Closed Trying to Survive the Winter Blues (Kovac)

[Iosha]

Time Stamp: 43rd of Winter, 512AV Location: Fletcher's Corner & Infirmary Who: Kovac Iosha never been in the Fletcher's Corner during the day since most of Kovac's archery lessons with her were after hours. Kovac seemed quick to change the subject every time. She suggested doing a lesson during the day. She thought it was odd, but she figured he had his reasons for avoiding this place during the day. When she walked into the common room, she was amazed at the crowd of young Inarta waiting for the chance at a target. Iosha frowned to herself, and she started to think this time change was a bad idea. Normally, Iosha had no problem with children, but during the week, Wind Reach was hit with a moderate outbreak of winter illnesses, so the all the healers were confined to Infirmary for the last week. This illness hit the Yasi caste especially hard, so she literally spent seven days treating and comforting the red headed future of the Inarta. It was a grueling week for her since she was the least experienced healer in the infirmary. It was her job to clean up the snot filled rags and emptying buckets of vomit. In her down time, she would tell the sick children stories hoping to take their minds off their sickness. The experience was rewarding and exhausting at the same time, but it left Iosha in a foul mood in the end. Iosha knew Kovac wouldn't be happy about doing her lesson with a audience of snot nosed brats watching them. However since she was taking the night shift in the Infirmary tonight, she only had the day available to do her weekly archery lesson and harvest the mushroom in the hydroponic farm. Iosha been working on her mushroom garden for the last month, and she figured she needed to harvest them before they released their spores. If they released their spores before, she got the chance to harvest. The whole crop will be ruined. She tried to explain her predicament to Aidara, but she said the patients were more important than her mushrooms. Honestly, Addy was right of course, but Iosha worked hard on her mushroom patch, and she didn't want her first crop to go to waste. Iosha knew after her archery lesson she would have to quickly rush to the farm to harvest her crop, but she doesn't know if can finish the job by herself before her shift started at the Infirmary. Iosha scanned the crowd looking for Kovac. She frowned when she couldn't find him. She figured he would be busy with another student, so she made her way to the wall and waited for her friend. Looking at the ground, Iosha couldn't understand the conversations around her since most of the Yasi and Chiet were talking in Nari. Suddenly, Iosha looked up from the floor and noticed a man walking towards her. Iosha watched him as he approached her, and she could tell right away. She would not like this man. Iosha never liked to judge a book by his cover, but her first impression of him soured by the way he was undressing her with his eyes. Honestly, he was a attractive man with long crimson hair. His well muscled body looked like it was a chiseled Akalak statue. She was impressed by the blue and red Wind Eagle body art down his arms. However, what held her attention was his bright golden eyes. He was Inarta perfection in male form, but Iosha knew looks weren't everything, and this man was clearly one dimensional. Iosha could tell the man had money since he was wearing a red silk bryda. She looked at the bow on his shoulder and saw it was finely crafted out of rosewood, She frowned to herself when she started to realize she is being approached by either a Endal or Avora. Thinking to herself, “Great, I can't just tell him to piss off...no wait! I'll just have to do it nicely.” Iosha smiled to herself at the thought, but to her dismay find out he mistaken her smile as a invitation. When he made it to her, he looked her over once again and said in common with a cocky smile, “I am starting to think our encounter is fate, but you, being a Konti, you must have saw it in the stars already. By the way, my name is Sorel Vorshal, and yes, I am a Endal. What is your name beautiful woman from the east?” Iosha inwardly groaned when he mentioned his caste, and she thought to herself, “You are testing me aren't you Rak'Keli?” Iosha looked up at the Endal and said softly, “Well my name is Avora Iosha Moonchaser. It is a honor to met a Sorel Vorshel.” Sorel looked pleased at her response and said glancing at her bow, “I am surprised a Konti would want to use a bow. Wouldn't it interfere your people predicting the future?” Iosha blinked for a moment realizing this man knew nothing of her people. He was only making crude generalizations of her people. She wondered what other type of inaccurate information he learned from rumors. She could only guess, but she won't hold ignorance over his head since Mura and Wind Reach are on the other side of the world. She smiled and said softy trying to do her Konti impression, “Your information on Konti culture may be a little inaccurate Sorel. My people hunt from time to time in the forests surrounding Mura, and we a quite good at it too. On the other hand, I learning how to use the bow for more personal reasons. This bow was my father's and I want to honor his memory by learning how to use it.” Sorel looked at her short bow and raised an eyebrow, “Your bow looks Inartan made...” Suddenly, he snatched the bow from her hand to get a closer look at the craftsmanship. Without looking up at her, he said with a smile, “This bow was made for a Endal, I can tell by the type of wood and the intricate woodcarvings on the bow... Come let me show you how to shot it properly, Iosha.” He waved to her to follow him with the bow. Iosha went wide eyed when Sorel took the bow from her hand. She couldn't belief the man had the audacity to snatch out of her hands her most prized treasure in this world. Luckily, the Endal wasn't looking at her because she was glaring a hole into his forehead. She clenched her fists and thought to herself if this happened in land other than Wind Reach. She would put this arrogant petch in his place, but she was in Wind Reach, and it is not her place to confront a Endal. Iosha swallowed her pride and follow him to one of the private shooting stalls.

