Closed [The Bronze Woods] Birds of a Feather (Kaie)

[Kayelin Mannering]

513 AV, 85th Day of Spring Her pup still had no name, and she didn't know why. Maybe it was lack of inspiration, but there probably wasn't a reason at all. She just didn't have a name yet. They were walking along the edge of the Kabrin Road just outside the main gates, mainly for a change of scenery. Being surrounded by stone walls all day got a little suffocating. Kayelin hoped she would get used to it, and she assumed she would, but for now it was proving to be a challenging transition. Syliras was very different from Sunberth in many ways. The dog was taking to it faster than she was. Right on cue, the Falivan let loose a sharp bark and careened off the path, sprinting through some underbrush and straight into the Bronze Woods that hugged the road. Kayelin jumped and gasped, having been lost in her own thoughts, and rushed after her, stumbling through the tangle of brambles and into the treeline. It was odd how quickly one's surrounding could change. She looked around at the dense, green forest, trying to spot the runaway hound. Everything was cast in various depths of shadow, constantly shifting as the leaves overhead stirred in a breeze that she couldn't feel on the ground. Kayelin could hear twigs snapping and frenzied snuffling, as well as some strange pattering. She knew it was her dog before she moved further ahead and actually found the animal digging excitedly at a rabbit hole. Dirt sprayed out from between her hind legs, which made the pattering sound as it hit the leafy forest floor. "I swear, next to you run off you're getting a collar and leash and it's never coming off." The Falivan didn't even acknowledge her as she walked past it, stopping several yards deeper into the trees. It was the first time she'd been out in these woods. Normally she stuck to the road near the gates or was exploring her new city, but now that they were out here, it seemed as good a time as any. Kayelin had her shield strapped to her back a longsword buckled around her waist. The shield was an added precaution she always took when leaving the safety of the city, since most of the time she already had her blade. She whistled over her shoulder and instantly the sounds of digging stopped. Kayeline heard the pup dashing across the space between them, crunching leaves and twigs under paw. She rushed past in a blur of fawn fur, dropping her nose to the ground and sniffling along ahead. Kayeline smiled and followed idly, letting the energetic animal lead their way. It would provide good opportunity to view the scenery, so she gladly took the chance.

[Kaie]

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Kaie

Two years in that city made her feel more like a convict stored in a prison than a temporary citizen. She was becoming increasingly restless as days passed, and occasional visits outside the city walls were becoming a way of life. It had gotten to the point she was sure she'd lose her own mind, slowly turning stir crazy. For adventure, Kaie had turned to the woods. It didn't take her long to choose a path, for she heard stories of game and beauty within the Bronze Woods. What she needed was a challenge, something to over come. Something to improve her skills or better yet, test them. Her choice was bold and reckless, a typical choice for her. In the face of obvious danger, she would choose not to run but to follow it, to see where it dwelled. Crouching in the shadow of a half fallen tree, Kaie ran her finger tips gently across the soil. Swooping the hand back up, she eyed the dirt as she rubbed it between her fingers thoughtfully. Without hesitation her gaze was directed forward again and she was back on the move. The ground was caked in fallen leaves and absolutely full of foliage of all types. Not a sound came from her careful, quick steps. She was playing the role of the hunter, turning predators into her prey. Every move needed to be calculated and precise. There was no room for error out here. Upon finding a thick, slanted trunk covered in moss, Kaie made a point to scale it. The branches of nearby trees were too weak to support even a large bird's weight, so climbing upward was out of the question. Her bare feet moved rhythmically over the soft surface at a constant pace. Reaching the end of the stretch, she leaped back onto the forest floor, knees bending a bit to avoid injury upon landing. Just as she was rounding a bend to avoid a cluster of boulders, a nearby whistle caught her attention. It broke her from her concentration immediately, causing her to skid to an abrupt halt. Female human, and a small companion. The animal accompanying the woman was loud when it moved across the ground, giving away their position right away. Curiosity put a pause on the Myrian's hunt, causing her to seek out the nearby stranger. Stealthily, Kaie continued in the direction ahead of the animal's crunching. Soon enough, she had closed the gap between the two parties. Surely she knew of another's presence before the stranger did. "Out for a stroll?" She asked innocently, stepping into the fraying light a few paces ahead of them. No longer in the shadows, her bronzed skin caught the light to give her a healthy looking glow. Brown hair fell in curls and waves below her shoulders, framing her fair featured face. She appeared calm, placid expression upon her features. There was an unspoken intensity about her though, the way she carried herself with such confidence. The conviction in her demeanor. Large brown eyes watched the woman carefully, casually sizing up the other. Kaie wore her traditional loincloth and center buttoned vest beneath a long, brown cloak. Though she didn't make it obvious, her focus was on the location of the woman's hands. The location of possible weapons was invaluable knowledge when faced with the unknown. Kaie did not trust quickly or easily, she did not know this human. Behind the cloak she wore, her father's gladius hung. Both hands out of view in an attempt to keep suspicions to a minimum, her right hand clutched the handle of her favorite blade. She would not give this human the liberty of striking first if she proved aggressive.

