{Bckgrnd Story} Weak kitty, Timid kitty, little girl of fur. Sad kitty, Broken kitty - Printable Version +- Hydaelyn Role-Players (https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/mybb18) +-- Forum: Role-Play (https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/mybb18/forumdisplay.php?fid=27) +--- Forum: Town Square (IC) (https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/mybb18/forumdisplay.php?fid=21) +--- Thread: {Bckgrnd Story} Weak kitty, Timid kitty, little girl of fur. Sad kitty, Broken kitty (/showthread.php?tid=13880)

{Bckgrnd Story} Weak kitty, Timid kitty, little girl of fur. Sad kitty, Broken kitty - Ironpriest88 - 10-14-2015 It was morning again. She could always tell when the day was starting anew from one simple reason: she always slept outside and would feel the suns first warming rays stretching across her curled form. You see, the girl didn't sleep outside by choice, but because she had no where else to sleep. That is, unless she wanted to be abused and tormented all night by her "fellow clan members". Stretching her body while still resting on her bed of leaves she thought to herself "Another day in hell." Quickly rising out of her makeshift bed, she took a brisk walk to the nearby stream. Upon reaching it, she crouched down and peered into the waters, seeing the appearance she hated so much.      Her near shoulder length hair was straight and fell in front of her face, partially hiding her features. The pink locks of hair with their blue tips were held mostly back thanks to a plain and fairly worn out white headband. Her hair, once a source of childhood pride and endless wonder was now a target of scorn. No matter what she did to it, her hair would always return to this pattern. When she cut off the blue tips one day, she would wake up the next day with the formerly pink ends slowly turning blue. At first, the Nunh, or The Bastard Nunh as she loved to think of him as, would beat her for "redying" her hair. Thankfully though, after about a year of beating her with no change to her story about her hair, he eventually stopped and found another topic to abuse her over. The hair that covered her ears were also pink, the short hair resembled fur. There was a time where she would be praised for how soft and smooth the hair on her ears were, but those days were long past, her hair more used to dirt and grime. For one thing, the girl was glad that the hair on her ears did not turn blue like the rest of her hair, for she was sure The Bastard Nunh would have tried to cut them off along with her hair. After quickly running her fingers through her hair in a poor attempt to untangle it, she properly replaced her prized headband, arranging her hair so that her bangs would once again attempt to cover her features, and more importantly, her eyes. Her odd eyes. The odd colored eyes that most likely caused more problems than anything else about her. Her left eye was a light pink, the right a sky colored blue. It was quick to see that her hair perfectly matched the color of her eyes. These were a few of the reasons she was often called "Witches Daughter", or simply a "Witch", or even a "Monster". She hated her eyes even more than her hair, at least she could cover her hair with a piece of cloth. Her eyes stood out no matter what thanks to their color and otherwordly luster.      Scooping up some water in her small hands she rinsed off her face, splashing the drowsiness out of her. Then she washed off her more intimate areas, always remembering what her mother told her so many winters ago. Her mother would always say that no matter what, these areas must always be cleansed regularly, else she get all types of sick. So she would always do as she was told, but now a days she would limit what she washed to these areas. She wanted to be clean, but she also wanted to remain as filthy as possible, for she found out that filth was a good deterrent to keeping The Bastard Nunh away from her and forcing himself upon the girl. She patted herself dry using a small threadbare rag she kept on her and stood to stretch again. Her short tail arching itself as she reached out to the heavens. Finally reaching for her tail, she also quickly "brushed" out the tuft of hair at the end and then started walking back to her "bed".     Looking at what was sadly called her "bed", she knelt down and began to quickly and efficiently arrange the branches and leaves so that they looked more "made". She would rather do this now so that later on, after the days long chores, she would be able to simply collapse into the pile and fall asleep somewhat comfortably.  Standing up and nodding her satisfaction she turned around to begin the days labors. Or she would have if not for the solid body that appeared right as she turned around, bumping into person in complete surprise and stumbling a few steps back. "A'kuri, good morning my darling little pet." Hearing her name and the voice attached to it, she instinctively cowered away from the man, not knowing what he would try to do to her so early in the morning. He was never up this early! The Bastard Nunh would always stay up til the early hours, "entertaining" the other females in the clan!  "G-go-good m-m-mor-rning Nunh" she stuttered out, her eyes staring at the male's feet as she began to fumble with her skirts hem in nervousness. "Yes...Yes it is a good morning." the Nunh replied as he leaned forward, bringing his nose down to sniff A'kuri's hair and then to nuzzle her cheek with his nose. She could smell the alcohol on his breath, could hear the lust for her in his breathing. It was then that she knew, that after seven long years of fending the Bastard off and keeping her chastity intact, that there would be no stopping him on this morning. Was this why she was allowed to bath by herself for those scant few moments? Why no one had woken her, screaming to get some mundane task completed? Because they all knew that the Nunh would finally give in to his desires and he would break the poor girl who he felt so much disgust towards. A'kuri stood there, trembling as the Nunh started to paw his way up her side with his hands, touching, groping her body, eventually pushing her down into the makeshift "bed". She was terrified as she has never been before in her life, not even when her mother died all those years ago. She could see the drunken lust in his eyes and he moved closer to kiss her. It was then that from the corner of her eye she saw a flash of blue. A small creature that seemed to stir up her memories, dashed out from the corner of her eyes. As the Nunh was closing in for the kiss, she turned her face in the direction she saw the blurred creature, trying desperately to see if it was a creature that would deter the Nunh from his act of cruelty.  