Open Have a Heart

[Naiya]

55th Day of Summer, 516 AV
8th bell

There was finally sense being spoken among the Drykas, the infighting, the attempts to underhandedly remove the refugees from the city, it was walahk behavior. The conclave had spoken, and jobs would be given once more. Perhaps it would be the end of the tensions that had her sister on edge.

Naiya had little to offer strangers, her pavilion was small and not truly recognized, her claim to the Amethyst clan was a weak one, and her ability to provide for people as their ankal was slight. So her part in the events of the city was small, offering kindness to any who deserved it, Drykas or not.

Even so, she was perhaps less kind than she might have been had her husband been here or had she been less far along in her pregnancy. Her suspicion of people in general was on the rise, with Drykas acting like walahks, and walahks acting like Drykas she could only offer the kindness of a stranger.

All the same she was glad to help with the event that spread on the wisps of wind from one family to the next. A gathering outside the city, that promised to offer skills to those who lacked them, a way to help the outsiders find work in the city. If they had a skill, they could find work, and any Dyrkas could appreciate a helpful set of hands.

She roused Seirei, her carving was an impressive skill, and she would be a grand addition to the classes. She invited the woman to join her, her hands offering her a clear opportunity to refuse. The woman, she knew, was unsure of her safety with the fighting of the outsiders, her understanding of being Drykas was one that she wasn't sure she might keep.

Naiya would teach how to cook a simple meal. She knew that there were others perhaps more skilled than she, but the ability to craft simple bread and cheese was one that could feed many. She had to stop to purchase some ingredients on the way out of the city, just supplementing what she already had, but she added them to Wildfire's yvas with the rest of her cooking supplies and usual excursion gear.

Her belly hindered her ability to mount gracefully, but Wildfire was a perfect gentleman as she asked him to accompany her to a rise and be still while she scrambled gracelessly into place.

She waited to see if Seirei and Khida would join her before moving off to purchase her supplies and find the group of impromptu teachers.

There was already a group of Drykas growing just outside the city, people were working to set up camps of various skills. It would seem that there was perhaps more support for the outsiders than one might have thought.

Naiya was glad to find that the gathering would hold well, her worry that fighting might break out easing as she saw the kind faces that attended. She began work of her own to set up, joining the quite bustle of the morning.

Ledger-2 GM for Supplies

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Naiya space Pavi | Common | Tukant
other space Pavi | Common | Tukant

[Seirei Dawnwhisper]

When Naiya invited her to help teach the outsiders some usable skills with her, Seirei hesitated. Going with her sister would mean leaving the safety of the camp. And with all of the fighting that had been going on, and the with the way the outsiders had been treated, Seirei was afraid. She was painfully aware that she had been an outsider herself just a little less than a year ago. And her bonding had come under very unusual circumstances. What if people decided that her bond to Thunder wasn't a true bond? What if they decided that she was still an outsider...and a captive, since she had been one when she'd bonded to her strider? To her mind, it wasn't much of a stretch that such a thing could happen.

But the opportunity to teach others how to carve was too good to pass up. So Seirei signed a quick agreement, before heading into her pavilion to gather up the supplies she'd need. Once inside, she gathered up all of her tools quickly. Then she hesitated. What did she want to teach the outsiders how to carve? That would determine what kind of wood she would need to bring, and the kinds of samples she could offer to show them.

Seirei settled on teaching them how to carve beads. Beads were a simple enough thing to teach them. They were easy to learn how to make, even if mastering the technique would take some work. But even knowing how to make simple beads would help them. Beads could be used for everything from decorations on clothing to jewelry and hair accessories, to something they could sell or trade. Better yet, they were small, and easy to store, so it would be easy to keep a ready supply of them.

Decision made, Seirei gathered up some willow branches, and some sample beads, both finished versions, and pieces of wood that had dried, and were ready to be shaped. She gathered up all she had of the latter so that the outsiders would get a chance to practice shaping beads as well. Eagerness to teach others how to do what she loved so much began to lessen the anxiety she felt about leaving the safety of her home. This might even be fun as well as helpful to those she would teach.

