Lyraciilee Posted November 6, 2013 Share #26 Posted November 6, 2013 [align=center][/align] K'luha scowled sourly as she proceeded to unload the thick waterproof sacks that contained precious, lifegiving water. Had she not sacraficed everything for the tribe? Hadn't everyone here sacraficed everything for the tribe? For K'ile to have that kind of attitude infuriated her. What was worse, was that she barely even saw K'ailia anymore. K'ailia was becoming someone she didn't know anymore. Her own daughter, she felt as if she was loosing her. With a heavy thud, K'luha placed the crate of medicine in front of her tent and knelt down to inspect the contents. She could hear steps approaching her and frowning down at the crate. She had expected someone to come and reprimand her at her immature explosion. K'luha looked up to K'ailia and blinked, she didn't expect K'ailia to come after her. Not when K'ailia had something to fight for with the rest of the tribe. The mother stood and dusted herself off as K'ailia asked her for a moment to speak. Part of her didn't want to talk to her daughter, but she couldn't find it in her to ever deny K'ailia anything if she could help it. "What is it?" K'luha questioned running a hand through her hair, exasperated. Link to comment
Kailia Posted November 6, 2013 Share #27 Posted November 6, 2013 K'ailia stepped closer, "I know I've spent a lot o' time at the university, and not as much back home at camp. For that I am sorry..." She signed walking to help unload the supplies, "I must seem almost alien ta ya' now. A lot has changed. But that be the funny thing about fire too." She hefted a crate and sat it down and started inspecting the supplies it contain, "Fire burns brightest when it has somethin' ta feed it. Contained, it burn so long as it is fed by the ones containin' it." She turned to the wagon and began unloading another crate, "But when ya' take away the constraints, fire will travel the direction the wind blows it, an' consume all in its path." Setting the crate down she sate on top. "I am inquisitive by nature. Yeah it's true I stink at usin' spears an' bows. An' when K'piru left us, I also lost a teacher. When the elders sent me ta' Gridania ta learn Conjury, they removed the constraints an' this flame has now experienced stuff outside the tribe." she said almost matter of factly. She stood once more, "I dunno what ya' think be goin' on. But there be nothin' goin' on between me an' Ventus. He jes runs the Garden an his teachers teach students like me, skills that I hope ta pass on ta our tribe." Turning back to the crate she opened it and smiled at the supplies, "Despite what K'ile said, he's no' my master, no more than the Conjurer's Guildmaster was. E-Sumi-Yan was my teacher o' conjury. When I learned all I could from him, I was sent on me way." She turned then to her mother, "This flame has known freedom. It has gone where the winds had taken it. But this flame still loves where it was born. I dun wanna see this tribes fire get extinguished. But I feel it is containin' itself in a circle o' rocks that has very little wood ta eat." She took a step to her mother, "So far we've heard three suggestions. Rely on a market that dun care about us, an' that would take advantage o' us. Do nothin', or my suggestion, move out o' the circle that binds us an' find a new place with lots o' food fer us ta eat an' grow our flames big." She smiled as she gauged her mother's response. Link to comment
K'haali Posted November 6, 2013 Share #28 Posted November 6, 2013 Following the argument, K'haali had allowed herself to flop from her position sat at the edge of the circle, onto her back in the sand, staring up at the increasingly blue sky while the others continued to bicker and debate. She of course knew that trading with Ul'dar would require careful negotiation (and a little strong-arming for a good deal), and was a long shot; but the tribe had already lost almost everything in the last 5 years, and losing their home too felt like ultimately dissolving all that remained of K'thalen's tribe. Still lying on the floor, she seemed to address the sky, without changing her gaze: "Tell me Ailia; what do you suppose will happen when that flame blows uncontrolled upon these otherrr lands, that are not our own? - When our keeper kin sought to spread in the twelveswood, were they not summarily extinguished in return by the native Gridanians?" "I don't pretend to know what the state of Eorzea was when our ancestors moved here, nor disagree that the sagolii might be desolate, but it is our land. This university can offer us shelter, but can it offerr us all the bounty of Thanalan, or will that too bring those that would stop the spread of the flames upon what they consider their stores" "We might be welcome in the university, with a roof over our heads and maybe even food on the table but we'll only be welcome in Ul'dar as long as we have something to offerrr them; and if that is not resources, then it will be services. And we've all heard tales of proud warrior tribes reduced to mere dancing girls, domesticated, as pet mercenaries, servants and amusement for the 'nobility'" "Perhaps then, a hybrid strategy is required" Link to comment
Lyraciilee Posted November 6, 2013 Share #29 Posted November 6, 2013 [align=center][/align] K'luha listened quietly to her daughter. She sounded for foreign. Had she always had such an accent? Had she always used metaphors when she spoke? No... most certainly not. This was probably the greatest time of change in all of Eorzea. K'luha could handle the world around her changing. She could handle her daughter becoming an adult, but becoming someone she no longer knew? The Miqo'te subtly put a hand to her aching chest. Somewhere in her heart, she knew that nothing of a romantic sort was going on with Ventus... but there was something happening because of Ventus. Because of that man, K'luha no longer knew her own daughter. She rarely even saw her daughter because of that man. No, that wasn't quite right. It was because K'ailia was growing up to be an adventurous woman. Like she had said, K'ailia had always been the curious sort. And even K'luha had noticed a particularly profound sadness when K'piru left the tribe. It was just as she said, K'ailia had lost more than an aunt, she lost her teacher. Yet still, for all of K'ailia's growth, she was still but a child. The fact that she could only see three of those suggestions proved it to K'luha. She still had a lot of growing up to do. "We've more than three options K'ailia. We have as many options as the desert has sands. Those are only the three that you've heard or thought of." K'luha shook her head wearily. "While it's true, I've no love of outsiders nor the Ul'dahn merchants, we have always traded for things we need. Since I am able to use the Aetherways fairly frequently, I usually take on the job of running the trade we need far from the tribe." K'luha paused and pulled out a small container of medicine, checking to make sure the glass wasn't broken. "I know how to haggle with the Ul'dahn merchants. We would not be so terribly at a disadvantage, but hauling even more food and water and supplies across the desert would require another two or three of us that can use the aetherways very frequently. It is also expensive with their currency to use the aetherways." K'luha pursed her lips for a moment before setting down the container and looking to K'ailia. "I would like to see this Garden and meet this Ventus man. I cannot say whether he would truly be bad or good for us without meeting him at the very least... " K'luha quieted down for a few moments, as if she was done speaking before suddenly piping up again. "And, K'ailia... do you really value your freedom over your family?" Link to comment
Kailia Posted November 6, 2013 Share #30 Posted November 6, 2013 K'ailia smiled at her mother, listening to her words. After hearing the request and question she rubbed her chin thinking on them a moment, "Well... I can easily introduce ya' ta Ventus. I have a linkpearl an' can call him ta the U Tribe village." She motioned to the new necklace about her neck that looked to of been hand made. On the end... a glowing pearl with... teeth marks? "As for your second question, it's not that I value my freedom over my family. Yeah it's a nice sensation. But I still love my family more. That's why I've spent so much time away. I want ta learn as much as I can ta teach the tribe. But most importantly, I'd love for the tribe to see more o' Eorzea besides jes sand. I want us, as a family ta survive with plenty o' food and not wastin' away into nothingness." She smiled, "If ya got ideas Ma, why not share em? Ya' been workin' super hard, an' I had ta tend ta ya' when ya collapsed. I dun want that ta happen ever again. I want ya' ta be comfortable an' happy. I want ta keep ya' in me life as long as I can." With that she started proceeding back towards the meeting, "But if ya' want ta meet Ventus, I can ask the elder if it be alright ta call him ta this meetin'." and continued on back to the meeting. Link to comment
Twinflame Posted November 6, 2013 Share #31 Posted November 6, 2013 "The tribe has always moved," K'ile spoke suddenly. His voice was slow as ever, deep and measured, but carried in the morning air. "There's no problem with that. Trading is good. Hunting different game is fine. Our souls are not bound to any particular point in Sagoli. The sun," he flicked the staff so it spat sparks and light, "Moves the same in the north desert as it does in the south. Our hunting grounds shift and twist with the passing years, but the sun must ever find us on the land of our own tribe. We cannot live on land owned by another. Think about it. "We earn our food by hunting. We earn our water and land by serving Azeyma and the sands. But to live on land and eat food earned by a man? How will we earn these things from that man? We would have put him over us, and he would own our means of life. Our way, then, would be to serve him. Even if he were purely generous and did not require it, our very culture would require that we earn from him what he gives. In truth, it does not matter whether the man is benevolent or not. Our ways would be forever altered. "And this is the greatest weakness of the suggestion: there are too many alternatives. We are not yet crawling in the sand, starving but for the succor of a rich Ul'dahn. We are strong and well. We can own our land and own our livings." His pacing took him behind K'haali, and he looked down at her. The woman was one of K'thalen's last remaining daughters, and she demonstrated all the temperance and grounding his brother had once concealed behind smiles and games. "If Haali says we can trade in Ul'dah, then it is so. I've no doubt of that. There are so many places to go and paths to take, that to even consider embracing land and food given to us by a man... I cannot see reason in it." Link to comment
Lyraciilee Posted November 7, 2013 Share #32 Posted November 7, 2013 [align=center][/align] K'luha peered at K'ailia's linkpearl, wondering when it was when she had procured it. It relieved her, if only a bit, to hear that K'ailia still loved her family over her freedom. Because at some point, K'luha was sure that K'ailia would have to choose one. K'luha certainly had. Perhaps that was the reason she was so bitter about those who left the tribe. "No, don't call him here. I'll be going back to Ul'dah soon enough. I will meet you, and him, there." she nodded faintly and glanced away. "That would be best to meet him there and see the facility, at the very least." [align=center][/align] K'yohko listened to the proceedings with a stony face. Similar to his daughter K'nahli, he closed his eyes and listened with what seemed to be a disinterested look. But nothing could be further to the truth. He listened intently, thinking over all of the suggestions thoroughly. The anger between family members was nothing but futile. Anger would not solve their problems. Careful consideration and a uniform decision was the best way for the tribe to move on. The Nunh opened his eyes and glanced to his daughter K'mih. She seemed to be practically sinking in her seat. He cast his glance warmly in her direction, not showing any favoritism but still wanting to console her as well. His eyes eventually trailed back to K'haali and K'ile as they spoke. Even K'rei had her own piece to say about what ought to be happening. Everyone seemed to strongly believe that things should go one way or another. He lifted a single hand to motion he would like to speak and waited for silence. "I do not believe this decision can be made so quickly. I would propose for all of us to take time to think on the suggestions made today, and return in a set time to discuss any new possibilities. I should also think we should begin scouting for new territory to move, like many have suggested today. If we are to move, we should begin looking for a new land to support us. If we cannot find one, then turning to the outsider would not be unwise." he dropped his hand back into his place and glanced to K'ile, K'haali, K'rei, and then to the elders. "Do you agree with this?" Link to comment
Kailia Posted November 7, 2013 Share #33 Posted November 7, 2013 K'ailia arrived just as K'yohko did his address. She smiled and approached the flames once more, "I agree with father. In fact, since I been travelin' all around Thanalan. I am willin' ta join the scoutin' parties ta show them spots I had seen in me travels." K'ailia smiled and walked towards where she had sat earlier, "I want folks ta know. I am loyal ta this tribe. Yes I aint been in camp fer a while. But everythin' I do, I do fer the tribe." With that, she took her seat and continued to listen. Link to comment
Clover Posted November 7, 2013 Share #34 Posted November 7, 2013 The path had been dark and blurry, tense and uncomfortable, until the Nunh spoke. K'mih's well open eyes raised to him once more, full of hope at his wise words. It was amazing how simple the solution looked now, after all the headaches this heated discussion had brought several of them. When K'yohko asked the elders for their agreement, K'mih's gaze turned around nervously, scanning the faces of all her brothers and sisters. She wanted to see the same relief in their eyes, she needed to be reassured that her father's words had been heard. Link to comment
K'nahli Posted November 7, 2013 Share #35 Posted November 7, 2013 OOC Note: The Nunh opened his eyes and glanced to his daughter K'mih. She seemed to be practically sinking in her seat. He cast his glance warmly in her direction, not showing any favoritism but still wanting to console her as well. I...... sank in my seat. I like girls, Jason. I always have and hope I always will. Not once have I ever had the slightest inkling towards the other side... do not change this! K'nahli merely nodded in understanding when K'ailia took it upon herself to chase after her mother. Secretly, she was happier that it was K'ailia going. It was better for all parties involved though she had not expected her sister to abandon her post to do so. She drew her eyes closed once more, returning to her original state and mirroring that of her father's appearance right next to her, unbeknownst to her. The absence of her vision served to almost enhance her sense of hearing, allowing her to focus more intently on what was being said and weigh every suggestion, possibility and even every unspoken alternative, compromise and fault that could result from pursuing such paths. K'nahli perhaps wasn't a person for sharing ideas or at least feeling the need to share them unless she felt strongly enough about the matter. However, she was readily, yet silently judging everything for herself. Forming her own opinions and drawing her own conclusions for each and every thing presented by others. The moment K'yohko began to speak, K'nahli's right eye peaked open as she studied her father from the corner of her eye. He was... different from most tribe members. Not in a bad way, though she didn't see it as a particularly good thing either. Instead it just always peaked her curiosity when he had something to say. Perhaps it was his strength and the absence of both arrogance and vanity that made him stand out to her. It was not something she openly declared, not even to K'mih, but she truly did admire him as both a man and warrior. Once K'yohko had concluded with his advice, K'nahli shut her eye once more, hiding all evidence that she had even been watching him. Instead a gentle smile crossed her features in subtle contentment. Link to comment
Twinflame Posted November 7, 2013 Share #36 Posted November 7, 2013 Fully knowing he did so for unfair reasons, K'ile disliked K'yohko, almost as much as he disliked the man's brood. He was like a silent she-spider than sat unmoving in the shadows and occasionally left her eggs in the webs of good women. Wise, perhaps, but hideous to him, and he bore a silent grudge that the man had taken one of Thalen's daughters among his women. It was a blessing that the man usually maintained his silence, for when he spoke, K'ile Tia could not help but frown. Whatever the others heard in the man's voice, perhaps humility, K'ile heard only the contented purr of a weasel whose needs were met. That he had not spoken yet despite his sway among his many daughters and mates, was tantamount to neglect. His influence came with responsibility, and his silence was the sound of reluctance, not temperance. For the first time during the meeting, K'ile switched the hand that turned his staff and the fire upon it. The movement, though, was so quick and fluid, causing not even a single extra spark, that it was easy miss. "I disagree," he said at last. "But only with your final point. No matter the situation, accepting the outsider's so-called help would be unacceptable. The rest is reasonable." If K'ile Tia had even the slightest ambition to become Nunh, he would break K'yohko's hideous pride like he had broken K'hadim two decades ago, and everyone else whom he'd bound to the racks for breaking the rules of the tribe. If only K'yohko would commit some sort of trespass, but such an event was unlikely to ever occur. ((For those who haven't read other threads, "the racks" I'm talking about are a form of corporal punishment employed by the tribe. A person is bound and put on display in the middle of the tribe, in the open sun, where they are cooked by the Azeyma's unyielding gaze. K'ile Tia would be the one the Elder's asked to get hold of people and administer the punishment. This doesn't come up very often though. I should prolly add this to the wiki, huh?)) Link to comment
K'nahli Posted November 8, 2013 Share #37 Posted November 8, 2013 A soft exhale could be heard from K'nahli's direction shortly after K'ile had concluded speaking. Gently combing her fingers though her silk-like hair, she slowly reopened her eyes once more and stood up from the log where she had been sitting. "If you would permit me elder, there is something I wish to add" K'nahli requested humbly as she brought her glance to meet with K'deki's, though began making her way closer to the fire without awaiting confirmation. As she drew within touching distance of the fire, K'nahli's eyes remained momentarily fixated on the flames that spurned and flickered before her. She blinked slowly as she took a moment to articulate her thoughts before finally raising her head upwards and turning her gaze upon her tribekin. In that moment, it was almost as though her perpetual gaze was being fed by the flames themselves as her blazing, gem-like eyes of sulphur immediately lit up with passion, reflecting the flare from smouldering hearth that continued burning alongside her. "There have been many opinions shared and feelings expressed here today. Yet I stand before you now, my brothers and sisters, not to offer yet another possible solution... nor a critical evaluation on those who have spoken before me. Rather, I wish to remind each and every one of you that we... are a family" K'nahli announced clearly in a moderate tone, her eyes hopping from one tribe member to the next as she did so. Such words were almost odd coming from the young miqo'te's mouth, though they were nothing short of the truth. "Harsh times are upon us and Azeyma would further test our will and perseverance. Regardless of individual opinion, we are united in the belief that our tribe can and will continue to thrive" she continued while reigning a closed fist in to her chest to emphasise her words as her eyes continued to scan through each individual face as though personally directing her speech to every target that became trapped within her fiery gaze. "This meeting was called upon in the name of our tribe, with concern carried for the future well-being of our already decaying state" she added before pausing briefly, lowering her eyelids as though she were being lulled into a peaceful slumber. "Our situation is not ideal and while many options may exist for us, it is evident that none of them are choices any of us would readily make on a whim" the girl explained with some lament as she paused for another brief moment before slowly unveiling her crimson irises. Her gaze hopped once again from member to member, this time her expression resembled one more gentle and somber. "I seek not to patronize anyone here, but no one person knows what is best for us and the final decision made on this matter will not be one made out of selfish ideals or from mutual favours" K'nahli continued as her eyes then shift towards K'ile, as she prepared to address him particularly though not exclusively. "Brother K'ile, while I share with you in hesitation at the thought of subjecting ourselves to the aid of outsiders, it is not wise to dismiss such a path so rashly. The well-being and continued thriving of our tribe is of paramount concern. If it is deemed that accepting their help is our best option then we must be willing to embrace our grievances for the betterment of the tribe" K'nahli's brow furrowed once more as she addressed the tia, hoping to convey her sincerity in her reluctance to accept outside aid. The girl slowly removed her glance from the tia and looked before herself once more to address the majority of the congregated tribe. "I expect not of anyone here to come to like the decision on this matter, but I beseech to all of you that you embrace it wholly and not bicker against it. Regardless of what is decided, we must be united and support the decision if we are to thrive". K'nahli's glance then slowly met with that of K'mih's. Her bi-colour eyes had always given her an extraordinarily, gentle appearance as her enchanting gaze drew a beautiful infusion of fluorite and amethyst. The calamine-haired miqo'te had the most pacifying of effects on K'nahli whenever they would make eye contact. "Division.... will only be the catalyst to our own downfall" she added following a final, brief pause after having became momentarily trapped in her younger sister's gaze. K'nahli glanced back over her shoulder towards K'deiki offering her a brief nod before returning to her seat alongside K'yohko. She had no idea if her words would have any weight with anyone within the tribe. All she could do now was hope. Link to comment
K'nahli Posted November 8, 2013 Share #38 Posted November 8, 2013 A soft exhale could be heard from K'nahli's direction shortly after K'ile had concluded speaking. Gently combing her fingers though her silk-like hair, she slowly reopened her eyes once more and stood up from the log where she had been sitting. "If you would permit me elder, there is something I wish to add" K'nahli requested humbly as she brought her glance to meet with K'deki's, though began making her way closer to the fire without awaiting confirmation. As she drew within touching distance of the fire, K'nahli's eyes remained momentarily fixated on the flames that spurned and flickered before her. She blinked slowly as she took a moment to articulate her thoughts before finally raising her head upwards and turning her gaze upon her tribekin. In that moment, it was almost as though her perpetual gaze was being fed by the flames themselves as her blazing, gem-like eyes of sulphur immediately lit up with passion, reflecting the flare from smouldering hearth that continued burning alongside her. "There have been many opinions shared and feelings expressed here today. Yet I stand before you now, my brothers and sisters, not to offer yet another possible solution... nor a critical evaluation on those who have spoken before me. Rather, I wish to remind each and every one of you that we... are a family" K'nahli announced clearly in a moderate tone, her eyes hopping from one tribe member to the next as she did so. Such words were almost odd coming from the young miqo'te's mouth, though they were nothing short of the truth. "Harsh times are upon us and Azeyma would further test our will and perseverance. Regardless of individual opinion, we are united in the belief that our tribe can and will continue to thrive" she continued while reigning a closed fist in to her chest to emphasise her words as her eyes continued to scan through each individual face as though personally directing her speech to every target that became trapped within her fiery gaze. "This meeting was called upon in the name of our tribe, with concern carried for the future well-being of our already decaying state" she added before pausing briefly, lowering her eyelids as though she were being lulled into a peaceful slumber. "Our situation is not ideal and while many options may exist for us, it is evident that none of them are choices any of us would readily make on a whim" the girl explained with some lament as she paused for another brief moment before slowly unveiling her crimson irises. Her gaze hopped once again from member to member, this time her expression resembled one more gentle and somber. "I seek not to patronize anyone here, but no one person knows what is best for us and the final decision made on this matter will not be one made out of selfish ideals or from mutual favours" K'nahli continued as her eyes then shift towards K'ile, as she prepared to address him particularly though not exclusively. "Brother K'ile, while I share with you in hesitation at the thought of subjecting ourselves to the aid of outsiders, it is not wise to dismiss such a path so rashly. The well-being and continued thriving of our tribe is of paramount concern. If it is deemed that accepting their help is our best option then we must be willing to embrace our grievances for the betterment of the tribe" K'nahli's brow furrowed once more as she addressed the tia, hoping to convey her sincerity in her reluctance to accept outside aid. The girl slowly removed her glance from the tia and looked before herself once more to address the majority of the congregated tribe. "I expect not of anyone here to come to like the decision on this matter, but I beseech to all of you that you embrace it wholly and not bicker against it. Regardless of what is decided, we must be united and support the decision if we are to thrive". K'nahli's glance then slowly met with that of K'mih's. Her bi-colour eyes had always given her an extraordinarily, gentle appearance as her enchanting gaze drew a beautiful infusion of fluorite and amethyst. The calamine-haired miqo'te had the most pacifying of effects on K'nahli whenever they would make eye contact. "Division.... will only be the catalyst to our own downfall" she added following a final, brief pause after having became momentarily trapped within her younger sister's gaze. Glancing back over her shoulder towards K'deiki, K'nahli offered her a brief nod before returning to her seat alongside K'yohko. She had no idea if her words would have any weight with anyone within the tribe. All she could do now was hope. Link to comment
Kailia Posted November 8, 2013 Share #39 Posted November 8, 2013 K'ailia smiled, and then looked at K'ile, "K'nahli makes a good point. We are all family. We should treat each other as such." K'ailia stood and turned to the elders, "I jes got one question. What have outsiders done ta us in the past, that warrants such distrust? No one is sayin' we live under them. In fact, mister Ventus is merely sayin' here's some land, get back on yer feet an look for a new place ta call home." K'ailia walked about the fire for a brief moment before pausing to smile, "Maybe if we understood the outsiders a bit more, we'd be able ta figure out a direction. We are not the only ones who have suffered. Other's have suffered worse." She turned to the elders then, "I met another K tribe member. She is not o' our branch. Her branch was wiped out by the Amalj'aa. What's more, the Garlean Empire has begun a new invasion. So we have on our right, the Amalj'aa who would give us ta their primal god ta temper an' destroy us, an' on our left, the Garleans, who would enslave us. But right in front o' us, an outsider offerin' us succor from starvation an' a chance ta use his lands as a temporary refuge while we find a new home ta better us." She turned to the rest of the tribe, "Everyone likes ta believe Azeyma would test us, ta see if we will stay put till the prey we hunt grows in population once again. But... the opposite could be true. Azeyma could also be sayin' it is time we followed our ancestors who left their original homeland long ago an' settled here in Sagolii. We've hunted here fer generations. We've suffered the calamity tagether, an lost many o' our family. Some ta death. Some who... disappeared" K'ailia sighed, remembering her teacher K'piru and how sad she became when her daughters and mate said to of been killed, "Fire goes where the wind blows it. We are the children o' Azeyma, her fiery will guides us. But over time, we have trapped ourselves in a circle o' rocks, an' believed the wood within the circle will nurture us for all time." She looked about her brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, father... mother... elders, "Now, the wood is nearly gone, our flames are dimmin'. Winds o' change blow, urgin' us ta go where more food is. I think it best ta stop resistin' the wind an see where it takes us. Jes like our ancestors once did. Change is never easy. But change be part o' the world. Everythin' must change over time, an' things that don't change, become lost ta history." From a fold in her pocket she pulled out a shining white crystal that glowed brightly, "Ta the north, I found a temple that enshrined Azeyma. An' with Garden's help, explored it an' found this crystal. The temple was very grand, an' amazin' ta behold... but as times changed, the temple sank under the sands. For it had not changed an' the sands consumed it." Taking her eyes from the crystal she looked back to the elders, "We are a strong people. We are a proud people. But there comes a time when we must swallow our pride fer the best interest o' our people. I've made my case I think. I now leave the decision ta the elders. The elders are wise, they know our history. I'd do anythin' fer this tribe, fer me family." K'ailia smiled and looked back at K'ile, "Yes, even fer ones who have insulted me, fer ya are part o' me family too K'ile." With that, K'ailia took her seat. She would say no more. To her, the decision now rests with the elders. Link to comment
Twinflame Posted November 8, 2013 Share #40 Posted November 8, 2013 There wasn't really anything to say to that. K'ile wasn't sure why the women had decided to put the discussion on hold to give speeches about family and unity, but it was clear from how K'ailia twisted it into her argument that the girl had lost all concept of what being a member of the tribe actually meant. What's more, she hadn't truly listened to a word he'd said, nor to K'haali or K'nahli or even her own mother for that matter. But he shouldn't expect any more from a woman-child who'd taken foreign mentors and only returned to the tribe to grace them with what she probably supposed was wisdom. No matter how many times he saw this act, he never grew to hate it any less. K'ile Tia bit down on his teeth and concentrated on turning the fire in his hand. It was a great challenge not to shoot some sort of scathing remark at the girl, whose bright young eyes and well-intentioned grin made an excellent frame the fount of pompousness oozing like sap from her throat. K'ile had said his piece and said it well; speaking again would weaken it. At least it was likely that the elders were better listeners than the girl. Despite K'ailia's success and keeping the conversation focused on that single option, the only people to speak in outright support of it were herself and K'rei, both of whom were themselves outsiders in part. If they looked for alternatives, they would find them. All the girl's fake wisdom would fade away like the cry of a distant bird that one would never see, but that was so faint in the first place that perhaps one had never heard it at all. A few breaths later, the turning of the fire in his hand churned a thought to his tongue and he found himself saying, "If K'ailia's to show off the places she's explored outside the desert, I'll go to see them. I think a Tia, who after all does nothing but play with his fire and dream of one day being Nunh, would be easier to spare than huntresses during a famine. If the Elders agree, K'haali and K'luha should come as well, to help us understand how the land could be used for the purposes of harvesting and trade." Link to comment
Torvhan Posted November 8, 2013 Share #41 Posted November 8, 2013 K'rei watched K'ile carefully as he replied to K'yohko. Over the meeting she had been reforming her opinion of him. So much pride, that one, she understood K'haali's reasoning and K'luha's distrust of the outsiders. Their tribe had little interaction with the outside world. But K'ile rejected the very thought of receiving help. She winced as the next two girls comments, Pride was a difficult beast she knew her self and pushing to hard could cause the man to brace himself. Unknowing to him she watched his eyes carefully and could almost see him restrain himself from speaking out in aggravation. Her opinion of him went up several notches. Maybe he wasn't all boy inside after all. K'rei stood up and took a slow breath, "Well spoke K'ile," she restrained herself from commenting on his passive aggressive shot at K'ailia as the girls had done much the same in their own comments. "This maybe a repetition of sorts but I also feel I must point out we seem to have forgotten K'haali's idea by the wayside. I think K'luha should lead the efforts to look into both options. She is our most experienced trader and she would have much she could teach K'haali about trade in Ul'dah; and she updoubtly would like to speak with Ventus and see this academy that K'ailia attends. It goes with out saying that the K'ailia and K'haali would like to explore both their ideas further, and K'ile I agree with you, who better to judge this man and his garden but the strongest opponent to the idea of accepting his help." "If perfer his help not be given unconditionally, perhaps you could seek a more beneficial agreement with him, one which does not place us in his debt." K'rei turned to K'haali "I think you and K'luha should look into the logistics of your idea, moving would be relatively easy comparatively speaking to establishing a new business, and although I fear the Ul'dah market would swallow us, should you two succeed the profit to the tribe could be great." "I have no problem with seeking another home, but Eorzea is vast and dangerous and the more people we send afar alone the more open we are to attack. This is why I felt this offer might prove as a beneficial stop gap. Worry not about the food issue while you are looking though, remember that the hunters must eat as well and a few less mouths to feed would lessen the burden, not increase it." "Go with open minds to all the options though, and a point not brought up its true we are surviving for the moment, however think on how many years has it been since we welcomed a new little one?" K'rei looked directly at K'ile "If you were to find a place for us where we would be safe and could raise new little ones 'I' would be impressed." With that she turned and left the circle not quite sure what brought on the last part, and she wasn't going to look back to see the results. Link to comment
Naunet Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share #42 Posted November 10, 2013 The heat from the fire had merged with the growing heat of a desert day on K'deiki's face. She and the other elders watched the flames shiver and ripple in liquid form as the tribe argued around them, feeling the weight of each point dropping from desperate mouths like stones. Their voices and thoughts tumbled about and over and through one another until, as the sun climbed higher skyward, K'deiki heard them finally slipping into a cohesive strain. A joining, an almost agreement. The old woman stood, her actions stirring K'takka and K'jhanhi next to her from their own thoughts. Both looked up and around at the tribe, the former with as inscrutible an expression as ever, the latter ever with judgment on his mind. At this, K'deiki smiled and lifted the hand that now held the stone sigil towards the spread of blue above them. "So it has been said and heard before she who walks the sky," K'deiki intoned, her words carrying with enough strength to settle the remaining murmurs amongst those gathered. To one side, the eerily tattooed face of K'takka angled upwards, though her gaze remained on the fire. One hand she brought forth from the cloth shrouding her in a gesture of supplication. "We keep faith that each who has spoken here has done so with the sake of the tribe in mind and heart, even," she paused, closing her hand into a wrinkled fist, "when we might not agree." "But listening will only take us so far," K'jhanhi's voice rumbled out, low and strong despite his age. "Action is what will save us, not debate. So action we will take." He turned faded yellow eyes to K'ile then, brow pulling down, "Take with you those who will go, and see what other lands we might call home. That initiative will keep our people secure." "While you are away, we will confer with our own hearts and Azeyma's wisdom, with our family's words as our guide," K'deiki finished, bowing her head briefly. "We will not linger with a decision, but neither will we make one in haste. Go now, all of you, and take what we can of this day, and the next." She turned from the fire then and, with a muttered prayer, began to move back through the crowd, back to the shelter of their tent. The other elders followed close, features solemn. Link to comment
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