding, thanked her and watched her leave. Turning she looked at Traf. "The healer is gone now, what would you like me to write down in the note for you?
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Post by fateandfaith on Apr 30, 2008 17:29:12 GMT 10
Traf only half paid attention to what the healer was saying, trying his hardest to ignore her presence completely. The last thing he wanted was to get on edge again, and he figured Kijah could fill him in if he missed anything. He could tell by the healer’s regular heartbeat and her calm tone that nothing was wrong with Tes, so that was all he cared about.
As he primarily had made clothing for himself thus far, he had absolutely no experience making skirts. He did his best to consider what length and shape would best cover her legs without hindering her stride. He ended up cutting it so that it would hit her just above the knee, forming it into a wrap skirt so that there would be enough material to stretch when she ran. After fetching it from his pack, he attached a bit of leather cording to the skirt so that it could be fastened. He regretted it was so simple, but it was the best he could do. For now, at least. She would need something warmer in the coming months, and that, he vowed, would be much better.
He looked up to find that the healer was just leaving just as he finished. He stood and shook out the skirt, holding it out in front of him for inspection. It looked as if it would do, for now. As he thought about Kijah’s question, he made his way over to her. Smiling that same smile he’d been flashing at her all day, he reached around her, the skirt in his hands. He wrapped it around her, leaning in close as he fastened the ties at her hip. In a whisper, he said, “Though I would much prefer to undress you, I do need to check my skills.”
He stepped back to admire her, the length of her legs bared by the short skirt, the pale skin of her arms and on her throat bared by the shirt, which, while clearly slightly too large for her, still managed to look flattering on her figure. “Yes,” he said with a grin, “I suppose that will do.”
Still smiling, he moved over to the desk and pulled out the chair for her as a courtesy. He sighed. “Could you write where we’re going? And tell her that while she may hate me, everything I have done, I did because I cared about her. That I tried to do right by her. And that I hope very much to see her again. Someday…” he trailed off, staring at the floor. He’d meant what he’d said about babysitting the pups. He wanted them to have an ‘aunt Tes’, and he hoped she’d want to be that for them.
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Post by Kassdc on May 1, 2008 12:16:42 GMT 10
Kijah smiled down at the skirt, it fit her perfectly. It was precisely just the style she normally wore back home, the fact that Traf had made it for her made it all the more special. She hugged him and thanked him with a kiss when she went to take the seat he offered her. She listened to what he wanted written down, her heart pulled when he stopped half way through his sentence. She reached out and took his hand squeezing it in a gentle reassuring way..
"I don't honestly think she can nor that she does hate you love. I think she just has some things to deal with, kind of like us perhaps? Give her time love, she will understand, besides, we will need someone to leave our future pups with when we need some alone time." She was hoping to see a smile come across his face, they had enough things coming soon to worry about, he didn't need the added thoughts of Tes being upset with him in his mind.
She wrote down all that he had asked in the note and folded it and handed it too him. I am not sure when you want to give this to her but it is ready. She looked over at the window, it was completely dark out so she had the idea it was starting to get pretty late.
"I know we need to get things hun, so what time do you plan on getting up and getting the supplies tomorrow? I don't know about your pack land, but Southridge is a good 4 days journey from our cave., the hunting between here and there wasn't bad, but I have a feeling that the meeting will not go well and healing supplies will be needed."
She hated the thought that there would be injuries, but if her last meeting with Mitra was anything to go by she knew there would be a fight coming, especially when Kito and Asha got wind of her being back.
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Post by fateandfaith on May 1, 2008 14:27:21 GMT 10
Traf sighed at Kijah’s words. She might hate me when she realizes this is my fault. No, little wolf, I think the days of being a big brother to that feisty kitten may be over. I half believe she’ll not want anything to do with me and half believe she’ll get herself killed before I see her again. She seems rather determined to do so. He didn’t think Kijah would understand why he felt guilty, and would probably tell him it was foolish. Perhaps it was, but that didn’t make it hurt any less. But he took comfort in simply knowing that for the time being Tes was safe and on the mend, and forced a brief smile across his face.
