Private Visiting home

[Zaytee]

With her tail thumping a quick rythm against the metal floor of the ship, the Kiir's excitement would have been clear to anybody around even without her face glued to the glass window in front of her so close that her nose got squished back.

She was going home. She was REALLY going home.

Zaytee moved around in her place, not able to sit for too long without any movements while she let out a few quiet chirping and clicking noises, eyes impossibly wide like it could make their ship fly closer to Okarthel faster from it. She was already seeing the small green dot that her companion confirmed as her home planet for some time, and with every passing minutes as it grew bigger and bigger, her eagerness grew too, not able to stop herself from the slight trembling that ran down her body from time to time.

She was too excited to see the swamps again. She missed the trees that stood with their roots deep in the muddy waters, but reached so high in the sky, the familiar, earthly scents of the ground that even tasted different in different areas, and of course, the neverending giggles and small squeals from the younglings of her trine as they crawled all over her, ready to come with her to their little adventures and to learn the Kiir way of living with small tasks like weaving and hunting small critters in the bushes around the tribe's dwellings while the older ones did more serious tasks.

"We are almost there... almost there..." The girl muttered like a broken recording, her tail suddenly lifting up and whipping around, slamming against the console of the ship next to her.

Viari Banu

 

[Viari Banu]

Visiting Home​

It wasn't every day Viari got to visit a new world, since leaving Rishi he had visited maybe five or six planets, none of them the same, all of them filled with excitement, adventure, and opportunity to meet new people, experience new cultures, but few nearly as important as this green marble. This was Zaytee's solitary marble, her homeworld. Silently, the Rishi pondered what it was like, did they have a guardian deity like his own people, or were they more entertained by the stories of spirits and heroes of old. What did they look like, what did they eat, and would they try and eat him?​

​

Viari shuddered at the thought, barely catching Zaytee's tail before it hit something important. He was almost tempted to anchor it with his own tail, but decided it wasn't entirely appropriate and might make the excitable lizard chomp him in response, "Almost there..." He trilled back in her own voice, not as an insult but merely a playful gesture that should keep her wholly satisified until they had claw and talon on the ground.​

​

"You are excited." He remarked, turning his head. "What can you tell me about this world, any festivals or celebrations?" He asked, hoping to divert her energy into conversation about the topic of their journey. He was genuinely interested, from the moment they gave brief explanations of their respective worlds, and their cultures.​

​

Zaytee​

Div created by Makeb​

 

[Zaytee]

With her head turning toward the giant bird with a snappingly quick movement, Zaytee's eyes lit up at his playful repeat, her tail sweeping low on the ground at his next question. She nodded, jumping in her seat to turn her whole body toward Viari, then stopped for a few second, thinking quietly.

"Well, the trading festivals only happen every year or so. That's when the tribes of our area join together to exchange goods, rare treasures, trinkets... sometimes even tribe members, to bring in the new blood." She waved quickly, trying to clear her thoughts. "Of course, that's voluntary between the participients, but it helps the younger, unmated Kiirs to find their partner in another place. I've only been on only one or two of these festivals in a couple of years ago, but it's quite funny when the younglings try to show their strength by headbutting each other repeatedly." She giggled at the memory, rubbing her palm over the top of her head. "It's really only for the thick-skulled ones... I think I got a concussion the last time I tried."

Looking out the window, she uncomfortably squirmed around in her seat, her eyes hiding a slight sadness in them as she glanced away, staring at the dark emptiness around the ship.

"After that, I rather stayed away. Taking care of the little ones who were too young to enjoy the celebrations, looking after the eggs to make sure they didn't get too cold, helping the elders... I hope someone took over my duties after what happened."

Zaytee quickly shook her head, trying to get rid of these thoughts before continuing with a wide smile on her face.

"But after we visited my tribe, we can go to the World Tree too! Most of the offworld visitors go there to meditate under the tree's shade, and they say that our ancestors and the spirits nest inside its roots. So many Force users go there to wonder about the meaning of life... It may help you a little bit to connect too."

Viari Banu

 

[Viari Banu]

Visiting Home​

"A concussion?" A wide-eyed Viari asked, "Is it tradition for females to get involved in such traditions?" He supposed it wasn't unlikely, Viari had seen Zaytee fight with the ferocity of fire against the bucket heads or perhaps, she was simply telling someone no. Whatever the case he was curious to see this culture for himself.​

​

"That must have been a great honour." Viari commented with regards to her position within the tribe. Caring for the young wasn't a job to be taken lightly, especially if they were as free spirited as she was.​

​

The mention of the tree excited him, but a errant thought reminded him of his current position. Involving himself with another people's religious beliefs could bring offense to his own, or even hers and Viari hesitated in his answer, "I would like that, but how would your spirits react to a unknown alien interfering with their home?"​

