#oc: checheyigen sagahl

[paintedscales]

AuRaugust 2024 :: Day Twenty-Eight :: Succession

"All I could feel was how my blood boiled beneath my skin and scales. It was one thing seeing many of your tribe celebrating and crooning -- making absolute fools of themselves. But seeing you be named successor to the khatun of the Jhungid... It would have been laughable were it not so maddening."

[paintedscales]

AuRaugust 2024 :: Day Nineteen :: Soar

"I never imagined myself taking part in Bardam's Mettle to qualify for the Naadam. The trials were...interesting, to say the least. I'll be honest, too... Flying has never been something I've gone out of my way to do. Even airships make me a little queasy at times. It feels too out of my control. However, bursting forth upon the back of a yol from the proving grounds and seeing my friends and former tribe members cheering for me...it was exhilarating."

[paintedscales]

excellent news: i did not lose some screenshots of the other xaela characters i have after my computer's meltdown earlier this year.

putting them under the cut because there are a handful

Jajiradai with his younger brother, Odchigen.

Checheyigen and Chotan:

Khulan:

Kuzhuk:

Samga and Arik:

[paintedscales]

012. Haragin

Now settled within a valley close to the ocean after their migration, Nomin gets to experience being around the ocean for the first time in her ten summers. Even more exciting, however, are seeing the strange sails out at sea. The boats that these sails belong to are friends of the Sagahl, and with them do the Haragin share a story gained from lands beyond with those back home.

Word count: 2,647

Steppe by Steppe Chapter List

Misc notes: Had been struggling with this one for a while. I resolved myself to finish it before my move out date in August, and I'm at least proud of myself for that. Admittedly, still struggled a lot, and there is something else I ended up writing within this story, but removed and will be uploading later as its own thing after some narrative tightening and necessary edits.

The khatun and her trusted advisors were deep in deliberation for a few weeks before they felt they were ready to travel again, ensuring that the tribe’s progress and resource management were on track. When asked, Esenaij explained to Nomin that crucial decisions had to be talked over and made to keep everything running both smoothly and fairly for the tribe while rationing out their resources smartly.

Nomin noticed Sagahli warriors being prepared within those weeks, soon departing with their weapons and rations. Having noticed her attention on the Sagahli scouts during times meant for study and learning, Bayarmaa told Nomin they were scouting ahead to establish contact with allied tribes or ensure the land was safe. It was an important step for the Sagahl as a whole so that they knew they were not traveling out into dangerous territory or environments.

When word finally came back almost a week later, the Sagahl moved forward, crossing through the Southern Arras. Nomin often walked alongside the wain with Bayarmaa in order to stretch her legs, sometimes playing with the other children, or collecting interesting rocks. By the time they left the pass, her pouch was filled nearly to the brim with a myriad of colorful pebbles and stones.

As the tribe emerged from the Southern Arras, Nomin eagerly climbed a nearby hill once she spied any hint of the ocean waters past the vast rock faces of the pass. She pointed eagerly at the vast expanse of glittering, sapphire waters stretching beyond the horizon. To Nomin, the vastness of the ocean was nigh incomprehensible.

“It’s the ocean!” Nomin exclaimed, grinning from horn to horn and calling attention to the beautiful sight. Her eyes were starry with excitement.

From a distance, Bayarmaa's initial reaction was hard to discern, but Nomin saw her lift a hand to her mouth, surely hiding a smile. Bayarmaa waved back and gave a small nod as a form of acknowledgement. With the tribe continuing their journey and showing no signs of pausing, Nomin hurried back to join Esenaij and Bayarmaa.

They reached a flat valley between hills, chosen by the khatun as the site for their seasonal iloh. Nomin stayed out of the way as Esenaij and Bayarmaa set up their ger and got a lot of the heavy lifting out of the way. As they worked, Nomin watched as the rest of the tribe ensured all their ger entries faced south as customary. Only after the ger was erected was Nomin allowed to help move and organize the items inside.

As she carried a small bag of grain inside, she asked Esenaij, “Now that we’re here, does this mean I get to learn more archery later?”

Esenaij grunted as he set down a crate of cloth. “Ideally, that will be the case. I haven’t yet had time to make you a bow appropriate for your size and strength.”

Straightening back up, Esenaij sighed, folding his arms in contemplation. “It may take some time. In the meantime, perhaps you can spend time with the other Sagahli children.”

Nomin’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she clutched the sack of grain more tightly. “You’re making a new bow for me?”

Esenaij looked down at Nomin. The corners of his lips twitched, as did his brow, but he kept his composure. He nodded somewhat curtly. “That would be the way of it. Bayarmaa and I did not keep our training bows from when we were younger…so we have naught to offer you in that regard.”

“That's fine!” Nomin chirped happily. She quickly set down the sack of grain and returned to Esenaij, pointing at her still-developing horns with her persistent grin. “Can you add blue to the bow? Like my scales?”

For once, it seemed Esenaij managed to keep a rather straight face, unmarred by the twitch of annoyance or exasperation at Nomin’s inquiry. He brought a finger to his chin, contemplating the request while stroking his facial scales. “I will see what I can do.”

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Days passed since the Sagahl settled into the small valley nestled within the hills. Nomin enjoyed her time playing with the other children, sliding down hills on smoothed wood planks and exploring the sandy dunes by the coast. Her favorite moments were spent at the beach, where she could play in the water and find a number of shells for her collection of pretty knicknacks. Amidst all the excitement of their new surroundings, she almost forgot about Esenaij's ongoing task of crafting her a bow.

One day, while playing on the sandy shores near the Sagahl Iloh, Nomin’s fun was interrupted by an unusual sight on the horizon. She pointed towards the large white squares in the distance, their color striking against the blue skies. This puzzled her as she had never seen anything like them before.

“What are those?” Nomin asked Chotan.

The response had not come from Chotan, but instead the shy girl from before. A girl whose name Nomin learned was Checheyigen: “Those are the sails that help guide the massive boats of the tribe of Haragin.”

“Haragin…” Nomin repeated, her tail flicking as the memory of where she heard the name before slowly returned to her. A wide grin spread across her face. “I think Bayarmaa mentioned them before. I didn’t know they traveled by boat! That’s amazing!”

Chotan’s eyes sparkled. “We’ll probably get to meet them! The Haragin bring back goods from all over the star. Sometimes, they even trade candies and fruit from far-off places!”

That night, a small van from the Sagahl was sent to welcome the Haragin back from their voyage and to trade news with one another. Nomin, eager to join the welcoming van, was allowed to come along when she inquired. She took the time to excitedly help Bayarmaa and Esenaij organize excess seed and grain as she thought about the big boats and their sails. Nomin wondered if she would get to see them a little more closely.

When they arrived at the Haragin landing site, Nomin found herself awestruck. From a distance, the ships seemed small -- like toy boats! But upon a closer look, they were enormous. She felt like a tiny vilekin compared to their grand size. Even if they were anchored a good distance away from shore, their size was felt. As Bayarmaa and Esenaij greeted the Haragin, Nomin wandered closer to the shore to examine the smaller rowboats that had been used to reach land.

Remembering her lesson with Yul and the Oroq about touching things without permission, Nomin carefully observed the boats without touching them. While she peered about, she couldn’t hide her slight pout of disappointment as she recalled the lesson learned that particular meeting with the Oroq.

The sound of hurried footsteps and excited giggling drew Nomin’s attention. Chotan and Checheyigen approached with bright expressions etched upon their faces, each holding small pouches -- though it seemed Chotan had one extra compared to Checheyigen. Beaming at Nomin, Chotan thrust one of the extra pouches toward her. Breathlessly she said, “This is for you! From the Haragin!”

Nomin tentatively accepted the pouch, curiosity and confusion evident upon her face. Glancing towards where the Haragin ger were, she saw Bayarmaa conversing with someone, and she then saw Esenaij sorting items with Keuken and Daritai. She only wanted confirmation of where they were and what they were doing at that moment.

“What is it?” Nomin asked as she returned her attention back to the pouch and slowly opened it.

Chotan giggled and happily popped a small, brown morsel into her mouth. “Try one, and I’ll tell you after!”

Nomin hesitated for a moment before sniffing the contents. It smelled sweet…with a hint of something floral? Whatever it was, it smelled amazing, which did well to assuage her initial reluctance rather quickly. She picked out a morsel, and as soon as she tasted it for herself, her face lit up with surprise and delight. The sweetness and chewy texture were unlike anything she ever tried in the past.

“This is amazing!” Nomin exclaimed, her tail flicking with excitement as she reached for another piece. As she popped the next piece into her mouth, she reiterated her question: “What is it?”

Chotan laughed. “The Haragin brought back chocolate from the west! Even if there’s some solid chocolate in there, some of them are chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, too!”

Checheyigen added, “But don’t eat too many of them -- you'll get an ache in your stomach if you do. Save some for after big meals to enjoy longer. That’s what I do.”

Nomin nodded, saving that very idea as it sounded like a smart way of having something so delicious for longer. She was about to comment when she and the others heard Daritai’s voice calling them back to join the Haragin at the iloh.

Chotan looked thoughtful as she tied her pouch of chocolate to her belt. “They’re probably ready for a meal together.”

“Does this happen often when the Sagahl meet the Haragin?” Nomin asked as they walked back.

“Usually. It happens whenever we arrive on the eastern coasts around the same time they do. It's almost every summer!” Checheyigen’s shyness seemed to diminish more and more as she spent her time with both Chotan and Nomin. “The Haragin bring valuable goods and are friendly with many Steppe tribes including the Sagahl. It’s crucial for them as traders and far…far-faring travelers -- that’s what my father calls them.”

