SugaredKittie and KissTxhxeRain's FolkLore Story

[SugaredKittie]

[SugaredKittie]

Hinewai surfaced in the shallows of the large lake beside her home. Humming to herself pushed back her wet hair as she walked onto the white sands of the beach. The sun beat down on her pale purple-tinted skin, drying it almost instantly, as her inner eyelids slid down from covering her eyes. Her oval pupils narrowed in the glare of the sun as she put a head over her face to shade her eyes, the webbing slowing sliding back to from her first knuckles to give her better use of her fingers. The gills on the side of her neck shut, leaving tiny slices on her neck, unnoticeable to anyone who wasn't searching for them.

She shook her skirt pieces as she checked the straps that went over her hips to make sure it was still secure. The skirt of her dress was only a long piece of cloth in the front and the back to cover her while being tied together with strings to expose the sides of her legs, letting the fins on the outside of each leg have free movement. Her top was only a swash of cloth over her breasts that tied in the back.

"The sun is so warm..." She murmured as she smiled to herself. "The water is so cold, yet the sun give the telltale sign that summer is soon approaching. It is time to give offerings to the Deity for safe waters and bountiful food for our people."

She gazed over at the large heavy waterfall rushing over the sheer cliffs that hid the entrance to her home. One would never know where they were safely hidden, living out peaceful lives in the comfort of their ancient cave. Walking away from the waters edge she wandered into the treeline to find spring blossoms for the offering.

[KissTxhxeRain]

Loud cheers echoed through the trees of the forest, so loud it soon became incoherent. Feradar sat perched on his horse, next to the man shouting. His words meant little to him. It was all things he had heard before. Talk about ultimate power and ruling over the whole land, instead of just a small portion.

Rolling his dark eyes ever so slightly, he shifted his legs which lay around the large steed. As Feradar gazed out in front of him, his mind began to wander to several different things. A nice home cooked meal, taking off this hot suit of armor, a nice cool bath...

'That would be nice...' He thought to himself. 'A nice bath...' Smiling softly, he heard a faint yell for his name. 'Oh, someone's talking to me!'

Flinching back to reality, Feradar looked over at his father, who was now fuming from being ignored.

"You are the son of a great general! Act like it!" His father roared. "Now, did you hear what I said?"

Nodding, Feradar smiling faintly for a split second before looking back to the hoard of men who stood in front of them, eagar for battle.

[SugaredKittie]

Hinewai picked flowers by the armful before she made her way back to the sound of water. She came out further down from her lake home but was next to the river that flowed out to the ocean, keeping their lake from drowning their home. She smiled as she lighted across the current to the over side and back into the tree line.

Deeper into the trees was a small clearing where a spring bubbled to the surface. Beside the spring stood the shrine to their Deity of water. Hinewai was the head priestess as she was the only child of their leader. Being not only the first born but the only female made her both the priestess of their shrine but next in line for the throne; neither truly appealed to her but she considered being a priestess the lesser of the two evils.

'If only I had a brother than the throne would be his and I would not have to worry about taking over when my father dies.' She thought, though her father's death was far off into the future so it was not something she worried about too much.

As usual she prayed to their Deity for a bountiful harvest and peace, adding in her own silent prayer for a brother would be able to rule their clan peacefully as they have been for generations. Part of her always cringed for praying selfishly but she knew how much a son would mean to her parents, they would cherish another child no matter what sex, but a boy would be all that much better.

After she finished praying and laying out the offering Hinewai stood and looked around. the breeze had changed and that was beginning to worry her.

[KissTxhxeRain]

Feradar took the first opportunity to pull on the reins of his horse, and parted from the meeting. For a child born to war, he detested it. Whenever their clan won land, another clan lost it.

Sighing softly, he made his way down to a near by stream. Sliding off his horse, he quickly slid out of his armor, leaving only a pair of compression shorts on as he walked into the water. With a slight shiver, he soaked deeply into the water. With only his eyes above the water the young elven boy let out an exhale, creating little bubbles around his face. It was such a rare occasion to be able to sit in peace and quiet. Everything revolved around building up a strong empire to rule over the entire land, not just a part of it.

