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This is a log between Drac and Ed, the page breaks show a switch between characters, post count will be posted at the end once complete.

(Kaalnia, Iroia, Votzhem - ???)

Kaalnia patted Votzhem on the back. "Aww, I'm sorry, Voshhy."

"I really thought she was the one..." said Votzhem. They sat on a tree branch near Neued, mostly away from prying ears. He slumped, dejected. "I really did."

"And she just left you? All alone in the dark? After you slept with her?" Votzhem nodded and Kaalnia shook her head, disbelieving, "I oughtta beat her up."

Votzhem shrugged noncommittally. He knew that Kaa wouldn't ever do such a thing - she was too nice. "Yeah." he said, not agreeing with the foretext, only the subtext. "Yeah."

Kaalnia knew she wouldn't hurt the traitorus woman either. She wasn't that kind of woman. "I'm so sorry, Vosshy."

"I don't know what set her off..." he said, again, for the third time that conversation. Kaalnia understood - Kaalnia knew what it was like to not get something out of your head. She listened sympathetically. "Things were going fine... I thought she loved me. She was into me, I just..." he leaned against her, holding back his tears. "I just don't get it..."

Kaalnia had a good guess - she ran into it all the time with Earthling girls, especially those with families that wanted them with a man. Sure, there wasn't much against two people of the same sex getting it on with each other in Tendaji, but people could be jerks and some parents really wanted grandkids that badly, and some people still felt shame even when they oughtn't. No, it wasn't so bad with the Earthlings, but sometimes, they just wanted to try her out, to know the touch of a woman so they could go back to their men, satisfied. Kaalnia didn't mind - she wasn't after anything permanent. Her 'one' was likely never going to come. She was a woman of many, her awesomeness there for all.

But Votzhem was different. He wanted a one, and this one... this Alkidike just wanted to try a male... and it wasn't so accepted, not for Alkidikes. "It'll be okay, Vosshy." she reassured him, "You'll find someone else, someone who appreciates you, you know?" she pat him on the back, "You'll see: there's someone out there for you."

~~~

Iroia lounged just out of camp, Ruelash was around somewhere. She felt a bit listless this wasn't like her. It made her a touch mad, to be still and not wanting to move for once. Maybe she was sick and the best way to cure stillness was with movement. So that is what she would do. She wandered off, wishing she had a sprite or something to send to Ruelash with a message of where she was going. She settled for making a noticeable scuff in the dirt and rubbing her scent over the surrounding area for Direk. Then she left a note peeking out from under a rock.

“Gone ranging towards the Nued Battlefield be back within five days.”

She probably wouldn’t be there that long but it gave her enough time that if she found something interesting she wouldn’t have to rush back before the cavalry came for her. That would work, she thought, she was sure he would find it, he was a clever man. She traipsed off into the bush. Soon she started to feel much better. Sitting around really was not her thing, she had never spent much time doing so. Now with the end of the war and the peace and the period of suspicion of how long the treaty would last before one of the Obans started it up again...well now she was a bit bored. She didn't want to leave in case things started up again, but she had been on edge for too long a time and it had
Sapped her seemingly boundless energy. Hence her side trip into the bush she had to get that motor going again or forever be a listless ground potato and that was unacceptable. Not gonna be her, nope.

Soon enough she got a good headwind going and the distance was eaten away beneath her. It took some time but she eventually arrived in Neued and began to scout around the edges. This was restful mind freeing work, she didn’t have to think about social issues or silly girls or if the stew was slightly too old for further use. Here she caught her meals and ate them direct. Fresh, clean and soothing.

~~~

“Yeah. Right.” said Votzhem sarcastically, bitterly.

“No, really! There's someone out there for you. I'd bet my spear on it.” said Kaalnia, “Look, Voshhy, someone's gonna love you. Just not her. There's plenty of ladies out there...” she looked out on the Tale, her gaze drifting, finally, onto a dark shape on the ground below. “Ooo!” she said, standing up partially on the branch, “Like that one! Damn, look at her!” she said, admiringly.

Votzhem was aware, well aware, that Kaalnia's taste in girls could be boiled down to 'boobs'. Still, he looked, and dismissed her. “She's, what, pure leaf? Why would she want me?” truth was, he wanted an Alkidike girl, if only to feel closer to the tribe of Aisha. But none wanted him, at least, none thus far.

