Flashback Autumn's Gathering

[Akasja]

11th of Fall, 507 AV

The seasonal Chaktawe gatherings brought wealth to the people in many ways. The communities of the three separate tribes were strengthened, their people given the chance to trade stories or goods and to share meals. It was the best way for families and friends to reunite after long separations. The gatherings had sustained the Chaktawe people through centuries of hardships. They weren't just traditional, they were sacred.

Akasja was lost in her thoughts as her tribe neared the campsite, anticipating the reunion with her mother's parents and her cousins above all. She wasn't sure who would reach the grounds first, but she would soon find out.

As Akasja and her parents emerged onto the top of the canyon, a great expanse of the Burning Lands came into view. It was breathtaking. Massive stone structures seemed to bloom out of the ground as if cultivated by the gods' hands. Far beyond, at the horizon, was much sand and little vegetation. Nearby, however, the plants spread across the land resiliently. The Chaktawe knew that these plants offered much to them, whether as food, materials, or medicine.

As the Suli tribe continued on, Akasja admired how the leaves of the acacias glowed in the morning light, how the birds called their own kin to assemble, how the air seemed electrified with anticipation and joy. Akasja met her father's gaze and smiled. He gently rubbed her shoulder and looked upon her with glowing pride. This gathering would be the last before Akasja turned fifteen and embarked on the Searching. There would be much talk among the tribes about her and any others who were soon to undertake this rite of passage.
I'm so excited, father, Akasja said quietly, her grin widening.
You will do well, her father responded.

Akasja picked up her pace, unable to contain herself. She headed towards the front of the group, making happy small talk with other tribe members as she went.

As Akasja and her clan rounded a small bend, the seasonal campsite came into view. It was already full of conversation, food, and activity. Akasja scanned the group and recognized many of the Tatsuwaat tribe members right away. That meant the Kalanue people -and Akasja's grandparents- had yet to show.

Cheers and salutations erupted from the camp, and Akasja felt her heart swell. She waved back, but waited for her parents before entering the grounds. Together, they got to work setting up their temporary home and making themselves comfortable. The settlement grew steadily, and accordingly the Chaktawe felt more joyous and more connected to their gods.

Akasja rested in her parents' tent beneath hanging herbs and feathers that were tied to the ceiling. She wanted just a moment of quiet before she would have to go back into the crowd and socialize. Her birthday was quickly approaching, and with it much more responsibility. Although the Searching did not make one an adult, it meant that Chaktawe adolescents were no longer children. Akasja twirled a crow feather between her thumb and finger and allowed herself another few seconds of peace. The gods were certainly with the Chaktawe this year, and hopefully would guide Akasja to the knowledge she sought.

Emerging from the tent, Akasja felt many eyes on her. She was considered beautiful by many and was known to be well-connected to the chavena through dreams. Her most important skill, though, was her seemingly innate ability to heal others. Akasja loved to do it, but knew she was still very young and had much to learn.

Akasja blushed and couldn't hold the gazes of most people who looked at her as she passed. She sought the faces of children or the elderly, those who brought her comfort. Akasja began to walk among the tents, visiting those families she knew and saying hello to some others. She enjoyed the attention, it was true, but she also didn't want to let that go to her head. Her real value, she knew, would be apparent as she grew older and proved herself. Right now Akasja held a lot of promise, which excited people, but she would have to walk her talk.

[Jalen]

"The Suli are coming!" The cry rose up from the men on watch. Jalen turned, trying to spot the approaching tribe through the opening of the tent. His own people, the Tatsuwaat, had reached the meeting place the day before and set up camp. If the Suli were arriving the Kalanue would be close behind. Jalen smiled in excitement. The gathering of the tribes was one of the few times every season he was able to relax. No lessons, no training, just excitement. (And meetings for the older members of the tribe, but that was of no concern to Jalen.)

"Hold still," Vajale reprimanded him. Grudgingly Jalen turned back to his older brother. The young man dipped his hand back into the earthenware pot, drawing out more red paint. Made from their store of Keerdash leaves, the scarlet mixture still smelled slightly of the grove. Jalen closed his eyes, allowing his brother to finish the thick band of red across his face. The paint clearly marked him as one of the Tatsuwaat and would help to identify him when their people began to mix. "There." Vajale finished with a satisfied nod. "It will dry soon, but try not to touch it."