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[Kayelin Mannering]

Not even the whisper of a sound hinted at the approaching Myrian. At least to Kayelin's untrained senses, all was normal and quiet. She was a strong arm, a fighter, not yet experienced in stealth or woodcraft. The only warning, one that came too late, were the telltale hairs on the back of her neck standing on end, accompanied by a feeling of being watched. But it was the forest, and who knew what sort of animals were spying from the branches overhead. Her Falivan stopped abruptly and looked up, tensing like a coiled snake. She at least must have sensed something. A low growl rumbled deep in the pup's throat, halting Kayelin just behind her quivering flanks. A weary hand automatically went to the hilt of the blade hanging at her side, mere short heartbeats before their hunter materialized from the trees ahead. Kayelin had seen Myrians before, in Sunberth, and this woman was surely one of them. She was at odds with the surrounding deciduous trees, barely covered by her loincloth and vest, yet oddly appeared to fit in with the surroundings. Everything about her seemed half-wild, from her exotic skin bathed in filtered light, to her serene and indifferent face. She was beautiful in an "I could rip your arm off and beat you with it then make a necklace from your bones" sort of way. Maybe Kayeline was being too presumptuous and narrow-minded, but she couldn't help it after some of the stories she'd heard about Falyndar and the wild tribes that roamed its forests. Then again, she could even be completely wrong in her instant assumption that this woman was indeed Myrian. She could just be some random crazy woman running around the woods in a loincloth. Unlikely, but still a possibility. Her hand instrinctively tightened around the hilt of her sword. At least she spoke Common, though her accent was noticeable. "Yes, we were just out enjoying the acceptional weather. I must say I didn't expect to see anyone out here." Especially a sparsely clothed possible barbarian. "I'm sorry if you were hunting, because I'm sure we scared off any game for at least a mile around." But the woman didn't have a bow, that much was clear. Kayelin was just blowing smoke. Her Falivan took a few tentative steps forward, fur bristled and quivering with unease. She was definitely proud of the pup's natural instinct to protect, but since they also weren't sure if this woman posed a threat, Kayelin decided to stop the animal before it did anything stupid. Reluctantly, she released her sword's grip and stooped down to pull the dog close, crouching so she could wrap a restraining arm around its body. "Don't want her putting any holes in you. Or the other way around for that matter," she elaborated to the stranger, though that was probably stating the obvious.

[Kaie]