“C'mon. Anybody would want you. You're sexy. If you were a girl...” she let the comment hang in the air.

She didn't realize how much it hurt him. She'd been the first alkidike he'd fallen for, but her blatant obliviousness and preference had eventually killed that hope. It's remains were still there in his soul, undecayed.

“Anyway.” she said, grabbing his arm, and dragging him forward as she jumped off the branch. He landed awkwardly, staggering to keep his balance. “Lets go say hi!”

Votzhem knew that he couldn't stop her as she dragged him forward towards the girl, and he resigned himself to his fate.

“Hi there!” Kaalnia called, “Are you a mirage, or have me and my buddy just found paradise?!”

Votzhem tried not to groan at her 'pick up line' and prayed to Aisha for this indignity to be over quickly and cleanly...

~~~

Iroia heard footsteps...and words and then tripped on her lovely feet. Bouncing back up embarrassed that they had seen her fall she brushed herself up, hackles beginning to rise just the tiniest but. But they hadn't sounded...hostile. And the lady looked a bit familiar. The male however...she gulped...had someone morphed Ruelash when she wasn't looking..and gave him feelers and sexy markings? She shook her head...she must have fallen harder then she had thought. Bah. Besides, this guys eyes were different..dark, lovely.. oh dear they were getting closer. Did uh, did the alkidike want an actual answer to that question. She scanned their faces ..."Last time I checked this was Neued post battle so...not paradise but neither am I a mirage I have come from the other Tale camp. Can I er help you?"

This wasn't exactly what she had thought she would find out here..she wasn't disapointed though. They were both lovley to look at and if her gaze lingered a bit on a lovley blue chest well she was still female! "...Kaa...Kaalnia right? I think I've seen you around..er very graceful. And from what she had heard of the ladies speach a reprehensable flirt which was better then silly fluffbrain in Iroia's book. A real woman not one of those fluttery things she couldn't stand and her compannion was definitely not a woman. She wondered wistfully if they were together. "My names Iroia its a pleasure." She nodded her head respectfully.

"I came out for a walk, I was getting a little bored in camp."

~~~

Kaalnia was easy to flatter, and easier to please. “Graceful? Really?” She struck a pose, her headdress arched to match her antennae as she showed off her grace and charms, “Thank you!” she said, smiling playfully at the leaf girl, noticing – to some dissappointment – that Iroia was looking more at Votzhem than her. But that was fine too! That a girl wasn't attracted to her had never stopped Kaalnia from hitting on them. “Iroia? That's a lovely name! I don't hear it around much, do you Voshhy?”

Votzhem grunted an affirmation, looking over the leaf girl reluctantly. She was pretty, and there was no way to miss how her eyes travelled down his chest, but, after the last girl – the girl from last night – he wasn't sure if he wanted to try again.

But of course, Kaalnia being kaalnia, she was going to force him to cheer the hell up. “This is Votzhem!” she said, pulling him closer, “He's from Zena! Ever been there? It's cold as a Radaku's...”

Votzhem jerked away, a little incensed at Kaalnia's forwardness.

“What, should I have said Mammu?” Kaalnia joked, giving him a playful shove, “Either way, its cold.”

He grunted, shaking his mane of disordered blue dredlocks into place. “Yeh.” he said, after an expectant moment, “I'm Votzhem...” he noticed, at her belt, a pair of training swords, the sort that had been assigned out to the prentices at the battle.

“Hey.” he said, gesturing to them, “Yer a dual-blade wielder? An assasin?” he asked. One look at Kaalnia revealed that he wasn't going to get out of talking to this stranger.

~~~

Iroia's eyes nearly crossed, this Kaalnia was funny and shameless. "I don't think its that common no." She said trying not to blush, she wasn't used to so much friendly attention. Her most rescent encounters were either hostile or low key with Ruelash. "Um no I haven't been to Zena me and my travelling companion were heading that way when we got distracted by the war. It was a good distraction." She grinned. "I've never been out of Tale or Jahaur actually. But then I haven't been travelling long.

Iroia glowed at the mention of her swords. "Why yes, just got these from the battle actually, I hope to be an assasin at some point like me ma. Da went with the single sword and as romantic as that is it just didn't feel right so I went with the twins. What are you specilized in?" She asked as she looked for some weapons. "I take it you went the way of the spear Kaalnia?" Weapons, weapons were an excellent topic, she could talk weapons all day. She pulled one of hers out and flipped it over and over in her palm. "They are a little simple yet, but I can't wait until I can get some custom ones. I got to find the stones for them first though you see?"

The talk of weapons relaxed her a bit. Her body language reflected that as she tilted her hips to lean against a nicely placed tree. "You guys headed to Zena now? Or are you haning around to get a look at the fire and water people? I can't wait to properly meet one of the Matori and find out what is has been like for them, imagine being enslaved." She shuddered strongly, it was an awful way to live in her opinion.

