Familiar Faces

[Naiya]

24th day of fall, 516 AV
14th Bell
Dawnwhisper Pavilion

Chill wind snuck it's icy fingers through the cracks of the pavilion, finding entrance through vent flaps and gaps in the pavilion opening. The chill carried the dampness of the rain, lingering in the air and clinging to exposed skin. The icy breath of Zulrav had lingered over their land for days, his might poured upon their city as though to not let the people forget his strength.

The rumbling clatter of a thousand hooves boomed across the sky, early night loomed in their near future as Syna struggled to gaze through the fury of the storm. The sounds stirred their pavilion, the animals kept near only by the work of Khal, his barks and yips punctuating the silence between clashing thunder.

Naiya held Shai to her chest, letting him nurse as best he could when the anger of the storm startled him each time it crashed over head. She could only do so much to soothe him, the gentle bounce of her body and shushing coo of her voice keeping him from crying out his discomfort.

She wore her copper breeches, but paired them only with the breast band that allowed her to easily expose her breast for the wuepo in her arms. She had long ago tossed the fur blanket from her bedding around her shoulders, tucking Shai beneath the weight of the leathers to be warmed by the heat of her body.

Her son still caused her great wonder, she was trying to do all the things other mothers told her to mind. Skin to skin contact, feed him every time he is hungry, don't let him cry... the list of advice offered went on and on, and she didn't know what to follow and what to discard.

She moved about the great room of the pavilion, stirring soup that simmered beside the fire, and checking the milk for warmth, ready to add the curdling agent once it had come to nearly a simmer.

Her movement let cool air seep beneath her warming blanket, and Shai grunted his notice. She could only soothe him with her voice, unable to just be still all day and night at his convenience. It would have been easier, perhaps, with her husband. One of them could tend the wuepo, the other work. It was still so with Khida, but her heart called out for her husband more now than ever.

Their child was growing without him.

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Naiya space Pavi | Common | Tukant
other space Pavi | Common | Tukant

[Merevaika]

Her eyes were heavy, but the rain refused to let her sleep. Her hunt had gone on too long last night, her arms were tired from clutching her bow, her legs ached from the ride, yet she was still hungry. She had nothing to show for it, except bags under her eyes and a tired body. Yet the rain still pelted the tent relentlessly, slipping through the fabric as if it was nothing more than air.

The blanket she tried pulling over herself wasn't much help. It was soaked through at the ends, where her pack hadn't been waterproof or where it hung against the soggy ground, that all wet too. The cold wind still knifed through the gaps in the tent - the entrance, the small rips, the places where the seams weren't quite perfect.

The sky boomed above her and a sharp gust tugged the tent away, ripping a peg from the ground. The whole thing whipped up, flapping in the wind violently. Rain spat at her, the Drykas jumping quickly despite her fatigue. She battled with Zulrav to regain possession of her tent, bundling it down quickly as a soggy mass. The rain clung to her, pressing her clothing against her form, the endless onslaught soaking her through the bone. The rest of her possessions were gathered in a wild battle, furiously ripping through the storm. But by the time she had, everything was drenched.

Her body wanted to rest, screaming at her to get out of the rain. But now, even if she tried, she would only end up more wet. Eryunt gave a whinny behind her, frustrated by the storm, and Merevaika heaved her things onto him, letting him carry the wet load. She apologised, pulling him close to her and beginning to wander aimlessly, searching for somewhere dry to stay. When the first larger pavilion tent came into sight, she made straight for it, listening at the yipping of a dog. The creature wasn't clear in the rain, but she could hear it, clearly. Beast stuck close to her letting out a deep growl.

Something started barking, another dog, a deeper noise this time. Another joined, and then she could see them, the Imperial Watchdogs. Beast growled more deeply, snapping a few times at them, while Merevaika tried to ignore them, moving forward towards the tent. "Hello?" she called out, over the dogs, over the rain, "Anyone home?"

A startled zibri burst away from her suddenly, a whole group of them becoming clear. So, the pavilion was fairly well off. Hopefully, it meant they had a spare place for her to hide under, away from the wet and cold. She hated having to ask for help - but she was too tired to not.

[Naiya]

She tested the warmth of the milk, hovering her hand over the white brew. It felt like it was right, warm, but not with the large bubbles of a boil. She pulled the edge of the pot, moving it further from the heat, then added her rennet mix. She had reserved whey from the last batch of cheese, heavily salted the mixture, and put it aside, a promise that it would curdle her milk taught to her by a kind merchant. Now she added a splash to the milk, watching for the curds to begin to form.

