Sayohat

by **Rufio** on November 6th, 2017, 9:07 pm

FOUR MOONS AGO...

　　　　　　　　　　　　" Sit still!” Chastised a warm voice over Rufio’s shoulder, which made the half-drykas groan.
“Didn’t your mother teach you how to sit for braids?”
“My mother was benshira. It was my aunt who put braids in my hair.” Rufio bit back childishly, and she could almost hear Zar’rya roll her eyes.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　It made her sit quietly, for a few chimes though, and she felt gentle fingers return to grab sections of her hair, tugging and twisting the short, black strands. Rufio resisted the urge to turn around to look at the thick, horse hair that Zar’rya’s hands were weaving into her own locks. “Do you really think it will look good?”
　　　　　　　　　　　　The woman behind her laughed and the sound was deep, smooth, like water tumbling over rocks in a creek. “It will look lovely, and you will be able to put braids in your hair like a proper drykas. The strider hair will bring you good fortune—maybe a man.”
　　　　　　Rufio felt a playful kiss press into her cheek and the brush of Zar’rya’s own red mane against her shoulders. She wrinkled her nose and sighed gently. “I bet you do you do for all the women you share your furs with…like a wolverine marking tarriotry.” She laughed tauntingly.
　　　Zar’rya tsked. “Only for you, gavee—so you will remember your seasons out here in the grass-sea.
　　　　　　　　And me.”
　　That made Rufio smile, and she felt warmth seep in under her freckles, “I won’t forget you-” she murmured.

Sadness ebbed there under her warmth, for she knew Zar’rya would leave her in the morning to move on, as the Summer would in a few days when the tower would flare to greet the Fall. Zar’rya had always said she would leave.

Rufio had accepted it the moment she had sensed the untamed wildness in her companion. Since the day they'd met, they had poured into each other, forged something full of light and joy. Thinking of it made her nostalgic, wistful even—even if Zar’rya was still with her. Rufio suspected Zar’rya had a way of having that effect on everyone she met.
　　　　Zar'rya made you miss her, before she was even gone...
　　　　　　　　Za craved freedom. Rufio’s heart felt the tug—they were sister’s of spirit that way. Nomadic and wild. Nonetheless, Rufio’s roots were benshiran and drykas. She had need of belonging—to clan, tribe, or tent, however far they roamed. It was etched, undeniably, into her bones.

A part of Rufio wondered if the drykas life was so vast,fiercely fleeting that that was why Caiyha and Zulrav sought fit to bless them with striders.

“You’re quiet, that worries me.” Za muttered, before she took her hands from the half-drykas’ hair and proclaimed, “There, it’s done! Leth has blessed us with a bright night, we should go down to the creek so you can see.”

Rufio lifted her left hand to touch the rough, course horse hair that had been back-brushed and twisted into her own mane. Peering down as she draped the long tresses over her shoulder to see. Their honey hue glowed warmly in the firelight. A grin licked its way across her lips, revealing teeth as she turned around and beamed.

　　　　　　“I love it." gratitude, gavee.

With a light in her ochre eyes, the Stormblood laid a tender hand on the taller woman’s deeply bronzed shoulder and leant in to press her lips to Zar’rya’s.

▿ ▹ ▿

ONE MOON AGO...

　　　　　　　　　　Inky midnight pooled across the sky as dusk gave way to night. It was warm out, humid and sticky. While crickets sang amid the grasses, Rufio could not find sleep. Instead of tossing all night long, and just making herself frustrated by the absence of rest, she took to sitting by a low-burning fire outside of the Firstsong pavilion tent.

They had travelled out from Endrykas, the Firtsongs, as many pavilions did over the Summer when the steppe was blessed with abundance. Yet as the hot season had since past, the ankal had begun to steer his family in towards the city, preparing for the Winter by moving closer to allies where there would be strength in drykas unity.

As they steered toward the city, Rufio's thoughts took up with reminiscing. Ixzo filled her thoughts. Her father, her mother. The Stormblood pavilion she had not seen in two seasons. Even the Wildmanes brushed her thoughts after all this time. All those she had lost—
　　　　 Abandoned snarled a sharp thought.

　　　　　　　　　　A stone grated against the ground, startling her from her reverie. "Do you ever sleep?" Rufio smiled at the familiar teasing baritone, laying eyes on the shadow of the Firstsong ankal as she looked up.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　He stepped out from the shadows of the grasses and into the warm glow of the firelight. His angular features, lined by the worries of leading his family, were smiling. The Stormblood shuffled where she sat, adjusting the mustard wool scarf that was bundled about her shoulders, though there was little need for its warmth tonight, as she returned sardonically, "I do when Leth isn't gifting me with reflection..."

