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Doubt
Nov 13, 2010 0:24:29 GMT -5
Post by Aria Talei on Nov 13, 2010 0:24:29 GMT -5
The goddess Bastest gleamed in the light of the campfire at her feet, shadows fluttering over her golden form and sheltering in the crease of her brow, making the sockets of her wise eyes look blank and menacing. A fair breeze swept the glade regularly, scattering embers about her base, bringing with it the sounds of the distant crash of the waterfall and the sensuous aroma of the surrounding trees. The grass around the fire pit had been beaten to dirt, which now rose in small puffs of fine dust as a Werecat paced barefoot through it.
She was in traditional garb, having stripped from her "travelers' wear" the moment she arrived in Feryn. Her tunic was sleeveless and did not reach further than her ribs; made of black leather, it was made simply of a band around her chest and pulled tight over her shoulders. Her midsection was bare, and the brown cloth skirt she wore reaching mid-thigh and slit at the sides. Beneath there was a brown material that provided the Werecat movement without being indecent. It was a modest attire, if it had not been for the atrocious (in Human standards, at least) amount of jewelry hanging off of her.
A golden anklet jangled lightly with her every left step, a thin chain strung with slim golden discs the size of her thumb nail. Around her neck hung a thick necklace with medallions of the same precious metal hanging off at matching intervals on either side; the largest medallion rested against her skin at mid-chest level. Her right wrist was adorned with golden wristbands, and her usual earpieces matched the assortment. Halfway up her left arm was Aria's favorite bit of jewelry; a golden band fastened just below her shoulder. Werecats, while believing in the natural beauty of one's body, had an innate infatuation with gold, and conceitedly loved to show it off. It was not uncommon for a Werecat to return to the glade to simply display the amount of jewelry they acquired on their travels.
Her angular eyes were narrowed slightly, her brows having pinched in and her copper irises distant and unfocused. She paced with great energy, occasionally murmuring fragments of a phrase under her breath or glancing up at the flap of the Chief's tent, which fluttered occasionally in a passing wind but was otherwise still. She needed desperately to speak with her, to relay the news of her failed meeting with the Humans. Unfortunately, Cheveyo and Aria hadn't crossed paths since she returned to Feryn almost two days ago now.
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Doubt
Nov 22, 2010 22:49:38 GMT -5
Post by Cheveyo Kitchi on Nov 22, 2010 22:49:38 GMT -5
The statue of Bastest always seemed to look almost otherworldly in the moonlight, especially with a fire lit below it. The two contrasting colors of light seemed to mingle and create an abundance of new, unimaginable shades on the golden rendering of the feline goddess. Cheveyo always found it a magnificent sight, and it always seemed to soothe her on a bad day. If she had been stuck in a tribal meeting far into the night, which were always rather stressful, she would sit in the lush grasses surrounding her tent and watch the fire below the glimmering statue dance. It had a certain allure that attracted many a second glance, and Chey seemed to find solace in the towering structure's shadow.
Tonight, though, her mind was still locked on the conversation she had had with Alpha Konvar and Captain Gladpath only a few hours ago. Two weeks to gather up as many werecats as possible...Gods, why did she pick such a short time period? It would take a tremendous amount of work to recruit twenty werecats, let alone a whole army's worth!
The young chief sighed and pulled back the flap of her tent, stepping out into the open spaces of Bastest. She smiled up at the golden statue before her, but her brow furrowed at the sight of Aria below.
"Ambassador Talei?" Cheveyo called out, making her way over to the woman. "Are you quite alright?"
( Two paragraphs on what Aria's WEARING? Holy crap XD )
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Doubt
Nov 23, 2010 12:17:05 GMT -5
Post by Aria Talei on Nov 23, 2010 12:17:05 GMT -5
(XD I was playing dress up!)
Still heavily immersed in thought, Aria had been distractedly watching an ant heave a slice of grass across her path when she heard her name. Looking up, she was wearily relieved to see Cheiftess Kitchi standing at the mouth of her tent.
"Are you quite alright?" she asked, coming nearer; glancing briefly away in respect, Aria shook her head, the shadow of a smirk resting on her lips.
"The meeting with the Humans did not go as well as I would have hoped it would," she admitted softly, lifting her copper eyes to her leader's. "They did not like the idea of an exclusive alliance between our people; they insisted the wolves, too, be informed of our invasion."
