Author: Eden, Posted: Tue Aug 8, 2017 10:32 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

When Rizka placed her hand on Eden's shoulder, she turned to see her reassuring smile once more, ensuring her of what was going to happen. Enough she could not exactly commute her feelings, she gave an assuring nod to let them know she, at the very least understood. It was after that they tried to find space for her and her small amount of gear… Small in number, but large in size and weight. At the very least, it seemed they had a hiding space inside their transport to place it in.

It was not until that night did things pick up again, where the three rested around a campfire. The male called Justice had some meat over the flames, being sure to carefully rotate it as the two females enjoyed the heat of the flames. However, it did not take much to make Eden's ears flick forward. There was a commotion coming up for them… four… eight… twelve feet it sounded like. Getting up, Eden's instinct told her to get away as quickly as possible, running back into the woods before climbing up a tree and peering from above. Her eyes slitted as she watched the source of the noise come closer, quick to reveal two humans with a hound each.

"Look, I am telling you this is a terrible idea," one of them said, holding one of the leashes as the dog sniffed around. "If we let her come to us, we will have the numbers to take her down."

"Yeah, but that also means its more reward to split," the other retaliated. "Not only that, but our reputation will skyrocket! Worst case scenario, we will force her out and into the others!"

"So you're saying we're bait…"

"Aw, c'mon. Don't be like that…" it did not take them long to see the flame and figures near there. "Good evening!" the other called out, having the first man sigh in hesitation. "While a beautiful night to be camping, it is pretty dangerous, especially there parts."

Author: Rizka, Posted: Tue Aug 8, 2017 7:45 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

"She isn't from Mo'mey," Rizka quipped looking up at her brother from where she sat with Eden on the floor. It wasn't Eden's looking to the south-west that had brought this to her attention. Rizka had actually read the etchings on the collar. While Eden's master had been an orc, Eden's collar had indicated that if she was found she was to be returned to Vilpamolan to the slave pits there. 

"Her master was working the slave pits and gladiatorial rings in Vilpamolan," she pointed out on the collar. This made Justice raise an eyebrow. 
"Huh, I stand corrected. It must have been the dialect that threw me off," Justice admitted. "Regardless they have already started looking this direction, so it is only believable that we'll run into other head-hunters on the road, especially if she has a bounty," he said. 

"But at least we aren't going to be walking right past their den," Rizka replied with a light giggle. She put a reassuring hand on Eden, sensing her fear. "Don't worry, we are going away from Vilpamolan," she said. She pointed to the south-west and shook her head, then pointed to the north and nodded.

Author: Eden, Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:42 AM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

While she could feel hands wrap around her, she did not may them any attention until one of them emanated a small source of warmth. It washed over her mind, the scars soothing over, letting Eden catch her breath. Her nails were once again normal along with her eyes, as she looked back up, the pair talking in the sounds of unknown. Still, the air was filled with worry as the two talked about what to next at the very least. Was it because they had to head back to where she was before? She did not want to see it ever again, but it seemed they had to at least make some travel there to do what she wanted…

Still, it did not stop herself from looking in the direction of where she came from, her hand grasping the chain links as if acknowledging what was coming up. However, instead of looking more north, the direction of Mo'mey from where they were talking about, her eyes were more directed to the south-east….

Author: Justice, Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2017 8:42 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Justice watched quietly as Eden proceeded to try and explain by way of pantomime all that she had gone through. It was a difficult process and took a lot to try and actually figure out what it was that she was trying to communicate. It wasn't very clear because what she was trying to portray was not based in any true sign language, but Justice was able to work out that she at least had to fight to eat. It only made sense to deduce that she didn't eat if she lost a fight. However, if by losing a fight she still maintained her life, she must have been quite the winner. 

It was Rizka who noticed when Eden began acting strange, curling up with her arms clutching her stomach. "She's withdrawing into herself, Justice. This isn't good for her," Rizka said as she came and sat down by Eden and pressed her hand gently to Eden's shoulder. "Don't make her recall anymore. It was traumatic!" she said as she gently tried to reassure Eden that she was safe. She gently pressed a hand to Eden's head and a warm energy left her hand, fortifying Eden's mind hopefully bringing her back out of the memory regression she was suffering. 

"Right of course. I think I understand what happened now in any case. There should be no reason to ask her to relive it," Justice said as he slowly got to his feet. "She wants to remove the writing from the collar, so that she can no longer be identified," he told Rizka. "And based on what she just told us, and what I saw through her eyes just now… I think I'm inclined to see that happen," he said as he moved around the two women and placed his hands flat on the counter top. 

"We are in a hard spot here, though," Justice admitted. "Mo'mey is between us and Sularia. And as far as I know, Lord Drae has not exactly made easy access to his domain here in Canelux yet. If we can find one of Lady Angela's Archways, we can get to her domain, and from there we should be able reach Tar Eisalae," Justice said. "In the meantime, we'll use our abilities to disguise her collar…"

Author: Eden, Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 7:23 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

While she still felt bitter to hearing the Orcish voice any more than she wished, she did ease up when the accent was dropped. A bit strange, but enough for her to remove more of that connection and ease her hands and tail, though her eyes still stared sharply and her claws protruding outwards. She she made no effort in attempting to strike now as she listened to his next question. She started with the name, where her response headed back to her collar, following the traces carved inside and drawing it out, as if stating that was how she got it. It certainly sounded ugly in that tone, though, and preferred the way Rizka spoke it.

