Flashback Meagre Beginnings [SOLO]

[Ka'Rael]

Chapter 1.1. - A Visitor 31th of Autumn 506AV - afternoon Nalitha’s pace slowed down considerably as she approached her point of destination. Said point of destination was a somewhat secluded cave – and not one that managed to look the least bit inviting. In fact, although the entrance was rather well hidden from most ways of approach – it had a somewhat eerie feel to it. She did not possess the finely tuned animal instincts of her brother, but she knew the flora and fauna around her well. Nalitha was indeed accustomed to the small signs around her, even if she wasn’t physically able of receiving the sensory input the surroundings laid forth – something still told her that the cave wasn’t a welcoming place to go. Nevertheless, Nalitha’s – to her mind – stealthy approach towards the cave’s entrance continued, seemingly unhindered by the unconscious warnings. The darkness inside the cave soon drew her in, before long it was causing her to attempt at widening her eyes the most she could to accustom her pupils to the darkness around her faster – all of her surroundings that she could assess was the outline of the sides and roof of the pathway inside the cave. Furthermore, she could only assess that which was just in front of her. For whatever reason, it didn’t stop her as she – by herself – made her way deeper into the cave. It would, perhaps, be more correct to say that she was accessing the tunnel leading into a cave system further inside – perhaps left behind by humans after the Valterrian. Barely was she fully submerged in the darkness before light shone out ahead, as she reached the end of the pathway and a large cavern she also reached a well tended campfire burning in the midst. Apart from the campfire itself, various belongings, bags and a bedroll – as well as no small amount of animal skins and furs lining the immediate vicinity around the campfire (offering up a rather comfortable looking area in the cold) – was visible. Nalitha didn’t have much time to study the interior of the cave, though, before her attention was rather abruptly stolen away by a low growl from somewhere to her left. She turned to find a small, immature tiger – exhibiting all the telltale signs of an animal backed up into a corner. Nalitha couldn’t help but shoot a look at the impressive set of teeth the predator, who was less than a season old, sported. It would be at least half a year before he would be fully grown, but the tiger was still capable of inflicting rather serious injuries. She was conscious of the fact that although it wouldn’t be the modus operandi of the way his kind hunted, him getting a hold of her neck and those teeth getting near her jugular could be lethal. Still, she slowly lowered herself down to the height of the animal before her. She also slowly lowered her hands in front of her, and slightly to each side, to support her on the ground and to give off a very obvious signal that she meant no harm. Shushing the animal, she spoke. “Calm down Ka’Rael, I mean you no harm. No harm.” She repeated as her eyes sought eye contact with the animal. Her words were in Vani, the tongue of her father’s people, but not quote a tongue that the tiger spoke. “Your mother… “ She started again, forcing herself to speak slowly. Her tone was soothing and empathetic. “… she was wounded when she was hunting.” She held a hand up. “She’ll live, don’t worry. She’s strong.” A tiny smile crept unto her face at the notion, before she refocused her eyes on the tiger in front of him. He had calmed down considerably and his ears had found their natural position again, although he was still alarmed and obviously he didn’t trust her. “I’m Nalitha. Your sister.” She said, gauging the reaction from the animal before her – and as she did, she couldn’t help but be surprised at the remarkable fact that although he appeared completely like an animal – his eyes spoke of a much greater cognitive ability and insight.

[Ka'Rael]

Chapter 1.2. - Siblings of Different Blood 32nd of Autumn 506AV, morning Blinking his eyes open, the young tiger came to his senses as he woke up. He found himself in the arms of the caretaker he had instinctively come to accept as someone who meant him no harm, a temporary substitute for his mother whose scent he had already begun to miss. He was, at this age, lacking much in intellectual capacity - and he lacked a proper grip of any language this creature spoke. Nevertheless, he had somehow managed to deduct that she was there because his mother had made it so. Something bad had happened, something unexpected - and she, he understood the concept of gender, was here to protect him against whatever threats lurked out there. Nalitha opened an eye to spy on the small tiger whom had nestled itself between her arm and her chest. They had fallen asleep like that, although it had taken her what had seemed to be an eternity to calm it... him, she corrected, down. Although she wasn't decidedly sure, she had an inkling that this was the first time he had encountered other sentient beings apart from his mother. She, herself, had not seen him since his birth. She had tended to it. The realization that her own birth lay so far back in time couldn't help but bring forth a light sigh from her. She had lived for twenty winters already, meaning that their mother was already lucky to have lived as long as she had - although she was not exhibiting great weakness due to her age yet. Teaching this little ball of fur the ways of his people, and the ways of their shared animal form, would most probably be the last meaningful feat she accomplished. Meanwhile, Nalitha would easily outlive both her and this cub. A thought that still appeared alien to her, even after all this time. As the tiger cub slowly rose to its feet, she opened both her eyes and offered a soothing smile at it - resulting in body language that she assumed meant somewhat the same. She reached over and picked him up, forgetting that being handled like that was something he was entirely unaccustomed to - resulting in a struggle that resulted in her dropping him a bit early. Naturally he landed on his feet, gracefully - but she couldn't help but curse to herself and then speak up. "Stop it you silly thing! Behaving like that is obviously just going to make me drop you." She registered no response to her Vani in the Kelvic as she rose to her feet and headed for her packs. As she rummaged through them and produced forth a meal for the tiger, packed away in protective wrapping, she kept an eye on him via her peripheral vision. "Look. Since the two of us are going to be spending some time together, I've decided you need a name - your mother has apparently not seen fit to give you one yet." She mused while she unwrapped the meat. "I called you Ka'Rael yesterday, remember?" She shot a glance at the cub who was standing a few feet away from her, looking up at her with equal measures of curiosity and intent interest - the latter directed at the meat she was holding. He had obviously caught the scent of it. "It means Wild One in some kind of ancient tongue. I think it would fit you quite nicely, hmm?" She continued as she squatted down and reached a handful of raw meat outwards towards him. 'Wild One' glanced first at the meat, then her and then finally the meat again before he approached it and sniffed both her hand and the meat. Then, upon what seemed to be him finding the meat acceptable, he practically ripped it out of her hand as he grabbed it with his jaws and then started to devour it ferociously. Nalitha smiled. The name was quite fitting. Ka'Rael it was.