He accepted the letter and gently kissed Kijah in thanks, but walked over to place it on the table so that it would not be misplaced. “If she doesn’t wake before we set out, I’ll leave it in her room.” Now that his hands were empty, he ran his fingers through his hair, the charms chiming in all sorts of tones as they struck each other.
At her question, he glanced outside as well. It was getting late to be sure, and he’d barely noticed the passing of time. He wondered how long the flickering firelight had been the only source of illumination. “I’ll go at dawn, love. You can stay here, you don’t have to go out there just yet. I won’t be gone long I hope, but I’d be glad to have someone here in case the healer comes while I’m away. I still worry Tes might eat her if they’re completely unsupervised.” He tried his damnedest to ignore her comment about the healing supplies. Of course, he they were already on his list of things to get, and of course, he did not expect the both of them to escape from the coming battles unscathed, but he did not want to have to think about it seriously. Not just yet.
He moved to the bedside and pulled back the already rumpled covers, offering Kijah the spot against the wall, as he didn’t want to have to disturb her each time he got up. “Shall we, love? I have a feeling it’s going to be a long day tomorrow. And somewhat of a long night ahead if I’m to be getting up to see to Tes every few hours.” Of which you will be doing none of, little wolf, he thought, hoping he’d implied that strongly enough. They both surely needed rest, but if either of them was going to miss it, it would be him. And at least for the time being, Tes was his stubborn brat of a sister.
He smiled almost wistfully. “Though I suppose it’ll be good practice for when we have newborn pups, yeah?” With a wide grin, he joined Kijah in the bed, wrapping his arms around her. As the stars began to wink to life in the dark sky just beyond the window, sleep came peacefully. He found there was another upside to getting up to care for Tes--it kept the bad dreams at bay.
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From years spent in the wild, Traf was well attuned to the sound of birds. He knew which change in their nightly songs signaled the coming dawn, an important time for someone surviving on their own in the wild. Each morning, a deer wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest wolf, or it will be eaten. Each morning, a wolf wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest deer, or it will starve. Whether you’re the wolf or the deer, when the sun comes up, you’d better be running. He’d been taught the saying at a young age and had always lived by it. When the faint birdsong changed to the sounds he was so familiar with, he opened his eyes to find the first bits of light leaking into the room.
With a sigh, he laid a delicate kiss on Kijah’s forehead and reluctantly pulled himself out of her arms. He’d done it many times that night to go and check on Tes, and it had never gotten easier. It took him a few moments to find his clothing, having been discarded rather haphazardly the day before. The morning air was cool enough to warrant his long-sleeved tunic and boots. After shrugging into his clothes, he pulled the wolf pelt and the strap of his pack over his shoulders. He began to head for the door, then paused to fish through his pack for the knife, which he left on the table. He didn’t foresee anyone coming to the room with malicious intentions, but knowing Kijah was uncertain about whether or not she could shift he was not going to leave her entirely unarmed, even if it wasn’t much.
He ducked his head into the room where Tes was, relieved to find her still asleep. She’d be ready for another treatment in an hour or so, and he planned to be back in time in case the healer did not intend to show up until later. “See you later, kitten,” he muttered softly, making his way downstairs and across the floor of the tavern. Although he’d dressed accordingly, the moment he opened the door and stepped out into the street he was blasted by the cold morning air. He pulled the edges of the pelt tighter around him and headed down the street.
By the time he reached the area of the city where the majority of the merchants were to be found, the sun had risen enough to make the remaining lit street lanterns superfluous. His first stop was a shop bearing a sign that rather proudly declared ‘Onderic’s General Goods’. Considering it was one of the few shops open at that early hour, he figured there was a good chance the owner would be the type more than eager to do business. Through a combination of a couple of relatively nice quality rabbit and squirrel skins and large chunk of his silver piece, he was able to procure a dark-colored woven wool blanket. While a softer bed had been more on his mind that night in the cave, now that they would be traveling there was no guarantee of shelter at night. The blanket would be a far better shield against the elements, as its price seemed to imply.
