Twinflame: The Shroud had thinned out into shrub brush and dark dirt, the beginnings of Thanalan. Already the air was dry and becoming warmer, and shadows were difficult to pick out. Already, K'ile ws feeling more at home, as the world around him started smell more and more like the regions he knew near the Sagolii. Partly because of this, he had slept better that night (he hadn't slept well the night before? Luha kept him up!) and was up walking behind the carriage.
He watched Luha sleeping on her own bench for a time, and then sought out Tahj. "Hey, how's Rhiki doing?"
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj frowned slightly,"I think he's getting tired. Will we stop soon?"
*
Twinflame: "We can stop now," K'ile said, trotting around side of the carriage. "Have Rhiki hop up into the carriage for a nap. There's no other shade around here, really."
K'ile exchanged words with the carriage driver and the chocobos pulling it eased to a stop a fe wmoments later.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: As the carriage stopped Tahj called to the large bird and coaxed him into the carriage. She cringed slighlty as his head swung over K'luha as she slept, but she appeared undisturbed. "Whew that was close."
*
Twinflame: "Careful," K'ile said, having arrived just in time to see the Chocobo almost hitting Luha. "Her sleeping is probably the only break I'll get from keeping an eye on that hip of hers."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj stifled a giggle,"I'm not sure it's made made for chocobos to ride in, he's supposed to be pulling it."
*
Twinflame: "Ah, he'll do fine. As long as he doesn't bother K'luha. Then he might not make it." K'ile reached into the carriage and pulled out his bag, opening it to take out some water. "Is the air getting to you yet? I guess compared to the Shroud it's getting kind of dry."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj shrugged and wrinkled her nose slightly,"It's getting warmer and I'm thirsty. But not so bad. Will it be much farther? I'm kind of tired of sitting in this carriage."
*
Twinflame: "A few days." K'ile walked over to Thaj and offer her the waterr. "And it's going to get a lot hotter and a lot dryer. Until you think you're going to just dry up. And then even more. Until you'll swear Azeyma herself is staring right at you!" He leaned forward so his face was in Tahj's face. "Just like this! This close!"
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj blinks in surprise just staring back at K'ile for a couple seconds then begins to giggle,"Silly."
*
Twinflame: "Anyway," K'ile said, and thrust the water at Tahj. "One thing to learn is to drink lots of water in the desert, long as lots is available."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Taking several large gulps of the water, Tahj passes it back to K'ile,"Thanks." She pulls an arrow from her quiver and begins spinning it idly.
*
Twinflame: "Getting better at that?" K'ile said, stowing the water in his back and setting it down by the carriage. He reaches then for his spear, which he stabs head-first into the ground, and crouches to begin working a mechanism on the weapons head.
*
K'luha Haaz: The noise from K'ille and Tahj's chatter along with the carriage's stop eventually awoke K'luha from her slumber. She hadn't meant to fall asleep in the first place, but something had made her sleepy and thus...Â
She carefully opened her eyes and looked around hazily without moving her head. The walking... had not helped her hip. Now that she could feel it again, it was almost as if it was protesting the fact she didn't listen to K'ile. Maybe she ought to have listened. But she wasn't about to let her pride go just yet. Luha remained stilly on the carriage and sort of hazily looked out towards the other two miq'ote.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj grins,"Sort of, sometimes it just seems to get stuck and I can't spin it."
*
Twinflame: K'ile shows her his fingers and sort of flicks them around, a mostly meaningless gesture. "Oncce you get the hang of it, you can spin heavier things a bit faster, and the momentum will help you out. It gets easier." He returns his attention to the head of his spear, and after a moment, pulls hard on the shaft. The entire thing pops free of the blade, leaving the metal head of the spear in the ground.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj peers back into the carriage noting Rhiki curled up sound asleep on the floor,"Poor old man he was tired."Contiuning to toy with the arrow, she began wandering around looking at the scenery.
