Closed Family Ties (Arandolya)

[Iosha]

Time Stamp: 34th of Spring, Morning Location: The Shrine To Those That Have Passed Who: Arandolya Kneeling down next to a patch of red flowers, Iosha took out her dagger and gently started to cut a dozen flowers from the patch. She remembered her mother telling her that her father, Kursha, tried to win her affection with a red flower. However, the interest was one sided because her mother, Neia wasn't interested in him at the time, but Kursha was a stubborn man, and he continued giving her a flower for twelve days till she finally cracked and decided to talk to him. When she was little, Iosha enjoyed the listening to her mother tell her about how she met her father. Sometimes the little blond child would ask her to tell her again immediately after the story was already told. Neia, Iosha's mother, was a experienced storyteller, so she always added new little things into the story. The flowers of choice for her father were Fire Daisies. The flower only grew on Mountain Skyinarta during the early spring, so Iosha had to work quickly if she wanted to present her father a memorable gift. When Iosha had a bouquet of a dozen flowers, she walked over to Moonfire who was grazing on the side of the road. Iosha smiled at her horse and she ran a hand through the brilliant snow white mane. The horse looked up at her a snorted and went back to grazing. Iosha decided to lean up against the horse and watch the wagons and travels walk or ride past her on the Sankias Road. Iosha brought the flowers up to her nose and took a sniff. The Fire Daisies didn't have a strong smell, but the inside of the center part of the flower had a slight orange tint to the red. It made the flower look like a small flame. While she was staring out at the scenery, Iosha realized to herself that she needed to get the shrine. The konti wanted to pay her respect to her dead father when she made it to Wind Reach, but she got caught up with life, and she couldn't pull herself away from her duties in the Infirmary. Iosha turned around, stared at her horse, and said with a laugh in Kontinese, “Moonfire, you have been eating for fifteen chimes, and you still haven't had your fill yet. You're acting like they don't feed you in the stables. Come on you silly horse.” Iosha grabbed her reins and gently lead him to the road. The horse did snort at her in protest, but the pale konti just snorted back and the horse shook his head at her teasing. Iosha laughed and said softy in her native tongue, “Stop acting like a spoiled child, Moon. I will ask the stable hand to give you extra oats today. Will it make you happy my four legged prince?” The horse looked up at her and nudge her affectionately with his head. When they made it to the road, Iosha got on top of the horse, and she tied the bouquet of the flower together with the twine holding her hair up. She set the flowers in lap and directed her horse back up the Sankias Road. Iosha was surprised at how devote of people on the road, so she decided to do two gently kicks indicating the steed to move at a quicker pace, so the horse started to trot up the road. Iosha leaned forward on the horse since they were traveling on a slight incline heading up the switch backs of the road. The ride was bumpy, so she tightened her hold on the reins with right hand, and she held the flowers down with the other. After a bell of traveling, Iosha rode her horse through the main gate of the city. Riding the horse through the city was a frightening experience for the konti because she had to maneuver her horse through the crowds if they didn't move. Iosha just barked at them until they moved. It was rude, but she would rather them think of her as rude than trample them with her horse. When she dropped her horse at the stable, she told the stable hand to feed her some oats before she left for The Shrine To Those That Have Passed. Holding the flower in hand, Iosha slowly made it to the corridor leading the shrine. The konti didn't know what to expect from the shrine. She wasn't accustom to human death rituals, so she was quite nervous about making a fool of herself in front of the gingers. Also, she never met her father, so she wasn't sure if she would be even sad it his passing. Those thoughts seemed to hang heavy on her heart with each step, and she wasn't even sure what to say to him at his grave. It wasn't like he raised her, and she didn't even know if the man knew about her. When she made it to the door, Iosha bite bottom lip when she made it to the door of the shrine. She heard people talking in Nari inside the temple, and she wondered if she even belonged in one of the most spiritual sites in Wind Reach. The thoughts were interrupted when she saw a large crowd of Inarta walking towards her from the shrine. Immediately, Iosha thought it must have been a funeral, so she stepped aside to let them pass. When the group was gone, Iosha slipped into the room. Their were a few more stranglers from the group, but other than them, she was completely alone. The konti was amazed at the amount of artifacts were in the room. She was expecting statues or monuments for the dead, but the Inarta must honor their dead with a cherished item of the deceased. It was strange custom to her, but she could understand that these artifacts basically symbolized the deceased's life. Iosha felt a tear run down her face when she realized the sentimentality of the shrine. These were the most sacred treasure of the Inarta people, and she felt a sense of peace in realizing it.