​

It was a genuine question, he wanted to understand so he knew how best to involve himself in such a spiritual tradition. He was a vessel for a part of Eostre's power afterall, and he couldn't be certain a interaction between two forces of nature would end positivity.​

​

"I do not wish to disrespect their rest, especially if it would be a collision of two worlds. Rishii and Kiir are very much alike, but different also." He said, attempting to explain his apprehension even as he lowered a hand towards her knee.​

​

"Genuinely, I look forward to meeting the people who raised this firework, but I do not want to ruin this reunion for you either."​

​

He glanced towards the glasteel port, the green planet steadily growing larger as they neared their final approach.​

​

Zaytee​

Div created by Makeb​

 

[Zaytee]

"All of us need to be strong, not just the males." Zaytee shruged her shoulder as she answered. "And besides, this is only one way to show your strength. There are dancers, hunters, weavers, cooks... So many ways to show your worth to the tribes."

But to his next question, the Kiir's face went blank, and her head tilted to the side questioningly, not understanding his words.

Unknown? Alien? It had no real meaning.

In her view, they were all the children of one, all made from the same stardust that filled every corner of the galaxy. It didn't matter which planet was their home, the roots reached through every part of the world, connecting them all together. It may had a different name wherever she travelled in her little adventures... Different costums, different traditions and songs, but deep down, it was all the same.

"The Tree connects us all." She said simply at the end. "They would be happy to see you, Rishii is family."

With a soft voice, Zaytee let out a few soft chirps, rubbing her forehead against Viari's shoulder like an overgrown cat to show affection and to give more weight to her words while she watched as the dark and light green patches of trees slowly separated before their sight, and on some rare places, even the murky brown muddy waters' glint became visible for them.

"We will still have to walk a bit after we reach the surface... Not that far, but the swamp is deep and tricky, so please stay close." She muttered quietly while her eyes darted around the darker patches on the ground, looking out for any signs of predators, her whole body tensing up with a familiar excitement and light fear from the possible danger. "Okarthel is not for everybody... it's no wonder our younglings has to learn early."

Viari Banu

 

[Viari Banu]

Visiting Home​

"As you say," Viari said, placing a wing over Zaytee's shoulder and allowing himself to relax. He would follow her guidance, and chirped softly in surprise as she purred against his shoulder. He didn't fight it and simply returned the gesture with his beak, carefully brushing it through her hair.​

​

The stars surrendered to the thicker atmosphere, it's vastness replaced by the enclosed, choking green of a wild world. It reminded him of the dense rainforests back home, and the more treacherous skies that presented. Her comment about treacherous ground wasn't lost on him, but it didn't carry the same weight for a flight capable species such as his.​

​

"I am no stranger to hostile terrain." Viari said softly, making a silent promise to himself not to fly unless absolutely necessary. He didn't want to disappoint Zaytee by cheating after all, and if part of the reason for coming here was to show his prowess he looked forward to raising to that challenge.​

​

"I can imagine life becomes quite difficult, without the comfort of a tailwind." He glanced across the swampy plane, wondering what mysteries it held. "So, Zaytee. Will you be my guide?"​

​

Zaytee​

Div created by Makeb​

 

[Zaytee]

The Kiir smiled widely, nodding to her companion's question while her eyes kept staring at the sight before them, watching as their ship's loudly whirring engines made flocks of colorful birds fly up angrily, dispersing in the air with loud squeakings.

"Familiar sight..." She muttered softly, leaning so close to the window again that her nose pressed against the glass. "Oh, see that tall tree over there?" She pointed at a darker green tree with thick trunk, standing above all the others around, making them look like small saplings. "That's a marker for the tribes to follow over their routes. I don't know how these exist, maybe they are connected to the World tree somehow, or they just seemed like pretty obvious distance markers... Buuuuut if this one is here, then..."

Zaytee looked around, smudging the glass all over with her hands and forehead as she pressed against it even more, tail flicking excitedly, searching for something underneath the treeline that made her even more skittish.

"There!" She pointed at a slight difference in the sea of green soon after, fingers gently knocking against the window. "Right there, that's the place that other ship landed before! Come on Vi, turn the ship!"

Viari Banu

 

[Viari Banu]

Visiting Home​

Viari followed her gaze to the tree, strong of bark it's deep roots added rigidity to the surrounding marsh. It was a cornerstone of this world that she held so dear to her heart and in both Viari found admiration, without pause he followed her guidance banking the ship gently into its landing. He would have to hope his assessment was correct, or he'd be exercising the Force today.​

​

There was a soft vibrating hum as the ship landed, reeds pushed away and nearby water rippling. The trees canopy should serve them well in helping shield it from the elements. Once their land was secured he allowed himself to relax, only to ruffle as the ship momentarily jerked forward.​

​

"Hah not my smoothest of landings." He laughed nervously, engaging the loading ramp. Viari gently nudged her, inviting the excitable dragon outside. "Go. Go!" He repeated, following her out.​

​

Zaytee​

Div created by Makeb​

 

[Zaytee]

With the widest possible grin on her face, the Kiir burst forward on the ramp, slipping down on the metal surface and jumping off before she even reached the end of it, landing on the soft soil with a cat-like gracefulness.

