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K'nahli · **03-20-2015, 09:11 PM**

"K'nahli? K'naaaahhliii ~"

A voice calling from nearby alerted the young huntress.

".....?" a soft noise rumbled from the back of K'nahli's throat as her ruby eyes were lifted away from the would-be arrow shaft she had been carefully filing and fell upon the source of the voice. Another huntress, slightly older than K'nahli herself, was trotting up towards her with an expression that seemed to reveal an innocent sense of relief for having finally found her target.

"Ah, K'tasha..." K'nahli acknowledged simply while relaxing her grip on both the knife and arrow shaft as the girl drew within talking distance, bringing with her a more pronounced smell and taste of the dry dirt that was so easily lifted beneath the light-footed girls swift feet.

"I was asked to let you know that you'll be needing to head to Ul'dah. K'luha.... can't..." K'tasha explained rather plainly while appearing as though she were ready to quickly flee once again, as though it were not an unusual and everyday task that K'nahli had suddenly been given responsibility for.

K'nahli's eyes, with lids still drooping low and lazily like half-drawn curtains from a lack of proper sleep the night before, grew a little wider as the girl passed on the elders' message. Ul'dah? The prospect of the task, though long, tedious and even dangerous, surprisingly didn't bother her so much; rather, she was just surprised for having been landed with it all of a sudden.

After taking a second to let the message sink in, K'nahli nodded simply to the older huntress before returning to tending the small branchling in her hands, gliding the knife across it's length with a slower rhythm this time - being careful to intentionally tilt it away from herself so as to avoid the blazing glare that the morning sun was providing across it's gleaming, silver surface.

"Is it fine to ask K'mih?" K'nahli asked of the girl rather naively, hardly realising what she had just asked even after saying it out loud. Even for something as seldom done as this, it was almost instinctual for her to expect or request K'mih's company. It was simply the way things had always been.
In spite of her own behaviour, clearly it was still a habit too difficult to simply switch off.

"Actually, they specifically said you were to bring K'rahto. Something about him could using the experience I think" K'tasha responded with little delay, her lavender eyes rolling up into their corners as though she were still trying to recall what they had told her only moments ago.

The brittle dirt beneath K'tasha's feet continued to crunch softly yet repeatedly as the girl restlessly shifted her weight from one leg to the other. It was an odd sound to be hearing, like so many others; at least in the place they now call home - where home's comfort used to be recognised by it's blistering heat and the soft feeling of the malleable dunes and plains beneath one's feet.

It was perhaps this idle thought that helped distract her, as yet again, K'tasha's words didn't seem to hold much weight with K'nahli, at least not immediately. Her arm continued to sweep, sleepily back and forth in a gliding motion across the branchling for yet another moment.

"...K'rahto..." she hummed to herself quietly, her faint voice barely betraying a tone that suggested she sensed that something was amiss with that name within the context.

Finally, her hand drew to a sudden stop - subtly dictating the moment that the meaning of K'tasha's last statement had finally hit her. K'nahli's brow furrowed ever so slightly at the news, but still she kept her eyes faced down toward the items in her hands, even as she moved to speak yet again.

"That... won't work. Do me a favour, K'tasha, and tell them that it's either one of us or the other? We.. don't get along..." K'nahli responded hesitantly, her request - though serious - not sounding too akin to pleading. Rather, her biggest was concern was to not have to speak to the elders directly. Surely they wouldn't risk such an important venture on two young hunters such as themselves when they self-admittedly did not get along.

Considering this, K'rahto not joining her on the trip, or even her simply staying with the tribe was practically a given - or so she concluded.

"Sorry, I really need to be attending my own tasks..... and, I really wouldn't argue this one with them, K'nahli. After last night and all...." the girl replied with a little impatience. Her body language had suggested that she was eager to pass on the message and leave from the start, though that was to be expected from K'tasha. She was no better than K'nahli for waking up in the mornings, and even worse when it came to attending her morning tasks on time. Most of this, however, went unacknowledged by the ruby-eyed girl.

