Hydaelyn Role-Players

Greentear was not a spectacular place. It was a tree-filled part of the Black Shroud. Not many settlements or points of interest existed there. However, it was a place where one particular group of Moon-keepers set up camp often. They were known as the Shriekshroom Moon-keepers. They often preferred to call themselves a clan as to not be confused with Seeker tribes. They were a nomadic, two-family group of traditional Keepers of the Moon. They were the group that Kiht Jakkya belonged to.

That day, she would do something that no one expected. That day, she would introduce the group to a person she deeply cared about. She fully expected them to be shocked. She fully expected them to act stern. She was not looking forward to this.

The group was in bad condition; there was no denying that fact. The Ixal had done the most damage after the calamity. The group suffered many losses before they realized that they couldn't fight the Ixal alone.

Kiht Jakkya was supposed to search Eorzea to find the group new resources; perhaps even new land. Instead, she would bring to them a lone male Moon-keeper with a seemingly strange name. She didn't expect them to be happy about that...

However, the meeting was meant to simply introduce the man to the group. Kiht did not expect them to accept him into their ranks, yet. He would need to be tested, he would need to demonstrate his willingness to commit, and he needed to impress a tired, old Matriarch.

Kiht stood with him right outside the region of Greentear. She could see the camp ground of her group in the distance. There were figures running about, and doing daily chores. It was business as usual for the Shriekshroom Moon-keepers; until she showed up with a Miqo'te they had never seen before.

Kiht looked to him. He looked ready, and he seemed prepared. Certainly he was an impressive sight. Adorned in scale-mail armor made from bone, leather and metals. His armor and face-paint colors being the bright red and white that was a signature of the Shriekshroom Moon-keepers. It just so happened to be the colors he chose to represent himself with. The bright paint contrasted with his dark skin, and his white hair and fur seemed to glow in the Moon-light. Everything was perfect; until they would have questions about his features, and his name. Kiht expected everything to explode after that.

He deserved this. He earned this. But Kiht was not looking forward to this.

“Are you ready?” Kiht asked him with a tone of voice that betrayed her nervousness.

As long as he said that he was ready, and had no last-minute questions, Kiht would lead him into the camp. She would head straight to the Matriarch while making sure that he stayed close to her.

Lyn walked next to her, each little footstep closer to where she was leading him. She had brought him here because she cared for him, possibly more than he knew. He returned those feelings with a roguish zeal that could only be described as reckless. He had spent the time they had known each other throwing himself at improving himself to be an ideal traditional moon keeper male. A guardian of her clan, that was his aim, and while he was anything but traditional looking for a moon keeper with his dark skin and white fur he would prove those looks to be nothing more but vain assumptions if her clan seen him and thought as such. A brown leather pack pulled over his back and his spear in his right hand held over his shoulder as they walked, more like marched. As much as Kiht cared about him she was a slave driver on the go, not that he minded that much in all honesty but a stop for a drink of water would have been nice at least more than the five second brake she had given. He chuckled to himself as she came to a stop and his gaze followed hers to the far not so far camp up ahead. She looked at him in his hand made bone armor, and the face she ceremonially painted and asked him if he was ready. He nodded to her throwing an affectionate smile in the midst of it. 

He said in a joking tone as he nudged her playfully with his shoulder and began walking. In truth he was hiding his own over bearing nervous feelings with jokes and humor, like he always did. He could feel his hands shaking ever so lightly, not really visible but to him, it was like an ever lasting quake. As they got closer he kept a close eye out on their surroundings. Nomadic Miqote moon keepers were not exactly known for their hospitality for strangers. Could have arrows trained on him as he walked. That's when he looked over to Kiht's face and reached over to take her hand softly. He didn't say anything but, if there was one thing that always managed to calm his nerves it was her touch. It was like some mysterious power that she had, that she didn't even know about. As they glot closer he noticed the cooking fires and the portable huts. It appeared that a few of the Moon Keepers had noticed them approaching. For now he let Kiht do the talking staying quiet, lance over his right shoulder with his hand on it, his left in her hand for now. He coldn't help but say a small prayer in his head as they got closer. "Menphina help me do this right.." With that he would open his bright yellow eyes in the moonlight and put on his usual mask of a kind smile.

