#Ieaki ||Replies ||

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@frigusignis asked: Bright green eyes peer out from the shadows of a tall rock, one of few scattered throughout otherwise open plains. Khali knelt down, a clawed hand outstretching to grip the grass and silently pull her forward an ilm. She had observed much of the activity within these plains lulling in the night, but on several nights consecutively she had witnessed some few venture out under the light of the moon. Before her stood just one figure, scales like moonstone catching her eye and lighting her curiosity. Khali crept closer in utter silence, unblinking. Her head tilted, scanning the stranger. It was most certainly scales that decorated this person in patches head to, presumably, toe. "Khali has never seen such magnificent scales," she said, breaking perfect silence with her thickly accented voice. This stranger appeared docile enough, far more than most of his scaled kin from silent observation. She leaned to the side and smiled brightly.

He's stood just outside of Reunion, staring up toward the beauteously clear sky; shimmering stars and the light of the moon naught short of utterly refreshing for he of whom came from a clan of which nigh worshipped it. He's enamoured, just for a moment while he recollects his thoughts and attempts to ready himself for another long night of working--- but his process is interrupted by an unfamiliar voice.

"Oh--" 'T is obvious that Ieaki is rather flattered by the words offered, a gentle flush obtaining his face. It isn't that often that he gains positive complements of his scales, especially given his heritage - - but it brings a smile to his face nonetheless. "Thank you.... sincerely. I've not seen you around Reunion before - - are you new here, perhaps?"

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His silence drags onward, the fixation of his eyes upon the heavens not only one of adoration but one of hope; inwardly truly hoping for some variety of guidance or sign from those he believed in so passionately. The way his life was turning, kept snaking with hideous surprises, he needed something to offer him an insight as to which path he ought to tread.

And the question posed was one that scarce helped at all.

"Sometimes, I think it might be a good path for me." He admits, keeping his voice quiet while colourless eyes scan their immediate surroundings, hoping that no other lurked within their surroundings, listening. If one of his own tribe not only found out about his idle conversation with what they would regard as the enemy but overheard that he may just leave - - or was even contemplating it - - it would be his head upon the wood-chopping block.

"I'm too curious and my curiosity has already lead me very close to severely punishable limits my tribe keep- - mayhap leaving all together would be for the best. Or so I believe, sometimes. But I would also like to think that I'm here for a reason- - and if aught goes too far, perhaps fleeing the Steppe may end up to be my only bet."

Ilmari's legs swung delicately back and forth over the ledge they sat perched on- eyes drifting closed for a moment as a warm breeze sweeps across her face, basking in the comfort and peace offered. "I feel similarly.." She starts, a soft smile rising to her face- eyes blinking open to gaze down at the distant flickering fire light and silhouettes. Her hand settles atop the head of her canine companion as she rests at her side, letting out soft wheezing snores every few moments.

"Personally, there's something about how small everything looks from up here- and how big and vast the sky is- that makes me feel at ease. It reminds me that there's so much more out there, so much more to life, then just.. this." Ilmari gestures to the ground below with her free hand, almost exasperated. She loved her home here, and her family, but given almost any chance to have a life elsewhere.. she might take it. With a sigh, she collapses onto her back- briefly startling the wolf at her side. She pauses for a moment, ere she speaks again- voice quiet and almost hesitant,, "Ieaki, do you... do you ever think about leaving the steppe?"

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@kitty-highball asked: "Ieaki! look what i found last evening~!" Ilmari bounces over excitedly, holding a little weaved basket in her hands. She hooks it over her elbow ere pulling aside the piece of fabric covering the opening, revealing the small collection of treasures inside. A few crystals, strange objects of indeterminable use and origin, a blue mushroom, and most notably- a crystalized canine skull that she excitedly pulls out and holds up. "isn't it fascinating~?" ((Goth girl brings u bones and crystals. do you accept? yes/no))

Rather swiftly is the Au'Ra's attention switched from polishing the piece of jade betwixt his fingers and, instead, to his unexpected but appreciated company. A brow quipped upward upon the sight of the basket, curiosity immediately growing behind the immense paleness of his eyes.

"Most certainly so." Ieaki finds himself smiling, the intricacies and the beauty in which she had found truly of interest to him. "Those crystals would look nice as a necklace."