*
Twinflame: Holding his spear-shaft to one side, K'ile watches Tahj wander around. Specifically, he's watching ehr fingers, and he's smile. Whether she knew it or not, Tahj was already learning fire-dancing! After a moment, K'ile began to turn the shaft in his hand, slowly, but the thing was long enough that it still breathed an audible, rhytmic huff as it turned.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Seeing a slight movment is a bit of brush Tahj froze, ears rotating to catch the direction of the sound. As she homes in on it she reached over the side of the carriage for her bow, silently knocking an arrow.Â
Back straight Tahj draws back the bow string and lets the arrow fly, with a high pitched sqeal aa fat rabbit burts upward out of the brush, Tahj's arrow imbedded just behind it's front leg. Frowning that she hadn't killed it with the first shot, she kept her cool and quick knoed a second arrow loosing it almost immediately.
Tahj grins with triumph as the small animal drops.
*
K'luha Haaz: Luha couldn't quite see what was happening from where she was in the carriage, but her nose and ears at least could pick up the sound of prey being killed. Tahj was quite good with a bow... unlike K'ailia. K'luha let out a little sigh thinking about her wayward daughter. Maka had been right about K'ailia.... not only that but Tahj was... Luha stopped thinking about it. She shouldn't think things like that.
*
Twinflame: "Nice!" K'ile said, somewhat passively, continuing to turn the long, heavy shaft in his hand. He stood a ways off from Tahj, staring at her kill. "Now, do you know how to skin and cook it?"
*
K'tahjha Yohko: "I was never allowed to skin them myself, mama's knife was too sharp."She hesitates, ears drooping,"I- I used to be able to cook them." she whispers.
*
Twinflame: "It's an easy thing to learn," K'ile said cheerfully. "Go grab it and Ill show you how to do stuff that'll make city-cats sick."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj wanders over and grabbing the rabbit carcass by the ears, retrieves her arrows before taking it back to K'ile.
*
Twinflame: Spinning the heavy pole a few more times, K'ile pauses long enough to grab his bag with one end of the pol and drag it towards Tahj. "Skinning knife's in there. I'm guessing you know which end the sharp one is."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj rummages through the bag, and emerges with it carefully gripped by the handle. She then turns it around and  offers it to kile handle first.
*
Twinflame: K'ile shakes his head, "Nah, I'll talk you through it. This is one of those things that you can't really do wrong, so there's no reason not to just do it. Long as you know enough to cure away from yourself."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj nods and keeps the knife,"Mama said never point the sharp end at someone unless you intend to hurt 'em with it."
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha perked up her ears a bit to listen in to them. Seemed K'ile was going to teach Tahj how to skin. Interesting. He did enough hunting he ought to know well how to teach it, but she was curious as to how he would do.
*
Twinflame: Does proficient instructy stuff that likely ends up advising Tahj along a path that will have her peeling the skin off in one big, solid, useable mass. Or something.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj listens carefully and peels the hide off the rabbit in  mostly one piece. Not flinching from the blood, she holds the skin aloft triumphantly.
*
Twinflame: K'ile doesn't ICly find this disgusting but OOCly eeewwww
*
K'luha Haaz: Luha was impressed with Tahj's performance, and with K'ile's instructions. He would make a good dad, or at least a teacher. Now, she thought, would be a good time to get up. However... when she tried to move her leg to stand it protested with a great searing pain. Luha winced from it and stopped trying to move again. Well shit.
*
Twinflame: K'ile popped his head up over the side of the carriage, below which K'luha lay on a bench. "Hey there, lazy. You're missing all the fun."
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha blinked at K'ile for a moment, only for a moment before giving him a wry smile. "Hm. Missing out on all my sleep thanks to you Mr. Noisy." she teased back before looking towards the bench. She wanted to look at Tahj, but it was kind of impossible. "And tell Tahj I'm impressed. I'm impressed with you too K'ile, but Tahj firstly."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Hearing  the adults talking, Tahj wanders back to the carriage, hands still bloody,"How are you feeling aunt Luha?"
*
Twinflame: Crossing his arms over the edge of the carriage and lay his shin on them, K'ile smiles down and Luha and say nothing. Tahj's question was apt.