To the other question, she brought her finger to the few remaining chain links around her neck and pulled them up, as if stating the detail was obvious about her position before imitating this to her wrists as well, where scars from the cuffs can be seen. She then ended it off with her arms raised up, wrists dangling downwards to make the final note about what her life was like: chained to a wall.

Her arms dropped down as if she had lost energy in them before making a sudden claw swipe in the air. After all, she was a fighter. Her role was to fight for the entertainment for the others. Her other hand imitated holding an apple, bringing it to her face and biting into the air. She fought to eat.

She then leaned back in her chair, head drooping back, as if looking like fallen prey, staying like that for a moment before pulling back up and imitating the eating motion once more, though pulling the "fruit" away before her teeth could bite down before headed back into the hanging pose. If she lost, she was denied food and pinned away, as it were…

Her body shook as her mind was once more flooded with the images of her life, finding herself curling her arms around her stomach as she drooped her head down. She was surprised how much that was a normality for her. She was practically a lifeless doll until that stranger broke her free just because she was teased with a glass of water. She could remember the thoughts that flooded her mind as she nearly drowned herself in that glass… before she practically turned feral and attacked those that got in her way… fighting those who were as broken as she was before taking that orc's life…

Author: Justice, Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 6:13 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

She reacted poorly to him speaking to her in Orcish, which Justice couldn't blame her for, though he did take a step back in case she decided to strike out at him. For a moment there, she acted as though it was not he that was speaking to her. She did manage to gather herself enough to know that Justice was just trying to speak to her on a level she might understand better. When she motioned to his blade and flicked her finger away, he stared at her for a moment before he realized what she wanted. He sighed and sat back, undoing his belt before he handed the rapier in its scabbard to Rizka, who then promptly hung it up on a hook where it belonged. 

Justice turned back to Eden at that point, and sat down on the floor across from her, sitting cross-legged, putting himself into a position where he could not reach the blade, a sign of good faith to Eden. He spoke softer this time, though still in Orcish. 

"You don't like this language, I can tell, but you at least understand some of it," he said to her. "Your name is Eden? You killed your master and ran away?"

Author: Eden, Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 3:03 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Hearing the commotion between the two, Eden lowered her arms back down before turning around and watching the scene between the two. The male was definitely in a panicked state as the other tried to stop him herself, blinking a bit as she watched the scene before them calm down, the man finally accepting the facts and releasing his weapon. It was around then the two discussed what to do next (she guessed) before the male went over to address her directly.

His voice alone suddenly caused her tail to rise and eyes to slit, keeping her fists by her side as she tried to hold back her claws.

After being away from it for so long, and meeting so many people, hearing that voice aggravated her, her mind flashing to his face before returning back to what was in front of her. Though her arm shook, she fought her instinct to strike at that which reminded her of those times. She had to remind herself he was not out for her. Still, he asked a question she could recognize, and responded with a nod. However, before anything else could be stated, he pointed to his waist, where his rapier rested before flicking her finger away from him.

She wanted to make sure she was not going to get threatened like that if things started going south.

Author: Justice, Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 11:13 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

He had been doing some trade with the local outposts when he had first heard about the escaped tigerkin slave. Some bounty hunters of sorts, the ones that were specifically meant to chase down runaway slaves had been there, and had explained who they were after and what for. This tigerkin had killed her master and fled from the gladiatorial pits of the Mo'mey Steppes. She was a warrior, strong and capable of taking just about anyone in a fight, and she would be identified by the sword she carried and the manacle that would be about her neck, with the mark of her former master. It was thought she was hiding out somewhere in the rain forest, but with so much acreage to try and cover and the thick density of the jungle itself (not to mention the crazy natives), the bounty hunters were going to have to try and catch her coming out somewhere on the other side. 

Now, Justice hadn't said much, but he had listened carefully to the description, while appearing to be nonchalant when finishing his business with the outpost trader, and loaded up his saddle bag before he climbed back up on the horse he had brought with him and headed back for the vardo. 

He hadn't expected to run into the tigerkin at all, but when he saw the massive blade sitting outside the vardo as he approached, he naturally feared the worst. This tigerkin woman was supposed to be dangerous, and Rizka wasn't a fighter. He reacted as any big brother would when he burst into the house-wagon with his hand on his rapier. 

The tigerkin immediately surrendered, which shocked him as he advanced, but when Rizka threw herself bodily between him and the escapee, he was calmed. Rizka was unhurt, and the tigerkin appeared to not want to fight him. Perhaps because her weapon was still outside, or perhaps she really meant them no harm. 

"Riz, did she hurt you?" he heard himself asking frantically of his sister as she was trying to force his hand off his rapier. 