[Iosha]

Suddenly, she heard a voice of woman behind her, “Are you here to honor the recently passed?” Iosha spun around to see a woman with long red hair dressed in a white flowing vanti and bryda. The woman was definitely human and not the famed Konti named Whisper. Iosha looked at the woman for a moment and said quietly, “I am looking for the grave..no I mean artifact of a deceased Endal name Kursha Aferan.” The woman in white nodded slowly and motioned with her hand to follow her. Iosha walked through the shrine, and she was surprised at the amount of artifacts from people who died in the last year especially in the spring of 512AV. Iosha could only shake her head at the amount of Inarta who died when Ivak escaped his prison. The most heart wrenching thing to her was the burnt or broken toys of the children who died in the storm. The Inarta guide stopped in front of a talon blade, and she said sadly, “This was the talon blade of Kursha Aferan, and he died in the djed storm of 512AV. How are you related to the Endal, konti?” Iosha looked at the blade, and she was sorta of the surprised at the simplicity of the blade. The blade wasn't a ornate like some of the talon blade of other Endal. This blade was straight forward, and she could still see the sweat marks in the cloth lining the hilt. She knelt closer and stared at the blade, and she could see tiny groves and nicks in the edge of the blade. Iosha stood up and realized her father must of used his sword many times over the years. Iosha ran a finger along the flat of the blade, and she could feel the chill of the metal on her finger tips. However, Iosha could tell the sword's spirit must of passed with it's wielder, so the blade would basically be useless in the hands of another wielder. She smiled at her personal belief that her father's weapon shared the same soul as the wielder. Iosha looked up at the guide and said with a small smile, “I am not sure if you would believe me, but I am the Endal's daughter.” The guide nodded slowly, and said softly, “Well daughter of Kursha. I will leave you and your father alone. Call me if you need anything.” Iosha watched her leave, and she turned back to the sword unsure on what to do next. The konti fiddled with her hair while she stared at the sword wondering what type of man Kursha was when he was alive. Eventually, she said with a smile to the sword, “Well I finally made it to see you. It only took me eight years to make it Wind Reach, and here I brought you some flowers.” Iosha gently laid the flower at the foot of the sword, and she stared at the cold steel for a few chimes and said gently, “My mother told me many times that you gave her a single flower for twelve days straight, so I thought it would be nice gesture to you and my mother when I came to your grave.” Iosha started to feeling a tightness in her chest when she mentioned her mother, and she said softly, “...your Neia hated the Fire Daisies because they didn't have a scent...but I think there pretty, Daddy...” Iosha could feel the wetness on her cheeks, and she said sadly, “I am sorry am late... I would have met you if I wasn't delayed in Ravok.” She sat down cross legged in front of the blade, and she said softly, “You are a Grandfather, Daddy. I have a daughter named Lutes if I could have got her out of the city, you would have met her..” Iosha bite her lip to stop her from sobbing, but she couldn't stop the tears from streaming down from her eyes. Iosha reached out to touch the sword and said with a sob, “Daddy, he sold her to a man from south, and I don't even know where she is right now!” Iosha lost all control of her emotion and she buried her head in her hands.

[Arandolya]

"Father, please," Arandolya urged as she grabbed the Chiet's hand, forcing him to turn back to her. The man tensed and grit his teeth, swiveling to stare at the young woman who stood in front of him. Tamlin was a tall fellow, his shocking red hair the only similarity between the two, but it was little show of genetics in this sea of redheads. He stared at the amber gaze that mirrored her mother's and frowned. "Don't tell me you don't have time! You never have time! Mother-" Arandolya paused and cleared her throat. "Mother would have wanted us to visit her. Together." She didn't understand why Tamlin kept turning her away! Saying he visited her earlier, saying he paid his respects. Never did he offer or wish to go with the very daughter who loved her as devoutly as he. "And ... today I have something to give back to her," she whispered. Her hand clenched on the bow. Her mother's bow. The one she offered Arandolya when she successfully became a hunter.

Tamlin cast his gaze to the bow and his frown only deepened. The troubled gaze that was the only emotion Arandolya ever saw in his eyes met hers briefly. "As you wish," he said with a nod. Arandolya sighed and looked away. He made it sound like she was ordering him. In a way though, she was. Not Avora to Chiet though! Daughter to father that distanced himself even more out of the death of their family. It was like the spirit of their family had passed on with Iridssa.
"Mother wishes," Arandolya whispered, reaching to take Tamlin's hand like a small child. His cool hand slipped into hers and tensed slightly in response to her own hold. Mechanical. Dutifully. Her golden gaze wrenched away as they walked together towards the Shrine.

It was in the heart of their city, as the dead often lay in the hearts of the living. Arandolya took a breath as she walked forwards, taking one step at a time, blinking to keep the tears at bay. Whenever she walked this path, holding something - flowers, a feather, anything - she found herself walking the same path of memories. The kind smile, the tilt of her head when someone asked her a question, the stories she gently whispered in their brief times together in the Nursery. She pushed Arandolya to follow the steps of an Avora, pushed her to train harder, to work harder, to complete her Bendi efficiently and to the best of her abilities. "You may think it is fun and games, but these small hours might pay the rest of your life." The young woman wiped a tear, and ran her fingers along the worn wood. She could almost feel her mother's touch thrum in its sleek surface.