She was distracted from the cheese as the deep baying of the dogs sounded over the storm, these were sounds of warning, and Naiya would heed them. She turned to the sound, but she did not want Shai to get wet in the storm. She took a tick, laying him down in the pelt lined basket that had been gifted to him to wait. It took only seconds before he began to fuss, and she knew it would become full on wailing. She spared a glance at Taerin, inquiry in her posture.

"Watch, please?" a moment She left the drape of the furs behind in the safety of the dry tent. She grabbed Shahar's cloak, draping it across her bare shoulders to stave off the rain. She peered outside in time to catch the startling of the Zibri across the camp, fretful Leti jumped away from the approaching woman and beasts. Both Silver and Riha followed her, not sure why, but sure her movement meant they must follow with loud calls of fear.

Her first steps out of the shelter of her home pierced her with the cold, bringing chills instantly to her skin. The heavy raindrops pinged against her skin like stones. She pursed her lips into a low whistle calling the watchers to her side. They would watch from close enough to intervene should she need it, but stop harassing the others until then.

"Hello." Greetings, her response was instant, built into her being out of habit, but her signing faltered there as the damp woman came more clearly into view. Naiya moved out to meet her, the extinguished outdoor fire a meeting point as she drew near enough to see the woman clearly.

A familiar face was made thin and hard by time and trials, she was different again, hair matted against her head, eyes dull and far away. Rain-soaked and weary the woman seemed to have a purpose for her proximity, if she had pushed in this far to her camp despite the dogs and the herds. Naiya would have approached but for the snapping shadow of a dog at the woman's side.

She bit her lip, baby addled brain seeking the name that went with the dark hair and green eyes, the familiar starbursts of pathfinding not distracting her from the true features of the woman. Unsure familiarity shaped her features, taking her posture from hesitance to inquiry. Still she could not place the woman, and she grew chilled quickly in the poor weather.

Between the dog and the horse loaded with things, Naiya wasn't sure what to make of the woman. "Do you need help?" Naiya asked, hesitance aimed at the dog at her side, Is safe, inquiry? Again her question was at the dog, her posture drawn back from the creature if not quite fearful. She was confident in her own ability to deal with the threat of an angry dog, but... inside, my baby.. great concern. Her hands shaped a clearly pointed invitation, only what was safe could shelter in the pavilion while she sorted out why the woman was here.

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Naiya space Pavi | Common | Tukant
other space Pavi | Common | Tukant

[Merevaika]

There was a whistle in the rain and Merevaika looked towards the direction the dogs moved in. A woman, but she couldn't make her out clearly through the rain. Her hair was red and she wore a cloak. Neither extremely distinguishing features. Merevaika stumbled forward, whistling herself at Beast in an attempt to control her. The dog hung close, wary of all the new creatures around her and continued to growl.

Merevaika looked up as the woman approached her, coming into sight clearer. Did she know her? Was it her weary mind that stopped the connection, or did it make her see things that weren't there? As the woman watched her, Merevaika stared back, trying to make sense of the figure she saw.

The woman seemed to know her too, settling Merevaika slightly. So, she hadn't gone completely crazy - this was a familiar face, but not familiar enough for either to instantly recognise the other. "Merevaika," the woman spoke, voice cracking in the wind, "I am Merevaika Stormchaser." The sky roared as if it agreed, sending a furious rush of wind towards them. Merevaika flinched at the rain, although she was already soaked, it made no different. "I need shelter."

Her eyes flickered up again, meeting the woman's. She seemed hesitant of the beast at her feet, questioning whether she was safe. Merevaika found herself laughing, without knowing why. She shuddered again, remembering that she was soaked through and freezing. "She's a wild animal. She's not safe." But the woman clearly didn't want to hear that- she had a child she wanted to protect. "Beast will behave. I promise you." As if to demonstrate, she clicked her fingers, angrily ordering the dog to come. Beast growled further, but shifted even closer.

Merevaika was glad the demonstration went well. It could only convince the woman further. It didn't matter whether she could control her or not, however. The dog was wild, but only if she felt threatened. And she was definitely more bark than bite.