"No, I'm fine. I found her at the water falls. She had no clothes so I brought her here to give her something to wear!" Rizka insisted as she pulled Justice's hand away from his blade. "Her name is Eden, and I don't think she'll hurt anyone unless she's provoked. She was very patient with me when I brushed out her hair," Rizka explained. The blond man looked at his sister incredulously, but relaxed a little bit. He suddenly recognized the old clothes that the tigerkin was wearing and he sighed. 

"It was a bad idea to bring her here," he sighed. "There are bounty hunters looking for her. She's a runaway slave. She killed her master," Justice informed her. 

"So I gathered from the collar," Rizka replied, sounding a bit exasperated. "But she can't speak. She doesn't understand the Trade Language very well, so I wonder if she is used to hearing Orcish. Her collar has orcish etchings," she said pointing to the collar. 

Justice looked at the collar. "It would make sense. Those bounty hunters said she was from the Mo'mey Gladiatorial rings," he commented. He heaved a heavy sigh. "I hate speaking Orcish," he muttered looking from Eden to his sister. 

Rizka shrugged. "Don't look at me, I'm hopeless at Orcish," she reminded him. He chuckled slightly as he turned his attention back to Eden. 

When he spoke this time, it was guttural, harsh and almost crude sounding as he spoke in the Orcish tongue that was common in the Mo'mey region.
"I understand you don't speak, but can you understand what I say to you now?" he asked Eden, hoping that this might work. 

Author: Eden, Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 9:33 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

The creek of wood also caught the ears of the tigerkin, her ears flicking back first as it caught it before turning her head over to see its source, and before them was a male figure, arm moving towards his waist nearly immediately upon seeing them. She almost expected him to rein an aura of malice, but instead, it was defensive…  She couldn't think on how to properly respond to this… If he was feeling malicious, as if to take what was here, she would have no issue dispatching him right on the spot, or at least emulating being the alpha in the scenario. But no… instead,  he was doing what she would have done, treating her like a threat. In such context, there was only one thing she could do…

With her head drooping, she raised her arms, showing nothing in her hands and her nails not claws. Her massive weapon was outdoors, and while she did have the strength to take him on as she was, she submitted on the spot. After all, there must have been a reason for the new entry to be more defensive about her appearance…

Author: Rizka, Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 7:50 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Rizka could tell that Eden was concerned about the collar by how she played with it, fidgeting with it to try and hide the orcish etchings engraved in the metal. She started thinking on how they could maybe disguise the ugly metal band, but came up short. There was little they could do, short of trying to make it look more like a choker or an accessory rather than an ownership collar. Her thoughts were scattered by the sound of a horse nickering as it approached and she moved to the window to see who it was. There was a creak as someone stepped on the stairs of the vardo and the door was pushed open. 

In the doorway stood a tall, lean muscled young man, with long blonde hair pulled back into a roguish ponytail, and bright intelligent eyes. He was dressed smartly, more like a noble than Rizka's own eclectic conglomeration of colorful scarves, skirts and corsets. On his hip glinted a rapier and he was wearing thick leather riding gloves. Upon seeing Rizka with the tigerkin, his hand flew to his weapon almost out of instinct. 

Author: Eden, Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2017 8:24 AM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

It was soon that the feel of the brush vanished entirely before she felt Rizka weaving her fingers through her hair, separating them into bundles and crossing each of them over from where her hair began to droop down to the eventual bottom edge where a small strand of cloth was tied to hold everything together. She did not really understand why she even bothered though. Was it meant to make it easier to take care of, or was it more-so fitting her new clothes and "image"? After all, as she held up the reflective object, she did state it would be difficult to recognize her… outside of the giant metal shackle around her neck.

Still, she was right about the lavender's strong scent, as that was all she could smell! Her nose was being clogged up by the scent that it was difficult to smell anything else. She only prayed that she would adapt around it to be able to track anything else…

Still, it had been nearly forever since she had seen her own reflection so well before, as the image stayed still for her to be able to even observe her details. However, it also came to note about the steel collar itself that rested around her neck… the carvings etched it shouting at her of her "role in life." Her fingers went back to those etchings and carvings once more, tracing each of the orcish letters before pausing at the emblem… The symbol people used to attach to her dead owner…. to who she had belonged to. Her fingers went to creep over the crest to try and cover it up from sight, but the feeling of the etches were still there at her fingertips…

Author: Rizka, Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 9:27 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

It took Rizka some time to get through the tangled mess. And she was thorough. She had tried to be gentle, but unfortunately she could tell that she was hurting Eden. She saw the same signs of discomfort that she had felt herself many times in years past when her sisters would do this same thing for her. She would take breaks in between the tugging to try and give Eden some respite before she resumed the brushing by rubbing the lavender oil in her hands and then onto Eden's scalp. When all was said in done, there was a sizeable pile of debris that Rizka had removed and the hairbrush had been cleaned at least 3 times to get rid of all the dead hair, and the brush could move through Eden's hair with ease. It was smooth and sleek thanks to the oil, and smelled nice, and would repel all manner of bugs. Rizka set the brush aside and much more gently, she wove the thick dark locks of the tigerkin into a long tight braid and secured it with a piece of ribbon. 