“How much for a small cloak?” he asked the portly shopkeeper. He knew there would be better quality items to be found with a merchant who dealt in such things and he’d passed at least one such shop on his way to the one he currently patronized. While he would have loved to buy Kijah one of the lovely elvish cloaks he’d heard people speak of, he doubted it would be something he could afford. Again, he was just going to make do.
Once again, Traf and Onderic haggled over prices, finally coming to an agreement. Twenty bronze for a muddy brown men’s riding cloak. Though the cut of the garment meant that it would have hit him at mid-thigh, by virtue of it being made for a man coupled with Kijah’s height--or lack thereof--meant that it would cover her rather well. Satisfied that the rest of the supplies he needed would be better found elsewhere, he began to thank the shopkeeper, when something caught his eye. It was frivolous and well beyond his budget for such things, which was zero at that point, but from the moment he saw it, he knew he couldn't not buy it. He parted with a few more bronze and carefully tucked away his newest prize in his pack before gathering the rest of his things, and started for the door.
“I’ll give you back everything you just paid me in addition to three silver for the wolf’s pelt.”
The man’s voice stopped Traf dead in his tracks. A look crossed his face that said very clearly this wasn’t the first time this had happened. Not even throwing a glance over his shoulder at Onderic, he muttered, “That’s far too much for some old fur. Anyways, I’m done doing business.”
“Come on, boy, it’s Voskon, isn’t it?” Onderic replied. “It’s in high demand these days, what with them being damn hard to find and kill. There are nobles in Daism who already claim they wear Voskon fur. Most don’t have the eye to recognize the real deal, to see the particular sheen it has, the aura it seems to carry with it that reflects the last thoughts of its previous owner.”
Clenching his teeth to silence the growl threatening to roll out of his throat, Traf answered simply, “No.” He could vouch for the fact that the furs sometimes contained the essence of their owner’s last emotions. It wasn’t simply fond memories that made the wolf pelt wrapped around his shoulders so adept at keeping him calm. Angosh had died happy, and the fur reflected that. No doubt Eskavf’s fur, small as it was, exuded all the fear the child had felt as he’d died as well.
“Alright, boy, I can see you’re not stupid. I’ll pay you a gold piece for it.”
“No.”
“Fine, two. Two gold pieces! You’d have to be a fool to turn that down!”
Traf’s eyes flashed yellow as he turned to glare over his shoulder at the shopkeeper, bitterly reminded why humans bothered him so much. This time, he didn’t answer. He had to get out before he lost control. The wood groaned as he ripped the door open and slammed it behind him. He had to find a shadowed place tucked between two shops to collect himself again. Even though they were heading into a fight, the sooner they were out of Daism, the better. The time he’d spent around the humans was getting to him. When his heart rate and breathing stopped chasing each other, he finally stepped back out into the sunshine, thoughts of Angosh and Kafi heavy on his mind.
Wanting nothing more than to return to Kijah, he wound his way through the streets to the nearest healer. He bartered for a vial of antiseptic cream and plenty of bandages, hoping to Ahnonda that it would be enough. Where he had haggled with Onderic, here he paid what the healers asked, simply wanting to be done with it all. With his newest purchases bundled into his pack, he started the walk back to the inn.
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Post by silverbrumby on May 1, 2008 16:35:23 GMT 10
Hester walked along a small side street, whistling. A nice, long sleep and tasty breakfast had put her in an extremely good mood. Storm ambled along behind her, as far back as the reins she was holding would allow. He, on the other hand, had had a terrible night. And the saddle he wore reeked of human that was... wolf. He couldn't get away from the scent... It was always there, and there was nothing he could do to be rid of it, or block it out. It was driving him mad! Like an itch he couldn't scratch.
Hester glanced over her should a couple of times, giving him sympathetic looks. When they reached one of the wider streets, she stopped and rubbed his nose. She had guessed what was bothering him, and although she'd given the saddle a quick rinse this morning, Storm must still be able to smell something on it, most likely that female Voskon.
She had ended up going home last night, dragging herself through the back door and collapsing on the mattress in her room. She had been out the door as soon as she had woken up, sometime around dawn. She had dropped by a baker's stall and had bought herself a sweet roll, (a fair bit of which Storm had stole.)