[Kovac]

The boy was never going to be an archer, he had the hands of a glassblower, and the intellect of a bat guano collector. Kovac cringed as the last of the Yasi's arrows sailed wide, clipping the edge of the target and bouncing wildly away.

"When the signal sounds, go find your arrows, and do it again. And for Ukalas' sake keep the bow up until the arrow has hit the target." With a light buffet to the mopped-haired red head, Kovac strolled down the second range, watching over the students. His gaze wandered to the third range, where the private training lanes were. He easily saw Iosha, her stark pale hair, ivory skin and white clothes like a beacon among the sea of crimson manes. A scowl crept across his face as he saw whom she was following. Sorel.

"Vagik."

Kovac's strides were long as he made his way towards the two of them, determined to intervene. Maybe one of the most arrogant and self-involved of the Endal, the Avora could not stand by and watch the bastard bully and drool on his Konti friend. Only after he was directly beside Iosha and Sorel did Kovac come to an abrupt halt. He snatched the bow from Sorel's hand.

"You have your own bow, Sorel. And your own range. This range is for children. Or maybe this is your range?" Kovac was angry, he already hated Sorel, and felt very protective of the sometimes naive Iosha. "What are you doing here, these girls are too young for you. and this one, too much woman for you." He gestured towards Iosha, giving her a hidden wink. Kovac already knew he had pushed his luck, Sorel's face was crunching up, and a vein was popping out on his forehead. But it was not the first time he mouthed off to an Endal. He hoped this incident ended better than most of the previous.

"She is late for her lesson." Kovac spoke, his tone calmer, "I am sure you do not want to interrupt." Without taking his eyes off of Sorel, he handed the Konti her bow.

[Iosha]

When Kovac handed Iosha the bow, she took it from him and hugged it close to her. It was the only thing she had from her father, so she cherished it like it was one of her own children. She was surprised when Kovac swooped in a confronted the Endal because Iosha knew it was foolish move on Kovac part, so she started quickly planning something just in case this situation get out of hand. Sorel Vorshal looked livid after Kovac took Iosha's bow away from him. Iosha could tell he was not impressed by Kovac display of defiance, and the fact Kovac showed him such blatant disrespect toward someone of his caste. Sorel narrowed his eyes and pushed Kovac as hard as he could with both hands. Sorel glared at Kovac and bark at him in Nari,“Listen here you Vanthan sled dog my business with the Konti is my own, so why don't you just go back to children teach them how use a bow, so somebody who isn't a complete waste of space. Can teach them how to hunt!” Iosha had no clue what was being said between the two Inartans, but as she figured the situation was starting to get out of hand. Iosha decided to intervene on behalf of her friend, and she walked between the two men and said quickly, “I really appreciate your assistance with my archery, Sorel, but as Kovac said, I was late for a lesson, so why don't you show me another time.” Sorel golden eyes turned to her and he apologized to her in common, “Listen, Iosha step aside. I know you don't understand since you are foreigner, but I need to teach this whelp his place in society.” Sorel brushed Iosha aside with one large arm, walked to Kovac with a grin on his face, and said to him with amusement in his voice in Nari, “Kovac I known you ever since we were Yasi together, and even now you will never learn. I tell you what. For the sake of Konti's opinion of you and for old times sake. I might forgive this disobedience if you admit you were wrong!” Sorel grin widened, and he laughed out loud when he added in Nari, “Oh, Kovac... I want you to apologize on your hands and knees, so I know that you mean it.” Iosha was surprised at the strength of the man because he moved her aside like a sheet of paper. She scowled at Sorel from behind as he was staring down Kovac wait for his reaction. Iosha looked at Kovac and mouthed to him, “I'll be fine. Just walk away.. Kovi” She wasn't sure if he even saw her, but she felt helpless in this situation. If Sira, Aidara, or Red were here, they could talk some sense into this brute, but Kovac and her were just Avora, so Sorel Vorchel had no reason to listen to them. Iosha just stood there gripping her bow tightly contemplating if she needed to do something rash.