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Kaie

The growls of the pup filled her ears, its small muscles rippling beneath its fur. Looks like Kaie had made a good choice, making her presence known on her own terms first. Brown eyes shifted once to the young canine, then quickly returned to the woman's hands. She saw them tighten on the blade at her side, a precautionary move that caused her eyes to narrow. A challenge. The right corner of Kaie's lips turned upward, a pleasant, crooked smile gracing her features. She was amused, no doubt, but the native remained silent for a moment. Simply watching her target. The woman was taller than she, almost as tall as the largest Myrian woman Kaie had seen. The human was easily almost a foot taller, give or take a few inches. The Myrian woman was only 5'6'', though she would gain an inch or two before she was done growing. The straw colored hair was cut short, probably to keep it out of her vision in combat. Scarred with a body trained for hardship by appearance. Her burly, masculine features would cause any passerby to mistake her for a male. Kaie figured she'd make an excellent adversary if she did draw her sword. All these details were gathered by the hunter in a few seconds. She was meticulous in that way. "Yes, we were just out enjoying the exceptional weather. I must say I didn't expect to see anyone out here. I'm sorry if you were hunting, because I'm sure we scared off any game for at least a mile around." The fawn colored animal was drawing nearer, tense and aggressive toward the foreigner. It was clear no one would come near to the tall woman without that pup having something to say about it. Kaie took more notice of it now, taking a more careful look. In the streets of Syliras she had seen plenty of canines of all types. This one was a Falivan clearly. Maybe small in its youth now, Kaie was well aware it would grow to be a massive hunter. The medium sized Chevos back in Falyndar was a joke in comparison. "Don't want her putting any holes in you. Or the other way around for that matter." Focus returned to the human as she spoke, noticing the woman release her sword to restrain the dog. Rumors always circulated about the brutal man-eaters of the jungle. The way they'd cut down unarmed, innocent people to quench their thirst for blood and violence. In some cases, that was not so. Seeing the woman release her weapon, Kaie slowly took her hand off her own. Dropped her hand to her side. For what it was worth, the Myrian had some respect regarding rules of engagement. She wouldn't enjoy actually stabbing someone in the back, especially the unarmed. Sometimes she thought she'd make a god awful assassin if she went into that profession. "Falivan or me. Makes no difference." She began easily after pausing to translate the words in her mind. She was very well versed in Common, yet sometimes she needed to find the proper words to communicate effectively. She fiddled with phrases in her head, trying to choose the right one that would elaborate on what she meant. There were more dangerous things in these woods travelers were often unaware of. What was it that they called them? "Not hunting. I was tracking something larger than your Falivan. Balicani. You know them?" Kaie had been drawn to the tales of the bat-like reptiles found in the woods outside the city walls. Rumors said they were known to steal goats and animals as large as cows. The stories didn't neglect the plot of whole men being taken by the beasts either. Naturally, she couldn't restrain herself from searching for them. She was no fool though, she was not equipped to hunt one down. Her weapons were all close range. Not ideal to fight anything with wings. Besides, she needed to know her predator before she turned it into her prey.

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[Kayelin Mannering]

Kayelin took a moment to look this stranger up and down, obviously sizing her up. She was a good half a foot shorter, but nevertheless looked sturdy and healthy. Her muscles appeared firm, and she was probably surprisingly strong, but Kayelin had no way of really knowing for sure. She decided on taking a skeptic approach to the woman's excuse for being out and about. "I've heard of them. Never seen one, since they aren't exactly native to where I'm from. I have seen some merchants try to pass off their horns for something more valuable, though." The horns and teeth of a Balicai held almost no value on any market. Kayelin didn't exactly know why, but she also didn't care. She didn't plan on going out to hunt any down anytime soon, especially if they were useless. There were stories of the beasts carrying off livestock and the odd human who wasn't watching their back. "Why would you be out tracking a Balicani? They're nocturnal aren't they?" Hunting down a flying monster during the daytime that was mostly active at night didn't come off as a move that was too well thought out. Her Falivan settled back on its haunches, appearing to be relaxing. For the most part. Her short hairs still stood on end, but the growling had turned into only the ocassional annoyed grunt. "On top of that, how do you know that what you were really tracking was even a Balicani?" Kayelin seemed to be all criticism and no charm today. Skepticism dripped off her voice and had muddled her rough features into an unpleasant scowl. This little walk was taking a unique turn. Meeting a possible lunatic in the woods who was hunting during the day for something that roamed at night, and then pointing a finger at all the holes in their ill-planned jaunt. She could mark being an ass to a complete stranger off her bucket list. And that stranger just so happened to be a foreigner, so she was also being unhospitable to boot. Her mother would've smacked her in the mouth by now or twisted her ear.

