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Post by desna on Aug 2, 2008 11:11:32 GMT -5
Life marched ever onward, very little had changed in routine, during the day there was shai, at night, home. With the days moving towards longer periods of light some of the plants were beginning to rouse from their hibernation. Flowers dotted a few of the bushy green blobs, they would either produce fruit later or be used as herbal remedies themselves.
Desna carefully cut a stalk of lemon grass, her finger guiding the knife until she felt the pressure of the blade on her own skin and felt a crisp snap of the plant. Binding them with white twine and setting it on her bundle she cast a look over to the heater that provided humidity to the plants. It was once again running low. Slipping her gloves and poncho back on she took the bowl outside on the tundra to fill it with snow.
Working with the plants was hard alone, she managed, who was there to complain to? Pikatti was a horrible conversationalist, just as she was about to go inside she heard a mew. Glancing over her shoulder she saw nothing, the sound could have easily been a trick of her ears, the silence got to one after awhile. Heading back into the hut she placed the snow in the basin where it would melt, and continue to slowly evaporate.
A bit more blubber was added to the small fire that heated the snow and Desna got back to work. Near the hearth Pikatti napped contently, happy in his blissful dream land, his stomach full of fish from breakfast.
Once the plants were either left to dry or bundled fresh Desna carefully rolled up the plants on her blanket, heading outside to settle it on the sleigh. The early morning hours were still only a blush of yellow with dark blue expanse, hopefully she'd be to Shai before the Sun fully rose. As Desna leaned over to secure her things to the cart she heard another myu. This time, suspicious Desna whipped her head this way and that, there was nothing. Her eyes narrowed as she cursed her mind for playing tricks on her when it came again.
Pikatti began to look about too as he exited the greenery. " So it's not just me then....." Pikatti plodded around the hill the house was build into eventually dashing up it;s slop. Our of sheer curiosity Desna ran up behind him, digging her legs into the new fallen snow nearly to her thigh. She watched Pikatti as he began to dig, perfectly enthralled with the task.
Just as Desna got close enough to peek over the dogs shoulder a small shivering fuzz ball came into view. Pikatti started to snarl but Desna scoped it up. It was shaking like it was frozen solid and Desna's heart melted and she cradled the small kitten in her arms. Pikatti wasn't the least bit amused with the kitten but none the less she took it inside. ~**~**~**~***~**~**~**~
Desna was more than pleased to feed the kitten bits of cooked fish by hand, she didn't want her breakfast anyway, food brought her little comfort. It was better to watch her new furred friend gobble it down. The little saber tooth kitten blinked up at her with amazingly deep grey eyes, it's little pink nose twitching and it's white whiskers moving lightly as it chewed. Nervous she'd pull the food away he placed an ivory furred paw on her fingers.
Curled up in her favorite chair she was happy that the mewing wasn't from her imagination. Put as Pikatti let loose another snarl from the door way she knew the kitten couldn't stay with her. The previously quivering ball of fur was now some what perky, Once the fish was gone it began to lick Desna's fingers and purr contently wrapped in one of Desna's blankets. She smiled sadly letting out a small sigh. " Maybe we can find you a place to live today."
~**~**~**~***~**~**~**~
It was easy enough to peddle away her herbs in the morning, all the while sneaking the kitten in her lap some dried meat, Pikatti followed Desna but he wouldn't come near her. As much as she loved the tiny animal she knew that Pikatti would never allow it to live in her house stealing the attention he usually got.
She'd tried to give Pikatti treats but he turned them down. Once her herbs were out for the day she stopped by the healing huts. Partially to drop off the medical herbs she always got for them, partially to see if there was anyone willing to take the kitten. The first round of answers was no, still Desna wasn't disheartened. A home would be found.
The next stop was with a couple of her friends who for one reason or another weren't able to take a tiny saber tooth kitty into their homes. Now she was annoyed, but not down and out. Pikatti still ignored her, simply following behind dutifully. It was a bother to get the silent treatment from ones own polar bear dog... Now she walked down the market, she'd need to get something for lunch for the animals, her own stomach was whining but it was a numbness she'd become accostumed to.
Nothing really appealed to her. A tiny sneeze from the kitten prompted Desna to wrap it up in the blanket she brought caringly tucking the fabric around the kittens body. She cradled the tiny thing close to her chest for heat and continued on. How hard was it to find a good home for a cat?