"I know," Jalen said, rolling his black eyes. His brother acted like he'd never done this before. Vajale sighed, rising to a crouch. His own marking had been finished earlier, not only across his eyes but in elegant patterns along his torso and arms. Jalen did not have the patience for such extravagance. While his brother resealed paint he scurried out of the tent. His mother and sister talked quietly outside, similarly adorned and ready. They chewed slices of dried Hik fruit as they spoke, and at his mother's behest Jalen took a piece for himself.

"Tonight we'll meet back here before gathering with the other tribes to eat. Knowing you, you won't stop to eat before then." His mother's concern was tempered with reprehension.

"Yes mother," he mumbled around the strip of fruit. In its natural form the odorous fruit tasted terrible. Dried out, it wasn't bad. The moist juices were sweet, even.

"Don't forget!" He shrugged her off. "And stay in sight of the camp at all times!" Ignoring his mother, he started running in the direction the Suli were arriving. His feet drummed on the hard, dry earth as he weaved around tents and people. The camp was pitched around a small desert spring. A few dusty shrubs peaked out of the cracked earth here and there, testament to the water that lay beneath the earth throughout the year. Only light autumn rain had pooled it to the surface though, and soon the surface water would dry up and the tribes would have to move on. Such was the way of it in The Burning Lands.

Jalen arrived at the edge of the camp, pushing his way to the front of the group of Tatsuwaat that had gathered to greet friends and family. Craning his neck, he scanned the Suli tribe. Many had already filtered into camp and were setting up their own tents. Most of the faces he saw were familiar--there weren't that many Chaktawe to begin with--but though he waved to a few, he couldn't find the face he was looking for. His frustration mounted when the last bit of Suli had arrived and he still hadn't seen her. Somehow he must have missed her, maybe she had arrived before he'd been watching.

Squirreling back through the crowd, he zipped back into the maze of tents. The excitement was getting to him, and he didn't pause. At one point he rounded a corner and leaped just in time to clear a man crouching to unpack his bags. Ignoring the shout of annoyance, he kept going until he reached the area where some of the Suli tents were already set up by the first to arrive.

Catching his breath, he looked about. Some other Tatsuwaat had beaten him here, welcoming their friends and making it even harder to pick out... there! "Akasja!" He jogged over, smiling, but also suddenly nervous. The two of them had first really met many seasons ago when they were both children. She'd always been pretty, but lately... Every season, she grew more mature, more beautiful, more sure of herself. Jalen swallowed. "It-it's good to see you, Akasja."

For a lad of fourteen, Jalen was fairly handsome himself. Or rather, you could tell that he would be, one day. He was cute, in a boyish way. But he lacked the height and broad shoulders of his older brother, the handsome bearing of a man that turned the heads of girls from every tribe. His father assured Jalen he just wasn't finished growing, but that didn't make it any easier when Akasja was just as tall (if not taller) than he was.

[Akasja]

Akasja had busied herself for a time with investigating a woman's pottery. She was offering a few vessels for trade, and although Akasja was not in need of a new pot, she did admire the work. The iridescent, copper-colored clay looked magical in the morning light. Pottery was a craft that Akasja had never really gotten into. It didn't come as naturally to her as herbal medicine, for one thing, but she also didn't get as much joy from making earthenware as she did from making balms, tinctures, or healing minor cuts.

Akasja rose from her kneeling position by the woman's tent. She gave a polite nod and continued her casual walk around the campgrounds. She decided to head back to where her own tent was, as she had noticed several people were dressing up and adorning themselves with the markings of their tribes. Akasja had been too distracted by her own thoughts to put on anything fancy as of yet, but she also wasn't in any rush. The morning was new, and there was much time before people would come together to eat. Still, Akasja thought that she should at least work on getting her face ready by applying the band of white clay across her eyes.

Just as she approached the Suli camp area, Akasja heard someone call her name. The voice was familiar, young, and male. She quickly turned around and was met with a tall, lanky figure trotting her way. When she saw his smile, she couldn't help but smile in return. It was Jalen, the Tatsuwaat boy she had first met so long ago.

Jalen greeted Akasja, tripping over his words a little. She noticed he was staring at her more than he ever really had before. Akasja giggled and responded quickly so that neither of them would be embarrassed.
"How are you? It feels like it's been a long time," she said. "I hope you and your tribe had the gods with you this summer."
Jalen was almost the same height as her now, and Akasja wondered if she would grow even taller before he did. She studied his face briefly, before the silence became uncomfortable, or before he noticed her looking. Jalen had always had an attractive face to match with his boyish charm, that was for certain. He had already adorned himself with the red band of his tribe, and it made him look somewhat older. Akasja felt warmth spreading in her chest. He was still a boy, a bit behind her in maturity, but she liked his company.

