[The Sanikas Pass] Off the Trail (Rista)

[Risa Moontide]

Risa's awkward steps did little to lead the goats. The goats seemed to do everything in their strange bearded power to keep away from her, make travel back to the grazing spot as difficult as possible. The one who kicked at her as especially unhelpful, his head turning this way and that with every attempt Risa put out. The goat was TRYING to annoy her, Risa assumed, as it took another step away from the grass patch it had previously been enjoying.

Fortunately before Risa frustrated herself further, Rista arrived from the mountainous path to help lead the goats onward. Were it not for Rista's quick hands and quicker tongue Risa could have found herself out in the mountains far after the sun decides to sink beyond the horizon. Though the thought, that without this girl here neither would the goats be, didn't appear to her. Still, the girl seemed content with silence as the goats were corralled together slowly so Risa did the same, her face happy.

Fala had also flown off the goat when Rista arrived at the bottom of the cliff face. He landed on Risa's shoulder, giving a quick series of chirps. "The hobtob feathered girl is nice. Her nest is therensy, though, but I like her. What about you?" His meaning wasn't completely clear, and Risa often had to string together the words in her mind before she could understand everything he was saying. But Risa got most of it this time, her hand wanting to instinctively go up to the strange feather on her ear. She almost felt like the feather obtrusion itched, but that wouldn't be quite the term as she knew it gave her no real discomfort than mental.

Still, Risa just nodded sagely at the little bird, knowing she shouldn't take any more focus off these obtuse goats than she just had. In fact, a goat she was guiding had moved almost sideways, though RIsta was quick to fix it. Curse my wondering mind. Risa spent the next few chimes trying to show extra determination, trying to copy Rista's goat-herding as closely as possible. She gritted her teeth a bit as she did so, a part of her giving her strange advice that the goats might be more likely to follow her advice if she looked tough during. At last Risa broke the silence which had began to feel thicker in the air.

"My name is Risa, also. And this is Fala, my closest friend." She paused for a moment before florishing a bit. "I'm an Avora by caste, at least while I'm in Wind Reach." She had recently started off using the title in the second part, just to stop the sure questions about it that often followed. Risa tried, as always, to make it sound humble and unimportant, the last thing she wanted was someone angry at her for showing off a meaningless title. "You seem an Inarta by hair color and tongue. Is this true?" With that Risa tried a more happy infliction, trying not to be prying. She had to constantly focus on watching her tongue around the Inarta, they were so quick to anger and quicker with their own opinions. Risa still smiled.

[Rista]

The girl looked up from the patched backs of the animals as the other replied, having to think for a bit before she could decide whether she wanted to answer a question like that. The name that had been offered made her blink a little from how similar to how it was to her own, but wasn't enough to ease her tension at the comment about her hair. So this foreigner thought that her black mass of hair, streaked with only thin lines of red, was Inartan? That was probably the only time she'd heard that, usually it was more along the comments of 'black-haired mongrel' or something similar.

"I am" she said shortly after a while, her black eyes locked on the goats to make sure that they didn't run off; they would soon be at the small meadow again. "I grew up here, this my home. Mother was... or is, perhaps, if she's still alive, Inarta. Father.. not important." The sire responsible for her odd looks was quickly waved off as unimportant. It was a pure reflex; her lesson with old Val at the Gate had awoken a slight curiosity about the black-eyed people she shared blood with, but so far it wasn't strong enough to make her want to admit that she was a half-breed to any passing stranger. It didn't matter that it was so glaringly obvious from the start.

"My name Rista" she offered, feeling that politeness demanded it. So this olive-skinned woman was awarded to be Avora? By the sound of it she apparently had no idea what such a status meant; the way she waved it off, almost apologizing, this Risa couldn't have spent much time in the area. Being Avora was an honor, a sign of undeniable skill and usefulness; the short yasi wondered what she did for a living, to have been granted such a status by the Valintar. It wasn't really her business though; as soon as the goats were back on their pasture they wouldn't have much to talk about anyway.

Continuing her silence, it didn't take more than a few drops more until the animals were safely scattered over the grassy patch again. Rista sunk down on a rock with a sigh, wiping her brow tiredly; she wasn't really sweaty, but the sun was hot and she felt thirsty. It was too much effort for so little; petching critters, to run off like that for nothing but a hare. Luckily the bump at the back of her head wasn't hurting anymore, only when she touched it; the skin hadn't broken, so no blood had been spilled other than from her own clumsiness. Looking over at Risa, the black-eyed girl paused for a bit in her thoughts, looking at the bird that seemed to hover around her; oh, so that's why he was so far from the sea.