~~~

Kaalnia, over the years, had gotten a knack for figuring out who was good with who. She was sure she'd never find someone solid that she could just be with forever – she was a public service of awesomness, not to be monopolized (Not since Tzophi) – and she grinned as she watched the two relax under the topic of weapons. Weapons weren't her thing – That Artisan, Dyakida, sure could talk about them though, and hey, she was hot so Kaalnia listened even though the Artisan was clearly not into her. “Yep! Spear for me!” she said, “Can't do this with a bow or blades, right?” she said, doing a little dance maneuver with her spear, just to show off. “I mean, maybe with blades, but can you imagine dancing with a bow?”

Votzhem nodded. “I tried a spear, and a bow, but my ma said that I should do blades, and I figured, why not.” he drew one of his blades – made by Dyakida out of blue crystal from the eastern rivers of Jahuar, known for its clarity and tensile strength. He just liked them, and they matched his skin, but from what he had seen of the remarkable blind alkidike and her strange little apprentice, the color was definitely intentional. He angled it to catch the light, so Iroia could see the craftsmanship at the razor-sharp edges. “I like th' balance. You have a blade in each hand, completely symm... uh...” he looked at Kaalnia, “That thing, where yer the same on both sides?”

“Symmetrical.” she laughed, “Yeah...” she said, returning to a more natural non-pose, her shoulders loose and relaxed, “When you can only hold something in one hand, or both hands, you can't have the same thing in either end...” she held her spear sideways, just to show it, “See? One end head, the other end, butt...” she snickered. “Not that theres a problem with anybody's butt.” she quipped, winking at Iroia and taking the oppurtunity to blatantly check out the girl's a**, as much as she could see of it.

Votzhem grimaced. “Oi. Kaa. Watch it.” he mumbled, aware that some ladies took ogling as an insult. A phantom pain sprouted, just between his antennae.

Very aware.

“The stones?” he asked, “What, the crystal or... somethin' else?”

~~~

Her face glowed as she looked at the blades, "Those are beautiful! I love the color. I find pure metal blades like mine a bit bland." She held hers out to so he could see better. She nodded, "I like symmetry too, its more natural like an exstension of ones self, we have two hands, two eyes and two feet, makes a lot of sense to have two blades..and Dad's sword was heavy. Felt more like a club then a proper blade at one point."

Iroia smirked at Kaalnia's words and leaned her rear against the tree. That lady was shameless and she smiled despite herself.
"The stones are to be imbedded in the hilt, either precious or semi precious depending on what I find, it will take a while to earn custom blades though. I have named them already; Heart's Bane and Dragon Tickler." She got a somewhat dreamy look on her face before shaking her head to clear it. "Does whoever did yours work with metal too? Or just that lovely crystal?"

Her stomach growled ominously and she blushed as she pulled her pack over her shoulder. "Are you two hungry? I have a ton of food with me if your interested in an impromptu picnic." She had stocked up well before even deciding on going on this trip. She pulled out bread and smoked meats and set them down near her so she could dig out the fruit on the bottom. "There we are."

She glanced shyly at the pair, she didn't want to hold them from whatever they were doing, but she didn't nessesarily want them to leave yet, she was already starting to really like Kaalnia and Votzhem fascinated her. He talked about weapons and was more conservative then the spunky Kaa. What else was in there?

~~~

Votzhem laughed. “I like those name's.” he said. Kaalnia smiled to see him relaxing – for all his gruffness, what she liked about Votzhem was that he wasn't as bad a guy as he looked once you got past his hard outside. “They're whimsical...” he turned to Kaalnia, “Hey, your spear... does it have a name?”

