|
|
Post by Nayunva on May 21, 2011 15:34:18 GMT -5
Zayna heard a voice grant her entry, and proceeded to enter the hut. The Churning Water's hut was one of the nicer one's in the village, built to last and with much care. She recognized the voice as Bila'reu's. She knew exactly who he was. He was one of the few in the clan that had become a Sea Hunter. He was much younger than her, ten years, but she saw the potential her had as a great hunter and warrior in the clan. Plus, she liked the way he styled his hair. A Mohawk, unique enough.
She walked fully into the hut, and recognized the other Churning Water's family members, but not one female. She presumed this to be the visitor.
At sight of Bila'reu and his greeting, she nodded to him and returned the gesture. "Oel ngati kameie, tsmukan." Se then turned to face the unknown female. She made the same gesture before speaking to her. "Welcome. I am glad I can count on our brave Sea Hunter to make sure our visitors are welcome." As she mentioned Bila'reu, she met eyes with him briefly and nodded warmly, her form of thanks. Bila'reu was the oldest member of the household present, so she presumed it was he that had invited her into the home."I am Zayna, future Tsahik." She assumed that her own introduction would be enough to prompt the visitor into introducing herself.
------
'Oel ngati kameie, tsmukan- I see you, brother
|
|
|
|
Post by Jai'byrd on May 23, 2011 8:52:06 GMT -5
The female that belonged to the voice asking for entrance was allowed in as a most elegant Na'vi entered the Txampay'awkx dwelling. Dressed in scads of white beads, white cloth and lightly-hued leather, this female had to be someone high-ranking among the sea people's Clan. However what Ni'awtu noticed the most was how Bila'reu reacted to her. The light in his eyes, the way he seemed to preen a little, if she had known him better or was among her own Clan it would be enough to make Ni'awtu giggle, but she kept her jaw firmly set as she looked back to the new female.
"I am Zayna, future Tsahik."
Ah, that explained it then, this was the Clan's Tsahik in training, which made Ni'awtu briefly wonder why her Clan hadn't gotten one yet... Kilvan'mawey wouldn't live forever after all.
"Oel ngati kameie, zusawkrr Tsahik Zayna," Ni'awtu replied, "I am Ni'awtu, 'upxareil of the Omaticaya. I have brought news from my Clan for the Olo'eyktan and Tsahik from the Omaticaya Tsahik Kilvan'mawey."
She hefted the bone and beaded horn that carried the message, but did not give it over. Ni'awtu had orders to give it only to the Olo'eyktan from her Tsahik.
zusawkrr = future
|
|
|
|
Post by HorusRe/Bila'reu on May 24, 2011 0:25:01 GMT -5
Bila'reu was more than a little non-plussed, as he really didn't know what to do in these situations. He knew how to entertain the leaders of his clan, that was easy enough, and he knew how to welcome strangers in a way that made them feel more comfortable within a clan that prized physical prowess and battle. What he really didn't know was how to do both at once. The situations were treated differently, more so when he didn't feel like he had some obligation to impress the future spiritual leader.
"Iheyu’ong?"
His younger sister looked up with alert eyes and her ears perked up.
"How many bladder polyps do we still have?"
The healer pondered for a moment and then rose to step over to a collection of storage jars, rifling through them as the eldest child in the hut stood beside the youngest and helped prepare the dinner.
Outside the storm grew, the wind started to howl as it streamed over the outer cover and stirred the inner air, as it was designed to do, and the near constant drumming of the increasing rain sounded with greater ferocity from the hide covering.
Bila'rea perked an ear, as a distant roll of thunder lulled through the coastal valley, and counted. Taking a deep sniff of the air as his eyes closed.
"Smells like a southern storm," he stated thoughtfully. "That will drive the Blood Fang up out of the colder southern waters."
He opened his eyes as a flash danced through the tent. He counted softly and silently to himself until the thunder arrived a dozen seconds later.