Right now, Hester was making her way towards BelAit. She wanted to see whether the woman had woken up yet. Even though she hadn't spoken to her at all, she wanted to know if the Voskon was OK.
She had finished whistling one song, and was beginning another, when she spotted that other Voskon, the wolf man. He was carrying a bundle of... something and well... He didn't look too happy. Hester bit her lip, wondering if she should approach him. He was more than a bit intimidating, and he didn't seem to be the overly friendly sort. She uttered a quiet groan, not sure what to do. Might as well. He can't exactly eat you in public. Wincing, she kissed Storm's nose for luck. "Might as well." She muttered, and she quickened her pace. I shouldn't call out to him, that might draw attention he doesn't want. Umm... OK. She broke into a jog, Storm trailing behind, and when they were quite close she said, just loud enough so he might hear, "Err... Excuse me?" She didn't know whether to call him 'sir' or not, but then what else to call him? "Excuse me, sir with the wolf pelt."
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Post by fateandfaith on May 2, 2008 14:58:55 GMT 10
Traf snarled under his breath. Another fool seeking Voskon fur. Damn these humans, damn them all! The frayed edges of his control were slipped through his frantically grasping fingers. He was not a killer, and while the humans certainly were doing wrong both by hunting his kind and participating in the trade of their furs, as this one seemed to be, he didn’t want to kill one. Especially not in broad daylight and full view of the public. The last thing he wanted was to endanger Kijah.
He turned to address the human slowly, breathing deeply as he did it. For a moment, he stared out at the empty street, then his eyes shifted downward, and he found that it was no fur-hungry noble or merchant, but the girl who had helped to save Tes’s life. He actually smiled when he saw her, he was that relieved, the wolf letting its hackles down immediately.
“Hello, child,” he said softly. She was afraid of him, that was as plain as day on her face and in her eyes. While he was not, and would never be a fan of humans, this one seemed alright. He attempted to ease her fear. “Tes will live, in part because of you. You have my gratitude.”
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Post by silverbrumby on May 4, 2008 17:26:44 GMT 10
Eeep, sorry Fate, I didn't mean to leave you hanging like that, but I haven't been able to get the computer for very long. I'll post something tomorrow! Sorry.
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Post by Kassdc on May 6, 2008 13:28:43 GMT 10
Kijah awoke to a knock on the door. Startled she sat up and looked around the room, it took a moment for her to gather her senses. She grabbed her shirt and the skirt that Traf had made last night and put them on, glancing at the table she grabbed the knife he left there and slid it into the back of her skirt along her back. The cool blade against her skin was enough of a shock to wake her up a little.
She walked over opening the door slightly, just enough to see it was the healer woman from yesterday. She stepped back and rolled her eyes before opening the door more. She remembered the mood of this woman from yesterday and she didn't feel like dealing with it again. Only for you do I deal with her today Tes.
She walked out into the hall motioned the healer into Tes's room and then followed her in.
"You have been treating her with the oil I assume? The bandages, did they need changed again?"
Kijah looked from her to Tes, "Traf got up and tended to her during the night while I was resting my shoulder, I am unsure if her bandages needed changing or not."
Mirasta shook her head, "No matter child, now don't give me that look, when you get to be my age anything younger than thirty counts as a child." She smiled as she commenced to checking and changing Tes's bandages, the man had indeed taken care of her wounds well during the night. After she finished with Tes she looked up at Kijah. "You said you were resting your shoulder, what is it some injury, have you the same as this woman here?"
She made her way over to Kijah looking from shoulder to shoulder, it was obvious the way she was holding her shoulders which was injured. Kijah stared wide-eyed at the woman. "I..I'm fine, really, it is mending nicely, nothing like hers." She started to slowly back away she didn't want the healer to see her wounds, much less come near her after snapping the night before. "I said I was fine."
Mirasta was letting the healer in her win, she wanted to make sure this young girl was healing fully, especially after seeing the healer she came with. Using silver wire to stitch a wound, heavens what did these people come up with now days. " Look here child, after what I encountered yesterday with this young healer you travel with I just want to make sure she didn't stitch you up with wire as well." She walked over reaching up a hand to Kijah's shoulder causing what was left of the sleeve to slide down, showing the bite wounds from Mitra. Her eyes widened, she knew those were teeth marks. Whats more they were wolf teeth marks.