When she had everything she needed, Seirei emerged from her pavilion, and found Drelah. Thunder whickered as he watched her put a yvas on the seme, and Seirei paused long enough to lavish her strider with attention.

"In another couple of years, I'll be riding you, instead." she promised as she gave the yearling colt a few handfuls of grass as a treat.

By then, Naiya was ready, and Seirei followed her out on her errand to buy some supplies. Then they headed just outside the city where a group of Drykas were setting up a series of camps. Seirei guessed that these were the people who had volunteered to teach the outsiders, and that the camps were where the lessons would be taught. Seirei found a space near where Naiya was setting up her own area, and set her stuff down. She didn't really have all that much that needed setting up, so if she finished her preparations first, she would offer to help Naiya set up her camp.

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[Pulren Marsh]

Pulren was accustomed to time away from work. As a mercenary, it was pretty much any time that one wanted to be free. It was your own money you were wasting not working, after all. Being with an organization like the Wave Guard had its own days away from the duties as well. Now, with the Watch, things were even more different. The language barrier alone was enough to make the normalcy of work difficult, so when it seemed that he wasn't needed for the day, he didn't linger. It would be nice to get out and do other things.

Strangely enough, some of the other Watch members seemed to have an idea of what he should do for the day. Many pointed off toward some kind of gathering. Not too much happened in the tent city without some kind of transparency. One had to be standing asleep to miss large processions of tent poles and supplies. Choosing to wear his simple black linen breeches, his black tailored boots and a green linen shirt, he took himself, unarmed, along with the procession. The weather was nice. No staggering heat, no storms. Just a pleasant day to make acquaintances, something that had been pretty slim for the Zeltivan.

Once he arrived at the site, he could see the eyes of the locals upon him, though he was accustomed to that. He felt no danger, only a welcoming kind of feeling as whatever was going on was apparently some kind of festival. The waves of his Oceanus were slowly cresting and washing along his right bicep and forearm, the waves lapping out to his wrist. Sometimes he swore he could ear the roar of those waves, though Pulren suspected that was just something he could hear in his salty heart.

The Drykas women were as stunning as the men were intimidating. He noticed a pair of women that seemed more striking than the rest. Of course, that could just be Pulren's own feelings but he felt, nevertheless, compelled to greet them and stumble terribly through trying to communicate. Even a complete failure would still be more than pleasant. Standing nearby their progress, he raised his hand in greeting. "Hello, ladies." Remembering how Azmere the Warrior had greeted him, he put his fist to his chest. "Pulren Marsh. Warrior Son of Laviku." He was not going to touch their chests as Azmere had done.

A Gossamer Template

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine stretched out deciding what to help teach the group of outsiders. She had heard of the group going to help them. It warmed her to know that others were willing to help them now. Looking around the most the woman could offer them was more lessons on horses and getting them used to riding. Which could pose a very difficult task with Chaser, making her mind up the blonde walked over to the Guided Horse in search of a horse breed that was not so temperamental. Looking around she spotted Kelena and waved walking over.

“Hello Jasmine, it has been many moons since I last saw you,” Kelena said with a smile.

“Hey Kelena. You don't by any chance have a unclaimed calm horse do you?” She asked.

“I think I might why do you ask?” The woman looked at the blonde with mild interest.

“I'm sure you have heard of the group helping the outsiders. I was hoping to get them up on a horse today, and we both know that there is no way Chaser will be happy about a bunch of riders on his back,” Jasmine said.

“True. Wait right here, we just got in a tamed Zavian that would be perfect you could use,” the owner said walking off quickly.

Jasmine smiled when the woman returned and put an yvas on the horse before mounting up. Thanking the older woman she rode towards the group spotting two very good friends and a young man.