Kaalnia laughed. “Probably, but not – like – one I could say!” she twirled it playfully, “It's such a part of me that it is me, just...” she twirled it again, “Dancing me. And I have no idea how to say that, ya know? A real abstract concept.” Abstract, incidentally, was a new word for her, and she thought it wasn't bad as new words went. “But yeah, if it had a name, it'd be... whatever that is.” she tilted her head – her whole upper body really – and let her antennae and headdress fall at a rakish angle. “So what're the names of your swords, Voshhy?” she asked, vaguely interested now.

Votzhem thought for a moment. “They don't have them yet...” he said, running a hand along their flat side, lovingly, “They'll get twin names, that's for sure, when I do something real important with them...” he grinned at the thought.

Kaalnia thought about Iroia's question. “'Kida? I think she just works with crystal, mostly, thats all I've seen her with anyway... but hey!” she said, gleefully, “Who knows?! Maybe she'll make something of metal, just for you!” she leaned in conspirationally, “She's neat like that.” she drew away coyly, “So,” she asked on a sudden whimsical thought, “What's the story behind your blade's names, anyway?”

“Yes.” seconded Votzhem, “Any reason why you named them that?” His eyes were intent on the bread and smoked meat. He sat down nearby with little prompting or ritual, accepting her offer. He was hungry.

Kaa wasn't. “None for me, thanks! I'll eat later.” and she likely would. There was plenty of food in camp, and Kaalnia was not known for snacks or regular spacing of meals...

~~~

Iroia smothered a giggle at Kaalnia's antics with her spear. It seemed like nothing could sober that woman up and Iroia was afraid that was infectious, she didn't think she had ever been that perky. Then Kaa mentioned that "Kida" might make special blades from metal especially for her, Iroia hummed with excitement just at the thought. "Crystal looks very elegant, does it shatter ever? Or is this really tough crystal?" It seemed weird to think that anything else was as strong as metal.

Iroia blinked. "Err, it sounded intimidating and I got quite infatuated with the idea, I have always liked the really old stories about dragons. How they had impenetrable armor so my dinky blade would only tickle them. Hearts Bane because blades release blood and hearts pump and need blood so they dont like knives? I've never really thought it through beyond that the names sounded cool."

"Your sure Kaalnia? There is plenty here." Iroia handed Vosh some more as he was devouring things at an alarming rate, then she started herself 'cause if she didn't there might not be much left if Kaa were hungry too. Votzhem was big and she bet it took a lot more food to feed him then it had ever taken to feed her..baring the heavy training days when it felt like she couldn't eat enough ever.

"Sorry its not that fresh I gathered stuff I thought would last a long time without being stored in a cache."

~~~

“Nah. I'm fine.” said Kaalnia, inspecting the head of her spear, “This stuff? It's strong and it keeps its edge Not a single dent in it. Kida...” she said the nickname with pride, “She never uses brittle stuff. She gets the good crystal, always. She's one of the best.” Kaalnia puffed up slightly, “She's my sister's friend, did you know?”

“Pretty sure she's got no frostbitten clue who yer sister is.” said Votzhem.

“Psshhh.” protested Kaalnia, but she did not press. All right, it was reasonable. Just because Briella had been dating the tribe's mystic didn't mean that anybody else knew or cared. “Anyway, Dyakida is probably the best ever. Everybody says so, and I'm telling you, it's true.”

“And she costs.” muttered Votzhem, “Worth it, but damn... That woman should stop listenin' to traders...” he winced, remembering the hard-to-get furs and Zenan materials he'd had to part with for his blades. And she'd given him a discount for being a male hybrid, though he had only her word – and Kaalnia's word – for that. He'd heard that she'd made a hammer for some other hybrid. For free. But he supposed it was because they were friends. “Anyway.” he said, “Nice names, but I want mine to earn 'em, you know?” he grinned, “Feels... proper... that way.”

Kaalnia tried not to snicker. “Well, name or not, Iroia, You've got nice blades.” and her flirtacious look said that that wasn't all she thought was nice on Iroia. Sure, she had an average chest, but Kaalnia didn't mind. The girl had the curves and muscle and crystals to make up for it. Yep, she wasn't bad looking.

