The Sister of Wrath (Faith and Oonah)

[Qit'ria]

Vhalar 16, 718

Qit'ria disembarked from the Flutterbus in a grouchy mood. She carried her heavy laden pack down the ladder, Caza in her basket. Qit'ria had her bear cloak on, and her weapons worn obviously. She looked at the Sev'ryn flutterbus flier, and he looked away from her. Another scorning her for being cursed. She sneered and walked away from him and the giant moth, standing a bit away. She looked around, seeing that they were on a massive lake. And there was a giant phallic mountain next to the lake, with the city built upon it. Qit'ria thought that was ridiculous. She could see so much perfectly good land around the lake, uninhabited, and these people decided to live on a mountain? Silliness.

People moved to the small boats that would take them to Rharne proper, and Qit'ria moved in, saving a seat for Oonah. She liked the little woman, definitely had a soft spot for her. She was a healer, just like Yeye. And wanted to travel. Qit wasn't sure why she'd agreed to let Oonah join her, but something about it felt right. She knew she was heading down a dark path, knew that she'd have to do things she'd never done before. And maybe Oonah was a reminder of the better parts she wished she could be. A way to help her from going too far maybe.

Was that just another part of Qit being afraid of becoming what she needed to be?

She didn't know. While the rowboat made its way to Rharne proper, she pulled Caza out of her basket, and bounced the little girl on her lap. She could hold her head up on her own now, and Qit cooed at the little girl, who giggled at the playing. Qit'ria pointed at the mountain, saying the word in Common and in Xanthean. She did the same for the lake, and the boat, and for the fat lady at the front of the boat. That last one got her a glare, not that she cared. She pointed at Oonah, saying Oonah's name, followed by the words for friend. Caza's eyes took it all in, the girl definitely seemed to be curious and attentive.

Once at the docks proper, Qit disembarked, wondering if this was where Faith would meet her. She looked to move up the dock when an armored guard stopped her. "You need to peace-tie your weapons miss."

Qit'ria shook her head and shrugged, she didn't know what that word meant. "Miss, you need to tie your weapons down so that you can't use them in the city." It's the law." Qit'ria was fourteen shades of confused. Why would you make it so you can't use weapons? That was dangerous and stupid. Was this man a trickster? Trying to get her to lower her guard? She crouched defensively, holding Caza's basket behind her, a low growl escaping her maw.

The guard put his hand on the hilt of his own sword, kept within its scabbard, "Miss, don't do anything rash. You won't be let in if you don't peace-tie your weapons. If you attack me, I will stop you."

[Oonah]

Tree Talk Xanthean Common

'Exhilarated.' That was the word! And to be honest, 'overwhelmed', 'over-stimulated', 'anticipatory' and 'apprehensive.' All those were the words too.

At first, Oonah had bounced eagerly about the flutterbus like a leaf dangling on a spiderweb in the breezes. Periodically she visited Leilani tucked deep in the rafters of the ship's cargo hold finding the bat resting comfortably. Then she entertained Caza'ria with games like dunking out of sight under the lip of the child's basket and popping up at odd places. Other times she would 'discretely' get close to various travelers to see what more she could learn.

The time got long, patience lapsed, and tempers grew short. She hadn't realized she had been aggravating anyone until the flutterbus driver barked at her with words. Oohna hadn't understood what he said but that bark had been quite clear. It made her cheeks burn. Qit, however, must have understood every word just fine. The altercation between her new friend and the driver had almost been frightening - ending with something about a curse...

So she spent the rest of the flight thumbing through the pages of her mother's journal while peeking over its edge to make mean faces at the driver and still observe everyone else. She saw the various looks cast their way - some hidden and brief and others just as direct and lingering. These people were not very nice. When she realized that she'd settled on a page bordered in little crossed bones and had begun assigning herself 'lessons' for each of those lookers she pushed her book closed and packed it away with a little mumbled apology to her mother and a prayer to Moseke.