But try as she might she couldn't see the creature, and the Nunh had realized that she turned her face away from him. In anger he removed his hand from under her shirt to smack her across the face screaming "Don't look away you bitch! I can tell you want this! You've always wanted this! You're a Gods damned whore! Just like your filthy Witch mother!" At these words A'kuri felt something deep within her finally break and surge forth, it was as if a wall and crumbled and a huge torrent of water began to force it's way up from the depths of her core. All the fear, all the pain, all the humiliation were washed away by this torrent as it surged forth. The power that came forth made her mind sharp, made the world clearer than it had even been in years and in her mind she could feel a familiar warmth, one that she could not immediately place. Staring up at the Nunh with a cold hard fury in her eyes she spoke back to him, in a clear voice for the first time since he became a Nunh. "Mother. Was. Not. A. WITCH!" It was then that the small blue creature darted  near her head, coming into focus for the first time. For a brief second the red gem on it's forehead shone a brilliant color, and then the creature leaped into the air and did a somersault, at the end of which a powerful gust of wind came forth from the creature, blowing the Nunh off A'kuri and tumbling into a nearby tree. Slowly standing up, the power still surging from some unknown place inside her being, she took an unsteady step towards the Nunh, who upon realizing what the girl had just done, began to shake and cower in fear. "Yo--you're a WITCH! You're a Gods damned witch!" he whimpered out, trying to raise his voice but his fear stopping him from doing so. Not hearing his words she could only focus on all the pain and suffering he had caused her in the past, and would continue to cause her if she could not stop him here and now. Not knowing where this power came from, or when it would end, she simply begged it to last until she could free herself from this creatures torture. Focusing on all the evil that she had endured, she begged and willed the power to make him feel the same. She could feel the aether accepting the job she gave to it, almost accepting the task it was given with glee as it began to converse around the males body. Looking at him she could see his body slowly being eaten by some sort of magical poison. It was fast acting, and it somehow targeted his vocals first. She was not sure if she willed it to, so that he could not cry for help, or if it had a mind of it's own. Either way the Nunh's  throat blackened and started to dissolve into itself as the poison started to eat away at the rest of his body, slowly, causing him untold amounts of pain that he would never be able to speak about. Yes, just like how A'kuri was forced to endure all these years of pain in silence, so would he. After a few moments however, the poison stopped spreading, the damage it caused still there, but not going any further. Realizing that he might survive now that the poison had stopped spreading, the girl started to panic. What could she do now? She had hoped and wished to kill him, and the power responded! But now she could feel the power slowly ebbing away, the small blue creature no where in sight. She was so close, she could not let this chance slip away from her, for if she did then she would surely die as a consequence. As she stood over the severely wounded Nunh, she closed her eyes, looking deep into herself to find any small part of that wellspring of power from moments ago. Any small trickle that she could draw power from. And she found it, a small steady stream of power hidden deep within her soul. No wonder she never saw it before, it was such a small flow, but it was there, and it was flowing with determination. Bringing her hand to her chest she focused the stream of energy into her hand, her thoughts shaping the power, giving it form, giving it the malice that she held to herself. Opening her eyes she saw the black mass of energy swirling in her hand and knew that once it left her hand, whatever it touched would be brought to ruin. And it was with that realization, and determination, that she threw the swirling black mass at the crippled form of The Bastard Nunh. She could see the terror in his eyes, the realization that he did break the weak girl, but not the the manner that he had hoped to. He saw his death floating towards him in that swirling mass of ruinous energy. However what he saw last right before it engulfed him, terrified him more than anything in his life had before. The girl he sought to conquer, the weak, timid girl that could not even speak for herself, was standing there, looking at him, after torturing him and now mere moments away from ending his life, with a smile on her face, a look of pure bliss as she happily killed another living being. {Bckgrnd Story} Weak kitty, Timid kitty, little girl of fur. Sad kitty, Broken kitty - Ironpriest88 - 10-14-2015 The shock then started to settle in. What had almost happened to her. The little creature that stirred so many distant memories that could not be placed. And then the dark, heinous deed that she committed. The results of which lay in a steaming mass in front of her. She sunk to her knees, the power that had once filled her with power and conviction fleeing in a moments breath. Her hands, her shoulders, her entire world started to shake with the reverberations of what she had just committed. "What did I do? How did I do this? What am I?" A'kuri whispered out in terror. She gazed at her trembling hands, terrified of the magiks she had just cast. Her mother never displayed using the aether in this manner, it was all fire and ice! Not poisonous miasmas and spheres of ruinous energy! As she sat in front of what was formerly the Bastard Nunh, she heard noises come from the camp. It was the usual morning routine, the day for the rest of the tribe was just starting. However to the terrified and panicking girl, she only heard accusations and thought of the consequences of what would happen to her once this deed was found out. She had to leave the tribe. NOW. She knew she couldn't get very far, and would be moving incredibly slow thanks to her frail body, but she might be able to put some distance between herself and the tribe members if she left right away. Stumbling back away from the slowly cooling mass of flesh and entrails, she scurried back to where her "bed" was