"There," she announced when she released Eden at last. "I'm sorry it took so long," she said apologetically. "But it will stay cleaner for a while now, and that oil will help it stay soft," she said. "Also it might help throw off anyone who is using their sense of smell to track you. Lavender is pretty potent that way," she said with a small smile. She held up a small hand mirror to Eden. "There you go, what do you think?" she asked offering the looking glass. "You hardly look like the same person. I doubt anyone would recognize you, if it wasn't for that collar of yours…" she said musing. "I wonder if maybe Justice would have any suggestions for that…"

Author: Eden, Posted: Wed Jul 5, 2017 10:08 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Eden was a bit confused on why Rizka wanted her over where she was in the first place. Why did it matter? Maybe it had to do with the objects she was pointing towards? Well, she was given the new outfit, so she may as well compromise, thus giving her a small nod before following along. Tailing behind her for the few steps, she took to the bench that was offered before her (though confused on why she insisted that Eden had to sit a certain way) before she went to work on straightening out her hair…

At the start, it was clear that Eden emanated a radiance of regret.

She felt the brush teeth pull upon her air, a, "Aaaah, aaah, ah," escaping her as her fists clenched tightly. It was as if her scalp was being pulled off by her hair, and her body was reacting more than her mind did, seeing as her nails had already taken form of claws. Still, she held her fists closed and arms shook as she tried to keep control of them, like they were being possessed by another being. She knew what she was doing. She knew this was for her sake…. she… just… had… to… deal… with these pulls… That's all.

However, it was as if things went easier the longer she did this. The tugs on her hair became less often before vanishing entirely while the feeling of the teeth vanished as it passed through her hair. It was then things became more subtle did her claws retract and her arms loosened once more before she gained control of her arms again. She is not a threat… Never was… But the pulling was horrible.

Author: Rizka, Posted: Mon Jul 3, 2017 8:42 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Rizka felt the tap and she turned again, and smiled at how Eden had had no qualms about making the outfit her own. She had heard her tearing the garments, but she reminded herself that they were Eden's now and she could fix them however she wanted. When it appeared she had merely torn off the sleeves of the undershirt, Rizka was less concerned. 

"There then. Those suit you quite nicely," she smiled. "Will you let me brush out your hair?" Rizka asked, motioning to the brush and the bottle of lavender hair oil. 

She waited for Eden to sit down and get situated before she slowly and as gently as possible began pulling the brush through her thick hair, careful to avoid the tigerkin's ears. It was slow going, but Rizka was determined to make the best of it. For the most part it was merely trying to removed debris and matted sections. While it was still wet from the waterfall, Rizka was aware how water seemed to make the tangles worse. But that was what the oil was for and the had no problem using it on the woman before her. The lavender oil would also help get rid of any sort of bugs that might have made a home in Eden's hair, which was completely possible considering she had been wandering in the wilds for what Rizka had to guess was some time now. 

Author: Eden, Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 10:54 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Eden's eyes glazed about the small innards of the mobile cavern. It was a confided space she had grown used to, although her living spaced had never been this… colorful… or fragrant. The smell was actually really strong in her nose, causing her to stifle a sneeze from the strong scent of cinnamon in the air, rubbing her nose afterwards before her eyes caught back onto Rizka, motioning her over closer. With a bit of a confused blink, Eden walked in deeper into the vardo before being quickly handed some new garments. She did not need any explanation for this, as this was a common ting for when growing and outfits stopped fitting. Not only that, but the arena did at least have the respect to force fighters to do combat completely nude, though more often the outfits were to tell the audience who belonged to who.

With her turning about, Eden tilted her head… Wasn't she naked in front of her not too long ago? Well, it seemed in this case she was busy searching for something, so it was no real point in arguing. Discarding the old cloth off her body once more, letting them rest in a small pile in the middle of the floor, With the old rags discarded, Eden decided to go through and see that was offered to her. It seemed like a type of robe with another wrap-like cloth of a much thinner, and less expressive, cloth. With a bit of fiddling, Eden wrapped herself in the undercloth, using the buttons to seal it closed… though the top itself felt very restrictive… Tight enough to have her rip the sleeves off unceremoniously before adding them in with the other rags.

The next was the Kimono top, though while she did put it on, she did not really tighten it up for the same reason as the undershirt, but it did not feel right to do so to something so expressive…

Now if only things were not so breezy underneath…

Quickly adjusting her hair out of her clothes, she tapped the shoulder of Rizka, as if to tell her she is done getting dressed.

Author: Rizka, Posted: Sun May 21, 2017 8:25 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

The inside of the Vardo was cozy and comfortable, but clearly not meant for more than two or three people to be inside at a time. There was a small wood burning stove tucked in the corner to the left side of the door, a small table built into the wall and two small stools for sitting crammed next to a set of drawers that doubled as a counter space. Alone the back wall was a high bed covered with blankets and pillows, and a trundle bed tucked snuggly beneath it that could be pulled out at night to provide a second sleeping place. The right side of the wall was crammed with cupboards stuffed with food and supplies, and in the right hand corner was half of a barrel used for bathing, washing clothes and storing larger items. It was cramped, but comfortable and homey, the wood painted with bright colors, trinkets and drapes hung about the ceiling to add flare. 