Votzhem had noticed too. He took another bite of the food and pretended not to. “This one time.” he mentioned, offhand, “My ma's and me, we was stuck inside when a blizzard came down from Zena. All we had to eat for about three days were smoked meats and whatever greens we had inside. An...” he remembered with a wry grin, “Some stale bread an' leather. Mama, she wanted to eat the stuff by the end, just for variety, but Momma, she laughed and told her that they'd be out soon. And so they was.” he took another bite, “Anyway, this food's fine. Ya don't gotta worry about it.”

~~~

"I get it, these are not them though mine will be custom blades when I'm an assassin, by then hopefully I will have earned named blades." She smiled, "Leather? Really? Well I don't feel so bad now, I bet you could chew that stuff for hours. I bet there wasn't much after you got out of the blizzard either? What did you do in the mean time, I would go stir crazy I think. Might chew on the leather of my own accord for something to do." Being stuck somewhere like that was almost beyond her ken. She shook her head. "I dont think there would be much left of the inside of the building if I got bored. There is only so many times one can sharpen a blade as much as I enjoy doing it."

"I remember mom let dad cook...once. Then he was demoted to meat for the rest of eternity." She giggled remembering her family, they were solid people of the sword and now that she mentioned them she kind of missed them. Now see if Kaalnia got stuck somewhere she would just charm the blizzard into leaving her be."

Vosh, she thought could charm fire, he was so hot. Not for the first time she was glad no one could read her mind...since when had she gotten so cheesy? Rue would be laughing at her if he understood what she was going through right now. She was dying to ask him if one of his parents was an iceling or a shifter he had such beautiful skin, from the tone she would say ice but she could be wrong. She wanted to see if it was smooth like hers but settled for shifting in place. Kaa was much easier to fliry with as she held confidence about her like a thick impenetrable wool cloak. Sadly Iroia wasn't all that confident unless there was a knife fight going on. Finally full Iroia leaned back with half lidded eyes, enjoying new company for the first time since she had met Ruelash. It was nice to know that she and he were not the only two out and about that could carry on a conversation with each other. She felt a little piece of her unlock and fly away and her body language finally showed it as she relaxed every muscle. "Nothing like food after a long hike I say." Her eyes danced with peace and merriment. This was a brave new feeling for her and somewhat unexpected since she had just met these two but for once words were working better then scrapping. A little fire returned to her eyes when she thought of that Oban prat. She shoved him out of her head, he wasn't work capramel spit.

"You two just out for a stroll then?" They were not together together otherwise she didn't think Kaa would have looked at her behind quite that way. She wanted to look at Vosh more but decided to er on the side of caution since he seemed a little taken aback by Kaa's forwardness.

"What is your opinion on familiars? I have a friend who has an aldabuck who is dead handy and rescently I found myself in a position where one would have been very useful. However I haven't found a species I like or much of a want for one."

~~~

“Nope, wasn't much.” said Votzhem, “We had to hunt and trap just to make up for lost stores...” he frowned, remembering, “Aye, was a rough time, but we managed. That's what you get, up in th' mountains. Managing...”

“Yeah. Not my kind of life.” said Kaalnia. She'd been to Sauti and Zena twice, and she was not willing to stay long enough for a blizzard to get her. “Staying in one place sounds boring as s**t.” she turned to Votzhem. “Heh, Maybe I could charm it. Probably not, though... Not my type, you know?” she grinned. Not that she knew what gender blizzards were, but they were, well, blizzards. There was nothing to wrap your arms around... right? Just wind and snow and cold. She poked Votzhem. “Good question... Seriously, how did you and your mothers survive cooped up in there?”

Votzhem shrugged. “Waited, told stories, slept, ate... We didn't do much.” he chewed carefully on his mouthful, “Honestly, the blizzard was too loud for much else. You looked outside and it were just white. White everywhere, with a funny sorta glow. Thats the sun, you know. Going through the snow.” Votzhem thought it was pretty, but it was also dangerous. Snow was not good. “Anyway, yeah. Food's good after a hike...” he glanced up at Kaalnia, alarmed at the question.

“Yeah, just taking a stroll.” said Kaalnia, giving him a 'don't worry' grin, “It's a nice place to stroll, right? All the trees and the grass and the sky. You don't see much sky in Jahuar. A little on the Isles, but not much.” she grinned, “You leaf folks sure have a nice land.”

Votzhem grunted. The Tale was the Tale. He didn't care about the flat grassland so much. His musings on terrain, however, were distracted by a question about animals. “Dunno.” he said, “I don't got one.” he looked at Kaalnia.