The Shrine opened up before father and daughter, a display of small artifacts and memories of the dead. It really was a shrine, for every death to be remembered. For those souls to be remembered. Arandolya looked around, pained to see the childhood toys, or the miniature bows of young apprentices dying on hunts. Talon swords, bows, quivers, magical items, and even simple twists of glass. Every one of the pieces told a story, showed a family that wanted to tell it, and a person who wanted to be remembered.

Arandolya wasn't here to listen to other tales though. Whisper looked towards them, but nodded, recognizing their faces. She must have realized the day. Spring, the 34th of Spring. Forty-five years ago, a small child entered the world, a youth with a sharp amber gaze and blazing red hair. Who stayed quiet for a moment, looking at the world before protesting the chill with the power of her young lungs. Forty-five years ago, Iridssa came to Wind Reach, and began her story. Arandolya was here to remember that chronicle.

"Happy birthday, Mom," Arandolya whispered as she approached the shortbow that lay on a shelf. It was the one her mother had used on the hunt, its wood cracked, and the bowstring split. They had laid it exactly as it was, not having the heart to change anything to remake it. Iridssa's bow was solely hers, even in death, what right did they to swap out the bowstring and find some new wood? It would be a new bow, and no longer the one of the fallen hunter. Tamlin stood silently beside her, though his gaze was pained as he touched the wood with his finger. Perhaps Arandolya and him never were close, but Iridssa had been the love of his life, and his only devotion. "We brought something for you," she continued quietly, "Thank you, for allowing me the honor of using your bow all this time." The woman paused and took a struggled breath before she could carry on. "It is time for it to come back to you. I didn't want it to break on a hunt, and give it back in the same state you gave it to me. I have a n-" she cut off as her voice broke.

Arandolya clenched her eyes shut for a moment, feeling the tears slip from her steely visage. A small pressure on her shoulder turned her head as she saw Tamlin silently look at her, paths running down his own pale face. Iridssa always had a way of bringing them together, abet briefly. Arandolya took his hand, clinging to it as she spoke, "I have a new bow I've been training with. It's like yours, a composite one. Y-you were right," she said, laughing slightly through her tears, "They really do work a lot better." Arandolya looked to Tamlin who smiled weakly, and nodded. "Dad's here too, we hope your birthday is wonderful ... wherever you are," she said quietly as she laid the bow next to the broken one.

As the two woods rested on each other, one whole, and one almost in pieces, things shifted. The small feathers and beads Arandolya brought, in memory of the many her mother wore in her hair, revealed a small parcel underneath, unnoticed as it was the same color as the shelf. Arandolya paused, and stared it. She had not put it there. Looking towards Tamlin's face, suddenly hardened, it was obvious it was not his doing either. Who else was gifting the memory of their Iridssa? She slowly picked it up and opened the tiny bag, shaking out the only thing inside onto her palm. Out drifted a single feather. It was small, but just by looking at it Arandolya knew it belonged to a Wind Eagle. A pinion feather, fallen out before fully grown. Or one from when the Wind Eagle was small.

Arandolya took a small intake of surprise, staring at the feather. It wasn't from shock that it was there, or even that an Endal had taken the time to find a small feather and place it here. She knew who this feather belonged to. "Aferan," she murmured, running a hand along the feather. Her father breathed in sharply, and the hand on her shoulder disappeared. Arandolya looked behind herself to see Tamlin tensed, hands shoved into his Bryda. "Father?"
"Put it back, Arandolya, and let us leave," came his cutting tone. Arandolya raised her eyebrows in pure shock, though she obeyed the order quickly. Without moving from her mother's shrine, Arandolya frowned at Tamlin. She took her hand and pulled the man forwards.
"Stop, Father," she said softly, and placed his hand on the broken bow. Tamlin's hand clenched on it, and a small moan exited his lips. Arandolya withdrew quietly, letting her father display the sorrow he felt that he would never show in her presence.

That was when a familiar voice, strangled in sadness though it was, keened over the silence of the shrines. "I don't even know where she is right now!" it said, breaking off into sobbing. Arandolya turned as Tamlin's shoulders shook where he stood, looking towards the source. Another figure lay hunched in front of an artifact, though this one was close to the ground, in the area of the deaths during the Djed Storm of 512. Iosha? Arandolya walked forwards quietly, and saw the talon sword she sat in front of. It was also familiar.

Kusha Aferan. The Endal that had taken Arandolya under his wing (literally and figuratively) when the young child was first introduced to him under the nervous hand of her mother. He was said to be a close family friend, though Tamlin avoided him like someone with a disease. Arandolya had visited that same blade twice since he perished in the storm, the new death weighing heavily on her mind. He trained her with the bow apart from her mentor during her apprenticeship, took her on hunts even when she couldn't participate, taught her how to ride a Wind Eagle, and taste the wind. Taught her the joy of being part of Wind Reach. He had taught her so much, when she could give so little, only claiming her accomplishments were thanks enough. Arandolya almost considered him more paternal than the man who sobbed behind her.

Did he come to visit her mother as well? Cried over her grave, or stoically paid respects? When did he leave that small parcel, carefully hidden from the eyes of both Arandolya and Tamlin?