Rizka crossed the small threshold and pushed open the three windows to allow natural light into the living space, and to air the vardo out, which smelled heavily of lavender, and cinnamon. Then she went to one of the drawers and pulled out a package wrapped in brown paper and string and quickly unwrapped it before she motioned to Eden to come in all the way. 

She shook out the contents of the package, which turned out to be a deep maroon and navy kimono. It has belonged to one of her sisters and was much too big for her. But seeing as Eden was built taller and stronger than Rizka was, she was pretty sure that with a tiny bit of alteration, the kimono would fit her nicely. She motioned again for Eden to come closer and she held up the garment to the tigerkin to see if her estimation had been correct. She was not disappointed. She bundled up the kimono and tapped the fabric with her fingers. 

"This is for you. You can keep this," she said, tapping the fabric and then pointing at Eden. "Your clothes are barely staying together," she said, looking at the rags. "You wear this," she insisted, handing the bundle to Eden. She turned so that Eden could get changed, and pulled a hairbrush out from a smaller drawer, as well as a balm bottle that smelled of lavender and set it on the small counter space. 

Author: Eden, Posted: Sat May 20, 2017 8:59 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

A small nod came from her as Rizka confirmed her desire, though moved her finger along the etchings once more to confirm she wanted those carvings to be removed at the very least. She did not want anything to lead her back to that man…or at least to his corpse. The collar told of her status, though, along with the filthy rags she wore. She would need to find a way to make the items not make her look like a runaway, but at the very least, Rizka was not going to turn her over. At least, that was the impression she got.

While the bard offered her a hand up, after she stood to her feet, signalling they would be on the move, Eden ignored the motion, instead slamming the flat top of the blade into the earth before using that as an anchor to hoist herself to her feet, dusting off the dirt on her legs before heaving the weapon into the air and onto her shoulder, handling the heavy weapon with ease. Letting Rizka take the lead, Eden followed up, making sure to watch the back in case any natural threat, whether it be beast for carnivorous plantfolk, tried to assault them.

What she called "home" was a small little mobile hut with a horse, resting in the middle of no where. Resting her weapon on the ground, as if not to startle the horse, the tigerkin followed inside, though only through the doorway with her tail still sticking out into the open, looking around at the small inside.

Author: Rizka, Posted: Thu May 11, 2017 7:42 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Rizka actually looked surprised as Eden lifted her finger. It took her a moment to realize that this was basically the universal sign for 'under one condition' or to ask for a favor. Rizka nodded slowly as Eden pointed to the etchings on the collar and a scrubbing motion before she hesitated and then seemed to get an idea before she pointed at the etchings on her collar again, and then pulled out her blade and moved her her finger along the blade fuller, as though writing. Rizka mimicked her motions to try and connect the dots before it hit her and she smiled. 

"You want Eden," she said, pointing at the name etched on the collar, "on your sword?" she asked, pointing and acted like she was writing on the blade fuller. "Eden," she said pointing at the collar, and then at the blade again before she repeated the name.  When it became apparent that she understood correctly, Rizka nodded. "All right. I think we can do this," she said nodding her head yes with a smile. 

She stood up and motioned for Eden to follow her, and even offered her hand if the woman wanted to take it. It was more meant as a kind friendly gesture, but she would understand if she didn't want to take it. Rizka guided Eden through the underbrush to a small glen that was just off the main road through the tropical forest where the vardo she shared with her brother was waiting, their horse grazing just a short distance away. Justice seemed to still be away scavenging for trade goods. Rizka smiled and pointed at the vardo. "Home," she said with a smile before waiving Eden forward. She walked up the short steps to the Vardo door and unlocked it before she pulled the door open and walked inside. 

"Come on, Eden!" she urged as she opened the windows to air out the mobile house. 

Author: Eden, Posted: Tue May 2, 2017 10:08 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Eden watched as the other who marked herself under the voice of Rizka speak with her some more, this time full of much more energy as she also spoke using her body. It was a nice touch, letting her link words with movements as most of that she had been used to was her previous owner making orcish noices, and most of what was direct were threats he wanted her to know to heel her down. However, she was no longer under his ownership anymore. She was a free woman now.

Not only that, but the motion of eating and rest definitely  sounded like a comfort she never had. From eating leftover scraps as a victory meal and sleeping on the cold floor to now hunting for meals and sleeping on the dusty floor… if any considering her alert state. Still, it seemed this Rizka is willing to aid her in that regard.

Taking a final large chomp through the apple's flesh, she flung it out into the woods before holding out a single finger, a sign she had seen multiple times as if to ask for something, before bringing it up to the steel collar on her neck and motioning it across the etches. It may have her name carved in it, but it also showed who she belonged to. Since the steel was too thick to rip off, she would need the next best thing: removing the marks on her collar. However, she did pause for a moment, as if in thought. She used those marks to give her name…

Taking her hand away from her collar, she moved over to the hilt of the metal log of a sword, picking up the heavy blade before drawing it out in front of her and drawing her finger along the separation. If she needed to have an item hat had her name, it would best be her weapon.