Kiht Jakkya was not amused by Lyn's humor. However, she was hardly going to give him a hard time about it. He had enough he was about to deal with. She might have regarded him more closely. She might have tried to examine his reactions. But members of the group were approaching, and Kiht had to be ready to do a lot of talking and explaining.

Of all the members of the group to see Kiht and Lyn approaching, it just had to be Hahs'a Jakkya and two of the younger Kaatah sisters. The sisters had their bows out, but they were not drawn, and Hahs'a had his favorite stick.

These three members of the Shriekshroom group would not shoot arrows at Lyn; they would shoot something far harder to deal with. They would attack him with headaches....

Kiht tried scowling at her 12-winter-old ((12 year old)) little cousin to get him to go away, but it was to no avail. The boy sprinted before Lyn, and blocked his path. His dark green eyes were wide in awe, and his tail quivered as it stuck out behind him. He had the same black hair and fair skin as Kiht. He would suddenly attack Lyn with a flurry of.... Questions.

“Hail, male!....Are you a Nuhn? Are you a Dragoon? Are you a Mercenary? Are you from another group? Are you my sister's mate? Are you a Merchant? Can I see your spear? Can I try on your Armor? Can I-”

“Enough, Hahs'a!” Kiht shouted to her cousin with a tone that was perhaps a bit harsher than she intended. She furrowed her brows, and leered at the boy. This was not the time for his never-ending interrogation.

Hahs'a's ears drooped, his tail fell limp and he stepped out of Lyn's way with a pouting expression.

The two Kaatah sisters caught up to Hahs'a's position. Both had fair skin with green eyes, and their hair was a deep, dark red. One looked to Lyn with an awestruck expression while the other one, who was younger and smaller, tried to give Lyn an intimidating stare. However, she ended up looking even more harmless as she squinted her eyes, furrowed her brows and crinkled her nose.

“Sisters of the Kaatah family, please allow us to pass! I must see the Matriarch. This is important.” Kiht said in a tone that betrayed her frustration. The two sisters stepped aside without saying anything. However, their stares would linger on Lyn and Kiht as they continued to the Matriarch.

They wouldn't get far; however, as the commotion suddenly attracted the attention of the whole group. As if Lyn and Kiht were the group's prey, they closed in around the two. Kiht was caught between the feelings relief and nervousness when she picked up the scent of the Matriarch. The old leader was on her way as well. It seemed Kiht and Lyn would need to walk no further. They would wait for the Matriarch to come to them.

Kiht looked to Lyn, and affectionately squeezed his hand. A lot was about to happen at once....

A circle of Keepers formed around Lyn and Kiht. Most of what Lyn would see was the Kaatah family. They were a diverse group. Females of various ages and features.

One distinct female would step forward. However, she was not of the Kaatah family. This woman was slightly taller than Kiht. She had long black hair, and deep blue eyes that looked just like Kiht's. Her skin was fair, and she had some white facial markings. A bone harpoon was strapped to her back, and she wore a lot of leather. Her name was Alnah Jakkya; Kiht's older cousin.

Alnah stepped closer to Lyn and Kiht than the rest of the group members. She bore a neutral and composed posture. She looked to Kiht then slowly turned her head to regard Lyn. She would stare him down for a few moments with a neutral, un-judging expression. However, before Alnah or Kiht could say anything, someone else made their way to stand before Kiht and Lyn. If only it were the Matriarch.

Contrasting the much shorter females in height, the tall Raih'a Kaatah stepped forward, brazenly. He was a grizzled, middle-aged Miqo'te with fiery-red hair that was streaked with gray highlights which betrayed his age. A wiry beard of red hair framed his face, and his skin was weathered and rugged. He was practically as tall as Lyn. He leered directly at Lyn with his piercing green eyes. If Lyn were to examine him, he would notice that Raih'a had a bow strapped to his back, and a belt of tools on his waist.

Raih'a gave Lyn a wicked smirk. “Honored Jakkya sister, I see you have brought me a new target this dusk. May I ask the occasion?” Raih'a said in a deep, gruff voice; pitched in a teasing tone.

Kiht was fully expecting Raih'a to show up and make things difficult, but she was not expecting this to happen yet. She was not expecting to see Raih'a smirk. She much rather preferred he bear his usual scowl. That was much better, and meant everything was normal. However, when Raih'a smirked, smiled or laughed; it usually meant things were about to explode.