Finally though the flutter-bus pulled close to Rharne and she trilled a little whistle with a gleam in her ruby gold eyes. Seeing all the buildings stacked upon each other like the segmented chambers of a massive gold and red wasps' nest, she couldn't help but be 'Exhilarated!' It was a good thing Leilani flew close in Qit's presence during their short flight to the boats because Oonah couldn't turn her head fast enough see all that she wanted to see - so much so that it was a good thing she was strapped in.

At their boat Oonah climbed up to the large seat she shared with Caza'ria's basket, beside Qit, while Leilani flew ahead to catch up with them ashore. The twiggy woman stood upon the seat to watch the city grow larger while Qit danced the baby about to peals of childish chortles. Oonah listened closely though as the mother taught her little one the Words around them. She mouthed each one - 'mountain', 'lake', 'boat' and recognized their meaning until 'fat lady' was mentioned. Looking about, a shiver crossed her shoulders drawing her now dark walnut-colored gaze toward an overly fed woman's glare. Oh! She stifled a nervous giggle but it turned truer as she heard her own name followed by 'friend.' How long it would be before Caza'ria spoke her name back? The Tunawa already swore that each 'Na' spoken by the child was a valid attempt.

Upon the docks, Oonah quick stepped in lulls and bursts to keep up with Qit's determined strides and the swinging basket. It took her a bit or two to catch up when the guard stopped the Sev'ryn woman. His tone was authoritative but request-ful - something about weapons and peace. Just as she was having trouble understanding, so apparently did Qit as her stance became more and more aggressive while the guard didn't help by reacting back instead of explaining another way. Later she would wonder at how some words could be so easily understood while others remained difficult for everyone involved.

But now was not the time for reflection as the largely imposing guard gripped his sword pommel and Oonah knew it was a bad move. "Ohh No. No, no, no!" Before her friend attacked, as she seemed commanded to by the guard, Oonah scrambled forward taking two fistfuls of Qit's cloak to tug - as well be a mosquito on an Arnabari for all it was worth, but she tried. In a high pitchy voice that likely wouldn't be heard by anyone she shouted, "'Weapon' AND 'Peace!' He's saying 'Peace.' 'Peace' is a good word!"

[Faith Augustin]

Date here

The letter had come from Qit'ria and Faith had moved into action. Rynmere was not a place Qit was ready for, not a place that anyone was, frankly. The former slave was more than a little worried for her friend, and so Faith had done what she could, when she could. Which meant that she had a lot of things prepared and made or bought ready.

And it also meant that she was waiting at the flutterbus when Qit'ria got off it. There she was, her friend, and of course she was immediately in trouble. Faith moved forward and her smile to Qit'ria was immediate and delighted. However, there was this situation to deal with first. "I'm sorry, it's just a misunderstanding. Please, one moment?" Faith wasn't quite sure who she was talking to, in truth - the Lightning Knight or Qit'ria. "Weapons here, they must be tied. See?" Faith had her sword at her hip, but it was peace bonded as it had to be. "It's a city rule. We must." Glancing down she realised that there was a tunawa tugging at Qit'ria trying to get her to do the same and Faith smiled at the tiny person. "Hello," she said with a friendly expression. "I'm Faith, QIt'ria's friend."

The Lightning Knight looked unsure but, perhaps because of what she'd been doing before she got here - or maybe because of who she was meeting ~ or actually, both ~ Faith was wearing her white cloak from the Order of the Adunih. If that hadn't been about to persuade the Lightning Knight, her name, as she introduced herself to the Tunawa, did. "Rules are rules, Mrs Augustin. Can't make any exceptions, not even for you." Faith smiled and him and nodded. "I understand. i would never ask you to."

She looked at Qit'ria and her friend. "I have things for you, things to talk to you about. We can go to my home, or where I work," The Order of the Adunih, Isonomia HQ or, of course, Augustin's, her business. "Would you?"

As soon as she was able, Faith would clasp Qit'ria by the forearm and hug her friend. "I'm so sorry to hear about Yeye. I will help you." She smiled down at Caza. "Oh, how she has grown! You are such a big girl, aren't you?"

