Izmina

All too soon K'tahjha spotted the solitary figure and her posture told the girl that K'nahli might not want much company at the moment. Her heart sinking, the knot of anxiety she'd been nursing burst into full blown butterflies when she caught K'mih's uncertain look. Perhaps we should come back later? Tahj thought. But no sooner had the thought formed, then her pink-haired sister called out to the archer. Tahj self-conciously pulled at the collar of her shirt to attempt to hide the vivid bruises on her neck and was not quite able to control the sinking of her ears and tail to a slightly submissive and apprehensive posture. Her thoughts racing almost as fast as her heartbeat, Tahj made a silent prayer for luck. I want to make this right. I hope that even if she won't accept my apology, perhaps she'll hear it.

Feeling slightly relieved that K'mih had agreed to help her approach K'nahli and hopefully solve her problem, Tahj fell silent as they toted the heavy bucket of water back to camp. But she couldn't quite stop the cold knot of anxiety that formed in her gut as she followed her sister out in search of K'nahli.

K'tahjha's ears perked up slightly and her face brightened with a small bit of hope,"I really want to make it right. At least apologize if nothing else. Would you really help me?" Tahj's mind drifted back to the encounter with her sister, from her own unfamiliar bout of anger to the overwhelming force that was K'nahli's, a shudder passed through her as she remember locking eyes with so much anger that it was almost a physical force. Bringing her attention back to K'mih, she frowned slightly,"I wouldn't want to appear as though I couldn't speak for myself though. Should I go with you? "

Tahj halted as her sister did, being as they were still connected by the bucket that wasn't getting any lighter. Still swiping at a few escaping tears, she attempted a smile,"I wasn't angry long, I tried to apologize and explain, but" here she paused and when she resumed her voice was barely a whisper, an awed look in her eyes,"I've never seen anyone so angry, her eyes.. like there was a demon looking out."

K'tahjha hesitated slightly then launched into a torrent of words, as if she didn't get them out quickly they wouldn't come out at all."I saw her run out of camp, I was worried and I followed her to see if I could help. I tried to talk to her and perhaps give her a hug, but she didn't want"Tahj took a deep shuddering breath and pushed on,"I I lost my temper I yelled and grabbed her tail.."her face flushed red with guilt, Tahj wiped at a stray tear with her free hand and waited for her sister's reply.

K'tahjha winced and her ears drooped slightly more, at K'mih's statement. Knowing the temper K'nahli was in when Tahj last saw her, she supposed the scolding from the elders might have been partially her fault as well. Sighing heavily, Tahj briefly considered not saying anything to K'mih about K'nahli. The young girl was one of the few people in her new home that she felt truely comfortable with, and she didn't want to lessen her opinion. Plucking up her courage Tahj glanced towards the pink haired Miqo'te next to her,"K'mih? I was hoping to get some advice from you. I've made an awful mistake with K'nahli." Tahj waited quietly for K'mih's answer, eyes glued firmly to the sand.

Accepting one handle of the heavy bucket, Tahj matched her steps with her sister's so they wouldn't spill the precious water. Finding it impossible to remain in an unhappy mood in the face of K'mih's cheerful disposition, Tahj smiles back and allows her spirits to be raised slightly. At the unexpected question, Tahj's ears twitched uncertainly. K'ailia? She was in camp yesterday? It occurred to the girl that it must have been the reason for the crowd at the elder's tent when she followed K'nahli out of camp. Her ears sinking slightly lower on her head, Tahj's smile falters,"No, I-I was not in camp." Forcing a smile back on her lips she glances at K'mih,"Did you see her?"

An answering smile spread across K'tahjha's face as she spotted K'mih and she increased her pace to carry her within speaking distance. A quick glance around proved that the girl was alone at the moment, and Tahj relaxed slightly and fell in to step beside her sister. Noting the heavy bucket of water K'mih was carrying, Tahj extended a hand as to take one side,"Hello! Can I help?"

K'tahjha sat in her aunt's tent, to all outward appearances doing nothing but moping. Hair slightly messy as she'd not bothered to comb through it, an obvious set of bruises on one side of her neck, and a particularly pensive look in her eyes. Despite the seeming stillness the girl's mind was a flurry of activity. She missed her aunt, but foremost on her mind was her anger and disappointment in herself that she'd lost her temper with one of her new sisters, causing a disagreement that she wasn't sure how to fix. Her mind chased itself in circles but brought her no conclusions. Eventually thoughts of K'nahli brought her to K'mih. Her sister had a gentle, friendly temperament and seemed to get on very well with the more surly K'nahli. Suddenly perking up slightly Tahj decided she would seek out K'mih and perhaps she'd have some advice on how to resolve her problem. She grabbed some soaproot and cleaned herself up, combed through her hair, and grabbed for her bow and quiver, and then, tucking a small knife in her boot, Tahj scrambled out the door and set out among the tents to find her sister.