Moving forward a little more, she opened her eyes wide in pleading. She was visibly shaking now, and wished to just get inside already. "Please, I just want some shelter. My tent - it's soaked, it's ripped. If Beast worries you that much, she can wait outside. I don't mind. She's coped with worse." She did hope it didn't come to that however. Although Beast wasn't like the puppies or Denviel, she cared about the dog. Just like this woman cared about her baby.

[Naiya]

Naiya watched the woman, clearly dragged into suffering with cold and lack of sleep. The animal at her side was clearly unhappy, but if they woman was sure. She acquiesced, clutching her cloak around her she gestured to the shelter the horses shared and beckoned the woman inside.

"Merevaika." Again a familiarity settled across her mind, but not enough so as to bring much to mind. A familiar stranger, nothing more. Still, she was not one to let anyone suffer. She didn't hold the tent open although her posture read clearly of invitation. Instead, she hung the dampened claok quickly and hurried inside to scoop Shai up into the safety of her arms. Startled by the sudden change, Shai gave a cry that quickly settled into quiet fussing.

When Merevaika peered through the doors Naiya welcomed her, bidding her to com inside. "I am Naiya Dawnwhisper, this is my bosu, Shai." She gestured to the gentle form of Taerin where she tended her own child. "Taerin, and her little girl, Maerin." A wave of her hands promised that the growling creature was not likely to bring them harm.

"Please sit," by fire, "Dry off, I have soup cooking if you're hungry." Naiya offered Merervaika the pavilion, the central space a bit public for sleeping, but the best place for the stranger.

A dripping feline butted her way into the pavilion, her curiosity surely aroused by the stranger, she stood to drip over her brother before settling down out of the way. Both felines kept a wary eye on the dog, sensing the tension she caused. Naiya shuffled about in their belongings, pulling fresh bedding from her personal gear. Again she shaped offering on her hands, holding out the blanket to the dripping woman.

Shai was protesting her cold skin as it slowly seeped through his furs. She returned to the furs she had let drape across them, pulling it carefully around her shoulders. "Please, be comfortable, the only man here is Shai, and he won't look should you want to shed your wet clothing."

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Naiya space Pavi | Common | Tukant
other space Pavi | Common | Tukant

[Merevaika]

A baby began to cry and Merevaika entered the tent. With invitation and welcoming, she didn't think twice as she hurried to follow the red head, sensing a change the second she entered the tent. It had been a long time since someone had so openly welcomed her into their pavilion, when they had others to care for, when Merevaika was who she was. Somehow, she liked it. The trust, from a stranger, trust she would have never given.

Naiya, as she introduced herself, was clearly a better person than Merevaika ever was. But then again, the bar had never been set very high.

She peered over towards little Shai, feeling a stab in her heart as she pictured Vaikar in his place. He was so young, definitely less than a season, and so delicate. Hopefully he had no crazy aunts that would end his life too early.

Trying to move on from that, she signed a brief, emotionless greetings to the other woman - girl, she was a girl - and the child she carried. Then she turned to the wild creature behind her and snarled at it, knowing Beast responded better to that than she ever would to Pavi. Growling back, the dog stepped away, resting at the very entrance. Watching for shadows that would attack. This night, hopefully, there would be none.

Merevaika moved to sit by the fire, clothes stuck to her body and hanging loosely. The fire did little to dry them, but she sat anyway, watching as her dog growled at the felines. Hunting cats. She wondered whether they would be a match for the shadow dog. With a quick thanks, she took the blanket, trying to not soak it before it could warm her. She took Naiya's suggestion gratefully, stripping and wrapping her less dripping, but still freezing body in the thick blanket. She could feel the heat start to seep in through her skin, now that the barrier of wet clothes was gone.

Slowly, she pushed them around to arrange them as best as she could near the fire, but not near the way, hoping they would dry soon. Once they were adequate, she looked up towards the red haired woman, wondering where the men were. She was certain she had seen a cheva mark, and the baby was a good indicator too. "Your husband?" she questioned, her words short and blunt so the chattering of her teeth wouldn't interrupt them, "Out in this rain?"

Unless something had happened to him. Not dead - she was fairly certain the marks changed when the other died. But maybe he was kidnapped by the Zith, or had disappeared in the Sea of Grass. There were a million possibilities, and Merevaika knew she wanted to know.

