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Thread: Hungry like the Rancor

  1. #21
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    Cearia tensed as Anajli swayed and almost fell in the wake of the rancor. Her Clan Mother, her mate, stood defiant as if her feet were strong roots embedded deep into the ground. It was yet another humbling sight to bear witness that stirred both pride and unworthiness inside her fast beating heart. It thudded so loudly against her chest from the exertion, the pain, and the sight of Anjali injured that it could crack Cearia's ribs with the intensity.

    Iss-Ka had already launched herself forward as best she could with the weight of the bolma dragging her down before the rancor youth stormed forward towards the fresh food its body craved. Anjali had started to sprint to Iss-Ka, hoping to intercept the voritor before the rancor had a chance to use her pet as an appetizer. Cearia quickly eyed Vitti and noted that the rancor sister was appeased. She could focus on the immediate threat.

    She drowned her worries of insecurities, Anjali's injury, Iss-Ka hissing in effort, into a place of non-existence that she used when hunting. Thoughts betrayed focus. Focus brought clarity. Clarity opened her eyes to sights and sounds that would normally be missed, or let her anticipate opponents strikes to defend herself, seek weaknesses to exploit for an attack. She survived many battles with her sisters and hunted prey because of these deeply embedded skills that were touched by a power she thought had forsaken her. Not every aspect of the Force was so easily observable. Some times it was woven into the very fiber of one's being - a power given solid form as flesh and blood.

    Quickly bow was in hand again, notching a broadhead that was in the process of being pulled back. Tension left her body, feeling her boots sag deeper against the ground.

    Focus brings clarity.

    "ISS-KA!" Her words cut through the rancor's hungry roar and the quaking stomps of the other wardens coming with their mounts to aid. "TURN TO ME!"

    The voritor shifted with confusion but trusted the hunter, changing direction in mid gait. She bent her legs and used the momentum to turn as fast as she could to Cearia. The voritor's tail swished with trepidation at an arrow being pointed towards her out of instinct, but Iss-Ka had faith in the hunter because Anjali had faith in Cearia.

    Cearia waited until her mark was clear, one of the clothing knots. It was between Iss-Ka's neck and the bolma's leg. She had one shot to remove the voritor's burden and released the arrow.

    The wide bladed point ripped into the fabric and tore it in half, penetrating the bolma and freeing Iss-Ka without injury. The carcass toppled off of the voritor's back for the awaiting rancor and Cearia waved frantically to both her and Anjali to disperse. "Go! Quickly!"
    Last edited by Miranda Tarkin; Jul 7th, 2019 at 02:04:49 PM.

  2. #22
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    The Cataclysm had forced them all to push forward to improve on any training they had received prior to the catastrophe. Anjali had done exactly that as she sometimes overextended herself for the well-being of the Clan, pushing hard as all the members had been doing. They were not only survivors, they were doing well, growing stronger as days went by.

    The two young Rancors were proof that the wild life was returning to a healthier and more vigorous state. It made the Beast Warden's task difficult, especially with her injury, but she knew what she had to do.

    As she attempted to ensure Iss-Ka wouldn't get hurt in the process of bringing the food, she felt a shift in the atmosphere, a ripple she recognized as her mate. Although her beloved wasn't gifted as she was in supernatural gifts, she always sensed her as a beacon of life and skills regardless, among the intricate web that kept Dathomir alive. Even in the darkness and harshness, the fire still burned, pressing forward to ignite souls.

    The Voritor snapped her head towards Cearia ready to shoot, and Anjali felt the potent hatred from the creature at the sight of being in range of a deadly bow. Yet the nearness of both women made her obey the command. She had learned to abide not only by her mistress but also by the huntress, trusting them as they trusted her.

    Whe she was free within moments, Iss-Ka ran away, leaving the dead bolma to be devoured by the male rancor.

    Anjali turned on her heels and got out of his way; but upon hearing stomping coming closer indicating the two other beast wardens riding upon a single Rancor, the young female broke free from Vitti and rushed away, sniffing the air. Her sibling was still busy devouring the lat bits of bolma.

    "Iss-Ka! Follow her trail!"


    The Voritor gave what appeared a puzzled and disapproving look; but the large reptile scampered off upon the Clan Mother's command.

    "Vitti!"

    The Rancor groaned but rushed to her rider who beckoned her to pick her up. Even with her painful and bloody arm, she managed to retain a hard grip on the harness.

    The other Beast Wardens appeared at that moment.

    "Coax this one! He's the worst of the two. Wait for us here!"


    She looked at Cearia and approached at once.

    "I'll need you to help me restrain her."

    Vitti fetched the hunter up and placed her roughly behind her rider, although it was a precarious matter.

    Anjali had to trust her mate and her skills, for she urged her rancor to follow the younger one as quick as possible, albeit without destroying everything in the way.

    Cearia had found two wandering young rancors; and the Beast Warden would ensure that both of them were taken by the Undead Fires.

  3. #23
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    Relief washed over Cearia seeing Iss-Ka slither off unharmed with a sharp exhalation of breath. Anjali was too, but Cearia was visibly concerned that the wound her mate suffered may have widened with effort. To her dismay, she saw a pool of blood pulsate through soiled clothing and the wound needed to be dressed once the rancors were secured. She kept a tight grip on her bow in case it were needed and began to slowly make her way towards her mate, maintaining a wide berth for the rancor siblings. Cearia made no sound, as if boots walked on clouds. Not that her presence would be noticed over the sounds of a salivating rancor chomping its offered meal to shreds. Blood splattered along the ground as the brother rancor ate desperately, not wanting to down its meal in one massive gulp.

    She growled as the sister rancor stormed off, Vitti unable to coax the young one to sit still. Cearia had to wonder if the smell of fresh kill drove her hungry and she stormed off to find something to eat. At least she, Anjali, and Iss-Ka were not considered food.

    Anajli shouted orders to Iss-Ka and Vitti, the familiars quick to act on their mistress' behalf, though not without a reluctant look from the voritor who wasn't thrilled to be chasing after rancors again. The gods at least brought them aid with the two beast wardens that finally came. Any words that Cearia wanted to say to her mate were left silent. Anjali was their leader and Cearia knew her place. It was moving to see how quickly Anjali acted as much as it was easy to follow orders. The gravity of the situation demanded quick thought and action. This is where Cearia could just be a clan member and have everything make sense to her - she was the hunter of the Undead Fires and would carry out the will of her Clan Mother. Still part of her ached to be worthy of the woman that sat atop Vitti as if the gash along her arm was a minor cut from a knife that got too close to flesh when chopping an evening meal.

    Cearia kept her concerns veiled over a mask of readiness as Vitti stomped to her location and looked up at the Clan Mother. She gave Anjali a quick nod of understanding and pulled in a tight breath when Vitti's massive hand came down to scoop her up. Quickly her bow hand shot up to protect the weapon and felt her heart catch in her throat when boots left the ground. She immediately decided that being rancor handled was not pleasant. Vitti's bad breath enveloped her body that she was sure her clothing couldn't be washed free of the odor and the rancor was all but crushing her body, her grip tight to make sure that the hunter did not fall.

