Hand of the Mist
Committed
Roleplay posts: 57
Registered: Mar 26, 2021 0:51:23 GMT -5
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Post by Hand of the Mist on Jun 11, 2021 18:16:17 GMT -5
(... and the woods beyond) On the border of the central sea is a long stretch of sand and woods that extends very many miles down the coast. Alder trees and its cousins are common here, along with a menagerie of plants no one has ever set eyes on before. This goes doubly for the animals, most notably these very small, bright green teardrops that migrate in groups just below the water, each no bigger than one's thumb.
The sun is no stranger to this place, though the runoff from the northern glaciers do chill the water during the summer.
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Khepri Goldenfeather
Committed
Roleplay posts: 96
Appearance: Smattered in golden feathers, Khepri glimmers from dawn to dusk. Vast, dark wings, lightening to ivory toward her spine, spread outward above her broad hips, supporting an otherwise petite frame. Black hair, straight as a waterfall, surrounds a round face. She has sharp, dangerous eyes that mimic the time of day, plump lips that tell you what you want to hear, and honey-sweet skin to ease her features. The only interruption to an otherwise heavenly visage is a pair of feet with toes and a heel ending in talons.
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Registered: Mar 23, 2021 19:54:50 GMT -5
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Post by Khepri Goldenfeather on Jun 11, 2021 18:32:13 GMT -5
Several days passed since Khepri departed from Pannoa, leaving Faisine and her new companion, Anatolius, to whatever antics they wound up in. She would miss her kindred spirit, but they had their ways of keeping connected. A whistle in the wind was all they needed to send messages of their findings.
It was fast approaching noon and the duralam was feeling the strong rays of spring sap her energy. Seeing a beach with pearly sands below (and it was nearly too bright, as it blinded her as she turned toward it), she dipped her wings downward and kept her eyes on the forest beyond, while aiming for the shore. She swooped just above the water with a suspicious eye, just to make sure nothing dangerous would leap out at her in surprise. The water seemed much too clear for that, which urged her on to land in the shadow of a massive boulder at her back. She took the waterskin given to her by the Pannoans and drank thirstily. Inwardly, she cursed, as it was nearly done, and there were no rivers in sight.
"Being eaten alive might be a mercy next to starving myself of water," she mumbled, corking the waterskin to let it rest on her lap. The duralam carried very little with her: the waterskin and a small bag for dried meat and bread was all she needed. She doubted she could fly with more, but wondered how far she would make it with what she had. Pinching the bridge of her nose, Khepri groaned, then slid her taloned feet into the cold, salty water of the inner sea with a relieved sigh.
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Nomi
Committed
Roleplay posts: 64
Age: 24
Appearance: A young, diminutive human with pale white hair and soft yellow eyes, donning simple robes befitting the life of a nomad. The robe's left sleeve has been ripped off completely, exposing runic tattoos along the length of their arm, and a fresh gash made by the claws of a monster. Though much of the rest of their skin is covered by their robes, the ends of more tattoos can be seen creeping along their neck and wrists.
Equipment: Their possessions are few in number - A gnarled wooden staff, a dagger, a leather pouch containing divining equipment, and the clothes on their back.
Skills and Abilities: Nomi is a Seer of their people before arriving in the Mists, and has limited capabilities in ways of divination. However, these talents are known by them to be unreliable at best - they prefer to rely on their wits in order to get by in the new world.
Registered: Jun 11, 2021 0:33:43 GMT -5
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Post by Nomi on Jun 12, 2021 2:49:39 GMT -5
It had been an hour since Nomi washed up on the sun-bleached sands of this coast. They wished that they could look back and say that they wasted no time in exploring all the bounty this new world had to offer - but in truth, it was quite some time before they pulled themself up from the spot where the sea had deposited them. They greedily dug their hands into the sandy earth beneath them, letting a soft sigh escape their lips, soaking in the rising sun as it rose steadily over the water's horizon. In all, they were simply content to bask in the comforts of solid land once more. With all the waiting I had to do in getting to this blasted place, they thought, this land can manage to wait for me to take a quick nap.