Back at the iloh, the smell of cooking food filled the air. Bayarmaa and Turakina greeted the girls, directing them to where a group of Sagahl and Haragin were gathered around a bonfire. With their chocolate-filled pouches secured, Nomin and her friends found a place to sit next to one another.

In the center of the group, a tall man with distinctive scars  and an air of confidence began to address the crowd. As he introduced himself by only his title of ‘storyteller’ and prepared to tell a story from beyond their lands, Nomin leaned forward, her excitement palpable as her tail twitched in anticipation. Chotan giggled softly beside her, having taken notice of Nomin’s vested interest in the storyteller.

“Esteemed visitors and friends from the Sagahl…” the storyteller started. “We do thank you for welcoming the Haragin back from our voyage across the vast seas! A gift from us to you, a story gained from lands beyond our own: Thavnair.”

As the storyteller weaved his words, he first painted the setting as he spoke. Nomin hardly noticed how her mouth fell agape as she heard about the various, striking imagery of the lands. The horn-like cliff covered in purple crystal sounded interesting, as did the beaches being described as having sands like sunset, and the ocean waters that glittered like sapphire. It sounded like a wondrous place that she would have loved to see one day.

To the surprise of all three girls, and even those of the other Sagahl, the storyteller even spoke of the matanga, but said that unlike the Gajasura on the Steppe, the Arkasodara of Thavnair were amicable people. Surprised gasps and little bits of chatter were whispered amongst one another, expressing that astonishment or even doubt of the very idea. With all the stories and warnings Nomin had heard prior about the matanga, she even had her own questions and doubts as she exchanged glances with Chotan and Checheyigen. Still, she listened as best she could when she looked back upon the storyteller.

The storyteller reached into a satchel that was slung around himself, and from it he plucked a fruit that had a green and yellow rind. He introduced it as ‘amra’ then pulled out a knife to cut it into slices. Walking forward, the storyteller handed slices of the amra to the members of the Sagahl, explaining that this fruit was a part of the story. Nomin accepted the piece offered to her, cautiously sniffing it at first before taking a bite. The flesh was sweet and tart, the sweetness much more pronounced than the tartness.

With the setting introduced, and a little background on the people of Thavnair given, the storyteller began the tale he had for all gathered in earnest. Nomin did her best to listen throughout the story, sometimes only exchanging small whispers with the other two at various moments.

When the tale finally concluded, Nomin considered the story and what different parts of it stuck out to her. The theme of the farmer having difficulty with having a name special for his child struck her as interesting. She also considered the deeds of the farmer prior to finally coming up with a name, and then the daughter who took over for her father.

For a moment during their trip back to the Sagahl Iloh, Nomin wondered if her Tumeti parents would have wanted her to ever take their place should she have returned immediately after the trial instead of running off to Reunion. Would she have felt resolved to take their place as she grew were she not unworthy of the tribe? These questions and more swam through Nomin’s head as she sat in the back of the now spacious wain.

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“What did you think of the Haragin tonight?” Bayarmaa asked, her fingers gently working through Nomin’s hair as she brushed it in tandem. They were back within the familiar warmth of their ger, the soft light of lanterns casting a cozy glow on the cloth and wooden walls. Evening had settled over the land, and Bayarmaa was preparing Nomin for bed.

“...I liked the chocolate they brought back,” she said after a moment of thought. Nomin sat quietly for a time afterward, her gaze drifting to the flickering shadows on the wall as she felt Bayarmaa tending to her hair. She hesitated, reflecting on the evening spent listening to the story. “The story was...nice. Have you heard it before?”

“No, that one was new to me,” Bayarmaa replied, her voice gentle. “The last time we gathered, the storyteller shared a different tale. It was about a traveler who followed wherever the wind took him until he met a maiden under the moonlight. The story spoke of how her beauty was so great, bathed in moonlight like that, that he fell in love with her ethereal beauty..”

Nomin frowned slightly, her brow furrowing as she considered the notion of love. “Just like that?”

Bayarmaa chuckled softly, her hands now deftly braiding Nomin’s hair with practiced ease. “Not quite. The traveler of the winds wasn’t greeted warmly. The maiden initially treated him with coldness and even fought with him. The story had many twists and turns. Perhaps one day you’ll get to hear it yourself. I doubt I could ever recount it as beautifully as the Haragin storyteller did.”

Bayarmaa finished braiding Nomin’s hair, smoothing out any stray strands with a tender touch.

Nomin’s eyes brightened with curiosity. “Do the Haragin have books? They must since they travel so many places! Maybe we can find a story to read later.”

Bayarmaa stood, stretching slightly as she prepared to get chores done around the ger. “I don’t recall them having many books, but we can ask them when we visit next. For now, it’s getting late. You should get some rest. We’ve got some things to get to when you wake.”

Nomin looked up at Bayarmaa, curiosity evident on her face. “More reading and writing lessons?”

Bayarmaa’s laugh was soft and warm. “If I tell you, you’ll never get to sleep. Now, under the blanket with you. May Nhaama watch over you and your dreams.”

Nomin settled under the covers, her thoughts drifting as she listened to the gentle rustling of Bayarmaa’s movements. The night felt serene, and even if excitement and questions rattled around within her, they began to die down as she closed her eyes and slowly drifted off.

[paintedscales]

FFXIV Write 2023 :: Day 9

Prompt :: Fair Characters :: Nomin tal Kheeriin, Checheyigen Sagahl Word Count :: 1,015

FFXIV Write 2023 Master List

Shrrrk… Shrrrk… Shrrrk…

The idle sounds of a blade being sharpened at a whetstone filled the otherwise quiet air. Nomin stood at a table with a halberd blade in the shade of the weapons storage yurt, diligently at work. It had not been the ideal job, but it was one she volunteered for in order to have time for herself.

The Naadam had come and gone, which only meant one thing now.

Shrrrk… Shrrrk… Shrrrk…

Battle between the Jhungid and the Kharlu was soon to commence. Blades must be sharpened, arrows must be made, horses prepared, and bodies tempered. All this to meet at the coastal battlegrounds to take claim over the lands for the year. There was no khaghan they would listen to that would tell them otherwise. Then again, after generations…

Shrrrk--

Nomin paused in sharpening the steel blade of the halberd and looked at its sheen. She admired its glint in the sunlight and took up a cloth to wipe the moisture from it. It was sharp enough, she determined.

This had become routine over the last few days as the Jhungid Orda had been abuzz with would-be triumphant warriors making claim that they would fell many Kharlu when the battle started. Of course, Nomin had kept to herself for the most part, only really speaking to the others from the Sagahl when free time permitted.

She took up the shift, feeling its weight in her hand before working on affixing the newly sharpened blade to it. Once done, she felt its weight again, twirling it slowly around herself to make sure the blade was tightly bound.

It would have been so easy…so entirely easy to have taken it and sunk it into the chest of the weapons overseer. Nothing was stopping her.

Nothing.

Tightening her hold on the shaft, she walked toward the weapons rack and laid it within an empty slot.

‘It’s not time… Remember that Esenaij told you that you’re impatient. Don’t act on it…’ Nomin thought to herself.

She reached for another halberd and took a seat. Routine had taken over as she unfastened the blade from its shaft so that she might sharpen it. It was boring tedium -- tedium that spanned well over than it should have, being one of the only ones consistently caring for the weapons. Pureblood Jhungid had come and gone, leaving the work to those subjugated and absorbed.

"Nomin?" The gentle voice had gone unheard at first. Nomin's mind had been focused on not only the sharpening of the blade, but plans and other routines as well. It was only when the owner of the voice had entered Nomin’s peripheral view that she looked up to see Checheyigen on the opposite side.

"Ch-Che…what is it?" Nomin asked, slowly grinding her work to a halt. "Nothing bad, I trust?"

"Not at all!" Checheyigen replied, giggling softly. To hear her laugh at all was some modicum of relief to Nomin. At least some members of the Sagahl had some peace of mind or comfort to express themselves.

Nomin watched as Checheyigen adjusted the bag that had been slung over her shoulder and dug around in it. Before long, she had produced a small cloth bundle and unwrapped it. Within sat a small loaf of…well, bread that Nomin was not quite familiar with. It was moist, and from the look of it, crumbled relatively easily.

“What is it?” Nomin asked, putting down the halberd blade on the table and leaning over to dip both her hands in the water to clean them of whatever might have been on them. Drying her hands with a different cloth, she reached over for a bit of the bread.

“Turakina got to speak with one of the traders here and offered them one of the books we have been working on of Sagahl methods of cultivation…” Checheyigen started, grinning before looking over her shoulder to make sure no one was eavesdropping and then leaning in to whisper. “They had some goods from Kugane! Turakina got two of these out of the trade -- cakes made with recipes from the west! This one’s made with chocolate and little bits of apricot!”

Chocolate Nomin had heard of before, and she could scarcely remember the flavor of it. She had only had it once before when Esenaij had returned one day from Reunion and brought it back claiming it was more for Bayarmaa than it had been for her. Apricot, on the other hand, Nomin had been plenty familiar with.

Though Nomin’s stomach did churn with hunger, she hesitated to take a slice.

“It wouldn’t be fair to Chotan nor Khulan if they haven’t gotten something first…” Nomin said, thinking of the other Sagahl teen and child.

“Don’t worry… Turakina gave the other one to Chotan that she might share it with Khulan. She bade me look for you to share this with since I’m helping to get the arrows made in the area over…” Checheyigen replied. “So dig in! I certainly will.”