    Vitti unceremoniously released her just behind Anjali with no easy way to secure herself. Boots slipped against her thick hide and Cearia felt what little grip she managed to have on the harness loosen. Her teeth gnashed together as she thought on how to save herself a painful descent as Vitti was already on the move. The hunter was allowed no reprieve but Cearia wouldn't complain.

    She thrust her boot against one of Vitti's spiky shoulder outcroppings, the other planted high as if she had been in mid-climb and not mid-fall. Cearia tucked her head through bow and string and with both hands free, pulled on the harness straps. Her muscles burned with protest and she had so little in reserve since the first move of her legs taking her home. What drove Cearia to persevere was knowing that she was needed ... and Anjali was in no shape to help her in this position. Her wounded arm was closet but more importantly, Anjali needed to focus on commanding Vitti and Iss-Ka and sensing for the sister rancor.

    A small cry of determination burst from deep inside her as she hoisted herself to safety. Hard, sharp pants of exertion came quickly from the hunter as legs and arms secured themselves against Anjali. For one moment, Cearia allowed her head to fall forward and press into the material of Anjali's clothing before squeezing her. It was a selfish moment that was needed to ground herself in the fact that even injured, Anjali was here.

    And then in the next breath she loosened her hold and brought her attention to the gash on her leader's arm. It was deep and messy with fresh blood and dirt. It was difficult to tell where clothing and the meat inside Anjali's arm began and ended.

    Cearia's scowl was deep with concern. "You're going to need stitches. Maybe worse."

    She had seen these wounds before and they either healed or the limb was cut off to avoid sickness from spreading. Cearia would use this time for Anjali's advantage to keep her on the right side of healing. She always had dressings and healing poultice with her during hunts. Accidents could happen and as good as she was, animals were unpredictable. All it took was one wound, no matter how minor, to turn ill and consume a witch's insides and cause fever, even death.

    She grabbed the water flagon off Anjali's belt that she had not drunk and grabbed the Clan Mother's arm, ignored any protests, and dumped water over the wound. Her nose curled as brown and red swirled together before spilling over onto their lower clothing, pelting their boots and Vitti's skin like rain. She wished they had more water, but it would have to do. She unrolled one of the bandages and Cearia used it to pat the wound dry as best as she could. It was not an easy task as they swayed atop the beast, but Cearia had a steady hand. Then she took a handful of the poultice that was made from healing plant oils and powders. It would sting, but it would provide a protective barrier. She did not like how deep the moist paste went into Anjali's arm, nor how the pressure dressing she was placing did too.

    Quickly she wrapped the arm, focusing on helping and not the trepidation that seized at her chest when she heard the sister rancor roar and what sounded like a loud chirping noise that was probably Iss-Ka. She just prayed to the gods that she could really help Anjali restrain the stampeding rancor as Vitti quickened her pace ...
    Last edited by Miranda Tarkin; Jul 10th, 2019 at 06:10:59 AM.

  4. #24
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    Anjali trusted the other Beast Wardens to wrangle the male rancor. Not only did she have no other alternatives; but she had chosen them two to come help. She had seen them work, collaborating with them about some of the creatures the reformed Clan had found over the past months. She knew their worth and could rely on them in such a situation, especially as emergency hit when the female sibling stormed off, requiring a chase.

    The Clan Mother was grateful for her mate's skills, despite her exhaustion, for she felt her adjust her position and didn't fall off Vitti.

    Fragments of previous events passed before her mind's eyes; but her own tiredness was threatening to take over. She was aware that her wound was likely worse than she wanted to admit; but she would also not fail her people. She had delegated as much as possible; but the Clan Mother wasn't one to admit defeat. Strength would prevail and new Rancors would be brought to the Undead Fires, giving new mounts and beasts to be tamed by their few but talented Beast Wardens.

    In the confines of her tired brain, she felt pride and love for her wife, for the huntress went above and beyond like any true member of the clan, pushing herself beyond limits when fate required it. She wasn't in a position to be distracted by such considerations; but the feeling was present deep in her.

    The brief moment Cearia squeezed her after securing her position added to her sharpening concentration as she secured her senses upon Iss-Ka ahead of them. She could have simply tracked her target, but her bond to the Voritor required less energy to follow her instead.

    She directed Vitti to follow the trail of the young rancor. Her mount obeyed without trouble. The Clan Mother almost felt shame emanating from the large creature; as if she felt responsible for letting the younger one escape. Anjali didn't have the reserves of energy to soothe her beast at length.

    "Hold my waist,"
    she asked her wife.

    She then briefly freeed her good hand and patted Vitti's thick hide.

    "Najah rhoa. Najah rhoa,"
    she whispered with conviction, the encouragement she had always given Vitti when she did well.

    She grabbed at the harness at once again, so she could let Cearia inspect her arm.

    The dire observation that came didn't surprise her sadly.

    "I know,"
    she replied dryly.

    The brief but blatant concern that she might lose her arm, for she understood the implication, magnified her focus.

    She didn't flinch while her wife cleaned up her wound. It hurt; but it helped her concentrate as much as she knew it to be needed in hope her arm would heal properly. Regardless of what would happen, Anjali knew she wouldn't have done things differently. If she had gone the easy way, she would have been dead long ago, and this was an unacceptable concept.

    She picked on Iss-Ka slowing down, and she pressed her heel into the side of her Rancor, which made her press forward with haste. They soon came to a halt where Iss-Ka was. In the distance, Anjali saw the young Rancor whining and roaring in pain. She had managed to hurt herself somehow and one of her back legs was stuck in mud and thorny thick vines.

    "Graddakh,"
    she cursed as she realized they would have to both restrain and free this wild youth.

    She directed Vitti to bring them closer. The trapped beast saw them, but whined to them in a plaintive way. Anjali saw that as a good sign.

    "Vitti, kneel," she instructed her Rancor.

    The beast did as told. The Clan Mother let her wife climb down first, and then mustered enough srength to leap to the ground, so she wouldn't have to use her arm. She caught her breath for a moment, her exhaustion threatening to return full blow, but Anjali refused to be brought down.

    She looked at Cearia and offered a faint but earnest smile.

    "Thank you for the bandaging."

    She then gestured towards one large bag on Vitti's side.

    "We need the thick leather restrains down so we can rope her up before we free her."

  5. #25
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    Cearia left the words 'I know' hang in the air between them. There was nothing else to say about Anjali's arm, until there was, and that would be after the healer at the settlement took a proper look at the wound. Unused bandages were tucked back into her pouch as she flicked the remnants of paste off her blood coated hand. She kept a firm hold on Anjali's waist as Vitti's controlled stride would bring them closer to their runaway rancor. Cearia was surprised that their hunt ended with the sister injured and imprisoned by fledgling foliage that was returning to the lands.