[Kaie]

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Kaie

Kaie almost shook her head then hearing the woman's information. Humans trying to sell worthless objects to screw over a buyer? Too typical. It seemed everywhere she went in a market was full of liars and thieves. Unlike the Myrians, they sought prey solely for profit rather than for trophies. For pride. Cultures could not clash any more than theirs, arguably. Soon enough she returned to focus on the entire context. So the woman wasn't from around here, hm? A human who traveled like she had would most likely at least be from the continent. Not from the city, that was for sure. Reading her body language, Kaie could easily see they shared the same kind of skepticism. A fact that was quickly reinforced by her choice of words, the way they challenged her alibi. "Why would you be out tracking a Balicani? They're nocturnal aren't they? On top of that, how do you know that what you were really tracking was even a Balicani?" The Myrian woman's smirk widened, brown eyes seeming to glitter in amusement. So the human wasn't easily fooled after all. Not quick to trust upon meeting. A trait they seemed to share. Maybe not all humans were as shallow and unintelligent as she thought. It was true, every word about the flying predator. Balicani were night dwellers. And dangerous. Highly territorial creatures, she was told. The doubt in her endeavors made sense though in a way. Barbarians brought all their weapons, tools, and resources on a hunting trip. Rarely did they go alone when searching for big game either. Contrary to all that, this Myrian was alone, visibly unarmed, and lacking any tools for trapping. Of course, there was in fact a method to this savage madness. "Personally, I enjoy a worthy challenge. Not in it for the mizas." She began with a laugh laced in her words. She hardly hesitated during her speech, withdrawing a knife from her side casually. She held it in her hands, twisting it and turning it while she continued. "To successfully hunt an unknown enemy, one must know their enemy better than the enemy knows them self. So, I come when I know Balicani is resting and calm. To watch and gather information before I make my move." As she finished the last bit, Kaie traced her thumb around the edge of her knife. Testing its sharpness, which was quickly proved satisfying when she saw a droplet of her own blood. She turned the blade of the knife sideways, running the small slice along the flat end nonchalantly. The blood was swiped from her skin, trailing slowly along the metal. She didn't even seem to notice, flicking it off her weapon a second later. She was a strategist at heart, one to know her battlefield before she even stepped on it. Her traps already laid for her nemesis to stumble into, a perfect position to launch a fatal ambush. She tracked her prospects in the same way. Ones she did not know, she first observed. Choosing a more favorable path determined by a creature's strengths and weaknesses. The same would prove true if she were hunting a barbarian. She knew not to rush into her assassinations screaming incoherent idiocies to confuse another if the element of surprise proved best. That wasn't to say she wasn't over confident in most cases. "How do you know I speak only truth? I suppose you have to just... Trust me. For how do I know your claim about the weather isn't just a cover up for you trying to hunt me?" Kaie countered easily, settling her dark gaze on the woman and her companion again, eyebrows raised in mock disbelief. There was one thing she was quickly making certain: she was well versed in the smart ass remark, and she had no trouble returning jibes. What an interesting encounter indeed.

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[Kayelin Mannering]

Kayelin couldn't hold back the short bark of laughter toward the Myrian's suggestion that she was hunting her. It made her dog growl again, more out of confusion than any suspicion of a threat. She rubbed the pup's head in reassurance, quieting it after a few moments. "Believe me, I didn't even know you were nearby until this one here started growling. You could have ran right up behind me and taken me out, and I wouldn't have known about it until I was dead." Sadly, that was probably true. Her observation skills and perception definitely needed working on. Thankfully, she had teachers now to help her. Merely four days ago she'd become a Squire for the Knights of Syliras, and she still couldn't really believe it yet, even when she was lying in bed at night in her room. Just this morning she'd spent probably the better part of a bell staring at her ceiling, feeling a little overwhelmed by the changes her life had taken this spring. Now she had stability; three meals a day, a roof over her head that didn't leak, and a whole slew of equipment that she was allowed to use. But then again, her family was hundreds of miles away. It was going to take a long time for Syliras to feel like home. Maybe that was why she hadn't made a single friend yet. She probably radiated tense nerves and discomfort. Then again she hadn't gone much out of her way to start any conversations with her fellow Squires. This Myrian was posing the most social interaction she'd had for a pitiable amount of time. Kayelin really needed to work on that. A chill ran up her spine as she watched the nonchalant way the woman sliced her finger and played with the blood like it was a completely normal and offhand thing to do. No wonder it wasn't hard to believe some of the stories. Maybe Kayelin attracted weirdos, and that was why none of the other Squires were flocking to be friends with an brute like herself. Sometimes she considered humoring them and acting like an illiterate barbarian bent on just smashing heads together. "I have to say, I really hope you know what you're doing. I'd feel guilty at the very least for not trying to talk you out of following after them if I heard sometime within the next few weeks that a woman was found torn to shreds by Balicani. I don't know if it's in my job description to strongly suggest against it, but I think I should. After all, I don't know how well off you'd be with that little knife of yours." She held her hands out, palms up, in a sign of apology. "No offense, of course. You're obviously good at keeping quiet, but that won't help if they actually spot you. On the contrary, I'm guessing you'd be shit out of luck."

