Sweeter Meats [Open]

[Khantyer Dotharl]

How one managed to pass through the cold lands of Coerthas into the warmth of its neighboring Forelands was by nothing short of endurance and mental fortitude. To brace against the biting winds and steer through the obscuring blizzards that seemed to spawn of their own volition... it was a constant test. And one this hunter embraced so gladly. 

 

 

 

 

Saddled and kept warm by the hide of her dappled wolf companion, they pressed through the gales and piercing ice storms, covering only when the path ahead was too treacherous then continuing on when the weather cleared just enough to be visible. Their journey became a dance with nature, but one they had tangled with time and again... Though it did not make it any less tiring when at last the crevice between frigid stone marked the passage towards their destination. 

 

 

 

 

:Almost...: rough chords hummed assuringly to the laboring beast between dark scale-kissed legs, their grip tightening as the creature quickened its pace now catching wind of feathered game. It crooned excitedly. It rider chuckled. :Soon... but the town first: Feminine vocals sang softly akin to a maternal tone, though with effort as she slipped from the beast to walk beside it. She placed a hand on its massive skull and rubbed between its ears before reaching over its back to grab for her plumed spear. Her satchel was left strapped to the beast as were their packs and small goods, save for a long furred wrap.  

 

 

 

 

Before reaching to drawn gate of the town proper, the hunter wrapped the fur around herself then signalled for the wolf to wait outside the gate. Given their last incident, she was not fond of another of its dramatic like occurring...

 

 

 

 

Shouldering her spear, she clicked her tongue to her companion then followed the flow into the town though slipped away almost immediately, and headed for the often idle hunt master of the lands just as the evening sun began its set.

[Khantyer Dotharl]

Heeding the word of the master was... difficult for the wolf, at best. What with the various scents of the woodlands beckoning, the promise of a hunt with a reward of delectable meat... it was a wonder the creature hadn't sprinted off the moment the hunter’s back was turned. But like a loyal thing, she remained a guard, albeit a pacing one, in wait for he familiar dark scales to return. 

 

Stark cerulean eyes honed on any that ventured near the wolf, though few were bold enough to stand before it, let alone attempt to shoo it away. Occasionally it would catch the eye of one adventurer, perhaps overly confident or ignorant to its ferocity, but then they too would wander away leaving the creature in a state of waiting still.

 

It grumbled soundly as the first gleams of the waning light glinted off the metal gate, calling to the end of the day. It stood more attentive then, looking away from the forest and more it the town, its eyes dancing to each face til it fell upon its master's own.

 

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No hunter would sense would dare take to the wilds without information from the huntmaster, for who better to refer to than those that dwelt in the hunting lands? There was a lightness to the woman's step as she approached headlong, raising a callused hand in greeting to draw his attention.  He smiled in turn then pointed a finger towards his face. 

 

"Still on with that?" He chuckled, watching as she brought the hand to her face. 

 

Under her touch was the polished flesh of wood, knicked and scratched, well weathered but smooth when flowed with the grain. Her head tilted slightly. "...expect other?" The broken vernacular of the Eorzean tongue forced itself above a whisper, the song-like tone of her tribe for a moment forgotten. "...if gone... would not know this one-" she pointed then to herself. "...None to share hunt tale..."

 

The two shared a light laugh before the master of the hunt cleared his throat. "Right then. What're ya looking fer this time? Aevis? Bigger?" 

 

"...meat eh...bigger goat..." She raised her hands above her head then curled them slightly as if miming a pair of horns.  

The male looked at her, trying not to laugh at her display but left a few peals slip. "Aye aye... the loagthans. Their in rut now so ye can probably pick off tha straggler males. I'm sure ya know, just follow the females and keep yer distance. Yer huntin' dog with you?"

 

The woman click her tongue. "...is wolf... and aye."

 

"Right right sorry...well just keep it down wind ya? Don't need it causes a stampede in the tow- is... is that it there?!"

[Amnesic]

It would be mere coincidence that the Duke Rhett had been in Coerthas that same day for business reasons and had planned on staying around for another night to experience the cold a little longer. He did not particularly like it, but it was a refreshing difference than from the scalding heat of Thanalan upon his fair Hyuran skin. He currently wore among other things a heavy fur cloak, a wide brimmed and plumed hat slightly tipped down over his face, and a long scarf seemingly integrated into his over-shirt that covered all but his eyes; he had indeed come prepared to handle the freezing winds on this trip. It was in this manner that only his iridescent violet, glamoured eyes were visible as he trod about the town.

 

He found that it was quite nice to be in a place where people had only rarely heard rumors of him, and he found some enjoyment conversing with whoever may pass by as result. Having no more work to conclude here and just looking to spend some time in something interesting, he had been wandering towards the gates when he took notice of the massive, cerulean eyed wolf outside. He presumed it to belong to someone as a manner of pet, and was intrigued to see who would call the beast an ally.