A small smile made its way onto Nomin’s lips as she allowed a small scoff to leave her. She reached forward and took one of the slices and took a bite. The chocolatey taste mixed with the mild sweetness of apricot was heavenly -- nearly intoxicating. It had been so rare to get something that tasted good when it came to food among the Jhungid that such a treat had to be savored.

“By night’s good graces…” Nomin moaned softly before taking another bite, the tip of her tail curling with delight. Almost excitedly, she went on to say, “no way can we let this be taken away by the Jhungid. Keep the rest with you, and we can save it for tonight and morning. The others we share a ger with will also like it, I bet.”

“That’s what I was thinking!” Checheyigen replied, eagerly taking up a slice and biting into it. She, too, let out a sound of delight at the taste, careful not to be too loud. “It’ll be nice to have just a night of something nice.”

[paintedscales]

018. Gharl

Fueled by obsession. Obsession with freedom. Obsession with protection. Obsession with getting strong. Obsession with hatred. Obsession with enacting revenge. It claws and claws and claws till it bursts.

Word Count: 4,030

Steppe by Steppe Chapter List

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Arrows were fired out, aimed up to rain down upon the Kharlu upon their descent. However, Nomin hesitated on her release, instead looking more at the backs of those that were riding out to meet the rival tribe. She loosed her arrow a tad later than most, withdrawing another one quickly to get it prepped for the second wave before she were to be noticed by anyone that may point her out.

'Not my fight…' were the words that settled in Nomin’s mind as she scanned the area. Once weapons came into contact with one another, Nomin locked her attention onto one of the Jhungid she recognized as being high up on the list of who to cross out immediately.

Several waves of arrows were fired before horns of war rang out to signal a pressed attack from the spear and axe wielding frontliners. Waiting till the sixth wave of arrows went out, Nomin fired and watched her arrow sail through the air before it pierced straight through Alagh Yid's chest. So embroiled in combat were others that her slipping off her horse and onto the ground was just a part of the war. She was not the ideal first target, but she was the one that Nomin could make out right away and pick off.

Though Nomin had to act smart so as not to get caught. Her next arrow was aimed up and let loose with the eighth wave of arrows to rain down upon the Kharlu that still had yet to fully make their way to the combat meet. She repeated this process until the archers were urged forward to meet with the remnants within the conflict. Though, Nomin acted the part of riding into battle before she quickly scanned the area for any other familiar persons.

Obsessed.

She had to be. It was necessary.

Another one of Terbish’s trusted heads: Battsetseg.

Obsessed.

It was a matter of freeing herself. Freeing the other Sagahl.

Without missing a beat, Nomin took another shot, her arrow catching Battsetseg in the head right as she was about to strike down a Kharlu warrior with her own hands.

That was two down.

Obsessed.

Slowing her horse, Nomin glanced behind her. Riders were still galloping past her. This is when she took her opportunity. Guiding her horse around, she urged it forward, galloping back toward the Jhungid orda. Most of the warriors would be too enraged by the enemy at this point -- especially if they were pureblooded Jhungid. It was now or never.

Obsessed.

If anyone saw her, there were no attempts to ride after her. Not that Nomin knew. All for the better, really.

Digging her heels into her horse, Nomin rode forward with purpose. The cries and shouts of battle rang behind her, as did the singing of steel, and the cries of pain or even death.

‘Not my fight.’

Nomin rode for what felt like an eternity. Maybe it was the rush of adrenaline. Maybe it was the conviction of her task. Whatever the case, sometimes it felt like her horse was merely galloping in place as her mind reeled at the fact that she was committing to this. This thing that felt like a fantasy that played over and over and over in her head.

Obsessed.

“Please work…” Nomin muttered, taking her arrow and drawing it back once the tops of the sand-colored ger finally came into view. “Flames of rage burn like the sun / Leave the Jhungid nigh undone!” Nomin spat, remembering how her dabbling in magic seemed to produce some results after that dream she had. Though it had never been strong by any means, it was the application by which it was used that was the important thing here.

Obsessed. Obsessed. Obsessed.

Her arrow erupted into flame, and a manic grin spread across Nomin’s face, delighting in how . Letting the arrow fly loose, it sailed through the air and hit the largest ger there was -- the ger that belonged to khatun Silun Gorgelji.

Obsessed.

The flames did not take long to catch, eating away at the fabrics and then the leathers. Black smoke trailed into the air, crackles of embers soon accompanying it.

Another arrow, another incantation that danced across Nomin’s lips. Another flaming arrow that was fired at one of the larger ger.

O b s e s s e d.

Once a commotion had broken out amongst those that had stayed within the orda, Nomin had ridden her horse through the panic and disorder that started to ensue. She had a mission in mind, and she had come too far to be stopped now. Digging her heels into her horse once more, Nomin urged him to press on till she saw the collection of ger that she and the other non-pure-blooded Jhungid were made to sleep.

Quickly jumping from her horse, Nomin went to the ger where Checheyigen and Chotan were -- they were not recognized as warriors just yet to have been made to fight their endless conflict. Though they were there, Nomin urged them to collect their things before going and grabbing one of her bags filled with a myriad of items she had accumulated in the last five years already. She helped Che and Chotan gather what they could before they ran out.

“Is this an attack from the Kharlu?” Checheyigen asked, clutching her bag tightly to herself as she followed hurriedly after Nomin.

“No,” was the quick and curt response from Nomin. She looked and shoved things off of beds and other surfaces, looking for anything that was important in some capacity as she situated her own belongings. Thread, cloth, leather scraps, ink… things that had not been properly put away that should have been.

“This… this was you, wasn’t it?” Chotan asked, watching Nomin. She walked forward somewhat indignantly, reaching out and grabbing the former Tumet’s wrist to stop her from walking past to the exit of the ger. “This was your ‘stupid’ plan?”

Pulling her arm away and looking at her friends, Nomin’s expression had not changed from the determined and fury-ridden way it had been settled since her time on the fields. She then looked squarely at Chotan, who seemed to scoff in disbelief that she more than had the answer when Nomin said nothing in response. Shaking her head, Chotan motioned to Checheyigen to follow along after her before looking again at the blue-haired auri.

“This is insane, Nomin,” Chotan finally said. “What were you thinking?”

“What was I thinking?” Nomin repeated with a scoff of her own. “I was thinking that today’s our day to leave this damned place.”

“You’ll have all of the Jhungid after you when they find out--”

“I don’t care. I hate this place. You hate this place. There are so many of us who hate this place. This is an opportunity, and we need to take it,” Nomin dug her heels in defensively over her actions. Where their eyes stayed locked together, Chotan finally broke her stare with a frustrated sigh before looking at Checheyigen.

“We won’t have another opportunity like this again if we don’t act now…” Checheyigen reasoned when she met Chotan’s gaze. “And who knows what the Jhungid will do once they’re back anyway! I’m with Nomin. I don’t want to stay here anymore. I don’t want to be made to fight! We do not roam the Steppe seeking out glory in battle, nor to prove ourselves superior to other tribes! If we have this opportunity… Chotan, I’m going to reach for it.”

Chotan's expression became riddled with unexpected surprise before she looked down and then looked at Nomin once more. She hesitated, tightening her grip on her belongings. Pursing her lips, she finally gave a nod of acknowledgement as she furrowed her brow; "... fine. Okay. Nomin, we follow after you. Lead the way."

"Of course," Nomin assured before exiting the ger with both teens close at her heels. She hurried along past people who were running for safety, or running to save their loved ones and belongings.

“Turakina! Turakina!” Nomin shouted. In her search, she furrowed her brow and pointed a determined look in both Chotan and Che’s direction. Pointing toward the path that led toward the other ger, Nomin quickly urged them, “go get Khulan and get horses. Now! Just go!”

“Horses? But that is not our wa--” Chotan was about to protest.

“Nothing here was ever our way! Go!” Nomin snapped.

Deciding it best not to argue, the girls did as they were told while Nomin ran through the orda. She had grabbed the reins of her horse as she did, needing the quick getaway if things got any worse. Hard as she looked, however, Nomin was turning up with no results as she danced between panicking orda members, and those that were trying to put out the fire before it spread any further.

Cursing, Nomin changed her course so that she was looking for the other Sagahli teens. Again, she weaved through the chaos that was forming within the orda until she had found the others. Khulan was wide-eyed and confused, and the girls looked at Nomin for guidance once they realized she was there. Looking between them, Nomin looked around to make sure there were no other Jhungid that were on her trail or wanting to stop her from what she was doing.

Making sure the coast was clear in that regard, Nomin pointed toward the stables.

“Che, you’ve been helping with the horses. Get them saddled. Two of them. Khulan will ride with one of you since he’s still small enough for it,” Nomin commanded, laying out whatever plans she had flying in her head for the girls. Looking at Chotan, Nomin went on: “Chotan, find food. Rations that can keep all of you. Bread, jerked fish or vilekin -- stuff I know you will all eat. Grab waterskins, too.”

“What should I do, Nomin?” Khulan asked, gazing at her with curiosity and fear.

“Go with Che. Should anything happen while she’s saddling the horses, you are to ride immediately away. Get as far from here as you can,” Nomin said, tightening her hold on her horse’s reins. “And Khulan… be brave. A lot of scary stuff is probably going to happen. Just think about returning to the Sagahl. You'll get to see your mother and father again.”

Bayarmaa was held firm in the back of Nomin’s mind. Esenaij might have met his end when the Jhungid attacked, but Turakina telling Nomin that Bayarmaa escaped with the other Saghal allowed that glimmer of hope to hold. It was always there, keeping her grounded -- reminding her that there was a reason to temper herself. There were just a lot of things that Nomin had that she never said, and things she thought about that she felt should be said. She just hoped she could see Bayarmaa again to say all those things.