located. She rummaged around for her prized headband, which had been knocked off during her struggle, and stood up. She stood up a bit too quickly and she felt even weaker than normal, light headed and dizzy, the same feeling she would get after the Bastard would make her drink alcohol. Pushing through the daze, she slowly shambled to the hollowed out tree by the river where she kept her more prized possessions. A few of her mothers old books that had somehow made it through the fire. She went to grab as many as she could, but her arms couldn't support the weight. Why did she have to be so weak? Now more than ever, she wished she had at least the strength of a normal girl, so that at least she could have carried these few, precious books to what she hoped would be safety. Agonizing quick minutes passed as she tried to decide which book she would take. She grabbed each one in turn, her mind on fire as she tried to make sense of the books contents. She had some wild hope that in light of her current actions, the words would make sense, a hope that was proving vain. As the moments kept passing, she was growing more and more panicked, she would reach for one book, remembering times with her mother, and then look at another book, only to start remembering about that one. Suddenly she heard a noise near by her, and when she looked up in a quick, fearful glace, she only saw a momentary flash of blue and a tumble of branches that fell away in the back of the hollow. The branches fell onto her mothers books much to A'kuri's dismay. However that irritation slowly faded away as A'kuri realized that something was unearthed thanks to the branches falling. Tucked away in the back of the hollow was a average sized book. Reaching out to grasp it, A'kuri was seized by a momentary flashback of her mother. They were sitting by the fire next to their hut and she was sitting on her mothers lap. It was her birthday. Her mother gave her a gift. A blank book. She said that when the time came, little A'kuri would know what to put in this book. She grabbed the book and felt the vibrations of power within it. It was then that A'kuri knew what would be the single item that she would take with her in her exile. This blank book that was a gift from her mother. This book would be her book of power. Her grimoire of spells. {Bckgrnd Story} Weak kitty, Timid kitty, little girl of fur. Sad kitty, Broken kitty - Ironpriest88 - 10-14-2015 As soon as her hands clasped the book, the world seemed to come into sharp focus. Her mind starting racing, the little details around her catching her attention, the small bugs crawling across the blades of grass, the birds chirping in the trees. It was as if she were in a half-wake state all these years, and with the touch of the book, her mind became fully awake. Flipping through the pages she knew the book was still blank after all these years, but that didn't stop the book from vibrating in her fingers with a low thrum of energy. As her mind started to calm down and mellow out, she heard a shout from up the hill, someone was calling for the Bastard Nunh. This registered quickly in her mind. If they were looking for him, that means they still didn't know what cruel fate had befallen him. That meant she had time. Time? Time to do what exactly? She sat on the grass before the hollowed out tree clenching her book as her mind raced with ideas. Where could she go? What were her options? How can she escape this next trial that was laid upon her? All these questions spun endlessly in her head with dozens of possible answers and routes surfacing in her mind, only to be dismissed as implausible. There must be something she thought, some little piece of information that she had forgotten or overlooked. She felt it, it just had to be there, tucked behind the current events of today. Her eyes darting over her surroundings, she hoped to gain a glance of something, anything, that would jolt her memory and remember what this nagging piece of information was. It was important, it was her way out, if she could only remember! As she knelt there, the shouts looking for the Nunh grew louder, it seems that they still did not stumble upon his remains, but from the sounds of things, more members of the clan were searching for him. Once again A'kuri started to panic, clenching the book tight to her chest, hoping it would calm her once again. "Splash" Something behind her fell into the river, a branch it looked like. Her gaze focused on the branch as it bobbed on the water, then started to float downstream. A branch? Floating on the water? That's it! Her heart leaped for joy as she finally remembered what that small little detail was. A boat! A boat had finally landed upon the rocky cropping by the sea! In the years following the Cataclysm, no ship had dared risk sailing into the small port near the clan's home. She remembered hearing some of the females say that the ship must have been driven to the shore by the most recent storm. This was her way out! A'kuri stood shakily, and started forward. The stream goes to the sea, she was sure of it! She just had to follow the stream! Her feet were unsteady, her mind still swam from the shock of gaining, and the loosing the large amount of power that coursed through her, but her determination was set. Step by step, she would make it to the shore. Once there she would do whatever she could to gain passage onto the ship. How? She'd think of that later she thought to herself. Her main goal was to simply outrun the clan once they found out about the Nunh. As she started moving along the stream, the shouts searching for the Nunh were growing louder. They must be getting closer to where A'kuri's bed was. Once they reached that, they would see what had become of the Bastard Nunh, and then they would know why she was nowhere to be seen. They would make the connection she knew without a doubt, that she had killed the Nunh. She had killed the Nunh with what they all feared the most: Magik. Even if the Nunh was alive, the simple fact that she was able to use magik would turn the clan against her, and they would torture and then kill her. Why they feared magik A'kuri did not know, but it didn't matter at this point. If they caught her, they would kill her slowly and painfully. That is all that mattered now, to not be caught. Onward and onward she pushed her frail body, moving as fast as she possibly could and the shouts grew ever closer to where the Nunh lay, when a scream sounded out across the plain. A'kuri froze, realizing what the scream meant. They found him. And because they found him, they would begin their search for