Author: Rizka, Posted: Tue May 2, 2017 8:37 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Rizka moved back and away to give Eden room, unsure if she had just tried to speak her own name, or if she had simply just coughed. Either way, she seemed to be contentedly munching on the apple that Rizka had shared with her. Rizka looked at her shabby and torn clothing and her apparent lack of travel gear. They had a little room in their vardo still, since Holly was in Sularia at them time, and she was pretty sure that Justice would not mind having another individual sharing their humble traveling home, especially one who appeared as destitute as Eden did. That way, Rizka could at least either patch her clothing, or even donate something of her own that she didn't wear to her, in order to replace the tattered remains of her current outfit, and make sure she had a decent meal in her stomach for some time. 

She wondered if she would be able to persuade Eden to come with her. It wasn't safe to travel alone in the world. Especially for an escaped slave, which is what Rizka had the feeling Eden was. 

"Eden?" Rizka asked. "Would you come with me? I have a safe place where you can stay," she said looking at the tigerkin. She was sure that the woman wouldn't understand her, so Rizka did her best to pantomime her meaning to her, motioning to Eden and then to herself, making motions to leave to a safe place. 
"There will be more food, and a warm place to sleep," she added, still mimicking her words with hand motions. Then she reached a hand to Eden, offering it to her in order to take her hand and lead her to their vardo. 

Author: Eden, Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:33 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Even with her being so careful about dealing with the metal ring to harm the tigerkin, her body still sat there frozen, eyes shut and her tail fluffed up in nerves. While she could feel her be gentle with handling the metal band, each slight movement on it rang the few chain links that remained around her neck. Oh, how much she wish she could rip them off like she did the others within that chain, removing their ring that reminded her of that moment before her final march. Alas, every time she tried, she could not get enough grip to yank them off by force, most of the time pulling the back against her neck before damaging the chains any further.

When the chains stopped ringing, tension left her body as the fur on her tail laid back to rest… just to quickly raise again when the other's hand found itself on Eden's shoulder. Opening her eyes, she was looking at the other woman who stated a sound before pointing at herself, saying another. She kept on going with the motions, repeating the sounds she made with her touches and points.She listened to her voice and watched her lips, as she tried to associate them together. Enough so that she started to mimic Rizka's lip movements with them.

"E-ack" she tried, only to feel a raspy sound escape her lips, as if it had been dried out in the sand for a decade. Then again, the only real use her voice had were screams: battle cries..v victory… pain. She was never really allowed to try to use those sounds to do what Rizka was doing now, and thus found herself trying to cover it up by taking a large chomp into the apple's flesh.

Author: Rizka, Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 7:49 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

If it was ever asked, Rizka never used her powers for anything but good, and in this case it was still true. The sense of comfort that the strange feline woman was feeling, she would admit, was actually Rizka's natural gift of charm. She was capable of subduing even some of the toughest, harshest individuals, especially when she played and sang. Clearly the music was not being used in this situation, but the calming aura was still there, growing stronger as Rizka inched closer. 

Rizka didn't flinch and was patient with her as she hesitated, but she smiled gently as she snatched up the apple from her hand and hesitantly allowed Rizka to come and inspect the massive collar that was about her neck. She gave her as much space as she could still, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. She did, however get close enough to notice the marks and marring on her neck from the collar, and the deeply scratched word in then Adeluna Trade Language. 

"Eden… how pretty," she said softly. She couldn't have been sure if that was the woman's name, or if it was the name of the one who owned her, but in looking at the woman, it seemed to fit her quite well. 

Rizka gently reached out and touched her on the shoulder. "Eden," she said firmly, touching her to indicate that the word was meant to represent the woman. In turn Rizka returned her hand and pointed at herself. "Rizka."

She repeated the pointing and touching, reinforcing that Eden was Eden and that she was Rizka. 

Author: Eden, Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 10:42 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

The last couple coughs escaped her throat before giving it a light massage, closing her eyes to take in a bit of breath and have the irritation fade away before opening them once more, opening her eyes to see the other had moved closer to Eden, causing her to jump back a bit from surprise. How… how did she get so close without her noticing. Sure, she was distracted, but surely, this was not something she was used to. Was it because she surrendered herself that Eden dropped her guard? No… she was always on guard for those sneaky backstabbers with their sneak attacks. Maybe… maybe since she never really had the feeling of malicious intent that she was able to push that much closer to her. Instead, it was a strange feeling of… comfort. If it changed, she would know and would need to retaliate quickly.

More sounds came from her, before she motioned at her throat… repeating them, she felt the many scratches run through the tip of her finger before the carved in gashes., pushing the couple rings around as she did so. Soon, she was offered a small payment to have it be looked at. All without a drop of malice. Her hand then raised to about halfway, pausing as she hesitated for the moment before quickly snatching the fruit up and looking down at it. Soon, her eyes dazed up back at the woman, before a hesitant gulp before lifting her head.