"The wounds were deep and old, far from fresh." She looked up at Kijah's eyes. "I have known many men bigger than you that have died from such wounds." She looked from Kijah to the woman in the bed. "As would any woman die from wounds such as she has suffered healer or not, but then, you aren't human are you. I knew something was different." Mirasta couldn't help the grin that broke out on her face she had only ever healed one voskon in her life, it had been a horse voskon, shot by the arrow of a human. The wound had been deep and infected but she healed her and learned a good deal of what had always been told was a lie. Voskons weren't evil, they were just different.
Kijah backed against the wall, she knew now she most certainly didn't want to be "examined" by this woman. She pulled up her sleeve and pointed to the door. "I think you should leave now. Tell me what is owed you and you can be on your way."
Mirasta looked at the young woman, her intent was clearly mistaken she meant no harm, she was thinking over this as she told the girl how much she was owed. Kijah went to Tes's bag and dug around until she had fished out the coins and shoved them across a table at the healer.
Mirasta gathered the coins and looked at Kijah, "If you would just let me make sure you are alright child, I wouldn't even charge anything. Its an honor to help your kind."
Kijah was bristling at the ignorance of this woman,the fact that the woman was ignoring a simple no had the wolf in her snarling, begging her to allow the change. Kijah took a breath and pointed to the door," Look you have your money you have done what was asked I think its time for you to leave."
"But child..."
"We have been pleasant with you, we have heeded your instructions and we are grateful for the assistance you have given our friend, but our kind are excellent healers and we will get along just now thanks. Whatever you think you know about us, just shove it from your head you will do well to mind your tongue in the future. Had her brother been around that little comment of your kind wouldn't have passed by so quickly. Now I will say again one last time, leave."
With that Kijah walked over to the bed and leaned over feeling Tes's forehead and running her fingers through her hair. She hated seeing the lioness that just the day before had been so fill of fire and life lay there in the bed, she didn't look to be in any pain, but she still didn't like it. She heard the door close before she took a safe breath. She placed a kiss on Tes's head before leaving and going back into her and Traf's room, she grabbed the knife and out of sheer frustration and irritation flung it at the wall with enough force that the blade sunk into the wood. She walked over and leaned her forehead against the wall looking out the window wishing Traf's return would come soon.
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Post by tesumi on May 6, 2008 15:09:48 GMT 10
Tes blinked a few times before opening her eyes, only to have to force them closed again. The dim light trickling in was blinding after being in the dark so long. Tes let out a low groan and shifted, rolling over away from the light. The pain in her shoulder was dim, almost completely ceased but there was a fire brewing in her belly burning from inside out. Her hand reached out to run across her bare flesh to her wounds, sticky pastes coated her finger tips which she brought to her nose. Tes jerked her hand away, finally opening her eyes, the strong scent of the pastes repulsive and reeking of human.
She wrinkled her nose at the smell, crude liquids and pastes slopped together making it difficult for even a Voskon to distinguish the individual scents. Ok, well she was probably a fairly good healer by human standards but Tes was once in the care of her Edwards expertise and his heightened Voskon senses. This womans foul concoctions (including the one that had been forced down her throat) lacked Edwards finesse and smelled putrid to her practiced nose. I guess she was only human after all, she wasn't able to distinguish the best leaves, oils and purest liquids by smell alone, therefore she could only create a mediocre and tainted products. (With only half the power to boot!) Well...in Tes's opinion anyway, she was biased.