Spun unexpectedly and violently around, Tahj's wide-open eyes locked with her sister's almost demonic gaze in complete shock. Not a single thought or emotion stirred in the girl's mind, she stood as if frozen under the whirlwind of anger directed at her. Then, just as suddenly as it came; she was released, shoved towards the tia angrily. Tahj was vaguely aware of his and on her shoulder and his words attempting comfort. She was even more distantly aware that her neck hurt, skin reddening with the promise of a livid set of bruises. She did not care. Ears and tail hanging completely limp, the girl turned towards camp, tears beginning to blur her vision, she stumbled blindly through the sand. The first sob beginning to rack her frame, a stray thought floated through her mind, mama was right, never loose your temper with your family or you loose them.

Caught completely off guard by her sister's rejection, Tahj stumbled back a few steps one foot hitting a patch of looser, deeper sand. Betrayed by her slightly unsure footing, the girl landed heavily on her rear, still staring wide-eyed and shocked into K'nahli's eyes. Unsure how she had managed to offend the older girl, myriad emotions flitted through Tahj. First and foremost her feelings were hurt and her tail throbbed where she'd landed on it. Tears started rolling silently down her face, before she furiously rejected them. I won't cry, I need to be grown up, not a baby. Seeing the unfamiliar tia approach to talk to K'nahli, Tahj levered herself out of the sand. Rubbing at her hip slightly and brushing the sand out of her tail, Tahj stared at her sister's back. Her feelings still bruised, Tahj began to feel a slightly more foreign emotion, stalking towards the pair, Tahj's ears began to flatten, cheeks flushing, tail lashing. As she stomped up behind her sister, Tahj reached out and took hold of her sister's tail and yanked hard, completely ignoring the male. Ears still flat and eyes flashing ,Tahj proceeded to yell in K'nahli's direction,"Just who do you think you are? Are you too good to accept help given freely?" Taking a deep breath, Tahj ran a shaking hand through her short, honey blonde hair, tears once again beginning to fall down her cheeks,"I I'm sorry,"her voice much softer,"I didn't follow you because I felt sorry for you. You're my family, and family is more important than anything." turning away from K'nahli and heading towards camp, tahj whispered over her shoulder,"If you need to talk or anything at all, I'm here."

Tahj's ears drooped slightly in apology as it was obvious K'nahli had been hoping for someone else.Smiling gently at her sister, she attempted to catch the girl's gaze,"I was worried about you." hesitating only slightly Tahj reaches to try and give K'nahli a quick hug," I listen really well if you ever need."

Tahj stalked the sands carefully, as quietly as her not yet fully trained footsteps would allow. She was nervous, she'd not been so far out of camp unescorted. Worried for her sister, Tahj strained her senses, ears flicking this way and that, keen nose occasionally catching scent traces of her quarry on the wind. The sun traveling towards evening deepened her sense of urgency, knowing she'd been even less likely to navigate the unfamiliar terrain without Azeyma's light. Wondering if she should call out to K'nahli, Tahj rounded a dune and her sister's scent became stronger.Smiling Tahj quickened her pace, and finally spotting her quarry,approached K'nahli reaching out to touch her shoulder to offer silent support, eyes asking if the girl was ok.

Having finished a long day of bow training, Tahj trudged back into camp and immediately became aware of an unusual commotion. Curiosity peeking, she headed towards the small crowd at the elder's tent, hoping to find her sister K'mih and find out what was happening. As she drew near the crowd, she caught sight of K'nahli out of the corner of her eye, turning in that direction she became aware that something was drastically wrong with her sister's body language. Tahj's brow furrowed with worry as the girl broke and ran away from the camp. Tahj hesitated at the edge of camp, wanting to follow and be sure K'nahli was ok, but aware she was not yet nearly as familiar with the surrounding dunes as the huntress. "Nothing is more important than family" she thought, and took out over the sands in pursuit.

Distracted briefly by the large bird that appeared at the tent, Tahj didn't notice her father's scrutiny. Patting the chocobo, she turned to K'yohko,"Thank you, sir." and ducked into the tent. The temperature dropped several degrees in the interior of the tent, at which Tahj heaved a sigh of relief. Dropping her small bag of belongings just inside the opening she peered around, there were two sleeping rolls, one with books and knickknacks around it obviously her sister's. Unsure of using that bed, Tahj slipped out of her shoes and socks and curled up in her aunt's bedroll, and comforted by the familiar scent drifted off to sleep.

Tahj puzzled briefly as to whether she actually saw the expression on her father's face change or not. Then brightened when a smile, however faint passed across his features. She gave a bright smile in return and fell into step for the short trip to her aunt's tent.

K'tahjha was quite sure she'd stop breathing entirely if the butterflies didn't leave her stomach, the sense of relief she felt somewhat fading in front of her rather taciturn father. Still she attempted to project confidence by keeping her ears and tail in a neutral position and seeking eye contact,"K'makanee Haaz, sir." managing to keep her voice steady. Glancing back towards the tent should couldn't help but worry about her aunt and wishing she'd been allowed to stay with her, like K'luha had supported her.