“Seirei, Naiya, it has been too long. How are you both? Hello sir,” Jasmine said to the ladies and man.

Dismounting she used the open ring on the yvas to lead the mare over to the group. Spotting the beads and wood the blonde smiled excited to see Seirei's carving tools.

“Will you be teaching them to carve, Seirei?” Jasmine asked the younger girl.

[Amunet]

It was nice to feel the air turned from tense to a sense of anticipation. Several persons wanted to provide instruction to the refugees on skills so that a pavilion may see them as an asset and take them on. This trickled through the other pavilions, skilled artisans, hunters, warriors, and many others had set up to give these instructions on basics from sewing a seam to boiling a pot of water to the care of weapons. It gave Amunet a light heart as she set herself up at a table she was assigned. The girl decided to teach about hygiene and ways to stay clean with the constant travel. This was important to stay healthy. If she had time, she may give nutrition and other health tips so they can make it through the winter with little to no illness.

The Drykas and their unbonded was a hearty breed of people. They did not get sick very easily and bounced back from injury and illness fairly well. The Doctors and staff work hard to provide the people of Endrykas with good care. With a Healer on staff, infections and survival rate of the sick and injured were improving. The red head’s gift could mitigate infections and minor afflictions like colds. The caring girl that is graced by Rak’keli can make more significant afflictions at least comfortable for the sufferer. It usually ended up being a combination of good Medical practice and the healing grace of Rak’keli that was the young medicine woman’s techniques. With a smile and a light heart she started unpacking at her table as the breeze lightly blew through.

The day was lovely. There were a few puffy clouds slowly meandering their way across the brilliant light blue sky that echoed in her eyes. The gold starbursts even shimmered slightly like gold dust crossing the line between the light sky blue in those eyes and the gold. Some people may think they were seeing things and it was just a trick of the light. Others thought it odd, but didn’t say anything. It meant very little as this was their healer and she did help a number of them. Her help came without hesitation and with no expectations. Amunet provides her services gladly as the health and vitality of her people in general was what made the job worth the difficulties.

A quick inventory of the mind had her going over what she had on the table before turning to the fire behind her. She took the kettle and went to fill it with water at one of the wagons that were there for support of the venture. Hefting the now doubly heavy water kettle, the red head returned to her table and put the kettle on the fire. She needed it good and hot. She then started to fold hand towels. These were square pieces of linen that were hemmed on all four sides and were useful for a number of jobs around the tents. The square was put flat on the table. Each side was folded in to the half way point and then rolled from bottom up. This was placed in a clean wooden bucket. After several of these were folded and placed in the bucket to line the bottom, she looked up and around.

She saw Jasmine and waved at the blonde Drykas a hearty hello with a bright smile. Naiya was there with Seirei to which she provided a polite nod and polite smile. There was that strain there and she sighed at that but there was no help of it. The breeze played with the oversized loose fabric of the long sleeved linen shirt of white she wore and the sweat was forming as she worked. She was perhaps over dressed for the day. Those sharp eyes didn’t miss Pulren mulling about. The dainty fiery girl waved at the man who was a guest of the Watch it seemed. The organized little lady then turned her head and looked over the other items she had from basic cooking pots and pans, baskets and other organization and items to clean with. The breeze played with her hair as she prepared for what she was to teach which were the topics of hygiene and maybe how to pack for the constant moving. That was an essential thing to understand if you was to survive out on the sea of grass with the moving Tent City.

[Naiya]

She didn't have a table, but she pulled a few cushions from her yvas bags and tossed them on the ground in a circle, she added her basic cooking tools in the middle.

Next from her yvas bag she unfolded a large black canvas, the sail of a pirate ship she had salvaged. The thick material provided nice shade, and she figured they would need it despite the nice weather. If the refugees shared any of her own lineage, their skin would quickly grow red and painful in the sun. She wanted to see if she could cover both her own and Seirei's set-up.

She peered up at the sun, tracking ti's movement across the sky. Morning sun was gentle, she would set the cover to let that light in, blocking only the evening and mid day light. One edge of the sail had holed bored through the cloth secured with metal rings, this side she rolled along the ground across the line the sun would travel, driving stakes through the rings to keep it in place.

She laid poles at either corner and then waited for Seirei's attention. Help please she signed to her sister, a smile coming across her cheeks, make shade.

A man approached as they hefted the canvas, stretching it over their workspaces. He waved a greeting, then signed a second, more traditional Watch greeting, speaking in common his introduction.

Greetings, well met she signed the words slowly, speaking over them in common "Hello, nice to meet you." Her common was accented fairly heavily with the lit of pavi, but usually understandable enough. "I am Naiya Dawnwhisper of clan..." her voice trailed off as she glanced to her sister, unsure of the word and seeking help, "purple." The word left her lips in common, her best approximation, as her hands signed inquiry at her sister.

She caught the arrival of her friend before Seirei could catch her eye to correct her common, a smile wiping the gentle concern from her posture. Warmth, welcome she signed to the woman, glad to see that so many people were showing their support for the refugees. In response to her inquiry, Naiya simply grinned and pointed out her ever growing stomach, obvious in the scant clothing she wore. Pregnant her hands shaped with heavy emphasis, none of the sadness that had shaped the beginning of her pregnancy lingered in the word.

She checked the poles, testing that they were steady and would hold well. When she was sure they were steady she invited the group to collect beneath the cover, eyes turned outward as she scanned the growing crowd. A stock of red hair caught her eye, the color surely a curse, one Naiya disiked as much as the person it was attached to. Amunet her hand rose to trace the prominent scars across her chest, the four lines still prominent. Geht voune girl, a grown woman who behaved like a child. She ignored the woman's greeting, eyes glossing over her as though she didn't exist.

Their passage did land sight on two children, a boy and a girl about the same age. The boy was sandy haired and grinning at what could only be his sister as they moved through the crowds. Naiya waved at the two and put them out of her mind.

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Naiya space Pavi | Common | Tukant
other space Pavi | Common | Tukant

[Pulren Marsh]

Pulren wasn't surprised by the genrosity nor the friendliness of the Drykas women. When yet another arrived, he found that there was a blonde, a brunette and a redhead. All three stunning in both their looks and their ferocity. The redhead, who introduced herself as Naiya Dawnwhisper, seemed to be the most friendly of them and the most willing to communicate, so Pulren chose to focus on her.

He watched her hands as she communicated in the Pavi style that still mostly escaped his comprehension. some of it seemed like it was obvious, but outside of his simple greeting, he kept his hands down, not wanting to make some kind of obscene gesture without even knowing it. Since it seemed that this Naiya had some grasp of the Common language, Pulren smiled and scritched a little at his stubble. "Can I help you with any lifting, Naiya? Pregnant women shouldn't be lifting heavy things. If I can help with these poles or anything else, please let me know." He looked at the poles and took them in his hands, using his weight and his muscles to drive them a little deeper into the ground, thereby securing them more surely for the women. This seemed like a way that he could help without overstepping his boundaries.

Once he was finished, he took a few steps back to give the woman and her sister some space. Pulren still couldn't tell about the roles of the men and women here. It seemed like everyone did just about everything, though he didn't recall any women in the Watch. When he saw the kids, he smiled and waved at them, kneeling before them and rolling his sleeve up. The living waves that rushed across his bicep and forearm brought delight in their eyes. The girl reached out as if she might want to touch the mark and Pulren smiled. "Go ahead. It is only a picture." when she did, the water seemed to ripple and the waves seemed to crest past her finger, something that brought a trill of delight to the young child. Pulren laughed loud and naturally.