"Ugg...what the hell...Alice? Nhhh, no that was just a dream..wasn't it?" she grumbled pulling herself upward, her golden eyes swiftly glancing around the room. Her body ached a dull ache but it was not from her injuries but from staying still for so long. She looked down and growled seeing her clothing scattered across the room, the laces on her breeches pulled loose. It took a great deal of effort for her to put those together in the first place, it was bothersome to see them torn apart. "What happened...." she whispered, her mind drifting to her dream of Alice and the snippets of memories she had from her incident. Tes slipped out of the bed and gathered her clothing and slowly pulled it on trying not to aggravate her wounds further. As much as Tes hated that Traf and Kijah had brought her to a human healer, she did do her work well enough and Tes had healed well during the night. (She was far from fixed out course though). Her expression was blank and distance as she dressed herself and gathered things, mind consumed in the recent events. Alice....the things you ask of me...are difficult. How do I do them? Perhaps I should start with...friends? They...saved my life, can I trust them? Would they...help? she thought to herself, lacing up her boots.
With her Voskon senses Tes picked up traces of Traf and Kijah, their scent heavy on the room even with the nasty smelling paste on her own body filling the air. "Should I...find them?" she wondered aloud reaching for her bag, mildly agitated that it had been messed with. Her mind was a bit fogged with the drugs administered by the healer but she had a vague feeling of wanting freedom. "I need to get out of here..." she hissed swinging her cloak across her shoulders. After she snuck out the door of her room her flew down the hall way not quite as quiet as her fully healed self. Tes cursed the clumsiness this injury brought on her, and the weakness that overwhelmed her. That didn't matter now however, all she knew was that she needed to get out...out of this tavern and into the sun. She would need fresh air to help her make the decision to trust... Tes was happy to find the tavern only half full, so she found no trouble sneaking out, covering her face and head with her dark cloak.
(Sorry its crappy, wanted to get this over with ><)
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Post by silverbrumby on May 6, 2008 17:39:37 GMT 10
Hester relaxed enough to be able to give the man a small smile. "That's good news. And... I'm glad I could help." She hesitated. "How did she get such a horrible injury anyway? I mean, yu don't have to say, but I'm just curious..." She went pink and looked down, before forcing herself to meet the man's eyes again. I hope he doesn't think I'm prying. Seems to be the secretive type. But then, he's a Voskon. And you're a human. You can't really expect him to be too trusting. Heck, you can't expect him to trust you at, going on some of the things I've heard about Voskon pelt hunters. Though until a few days ago I didn't actually know if voskons were real or not... Hester wrenched her mind away and firmly told herself to stop doing that. Drifting off in the middle of a conversation would make people think she had a few screws loose. "I was going over to BelAit anyway, I could've sowrn I left my jacket beside that green-ish post." Um, yeah, very convenient. And once you found the jacket, you were just going to toddle on up the stairs and see how everything was. --------------------------------- Sorry it's so short, my sister hogs the computer almost constantly. >_> And the laptop... Is, well... Unfriendly. So you guys might not be seeing much of me for a while...
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Post by fateandfaith on May 7, 2008 16:30:54 GMT 10
At first, Traf was at a loss for how to answer. It was a rather long story as to how Tes was injured, and to tell all of it would have revealed a few secrets about Voskons that he wasn't sure any human should know. The less they knew about their culture and their abilities--such as Tes' healing--the safer they were.
"We were hunting elk," he said simply. It wasn't entirely untrue, but it was all the girl was going to get. He was grateful to her, to be sure, but he still did not trust her explicitly. It wasn't likely any human would ever completely earn his trust, as he was surprised at how much he'd already shown the girl.
They walked the short distance back to the tavern in silence. Before they reached the door, he stopped to address her. "Listen, we'll be leaving shortly, and I do not know when or if we will be back, but know that if we do return and you are in need, you have my help. I will do what I can to repay you."
Hefting his bundle in his arms, he nodded his head courteously and continued into the tavern. He hoped the farewell would dissuade her from any further involvement. He worried about innate human curiosity putting the girl into danger. Tes likely wouldn't take kindly to a girl poking around, even if said girl had helped to save her life.
He made his way up the stairs, noting with annoyance as he passed the door the room he had shared with Kijah that the healer had returned while he was out. Worse, he also smelled Tes in the hallway. Snarling under his breath in anticipation of what he was about to find, he opened the door to her room and poked his head in. Empty, just as he'd expected. Though his fears that Tes wanted nothing more to do with him were realized, what upset him the most was that she was not ready to be up and about after such a wound. The hurt would come later, but for the time being he was simply angry at the death wish Tes seemed to have.