her. She must move faster she thought to herself as she continued to push her body to the limits. Her head still continued to swim, her legs ached with a fire and her breaths came in quick, short and painful gasps. This much physical activity was too much for her frail body to handle, and yet she was nowhere near the shore. Hell, if she turned around now, she'd realized that she barely went anywhere at all! The hollowed out tree was still visible behind her, slowly shrinking into the distance. A'kuri pushed her body onward despite the pain and fatigue eating away at her. She must make it to the shore she thought, she absolutely must! RE: {Bckgrnd Story} Weak kitty, Timid kitty, little girl of fur. Sad kitty, Broken kitty - Ironpriest88 - 10-14-2015 The seconds seemed to stretch into infinity, A'kuri's heart beating so hard and fast it felt as if it were trying to escape and leave her body behind. Onward she pushed her frail body, tripping over the bumps in the grass. Scraping her knees and hands on the rough ground. As she ran she never left the streams side, always keeping it to her left as she made her mad dash to the shore. It was her guide, her road to freedom and she was putting her every bit of remaining hope and faith in the stream. From behind her came shouts, angry yells and mournful cries of pain and sorrow. They had found the Bastard Nunh's remains she guessed. That would mean the hunt is on and she is the unfortunate prey. As skilled as the clans hunters were, A'kuri guessed that it would be no time at all before they caught up with her. With the stream to her left, and the shore creeping up on the horizon, it was no guessing game to realize that the hunters would reach their prey long before it reached safety. However, despite coming to that conclusion, she still exerted herself in her attempt. It was weird for A'kuri though, all throughout her flight of fear, she had begun to notice the world around her in such sharp detail. She saw the rodents scurrying through the grass out of her rampaging path and the birds that watched in mild amusement as for once, some poor creature other than one of their own was being hunted. It was as if her mind saw and understood the many details, for instance she knew how far away the birds in the upcoming tree was, she could discern how many frogs were gathered by the fallen tree near the stream just by hearing their slightly differing croaks. All this wealth of information was flooding into her brain and it was all unneeded. She could also create a perfect path for her to sprint along in her mind just by looking ahead and viewing the terrain. She just knew where she should run, or jump that would be the most ideal path that would accommodate her weak bodies limitations. However, it's one thing to think of something, and an entirely differing thing to successfully implement it, which led to the many trips and falls she has gone through. Damn her clumsiness and lack of hand-eye coordination she scowled to herself as she once again tumbled to her hands and knees. The shore was getting closer, she was sure of it! The air had begun to take on a different smell, an unfamiliar one that she prayed belonged to the sea. As she picked herself up this time, an arrow went flying past her shoulder and buried itself into the dirt in front of her. Staring at the arrow that was still quivering from it's impact, she realized with horror that her pursuer's were nearly upon her. From what she had learned from overhearing the others that went on hunts, she knew there were two or three people that were faster runners and could shoot an arrow farther than the rest. This meant that she was just inside their maximum attack range, and before long the others would be able to reach her as well. Quickly, she gathered herself and began to stumble forward, but right as she stood up and took a few steps forward, an unforeseen obstacle claimed her. A long hill had presented itself to her at the most inopportune time and downward A'kuri tumbled. On and on the girl fell, each moment precariously close to breaking something and ending her flight dead. Slowly, her arms flailing as she tried to stop herself, she eventually reached the bottom of the hill. Bruised, battered and severely disorientated, she could barely breathe. The shock of the long fall worked her heart to a frantic pace, the little M'qote's head and ears were pounding with her heartbeat. Every part of her body ached and screamed for her to just lay there, but she knew she couldn't, she could see the first of the hunters reach the hill top and eye her hungrily. They must have thought that now with their prey nicely tenderized, they could savor the catch before the rest of the hunters arrived. With the skill and grace of natural and trained hunters, the two hunters began racing down the hill towards where A'kuri lay. Fearfully watching their approach, the girl rolled onto her hands and knees and tried to stand but to no avail. Her legs were too bruised, the shock of her fall pushed her body past the powers of fear and adrenaline. She stumbled on her knees and tried her best to continue on her way, crawling hand and feet in the direction of the sounds in front of her. "Please." She cried out, "I know you're still here! I can feel you near me! Please help me again! I... I don't want to die! Not here! Now knowing what I can do! Not knowing what it's like to be free! Please come back to me!" The hunters were nearly upon her when they heard her please for help and they hastened their steps. Not knowing what creatures may be around, it would be unpleasant if they were disturbed while they "ate" their catch. As they approached, a soft green glow began to coalesce in front of A'kuri's prone body. Staring straight into the swirling green depths, she cried out again "Please! I want to remember who you are! I know we belong together! I'm sorry I forgot about you, it wont happen again so please help me!" As she concentrated on the energy forming in front of her, she could feel the power within her attempt to reach out and make a connection to it. Not knowing what else to do, she focused on the energy inside of her and pushed the small stream of power out of her body and towards the energy in front of her. It was a small trickle of power, a barely visible thread of energy, but it was forming, and it was stretching out. In response to her struggle, the green mass of energy also sent out a thread of aether, a much thicker and stronger looking thread than her feeble attempt. Slowly, so slowly it was agonizing, the threads reached out together. The hunters could feel untold amounts