“Go…I’ll be right behind you,” Nomin said, parting from the others to see if she could find Turakina and others from the Sagahl tribe once more. The fire was spreading, and there were people hurriedly chasing dzo or sheep that had gotten loose. Horses were panicking from their stables that Nomin could hear, and she hoped that Che would not have trouble with getting two of them ready.

“Turakina!” Nomin called out again, gritting her teeth. Smoke was starting to waft thickly around the orda.

“Nomin?” came Turakina’s familiar voice.

Nomin’s heart leapt for joy hearing her, and she ran toward it as fast as she could. Her horse trotted along behind her, and she soon came across Turakina, who had been helping the other members of the Sagahl. Nomin recognized a couple of them, but she was more happy just seeing Turakina.

“I’m so glad you’re okay. Che, Chotan, and Khulan are heading toward the stables and getting food. Please, go and do the same,” Nomin pleaded.

“Nomin… you…?” Turakina started, her mouth hanging agape in surprise. "What do you…are we to escape?"

“Yes!” Nomin felt that swell in her chest. She was proud of herself. "I rode free of the battle and came here as fast as I could. This was part of my plan to run and rejoin the rest of the Sagahl."

“... Why? They’re going to kill you if they ever find out it was you…!” Turakina exclaimed. “Why did you do this, Nomin?”

“I… I did this for you--! I did this for all of the Sagahl!” Nomin was taken aback and hurt that Turakina was expressing hesitation or disappointment, and was not overcome with some sense of relief, or kick to her survival instinct. “Please…just… They’re at war with the Kharlu, this is the perfect opportunity to run!”

Turakina pursed her lips, her fun-loving nature and personality having melted away in the years that she had to serve under the Jhungid colors. However, she considered Nomin’s plan and sighed with a furrow to her brow. Nodding, she looked at the other Sagahl.

“You’re right…even if we weren’t the ones to instigate this, we’ll be punished either way…” Turakina relented. “I’ll see what I can do, Nomin…”

Nomin gave a curt nod of acknowledgement and started to mount her horse. They would have to discuss this all more when things were calmer.

“Oh, and Nomin…” Turakina said, looking over her shoulder. The younger Xaela paused, looking down at Turakina curiously. “This was very stupid.”

A scoff left Nomin’s mouth. “Don’t worry, I’m well aware.”

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Thunder rumbled as magically manipulated or conjured rainclouds started to form. Spellcasters of the Jhungid that were back from the fight with the Kharlu were on the scene, it appeared. Though much too late for Nomin to care. After all, she had managed to get the other Sagahl prepped and ready to go before the others had gotten back from their conflict.

Ensuring that the Sagahl were saddled up and fleeing from the scene, Nomin stayed back in case she had to provide another distraction apart from the orda going up in smoke. However, her quick scan of the area saw that too many people were in a panic, and she, too, took her leave of the area, urging her horse out of the orda.

A smile grew on Nomin’s lips. She had done it. She had freed the Sagahl! Now that was left was to free the other tribes that had been--

Pain seared through Nomin’s shoulder as an arrow shot straight through it, lodging itself within.

Crying out, Nomin grit her teeth and dug her heels into the sides of her horse, urging it faster. Another searing pain, this time through her side as she rode.

More arrows flew past, attempting to strike Nomin down.

Nomin gripped the reins with what strength she had, fueled only by the adrenaline that had been present since before the fight with the Kharlu. She needed to ride with everything she had till she was far away. Even if the pain burned and would be something to deal with later, it was better than continuing to be merely a war pawn for the Jhungid.

Further and further she went. Nomin had only suffered the two arrows shot into her, and she cursed them with everything she had. However, she held fast to the thought that she had succeeded in what she vowed to do.

Bleariness started to settle in Nomin’s vision, her breath started to shorten, and her strength was slipping away the more she rode. Even if her mind was in protest, her body could not comply. Eventually… she slipped from her horse and rolled across the grass as her horse continued on. Reaching out, Nomin tried to call for her horse, but the words would not come.

Everything went dark.

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Someone was humming a soft and gentle tune, and a cool cloth was felt upon the skin of her face. Struggling to open her eyes, Nomin saw light filtering in through the top of the ger that she was in.

Panic hit her almost immediately as she sat up quickly. That was when pain coursed through her body; she winced and sharply sucked in air through her teeth to cope. Hitting a fist to the bedroll, Nomin gasped, keeping her guard up as best she could.

“Calm, child,” the humming woman spoke. She had been kneeling at the side of the bedroll that Nomin had been laying on. She reached out again and dabbed the damp, cool cloth against Nomin’s skin. “No one here is going to hurt you. We have been awaiting your wake.”

Bringing a hand to her shoulder, Nomin felt the bandages that were there, but she also felt the soreness of the wound that had been left behind. The same was true for the shot made to her abdomen.

“You suffered some nasty wounds. Not a true member of the Jhungid, are you…” the woman spoke, putting the damp cloth away and looking at Nomin. She was met by a shake of the teen’s head, which prompted a small smile from the woman. “You need not worry. The Gharl hold no allegiance to any one tribe. We will not be returning you to them -- we have even collected your horse. We found it grazing not that far from you when we were foraging.”

“Soil bearers?” Nomin managed, wincing again after she spoke. “I’m… relieved. What of the other Sagahl?”

“Ah…” The Gharl woman appeared to have her thoughts click into place. “We did see other riders on our journey. They kept riding in the direction of the Ceol Aen. Will you be joining them when you can walk?”

“That’s the plan…” Nomin confirmed. She furrowed her brow in thought before looking at the Gharli woman. “What’s your name?”

“Seruuntungalag,” the woman replied, pushing herself back up into a standing position. “But I understand it is quite long, and sometimes hard for others to say consistently. You may simply call me Seruun should it please you.”

A soft scoff left Nomin’s lips. “A pleasure to meet you. Wish it were under--” she winced as another searing bolt of pain hit with her minor adjustments, “--under better circumstances. My name’s Nomin.”

“It is good to meet you, Nomin,” Seruuntungalag replied, smiling warmly. “Though we are collecting earth in preparation for our next migration, it will be some time before we start. You should be well enough to walk and resume your way of life well before then. In the meantime, may you treat our iloh as your own.” Nomin looked up at Seruun, a little surprised. Truly, the Gharl were some of the most elegant and gracious of the Xaela that roamed the steppe. It was almost as if they had to be, as they were the ones, after all, who marked the start of the Naadam and the end of the Tsaagan Sar. Their role was vital, and their presence commanded respect  just as much as the Qestir or the Saghal.

They were largely non-combatants, as it were. As a people who united the lands in their own way, it was not often they went out of their way to spill blood. That was what Nomin remembered as a vague recollection somewhere in the back of her mind.

“The Gharl are very kind, Seruun…” Nomin replied, getting a feel for the Gharli woman's name in her mouth while breathing slowly so as not to agitate her abdominal wound. “I hope not to overstay my welcome, though. You can be assured--” she winced again. “--a-assured that I will be gone as soon as I can walk. You have my utmost thanks for your hospitality.”

A thought crossed Nomin’s mind, and she then pursed her lips. It was a thought that uneased her.

“What…what if the Jhungid come to you looking for me and want to instigate conflict?” Nomin asked, concerned not only for herself, but for the Gharl as well.

“They will see no mercy from Azim nor Nhaama. It seems that they suffered no mercy from the Saghal, either from what we have seen and have been told,” Seruun replied, a sly smile upon her lips as she looked back at Nomin. “I don’t know how long it took, how long you and the other Saghal endured…but it seems that the Gods deemed it right to see the Saghal freed.”

“If you say so,” Nomin replied with a bit of a wry smile in response. She laid back down on her bedroll, focusing on her breathing to keep her mind off the dull aches and pains. She did not believe the Gods had anything to do with her plan nor it coming to a head. Nomin believed that it was purely spite and good timing on her part.

Closing her eyes, Nomin continued to focus on her breathing while attempting to also keep her mind occupied with other scenes and scenarios. All she could focus on and hold onto for now was the image of the other Sagahl riding free across the grasslands. She hoped they made it somewhere safe. Somewhere where they could recuperate and get back to the main tribe.

Seruuntungalag was heard pouring a liquid into a container of one kind or another. A cup, Nomin figured, and she was right when she peeked over and saw Seruun return to her side with the proffered receptacle. Tentatively, Nomin took up the cup and was aided in her motion to sit up, if only slightly to drink of its contents.

The liquid started sweet before its bitter aftertaste clawed itself down Nomin's tongue and nearly made her wretch on the spot. She held her own, gagging at best before putting the cup down.

"By night's goo--ough--good graces, what the hell is in that!?" Nomin exclaimed, desperately dragging and scraping her tongue against her teeth to rid herself of the flavor and sensation that has blossomed throughout her mouth.

"That is typically the response one has when first taking that," Seruun giggled, taking the cup back while keeping Nomin upright. "It is unfortunate that the sweetness of the alyssum goes so far and only makes the initial imbibement tolerable."

"It tastes of yol piss and old sweaty smallclothes," Nomin complained, scrunching her nose.

"Yes, well…" Seruun started, getting Nomin laid back down. "I'll fetch you some water and aaruul to help with the taste. But the concoction you just drank should aid with your internal healing. It will wear you down and make you tired. It wouldn't be a surprise if you find yourself sleeping for bells upon bells as your body mends itself."