He was still snarling when he entered the room he shared with Kijah. The moment the door shut behind him, he dropped his bundles on the floor. He could smell the tension in the room, and this, added to the frustration he'd felt in the shop and at Tes' disappearance, sent him over the edge. He walked toward Kijah, so tense his movements were almost robotic, his eyes fixed into a glare, though it was not aimed at her. He was simply so angry, he couldn't help it.
He slowly slid his arms around her. "We need to get out of here," he muttered exasperatedly, burying his face against her neck. He sighed. "What happened, little wolf?"
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Post by Kassdc on May 7, 2008 19:08:06 GMT 10
Kijah could feel the tension immediatly when Traf held her. Now was definatly not the time to go into detail oh the healer's actions. She turned in his arms and laid her head against his chest.
"Nothing love, just the ignorance of humans. Tes is fine and I paid the healer and sent her on her way." She knows we're voskon That was the one part she didn't dare tell him. She could feel how on edge her own wolf was and she knew he could too. That mixed with his uneasyness wasn't a good combination.
"If we're going to leave love then we need to take the note to Tes's room so she will know where we went, just let me gather what loose things are about the room and I will be ready."
She walked over and grabbed what was left of the bread from last night and stuck it in Traf's pack and walked over pulling the knife from the wall, hoping he hadn't noticed it when he walked in. She knew if he had he would want more of an explaination for the morning's events than she provided.
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Post by fateandfaith on May 7, 2008 20:05:29 GMT 10
Traf was just about to reply when he watched her pull the knife from the wall. Clearly, the events that had unfolded in his absence had been far more dramatic than she had let on, but he didn't dare ask. Not yet, anyways. He didn't need to give himself any more reasons to be upset--his control was strained enough. Later, though, without a doubt. For now, he was simply trying to focus on how relieved he was to hear she was ready to leave.
As she collected their meager belongings from about the room, he filled the flask he had emptied in the forest trying to care for Tes with the remnants of the bottle of wine. It wasn't as strong as the liquor he had used, but it would work for the purposes. He then shuffled through the pack to find the remaining leather thongs he carried and used them to bind the blanket and cloak and create carrying straps for them. He purposely focused solely on the mundane tasks, hoping to ease some of his tension before bringing up Tes. He was going to be snarling as he told Kijah what had happened as it was, he didn't need to be punching walls as well. When he finally felt calm enough, he muttered, "I'll slide the note under the door. Cat already ran off. If she comes back, she'll see it, if not, she probably doesn't want anything to do with me anyways."
This bothered him deeply, but it was a reality he seemed to be headed toward and would have to face sooner or later. Now was as good a time as any to start. Trying to shrug off the sadness, he looked up at Kijah and quickly said, "I bought you a cloak, little wolf." He pointed to the brown cloth bundled up with the wool blanket. "Now that the sun's out it's getting warmer, but it's there when you need it." The other gift he had for her would have to wait until a time when they were both in better moods. He wanted her to enjoy it and he wanted to be able to enjoy her reaction to it.
When it seemed as though they had everything, he pulled the wolf's pelt off his shoulders and put it around Kijah, just in case she insisted on carrying something. He hefted the pack and the bundled cloth and slid the straps over his broad shoulders so that their weights rested comfortably against his back. Lastly, he grabbed the letter off the table and held his hand out to Kijah.
Having her safe at his side, the warmth of her hand in his helped clear his mind and quiet the wolf. He slid the letter under the door to Tes' room with a sigh and then lead the way down the stairs. Traf released Kijah's hand and pulled her tight against his side as they made their way across the public floor of the tavern to where Marco stood, concerned that the moderate amount of people in the room would trouble her. First, Traf left word with the innkeeper should any of their forest-dwelling friends come looking. After a short exchange, Traf tucked away the sixty-eight bronze pieces that remained of his silver piece given to Sky the day before after paying for the meal and the night's stay in the room. After muttering his thanks and then, keeping Kijah tucked against his side, made his way out of the tavern and into the streets.
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