Arandolya came up behind Iosha, and knelt beside the young Konti. "Endal Kursha and, uh, me," she said quietly in Common, "We were very, erm, close in his live ... uh, living? Living, years." She looked towards Iosha with a sad smile. "He teached me many things ... made me who I am. Even so, he never got tired of speaking of his lovely Konti em, small child, ah, baby. The young Iosha. The tales he would say of what you would do, of what you would have um, awarded? No, that is not right ... mmm, achieved." She took Iosha's hand in both of hers, squeezing it gently. "He is proud of you, I just know it."

[Iosha]

Iosha didn't know anyone approached her until a Inarta woman started to talk to her in broken common. Iosha lifted her tear drenched face and saw the woman was Arandolya. She remembered the young woman from the naked rain-dance in the Courtyard of the Sky. Iosha wiped some tears away with her arm, and she listened to the young human try to console her. While Iosha listened to her story, she was shocked and amazed the young woman knew her father. She always thought her father was kind of a loner, but he must have changed when her mother went back to Mura. Iosha tried to hold back the tears when Arandolya told her that her father always talked about his konti baby in Mura. When Arandolya mentioned, he was daydreaming about her future. Iosha started to wonder if her mother was still in contact with her lover since the day of Iosha's birth. It was a touching thought, but she knew it would take forever to send a letter from Mura to Wind Reach. When Arandolya took her hands and told her that her father would be proud of her, Iosha threw her arms around the woman's neck and started to cry. When she was finished crying, Iosha pulled back from Arandolya and said softly without looking at her, “Sorry I don't enough what came over me? It is wonderful to finally meet someone willing to talk about my father. I was starting to think nobody liked Kursha. By the way, they kept avoiding me.” Iosha looked at Arandolya, and she wondered why he took her under his wing. She was obviously way to young to be a romantic interest, but she kind of wondered if her father was lonely, so he decided to mentor a child to fill up the emptiness in his life. When she turned back to Arandolya, she said with a new found excitement in her eyes, “I am going to warn you, Arandolya that I probably won't leave you alone now that you know my father. I have so many questions for you that I can't even remember all of them at the moment.” Iosha took her hands and asked with a smile, “Can you tell me about your relationship with my father? You mentioned he was your mentor, so what kind of man was he?” Iosha let go of her hands, and she sat down on the ground in front of her. She glanced at her father's sword and started to wonder if her father wanted her to meet Arandolya, or was it just coincidence that they were here at the same time.

[Arandolya]

oocI thought to just throw in some things now, and it'll be kinda like a detective puzzle they have to figure out! I realize Iosha's Nari is Poor, so she probably didn't understand most of what they said, but as they go along, Arandolya will tell her! ^o^

Arandolya seemed startled as the Konti suddenly pulled away only to fling her arms around Arandolya's neck and begin to cry in earnest. Hesitantly, the redhead put her arms around Iosha's waist, running a hand soothingly down her back. She hugged the woman close, cooing softly in small reassurance. The pain of losing a parent. Arandolya knew that feeling. She hugged Iosha as the woman cried, whether it from never meeting her father alive, to the pain of missing him in her childhood, or just seeing his sword, remembering he once wield the relic. Arandolya didn't try to tell Iosha to stop, or "Your father wouldn't want you crying at his relic", she didn't believe any of that would offer the woman more comfort than a simple, silent, understanding.

It had already been a few years, four this coming Winter, yet Arandolya knew the pain as fresh as it was the day she was told. It wasn't something anyone could easily forget. Setting the relic on its designated spot, and crying alone at her Mother's grave. She clung to Iosha as much as the Konti did to her. Then Kursha died, and with him, the support he offered when no one else did. Her mother and him had been so close, she was his second rider on an almost regular basis. A few tears slipped past her eyes, though Arandolya tried to keep herself together, silent as she rubbed Iosha's back, letting the woman cry it out.

Iosha stopped a little while later, and one glance at her mother's grave told her Tamlin had taken the opportunity to leave. Arandolya looked back to the Konti who was suddenly bashful as she wiped the remnants of the tears, as the hunter used the moment to subtly clear away the few she'd shed as well. "Sorry I don't enough what came over me?" Before she could continue, Arandolya took her hand and squeezed it.
"Do not ... say sorry. There is nothing wrong ... about crying over the hurt, ah, losing a family. Um, no, Common haves a word for this ... ah, father." Iosha continued in her quiet manner, adding,
"It is wonderful to finally meet someone willing to talk about my father. I was starting to think nobody liked Kursha by the way, they kept avoiding me."

By the way Iosha was looking the young Inarta over, Arandolya quirked a small smile, knowing the Konti was curious as to why this young one had been close to her father. "My mother, and, ah, your father. He was, um, ah ..." Arandolya had no idea how to say Endal in Common, and doubted there was a word for it anyways, "He was ... Eagle-rider. She was, ah, hunter, like me. Would be ... behind him on eagle. Second rider, we calls it." Arandolya smiled ruefully, hoping the woman understood her horrid Common. How long had it been since she spoke this language?