If Qit (and Oonah) came - which they'd only be allowed to do if Qit agreed to peace bond her weapons, or allow Faith to - then she would ask, as they walked. "Can you tell me any more?" She didn't know who Oonah was, so whether Qit trusted her enough, or not, remained to be seen.

[Qit'ria]

Timestamp

Things were moving very quickly for Qit'ria, which was hardly unusual for the huntress. She'd seen his hand go for his own weapon, and her own had grabbed a spear tied to her back, confident she could draw faster than him. She knew he was a trickster, and absolute trickster. He tried to get her to get rid of her own weaponry so that when he attacked, she'd be defenseless. Fool.

Her grip tightened, ready to yank the spear free of the leather straps and get the first blow on this liar, when she felt the tugging on her cloak. It could only be one person, one tiny, tiny person. Oonah. Qit paid attention to the woman's words, not taking her eyes off the man, nor releasing her hold on the spear.

In Xanthean, "What is this word? 'Peace' Tying weapons is stupid. People will just lie. Makes those that tied their weapons down vulnerable to those that lie. People always lie. This man is stupid. Stupid gets people killed." The words were spat out venomously, not in disrespect to Oonah, but to the guard. She'd never treat Oonah like that.

And just like that, Qit saw Faith. Coming forward to speak to the guard, and her. The huntress immediately relaxed, loosening her grip on her weapon. She remembered the first time she'd met Faith, in a situation rather similar to this one. Another stupid guard. She wondered if all stupid people became guards. No, that couldn't be right. There were nowhere near that many guards in the world, she was sure of it.

She heard Faith's words, and saw the tie on her sword. She sighed, but Faith knew best, Oonah too, Qit realized. She shot another growl at the guard before she pulled all the spears off her back, slamming them into the dirt so that they stood up, points in the air. Locking eyes with the guard, who was still talking to Faith, she began removing her many knives, her swords, her chakram, her hatchet, her mother's longbow... She pulled out every weapon that she had on her person and in her pack, and laid them out on display.

She then pulled out her cordage that she always kept in her pack, and began tying the weapons up and together, again, never breaking eye contact with the man. Once everything was tied up in one nice and neat bundle, and she was satisfied nothing would be damaged, her glare became a much more intense stare. She growled again, and snapped her bear jaws in his direction, "I no need weapons."

Looking at Faith, "Home," before clasping the arm Faith offered. And so, Qit turned away from the guard as the trio, and Caza, made their way to Faith's home. Once Faith sweet talked about Caza, Qit smiled, her demeanor changing. Yes, she had grown a lot, and was so strong, and Qit was proud. "Much strong. Little hands rip ear from head." Qit could still feel the guard's eyes on her as they departed, so just before they disappeared around a corner, she held up her clawed hand and bared her teeth at him, before smiling and slipping away.

As they walked, Qit heard the question, and took a deep breath, there was still much about this she didn't know. But she'd do her best.

"Mother. Me mother. Come Desnind. Strong huntress. Best huntress. Not good mother. Tell me Yeye is... Soul Eater." She paused, unsure of the word in Common, so she said it in Xanthean, "Aberrant mage." Back in Common, "No want be. No choice. No free. He fight magic muchly."

She moved through the busy streets, clearing a large path with her twisted visage and the bundle of weapons she carried, which was fine by her. She didn't want anyone to get close enough to Oonah to step on her, and then Qit would beat them with her bundle of weapons.

"No fight magic all time. Magic too strong. My magic... stronger me. Yeye magic... dangerous. He no want suck soul from Caza, from me. He muchly scared."

Her face was enraged at the next bit, "They come sudden. Mantis. Grab him. Touch heels, gone. Look like magic I see one time Scalvoris. But that magic, muchly loud. This not." Her knuckles were white around the basket handle she held, "I get Yeye back. No one stop me."

She hadn't spoken of any of this to Oonah, but she trusted the healer to understand. Healers were good people. They always found the good, always found the way to understand. Faith was good people, Oonah was good people, Yeye was good people. But the Mantis was not. And Qit knew she couldn't be. Not to do what needed to be done. All that mattered now was being smart and strong.