"Should be a good hunt tomorrow. It also means the late hunt will be rushing in ahead of the hard currents. Shouldn't take too much longer."
|
|
|
|
Post by Nayunva on May 24, 2011 20:45:18 GMT -5
As the female introduced herself, Zayna nodded in understanding. So she was a messanger. Zayna couldn't help but to wonder what news the messenger brought. She knew that the Skypeople had returned, but after the Olo'eyktan's execution of the last skyperson that had come here, they hadn't heard anything of the skypeople in their territory. She understood the female not showing her the message. If it was for the Olo'eyktan, then she should not disobey her orders.
The wind began to wail outside, and the sound of the rain became loud against the skins. She glanced over at Bila'reu as he spoke, announcing that the Olo'eyktan would be probably arriving shortly. "Good. Hopefully you won't have to wait much longer." She said to Ni'awtu. Zayna hoped that the Olo'eyktan would let her hear what the message said. She was curious as to what was so urgent from the other clans.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jai'byrd on May 27, 2011 7:54:32 GMT -5
As the flash happened and the thunder rolled, it made Ni'awtu jump a bit involuntarily as she rubbed her arms. She was amazed that Bila'reu knew just by the scent the storm was blowing in what the fishing would be like tomorrow, but then again thinking about it, didn't she know just by the scent of the jungles what was going on, what had just passed through and what was blooming? Thus, just like she knew her jungle home through and through, Bila'reu knew his just as well, if not better.
She nodded and smiled at Zayna as she indeed hope the Clan leaders would be arriving as she bet it must be miserable to be out in this weather. Granted the Txampay'awkx must be used to this moreso than her, but still, who really liked being stuck outside in a storm as fierce as this? She hoped Aten'eko was doing well in the caves above...
"Ah, have you met our Tsahik yet, Kilvan'mawey, Zayna?" Ni'awtu said, trying to make some small talk to pass the time...
|
|
|
|
Post by HorusRe/Bila'reu on May 27, 2011 11:53:09 GMT -5
The conversation turned away from his family, of things he knew, indeed... of things any of his family knew. As a dutiful and traditional clan, and his being a traditional (rather run-of-the-mill) family, he respected his future Tsahik and the importance of making connections to distant tribes. Thus he subtly bowed out of the conversation and stepped lightly over to his young sister.
Whispered words were spoken, the desired additional food stuffs procured, and the eldest offspring went about preparing a woven reed tray of food for the guest. Smoked fish, some bladder polyps, and a strange nut-like bulb covered in short spines. This he presented silently to Ni'awtu with a nod of reverence.
|
|
Zazu
'Eveng
Posts: 10
|
Post by Zazu on May 27, 2011 23:28:02 GMT -5
After she had finished her simple meal, the old woman had wrapped herself in a simple shawl and set out to greet their new guest. She had sent her heir before her, not wishing to rush away from her meal or go out in the storm, but now something called her, telling her to go and greet this new character. Assuredly she would regret all this when her bones began to ache the next afternoon, but it needed to be done or that nagging feeling in the back of her mind would not disapeer. Right now, the storm was making its mark on their cliffside home, whipping her loin cloth about the Tsahik's legs and spraying her with stinging rain. She had been going in a light trot before, but when the lightning crackled too close for comfort the old woman picked up spee and began to run despite her old age, and didn't stop until she reached The Churning Water's abode. She entered, slightly out of breath and dripping wet, hair wild and fierce about her head.
However, she composed herself quickly, and straightened up her crown of now-dying flowers. She removed the shawl and hung the useless thing over her arm and straightened up her wild hair before she went to greet this new guest. "Oel ngati kameie." she greeted before she pushed herself into the room, touching the shoulder of one of healers as she went and giving the woman a soft smile. The she turned to great warrior of the home, eyes still soft and face filled with a knowing smile. " Forgive me for interupting Bila'rea, but I felt a need to come and greet our newcomer." she said, nodding kindly in the strong warriors direction and giving him a smile for all his efforts. He had done well in making this woman feel at home until the storm waned, making her comfortable in his home and proceding to give her dinner.