　　　　　Rahle spread his hands, signing for generosity as he teased her. "Leth favours you. Perhaps I should sit with you so He may favour me as well." The ankal came to sit by his Stormblood guest, straightening out his leather jerkin as he settled.

　　　　　Rufio lifted dirt, and threw it into the fire childishly, which sputtered, then glowed with vigor anew, crackling rebelliously, filling the quiet that settled between them.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　A handful of chimes stretched out. Rufio knew the ankal was on the precipice of speaking. He took a deep breath before his gentle baritone fell into the night with the words she knew were coming. "When are you going home Rufio?..."
　　　　　　　　　　Rufio glanced at the ankal's hands, which were empty of grass-sign. He didn't mean offense, nor was he angry—just asking. Her dark brows furrowed, and she drew her knees up to lean her elbows on. "You're reluctant" speak to me, his hands pleaded.
　　　"I'm not ready..." Rufio sighed, evasive.
　　　　　　Rahle snorted.
　　　　　　Rufio smiled knowingly—the Firstsong ankal was a kind man, but he led his pavilion with the wisdom of a strong arm. So, she gave in (honest as she was, it wasn't much of a fight). "When we are three days' ride from Endrykas, I will go then."
　　　　　　Rahle nodded, good he signed distractedly, offering her encouragement, "I am glad. It is good timing, Fall is an auspicious season for change, and starting new. It's right that you go before the Winter comes.
　　　　　　You must go alone..." His tone hung with a question.
　　　　　　　　　　 'S a y o h a t'
　　　　　　　　　　　　　he signed with his hands. Rufio nodded.

▿ ▹ ▿

62nd FALL 517av
At noon

　　　　　　　　　　　　 It was hot still, despite the flare of the tower signalling the turn of the seasons and the coming of the Fall. Syna’s unforgiving rays cast long shadows in the nomadic city, as the horse-clans hustled and bustled. Amid the clamor, Rufio meandered through the streets.

Loha, her strider, kept close to her shoulder. His red coat was already laid with a light matting of sweat as he tossed his charcoal mane this way and that, nickering, chatting to his rider. Rufio felt the anticipation of returning home spark between them through the bond, and she lifted a wind-marked arm to hold his nose gently.

The tents were thinning here, as pavilions spread out, the farther she got to the outskirts of the city. Glinting white of the diamond clan tents billowed and whipped about them, and Rufio's stomach fluttered. Loha grunted and nickered, nose nudging her shoulder playfully.

　　　　　　"I know, I'm nervous, too." Rufio mumbled. Somewhere in the bond, she sensed excitement. Loha was excited, she was nervous. The freckled woman groaned and mussed the stallion's mane, before grabbing a handful and vaulting up onto his back. The rider took a deep breath—silently impeaching Zulrav for courage, and Yahal for good faith—exhaling with a raspberry.

　　　　　　　　　　　　Loha copied her, and it made Rufio laugh. "Alright, let's go home. Ha!" The stallion snorted and pushed into a canter. Zulrav's breath brushed at her arms and her dreadlocks. Rufio could always count on her strider and the storm god to lift her spirits. Am I ready? She thought of her palaver with Rahle Firstsong, nearly a moon ago, fighting her nerves with a clench of her jaw. Would her adopted family be pleased to see her again? Angry?

　　　This is the way to find out, Rufio braced herself, face down your fears.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Azmere may have known she was back in the city through the Web. He may have known where she was all along. Rufio wondered if he had known her spirit better than she had thought—given her the space and time she needed to grieve and to figure out her shyke. The thought was comforting, and made her smile. He was a wise ankal.

　　　　　　　As Rufio rode, she discarded her worries of what the Stormbloods might think or say. She would meet their reactions when she got there—whatever they may be. Regardless, when the billowing grey-white tent of the Stormbloods arose on the horizon, relief poured into her. Surprised by it, a smile seeped into her freckles. It didn't matter if they were angry, or happy, to see her, because whether they accepted her back, or not...

　　　　 Stormblood was where she belonged—

　　　　　　　 She hollered excitedly to any there to hear her, wind dancing in her dreadlocks, tugging them wild and free, smile settled in amid a mask of freckles and syna-beaten skin.