Tahj smiled and nodded to her aunt, then she knelt down and gently hugged K'luha and stepped out of the tent. Pausing a moment to let her eyes adjust to the change in the light, Tahj felt the butterflies start up in her stomach again. Taking a deep breath to settle her nerves, Tahj stepped towards the male, her voice shook slightly but she attempted to speak clearly and make eye contact,"My name is K'tahjha Yohko, aunt K'luha told me to ask you show me to her tent."

Her eyes closed with the waves of pure relief that were washing through her, Tahj let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Her eyes reopen into a radiant smile,"Thank you, thank you very much!" Not thinking she leaned into K'deiki to scoop her into a hug, still mindfull of the elder's fragility.

K'tahjha smiled hesitantly, not really understanding what seemed to be a joke between the elders,"I am nervous, it's a big change from what I'm used to." here she paused and sought eye contact with each elder before continuing,"But mama always told me that family was more important than anything, I'm excited to come to mama's home and the family she loved very much." falling silent Tahj stepped closer to her aunt letting her hand brush the top of her head seeking to draw comfort and confidence from the contact.

Feeling the light touch on her hand, Tahj turned with a smile to K'mih, only to have it fade to puzzlement as her sister dashed off like she'd seen a ghost. She glanced around to see what could have frightened the girl but saw only the male by the tent. She didn't have time to think on it long, as she heard K'luha's voice call to her from inside the large tent. Tahj was sure she was going to be sick, never had she been so nervous. She paused just before entering, eyes closed, to gather her wits and attempt to control her flip-flopping stomach. Taking a deep breath, she nodded respectfully to the male and pushed open the tent flap and stepped inside. Taking a second to let her eyes adjust to the absence of blinding light, Tahj spotted her aunt and K'haali, and moved to be closer to them. Surprise registered briefly on her face as she spotted the elders, surely she had never seen a miqo'te so old. Recovering her wits and manners quickly, Tahj forced her ears and tail to a more respectful, yet friendly postion and remembering handshakes might be appropriate, she thought for a second as to how to greet such respected personalities. She swung into a deep bow and spoke clearly with a voice that didn't shake too much,"Hello I'm K'tahjha Yohko, but my friends call me Tahj."

Tahj's ear twitched at the sound of her aunt's voice, a million butterflies exploding in the pit of her stomach. What if they said she couldn't stay? Smiling at K'mih she reached to give the girl a quick hug and spoke quietly,"K'ailia is fine, alive an well." leaving her with an encouraging smile and wandering slowly towards the large tent. Spotting the unfamiliar male outside the tent flap, Tahj stopped a respectful distance away and bobbed a quick bow and stood staring at her feet quietly waiting to be called. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K'zhumi was still quietly fuming and checking the levels of various herbs and healing supplies when she heard her sister enter the tent. She waved over her shoulder and growled,"Have you seen that outsider? They can't expect us to keep her can they? She probably faint dead away if she saw something's innards."

K'zhumi was cataloging reagents and supplies in her tent when the commotion came to her attention. She had been eating lightly to ensure there was plenty for the younglings, and her growling stomach did nothing to bolster her temper as she flattened her ears and strode out of her tent to see what the fuss was about. Arriving at the outer edge of the gathering of tribesmen, her spirits were briefly raised by the sight of the expedition. But that slight lift of mood did not last long, as she scanned the returning members with a healer's eye. Her eyes fell on K'luha first and she bared her teeth faintly,"One huntress out of commission and needing fed." she thought, and where is that tia? Try as she might she could catch no scent of him. Belatedly her eye fell on the newcomer,"an outsider." she thought sourly looking at the young girl's unfamiliar garb. Mood darkening by the minute she spat in the sand at her feet and turned to stalk back to her tent. "That one will likely need feeding too? I wonder if we should install fans and a raised bed in her tent." Returning to her dwindling supplies she let the tent flap close behind her.

K'tahjha focused on the speaker a young girl with pink hair, about her age relieved to have something to focus on. She smiled shyly, her eyes lighting up warmly,"K'tahja Yohko, but you can call me Tahj." Remembering how K'haali avoided her handshake and not wanting to make some sort of mistake, she leaned forward to offer a hug instead.

Slightly overwhelmed by the incoming flood of unfamiliar miqo'te, Tahj fell back towards her aunt. Feeling somewhat more comfortable in K'luha's familiar presence, Tahj managed a small wave and very quiet hello, her tail was carried very low, but she made an effort to pick her ears up and look friendly. Never has she seen so many of her people in one place and her surroundings were vastly different than she was used to. Scanning the area Tahj was still trying to process the large amounts of new information and people around her, but still found time to worry about her aunt who needed to have her hip looked at.