Both Alnah and Kiht furrowed their brows at Raih'a. Lyn might have a moment to respond to the situation, but soon, the Matriarch finally arrived.

“Be silent.” Two words spoken clearly but plainly from the small figure approaching through a gap between two Kaatah sisters. Raih'a's expression suddenly shifted to a neutral one as he quickly stepped back beside the other members of the Kaatah family. Raih'a didn't seem frightened, but he suddenly lost his will to cause problems. The mother of all mothers had arrived. Everyone would shut up.

Perhaps the Matriarch would not be what Lyn was expecting. She was a small woman no bigger than Kiht. She was covered in red and white robes. She wore many tribal ornaments and trinkets. Her hair was almost completely gray and her face was withered from age. However, she carried herself as if she were still young and strong. She walked directly to Lyn and Kiht with no regard for anyone else. She looked at Lyn with her focused blue eyes. Kiht didn't say anything. No one made a sound. Matriarch Raih Kaatah examined the symbols that Kiht painted on Lyn's face then she drew a branch-wand from her robes and began tapping the bone scales on his armor with it. She looked to Lyn with a light expression that almost turned into a slight smile.

“Greetings, male. Declare your name, declare what you are and declare why you chose the colors you wear.” The Matriarch said in a plain tone.

Kiht allowed herself to breath a sigh of relief. The group was temporally diffused, and the Matriarch was acting like her normal self. She was getting straight to the point as usual.

Everything Lyn did was perfect......Until he threw a smelly sack of bloody Ixal badges at the Matriarch.....

Kiht froze after that. Everyone froze after that. She certainly heard the well-spoken words from Lyn, but she could only begin to respond to him by slowly trying to crush his hand in a vice-grip.

Of all the boar-brained things to do. He needed to respectfully -hand- things to the Matriarch, not toss things at her as if she were his tavern buddy! Kiht would silently think to herself.

The Matriarch made no effort to catch the sack. She didn't even react to its gentle impact on her mid-section. The sack hit the ground and fell open. Some of the Ixal badges scattered out upon the ground. The Matriarch kept her ears directed at Lyn, but she looked down at the sack and its contents after it had hit the ground. A complete silence would follow Lyn's last words that answered her questions.

Night insects chirped, and a gentle breeze rustled the trees. The awkward silence was deafening as Kiht considered using both of her hands to crush Lyn's hand. Perhaps she would hear the satisfying crack of breaking bones.

“Bwahahahahahahahaha!!” Raih'a Kaatah boomed in laughter from the place he was standing. His loud voice shattered the silence. He had never gotten a chance to respond to Lyn's sarcastic jest, but he no longer felt wounded about that.

Kiht never got her chance to break Lyn's hand as her cousins came to the rescue. “Oh! Can I have one!?” Hahs'a Jakkya blurted out in excitement as he pointed to the Ixal badges on the ground. Alanah Jakkya wanted to quickly divert attention, so she crouched down to the sack and placed her lithe fingers on one of the badges. “Ixal insignia, from various troops. Looks as if there are more than a few dozen of them.” Alanah stated in a loud voice as if trying to announce her findings to the group.

Gasps shot up from the gathered group as members began mumbling to each other. The Matriarch slowly looked from the sack then back to Lyn's face. She raised an eyebrow to him, but her expression remained neutral.

“What an interesting hobby you have, Linn of the Khong family.” The Matriarch stated with a slight smirk. “Though, I must ask why you have a female name. Did you forget to add the suffix?”The Matriarch asked him, plainly.

The group went silent once again. What had just happened? Did the Matriarch hear him wrong? Did he present himself in such a traditional way that she didn't assume his name was from a non-Keeper origin? Was she jesting? Kiht had no clue. Her eyes widened in surprise. She wanted to speak out, and she had the traditional right to do so. However, she wanted Lyn to answer the question. Kiht would do -anything- to make sure Lyn left a good impression on the group. She would even support a lie at this point.

Kiht only saw that Lyn had two choices to make. He could accept the Matriarch's mistake, and say that his name was Linn'a Khong or Linn'to Khong. Or, he could correct the Matriarch, and clarify his origin. If there were any other options before him, Kiht couldn't think of them. She looked to Lyn with a concerned expression. “Whatever you choose to say, just, for the love of the Twelve, do not toss anything else at her...” Kiht whispered to him. She would support whatever choice he made.