[Kovac]

Sorel's strong shove sent Kovac staggering back, and the Avora's temper flared. All activity in the immediate area stopped, the Yasi abandoning their bows for a more entertaining lesson.

“Listen here you Vanthan sled dog my business with the Konti is my own, so why don't you just go back to children teach them how use a bow, so somebody who isn't a complete waste of space. Can teach them how to hunt!”

The slur was not a new one, it was one of the battery of insults slung at the half-breed since his earliest memory. Nor was the animosity of an Endal anything Kovac had not endured time and time again. The dangerous combination of their discrimination, and the Avora's smart ass attitude, had produced altercations time and time again. Though many had come to blades, serious injury had never been inflicted. Many eagle riders disliked the half-Vanthan for his tryst with the Endal rider named Shayth, but that torrid affair ended over a year ago. Punishment too he had suffered for his disrespect to the higher class, though, in Kovac's opinion, the Endal were always the one to blame.

Iosha made a noble attempt to assuage the arrogant Endal, but the quarrel between the hunter and rider went deeper than this incident, and Sorel had decided this place would be as good as any to humiliate Kovac. The Avora bristled as Sorel handled the Konti roughly, and for a moment, his hand hovered over the handle of his knife. Not yet, he told himself. Not here.

"I might forgive this disobedience if you admit you were wrong!... I want you to apologize on your hands and knees, so I know that you mean it.” Sorel was loving it, finally having the chance to crush the spirit of the troublesome Avora. Kovac's eyes darted to Iosha, and he saw the helplessness in her eyes. He also remembered a girl whom he had loved, a girl whom he found in his own bed...with an Endal. His heart grew cold.

"Go petch yourself sideways, Sorel." Kovac spoke, his voice all but defeated. "Iosha...have fun with your Endal." With a short glance at both the man and woman, the Avora turned on his heels and started to walk away.

[Iosha]

