[Mathews Bay] Someone to speak to [Fiera]

[Pa'haite]

34 Summer 512 AV

The sun was high in the sky. It was one of those days where the temperature bordered on being uncomfortably hot, but was just offset by the winds that blew over the Bay. Even so, it just seemed like a lazy day, one that just dragged on and made it hard to do much but linger in the cool of the shade.

It was a bit of an off day for Pa'haite as well. She was tired, and there wasn't anything urgent that needed doing. So, she took this rare opportunity to take a calm walk. As usual, she walked with her arms out, palms and finger brushing by all of the plants around her. Through this she was able to briefly greet each as she passed, and be open to any complaints or problems that any of them would need to convey to her.

Every so often she would pass an animal or bird as well. Many seemed to feel about the same as she did, tired, lingering in the shade.

When Pa'haite reached her favorite tree, she sat down in the cool it provided. Leaning back she felt the rough bark, thick, covering the trunk that towered above her. She had become good friends with this tree, and sometimes it would tell her stories. For now, it simply gave her a friendly greeting, and calmly continued to sway in the breeze. Pa'haite reveled in the peace here, staring up at the branches and the leaves above her.

[Fiera]

Still, silent, watchful. Fiera followed the deer’s movements with her eyes. She was hungry. Very hungry. Her tail flicked from side to side as she tensed her muscles, ready to spring forward. Perhaps it was time? Fiera leaned forward. The deer hesitated, unsure what to make of the sound. It was this hesitation that cost it its life… Stupid animals, she thought as she sunk her claws deep into the deer’s hide, but still, I'm not complaining… In a vain attempt to throw her off, the young doe reared and bucked, twisting under her grip. Fiera wasn’t one to play with her food, nor did she relish others pain, and so she quickly dispatched it with a bite to the base of the neck. As the animal grew still, Fiera smiled slightly. It was obvious who the dominant species in this situation was. She liked feeling superior. Then a frown clouded her face. Animals she understood, they were easy, but humans were altogether much more difficult to decipher. Now sated, Fiera moved toward the sea, to wash the blood off her paws. It was a lazy day, with few clouds and a soft wind. After her late shift in the library yesterday, Fiera felt exhausted. The waters had warmed since the start of the season, although Fiera, still traumatised from her near-drowning, refused to stand more than knee deep in it. She jumped out of the water as a large wave rolled in, stretching out along the beach. The kelvic turned back, and went to retrieve her clothes. She would sleep for the rest of the day. Fiera watched as the strange girl moved through the woods, her arms stretched out as if wanting to touch all the plants around her. The cougar padded after her, curious to see where she went, and narrowing her eyes at the thin fabric that covered the bottom half of the girls face. The grass rustled as she emerged into a small meadow, in the center of which grew a large tree, at the base of which sat the strange girl.

[Pa'haite]

Pa'haite had suspected hearing the soft steps of an animal behind her while she walked. She had sensed, however, that they were the steps of a carnivore. As a phylonurist she knew that such animals would no longer attack her automatically, but she had never quite gotten used to the idea. Especially having only a single mark, she simply didn't want to risk it. And so, she didn't turn to check whether anything was really there or not.

Now that she was sitting down she looked up to see her follower looking over at her. A cougar. Calmly she sighed, and made eye contact. She had never suspected it to be anything but the cougar she could see, having never heard of the existence of Kelvics in her sheltered upbringing. Deciding that she should try to start on good terms with the animal, she simply and meekly greeted it in the silent language of Nura.

Hello.

[Fiera]

One word flicked through her mind, rebounded of her skull and left her temporally stunned. That was strange. Did the strange girl just greet her telepathically? Was she imagining it? Fiera’s blue eyes flashed dangerously. She did not take kindly to new things. Luckily for the strange girl, the warm sun and Fiera’s recently filled belly were making her tired, and she didn’t really find the occurrence all that frightening. The cougar’s recent experiences with Auristics and Leeching had been much more panic-worthy. Curiously, she tested the connection, eyes boring in to the strange girl’s. Good day, isn’t it? With that said, she waited for a reply. Why was this girl able to talk to her? No one but the other big cats could… And why did Fiera feel comfortable around this stranger? She picked her words carefully, and maintained eye contact. Something told her this was the way the communication worked. Who are you and why is it you can talk to me?