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha continued to smile and lightly reached forward to push K'iles head away from her. "Just fine Tahj." She called out, lying through her teeth but doing a convincing job at it. "You two gonna cook for me or what?" K'luha was quick to change the subject, but not to sit up.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Ears flattening, Tahj pales slightly but nods as she wanders off to gather wood.
*
Twinflame: "Uh, hey..." K'ile let's his head be pushed back, but hsi vague protest is directed at Tahj. He frowns as he watches Tahj wander away, and turns back to Luha. "She's worried she's going to mess it up. Why don't you cook it instead of lounging around like some kind of desert princess?"
*
K'luha Haaz: "Because..." K'luha frowned back, her voice low. Sitting up was proving to be challenging with crying. "I will." she quickly revised her sentence, finally managing to sit up. Although, she was breathing a bit heavily for simply sitting up and her hand clenched into the side of the carriage.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Meanwhile Tahj had managed to gather wood and stones and was building a small fire pit.
*
Twinflame: "Luha," K'ile said warningly. "Forget it. Stay put. We've got it."
*
K'luha Haaz: Luha looked to K'ile and frowned. Shit. Why was he always right? And why did he have to notice? "I can't lay here forever..." she mumbled back at him. "K'ile..." K'luha called softly, trying to keep it out of ear shot from Tahj. She paused, as if she had more to say before simply going quiet and looking away.
*
Twinflame: Sighing, K'ile said, "It's just until we get back to the tribe. Just sit tight. I need to help Tahj get the rabbit cooked up."
*
Twinflame: He stepped away from the carriage and turned to where Tahj was working on the fire, heading over and saying, "Want some help?"
*
K'luha Haaz: "I..." K'luha called after him so softly she was sure he wouldn't hear it. After a moment she shook her head again and laid back down with a significant amount of pain.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj's hands were shakingand her ears were tight against her head but she managed a small smile,"It's ready to light I think."
*
Twinflame: K'ile crouched by the fire pit, "And how're you feeling about that?"
*
K'luha Haaz: 'It would be good,' K'luha told herself. 'It would be good for Tahj and K'ile to get some time together. For K'ile to be there for Tahj. Although, part of her couldn't help but feeling that same helplessness in not being there. Like she was missing something very important that could never be replaced... and all because she was too stubborn or stupid or both to just let the conjurers take care of her hip in Gridania. And because she was too stubborn to let K'ailia take care of her in the first place. 'I really am a failure of a mother...' K'luha thought to herself, closing her eyes and pressing her hand to her eyes. She didn't think she wanted to listen to what was happening anymore.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Fists clenched tightly, ears flat Tahj's eyes focused on the unlit fire pit, and she took an involuntary step back.
*
Twinflame: "Tahj," K'ile said, and reached out to touch her shoulder. "Don't worry about this right now. I'll cook the rabbit. You go spend some time with K'luha. Give her something to smile about. You're cooking tomorrow, though, alright?"
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Not needing much prodding Tahj broke and ran to the carriage, slowing only to make sure she didn't step on the sleeping chocobo.
*
Twinflame: Pulling on one ear, K'ile sighed and leaned down over the fire pit, flicking a piece of wood and, with that simple motion, causing the fire to light.
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha opened her eyes, feeling the carriage shift as Tahj ran over to it. She turn head had and tried to give her best warm smile. She was at least, good at giving warm smiles even when she felt like dying inside. "Hey Tahj. Not going to cook tonight? Well, that's okay. You can hang out with me."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Flinching violently at the sound of the fire crackling to life tears began to fall silently down Tahj's face,"I'm sorry, I wanted to make dinner for you."She knelt by K'luha's bench and gently laid her head on the woman's shoulder.
*
K'luha Haaz: "Oh... Tahj... it's okay..." K'luha cooed softly, reaching her arm up to stroke the back of her neice's head. "You'll get there. Okay? We'll help you. Me and K'ile will be right here for you."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Sniffling and wiping her eyes, Tahj refocused on her aunt, noticing she hadn't moved off the bench,"Are you thirsty?" Retrieving the water skin and holding it out for K'luha.
*
K'luha Haaz: "Yes... thank you." K'luha smiled quietly again and took the waterskin. She managed to sit up enough to drink from mitt without much problem and handed it back to Tahj with the cap on it tight. "How are you feeling being out of the orphanage now?'