Sorel brushed Iosha aside with one large arm, walked to Kovac with a grin on his face, and said to him with amusement in his voice in Nari, “Kovac I known you ever since we were Yasi together, and even now you will never learn. I tell you what. For the sake of Konti's opinion of you and for old times sake. I might forgive this disobedience if you admit you were wrong!” Sorel grin widened, and he laughed out loud when he added in Nari, “Oh, Kovac... I want you to apologize on your hands and knees, so I know that you mean it.” Iosha was surprised at the strength of the man because he moved her aside like a sheet of paper. She scowled at Sorel from behind as he was staring down Kovac wait for his reaction. Iosha looked at Kovac and mouthed to him, “I'll be fine. Just walk away.. Kovi” She wasn't sure if he even saw her, but she felt helpless in this situation. If Sira, Aidara, or Red were here, they could talk some sense into this brute, but Kovac and her were just Avora, so Sorel Vorchel had no reason to listen to them. Iosha just stood there gripping her bow tightly contemplating if she needed to do something rash. Iosha's eyes were on Kovac the whole time. She clutched her shaft of her bow tighter when she saw his hand hovered over the hilt of his knife. She didn't want to lose one of her best friends in a senseless battle of honor, but Kovac made the smart move and back down from the brawl. As she watched as Kovac clung to his dignity against the Endal. She started to understand something about him. This battle wasn't only being fought today, it was one battle in a larger war against the society that is unwilling to accept him. The realization of the Kovac situation almost brought her to tears. When the battle was over, it was not settled with knives or fists, but it was decided by a series of harsh words. She couldn't understand because Sorel Vorshel was speaking in his native tongue. However, she understood everything Kovac said in defeat. Her heart sank when he said his last words to her. She wished she could follow her friend, but in front of her, the Endal was standing there victorious and savoring his victory by insulting Kovac in Nari as he walked away from the scene. Konti's weren't known for strong emotions, but the accident many years ago made her more like her Inarta father than her Konti mother. It was the reason. She left Mura because she never really felt like she belonged with her pale brethren. She accepted it along time ago, and she believed it made her stronger. Cephei was the only person in Mura that accepted her, and she loved her like a sister. Iosha knew Cephei would be disappointed with her if Iosha let this brute get away with what he did to Kovac. Calmly, Iosha set her bow against the wall, and she walked over to the Endal and grabbed his arm. She pulled back her arm with all her strength to make him face her. She knew she was taking a big risk, but she looked up into Sorel golden eyes and asked calmly, but the annoyance could be heard in each word she spoke in common, “Why are you really here Sorel? I know you don't give a damn about helping me with my archery, so I'll ask again why are you here?” Iosha tried to keep her emotions in check, but the smug smile on the Endal's face made her feel like she wanted to punch him in the stomach. Sorel looked down at her with a smug smile and said, “Well, I wanted to get to know you, Iosha, but the vagik interrupted us.” Iosha shook her head and looked over the dispersing crowd for any sign of Kovac. When she couldn't find him, she turned back to Sorel and said coldly, “It doesn't give you a excuse to do what you did to him.” Sorel looked confused, laughed out loud, and said softly, “You are new Wind Reach, so I won't hold it against you, but you need to remember. He was the one who confronted me with his feathers all in a ruffle, so I had every right to put him in his place.” Iosha frowned when she realized what he said was true. Suddenly, the Endal grabbed her hand and kissed them gently and he said softly to her, “Actually, I was going to ask you if you would like to come to the Winter Lights Festival with me. I think you would have a marvelous time with me.” Iosha yanked back her hand and said with a hint of venom in her voice, “I might have considered it if you didn't treat my friend like garbage, but now...” She just shook her head and said with a direct simple, “No.” Sorel smirked to himself and shook his head at her answer. He looked at her and said softly, “As I said Iosha. I believe we are written in stars. You'll come around eventually.” Iosha watched him coldly as he walked away, but before he left his eyes lingered on her new vanti and bryda. Feeling uncomfortable, she crossed her arms over her vanti and waited for him to leave. When Sorel left, Iosha looked around for Kovac, but he was nowhere to be seen. She frowned to herself hoping he didn't just leave her at the range. Iosha saw a group of yasi talking among each other, and she walked over to them and asked in common, “Do you know where Instructor Kovi... I mean Instructor Kovac went too?” On of the girl yasi giggled to her male counterpart and turned to Iosha and said with a smirk, “You call him Kovi? Oh I think Kovi will be my new nickname for our teacher too..” The ginger boy nodded in a agreement. Iosha rolled her eyes knowing she will hear about from Kovac later. She nodded with a smirk on her face and said impatiently, “I am sure. He will enjoy it hearing from you. Anyways, where did he go?” The ginger boy pointed in a direction and said with a giggle, “Kovi went that way.” Before she went in the direction the boy pointed too. Iosha smiled at the boy and said softly, “Both of you thank you”

[Kovac]

Kovac fumed as he left Sorel and Iosha behind. He was enraged and embarrassed. After all this time, all the progress he had made, in redeeming himself, and in accepting the fact that Endals were not all jerks, it was like nothing had changed in ten years. Petching Endals, all of them. Kovac had struck out at the Konti before he stormed away, and he felt a bit bad about it. The Avora knew it was not her fault. She was beautiful and exotic among the Inarta, and he was sure Sorel was not the first Rider to hit on his friend. But he could not stand to see the Endal treat Iosha with such arrogance. He supposed the girl could have probably handled Sorel without his help.

Anyway, maybe she liked Sorel, and who was he to interfere? Aalthough there would be no end to the criticism Kovac would lay upon the Konti if she chose such an guano-sucking arsecrack. To each his own.

Kovac unleashed his angst upon an unsuspecting yasi, an older boy whom he had seen exhibit some bullying behavior earlier. The other teenagers fell silent and gave Kovac wide berth, before he stormed off to the fletcher's table. Iosha appeared, and Kovac kept himself busy checking the fletching on some target arrows.

"Sorry I embarassed you. Where is Sorel?" Kovac asked nonchalantly, not looking up.