　　　　 Stormblood was home, wherever, or however, far she wandered, she'd always return.
　

by **Taurina** on November 18th, 2017, 8:03 am

Caramel eyes shone brightly with light as laughter caused lines to form on sun kissed skin. Cheeks were touched with pink and a smile, much unlike what was usual, was unendingly radiant. Multi-colored hair had been swept up into a variety of braids and a wrap, but some had loosened and now tangled with the wind. Fingers worn and callused from lifetimes on the plains meshed with a coat of white unlike what any other had, against the strength and surety of the stallion who had chosen her.

Sweat drenched them and Syna’s life beat down with a force that was relentless. Nothing had become easier with the coming of fall. The air had not started to cool, the illness that plagued their people still ran rampant. There was so much to worry about. So much to trouble the mind if one allowed it. It became hard to enjoy anything. To find peace, happiness, and be filled with the fullness of life during times as hard as these.

Yet, when Taurina came out just beyond the Stormblood pavilion with Starfire to train, she did not feel the burdens of their people press upon her so heavily. There was something to being with him that cast the worries from her mind and allowed her to just exist in the moment. To be free, even if only for a little while. She thanked him for that. Every time it was just the two of them she thanked him for that. Because while everything else was uncertain and constantly changing, their bond remained the same. If it had changed at all it was only in growing stronger.

This was a new thing really. This release of oneself that Taurina felt when with her strider had only started to happen within the last season or so. Before then she had been thankful and connected to Starfire, of course, but this was something more. Something deeper. Some more meaningful. Something she never wished to loose. Could never live with loosing.

Taurina brushed her palms down the stallion’s sweat filled coat, offering up sweet whispered words of how truly wonderful she found him to be. They were alone, but not far from the pavilion. All it took was a look to the right and she could see the home of her family, the animals that remained roaming about, and any who were out doing the various tasks required of them. Taurina knew she should go and join them. Help by lightening the load of the chores needed to be completed for the day. Starfire and her had been out long enough and with Jasmine carrying a baby, Taurina knew she should help more so the ankal’s wife did not have so much to do. Yet, the Ethaefal was feeling selfish and her heart kept whispering, ‘not yet.. not yet.. just a little while longer..’

A sigh was blown out, nostrils flaring ever so slightly. So selfish she was being. She knew it too and was not very inclined to do anything about it. Fingers tangled with pieces of mane as she worked several knots out. Starfire’s mane and tail were always so helpless. Long and as wild as the wind, she could brush and brush for him to just roll on the ground and cast away all her hard work.

Still, the Ethaefal gently pulled apart strands of long hair and smoothed them out best she could with only her fingers for tools. The piece she separated from the rest was maybe a quarter of a fistful and once it was smooth enough she separated the single piece into three. She was not good at braiding, but doing her one hair up day and night had given her quite a bit of practice. So she began to weave the hair into a single braid for no reason other than to grab a little more time with her stallion before going back to the real world.

The pair staid out for a little while longer, maybe half a bell. Taurina wove those strands of hair into a braid five times before she was satisfied. Kept pulling it out every time she was not satisfied, determined to be satisfied before she was done. Starfire did not mind and stood mostly still for the whole of it. He was a patient strider, needed for he had chosen one of the most inexperienced of Drykas to ride him. Taurina talked to him endlessly. Sometimes those same sweet whispers of before, but mostly about her life. About the secrets she still kept and felt dirty keeping. Having no one know what had been locked away in her heart weighed heavier on her soul than most anything had before. Telling the white stallion helped, a piece of that weight was lifted.

Mounting was still hard, but Taurina had learned to manage it. She was not sure getting up on him bareback was ever going to be easy while in her earthbound form, but she would make do and did so. She did not want him to be more uncomfortable than what was necessary, especially not when they were so near their home. It was harder for her to go without the yvas, her body was more stiff and her hands gripped his mane so tightly that knuckles turned as white as his coat. Each day that passed, though, it got a little easier for her. She got a little more used to it, became a little more trusting of Starfire. He would not allow harm to come to her, not willingly, of that she was sure and told herself over and over again.

The ride home was short and uneventful. Taurina dismounted and came round to her stallion’s head where she stroked his cheek and pressed a kiss upon his jaw. Patient eyes filled with a knowing fire watched her and the Eth smiled. She reached a hand down into the pocket of her pants and pulled out the last sugar cube she had brought with her balled in a fist. The fist came up and unfurled before palm lay flat and the sweet treat offered.

“My darling zulkina.. you have earned it,” she praised, her voice gentle as the strider eagerly claimed his treat.