But she didn't stop at this.

Zaytee's tail whipped around, finding her balance quickly as she avoided the murky water and crawled up on the closest root of one of the giant trees, jumping across the slippery mosspatches like it would have been the thing she was born to do. Bare feets finding footing on every little crevice, tail flicking around to keep her steady and to grab into smaller branches, helping her up on the tree higher and higher until she stopped on a wider branch, happily chirping and cooing from there while she waved down toward the ship and the Rishii below.

"Vi!" She shouted, letting out a few excited trillings and giggles after while her tail kept moving without stop, wagging behind her with every small movement. "I almost forgot how good this feels like..."

With a few short jumps she returned to the ground, running to wrap her arms around her companion, almost lifting him up with strong hug.

"Thank you for bringing me home... I will never forget this." She rubbed her forehead against his floof, then like she would only remember something now she let him go, stepping back into the ship and rummaging through their supplies with careful but quick moves, looking over foods one by one.

"Hmm..." She sniffed over fruits, rubbing her palm over their surface to clean off the dirt, and after a few minutes, she gathered a small pile on her lap of the most perfect pieces, holding them together on her shirt like a little basket. "It almost went out of my head... Come, come!"

The Kiir waved expectantly toward Viari, keeping the selected pieces safe as she stepped down from the ship once again, kneeling down on the ground and placing her little treasures in a small pile in front of herself, bowing down until her head reached the soil.

"I thank you for keeping us safe in our long journey, our leaders and protectors..." She muttered softly. "Please accept my offerings, and continue looking after your children until our lights can join the roots of the Tree..."

Viari Banu

 

[Viari Banu]

Visting Home​

Viari stopped at the bottom of the ramp, tracking Zaytee as she leapt through the branches and leapt between the roots and branches with the agility of a feline. Placing a taloned foot at the edge of the ramp, he tested the earth feeling the sponge bouncing back against his pressure. Meanwhile, Zaytee was rising higher and higher, using the branches and bark as a springborad for her ascent. Then, just as quickly, she was bounding back down thanking him.​

​

"There is really no need! You need only have asked, and I would have brought you. Ack?" He chirped, stepping back as to avoid her footfalls. Then she rebounded back into him, wrapping her arms around his neck and catching Viari offguard. Slowly, overcoming his caution he pressed his forehead into her presence.​

​

Following her guidance, he stepped down tracking and mimicking her movements as they played hopscotch through the swamp, until she stopped and began to commune with the roots for their safety. Remaining respectfully silent, he listened and issued the small ritual to memory and once done, he placed a solitary feather onto the pile and nodded at her, "It's not much, but I don't have much else to offer."​

​

The swamps felt attuned with nature, and it very much reminded him of home. A home, where it paid to be cautious and respectful. "Do you have many predators here, and what is your tribe like?"​

​

Zaytee​

​

Div created by Makeb​

 

[Zaytee]

After finishing the small ritual, the Kiir jumped up, looking around the clearing with her head slightly cocked to the side, her tail whipping up and down.

"There is a few bigger predators, but they usually avoid the tribe's perimeters. The scavengers come closer, but those run away if you hiss at them..." She chuckled for a second before lifting her head and sniffing into the air. "But it seems like even those are not around now..."

Zaytee turned around, a wide grin brightening her face as she grabbed Viari's arm, tugging him even deeper into the swamp.

"Come, you can figure it out for yourself! I will probably get a scolding from the elders for leaving without notice, but they will probably forget it quickly if they see you." Her tail wagged happily as she led her companion across dryer grassy patches and giant roots that stood out of the muddy water, sometimes stopping to let out small chirps and soft whistles, and waiting quietly for a couple seconds before she started tugging on the Rishii's arm again. "Just be careful with the little ones, the teething hatchlings have veeeeery painful bites. And... uhm..." The Kiir looked away for a moment, hoping that the trees above them made their surroundings dark enough to hide her blush. "The aunts and uncles may ask you about... khm... about us making a nest together. They always do it when someone brings back a visitor, please ignore them."

She made another small chirping to hide her embarassment, but her expression quickly turned confused as still no response came from anywhere.

"Hmm... Weird... The scouts usually answer at this distance..."