Arriving near to Faith's house, "We travel Reenmurr soon. I find him. I bring back here. No go back Desnind. Never back."

[Oonah]

Tree Talk Xanthean Common

Oonah stopped mid-tug and tilted straight back, still grasping the cloak tail which held her upright at an impossible angle, to see up without craning her neck. A feeling warmed her sap at having been heard. A friend always listened. And when it was her turn to listen she took in what became nearly a rant with wide eyes and big blinks. She was about to begin climbing Qit's cloak so they could hold the conversation more closely rather than her needing to shout back when the fabric suddenly went slack. Nearly hitting the cobble stones Oonah quickly grasped in handfuls of the slack to pull herself back upright to let go.

They had been approached by a dark haired woman with cloud blue eyes wearing a cloak like the whitest snows. Surely someone Important because the guard quickly straightened his stance at her words. She was someone Qit'Ria trusted fully or else she'd have never relaxed so quickly and completely. Oonah listened, struggling through the common words, as the woman explained to them both what 'peace-tying' a weapon meant. Did she understand right? Seeing Faith's sword displayed as an example Oonah agreed. These people were stupid. How would a little rope stop anyone from using their weapons? Maybe they should turn around go back to Dresnind where people had some sense.

Then as quick as explained the woman turned her attention on Oonah with a very polite hello, confirming Oonah's deduction that Qit and Faith were friends. Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by all the notice she'd been given lately Oonah bobbled a kind of bow curtsey before more wisely settling on a comfortable wave. "Hello. Oonah and friend be I." Frowning, a little disgruntled she tried again, "I am Oonah and friend of Qit'Ria AND Caza'Ria!" Feeling much better about that combination of words she grinned, bouncing from heal to toe, her pride at claiming both was clearly evident.

As Faith turned back to the guard, Oonah stumbled back at a wracket before her as Qit pulled one, then another, then another weapon from hiding places about her person. Before she'd finished, Oonah was whistling long for each new item that clunked upon the ground. Looking down at the blowgun strapped to the bark of her hip she looked up again and shrugged. There was no way that cordage would stop Qit from using her weapons but if these people wanted to feel safer because of it... Oonah reached up to pull a willowy stalk from her head to tie around the tip of her blowgun wondering - maybe these people needed some kind of healing?

With her friend's weapons now 'secured,' Oonah watched as the guard backed away scowling at Qit. His face went red at her disrespectful snarl and sneer. Turning pointedly, he stepped forward to confront another new arrival, a mangy looking fellow with yellow teeth that stank of danger. Yup, his were to be 'tied' too. Rolling her now greenish eyes she turned back to jump after the pair who had clasped arms and headed 'home.' She had decided, watching Faith coo at the baby, that Caza'Ria would say 'Oonah' first.

Regardless of a clear path in the pair's shadow, trying to keep up and hear their conversation became a bother. It was hard enough trying to decipher Qit's words. So Oonah cawed loudly and watched the skies for the fluttering shadow of her first friend, Leiliani, who landed nimbly near by. Oonah scrambled on as Leilani leapt into the air in a brief backdraft to gain elevation that nearly knocked her loose before she got strapped in. She wondered a trill about how nice it would be if Leilani could pick her up on the fly.... Her attention refocused, though, as Qit began telling more of her tale.

The Tunawa had known of Yeye, Qit's father but to hear that he was into some kind of bad magic didn't sound good. Looking down from Leilani's back into the face of the child, sleeping as her basket rocked with each stride, Oonah considered how terrible that might be. She didn't understand much about magic but knowing it's effects she decided she didn't like it at all. Sucking souls? As a healer herself, she couldn't imagine not being able to stop from hurting people she cared about. The fact that Yeye had been stolen away was worse yet.

With a singularly deep breath, "Go with I will, to help YeYe find us," Oonah re-asserted her intentions to continue on with Qit and more, "For praying mantis, mix wicked poison I will."