[Kaie]

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Kaie

"You're lucky it was me then. Most would have jammed a sword through your back and removed all your proud Syliran weaponry." She returned with a casual shrug of her shoulders, spinning the knife so that the blade faced down before slipping it back inside its leather holder. Back behind the cover of her cloak. She was playing the scenario in her head then, watching herself take an alternative route to appear behind them instead. Bare feet quiet against the dirt in quick steps to slash the traveler's throat. Of course as she visualized for that short moment it wasn't really her committing the crime. It was just another criminal with her face. Moves as harmless as chess. "Probably take the mutt too. Figure they can retrain it for their own use. It's good dog you have. Smart and loyal. Don't lose that one." She added as she watched the beast growl in his suspicions for her. Kaie had heard a lot of good things about that breed. Work dogs and guardians, which is useful if one's life is dedicated to law enforcement. Definitely valuable in a bandit's eyes. The thought caused her brown eyes to shift about casually, scanning the tree line. Seeing and hearing nothing, she decided to calm once more. Brow furrowed slightly hearing the woman speak again. So many words she needed to convert in her brain from one language to another. Her thoughts were like a pinball, each connection ricocheting off another as light bulbs went off in her head. For what was really only a tick or two to comprehend seemed like an eternity to her. Guilt? Why would the human feel guilty for the death of a "savage?" She didn't really get the mentality and the culture her, and quite frankly it sometimes stumped her. Though her Common was decent some sentences didn't always sound quite right. Even to her. Finally, she was prepared to take on the entire phrase and reply. "Shit out of luck? Maybe or maybe not. Myri always guides her children. If someone finds my body, they find a larger corpse beside it. Tell me. What is your job description anyway? Other than slitting the throats of every street rat kid too poor to pay for a meal?" She countered coolly, taking a few deliberate steps closer in a reckless sort of swagger. Her accusation was cold and unfair, she knew it. Yet she couldn't reasonably say her statement was completely untrue. The things impoverished children did for a single meal once in a while was bold and often idiotic. Then again, they have to eat. Kaie could hardly feel her knife where it was hidden in her cloak. Thinking about it then, she could really use a dagger or a bow at best. Especially if she wanted to take out some beast from afar. The squire had a point thought. Big game meant big risks and Kaie was a bit under equipped.

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[Kayelin Mannering]

Kayelin massaged the pup's ears with her fingers, kneading its face like it so loved her to do at night after a long day. Her tail thumped a few times against the mulchy earth underfoot and she sighed, visibly relaxing even more. "She's a good dog so far, I'm proud of her. Taken very well to training. She isn't going anywhere anytime soon." Kayelin didn't feel comfortable taking her eyes off the Myrian; her clear blue eyes hadn't yet wavered from this possible threat. She tried to keep track of every hand movement, ever shift the body. At the very least she watched for that knife, which was thankfully back in its sheath. Kayelin didn't trust the woman as far as she could throw her, even though she could probably chuck her a good ways. That was beside the metaphorical point. She wasn't happy with this morbid conversation. She couldn't help but imagine the Myrian slipping up from behind and cutting her windpipe, or maybe just embedding that knife into her spine and letting her die slowly. Then her things would be stripped from her person, and she'd be left for the multitude of scavengers in the forest to rip apart her body. An involuntary chill ran up her spine. How close had she just brushed death? What the woman had to say next she disliked even more. Kayelin was on her feet before she even knew what she was doing, taking a few long strides forward before catching herself, wrestling to calm her surge of outrage and anger. "How dare you assume that of me?" she growled through clenched teeth. It was a harsh and completely unexpected accusation, and she took great offense. Not too long ago Kayelin herself had been a street rat, struggling to scrape by and help her mother to feed a useless father and growing baby brother. Her fingers flexed over and over at her sides, itching to her rip the longsword from its scabbard. But she stayed still, standing stiff and tall. "It's quite the opposite, I'll have you know." Her dog, it seemed, couldn't decide between a growl and a whine. The pup was bristling at her side again, confused by Kayelin's sudden change in mood and body language. An awkward rumbling keen vibrating in her young throat, sounding more worried than angry. "I am a Squire for the Syliran Knights, and I am being trained so that I can one day protect the region and its people. Not slit innocent children's throats. Very unlike your kind, I'm sure." A petty attempt at revenge, and equally harsh. But the second she spat out the remark, she felt considerably better. She realized too late that they were standing rather close; only a few arm lengths away now. Kayelin knew she would look like a retreating coward, but she took a few steps back. She didn't want this wildcard to lunge at her before she could draw her sword and have a proper chance at defending herself.