*
K'tahjha Yohko: "It feels kind of strange, but I like it. It reminds me of living in the woods with mama." Tahj pauses scanning the woman's face,"Does it hurt much?"
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha paused, her lips turning in a thin line. She wanted to lie. That was her first instinct... and yet. "It does..." K'luha admitted quietly. "But, I'm glad it's better than the orphanage."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj frowns scanning around the carriage for something, then spies a small folded tarp, she grabs it with a grind and turns to Kluha."I'll try not to hurt you, but leveling it will help." Carefully reaching under the knee she elevated the leg far enough to slip the tarp under it.
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha quirked her head a bit. Leveling... it? "Erm... okay...?" she mumbled, letting Tahj do... whatever it was she was doing.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahh nodded happily  as the tarp under her aunt's knee hopefully took pressure off the injured hip,"I didn't hurt it too much did I?"
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha winced a bit. Moving her hip at all was... very painful but. "A little... but not terribly.' She admitted before looking to her niece again. "But... yes... some of the pressure is gone so... thank you."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj smiles and leans over to Kiss K'luha on the cheek,"Want an apple while we wait for the apple? Or would you be more confortable with your shoes off?" Tahj smiles brightly, attempting to take her aunt's mind off the pain.
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha cracked a smaller more genuine smile at Tahj's actions. She was such a sweet girl, very unlike Maka. In that regard at least. "Yeah, both of those would be nice. Thank you. You shouldn't spoil your aunt so much." Luha chuckled faintly and rubbed at her temple with her free hand.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj fetched an apple from the basket and handed it to her aunt, then went to the end of the bench to remove K'luha's shoes, wincing as she pulled the shoe off the injured leg as carefully as possible. "There!"
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha bit down on the apple while Tahj pulled off her boot. Biting down on the apple helped her stay quiet and deal with the pain. She bit down finally when it was off and munched on a bit of the apple. "Mmm, it's fine. Thank you."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj was quiet for a minute or two, then looked to her aunt with a serious expression,"Will K'ailia be able to visit us? I liked talking to her in Gridania, it's nice to have a sister."
*
K'luha Haaz: "No... she won't be able to come back to the tribe. When... when you abandon your family, they abandon you as well." K'luha informed her sadly, looking at her apple like she had suddenly lost her appetite again. "I guess her freedom was more important to her than.... well, it's no matter. You can come with me to Ul'dah to visit her sometimes."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj sighs and lightly strokes her aunt's arm,"People are family no matter how far away they are. You and mama had a fight and she was far away but you were still her family and she loved you. K'ailia is our family no matter how far away she is. No law can make that not so." she said fiercely.
*
K'luha Haaz: For some reason, Luha felt Tahj's words very deeply. They resonated harshly with her, and it took all her self restraint to pull herself back from tears. Instead, she cleared her throat a little and took a moment to calm herself. "Maka... didn't leave because she wanted to. We will always be family but... it is different with K'ailia, Tahj. She wanted to leave. She left because we were not important enough for her to stay. I... I was not important enough to her for her to stay." K'luha went quiet for a moment and pressed a hand to her mouth.Â
"No law can make her not my daughter... but no words can ease my pain that my own daughter would forsake me for others. K'ailia... does not love me like I love her. She doesn't not appreciate what I went through to raise her. Above all else, she wants to be her own person. She no longer cares who she hurts in fulfilling her own selfish wishes. I have... raised a selfish daughter who cares not for me or her for her family. I am... a failure of a mother... I can only be happy K'aila did not cause as much trouble as K'piru's daughter..." K'luha went very quiet. She hadn't meant to say all of that to Tahj and yet... No, it was out of place for her to say that. "I am sorry Tahj. Please, forget my ramblings. It was out of line for me to say that to you. Your sister is a wonderful girl. We will visit her in Ul'dah when we can, okay?"
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Silent for a long moment, Tahj reached out to gently brush the bangs out of her aunt's eyes, she knew her aunt was in pain but didn't know what to say to make it better, so she offered the onyl thing she knew,"I love you, and I'm glad you adopted me to be my new mama."