By the time they had risen, loosing stray grains of sand from their unkempt hair, the sun was high in the sky - already, they could feel their wet blue robes hanging heavily off their arms start to dry in the light of day. After retrieving their staff and supplies from the now splintered remains of their makeshift raft, they set out to find... something. Someone? As always it was hard to tell, but it was to be found, they were sure of it! They walked for some time, resting every once in a while to take stock of the land around them. They weren't used to this amount of green, and they found it to be quite beautiful. So lost in the natural splendor was Nomi that they were completely blindsided by the massive winged shadow that suddenly swept over them. Their mouth readied a yelp, but was cut short as Nomi's hand shot up to silence the noise from blowing their cover. In one reactive motion, they flattened themself against the shadow of a nearby boulder, making themself even smaller than usual - which, for someone of their slight frame, was a fairly impressive feat.
Their brow furrowed as they studied the creature that had landed on the beach, with ebon wings sprouting like sails from her spine. Their first thought should have been that they had never seen anything like her before, and yet... they couldn't shake the strange semblance of familiarity that they felt looking at her. "Who... are you...?" They muttered to themself, grip tightening around their staff.
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Khepri Goldenfeather
Committed
Roleplay posts: 96
Appearance: Smattered in golden feathers, Khepri glimmers from dawn to dusk. Vast, dark wings, lightening to ivory toward her spine, spread outward above her broad hips, supporting an otherwise petite frame. Black hair, straight as a waterfall, surrounds a round face. She has sharp, dangerous eyes that mimic the time of day, plump lips that tell you what you want to hear, and honey-sweet skin to ease her features. The only interruption to an otherwise heavenly visage is a pair of feet with toes and a heel ending in talons.
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Registered: Mar 23, 2021 19:54:50 GMT -5
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Post by Khepri Goldenfeather on Jun 12, 2021 23:25:52 GMT -5
After stretching her wings up and out into the air, Khepri brought them in close to her back and around her arms, shielding them from the sun. She wanted nothing more than to relax, but she had seen too many dangerous creatures and people roaming the isle. Why, the moment they'd arrived on the shore, they ran into a massacre. Remembering the brutal scene reminded the duralam to keep her eyes peeled, which prompted her to scan the beach once more. This was when she paused, then yelped. She lept to her talons as fast as one could and spread her wings, ready to fly away. With her eyes in the sun and the figure in the shade, she could hardly make them out until they began to adjust.
"... who's there?!" she cried out, backing away. Though her tone was demanding, it trembled with notes of fear. "I can see you!"
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Nomi
Committed
Roleplay posts: 64
Age: 24
Appearance: A young, diminutive human with pale white hair and soft yellow eyes, donning simple robes befitting the life of a nomad. The robe's left sleeve has been ripped off completely, exposing runic tattoos along the length of their arm, and a fresh gash made by the claws of a monster. Though much of the rest of their skin is covered by their robes, the ends of more tattoos can be seen creeping along their neck and wrists.
Equipment: Their possessions are few in number - A gnarled wooden staff, a dagger, a leather pouch containing divining equipment, and the clothes on their back.
Skills and Abilities: Nomi is a Seer of their people before arriving in the Mists, and has limited capabilities in ways of divination. However, these talents are known by them to be unreliable at best - they prefer to rely on their wits in order to get by in the new world.
Registered: Jun 11, 2021 0:33:43 GMT -5
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Post by Nomi on Jun 13, 2021 12:45:41 GMT -5
That was that, then. There was no chance that Nomi could outpace her if they tried to run - and glancing down at those talons, they wagered that they wouldn't last long in any form of physical altercation either. The only option left was to hope that she was friendly.
Nomi emerged carefully from the shadows, making every effort to make clear that they weren't looking for a fight. They gingerly laid their staff in the sand, raising their palms up in a gesture that they very much hoped came off as an indication of peace, rather than a threat of some otherworldly magic. "Well, that's good that you can see me." The words came out nervous, but measured. "I was the slightest bit concerned that I had already managed to die, and had since been roaming this beach as a specter. Unless, of course, we're both dead, in which case you have my condolences." They offered a tentative smile and cocked an eyebrow, the look of a skittish animal still present in their golden eyes.