Still, her body unconsciously tensed up, as if expecting to be choked once more through brute handling of the metal item. At least the deep carvings were more viable. It was of few carvings, as if giving her a simple name for room before her master's emblem was scratched in. Though sloppy, it was clear what the intent was: EDEN… Was it a name meant to reflect on the master's wanted paradise?

Author: Rizka, Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 8:15 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Rizka wasn't one to be shy. She had lived on the road most of her life, and had often enough had to go an bathe in the company of other women who were part of the caravans that she and Justice had traveled with, so the strange woman with feline ears did not make her uncomfortable in the slightest in her state, though Rizka did her best to offer her some privacy by not staring. It hadn't been lost on her the scars that marred the woman's skin, nor how strong she was physically. If that massive sword was in fact hers, Rizka knew she was more than capable of taking care of things if it proved needed. All the more reason to give this woman her space. She waited while the woman dressed and like the scars, couldn't help but notice the true state of the clothing that was barely more than tattered rags at this point. 

She seemed to understand something Rizka was saying, as if the word 'name' was painful to her, but she reached up to touch the thick metal collar that was about her neck, and for the first time, Rizka noticed the rather unsophisticated scratchings upon the dirty metal. From the distance she though that she could make out a letter of Dwarfish, but it would require closer study to understand what it truly said. 

"May I?" Rizka asked and slowly moved towards the woman, her hands gently outstretched, showing she still meant more harm. She pointed at her own neck and made a ring with her fingers, trying to mime across the idea that she wanted to examine the collar. "I just want to read what it says," she said, trying to get her intention across. She crept slowly forwards until she was just a few feet away from the woman. A thought occurred to her, and she reached into her pocket and retrieved an apple she had been carrying for a snack and offered it to the woman. She couldn't have been sure when the last time this woman had eaten was, but she hoped that the woman would see that she was trying to be friendly, to earn her trust. 

Author: Eden, Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 9:38 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Without much to dry the water off her skin, Eden simply sat there bare, taking in the sun's rays as it slowly dried her off. Then again, she never had time to simply rest and enjoy such a simplistic pleasure, as anytime she was anywhere outside, she was still trapped, forced to face dangerous opponents, under the mass hysteria of cheering crowds. However, that was no longer her life… at least… no longer the life she wished, but the damn reminder kept haunting her with every rattle of the remaining links.

When she felt like she had dried enough, he picked up the thin set of pants, throwing them on first without any underwear to put on underneath before the loose, torn up top. She gave the other another look once more, getting more curious why she lingered about with her. Just… what was she after?

She spoke again once more, her voice ringing out a familiar sound. "Name." Her previous owner never bothered to teach her the meaning of the word, but it did place a burden on her throat. Her memories of other folk lifting the steel collar up to see the sloppy Dwarven engravings that marked her. Easily a case of Orcish writing, along with an emblem, as if to remind those who she belonged to. the painful thoughts from that sound make Eden choke a bit, holding her throat just above the steel ring as she coughed a bit for breath…

Author: Rizka, Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 8:19 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

The strange woman seemed to not have heard her, and Rizka held back a gasp when she saw that the woman's ears were not normal. They sat upon the top of her head, and flicked the water away much like a cat's. It was fascinating, but Rizka didn't venture anymore words, nor did she move closer. Once the scrape on her knee was cleaned she leaned in and lightly blew on the injury, and it immediately healed up. Doing this granted the other silent woman enough time to dress and have a little bit of privacy. 

After a moment or two, Rizka felt eyes on her and she looked back over at the woman who was just staring at her blankly. She seemed, if anything, confused, and she still hadn't said anything. Rizka slowly turned to face her. 

"What's your name?" she asked again, the smile still on her lips as she lightly tossed the moss back into the water. "My name is Rizka. Are you from around here? This place is really pretty…"

Author: Eden, Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 7:27 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

It was not until the other held up her hands did Eden drop hers. Even in the arena, that was a sign of submit to the other, as if offering their arms to be taken away from them if they tried any moment of betrayal, and for a warrior, the arms were a very important tool. She had surrendered to her, even if she was off guard herself, which meant she accepted she stood no chance as well.

Though she did try to explain herself, her words fell upon empty ears… or at least unknowledgead ones. Instead her eyes followed her arms, directing to her knee where the small sight of blood leaked. It was almost a pathetic amount to worry about, why even bother? Her eyes closed once more as her last question about the name was sent before she dipped her head into the water once more, sitting the moment before rising up again, closer to the edge of the pool before stepping out, sitting on the stone, dusty floor as she strained the water out of her hair with her hands, ears flicking to dislodge what she could and her tail laying lazily on the floor. It was not like she had any cloth on her (aside from her dusty, turn-up rags she called clothes) to dry herself off with.

However, her eyes once again darted back to the other woman, looking at her a bit… blankly. Maybe confused as to why she was there in the first place. She was not sent to take her in, considering her surrender, so why did she stay?