When Iosha had turned back, her eyes held an excited spark. Arandolya raised an eyebrow slightly at the change of mood, though she was quick to smile as she settled down in front of them. The hunter couldn't help but glance at the sword that lay beside them. Meeting in front of his relic, and in sight of her mother's. How funny.

"I am going to warn you, Arandolya that I probably won't leave you alone now that you know my father. I have so many questions for you that I can't even remember all of them at the moment. Can you tell me about your relationship with my father? You mentioned he was your mentor, so what kind of man was he?" Arandolya paused as she struggled to understand the woman's rapid speech, piecing together the words she knew, and tried to fill in the gaps. She vaguely heard "I going you, Arandolya, I won't leave you now, you know my father. I have so questions for you, I remember all of them at the. Can you tell me about your with my father? He was your mentor, kind of man was he?" The bits and pieces she was missing was partly due to how fast she spoke, and also that though she understood more than she could say, it wasn't by much.
"Talk ... with less speed, my Common is ... difficult." Arandolya blinked and frowned a tad, coming up with the words she wanted to say. "Ah, he ... he was not my mentor, as in ... in charge of my, ah, training, to be a hunter. He was friend, um, teached me a ... few things, here, ah, and there."
"Your relationship with him was nothing compared to Iridssa's," came a cutting tone in quick Nari. Arandolya turned to see Tamlin standing behind her, arms crossed as he glared down at the young hunter and the sword she was settled beside.
"What is your feud with Endal Kursha, Father? You are ridiculous to carry such petty anger forwards from death," Arandolya replied sharply, reverting back to Nari to spare Iosha from hearing any insults directed towards her deceased father. "This is no place to argue over Mother's friendships," she added with a frown, rising to her feet. Tamlin glowered and shook his head.
"You sure you want to call me Father right beside Kursha's relic?" he snapped.

Arandolya froze, and so did Tamlin, seemingly surprised with himself. He muttered a sharp curse under his breath and backed away. Arandolya took a step forwards, her fists clenched as she glared at the Chiet. "What do you mean by that?" she asked hotly.
"Nothing, forget I said it." Tamlin was on the defensive now, shaking his head, and obviously trying to keep his mouth shut.
"Why should I not call you Father? You may not be much of one, but that doesn't mean you aren't!" Arandolya hissed.
"I am not much of a Father? What? Was Kursha better at caring for little Miss Arandolya? You liked him better because he could take you out on hunts, eh? Didn't care much for your Father, slaving as he ran up and down this mountain just to even out the wages?"
"Don't you accuse me of liking Kusha over you! You have never said one supportive word to me in my life! The least you could do is look happy when I'm around!"

"-Arandolya, Tamlin. If you insist on arguing, take it elsewhere, this is no place for anger," Whisper interjected as she stepped in between the two with an utter sense of calm. Arandolya bit her lip and nodded, stepping back with her cheeks reddening from embarrassment. I let him get under my skin again, and in front of Mother and Kursha's grave! Disgraceful!

Arandolya looked at Iosha apologetically, breathing out slowly as she sat back down. Firmly ignoring Tamlin who was fuming silently, she looked to the young Konti as she struggled to recall the question she was answering before the man had barged in.

"I can accept Iridssa for who she was, distasteful as it was sometimes, but I cannot accept him for what he did to her, taking advantage, and screwing things up," Tamlin muttered.

The slap sounded sharply in the quietness of the shrine. Arandolya didn't even remember getting up, but her hand stung as Tamlin touched his cheek gingerly. "Don't dare to insult Mother or Kursha in my presence, Father," she spat.
"Ma'am! That is no behavior, I will have to ask -"
"Get the Chiet to leave," Arandolya cut off the woman, glaring at Tamlin who stared in shock and slowly turned to anger. He turned and stormed off.
"One drunken night and the biggest mistake ever made happens."

Arandolya's eyes widened. Drunken night? Was that how Arandolya was born? Did he truly hate her that much? She was just a mistake to him? Arandolya took a step back and sat down, hurt and confused. "Sorry ... you had to, ah, see that," she mumbled in Common, reverting back from the Nari she's spoken quickly with her father. If that's what he could even be called.
"Let us ... ah, walk, and we will, um, talking of Kusha," she said quietly, getting up and extending a hand to Iosha, her golden orbs closed off and dim.