Where nobody else seemed to have the courage to approach it, he simply strode up to this creature and stopped but a few feet away.

 

“My, you are a curious thing are you not? I have never observed such a magnificent creature of your kind, at least within the streets of Ul’dah,” he spoke eloquently and almost to himself. “Would it be a bother should I try to feel your fur?”

 

As he said this, he would cautiously reach out his hand towards the animal, fully poised to jump backwards should it try to lunge at his gloved hand. He had no concept of the speed that it may have, and as such, could only hope it would give a growl instead should there be any consequence to his actions.

[Khantyer Dotharl]

Lupine ears would turn to the stir of earth as yet another of the curious approached the beast from its side. Blue eyes honed to him immediately, growing wide as he crept closer with cautious steps, his hand extended almost beckoning for its attention. Its large nostrils quivered as weathered lips twitched in wary, its sights dancing from the hand to its peripheral towards the gate as it took a cautious step back towards the opening. Where now was the master? Again it looked to the hand then behind the extended arm towards the lowering sun. 

 

 

Gradually the hairs along its nape bristle in warning though the paler flesh of its lips hadn't yet reared. Again it stepped back towards the gate, long tail lashing, growing more anxious by the seconds ticking by... 

 

 

Til a small, yet rough hand rested calmly on its back. Sharply its head whipped around only to be met by another hand against the side of its muzzle, lightly cupping under its jaw. :Easy now...: The familiar native tone of the master reached it ears, immediately evoking a state of calm from the large beast. Blue eyes saw her more clearly, the wooded face tilting slightly in question as she released the muzzle then, no longer worrying the jaws would strike out in earnest towards the touch. His nape too lowered as again it turned towards the male still present. 

 

 

"...in need?" The feminine voice was muffled by the mask, but audible. Still with a comforting hand on the creature, she walked around to its front to stand between it and the Hyur. 

[Amnesic]

Duke Rhett drew his hand back and pulled down his muffler to reveal his daintily sharp facial structure and desert blonde hair. He hoped that she would remove the mask, but he could not blame her if she did not as this wind was quite frigid.

 

“Ah, no, I am in need of nothing at all currently. Though, ‘tis quite a shame that I cannot verbally reply in your native tongue, it would be rather nice and less complicated,” Duke Rhett replied, gracefully shaking his head. He began to speak in the full Doman tongue, near perfect on accent, as he began to search around within his pockets. "

 

Eventually he retrieved a small book and a quill and began to write something inside, without actually lowering his eyes to see his writing. “But, do forgive me; I have digressed from the topic in my conversational mood. I was simply admiring the unique aspects of your wolf there.”

 

Communicating in multiple languages was one of the most prized skills of the Duke, and even though it was not much more than a carefully performed parlor trick, it came in handy on rare situations. He eventually turned the notebook around and held it to the masked woman. Upon its pages was a clearly written sentence in the Au Ra native tongue. :I am woefully incapable of speaking your beautiful language, though I hope my written word suffices well enough.:

[Khantyer Dotharl]

Both master and beast simply stared at the male, the master trained to his movements whilst the wolf looked around him more so to his effects and general area rather than the fur-cloaked male directly. It sighed soundly, reflecting its master's impatience then looked to her, butting his head against her temple though minding a scaled horn. It was received with a hand on its muzzle for continued patience.

 

 

A soft cant of the masked face told of her lacking understanding for the Doman tongue, the more eloquent language never suiting to the woman's preference. Too much was she reminded of the pale cousins with whom she warred with still- both internally and externally given the Mother's blessing. Though when he spoke again in the Eorzean, she perked where she stood then leaned towards the wolf, lightly butting her head against its lower jaw. 

 

 

"Tsetseng?" she questioned, her chords fondly humming the name of the beast. "...no female is look as her..." She rubbed the beast between her ears, doting adoringly upon her crown til the she-wolf crooned with delight and lowered to her belly, the prior impatience melting away beneath endearing scratches behind her long ears. 

 

 

So taken by her companion, the hunter had nearly missed the page presented to her, but even upon seeing it as she lifted her head, her busied hands were no hurry to reach for it. 

 

 

"...cannot..." she mumbled, giving the creature a swift pat on the bridge of the nose before turning her attention to the male. In turn she received and awkward rasp on the back of the head, pushing forward pale, unkempt locks to a haphazard peak rather than lay them flat. Again, the woman playfully swat at the beast, missing by a hair's breadth as deft paws pranced backward. 

 

 

"...Raen word and scribbles..." her voice trailed, though skillfully aimed towards the Hyur. "...in trade or High born- learned?"