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Post by aden on Aug 4, 2008 21:17:15 GMT -5
For the first time in several days, Aden awoke with a sense of optimism about the day ahead. He got dressed shortly after dawn and shared a brief breakfast with his parents. Surprisingly for the married couple, their son was actually willing to hold a pleasant conversation that resulted in a few laughs as he recounted his memory of the previous week's antics on the Manja stables. Aden's mother, Jula, had originally told him that he'd be grounded for two weeks, but even she couldn't help but crack a smile at the funnier details.
Aden and his father set off together a short while later, heading together towards the headquarters of the city's utility benders. After the past few days of practice and a renewed outlook on things, Aden's bending was as strong as it had ever been, perhaps even more so by his father's estimation. Kojaq had been nothing but encouraging throughout Aden's recovery from his bending slump, and though the young warrior was not likely to admit it, it helped greatly.
That day, he joined his father in refurbishing some of the hastily rebuilt structures across the city that, since the siege, had not been returned to their original state of artistry. Some of the men that Kojaq commonly worked with welcomed the extra helping hand back. One or two that remembered his first attempt to join the ranks of the utility benders made a comment about his bending being up to par. Kojaq originally shot the men a glare, but to his surprise, Aden managed to laugh at the little jab and even returned one of his own, asking if that man had stayed up past midnight braiding his intricately-styled hair.
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Hours past and the downtown bridge was looking grander than it had even before the Fire Nation had ever laid eyes on their shore. The abuttments were solid and strong while the arch was perfectly symmetrical. They even replaced the patterns and designs along its edges and railings down to the last detail. Around noon, the troupe of men had finished the majority of the work, and most had decided to break for lunch.
"Come on," Kojaq said to Aden, drawing him away from a painstakingly detailed sculpture of a totem that marked the entrance to the bridge and also identified what level of the city it was on, "Let's get some food. It's been a progressive day."
"Hold on," Aden replied,, not sparing the attention to look towards his father as he gently smudged his thumb across the face of a bear on the totem's lower section. "I'm almost done..."
Kojaq chuckled, looking at his son's expression of intsense concentration. "Really, Aden, you're going to put the sculptures out of business," he said, "We're just laying down the template. They're the ones who are supposed to make it all pretty." He waggled his fingers for emphasis on the last word. "But hurry up and finish in the next minute... I'll meet you at home, then we can head out for the rest of the day."
"Yeah, sounds good," Aden said, still focusing on his handiwork. His father shook his head and started away. and even though Kojaq wasn't entirely out of earshot, Aden didn't quite catch it when his father mumbled, "At least it beats training to kill..."
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About ten minutes later, Aden finally settled for calling his work complete and hopped down from the rail of the bridge where he was adding individual spines to the feathers of the owl atop it. Not surprisingly, once he managed to tear himself away from his work, he realized just how hungry he really was.
He was heading toward his home down one of the main roads of that level, wondering what he wanted to eat for lunch.
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Post by desna on Aug 4, 2008 21:54:48 GMT -5
" You're not a bad kitten, why can't I find you a decent home?" Desna sighed looking down at the small bundle in her arms. She felt a soft vibration from the kittens chest meaning that they were either content or sleeping. Each was a nice option and somewhat enviable. If only life were that simple, being held and cradled, away from frets and worries. A coy glance back at Pikatti told her that the beast was not going to pay her any attention still. As long as she was holding the tiny kitten it seemed her nearly life long friend would have little to do with her. Slightly disheartened she let her eyes drop down to the blankets the kitten resided in. How was she going to find someone to take them in?
With a small pout she looked up casting a tired glance down the street, she didn't notice Aden right away, but once she found him a spark went off in her mind. Over the past couple weeks she'd familiarized herself with the boy, their last meeting was, well odd, but it wouldn't hurt to ask him. Without thinking it through Desna moved her way through the mildly crowded streets over to him bounding up along side him hoping he'd stop. " Grumpy guppy!" She beamed lightly seeing him, she had no idea what she was doing but hopefully he'd be willing to factor some time in to pick up a new pet.
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Post by aden on Aug 5, 2008 22:09:05 GMT -5
Aden had been keeping himself preoccuppied by counting the number of slabs in the walkway as he made his way toward his home. He was almost in eye-sight of his front door when the sound of familiar voice. His head snapped up, quickly honing in on the source of the noise beside him. Aden hadn't seen Desna in a few days, but the girl seemed like she was as hyper as ever.
"Good afternoon," the young warrior replied, countering her playful insult with proper ettiquette. Barely a moment later, though, he noticed that she was carrying something in her hands that looked like a bundled-up baby. Aden's left eyebrow twitched up in slight confusion, and for a moment he wondered if it could possibly be her child.