    Her lower lip protruded upwards, causing her chin to tense with concern when the rancor wailed. That was a sound any hunter recognized as an animal's pain - a terribly mournful one as if it were close to the edge of giving up and accepting death. Cearia was well aware that the clan needed this rancor, but if its wounds were too severe, they may have to give it a merciful death. They wouldn't know until they got closer.

    She spared a glance at her wife, sitting stoic and proud as Vitti began to kneel. Cearia could begin to see it. The weariness that the hunter was all too familiar with since returning to Anjali. It just began to tug at the corners of the Clan Mother's eyes. Anjali had pushed herself so hard and come so far with the abilities she possessed that she just started to feel weariness and pain etching subtle lines of proof.

    As Cearia hopped down to the ground, she landed on all fours in a hard thud, hoping that her anxiety and jealousy where stomped down too. Anjali joined her and Cearia fought the urge to reach out to steady her when she noticed a slight stumble forward and heard a heavy breath. This was not Cearia bent over with exhaustion as a mere hunter. This was just her Clan Mother allowing a moments pause to collect her strength. Anjali would not fall to the ground like Cearia had.

    Her eyes narrowed at Anjali's words and gave her a brief nod of acknowledgement. She was afraid to say more in fear that her voice was fail her. Anjali's guidance focused Cearia as the hunter approached Vitti. She loosened the rope and pulled the flap up and over the bag, tucking it against the rancor. She offered the beast a gentle pat but said nothing, knowing that it was not her place. Cearia was no warden with soothing words that could melt animals to their will, but she did know a gentle hand could go a long way for comfort.

    "The yongon may be hurt bad."

    She grunted against the strain of a warring body that didn't want to move. Still she pulled the restraints from the bag and her mind lost focus of the present for a brief moment. When the two of them returned home and Anjali's arm was given judgement, they needed to sleep until their bodies woke up with agreement to move again.

    "Hurt bad like you. Or worse."

    She bent her knees and hefted the thick leather straps over her shoulder. Her neck flexed under the strain of standing upright before marching over to Anjali as the rest of the restraints dragged behind her. She could not hide her exhaustion as well as her mate could. Her movements weren't as fluid as they had been when she freed Iss-Ka from the bolma. She pondered if a gentle breeze would make her topple over. Yet, she stood before Anjali with grave green eyes.

    "If worse ..." she let the implication hang in the air. They may have to put the rancor down depending on her injuries. "But hopefully not, Clan Mother."

    She waited dutifully for Anjali's orders, ready to be her instrument to do what her arms could not.
    Last edited by Miranda Tarkin; Jul 10th, 2019 at 06:16:33 AM.

  6. #26
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    As much as Anjali refused to let her now bandaged wound or her exhaustion prevent her from doing what must be done, she didn't try to mask her tiredness, comfortable enough around her wife to display it. She needed any ounce of energy she had left to wrangle that injured rancor; and putting on a good face would just be a waste. Her actions and their results mattered more than how she presented herself in such a situation.

    She was grateful when Cearia helped unload all the heavy leather bounds that would help restrain the rancor, should she be in a good enough shape to be brought back to the settlement.

    "She might," she replied to her wife's astute observation as a hunter.

    "Iss-Ka," she called, before clicking her tongue and nodding towards her mate.

    On cue, the growing Voritor went and opened her jaws to carefully be given some of the leather restrains so Cearia wouldn't have to carry all the weight. The Clan Mother would have normally helped but she had to keep her energy to make the pained rancor cooperate.

    She wasn't happy with her wife using her title again; and would likely address that at a later time in private; but she had other things on her mind now.

    They moved forward to where the young female was trapped. She groaned and whimpered as they approached, although she looked right away at Vitti, her body language almost sheepish. Anjali gestured to her mount, and the older rancor came close to the youth, trying to soothe her.

    In the meantime, the Beast Warden managed to come closer to where the rancor's leg had got trapped. Pulling vines away, she had to retrieve her knife and cut through some of them as best as she could, eventually asking Cearia to let go of the restrains for now and help her with the task. Iss-Ka kept watch close by, but didn't come further for the time being.

    As both women freed the rancor, it was visible that the leg was cut in, but the wound wasn't as bad as the Clan Mother.

    "She'll limp for a while, but she'll heal," she observed.

    Anjali knew that the injury might be enough to make her behave but she would take no risk for the time being. Vitti would have to help the young one head back to camp; but Anjali was still going to restrain her, arms behind her back to minimize risks of outburst or wounding the Night Sisters.

    Vitti was still helping keep the beast in check, and the Clan Mother instructed her wife how to help her bind the Rancor's arms, while she once again rooted herself into the vibrant fabric of nature and pressed her mind into the rancor's psyche, imposing her will for stillness.

  7. #27
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    Cearia's attention went to Iss-Ka and smiled appreciatively. Without hesitation, she slid one of the straps off her shoulder and with a grimace, offered it to the voritor. She hoped that her shaking arms went unnoticed, camouflaged by thick armor and tired eyes. Anjali felt comfortable around her wife, but Cearia didn't want to show weakness before her. Not all of her jealousy and anxiety had been stomped out as she had hoped.

    With admiration, she remained silent as Anjali assessed the young rancor. Cearia recognized the same sound it made as before, but it softened, more so when she looked to Vitti. She grew submissive towards the other rancor, head bowed with nostrils flaring widely in pain. It was curious to the hunter, wondering if she felt shame for running off against Vitti's direction and ended up getting hurt with the poor decision - just like a whimpering child looking to its parent for help after disobeying them.

    When Anjali called for assistance, Cearia and Iss-Ka dragged the straps just in reach before dropping them to the ground behind the beast. Iss-Ka snapped her jaw several times to loosen it after pulling so much weight. Cearia rolled her shoulders and neck, hearing pops of tension released despite the brutal, burning, protests of muscles that wanted to cease moving.

    She remembered her silent promise when woken by Iss-Ka.

    I will not fall twice in one day.

    Kneeling beside Anjali, Cearia pulled out one of her knives that was roughly five inches long with a handle the same size. It was a drop point blade that was well cared for, sharpened if needed with her other knives prior to leaving on a hunt. It cut through the vines with one stroke of her wrist.

    She nodded at Anjali's observation and gently rubbed around the area of the wounds, feeling the rancor shift toes to make sure that her foot still moved.

    "Gods were kind to this one, Clan Mother. I'm glad she can come home with us," she said before sitting on the back of her legs to rummage through her supplies. She murmured a small thanks to the gods at having some poultice left over, though it was considerably sparse after using the majority of it on Anjali's wound.

    Cearia looked to the rancor's gravest injury - which was barely a flesh wound compared to what her mate suffered - scooped up what was left of the medicinal paste from her pouch and forced her aching body to partially climb up the rancor's leg. It was a daring move because one wrong shift of the massive leg and Cearia could be vaulted meters into the air and away to suffer who knows how many broken bones on return impact, but she trusted Vitti and Anjali to keep the rancor contained.