"He be yours?" she asked and pointed at the strange bird with her chin, faint curiosity spreading across her copper-toned face. "How come he not fly away? Seabird, don't make good.. how to say, like falcon? Comes to the hand, as trained to." She made a few gestures, raising the hand like she would to receive a landing hawk or falcon, birds that could be trained to hunt with. Perhaps the odd-looking little flier had been imprinted on the woman, that could explain some of it. But not why he would leave the ocean to come this far inland; sometimes gulls and similar took shelter among the mountains when there was a storm coming, but rarely otherwise.

oocugh, sorry for the crappy posting.. I'm not really sure where we're going with this. Either we can have them just chat for a bit, or we could always finish this off somehow, and make them meet at some other place? If you want to continue threading that is. I'll leave it for you to decide, I'm fine either which way.

[Risa Moontide]

Risa caught the briefest look of confusion Rista gave her when she mentioned the red-tinged hair. The look confused Risa, though, as she puzzled over what the girl could be thinking. Sure, the hair was a dark color, but it was still red. 'Right?' Risa felt like she was confusing herself now, After all, the hair gleamed red in the sunlight. Risa still felt she had breached in rocky waters with this girl, so offhandedly mentioned, "I like your hair, anyway..."

"Rista." The similarities made Risa crack a wide smile, it seemed at least this girl had one thing in common with Risa right away. Risa lifted her hand up in greeting. This meeting seemed to be on stronger legs, and Risa felt herself relaxing more and more. Still words bubbled forth, Risa still regretting the start to this adventure. "I'm sorry I hit you. I have no luck at all, it seems. I didn't know where the goats were raised, I've seen their milk and cheese but not the goats themselves. At least never this close, only from the tops of mountains."

Once the task of goading the goats was complete, Risa sat down near the girl, on the dirt rather than any rocky jutting. Risa pulled her wrist back towards Fala's perch and whistled a short note. Fala hopped onto her outstretched hand, webbed feet almost stumbling for a second. "Fala's my tavan." As always Risa struggled to find a good way to explain it, resorting back to the same sentence. "This is, he's bonded to me. It's Laviku's gift to all Svefra. He's my best friend." She knew the words could never describe the bond she felt to him, but she hoped she could convey at least part of it.

Risa's own curiosity caused her to ask more and more questions. She knew she should probably just leave this girl in peace, but words seemed to flow through her head and out of her mouth. "Do you have a bird of your own? Do you watch the goats often?"

[Rista]

It felt good to sit down after the walking and climbing. Rista stretched out on her rock like a cat, basking contently in the warmth of the sun; after dragging the wide legs of the bryda up over her knees the young girl made herself comfortable, leaning back on her elbows as she looked at the foreign woman. She hadn't been still for long enough before, but now that she was, it became apparent that she had been involved in something recently. Around the left eye she had a faint yellowing mark, a healing bruise perhaps; the lip had been cut at some point and was healing well, and over the shoulders was a hint of swelling. It wasn't noticeable unless one looked really close, but the marks were there none the less, hinting towards either a fall of some kind or a fight. None were all that uncommon in this part of the world..

A faint smile and a shrug was all she responded with at the compliment, finding no need to delve deeper into the matter with someone she had met in such a random way. Neither was there much to add to the apology; it was over and done, no need to talk further about it. The copper-skinned little Inarta wasn't known to hold grudges, especially not over this small a matter.

"Not have many goats" she replied, trying to explain the reason for the lack of them around the mountain. "Inarta keep some, for milk and cheese but don't have shelter to keep all in during winter. Come autumn, many is killed for meat, a few is kept in the stables, next spring we might catch wild ones and keep for a while.. Not good grass up here, so not many goats to keep.."

Despite the rolling 'r's and short-clipped words, the yasi managed to speak the common tongue both fast and somewhat accurate. It wasn't often she got to speak common; she had been taught how in class, but the youths never came in much contact with foreigners. This was an excellent time to practice, and there was an attentive look to her as Rista listened to the woman, hoping to understand just what she was saying.
A slight frown appeared at the foreign word, and it remained even as Risa tried to explain the meaning of the word.