[Iosha]

When Iosha walked into part of the range the yasi were practicing, she saw Kovac by a table, with a scowl on his face, and angrily examining a arrow. While she was walking through the crowd, she overheard two boys talk in common about Kovac and another student. The boy with short red hair looked at his friend, laughed, and said in common, “Did you see the look on Ramus' face when Instructor Kovi drilled into him for picking on Nevi.” The other boy with long hair said with a snort, “Good, Ramus has the ego the size of a Wind Eagle. It is nice to see someone put him in his place even if it was Instructor Kovi...” Iosha made a confused face when she realized her nickname for Kovac was spreading through the Yasi like wild fire. She might of accidentally said it to the boy and girl fifteen minutes ago, and it already made it through the heart of his class. Hoping, she wasn't by him when a student called him Kovi in jest, but knowing her luck. When it happened, Iosha will be right in the middle of a serious conversation with him. Anyways, Iosha continued making her way to Kovac when she overheard a pair of girls talking in common about their instructor, “Mari, I think this might be your chance with the Instructor. I heard Kovac was just dumped by the White Haired lady, and she is going to be dating Endal Sorel Vorshel now. From what I heard from Viri. When Kovac went and confronted the handsome Endal over the love of his life, Sorel challenged Kovac for a duel of honor over the right to her hand. Out of love for the Konti woman, Kovac valiantly back down from the duel saving the woman he loved from the heartache of his death...” Iosha actually stopped when she heard the two girls talking. She raised a eyebrow and looked into the stall. The two Inarta girls must be no older than fourteen, but she could definitely see the one who told the story was comforting her other friend in her anguish. The sobbing girl looked at her friend and said sadly, “Tari...if.. if I had white hair would he noticed me finally...?” The girl named Tari grabbed her friend in his arms and smoothed down her hair and said softy, “Mari...the Konti's skin shines like gold in the sunlight. I doubt Instructor Kovi will ever look at another Inarta ever again..” The girl being held started to cry louder, and Iosha thought to herself in utter confusion, “What the petch! Am I the heroine in a petching Inarta love story now...Goddess Rak'Keli if you are listening...please save me from Inarta...” Iosha still couldn't believe her nickname is spreading as quickly as it was through the Yasi. The yasi Tari was the second student in the class to use her name. She looked up at the table, and she saw Kovac still sulking at the table examining arrows. Iosha made her way to table to confront her troubled friend about Sorel's transgressions against him. She could tell by the way Kovac was acting. Sorel's words bit deeper than he would like to admit. Iosha walked up to the sturdy table, leaned up on the table, crossed her arms, and watched yasi practice their archery. She was still crossed with him for his outburst at her earlier, but she wanted to help him and not her own piety ego. However, when Kovac apologized for embarrassing her, he also had to bring up Sorel again. It was a sore spot for the Avora, and he won't let it go. Iosha thought angrily to herself, “Irritating and stubborn man...Rak'Keli I am going to shake him soon.” Iosha blew a stray white hair out her face and said calmly, “You didn't embarrass me Kovac. Honestly, I thought what you did was brave..., but also kind of foolish too...” She knew from dealing with stubbornness of the Inarta that sometimes you had to be blunt to get your point across. She didn't want to start lying to him, so she decided to speak plainly to him. He deserved it, but hopefully he doesn't close off from her altogether. Iosha looked at him and said softly, “Kovac, I have no clue what Sorel said to you, but I know whatever he said to you wasn't true. Anyways what did the Endal say to you, Kovac?” Iosha violet eyes never left the side of his head. She knew she must be opening a fresh wound, but she learned from medicine that sometimes you have to open a wound a second time for it to heal correctly.

[Kovac]

Kovac fiddled with an arrow in his hand, his eyes darting up at Iosha as she leaned against the table, her bright violet gaze holding his for a moment. The half-breed could see when the Konti found him that she was not happy, and not only because of Sorel's arrogant behavior. Kovac knew he was unfair to her, and the grumpy archer was actually encouraged to see that usually cheery and sweet woman had the capacity for anger and frustration. It proved she had depth of character. Even as Kovac met Io's unique gaze, he could see her angst dissipate, and an encouraging tone returned to her heavily accented voice.

“Kovac, I have no clue what Sorel said to you, but I know whatever he said to you wasn't true. Anyways what did the Endal say to you, Kovac?”

The archer put the arrow back in the pile on the table. "I appreciate that Iosha, but what he says doesn't matter, if its not true, right?" His tone was dismissive. Kovac wanted the whole embarrassing incident behind them, and certainly was not going to repeat the petcing Endal's slurs for the Konti to hear. He did not want her sense of injustice to turn to pity for him.

"I believe you are late for a lesson, we should get started." Kovac reached for his composite bow and a quiver of practice arrows, avoiding Iosha's gaze. The Avora moved towards the range to the far left, where the Chiet and older Yasi practice. It was also at the opposite end of the cavern where Sorel had been, by the private shooting lanes.