Toying with one of her bangles out of helpless frustration, her expression darkening, the Ambassador glanced briefly up at Bastest's shadowed face. "With messengers running from province to province, however, I would not be surprised if the leeches will become aware of our plans," she mused aloud, watching orange embers drift eerily by. "I do not like where this has gone, at all. I do not trust the wolves any further than I can throw them. Both sides will be more cautious of watching our backs than looking for the enemy, leaving the Humans blind."
Cheveyo didn't, of course, need to hear this; Aria's analysis was more common knowledge than anything. Even still, her frustration and anxiety with the matter at hand had leaked into verbal expression.
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Doubt
Nov 23, 2010 15:19:25 GMT -5
Post by Cheveyo Kitchi on Nov 23, 2010 15:19:25 GMT -5
( XD Obviously! )
Cheveyo bit her lip. In all of her earlier haste, she had forgotten of Aria's meeting with that pudgy man, Brenthor. She felt terrible for having conducted negotiations behind her Ambassador's back, for some reason, and felt even worse when Aria thought she had failed. It was true that Chey had not been told of the meeting in detail yet, so she could not be sure of it's success...but she trusted her Ambassador. Why else would she have appointed Aria to that position?
Also, the female seemed worried about the werewolves. Well, there was yet another bit of the plan Chey had confirmed without Aria's consent. This is just wonderful, Cheveyo.
"Ambassador, there are a few things you do not know about the plan we have made with the humans." She muttered, eyes downcast. "Earlier tonight, as I was spending some time alone in Yina....Harrier Konvar appeared." She let that bit sink in. No need to bombard the younger werecat with the information all at once.
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Doubt
Nov 23, 2010 15:27:05 GMT -5
Post by Aria Talei on Nov 23, 2010 15:27:05 GMT -5
Aria was immediately tense; the words "a few things you need to know" were never followed by good news. Her eyes were downcast, another bad sign. At mention of the Werewolf Alpha, however, she knew she was not going to be pleased with the information she was about to receive.
Resisting the urge to fold her arms over her chest, a motion that betrayed discomfort, unease, or annoyance, Aria kept her expression calm and nodded. "It's not uncommon to run into the wolves in the No-Man's Land," she said fairly, waiting for her Chief to go on.
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Doubt
Nov 23, 2010 16:10:37 GMT -5
Post by Cheveyo Kitchi on Nov 23, 2010 16:10:37 GMT -5
"Well, we weren't alone for that long." Chey met Aria's eyes hesitantly. "A human rode up and told us his name was Captain Banez Gladpath. We started a conversation, which slowly became a meeting between our three races...in which a plan was finally made." Yet another pause to let Aria digest what she had just been told.
She only hoped her Ambassador did not feel too left out.
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Doubt
Nov 23, 2010 21:03:17 GMT -5
Post by Aria Talei on Nov 23, 2010 21:03:17 GMT -5
It was Aria's turn to avert her gaze, feigning interest in watching the flames of the fire beside them lick hungrily over the stacked logs. She had the unpleasant sensation of having been kicked in the gut; she resisted a scowl.
"A plan, Chieftess?" she inquired, still not meeting her leader's eyes. She certainly felt overlooked, the duties that should have been hers taken out of her hands. It was mere coincidence that the meeting took place- it wasn't planned, after all, merely bad luck for Aria- yet the young Werecat was bitter she had not had the good fortune to accidentally attend.
First my failure with the Humans, now this, she inwardly seethed.
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Doubt
Nov 23, 2010 22:02:00 GMT -5
Post by Cheveyo Kitchi on Nov 23, 2010 22:02:00 GMT -5
Chey felt her lip would bleed if she bit it any harder. "In two weeks, I am to bring as many werecats as I can to Tiaelde. Harrier Konvar is bringing his muts, and Gladpath, his own men. We plan to search the mountains thoroughly and sniff out the vampires that call it home. If any are found, they are to be properly disposed of. So...yes, werewolves will be involved...”
She silently scolded herself for hurting the younger werecat...it was obvious that the woman felt forgotten.
“Aria, look at me.” She commanded, though her voice was gentle. She surprised even herself at how the Ambassador’s first name rolled off her tongue, rather than her title.
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Doubt
Nov 23, 2010 22:12:31 GMT -5
Post by Aria Talei on Nov 23, 2010 22:12:31 GMT -5
Aria nodded absently, adjusting a bracelet to avoid looking at her Chief. The plan was fairly straightforward- how many Werecats could be gathered in such a short amount of time was a concerning matter, but so was the flaw of their race- still, she would have rather have been alongside her leader to help negotiate, as was her duty.