of dread at the sight they were witnessing as they reached the girl laying in the dirt. They knew not what she was doing, or was attempting to do, but from her pleas they could only think that she was attempting to summon an ally, or even several. Glancing quickly at each other they both seemed to agree that perhaps this was one meal that would be best served cold and slowly began to approach the girl, swords drawn and ready to kill. Oblivious to the now immediate danger, A'kuri was focused solely and making her strand of aether make contact with the mass in front of her. She could feel something behind the mists encouraging her, supporting her and reassuring her that it did indeed want to help her. She couldn't do it. She didn't have enough power to make the connection. Realizing this the girl began to sob, hope evaporating from her like water thrown on a hot fire stone. "No... I can't do it... Please, just a little more! I'm... almost... there!" Her arm stretched out as if it would help push her aether strand just a touch bit further. The sound of a small branch snapping drew her gaze to her left to where she saw the hunters making their last approach. Fear and panic overtook her and even more loudly than before she started to scream into the aether mass. "NO! PLEASE HELP ME! THEY ARE GOING TO KILL ME! PLEASE!" Step by steps the hunters approached, ready to lash out if anything appeared from the aether, but in their eyes, this girl was a failure at summoning just as she was a failure at everything else in life. Knowing that the girl could do little to hurt them based on her current appearance, one hunter moved in for the kill, raising his sword above the girls back, intent on stabbing her through the heart. It was a pity it had to end this way the hunter thought. He would have much rather eaten this dish while it was warm. He would have enjoyed it so much more. Knowing death was upon her she screamed out once more "I KNOW YOU'RE THERE! YOU SEE ME! I'M TRYING AND I CAN'T! I KNOW YOU HAVE POWER!" Focusing with every inch of her existence, her arm stretched out, she pushed everything she had into one final burst of aether screaming out "MIDORI YOUR MASTER SUMMONS YOU!" The hunter standing over her began to bring his sword down when the aether convoluted and shone with an intense bright green light, emanating a sound like a sonic boom. From the blinding green light an intense hurricane force wind drove into the hunter's body, slamming it with an overwhelming amount of force. The impact from the wind shattered the hunter, turning his body to pulp, breaking his bones and sending his remains rocketing away. The other hunter, frozen in place from fear and confusion did not know what to do. Whatever was hiding in the shining light was strong. Far stronger than anything the tribe has ever fought before. He knew he stood no chance against this... thing. The only option he saw was retreat. Retreat and pray that the aether monster didn't see him. Luck, nor the Gods were on his side however. As the second hunter turned to flee, a second mass of golden aetheric energies formed in front of him. Confused and scared, he knew that this was the end for him. From that mass of aether, a shining golden light came charging forth towards him. He turned to run, instincts making him attempt to flee no matter how vain the effort was. But that golden light was fast, and it sounded heavy. As the light sped up towards him, it sounded as if a boulder were chasing after him, the ground shaking with the force of the creatures each stomp. In mere seconds, the light caught up the hunter, slamming into him like a reinforced wall. The hunters entire body went slack, the force of the impact turning his every bone into dust and his organs to pulp. The hunter body tumbled in the direction they came from, rolling around like a disgusting meat puppet, the light gone from his bloodshot eyes as he came to a stop, coiled like no M'qote body has the ability or right to. A'kuri could feel the connection of powers, she knew she had made her aether reach. Her companion, her friend from an age long lost to her. A creature she was able to summon when she was a child, much to the amusement of her Mother and A'Bhen Nunh, the former Nunh. She could feel the warmth the carbuncle radiated and was comforted. She couldn't help but fall to the ground, her last bit of energy going to maintaining the connection with the creature. Maybe Midori will be able to handle these hunters and when the rest of the clan catches up, they will just leave her alone. Maybe. She lay on the ground, out of strength, drained and feeling empty, She did not feel or see the second aetheric presence, the girl was too exhausted, to spent to see anything other than the shining green creature in front of her. Reaching out her small hand that was covered in dirt and blood, she stroked the creatures fur, feeling the tingle of power flowing through it. Her grimoire still held in her arm under her body, A'kuri softly caressed the carbuncle before her arm lost all strength and fell back to the ground. She closed her eyes thanking Midori for returning to her once more and apologizing for forgetting about the creature. However, the sword the hunter once held was still in free fall above A'kuri's body, the hunters arm still attached to it in a grisly display of what power attacked him. The sword fell as A'kuri's hand fell, slicing the air on it's decent towards A'kuri's prone body. A'kuri didn't know, nor did she care. She was tired and in pain, all she wanted to do was rest. So she closed her eyes as the sword closed in on her body. {Bckgrnd Story} Weak kitty, Timid kitty, little girl of fur. Sad kitty, Broken kitty - Ironpriest88 - 10-14-2015 The resounding peal and crack of wind echoed throughout the small enclosed valley, shaking the very air with it's power. Unknown to the small girl, the sonic boom that marked her re-connection to the aether reached for malms around, from her former encampment and pursuer's, to the shore that she was oh so close to and the crew of the nearby ship. Not knowing from where or from what the sound came from, A'kuri's clan members continued their pursuit. They cared little for the girl, but feared for what might have happened to the pair of hunters that ran ahead and seemed to have caught up with her. In light of current circumstances, the pair of them were the best candidates for the new Nunh, if something happened to them, well the tribe would be in a poor position in the immediate future. Onward the hunters ran, desperate to catch up and hopefully make sure their future Nunh is safe. Gods