It was a strange thought, but still it was the first thing that crossed his mind. Aden figured it was unlikely, but at the same time he really didn't know what to expect with this particular girl. He didn't want to assume anything though, and sound foolish for drawing the wrong conclusion. So instead he opted for a comment that could transition the conversation into shining some light on the situation.
"...Did you steal someone's baby?" he asked jokingly, offering a small smirk.
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Post by desna on Aug 5, 2008 22:52:37 GMT -5
Desna beamed at the boy, it seemed he was open to talking to her that was ever so hopeful. She shifted the bundle in her arms making sure it was supported and comfortable, she didn't want the kitten to be disturbed. Her gaze returned to Aden following his line of vision back down to her bundle, she wasn't too sure what he was thinking, but it might have been rather amusing given his expression.
With a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth she tried not to laugh too much about it. " Oh yeah, I do that all the time, I'm thinking about eating this one, hungry?" She raised her eyebrows lightly an open and happy expression on her face as she seemed to take his remark somewhat seriously. In the end she dropped it coddling the little thing in her arms murmuring to it as it continued to purr, slightly louder.
Pikatti plodded along, setting in a seated position next to Aden letting out a small disgruntled huff at his master and the new menace. The dog let out a small growl but it wasn't directed at Aden for a change, still the growl pulled Desna out of her little world, she had a job to do and part of that job was getting the kitten a home so Pikatti would once again tolerate her.
" So... " Desna had glanced up at Aden a small bit of a worried pout. " Do you have any pets?"
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Post by aden on Aug 6, 2008 18:30:48 GMT -5
Aden's smirk grew slightly as Desna went along with the joke. He glanced up ahead towards his home and almost expected his parents to poke their heads out and call him in. Not that he felt Desna was anyone particularly special to him, but he was keenly aware of how much his parents had noticed his shift in behavior as of late. If they were to see him cahorting with girls, he didn't think he could stand the slew of questions they'd start raising.
...He was probably overthinking the whole thing of course, but for all the time spent not talking to other people, Aden often liked to try and think of things from other people's perspectives. Nevertheless, he took a few small steps closer to the edge of the road to try and put his front door out of eyesight.
"Pets?" Aden repeated, glacing curiously back at the bundle in Desna's arms. "No..." he answered after a moment, sounding just a little less eager about hearing the rest of her pitch. Aden had a hunch about what was coming, but once more he did not want to get ahead of himself and sound like a fool for being mistaken.
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Post by desna on Aug 6, 2008 23:26:31 GMT -5
Desna was rather encouraged that he was still talking to her, she had to concentrate hard now, she didn't want to scare him off, this was a semi-serious topic she needed to settle. Her arms reflexively tightened around the bundle in her arms, her tealish aqua eyes bore up at him attempting a pleading look. Another peel of a growl came from Pikatti and she felt a little more desperate now, she'd have to find the kitten a home by the end of the day. She pulled her lips into a tight smile trying her best to sell the offer she was about to give him.
Gently she pulled the cloth away from the kitten revealing it's adorable sleeping face, she put him into Aden's arms without another thought stroking behind the Kitten's ear. The little kitten blinked tiredly before looking up at Aden with his little grey eyes. He myu'd once and then began to purr happily settling into the newest set of arms.
Desna grinned, that was encouraging, the kitten was acting perfectly and hopefully the boy would have a soul, anyone with a soul would be unable to resist the power of the small animal. Her face tilted upward towards Aden a bit of hope glittering in his eyes. Aden seemed responsible, he'd be a great keeper for the kitten. " The little guy needs a home."
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Post by aden on Aug 7, 2008 23:35:39 GMT -5
Aden was a little taken aback at having the tiny animal thrust into his arms. He barely got his own hands under the kitten to support it when Desna let go and relinquished all control of it. Aden had never actually had a pet of his own, and his experience with other people's animal companions was relatively limited. Still, he figured that such a young-looking kitten required very gentle treatment, and so he brought it a little closer to his chest to let its weight rest against his body.
To his surprise, the little kitten actually seemed fine with the shift in ownership and even began to lick at the exposed sin of Aden's fingerless gloves. And try as he might, the young warrior could not deny the little thing's cuteness. He was perfectly aware that Desna wanted him to take the kitten permanently, though, and that alone probably kept him from showing any overt signs of affection toward the little furball.
"Where'd you find this little guy?" Aden asked after a moment, figuring that he could redirect the line of conversation away from the inevitable question of whether or not he would take the kitten in as his own.