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha smiled back at Tahj and nodded slowly. "Yeah... me too."
He watched Luha sleeping on her own bench for a time, and then sought out Tahj. "Hey, how's Rhiki doing?"
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj frowned slightly,"I think he's getting tired. Will we stop soon?"
*
Twinflame: "We can stop now," K'ile said, trotting around side of the carriage. "Have Rhiki hop up into the carriage for a nap. There's no other shade around here, really."
K'ile exchanged words with the carriage driver and the chocobos pulling it eased to a stop a fe wmoments later.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: As the carriage stopped Tahj called to the large bird and coaxed him into the carriage. She cringed slighlty as his head swung over K'luha as she slept, but she appeared undisturbed. "Whew that was close."
*
Twinflame: "Careful," K'ile said, having arrived just in time to see the Chocobo almost hitting Luha. "Her sleeping is probably the only break I'll get from keeping an eye on that hip of hers."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj stifled a giggle,"I'm not sure it's made made for chocobos to ride in, he's supposed to be pulling it."
*
Twinflame: "Ah, he'll do fine. As long as he doesn't bother K'luha. Then he might not make it." K'ile reached into the carriage and pulled out his bag, opening it to take out some water. "Is the air getting to you yet? I guess compared to the Shroud it's getting kind of dry."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj shrugged and wrinkled her nose slightly,"It's getting warmer and I'm thirsty. But not so bad. Will it be much farther? I'm kind of tired of sitting in this carriage."
*
Twinflame: "A few days." K'ile walked over to Thaj and offer her the waterr. "And it's going to get a lot hotter and a lot dryer. Until you think you're going to just dry up. And then even more. Until you'll swear Azeyma herself is staring right at you!" He leaned forward so his face was in Tahj's face. "Just like this! This close!"
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj blinks in surprise just staring back at K'ile for a couple seconds then begins to giggle,"Silly."
*
Twinflame: "Anyway," K'ile said, and thrust the water at Tahj. "One thing to learn is to drink lots of water in the desert, long as lots is available."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Taking several large gulps of the water, Tahj passes it back to K'ile,"Thanks." She pulls an arrow from her quiver and begins spinning it idly.
*
Twinflame: "Getting better at that?" K'ile said, stowing the water in his back and setting it down by the carriage. He reaches then for his spear, which he stabs head-first into the ground, and crouches to begin working a mechanism on the weapons head.
*
K'luha Haaz: The noise from K'ille and Tahj's chatter along with the carriage's stop eventually awoke K'luha from her slumber. She hadn't meant to fall asleep in the first place, but something had made her sleepy and thus...Â
She carefully opened her eyes and looked around hazily without moving her head. The walking... had not helped her hip. Now that she could feel it again, it was almost as if it was protesting the fact she didn't listen to K'ile. Maybe she ought to have listened. But she wasn't about to let her pride go just yet. Luha remained stilly on the carriage and sort of hazily looked out towards the other two miq'ote.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj grins,"Sort of, sometimes it just seems to get stuck and I can't spin it."
*
Twinflame: K'ile shows her his fingers and sort of flicks them around, a mostly meaningless gesture. "Oncce you get the hang of it, you can spin heavier things a bit faster, and the momentum will help you out. It gets easier." He returns his attention to the head of his spear, and after a moment, pulls hard on the shaft. The entire thing pops free of the blade, leaving the metal head of the spear in the ground.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj peers back into the carriage noting Rhiki curled up sound asleep on the floor,"Poor old man he was tired."Contiuning to toy with the arrow, she began wandering around looking at the scenery.
*
Twinflame: Holding his spear-shaft to one side, K'ile watches Tahj wander around. Specifically, he's watching ehr fingers, and he's smile. Whether she knew it or not, Tahj was already learning fire-dancing! After a moment, K'ile began to turn the shaft in his hand, slowly, but the thing was long enough that it still breathed an audible, rhytmic huff as it turned.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Seeing a slight movment is a bit of brush Tahj froze, ears rotating to catch the direction of the sound. As she homes in on it she reached over the side of the carriage for her bow, silently knocking an arrow.Â
Back straight Tahj draws back the bow string and lets the arrow fly, with a high pitched sqeal aa fat rabbit burts upward out of the brush, Tahj's arrow imbedded just behind it's front leg. Frowning that she hadn't killed it with the first shot, she kept her cool and quick knoed a second arrow loosing it almost immediately.