damn that girl, they all thought. They should have slit her throat in the night long ago and dealt with an unhappy Nunh for a few moons. The all knew she was trouble just like her witch mother. And still they ran, eventually reaching the hill that A'kuri tumbled down and it was then that they realized what had befallen their prized Nunh candidates. In the scene before them two glowing aetheric lights danced on the grass, one in front of a small girl who was laying in the grass, the other pacing back and forth behind her. Not too far from her body were two red smears on the grass and a lump of flesh, with barely viewable pieces of clothing belonging to the pair of hunters. Screaming and yelling the clansmen ran towards the broken and limp bodies that lay on the ground. Disbelief and horror echoed across their faces. What manner of monstrosity could have done this to such strong hunters? One a red smear of bloody eviscerated meat, the other a pile of rubbery limp flesh. No monster could have done something like this and then disappear into thin air. Unless the monster had the form they all knew well. Eyes stricken with grief they turned and eyed the small figure laying in the grass. There was only one truth here, and the truth was that the little witch whore killed their prized Nunh's. Gathering their hatred and desire for revenge they picked up their weapons and began to stalk closer to the girl and the aetheric lights. They would make her pay. They would torture her for as many moons as they could in the most cruelest of ways possible. However as they creeped warily closer, the aetheric lights danced around A'kuri, pulsing with power. Each pulse was deep and slow, as if they resonated with a heartbeat. The gathering hunters did not know what these lights were, but they would not be deterred from their vengeance. Even if a few of them were killed, they would find payment in the girls flesh. Closer and closer they stalked as the aetheric lights pulsed slower and deeper, the heartbeat they were connected to weakening at each passing moment. RE: {Bckgrnd Story} Weak kitty, Timid kitty, little girl of fur. Sad kitty, Broken kitty - Ironpriest88 - 10-15-2015 Meanwhile, not too far away on the shore the thunderclap of power was heard and startled the sailors that were busy trying to get their ship back in working order. Hearing the sound resonate across the rocky beach, the captain of the ship looked up from the map she was leaning over and gazed towards where she believed it came from. Her crew however, heard and felt the vibrations echo through their bones, and none of them enjoyed it. Sailors tended to be a superstitious group, and the Captains crew was no exception. She however, was led more by her curiosity than her fear of the unknown. Standing upright, a mischievous glean shone in her eyes, and looking at her, the First Mate already knew what was about to happen and sighed in instant resignation. "First Mate!" The Captain barked out, loud enough to get the entire beach's attention. "That sound has perked my interest!" The crewmen around the beach groaned out their protest while the First Mate simply hung his head. "Aye Captain, you know I'm standing right here don't you?" the First Mate snarkily replied. "You needn't have to yell so loudly... What if you drew whatever made that sound to us? You know the crew doesn't like this place already!" Grinning back at her First Mate, she ignored his complaint and simply issued out her orders. "You stay here and finish up the repairs to the ship and get her ready to cast off! I want you, you, and... you! Come with me to hunt down that sound! Oh, and weapons at the ready just in case!" She laughed while pointing out several of her sailors, volunteering, no, drafting them to help satisfy her curiosity. Groaning and cursing their luck, the hand picked sailors all hustled and quickly picked up their gear and surrounding their Captain as they once again were forced to accompany the Captain on some wild hunt. Giving them the once over to make sure everyone was set, the Captain nodded and spun around, sprinting in the direction she was sure the noise came from. As sad as might be, A'kuri was in fact rather close to where the Ship had beached itself. A few moments more and she would have been in sight of the Captain and her Crew. Cresting the small hill in front of them, the Captain and her party were greeted with a horrendous sight. A young woman laying in the grass, reaching towards a glowing orb of aether and a single hunter was closing in with his weapon drawn. As the Captain stood there watching, she was trying to figure out if she should intervene, and if so, on who's behalf. What she did not see, was the smear in the grass that had been the first hunter to reach the young woman. Standing there, off to the side, the Captain couldn't decide if she should intervene, and if so, who would she aid. As she was about to make her choice, the entire scenario rapidly changed before their eyes. A second orb of aether had materialized, this time golden in color, and began to rush towards the remaining hunter. With each "step" this golden aether took, the ground shook as if a boulder was careening across the ground. The hunter had turned to run, but even from the Captains viewpoint, it was a pointless effort for she already realized that the golden aether was gaining momentum and catching up to the retreating hunter. As the small group of sailors stood watching, the mass of aether caught up to the hunter and slammed into him. The sound was absolutely horrendous, as if a wet bag of ripe fruit was dropped from somewhere up high and left to splatter on the floor. They saw the hunter go limp and then tumble across the ground in a manner that no body with bones should be capable of. It was then that the Captain took note of the other Mi'qote that had just reached the top of the hill opposite of them. Quickly realizing that this would not end well for the girl, the Captain spurned on her Crew to reach the girl before the Mi'qote did. RE: {Bckgrnd Story} Weak kitty, Timid kitty, little girl of fur. Sad kitty, Broken kitty - Ironpriest88 - 10-15-2015 As the Captain and her group sprinted to reach the girl, the Mi'qote hunters did the same. Both parties eyed the dancing aetheric lights that continued to pulse and sway near the girl laying on the floor. The pulses of energy were rhythmic and deep, much like a heartbeat the Captain realized. The pulses were getting fewer, as if the heart they were connected to was giving out, spurning her crew on, she reached the girl at the same time as the hunters. Stopping several