(Flashback) Killing Two Birds with One Stone

[Qist Tiere]

Day 24, Spring of 508 AV Late Morning to Midday It was a breezy day, but Qist paid no mind. In fact, she rather enjoyed the chill. The castle within Syliras grew warm with all the hustle and bustle of the people, often suffocatingly so. The versatile human blood inside her didn't care too much, but the Inarta blood that ran a more dominant path could barely stand it. Looking around, the tiny mixed blood smiled. Life was beginning to bloom everywhere, and the Cobalt Mountains were sure to be full of game. Though this was almost always the case... This 'hunting' trip was different, though. Eta, her mother, and their family's, for lack of a better term, pet decided to tag along. Qist couldn't exactly grasp why they had decided to come with, seeing as her mother was anything but an outdoorsman and her Kelvic friend was something of a shut-in. The trip wouldn't bring in any haul, least of all any that was brought down by either of her companions. In fact, there would probably be little to no financial perks to this outing. Catching sight of fresh tracks, Qist knelt. Her thin digits felt the contours of one of the prints. It was a small animal as far as she could tell, perhaps something that would net them some easy miza. Nearby, a shrub rustled viciously as an animal, most likely the owner of the tracks before her, darted swiftly away. Ohp, there goes ten gold mizas. "Off your game today, dear?" Her mother snickered, patting Qist's head as she passed by. Standing, Qi returned the playful, toying tone. "Careful, mother. I may just leave you out here." The trio laughed in near unison. Maybe it was due to the fact they all acknowledged it as a joke. Maybe it was due to the fact that they all knew it was just as much as a close reality. Qist took the lead once more. She was, really, the only one who had any idea where they were going. True the Kelvic, whose name had always remained “Canary”, might have some sense of direction when it came to finding his way through the wild, but this was her territory. Qist was near-certain canaries weren’t known for their ability to traverse wooded mountains. In fact, she was sure that the only ability that came to Canary innately was the ability to get lost. And, thus, the pair was left in the fairly capable hands of the midget Inarta.

[Qist Tiere]

Qist wanted to run so badly. She wanted to weave swiftly through the forest as she did many times when she hunted alone. To feel the air rush past her as such a speed it felt like she would nearly fly away. This was why she savored these lone trips so much; it brought her closer to her Inarta roots. Sometimes, she would distance herself from the beaten track and trade roots in the mounts. She would let her feet carry her to a tall tree and give her body permission to climb to the very top. The wind would whip her hair around like a bright red flag; it was that ferocious of a current. So strong and cool…Qist would lift her arms on these rare vacations, lift them and pretend she was soaring. During these times, she thought herself a true Inarta, flying on the back of an eagle mount, another she was a Wind Reach resident standing atop a cliff. Once, just once, she was a falcon: the sacred bird of the Inarta. She had plumes darker than the trees in these woods, and grander than the landscape they soared above. But she was no Inarta true-blood. No Wind Reach resident. No bird of prey. She was just a huntress in Syliras with the blood of mixed races and a tiny, pathetic yellow bird for a companion. So, for now, she would just walk along with her canary and mother, following close to the trade route. It would be enough to just dream, as that is only what youth ever really did. But, eventually, her youth would wear along with the naiveté it provided, and dreams would no longer suffice. "I'm pretty sure there isn't any worth-while game there, Qist." Eta commented offhandedly as she sat gently onto a nearby rock. Apparently, Qist had wandered over to a large tree in her daydreaming. Her eyes were affixed on its lowest branch, and Qi was sure she looked rather strange. Well of course I look strange. I'm staring at a tree branch. "Sorry," She sighed. "My mind wandered." "We can see that." Her mother snorted, sending Qist's temper a step closer towards it's boiling point. Turning, Qist opened her mouth to respond. Who was she to mock her? After all, wasn't it her that brought in all the product for this woman's shop?Qist turned, squaring off against her mother. Her mouth was ajar, ready to fire back a response, when Canary swooped over. He gently nudged her away, cooing in his sing-song voice. "Don't let her nip your nerves, Qi." Ha, I'll show her a nip. The teen snorted, tossing her eyes back into their sockets. To be completely honest, Qist often wished that her parents would stay true to the Inarta way and let her raise herself. At least then she wouldn't have to worry about all the stress her parents caused; less food to catch, less underappreciative comments, less stress. It was an easy equation. "You're letting her nip your nerves, dear." Canary smirked, raising his left eyebrow. Dear. Qist found it bizarre how she knew only a nickname from this Kelvic youth, yet she allowed him to do more than she would any other. Terms of endearment, for starters, were strictly off limits to everyone. It made her feel like a child, as though the person speaking to her was trying to demean her. With Canary, though, the pet names and endearments just seemed to flow evenly with his voice. It really wasn't hard, connecting the lines between the pair, anyhow. He was a bird, she was an Inarta. They made an easy pair. A pair that was, like all, not without its protests and arguements. "No, I am not." She retorted, clenching her jaws as she did when she was angery. "Yes you are," She shot him a look of disbelief, thus making Canary feel as though he would have to justify. "Your jaw is set so far out one could use it as a table." Both eyebrows raised, Canary knew he had her tied at this point. Qist crossed her arms, folding them across her chest as she huffed in slight annoyance. She cursed under her breath at nothing in particular, though she liked to think the profanity was aimed at the easy-going pet in front of her. A moment of brief silence passed by before anyone spoke again. Canary, as usual, was the one to break the quiet. "I know," He sang in excitement, now clearly speaking to both females. "How about we visit a friend?"