"Tavan?" she repeated, the word sounding a bit strange in her mouth. "I knew not that Svefra were bird people too. Never heard of sea-farer having birds, only knew of Inarta. Everyone has the kind that you have? He is funny, very odd looking..." Waving off the other questions for now, she focused on Risa as she waited to see what the other would answer, the face showing hints of both curiosity and interest as she tried to understand what the woman meant.

This was actually quite nice, Rista didn't know much about the peoples outside of Wind Reach. She had been told about the sea-faring Svefra and sometimes their ships came to Thunder bay with trading goods, but she had never met one before. Laviku's name was familiar too, but she had never payed any attention to the gods of other cultures. It was enough to remember those that were directly related to her people and the life they led; Zulrav and Caiyha, Morwen and Priskil; the god of music too, and a few others. She herself had always been drawn towards Syna and the stories about her, but more than that she had never done. The occasional prayer, a story now and then; Rista wasn't one of the more devoted subjects of the gods, and she liked to keep it that way.

[Risa Moontide]

Risa always enjoyed the accents of the Inarta she met that were able to speak common. The short sentences were very direct and to the point. And the way they said certain words, often with too much tongue and air in their mouths, gave the words a floating screeching sound that fit so well with the short sentences. Not to mention each accent was a little different; Risa liked how Rista’s words seemed to flow out. Nari, with its chirping bird-like mannerisms, gave the oddest infliction to common. Risa wanted to learn Nari, at least parts so she didn’t seem so un-knowledgeable to the people she met, but just found their language too daunting. She barely knew anything about Nari.

Still, Risa smiled as the bronzed girl spoke of goats, feeling relief that she was finally able to learn more about Inarta culture. She was a curiosity, it seemed, so it was often hard to learn about the daily lives of the people of Wind Reach without being as direct as they were. Risa was learning more and more. Risa looked over at the goats, wondering how many would be needed as meat as the months cooled. Risa never really cared for the meat of stringy land animals; it was often dry and thick.

Risa stopped herself from becoming lost in her thoughts again. Subconsciously she noted the stillness of the earth bellow, watching the goats munch on the patch of grass with nearly bored expressions. Fala preened himself on Risa's hand, his feathers gleaming. "Birds as Tavans aren't common, um..." No words came to mind that would accurately describe it. "We like birds but birds rarely bond."

It was then Risa noticed the same pained coloring and wounded appearance of Rista in more depth. At least these wounds were older, healing. Risa wanted to know what had happened, but didn't want to pry much further into this girl. She seemed secretive... No, not quite secretive. Just like their business was their own. Risa has spent too many months now getting used to that concept, but it still surprised her how much she wanted to ask more and more questions. Still, she wanted to try. "I hurt myself in a fall a few weeks ago. Bruised up my ankle quite a bit." Risa grabbed a handful of skirt to pull it free from the bottom of her leg, showing off the wrapping around her foot. With a smile she made a short motion to Rista's healing wounds. "That looked painful."

[Rista]

Oh. So she misunderstood, it wasn't that all the svefra had birds as followers. Some of the immediate interest faded from the girls features, but she still nodded politely at the explanation. She couldn't say that she understood what the woman meant, but she figured it was like the bond with the eagles; different personalities matched with different people. There was never any telling who the fledglings might choose; sometimes it was even a dek that got picked up and elated. It was one of her most secret dreams; that one of the giant birds someday would come and save her from the fate she saw before her every time she closed her eyes.

Trying to relax, Rista allowed her thoughts to stray a bit where she lay under the sun. The warmth felt good against her bare skin, and the grass tickled under her feet as she eventually kicked off the sandals. It took a while before she looked up at Risa, the face slightly amused at the comment; shifting her weight to just one elbow the girl raised a hand and pointed at the yellowish mark around her eye.

