RP: What's Wrong at Home?
It's Tariday, Rhaltaas 11 18:09:32 1018. The full moon isn't up. The tide is high and ebbing. A chilly wind blows from the west, driving dark clouds before it and blotting out the stars in patches overhead. The air is clear and elsewhere they glitter brightly in the dark sapphire sky.
W02: Mictlan
Ga'Elian emerges on griffon-back from the trees and proceeds at a casual pace toward the ceremonial flame under the apex of the gigantic dragon bones. When they reach their destination, he alights off the winged steed, and both hunter and beast seem to gaze into the flame transfixed with reverential awe.
The activity level in Mictlan, as a whole, is moderate: many gather by cookfires or the central Fire for comradery, conversation, and warmth. Many, but not all. Some distance from the fires, still within the clearing, Un'eth sits on the ground, even somewhat within it. A tiny hillock has been partially excavated to make a relatively shallow depression. In that is where she resides, currently occupied with cleaning the meat from the boar leg she holds in claw. Other recently-denued bones rest nearby.
After a few moments' silent reflection, the ranger leads his companion back away from the immediate vicinity of the pyre. As he does so, he looks around and sees Un'eth. He nods, and approaches.
Un'eth notes the arrivals, and eyes them, but does not immediately halt her eating. Not until her current hock is relieved of meat does she open her maw. Following a belch, "Peace on your nest, Hunters," is offered.
Ga'Elian returns the salutation, "And on yours. You are well?"
"I am hungry," Un'eth states the obvious as she casts aside a bone and digs claws into the nearby carcass for more meat. She pulls out clawfuls to feed herself.
Ga'Elian smiles, "Well, you seem to have that matter well in... claw. (beat) In my trance early this morning, the Lady of Dreams gave me a sense of foreboding, surrounding my home. I have received no tidings to cause concern, and yet I cannot shake the feeling that something there either is or will be... wrong, somehow."
Un'eth cleans her claws of the meat and juices before picking up the previous bone to crack open. After sucking out the rich marrow, she eyes the sil. "Heth still stands upon Ea. That is wrong and will remain so."
Ga'Elian looks directly at the shaman. "Gods! I hope he's not involved in the affairs of my tribe." He looks positively repulsed at the thought.
Un'eth snorts. "Heth cares not for tribes, nor nations, nor entire races. He wants nothing less than the destruction of Ea, and all life upon it."
Ga'Elian shrugs, "Granted, so then this foreboding I feel seems more specific to me. Heth's aim is general. I intend to return to the Periantha to investigate, or at least to confer with my tribal elders. In any event, too long has it been since I have sat in the Longhouse. The tribe is enriched by the tales brought home from time to time by us who range beyond the homelands."
Un'eth dips her snout. "It may be. You must do what you must. A Tribe is strength." She gestures claws around. "My tribe is here." Her claws gesture at the disturbed ground around her. "My nest is here. So I am here."
Ga'Elian smiles, "And may peace prevail upon it. As for me, I doubt that I shall find peace until I return home and resolve this compulsive heaviness. Farewell."
"May the Dragon's wings shelter you on your journey, Hunter," Un'eth bids him farewell.