"I came to officially welcome you young one." she said before she moved in closer, her golden eyes wide and filled with a curiousity that hadn't shown in a while. "I am Tsahik Zera'que." Suddenly, however her eyes hardened as she looked the woman over, not hard enough to be a glare, but hard enough to show the girl that she just wasn't here to walk around and just smile like an old ninny. "Why you have come?" she proceded to say, making the words seem more of a statement than a question with the stern tone of her voice.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nayunva on May 29, 2011 20:33:38 GMT -5
Zayna shook her head no in response to Ni'awtu's question. "No, I haven't yet. But I do hear that she is quite a personality to be around." Supposedly Kilvan'mawey was quite a personality despite her age. Zayna knew that very shortly she would probably need to meet the Tsahik. Forming relations with the other clans, even now, was very important.
Zayna was about to say something else when another voice sounded from the entrance to the hut, one she recognized very well. Zayna immediately touched her fingers to her forehead in greeting to the Tsahik, Zera'que. The woman was very aged, but very respected in the clan. Zayna, also greatly respected the female. As the gale's continued outside, it immediately crossed her mind that the old woman must have come through the storm. This worried Zayna slightly, but she did not break composure on her face, and instead stood behind the Tsahik as she began to question the visitor.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jai'byrd on May 29, 2011 22:40:52 GMT -5
Ni'awtu smirked a bit as apparently her Clan's Tsahik's eccentricities were known even among the other Clans. But then again, it shouldn't be too surprising considering she has been Tsahik for quite a while now. Even though it may not seem possible to Ni'awtu now that at one time Kilvan'mawey was young and probably did leave Omaticayan lands.
A plate of food was offered to her, which took her mind off trying to make small-talk as she picked up a polyp and popped it in her mouth. The series of flavors that came from that squishy thing certainly was a treat to the tongue, salty yet oddly sweet. She made a 'Mmmm' as she nodded appreciatively at the Sea Hunter.
However before she could try the spiny thing, another figure abruptly entered the abode as an elderly Na'vi female walked in and had an air about her that instantly commanded respect. Without realizing it Ni'awtu stood a little straighter and ran a hand over her face and hair as if that was smooth away the huge scars on the left side of her face.
Swallowing what was left in her mouth, she stepped forward when bidden, "Oel ngati kameie Tsahik Zera'que, I am Ni'awtu, 'upxareil of the Omaticaya," she introduced herself for the umpteenth time today, she wondered how long it would be until the Olo'eyktan showed up and she'd have to do this all over again.
Keeping that thought between her teeth she continued, "I bring a message for the leaders of the Txampay'awkx from the Tsahik of the Omaticaya."
|
|
|
|
Post by HorusRe/Bila'reu on May 30, 2011 5:13:29 GMT -5
If the Family of the churning Waters seemed to perk up, with due social etiquette, when Zayna entered their presence then they took that to a whole new level when their Tsahik made her presence known. Where as only the elder child seemed to preen for the prospective spiritual leader, all three took on an air of attention and delight within the powerful aura of Zera'que.
Before Bila'reu could move on his own his sister was already making a small plate for the Tsahik of the Txampay'awkx. There was a flurry of motion as all three of the offspring of two most respected, and most venerated, Sea hunters broke into feverish action. Without a word, or a moments hesitation, the elder Na'vi was brought something to dry herself with, the best seat in the hut to rest herself upon, and a fine ceramic cup filled with warm water. None of this was thrust upon her, rather it was all offered with reverence and only a little ado, as virtually any elder could really expect the same from most any family in the clan. It was not really her station that prompted such immediate attention, but the simple respect many of the clan held for those that survived their harsh lifestyle. Though the fact they brought Zera'que the best chair in the hut did indicate that her role did bring with it a certain additional degree of attention.
None of the younger generation spoke, they allowed the Tsahik, and the future Tsahik, the respectful silence to pursue whatever matters each felt important enough to grace their hut with such a twin dose of leadership.
