[p] and in the south

Tlantli Kimaris · 06-16-2012, 12:21 AM

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Tlantli is by Alaine!

The walls of the Kimaris family abode had more cracks, scuffs, and other minor damages than she remembered. The few fabrics they owned were torn, fraying, or otherwise patched time and time again. There was but one slave, a hopelessly feeble wolf-dog with one hand missing, perhaps evidence of some past thievery or just bad luck. There were other signs of decay, more than Tlantli could count, and yet -- this was home, and it filled her with an indescribable elation. Joy overtook every part of her life, stark contrast to the dark months in Salsola, the harsh months following, and the harsher still weeks on the road.

The sea had been particularly harsh on her mother's stomach, sensitive as it was, but she had persevered, and now she was home again. It did not matter if the Kimaris home was in shambles -- it was home. She meant to make them great again, but greatness must wait. Her body had returned to its former resiliency, but she needed only look to the yard and see her shambling children, adolescents still, to know waiting was still necessary. Dieriel guided Rahovath with a pointed finger toward the rabbit, cowering in a corner. The garden was walled and there was no escape, but the children were still having difficulty with prey released within.

It's early, yet, to be teaching them to hunt, a soft voice offered, and Tlantli turned from the window -- permanently open window, as there was no glass nor even a frame left anymore -- to face Metetzili. Though there was a long piece of thin, near-transparent cloth draped around his waist and he wore a piece of glinting silver here and there, the man was a far cry from the bejeweled and bedecked brother she remembered. Still, even after so many weeks in Eterne, the sight of him flooded her with happiness.

Yes, she agreed. But they will be better that way. Her half-brother moved further into the room, even his step different from what Tlantli remembered. With dismay, and not for the first time, she realized he had grown old. Dieriel seemed more lively, but she hadn't the weight of the Kimaris family resting on her shoulders all her long years, either. The flaxen-hued hybrid stepped toward her father, offering him the sunnier seat by the window. He waved a clawed hand and frowned, gesturing instead to the hallway from whence he'd come.

I wouldn't have the children hear what I want to talk about, he said. There was an element to his voice which gave Tlantli alarm, and both her ears pricked up. She followed him into the adjoining hallway and down into his own room. There was less sunlight here, but it was not connected to the garden; the open windows instead faced the open wilderness pressing in around the Eternian settlement.

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