    "Please remain docile," she said to the rancor as her hand began to spread the thick green paste along the wound. She wasn't even sure if the beast understood her but a calm voice, like her earlier touch, might help. "This is going to help but sting."

    She thinned it out as much as possible to have all injured skin be soothed by its touch after the initial prickling of the medicine died down. Once that was done, she placed her hands against the rancor and slowly pushed her way down until her feet were back on land. She took a moment to collect her breath as Anjali explained how the straps worked. Cearia surmised it was no different than restraining a person, except this was a massively scared rancor that was in immense pain, creating a challenge for the hunter.

    With a nod, Cearia got to work as there was no time to realize how dangerous this was for one such as she. She was not a Beast Warden, had no Force ability, and this was her first time handling a rancor. She took the first strap and weaved it around the rancor's wrist with Iss-Ka close by, ready to pounce on its enormous hand in case claws lashed out towards the hunter. Even still, Cearia knew there was little chance in evading the deadly talons in such close proximity. Her motions were exaggerated due to the size of the leather straps and exhaustion. Her breaths were becoming short, a protest of a body wanting more air. Instead she persevered with a grunt as she pulled the end of the strap through the large knot, tugging it with less strength than she hoped.

    "Iss-Ka. Pull with me," she said, holding onto the short end. The voritor dutifully came forward, tongue flicking with concern at being this close before her jaw clamped onto the long end, knowing that helping Cearia was imperative.

    She nodded and tightened her grip. "On my command."

    Her tail swished, ready.

    "Pull!"

    In unison, the pair tugged hard. Cearia cried out from the effort and the bite of leather digging into her gloved hands. The knot that woven in and around itself was secured.

    Cearia stumbled back and wiped her brow before perspiration had a chance to roll into her eyes to sting.

    "Come on."

    She waved Iss-Ka to follow her with hard fought breaths and secured the second wrist but at a much slower pace. She was working as fast as she was able, knowing that Vitti and Anjali could only keep the rancor quieted for so long. Cearia grunted with every motion with arms that felt as heavy as the leather straps she was lifting. Iss-Ka watched over her like before until she was called to pull and tighten the knot.

    On the last tug, Cearia lost her grip and staggered backwards and was certainly going to fall, but Iss-Ka darted to rescue her from embarrassment, tucking her head under an arm for support.

    Despite the heat that flushed Cearia's face from physical labor, completely self-conscious of her weakness, she forced wobbly legs to straighten. She gently pat Iss-Ka's shoulder and briefly sought out the voritor's eyes to thank her with grateful look.

    "We're ready, Clan Mother." Her voice was strong, her body weak, but Cearia crouched to retrieve the straps.

    She was Anjali's arms and hands and she must not fall.
    Last edited by Miranda Tarkin; Jul 11th, 2019 at 08:03:59 AM.

  8. #28
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    Before the cataclysm, Anjali would have likely felt bad about not being able to contribute to carrying the restraints; but at this point in her life and all she had survived, she knew that dividing tasks so she could focus on what only her could do right now, which was to assuage the young rancor's fear and pain, effectively taming the underlying frenzy that risked breaking through the surface at any point, was her priority.

    She was surprised but grateful that the youth reacted to Vitti the way she did. It served her well though. There was still need of a having a solid grip over the trapped beast's wild mind, but if it was now attaching itself to Vitti, at least for the time being, it made things easier, especially as she knew that the tie that bound the four lives present was strong. On an animal level, the youth would eventually realize that Vitti was attached to Anjali, Iss-Ka, and Cearia by extension, which would make the dangerous task more manageable. It was a blessing from the gods given that most if not all of them were exhausted.

    She dug deeper than ever that day when the youth was about to move and risk kicking if not killing Cearia, when the hunter tended to the wound. In an instant, Anjali drew from her fear for her wife's life, as well as her own stubbornness to prevail over the young beast. She pressed on harder into the rancor's brain, not giving her one inch of freedom at that moment. It wasn't her favored move, but at this point there were only so many options.

    While it would only be later that Anjali fully processed the way Cearia exhibited once again her significant potential as a Beast Warden, she nevertheless caught glimpses of it, as she focused on the creature to ensure it would remain docile.

    As the huntress and Iss-Ka worked together to restrain the beast, Anjali had to keep a tight grip, which every time she attempted to slightly diminish, proved it wasn't the time or place to do as such. After two attempts, Anjali didn't even let go. With exhaustion, lack of food, and wound, the youth would eventually be tired enough to behave better; but she still had more energy than the Clan Mother expected. As draining as it was to her, it was also a good sign that the rancor was a strong one, which would be good for the Clan.

    "Well done,"
    she replied, ignoring her title being used yet again. She had watched it and seen it was done appropriately, which didn't surprise her.

    "Vitti, kneel," she commanded her rancor.

    Her ride did as told, and Anjali had to use her gifts to get herself up. She already had asked enough of everyone else, and she wanted to still prove she could get things done herself. Even though her ego was mostly in check in critical situations, she still had her pride.

    "Buckle the restraints into Vitti's harness," she explained to her wife, before waiting for the hunter to climb up behind her.

    Once all was ready, she had Vitti stand up again, and she nudge the youth to follow them, hopefully it would go better now that she felt the younger beast's mind ebb and flow due to tiredness.

    "Let's go back to the other Sisters,"
    she said before directing Vitti into the correct direction, the youth and Iss-Ka following them.

  9. #29
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    If Cearia could preen under her Clan Mother's praise, she would have if not for the necessity of returning to the other two wardens. Instead she waited dutifully with straps in hand. Anjali inspected the knots and said nothing to correct the hunter's work before calling Vitti over. Cearia watched her mate's rancor carefully make her way around the group and kneel as commanded. With masked relief, it was as simple as Anjali stated to secure the injured rancor - like buckling armor.

    Vitti came as close as she could so her mistress and mate only had to exert minimal energy. As Anjali waited and watched Cearia begin to tether the young rancor, the hunter focused on the task at hand and hefted the strap to slip through the buckle, tugging it secure in the loop. She took a moments pause to place a hand against Vitti to fill a fiery chest with much needed air to continue the will of her leader. Her breaths came fast and desperate, eyes blinking through pain that Cearia couldn't abate. Accepting that she wouldn't find reprieve until she joined Anjali, she shuffled around Vitti to buckle the last strap into place.

    She patted Vitti in thanks before looking at the sister rancor. Cearia felt relief that she was well enough to walk, humbled by Anjali's power once again to make the youth docile.

    "Hopefully your journey's not too painful, yongon," she shared, giving the beast a brief lopsided smile as Anjali mounted Vitti.

    The smile disappeared as she paced the climb up Vitti, making every hand and foot hold against her count for maximum distance and effort.

    I will not fall twice in one day, she repeated again in silence to fuel her drive.

    Her hand thrust over the side of Vitti's harness and fist the material, tugging herself up the rest of the way with clenched teeth. She crawled behind Anjali, not fighting the raspy gasps forced from her lungs that disturbed the long mane of her leader. An arm slipped around Anjali's waist as the the other reached out a hand to inspect the Clan Mother's dressing.

