Eiyuu Kishi Den

Luria put a hand on Phaeton's shoulder and smiled. "The high elves believe that all things containing spirits are equal, from the tiniest leaf to you and me. That's why they don't eat them. Why don't you help Kitsa with the horses, and I'll handle the food? Cooking is work for women, after all!" She chuckled at that, and bowed her head to the high elves appologetically. "Please exscuse my friend. He's new to elves and all."

Phaeton smiled and seemed relieved as Luria spoke to him, the savage glanced back at the elf female and spoke in a gentle voice.

"My thanks Luria, I..I have much to learn. And hahaha..you have good humor about you my friend, shall go and help our companion with the horses. Remind me when there is time to tell you more of my people, that way you can tell me more of civilized customs and things."

The savage gave the High-elves a respectful bow and spoke with a reverent voice, then departed to help Kitsa with the horses.

"Forgive my foolish ignorance honored ones, I will endeavor to become wiser. Thank you for your patience."

Seri nodded to Phaeton as he apologized, though his over eagerness to serve was starting to bother her. Or maybe that was just her hormones talking. The high elf laid her hand on her round belly, feeling the energy of the child inside her, and it's occassional movements. Seri closed her eyes and a soft, content smile turned up the corners of her lips. She was starting to feel frustrated with the human, but thinking of her child settled her emotions. It was, so far, the most satisfying experiance of her twelve-hundred odd years, to create a new life. She was around two hundred years old when Estas was born, and it was nearly two centuries since Deedlit's birth, and now, she was bringing the next youngest high elf into the race.

She had been apprehensive when Azala, once her student, began to seduce her. She felt that she was above the act that he was so intend on consumating, even though she had never partaken in that particular pleasure. And then, once he had his fill, he was gone. However, now, she felt it was the best thing that ever happened to her. Whether Azala wanted to accept his responsiblity as a father or not didn't matter much to Seri, but she felt he should know and be given the chance to decide. What ever he chose, she would still have a child.

The elders had been unsure at first whether to consider her child a high elf or not, but in the end, they decided that so long as the child was raised a high elf, it was a high elf. Really, the only difference between them and the so-called common elves was the fact they were immortal. If a high elf lived outside the Forest of No Return, they would live for a thousand years, like the common elves, or the dark elves.

Seri was certain this child was female, which was what her instincts told her. However, no one could be entirely sure until the child was born. Aluina was the name Seri had decided on; once her instincts had insisted that it was a girl, she had discarded any male names she considered. Whenever someone asked her the gender, she answered "girl" without a second thought. It wouldn't be too long until they could be absolutely certain, though a high elven mother's instincts could definately be trusted, there was nothing quite like actually knowing the truth.

OOC: I'm just going to mod Orion for a little bit. I don't know how familiar you are with horses.

IC: Kitsa followed Orion's lead and began gathering the reins of the horses near her, which included Phaeton's horse, Ikhen, the High Elves' horses, and Sairina's horse. As she went to take Aeru's reins, Sairina stopped her long enough to unpack her gear from the saddle.

"Just leave the saddle here where someone can find it," Sairina told Kitsa. It was too heavy and pointless to carry it around, they might as well just leave it behind and hope someone else could find use for a side-saddle, or at least sell it.

Kitsa nodded to Sairina, then led the horses, following where Orion brought the ones he led. There were a pair of posts set up for tying down horses in the grass, all they needed was a rope.

The horses patiently stood by as they were unpacked and unsaddled. Kitsa paid close attention as Orion unbuckled straps on his horse, Soiff, first, and once he informed her of the right way to do things, she went to take care of Luria's horse.

OOC: I know a thing or two, but its no worry. I got the impression that Kitsa isn't very experienced with horses. If I took that wrong, then ignore the part about Orion showing her how to do things and just assume it was a total team effort.

IC:

Orion seemed to take the lead in getting the horses free of their riding wear. The common elf took a moment to gather the ropes from their various locations. Most of the riders had ropes, and there were extras for those who did not. Kitsa did not seem to be very knowledgable when it came to the care of the horses, so he took it apon himself to teach her. He brought her over and handed her a rope. For safety purposes, he chose to teach her with his own mount, since she was not jumpy.

He instructed her on how he prefered to tie horses. He took off all of the equipment from his horse and showed her how it was done. He taught her how to tie the knot for the horse's head, making a loose loop around their necks. He explained how this was comfortable to the horse all of the time, unless it tried to fight the rope. If it did, the knot would get tighter and so would the loop, making them choose between suffocating and living with being tied up. Most trained horses were contented with this method, since they didn't struggle. He allowed Kitsa to tie the ropes to half of the horses, while he did the other half.

OOC: It's just fine.

IC: Quite pleased with her newly implimented skills in horse care, Kitsa grinned and turned to Orion to see if he approved of her rope harnesses and knots.

OOC: Eh, that's about it, but oh well, conversation starter? Phaeton is supposed to help too.

OOC: PHaeton is too slow.

IC:

Orion examined the knots and nodded his head. "Good," he said. "You have learned this skill quickly," Orion remarked. He wasn't much for conversation. In fact, he found it uncomfortable and unnerving. Of all of his traits, eloquence was only available for his movements.

((OOC: Suffering from a concussion right now. Slow is all I can do for the moment. Sorry I haven't posted much.))

IC: Phaeton headed over to aid Kitsa and Orion with the horses, but the savage could see they had things well in hand. Still, if there was any last bit assistance he could give it wouldn't hurt to do so. The savage stepped over to the pair and spoke as he watched them.

"How may I help?"