Kovac finally lifted his eyes to the platinum haired Konti. "You look nice in a vinati and bryda, by the way." A reserved smile touched his face. "I wonder how all these kids learned that you called me Kovi?"

[Iosha]

Iosha watched Kovac for a moment when he totally dismissed everything that happened to him. When he agreed with her, she was surprised because she thought Inartans were more prideful people. Kovac was behaving like he accepted those insults Sorel at him. Iosha took a deep breath and agreed with him,”I am...glad to hear it Kovac, and I am happy your not letting him win..” Iosha wasn't sure if she believed anything she actually just said to him, but she didn't want to hurt his pride, so she decided to drop the issue for now. When he mentioned she was late to class, Iosha put both her hands behind her head and said to him with smile, “Sorry I am blaming a horny Endal for my tardiness, but I will not be late again, Instructor Kovac.” She frowned and sighed to herself when she watched him avoid her gaze as he walked passed her. Iosha whispered quietly to herself, “Come on Kovac...don't start sulking on me now.” Iosha grabbed her bow and followed her Instructor silently to the private shooting lanes. When Iosha walked into the private stalls, Kovac turned around with a smile and told her that she looked nice in her bryda and vinati. Iosha gave him a wide grin and twirled around for him, so he could get a good look at her in her Inarta outfit than she stopped spinning and said meekly, “When I was looking for you after your entanglement with Sorel...I might of accidentally said your nickname to a group of Yasi when I was looking for you.” She laughed to herself and ran a hand through her hair, “I was surprised how quickly the Yasi adopted your nickname. Sorry, I am sure you'll be hearing it for the next few months, Instructor Kovi.” She smirked at him, tied back her hair, and said playfully, “Well I hope you enjoy my outfit, Kovac. I just need to dye my hair ginger now, and than I might pass for a Inartan in the near future.” She had no intention of dying her silver blond hair, red, but she figured it might get a chuckle out of the moody Inartan. Iosha wasn't quite sure how to thank him for getting her father's bow back for her. She knew if she said something to him. He might have dismissed it as her being clever since Iosha always had a bad habit of being overly sarcastic or making jokes during serious situations. She finished tying her hair into a ponytail, and she walked over to him and gave him a hug. It wasn't a long hug, but she just wanted him to know. She still cared about the feather brained man. She pulled back still holding his both his arms, looked up at him, and said with a smile, “You are a good man, Kovac, and I wanted to show you that I appreciate everything you did to get my father's bow back from that idiot Sorel. You must know how much that bow personally means to me.” She looked around seeing a few Yasi peeking into the stall, and she added with a impish smile, “Well, I better let you go before the Yasi start adding to their story about us.” She let go of his arms and backed away from him with a warm smile still on her face.

[Kovac]

Kovac tried to put the ugly, embarrassing incident with Sorel behind him, and Iosha certainly wanted to move on. Once they reached the private shooting lane, she lifted his spirits with her showy twirl, displaying her new Inartan outfit from all sides. The Konti did look good in a vinati and bryda, the halter-type top subtly accentuating her slight curves and revealing the scales along her sides in brief flashes as she turned. Iosha teased him about dying her hair red too, to which he protested.

"Don't you do it! We have enough redheads around here...your silvery mane is a welcome distraction from the sea of gingers!" The girl indeed had lifted him from his pouting, and Kovac fell into her playful spirit. The mongrel kept his eyes on his friend as she pulled back her blond hair. Iosha very pleasing to the eyes.

Once her hair was out of the way, the Konti drew near, and gave him a hug. Kovac usually did not get hugs. People either didn't want to touch him, or wanted much more than just a hug. It was a pleasant feeling, and the Avora put his arms around Iosha and hugged her back. She thanked him for getting her bow from Sorel, her sincerity clear in her sweet, accented tone. "I know its important to you Io..." Kovac, not very good at sentimentality, simply added a grin.

Kovac looked as well at the kids peeked around the wall at the Konti and half-breed, Iosha still holding onto the instructor's arms.

“Well, I better let you go before the Yasi start adding to their story about us.”

The Konti admitted.

"Pfft, are you kidding? I wouldn't worry about that. The stories they tell about me are much juicier than this, and mostly true!" Kovac quipped, his wry humor back now in full force. "And as far as letting the Kovi thing slip? Well...lets just say I will find a way for you to pay me back, or I may just get even." The archer gave his friend a wink and a ornery smile.

"Alright Io, warm up and take a few practice shots."