".....W-Wait... can't yo-....." K'nahli began to speak, this time with notable urgency while reaching an arm out toward K'tasha whom had already begun walking away. K'tasha responded with a puzzled(and impatient) look as she glanced back over her shoulder, only to see K'nahli's expression fall in defeat before K'tasha was finally dismissed by a subtle shake of the girl's head.

That's right, K'tasha has no experience with Ul'dah either... and even were K'nahli to suggest bringing her along instead of K'rahto....
No, she was right. The elders would likely have no mood for such fussings. Even were it permitted, she would probably fair much better with handling the boring and silent company of K'rahto for a whole day rather than the scoldings of anyone else for even a minute. Her patience in that department had long since been worn rather thin.

"..nnn..." the girl growled after a few moments with a mixture of anxiety and frustration as the grievous thought began to settle in with her.

It didn't take the fact that she had at some point, unwittingly cut the branchling in half with a very, misguided slice of her knife for her to realise that today would be a very, long day.

Clover · **03-21-2015, 10:43 AM**

Back in the Sagolii, K'rahto used to train every morning in the same spot. The trip to the new land wasn't going to change that habit, even less after the events from the past night. The look in K'ile Tia's face as he choked in his own defeat, watched and judged by every single huntress from the tribe, it all was hard to forget. K'rahto wouldn't, couldn't allow himself to suffer the same humiliation. He needed to be patient, become stronger, strike at the perfect moment. And that moment wasn't now.

That morning, the first one, he found himself a nice spot away from the rest of the tribe. It was just like the Sagolii; just he and his lance, with no one that might witness his weakness or his mistakes. Holding his weapon tightly, he swung his lance quickly, practicing all the movements that might save both his life and his honour someday. His eyes were fiercely focused on the imaginary enemy he visualised in front of him.

K'nahli · **03-21-2015, 12:21 PM**

Another ten or possibly fifteen minutes had passed before K'nahli forced herself away from the arrows she had been carving to finally begin her reluctant search for K'rahto Tia. K'tasha never mentioned that she would be passing on the message to him in her stead, so it was safe to assume that he still didn't know. With a sigh, the girl pushed herself to her feet and headed toward K'iara's tent.

Arriving there, she found a number of other huntresses nearby attending to their own daily rituals as though the day were any other. A few hushed whispers here and there, likely in relation to the previous night's events, could be hear scattered amongst the different groups - though otherwise things were mostly quiet at this hour. The same could be said for her targets' tent in fact, as neither K'iara nor K'rahto appeared to be anywhere nearby.
K'nahli took a brief glance around the surrounding areas before a few questions aimed toward those nearby managed to reveal the direction in which K'rahto was last seen departing. With a gratuitous bow of her head, K'nahli left the pair of huntresses behind and begrudgingly headed in the direction they had pointed her.

Of course he'd be out here alone.

(......)

Arriving to the summit of a small incline, K'nahli eventually found the boy with the aid of her heightened senses. At this point his scent in particular had almost become instantly recognisable to her. That uneasy sense of foreboding that usually arrived shortly before he would "grace" her presence was likely a result of which - as she had so cynically concluded.

The girl drew to a stop for a moment, watching the tia, K'rahto, as he obliviously(or so it seemed) continued with his own personal training. Though she was unfamiliar with the boy's habits, she was not surprised to find that this was what he was up to all the way out here. She shared that sentiment after all, as opposed to the many others who preferred to train in groups, some even while remaining in the heart of the tribe's settlement. The girl's eyes remained fixed upon the tia for a moment of silent admiration. His movements were swift and precise, refined and well-rehearsed. In truth, it was almost fascinating to behold; at times even resembling a dance with it's fluid movements. That wasn't to say that she hadn't seen better displays by older and more veteran lancers in the past, of course, though perhaps it came as some slight surprise to the girl when compared against the initially, clumsy performance which he displayed when attempting to best her in the archery contest some moons prior.

A short-lived impression, though an impression nonetheless. If she were to find but a single positive point, then at least they shared some interest.

Exhaling softly as she prepared herself, K'nahli made her way down toward the boy - approaching from behind.