As a priestess of Cha Za, Sairina was provided a tent, though she had yet to set it up. The priest who gave it to her wrote instructions, but she was still having problems setting it up. She had a set of interconnecting wooden rods that would be the main support, a white silken tent that was laid out on the ground, and a collection of pegs. The priestess was struggling with connecting the pole's segments properly.

Estas finished setting up Seri's tent quickly, he'd been doing it for months now, so it didn't take long. Once he was finished, he noticed Sairina trying to set up her own. The high elf walked to the priestess without a second thought. "Do you need help?" he asked.

"Oh, yes, I could use a little," Sairina replied, smiling gratefully to the high elf. She had at least succeeded in finishing the pole. The priestess stood with the six foot tall pole in her hands and looked up at Estas. She had to catch her breath for a moment; Estas was very beautiful, after all. "Could you hold the tent up for me?" she asked, pointing to the opening flap of the tent laying flat on the ground.

Estas nodded and picked up the flap, then stepped in, lifting the tent over his head. Sairina followed behind him, carrying the pole. "There should be a notch on the cieling," she said, and stood the pole to push up the cieling of the tent, while Estas felt around for the notch.

"This must be it," Estas said, holding up the center of the tent where a puckered hole was sewn. Sairina stood the pole up and moved it into place while Estas pulled the cloth down and secured the post. As they worked so close in an enclosed area, Sairina was close enough to feel his warmth and smell him. The high elf's scent was very appealing, almost intoxicating, and it made her want to be closer to him.

She took a step closer, now standing barely inches from him. "Th...thank you," she said.

Estas looked down at her with a raised eyebrow. The step she took closer to him, the slight stammer in her usually composed voice, and the look in her eyes made her feelings quite obvious. However, Estas was not the least bit interested in human women, though many became interested in him since he'd been traveling. "You're welcome," Estas said coolly, as if she had done nothing at all. The high elf stepped around her and out of the tent.

Sairina breathed a sigh of disapointment after Estas left her tent, not only was she disapointed, but relieved and embarrassed at the same time. What was she thinking, flirting with a high elf? He didn't seem interested in her at all. Now she probably wouldn't be able to look him in the eyes again. Maybe he was in love with Seri? Or maybe it was simply the fact that he felt humans were below him.

Sairina set up her bed in her tent. It was big enough for two people, maybe three and there were two other woman in the party. Once Sairina had set up her bed, she walked over to Luria at the campfire, actively avoiding looking at Estas.

"Excuse me, Luria," Sairina said. "I have some extra room in my tent. I thought you might like some privacy, if you want to share the tent."

Kitsa smiled with Orion's approval. As Phaeton joined them, there really wasn't anything left for him to do with the horses, but they still had tack and packs to take into the campsite.

"You can help us carry equipment," Kitsa replied, motioning to the stacked saddles, pile of bridles and packs. The quarter-elf herself started tossing bridles over her shoulder and picked up her own pack and a couple others.

Phaeton gave Kitsa a nod, smiled and stepped over picking up two saddles and some other equipment. The young savage was fit and strong carrying several items was no trouble for him at all. The young man turned in the direction of the young woman and spoke.

"Is there anything else? If not then mayhap we should determine night watches in shifts. I don't mind any particular shift."

The savage waited to follow Kitsa and Orin, since they knew where the equipment would be placed.


((OOC: Sorry I know it's worth crap for writing.. My brain is like wool today.))

Orion gathered what was left, which wasn't much, seeing as Phaeton seemed to be able to carry the bulk of it. He led them to a good spot where other travel supplies were being kept. With a nod, he bade them unload their burdens. He turned to Phaeton, who had recommended deciding the night watches. Phaeton seemed like a good person to have around. He seemed to keep opinions to himself and he had a presence of humility that made Orion comfortable around him. Phaeton's simplicity was refreshing, since he was surrounded by elves, who were normally all but modest.

"We should take that up with everyone," he stated calmly. "The work here is done. We should join the others in the preparation of the camp."

Phaeton finished placing the saddle bags and equipment where Orin indicated and as the savage listened to the elf's reply, he couldn't help but smile. The young wild man had to admit he liked quiet demeanor of the elf, Orin was wise and spoke only when there was something worth saying. He didn't dally with words like others, it was an admirable quality that Phaeton truly respected. The blue eyed savage turned towards the elf and spoke as he nodded in agreement.

"Aye, then that's what we shall do."

The savage stepped back over towards the camp, along with his companion. This venture was truly turning out to be enlightening, Phaeton was learning more of civilized people and elves than he thought he'd ever learn. And he was enjoying every moment of it.

Orion simply nodded his head slightly in respect of the so-called savage. Orion didn't necessarily trust anyone in the camp, but he had some respect for Kitsa and Phaeton. They seemed hard-working and diligent. Not only that, but they were well-mannered and didn't see themselves on any sort of other level. Perhaps Phaeton put himself on a lower level than he deserved, but at least he didn't seem to mind it. Orion was not a fan of his employers, High Elves, who always seemed to have an air of superiority that he never took to. He would not fight it, but he certainly would not buy in to it either.

Orion joined the rest of the camp silently. He glanced around the camp, looking for any sort of work that needed doing or someone needed assistance doing. He would offer assistance if necessary.

OOC: If any character would like assistance, please be kind and mention it...

OOC: Sorry, I wasn't able to post on my trip after all. But I'm back now!

IC: "Sure, thanks!" Luria said to the priestess. "Hey, I'm about to cook something up for us! Did the temple give us any food in those supplies? Me and Phaeton can probably catch enough to make up the difference if we need too."