K'mana sighed "It is not a matter of ease, safety, or tradition. Though tradition may be the point we must argue with the Elders. I don't believe we are here because anyone of us WANTS to leave our home, to drag the tribe on a foolish grand adventure."
She looked around "It is not matter of IF or WILL we leave the Sagolii, but when and where." She walked to the edge of the tower and looked out upon the sands "I love our home, but the bounty of the Sagolii can no longer support a tribe of our size. We can not continue to hunt all the while ignoring the dwindling populations of our prey. That will only prematurely collapse the ecosystem."
K'mana turned, facing the group and leaned back on the railing of the tower. "The desert is one of the most inhabitable places in Eorzea, yet we have thrived here. I have little doubt that we can not adapt to survive on lands more fertile."
K'mana pushed off of the railing standing straight, "The era of peace and prosperity that was the Sixth Astral has passed and we have little choice but to fight and adapt until the Seventh Astral is upon us. Eorzea's and our enemies surround us, the Amalj'aa have shown us in the past that even the desert does not hide our tribe from them, and we lost many of our own to the Garleans upon the plains of Carteneau."
K'mana looked at K'nahli "But we are certainly not here to suggest usurping the Elders and drag the tribe with us. We ARE young and inexperienced, just as the Elders are stubborn and set in their ways." K'mana paused taking a breath. "To gather our ideas, the positive and the negatives, to hone our discourse. Such that we the young can give the Elders that push, or the hand they need to overcome their unwillingness to act, so that they can lead us out of these troubling times."
K'ailia nodded in agreement with K'mana, "I agree. I'm not gonna usurp the elders. I jes want us ta survive."
She looked at K'nahli, "If food be an issue for movin' then the solution be to stock up on food specifically fer travel. If tha issue be findin' a place to move to, then we have the elders pick scouts to go out and find a potential settlement."
K'ailia sighed, "Tradition be important to my mother. And it be important to me. If we can settle some place were we can survive, I know the traditions will hold true. But the key is ta think of the tribe as a whole. Ta ensure that we can survive ta practice our traditions."
K'ailia looked from face to face, "Who cares about how popular Thanalan be ta the other races! I aint sayin' we need ta cuddle up with them. We already have trades with Ul'dah. We be on good terms with them I think. But we still be our own people. No one can step between any o tha tribe members and interfere with our traditions. We be stronger than that!" She nodded at the last statement.
Nervous, K'mih listened to the different opinions, trying to get a better grasp of the situation. She'd been hopeful when she arrived, curious to find out what kind of solution she could contribute to. However, things turned out to be slightly different.
Her sister K'nahli had always been a figure K'mih admired and loved. Her words, an unmistakable truth in K'mih's ears. When her sister spoke of pessimism about K'ailia's plan, K'mih really felt that nothing could be done. The embodiment of K'nahli's influence took shape in eyes that travelled down to the ground, together with ears and tail that no longer felt the energy to defy gravity.
She only raised her gaze to meet K'ailia's after a moment, unable to hide her worry. Unable to speak or offer a solution, powerless. Around them, the immensity of a darkening sky witnessed their struggle in a world that threatened to crush them, and everything, even the familiar air from the desert, felt wrong.Â
(I'm so small).
She thought, voiceless.
K'nahli narrowed her eyes in annoyance following K'mana reply, shooting her a piercing glare that told enough of her thoughts before she even began to speak.
"You would patronize me, sister?" K'nahli challenged K'mana sharply, stare unfaltering, as her focus became directed solely towards her.
"I would not insist that there resides a riskless resolve to the matter, I simply would have you know that such typical suggestions are not necessarily the best course of action just because they have been done in the past. You stand there claiming that the elders cling only to tradition and shed less concern for the tribe's well-being when it is you who used our past nomadic tendencies as part of your reason to voyage further northwards into Thanalan."
K'nahli critiqued the miqo'te firmly, unintentionally growing more hostile in her words.
"You would say that migrating is a necessity that best be done sooner rather than later and I would agree, but that does not excuse rashly jumping to conclusions as though they have not already been considered by those who were well aware of the issue before we even saw reason to worry" K'nahli continued.
She had no particular reason to defend the elders but she couldn't help but feel their judgement was being completely undermined as though they were blind fools, hopeless in their adamance to cling to mindless repetitive mannerisms, when in truth they have been keeping the tribe thriving well and strong for many cycles.
Gripping the railing with her hand closest to it, she slowly turned her head to look out over the desert in momentary contemplation before continuing to speak. A soft breeze rolled towards the tower, catching the girl's fringe and locks that were tied in modest, silver ornaments, causing them to sway gently across her face. After a brief moment's silence, she continued.
"This is our family we are talking about. Our decision as a whole will affect our fate. We are long past the point of trial and error."