[Naiya]

With a suddenness that spoke of having only just remembered, Naiya moved to the pot of thickening milk just off the fire. She stirred the wooden spoon into the mix, scraping the bottom of the pot to make sure nothing was stuck. Her spoon came back laden with small chunks of curds, which meant it still needed a bit more time. Attention too, stirring, which she did for a few ticks before turning back to her company.

Husband not here, "Kidnapped, last winter." Pirates The words came to her lips more easily now, nearly a year had passed, and she had repeated the words many times. Still, she moved to the packed in supplies on the back wall of the tent, seeking space in which to push down her sadness under the guise of making a warming tea.

She filled her kettle with water from a spare wetskin, raking embers out from the center of the fire to set the kettle upon. When the kettle was settled in the embers, Naiya turned back to the cheese, stirring again and lifting the spoon to check the consistency. Small curds meant it needed more time, large curds or stretching cheese meant it was ready to be strained. The curds were still small, so she returned her attention to Merevaika.

She looked at the woman, clearly still cold, hunched into the warmth of the fire. Naiya searched again for something to offer her to help, and her eyes fell to the stew.

She fetched a bowl, filling it with the mixture, but it was thin, more broth than anything that resembled stew. She wasn't quite sure how to fix that, except to let it cook longer, but then there would be less.

Still she offered the small ceramic bowl and a hand carved spoon to the other, eyes flitting to the snarling creature behind her wondering if it too needed to be fed.

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Naiya space Pavi | Common | Tukant
other space Pavi | Common | Tukant

[Merevaika]

The words came, and they spoke of the worst. It was the pirates who had taken him, and the woman moved away, as if hiding her sorrow. Merevaika almost understood. She had lost people too. Many, but at least Naiya could have the hope of getting him back. If he was kidnapped, he could still be alive. She hadn't seen his dead body at her feet and known that Dira had taken him forever.

She had nothing to say to her. No words of comfort, nor reassurance. Just a silence to let her go over her thoughts, watching the woman as she worked with the fire, cooking something. She was hungry, too, and her eyes stared at the cheese, stomach grumbling. But she said nothing, letting heat soak through her and replace the wet.

She wanted to eat, and she wanted to sleep, and she wanted to be dry.

Naiya understood her, and handed her a small bowl of watery stew. It didn't matter. It was far better than anything Merevaika had ever made herself, and she ate quickly, shovelling spoons down her throat as if this was a stolen bowl. It tasted good, to an empty stomach at the very least, and it was warm and filling. Giving up with the spoon, the woman pressed the bowl to her lips, drinking the liquid part deeply before running her hand over her mouth, stopping the broth from spilling out.

There was a little left. Beast was still growling. Without even looking at her, the Drykas moved her hand back, carrying the bowl, and placed it on the ground behind her, clicking her fingers. The dog, starving, bounded forward and devoured the remains faster than even Merevaika could have. Then, softly, she padded forward, resting her head on her paws beside Merevaika, but not further. Tentatively, the woman reached out, placing a hand on the shadow dog's head. Her touch was accepted, and she simply let it rest there, a reassurance to the woman who had taken her in.

"You are alone, then?" she finally asked, wondering if there were others in this tent, apart from the redhead and her baby, and the other girl with hers. Maybe Naiya was nice, but on many occasions, there were parents, brothers, cousins, that saw that they didn't have enough to share with a stranger with a wild look and wild dog. She definitely didn't want any unpleasant surprises if she was kicked out in the middle of the night. Even if Shai had been called the only man here.

Leaning back, she pulled the blanket around her tighter, pressing her mouth against her fingers and blowing harshly on them to stop them being so red. Red and frozen, with the warm breath a shock. But the fire was nice, and so was the blanket. So was not being in the rain. She couldn't complain.

[Naiya]

Naiya stirred the pot of cheese again, finding it was ready to be strained. She turned to a large cask with fine-woven cloth draped across the top. It was held in place, so the weight of the cheese would not drop the cloth and loose the curds, by a length of rope. She pulled it close as merevaika ate, separating the softened cheese from the whey by slowly pouring the mixture from her pot into the cask. She worked the curds while they were warm, stretching and squeezing the mass until it was a single shape. She poured more whey, and continued. If she left the cheese to sit before it was handled, pressed into smoothness, the cheese would be crumbly and not good for spreading. Crumbly cheese was good, but she wanted cheese to spread on bread, or roll with nuts and dried meats.