"Aria, look at me." Albeit surprised at being addressed so personally, the Ambassador pulled her well-practiced mask of calm back onto her features and raised her copper eyes to those of her leader.
"I regret," she said, her voice even and emotionless, "the involvement of the mongrels, but what must be done will be done. The Humans will see our loyalty and our usefulness in battle."
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Doubt
Nov 23, 2010 22:27:14 GMT -5
Post by Cheveyo Kitchi on Nov 23, 2010 22:27:14 GMT -5
"Please allow me to speak, Ambassador." She caught herself that time, forcing the title out of her mouth. "I understand that you are probably a bit irritated because I went around you and spoke with the humans. I understand how you must feel...looked over, tossed aside. But I want you to consider something.” Her gaze was intense, as if she was trying to let Aria see how she really meant what she was saying. “Why would I have chosen you as my Ambassador if I really did not care for your input?” She waited a beat before continuing. “While I regret the circumstances of my meeting with Harrier and Gladpath, it was truly spur of the moment. I can do nothing to change that. If I could do it differently, trust me, I would have had you there. Do you understand?”
She wanted Aria to see that she was indeed wanted, and for her to just get over not being there. "Now, onto the real concern here. Getting the werecats together..."
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Doubt
Nov 24, 2010 9:04:43 GMT -5
Post by Aria Talei on Nov 24, 2010 9:04:43 GMT -5
"Yes," Aria said immediately, sharply nodding. "I do not feel intentionally overlooked, Chieftess...I was merely disappointed at the unfortunate timing. I would have preferred to be in on the negotiations, of course, but I know this was one of these situations where that was impossible. It was not planned, so I am not offended to have missed out." She offered a smile, coming a bit to her senses. Stop acting like a sulky cub, she chided. Though she was pleased with the praise.
When Kitchi returned to the matter at hand, the Ambassador took a pause to consider. "I don't have to tell you that this will be no easy matter," she said, smiling ruefully, "I suggest we begin with leaving messenger here in Feryn to attempt to persuade those that return home briefly. Other Werecats will have to be scoured out." She frowned, looking as though she had a sour taste in her mouth. "Not many are going to like the idea of putting their lives on the line for the Humans, alongside the wolves especially."
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Doubt
Nov 24, 2010 13:36:43 GMT -5
Post by Cheveyo Kitchi on Nov 24, 2010 13:36:43 GMT -5
"My hope is that they see that this is a chance to teach those bloodsuckers a lesson and overlook partnering with the werewolves and humans." Chey replied, nodding. "But leaving a messenger here definitely seems like a good idea...I will most likely be the one leaving camp to find these werecats, for I was the one who gave us such little time in the first place...it is a burden I plan to carry." The young chief crossed her arms with a sigh, trying to think of other possibilities. A simple messenger or two would not be enough...there had to be another driving force behind this recruiting spree, yet Chey could think of nothing.
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Doubt
Nov 24, 2010 20:34:49 GMT -5
Post by Aria Talei on Nov 24, 2010 20:34:49 GMT -5
Aria nodded again. "I will go as well. We will cover more ground if we separate."
The Ambassador rocked back and forth on her heels, agitated. If she had to guess, the Wolves would easily outnumber her kin, making the felines appear weaker in the eyes of the Humans.
Aria paused mid-rock. "Perhaps," she mused softly, "we would attract a larger crowd if...there was a reward for service?" She scowled as she said it; offering payment or a reward for allying with your people was an appalling notion.
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Doubt
Nov 25, 2010 1:44:41 GMT -5
Post by Cheveyo Kitchi on Nov 25, 2010 1:44:41 GMT -5
She nodded slowly."Indeed, we would."
At Aria's comment about rewards, Chey's arms fell back to her sides gracelessly. "I don't like to bribe my people..." She said bitterly, completely against what Aria was proposing. Although she knew werecats could be a rather greedy bunch, she wasn't truly one for giving things away just to get rid of a common enemy.
But...she knew Aria had a point.
Her voice softened considerably as she continued; "But it seems like our only option." She massaged her temples with two thin fingers. "What could we offer them, though?"
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Doubt
Nov 25, 2010 18:27:09 GMT -5
Post by Aria Talei on Nov 25, 2010 18:27:09 GMT -5
Aria spared a glance up at Bast's smooth features. "Gold," she muttered, not meeting her leader's eyes. She was just as ashamed of the idea as she, if not more so for suggesting it. "As a last resort. We appeal to those who have the genuine interests of our people in mind. If not enough are found..." she shifted uncomfortably between her feet. "We...may offer a small incentive."
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