"Oi.... K'rahto..." the girl called after the tia from a couple of yalms away, still out of direct sight.

"The elders want you to come with me to Ul'dah. Today." she continued bluntly, already appearing as though she were about to leave once again - even before the boy could react to her presence.

Clover · **03-23-2015, 05:59 PM**

K'nahli wasn't the only one who caught the other's scent. It almost broke K'rahto's concentration, but he didn't stop his training. It wouldn't be the first time he noticed the huntress' presence nearby, anyway; it never meant anything, nothing more than a mere coincidence, for the two of them lived in the same tribe. This time, however, proved to be different when her unexpected voice called his name.

The Tia froze his movement, albeit he didn't turn his head to look at her, nor did he change his stance to a normal and relaxed one. He had merely paused what he was doing, an indication that he was planning to continue after hearing what she had to say. His eyes were slightly narrowed, focused on an unimportant point in front of him. And as much as he mentally cursed himself for it, there was a very annoying, very stupid tickle in his stomach.

She hadn't come to talk to him on her own accord, he knew that much even before she spoke further. There was no reason for her to seek him out unless someone wanted to deliver a message through her. What he'd never expect was a message like the one she voiced next, spoken so carelessly as if it lacked any sort of importance. It made the Tia's eyes open wider. It forced him to slowly adopt a normal stance, for his training really was over. Then, not less slowly, he turned his head and half turned his body towards her, observing the female with surprised eyes under a slight, perpetual frown.

"...Why me?" He dared to ask in disbelief. Were the elders aware of his feelings towards the huntress? Even if they were, sending him to Ul'dah with K'nahli was an odd decision. Perhaps it was a test; it sure felt like it.

K'nahli · **04-11-2015, 12:22 AM**

Though she were avoiding eye-contact with the boy, his surprise was quickly noted. Not that such a thing was unusual... no, far from it. Rather, it were merely the fact that oddly, he didn't seem to show the same signs of reluctance nor disdain that she herself had. Granted, the girl had her own reasons for feeling such a way about the news of their intended cooperation, but even if K'rahto's true feelings toward her were nothing short of a mystery, it was an indisputable certainty in her mind that, at the very least, his expression would have revealed the venom of even words witheld.

Though surprised in her own way from the boy's mere reaction - or rather, lack of - K'nahli didn't hesitate long before offering her response.

"...I don't know. K'luha is not fit for travel and I would imagine that they wish to ensure there are more options for situations such as this".

The girl was doing her best to sound as natural as possible in her delivery of each sentence, as though K'rahto was just any other tribesmember - anyone who hadn't constantly spoken down to her in the way that he always had. "Frustrating" wasn't a word that could do enough justice to just how aggravating it was that she needed to try so hard for such a stupidly, menial task. All because of this one, stupid tia.

Still avoiding eye contact, the girl watched the boy only for a second or two longer before deeming it safe to make her departure, satisfied that at least 'that' task was done with - even if it were only but a pitiful taste of what was yet to come.

"Prepare whatever you need and be ready to leave in a bell or two" she added in closing while offering K'rahto a half-hearted wave in farewell before she turning her back on him and hastily retreating toward the camp once again with an eager trot.

Clover · **04-12-2015, 02:20 PM**

"......"

The TiaÂ didn't say anything as K'nahli walked away. He simply stared at her from the same unchanging position, and he'd remain that way for a bit longer even after she was gone. As long seconds passed, the boy ended up raising his gaze to the sky and breathed in. Slowly.

Ul'dah might be at least a sun away. It'd be no short trip. And during all that time, heÂ was expectedÂ to spendÂ every minute, every second sharing her space and breathing the same air she did. Behind wouldÂ remain the comfort of his own solitude, now pushed away byÂ a presence capable of shaking his temper.

K'rahtoÂ exhaled, and the growing rush of both excitement and discomfortÂ forced him to tightenÂ his fists. Traveling with K'nahli was going to be unbearable for many reasons, he knew. A test, yes. That's what this was.