She heard Merevaika fall to silence before she was finished with the cheese. Rather than push the woman to conversing, she finished her task, wrapping the cheese in a waxed cloth, where it would keep moist until she split it into parts to add flavors. Eventually, the beast was quiet, or quieter, and Merevaika spoke again.

Naiya turned her gaze to the woman whose hand rested on the head of her ferocious companion. It was the most peaceable the creature had looked yet. Naiya shook her head in response, not alone, she told the woman. “My wife, my son,” She turned her gaze to emphasize her point, “Our wards, our people.” She didn’t feel the need to explain the philosophy of their people, their community. A Drykas was never alone.

“I lead my pavilion, however, until Shahar returns.” Those were harder words, but not new, she’d discussed such things with her wife, the choice for Naiya to take the position of the first wife, of the social face of the pavilion.

She paused, considering the woman, her comfort. The water would be hot enough for tea, for warming chilled fingers. Fireweed would help her blood move faster help her to warm, and hyssop would help relieve the tension clear in the set of her body. Cinnamon too, if they still had some would bring the other woman warmth. A moment, fast return. Naiya signed, casting an assessing glance at the dog before she left Shai in his basket to go outside. She tossed the cloak over her shoulders once more, wrapping herself in the barrier against the torrential rains.

The covered wagon kept most of her supplies, simply because it was easier to move quickly if things remained stowed. She shuffled through the bundles of dried herbs, seeking until she found what she was looking for. She even found a bit of speedwell, a plant that helped stave off illness, and added that to her collection as well. It couldn't hurt.

Thoroughly damp and quickly growing chilled, Naiya grabbed an extra mug and made her way back inside. With a scrap cloth, she grabbed the lid of the kettle dropping the herbs inside before moving the whole thing away from the heat. She poured milk from her pail into two mugs and set them beside the fire to warm, the herb mix was likely to be spicy, and the milk would temper the brew.

She waited only a few chimes before adding the hot tea again offering it to the woman. A glance at the pot of stew brought her to speaking again, "There is more stew, and even some bread if you want." Naiya glanced to the bread rounds strung between the reaftes of the pavilion. It was not, perhaps, as good as a fresh loaf from the market, but it was what she was able to make.

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Naiya space Pavi | Common | Tukant
other space Pavi | Common | Tukant

[Merevaika]

Her eyes watched the process of cheesemaking, wishing she found it fascinating. There was something delicate about the process, something about turning one thing from the other. But it was never going to be something to the hunter. It represented a simple, homely and steady life - what did she know about that? Making cheese took time - time she never knew she had.

Her first sets of words were ones she expected from the situation, but it was the next few that shocked her. A woman, leading a pavilion? That was unheard of - was that even possible? Then his name came, and her shock was even more visible, eyes growing wide as her jaw dropped, realising she knew him. They had hunted together. And this was Shahar's wife. So he was the one stolen by pirates, although she could barely believe it herself. "Shahar... I knew him. He was a good man. I'm sorry," came her words, before the woman left to fetch something.

The silence that followed curled around Merevaika, enjoying the heat of the fire and the blanket and of having a large, well-made tent around her. She settled into a comfortable position, knees pulled up under her chin, and hugging them tightly. By the time Naiya returned, she was almost asleep, eyes shut although the rest of her senses awake to her movement.

Finally, she opened her eyes up again to the offering, taking the mug from her without a real thank you but a look in her eyes that said it, at least partially. She took a deep drink, feeling the warm drink run down her throat comfortably, then shook her head at all the other offerings. She had taken enough and her stomach - accustomed to less, and definitely less rich food - was full. As much as she wanted to take more stew, or bread, or something, she knew she couldn't stomach it. Maybe, though, she'd ask for more in the morning. Or taking, depending on how things went. She still didn't know about her situation here - whether this was the kindness of the woman's heart or if something would be expected in return. Or both.

Eager to find out, but careful not to ask directly, she decided to check for tonight, at the very least. "Can I stay? Until morning, at least. Until it's dry, because I have nowhere else to go?" It was an open question, waiting for more than a yes or no answer. Waiting for a deeper confirmation, without putting thoughts into Naiya's head. Merevaika preferred charity - of course, only if it was to her, not from.

With that ask, she settled again, resting, trying to sleep and stay awake at the same time. She didn't know what she wanted. She barely knew what was allowed.