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@kolak-magiya || LIKED for a STARTER with Ieaki

"I'm afraid all is rather silent of late- a battle 'pon the grasslands among the Dotharl and the Oronir recently claimed many lives - even those of surrounding tribes, innocents caught up in their madness. Many have been left in a reflective state..."

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@kitty-highball asked: Ilmari had managed to carefully sneak out of sight of her tribe that eve, and made her way to reunion with a little basket of name day goodies and gifts. She sneaks over to Ieaki, raising her finger to her lips in a shushing motion- unable to contain her smile as she winks at him playfully. "My family doesn't know im gone- i can't stay overly long, but i wanted to be sure i got to spend a little time with you today~!"

He's truly not expected to see Ilmari that eve- 't was, frankly, akin to an eve like any other - one spent within his home in Reunion, polishing rings and earrings he had spent days on end making, each enriched with material and the most beauteous of gemstones.

His brother is asleep on the far side - thankfully deaf and thus entirely unknowing of his surroundings while so and thus, while Ieaki's heart hammers, he knows they are safe for but a moment.

"Today-?" He queries, whispering out of sheer habit. No... she couldn't have possible remembered, had she? he'd mentioned the date of his nameday but only once--- His expression softens regardless, his smile naught short of utterly touched; "...you truly did remember?"

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"Aye- he's a softer soul beneath all of the bravado. Sending food is just his way of saying that he's thinking of us, or giving his love." Or so Ieaki had worked out. His father had never particularly been affectionate, not in any obvious ways, especially when he was actively battling goodness knew what out in the desert alongside his comrades or when backing up the Dotharl. Over the years - - he'd simply learned to see it in other things.

Upon the mention of tea, Ieaki turns himself around to begin to brew a pot - the chosen blend a favorite and one he most certainly enjoyed sharing - hand bringing the steamed baskets with the dumplings inside closer to his company so he may help himself while the water boiled.

Surprise overtook his train of thought, however - a raised brow of pearly scales offered. To hear a direct complement was unusual, and though it took the male aback initially, he found himself smiling only a moment or so after;

"In the west, eh? I wouldn't even know how to do such a thing." In his eyes, his wares were naught special; precious gemstones found within the Steppe were often used, the metals bought from other tribes of silver and bright gold; but mayhap while it was normal where he was now, such did not have the same style in the West... perhaps it wasn't such a bad idea.

"I'm always happy to make things for you, you know- if you've ever any need for it."

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The uncertainty and heavy atmosphere weighs heavily upon Ieaki’s shoulders, reminders of great losses all too fresh within his consciousness. He’d seen such mass attack some few times in his short life, and each time did it grind his ability in belief downward; did they truly need to kill one another for dominance?

He could but only hope that the neutral ground of Reunion would protect them, should all spark into violence.

“He recently retired his bow and has taken to cooking instead-” Much to the enjoyment of those around their home, out in the Desert. “Turns out, he’s quite the natural and I’m happy for him- at least once a week, we receive a basket of something in which he has made. Tonight, however, my brother has returned home - so I am glad I’ve someone to share them with.”

“Make yourself comfortable, my friend-” Ample cushions and blankets lay scattered around the inside, perfectly comfortable - while in one corner lay a grinding wheel and all variety of precious gemstones and metals, half finished jewellery and polishing cloths. “I’ve fruit juices, teas and wine - please do help yourself.”

As Ryce moved into the tent, he took a look around with a raised brow. Clearly impressed at the work Ieaki did. He passed by some of the works in progress and hummed as he listened to the other man speak. He was grateful for the distraction, at least.

“It seems he’s happy t’ be cooking. I wish I’d learned some o’ my mother’s recipes.”

He recalled her affinity for the art of food. One of the many things she used to win his father’s heart. After all, the quickest way to a man’s heart was indeed through his stomach.

“Tea’s fine.” He answered, lingering by some of Ieaki’s work.

“I must say, you’re really talented. Ever think ‘bout sellin’ your wares in the West? I could think of a few folk in Ul’dah that’d sell their left arm f’ some of your work.”

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@kitty-highball asked: Ilmari beckons Ieaki over and motions for him to come down to her level with a serious expression on her face- once’s he’s in reach, she stands on her top toes and leans in to wrap her arms around him in a nice, cozy hug. “You looked like you needed a hug-“ she simply adds, smiling softly.