feet away, both parties glared at both the unconscious girl and the opposing party, while the lights danced and weakened. One of the females from the clan of hunters yelled out in open hostility "Who are you? This is our prey! We'll kill you too if you get in our way!" Brandishing weapons made of wood and stone, the hunters began to hiss and bare their fangs against the sailors. Holding her hands up in peace, the Captain retorted to the hostile words "Now I don't know what exactly is going on here, but I just saw this Little One summon a big ol' sphere of aether and completely decimate that hunter over yonder." It was as she pointed to the meat puppet remains that she then saw the red smear of what had become of the first hunter. Raising an eyebrow she added "Oh, and it looks like she also managed that. Now then, if you want to attack her, that's all find and dandy, but see, you also just happened to threaten me and my crew. And I don't take kindly to that, no not one bit." After hearing these words, her sailors drew their weapons and tensed for action. These hunters may have had the superior number, but clearly the sailors had the better gear. These toughened sailors have faced far worse than great numbers and wood weapons in their travels. Snarling, one of the males drew up and brandished his spear as if to rally his tribe members to ready them for battle. As he was about to bring down his spear and lead the charge, a loud BANG echoed across the beach. In the hands of the Captain was a flintlock pistol, barrel smoking after it's discharge. In the hands of the hunter, was half of a spear, the rest had been shorn off from the shot. This sudden development startled and caused fear in the Mi'qote hunters. Being as secluded as they had been after the Calamity, they knew nothing of pistols or the machinist that wielded them. "So... what were you about to say?" Goaded the Captain with an overwhelming aura of violence and anger emanating from her. Keeping her gun drawn on the hunters, she nodded her head towards the girl "You've pissed me off, so we're going to be taking this "Prey" of yours. I hope you mind." Signaling her men to retrieve the woman, they took several steps before stopping, their way barred by the aetheric lights that continued to weaken. "Uhh captain... what about these things?" a crewman questioned as one of the lights began to pace in front of them. Casting her eyes sideways, she clicked her tongue and began to shuffle over to the girl and her aetheric guardians, never removing her pistol from it's targets. Once she reached the lights, she began to move past them and speak softly to them. "Now now, don't cause me any trouble after all of this. You've caused such mayhem, it looks like you're rather tired now. You both can rest and I swear on Mother Hydaelyn that I'll get this Little One somewhere safe." The golden light had all but vanished, it was such a dim power. After a moment of what seemed liked consideration, it vanished as if giving it's acceptance of the Captains proposal. The greenish light however, continued to pulse by the girls body, as if to say it wouldn't leave her no matter what. It was then that the Captain realized that the young Mi'qote was injured, to what extent she couldn't rightly tell, but the arm, sword and blood that covered the girls head was of any indication, it could rightly be life threatening. Tossing the arm to the side, she glanced for a wound and gave a sigh of relief. It seems the Gods had graced the girl with a small amount of luck, as it was only the flat of the blade that struck her face. She had a cut on her nose and forehead, but both would heal fine. Her eyes were an unknown, the impact might have done something, but she would need to be examined in a more, peaceful environment. Nodding her head she stood up and motioned for her men to grab the girl and begin carrying her back to the ship.  "Now then. We will be taking our leave. You, will be staying here and not bothering us, understand? This entire ordeal has given me more stress than I would have liked, and I would LOVE to release some of it by filling you all with little holes." Standing up and making their retreat, the group quickly evacuated the scene, the Captain keeping her pistol aimed at the hunters until they were out of sight. Upon reaching the ship, the crewmen were all in a flurry of activity, yelling over each other as they made the ship ready to sail once again. Spotting the Captain and the group, the First Mate yelled out "C-Captain! What in the hells is going on? It sounded like a mountain was collapsing! Who is that girl? Why is she covered in blood? WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Reaching her First Mate, she looked around and began barking out her orders, once again ignoring his comments. "Get this ship waterborne now! Enemy hostiles to our rear, be ready in case they decide to give chase! MEDIC ON THE DOUBLE! One injured female, head trauma, unknown severity! You two, meet up with the Medic and get on the ship ASAP. THE REST OF YOU BARNACLES MAKE READY TO SET SAIL!" The unconscious A'kuri didn't hear any of this. In her minds sight, she reveled in the fact that she had finally remembered her dear friend, Midori. Her mind was awash in the greenish aether as she embraced her long lost friend. Somehow, she could tell she was alive, she could tell that something big had happened after she made contact with Midori, but she didn't care. She was tired, she was in pain, and all she wanted to do was enjoy her time with her aetheric companion as she dreamt. RE: {Bckgrnd Story} Weak kitty, Timid kitty, little girl of fur. Sad kitty, Broken kitty - Ironpriest88 - 10-16-2015 "It's already been four days! We're almost at harbor and the girl still hasn't woken!" the Captain worriedly shouted. "Yes Captain, I realize that. However, the girls aetheric energies are a complete mess. It's no small wonder the girl hasn't woken, it's as if her soul is lost in a storm at sea, at night, without a paddle, her aetheric power is so distorted. There is a small beacon of focus, but not enough to bring her into alignment. I am but a conjurer, not a scholar who is more well versed in aetheric properties! I have treated her bodily wounds as best I can, the rest only she can work through. Or perhaps be helped in Limsa. Speaking of which, her eyes seemed to have taken the brunt of that attack. You say she was struck by the flat of a sword aye? That seems to have done lasting damage to her vision, for I was unable to mend it fully. She won't go blind I believe, but I fear she will forever have poor vision without some