Matriarch Raih Kaatah listened intently to Lyn's words. Her expression remained neutral during his whole explanation. When he finished, the Matriarch grinned widely to him. He had just confirmed that his name and origins were not from Keeper society. So, why was she grinning? Kiht wondered.

“Correct...” The Matriarch said to Lyn as if he had answered a question right. “I suspected the origin of your name the moment I heard it. However, I wanted to see what kind of man you are.” The Matriarch said in a calm tone.

That was the test! Kiht thought. She had told Lyn that he would be tested more on trust than anything else, and that was it. The Matriarch saw his knowledge and respect of traditions based on how he presented himself, and she saw the effectiveness he would bring as a Guardian with the Ixal badges he presented. She just needed to know if he could be trusted. She just needed to know if he was honest.

“You cannot lie to nature.” Kiht said aloud as a confirmation of her realizing that the Matriarch had just tested him. The proverb was a common motto spoken frequently within the group. It was the verbal representation of the group's way of life. Lyn had just shown that he lived by it as well.

The whole group remained quiet, Raih'a Kaatah gave Lyn a disapproving scowl. Hahs'a crouched low, and was attempting to sneak up to the sack of spilled badges so he could snag one. Alanah smirked to Kiht. It was a positive turn of events.

“You must be quite smitten with young Kiht here to so readily adopt Keeper traditions, and offer your life to fight Ixal for us...” The Matriarch finally said after a moment of silent contemplation. “However, we do not want a martyr, nor do we need a reckless warrior who stirs up Midge nests.... The Ixal have been more active and aggressive lately due to this mysterious masked attacker who I assume to be you.” The Matriarch said with a tone that seemed a bit more serious as she pointed her finger at Lyn. “Do you not consider the repercussions of your actions?” The Matriarch asked Lyn.

“What of the repercussions of his in-actions? Those Ixal he killed would have attacked people sooner or later!” Kiht protested with the same argument that Lyn had given her. She didn't completely agree with it, but she was hoping she could use it against the Matriarch at that moment.

“A swarm of hungry Midges, looking for food, is much easier to avoid than a swarm of angry Midges, looking to bite.” The Matriarch answered Kiht.

It was hard point for Kiht to argue against. However, Lyn had attempted to do the right thing. And his attack on the Ixal had been much more than what the Gods damned Gridanians had been doing about their threat. Kiht had one final argument to make before she could let the Matriarch make a final decision.

“The group is almost gone. We need help. Lyn comes to us, and offers to help, but you would turn him away?” Kiht asked the Matriarch in a tone that betrayed her agitation.

“I did not say I was going to turn him away, young one. I just asked him-” The Matriarch began to explain to Kiht before she was interrupted.

“We are all avoiding the main issue with this...Brother!” Raih'a Kaatah spoke loudly as he stepped up beside the Matriarch.

Kiht, Alanah and the Matriarch herself would all scowl at him. “How dare you speak out of turn, male!” Kiht said to Raih'a in a harsh tone. However, the Matriarch held up her hand to stop Kiht from saying anything further. Unfortunately, the Matriarch respected her son's opinions. “Be calm, and tell me what you mean, first son.” She said to Raih'a.

“Look at his skin. Look at his hair and fur. Those are the colors one would expect to see on a Sun-brother. He is a hybrid. He would bring impure blood to our group.” Raih'a said as he leered at Lyn.

“He is not a hybrid!” Kiht protested.

“Prove it.” Raih'a said, plainly.

Gods damn it. There was no way to prove it for certain. Lyn had Keeper features for sure, but his skin was brown as if tanned heavily by the sun. If the Matriarch even suspected that he was a hybrid, he would not be allowed into the group. No matter what.

“There are many Keepers with white hair and fur. And, there are many with dark skin as well.” Kiht argued.

“Do not try to fool me, Jakkya. Dark-skinned Keepers have skin tones of greyish or blueish hues. Brown or tan skin is not something our kind have if they are pure-blooded Keepers.” Raih'a retorted.

Kiht couldn't believe a member of -her- group was sounding like bigot at that moment. But the fear of adding Seeker blood to the group was strong. There was too much pride in the group's Keeper heritage.