Akasja had a plan. Her parents had left the tent, and she still needed to apply her clay. Without any siblings, Akasja was shorthanded. She usually accomplished little tasks on her own, but having Jalen around would be a lot of help to her -and a lot of fun, too.
Akasja beckoned once with her hand and said, "Come with me."

She took off in the direction of her tent, checking once to make sure Jalen was following. When they arrived, Akasja ducked inside the opening, her shoulder brushing against some little metal bells that were strung along the entryway. They tinkled pleasantly, adding to the overall atmosphere of her family's tent. It was bright and inviting, decorated with drying herbs and feathers. Akasja began rifling through a leather bag in one corner, searching for a little pot.
"You have your face painted already," Akasja explained. "My parents left the tent a while ago, and I'm not sure when they'll be back."
Akasja spun around, holding a small pot out in her hands. In it was the white clay she would need to mark herself as Suli.
"You want to help?" she asked with a smile. And then, lowering her voice jokingly, "Just try not to mess it up."

[Jalen]

Her light laughter brought warmth to his cheeks, and he was glad it didn't show very well on his already copper-toned skin. "I'm doing well, thank you. It was... a good season. Hot, though." Obviously. What was wrong with him? Though he was still young he'd proven himself multiple times on hunting trips with his father. Just that summer he'd faced down a charging Tsana, yet talking with this girl left him tongue-tied. His brother would be laughing if he could see him. Luckily for Jalen, Akasja didn't seem to mind his awkwardness.

When she beckoned him he did not hesitate to follow. It was a short trip through the camp to where her family had set up their tent, but the whole time it felt like Jalen was walking on sunshine. A grin lit up his face and his onyx eyes glinted in the sunlight. Other than the Springtime in the Keerdash grove these gatherings were the best time of the year. Every Chaktawe wore a smile on their face. Laughter filled the camp, and already the sound of drums and pipes climbed through the air. At the entrance to her tent he hesitated just a moment before ducking in after her.

The smokey aroma of dried herbs, the light ringing of the bells at the entrance, and the rosy glow of sunlight filtering through the tent made the space feel comfortable and homey. It had to--with no permanent dwellings the Chaktawe made the most of what they had. Akasja turned from a bag in the corner, producing a small pot of white clay. "You want to help?" she asked. Jalen mirrored her smile, taking the pot from her hands and kneeling next to her.

"Of course," he answered, unstopping the pot and dipping his hand in. He rubbed the substance between his thumb and forefinger. It felt different from his own clan's paint. It was thicker, with a trace of the grainy clay it came from.

"Just try not to mess it up," Akasja jested, drawing a laugh from Jalen.

"Well, just... hold still," he said softly, unconsciously echoing his brother. He scooted closer. When she was ready he raised a hand laden with paint to her face. Starting below her right eye he gently dabbed some of the white, gently tracing the line of her cheekbone toward her ear with his thumb. He followed up by painting along above her brow. Tentatively he raised his other hand to brush some stray hair behind her ear, keeping it out of the paint. Gods, surely she could hear his heart beating? When had this happened? Last season she'd been beautiful, and a good friend. Now his breath was caught in his chest as he painted the thick band of white across her face.

"Close your eyes," he ordered, putting the finishing touches across her eyelids. It was amazing how close together their faces were. Less than a foot of distance as his fingers touched her face. He had the sudden urge to lean in further. Hastily he sat back, returning the lid to the pot. "There, finished." His cheeks were definitely redder than usual. He held the pot back out to her, grinning sheepishly.

[Akasja]

When Jalen responded with a laugh to her playful jab, Akasja felt that all was as it should be in that moment. Jalen had always been a good sport, and he enjoyed Akasja's humor. She was glad to be with him in the tent.
"Well, just...hold still," he told her, and began to apply the paint with his thumb. Akasja fell silent and tried not to sway at all. As Jalen spread the clay across her face, precisely following its shape, Akasja couldn't help but feel like the boy was taking care of her...at least with this small gesture. He gently swept a hair behind her ear, and Akasja felt her skin prickle. Jalen had never touched her so softly before, so carefully. It was almost too much to take in at once.
"Close your eyes", he told her.
Akasja hesitated a moment, recognized the intent in Jalen's gaze, and let her eyelids shut. As he spread the clay over them, his finger slightly tugging against the thin flesh, Akasja wrinkled her nose and suppressed a laugh. She felt her body tense in the momentary vulnerability of sightlessness. Jalen could see her, was touching her, was ever so close...
"There, finished."