It was as the sugar treat disappeared that Rufio’s holler grasped the attention of both Ethaefal and strider. Taurina’s caramel gaze snapped up quickly to find the source of such excitement and glee. What her eyes landed on caused pupils to widen and muscles to freeze.

Though she was different, her hair much longer than it ever had been before, Rufio could not be mistaken. Taurina found the first emotion she felt to be shock, surprise.

…Rufio… Their Rufio. Rufio of the Stormblood pavilion and Diamond clan was back! She had returned to them!

All Taurina felt when she realized that was a joy that knew no bounds and it showed. It showed in a smile that reddened cheeks and crinkled syna kissed skin. It showed in eyes brimming with tears that were happy and shining. It did not matter that Taurina had not been pavilion mates with Rufio for long. It did not matter that they had only ever had one truly meaningful encounter before the Ethaefal’s acceptance into the pavilion. A family member had returned to them. One who had been lost was now again found. After seasons of such trial, uncertainty, and worry for the future; this was what they needed. To know Rufio was alive, well, and that she was home after being gone for too long was what they needed.

Taurina stepped forward towards the woman and her strider. Though her happiness shone, she remained quiet in it. Did not speak for she knew the others likely would. There was much to say and likely all would be said. The Ethaefal was eager to tell Rufio of how glad she was that the woman was back and learn of all the adventures the woman went on while she was away. Taurina would wait though. She would wait for the right time, when the chance presented itself. The others new Rufio better, had lived with her longer. Somehow that made it feel as if they should all receive her back first. So Taurina lingered close, but behind, waiting with that bright smile still on her face. Rufio was home, their family was whole again. Surely all things would be alright now.

A naive wish, but the Ethaefal wished it all the same.

Common | Pavi | 'Thoughts'

Word CountPost Total: 1,420
Overall Total: 3,539

by **Jasmine Stormblood** on November 20th, 2017, 4:57 am

Jasmine walked out of the area where she and Azmere slept at night. Stretching out the girl felt her back pop in several places. Sighing, the woman put her hand on top of her ever growing belly. Pregnancy was much harder on the female, than she had ever expected. It would not be long and the woman would have to go back to the River Flower for a check up. She hoped that Azmere would be able to go with her, but she knew his work schedule with the Watch would most likely prevent that. The girl go dressed and pulled on her boots walking outside to where Asher was sitting around the pit. He had taken to watching over the hard headed blonde as if it was expected of him. She could not understand why, but was still grateful when it came to dealing with Maximus of all Drykas.

“I am not long from going to check on the herds,” Asher stated looking over to the girl, “will you be okay while I am away?”

“Yes, I will be fine and behave myself,” Jasmine answered with a chuckle.

The man was sarcastic but with a kindness to it showing he meant no harm. The blonde waved him off as the elder limped away calling for his companion. She smiled gently as the shepard bounded after him barking some. Shaking her head, the woman stood up and grabbed a small basket to go fetch the eggs in. Jasmine had bought the chickens several seasons ago and was happy with the amount of eggs the pavilion was getting in return. The woman walked around slowly watching for any of the little white ovals; she also had her shoes off so that the girl would feel if her toes connected with the shell. It was not long and that very action happened, kneeling down carefully, the girl picked up a group of three white eggs putting them in the basket gently.

Standing up tall once again, Jasmine looked out and smiled seeing Chaser grazing on his own not seeming to be too bothered by being alone. The woman watched the equine for a moment wondering if the striders have the same fears of never finding a mate to breed with, or if the creatures were not worried with such things. The girl sighed and shook her head our before continuing on to find the eggs. It took a half bell to find all of them or at least most of them. Hooves pounding caused the heavily pregnant woman to turn around and see her pavilion member Taurina arriving back. She had went off to ride with Starfire early that morning. The blonde knew the need to strengthen the bond through every ride possible.

“Welcome back. The ride went well?” Jasmine asked with a smile.

The woman knelt down and opened the small chest before her. She kept straw within the bottom of it so that the eggs that were placed within would not roll around and break. Moving every few days had caused many of their eggs in the past to cracked or broken from rolling around within the chests. Closing the lid, she put the basket away and grabbed the dishes from the mornings meal. The woman planned to clean them off with just a little bit of her own water rationed out for the day. She was not moving around nearly as much as normal, so the woman was not in need of the liquid as often.