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Khepri Goldenfeather
Committed
Roleplay posts: 96
Appearance: Smattered in golden feathers, Khepri glimmers from dawn to dusk. Vast, dark wings, lightening to ivory toward her spine, spread outward above her broad hips, supporting an otherwise petite frame. Black hair, straight as a waterfall, surrounds a round face. She has sharp, dangerous eyes that mimic the time of day, plump lips that tell you what you want to hear, and honey-sweet skin to ease her features. The only interruption to an otherwise heavenly visage is a pair of feet with toes and a heel ending in talons.
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Registered: Mar 23, 2021 19:54:50 GMT -5
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Post by Khepri Goldenfeather on Jun 14, 2021 15:15:17 GMT -5
As the figure came out from their spot and gave Khepri a better look at who she was facing, the duralam began to relax. Her guarded stance turned upright and her shoulders drooped. Khepri's wings folded, ever so slowly, and she raised herself up onto her toes. She could hear the nervousness in their voice, just as it had been in her own. They were just as afraid as she was.
"For some, death may be preferable to losing everything they've ever known. Alas, that is our current fate: to be alive in this new world." Her smile was mournful, but only for a moment. She attempted to walk closer to this figure, quirking a brow all the while in curiosity. Her eyes mimicked their own, reflecting the sun in its midday glory. "I am Khepri. The way you look at me, I suspect you have not come across one quite like myself." She took another step forward. "I am not here to hurt you. I don't think you are here to hurt me, either. What is your name, stranger?"
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Nomi
Committed
Roleplay posts: 64
Age: 24
Appearance: A young, diminutive human with pale white hair and soft yellow eyes, donning simple robes befitting the life of a nomad. The robe's left sleeve has been ripped off completely, exposing runic tattoos along the length of their arm, and a fresh gash made by the claws of a monster. Though much of the rest of their skin is covered by their robes, the ends of more tattoos can be seen creeping along their neck and wrists.
Equipment: Their possessions are few in number - A gnarled wooden staff, a dagger, a leather pouch containing divining equipment, and the clothes on their back.
Skills and Abilities: Nomi is a Seer of their people before arriving in the Mists, and has limited capabilities in ways of divination. However, these talents are known by them to be unreliable at best - they prefer to rely on their wits in order to get by in the new world.
Registered: Jun 11, 2021 0:33:43 GMT -5
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Post by Nomi on Jun 14, 2021 22:44:36 GMT -5
At the avian's soft reassurance, the wanderer felt the tension abandon their tired body. "Nomi." they replied with a soft sigh of relief. "And yes, your suspicions are correct. You are the first of your people i've had the pleasure of meeting."
But there was something else, wasn't there? This woman, Khepri - Now that she had moved in closer to them, they were sure of it. For the time being, they forced the thought aside. Best not to scare her off, they thought to themself. Perhaps later.
At the meeting of their eyes, Nomi noticed the faintest glint of sorrow pass over Khepri's face as she spoke. They wondered what hardships the survivors that came before them had been made to endure - surely nothing good, if their initial reception was any indication. They began absentmindedly fiddling with one of the clasps on their cloak, cocking their head at the woman in curiosity. "From our introduction, I get the impression that there are indeed things in this land to be wary of? Present company excluded, of course." They spoke with a dissonant calm, as though they hadn't bothered to experience the first four stages of grief regarding the passage of their world into murky oblivion. "How long ago did you come to this place?"
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Khepri Goldenfeather
Committed
Roleplay posts: 96
Appearance: Smattered in golden feathers, Khepri glimmers from dawn to dusk. Vast, dark wings, lightening to ivory toward her spine, spread outward above her broad hips, supporting an otherwise petite frame. Black hair, straight as a waterfall, surrounds a round face. She has sharp, dangerous eyes that mimic the time of day, plump lips that tell you what you want to hear, and honey-sweet skin to ease her features. The only interruption to an otherwise heavenly visage is a pair of feet with toes and a heel ending in talons.
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Registered: Mar 23, 2021 19:54:50 GMT -5
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Post by Khepri Goldenfeather on Jun 15, 2021 17:22:08 GMT -5
"Nomi," repeated the bird-woman. She took a step closer to the pale figure, then another, but it wasn't without any caution. They were still a stranger, and they still had their secrets. "A pleasure."