[Qist Tiere]

"Please?" Canary begged with Qist. "They aren't far." The small Kelvic bounced in front of her, redirecting her attention to him anytime there was a chance it had wandered. He had wanted to visit a human friend of his for ages now, he had said. Qist, however supportive she was of him having his own life outside of their family, wasn't 'feeling it', per se. The trio was there to hunt. Hunting did not include walking off and visiting friends. And although she doubted they would have any success hunting, it was still the idea that counted. "Please?" Canary sung once more in the most pitiful, heart tugging tone possible. Qist bite her bottom lip indecisively. Canary, seeing that his redheaded friend was near the edge, began to barage her with 'Please's. After what felt like thousands of pleads, Qist gave in. "Fine!" She threw her petite arms into the air. "Let's go see this friend of yours." Wuss. "Shut it, nobody asked you." Fine, fine. Your loss. Canary flung his arms around the mixed blood, picking her up and twirling. "Ugh, put me down." Her request was met immediately. Qist couldn't help but smile as she watched the man before her shift. It was instantaneous and nearly impossible to clearly see much detail. Yet, Qist found herself amazed by the transformation nearly every time. It was beautiful, how a fully grown man could, in an instant, turn into a delicate little bird. On the other hand, it filled the femme with envy and indignance. Why was he awarded such a grand gift? Why was she the one stuck being normal? Brushing away the thoughts before her anger got the better of her, Qist motioned forward. Her arm extended while she nodded to the bright yellow bird that floated before them. "Lead the way."

[Qist Tiere]

Day 26, Spring 508 AV Early Evening Steveta sat on a rock. Her breathing was thick, as if she had just run clear across Mizahar. "Are we," Her voice broke as her body demanded more air. Honestly, you'd think she was dying. Qist let loose a light laugh, nodding in agreement with the voice in her head. This didn't happen often, but Qist truly did agree with the pest. It wasn't like her mother was that old, or out of shape. She should be able to walk for at least twice the amount she had in the time they did. In fact, if it were just Canary and herself, Qist would have arrived here nearly a day ago. But no, they had to stop and wait for Steveta. It's from being cooped up in the shop all day. Qist concluded. "Are we almost there?" Nearby, bushes rustled. Neither woman looked up (though, if Eta took a gander Qist would not have taken notice) because they both knew what stood there: a stark naked Kelvic man. It had shocked the family the first time he had shifted into human form. One minute he was a bird, the next, a man with everything hanging proud and happy. The lack of clothing didn't bother him, and Qist was sure it didn't bother her mother, but it sure did bother her. To no end, in fact. The redhead was funny in that way; she always had to have those around her with just the right amount of clothing on. It was like judging the temperature of soup: too much clothing, too scalding, not enough clothing, too icey cold. Nevertheless, Qist put up with the temporary lack of clothing. The ritual made sense to her. Clothes weren't going to materialize out of thin air. And because it made sense, Qist was content with it. "Yes, yes. Actually, I think it was right up there." Peering around a tree, the Kelvic pointed down a fairly clear path. "No need to wait for me." Qist took this opportunity to clear out. She ducked away, glad to be able to move swiftly for the first time in the last few days. Way to be an awkward adolescent. "Do I look like I care?" If I had eyes, then... "Let me reiterate: shut up." "Still talking to yourself?" Qist had no idea how, or when, or even why, but her mother stood next to her. The redhead was amazed at how she was near-death not but two chimes ago, but now she had magically caught up to her. It had to be magic. That was the only clear explanation. "Why don't you just stop it?" Qist sighed, dropping her eyes to the ground. Her mother had never understood, nor will she ever. Every time Qi spoke to the parasite inside her head, her mother would turn her head in shame. She would, even if they were alone, shake her head in disappointment. "It isn't that easy. This voice is so," Amazing? Aw, you shouldn't have. "I didn't. It's so real, as if there is a tiny person inside my head." Her foggy blue eyes looked up, searching her mother's face for any sign of recognition, any change for the better. There was, however, only disapproval. "There it is!" Canary cut off any words her mother was to say as he sprinted passed. "Pick up the pace, ladies! Your future is waitin'!" Both women looked at each other, raised an eyebrow, then peered back. "Oh right, by far buddy." Eta grunted, provoking laughter by both of them.

[Qist Tiere]

Canary had apparently let himself in, as the greeting was done by the time the two femmes appeared. He was the first thing the Inarta mixed blood saw when she walked in, and the two exchanged a brief wave. It was bizarre. No matter how long the pair had been seperated, whether it be days or just a few chimes, they would always wave at each other immediately when they saw each other next. He winked, mouthing the words "This. Is. The. One." very dramatically at her. Qist snickered, skeptical. She would never fall in love. Ever. She scanned the room, finding the owner of the cottage on the opposing side. Then again, you may be wrong. "I just very well may be." The words were barely whispered. In front of her stood a beautifully crafted, shirtless man. His body seemed to be chiselled perfectly, matching his flawless tan skin. As far as Qist was concerned, he had no face. He needed no face. "Hello, and come in and make yourself comfortable. I'm Troin." Qist could nearly hear Canary's thoughts. 'I told you so.'

[Chevalier]

Qist

LORE

• Discerning Small Animal Tracks
• Letting Your Mind Wander
• Location of Troin’s Place

EXPERIENCE

Skill	XP Earned
Tracking	1
Land Navigation	2
Meditation	1

Storyteller Notes

Secret :

Alrighty, a fun little thread. I felt some Land Navigation seemed appropriate for knowing how to get from one place to the other. Do note that I don’t believe Kelvic’s can speak common in their Kelvic animal form. If you have any questions or anything feel free to let me know!.