A second set of hooves caught the girl's attention, she turned around and spotted a strider that she would recognize anywhere. A giant smile appeared on her face as the pregnant drykas, her pavilion sister had finally returned home. With a hand on her stomach, the woman walked over to stand beside Taurina. Blue eyes shined with joy instantly welcoming her family back into the fold. The blonde could only imagine how the young girl had felt losing her loved one. She did not want to think about the possibility of living without Azmere in her life now. Once the girl was closer, Jasmine walked forward pulling Taurina along with her. If allowed Jasmine would pull Rufio into a tight hug.

“Welcome back, sister. We have missed you so. Come I will make us tea and we can catch up and relax,” Jasmine said with a smile moving to the side some so that Taurina could speak as well.

NaNo Count751

by **Azmere** on November 26th, 2017, 1:15 am

“This is your fault!” Lodai spat as he hunkered down over the black muscles of his stallion. Atavan was barreling along a rise in the steppe that gave way to a large mesa with Skylla just ahead of him. Atop the mocha strider with a bone white face was her scarred rider and ankal of the Stormbloods, Azmere. The contrasting gaze was pinned upon the horizon as he scanned through the many options presented to him. The stoic gaze was registering every landform, reflection and movement as he created a rolling map. Lodai was not unaware of the rather lackadaisical approach that his leader, friend and brother had taken to their plight. “Are you ever listening to me?!” The big man’s voice went up in pitch before cracking with the emphasis shoved towards the Tavehk.

Azmere was not clueless. He leaned forward in the yvas which lifted his rump but he compensated by leaning forward with a straight back. His abdominal muscle tightened as the force of trying to remain level against the regular bouncing rhythm of his strider’s hooves attempted to jar him from the pose. With a twist of his waist which deepened the burning sensation, the archer was able to get both arms to one side of his body. He took up Vihar and rose slightly while settling his weight back just a bit. He coupled this with a brief moment of meditation. The redistribution of his weight allowed the Drykas to feel the oblong motion of his mare’s gait. Beautiful and serene, the flow gave the watchman peace enough to focus the djed within his body and channel it into his eyes. The familiar tingle was not long of a wait and Azmere parted his lids to reveal a world drenched in color.

His partner, their horses and the faint traces of a world that was literally alive exploded into the concentric stars that filled his stare. Azmere did not hesitate or linger in the vivid display- not one tick. He reversed the twist of his body with a slower rotation than before which enabled the archer to pick an arrow by the fletchings from his saddle quiver and knock it against the string of his longbow. The flashes of color behind the pair of Drykas did not seem so intimidating when they were painted in red and orange bursts of light. The dichromatic gaze narrowed to help him focus on the bouncing bodies of the pack that pursued them through the tall grasses.

“Finally!” The large bear of a man shouted as his brown eyes watched the ankal draw back his weapon.

Azmere inhaled a breath and straightened his back while his arms found that familiar pose with thumb and index finger pinching the arrow by his cheek and the left hand pointing to the closest nightlion. In what was something of a gift –at least in how the Drykas perceived it- time slowed for just a tick as the breath his lungs was frozen in place by an iron will. The golden and blue eyes twinkled with the magic born of an attempt on the scarred man’s life and the wind whipped short salt and pepper strands against the tanned and scarred flesh. It was a piece of time reserved for the gods… and for one man’s heart.

“Semekhe.”

The archer exhaled and released the fingers on his right hand. The arrow sailed from his heirloom with the prayers of gratitude and given life with a single word. One of the animals that chose to make lunch of the humans and horses was no longer in the mix. The expert bowman was no longer surprised by successful shots though a miss often came with some kind of curse. Azmere had once been a reject; an outcast. He was now a leader, walot and respected for more than just his physical skills. Husband, friend, ankal and soon to be father; the Tavehk was now set in his mode. The mesa was long and flat so he remained with his gaze facing the rear. Skylla slowed up a bit without the driving of her masterful rider. Another arrow was knocked and aim was taken again. Each time he focused, the colors leapt at him from the shadows which tricked normal vision. Patience. Inhale. Hold. Fire. One less lion in the world.

Azmere was not a merciless hunter or a man who sought trophies. He and Lodai had been out investigating a potential location for some fresh water that was within a day’s ride from the city and happened upon a pack of nightlions squabbling over the remains of a long dead beast. The black cats wasted no time in turning on the muscular horses and sweaty riders. The running meals were clearly faster than the starving carnivores but the two watchmen had made plans to break their mounts at the watering hole. With that option eliminated they were forced to push back towards Endrykas without the rest. Azmere, being the senior rider, did not want to risk ghosting the striders with them already being fatigued. Such a push on their physical bodies might cause them to snap or sprain something. Instead, a steady gallop was maintained which kept the felines at bay but not disinterested. So he drew and fired again then again. With four of their fastest dropped in the grass, the pack suddenly decided that this quarry was not worth the effort. The scarred ankal took it as a sign that he had taken down the alpha.