Tahj grins with triumph as the small animal drops.
*
K'luha Haaz: Luha couldn't quite see what was happening from where she was in the carriage, but her nose and ears at least could pick up the sound of prey being killed. Tahj was quite good with a bow... unlike K'ailia. K'luha let out a little sigh thinking about her wayward daughter. Maka had been right about K'ailia.... not only that but Tahj was... Luha stopped thinking about it. She shouldn't think things like that.
*
Twinflame: "Nice!" K'ile said, somewhat passively, continuing to turn the long, heavy shaft in his hand. He stood a ways off from Tahj, staring at her kill. "Now, do you know how to skin and cook it?"
*
K'tahjha Yohko: "I was never allowed to skin them myself, mama's knife was too sharp."She hesitates, ears drooping,"I- I used to be able to cook them." she whispers.
*
Twinflame: "It's an easy thing to learn," K'ile said cheerfully. "Go grab it and Ill show you how to do stuff that'll make city-cats sick."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj wanders over and grabbing the rabbit carcass by the ears, retrieves her arrows before taking it back to K'ile.
*
Twinflame: Spinning the heavy pole a few more times, K'ile pauses long enough to grab his bag with one end of the pol and drag it towards Tahj. "Skinning knife's in there. I'm guessing you know which end the sharp one is."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj rummages through the bag, and emerges with it carefully gripped by the handle. She then turns it around and  offers it to kile handle first.
*
Twinflame: K'ile shakes his head, "Nah, I'll talk you through it. This is one of those things that you can't really do wrong, so there's no reason not to just do it. Long as you know enough to cure away from yourself."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj nods and keeps the knife,"Mama said never point the sharp end at someone unless you intend to hurt 'em with it."
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha perked up her ears a bit to listen in to them. Seemed K'ile was going to teach Tahj how to skin. Interesting. He did enough hunting he ought to know well how to teach it, but she was curious as to how he would do.
*
Twinflame: Does proficient instructy stuff that likely ends up advising Tahj along a path that will have her peeling the skin off in one big, solid, useable mass. Or something.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj listens carefully and peels the hide off the rabbit in  mostly one piece. Not flinching from the blood, she holds the skin aloft triumphantly.
*
Twinflame: K'ile doesn't ICly find this disgusting but OOCly eeewwww
*
K'luha Haaz: Luha was impressed with Tahj's performance, and with K'ile's instructions. He would make a good dad, or at least a teacher. Now, she thought, would be a good time to get up. However... when she tried to move her leg to stand it protested with a great searing pain. Luha winced from it and stopped trying to move again. Well shit.
*
Twinflame: K'ile popped his head up over the side of the carriage, below which K'luha lay on a bench. "Hey there, lazy. You're missing all the fun."
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha blinked at K'ile for a moment, only for a moment before giving him a wry smile. "Hm. Missing out on all my sleep thanks to you Mr. Noisy." she teased back before looking towards the bench. She wanted to look at Tahj, but it was kind of impossible. "And tell Tahj I'm impressed. I'm impressed with you too K'ile, but Tahj firstly."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Hearing  the adults talking, Tahj wanders back to the carriage, hands still bloody,"How are you feeling aunt Luha?"
*
Twinflame: Crossing his arms over the edge of the carriage and lay his shin on them, K'ile smiles down and Luha and say nothing. Tahj's question was apt.
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha continued to smile and lightly reached forward to push K'iles head away from her. "Just fine Tahj." She called out, lying through her teeth but doing a convincing job at it. "You two gonna cook for me or what?" K'luha was quick to change the subject, but not to sit up.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Ears flattening, Tahj pales slightly but nods as she wanders off to gather wood.
