Camp "Sodding Nowhere", 14th Sun of the 3rd Astral Moon.
Kiht Jakkya sat in the shade of crates and a tent in what could be considered the corner of a little camp in the middle of the Sagolii Desert. The Immortal Flames worked in the midst of their daily duties; Kiht hardly paid attention to them, and her mind was on other matters.
She sat in a rather undignified position; her legs straight out in front of her, and her back against a crate. A journal laid on her lap, and one hand held a quill, but the other hand held her abdomen. Her tunic was cut and bloody, but her wounds had been mended as much as magic could manage. She just needed time to heal.
Her head rested back against the crate, and it kept her gaze slightly skyward. She closed her eyes, and reached into her pocket. Slowly, her hand drew out a tiny bone ocarina. The little instrument was so simple it could easily be called a bone whistle. She played a short tune on it that sounded more like a melodic whistle.
A slight breeze blew across the desert sands, and the camp’s tents rustled when hit with the wind. Suddenly, a tiny winged figure landed upon a crate in front of Kiht. The bird arrived so quickly that it was almost as if he aether-ported to her.
“Haru.†She said as she grew a smile. The small Falcon stared at her expectantly.
“I hope you have been able to find food in this desert… I have none for you. I am sorry.†She said in a casual tone as if the bird could understand her.
Haru canted his head as she talked, but responded no other way.
Kiht studied him for a moment. The bird just watched her with patience. “…What are you?†She asked quietly. “To me, you are just a tiny animal. Too small to be worth much food, and too lacking of mind to have conversation with. You would not comprehend my troubles, my dishonors or my worries… You only care about where your next meal will come from.â€
Haru doesn’t respond, of course. His head only adjusted upright. But his gaze stayed on Kiht.
“Are you meat?†She asked. “Are you just flying meat that needs to eat more meat to continue to be meat?â€
Kiht let out a short chuckle that was interrupted by a cough. Her body was not ready to let her laugh without protest.
“Flying meat with feathers…â€
Haru just stared.
“Flying…†She spoke quietly. Her eyes fell shut. “You can fly faster than I can run, you can dive and swoop a mouse from the ground with the accuracy of a seasoned archer, you can see a tiny creature from Gods knows how far away, and you do this without magic, soul stones or even a mind such as mine.â€
The bird tilted his head the other way.
“I am a predator. I am not prey. I am not meat… Nor are you, Haru.†She weakly brought up her arm in front of her.
“My friend, I have no food for you right now, but I can admit when I am wrong… Am I wrong about you?†She asked in a soft tone.
Haru swiftly hopped from the crate, and glided to Kiht’s arm with the grace that can only be shown by one who has spent years flying the skies.
Kiht’s eyes met with Haru’s. For a moment, she focused on him. For a moment, she could feel his intent. For a moment, she saw herself through his eyes.