There was nothing muchÂ to beÂ prepared for the trip. Some food, some water, and the spear he'd been carrying all along. He was quick to gather everything, and cautious not to run into his sister. He'd leave without saying good-bye to anyone, and so he waited for K'nahli on the same spot he'd been training, away from the rest of the tribe.

K'nahli · **04-22-2015, 11:22 PM**

((OOC Note: I'm so sorry Clover. I just... cannot write. This is why it took so long T_TÂ Â *keels over and dies*))

For K'nahli, the next bell and a half seemed to drag on for an eternity.

A whole day... and whole day to merely make the trip from their new settlement - in Thanalan's eastern reaches - to the city of Ul'dah. A trip, for the record, that could well be made in total silence for the entire duration. At least, such a thing certainly didn't seem like an exaggerated possibility. Not to K'nahli anyways. In fact, when it came to both her and K'rahto, she felt that there was simply no question about it. Though the pair lacked for a considerable amount of interaction with one another, it didn't take the wisdom of an elder to immediately tell that they were the least favourable pair when it come to creating conversation.
Even still, while there was a great deal of comfort to be found in such a thought, it still didn't push from mind that K'rahto's silence would only manage to unnerve her. Normally such a thing would be good, to not need to worry about sharing much conversation with K'rahto in particular... but even then, the entire atmosphere would still be incredibly awkward. Undeniably.

"....nn..." K'nahli hummed an anxious note to herself as she guided the two chocobo by the reigns alongside her.

The dry and brittle sand crunched noisily beneath their large feet with each step they took - it's otherwise pleasant sound only serving to remind the girl that she were drawing closer and closer to the moment that it would all, inevitably go down hill.
Her thoughts were momentarily interrupted, however, as Suna, the chocobo with whom she guided by the reigns in her right hand, seemed to tilt her head downward and to the side... until her large and beautifully dark eyes were peering closely into K'nahli's with an innocent curiosity.

Perhaps she sensed the girl's anxiety?

Blinking suddenly in surprise K'nahli simply stared back with a timid uncertainty before an eventual, nervous smile forced it's way across her expression. Some way or another, whether the bird understood what was going on or not, she always managed to make K'nahli smile with it's innocent, chocobo mannerisms. Perhaps it was simply her allowing the naive thought that such things could be understood by her fluffy companion that helped put K'nahli at ease at times like this.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Having already checked around his tent again, the girl concluded that the tia would have chosen to return to where she had found him earlier. A particularly difficult spot to simply guide two chocobo over by foot mind you; it, of course, meant taking a slightly longer route as a result. "Already proving a nuisance" the girl thought to herself, frustrated - even while ignorantly acknowledging the fact that, had he not been there in the end and she walked all the way over there for no reason, it'd still be his fault as far as she was concerned.

Walking around the incline she had once climbed this morning, K'nahli finally draws to a momentary stop for a couple of seconds, having now spotted her target. True enough, he had indeed returned to the very same spot in the end. It was somewhat relieving that she didn't have more reason to be frustrated with the current situation. She'd need all the patience she could muster for the trip to come sure enough.

Pausing only to draw in a deep breath in preparation, K'nahli quietly clicked her tongue, ushering the two great birds forward as she began walking once again, coming more clearly into view now as she promptly approached K'rahto Tia.

Clover · **04-23-2015, 12:11 PM**

K'rahto heard theÂ chocobo stepsÂ in the distance and turned his head towards them. Perhaps it'd be awkward for K'nahli to walk all the way to his spot while being watched so intently, asÂ she wasn't exactly close yet, but it'd be alsoÂ awkward for him to just look away as if he hadn't seen them. He did his best to keep his expression as neutral as possible, which in his case it translated as a very serious, almost annoyed face.

Once the huntress was right in front of him, it was easy to figure one which of those chocobos would be his. He recognized K'nahli's favourite, Suna, which meant he'd take the other.

"Very well..." was all he said as he approachedÂ the birdÂ and started tying his bag to the saddle. Truth be told, K'rahto was quite unused to riding chocobos, but he managed to get on his without much trouble. He just needed to pay attention to what K'nahli did;Â coupled with his still serious and in-controlÂ expression, hopefullyÂ she wouldn't notice his lack of experience.