Looking across to Faith, she threw a challenge with no question, "With us go you will." It was what friends did.

[Faith Augustin]

Date here

It had all nearly fallen apart and, Faith would have to admit that things might have been just a smidge easier if Qit'ria had not insisted on growling. But there it was, Qit was who she was and Faith would not change her friend. "Home, yes, that sounds lovely." When Qit did the whole claw and snapping jaw to the guard as they left, Faith glanced at her sideways with a half-amused, half-exasperated expression on her face, although amused won out. "It's this way."

As they made their way, Faith spent her time listening to Qit'ria and Oonah, fussing over Caza and thinking about what Qit was telling her. "Aberrant. They are called Aberrant, in Common." Faith sighed and looked at Qit'ria with a softness in her eyes, "I'm so sorry, Qit. I'll help any way I can." Her mind was racing, ticking over all the possibilities and she made an immediate decision. "Will you teach me Xanthean, Qit? When you have time, I would like to learn." The situation Qit'ria was describing was more than difficult and Faith knew that her friend was facing some very real, very significant danger. Being able to communicate better would help when discussing the nuances of the Mantis.

Because Faith was lying if she said that she was not growing more and more worried.

Qit's companion, Oonah, asserted that she'd be making wicked poisons and Faith had to bite back a sigh at the naivety of the two of them. Oonah ended with a statement and Faith's lips lifted in a slight smile. "No," she said quietly. "I will not." She said no more than that, she didn't feel that she needed to. Once they had gotten out past the guard that Qit was tormenting, Faith led them to the home she and Padraig shared. "Our land goes to the low stone wall, all around. It's big enough for all of us to have plenty of room." Looking at Qit, then, Faith smiled. "Home. I made you up a room ready, with a crib there for Caza if you want, next to your bed."

As they made their way towards the house, a large, strange looking dog came bounding up. "Hello Cosmo! Down, there's a good boy. Good dog. Cosmo, friend. Friend." It was obviously a word that the dog had been trained in as he moved to Faith's side."[/b][/i] Leading them in to the house, Faith gestured to well stuffed, comfortable couches. "Make yourselves comfortable," she said, soft-voiced and thoughtful. "Qit, I'm worried," she said, as soon as Qit was settled. "I lived in Rynmere for two arcs. I know the place and the people. Mantis are very powerful. I 've bought and made you things, but I want you to take this," Faith said, and pulled a plain silver band ring off her finger. "It will cancel magic, cancel spells. I would like it back when you come back. So you must come back." She looked at Qit and said, as she put the ring into the palm of her hand. "Much danger, Qit'ria. If you wish it, Caza can stay here. She is family and will be loved. Until you return. But that is your choice, always."

With the slightest frown, Faith asked. "How long are you staying?" Because, she decided there and then, these two (Qit and Caza) were getting a bath. Soon.

[Qit'ria]

Timestamp

Qit'ria saw the house Faith was now gesturing toward when they arrived. She looked all around the land, seeing no other houses that were close to it, and she smiled. She really appreciated the fact that Faith didn't live in the city. The lake here was beautiful, and the large house seemed to fit right in. Not like Curry's house. That stuck out like a sore thumb in the forest of Scalvoris. Terrible taste. Qit especially liked the ivy growing on it.

She looked at the wall that Faith pointed out in particular, "Why have wall? No big nuff to keep beast or people out. Waste of stone." But then she realized she might seem rude to her closest friend, "Like muchly lake. Good hunting, yes?"

As the dog approached, Qit glared at it, exuding hostile presence, to ensure the dog would know that it was not to mess with her or Oonah. All animals needed to know their place. Qit didn't agree with Faith having a pet in the first place, but said nothing. And if any pet were to be free, it would be one of Faith's. Still, she kept her eyes locked on the dog, ready to pounce on it if it ever showed an inkling of desire to attack Oonah.