"You mean this?" she said with a twitch of a smile luring at the corners of her mouth. "Don't be so careful, like a Nivas cat trying to steal food. Not necessary to hesitate. I wasn't clumsy like you, I think. Not if not clumsy to follow enemies into a trap that was obvious. I lost the fight, but they were more than me and held me down, so wasn't fair one. One on one, I beat them anytime." The mouth twisted into a quick smile, confident and slightly grim with the way it promised retribution on the ones that humiliated her like that, but then it disappeared again and Rista leaned back to continue to bask in the sun. It wasn't a big deal to talk about something that was in the past, not when it was something that already had stopped hurting. The bruises only served as a remainder that something had to be done soon; the violence had been escalating lately, and if she wasn't to loose her bodily functions or end up killed somehow, she needed to teach the brats their place.

Those were grim thought though, and not really suitable for a lovely day like this. It was summer still, and the real problems weren't likely to show up until fall or winter, when people got cooped up and got stingy from boredom and lack of food. Then was the time to watch her back; for now, Rista just intended to stay in the sun and keep an eye on the animals. She enjoyed the silence for a while and gazed out over the beautiful landscape, but as a few chimes had passed her eyes returned to the foreigner, slightly questioning.

"You going to sit around here all day?" she asked frankly and took advantage of the fact that Rista didn't seem to understand what the rank of Avora mean. Perhaps a foreigner could be pushed into obeying a mere yasi, or at least take a slight hint. "I don't mind chatting, for outsider you are not bad, but were you not going somewhere? Time is running, not waiting." The words were softened by a quick smile; they seemed to come and go like sunshine at spring, but this time it was also slightly dismissive. Rista enjoyed her few moments of solitude, and while she didn't really dislike this person, the olive-skinned woman hadn't made that large of an impact with the yasi. Quite interesting, sure, but she'd rather not waste her precious quality-time with herself by talking about nothing at all.

oocfeels like a good time to end this.. if you want another thread, perhaps we can start one at the right side of Fall? ^^

[Risa Moontide]

oocI should have posted earlier, I apologize. I agree, this seemed like a good end. I'd love a thread in the Fall doing something. You're such a good writer!
Rista had called her out on her carefulness, and Risa blushed. She apparently wasn't learning to be direct enough, not nearly as straightforward as the Inarta. It was a little embarrassing, but the girl had indeed flagged Risa's cautiousness. Risa furrowed her brow; She was going to be more direct. At least that's what she told herself, trying to think of how to convince herself to do so. No more hiding behind words.

Still, Risa could not see this younger girl in a fight. When Risa was her age, life was all smooth sailing and gentle breezes. Risa tried to work out the tangle of emotions towards the harsh life this girl lived. Pity was definitely not an emotion to be shown around here. Besides, the way the girl talked about the fight nearly with pride or at least a strange mix of deviousness. It was a little unsettling, but another part of Inarta life that had eluded Risa's exploration.

Risa nodded when the darkened girl spoke of things to do. She really should get back to hiking, maybe go to the river. Stretching out her tired legs, Risa rose and Fala hopped onto the grass below. "You're quite right. The day gets older and I've hiking to do." She peered over the hills, thinking about which way to go next. Risa didn't realize the irony that, while her words were only slightly more direct, her actions were still just as passive. "I hope neither rocky cliffs nor sneak attacks by slingshots or traps vex you further, Rista. I did enjoy our chat. We'll have to meet again sometime!"

With a short whooping whistle from Risa Fala flapped his short wings furiously, picking up an undercurrent to rise into the air. Rather than landing passively on her shoulder he took off ever higher into the sky, his sleek form a dark and beautiful addition to the blue sky. Risa smiled and gave Rista a short final wave, walking off into the hills after her feathered friend.

[Phoenix]

Character: Risa Experience: Slingshot- 4, Herding- 5, Climbing- 5, Observation- 5, Socializing- 5 Lores: Dealing with the intense heat of summer, Trying to stay cool, Startling a herd of goats, Unwilling to help Rista, Coming to Rista’s rescue, Sending her Tavan where she cannot go, A tenuous friendship with Rista, Having a Tavan, Learning a little about Rista and Inartans Character: Rista Experience: Herding- 5, Leadership-5, Observation- 5, Climbing- 5, Socialization- 5 Lores: Enjoying the heat, Trampled by the goats she was watching, Teamwork with Risa, Hanging ten (off the edge of a cliff), Trying to talk some sense into a goat, A tenuous friendship with Risa, Learning a little about the Svefra The Method, The Fire: How cute! I love everything and anything to do with goats. And the difference of a T between your names... is so confusing... hehehe Any questions or concerns, please send me a PM and I'll be happy to help!