However, if he had any hope of slipping away from Desna without any complications, it certainly went out the window when he heard his father's voice calling. "Aden? What took you so long?" Kojaq called from several steps outside the front door of their home. The elder man stopped briefly after digesting the apparent situation and then asked, "Is that a baby?"
Aden felt a sinking feeling in his stomach.
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Post by desna on Aug 8, 2008 9:50:30 GMT -5
" It was wandering around in the snow half frozen and hungry." She pouted a bit watching the kitten and remembering how thin and pathetic looking they were looking this morning. But right now they seemed fine, perhaps even content that they were being held by Aden. hopeful the sob story which for once was completely true, would help her case in this matter. And yet there was a pang of regret, she'd saved the animal, she loved it too but she couldn't ditch one friendship for another, it wasn't right or fair. It wasn't like she could never visit the kitten again if she wanted.
One of her hands happy occupied themselves with with petting the kitten and fretting over their ears. She heard a growl from Pikatti and grudgingly relinquished petting the animal. How could one polar bear dog be so possessive? Desna let a small wisp of mild irritation cross her face before it vanished all together she blew some bangs out of her eyes as she seemed to constantly be doing. They were only now growing out of their sheared state, she debated cutting them short again.
Speaking of cut short... Desna's eyes fluttered to the window, that guy knew Aden? Friend, mentor? It took a few seconds for him to get to the door then Desna looked between the two men. There were some similarities especially in the face, perhaps a bit of the hair style. Was that Aden's dad?
Turning her brightest smile onto the man she tilted her head gently to the side. Her pension for mischief was too much to suppress all the way. " oh Aden! Is that your father? You promised we could meet him before things got any farther." Her attention came back to Aden with a pleasant smile, the twinkling playfulness in her eyes was a dead give away though.
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Post by aden on Aug 8, 2008 22:26:44 GMT -5
Aden shot Desna a rather unamused look for a moment before pulling back some of the wrappings over the kitten. He turned slightly toward his father and held the little animal up while saying, "It's just a kitten." The kitten looked around and then tilted its head completely backwards to look at Aden upside-down; offering a questioning 'meow.'
Kojaq took a few slow steps forward as he looked at the pair curiously. His eyebrows was raised in slight amusement, and it seemed like he was aware that Desna was simply jerking his chain.
"Making new friends, I see?" Aden's father asked as he neared. His question was to his son, though he continued smiling at Desna. "And why wasn't I informed?"
"Dad, this is Desna," Aden said quickly and impassively, making a rapid introduction so he could get through this meeting as soon as possible, "Desna, this is my father, Kojaq. She found-"
"A pleasure to meet you,Desna," Kojaq said before Aden could continue. He bowed politely, and Aden held his tongue while grumbling silently to himself. Only the baby sabertooth seemed to still be paying attention to him, as it was currently pawing at his chest to try and climb up higher.
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Post by desna on Aug 8, 2008 22:42:17 GMT -5
Desna watched in amusement as various emotions passed over the mans face, she took a bit of pleasure in knowing he didn't take her joke too seriously. If anything the kitten seemed rather happy in his hopeful owners arms, who could deny such a cute little fur ball? Only a heartless monster, from what she'd seen of Aden he was far from heartless. Perhaps he'd offer to take the kitten, inside her gloves her fingers were crossed.
With the introduction Desna bowed her head respectfully to the old man, it seemed her stab in the dark was dead on. The man was Aden's father, she was honestly a little surprised he seemed so sociable, Aden wasn't much like him as far as she could see, perhaps the child was more serious than the parent in this circumstance. Nothing she hadn't seen before. They did look a lot alike she mused.
" It's nice to meet you too." She turned on another of her blindling bright smiles just as Pikatti came up along her side, it seemed the beast was more willing to associate with her when the kitten wasn't hording his place in her life.
Placing a hand on top of him she laughed gently. " This is Pikatti" In response the polar bear dog looked at the man, his mouth opening with his tounge flopping out in a friendly pant just waiting to be pet. " Your son is a little odd but he seems a little fun to be around, once he loosens up a bit."
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Post by aden on Aug 8, 2008 23:17:53 GMT -5
Kojaq didn't hesitate to lean forward and ruffle the fur on Pikatti's head as the dog seemed eager to meet him. Aden watched the little exchange, all the while looking for a way to steer the conversation away from new pets and back toward getting lunch and going to work.
"Aden? He's a regular socialite," Kojaq kidded, tossing a smirk Aden's way. The young warrior returned the grin with a dry look that just conveyed all his unappreciation at the moment. Though whether his father took the que to stop encouraging Desna or not, Aden decided to try and take matters into his own hands.