Azmere rotated back to the front of his mare and shouldered his bow over his head. He gripped the yvas and closed his eyes, the magic now burning his mind with fire and stinging tears. Within a handful of gallops, he felt the cool air of a normal gaze return and opened his eyes to see that they were running out of real estate. He deftly steered Skylla with his legs and nudged her along the neck with his arm towards the west –towards home. The rest of the ride was quieter than the ankal had expected. His companion was normally boisterous but must have finally realized that his lack of a ranged weapon left a huge chasm exposed to be exploited. Nearly a bell of a quick trot had passed since they lions had given up –most likely to eat their dead- before Lodai spoke.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t grab meat and pelts.”

Azmere looked over and signed Kon Toladi Yo. The azure and amber eyes looked out and caught the signaling streams of distortion caused by fires and the radiating heat of thousands of bodies; animal and man alike…Endrykas. He smiled on the right side of his face, the scarred left remaining unmoved just like many who viewed the stoic protector of the horseclans.

It was another bell before the men returned to their pavilion. Grey was first to greet them, the big dog caught the scent of his master long before the ankal and his adopted brother could distinguish their own pavilion from the row of white and grey tents. Bounding up with a huge round of barks, Azmere chuckled and dug into his yvas bags for a piece of jerky. The snack was found and tossed back towards the home ground which sent the canine scrambling. Lodai sighed dramatically, his fatigue was showing.

As they drew near, it was not hard to see that something was happening. The ankal’s stomach tightened as he began to take visual stock of his people and animals. There was not anything awry upon first inventory but the elder watchman and patron of the Stormbloods quickened his strider’s pace to a step below full gallop. Lodai was left in the dust though he tried hard to catch up. The remaining space was closed with little time lost and keen eyesight saw something that nearly dehorsed the seasoned warrior.

Azmere quickly slowed his mount to nothing more than a walk but used the momentum to throw his body from the yvas into a slight jog. His legs absorbed the shock well but the pain hit his scar tissues and sent a wave of nausea from his stomach up into his throat. He continued forward but was forced to shut his eyes and this made him stagger. The freckled skin was reflected so boldly in Syna’s light that a tear touched his left eye in the corner but there was a huge wave of dust that surrounded him and hid the spectacle from any nearby. Lodai must have seen the same thing and drove his huge black stallion into the very heart of camp. He dismounted in the midst of Taurina and Jasmine his broad frame shouldering them both aside as he took Rufio into his arms and hoisted her well off of the ground with enough force to snap a grassbear in half…he even had the roar to accompany his actions. The grin on his face seemed out of place against the curses he slung like children with mud pies as wella s the tears of joy that streamed down his cheeks in dirty lines.

“Mana! Mana! Cultakh..Geht voune!!” He choked on his words and muffled himself into her neck while Azmere made his way slowly up between Jasmine and Taurina. His first touch was along the shoulders of Jasmine. He leaned upon her slightly to take some of the weight from his left side. The unwise dismount had jarred a series of spasms from the muscles surrounding the deep wound in his leg and the pain was on his face right along with the overwhelming sense of relief at seeing the childlike myth of Rufio before them. Once he was stable, he reached out to clutch for the hand of the Eth. Knowing that Taurina never had family, he wanted to make sure she understood that she was every bit –heart and soul- a part of this family.

As always, Asher rolled up behind his ankal and friend with silent steps, slow and calculated to hide his limp. He put his arms around the people he loved as they watched the poor thing known as Rufio be squished nearly to bone meal by the human bear known as Lodai. Azmere started to laugh and kicked dust at his bruh. Even the animals had come around the Drykas to see what the ordeal was about; Grey, the striders, the goats and even the aloof hunting cats raised their heads from the hot soil to witness the miraculous return of a love thought lost.

“Put her down, ya big wuepo!”