"I bring a message for the leaders of the Txampay'awkx from the Tsahik of the Omaticaya."
Ni'awtu had only just spoken these words when a sharp blast from a shell horn echoed through the valley. This made all native ears perk, for it signaled the return of a group from the sea. It would have to be the return of the late-hunt, as none others were out in such weather. A second longer sounding followed a moment later, and this would have a decidedly deeper effect, as such a double use of the horn only meant one thing... that a hunter had been lost.
It was a fairly common thing within the Txampay'awkx actually, one in ten hunts ended with the loss of a life, as the seas were unforgiving and often lethal. with larger hunting groups the odds of losing a clan member was actually far greater than if they hunted in pairs. But hunting in smaller groups ensured that the larger game could not be met and killed.
Instantly the children of the Churning Waters took a somber look, as they glanced about between each other, and wondered if their relatives were among those that had been taken by the deep.
|
|
Zazu
'Eveng
Posts: 10
|
Post by Zazu on May 30, 2011 9:04:41 GMT -5
She accepted the blanket to dry herself with, and the cup of warm water, but had to refuse the seat with a soft smile. Something inside commanded her to stand, that it would be best if she stayed on her feet for a bit longer as she wrapped herself in the blanket, slowly becoming warmer by the minute. She sipped on her cup of warm water as she watched and listened to the guest before her, eyes still filled with curiousity.
The newcomer, who introduced herself as Ni'awtu, was quite eccentric in outward appearence and her words seemed well practiced, as if she had spoke the same speech over and over again. Zera'que's eyes softened quickly and she opened her mouth to speak, only to be interupted by the blast of a shell horn. She smiled and with a hint of humor in her voice she said, "It seems you will be meeting the our other leader as well today..." Then the second long blast broke in between her sentence, stopping her cold. Could Sempul'tsyal be the fallen one? Could that be why she felt the need to stand or could Eywa just be warning her before the event happened?
Whatever it was, she obviously could barely stand it, her tail curling around her leg in a helpless fashion, her normally open faced closed with worry. Zera'que had to leave, had to know if hers was to one. She touched the young woman's shoulder before she left and gave her heir and the family a look of apology. "Forgive me. Something is... I have to go." Her eyes narrowed and she turned away from the family, towards the door.
Zera'que quickly made her way out of the hut, eyes wide and worried, hurrying down to the approaching warriors. She searched them, their eyes hard and sad, but their faces were encased in strict unmovable masks. She wished to ask them who was gone, but she knew it would only bring more sorrow, so she continued looking, tugging the blanket tighter around herself to keep out the wind.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nayunva on May 30, 2011 16:55:26 GMT -5
Ni'awtu introduced herself for what Zayna was sure was probably the third time today. Zayna was just grateful she only had to introduce herself to one person. She flicked her ears toward Bila'reu as he approached the Tsahik,but other than that, she remained silent. As always, the Tsahik was shown the highest of respect. Not just because she was Tsahik, of course, but because she was an elder as well.
Zayna kept quiet, but did not try to seem intimidating. She merely waited patiently, until she heard the horn blow. Her ears flicked again in the direction of the sound, and her tail-tip twitched, happy that everyone was home and-
The second horn. Her eyes immediately fell to the ground, and her face dramatically changed from polite, to worry. She knew what this meant. Someone was dead. Her mind began to frantically try to recall who had gone on the hunt, what families would be affected. And, regardless of whether or not the body had been returned, a funeral would have to be held. The clan would soon need spiritual guidance.
She desperately hoped it was no one she was close with. Immediately, her mind went to her father. He had gone out on the late hunt, today. And although he was in his fifties, he did not stop for one second. Much like their Olo'eyktan.
At the thought of the Olo'eyktan, her eyes lifted to focus on Zera'que, who was now apologizing, and heading outside. Zayna nodded once to Ni'awtu then followed close after Zera'que, exiting the hut and going into the outside air.
The rain stung her face as she stepped outside, and she began wandering towards where the hunters were. Her tail-tip twitched profusely, and she immediately began to worry. She felt a presence arrive next to her, and looked over to see her mother, Lor'aw. Lor'aw gently touched Zayna's arm, and began to look out towards the group of arriving hunters. Zayna did the same, her eyes searching desperately.
|
|
|
|
Post by Jai'byrd on Jun 2, 2011 9:59:10 GMT -5
The horn blast made Ni'awtu's ears twitch as she cocked her head to one side. Ah, so the late hunting party must be back then, which was confirmed by the Tsahik's words. However then a second horn blast sounded and the whole atmosphere of the tent dramatically changed. The Omaticaya Na'vi said nothing as her tail twitched nervously, her large eyes landing on each person in the room as she watched their demeanor visibly and physically change. Some seemed to go hard, some's eyes went downcast and sad as both the Tsahik and her chosen successor quickly left the shelter of the tent into the pouring rain.
Something bad had just happened obviously, the second horn meaning something dire, but she didn't know and didn't want to presume. Thus she stood there, ready to get out of the way if need be so she wouldn't be a burden on her Txampay'awkx brethren...
|
|
|
|
Post by HorusRe/Bila'reu on Jun 3, 2011 13:51:55 GMT -5
Though the Churning Waters showed signs of concern, tinged with a grim acceptance, none of the children seemed driven to rush off and discover the inevitable truth. In fact Iheyu’ong seemed a little confused by the reactions of the Tsahik's, her eyes widened and her head movements sharp as she looked between the females as each one excused herself and hurried to leave.
Bila'reu waited for the Tsahik's to leave and then stepped beside his guest.
"The first sound was a horn of returning," he explained as he served the rest of his family and they all hunkered down around the fire to eat. Their behaviors totally inconsistent with the worry and flight of the other two. "The late-hunt is nearing the shore. It is one of the most dangerous times for our clan, as many predators lay in wait in the deep channel just off the shore and will attack from below. So they sound the horn to tell Eywa that some of her hunters are coming home."
He paused as he ate, thinking his own thoughts, and Iheyu’ong chimed in to continue the explanation.
"The second horn that you heard was the horn of the deep," she said with a soft smile to the guest. She bit off a portion of her smoked fish and then continued. "It means that one of our hunters was claimed by Eywa's child, T'weu, the deep sea. T'weu is a capricious daughter, and the sea takes what it wants from all that swim within her bosom. She allows us to take from her, and sometimes she takes from us. A hunter was lost today."
Bila'reu nodded as his sister spoke, eating silently beside his grim looking younger brother, Ni'awtu on his other side. As Iheyu’ong paused he spoke up again.
"The deep waters hide the largest game," he stated matter-of-factly, the sound of a hunter that dared to brave the darkness and hunt those savage beasts. "The late-season hunt goes out to honor T'weu and offer blood for her favor, and to bring enough meat back to the clan to feed us all; but we hunt predators, the largest predators, and in the darkness of the deep anything can happen. Sometimes the animal wins, and a Sea-Hunter goes into the deep. It is an honor, to go to Eywa through T'weu, on a day of the late-hunt."
He paused again but only for a moment.
"It is not a sad time, we lose many warriors to T'weu, that is why only the best of our hunters become Sea-Hunters. We hunt with Ikran most of the seasons, as T'weu does not reach up past the waters. Whenever a hunt goes into the world of T'weu we accept that one or many may go into the deep."
He turned and cast a warming face to Ni'awtu.
"Eat, warm yourself. The clan leader will hear of you after he comes onto the beach, and will come soon."
Bila'reu knew that they would not honor the memory of those that went into the deep until the next day, and even then would not gather until the storm had passed. Ni'awtu would be greeted by the olo'eyktan as soon as he was able. Bila'reu was also careful not to say that it would be Sempul'tsyal, as he knew that he could not guess who, or how many, had been claimed by the sea that evening. If the elder leader had fallen another warrior would act as temporary leader, at least until Zayna had selected a mate and the new clan leader was appointed by her selection.