There was truth to the words. Nomin could already feel the weight of slumber pressing down upon her, but her body felt pleasant and warm. The aches of her wounds were an afterthought, light bruises that were only a minor inconvenience to the floating feeling that was starting to cushion her mind and body. It was intoxicating.

Her head felt weightless as she let it flop to the side as she watched Seruun put the cup away to fill another with water. Nomin was in a daze, her eyes locked on Seruun's tail until she turned around, and Nomin readjusted her dazed attention onto the shining brass baubles that glittered in the dim lighting that filtered through the ger's top.

"Here, your water…" Seruun said, bringing the cup to Nomin’s lips and sitting there to aid her.

"... Thanks…" Nomin said, tipping her head back into Seruuntungalag’s other hand and letting her help. It was an unusual experience to say the least -- that was what Nomin though, anyway. Especially as the cool water was perceived and felt going down her throat in this fog of weightlessness and feeling like her body was not fully in her control.

"Better?" Seruun asked after Nomin had finished half of her cup.

"Sleepy…water piss…" Nomin muttered, the pull of sleep being too great. Her eyes closed gradually and while she had little murmurings, those little indecipherable words gave way to deep breaths indicating slumber. Left with Nomin’s limp form, Seruun had put the cup down and laid her to rest more comfortably with a sheepish smile on her face.

[paintedscales]

013. Mankhad

The first migration that Nomin has seen during her time with the Sagahl leads her to the Bay of Yanxia. What was a fun outing with the other Sagahli children turns into something of a scare as a creature bursts from the waters and threatens hers and the other childrens' lives.

Word Count: 2,974

Steppe by Steppe Chapter List

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The time of migration had come and passed, and Nomin had the chance to go out of her way to meet some more of the Sagahli children. All the tribespeople were accounted for, and so the migration was cleared to go on ahead. Nomin had met five other children that were around her age, give or take -- three boys and two girls. There were a couple babes in the tribe as well, though Nomin only watched as they were swaddled and carried upon the backs of their parents.

For the most part, the other children had been nice to Nomin, one of them even thinking that her blue colouration of scales was cool because it meant that she was just like Bayarmaa. Of course, this made Nomin swell with a sense of pride -- for she also thought Bayarmaa sweet and amazing in her various ways of knowledge and how she carried herself more times than not.

Of the children, there was Jajiradai -- a boy of fourteen summers, and his height was telling. He towered over most of the other children, though he did not come close to standing at the same height, yet, as someone like Esenaij. He had a younger brother who had not entered into his growth spurt -- Odchigen, a boy who was as many summers as Nomin, and seemed to hold his brother in high regard.

Then there was Chotan, a girl of twelve summers. She liked flowers, and often wore those that she had preserved herself in her hair, or on her person. Apparently her parents had taught her how to preserve flowers that they may be worn, and even traded to those who were interested in Xaelic crafts when trading in Reunion.

Checheyigen -- who requested that others simply call her ‘Che’ -- happened to have been another girl of ten summers. She was often quiet, though liked collecting rocks in addition to whatever it was that her family had gone out to collect. Nomin had been impressed by the amount of rocks that she had within her collection -- more so by the crystals and precious stones that she had found.

Lastly, there was the youngest who was not still a babe; a boy by the name of Khulan. He had seen only seven summers. Like Nomin, he had been learning how to write and read, though his inquisitive nature seemed on par with hers. The two of them often seemed to ask Bayarmaa, Esenaij, or other Sagahli members about stuff they wanted to know more about, often getting shooed away to bother someone else.

In the migration, Nomin had gotten to know these children relatively well, and enjoyed her time with them -- happy enough to even call them friends with how she was able to speak and interact with them, as well as mutually share different tidbits of each other, and share other things like food. After all, the migration had actually been relatively lengthy. Several days had passed before the Sagahl had finally settled on a grassy plain that bordered a beach belonging to what many referred to as the Bay of Yanxia.

Only when Nomin was a little more aware of her surroundings did she stare at the land in confusion. She approached Bayarmaa and asked her, “why does the Sagahl set their iloh here? I cannot make out too many fruits or vegetables that we might harvest right away.”

“We are here for a different plant, that we might dry it and use it for teas and medicines. When it grows, it does so in poor soil ,” Bayarmaa started in response. “This plant we’re looking for is called ‘silvery wormwood’, it is named as such for the milky, almost silver-like sap it produces. We dry this for use in medicines and teas, which is prized and valued among our coastal allies -- the Mankhad and the Haragin.”

“The Sagahl have many allies…” Nomin observed, thinking about how often the Sagahl were able to trade and meet with other tribes without hostilities.

“It benefits the other tribes that we are allowed to roam the steppe free of conflict. This is not to say that we could not fight if it came down to it… though I imagine Esenaij has already demonstrated as such when you went to the Dotharl Khaa with him. Likewise, it also does not mean we are not without enemies,” Bayarmaa said, bringing a finger to her chin. “Back to the topic, many other tribes rely on us Sagahl, as we are and always have been the masters of the bounties that grow from this land. If it were not for us, many tribes would go without food or medicine. This is where our knowledge and teachings benefit us the most, and it benefits the other tribes to leave us be as a result.”

“Who are our enemies?”

Bayarmaa’s mouth soon set into a frown. Placing her hands on her hips, she sighed, not exactly wanting to recall previous conflicts, though it was good for the girl to know. Thinking for a moment on the tribes who fit the description of ‘enemy’, Bayarmaa eventually replied with, “the Adarkim, Chaghan, Jhungid, and the Kharlu come to mind. The Three Giants have often tried to catch us unawares so that they might absorb our tribespeople into their numbers to make use of our skills and knowledge. As for the Chaghan… well… they are the ones who were exiled by the Qerel as Taken -- those who succumb to their Will of Karash. This makes them incredibly violent all in Nhaama’s name. Blasphemous, if you ask me.”

Using her fingers, Nomin counted the four tribes and looked back up at Bayarmaa. Still holding her fingers in their counted form, she said, “at least it’s a small list.”

“There are still those who may yet change their stance in how they see us. May we only see that our alliances hold strong,” Bayarmaa spoke, walking to one side of the ger and pulling out some twine from a sack. “Now… let’s go ahead and start getting some of the herbs we collected on our way here set for drying.”

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A moon had passed and Nomin had learned from Bayarmaa how to write her characters with ease, and was able to read more than a few select words and sentence structures. She was quite proud of herself and her accomplishments in that endeavor. Now, Nomin’s questions were more on what certain words meant and how to apply them in writing, or even in spoken word.

Bushels of silvery wormwood had been collected by various members of the tribe, as well as other plants that grew in the area. ‘Day grain’ was what the Sagahl called the yellow, round grains that they collected and often boiled for meals in the time while they were there. It was interesting, but not so different from rice. At least it was something to go with the cooked up vilekin that the Sagahl also hunted -- being so close to the coastline gave them plenty of opportunities to hunt for buzzflies.

With many of the chores and work done, there had been little for the Sagahl to do other than wait. Seeds had been planted for the next year, herbs and goods had been collected and separated into bags for trade and to keep…. All that was left to do was wait for the opportunity to trade with a couple of other tribes that would find themselves somewhere close by. It could have been the Mankhad, or it could have been Haragin… only time would tell.

Nomin and the other children had gone to the beachside to have some fun while under the watchful eye of Jajiradai, who had taken his bow and arrows with him in case anything were to happen. Though his younger brother, Odchigen, stood mimicking his brother and watching over the beach at first, he eventually relented and went to play in the ocean waters with the rest of the kids.

A little later in the day, and Chotan had grown rather bored of the waters and sands, meandering close enough by, though having been taken with some of the local flora that started to bloom now that spring was upon them. Of course, curious Nomin had chased after her to see the flowers for herself. They were a beautiful purple with some yellow striping stemming out from their pistils outward.

“These are really pretty! Do you know what they are, Chotan?” Nomin asked, starting to reach out for the flower, but stopping remembering Bayarmaa’s words that she should not touch flowers unless she intended to harvest them.

“These… these are baras iris,” Chotan replied, her voice soft and airy, as if she had just woken up. Nomin had grown used to the slow way that Chotan spoke, and exhibited her patience with a smile. After all, Chotan had shown Nomin so many pretty flowers of the steppe, and had even given her a few of the preserved ones she had so that Nomin could practice drawing them.

“I think… I’ll be taking these ones,” Chotan said, plucking two of the irises from their spots. “Yes… these ones will be perfect… for hairpins.”

“Do you think it’d look good on me?” Nomin asked, wondering if she could get a flower hairpin.

Chotan turned her attention toward Nomin, and she looked her up and down. She thought about it, reaching out and touching Nomin’s hair, holding a lock of it between her fingers. Chotan gave a gentle ‘hmm’ before letting go of the sky blue tress.

“... Yellow…” Chotan spoke.

“Huh?” Nomin gave a quizzical look.

“... Your hair… yellow flowers would really stand out,” Chotan elaborated.

“You think so? I thought white or red might look goo--” Nomin was cut off by Che and Khulan’s panicked shouts and yells from the water.

Odchigen could be heard calling for his brother, hurriedly announcing that a flying shark had surfaced and was coming right for them. Though, it seemed Jajiradai needed no attention called to the shark that was gliding through the air across the water. He had already taken up his bow and loosed a couple arrows toward the creature, both arrows hitting their mark, but not slowing down the wavekin at all.

“Back onto the sands! Quickly! Run toward the iloh!” Jajiradai urged, watching the kids run back. Nomin and Chotan could only comply, clumsily getting back up onto their feet as they ran over the sands.