"Oh--" He's surprised, that's for certain and for half a heartbeat does he freeze - only to return the embrace in turn. "Ilmari --- its good to see you."

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ANONYMOUS ASKED: Ieaki be blessed with dat fine ass thats what

No comment.

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@metoikhomai asked: “You’re cold. Come here.” ( magnai to ieaki <3 ) MEME; 𝐒𝐎𝐅𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 ♡

There poses the most comfortable of silences between them, the chill of night time air nipping at skin bared to the elements; colourless eyes, for but only a moment, train upon the sights of the stars above ere they lowered once more. Some nights, truly, he wondered what it would have been like to be free - - entirely void of his worries with regards to his tribe.

With eyes closed did he linger upon those thoughts, wondering what the future would hold if he continued treading the fine and immensely dangerous line that he did but those thoughts, strong and poisonous as they were, dissipated when words broke the silence.

Brows briefly furrowed, lids opening to reveal colourless eyes once more ere he turned to face his company. A few heartbeats passed and then he shimmied closer with quite the small smile pulling unto his pale features.

"I'm always cold-" Does Ieaki whisper, finding himself leaning closely against Magnai - nigh overwhelmed by the very warmth that radiated from his person. Mayhap it ought be expected, given that the two are but literally night and day, but there was enjoyment in being warmed by another - one in which he couldn't hope to explain.

He reaches an arm out just enough to loop around the other's waist, resting his head idly against his shoulder so to once more close his eyes but this time, instead of being met with worries and concerns - he is met with a delicate fluttering warmth deep within his very chest.

If only, he thinks, I could sink into these embraces more often.

|| @metoikhomai

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"I've never seen the ocean." Ieaki commented, a softened smile upon his expression somewhat contemplative in nature. "I imagine its beautiful, though--" And imagine he would have to continue for he couldn't leave the Steppe to discover the world beyond- no, his position had to be precisely where it was and naught more- not for now. "Mayhap one day."

Lex smiled gently, arms curled around his knees. Ieaki was a gentle soul and so very very sweet. "Mm." He fidgeted with the opal in his hands still raw and uncut. He originally brought this to Ieaki for repurposing but then they got talking and well... "You'd like the ocean then. At night, it's entirely stars as far as you can see."

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@kintsugiscars || LIKED for a STARTER with Ieaki

"Sometimes, one simply has to take in the sights of the stars to be reminded that there is always light among the darkness - no matter how small, it continues."

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He was always scared.

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ANONYMOUS ASKED: Ieaki. How do you deal with how people treat you? Does it frighten you?

The question strikes him deeply, a thick swallow of saliva easily showing his absolute discomfort. T' was not a subject in which he enjoyed talking about, but it was something that plagued his consciousness more often than not; especially when attempting to settle to sleep.

"I've had to deal with it for the entirety of my life, I know naught else." Eyes momentarily closed, a deep breath drawn inward while fingertips grazed the pearly scales leading up his wrist; a habit that surfaced when uncomfortable. "Initially, when I was a very young child, many folk within the clan thought that the Dusk Mother herself had sent me, had blessed me and that I ought be protected simply for that fact."

"Unfortunately, it didn't last. There was no proof, evidently, that any such blessing had been given - - perhaps I was just defective, formed wrong." Which was the stance he took on the matter; "But I was only alive because our clan Khan believed that I ought be saved simply for the possibility - and the efforts taken to get me into childhood were huge - I've always been weak and sickly and it was that fact that later brewed more doubts and harsh words."

He briefly pauses, finding the words entirely bitter upon his tongue.

"Why would the Dusk Mother send someone so weak? So broken? So fragile? It made no sense- and so possibility gave way to nastiness; looking different made me a target, bought all variety of harshness and bullying. Even as a very young child, I learned to simply let the words wash off of my skin, to ignore them - there was naught I could do to change myself, no matter how I wished for it... and so I had no choice but to live with the harshness."

"So how have I coped? How have I dealt with it? By burying it, ignoring it, pretending all is fine and then - every now and again - do I ... break down, cry, scream - - and it devours me. I don't think you could call that coping, but it is how it is and there is naught I can do for it. As for it frightening me - - - yes. One day, someone will lash out, take the stain that is me off of the clan name..."