attuned spectacles..." the Medic gave her diagnosis. Hanging her head, fraught with worry the Captain sighed. "Is it strange that I feel so much worry over a girl I have never met? But it feels as if the Navigator herself is telling me that I absolutely MUST aid this girl and bring her to Limsa..." Shrugging her shoulders, the Captain turned to walk to the deck when a rustle and slight groan echoed from the cot A'kuri was resting in. Spinning around, they eyed the girl who finally seemed to be arousing from her long slumber. Not wanting to startle her, they both stood still and allowed the girl to rose herself. Warmth. Warmth and comfort. Two things that A'kuri had all but forgotten existed. As she lay there, she began to hear voices come into focus. Not wanting to bring attention to herself, she lay there hiding under the covers. It was a stalemate, the Captain and the Medic waiting to see if she would move. A'kuri lost however, when her stomach loudly announced that she was in fact, wide awake. Curling into a ball, she prepared herself for whatever torment the Bastard Nunh would inflict on her. It was then that she remembered what had become of him. Or rather, what SHE had done to him. All the memories of that day came flooding back to her as she lay there shivering with fright. *Grumbling noises* "Ahahaha, girl you best poke your head out from those covers or else your stomach might start to eat itself!" the Captain loudly exclaimed. "Sit up nice and slow and we can have a chat and get you something to eat okay?" Motioning for the Medic to head over to A'kuri, the Captain pulled out some hard cheese and salted meats that had been prepared for the girls eventual awakening. As the Medic sat next to the cot where A'kuri lay, she spoke softly, trying to get the girl to show her face and speak to them. "Come now Little One, it seems you've face some terrible ordeals in the past, but me and the Captain just want to help. So first I'd like you to sit up so we can talk and you can get some food in you." Taking the plate of food from the Captain, she placed in on the bed beside the motionless girl. Flinching the moment the plate touched the bed, A'kuri slowly lowered the sheet covering her and began to sit up, waiting with apprehension for the blow she was sure to come. It did not land however, and she sat there, hands holding onto the sheet in her lap, eyes cast downwards in fear. Nodding her head, the Medic pushed the plate of food closer to A'kuri. "Good girl, now eat up, it's ok, we won't hurt you. We just want to ask you a few questions okay?" Casting a side long glace at the proffered plate, A'kuri reached out a shaking hand and slowly picked up the smallest piece of cheese before bringing the hand back to her, just as slowly. With apprehensive eyes, the Captain watched her eagerly as the girl took one bite, then two, then once again reaching out a shaking head to grab another piece from the plate before devouring it as well. In silence the three of them sat as A'kuri ate her fill with mounting eagerness. After eating about half the plate, she gave a sigh of satisfaction, holding her stomach in it's fullness. It had been so long since she had been able to eat her fill, she was completely in awe of the feeling of being "full". The sound of the Captain chuckling in amusing started A'kuri, making her tense up and begin to clutch and fumble with the blanket once again. Casting the Captain a disdainful look, the Medic softly spoke to A'kuri "How was it? Are you full? Are you sure you don't want to eat more?" In response to a quick nervous shake of the head, she continued speaking. "Very well then, it is now that I'd like to ask you some questions. I just want to make sure you're not hurt anywhere I didn't see. We'd also like to know a little about you, like your name. Yes, lets start with that then." Keeping her eyes on her fumbling hands, a quiet and shaky reply was barely heard "A..A'kuri...K-Kota..." Nodding her head in satisfaction, the Medic continued to question A'kuri finding out more about the girls rough past and traumatic experiences that led to where she is now. After several hours of personal inquiry, A'kuri had begun to lift her head and look around the small cabin in the ship. Every now and then, she would squint her eyes. Noticing this, the Medic asked "Do things look blurry to you? When you look at things far away?" RE: {Bckgrnd Story} Weak kitty, Timid kitty, little girl of fur. Sad kitty, Broken kitty - Ironpriest88 - 10-17-2015 After several hours of personal inquiry, A'kuri had begun to lift her head and look around the small cabin in the ship. Every now and then, she would squint her eyes. Noticing this, the Medic asked "Do things look blurry to you? When you look at things far away?" Looking up at the Medic and then switching her gaze to the Captain, she squinted her eyes and nodded her head. "Hmm... It's as I feared. Captain, is the Goldsmith available for a little side work?" After receiving a nod from the Captain, who went to fetch the Goldsmith, the Medic turned back to A'kuri and began to explain herself. "You see, while I tried my best to patch you up, there are some things even I can not do. It seems that before we found you, you had received a fairly strong blow to your face which seemed to have damaged your eyes. Unfortunately, this will be something you will have to deal with for the rest of your life. There is a way to help fix your vision though. By wearing specially attuned glasses you will be able to see properly. We have someone on board who knows how to make such items, and if we are lucky, they will be complete before we reach land." Reaching her hand up to her face, she felt the scar that graced her nose and remembered the sharp pain she felt before she blacked out that day on the beach. Nodding her head in acknowledgement, she then reached her hand to her book which had thankfully, never left her side this entire time. Once her hand touched the book, she felt her mind sharpen and her perception come into focus as the power it helped her connect to began to slowly flow into her. The sharp vision that she had gained in her flight from her tribe however, did not return, and remained blurry and out of focus. After a firm knock at the door, the Captain entered announcing "I've brought the Goldsmith, he says he'll have time to make a quick pair of spectacles after some measurements." The person who followed her however, nearly caused A'kuri to have a heart attack from fright. The Goldsmith was a hulking wall of Roegaedyn manflesh, which caused A'kuri to go into a panic and crawl into the corner of the cot.