Once in the house, Qit sat on the weird squishy chair thing, finding surprise at the level of comfort it brought. The chair smelled strange though, and Qit wrinkled her nose at it. Too indoorsy of a smell. That would never do. So while Faith spoke, Qit wriggled all about in the chair, spreading her scent to it, happy as the strange house scent disappeared. Qit'ria listened, recognizing that the Mantis was powerful. She was surprised to hear Faith was from this Rynmere. She already had assumed that everyone in Rynmere was a terrible person, and Faith was not.

Until she remembered that Faith had told her she was a slave once.

She must've been a slave in Rynmere. Evil people keep slaves. It was just another log on the fire of determination within the huntress. She accepted the ring, smiling genuinely at the woman. "I come back. I bring back. I teach you Xanthean when come back. I no die in Rindmur." She slipped the ring on, and felt no change in her own magic. She wondered how it worked, but she'd play with it later. "Muchly thanks, sister mine."

At the offer about Caz'aria, her smile dropped a bit. There was sense in what Faith offered, and Qit'ria's eyes dropped down to her child. That really was the biggest hole in her plan. Taking a child into a battle was never a smart idea. And she knew Faith would be the best substitute for a mother. Tears slowly filled her eyes, she looked around Faith's house. She had no intention of raising her daughter as a city dweller. But if anyone could make her daughter into a good, strong person, it was her best friend.

Especially if Qit died in this mission.

There was a selfish part of Qit that couldn't accept this offer. She remembered the confusion and loneliness when her own mother would disappear for many trials on a hunt, and left Qit'ria wanting nothing more than to be there with her. It was while her mother was gone that Qit had gotten into trouble and got her sisters killed. To show that she was good enough to go with her mother. QIt'ria wanted Caza to know that she was always good enough to go with her on a hunt. To not feel that loneliness and confusion.

She had to take her to Rynmere.

Blinking away the slight tears, "Muchly thank you, sister mine. I take Blackbird with me. I must." She took in a deep breath, and tried to put on her most confident face, and was failing to succeed, "If I fall... Oonah, I ask you bring Blackbird here. Please." The last bit there was for the both of them.

She took a long moment to collect herself. "Stay some trial. Need make plan. Get supplies. Not stay muchly. No more than ten trial." Qit stood up, picking up her pack and Caza's basket, "Where I set camp? Inside wall of stone, yes? I wish set camp muchly soon. Is good huntress thing do." Qit had never stayed inside a proper house house before. Her family home was a simple one room hut that was mostly open to the elements. The thought that Faith was giving her a bedroom, with a crib, didn't really register to the woman, for she'd never stayed in a bedroom, or in a proper bed, in her life. The ground was always her bed.

As she stood, a light draft moved through the house, carrying her scent with it.

[Oonah]

Tree Talk Xanthean Common

Confounded by Faith's decision to not join them in their travels, the Tunawa clambered up to perch upon the edge of an end table next to the large seat that Qit had quite literally sunk into. Eyeing the dog warily she situated herself so that her friend and Caza's basket were between them. Twiggy legs swung forward and back while thin arms rested upon her knees with hands clasped between as she listened in on the conversation.

Oonah's interest perked as the ring was gifted to Qit along with Faith's explanation of its magical properties. What was this word's meaning, 'sister?' Watching the interaction between the two old friends, Oonah began to feel that she'd gotten something wrong about relationships between people and what exactly were the differences between old friends and new and family? She had her own ideas of what 'friendship' might mean but there was obviously much she didn't yet know.

Faith's offer to keep Caza'Ria though was a shock that she sucked in with a deep breath while she waited with widening eyes to hear Qit's decision. The place did sound dangerous but little Blackbird was the light in her friend's life. The child, it seemed, was her real joy and happiness that pushed back the shadows of violence Oonah had begun to suspect was Qit's self-claimed armor against the world. What effect being without her child might do to the Sev'ryn huntress was more than a little concerning.

But her worry turned about face as Qit declined the invitation to leave her daughter behind and instead asked the responsibility of Oonah. Pride swelled and a dizzying feeling of acceptance was there that Qit thought so well of her to ask for such an important task. Yet she shuddered like a branch in the wind at the thought of Qit not making it back. "Will not fall, you!" Oonah commanded as if her word would make it so. She felt herself much more capable of protecting Qit and Caza than how she might alone bring the child back to Faith. "But, yes, friend mine. Mine is honor to be Blackbird's protector to return her here."