“I've got a menk in a bubble, but I don't think that counts...” she said, tapping Popper in his belt-attached prison, “An aldabuck, eh? They're funny critters. They don't look tough, but OWCH...” Kaalnia winced, and Votzhem did the same, both of them remembering a run in they had both had with the beasts.

“They can kick.” Votzhem said, gravely.

“And those horns...” They both winced again. “Anyway...” Kaalnia continued, “Not sure if I'll ever have one other than Popper... but Dyakida? She's got a sprite.”

“Yeah, I saw that!” said Votzhem, “That thing sees things for her, doesn't it?”

“Heh, yeah. She really liked your hair, didn't she?”

Votzhem grumbled. “Annoying beast. Guess it's useful, though...” he thought for a moment, “Raptrix are nice. Radaku too... Maybe one of those big beasties in the battle, eh? That... what was it?”

“I forgot... the lizard things and the thing with the gills...” Kaalnia grinned, remembering the Yaotl's sexy rider more than her mount...

~~~

"No aldabuck then." She grinned. Iroia sidled over to get a better look at Popper. "Cute fishie."

"Yes I rather like it, Tale is nice and open but not so open you feel like something is going to swoop down and get you. I don't think I have ever seen mountains..I hear they loom.'

"I think a sprite would be hard to keep track of I would worry about it getting hurt all the time." In short it would be more of a distraction then a help and what would happen if she sat on it by accident?

"The Arwa? Or the Yaotl? Which thing had gills? I wish I had more time to pay attention during battle but..I get a bit preocupied with the er blood lust. Not a lot of room for examining beautiful creatures during battle." she tapped her skull. Of course there were beautiful creatures right here...oh dear Kaa was wearing off on her already. " I wonder if I will get a better look later. The arwa I don't care to see again but the Yaotl was pretty cool."

"This reminds me, I will need to restore my food stocks if either of you want to collect some things with me, I think I can recognize one of the tuberous roots that is really good when you burry it beside coals in a fire."

"That is if you want to stock up too, I don't want to drag anyone unwillingly on my lazy gardener's trip."

~~~

“Isn't he?” asked Kaalnia, grinning with pride, “He's adorable, and really easy to take care of.” Popper blurbled at the new face, swishing his shiny tail at Iroia. “I think he likes you.” said Kaalnia, winking, “Not hard to like, right?” if only she knew.

“Ya, the mountains loom, but there's always a place to hide, you know?” he thought for a moment, “And I think Kaa means the Yaotl. The acid spitting thing.” he said, nodding affirmatively as he remembered it, “was neat. Not sure if its for me though...” He stood up and gave Iroia an odd look. “Ya know...” he said slowly, “I was just gonna suggest that, since we went and ate yer food, that we'd help to replace it...” he hesitated, “Kaa?”

Kaa looked at them both before shrugging, “Youre the one that knows how to find roots and all. I'll go catch a beastie for meat, because meat is good and you ate all her meat...” she nudged him, “You pig.”

He scoffed. “Just taking advantage o' a generous offer.” he mumbled.

Kaalnia laughed, “I'll be back in a snap!” she said, and she was off, spear in hand to catch something... hopefully.

Votzhem gave the fire a nudge. “Lets keep this going.” he said to Iroia, “That way we've coals and a fire already.” he folded the blanket for her and handed it over, giving her an appraising look. “Well, lets go find them roots.” he said.

~~~

"Thank you both for your help."

"I may have been more careful feeding that thing if I had known it spat acid before hand..then again I might have fed it more..."

"Hmm I suppose you are right, in Tale we just kind of dive below the grass and hope that no one notices us bending the stalks, you mean cave hiding places? I always wanted to try sleeping in one to try and creep myself out. Tale is sadly a bit short on caves." She sighed dramaticaly. "I sense a trip to Sauti or Zena in my near future."

Iroia had to cover her face to keep the snort of laughter in at their interaction, that wouldn't be gracious at all. But Kaa was just so funny she almost couldn't help it, and the honest way Vosh replied was just icing on the cake.

"Good luck!" Iroia called after her. "Never could do the spear thing too bulky for me. Anyway yes on to the roots."

She walked off with almost a skip in her step. She was very happy and she wasn't all that used to this glowing, bubbly , burbly thing. It was different then her other bond. This felt charged with energy..and well the last time she felt "charged" to go find roots was well never? Or close as close to never as to make no nevermind anyway. The energy that roiled off of this pair was infectious, and she tried not to think too hard on how hot her assistant was. He had long graceful feelers and the smooth skin of the iclings, if he had crystals she couldn't see them and again using huge effort she tried not to wonder about where they were.

"I think I see a patch over there. I hope their roots are not so deep as they get in Tale, they are very stubbron but so worth it for a nice hot meal." She pounced the patch and managed to bend a woody branched stalk out of her way. Growling she tugged on it but instead of pulling out easily it stuck tight, the stalk wouldn't even break off for her it was so strong. So she reefed harder grunting lightly with the effort. "Stupid plant, come on I just want to eat you...well part of you...grunt..the good part not the leaves..blegh."