“Enough of this.” The Matriarch ended the debate. “There are actually methods to tell if Lyn is a pure Keeper. However, I would not subject someone to these methods unless I was ready to tell them that they could officially join the group. I am not ready to decide that yet. For now, I offer Lyn Konge one option. He may be recognized as an Accepted Male. It is a title given to those wandering males who have been temporarily allowed to live with our group. The head matron from each family must accept giving him this title. For now, we shall focus on deciding that alone.” The Matriarch said with finality in her tone.

A silence would follow the Matriarch's words. Now was Lyn's opportunity to respond to everything. At least he would need to tell the Matriarch if he was willing to accept the temporary title. All eyes were on him now.

Kiht could feel the tension in Lyn's hand. She regarded him as he responded to the Matriarch. The truth was, she still had much to learn about Lyn, and he still had much to learn about her. Lyn's posture and expression showed that he wanted to attack Raih'a. His words were obviously aimed, at least partially, at Raih'a. The whole time she regarded him, she wanted to tell him to calm himself. But she knew that Raih'a had struck a nerve.

When Lyn calmed down, Kiht made a relieved sigh. If Lyn had attacked Raih'a, things would have been very bad. Its not that Raih'a was a skilled warrior. He was an archer, a craftsman and a trapper. He was also the group's lore keeper. That is why he felt so strongly about Keeper heritage. Kiht didn't really like Raih'a, but she understood him. Lyn did not.

If Lyn had attacked Raih'a there would be little anyone could to do stop the whole Kaatah family from shooting Lyn full of arrows. His intentions were honorable, but he was still a stranger to them. Kiht shook her head and silently cursed herself for not giving Lyn a more detailed warning regarding Raih'a, and how Lyn should react to him. Thank the Gods that Lyn had shown some admirable restraint.

The Matriarch understood what was happening between Lyn and Raih'a. She let out a sigh and shook her head. "First son, go check the Chocobos." The Matriarch said to him in a calm tone. When Raih'a hesitated, and looked to her with a scowl, the whole of the group's huntresses all leered at him. The Matriarch had spoken! Raih'a let out a growl of frustration, and stomped off to where the pack Chocobos were tied up.

The Matriarch then regarded Lyn. She examined him for a few moments then looked around at the group.

"Matron of the Jakkya family?" The Matriarch called out. Alanah was the eldest Jakkya, so she stepped forward. "Alert." She answered.

"Matron of the Kaatah family?" The Matriarch called out once again. An older woman of the Kaatah family stepped out from the semi-circle that the Kaatah family had formed. Her name was Tahla Kaatah. She was the second eldest of the Kaatah family. Once Raih Kaatah became Matriarch, Tahla had become eldest matron of the family. "Alert." Tahla replied in a bit of a tired tone.

"Do both family matrons accept this male, Lyn Konge of the North, into the group for a temporary period?" The Matriarch asked them.

"Indeed." Alanah said without hesitation.

"...Indeed." Tahla said after taking a short moment to consider it.

"Very well. I decree you an Accepted Male. You may come and go from our midst as you please as long as you respect our group traditions and rules. You are not a permanent member of our group at this point, but that will come in time if you prove yourself worthy, and wish to eventually join with a family. I assign you to the Jakkya family. Alanah and Kiht will be the ones you talk to regarding the group. That is all." The Matriarch said loudly and clearly for the whole group to hear.

Once the two matrons nodded in acknowledgement, the Matriarch smiled. "It is done. Now I am going to go have some pie." She said as she turned to one of the huts and walked towards it. "Pie!? Wait honored grandma! I want some too!" Hahs'a exclaimed in an excited tone as he ran after her.

Alanah swiftly stepped up to Lyn as the rest of the group talked amongst themselves, and began returning to business as usual. She offered her hand to Lyn for a handshake as she smirked at him. "Welcome, Lyn Konge. Your first order of business is..." Alanah paused as she started to grin widely. "Celebrate." She finished.

Alanah would regard Lyn long enough to hear and see his response then she would turn an pace away, gracefully.

"Indeed!" Kiht exclaimed in a joyful tone as Alanah walked away. Kiht would turn to Lyn with a smile, and fall into him with an embrace.

It was done. Lyn Konge had just passed the first and most difficult stage in the process of becoming a full-fledged member of the Shriekshroom Moon-keepers. In a world where so many Keepers had decided to leave the traditional ways behind, Lyn was a rare one who would reclaim the traditional ways. He had just gained more respect from Kiht, and even the group itself, than he would ever know.