Chotan only ran so far before she had tripped over her own feet; she had been trying to keep the baras irises safe as she fled, though to no avail. Nomin lingered back after her friend fell, running to her and helping her to her feet. She reached out for one of the irises that had fallen onto the sand that still looked alright, though the sound of Jajiradai yelling at them stopped her.

“Keep running to the iloh!”

The shout seemed too late. Even as Jajiradai loosed another arrow into the flying shark, it was fast approaching the two girls. Nomin had done her best to shield Chotan with her own body as the other girl quickly tried reorienting herself. Unbeknownst to the former Tumet, Chotan had dropped the flowers completely, ready to flee without distraction.

Just as the shark opened its maw to attack, it stiffened, falling from its hovering state and crashing into the sand. It rolled around a bit due to its momentum, stiff but still operating its gills. Jajiradai took this opportunity to run to the girls and scoop them up into his arms to bring them back to safety. However, his own curiosity set in when he put the girls down; walking back toward the wavekin, he sighed, noting his arrows being broken and unsalvageable. Though Jajiradai also noted something else of interest: a white, sharpened bone sticking out of the shark’s flesh.

Reaching out to it, a sharp whistle caught his and everyone else’s attention, halting Jajiradai in the process. Looking toward the sound, they saw a young man, perhaps only a little older than Jajiradai, waving to them from a top one of the sand dunes of the beach. Once he had their attention, he started jogging toward them.

“Don’t touch that dart!” the boy called out before anything else. “It is laced with potent dagina fish poison. If you touch it, you may become paralyzed.”

Jajiradai lowered his hand from attempting to observe the bone dart further and put his bow away on his person. He stayed silent for the time being, perhaps a little upset that someone else had stolen the honor of protecting the Sagahli children from him. However, he spoke no ill, and simply bowed courteously to the new boy.

“None of you are hurt, are you?” the boy asked, concern apparent on his face. “My tribespeople traveled this way for migration. I was visiting the beach to see if I might find some shells for my mother to craft with.”

Nomin was busy making sure Chotan was okay, helping her brush off sand from her clothes and body. It seemed both of them were a little sad that the baras irises had been ruined in the sudden scare of the flying shark surfacing and coming to attack. However, with the shark pacified, Chotan sighed and walked to the area where the rest of the irises were, looking over them to see if she could find two new flowers that were good for her crafts.

Leaving her to it, Nomin had approached Jajiradai and the other boy, curious as to who this new boy was. It seemed the other two children had also returned -- or perhaps did not run terribly far to where they could see and hear that the situation had been handled. Though Che had been wary of the shark that was still there, Odchigen happily approached, praising his elder brother and his abilities.

“Jajiradai! I knew you could take down that shark!” Odchigen cheered.

“Oh… it was… it was this new boy…” Nomin said, pointing at him. “He defeated the shark.”

“... It was, “Jajiradai affirmed, watching Odchigen glance between everyone as he gawked in disbelief.

“Hey, what’s your name?” Nomin finally asked the boy, as it seemed no one else was asking what felt like an obvious question to ask in general.

“Baihingor, and I come from the Mankhad tribe,” the boy introduced. He then pointed to the shark and then held out a bone blowgun. “In my search for shells, I often come here to practice hitting cloudkin or wavekin that come too close. It is a form of hunting for us as well so that we might have food.”

“But how do you eat them if you poison them?” Checheyigen asked, her soft voice startling Nomin and Odchigen momentarily.

Baihingor chuckled softly and replied, “that is a very good concern…. My people often take the creatures back while they are paralyzed and allow them to get better. The shark is still alive, see? But the poison will wear off in several bells. When it does, we keep and care for the creature for a fortnight to help ensure the poison has run its course before we slaughter them for food.”

Walking toward the downed shark, Baihingor took some gloves from his person and slipped them on before grasping the dart and pulling it from the shark. Turning it around between his fingers, he then put it away in a specially decorated pouch before removing his gloves with a smile. He patted the wavekin rather gently before looking at the others around him.

“Come, we can remove the arrows and return the creature to sea. Like this, it will not benefit anyone save for its skin and bones… but to make no use of its meat because the dagina poison has not run its course is a waste,” Baihingor said, leaning down and pulling out one of the arrows that had broken though was still lodged into the beast.

Jajiradai told the other children to stand back while he and Baihingor took care of removing the rest of the arrows. Once removed, the two worked together to start bringing the shark back to the water. It was a task that proved a little difficult, though eventually both of the older boys had been able to at least get the flying shark back to deep enough water that they could make sure they could leave it without worrying about it dying on the beach and attracting other unwanted attention.

“So…” Baihingor started when everyone started back inland. “I suppose I wouldn’t be far from the truth if I were to assume you were all from the Sagahl tribe? My people are expecting to cross paths with you soon if that’s the case.”

“Yeah!” Odchigen eagerly replied. “We got a lot of our harvests in, and they’re ready to trade to your people!”

“That’s a relief to hear,” Baihingor sighed, bringing a hand to his chest in relief. “My sister relies on the medicine and tea that our people get from your tribe.”

Nomin looked at Baihingor in surprise. It was just as Bayarmaa told her; this boy who had saved them from the flying shark needed the medicine the Sagahl made or at least collected components for so that they might live as healthily as possible as well.

“Well…” Baihingor stopped walking with the group of Sagahl and smiled at them. When the others stopped and looked at him, he continued speaking, “I’ll be heading back to the beach to look for more shells. My people will be happy to know that you are not that far away. May we meet again soon, and travel in safety back to your people! I won’t always be around to save your scales from other flying sharks!”

[paintedscales]

021. Malaguld

Having finally made it to the Malaguld Iloh with Narantuyaa at her side, Nomin is reunited with the Sagahl previously subjugated by the Jhungid. A nagging thought tugs at her, however, a thought that results in a solidified decision that means keeping the people she cares for safe.

Word Count: 4,243

Steppe by Steppe Chapter List

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The day finally came when both Narantuyaa and Nomin happened across the Sagahl that she had helped to escape from the Jhungid. They were at a different iloh than what Nomin had been imagining -- after all, the ger did not proudly show the dark blues of the Sagahl, but rather the muted greens of a different tribe altogether that Nomin was not really sure who proudly wore the color of.

“Nomin!” came the familiar voice of Checheyigen when both Nomin and Narantuyaa arrived at the iloh, and it was then that Nomin had three other teens running at her and throwing their arms around her. Chotan, Che, and Khulan had all nearly topped Nomin to the ground, startling Horse for a moment as he nickered and trot backwards a few paces.

“Where have you been? You said you’d be right behind us!” Khulan said, a small whine to his voice.

“I, uh… I got injured on the way here,” Nomin admitted. Instinctively, she brought a hand to her shoulder where the first arrow had hit her. Despite Toghon’s healing magicks, she had been left with some scarring from the event. Two arrow pocks on her torso. She supposed it all made sense -- they were pretty deep injuries, after all.

“But…I was cared for by the Gharl…hence the colors. Or lack thereof, I suppose?” Nomin held her arms out after she finished her statement, and the other teens backed up a bit as they saw the new clothes that she wore. However, when the former Tumet looked upon the others, she chuckled softly. Everyone that had been part of the Sagahl were wearing colors befitting the tribe they were staying with for the time being.

In that moment, Nomin could not help but to smile -- she was grateful that they were safe more than anything in the world.

“Thank the Dusk Mother you have seen yourself to us in relatively good health,” came another voice. When the teens had looked over, Turakina was standing there, her hands drawn before herself as she looked upon the scene of the teens happy to see one another. She walked forward, approaching Nomin in particular and stopped in front of her when the other teens had moved to allow her through.

For a brief time, Nomin thought she was about to get scolded and braced herself for any of the verbal lashings she felt like she was going to get. However, the scolding never came. Turakina did not raise her voice. She had no harsh nor ill words to say. Instead, she had reached out and pulled Nomin in for a hug, holding her close -- it was clear that she was grateful that she was alive.

Nomin’s heart felt as if it were about to stop and burst from the swell of emotions that had washed over her just then. She quickly hugged Turakina back, closing her eyes tightly for a few seconds before blinking away the tears that stung her eyes as best she could.

“I thought…I thought you’d still be mad at me…” Nomin quietly said.

It was as if the gravity of everything that had happened finally hit Nomin. She got the Sagahl away from the Jhungid. She suffered grievous wounds at their hands during her escape, and she would not have been surprised if everyone there had suspected she had died in her endeavor.

“Bayarmaa will be proud of you, little sister…” Turakina said, pulling back and looking down at Nomin with a small smile. She sniffled softly, bringing a hand up to wipe away her own tears. “I’m sure Esenaij, should he be among Nhaama’s stars, is proud of what you accomplished, too.”

“Proud of us all, I’m sure,” Nomin replied.

The trials and tribulations that the Jhungid set upon them had not been easy. Nomin’s driving force in doing as she was told was all in order to become powerful enough to free the Sagahl. She had been angry, she had been determined, and most of all, she had felt vindictive and vengeful. She would be lying to herself if she said she did not feel the burn of vengeance in her heart still yet. That obsession.

Nomin tore her thoughts away as she remembered that she had company. She drew an arm and motioned toward Narantuyaa when she took a step back from Turakina. She offered a smile to them as she glanced between her tribespeople and the one wearing the blood-red deel.

“This is Narantuyaa of the Mol,” Nomin introduced.

The Mol teen bowed respectfully to the Sagahl, coming back up with a smile upon her lips. The former Tumet continued, “she met with me when I was with the soil bearers and said the Gods urged her to escort me to you. I’m grateful that she did. The journey across the Ceol Aen would have been arduous and fraught with thoughts of self-doubt and anxiety. I’m grateful for her company and companionship these last few suns.”