    "It held well," she noted gruffly, letting a thumb caress the length of the covered wound. No blood had seeped through yet. The poultice was containing the damage and Cearia hoped it was a good sign.
    Last edited by Miranda Tarkin; Jul 12th, 2019 at 10:38:05 AM.

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    Her mate's exhaustion had been a constant throbbing in the web of her perceptions; but Anjali trusted that the huntress would prevail throughout the Rancor ordeal. The Undead Fires had risen from ashes because of every clan member's strength and stubbornness. Her wife lacked neither, even though the latter could sometimes, if not often, come out in unwarranted ways. But those would be addressed later, for the Clan Mother had more pressing matters to attend until the whole group returned to the enclave.

    She was already commanding Vitti to rise by the time she felt Cearia's hand gently reach out for her bandaged arm. Her mate's words brought a faint smile to her lips.

    "Glad you had healing supplies," she replied before nudging Vitti to advance a little faster, for them to reunite with the other Beast Wardens. As a hunter, it made sense for Cearia to always have something on her. While Anjali would have normally had such things with her, the finding of two young rancors who were proving devastating threats as well as potentials for the Clan had taken over in terms of preparation.

    At all time, Anjali retained some influence upon the young female following close to Vitti, but it was less than the dominion she had had to exert when finding her trapped. The youth's fierceness had depleted thanks to exhaustion and the combined influence of both the Beast Warden and Vitti.

    Iss-Ka had had enough of rancors for the day, and decided to walk at a short but safe distance of the small convoy. She was waiting for them, her tail swatting at a nearby tree, and hissing slowly, when they reached the other Beast Wardens. Anjali could tell the Voritor was tired too. She almost wanted to set Iss-Ka loose for the time being, but she knew the lizard well enough to know that she would stick around regardless. So, she simply clicked her tongue and made a couple of encouraging sounds, which pleased the Voritor.

    The two other Sisters had wrangled the male youth and attached his restraints to the other tamed rancor's harness. Both women were already riding. The bowed their heads to the Clan Mother, awaiting her intructions.

    "Well done, Sisters,"
    Anjali said with a nod, before moving past them, leading the way behind the Voritor.

    "Is the Rancor enclosure ready for them?"


    Kadia responded right away.

    "Yes, Clan Mother. Two of the brothers will be there to keep watch with Sister Aljia. I will leave my Rancor as well, since the male youth is familiar with her now."

    Anjali was pleased.

    "Vitti will stay behind. We'll see about unbuckling and unrestraining them tomorrow."

    Aljia and Kadia grinned. While there was tiredness in their eyes, they had retained some more energy than both Anjali and Cearia, who had wrestled with the young rancors for much longer at this point.

    The Clan Mother caught Kadia's look in the direction of her bandaged arm, but she was glad she said nothing about it. The less Anjali had to waste her energy on, the better, for she would not allow herself to appear weak before the Clan.

  11. #31
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    Cearia's lips pressed tightly together when she nodded in agreement that they were fortunate there were healing supplies at the ready. She loosened her grip on the injured arm and brought the free hand down to join the one around Anjali's waist, knowing her mate needed to rest as much as possible until the healer could examine it. First they had to reunite with the rest of their sisters to make sure the male was under control and even after that, get these siblings secured in the enclosures.

    It didn't take long for the two pairs of nightsisters to converge. Cearia remained silent as Aljia and Kadia informed their leader of the preparations back home for the rancors arrival. This is what caused their delay and the hunter had new appreciation for the wardens foresight. Cearia's frustration with their tardiness was created by irrational fear due to Anjali's injury. She already held deep respect for both wardens as they assisted in working with the reptilian fliers. Without their guidance, the three babies wouldn't be as robust and healthy, their leathery hides strong and bright with color and eager to spread their wings when ready. They were capable sisters and she was thankful for their aid in raising the fliers and wrangling these rancors.

    With exhaustion so heavy, Cearia was glad she was able to lean against Anjali for support that looked natural. Of course the Clan Mother's mate would hold her just a little bit tighter after the ordeal that injured Anjali. It was unspoken understanding of Cearia's devotion that did not make their leader look weak, and it was the perfect subterfuge that kept the hunter sitting upright atop Vitti. After a few more moments of deliberation between the wardens, they commanded their mounts to return home. The siblings were quiet and docile, except for occasional whimpers from the sister. During the trip, Cearia often chanced a look towards her - eyes only offering meager encouragement compared to the three powerful presences that surrounded her that could touch the beast's mind with their magick.

    She sagged further against Anjali, her body aching so profoundly that she felt she had been carved from stone, but she held onto her mate the entire march home through sheer stubbornness alone. Her spirit urged her to be more considerate of her worth. She had accomplished so much good for her people that would make the clan stronger. Yet her mind warred with her inadequacy, again. Anjali had suffered far worse than she and the Clan Mother sat atop Vitti as the conquering hero while her mate's eyes continued to drift closed in weakness...

    ... At some point Cearia had fallen asleep - her bone weary body unable to fight Vitti's soothing stride that rocked her like a babe. Cearia surmised that Anjali kept a tight grip on her with the good hand, or perhaps used her magicks, to keep the hunter from tumbling to her demise. Immediately her cheeks reddened when she recognized they were home and by the rancor enclosures. The nightbrothers already had the gates open in welcome for the new additions and many of their people had stopped to cheer the victorious wardens.

    Cearia's postured stiffened and the grip around Anjali's waist loosened as troubling thoughts consumed her - How many of her people saw her asleep? How many had seen her weakness?

    Her expression remained neutral despite how her heart burned with anger directed solely towards herself. To the people, Cearia looked striking with her war paint smudged from her efforts, accentuating her determined gaze that humbled anyone looking at her from the ground. The hunter had slipped on a mask to see her through this embarrassment until boots found ground after Anjali commanded Vitti to kneel.

    Anjali wouldn't require assistance in dismounting as she needed to remain strong before the people. She had more reasons to mask her pain and exhaustion than Cearia, but she wouldn't sit idle despite her body's protest. Her muscles had been tempered by the quick rest but they were still sore as she stalked to one of her hunter's that she recognized in the crowd.

    "Blessings upon you, Great Sister!" Cearia inwardly grimaced at the undeserving title and praise. "You and the wardens continue to bring hope back to the clan."

    "Yes. The gods have blessed the wardens with great skill and power to bend the rancors to their will, Sister Grimha," she said, giving proper respect to the three responsible for this celebration. She lowered her voice with what was said next. "But I do need to know with haste where Sister Ashia is."

    Grimha's eyes widened and searched Cearia's body for wounds.

    "I'm fine," Cearia confirmed, her tone allowing no arguments.

    Lies.

    She stuffed down her insecurities because this was not the time for wallowing. "But we do need to be looked over by Sister Ashia once the rancors are secured."