[Iosha]

As she sat there listening to Arandolya talk to her about her father, Iosha listened to Arandolya talk about Arandolya's mother worked with Iosha's father. She was his father's second hunter. Suddenly, Iosha eyes widened when she realized that Arandolya was referring to her mother in the past tense and thought to herself, “Arandolya mother must have passed away too like father.” The konti eyes glanced at the cracked short bow and the pouch next to it. Iosha blushed with embarrassment when she realized she was talking to fast for Arandolya to understand the Konti. She listened to the broken common, and what she pieced together was Arandolya was her father's student. Kursha was a friend and mentor to Arandolya growing up. Iosha smiled to herself when Arandolya confirmed what her mother said about her father was true. Kursha was a man with a big heart, and he even allowed Arandolya into his life when he didn't have too. Iosha started to daydream about her father teaching little Arandolya how to shoot a bow. The konti started to wish her mother stayed in Wind Reach, so she could of know the man her father really was, and maybe, she could have been childhood friends with her father's student. Iosha blew a stray piece of white hair from her face, and she said softly, “I..will try to talk slower. I..am just..excited, sorry.” Suddenly, the angry older Inarta behind Arandolya muttered something to the woman in Nari. Her father's student just froze and a flash a anger developed on the woman's beautiful face. Arandolya rounded on him and started speaking quickly in the language of her father's people. The chirps and whistles were loud and intense as the red haired woman faced off with the middle aged human. The confrontation between the two was quite loud, and Iosha tried to hid the uneasy feeling growing on her face. However, she observed the two humans verbally attack each other. The konti started to wonder if tension had been brewing for sometime. Iosha put her arms around her legs and looked around the shrine starting to feel uncomfortable at the whole situation. The argument hit a new level of uneasiness when the shrine attendant came over to break up the fight. The konti widened her eyes when she saw Whisper for the first time. She remembered Cait mentioning the woman from time to time during their time together. Iosha definitely thought Whisper fit the elegance of her description. Iosha kept her eyes on the floor because she didn't want her eyes to met the older konti's eyes. Iosha knew of other Konti on Mura that could pick apart a person's life with a just a few glances and small talk. Iosha lifted her eyes when she heard the slap echo threw the chamber, and the uneasiness between the two hit a all time high. The fight soon ended when Arandolya said Cheit, and Whisper escorted the older man out of the shrine. Iosha could tell he was in a state of emotion turmoil when he left the chamber. Iosha looked up at Arandolya, and the Inarta woman looked about the same as the man, but she was hiding it better than him. Iosha wished she knew the woman better because she would have given the woman a hug to comfort her pain, but she didn't, so she kept her arms wrapped around her legs. When Arandolya turned her attention back to Iosha, she still had the defeated look on her face as she sat down and apologized for her behavior. Iosha gave the woman a warm smile and said slowly, “Arandolya, you know there is no reason to be sorry.” Iosha let out a small laugh and said slowly, “Besides.. I didn't have a clue.. what you even said in Nari to him.” Arandolya stood up and offered her a hand. The Inarta woman offered to talk to as they walked, so Iosha got up off the floor and walked besides Arandolya letting her lead the way. Iosha looked over at Arandolya and said softly, “What was your mother's name? You said she was my father's..err second hunter, but.. I don't understand ..what second hunter is?” The konti knew her father was a “ladies man” this was a term thrown around a lot by her mother when she referred to her father. N'eia, Iosha's mother, always had a hint of jealousy in her voice when she talked about her father's activities with the women of Wind Reach. N'eia knew his heart was hers, but she knew Kursha was horrible flirt even when he was with her mother. Iosha looked at Arandolya and asked slowly, “Was your mother and my father close? Did my father regret my mother leaving for Mura with me?”

[Arandolya]

"One time I am, ah, glad, you do not, ..., understand, Nari," Arandolya muttered as Iosha reminded the woman of her poor grasp on the language of Wind Reach. It was much for the better in this case, as Iosha would take as much offense to his words as Arandolya did, if not more. Her golden gaze narrowed as it looked towards the exit where the foul-mood man had disappeared, disgraced to claim him a relation. It was still a mystery to her how Iridssa and him had ever gotten along. She chose not to think of it though as Iosha accepted Arandolya's hand graciously, and spoke in a gentle voice as they walked out together. Following the woman's Common, Arandolya took a moment to not only understand what she was saying, but also to form some sort of answer.

The last question Iosha asked visibly startled Arandolya, as her gaze widened and she cast a quick glance towards her companion as they strode through the mountain. Though the reaction was delayed by the time of her mental translation, it was hurriedly covered with a small cough and forcing her eyes back to the front. "Ah," Arandolya produced lamely, brow furrowing as she wrung her hands behind her back. The question was deeply personal, and not of Arandolya's life, but of a respected friend. She had to admit she was slightly amused by the frankness of the inquiry, true to Inarta standards, though had little to say about it in the scheme of things. To give herself more time to think of an answer, Arandolya began with the easier questions.

"Her, ah, name was Iridssa," Arandolya said with a small nod. Iosha never asked for any elaboration, but Arandolya continued anyways, eager to share her mother with another, "Many, ah, tell that I looked, ah, look, like her." Grinning, Arandolya added, "Makes me, happy, I do not take after, ah, Father." With a shrug, Arandolya unconsciously recognized she was taking them to the Courtyard, a place she often spent time with her mother. Odd how the subconscious worked. "Second hunter, ah, eagles are big," Arandolya explained, making a gesture with her hands to ensure Iosha followed, "And, ah, some can hold more hunters than ah, bonded one. Kursha's was like so. Aferan hold, ah, two. Um, Endal sometimes pick, er, one hunter, Avora, constantly. Becomes regular second hunter. Iridssa was, ah, his." She gave a hopeful smile that was touched with apology, hands having been gesturing wildly in an attempt to help get her message across.