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The query posed from Magnai's lips stings mayhap more than it was intended to for the length of the list within Ieaki's consciousness was long and while it did begin with problems surrounding his appearance, it was not solely limited to them. The difficulty running circuits within his consciousness was nigh nauseating, another brief wave of discomfort and woe consuming his thought processes to direct them, once more, to the situation he finds himself in.

He feels sick, the surrounding darkness for once not feeling like a friend - its heavy and endless, not another soul to be seen for as far as one could look and rather suddenly does Magnai's presence seem all the brighter simply for that. A light in his currently consuming, smothering dark.

Still is he silenced by offered words, the sting of tears to eyes finally streaking cheeks anew: his company needs not say aught at all, needs not remain and yet he does so. A harsher tone or otherwise, there is a sense within those words that suggests an attempt to comfort - mayhap Ieaki is imagining it, distressed as he is, but he's convinced it is there.

"They have lost their faith in that belief." And the dead tone to his voice, so even and emotionless, tells a thousand tales of its own.

It had been some time now since his meeting, since the faith of his own had been fractured away from him: "They believe that if I had been blessed by her, as they so believed upon my birth, that I ought have done something extraordinary by now." He offered them no proof, and neither could he: he knew not the truth of it. "Instead, I embody only weakness and sensitivity: neither marks of anyone great."

But the newly discovered fact that Magnai himself believed it was a surprise, one that tore his consciousness from the spinning difficulties within his mind and instead fixated upon it.

Finally, if only briefly, does he raise his teary gaze towards his company and studies him for a moment: the way Magnai was sat, how he rubbed at his chest, how he appeared tense and yet did not move away. The fact he was sat there talking at all...

"But that uncertainty I have lived with all of my life - - the recent heavier losses to company and visitors felt immensely... Loneliness became a friend, and then consumed me." Honesty was difficult at the best of times, yet here he poised his innermost feelings in offering, raw and entangled with much else as they were - and toward one of whom ought care the very least.

" It's bittersweet, is it not--? That you believe I am something special while they do not-?" Another pause: "Mayhap... My own beliefs have been misguided all along..."

magnai cannot fault ieaki for falling silent. he has not once given him the impression that he could open up to him, and for good reason. for all his pride and self-perceived superiority, magnai does not believe himself the sort of leader to be a shoulder to cry on. he is strength and determination, not softness and kindness. the steppe, so he thinks, does not need to be coddled. does not need a tender touch. mayhap it is what ieaki needs, however. mayhap he would wish for something more gentle, something more soothing. magnai is none of these things. he averts his eyes. he presses a palm against his chest, rubbing slowly. the tightness persists, grows even stronger as the seconds pass. he cannot say why, but the sight of ieaki's tear-stained cheeks has burned itself into his memory. he has not seen him like this before. for a reason magnai refuses to look upon, he rather wishes he never will again. "what is there that is so wrong about you?" magnai asks, and all but curses the coarseness of his voice. he is not the comforting kind. it is laughable to even consider attempting to be. why, then, does he still linger? he finds no joy in ieaki's state, so downtrodden and blue. "your scales? you cannot tell me your tribe resents you for them." he turns his head to chance another look at the other xaela. shining and shimmering, his scales and horns never cease to remind magnai of the moon. of the dusk mother, lovely as she is. "they should be honored to - " magnai interrupts himself with click of his tongue. part of him so loathes how much he has convinced himself of this. "to have one clearly blessed by her in their midst."

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A happy idiot.

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@sunderedoldfriends || LIKED for a STARTER with Ieaki

"You must be new to the Steppe-" Ever kind, the male's voice reached from betwixt the darkness and the beauty of lit braziers and toward the unknown poise of a person he'd not recognised. Steps are slow, the softened shimmer of his scales in the light of the moon betraying his difference to companions.

"--and no doubt exhausted from travel. Perhaps a cup of tea might be welcomed-?" Ever was he prepared, after all - even at night, the bustle of Reunion continued with trade and chatter among clans usually at war. It is there he feels safest, away from the harshness of weapons and vulgarity. It is there he always offers a hand preferred in friendship.