A Gossamer Template

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine walked the mare to an open area beside Seirei's tent. Giving the horse the command to stay still, the blonde ventured over to the group to see what all was being offered. The woman was just as naturally curious as a small child. It was often her biggest downfall; which was the reason behind why she had ended up with the four scars that wrapped around her right side. Allowing the creature to graze the blonde walked back to the where the others were. The woman wanted to go up to the red head that had accompanied her on the trip the past season, but she appeared busy. Both women had scars from the encounter with the grassbear. Looking around the girl wanted to catch up with the other red head as well, but she seemed to have disappeared already. Shrugging a soft laughter brought Jasmine back to the group around her. Two small children, one a boy and the other a girl, had come up to the adults and were poking at the tattoo on the man's arm.

"It is so good to see you in high spirits once more," Jasmine said with a smile.

She had missed the strong willed woman that had previously been known as Naiya Dawnwhisper. The blonde had not known her well before the last two seasons, but there was an air about the red head that said extreme sadness. Walking up to the man a soft smile played on her lips. With a gentle laugh the children spotted the horse and raced over to play with her.

"Hello. Do excuse my rudeness, my name is Jasmine Stormblood. If I may, where did you get the amazing artwork?" Jasmine asked with made the signs for arm.

Realizing that he may not recognize the pavi like the rest, she opted to point to his arm as well. She did not want him to think her rude or unkind to those not known. Jasmine had always been one to take up for those who did not have a voice. Whether they be Drykas or not. This man from what she understood was a guest of The Watch at the moment. She had never heard of them taking anyone in, but that was no surprise to the woman. The blonde had not had much dealings with the group of protectors past that of her ankal Azmere Stormblood or her clan mate Lodai. Both were Ra'athi of The Watch and very good at their work too.

[Naiya]

With a softening smile as Jasmine, Naiya echoed her sentiment. "It is good to finally feel myself again." Her words were shaped with pleased agreement as her hand fell to pat lightly against her belly.

Her eyes turned back to the fair-haired Pulren, his concern touching and seemingly genuine. With just a tick to switch her language back to the one that was still thick and foreign on her tongue, she relayed her answer with what she could only hope came across as warmth, stunted as the language was without sign.

"Thank you." The simple words in return for his actions of securing the poles. "I think there is not much heavy lifting left to be done." Her eyes shifted to Wildifre and his yvas, still laden with gear. "Unless you'd like to help me..." Again her common failed her, the word she wanted unfamiliar to her. Untack, unload She shaped the pavi, hoping it might jog her memory for the word she was seeking. Perhaps it was a word she simply had never learned, she hedged it as best she could, "With the horse's gear?" It was close enough, if perhaps not as she wished to pose the question.

Frankly, as prone to clumsiness as she had become as her body changed to accommodate the baby.. she would take any help she could get. The children seemed to distract him, and she was not one to worry overly much about such things. She would simply unload slowly, and if the man chose to help, she would welcome him to make larger trips, or even remove entire bags from the yvas.

The first things she pulled from the bags was grains, a bag of mixed grain, meant for grinding into bread, and a second bag of cut oats for porridge. A few gallons of Zibri milk that had been split into quarts so they would be easy to carry followed the grains. Some of the work she planned would take a good while to prepare, so they would make cheese in the interim, and anyone who wanted to linger could. Her purchases from the market joined the growing pile of foodstuffs, fat removed from wild boar, herbs, and a few dried fruits to flavor cheese.

She brought out her grinding stone and a large, flat, iron pan that she had purchased after she had learned to make the grain-preserving bread from the desert woman seasons ago. She followed with a large cook pot for rendering the fat into lard.

Ready enough now with the yvas nearly empty, she returned to the creature who patiently awaited her attention. Wildfire blew softly against her cheek, and she scratched softly at the white blaze that decorated his face. After a few ticks, his ears flicked back and she took the gesture for what she could only assume to be a reminder that he was still wearing his yvas.

She patted his giant cheek and moved to remove his remaining gear, lifting the far lightened yvas easily off his back and tucking it behind the tarp that afforded them shade.

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Naiya space Pavi | Common | Tukant
other space Pavi | Common | Tukant