"You really shouldn't sneak away like that." A young woman stated with a scowl.

Feradar turned around to meet the dark black eyes the woman shared.

"Why shouldn't I get a break? It's not like I'm running this war."

"It is like you're running this war, sweetheart." Her voice was like an angel, though her tone held a sour feeling. "If we are to be wed, we need this land."

"Oh, Inashi." The young ruler couldn't help but roll his eyes. "None of this was my idea, and I support nothing. Not this war, or our marrage."

"Well, that's not up to you either." With a hiss, she turned on her heel, her long golden blond hair dancing in the breeze while she took her leave.

[SugaredKittie]

Hinewai made her way to the river again, finding the shallower part between a stream and a river. She wadded in to her knees then knelt down, tucking the skirt in around her so it didn't float up.

Humming to herself her fingers began sifting through the river bottom as she searched for the precious stones and shells that her clan used as money, trade items and jewelry; the finer the stone the more it was worth.

In fact she wore some of the more rare stones as earrings and in an intricate necklace. Through the years she had begun to add more and more stones and shells to it. It had once begun as just a rare stone on a string but was continuously growing as she got older. Now she was beginning work on a belt that would mark her place as both the Head Priestess and successor to the crown. She smiled to herself as she cleaned of a few stones to examine them before nodding in approval.

[KissTxhxeRain]

Shaking off the angry woman, Feradar proceeded in sitting on top of a barely surfaced stone. Letting the long blond hair fall in his face he once again began to relax, though it wasn't for long.

Narrowing his eyes, he focused on the faint sound of water splashing, ever so gently. Sitting as still as possible, the young elf listened to the surrounding trees.

'Could this be an ambush...? Or am I being watched?'

Slowly taking in his surroundings, he scanned through every tree branch, every leaf, making sure he was alone.

'The noise is coming from...' He stopped his gaze towards the left of him. 'there...'

Feradar slid off the rock, landing gracefully on his feet. Walking as softly as possible, almost as if he weren't even touching the grass, he made his way over to his suit of armor and retrieved his longsword.

If he didn't use his time wisely, he may risk being seen or heard due to rushing. As he knelt down, he gripped the leather hilt of his sword, sliding it slowly from the sheath. Inch by inch was like an hour, but it was necessary to prevent any noise. Reaching the tip, he pulled it out the rest of the way. With the pointed tip, his hand slipped slightly, making a small 'shink' noise. Feradar kicked himself, but it couldn't be helped now.

[SugaredKittie]

Blissfully unaware of the sound Hinewai laid out a clean cloth on the shore, laying out the stones and shells she found to dry. Carefully she unhooked the delicate bracelets on her writs. She gently folded the fin on her arm back against her forearm and slid the bracelets slowly up. There were three of them, connected together but a strand on bottom to fold the fin in place and on top to hold add to the decorative nature, with the last of bracelet stopping at her elbow. She repeated the process on the other side and smiled; it was always easier to work without them in her way.

She hummed to herself again as she smiled up at the warm sun, it kept her from shivering in the cold river water. It was peaceful to her, nothing seemed like it could go wrong.

[KissTxhxeRain]

Standing still, Feradar raised his sword out in front of him. As he positioned it quickly, he looked at the shiny blade, using it as a mirror to look behind him.

'No one...' He determined while turning around.

With a slight exhale Feradar relaxed for a moment. Maybe he had imagined the noise? Just as soon as that thought past through, he heard the splash again. If there was ever a perfect time to attack, this was it. The way they splashed in the lake, they seemed so unaware.

With light feet Feradar hurried over to the origin of the sound while throwing himself against one of the tall rocks that surrounded the smaller pond. Pressing his back against the rock, he held tightly to his sword. Despite being surrounded in wars and battles, fighting wasn't something he was fond of. Though, sadly, because of all the war his family had plenty of enemies. It didn't matter how against the fighting he was, there were enemies who would love to ship his head back to his father in a box.

Gripping the hilt of his blade, he leaped out from behind the rock, swinging his sword forth in the same motion. Shock fell over his face as he gazed upon the creature who has been creating the noises. Stopping within an inch of her neck, he stared at her while too confused to remove the blade.

'I've never encountered an enemy like this before...'