Khepri's tailfeathers gently skimmed the sand when they were closed and relaxed, battering the ends. "Things to be wary of- hah! Creatures, people, typhoons. What doesn't this island have? Even the skies aren't as safe as I would prefer. That is to say, it isn't a complete haven away from danger." Her hands came onto her hips as she looked Nomi up and down, sizing them up. Then, she took another step closer. She stood on the tips of her toes, avoiding putting pressure on the back of her talons. Her feet weren't completely like a bird's, but they were shaped much like a human's foot with bird toes. The way they were constructed, it looked like they could curl inwards with ease.
"It has been three weeks, I believe. A very full three weeks! Teunum bless, it feels longer. What of you, stranger? Nomi." She turned her head to the side. "What world did you leave behind, and how long have you been here?"
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Nomi
Committed
Roleplay posts: 64
Age: 24
Appearance: A young, diminutive human with pale white hair and soft yellow eyes, donning simple robes befitting the life of a nomad. The robe's left sleeve has been ripped off completely, exposing runic tattoos along the length of their arm, and a fresh gash made by the claws of a monster. Though much of the rest of their skin is covered by their robes, the ends of more tattoos can be seen creeping along their neck and wrists.
Equipment: Their possessions are few in number - A gnarled wooden staff, a dagger, a leather pouch containing divining equipment, and the clothes on their back.
Skills and Abilities: Nomi is a Seer of their people before arriving in the Mists, and has limited capabilities in ways of divination. However, these talents are known by them to be unreliable at best - they prefer to rely on their wits in order to get by in the new world.
Registered: Jun 11, 2021 0:33:43 GMT -5
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Post by Nomi on Jun 15, 2021 19:18:02 GMT -5
Nomi found themself leaning back on their heels as Khepri closed the distance between them, the avian's eyes studying their figure with a calculating glare. They were quite used to spending time in close proximity to others, but that was always within their own community. Friendly or no, Nomi was far from certain about just what to make of this new stranger. When she raised herself on to the front of her talons, Khepri practically towered over Nomi's diminutive form, her face poised to study them with hawk-like precision. Perhaps it was the fact that they had been alone at sea for gods-know-how-long, but Nomi couldn't help but feel a small blush rise into their cheeks as they felt Khepri's gaze on them.
With a soft shake of their head, Nomi removed themself from the reverie. "I come from a land called Komali. It was once a place of beauty, but it was taken by darkness long before the oceans came to steal it away. My people are... oh." Their brow furrowed as they considered their error. "Were. We were nomads, wanderers of its hollow expanse. We never stayed in one place for too long."
They found themself staring off into the sea, wondering if their tribe was still on the move - breathless bodies born aloft and carried across the ocean's waves. "I only arrived here a short time ago, a few hours at most. Yours is the first face I have seen in... well. Since it happened." They turned back to Khepri, an inquisitive look written across their face. "And what of you? What world did you once call home?"
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Khepri Goldenfeather
Committed
Roleplay posts: 96
Appearance: Smattered in golden feathers, Khepri glimmers from dawn to dusk. Vast, dark wings, lightening to ivory toward her spine, spread outward above her broad hips, supporting an otherwise petite frame. Black hair, straight as a waterfall, surrounds a round face. She has sharp, dangerous eyes that mimic the time of day, plump lips that tell you what you want to hear, and honey-sweet skin to ease her features. The only interruption to an otherwise heavenly visage is a pair of feet with toes and a heel ending in talons.
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Registered: Mar 23, 2021 19:54:50 GMT -5
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Post by Khepri Goldenfeather on Jun 16, 2021 17:15:27 GMT -5
Another step forward. She watched Nomi with every step, gauging their reaction. This person seemed to be shrinking rather than lowering for an attack or conniving some evil plan. Seeing this caused Khepri to give them a little smirk. She could see the pink in their cheeks! Identifying such signs was her specialty.
Patiently, she listened to their story, dedicating the name to memory. Komali. It was not a name she recognized, not that this was surprising. "Me? Well, it was a little oasis in a desert called Janadar. My people seldom left it, as it had everything we needed. Well, except for something new. They were so twisted up in notions of tradition that things like leaving or adopting a new form of governing terrified them!" She shrugged, then sighed. "So I left, and that is when the floods happened."
Some of that was a lie, but not a whole lie and not a whole truth.
"I can't say I miss it, though I do hope my people as a whole survived. I heard there were others like me across the desert, but I never met them."