Viari Banu

 

[Viari Banu]

Zaytee led the way guiding Viari from one island to the next, it was an adventure that led them through the untamed wilderness. As they closed in on the tribes outer perimeter his friends tail began to thump the branches as she leapt between them with that feline-like agility. A shortwhile later, Viari landed and crouched on the branch behind the dragon and listened. The mention of predators made him chirp, "No worry! If predator comes and attacks friend-Zaytee, then Viari will protect her." He offered confidently, before proceeding to follow her guidance deeper into the wilderness.

Using his tail for balance he followed her down to the drier islands, "You didn't tell them?" Viari asked, before she dragged him off in another direction, until they stopped again beneath the cover of some knotted trees. She turned to the hatchlings of her species, warning him about their bitey nature before turning away. Viari blinked sensing a strange surge of emotion within her, it was like a smiling turtle that retreated back into it's shell. Not upset, but immensely happy or intrigued by the topic of conversation. The reasoning became clearer the more she explained, "Don't worry. Viari's feathers will protect him from bitey ones." He smirked before adding, "Ah! Well, in that case I will answer honestly; Viari will help Zaytee build a nest if necessary." He said, his ear-tufts rising in excitement at the idea.

Finally, he heard mention of scouts, their lack of punctuality seeming to worry Zaytee. Slowly, he hopped forward wrapping an arm around hers and saying, "Perhaps they're busy elsewhere. Come on let's go find your tribe!"

Zaytee

 

[Zaytee]

"Hmm... perhaps you are right. Maybe the hunters just found something big for dinner, and they help them bring it back home." She smiled lightly, but kept looking around with quick glances, sniffing into the air in hope of catching the scent of the others.

There was nothing. Not the scent of sweat, or the scent of dried meat they brought out with themselves on the scoutings, not even a hint of anything that could have indicated the presence of other Kiir.

This realisation made a cold feeling run down on her spine, flicking her tail around once more as Zaytee quickened her steps, shoving down the low growl that tried to burst out of her.

"You know, I had not much time to tell them before I left. I was hunting some critter that ran up on the ship that was stopping by, then fell asleep in the cargo hold... When they found me, we were already too far to just turn around." She lowered her gaze, shrugging her shoulders. "I would have never left them by my own will. But out there... out on other planets and spaceships... There were moments when I completely forgot about coming home."

The words burned her throat with shame, but she only shook her head, trying to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling that squirmed in her chest.

She became so distraught that with her next step, her foot got caught in a smaller root that was sticking out of the ground, almost falling face first into the mud.

"Damn it..." She muttered as she balanced herself, but as she looked up in front of them, her face went ghostly pale, and she started to tremble. "V-vi..."

The Kiir slowly pointed toward darkened patches of tall grass, with giant ball like structures scattered around, but before she could take a closer look, the sudden urge to puke came over her from the overwhelmingly strong metallic scent of stale blood that lingered in the air.

Viari Banu

 

[Viari Banu]

Visiting Home​

Sensing her apprehension he followed her into the clearing, her nostrils flaring with every step made him wonder what manner of smells and scents she could pluck from the air, what sort of picture it painted of the world around them. He knew his species could see greater depth of colour, but they always seemed to lack the accent of smell. People recoiled at what were only mild scents to him, and simultaneously argued over blues and reds that looked purple to him.​

​

Her pace quickened and voice drier, she began speaking of the journey that would ultimately bring them together, not unlike how he explained his own journey to Master Jairdain Ismet-Thio . The undercurrents of regret, they were like a travelling familiar air currents that could only lead to disaster. He didn't like it and quickly moved to her side, eartufts raised and alert.​

​

"Friend-Zee found many wonderous things, but never forget. We here because Friend-Zee never forget tribe." Viari disagreed, catching her body as the root tried to drag her down. She might trip or fall, but he would always be there to pull her back up, but the worst was yet to come.​

​

They reached an open space of the swamp, large ball structures of mud and timber scattered and beginning to be choked by vines that rose from the waters depths, patches of grass, denser and taller than their siblings rose like blades of bronze, and the pungent scent of iron still lingered in the dense air. It was a village, her village, and everyone was gone. He felt his heart harden to stone and crumble into the pit of his gizzard.​

​

Not again. He thought drawing parallels to the events on Oricon. How excited he had been to meet his father, having finally tracked him down only to find a ruin and predator waiting. Eartufts disappearing into his plumes, he turned towards Zaytee to hear her broken voice calling his name. She was drowning in the same waters of grief that once tormented him.​

​

He knew pain. It was as unique as the individual, and he would not claim to understand hers, but he could help give her buoyancy, help her navigate it's waters. He reached out running his feathers through her fingers, he didn't withdraw, allowing the warmth of his presence to touch her and speak for him as Jairdain had once done. He did not wish to give false hope, and yet he knew they could not simply surrender to grief.​

​

"Viari walks with you, friend-Zee. Where do tribe go when in danger?" He asked, offering her something to focus her mind and hopefully find hope. Some may have died, but all of them?​

​

Zaytee​

Div created by Makeb​