*
Twinflame: "Uh, hey..." K'ile let's his head be pushed back, but hsi vague protest is directed at Tahj. He frowns as he watches Tahj wander away, and turns back to Luha. "She's worried she's going to mess it up. Why don't you cook it instead of lounging around like some kind of desert princess?"
*
K'luha Haaz: "Because..." K'luha frowned back, her voice low. Sitting up was proving to be challenging with crying. "I will." she quickly revised her sentence, finally managing to sit up. Although, she was breathing a bit heavily for simply sitting up and her hand clenched into the side of the carriage.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Meanwhile Tahj had managed to gather wood and stones and was building a small fire pit.
*
Twinflame: "Luha," K'ile said warningly. "Forget it. Stay put. We've got it."
*
K'luha Haaz: Luha looked to K'ile and frowned. Shit. Why was he always right? And why did he have to notice? "I can't lay here forever..." she mumbled back at him. "K'ile..." K'luha called softly, trying to keep it out of ear shot from Tahj. She paused, as if she had more to say before simply going quiet and looking away.
*
Twinflame: Sighing, K'ile said, "It's just until we get back to the tribe. Just sit tight. I need to help Tahj get the rabbit cooked up."
*
Twinflame: He stepped away from the carriage and turned to where Tahj was working on the fire, heading over and saying, "Want some help?"
*
K'luha Haaz: "I..." K'luha called after him so softly she was sure he wouldn't hear it. After a moment she shook her head again and laid back down with a significant amount of pain.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj's hands were shakingand her ears were tight against her head but she managed a small smile,"It's ready to light I think."
*
Twinflame: K'ile crouched by the fire pit, "And how're you feeling about that?"
*
K'luha Haaz: 'It would be good,' K'luha told herself. 'It would be good for Tahj and K'ile to get some time together. For K'ile to be there for Tahj. Although, part of her couldn't help but feeling that same helplessness in not being there. Like she was missing something very important that could never be replaced... and all because she was too stubborn or stupid or both to just let the conjurers take care of her hip in Gridania. And because she was too stubborn to let K'ailia take care of her in the first place. 'I really am a failure of a mother...' K'luha thought to herself, closing her eyes and pressing her hand to her eyes. She didn't think she wanted to listen to what was happening anymore.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Fists clenched tightly, ears flat Tahj's eyes focused on the unlit fire pit, and she took an involuntary step back.
*
Twinflame: "Tahj," K'ile said, and reached out to touch her shoulder. "Don't worry about this right now. I'll cook the rabbit. You go spend some time with K'luha. Give her something to smile about. You're cooking tomorrow, though, alright?"
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Not needing much prodding Tahj broke and ran to the carriage, slowing only to make sure she didn't step on the sleeping chocobo.
*
Twinflame: Pulling on one ear, K'ile sighed and leaned down over the fire pit, flicking a piece of wood and, with that simple motion, causing the fire to light.
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha opened her eyes, feeling the carriage shift as Tahj ran over to it. She turn head had and tried to give her best warm smile. She was at least, good at giving warm smiles even when she felt like dying inside. "Hey Tahj. Not going to cook tonight? Well, that's okay. You can hang out with me."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Flinching violently at the sound of the fire crackling to life tears began to fall silently down Tahj's face,"I'm sorry, I wanted to make dinner for you."She knelt by K'luha's bench and gently laid her head on the woman's shoulder.
*
K'luha Haaz: "Oh... Tahj... it's okay..." K'luha cooed softly, reaching her arm up to stroke the back of her neice's head. "You'll get there. Okay? We'll help you. Me and K'ile will be right here for you."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Sniffling and wiping her eyes, Tahj refocused on her aunt, noticing she hadn't moved off the bench,"Are you thirsty?" Retrieving the water skin and holding it out for K'luha.
*
K'luha Haaz: "Yes... thank you." K'luha smiled quietly again and took the waterskin. She managed to sit up enough to drink from mitt without much problem and handed it back to Tahj with the cap on it tight. "How are you feeling being out of the orphanage now?'
*
K'tahjha Yohko: "It feels kind of strange, but I like it. It reminds me of living in the woods with mama." Tahj pauses scanning the woman's face,"Does it hurt much?"
