Bitter Chill { Private RP. Lurkers welcome. }

[Lyraciilee]

*Edge of the Northren Shroud, Sixth Astral Era, 1569, Early Morning*

 

The Northern Shroud had a strange chill to it that day. What was usually a mild lukewarm was somehow bitingly cold that day. The trees shivered with the all consuming cold, their high canopy preventing what little sunlight there was from touching the ground, thus the ground was so cold it had a slight frost to it. 

 

Beneath the canopy of these trees was a small camp. Heavy cloth tents and makeshift houses among the trees, well hidden and yet in plain sight. Through the tents was the busy morning activity of the small camp. All of them had the familiar sights of ears and tails, but the trademark appearance of seeker eyes was intermingled with round keeper eyes. Markings of both tribes were present, and some a strange mix of the two. The small camp seemed to be a haven for outsiders; for Seekers and Keepers who had mated and wanted to live together. There were at least four extended families that lived among the Northern Shrouds tress. Once upon a time the camp had traded with Ala Mihgo for supplies and shelter, but ever since the Garleans had conquered it, they strayed further and further away. However, patrols had encroached further and further towards the small camp. But the small camp remained where it was for the time being. 

 

This morning, the cold settled on the sleepy camp, keeping most of the morning activity to a dull whisper as the Miq'otes huddled together in their tents. Only one young girl was out in the morning. As per every morning, she wandered out into the grass in naught but her chest taped down until it was flat, and a white pair of men's boxers. She stretched out long across the ground and ruffled her messy white mane. A white lion's tail flipped sleepily behind her as she stretched, as per her morning routine. 

 

"One...Two... Three..." she muttered to herself, her hands dirtied against the mossy ground as she performed pushups repeatedly. Every morning, she did this, and as it should be, every morning a few of the younger boys in the camp came out to laugh at her. She keen eyes picked up the sound of their chortling, even a few fulms away. She cast her golden eyes on the ground with steel-like intent and continued counting. "Ten... Eleven...Twelve..."

 

"Morning, U'tania, still trying to be a boy?" snorted a rather large and hefty Miq'ote male. He resembled a Keeper more than a seeker, and his dark skin tone and dark hair made him quick to recognize as one. The young female said nothing but numbers as she continued higher, her arms straining as she sucked up her anger into her exercise. 

 

The boy laughed again, his tall but muscular friend stepping into view. This boy seemed more similar to U'tania in his appearance, but had a single Keeper eye and a single Seeker eye, each of a different color. 

 

"Of course, if she wasn't a girl to begin with, maybe she could actually beat us sometime!" he laughed loudly, sending the other male into a fit of laughter as well. U'tania could not stand the injustice anymore and jumped to her feet. She charged at the taller one, only to be shoved back onto the ground with another great laugh. "Isn't that cute? She thinks she can fight like a man still? Those push ups and tape don't do anything for you but make you ugly." he guffawed before moving in menacingly. U'tania hissed at them and moved to scramble to her feet, but was promptly kicked in the jaw and sent skidding backwards again. "Let me show you how a real man-"

 

"U'tania!" The higher pitched voice was the peak of loveliness and grace. Swiftly following was a Miq'ote women who matched the beauty of her voice, with an even greater beauty. Her face seemed to glow in its pale purity and her white hair gently framed her face with a soft breeze. The boys had had been moving in quickly scrambled away, for they knew beneath that sweet face was a power they could never have. If they angered Seraphim, they knew she may not heal them one day. Or so they feared. 

 

The graceful Seraphim rounded the tent and spied her daughter on the floor, wiping her bloodied face off with her hand and standing as if nothing had happened. Seraphim smiled weakly at her and moved in to hug her daughter with a gentleness that even U'tania could not push away. 

 

"Oh, my lovely U'tania... you shouldn't bind your chest like that. It will hurt your ribs and your lungs in the future..." she advised softly before leaning in to kiss her daughter's forehead. U'tania grunted and slowly pulled away, crossing her arms beneath said chest. 

 

"I'll be fine mom. You need to look out for yourself and Chess and papa." she retorted, running a hand through her hair again. "I'm going to go out again today and try." she added quietly, turning around to face her mom. "I'm going to try and find that Dragoon again today." U'tania's eyes brightened when she spoke of him and turned around to show that excitement to her mother. Seraphim only gave a small laugh and nodded. 

 

"Go U'tania. We will be here when you return. You will find him, and you'll fulfill your dreams. I have faith in you." Seraphim nodded gently and motioned for her daughter to go. U'tania's ears and tail perked up before she dashed over to hug her mother again. 

 

"I will Mother. I'll make you proud. And someday, I'll kick those two snot-nosed brats right in there-" U'tania was cut off by her mothers knowing smile and a small pat to her back. 

 

"Go get dressed. Cheshiren and I will see you off." she promised, pushing her daughter lightly towards the tent. U'tania nodded happily and quickly dashed through the camp back to her family's small tent to dress.

[Artorias D'Argent]