WC1771

by **Rufio** on January 5th, 2018, 1:45 pm

　

　　　　 Rufio’s breaths came in gasping waves as she leaned back in Loha’s gait, signalling for the strider to slow his gallop, first to a canter, then trot and lastly to a walk. His breaths huffed and he tossed his nose, grunting in dissatisfaction at the slower pace. Meanwhile the drykas’ gaze danced across the pavilion. Seeing her goats grazing under Syna, bleating contentedly, made her heart grateful for Jasmine and Asher’s dedication to the livestock. The drykas noted that the goats’ coats were a mess of shaggy hair and short patches, thanks to Morwen’s vanishing. Quietly she chided herself for being so neglectful of her animals. While she made a silent promise to be more involved with their keep, she reminded herself to thank her family for taking care of them while she was galivanting about the grass-sea.

As the strider ambled across the dry earth Rufio’s orbs were caught by Starfire, a brilliant white against the dull steppe. Catching the beaming smile that was settled in Taurina's day-time features bid Rufio’s nerves away and she found herself grinning like a hunting cat in return. Loha neighed happily and chased on Taurina and Starfire’s tail.

　　　　When they neared the storm-grey tent, Rufio’s brows lifted in surprise to see Jasmine’s swollen belly. Excitement bubbled up in her and when Loha scuffed to a halt, she found herself sliding down his side to greet her drykas sister eagerly before he had even skidded to a stop. Her accent had lost none of its shiber tinge as she fussed over Jasmine in her surprise. “Jasmine you are with wuepo!” Semekhe! Semekhe! Congratulations! her hands flurried even as Jasmine pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Welcome back, sister. We have missed you so. Come I will make us tea and we can catch up and relax,” Jasmine said, and Rufio felt relief seep in with her joy and excitement. At least if the Stormblood men greeted her with anger, she knew she could put her heart in the hands of the Stormblood women no matter what.

　　　　Even when you are reckless, bit a vicious thought unexpectedly. It was quickly bid away as she shaped her hands—agree, story to tell, wish to know all is well—as Jasmine released her. Rufio’s beaming smile fell on Taurina then and was softened by a sudden shyness. Gently, the short drykas offered out her arms for the Ethaefal and gave her a warm hug as well. “It is good to see you both again.” Her voice was a purr, tempering her boisterousness, ebbing with the Ethaefal’s quieter nature.

　When a rumbling of galloping hooves echoed in Semele and stole Rufio’s attention from Leth’s child. Out in Syna’s glorious heat a dust cloud shrouded a large man whose silhouette Rufio could not mistake. Stormblood Ankal. “Azmere.” The fortune-teller whispered and the joy she had felt in the company of the women waxed away from her freckles as a frown seeped into place. Knots twisted in her gut.

　　　　Would Lodai, Asher or Azmere accept her as readily as Jasmine and Taurina? It was Azmere’s opinion that meant life or death here. The Ankal had the power to refuse her back if his heart or will saw it fit.

When the dust shifted and settled, Rufio turned towards the Stormblood ankal, tongue thick and heavy with the many words she wished to say, apologies held unshaped in the lay her hands. When a beast of a man with dark hair and a grizzly temprament stampeded past the women and bundled the fortune-teller into his arms all at once, saving her from her muteness. “Mana! Mana! Cultakh..Geht voune!!”

　　　　　　　　　　　　“Lodai! Bruh!” Rufio exclaimed in happy alarm, just in time, before the man hoisted her clean from her feet and began squeezing the breath out of her. Oblivious to the gathering that was forming around her, Rufio could do naught else but laugh through her gasps and pat the man on the hip with her barely free hand. “Lodai! I- missed y- ou – too-”

　　　　“Put her down, ya big wuepo!” A baritone rang out and finally the bear-man’s hold on her loosened and Rufio felt the ground beneath her feet again. Panting thankfully, her cheeks were hurting from all the grinning she was doing. With a rough shot, Rufio punched Lodai's arm playfully. When she turned her ochre gaze towards Azmere, she was still panting, and still grinning, though her head tilted uncertainly.

　　　　　　　　　　　　“Azmere—” She began, hands lifted, hesitating. It seemed the drykas knew not what to say, after all the sleepless nights she had anticipated the day she came home, had spent piecing together what words she would say that would bridge the gap she, with her grief, had struck between herself and her family. Peering gaze to gaze, seeing the stains of tears in the dust lining his scarred cheeks banished her nerves then. She lifted her hands wider, and walked towards the ankal. Reaching her palms up to the back of his neck, she pulled his face down to hers despite his size. She set her forehead against his, breathing in deeply, her voice hushed out in Shiber, “—I am home.”