    Grimha's attention went to the two wardens that held no visible injuries like Cearia but when her eyes took in the noticeable dressing on the Clan Mother's arm, she understood the delicate nature of the Great Sister's request. "She's in the caverns. I'll go on ahead and make sure she prepares for your arrival."

    Cearia clasped Grimha's shoulder in gratitude - even tired eyes managed to find a spark of appreciation. The two shared a nod before Grimha slipped from the hold and weaved through the small crowd with urgency. Cearia stepped back and returned her focus on Anjali, waiting for the proper moment to whisk the Clan Mother away to the caverns and be tended to ...
    Last edited by Miranda Tarkin; Jul 13th, 2019 at 09:35:25 PM.

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    While Anjali knew of her wife's exhaustion, as well as her own, she found new wells of strength to draw from thanks to her pride and her mate's embrace. Even if Cearia needed to hold her tight to keep going as well, the Clan Mother found new resilience for it, anchoring herself into the huntress's closeness. It was one of the many ways their relationship had been a source of inspiration in the past while.

    The two other Beast Wardens gave little attention to Cearia, instead focusing on the young restrained rancors, as well as their leader's command. Yet Anjali knew that they had agreed with her about how her wife was a warden potential, even though Cearia would have none of it. Aljia, and especially Kadia, had been impressed by how the huntress had been taking care of the baby fliers, and for what they had witnessed, they confirmed what the Clan Mother and Iss-Ka had realized early on, that the blue one would bond to no one except Cearia. In due time, the huntress would have to face the reality of it; but Anjali hadn't brought it back up.

    At some point on the way home, Anjali realized that her mate was falling asleep, which happened quite quickly. While tempted to use her wounded and bandaged arm, she decided against it. Instead she looped Vitti's harness she was holding around her good arm, and firmly held her wife's arm that was laced around her. Cearia wouldn't fall from her rancor on her watch.

    The moment her wife woke up, Anjali felt her shame ripple through the Force. It was nauseating really, and she didn't understand how Cearia still allowed that to happen over and over again, and mostly for untrue reasons. She sighed, even though her expression remained impassible as they moved through the settlement. She knew her chiorikem had much to work through; and while she had realized it would be a continuous source of friction between them for times to come, she wouldn't forsake her. She loved her deeply, was proud of her, and would support her as well as she could, even when it meant butting heads with the huntress.

    She soon let Cearia get to the ground, before dismounting Vitti, and helping the two other beast wardens, along with a handful of night brothers and sisters who had got it ready, move the four rancors, including the two restrained youth, into the rancor enclosure. She rejoiced at the positive reactions from clan members, about the new additions. The Undead Fires were growing stronger every day, and she was glad they had been able to coax these two wanderers. It was worth the efforts, exhaustion, and even her wound. Life on Dathomir wasn't kind; but she knew that any ordeal could only make her better and stronger.

    It took a little bit for the four rancors to be all taken care of, and Anjali was finishing discussing logistics and how to take care of them, when she felt her wife approach.

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    Cearia remained a safe distance from the wardens, not wishing to be burden by getting in the way, but had moved out of the crowd to observe the Clan Mother. Her wife would not budge from the enclosures until all four rancors were safe inside and secured and that was when she would approach. She listened to hushed whispers as the people took in the sight, some playfully conspiring on who the rancors would bond to, some just in awe of seeing the mighty beasts so close. One of the nightgirls had scooted down so another could climb her back, tucking legs securely against her sides. She hefted her up and with a mighty cheer that she could muster, raised her practice sword high as if she were riding a rancor herself. The girl that was holding her fiercely roared.

    Even in exhaustion, Cearia recognized those voices, though one voice was missing - the rambunctious nightboy. Those were two of her three little terrors that were hell bent on playing with the hunter. The children hoped that like the other hunters, Cearia would play and teach them but she denied them with every attempt to surprise her with practiced ambush attacks, always walking away. Despite their disappointment, she did take notice of their developing skills and teamwork. The little terrors would grow up to be formidable hunters and warriors if afforded the proper guiding hand.

    She was not yet ready for that responsibility. There were too many people that relied on Cearia for food and supplies, supplementing and maintaining the herds. She couldn't allow further distractions to complicate her duties as the one luxury that she agreed upon was equally taxing to her.

    Cearia really believe her sabbatical prior to bonding with the Clan Mother had helped extinguish the flames of unworthiness within her. Today's trials clearly proved otherwise.

    As the gates were locked with thick wooden bolts by the nightbrothers, the wardens continued to have a spirited conversation on the next steps in handling the rancors. Cearia hoped that the young sister's leg would heal quickly and that what little mending the hunter could perform would expedite that. Suspicious that Anjali would continue to push herself until every idea had been explored in training the young ones, Cearia began her approach.

    Cearia sought Kadia's gaze and gave her an imploring look and subtle nod to interrupt. The warden finished her suggestion and put her full attention to the hunter, nodding in return. "Great Sister..."

    It was all that was said despite the deserved compliment on the tip of her tongue. Anjali's look cautioned Kadia to say nothing more.

    "I apologize for the interruption, Clan Mother." Cearia bowed her head before bringing it back up to regard Anjali, though her eyes didn't quite meet her wife's. "If it pleases you, I would like to tend to your arm."
    Last edited by Miranda Tarkin; Jul 16th, 2019 at 04:24:40 PM.

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    When Kadia turned her attention to Cearia, to acknowledge the huntress's presence, Anjali finally pried her focus from the Rancor situation, since it seemed that everything was taken care of for now. She wouldn't be needed until the next day on the matter, unless an emergency occurred. Frankly, the exhausted Clan Mother hoped not; but she knew better than take anything for granted.

    Giving a nod to her fellow Beast Warden, she then stared at her wife. She found no issue with being addressed by her title in public, so that wasn't what troubled her. It was how she noticed her mate didn't really look her in the eyes, which puzzled her, and almost angered her. She remained only irritated due to how tired she was.

    Yet she was grateful for Cearia's care and ensuring that she would receive proper attention to her wound, which was very much needed, especially if she hoped to truly heal.

    "It pleases me, Huntress,"
    she replied politely, keeping formalities as need be.

    Her expression briefly softened, before she gestured for her mate to lead the way. She trusted Cearia to likely have already arranged to meet with one of the healers of the Clan.

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    By the Clan Mother's command, she respectfully nodded and led the way. Iss-Ka, who had been absent, rejoined them once they were far enough away from the enclosures. The voritor had enough of the obnoxious beasts for many moons to come! She did not like being thought of as a snack or how severely wounded Anjali was from the rancor brother. They had been on many ventures together in taming and finding them, but this had been the absolute worst!

    She gently headbutted the side of Anjali's leg before flaring her nostrils at the wound. Then Iss-Ka looked between the Clan Mother and Huntress, feeling the air thick with tension. Cearia was agonizing over everything, Anjali was frustrated and angry with her wife. The later surprised Iss-Ka but her mistress's body and mind was heavy with exhaustion and pain. It would be difficult for Anjali to maintain her composure and patience with her mate.