"Well, it was nice seeing you again," he began to say. Aden pulling the kitten free of his chest, yanking its fledgling claws away from his parka and turning it around so that it was facing Desna. "But we should really get back to work soon," the young warrior said as he tried to offer the animal back to the girl. However, the kitten seemed to resist the shift in holder and tried to squirm back around in order to clutch at Aden's sleeve.
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Post by desna on Aug 8, 2008 23:29:28 GMT -5
Pikatti was happy enough he was getting attention, his stub of a tail wagged excitedly and Pikatti lapped at Kojaq's hand eager to return some of it to the man. The Dog looked up at Desna rather pleased before settling his eyes on the kitten, it seemed that he still wasn't completely forgiving of the misdeed.
" I know, he is, at least he's cute, it makes up for the grumpy gills." She joked half heartedly looking over to Aden as he attempted to give back the animal. Her eyes widened slightly and she pouted feeling nearly hopeless. Desna's hands moved to help the kitten back into his arms a little, the kitten was happy, what was wrong?
" I can't take the little guy as cute as he is, Pikatti doesn't like him." She pouted giving him a pleading look. " Just for the night... I'll keep looking for a home tomorrow..." Desna attempted to promise him but it seemed he wasn't listening to her at all. Her attention fluttered to his father then, she could get around Aden's bullfrogheadedness. " Please?" Her hands clasped together hopefully. The man was outgoing and seemingly easier to talk to then Aden, he would understand.
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Post by aden on Aug 19, 2008 22:07:04 GMT -5
Aden was only hearing half of what Desna was saying as he continued to try and pawn the kitten back off onto her. However, the little thing didn't seem to approve of the exchange, for he refused to unlatch his tiny claws from the sleeves of Aden's parka. Kojaq eventually stepped in and managed to pry the baby sabertooth off of his son's hands and held it at arm's length for a moment, supporting it under its front paws.
"And he's wild, you say...?" Aden's father asked somewhat rhetorically as he looked the creature over. The kitten meowed loudly at him, in what was perhaps its best attempt at a threatening growl. It then began trying to gnaw on the gloved hands that held it, using its fledgling fangs.
Aden looked between his father and Desna as he smoothed out the fabric of his parka's sleeves, and wondered whether he should interject again. However, before he could think of a polite transition into refusing the creature, Kojaq continued.
"These things can make tough pets, but as long as you show them who's boss early on, you can tame them well enough..." Aden's father mused, seemingly thinking out loud. He looked at Aden. "Your mother might have a friend or two with some kids wanting a new pet. Maybe she can find this guy a home."
Aden's expression wavered only slightly, and for a moment his distaste for the situation was clearly showing. However, he managed to shrug and then nod, accepting his father's decision while Kojaq turned a smile toward Desna. "If not we'll keep him for the night... He can stay in Aden's room and we'll just hope he's house broken." Kojaq winked at the girl before turning his grin toward Aden, who merely raised an eyebrow and folded his arms in response. That made Kojaq laugh all the louder and he turned as if to start back toward their home.
"Come now," he said, "You've still got to eat before we head back to work."
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Post by desna on Aug 19, 2008 22:43:05 GMT -5
Desna looked worried for an instant when the man took the kitten. She pursed her lips nervously and was ready to take the kitten and head off to find another possible housing option, she wouldn't have been surprised at all if she was told to get lost. Parents of her friends often disapproved of her and tried to have their children avoid her whenever possible. It wasn't like she blamed them one bit. Who went to someones house attempting to drag 'adults' off to sled and play in the snow like little children.
Dumping a load of work like that on someone wasn't often taken lightly but when Kojaq began to speak again a little hope slipped into her features. Her eyes widened slightly and a smile began to form on her lips. Instantly she was beginning to like this man, she'd have to remember the location of his home and bring some herbs by as a thank you for his kindness.
" Thank you so much!" She sputtered out beaming at Kojaq before turning a slight glance to Aden, her smile somewhat subdued but her eyes glittered with the contentment she felt at the kitten having someone to stay for the night. Now she could continue looking for a home the kitten could reside in more perminantly.
Her list of possible names was rather short, she might be able to get to all of them tonight, possibly if she worked quickly. With a bow she was about to leave when a growl caught her mid motion, It wasn't from Pikatti though, he was at her side nuzzling her hip pleased with the lack of the fluff ball. It was from her stomach, she'd forgotten to eat breakfast, lunch and now that she cared to recall she didn't eat dinner the previous night.
Her cheeks flushed a bit but she quietly acknowledged that she would be the only one to hear that. " See ya tomorrow...."
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