[Pa'haite]

Pa'haite blinked, a little taken aback at the complexity of the cougar's answer. Normally, when speaking to a plant or animal, the responses were simple, more in the form of images or emotions. This one responded with such completeness in its words that it nearly sounded like an actual person.

Yes... it is.

On receiving it's question, Pa'haite cocked her head to the side, now genuinely confused. Every creature she had encountered and spoken to in Nura had seemed to automatically sense her position as the phylonurist, the caretaker of their home, and recognized the inherent communication that came with it. Never had she had to explain this to anyone but the occasional person who happened to cross her path. That this animal was asking her made her answer with a little more caution.

... I am a servant of Caiyha here... She has allowed me to speak your language so that I can care for this area. Raising her hands in a gesture of peace she added I don't mean you any bother or harm.

[Fiera]

The strange girl’s response came just as unexpectedly as her greeting, making Fiera wince a little at the unusual feeling it brought. As well as her words, Fiera could feel the girl’s confusion. Mentally, she nodded at the stability of the connection. Before conveying her thoughts once again to the girl, Fiera decided to clear her mind first, not wanting her emotions to be revealed. Who knows if it is truth she spoke. It was easier to do so in her animal form, when her thoughts were simpler. Soon enough, Fiera’s mind was blank, apart from the next thought she wanted to convey. Of course you don’t. Nobody ever means ME any harm. Her tone was insufferably smug. Now, what is your name? I am Fiera. So this girl talked to animals all the time, and she could do that because of some goddess that made her a servant. Repulsion welled up in Fiera, why would anybody voluntarily give themselves over to servitude? It was this future that she was afraid of. Fiera was beginning to gather that the strange girl did not know she was human. Then why was she confused? Maybe true animals had a different way of thinking – they had always seemed more stupid to Fiera.

[Pa'haite]

She winced slightly at the tone of the cougar's answer. Most predators seemed to have that sort of smug attitude toward her. It seemed to be a way of telling her that, although she was tolerated, they were still in charge. She was used to it by now, but to hear it in the concise manner this one seemed to communicate in was just a bit more intimidating.

Pa'haite. She answered. She began to feel a sort of aura of hostility emanating from the animal, from Fiera. It didn't seem to be pointed toward her directly, though. She started to wonder about the nature of this individual. It seemed to be a cougar. It was able to speak Nura. Suddenly her cheeks flushed. She had heard of Gods and Alvina who walked among mortals, able to take on any form. What if this was one of those?

She tried to go on sounding calm and amiable, hoping to appeal to her without upsetting her further. Is there anything I can do for you, help you with?

[Fiera]