As Rufio stepped back, she gave the ankal an impish grin and a look that twinkled on the egde of a wink, “You have been busy!” She took Jasmine's hand and then Taurina's in each of hers and gushed, “I’ve missed you all!” A frown fell across her dusky features suddenly as a thought crossed her mind and her lips simultaneously. “I did not even bring you gifts—” A tut that truly belonged to her grandmother clicked in her mouth, before she tugged the family toward the pavilion by their hands. Even Lodai and Azmere, she clasped and ushered toward the tent, grinning like a child, wishing to show the grownups something. “But I can make gifts of my heart."

　　　　　　　　"Come!—” Shyness and hesitation well and truly banished, Rufio had no qualms directing each of her family to stand in a line fanning out from the pavilion doorway—from Asher who she set farthest from the pavilion, to Taurina, to Jasmine, to Lodai, to Azmere who she maneuvered to stand beside the tent. Satisfied they were standing as she envisioned, the fortune-teller took herself to the furthermost Stormblood.

　　Zulrav’s breezes danced gently across the steppe—though with Syna’s generosity, it brought no cool relief—tugging at her loose pants and whipping dust up wherever she set her sandal-clad feet. Rufio stood facing Asher and the older man grinned knowingly—approvingly. Taking a breath, Rufio focused on the feel of the wind tickling across her bare arms and playing with the untamed ends of her hair against the curve of her back. Taking the chime to breath, and just that, her excitement and nerves were tempered.

Rufio clasped Asher’s arm and they leant in toward one another. Rufio spoke some words quietly to him, too hushed for others to hear. When Asher squeezed her arm lightly, they parted ways. Rufio was performing a Sayohat. Though when she left the pavilion two seasons ago, like a ghost into the plains, the drykas was cementing her return with ritual. She meant to stay.

　　　　Rufio shuffled over to face Taurina, next in the line of the family. Looking up into her semele-bound features with a twinkling smile, she began, "Taurina...", before she faltered. Her features creased thoughtfully, lost a tick for words. When Zulrav's wind kicked up and buffeted her back. "Taurina, I value your healing." Rufio knew something of the Ethaefal's pain, as did the rest of the pavilion. How she suffered haunted sleep and pinned for Leth. Yet it wasn't her endurance of the lonely path, or her pain, or her depth, or her ethereal night-time beauty, or anything which the Ethaefal might associate with herself that Rufio cherished most in the Ethaefal.

　　　　　　　　　　"Even though you fell into the ocean," heart shattered "here you really see me-" see all, see spirit, see heart. Rufio tapped her own temple beside her eye and then took Taurina's hands, turning them over so her palms faced the sky. "You see and you put the knowing into the things you draw." Rufio clasped Taurina's arm with her own, which was etched in windmarks. "You give belonging to others." gifts from Leth, zulkina, semekhe. "It is a gift I hope, one day, you give to yourself."

　　　　Feeling her heart loosen and her sentiments flow, Rufio moved next to face Jasmine and shared her heart without need for thought. "Jasmine, I admire your courage." spirit, strength "You care so deeply for others that you would take their wounds, but you are not a martyr." Courage for yourself "You are a warrior." Rufio's hands pressed against her own abdomen symbolizing mother-to-be and shaped lion.

　　　　Rufio followed the standing Stormbloods next to Lodai. Peering up into the man's grizzly features the fortune-teller crinkled her nose with a grin that was like a wolf's. "Lodai." She said stiffly, bowing her head and stepping aside, as if to move on without sharing any words with the Ankal's second. Before any could react with more than a gasp, she clasped the man's forearms suddenly and laughed. "I appreciate your heart." Squeezing his arms gently, "As big, as strong, as the warrior it belongs." you will always have mine, brother. She smiled, hands lingering fondly in sign, before she moved on to the last Stormblood present, drawing nearer to the pavilion doorway as she did.

　　　　"Azmere." The fortune-teller took the Ankal's hands as she had Jasmine's, turning them palm-up. Halting for a tick as she gathered her thoughts, rolling them on her tongue. "Azmere, I value your faith." Not strength, not fortitude, not endurance of his past or the fires or pain, not his leadership, not patience, nor wisdom. Rufio peered down into the ankal's empty palms and elaborated quietly. "You began this family with nothing in these hands, but faith in your heart." A grin sprung in beneath her freckles, "You brought together all us who could not belong elsewhere." family. "You are our Stormwarden. We are your winds." With a quiet laugh, she added.

" Even when we wander across the grass-sea..."
Stormbloods always return home..

by **Anuk** on March 4th, 2018, 12:13 pm

G R A D E

RUFIO self-grade

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TAURINA

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JASMINE

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AZMERE

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If you feel I missed anything, shoot me a PM!　　