[SugaredKittie]

Hinewai froze as the man appeared out from behind a rock. She turned her head slowly, her eyes wide and frightened as she caught sight of the sword so close to her. She had been completely unaware. Had no idea that someone would even sneak up on her. Her mind reeled at the idea that she would have... should have been killed just now if not for the man's quick reflexes.

Her large Amethyst eyes with their oval pupils stared in surprise at the sword than at the man then back again. Her chest rose and fell in short rabid succession following her shallow breathing. Her heart raced as she stared up at the man, would he kill her? She wondered momentarily if she should have left her fins open, the river was deep enough that she could use the current to swim to safety, but by now it was far too late. He would kill her before she had even the chance to attempt running, so it did not matter about her fins.

She sat there, her dark purple/black hair swirling with the current behind her. She swallowed hard and moved her hand slowly to point to her collection on the shore.

"If you are looking for those, you can take them... I don't know many out side of our kinda that use them for anything but you can have them...." She murmured softly.

[KissTxhxeRain]

Feradar froze when he seen the young woman staring back at him. Her words were faint but his ears caught everthing, including the fear in her tone. His black eyes narrowed while staring down at her. If she were just an innocent girl, her death could star a war between her clan and his own. But if she wasn't innocent, it could contribute to any rising fights between them.

"I've never seen you around here before. Speak your name, woman!" He roared while pulling the sword away.

He kicked himself for the hostility, though he knew he didn't have a choice in the matter. Business was business, and if he ruined anything his father built for power, it would be his beheading, not hers.

[SugaredKittie]

Hinewai stared up at the man in shock as he demanded her name. She had never known such hostility because her clan was peaceful. But staring up at him from sitting in the chilled water made her feel even more cold. She wasn't sure what would happened if she didn't agree to his demands.

"I am Hinewai Vivek..." She murmured as she slowly got to her feet. The least she could do was stand and be the princess she was suppose to be. "I am the princess of the Arhoa Hapu... I live not far from here. The shrine to our Deity is just a ways into the forest behind you. I come here often to collect for my clan and bring offerings to the sacred ground..." She answered as she gazed at him with her rich purple eyes. If he meant her death she could at least meet it standing and firm.

[KissTxhxeRain]

The tall man stared down as the woman spoke her name. He couldn't help but watch her lips move as she done so. With a soft sigh, he turned his back to her to attend to his clothing over by a near tree. Sliding his blade back into his sheathe, he quickly put his armor back on so he wasn't indecently dressed in front of this other woman.

Quickly approaching Hinewai, he knelt down to observe the variety of shells she laid out on the shore. Such beautiful colors and blends. Some started out white but had a purple shine to them, while others were creme colored or purple, red, blue...

"Such odd shells..." He murmured, for he has never had the luxory of sitting long enough to view such a beautiful piece of nature. "You use this for an offering?" Quite taken by her culture, he looked to give her a very confused expression.

[SugaredKittie]

Hinewai tilted her head to one side. Nudity or very little clothing had never bothered her much due to the ways of her people but she turned her eyes away because many customs were not okay with the same things her clan was okay with. She fingered her intricate necklace as she gazed and the sparkling shells and stones. She had been lucky, many of the shells and stones were the more coveted ones. Several shells sparkled like real gold while the white and creme stones shone as if from inside.

The light sparkling off them caused her inner eyelid to slide up to cut down the glare and possible eye damage making her hope he didn't see it. Many people she had met that weren't accustomed to the third eyelid became a little freaked out by it. She let down parts of her hair to cover her ears more and straightened the sash of cloth that covered her breasts.

"Well not these stones exactly. These will be weaves together to be a jewelry piece for my Priestess outfit. I come into my... Power... So to speak, in a few days. I am the Head Priestess for our temple. But yes, stones and shells much like these are used as offerings. Other offerrings would be the wild flowers on the other side of the river." she pointed behind her so he knew what she was talking about. "Also fish when the bounty is good. The shells and stones are also used as, well, money between our clan and the sea clan." She blushed, the red very evident against her white skin, she hadn't meant to just ramble on but she had never really met anyone curious about her ways. Many just left her clan alone because of how they looked and acted. It was new to her to have someone actually ask questions.