"Ready."

It went without a saying that she'd have to lead the way, for this was the very first time K'rahto would visit Ul'dah. He was acutely aware of his serious lack of experience in many fields. Such a Tia he was.

K'nahli · **04-23-2015, 01:34 PM**

The mere walk towards K'rahto was agonizing; a painfully, dragged-out trial of it's own as it had turned out. Why in the name of Azeyma was he even looking right at her? Was her approach truly such an interesting spectacle? What in the seven hells was she supposed to do other than casually look right back so as to avoid coming off as confrontational!? There were only so many times she could pretend to have been momentarily distracted by either of the birds alongside her.

Suddenly it felt as though she couldn't walk fast enough.

Luckily enough, K'rahto was the first to speak as she drew to a stop before him, helping to shatter the unusual sense of tension that K'nahli felt had suddenly been growing between them - that is to say, an unusual tension beyond what has always been there.

Having handed one of the chocobo off to K'rahto, K'nahli adjusted her posture to give the appearance that she was facing her own mount as though to attend Suna, but in truth, she was still watching the tia carefully out from the corner of her eye. He wasted no time with tying his own supplies onto to his saddle while she feigned to be inspecting hers. She had a simple question in mind for him of course, though for whatever reason she has having difficult simply vocalizing it. Though she could have sworn she were silently frowning to herself, her expression seemed mostly neutral, closer to being something akin to anxious in fact.

Before the girl realised it, K'rahto had then promptly clambered his way on to a sitting position atop his mount, clumsy as he may have otherwise been, K'nahli didn't seem to notice.

"Ready" was his comment. Short and to the point.

Breathing a sharp but otherwise silent sigh to herself, she firmly, though reluctantly at first, turned herself to face the tia once more. She almost felt guilty at this point - as though she felt somehow responsible for not trying harder to get along with him like he were any other tribes member.
Despite her instinctual unwillingness to throw herself into such a pit of sand drakes, K'nahli forced herself to meet eyes with K'rahto. As always, his perpetual frown only made that amber glare of his seem all the more venomous and menacing - even when she was sure he was not intending to look upset.

"Will you be alright like that...?" the girl asked rather simply - seemingly paying no mind to how easily her question could be misunderstood.

Clover · **04-23-2015, 02:13 PM**

K'nahli's question wasn't as odd as he'd have liked, and was met with a small frown of secret embarrassment.Â The TiaÂ could only understand that she had noticed his lack of experience at riding, but albeit there was little room for doubts in his mind, he still didn't want to risk giving her a direct confirmation.

"...What do you mean?" He simply said. His tone was serious,Â with a tint of defensiveness on it that betrayed his supposed confusion.

K'nahli · **04-23-2015, 02:27 PM**

K'nahli's eyes lowered and focused more intently on Seeka, the chocobo whom she had fetched for K'rahto.Â

"I couldn't find your sister and I didn't know who else to ask... so I don't know if you have a preference for chocobo..." she explained herself more clearly while taking a step forward to gently rest her two hands on both of the creature's cheekbones.

"Seeka can be quite giddy at times but you won't have to worry about her constantly slowing down on you after a couple bells of running" K'nahli continues while gentle scratching the side of the bird's cheek, prompting the chocobo to respond with an energetic buck of her head.

She smiles softly in amusement before allowing it to fade as she casts her gaze back up toward K'rahto/

"We can get a different one if you'd rather though..."

Clover · **04-24-2015, 12:25 PM**

A preference for a chocobo...? Was she actually...?

K'rahto's eyes opened slightly wider atÂ K'nahli's reply. Somehow, herÂ consideration was the last thing he'd expected, especially when he'd been almostÂ certain that she'd mock his lack of practice. Instead, there she was, talking about how she'd actually tried to find his sister in order to know what chocobo would suit him best, being gentle to the bird. Even... smiling to the animal...

Something tickled inside K'rahto's stomach, and he wasn't sure if it was the amazed or the jealous kind. Or both.