**********************************
Out past the breakers the late hunt was returning home. Above the waters, riding the storm driven winds with a skill that would impress any Na'vi, a flight of thirty-one Ikran and their riders. Cresting the surging waves, riding the surf like they were born to mount their fierce-some looking Tlqsaytan, another nineteen hunters astride the thrashing/sleek bodies of the Deep Devils.
As those in the water crossed over the danger line, where the deep ocean chasm ended and left them in the safer waters of the continental shelf, the flight above flew ahead.
Sempul'tsyal rode T'or, the dark red Ikran with the distinct green markings, and lead the flight. The need of Ikran riders in a deep water hunt was simple, they could lead the hunters in the water to the large shadows that could be seen from above. They could also help to harry any beast driven to the surface and assist in bringing down the gargantuan predators that would be hunted.
The hunt had left with thirty-two Ikran riders, and twenty-three Tlqsaytan riders. They brought back nothing, no great kill, as this had been one of the times that T'weu had asked for the blood of Na'vi to slate her endless thirst. It was the way of the sea.
Sempul'tsyal soared down to the beach and dismounted his male Ikran in a single fluid motion, the winged predator not stopping as it hopped along the sand and promptly took back to the air as soon as the elder Na'vi was off and the link slipped free. T'or would return to the safety of the caves just as the clan leader sought sanctuary from the whipping winds and torrential rains. Around him many other Ikran riders dismounted, in various variations on the theme, and their Ikran did the same. It would take several more minutes for the Sea-Hunters to clear the reefs and dismount from their devilish aquatic companions.
The leaders eyes were hard, as they usually were, as he spied his mate and her heir apparent, as well as the members of several other families. He would have reprimanded them in a younger age, as they should not be out in such weather, but inside tending their fires and caring for the living, not rushing out into the storm to learn first what would soon be known by all. But not all of the clan could have a heart hardened by the nightmares of the deep.
He did not speak as he approached his mate, rather waiting for her to tell him why she had risked her failing flesh to the rigors of the storm.
|
|
Zazu
'Eveng
Posts: 10
|
Post by Zazu on Jun 3, 2011 18:43:51 GMT -5
Then there her mate was, approaching her, eyes hard and mouth unmoving. He seemed angry or upset, but whatever he felt Zera'que really didn't care, he was alive and safe. Eywa must have simply been warning her of the fragile balance of life on the sea and how easy it would be for her to sweep away all that she cared for.
It seemed Sempul'tsyal was waiting for her to speak, probably to explain why she was in the storm. She gave him a soft smile and pressed her hand against his chest, feeling his heartbeat under hand. "Eywa has been kind to me..." Then the tears poured down, softly and slowly but it was highly unlikely Sempul'tsyal could see or smell them, the storm was picking up and stinging her skin with its fury. That was good, she didn't want him to see her weakness, even if it didn't matter.
She pulled the blanket tightly around her with her free hand, using the soaked thing as a barrier against the biting rain. However, the blanket was useless, the wind chilled her bones anyways. "We have a guest, a 'upxareil of the Omaticaya. She has brought a message to us from their Tsahik. Bila'reu's family has taken good care of her, but I do not wish to keep the girl waiting." she whispered to him as she removed her hand slowly from his chest, hesitantly for she didn't want to retreat from the small peice of warmth he provided. Then she turned abruptly and made her way back to the hut of the Churning Waters.
She let one hand swing freely by her side as she turned and made her way back up the hill, an invitation he would have to choose to take or to leave. She smiled softly as she remembered the quiet moments they had when they were younger, and of course the more wild ones, but then that smile was choked down by a ferocious choking cough that stole her breath.
She reached out for something to hold onto whilst the coughing tore through her system, the other hand searching through a pouch at her side. She stumbled and fell, eyes wide as she finally found her medicine and ripped it out of the pouch. She swallowed the liquid between one of her coughs and settled herself in a comfortable position so that she could ride the attack through. She sat there in the stinging rain for a while, hands threading through the sand, attempting to soothe their owner.
|
|