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha paused, her lips turning in a thin line. She wanted to lie. That was her first instinct... and yet. "It does..." K'luha admitted quietly. "But, I'm glad it's better than the orphanage."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj frowns scanning around the carriage for something, then spies a small folded tarp, she grabs it with a grind and turns to Kluha."I'll try not to hurt you, but leveling it will help." Carefully reaching under the knee she elevated the leg far enough to slip the tarp under it.
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha quirked her head a bit. Leveling... it? "Erm... okay...?" she mumbled, letting Tahj do... whatever it was she was doing.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahh nodded happily  as the tarp under her aunt's knee hopefully took pressure off the injured hip,"I didn't hurt it too much did I?"
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha winced a bit. Moving her hip at all was... very painful but. "A little... but not terribly.' She admitted before looking to her niece again. "But... yes... some of the pressure is gone so... thank you."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj smiles and leans over to Kiss K'luha on the cheek,"Want an apple while we wait for the apple? Or would you be more confortable with your shoes off?" Tahj smiles brightly, attempting to take her aunt's mind off the pain.
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha cracked a smaller more genuine smile at Tahj's actions. She was such a sweet girl, very unlike Maka. In that regard at least. "Yeah, both of those would be nice. Thank you. You shouldn't spoil your aunt so much." Luha chuckled faintly and rubbed at her temple with her free hand.
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj fetched an apple from the basket and handed it to her aunt, then went to the end of the bench to remove K'luha's shoes, wincing as she pulled the shoe off the injured leg as carefully as possible. "There!"
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha bit down on the apple while Tahj pulled off her boot. Biting down on the apple helped her stay quiet and deal with the pain. She bit down finally when it was off and munched on a bit of the apple. "Mmm, it's fine. Thank you."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj was quiet for a minute or two, then looked to her aunt with a serious expression,"Will K'ailia be able to visit us? I liked talking to her in Gridania, it's nice to have a sister."
*
K'luha Haaz: "No... she won't be able to come back to the tribe. When... when you abandon your family, they abandon you as well." K'luha informed her sadly, looking at her apple like she had suddenly lost her appetite again. "I guess her freedom was more important to her than.... well, it's no matter. You can come with me to Ul'dah to visit her sometimes."
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Tahj sighs and lightly strokes her aunt's arm,"People are family no matter how far away they are. You and mama had a fight and she was far away but you were still her family and she loved you. K'ailia is our family no matter how far away she is. No law can make that not so." she said fiercely.
*
K'luha Haaz: For some reason, Luha felt Tahj's words very deeply. They resonated harshly with her, and it took all her self restraint to pull herself back from tears. Instead, she cleared her throat a little and took a moment to calm herself. "Maka... didn't leave because she wanted to. We will always be family but... it is different with K'ailia, Tahj. She wanted to leave. She left because we were not important enough for her to stay. I... I was not important enough to her for her to stay." K'luha went quiet for a moment and pressed a hand to her mouth.Â
"No law can make her not my daughter... but no words can ease my pain that my own daughter would forsake me for others. K'ailia... does not love me like I love her. She doesn't not appreciate what I went through to raise her. Above all else, she wants to be her own person. She no longer cares who she hurts in fulfilling her own selfish wishes. I have... raised a selfish daughter who cares not for me or her for her family. I am... a failure of a mother... I can only be happy K'aila did not cause as much trouble as K'piru's daughter..." K'luha went very quiet. She hadn't meant to say all of that to Tahj and yet... No, it was out of place for her to say that. "I am sorry Tahj. Please, forget my ramblings. It was out of line for me to say that to you. Your sister is a wonderful girl. We will visit her in Ul'dah when we can, okay?"
*
K'tahjha Yohko: Silent for a long moment, Tahj reached out to gently brush the bangs out of her aunt's eyes, she knew her aunt was in pain but didn't know what to say to make it better, so she offered the onyl thing she knew,"I love you, and I'm glad you adopted me to be my new mama."
*
K'luha Haaz: K'luha smiled back at Tahj and nodded slowly. "Yeah... me too."
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