[Amnesic]

So she did not understand Doman, and knew nothing of reading her own language. Oh well, it was not exactly uncommon for that to happen- written Au Ra tongue was something relatively new and most felt it unnecessary. This now apparent language barrier was quite entertaining to Duke Rhett and it only increased his interest in the conversation. He was still a little internally disappointed he could not converse with the masked woman in her native tongue; that was usually the more enjoyable thing in linguistics.

 

“Ah, well, both actually. Business matters and some simple complications allowed me to stay on a scholarly trip to the East much longer than I had intended. Tis also a lucky matter that I had not gotten much closer to your companion there, I fear he would have been much too quick for my reflexes.” was his reply, given in an demeanor almost unsettlingly calm. As he spoke, he gracefully deposited the quill into the small notebook and the both of them into a pocket under his cloak.

 

“Why do you ask about the languages, pray?” He gave a faint smile, though exactly what was behind the emotion was difficult to tell. Was it because of the endearment of the wolf and its master, simple contempt, or just plain friendliness? As it was, he simply stood unmoving under the Xaela and her companion’s gaze with an almost self-assured air while his hands accordingly found their way back into his side pockets.

[Khantyer Dotharl]

The more learned tongue was... more or less a dislike for the simpler female. The effort that went into sharing a word or thought with greater air near always seemed a waste to her senses. Was it not enough to sing by one's feeling alone? What more needed to be projected? What reason... what cause?

 

Such airs reminded her strongly of the pale-scale cousins, their keenness to the elevation of tongue to be on par with the scaleless natives. The thought itself put her tail in a twist, near knocking into the side of her companion's leg. Soundly, she clicked her tongue, again tilting her head towards the beast's muzzle as it leaned against her. "Tsetseng is female," she correctly smoothly.

 

"...tongue not asked. Only spoke of it as sound of Raen." Again, her tail twitched, lightly tapping the wolf's leg. "...cannot see reason to know it..."

[Amnesic]

Duke Rhett gave a light chuckle in response. “Hah, I have not made a slip like that in quite a long time.” He leaned over to look past the masked woman, waved at Tsetseng, and gave a light bow, speaking to the woman’s companion directly. “I do apologize, fair she-wolf, ‘twas fault upon my part. Do forgive me!” he stated playfully and had another light laugh.

 

He lifted his hat up respectfully, giving a light and gentle smile in spite of the cold winds as he turned back to the masked woman. “There are reasons to speak Doman, but I only know it because it fit into my interests. I will say it is much easier than beast languages, both on the vocal chords and the mind. As for the native Au Ra tongue, I have simply just never been able to get a hold of a proper accenting to speak it cleanly like you do.”

 

He eventually drew out the notebook again and began writing something within it, though he had no intention of sharing it this time. To him, the woman had some very curious things about her, but then again, most of the people he had met from the East seemed peculiar. Regardless, he was going to hold his silence after making his last statement and wait patiently to see how she responded, closely analyzing her movements out of personal curiosity.

 

In ways, life was sort of like a little game to the Duke Rhett.

[Khantyer Dotharl]

The beast simply looked to the male in silence, her ears twitching slightly to the sound of his voice, but none the less did not appear bothered by the mistake. Nor did the master seem bothered beyond her initial correction. It was not the first, and perhaps not the last time she would have to correct those without the careful eye to take notice. Few would dare to approach such a beast, let alone be so bold as to ascertain its correct gender among its likeness. Such need was for breeders only, and that in of itself was a rare find even among the ambitious for coin beyond the Ixali beast-masters.

 

When again the male spoke of the Doman language, she tipped her head in his direction, lightly rubbing the side of her horn whilst doing so. A habit of sorts when in disagreement to what she heard. That and the continued click of disdain of her tongue.

 

"...no better song than from tribe..." she mumbled, more so growled lowly as if her thought were being contested. "...if cannot sin- speak... it is from no open to mind," she explained, ushering the wolf to lay down for her to lean against its back. Grumbling, the she-wolf followed suit, crossing her forelegs in front of her to let her muzzle rest ontop. She breathed deeply in sigh then lowered her lids, but kept her ears on a swivel should even the subtlest utterance by her master be heard.

 

The hunter continued. "...Raen words are of meaning... but do not have...eh.." She paused a moment, her head turning toward the ground in thought then righted not a moment after. She placed a hand to her chest. "...this. Do not have... heart? They sing without it... If cannot do so, cannot learn song of the tribe..."

[Amnesic]

Rhett tipped his head to side slightly as well. There was definitely a bit of contempt in her voice and he could feel it quite actively; he had observed similar dislikes of languages and races in plenty of other cases to recognize it from her comments. ‘No better song’ and ‘no open to mind’ stood out particularly to him, but he was not going to harp on the matter much. Drawing the answers he wanted out of people slowly was more of his style anyways.