OOCThat turned out a lot longer than planned.. Fiera is still a novice in disguise and has no skill points in impersonation, so feel free to RP how badly played her trick is. Fiera smiled inwardly and broke off the connection. This would prove interesting, as long as Pa’haite – that was her name, wasn’t it? Fiera resolved to call her Pa from now on, for the sake of simplicity – remained under the impression she was an animal, not associated with humans in any way. The cougar took a few steps toward the girl, keeping her head lowered. She was thinking, searching for an interesting angle. Fiera rarely practised trickery, and when she did, it was usually very simple. This would take much effort. To aid her search, she needed to understand the girl better. There was only one way she could do that without arousing any suspicion. Her pool of djed was full, replenished with the devouring of the deer. It pulsed with raw power, shocking Fiera on contact. Lingering there for longer than was necessary – the comfort of such a place was had to let go – Fiera drew out a strand. She didn’t bother worrying about overgiving. Forward, Forward, forward. This part was always the most difficult, but Fiera pushed on, knowing she had limited time before her trick became unconvincing. Pa had a light green aura, such that it could soothe any soul. What Fiera gleaned immediately was her worry; there was some part of Pa that feared Fiera for what she didn’t understand. Good, she could play on that. Withdrawing into her own body, Fiera raised her head, and established eye contact again. Yes, my dear Pa…. Haite Was it not more sincere if she used her full name? There is one thing that you might be able to help me with. That was it. She’d passed the part of no return, now she was committed to her trickery. Licking her paw and stretching to buy time, Fiera tried not to appear too ruffled. She never actually licked her paw; it was a habit of cats that she never understood. What exactly did she need help with? Her mind worked furiously. Who was she anyway? Playing on Pa’s illusion of her, she could be an extraordinary intelligent cougar… Who didn’t know why she was so intelligent. Aha. I believe I am right in saying that you have never met an animal with my level of intelligence before? Her tone turned rather sombre, I have not. That is my problem. Do you see? I spend my days socialising with simple-minded beasts, it is quite a bore. No that is not even my problem; I don’t even know why I am so intelligent. That is my problem. Fiera let that sink in, studying Pa’s reaction. First she must build the story to a convincing level before asking for help. Fiera still didn’t know exactly what help she needed.

[Pa'haite]

OOCI am soo so sorry for the delay!!
Also Pa' is slightly naive, suspicious paranoid and distrustful, but naive
While she herself knew nothing about practicing magic, Pa'haite was still Konti, and she could sense that something here was amiss when the cougar stood there still for so long. Djed. She could hardly sense it before, but suddenly it seemed to be manifesting itself at least a little more clearly. Something was different. She couldn't read what it was, not for certain, but she knew enough that this was not the djed of just any plain cougar.

She was much more wary now, but let the creature continue to speak without interruption. She didn't trust a thing it said. It was hiding something, but she went with it anyway, trying to see where it was taking this. She twisted this suspicious distrust in her mind and passed it off for a sense of curious interest.

'... with my level of intelligence before?' Pa'haite nodded, slowly. '... that is my problem.' Her head tilted to the side as it often did when she was in thought. Breaking eye contact she looked further down towards the grass. Perhaps it was telling the truth. She had heard stories of foolish people who misused their abilities in magic, who experimented on others. What if this was some poor victim? Then again she had heard of the skill of morphing. She of course had no idea that such a thing would take an enormous amount of skill and experience to pull off. So there was the possibility that someone was here, either simply toying with her or actually here to cause violence. She flinched at that possibility, the image of an Akalak flashing in her mind.

Before communicating again with the animal she very, very subtly brushed her hand over a root of the tree she sat against. She would take no chances. There had to be some way of escape, should it come down to it. The tree kindly confirmed its cooperation.

Pa'haite looked back up towards the cougar, her "voice" steady but firm. Do you have any memory of something happening, a sort of traumatic or strange event, or even traces of one? Or an area of your memory that seems to be blank, missing?

[Fiera]

OOCSorry! I know this took me an inappropriately long time, but things kept popping up in RL that needed to be dealt with No. None at all. Fiera coughed weakly, though it may have been a laugh. Well, actually, there is one memory. Might be a dream. Either way, it doesn’t matter; I have a good time socialising with humans now! At that moment she shifted, for effect, and reappeared laughing. Her nudity seemed not to discern her in the slightest, yet just for the comfort of her companion, Fiera stalked off to find her clothes, still chuckling occasionally. Dressed, she returned and sat cross-legged in front of Pa. Fiera was a little worried that she would not see the humour in her trickery. It didn’t take a fool to see Fiera’s incompetence at weaving stories. “Kelvic powers, you see?” she answered the question that had undoubtedly arisen in Pa’s mind. She didn’t think she’d met anybody who had no understanding of the Kelvic race. Toying with a blade of grass Fiera waited for her companions response – whether angry or humoured. Only now did it occur to Fiera that this might be the perfect opportunity to discuss something that had been troubling her for many weeks now. “Say, Pa, have you ever been in... love?” The last word she dropped like one might drop a poisonous spider.