Closed Sitting In A Tree [Kitchi, Kovac and Strig]

[Enria]

36th Summer 513AV

Enria sighed and let her hair fall around her again. She had tried to pin it up and make it look different from how she usually had, which was in a tight braid. She could just have her hair down, that was different. But if she was dancing did she really want her hair flying around like a possessed bird? Instead she decided to place half up and half down while twirling in a wild flower she found while out walking earlier. She looked herself over in the mirror to make sure she looked fine, for the umpteenth time.

She had gossiped with Kitchi earlier this week about tonight; the two had even discussed what to wear. Should they buy something new from the market; and should it be formal, like a dress? After much deliberation, the two had decided to go in their casual clothes. They didn’t want to look like they were trying to hard; especially if the both Strig and Kovac, who they meeting tonight, decided to come in casual wear and they hadn’t. The four had arranged to meet at Inclement Weather as part of a double date.

Enria snapped her attention back to her room and realised she had been giving her mirror counterpart a dazed smile. She shook her head a little and then checked her hair for fear she may have loosened the flower she had weaved in. She tucked the rest of her hair that wasn’t pinned up out the way and gave her face a quick wash. She had debated about adding some colour to her face or around her eyes but then decided against it; she wanted to seem casual. On her way out of her room, she picked up her coin purse; thinking it would be nice if she could offer to buy a round of drinks. She tied the purse to her waist and left her room.

Enria could barely remember her walk deep into the mountain to Inclement Weather. She was preoccupied by her thoughts. Some ranged from nerves about what to expect tonight; as she hadn’t been to the dance club in a while nor had she ever been on a double date. She had wondered what would happen and whether the four would be stuck for conversation. What could they talk about?

As she entered the club, the sound of the musicians playing greeted her. She placed a small smile on her lips as she edge past people in her attempt to find a small table that hadn’t been claimed. She eventually spotted and claimed a small table, that would hold the four of them that sat in a small alcove. She sat there and patiently waited, deciding that she’d grab a drink once everyone else arrived.

Her foot tapped lightly on the floor to the beat of the music as she watched people swaying and dancing to the music. The warm glow around her wrapping around her, almost inviting her to dance. She smiled, maybe later.

[Kitchi]

Kitchi stood besides the large wooden doors of the Enclave. It seemed a random spot to meet considering they aimed for the Inclemental Weather but never the less it was where they had agreed to meet. Occasionally people would bustle by and she would glance expectantly, she was not entirely sure why considering she was early to meet but each passer by earned a curios glance from the redhead as she examined them for sights of her companion for that evening.
Her attentions for the day had waned in favour of nervousness and she had found herself unable to concentrate fully on her tasks, a quick hunt and some training to keep her skills brushed up was all she could manage. It annoyed her that she hadn't done a proper hunt as she had the day before but distractions could be dangerous to a hunter and Kitchi was well aware of that fact. Kitchi had attempted to remain in her room for longer but found that the growing sense of discomfort got the better of her and she found herself in the chilled air once more. Better to be early then late The faint cold was a refreshing change from the warm summer air and she was glad that the group would not have to contend with the heat as well.


The black and white stripped feather between her fingers flickered with each tiny movement she made, playing with the feather comforted her slightly from the nerves steadily building through the day. Most of her life had been devoted towards work and hunting and improving herself which left little time for dates. She did not know how to behave or what she was suppose to say to her companion for the evening, what if she said something stupid or embarrassed herself? She tried to push the thoughts from her mind, if she did she would just have to brush it off and carry on as best she could. The notion that it was doubled date also played across her mind, etching into the nervousness she had carried with her like a rock. At least I won't be alone in my awkwardness She mused in an attempt to soothe herself before casting another glance towards another passing Inarta. Just another unknown male. Why was she getting so worked up over this? It was just a silly little thing after all, nothing major. People went on dates all the time after all. She twisted the feather again, paying attention to the small strands dancing in the faint light. Her thoughts returned once more to the awaiting evening, at least her friend would be there to offer comfort if needed.
Her friends companion also served to be a challenge for the evening, when they last met his Nari was poor and the language barrier proved a challenge, had he learnt more? Would he be capable of longer conversations? It made sense that he could now after all he had been living in Wind Reach for a while now, it is impossible to live somewhere so long and not learn enough of the language to at least hold somewhat of a conversation.


Kitchi sighed, how long had she been waiting outside the large doors for? It felt like ages but part of her knew it was simply because she was waiting. She hated waiting, to slow ebbing of time only seemed so much slower while waiting, and it meant she could not occupy her time properly. What if she did not complete the task in time? Then she would have an unfinished task to worry about. Her blue eyes glanced down the corridors before turning back towards the feather, still slowly turning between her fingers.

[Kovac]

The prospect of knowing Kitchi more socially was a welcome opportunity for Kovac. They had been little more than acquaintances until their hunt together the past Winter. But going through the Rashkari attack had brought them a little closer, work friends if nothing more. Curiosity had always left the half-breed wondering what the professional huntress did for fun. So when the idea of a double date was floated, Kovac gladly signed on.

Kovac's wardrobe was fairly simple, though he made sure the garments he chose were clean. Jet black bryda with the ever-present knife belt, black leather ankle boots, well worn but polished, were donned. Like most of his Inartan half-kindred, Kovac would go bare chested, his olive-hued torso still bearing the scars of the giant cat's claws. Black leather custom sontav's, stamped with the design of barb-headed arrows, graced his wrists, and a single silver earring shone in his left ear. Satisfied that he was appropriately dressed, the Avora headed out to meet Kitchi.