Arandolya took a breath before she continued, recalling her mother's fond accounts of her time with Kursha, and even the rumors that swirled around the two. There was no doubt they were close. Closer than they should be though? Arandolya refused to think her mother anything but professional when it came to their relationship, nothing more than friends. Perhaps even best of friends, confidants, and someone to turn to when a shoulder was needed. Yet, nothing more. Tamlin's words were nothing but stirring of anger and hatred. Trying not to dwell on such, Arandolya carried on, struggling to remember her classes in Common and the little she learned from her mother. Iridssa was almost fluent in Common, but alas, the talent did not pass down to Arandolya as her brows furrowed for a moment before she spoke.

"They were, ah, very close. Always, with each other, ah, together. Yes? Um, hunting a lot, and afterwards, spend time together." Her pointer finger and index twined around each other to show Iosha the bond, "Close friends," she added to dispel any suspicions of more. "About ... left, ah, leaving, Mura." Here, Arandolya could only shrug lightly. "I know, ah, little of his feels. Ah, feelings." She thought for a moment as they entered the Courtyard, taking the chime to relish Priskil's warmth. "He only spoked of, you, family, happily. Like ... ah, favourite times. He was so ... so proud, of you." Nodding, Arandolya smiled at the Konti. "Knowed you would only do good."

[Iosha]

Iosha listened to the young woman try to explain her father's relationship to Arandolya mother, and their relationship seemed professional enough, and it sounded like they grew into great friends because of it. The konti was intrigue by the whole second hunter, and she wondered if they were considered the assist to the rider. If she was a little better with her bow, she would sign up to be one to learn the hunting trade. Iridssa, Arandoyla mother, seemed to be her father favorite rider by the way the young woman described it, so Kursha must have felt a special bond between the his friend and her daughter. Iosha started to daydream a little bit, and she wondered if she would have been friends with Arandolya growing up if she was born and raised in Wind Reach instead of Mura. It was a good daydream, and she said to her with a smile, “When I was a child, I used to stay up and look for the reddish star in the western sky. I believed if I wished hard enough. I could send a message to my father.with the help of Zintila and her red star.” Iosha ran a hand through her hair and said slightly embarrassed, “I know it was childish wish, but I wouldn't have tried so hard if I didn't love him.”

Suddenly, a idea flew into her mind, and she looked at Arandolya and said softly, “My father gave my mother his prized bow before she left for Mura, and I was wondering if you would like to see it?” Iosha took her hand and asked with a smile, “I know your a hunter, but would you like to shoot with me at the archery range? It could be fun for us to get to know each other, and you can laugh at my inability to hit a stationary target! It really quite pathetic, but we can always blame it on Kovac's teaching ability too.” The konti loved to tease her friend even if he wasn't here. It was unfair, but he kind of make it easy for her. She didn't know if Arandolya knew of Kovac because Wind Reach was quite a large city. Iosha was curious about her father's teaching style because Arandolya mentioned her father was her mentor, so she was curious if the woman could give her some pointers on hunting and archery too. Iosha turned to Arandolya, took both her hands in her webbed hands, and said with a hint of excitement in her voice, “We could practice at the Fletcher's Corner if you like? It a nice place, but it is kind loud with all the yasi running around like a bunch crazy people.”

[Arandolya]

oocI would just like to say how much I love your box code. Absolutely beautiful.

Arandolya's head tilted as Iosha mentioned wishing on a red star, the sheepish way she ran a hand through her blond strands expressing embarrassment of the notion. "I ... I used to look at the stars," she said with a small smile, "To speak, send message, to my mother." How many nights had Arandolya sneaked out of view, scurrying to the Courtyard where she would sit on a bench and turn her eyes to the sky? Seek the brightest star, and tell herself it was her mother's spirit? The hotheaded determination, and fiery passion that descended into Arandolya's own blood. Casting a glance at the sky now, Arandolya only found the bright sunlight, though that in itself gave her peace. "It is not, ah, childish. Perhaps, they really, ah, can hear us." She offered the woman a squeeze on her shoulder, shrugging lightly. She would like to believe Iridssa had heard the rambling Arandolya did those lonely nights, listened to the troubles, the joys, anything she thought she a mother would want to hear. As an Avora, Iridssa had not been able to raise Arandolya herself, and the two never saw as much as other families might, but their similarities and their unwavering bond as mother and child was something that would not deteriorate with time. Now, it braved through distance as well.

Iosha drew Arandolya away from the thoughts on her parents, now tainted with Tamlin's accusations and anger remarks. It stung of something more than just a spat out truth. "One drunken night and the biggest mistake ever made happens," had a much more emotion that Arandolya just could not decipher, and it only broiled her blood to think of the outburst between father and daughter. Tamlin was right though, it did displease her to call him father in front of Kursha's grave who gave her much more of a paternal figure than the messenger ever bothered to.