“P-please, Nomin! The pleasure was all mine!” Narantuyaa quickly stated, her cheeks flushing with the praise. Fidgeting with the sleeve of her robes, Narantuyaa looked to the ground bashfully. “At first, I did not understand why the Gods bade me to accompany this ‘child of the steppe who dons many colors’, but after traveling alongside Nomin and learning from her, I have gained many insights and wish to grow determined and strong like she is. And…”

Narantuyaa paused, looking up and back at Nomin.

“And to ask questions. Of myself, the situations that arise, and even why the Gods ask of me what they do. What lessons they seek to teach me, or what failures or victories they wish to show me,” Narantuyaa finished with a softened expression.

Nomin’s brow had risen in surprise at the ending statement. Narantuyaa’s soft expression and words nearly made Nomin flush with embarrassment. Though she managed to put a smile back on her face and laugh off her feeling of awkwardness at that moment.

"And…and I suppose I've also learned to, um…to be more open to certain thoughts and questions myself thanks to Narantuyaa’s experiences and our discussions," Nomin said in kind to shake off that awkward feeling that had settled on her skin. Like she had to say something of a similar exchange to reassure everyone (herself?) that she had not only enjoyed the travel with Narantuyaa, but learned something equally profound.

Pleasantries were traded between the Sagahl and Narantuyaa before Nomin’s horse was relieved of his tack and cargo. Horse was taken by Checheyigen and brought to the other horses, and the two girls who had traversed the lands to get there were brought into the Malaguld Iloh proper.

Within the tribe’s community, Nomin found herself surprised to see auri individuals who, unlike her and other Xaela, had scales of some of the purest white she had ever borne witness to. Absolutely the opposite of herself and others found on the Steppe. Even more of a surprise to Nomin were the children and other auri people whose scales were a mix of black and white. There were not too many of these mixed scales people, but enough to draw her attention.

“Those are the Raen peoples,” Chotan softly explained to Nomin, who she had caught staring at the Raen with curiosity in her gaze. The other Sagahl and Narantuyaa had ventured further into the migration site of the Malaguld while Chotan and Nomin stayed behind.

“Raen?” Nomin repeated, looking at Chotan and then back at the Raen who had been in what looked like an enjoyable conversation with someone else. “Huh… I’ve only ever seen them in picture books.”

“With the Jhungid?”

Nomin shook her head at the question. She dug into her memories and soon spoke, “no…when I was…was smaller. With Esenaij…we were taken in by the Dataq for some time while we waited out a storm. There was this girl…she helped teach me to read. She shared with me this story about an auri traveler with scales white as the snow that caps the Tail Mountains.”

Looking down, Nomin’s expression turned distant and saddened. “I-I wish I could remember her name. The girl…she had scales like mine -- mottled and ugly. Instead of the blue one can witness upon my scales, she had patches of white -- resembling the color much like the Raen people have.”

Chotan was about to protest when someone did it for her: “your scales are not ugly, little sister.”

Both girls turned to look at the individual who had spoken up. The person that stood behind them was a relatively tall man, clad in white scales rather than black. He had a gentle look on his face as he beheld the girls, though Nomin could not help but to note the sheathed weapon that hung from his hip. A katanga, she believed it was called -- not many of them were seen among the Jhungid, but there were still some that were taken after felling their enemies.

Returning her attention upon Munemoto, it had been interesting to Nomin seeing someone so different intermingling and living among a Xaela tribe in peace. It was something that made her feel this swell of relief as she relaxed and half heartedly smiled up at him. After all, she disagreed with his view that her scales were anything but ugly.

“Ah, sorry, my name is Munemoto Tachikake of Malaguld. I couldn’t help but to overhear your words with Chotan. Apologies if I overstepped any boundaries you have…” the Raen man spoke, bashfully rubbing the back of his neck and looking away from both Chotan and Nomin. He had been addressing Nomin in particular, as he seemed to imply that he already knew the other girl.

The girls could only really glance between one another before looking at Munemoto once again. Choatan had been the first to speak up, as Nomin had not particularly been inclined; “apologies on our end as well, Munemoto. This is our Sagahli sister, Nomin. She saw to it that we were freed from the Jhungid’s custody.”

Munemoto’s brow rose at that news, his attention going to Nomin once more. He beamed, throwing his arms wide with greater acceptance to Nomin’s being there.

“You are the one the Sagahl have been telling us about! They fair sang your praises and worried greatly for you while they've been staying here,” Munemoto went ahead and said. “It is no small feat what you managed to accomplish, little sister! Be proud of yourself, scales and all! For they are the markings of a hero to her people!”

Nomin tried to keep the smile on her face, she really did. Though it faltered and faded in time before she looked at the ground and sighed. Munemoto’s praise, and Chotan’s words became muffled within Nomin’s horns as her mind went over event after event. Consideration after consideration.

Maybe what Munemoto said was true in some capacity, but a hero to her people also meant a threat to the Jhungid. A threat to the Jhungid -- one of the big three -- was something that she would perhaps carry with her until she was caught once more, or killed by their hand.

This was something Nomin could not allow to loom over her people, her family.

That thought brought more solidification to one thing in her mind as Nomin looked back up at Munemoto. She put a smile back on her face despite the fact that she was unsure how to go about being called a 'hero.' She only did what she felt was right -- what was just by those she cared about. It had all begun as a concept of hatred and vengeance in the beginning, but to see the fruits of her bided time and planning was reassuring at the very least.

“Enough talk of heroes and such,” Nomin requested gently. She brought a hand to her stomach and continued: “I’ve seen a number of suns on my way here since traveling alongside Narantuyaa of Mol from the Gharl Iloh. It’s really built up quite the appetite -- surely for my horse as well! I can help hunt for a meal, or gather.”

“Nonsense!” Chothan gasped, bringing her hands to her mouth. “We have plenty of supplies -- gathered quite a bit to help the Malaguld and repay them for taking us in. We can easily get something made for you. You deserve the rest, so rest and take it easy for now!”

‘That seems so easy for her to say.’ That was what Nomin had lingering in the back of her mind as she gave the other Sagahl teen a continued smile. Chuckling slightly and giving a small, defeated shrug of her shoulders, Nomin replied, “right then. Well, I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to venture more around the iloh and get to know everyone around. At least know where everything is.”

“Of course! You’ll even get to meet more of the Raen around the iloh!” Chotan clapped her hands together, her tail swaying happily and a smile growing hearing Nomin willing to make the effort to take it easy. She then turned to Munemoto, the unshakable grin remaining present on her face. "Would you be so kind as to show Nomin around, Munemoto? Oh, and prepare for a lot of questions."

Rolling her eyes, the former Tumet let a scoff fall from her lips as she folded her arms over her chest. She could not help the smile that appeared upon her own face, though she waved a hand to playfully dismiss the Sagahl. Chuckling, she said, "okay, okay, enough! I won't ask him that many questions."

Laughing gently herself, Chotan glanced between the two before her tail flicked and her expression changed to that of remembrance. She quickly dug in a pouch on her person and approached Nomin. She had withdrawn something from that pouch, and Nomin saw a flash of goldenrod before she leaned back in surprise while Chotan leaned up and affixed the preserved lily hair clip in those baby blue tresses.

"There…now you look like the Nomin I know. With a golden flower bright as the sun in her hair," Chotan said. She placed her hands upon her hips, a satisfied look on her face before nodding to herself. She waved and turned to go toward one of the other ger, finally leaving Nomin and Munemoto alone together.

Nomin resisted reaching up to touch or fix the flower in her hair. Instead, an amused scoff fell from her lips before she turned her attention back to Munemoto. Her smile faltered now that it was just him and her.

"Um…" Nomin started, unsure how to really broach the topic of the question that floated to the surface of her thoughts. "I…I'm at risk of sounding incredibly ignorant… I'm simply curious: how exactly is it that you -- your people -- came into being part of the Malaguld?"

Munemoto gazed down at Nomin for a moment before he took a breath. It seemed he was thinking on how best to answer the inquiry. Though he turned his attention toward the rest of the iloh, letting out that thoughtful sigh as he did so.

"Doma and surrounding lands -- even waters -- have been threatened by Garleans in recent history," Munemoto started. "Many of my people fled to where they could manage. My people came here, to the Steppe. Many of us were raised on stories that this used to be the land we roamed in tandem with you, the Xaela. So we came here hoping for sanctuary from those that would steal us away for conscription."

“Garleans?” Nomin asked. The name was unfamiliar to her. Not even a fleeting memory of any overheard conversations among the Jhungid 

“Have you not heard?” Munemote looked at Nomin with some level of shock before his expression fell. “Oh, how I envy you. The Garleans have invaded the lands and claimed Doma as their own. I and others had done much in the way of escape, or at least finding allies that might aid us Domans. They've beaten us into submission with their impressive and terrifying metal technologies. All their show of force has left us little in the way of being able to fight back.”

For a moment, Nomin’s lips parted with desire to say something. However, she closed her mouth and looked down at her feet. It was only when Munemoto started walking forward that the former Tumet followed suit.

"... How… How long ago did the Garleans invade?" Nomin asked, genuinely curious, but also genuinely afraid of the answer. She had been with the Jhungid for such a time with no real word on happenings outside of it that part of her felt guilty for not knowing anything about them.

Not a name. Not their deeds. Not how long they had been there. Not even if they had any plans for invading the Steppe.