Akasja's eyes flew open, fluttering a bit against the drying paint. Jalen extended the pot towards her, which Akasja took, noticing a gentle blush to the boy's cheeks. She said nothing of it, instead uttering a casual thank you as an attempt to diffuse the tension. As she turned and replaced the container in her bag, Akasja thought about what had just happened. She was almost surprised at her bravery: not only bringing a boy into her family's tent, but asking him to paint her -to touch her. She hadn't expected to feel such a mix of things all at once.
Turning back around, Akasja asked, as an afterthought, "It looks good, right?"

By now, it was nearing midday, and Akasja was growing hungry. She let Jalen know that they needed to leave her parents' tent and led the way back out. Akasja looked around and noticed a small crowd growing at the edge of the campgrounds. The Kalanue tribe must be arriving! But what were Jalen's plans for the rest of the day? Akasja knew she was going to visit the other members of her family -it had been a while since she'd seen them, and there was much to discuss.
Akasja turned to Jalen, her stomach grumbling slightly. "More of my family has come," she explained. "We're going to cook and prepare things together. I have to go for a while."

The celebrations and reunions would stretch long into the night. There was still plenty of time for Akasja to roam around camp and meet up with her friends -including Jalen. Maybe, Akasja thought, the hours apart would give her a bit of room to breathe and process what had happened this morning. This seemed like the right idea.
"See you tonight?" she offered with a gentle smile.

[Jalen]

"You're welcome," Jalen mumbled, avoiding eye contact. Akasja turned away to put the paint in its rightful place. Out of her view for a second, he relaxed a bit, letting out some air in a silent sigh. They had never been anything more than friends, and yet in the space of a few minutes. As a young boy he'd laughed and made faces at his older brother's fleeting romances. The way he'd tease a girl one day and moon over her the next--Jalen understood his sibling's antics a little better now, though he'd never admit it. Akasja turned back around.

"It looks good, right?" The white paint provided stark contrast to her black eyes, and they flashed brilliantly in the filtering light. Like stars in the night sky, he thought.

"Yeah. It looks really good." He couldn't manage more than that, but his own wide eyes and open smile may have betrayed his thumping heart. At her word they left the tent, stretching their legs in the open camp. A few people ran by, and from their chatter Jalen gleaned that the Kalanue must be arriving. Akasja explained that meant more of her family had arrived, and she had to leave. Jalen nodded, hiding his disappointment though he too was excited for the Kalanue. He opened his mouth to reply but...

"Jalen!" Vajale's voice cut over the noise of the camp, and Jalen turned to see his brother clapping a Suli friend on the shoulder before jogging over. "Pa'ute was looking for you, he just ran off to welcome the Kalanue." The young man looked between and Jalen and Akasja. A glance at the tent they'd emerged from sent a smirk across his face. "Akasja, right? It's good to see you again." He turned back to Jalen. "Save some time for your other... friends. And remember what mother said!" With that, he ran back to his own friend with a good-natured laugh.

Jalen chuckled half-heartedly and gave Akasja an apologetic shrug. "See you tonight?"

"Of course. I'll, uh, find you before the feast." They called it a feast, though it was more the company than the food that made it so. All three tribes came together by the spring and shared food, stories, and music around the bonfire. He hated to leave her, but he knew his friends would be waiting. "I'll see you then." With that and a lopsided grin he turned on his heels and ran off toward the growing crowd at the edge of camp.

[Khida]

Akasja

Skill	Points
Observation	+1
Socialization	+1

• Jalen: a pleasant boy of the Tatsuwaat

Jalen

Skill	Points
Cosmetology	+1
Observation	+1
Socialization	+1

• Akasjia: a pretty girl of the Suli
• Cosmetology: painting Suli marks

Notes

A neat little thread, and one that definitely sets a great stage for later interactions. I look forward to your future plotting!

Now that the season has turned, remember to deduct appropriate expenses for Winter 514 from your ledgers.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please let me know. Also, please edit your requests to show this thread has been graded -- both of them, please, so it's clear it has been addressed.