"The range?" Arandolya echoed after a moment, honey gaze focusing on the young Konti beside her, who took her hands as she continued to speak of Kovac's training, and the Fletcher's Corner. "I have not, mmm, used that range since, I was yasi," she muttered in slight amusement. When she became established as an Avora, Arandolya had taken advantage of the privilege to use Second Quiver, and become use to its luxury only surpassed by Top Notch. "Kovac trains you?" she asked, smiling at the thought. The half-Inarta also gave her a couple pointers, and it would be nice to see one of his students shoot.

Iosha had mentioned something else though, and that is what caught the Inarta's attention as she straightened slightly to look at the Konti. "His bow?" she asked, a hint of awe pressed into her voice as she smiled. "You ... have it?" Kursha had mentioned a few times - complained constantly, more like it - of his bow that "worked better than any bow every made, she did", given to the mother of his only child. To think, it made it back to Wind Reach after all these years ... "You will let me, ah, see it?" Arandolya's eyes brightened at the prospect as she nodded with a grin, "Oh, that, is very nice. Kind."

After a moment of thought, Arandolya looked at Iosha curiously. "You, you are Avora caste, yes? We ... can use Second Quiver. No yasi," she suggested, seemingly wondering why Iosha would use Fletcher's Corner when she had access to the much wider Second Quiver. Perhaps Kovac trains his beginners with the Yasi? Arandolya had to stifle a laugh at that, imagining the dark-haired archer teaching the rambunctious yasi how to not kill themselves with the bow. "Anyways, I am, um, not the best hunter, by far. I am sure, I, ... have no ... no right to laugh." The woman smiled and began to lead the way to her home, as she would have to pick up her bow and some arrows. "I shall, ah, show you my home, then. My parents lived in it, but, Tamlin went ..." struggling for the word, she waved her hand dismissively instead, "It belongs ... belongs to me now."

[Iosha]

The Konti smiled to herself when Arandolya was eager to see her father's bow. It was nice bow that was made from yew trees in the valleys around Mountain Skyinarta. Neia, her mother, told Iosha that her father Kursha picked the vary tree his short bow was made from during a treacherous journey into the Unforgiving. Her mother said he was attacked by a Zith in the valleys, and the blood from her father wound soaked into the wood and turned it red. Iosha known her mother to exaggerate everything especially about her father, but it was a great story to tell her child about the bravery of her father. The Konti looked at Arandolya and decided to tell her the story at the archery range. Iosha loved her father's bow because when it was made, the stain on the wood gave the short bow a rust color, and he would always use a black string as the bow string. The konti heard the slight awe in her voice when she asked about the bow, and Iosha said with a smile, “I was was given the by my mother Neia when I was born. My mother was a bard and not a hunter, but she said my knew my Inarta blood would call to it when I gripped the shaft when I was a baby.” Iosha took a deep breath and slowed her talking, “I wasn't really good until I came to Wind Reach and studied archery under Kovac.” Iosha smiled widened when Arandolya asked if she could see it. Iosha put a hand on her shoulder and said with a smile, “Yes, I think it would make him smile when you get to hold it since you were his pupil.” Iosha started to daydream about Kursha training little Arandolya when she was younger, and she remembered her mother telling her that he was vary patient with children, and she would often find him playing and tutoring the yasi from time to time. Iosha knew her father from her mother's memories, so she wondered to herself if she saw the image of her father through the bias of her mother.

Iosha watched Arandolya reaction when she mentioned the Fletcher's Corner, and she raised an eyebrow when Arandolya mentioned the Second Quiver and asked clearly annoyed, “Wait, I can train at the Second Quiver? Why didn't Kovac take me there instead of the archery range filled with hundreds of screaming children?” Iosha shook her head and muttered curse word in kontinese, and she turned to Arandolya, winked, and said with a laugh, “I will just have to make him pay for it in the future.” Suddenly Arandolya started to apologize for her laughing, and Iosha shook her head and laughed at herself, “Hey Arandolya. Don't belittle yourself. I am sure your are a wonderful hunter, and I am sure father was proud to have you as his student.” Iosha smirked to herself and followed the woman down the warren and said softly, “When we make it to the range, I give your permission to laugh at my lack of skill. When I first started shooting Kovac called my shooting ability, bad, but I think he was thinking more colorful words in the back of his mind at the time.” Iosha smiled at the Arandolya, and she had to admit she felt a since a calm around the woman for some reason. He knew the Inarta woman was genuine and honest even if she can't express the word to say it in common. Iosha walked beside her listening to every word she said even if it didn't make sense. Iosha knew the red haired woman meant well, and she tried her best to accommodate Iosha's language deficiency. The konti smiled at Arandolya when she told her that she was taking her home, and she said to her with a smile, “When we pick up my bow, I will show you my apartment, and you will be surprised how empty the place actually is.” Iosha was kind of nervous to ask, but she figured it better to take chances if she was going to get to know her better, “Do you have any pictures of your mother, or are you a spitting image of her?”