 

“It is not from a lack of ability to sing that I cannot speak your dear language, for I am capable, but as you so precisely put it, I do indeed lack the ‘the heart’ for it and I accordingly cannot enunciate it properly. Though, that is a woe of being a foreign speaker,” he replied in a manner that was both gentle and almost a little patronizing, giving his signature slight smile the whole time. As he finished he took a moment to redeposit his notebook into some pocket under his cloak.

 

“Eorzean is quite the haggard language, is it not?” it was put quite simply and innocently, without the patronizing air. This was all part of the same little plan, though the end result would likely prove useless to him; nevertheless, he pursued it all the same. Yet, he also had to wonder if the wolf understood what he was saying, as it obviously recognized the native tongue of its master.

[Khantyer Dotharl]

By the twitch of her tail, it became steadily apparent that the woman was not fond of the Eorzean tongue, or its use for that matter. Too many meanings for a single word, the implications of them, as well as the difficulty that went into the written word. Hearing more of it as it was spoken roused a light throbbing in her temple til she felt the need to press a pair of fingers against the wood of her mask above it.

 

"If suited to you..." she grumbled lowly, finally, feeling no need to continue on when her own understanding was limited, let alone his own.

 

Shrugging the pelt higher over her shoulders, she then clicked her tongue for the she-wolf's attention. :Come little hunter: She beckoned and took a step back as a wolf pushed herself to stand. Idly, the beast shook herself out, minding the cargo she carried, then eased herself sidelong for the hunter to retrieve her spear secured to the side. For a moment, the male was the furthest thought from her mind as she freed the bone and wooden spear from its slip to raise it upright.

 

Hearing the light rattle of the bone raised the she-wolf to attention, her eyes wide and eager, tail swaying like a pup in wait for its treat. Though it could not be seen, she could hear the smile of her master in the chuckle and air she exude, then eagerly butted her crown against a scaled horn. They had spent their time idle. But now... now was a time for action. :Come: she giggled, patting the wolf against the muzzle as she took a leading step forward then raised her head to the taller male. "...leaving now for hunt."

[Amnesic]

“Oh sure, go ahead. Do not bother to curtsy or trade names, go and give whatever it is you hunt a nice jab with that spear of yours. I would join thee, but I fear I would do you little help,” the Duke replied in a jesting manner, nodding towards her spear. “Oh, and do laugh more, you masked wonder. It becomes you much better.”

 

He lifted a hand from one of his pockets and tipped his hat to the woman with a grin, dropping a little snow from the top of his hat. Following this action, he drew his other hand from the pocket it was in made a light wave to Tsetseng as well, “Have a good time, little hunter.” He said no more after this, and returned both of his hands to his pockets, merely smiling at the huntswoman and her companion.

 

Facial expressions were so much easier to read and the mask hindered his ability to do so, but that did not bother him any. Tail motions and vocal inflections were easy enough to read when combined together, though he still could not tell if she merely hated his Eorzean speech or simply just him. He had felt like making more of a statement questioning how she expected to kill anything with the bone spear, but it would have been a terribly low-intelligence remark considering that he already knew how dangerous the Xaela Au Ra were in combat. It was best to just leave it at playful prods and not implicate a death wish.

[Khantyer Dotharl]

It could be said that within her time in the Western lands, the tone of sarcasm, while learned, was not completely understood. Still to her sense it sounded more on part of a literal jest, and as thus she took his acceptance to her departure plainly and without further regard.

 

She did however stop upon hearing his address her companion as she had, her head tilting slightly over her shoulder. And here... she had thought he did not understand the more tribal language. Either the male had more knack for it than previously assumed, or like most of his kind she had crossed... he was deceptive. None the less, her tail flicked in beckon to the wolf, drawing the pair of them towards the gate to the evening call of the wilds.

 

They had to make camp before carrying on, she was reminded, then clicked her tongue at her own negligence.

 

They had idled for long enough already...

[Amnesic]

Duke Rhett would continue to hold his silence entirely as he remained standing there, waiting for the masked woman to depart to wherever it was she planned to hunt. He swiftly resisted the urge to smirk as he saw her freeze in place and began to calmly look up at the sky; he had hit an emotion somewhere inside. He knew or presumed that everyone had these kinds of emotional weak spots that they often tried to hide, ones that easily revealed insight into their thought process. He had his own, sure, but he had made sure they were nearly untouchable…

 

If she began to take off, he would simply check the direction she went in and perhaps follow her a little while later. The oncoming snow made footprints quite temporary, but he could catch up quickly.