As Qit and Caza headed toward a bedroom, Oonah stood to pace across the table top twittering under her breath a moment before turning back to Faith with a disquieted look. "Understanding all now, I do not. Guidance you might provide?" Anticipating at least curiosity if not immediate acknowledgment from Faith, Oonah continued. "This 'Mantis' not bug that eat mate, but something meaner? Know what need I watch out for? Magic they have?"

Refusing to consider any disabilities due to size or experience she asked the most important question. "Will back of both watch I and all come back safe hope, but smart plan thinking in case. If must need I take care of Caza'Ria, ideas how to here bring her?"

Feeling a little more comfortable asking questions Oonah wondered if Faith could clear up something a little more personal. "Qit'Ria and Caza'Ria and…you," she smiled tentatively hoping to include Faith in her cohort, "are friends new, but too also only friends of me. Sure not know to do." Pale lips twisted into a frustrated whistle as she wasn't sure she was making any sense. "How know you doing 'friends' right?"

[Faith Augustin]

Date here

Why have the wall? Faith glanced at Qit and answered, entirely deadpan and, quite honestly. "City people live here. They see a wall, and believe they can not pass. It is not so high that it makes the sun hard to see, but it keeps people out. Win-win." In all things, Faith was honest and this was absolutely the case. She had no apologies for it, they had a wall around their home which hurt no one but stopped some from wandering in. That worked for her. She grinned at Qit, ever so slightly and added, "Plus, I'm marked by Moseke, remember? Stone is important."

Faith watched Qit wriggle around in the chair and she said nothing, simply getting on with making both of them comfortable and then she, too, sat down, her arm draped on Cosmo, the dog leaning against her. When Qit said that she had to take Blackbird with her, Faith nodded in understanding. It was true, she thought, and it was what she had more or less expected but equally, she had to offer. When Qit asked Oonah to bring Caza here, should anything happen to her, Faith frowned slightly. Then, she held out her small pale hand, palm up. But it was not the hand which was what Faith was showing her. It was the black tattoo on her wrist which she showed them both. Delicate and intricate, it had been there since Qit'ria knew her. There was an identical one on her right wrist and around her throat. "I am blessed by Famula, she has chosen me as her Champion," Faith said. There was no doubt that this was something the young woman was inordinately proud of. "And one of the things which she allows me to do is to put a mark on someone else. It would be temporary, we could take it off once you come back safe. But it would mean I know if you are in trouble and you can, just once, call me to you. Or I can call you to me." She looked at Qit with very serious eyes. "We will feel each other's emotions, know how the other is. You will be granted Famula's protection from your mind being ... from anyone using magic to make your mind change. " Looking down at the wrist, Faith's voice turned quiet. "But it can only be while you are working towards the greater good. This mission, this Mantis must be stopped. That is a shared goal, we have together. " She smiled at Qit and waited to see what her friend thought about the whole thing.

To Oonah, then, Faith nodded. "It is a group of people, they give themselves a name. The Mantis. They are hurting people, because they are mages. I... " Faith frowned slightly and then sighed. "It's tricky. Being a mage.. it changes your soul. Famula is the guardian of souls. She does not trust magic. I don't." Faith said, honestly. Then, she put her hand out and placed it on Qit'ria's arm. "But I trust people. I trust Qit. Magic changes people, but strong people are strong. Trusted people are trusted. They don't care about that. I do. " Shaking her head she sighed. "They are wrong. In every meaning. Wrong."

But then she looked at Qit and, as she totally misunderstood her words, Faith shook her head. "No. Not outside. Here. In that bed. Comfortable. Warm. Caza will have there, look. Wrapped up and warm, with you. With family." She smiled at Qit. "Try it? For me? When I was a slave, I did not sleep in a bed. It was very strange, the first time." Not least because the first time she slept in a bed had been the first time that she had shared Tristan's bed and that was a whole conversation she wasn't having right now. The bed bit was the least unusual, but still had been and it was there that she focused. Being a bed-slave to a man was not something Faith spoke about with anyone other than her husband. "But it would make me very happy. If you don't like it, though, we will move to outside."