Munemoto paused, his gaze going up to the near-cloudless sky. Humming in thought, his tail curled and he closed his eyes. Finally, he spoke: "my family had been celebrating my younger brother's tenth nameday. He'd have been twenty-four summers had he made it. That's the only way I can remember when the occupation started in earnest."

"... I…see. I'm sorry for your loss." The pang of loss shot through Nomin as she thought of Esenaij. If Munemoto’s memories were like hers at all, then that moment was burned into his mind just as the moment Esenaij was struck down was burned into Nomin's.

A small hum of consideration and then dismissal came from Munemoto before he brought a smile back onto his face. Waving a hand, he said, “let us speak no longer of the past. What’s important is that you’ve been reunited with your people, and that we are safe here. Let us waste no more of the Dawn Father’s daylight.”

There was a lot for Nomin to chew on mentally as she walked alongside Munemoto. She donned a smile where appropriate, introduced herself and made pleasantries when made to converse, though otherwise stole away into her thoughts. She wished she had known more of the happenings outside of the Steppe -- what influenced them and what may have started to bleed its way to their lands.

Given how long the Garleans had been in Doma at this point, Nomin was disappointed in herself that she was only just now finding out. Esenaij nor Bayarmaa ever spoke of it… And no one at Reunion ever brought it up. Though, to have been fair to the last thought, Nomin supposed, she had not asked for news from beyond the borders from foreign merchants. And now here she was, largely ignorant of these Garleans and their occupation.

She thought about this more than she would have liked, admittedly. It was only when Nomin and Munemoto returned to the other Sagahl in order to eat that she finally placed her focus on those around her. To finally bask in the fact that she succeeded in something and saw members of her tribe free. As much as her heart swelled in relief in her chest, it also thud to the bottom of her stomach like a stone not long after. Despite the mirth and merriment, Nomin’s thoughts between her time with the Jhungid and thinking about what Munemoto told her, she had truly resolved herself to one thing now: she had to leave.

Whether it was just the Sagahl in general, or the Steppe as a whole, Nomin knew that her actions against the Jhungid was more than enough grounds for severe punishment. Perhaps even worse. What the punishments could be, she had no idea…but she did know that she did not want to experience them, and above that, did not want the Sagahl to experience anything harsh because of her actions.

Finishing up her meal, Nomin got up and approached Munemoto shortly after. He looked at her with apparent curiosity, though he smiled and welcomed her presence nevertheless.

"You couldn't possibly want more to see of the iloh. Why, I've shown you just about everything I could!" the Raen joked, chuckling softly afterward. It elicited a gentle scoff of amusement from Nomin herself before she looked down at her hands with mild concern. She could feel her tail curl with some semblance of uncertainty before she finally allowed a sigh to leave her.

“Please take care of the Sagahl and make sure that they are returned to their tribe proper in time,” Nomin softly requested. “I couldn’t help but mull over my recent actions and the news you told me. Mayhap I need more time to ruminate on them, but…I think I’ve ultimately come to the decision that my being here -- being among my people… Well, it just endangers them, doesn’t it…?”

Munemoto’s expression slowly fell after listening to Nomin. He grew pensive, closing his eyes as he considered the words spoken to him; the request that was made in earnest. His brow creased when he finally opened his eyes and looked at the Xaela auri girl before him. He saw her reluctance and her uncertainty, though he made no comment on it.

"I won't tell you what's right or wrong for you, but you have my word that the Sagahl will remain safe here," Munemoto replied. A small smile grew on his lips when Nomin met his gaze with a relieved expression. It was something that glowed even in the cast of the fire's light.

"Truly?" Nomin asked, looking at the Raen.

"On my highest honor as a former blade that served the Doman Empire," Munemoto replied, standing from his seat. He walked over and gently placed a hand upon Nomin's shoulder. He gave her a warm smile and continued, "I don't know what you have planned for yourself, but the Malaguld will remain the Sagahl's allies, of that, you can rest assured. Even my husband has made such a claim when the Sagahl first came across our iloh. You couldn't have a better word than that of this tribe's khan."

"You and the rest of the Malaguld would have my eternal thanks," Nomin replied. She felt that hollow swell in her heart -- a combination of sorrow and relief. Sorrow for the goodbyes that must be made, and relief knowing her friends and family were in good hands. Taking in a breath, the former Tumet soon placed her hands upon her hips and continued: “I’ll remain here for a few days. I will learn of the things here that I can be afforded, but I should also supply myself before I take my leave.”

Withdrawing his hand, Munemoto gave a small nod to Nomin’s words. He seemed as if he were about to say something more, though was cut off from even starting.

“So that’s it? You’re leaving us?” spoke a familiar small voice.

Turning, Nomin and Munemoto both saw Chotan standing behind them. She was holding some freshly made boortsog in a wooden bowl, her hands clearly having tightened their grasp upon the wooden container. Her expression was hurt, and she had quickly turned her head down to look away. Almost instantly, Nomin’s own expression fell, her tail stiffening in surprise behind her. She had not been expecting another one of the Sagahl to have followed along after her -- whatever the reason may have been.

"I…I have to…" Nomin replied, her voice growing just as small. Having Chotan there, hearing her request to Munemoto…it caused her throat to tighten as she frowned. She did her best to find her conviction, however; "I don't want to, please understand that. I-I just wouldn't be able to live with myself if the Jhungid found me and punished you. S-Surely at this point they knew it was me. Someone surely saw me defect from the battle. If they come after us at all, it'll be me they'd look for first and foremost -- if not the only one they'd be looking for."

Chotan stayed quiet, her gaze still pointed away from Nomin.

"It's just…you just came back to us, and you're already planning on leaving…" Chotan said, her voice just above a whisper.

"I wish I felt like it didn't have to be that way, I truly do."

Munemoto cleared his throat, folding his arms over his chest as he did so. He attempted pointing a reassuring look in Chotan's direction before approaching her to help diffuse the rising tension.

"Best not to dwell on what still remains in the future, little sister," Munemoto started. Chotan made no effort to look at him nor at Nomin. Despite this, the Raen continued: "Take solace in having your Sagahli sister here with you today, and for however long after that. She is not walking away now, she is still yet here, no?"

"... Yes, I-I guess…" the Sagahl teen replied, her brow furrowing as she adjusted her hold on the bowl of fried bread. She sighed, her shoulders heaving, and tail going slack as she did. Her attention finally went to Nomin, her expression still hurt, though not as severely.

Walking toward Nomin, Chotan held out the bowl.

"Here…you liked them, right?"

Managing a half smile, Nomin slowly approached Chotan to meet with her and took a couple of the treats. With a small huff made in an attempt to keep her mood light, the former Tumet said, "I'm touched you remembered. Thanks, Chotan. If not just for the boortsog, then…for caring about me enough to remember little things."

[paintedscales]

Who or what could cheer up your OC/WoL after a rough week?

Hi, pinxli! Thank you so much for the ask! I feel like you know one of the obvious answers to this one. Hehe. > w < ♥

WoL Questions

If we started from an earlier point, Nomin's go-tos for someone to help cheer her up, or make her feel better would default to Bayarmaa. Esenaij was usually too busy to actually talk to often (and she actually did start to get frustrated with him, because he never really cracked all that often from his stoic demeanor!). Within the Sagahl tribe, she has Jajiradai and Odchigen at first, but then there's also Chotan -- just as peers who were / are closer around her age.

Within the Jhungid, Turakina became Nomin's overall stand-in for Bayarmaa. Someone who offered a gentle touch, kind words, and the support she needed in order to press on as well as slow down and plan more efficiently her method of revolt against their captors. Alongside Turakina, the others that Nomin had were Chotan and Checheyigen as fellow Jhungid peers that were her age that allowed her to have friends in a shitty situation.

When it comes to items, Nomin just likes having a good handful of hours in a nice scenic place with a canvas and some paints -- usually oil-based. She'll lose herself in the tranquillity and beauty of being able to commit something to canvas, capturing it for an eternity. Painting is such a soothing release for her that she savors any and all times she can sit down and indulge.

Some expansion specifics below the cut, though! :D

ARR, Nomin actually liked talking to Minfilia. She liked knowing she wasn't alone with this Echo business, and getting to spend time with someone who surely had more of an understanding of it. Likewise, she also really liked spending time with Tataru, as she was really upbeat and fun to talk to. A good bit of fun before going out to take care of whatever it was Minfilia wanted her to lend a hand with.

HW, it was really only Tataru that allowed her to cheer up and have a moment to reassess the situation she and everyone else were in. Alphinaud as well, but Nomin felt more like a shoulder for him rather than vice versa. Tataru seemed to have her wits more about her whenever they spoke, and the hope she had was infectious.

StB... Hm. You know. Nomin turned to even less people because she felt she had a lot to think about going back to the Far East. Especially returning to the Azim Steppe, feeling uncertain about her presence there. She was reunited with many of her Xaela friends and family there. Getting to celebrate with them before the Naadam was good for her. Cathartic even. She likes that she has reconnected with Bayarmaa and her newly formed family (she's an aunt!? That was surprising!).

ShB Nomin actually found some solace in being able to speak with Ardbert more amicably. Maybe not about some of the things that were plaguing her mind (she felt those emotions were irrelevant and thus kept them to herself). But yeah, her time at the Pendants, getting to rest and have a breather from how insane some things just get was always appreciated.

EW Nomin had way too much going on to really pay too much attention to the things that brought her joy. Though...a good cup of chai, moments to breathe and see everyone around her -- all the people who support her because she supported them... It's overwhelming in a good way. And then...there's the bedroom scene, and she finally voices her feelings, and Estinien becomes her more firm go-to in order to feel love, solace, comfort, and warmth.