    The voritor cackled and whacked Cearia behind the leg with her tail before joining her side, the hunter giving her a tired look mixed with confusion as she caught herself from stumbling too badly. Iss-Ka darted her tongue quickly up at her before scampering up ahead to scout the entrance to the caverns, leaving Cearia befuddled at the voritor's annoyance with her.

    As the pair followed the voritor, Cearia managed to find her voice to explain who they were seeing. "Sister Ashia is preparing for you, Clan Mother."

    She knew where the healer dwelled and took the most direct path there. Cearia fell silent for the rest of the journey, occasionally giving Iss-Ka a poignant look, hoping to gain insight with the voritor's behavior. It did distract her from the consuming thoughts of objectionable self-worth, so Iss-Ka's plan was working.

    Once they reached the healer's quarters, Cearia immediately opened the flap for Anjali and Iss-Ka to enter first. It was no meager residence as Ashia had to tend to many sick and injured clan members. Along the walls were many long, carved out shelves for jars and boxes filled with ingredients, pastes and liquids, bandages were pilled high from an open chest, and on a wooden table Ashia had chosen several jars of medicine, various wooden and metallic tools and stitching - which was made from dried animal intestines - and a large stone bowl full of clean water. Next to the table was a raised cot that smelled cleaned. Cearia wondered if she was so sensitive to the fresh smell because she herself smelled like sweat, ground, berries, and blood. Iss-Ka curiously sniffed at the medicine on the table and shook her head at the pungent smells. She recoiled and made her way to the cot, waiting for Anjali to come while watching the healer.

    Ashia was young for the trade but tragedy had a way of making the inexperienced experience in a blink of an eye. Her large mane of blonde hair was braided back and the skins she wore covered all but her arms.

    "Please, Clan Mother ..." She beckoned Anjali to come lay down as blue eyes were already assessing what she could see of the injury, keeping a watchful eye on the voritor. She respected the beast because of her leader, but it did unnerve her. "Sister Grimha said it was a rancor?"

    Cearia nodded in confirmation. "The yongon clawed her. Created a deep gash. I used my poultice of herbs and mud to pack the wound after cleaning it best I could. Then wrapped it."

    "Hm..." Ashia's slender fingers began to unwrap the dressing once Anjali was in position, noting the care that was taken in managing the wound. "The top dressing is barely damp, but no blood seen. You did well, Great Sister. Your hands are strong as they are gentle."

    Cearia said nothing and crossed her arms against her body pensively, hoping that what little she did was enough.
    Last edited by Cearia Tserta; Jul 16th, 2019 at 07:21:10 PM.

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    Anjali offered a tired smile and communicated her gratitude to her Voritor via their bond, and with a light but gentle hand atop her head. She understood too well that the lizard needed to be as far away from the rancors as she could. She had been brave and utterly helpful, and the night sister was grateful for that. She still believed that Iss-Ka had earned to scamper off, but the beast was about as stubborn as she was, another testimony to why the gods had brought them together in the days of the cataclysm.

    She knew that both her wife and her reptilian companion were worried because of her wound. It wasn't that the Clan Mother had no concern over it; but she had faith in overcoming whatever was thrown her way, after all that had happened leading to the present moment. She dearly hoped, and prayed to the gods that she would keep her arm; but one way or the other, she would continue to give her everything to the Clan.

    She let Iss-Ka lead the way, and walked by her wife's side in silence as they headed inside the large network of caverns where the survivors had elected to turn into dwellings in the past months. She was glad that her mate had sought to let Sister Ashia know about her needing attention.

    There was a lot that needed to be said between Cearia and her; but Anjali didn't want to make it a public affair, and she needed to keep face before the healer as well. Certain conversations were best kept away from prying eyes and ears, and what she and her wife needed to discuss was as such.

    As they reached the healer's quarters, she vaguely noted how Ashia had added more shelves and containers to preserve her remedies and bandages. While young for her trade, she had proved a quick learner and a very talented healer. Anjali was grateful that she had survived and been brought into the fold of the Undead Fires.

    "Sister Ashia, thank you for seeing me so quickly," she said wholeheartedly. While her position in the Clan warranted privilege, she knew that had the healer been faced with too many patients, or one of the sisters going into labor, she would have naturally had to wait.

    Ashia bowed her head, and had a brief exchange with Cearia, who had found her voice again, much to Anjali's surprise. She smiled when the healer offered a compliment as she unwrapped the bandages the huntress had protected the wounded arm with.

    "My wife is a resourceful hunter for sure," Anjali couldn't help saying, both out of affection, and also a reminder to Cearia who had been fretting way too much, exhaustion or not, over her imagined lack of worth.

    Ashia nodded and then began to carefully inspect the wound.

    "You will not be able to use your arm for at least two moon cycles, Mother Anjali. There is little risk you lose it though, thanks to the early care you received. We should know for sure in two to three days."

    The Beast Warden caught Iss-Ka tense and force herself to come to sit closer to her mistress, although in an angle that wouldn't be in the healer's way.

    "I am well taken care of, Iss-Ka. You don't need to worry," Anjali said before shooting a look at her wife as she finished her sentence, for the reassurance was also meant for Cearia.

    Of course, Anjali couldn't help thinking that if she was fine enough, there was a chance her wife wandered off into the wilderness again, and not simply to hunt. But the Clan Mother refused to be anything else but truthful with the woman she had chosen to share her life with.

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    "It is a pleasure and honor, Clan Mother," Ashia said with a kind smile that reached her eyes.

    The healer was keenly aware of Cearia's rigid posture that even took root in her face. Ashia presumed it was concern over her mate and would be disheartened if she were privy to the truth.

    Cearia remained standing, anticipation and distress providing enough fuel to keep her from swaying with exhaustion. Despite her inner turmoil, it was important to know how badly damaged Anjali's arm was. She could find no rest without an answer and found no comfort in either woman offering her praise for what she had done to give Anjali her best hope in healing. Truth and anxiety warred inside Cearia as Ashia took the bloodied bandages away and tossed them into a basket.

    Cearia kept fretting over her mundane self, wishing she was stronger and faster like the other wardens, then perhaps they could have avoided being here at the healer in silent prayer that the Clan Mother wouldn't loose her arm. With a sharp exhale of breath she was holding, Cearia felt her body relax at the hopeful news. Ashia wasn't entirely sure for a few days, but at least the injury was no longer dire. Yet for the second time today, Cearia avoided Anjali's gaze but attempted it to be a simple draw of her eyes as Ashia went to retrieve supplies. Yes, Anjali would be well taken care of despite the pull of the wild calling Cearia.

    "I need to clean and stitch you, Mother Anjali." Ashia's blue eyes shifted to seriousness though her voice was gentle as she dampened clean cloths in the water bowl. "This is for the best chance to keep the arm even though it should be good. The scar will be rough, but a fine mark of glory. And you will need medicine. Salve for the wound and one to drink. Bandages will need to be changed."