When K'nahli's gaze raised back to him, the Tia became self conscious of the way he'd been staring at her, completely mesmerized by that unusual display of gentleness. He quickly turned his face away and frowned, his cheeks coloured warmly.

"...This one is good," was all he managed to say, his tone dry from the embarrassment. He'd have liked to thank her, but he really didn't know how. Hopefully, she'd understand that he appreciated the chocobo she seemed to have carefully chosen for him. Or perhaps she wouldn't understand a thing. It didn't matter, did it? They had things to do.

K'nahli · **04-28-2015, 02:53 PM**

((OOC Note: For anyone thinking I am neglecting Clover, I was giving her a breather for a while since she had RP going on in other games!))

K'nahli simply nodded in response. She didn't seem to notice any of the boy's reservations nor his embarrassment. How could she? As far as she was concerned, K'rahto had no understanding of such feelings to begin with.

Retreating a number of steps until she was alongside Suna, K'nahli gave a final, inspecting glance between both hers and K'rahto's chocobo, ensuring that they had everything they'd need.
Another nod, though incredibly subtle, followed as she felt satisfied that they were set to begin their journey.

"Alright... then I guess we should get moving.." she eventually declared with an uncomfortable voice - a voice that was seemingly trying very hard to hide the anxiety that lay behind it

Bringing herself up on to her saddle with relative ease, K'nahli ushered Suna into a simple turn with a soft tutting noise until, like K'rahto, she was also facing south-west towards Ul'dah. The girl squinted slightly as she focused her gaze out across the distant horizon that was separated from them only by the harsh lands and beaskin that inhabited it. Though this would be her first time travelling to Ul'dah from such a place, she felt relatively confident of her abilities to navigate her way there, even in unfamiliar terrain such as this. Compared to the ever-changing desert sands and it's lack of reliable landmarks, this should be nothing for her.

"Our goal is make it as far as the mountain range before midsun. Once there we can comfortably trek through the shade while the heat fades" she explains aloud after taking a moment to study the land, indicating towards the distant formations ahead of them.

Her comment seemed to cause Suna to chirp happily in response, garnering the girl's attention for a second or two, and again, bringing about a soft though unseen smile across her face. As ever, it were almost as though she had understood K'nahli's words and were merely excited to be getting some proper exercise in the first time since their migration to these new lands. It was calming to have such small moments that distracted her from the continuous sense of tension... though in truth, K'rahto hadn't really done or said anything to make her feel even more uncomfortable than she already was - yet, at least. Though even still, perhaps she should take it as a good sign.

Taking her eyes forward again for another couple of seconds to verify her judgement of the route they would take, K'nahli then glanced back over her shoulder to address K'rahto once more, while only bringing him partly into her vision.

"Ready?"

She hadn't forgotten that K'rahto had already answered this question... and yet still she asked it. Whether she were hoping that he would realise he had forgotten something at the last moment or if it were simply to buy herself a few more seconds of thought... K'nahli's gaze was now focused in the direction of their camp. It would be the first time that she left for Ul'dah without K'mih, and even still, she hadn't so much as said goodbye to her.
In truth, it wasn't that she didn't want to, but merely the fact that she didn't even know how. How was she supposed to so much as approach her sister after the way she, herself, had been behaving lately?

After what felt like several moments of thought, K'nahli blinked hard with reluctance and bit down on the inside of her lip. Whatever K'rahto had replied to her just now, she didn't hear it.

Clover · **04-29-2015, 09:25 AM**

The TiaÂ hadn't given too much of a reply, other than a half annoyed sound that was supposed to mean "yes". The way his new traveling companion looked back to the camp didn't go unnoticed, but he didn't comment on it. It wasn't like he could read the thoughts that were crossing the girl's mind anyway; not this time, not ever. His most immediate guess was simply that she had started feeling homesick, mostly due to the fact she'd be forced to spend the next suns with someone like him. That he wasn't pleasant for the huntress was a fact K'rahto acknowledged very well, but then again, this trip hadn't been his choice.

After what felt like a long pause, the birds finally started moving, taking them away from their new home. A new world awaited.

[END OF SCENE]

The Road to Ul'dah(Closed)

RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes