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Where I live... (Blink)

Started by Wrathwyrm, June 03, 2017, 07:22:08 PM

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Wrathwyrm

La'Marri is a well-knit comminuty that keeps to itself, eschewing much of the outside world...EXCEPT for the occasion where one wishes to join their population and abide wholey by their rules.  This land is a magically-active place, practically alive itself.  It is perfect for a village filled with mystics, alchemists, mages, sages, and other gifted sorts.  They help one another, they tend to the needs of each other, and they do not bring trouble in from the outside.

Several years ago, they admitted a young woman, a most unusual one, at that.

She was a Beastkin, a beast that walks like a human being, like the Gnoll or the Draconian.  Beastkin are of the animal and the human being in one.  This one, in particular, was a Ferret, mostly black-furred with white highlights, with a natural mask-pattern on her face that is common amongst ferret-kind.  She dressed in black and came to train in her talents of Ferromancy, the magic of metal.  This was Keefe Zarla, who now lives in a house on the outskirts of town, owing to a preference to live closer to wilderness than others.

Years later, she brought in a human, claiming him as her protege'.  This was Sano Alistair.

The community knew that Keefe was both talented in fighting and her magic, though how exceptional she was might only become well-known in her training of the young man for several years.  They sometimes wondered just what she did on her many excursions, but as she said in regards to those, she stated that she would abide by all of La'Marri's laws and never bring trouble to their doorstep.  She never did, and the young man's training continued, until...

One day, she had come back badly hurt, almost dead.

They had heard some of it from Sano, mostly that Keefe had been injured by someone, and that he needed a healer to look after Keefe until she was well.  That was a while ago, and Sano had set out to 'take care of this'.  He was noticeably scant on the details.  Because Keefe had been just about stabilized with her emergency potions, the healing process was a matter of clearing up the damage and the trauma, and going through the recovery process.

We now come to today...

Keefe had, in these days, been sleeping in because she had to for her recovery.  The body mended itself more in sleep.  However, because she was also stubborn, when she awakened, she was also keen on moving about, even if it did not seem wise.  The ferret's violet eyes snapped open in bed, a little earlier than intended and she sat up suddenly, wincing before gripping her stomach with a clawed hand.  Under the shirt, that area was bandaged from where she had been stabbed and the cursed blood sprayed out.  Keefe looked down at herself, clenching her fist.

Idiot...

That was directed at herself.  Keefe had a very harsh opinion on failure, hers or anybody's.  A failure of this magnitude had her cursing herself out with every complaint of her body.

Taken like an amateur...

She remembered that she needed water today.  Throwing off the covers of her bed, she willed a metal cane to her side and made use of it as she got up.  Her body was still not at one hundred percent, but her powers were okay.  It was not recommended, exactly, that she do any activities, but she also refused to go soft on herself, not when she had allowed that monstrosity to beat her.  That umm...was why she was up early, by the by.  It'd been another dream of the encounter.

So now, Keefe was in an understandably sour mood.  Hopefully, she won't be staying that way.

Blink

"Izayah!" Nevayah called from outside their country home as she secured the strap holding her supplies to the horse.

"I'm coming!" He yelled from the doorway as he slipped on his other boot. Today was just like any other day, the boy had offered to help his mother with her morning route. Soon enough he was ready to go and so grabbed his bag and threw it over his shoulder before closing the door behind him.

His horse, already saddled, was waiting alongside his mother and her glare said more than words ever could. Yet again he had caused her to run behind schedule due to his lack of motivation. Nevayah was a force to be reckoned with on her own, her motherly aptitude increasing her ferocity at least ten fold. Though, you most likely could never convince anyone else of this. Izayah knew all too well fury his mother could bring, but if you asked anyone else... she was a saint.

"I'm sorry" he whispered as he mounted his horse, and clicked his tongue to urge it forwards. As the two trotted alongside one another the mother and son discussed their schedule for the day along with any other conversation that may come up between a mother and her son.

"You really should try harder Izayah. I swear I am having to do all of this on my own anymore." The mother clearly poking fun at him.

" Maybe I don't want to do it, mom, maybe I don't want to be a herbalist." The conversation suddenly sounding all too familiar. Of course, Nevayah said nothing as she looked on down the road towards one of her clients.

From as far back as she could remember Nevayah knew Izayah was unhappy with his circumstances. While their blood is both a blessing and a curse, Izayah never saw it as more than a hindrance on his aspirations. He saw his gift as useless, nothing more than a party trick compared to his sister's own ability. And all of this Nevayah knew, being familiar with that very feeling. Her blood did nothing more than heal and empower, completely useless when it came to protecting her family.

She knew Izayah felt the same way deep down. He wanted to protect them and be the son and brother he had always dreamt of becoming. Only just recently did Lannister even allow Izayah to have a sword, one that he practiced with day in and day out as long as his father allowed it. Before that, it was nothing more than sparring sessions with makeshift wooden weaponry.

Within a few minutes that had already arrived at their first stop, the home of Keefe Zarla. Both of the Tainted's dismounted their horses and Nevayah began making her way towards the door with Izayah behind.

"Keefe? It's Nevayah, are you decent?" Her ear almost touching the door as she listened for a response. Izayah of course standing behind her wanting to be anywhere but there.

Wrathwyrm

Stomach wounds were unpleasant.  Putting aside all of the organs that could be ruined with a single thrust, and the fact that it lacked even the protection of a ribcage, it was all very important in your everyday life.  Just as your backbone was important in the holding of so many bones together, your stomach area was the core of your physical strength.  Tear the muscles there and you'll find that all surrounding areas - in terms of lift, locomotion, and flex - are diminished in capacity.  Now, this was technically healed, but it was still traumatized and tender.  Pushing things too far could certainly cause a hernia.  Fortunately, Keefe could move around with only a soreness about her if she used a cane.

Now, it was only because she was assessing her home situation - what chores needed to be taken care of and what Sano had handled before he's gone - that she did not hear the clip-clopping of horses on approach.  Her mood had definitely contributed to this.  The reason she knew she needed more water in was because most of it had been used in...well...clean-up.  Keefe was pretty sure Sano had burnt the clothes he'd been wearing the night he'd been soaked in her blood.

The outside of Keefe's house - as anybody riding up could see - was generally pleasant to look at.  It was generally warm and inviting, largely made of wood, with metal here and there as needed, such as with the latches and such.  When Keefe had settled into this place, she wanted it to remind her of the years she was being raised by her surrogate mother.  Not that anybody - including Sano - really knew about that.  All the training she did was out back.  All the washing and drying she did was out front, away from the trees so that the sun actually hits the clothes.  Her well was up front too, just off to the left of the covered porch.

Inside, the front door led to a den and sitting room area.  A doorway with no door led into the cooking/dining area in the left-back of the house, Keefe's bedroom behind an actual door in the right-back area.  The back door leading out was at the dining area.  The chimney and double-sided fireplace was about centered.  Stairs leading up were on the far left, which led to some storage rooms and the guest room, which had been Sano's room for a number of years.  Keefe was still in her 'kitchen' area when she heard the call to her.

"Yes, Nevayah!  Thoroughly decent!"

Her voice had the tense of someone irritated, which we've covered.  Keefe stepped over to the dining doorway to point her hand at the front door and undo it while leaning against said doorway.  That all said, when they saw her in pants and a shirt - always black, never anything feminine - the ferret had just above managed a smirk.

"Someone once told me to always be decent, if I could help it.  You never know who's watching."

This said, even though all her windows were battened shut right now.

Blink

After the door opened Nevayah stepped inside, Izayah still following with his less than enthusiastic expression. "You have a point, although I don't share the same ideals."

It had been years since Nevayah let go of the 'someone is out to get me' feeling she used to always carry. La'Marri was safe, her freedom secured by its borders and those living within it. She no longer lived in constant fear of being whisked away with her husband back to Essyrn. Life had moved on and so had Nevayah. Izayah though never knew such a feeling and so lived each day like La'Marri was more a prison than the sanctuary it actually was.

Reaching into her bag she pulled out two bottles of her tonics, setting them down on a small table just inside the living room. "One for pain..." she paused to point at one bottle before pointing at the other. "... the other to promote healing." Neither of these tonics containing the 'secret' ingredient she used to get her profession up and running. In fact, she hardly ever used it anymore except in emergency situations.

Straightening up Nevayah took in Keefe's state, cane and all. "Still sore I see?" Her pain understandable considering the wound she was recovering from. Nevayah actually had no idea how Keefe had gotten so injured, and she wouldn't ask. All she knew was that someone needed her help and well... here she was.

"Anything else I can do for you today? Do you need any help with anything?" Nevayah's eyes then shot back to Izayah who was busy staring at the decor of the home. "Perhaps Izayah could help you with some chores or something?"

At the mention of his name Izayah's focus centered. "I would be happy to help" he spoke as he stepped up beside his mother. Ebony hair and blue hued eyes pleading with Keefe to give him anything to do besides ride around with his mother all day.

Wrathwyrm

At the mention of similar ideals not being shared, Keefe smiled to herself, very certain that Nevayah was not saying that she ever pranced about indecently...but the thought of it being amusing, nonetheless.  Because, naturally, the villagers of La'Marri did not heavily pry into one's affairs unless it were warranted somehow, Keefe knew nothing of Nevayah and Lannister's past.  It would be fair to say that she knew more of their son's present, than that.  This did not bother her, as they were good people, the kind of people that Keefe felt at-ease around, rather than to ever feel threatened for any reason.  La'Marri's ways suited her.  She would live here and she would die here, though hopefully not soon.  The situation, of late...

Even if I haven't done them any harm, I still feel it's wrong to have to trouble them like this...

Nevayah brought about her tonics, though.  In no way were such things unwelcome.  Truthfully, between her and all others capable of healing, Keefe would most-certainly have died if such things were unavailable, and if she hadn't taken in a protege'.  It was going to feel empty without Sano around...  The Beastkin almost missed the woman speaking to her for a moment.  She knew which medicine was which by scent, so no danger there, but pointing at her...  Oh!  Keefe looked down at her stomach, where behind that shirt were her bandages.

"Yes, it may be so for some time.  I can move about, though, as you can see."

She picked up the cane and idly twirled it about like it was a staff for a moment, before setting it down once more.  Talent didn't go away simply because of wounds, and she didn't need it for balance, per se.  Every setback had a solution somewhere.  Sadly, the one to this particular problem was 'rest often, train yourself, and bide your time until it stops hurting'.  She hated having been reduced this way.  If she didn't trust Sano to approach this rationally, she'd rather he not leave until she was well.  Now, as to the question of chores...  Yes, she did notice the look in that boy's eyes.  The ferret smirked.

"You know, it does so happen that I have a few things that need to be taken care of.  I won't keep you from your rounds, Nevayah.  He can help out here, since Sano is out traveling now."

Blink

His face lit up when Keefe agreed to have him stay behind to help. Ever so slightly he nodded his head at Keefe, hoping she would pick up on a number of thanks he was sending her way in that moment.

"Have you heard from him? Sano that is? I do hope he is doing well." Nevayah knew of Sano and thought him to be kind. Actually, he almost reminded her of Izayah with a few exceptions. "I do miss seeing him out and about. He has always been such a sweet boy."

Nevayah then wondered if Sano or Keefe had ever picked up on the fact that both Lannister and Nevayah looked almost identical to how they looked 14 years ago when they first arrived in La'Marri. Even Izayah was beginning to look more like her younger brother than as a son. The fact that no one ever brought it up another reason why she had grown to love the solace of where they lived. One day, assuming he shared the same fate as his parents, Izayah would cease to age as well.


Wrathwyrm

Yes, it DID seem like the boy was up to something, didn't he?  Well, his reasoning would come out later.  Perhaps he just needed a break from his parent, though Keefe personally didn't know why.  She hadn't exactly had parents, after all.  The possibility of being fed up with them did not exist for her.  Now, Keefe inclined her head towards Nevayah and shook it, in answer to her question.

"No, he hadn't made any contact, and I'm partially to blame for that.  I never had anyone to write to, in the past.  Even in the case of this village, I haven't exactly been away long enough to warrant it.  Because I haven't, it might not even occur to him for a while, not unless he-"

Suddenly, her violet eyes shot open with realization before she facepalmed with her free hand.

"I am such an idiot...!"

She just found another reason to be mad at herself, for overlooking something tremendously obvious.  Her hand lowered and she hissed in irritation.

"I've spent years of my life filling his head with fighting techniques, knowledge of our magic, and all manner of information to make up for his life on the streets...and I never told him of The Meeting Place."

The Meeting Place, a strange and magical place that acted as a mystical conduit between locations.  Travelers and people in distant lands could find and speak to each other in this place.  It could even be guaranteed safety if one was unarmed.  It wasn't likely that she or Sano would ever be unarmed unless they temporarily converted their weapons.  Even so, Keefe felt bad about missing that when educating him.

"I suppose he'll have to learn that one on his own."

Incidentally, Keefe might have noticed that Nevayah and Lannister weren't starting to appear like her oldd guardian, Ella Cray, but it was not exactly the best of conversation to ask about somebody's age, weight, or height.  Such is life.

Blink

Standing calmly Nevayah listened as Keefe spoke, only slightly jumping at her sudden change in demeanor. Even Izayah took a step forwards, Keefe's worry infecting both of the Tainted's as the left themselves to wonder what she was freaking out about.

However, while Keefe began rambling on Izayah's eyes lit up. "Fighting techniques" the only word that stuck in his mind after that.

When Keefe was done Nevayah chuckled, taking a step back towards the door as she thought this minor meltdown was something she may have done over something so small. "Well, hopefully, he figured it out." Her eyes then turned to her son, who was still standing there with little fantasies of being a master in weaponry playing behind his eyes.

"Izayah... I will see you at home later." She then stepped up to him, placing a kiss on his cheek before heading out the door.

And then there were two, Keefe and Izayah just standing there.

"What would you like me to do first?"

Wrathwyrm

Putting aside the fact that she knew the seriousness of what Sano was up to, Keefe was always hard on herself.  'Meltdown' was probably too strong a word for the reaction she had, but someone really needs to tell this woman that turning on herself like that was generally not healthy.  Still, Keefe calmed down and and Nevayah left him with her son, so...on with the chores!

"The first task is water.  All the water I have for cooking, cleaning, and drinking has been used up.  I'm sure you've done this for your parents at home."

She pointed her hand at something in the next room and a metal bucket of reasonable size came into it, which she then gave over to Izayah.  A number of things she had that were often made of wood were metal in Keefe's house.  Of course, it was known that she was a Ferromancer, so the idea of that many metal objects in her possession was to be expected.

Blink

Nodding at the fact Izayah did know how to haul water his eyes shifted to the newly formed bucket. Keefe truly was amazing, at least in his eyes, and he found the fact that she was a Ferromancer enchanting. Again this led him back around to feeling ashamed of himself, having been born with useless healing blood like his mother, or so he thought.

"I will get right on it." He smiled as he picked up the bucket and began making his way towards the well outside. Of course, this bucket was much heavier than the wooden one he used for chores, but it also held so much more. Ultimately it meant fewer trips to the well in the wrong one, this bucket able to carry at least twice as much as he was used to.

By the time he was back in the house and sliding the bucket onto the counter Izayah had already begun to form a sweat on his brow, his chest moving only slightly more rapidly than before. This though was nothing compared to some of the chores he took care of at home. Carrying crates of his mother's tonics, cleaning out the barns, carrying water from the well to the house only a small list of the many things he did.

With his father always working and his mother constantly making runs it really only left Izayah and his twin to get these things done. Emia usually took care of matters inside the house while Izayah labored outside.  In fact, now that he thought of it, he was going to have to play catch up as soon as he got home.

Almost leaning on the counter Izayah turned to Keefe with hesitant eyes. Something was weighing heavily on his mind and perhaps Keefe could help him out. "Keefe? What made you decide to do what you do? How did you decide it was what you really wanted?" Reaching up he rubbed the back of his neck, clearly feeling awkward even asking. "I always meant to ask Sano but never really had the chance."

Wrathwyrm

Yes, metal over wood had its positive and negative aspects.  Well, for some.  For Keefe, it was all plusses, of course, given she could move such a thing around with her mind.  With Izayah working on the task of water, she could focus upon the tonics at hand.  They weren't magic potion, like her emergency medicine, but regular ones.  Regular doses, throughout the day, a little at a time for maximum effectivety.

Keefe had taken a seat at the table by the time Izayah had returned, with what was on his mind.  She'd seen that look on enough human faces to understand that something stews under protest, or something like that.  In this particular instance, it appeared that he might burst if it were not released.  When he DID speak it, the question took her be surprise, at first, but then she found a reason to chuckle after he mentioned Sano.

"Well, in Sano's case, training under my wing was the term I insisted upon for taking him into my house.  I felt it fair, given the circumstances.  Also necessary, as an untrained Ferromancer could end up doing terrible damage in times of extreme stress.  I'm sure it's the same with any other 'mancer style, but I know it to be true in mine, so it's better that I did train him.  As for me..."

She leaned her head on her arm in thought for a moment, trying to recall the moment and decide how to word all of this, all in one go.  It was difficult.  He wasn't a child, but she did not burden her friends and neighbors of La'Marri with her outside life.  She straightened up again once she had her answer.

"It wasn't merely the training, which was harder for me because I did not learn from another Ferromancer.  At first, I only wanted to live a life similar to the one my guardian raised me in, a pleasant one with hardly any worries greater than 'What shall I eat today?'.  Between then and my arrival here, I heard of alot of bad situations in the world.  Certain prejudices, anti-magic laws in Connlaoth, slavery...  I almost went back to Serendipity, but I pressed on here because it seemed about right for somewhere to be left alone, but not completely left alone.  Do you understand?"

Blink

Keefe went on, answering the very question Izayah had asked and at the end he found himself nodding in acknowledgment. "I understand" His words carrying a deeper meaning than he would let on.

Of course, he understood, because Izayah himself had not only heard of but lived through some of the horrible things happening in this world. Not to mention his parents and what they had been through when they were his age. Of course, they would never fully disclose their pasts, but they really didn't have to.

Another fascinating thing about Tainted blooded humans was that they could create 'A Blood Bond'. A bond in which, if you shared the blood of your fellow Tainted, would connect you by more than just touching palms. Izayah and his sister both connected to their parents simply by genetics. And with this bond you could feel what another Tainted felt, you could dream what another Tainted lived, you could sense what another Tainted sensed.

So the dreams, at first played off as nothing more than a nightmare in his younger years, were not dreams at all. Instead, it was the memories of his parent's and their pasts. The horrors in which they overcame by sheer willpower alone. Izayah had seen far more of the world than one may realize and it was simply by looking through his parent's eyes.

Due to the nightmarish lives, Izayah's parents endured he found himself at a very young age wanting to do anything to protect him. His mother, his father, his sister... all people that he felt the undeniable urge to keep safe. Yet, he couldn't as he did not have the ability to do so with his blood alone. He knew he had to do more, and as of right now he would be nothing more than a burden or in the way should a situation arise where his family needed him.

"Another question." Izayah again acting casual as he prodded Keefe for more information. "Would you ever take on another student? Like Sano I mean?"

Wrathwyrm

"Hmm?"

That actually caught her off-guard, her small whiskers sort of spreading as she looked at him with a bit of confusion.  You see, Keefe had only ever met one other Ferromancer in her life, two if such a person had been around when she awakened.  She didn't bet on finding another for a long time, but if she did...  Now, she considered it, rubbing the fur of her chin in thought.

"Well, if I see an untrained Ferromancer, I simply must, for the sake of anybody around whoever's got the gift.  There's no question of that.  But if it's the fighting, you mean..."

She leaned back in the chair, getting comfortable.

"It's funny.  Sano is the first person I ever trained in anything.  I figured he deserved the full benefit of what I knew, since life had treated him so badly.  I even filled in some of the gaps of his education.  I guess if...

She sort of huffed through her nose, smiling a little.

"I guess if they needed it, if I felt it was important for that person to learn combat skills..."

Her violet eyes focused on him now.

"Don't think I haven't noticed those looks, Izayah.  In my work, precision and detail is everything.  Say what's on your mind."

Blink

Of course, Keefe would at first assume he meant another Ferromancer, which of course Izayah was not. However, when she focused her eyes on him Izayah knew Keefe saw past his simple questions. But how was he supposed to answer hers with honesty? He could easily go into detail about his family and why he felt he needed more skill, but that would risk disclosing sensitive information on his blood.

His entire life Izayah had been told to never tell their secret. The Tainted blood running through his veins putting his entire family at risk should the wrong person ever find out. Easily his parents could be drug back to Essyrn, as they were never established as 'free'. No, instead of above their names on some parchment somewhere would be 'missing' or 'escaped'.

Sweat began to build on his brow as nervousness took over. The battle of whether or not to tell raging in his mind. Keefe seemed trustworthy, but didn't everyone at some point? And if his mother and father found out he told, his hide would be had. But then this raises the question of whether or not they even have to know.

"I can't" he choked, turning his body towards the counter as he tried to hide his face.

"Is there anything else you need from me, Keefe? Uhm, perhaps something outside?" Already he was smacking himself on the inside, angry with the fact that he had just passed up the perfect opportunity to ask Keefe to take him on as a student.

Wrathwyrm

His response made Keefe suspicious, of course, but not that there was something wrong with him.  More like something was wrong about what he couldn't talk about.  Izayah would note that the ferret was giving him a look like she was trying to figure him out without him saying more.  Why would he say that he couldn't speak his mind?  He wanted to talk to her, but when asked...he couldn't say.  Why?

Keefe could not imagine his parents having done something that he can't talk about because of some perceived punishment to be incoming.  They were good people.  Still, neither he nor she said anything more until he asked if there was anything else she needed.  Keefe smiled, resolved to find out what it was he wanted to say with...perhaps a little subtlety.  So, she nodded at him.

"Well, since you're offering, I could use a hand with lunch."

She stood up now, indicating her double-sided fireplace, in which this side had cookinng equipment and such at, including a pot that was hung by the spit.

"I shouldn't have much of a problem, really, but it'd go faster if I had someone passing me ingredients.  Since they're not in anything made of metal, I can't just levitate the things.  Might wrap little metal rings around 'em later, but for now...how about it?"

Blink

He could tell she knew something deeper remained locked behind his lips. And now, she was probably searching for the key. To his dismay, Keefe asked if he would help her cook, not exactly the chore he had in mind but at least they were talking about something else.

Immediately his demeanor shifted as he thought maybe, just maybe, they had moved on from the subject and that they were actually going to talk about food.

"Sure" he smiled, almost letting out a breath of relief at the end of the word.

"What do you plan on making? I help my mother in the kitchen sometimes even though that is more my sister's thing than mine. But I would be happy to help in any way I can."

Another half truth.

Izayah did indeed help his mother in the kitchen from time to time, but it was usually aiding in cleaning up or setting the table. Truth be told Izayah didn't know the difference between cumin and parsley.

Wrathwyrm

Hah, you dismay at Keefe's mention of something perfectly ordinary?  This is what she's like when she's not fighting.  She's at ease, calm and relaxe, not worrying about terrible things or the means by which to instatly kill a large foe.  She lived that life so she could live this life.  Perhaps that was going to be one of those things that Izayah would have trouble understanding.  He wanted to learn how to fight, although he had yet to say as much to the ferret yet.  She treasured those moments in which she didn't even have to think about fighting, because she knew that she was safe and secure.

"We'll be having beef stew.  I eat alot of meat."

Filling the pot was no real difficulty, now that there was water on hand.  Keefe also had her cooking area memorized, so she could point at cabinet without looking and call out the ingredient.  The meat in question was preserved stuff that she'd taught Sano how to hunt and skin and cut and preserve himself, so that she wouldn't have to hunt when she came back.  It was going to be depleted soon, which meant she would need to go out injured or rely on someone from town.

Hmmm...  How to get him more into a talking mood?

She started the fire, wondering this.  Had he hinted at what he wanted already?  It may be, but she had to be certain on this.  Only a fool would stick his or her head out and say a stupid thing without checking first to see if that was what was desired.

"What kind of things can you do, by the by?"

Blink

Lending a helping hand Izayah went ahead and began filling the pot with water. As undereducated as he was in the culinary field he at least knew what stew was. The basics were all there... water, meat, random spices to throw in.

At her question, the boy tilted his head a bit, not really sure what she was asking. "What can I do?" He had to think on this because even he had never thought of the things he was capable of.

"I suppose I am a decent farm hand? I can saddle a horse quickly, or at least I would like to think I can." Izayah began scratching the back of his head again, a nervous and confused gesture on his part displayed most when he was overthinking things.

"I can heal things with my blood" A thought that he wished he could mention.

"I guess I can wield a sword decently. Again I would like to think I can anyways." Taking a deep breath he lowered his hand before leaning against the counter once more. There wasn't much more he knew to do, filling the pot with water the extent of his knowledge.

"I am better than my sister, but my father still always manages to get me down. Only recently did he even let me own a real one. Before that, it was wooden stick and boards I had carved into shape." Oh yes, the argument between a father and son. For years he had begged for a real sword only to be denied time and time again. It wasn't until recently that Izayah finally was able to make his father see he wasn't just a child anymore.

Keefe's trick had worked and now Izayah had just begun going on about his amateur weapon skills. "He never understood why I wanted one so badly... honestly he probably still doesn't."

Wrathwyrm

Oh, don't worry.  Keefe had things to occupy his hands while he thought and spoke.  She began to point out things she needed - the meat, the herbs, and a bit of other things - so that he could grab 'em and hand 'em to her.  She would have a knife on hand and began cutting bits off of whatever was handed to her before dropping it into the pot.  This gave them plenty to do while he spoke his mind and let it go for a ride.  She smiled when he mentioned the sword.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I'm perfectly fine with using knives, but if I have a power that can make weapons at will, I want a sword."

"The disciplines are different, though.  You'll have alot of trouble with me, since I've devoted alot of time to beating swordsmen."

They were out in back, the early days of their training.  Keefe was the same age then as Sano was now, in the present.

"You've mastered alot of things, Keefe.  I don't think it'll make much difference, but it's what I'm comfortable with."

"Very well, Sano.  So long as you understand the hell you put yourself through."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Well, I've always preferred knives, but a sword is good, as well."

So, there it was.  He had allowed it to come more into the open.  And now...

"I think Sano was only a couple years older than you are now when her started.  Of course, he had to learn everything.  Six years of living on the streets...  I'm surprised he wasn't as feral..."

As feral as what?  As...you?  Oh my...

Blink

Listening as Keefe instructed Izayah reached for the various ingredients at her command. Some of the labels reading spices he had never even heard of before, and his mother was an herbalist. "Should have paid more attention"

Handing off a bit of green flaky looking stuff Izayah continued with the conversation, smiling at the thought of Sano starting off later than he had. "As I said I've been practicing from the age I was old enough to know what a sword was. My dad used to call me his little soldier because I was always carrying around my little wooden sword." Izayah smirked, reliving his childhood memories from when things were much simpler.

"So Sano lived on the streets? I can't imagine what it would have been like without having parents. I know that mine grew up withou-.... ummm"

"Crap... Stop talking Izayah stop and change the subject!"

Reaching for yet another bottle of unknown flaky wonder he pursed his lips before finally carrying on. "I've never liked the thought of giant swords though. I prefer the thinner ones, more movement I would like to think. Wish I knew what they were called though, only ever seen them carried around. Carved one out of wood once, although it turned out looking like a pole with a pointy tip."

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