    She cast a glance between the two women as she returned to Anjali's side and sensed distress. Iss-Ka looked at Ashia with rapidly blinking eyes and darting tongue as if noticing it too. "I would be happy to change them for you ..."

    Ashia left the offer hanging in the air and hoped that Anjali would speak her preference for the Huntress or that Cearia would volunteer, while cleaning the wound.
    Last edited by Miranda Tarkin; Jul 16th, 2019 at 08:36:57 PM.

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    Anjali felt her anger rise within her as she was painfully aware of Cearia's overall mood, the tension in the healer's quarters almost palpable to all present. The Clan Mother forced herself to quell whatever issues she had festering with her wife into the deep confines of her psyche, for it wasn't to be handled in public. And if she could make it easier for the healer to do her work, it was good. She also hoped that Iss-Ka would eventually quiet down, for there was a visible tremor in her tail, despite how the reptile did her best to behave and not disturb anything.

    "Do whatever needs to be done," Anjali simply responded, with a nod to Sister Ashia, trusting her to do whatever was needed.

    In a weird way, the sting and pain of her wound being tended to brought her focus, which pushed other considerations to the side.

    She soon realized that her Voritor was still getting antsier. She clicked her tongue as she stared at the large lizard. She ordered her to go back to her quarters. Iss-Ka whine and darted her tongue out, but gave a look at both her mistress and lowered her head. She gave a gentle pat to Anjali's boot before getting to her feet. She briefly stopped by Cearia, wrapped her tail around the huntress's leg, waiting until Cearia could look at her. Then the lizard pressed her head against the exhausted brunette's other leg and let go of her.

    Shortly after the Voritor had left, Ashia discussed the medication needed. Anjali nodded to the instruction; but paused at the mention of bandaged being changed. She noticed how Cearia remained silent on the matter, even when the healer left her sentence hang in the air. Without looking at her mate, the Clan Mother responded.

    "My wife will change them for a day or two, until she has to leave for another hunt. Then I will take you up on your offer, Sister Ashia."

    The healer nodded and was soon finished with tending to Anjali's wounds. Afterwards, she gathered spare bandages and remedies as she had mentioned. Without hesitation, she then handed them in a pouch to Cearia.

    The couple soon departed from the healer's quarters. As soon as they were outside, Anjali offered her arm to her wife, the look in her eyes leaving no room for argument. They would both return to their shared quarters; and she would ensure that her mate got rest.

  19. #39
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    Despite the growls and groans of pain and a slew of curses from Anjali's mother dialect, Cearia mustered enough curiosity to watch the deft hands of a healer closing a wound. She ground her teeth with such force that it was a miracle none of her teeth cracked, anguished that her wife had to suffer through this but also astonished that the Clan Mother didn't take the wooden bite guard. Once again, Cearia felt humbled at her might.

    She attempted to focus on the stitching, as it was a useful skill that should be added to her repertoire for injuries. A wound as severe as Anjali's suffered so far from the settlement would need this sort of tending. Her hands could not perform such fluid movements with the thin bone needle, knowing where to poke through skin and stitch evenly on either side, tightening the two pieces of cut flesh closed. It was art to the hunter - the opposite of flaying a bolma's flesh for meat. Cearia debated on future lessons with Ashia to learn this.

    Iss-Ka roused her from her musings when she felt pressure around her boot. She looked down to see the voritor nestled again her and that brought a faint smile to her face before the lizard took her leave.

    Anjali's decision got Cearia's attention. The hunter had not volunteered to assist with the bandages due to the weight of her suffering keeping her silent. She nodded in acquiescence and took the pouch, repeating back the instructions for the medicines and bandaging. Her head may be full of doubt, but Cearia had paid close attention to how the Clan Mother would recover.

    "Thank you, Sister Ashia. We'll see you in two to three days. Hopefully with confirmation that the Clan Mother's arm will be saved," she said, lifting the thin strap of the pouch over her head.

    "I have a feeling the gods will be kind, Great Sister," Ashia said warmly before her eyes softened considerably. "Blessings to you both on a swift recovery."

    Cearia nodded stiffly at being included before leading Anjali outside. As suffocating as it was to be inside there, being out in the open felt no different. It was an impression that would only heighten the closer they got to their quarters. Cearia didn't have to see her wife's look as it was burning straight into her soul. Anjali could see her wife's neck bob with a hard swallow before an arm looped around hers, securing them together.

    She said nothing as they walked deeper into the caverns, not even sparing a glance at the fliers who chirped excitedly at Cearia's return. The blue one hopped and flapped trying to get her attention before sadly clicking with disappointment at being ignored. He was confused why the hunter was so sad and discouraged.

    It wasn't long before they were at the entrance to their quarters and Cearia braced for what would come as she pushed the heavy curtain aside and escorted Anjali inside ...

  20. #40
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    Anjali Raskor's Avatar
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    Anjali's birth clan, the Lavender Rifts, had had a name that might make strangers believed they were a rather cozy tribe. That was far from the truth. While they deeply cared for one another, they all learned that life was a hard mistress from a young age. Medicinal care and extensive training would be provided for all, encouraging them to learn to contribute, and supporting them to find their paths. Yet Anjali had been in Rancor enclosures from a young age, had sustained minor or semi-dire wounds on several occasions. The last time she had use a wooden mouth guard was when she was five years old.

    Just as Voritor were magnificent poisonous monsters, so had been the Lavender surrounding her birth clan settlement. All had participated to make Anjali strong and resilient, turning her into pliable and stubborn metal to be refined by the fire in the cataclysm that had destroyed much but not all on Dathomir.

    She was grateful for Ashia's care, and appreciated her good wishes as the couple took their leave.

    Anjali noticed how Cearia ignored the fliers, even as they passed by them. While she understood exhaustion and carrying the medicinal supplies took its toll over her spouse, she thought her ignoring the blue baby flier quite rude, though she kept that to herself. She took it as yet another sign of the inner turmoil plaguing the huntress.

    Once they were inside their quarters, Iss-Ka came to sniff Anjali's bandaged arm, making sure not to touch it. She looked disgusted by the smell of it, and had the same reaction to the supplies Cearia put a on a nearby table. She gently pressed her head against the Clan Mother's extended hand, and then briefly patted Cearia's ankle, before exiting the chamber. Anjali knew she had taken her guarding position right on the other side of the heavy curtains providing the couple with privacy.

    Once alone, Anjali let a long sigh escape her lips, in which all her exhaustion, pain, and frustration, crystallized. She felt ready to pass out; but she knew it was also the case for Cearia.

    She reached out with her good arm, giving her wife's hand a squeeze.

    "You did well today. I doubt you believe me; but I had to say it. Thanks to you, we found the rancors. If I keep my arm, it will be due to your initial care. And you were my hands when I was injured."


    She could tell that her wife was trying - and would likely succeed - to retort.

    "You must rest," she added in hope to quell any disagreement.

    Neither of them was in any shape to have a lengthy discussion. Taking a step back, she sat down to remove her boots, and began to work on removing her outer sleeveless garb with her good hand.

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