Oonah's question took Faith a little by surprise and then, she smiled softly. "I don't know how I know. I know that Qit'ria is my sister, in my heart." She looked at the Tunawa and thought of Niv, the small Tunawa who had been so outraged at the life Faith lived as a slave and who had become Padraig's friend. "All I know is that, by being friend it means I must do my best for her. For you, too, now. Because only the best is good enough for a friend." She shrugged slightly and gave a slight smile. "I don't know if it's right. But it's right for us?" That question was as much to Qit as anyone.

There was a lot on the table to discuss, so Faith waited to see just what happened now.

OOC: SO SORRY!

[Qit'ria]

Timestamp

Qit'ria watched as Faith presented her hand. For a brief moment, Qit was amused by the paleness of her skin. She always found it so strange. Sev'ryn were never pale, yet lived in the shade of the forest. Many people in Scalvoris, and her in Rharne, live in the sun, yet are pale. It made no sense to Qit'ria. She saw the tattoo on her friend's wrist. Qit'ria had seen it before on the woman, in passing. On her other wrist, on her throat. But this was the first time they were explained. Qit'ria reached out and touched it, not bothering to ask permission. It still felt like skin, but it looked more detail than tattoos. More detailed than the tree that was tattooed from her groin to chest. More like... her eyes widened. They were like her Becoming witchmark. The vines of animals that wound around her tree, around her thighs and back.

Listening to Faith's words, she came to the conclusion that Immortals were just as magical as she. But that was quickly displaced by Faith's offer for a mark. Not just a mark, no. A bond. Feel each other's emotions? Faith would be able to see into her heart. Qit'ria's heart was racing, not from excitement or love, no. Fear. The fear of letting another in. The fear of them being able to see who she was, truly the real Qit'ria. The Qit'ria whose rage and fear had been scaring her lately. She... couldn't let Faith in. She just couldn't. If she did... Faith wouldn't be her friend any more.

Qit's fearful eyes looked at the closest friend she ever had, filling with tears. Her chest tightened, her throat matched it. Qit'ria wanted to apologize. She wanted to run and hide. She wanted to snarl and scare Faith away from her. Then a little chortle came out of Caza, and Qit looked down at the little girl. The real reason for her own existence. She was in this world for Blackbird. Everything she did, she did for her. And Faith's words had said this bond could be helpful. Extremely helpful. Qit'ria took a deep breath, shaking her head a bit, building up the courage. She then reached out with a trembling hand and grasped Faith's.

"Seesters. Make bond with me."

Qit wasn't worried about the greater goal. Stopping the Mantis and rescuing her father was the only goal right now. And coming back alive. She made a promise, after all. And she intended to keep it. When she heard Faith speak of magic and souls, explaining to Oonah, she knew the words to be true. Not because she was well researched, but because she had felt her soul change. She was scared of her own magic, of what it was making her into, and, at the same time, how alive it made her feel. She loved her magic. Qit'ria continued to squeeze Faith's hand.

Then Faith mentioned the bed and Qit let loose an exasperated laugh. So much worry and now they were talking about a bed. She'd never slept in a bed before. She was raised on furs on the dirt ground, and that was how she'd lived her life every single trial since. She looked at the bed, "I bring furs? I try bed." She often forgot that Faith had been a slave. The woman didn't seem like how Qit would imagine an escaped slave to be. And to Qit, that was a good thing.

Qit'ria listened to Oonah now, and her half chuckling grin grew into a broad smile. "Friend who laugh do friend gooder."

Qit'ria saw a bug that had crawled out of her hair and down her arm. She quickly snatched it in her fingers, popping it into her mouth. She often groomed Caza for such things, but wasn't able to groom herself as easily. "Faith. Bond me. Please. I do ready."