Author: Rizka, Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 6:36 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Almost as soon as she had noticed the articles of clothing and the weapon, Rizka heard the uncharacteristic splashing, suggesting the water was being disturbed in a way that was not normal in comparison to the gushing of the waterfall. She looked around and saw the young woman hiding in the water, and seemed to be standing in some sort of defensive stance. Rizka slowly raised her hands from where she sat, the universal sign that said she was unarmed and meant no harm, the only thing she held was the moss she had been using to clean her scraped up knee. 

"I didn't mean to disturb you," she said calmly and gently, just loud enough to be heard over the roar of the waterfall. "I hurt myself, I just came over to clean it," she said, pointing to her knee, which was still red, and trickling a tiny bit of blood. "I will just finish and be on my way," she promised the young woman. "What's your name?"

Author: Eden, Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 9:57 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

Pulling her head out of the water, she felt her mess of hair cling to her back as the cold steel once again touch her bare neck, with every minor move causing the lingering chain links to rattle. Still, her eyes remained closed as she pulled herself back to a stand before shaking her head left and right, turning her hair into a mess as she tried to shake out the water that resisted in the tufts of fur in her ear.. It was not until she could hear the waterfall behind her before she came to a stop, forcing her hair to rest everywhere on her before opening up her eyes.

and the first thing she came to see would be a woman sitting by the water's edge. Wish a slow step back, her fingers opened wide, holding her right in front of her body while the other remained sunken in the water. Who was this woman, and how did she did the jump on her? How could she had not known of her presence? Was it the sound of the water that drowned her out? Was she under for much longer than needed?

Quickly, her eyes skimmed the other person before her. There was no weapon on her… at least visible, but she was next to her sword. Then again, it was crafted to be extremely heavy, which made gladiators struggle to lift it. Was… was she not out for her? Her fingers relaxed a bit, but she still held her stance, just in case.

Author: Rizka, Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 9:10 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

It was truly a beautiful spring day. Rizka had never had much of a reason to go deep into Laeto Forest on her own, but following the trails of light that had been appearing all over Revaliir seemed like a good way to explore safely. She had never seen so many tropical plants and flowers and often her journeys would take her past this place. Never had she and her brother ventured inside though. She tossed her dark hair over her shoulders as she carefully stepped through the undergrowth with sandal clad feet. She was careful to keep her skirts from catching on plants and branches. She had also heard that wood from the trees of Laeto forest could be used to make some of the finest woodwinds found in the world. 

She watched as frogs of different colors darted past her into the undergrowth, and though she was curious, she knew better than to touch. She knew many types of reptiles and amphibians were dangerous because of toxins in bites and on their skins. As she walked and stepped over tree roots and vines, her foot caught on a stone and she went sprawling. 
"Ow," she said to herself as she picked herself up and began brushing off her skirts. She had scrapped up her hands and arms pretty good in her fall, and one of her knees had a small trickle of blood stream down from it. With a wince, she limped towards the nearby river, looking for a good place to sit down and clean up. She had to walk quite a ways before she reached the waterfall and found a suitable place to sit wash her hands and arms. As she scooped up a handful of spongy green moss and used it to dab at her bleeding leg, she noticed articles of slightly tattered clothing and a heavy metal weapon resting on the ground. Clearly she had interrupted someone's bath, and the looked around curiously to see who might have been there. 

Author: Eden, Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 8:30 PM, Post Subject: Clease the Body, Cleanse the Mind [R,P]

How long had it been since Eden was able to clean the dirt off between her toes, or the blood that had rested between her fingers and under her claws? Even longer than her freedom hunt was all she could think of, and between them, there was no place for her to clean up aside from the the days the sky cried, which was a small rarity. She felt lucky being able to find time to rest as she was always on guard from whatever dangers she thought was around her while making sure her hunts gave her the food to sustain herself. It was not until the roar of falling water did the kinfolk even think about getting cleaned up, and when it did, she was sure enough to seek the source out immediately. It had been a while she had a drink anyways, so it was something that could possibly kill two birds with one stone.

Treading through the woodlands with her massive mass of steel resting on her shoulder, she was soon able to spot the source itself. The water was clear and the smell was relaxing, even if the roaring water flooded her hearing from anything else. Kneeling down at the edge of the water, she rested her weapon on the floor before dipping her hands inside, forming a bowl with them before pulling out, taking a small handful of water to sip. Despite the dirt inside, the taste was delightful to her throat, removing the parched feeling with a few more scoops.

With a light sigh, Eden hoisted herself back onto her feet before throwing off the dirty and torn fabric that had covered her for who knows how long before discarding the rest of what covered her. Even if she knew how to really clean them, she was sure they would simply tear up more if she tried just by the other tears and how thin the fabric was getting. The only item she could not discard of was the metal collar, her "reminder" of what she was… at least, that was what she was told. She had no real way to remove it, so the next best thing would be to ignore its existence.

Stepping into the water, she felt the coolness rush up her legs, revealing more of the temperature much more than by her hands alone. Still, she pushed forward until she felt the tips of her hair begin to float on the surface before she dipped down herself.