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Nomi
Committed
Roleplay posts: 64
Age: 24
Appearance: A young, diminutive human with pale white hair and soft yellow eyes, donning simple robes befitting the life of a nomad. The robe's left sleeve has been ripped off completely, exposing runic tattoos along the length of their arm, and a fresh gash made by the claws of a monster. Though much of the rest of their skin is covered by their robes, the ends of more tattoos can be seen creeping along their neck and wrists.
Equipment: Their possessions are few in number - A gnarled wooden staff, a dagger, a leather pouch containing divining equipment, and the clothes on their back.
Skills and Abilities: Nomi is a Seer of their people before arriving in the Mists, and has limited capabilities in ways of divination. However, these talents are known by them to be unreliable at best - they prefer to rely on their wits in order to get by in the new world.
Registered: Jun 11, 2021 0:33:43 GMT -5
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Post by Nomi on Jun 16, 2021 23:40:15 GMT -5
Despite growing even more flustered at Khepri's advance, Nomi found their eyes widening in awe after hearing her speak of her home. They struggled even to conceptualize living in a single place for one's entire life.
"I can't imagine being expected to live and die in the same soil. Whenever my caravan stayed in one place for too long, I would become restless. I would run away, and keep running until I could look up and see new stars appear from the edge of the night sky." They sighed wistfully, lost in a dream, until a soft chuckle broke the trance. "I'm often surprised that our tribe's elders didn't exile me, with all the nights they ended up having to chase after me as a child."
But Nomi understood all too well that most people weren't wired as they were - and, that the bonds of tradition and community were not so easily broken. They couldn't help but feel impressed at Khepri's choice to leave her home, doubting that it could have been an easy decision to make.
"Well... why haven't you looked for them? These people like you, across the desert." They asked plainly, their head tilted with curiosity. "If I heard rumor of my people walking this island, I would certainly be interested in finding them."
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Khepri Goldenfeather
Committed
Roleplay posts: 96
Appearance: Smattered in golden feathers, Khepri glimmers from dawn to dusk. Vast, dark wings, lightening to ivory toward her spine, spread outward above her broad hips, supporting an otherwise petite frame. Black hair, straight as a waterfall, surrounds a round face. She has sharp, dangerous eyes that mimic the time of day, plump lips that tell you what you want to hear, and honey-sweet skin to ease her features. The only interruption to an otherwise heavenly visage is a pair of feet with toes and a heel ending in talons.
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Registered: Mar 23, 2021 19:54:50 GMT -5
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Post by Khepri Goldenfeather on Jun 19, 2021 22:23:08 GMT -5
"As did I," said Khepri, replying to their restlessness when staying in one space. "After all, we have wings. What are they good for, if not to fly over the horizon? Not just tree to tree, like some ape." She put a hand to her mouth, blushing. "Oh, not to say the apes are bad." For a moment, she looked away, calculating her words. "We are not so different in spirit."
Another couple of steps and she was upon them, hands on her hips, black hair fountaining over her shoulders as she leaned forward to poke her face in theirs. She scrutinized the nomad once more before answering.
"I have not heard of them on this island, only across the world from whence I came. If there are any here, I will be... surprised. The only accounts I've heard are ugly harpy creatures that show no resemblance to me. That anyone would get us confused is an insult, really."
Her eyes stopped on theirs, gazing intently.
"What owlish eyes. Pretty."
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Nomi
Committed
Roleplay posts: 64
Age: 24
Appearance: A young, diminutive human with pale white hair and soft yellow eyes, donning simple robes befitting the life of a nomad. The robe's left sleeve has been ripped off completely, exposing runic tattoos along the length of their arm, and a fresh gash made by the claws of a monster. Though much of the rest of their skin is covered by their robes, the ends of more tattoos can be seen creeping along their neck and wrists.
Equipment: Their possessions are few in number - A gnarled wooden staff, a dagger, a leather pouch containing divining equipment, and the clothes on their back.
Skills and Abilities: Nomi is a Seer of their people before arriving in the Mists, and has limited capabilities in ways of divination. However, these talents are known by them to be unreliable at best - they prefer to rely on their wits in order to get by in the new world.