[Kaie]

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Kaie

"How dare you assume that of me? It's quite the opposite, I'll have you know." The brunette threw her head back and laughed, brown eyes bright with amusement. The defensiveness of the brute of a woman was priceless. What a reaction. If she had said she felt sorry for earning it, it would've been a blatant lie. People made her curious. Their mentality equally interesting. How the cogs in their brain churned. This time it was no different. Sometimes it was satisfying to see what exactly caused one to snap. The tension between strangers only added to the strain. Maybe she had been a bit too harsh though... The dog was at it again, vocalizing its uncertainty. Poor thing was probably confused. Should it attack? Should it keep at its master's side and take a defensive approach? What an awful confliction to face when you can't communicate in the same way as the strangers. Its trials probably weren't too far from the ones Kaie faced in Cyphrus. Thank Myri she at least could communicate with them in Common. Broken and confusing at times since neither side was fluent, but it did the job. "I am a Squire for the Syliran Knights, and I am being trained so that I can one day protect the region and its people. Not slit innocent children's throats. Very unlike your kind, I'm sure." Kaie breathed a laugh which was accompanied by a crooked grin at the counter. A realization must've dawned on the human because she retreated rather suddenly. After all, who could trust such a savage man-eater? Certainly not a true born human living in Syliras. What was it again that the mothers told their barbarian children? Crude stories of the vicious savages of Falyndar who'd slit a commoner's throat just for the hell of it. Sitting there in crowded streets devouring their fellow neighbor as casually as one'd take a bite out of bread. Like it was such a normal thing to do. Unfeeling murderers. The Myrian woman could sense the uncertainty in the squire. The righteous defense combined with the hesitation to close distance. She couldn't blame her though, Kaie was a fan of keeping distance between strangers herself. It was easier to watch from afar and take them out when the situation arose. Yet, this time it was different. This was not a common traveler. Not even a ruthless Knight. The tall blonde was not like the others who patrolled inside the city walls, parading in their decorated armor. She had the audacity to verbally challenge a Myrian away from all her companions. Alone in the woods. Insulting a race known for cannibalism and violence. Some respect was earned. "Of course that's why you came. Makes perfect sense to protect the citizens by maiming travelers who bother the human race. If that's really your intention, wouldn't you be a rogue? But no. You can't. Do you know why?" She inquired easily, beginning to advance towards the stand offish woman. Taking her time in a leisurely manner, one bare foot before the other as she began speaking. The entire time, her eyes followed the woman's every movement. Prepared for timidness to change to a defensive attack. "I can tell you. You need back up. Fresh armor. Weapons. A weaponsmith on hand to provide and repair. But most of all..." Twenty feet. Ten. Five. The Myrian was moving in casually without much fear at all. One might've even been feeling a chill at her apparent disregard for her safety. Was she that confident? Or maybe it was just that unmistakable recklessness anyone could find in her personality. "You. Need. Money." She said matter of factly, prodded her chest piece with her index finger. Bold eyes looking up at the monster for a moment, gauging her reaction to her sudden proximity. Her unconventional move. Finally, she broke. Laughing in her high pitched voice that rang pleasantly in the forest as if it belonged. In a sense it really did. Or rather, in the jungle. "Though maybe your dream isn't corrupt. Yet. "

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