~~~

Votzhem followed her thoughtfully. “You should go to Zena.” he offered, a little abruptly, as if he had been turning it over in his mind in silence, “It's nice in the spring and summer, less snow and more plants.”

If he had known what the leaf woman thought of him, he would have felt gratified. He knew he was handsome, or usually did, though his confidence often wavered these days. After all, if he was as good looking as he thought he was, then he wouldn't find himself so abandoned. Like now. Like the night before.

The night before was why his own opinions of the leaf girl were guarded. Was she good looking? Maybe. She wasn't bad looking, certainly. Was she hot? Possibly. He'd just met her, and the wounds of before were still very fresh. Painfully fresh. He moved a dred out of his face, pretending that it was the source of his preoccupation.

Without Kaalnia there, things were still a little raw, but he was no wuss. He could get on without his best friend for a little while. As Iroia found a root, he looked around for one of his own to dig up and, not finding one, crouched by her root and watched – he'd learned of the roots and tubers of the Tale, but he'd never seen a native do it before.

Clearly, though, she was having trouble. Wordlessly, he drew his sword and tried to loosen the ground around it. When that didn't work, he lent his hands to assist, standing next to her and pulling at it. “I believe ya” he said, “If you say it's worth it...” he gave it a mighty tug, “but it's being a right pain.” he scowled.

~~~

"Stubborn root." she commented as it didn't come up even with the loosening, "They taste so good but not if you can't get them out of the ground." Iroia was happy he was there to help, less happy that her root was doing its darndest to insult her strength. When the root didnt budge with the knife he came over to help her pull. Sweat slicked her palms and as she readjusted their hands touched and she realed with the zap that shot up her arm. "Sorry, slippery plant is slippery. The trick is to get the top off, then dig the root out, usually its not so mean but this is an old codger."

Finally at a good grip she reefed as he did and the stubborn stem popped off like it should have before. The release of energy deposited them on the ground and she grinned at her branchy catch. "Got it!" She chirped happily. "Time to get dirty." she scooted back to the stump of the stem and started to dig. "Wow this is old," she uncovered the top of an enormous tuber, and started down the side. "They don't get so big in Tale. Maybe its the rain?"

She panted with exertion, "This is almost as good as a spar for a workout."

"Soon enough the root was out and she pulled it up only to have it thump resoundingly back on the ground. "Welp I think we are rolling it to a fire. On the plus side we only need this one."

~~~

Votzhem, for his part, didn't notice the brush of hands. He was focused on keeping his balance and optimizing his stance and all those things that were hard to do while helping someone else. When it finally decided to relinquish its hold on the ground, he managed to not look hopelessly undignified. He managed to get back to his feet long enough to sheathe his blade before proceeding to push the massive tuber out of the ground. “Maybe.” he grunted, looking at the thing, “Maybe it's just been real hidden.” He panted – it was heavy - “And just didn't get found for a while.”

He nudged it experimentally as it lolled on it's plump side, and then grinned, snickering at the absurdity of it all – of him. He'd been dumped by yet another alkidike, had had yet another morning of tears, and now he was standing in front of the mother of all tubers. What an odd turn for his day!