She spoke a little more softly this time as her words resounded deep within her heart, reflecting on the reality that were these troubling times. Almost an insurance of further loss... further heartache. Another brief moment of silence past before she returned her watch to K'mana, her expression and tone abandoning the previous softness.
"So forgive me, sister, for not eagerly supporting an idea that could just as easily condemn my family to their premature deaths just as easily as it could save us. Do not defend reasoning with strength. Strong as we are, it is foolish to needlessly expose ourselves to danger, and that is to forget how much weaker we have become since Carteneau."
K'nahli spat at K'mana defiantly, still vexed by her response as she turned to face K'ailia.
"And if stocking food were possible then I hardly see need for concern" K'nahli replied coldly, resting her palm on her temple as she shut her eyes, already frustrated from the debate after her long and tiring day.
"I see not why you both challenge me with arguments for tradition when frankly I care little for it. I do not defend the behaviours of our ancestors and treat it as a sacred guide to dictate my own life. I defend only the alternate and perhaps unspoken methods to our elders' decision not to migrate. And while it may yet be our best opportunity, I stress again, I spoke only to say that it is not a simple solution worth pursuing on a whim."
As K'nahli unleashed her frustration and contained annoyance through her words, K'mih's hands travelled up to her chest, head lowering slightly to them and shoulders up in an attempt to curl up against herself. Angry K'nahli was scary.
K'mih couldn't help but to feel really sorry for K'mana right now, for the Miqo'te was currently the focus of her sister's anger. Perhaps K'mana would be unappalled, but to the pink haired girl, such a situation was terrifying.
K'ailia nodded at K'nahli, "I'm not one to question the elders. But, no one be perfect either. Remember the old story told about how the tribe came to be in Thanalan? I do believe there are lessons to be had in our history."
K'ailia crossed her arms, "I am not perfect. My ideas might not be good or they might be good. I do not know. I just wanted to share them."
K'ailia looked K'nahli in the eyes, "Do you have ideas on what we can do? I'd like to hear yer ideas sister."
K'ailia then looked at K'mih, "I could tell when you arrived, you had ideas yerself. Please, share them, no matter what the ideas be, they should be shared no matter what sister."
K'nahli blinked twice as she K'ailia's words pierced through her. She remained calm in her response and showed humility in spite of K'nahli's temper-infused words. The young archer's wine-coloured, gem-like eyes glistened in the fading light as she studied her younger sister's smaller, almost silhouetted frame intently. Feelings of both remorse and embarrassment rose up within her, causing her to shield part of her face with her hand, part feigning as though she simply found herself in deep thought.
"It wasn't my intent to belittle your thoughts, K'ailia" K'nahli spoke in a softer voice once again, avoiding eye contact with her sister.
"I just want such discussions to be taken seriously and not pursued on a whim."
K'nahli turned her back on the girls and walked slowly towards the corner railing, each step letting out a small, delayed echo. She gripped the two, meeting rails firmly in her hands, stretching her arms out in the process as she once again observed the horizon as though it served her as a method of inspiration to help gather her thoughts.
"We may yet find that your course is best... let us just not be hasty and consider all" K'nahli finally spoke, her back still turned to her sisters.
Swiveling around on the spot, she pressed her back gently against the two railings and allowed herself to slide down into a seated position to once again face the girls.
"Pray forgive me sisters, I meant no offence by my words."
"E-eh?"
The pink haired Miqo'te's eyes grew wider, startled by K'ailia's sudden attention. Having the spotlight for such a delicate matter was difficult, especially when her thoughts had become such a mess. For a moment, all K'mih could do was lower her eyes, apologetic.
Luckily for her, K'nahli spoke again, regaining all the attention much to K'mih's relief. The time her sister had gained for her with her apology helped her gather some of courage.
"I think..." her voice could be finally heard after K'nahli's intervention, albeit it didn't raise much. "Adults have seen many things we can only imagine... They have more knowledge than us on how the world works..."
She looked at her sisters, trying to find the right words, afraid that she'd be unable to convey her message. Afraid of being unsure of what that message even was.
"Perhaps we should also ask for their opinion, perhaps the whole tribe should sit together and discuss what to do... Because... we must do something, and this much should be acknowledged by everyone. I-if we seek the good of our tribe, shouldn't we count on the whole tribe for this?"
K'ailia smiled, "Ya know what... I like that idea. I like it a lot K'mih. Dunno why no one thought o' it before."
She looked at the rest gathered, "What yall think? I think it be a good step in the right direction. Have the entire tribe meet. Ask the elders ta have a tribe wide meetin' ta find a good course that everyone be comfortable with."
K'ailia again smiled at K'mih, as her tail wagged excitedly.
K'nahli's eyes widened in disbelief, though her expression would likely have gone completely unnoticed by the others as she remained seated by the railing, head lowered towards the gritty floor and concealed slightly by her fringe. She drew in a deep breath as she attempted to control her irritation that began festering within her once again like a bubbling cauldron no sooner than it had subsided.