He spotted the petite Inartan outside the Enclave, her gaze shifting up and down the hallway. Kitchi was an attractive woman with bright blue eyes that she always seemed to avert when Kovac tried to study them closer. As he approached, the mongrel noted the striped feather she idly fingered, then the silver jewelry that adorned her naval, drawing his attention to the flat plane of her belly. The ornament matched closely her earring, and even the one Kovac wore. Mostly likely all were crafted by the same artisan.

"Hi Kit, hope you haven't been waiting long." The hunter greeted the huntress with a broad smile. "You look good!" Kovac added, his eyes taking another jaunt over her in appreciation. "Come on, lets get going so we can get a good alcove." Kovac was not shy by any means, especially with Kit. Though they had only known each other professionally, Kitchi had seen him in a compromised state, wounded and weak, had bandaged him up and worn his blood. Kovac saw no need to put up social barriers now.

Taking the auburn-headed Inartan by the hand, he lead Kitchi down towards the Inclement Weather. "Now, tell me again, who is this friend of yours that we are meeting?"

x

[Strig]

Strig jumped as the lightning flashed, the thunder that followed was not the predictable rumble but the gentle whisper of cradle songs and laughter. Ordinarily Strig would have questioned this, but he was just blinking down at the ship below him instead, watching the rain patter the dark mast. Another strike, closer this time, Strig blinking, wiping the dampness from his face with the edge of his sleeve, the ship had vanished beneath the water and Strig yelped, the mast twisting in freefall, slamming the water with a crash. “Sir… sir?” somebody was shaking him. Strig growled softly and half opened an eye. The inside of the mess hall was buzzing with light, an Inarta girl was staring at him with a concerned look on her face. So was the entire messhall actually. “You fell asleep..” the Inarta said lamely, quickly moving her hand away from his shoulder. “You were…screaming.” Strig coughed and sure enough his throat felt a bit raw. A few people stared at him with a frown. Others glared with hard stares and the rest rolled their eyes and turned back to the food. Strig hadn’t been getting good nights sleep lately, at least not since his tarot reading with Enria… Enria… wait… ”What time is it?” Strig croaked to the girl as she walked away. “Eighth bell” she sniffed, turning to her friends who jeered at him when she sat down. Strig swore and swallowed the remainder of his soup, that date... thing was on tonight, he lurched up and hurried through the door. It was a chilly night in Wind Reach and he pulled his cloak closer to his body, his misty breath brushing past his cheeks as he walked. Quickly he rubbed his cheek with the side of his hand… he forgot to shave, of course he forgot to bloody shave… Pausing for a moment to examine his reflection in a puddle, Strig loosely moved his fingers through his wild hair, in a vain attempt to brush it. He could imagine his old mentor Dreg chuckling behind him. ”Maybe she won’t notice eh? Everyone looks the same in the dark…” Strig didn’t dignify it with a response, first because it was true and second he didn’t want to start a trend of talking to himself; he felt mad enough as it was. Quietly he pushed through the wooden door and into the club. He had never been inside Inclement Weather before and his face fell when the smell of smoke, alcohol and the chatter of Inartan music reached him. It was still a bit too much for him. He squinted while looking around him, hoping that Enria might stand out in the crowd.

[Enria]

The booth she had picked was ideal; it was big enough to hold them all, offered them enough privacy but also allowed Enria to sneak glances at the door to see if she’d be joined by some company soon. She drummed her fingers on the table, along to the beat of the music offered by the musicians tonight. The music was lively and upbeat tonight, and the dancers on the dance floor seemed to mirror that in their energetic movements, and the noise coming from the dancers seemed to carry the lively atmosphere and bounce it around the room; it was certainly busy tonight, or was it always like this? It had been a long time since Enria had been here.

Occasionally, Enria’s gaze would drift to the door in the hope to make out a familiar face; instead, she’d be greeted by newcomers that she couldn’t place a name to. Enria began to grow restless but reminded herself for the umpteenth time to relax; they’d be here soon. But a part of her feared they wouldn’t or that she’d be unprepared, conversation wise. To take her mind off her sudden flutter of nerves, Enria began to preen herself. She fiddled with her hair, making sure the flower was still there and that no loose strands of hair had fallen out of place. She looked at her outfit next to make sure she still looked nice. She didn’t want to be scruffy or have a stain on her top when people started arriving. It may be fairly dark in Inclement Weather but Enria wanted to make an effort to look nice. She always felt that if you looked nice, you felt nice.

Once she finished tidying herself up, her eyes floated, habitually, over to the entrance; she managed to spot a familiar face and cracked a huge smile. She had wondered whether Strig would come; she knew little about him so she wasn’t sure if he’d take her up on her offer. But she was glad he had decided to come. It looked as if he was scouring the place in search of her, so to put him out of his misery, Enria stood up and offered him a little wave.

She watched him make his way towards her and flashed him a kind and reassuring smile as soon as he neared her. She raked her eyes over the new arrival, and smirked a little to herself; he was the same as she’d always seen him, a little unkempt; his hair looked as if he had just run his hands through them, while his cheeks seemed a little rosier and were framed with a little bit of stubble. He was scruffy, and it suddenly made Enria feel better about how she looked. Suddenly, I don’t feel so overdressed! But it was this scruffy appearance, somehow, was almost comforting to her and made her feel less nervous.

“I’m glad you came.” She said, as he took a seat. She gave him another smile. “You look….nice.”