Registered: Jun 11, 2021 0:33:43 GMT -5
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Post by Nomi on Jun 21, 2021 20:41:19 GMT -5
Nomi felt the blush already present in their cheeks deepen to a bright crimson.
"Oh." Nomi said, suddenly becoming wholly interested in the texture of the sand at their feet. "That is - well, I should say, um..." The words began to spill out, accompanied by a series of truly useless hand gestures. "...You are very kind to say so."
So this is how it ends. They had managed to survive being jettisoned into the heart of a world-ending, extra-dimensional storm - Only to die of embarrassment at the expense of a bird with hips.
Time to change the subject. "Well... after my voyage here, I am well and ready to make use of my own two feet again! There is so much of this place that I am meant to see - I can just feel it." They lifted their eyes to gaze endearingly across the vast horizon of this unknown world, before glancing hopefully in Khepri's direction. "Perhaps you would like to travel together? For a time, at least. You seem to know a great deal more about this land than I, and I would certainly enjoy the company."
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Khepri Goldenfeather
Committed
Roleplay posts: 96
Appearance: Smattered in golden feathers, Khepri glimmers from dawn to dusk. Vast, dark wings, lightening to ivory toward her spine, spread outward above her broad hips, supporting an otherwise petite frame. Black hair, straight as a waterfall, surrounds a round face. She has sharp, dangerous eyes that mimic the time of day, plump lips that tell you what you want to hear, and honey-sweet skin to ease her features. The only interruption to an otherwise heavenly visage is a pair of feet with toes and a heel ending in talons.
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Registered: Mar 23, 2021 19:54:50 GMT -5
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Post by Khepri Goldenfeather on Jun 22, 2021 21:02:47 GMT -5
Nomi's reaction once again pleased the duralam, and it showed in her smirk and the waggle of a brow. She stood upright, giving the nomad space at last. Teasing those who were too shy to reciprocate smoothly was fun, but there were limits.
When they brought up the idea of traveling together, Khepri hardly had to think about it. She hated traveling alone, and it was only through the urge of discovering more about the island did she feel the need to fly out as far as she could to see if there were any other survivors. "Yes," she announced with absolute certainty. "I would very much like that. We will be going forward, however, not behind where I already know of a settlement. I have them marked down on a makeshift map, but it is important that we find others. That you are here means that others are still arriving. Speaking of which, you must be hungry. Moreso, thirsty." She held out her waterskin for them. "Partake, if you must. I do not know when we will find fresh water again."
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Nomi
Committed
Roleplay posts: 64
Age: 24
Appearance: A young, diminutive human with pale white hair and soft yellow eyes, donning simple robes befitting the life of a nomad. The robe's left sleeve has been ripped off completely, exposing runic tattoos along the length of their arm, and a fresh gash made by the claws of a monster. Though much of the rest of their skin is covered by their robes, the ends of more tattoos can be seen creeping along their neck and wrists.
Equipment: Their possessions are few in number - A gnarled wooden staff, a dagger, a leather pouch containing divining equipment, and the clothes on their back.
Skills and Abilities: Nomi is a Seer of their people before arriving in the Mists, and has limited capabilities in ways of divination. However, these talents are known by them to be unreliable at best - they prefer to rely on their wits in order to get by in the new world.
Registered: Jun 11, 2021 0:33:43 GMT -5
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Post by Nomi on Jun 24, 2021 1:02:22 GMT -5
The castaway breathed a soft sigh of relief as Khepri finally released them from scrutiny. They couldn’t help but wonder whether this kind of interaction was typical of the Duralam, or if Khepri was simply a very intense person.
Nevertheless, Nomi's cheeks turned up in a smile at their new companion's response, especially the part involving her intent to blaze a trail into uncharted lands. "I wouldn't have it any other way," they mused, eyes twinkling with anticipation.
They glanced down at the waterskin, receiving it gently from her outstretched hand and taking a small sip. "You have my thanks. The wagon I washed ashore on contained enough rations to keep me alive this long, but the party responsible for stockpiling it... well. I simply wish they had half as much interest in water as they did wine." They felt some degree of vitality return to their body as the water touched their tongue, doing its small part to combat the dehydration that they had accumulated from weeks of surviving on bottles of Valenport Red. “Needless to say, this is a welcome change of pace,” they quipped, passing the waterskin back to its owner.
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