"Did....-" K'nahli began to speak, lifting her head upwards to face K'ailias innocent expression of contentment before halting herself, deciding against continuing with her sentence.
Briefly pressing her fingers against her temple, she paused for a moment before slipping an insincere giggle as she hopped to her feet and briskly made her way towards her younger sister, K'mih.
"It sounds perfect, sister. I'm glad we could meet at an agreement" K'nahli spoke in a joyous tone as she addressed K'ailia while grabbing K'mih's hand firmly in her own.
"Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to the camp so I can nap for a moon or two" she continued, while leading her younger sister away hastily as if taking her against her will.
"Do not tarry much longer, sisters. The sands continue to shift and I will not be coming back out looking for you should you lose your way in the night" she announced cutely back towards the remaining miqo'te, K'nahli's way of offering departing words for the evening.
K'mih's bicolour eyes opened wider, brightening at K'ailia's words of approval. Surprising as it might be that anything of what she'd said could be found useful in any way, she couldn't help the resulting rush of joy. Just a moment ago, the young Miqo'te had been afraid of being completely useless; being told otherwise was always a relief.
"I'm very glad, K'a--"
Both her words and her hopeful smile were interrupted by K'nahli's not very amused tone, followed by her hand grabbing her younger sister's. The blue haired Miqo'te took K'mih away from the meeting spot, rushing back to the camp as if the meeting was over.
"¿E-eh? B-but... K'nahli...!"
Despite her timid attempt to understand what was going on, K'mih didn't oppose her sister; she hardly ever did. She trusted that K'nahli would share what was in her mind once they were alone. Or so she hoped.
K'ailia nodded and also headed down. She smiled to herself, "All that be needing now... is ta tell the elders" she said to no one in particular as she climbed aboard the unicorn.
There was little time, and she got the feeling mother sandstorm would be coming soon. So she rode off towards the tribe camp as quickly as the unicorn could go. The ride took several hours, about the same amount it took to get there but before long, she had arrived at camp.
Dismounting, she realized the unicorn was now tired out. She had rode back faster than she had left. But now... it was time to head for the elders tent. It was time to see if the elders would be willing to call a tribe meeting to discuss the problems plaguing the tribe. But the one elder she thought would be most receptive was K'deiki. So it was her tent she approached.
"Elder... are you there?" she asked.
The grounds had been oddly silent today to K'deiki's ears - such as they were in her age. There had been the usual bustle of huntresses in and out in the morning and early afternoon, and the steady chattering of tias and others taking care of other chores and preparations, but there had been no laughter of children, no shrieks as the ran pell-mell through the cluster of tents, tearing up sand and bowling over any unsuspecting brother or sister who happened to be in their path, and no youthful cheers at the return of the huntresses.
The silence had weighed on K'deiki's heart, and so the calm, youthful voice that called into her tent filled her with warmth down to every aching joint. She turned rheumy eyes towards the door and crinkled her face into a smile. "Come in, dear. Tell me what you and your sisters have been up to today."
K'ailia entered the tent and smiled at K'deiki, "Me an the others got together ta try and figure out what we can do fer the tribe."
She took a seat in front of K'deiki, "We exchanged ideas, but K'mih had the best one. I'd like ta propose it to you now."
K'ailia took a deep breath, "We think the best way for the tribe to figure out how to improve things is fer the entire tribe to hold a big meetin' so everyone can voice ideas on how best ta improve things fer all o' us."
She waited then for K'deiki's response.
K'deiki shifted on the woven mat she sat upon until she was fully facing K'ailia, fingers folded together, hands resting in her lap. "K'luha's influence still yet touches you, I see," she observed and then fell quiet, closing her eyes and taking a moment to breathe. There was a rattling in her chest that hadn't been there a year ago.
Enough time passed that one might think she had fallen asleep.
"I remember being young and unhappy with the decisions of the elders," she finally spoke, voice thin and crackly like old paper. Thin lips smiled. "Yes, if you can believe something, believe that that has not changed across our generations. And yet..." Another pause for a breath. "We have always trusted the elders in their decisions, trusted them with the health and security of the tribe, and I have felt the weight of that burden ever since my own returned to the aether."
K'deiki reached out with one hand, gesturing for K'ailia to come closer, seeking a more personal connection. "It has always been our responsibility, and ours alone." It was difficult to see in the shadows of the tent, lit only by a small oil lamp, but her aged eyes could make out the vague, wavering outline of her great-granddaughter. She breathed as deep as her old lungs would allow and spoke looking up at the shadow of that young face, "But this is a matter of our home, and I would not take that decision away from those to whom it matters most. Let the tribe decide, not just us old decrepits with our wandering minds yearning for nostalgia." She chuckled at that, coughed, and then smiled.