“Well!” he said, smirking, “A little dirt hasn't hurt nobody!” he said, as he began to push it, “Ye'll need more embers for this, I'm thinking.”

~~~

"Yes I think a large fire is needed....maybe a kiln. I wonder how Kaa is doing with the meaty portion."
As the tuber finally reached its final resting place, she stood and rolled her head on her shoulders. "Well I feel accomplished don't you? One plant conquered...oh I almost forgot..she raced back to the hole and collapsed the sides in, then she began searching the vibrant green leafy portion of the plant. Finding what she sought, she held her palm open to Vosh to reveal 3 perfect black seeds. One she placed where the old plant had sat and toed soil over it. Then she uncapped her canteen and watered around it. The others she put in a pouch. "I'll find them a good home too." I think my sword teacher would like it. " That deeper thinking she had learned when she had faced the dreaded bug people, the dretch. Blegh

“A good idea.” said Votzhem, grabbing the big roasting pieces and spitting it nicely on the stick with a grunt of effort.

“You'll get there.” reassured Kaalnia, giving Iroia's arm a bold squeeze and grinning at Votzhem's efforts.

“You could help, you know.” he growled, working the meat through the spit.

“Nah,” she said, gleefully, “You've got it.”

He grunted in response and, finishing the job, he put it over the fire and tied a handle onto the spit and stands. “To turn it proper.” he explained, sitting back for a moment before setting up the other meat to cook.

“Well...” Kaalnia thought for a moment, “Sounds like we're going to get a few more of those Matori up here, now that they're freed. That'll be interesting...” especially if all the ladies were as gorgeous as their leader. “Some Obans too.”

“Bad idea, if you ask me.” grunted Votzhem, “They should get their s**t together first, before comin' up here. From what I hear...” he said, intentionally competing with Kaalnia, “Everything down south is a big mess after that new king of theirs came into power...”

Kaalnia knew she'd been caught in the act and didn't care. Why should she hide her admiration? She never did. She winked at Iroia.

“Hey, maybe.” she said, “Politics makes my head hurt. I've got other things to worry about.” like death and dying and funerals... Which could be depressing but not when she was thinking it. The afterlife, apparently, didn't need to suck majorly, for the dead or the living. If she was going to go, she wanted a party... not the point. Politics was so strange and solely for the living, that, important as it was, Kaalnia felt her eyes glaze over whenever the elders talked about it.

Votzhem was a little more sensitive. “Mmm... I'm 'specting more of it.” he said. Politics was not his thing, but as a hybrid, he had learned to listen to the changes in its winds. “Aye. Be glad we've got history to have.” he lightly admonished. Truth be told, he had liked his lessons, but that was because Laki had given them, and Laki had a way with stories. Other elders barely touched his education, even as they showered his mama with appreciation. His mama was a hero. He was a freak. “Outside's lovely when there ain't a blizzard going.” he commented, “Or a big ol' storm, here. But... aye. Politics. It can get pretty dense.” Which it could. Dense as bugcrap in the jungle. “So if they're dodgin' that, I get it, but its a mess that won't clean itself up.”

“I'd like to see more water people, for sure.” said Kaalnia, grinning. That much was obvious.

“We'll see.” said Votzhem, taking the cue from Iroia to check his own blades and start sharpening them. “It's up to them.”

The two were quiet for a moment as the meat sizzled towards doneness.

“So. Where are you off to from here, Iroia?” asked Vothem finally, “When you find those stones an' all?”

"Yeah!" Kaalnia seconded, "So we can see ya later!"

Votzhem shot her a glare, but honestly, he was thinking the same thing. He knew the whole thing was stupid, he'd only just gotten rejected, but it wasn't as though he was trying to court her. Just... chat. For the sake of variety.

Kaalnia shrugged. “Alkidike stuff.” she said simply, “But in all seriousness, if theres a clebration, I'm going to be in on it.” she looked up and gasped, “Whoa... whoa, Vosh... look at that. It's nearly nightfall. How did it get to that?”

Votzhem looked up. Yes, it was getting dark. So that was it. A whole morning to evening, another one spent with a freshly broken heart. He doubted he could count them on his fingers any more. “Time passes.” he said, “We should go soon, though.”

“Yeah. Dyakida wanted my help back at the camp. You'll see – I'll win her over with my muscles yet!” She stared at the food hungrily, “But that.” she pointed, “First.”

Votzhem had to agree. They finished their feast of a meal with Iroia as company – and she was good company – and by the time he was done, the pain of the night before had faded, a healing sorrow in his chest that no longer stabbed him painfully whenever he thought about the woman who had so unceremoniously used him. He would be okay.

Kaalnia knew it to. “Well, Iroia, it was a pleasure to meet ya! We've got to go... you okay out here...? Oh yeah, of course you are.” she winked, “But anyway, you can come with us if you want.”

Votzhem nodded, standing up, “Yes.” he said, watching Iroia, “If you want.”