While he was paying attention to the stones and shells she stepped out of the river carefully and slowly as to not frighten him. "If you would like I can take you to the sacred grounds so that you know I am not lying."

[KissTxhxeRain]

The tall elf continued to admire the stones, all the while keeping his hard exterior. If he were to be caught sharing this moment with this native girl, her clan would most certainly be thrown into termoil. Her kindness proved her innocence and so he didn't have the heart to do that to her.

Hiding his soft smile from her, he couldn't help notice her pale skin. As he glanced at her, he quickly looked away while sitting on a rock near the water. Adjusting his rather heavy armor, he couldn't get the glare off the metal. Deeming it useless, he left it alone.

"What do you mean 'power'...?" A sudden feeling of danger came over him at the thought of her mysterous power.

[SugaredKittie]

Hinewai blinked, hissing slightly as the sun glinting into her eyes from his armor. Her eyelid slid back into place dulling a little of the light as she shook her head. She gazed at the armor for a long moment, wondering why he would wear something so cumbersome all the time.

"Ah..." She paused a moment as she thought about what she had said. "I guess power wouldn't be the correct word..." She touched the necklace again as she thought. "How do you say.... Birth Right? being Head Priestess is the job of the first born princess of our clan. I have been a priestess since I was little and now I will be taking over as Head Priestess." She put a small finger to her lips as she thought. "Yes, birth right. I believe that is what many would use as the term... Power seems to be a word that causes fear in some. I am sorry, I did not mean to alarm you."

[KissTxhxeRain]

Feradar couldn't help but smirk at her apology. Letting out a long sigh, he leaned back slightly while shifting his weight to one arm. He grazed his finger across his nose nonchalantly before running his fingers through his wet hair. As soon as he reached part way through the top part of his head his long fingernails snagged his tangled blond locks.

"Hn.." He rolled his eyes.

Pulling the ends of his waist length hair over his shoulder Feradar brushed it with his fingernails. Glancing down at it, while wet it actually looked blond for a change instead of nearly white.

"We are one in the same, you and I." Feradar glanced back to Hinewai for a second before looking back to his hair. "It must be some sort of fate that we met like this." He smirked. "I am the next in line as well, though my clan is a little harder to speak about with someone I just met."

[SugaredKittie]

Hinewai cocked her head confused to one side, confused, as she looked at the man. She had never met anyone both extremely dangerous and extremely sad. Everything about him outwardly seemed to point to him being dangerous and she needed to leave, but there was something under the facade he was wearing, something that was sad and said he did not enjoy the life he was living. It was confusing to her as to why anyone would force themselves to live a life they did not want, but then again she didn't truly understand the customs of others.

"I am sorry, I am not use to meeting people outside of my clan or those like us... I do not understand many customs... Would you rather I left?"

[KissTxhxeRain]

Her question struck him with such shock as he turned to gaze at her. Smiling softly for a short second, he looked away from her. His way of living was so custom and by the books that telling her anything was probably breaking some sort of rule his dad attempted to drill into his head at one point.

"Oh, just forget it..." Feradar sighed softly while tossing his hair back over his shoulder. "You don't have to go anywhere... I should get going though, I've been gone far too long." Rising to his feet, he loomed over her as he bowed softly.

As he leaned over to give his regards, he ached slightly. This was his first 'friend' if you will. He felt as if he could let his guard down and relax without the worry of an ambush at any given second. Stepping away from her, he glanced down at her shells, the colors shining with such brilliance. Picking up a few small ones, he looked back to her with a faint smile.

"May I...?"

[SugaredKittie]

Hinewai watched as thoughts and emotions ran across his face. She was sure that if anyone else had looked they would probably miss the small changes that displayed his emotions. She wondered if it had to do with his clan that he did not show his emotions. It bothered her immensely that anyone would have to be raised in such a way.

She watched him silently as he rolled himself back into his gruff exterior and rise to his feet. She lifted her arms in front of her chest, rolling one hand into a fist while the other was placed on top of it, her right foot cross behind her, stopping on toe on the other side of her left leg before she lowered her head and looked like she curtsied. It was her clan's customary bow for the women and she knew it was best to show that she knew what was respectful. She smiled to herself as he reached for a stone. "Please. Take as many as you want."

Slowly she took one from the pile and went to him in slow sure movements, she did not want to cause him to leap back into his dangerous mode but she had something in mind. Carefully she reached a hand up to his hair, taking a small piece from the under section before she holed the bead and threaded it onto the hair. "Be at peace with oneself and the world around you. Let nature and the protectors show you the way. Be full of emotions and do not let others tell you differently." She let the hair fall back and the bead vanished into his long hair. No one would notice it was there unless they looked. "May the Goddess give you wisdom and the Consort give you strength." She moved away from him in hopes she had not offended him with her prayer.

[KissTxhxeRain]

Feradar nodded to the woman as she fiddled a bead into his hair. As she laced through his long blond locks, he couldn't help but notice how much smaller she was compared to him. In his clan, a woman was not to touch you until marrage. The only thing her hands were good for, was cooking and taking care of the injured. A thought had crossed his mind. 'Is she allowed to be out here? Acting so free as she is...'

Taking a step away from her, he gave a light bow in respect to a fellow ruler and a possible new friend, though his father and betrothed would never allow it. They'll have to meet in secret if they want to share eachother's company again.

Adjusting his chest plate, the young elf turned away from her to take his leave. He couldn't help but have a soft smile resting on his lips, for this was the first time in a long time he could let his guard down with another being. Sighing softly, he exited the small clearing and took the nearest path through the tall trees, ignoring a pair of eyes that loomed near by while writing them off as a wild creature.

[SugaredKittie]

Hinewai cocked her head slightly and watched the man leave, she realized she had never even asked his name. It bothered her a little but there were always reasons one would keep their name a secret. She sighed a little and turned back to the river.

Her fingers searched the crystal clear water and soft silt bed but her mind was off thinking about the new man she had met. It surprised her that she had met someone that was not like her. It surprised her and confused her that she was unable to communicate easily with him. She wanted to know the customs of his people, what was right and wrong to do. She wanted to know if she had done things to offend him or have him look down on her. It surprised her to meet someone this far out in the woods and she wished she had dressed differently.

"There was no way to know..." She murmured to herself as she finally picked up the last stone she wanted for her belt then climbed out of the water. She would take the stones and shells to the shrine for blessing then return home and tell her father about the meeting with the young man.

[KissTxhxeRain]

Passing through the trees, the tall elf felt a cool breeze against the back of his neck. Narrowing his eyes, he laid his hand to the hilt of his sword in the same motion as spinning around.

"You cannot sneak up on me in the shadows." Feradar hissed while readying his stance.

Focusing, his eyes took a glossy black shade while he scanned the area, looking for any heated shape that may be hiding on him. Slowly, he looked from one side to the other, stopping partway through as a slender, tall body stood in front of him, masking it's self behind a few trees. Flashing a soft grin, Feradar leaped forward while sliding his long sword from it's sheath.

"Stop!" A familiar female voice hissed while jumping out of the way.

Shocked, he stopped dead in his tracks.

"First your sneaking around with some native girl, now you're trying to kill me?!" Long blond locks danced in the soft breeze as the woman stood next to him, wrapping her arm around his. "Now I'll forget about your unfaithful meeting if you promise to announce me as your betrothed during the next meeting."

[SugaredKittie]

Hinewai sighed and stared down at the lake that hid her home. She sighed and stepped into the icy water. She shivered as her skin hit the water lapped her ankles then up her legs as she waded in deeper. She looked over her shoulder to make sure no one was looking then dived into the pool. It wasn't something people would be able to do on normal lungs, but her clan was born for swimming and breathing underwater. She swam deep to the bottom where she found the small entrance and swam through.

The cave system she lived in was vast and intricate. The walls were the colors of the inside of seashells. Rooms were decorated by use, the main hall was wide tall and very open before it led into the kings room and beyond. Her room was far to the back of the system with her family's room and other sleeping arrangments. She took the path to her fathers throne room, in hopes to tell him of her meeting. It bothered her to find someone so far out in the woods as he was. She hoped it wasn't for some type of war or fighting clan.

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