RP:The Meeting
"The Meeting."
Rough Range
What a terrible place to travel, especially after the journey you have endured. You watch carefully as you walk, for one small step off just a little could easily twist or even break your anklebones. The terrain here is just terrible, not a flat spot around to even sit and rest comfortably. The only thing that is even remotely flat is what seems to be a small footpath, evened out somewhat by the many people who have walked along this way toward the mountains to the west. Looking up at these mountains, they stretch from just to the southwest of here, far into the northwest. A great line of rugged mountains, with very little civilization that you can see, they run almost forever to the west. To the north lies the same type terrain as is here, but to the west is a smoother mountain path. A scruffy looking human appears to have set up a ramshackle stall by the roadside. He is currently rubbing his palms together and waiting.
Iktomi is walking along casually, carrying her spear in her right hand and a shield in the left. Wolf fur lines her clothing and her fingers and teeth seem to be the bones and teeth of Goblins. Her shield is decorated with gems along with her bracers, the only bits of armor adorning the lion in elf clothing. Her blond hair is hidden behind the hood she wears, but her eyes, those amber hues burn with a fire.
Orikahn walks in similar fashion, coming out of the east, dressed in the same furs, carrying a plainer shield of his own built of sturdy dragon bones. At his back hang a bow and quiver, and from his side hangs a string of sculls, tanned and jawless, rattling softly as he walks. A bushy tail twitches curiously behind him, and a pair of massive, dagger like fangs protrude from beneath his upper lip and dip well below his chin. Marble-green eyes flicker upward as he draws nearer to his fellow traveler, soon meeting the burning amber full on, and he throws back his hood, revealing the catlike head of an antropomorph.
Iktomi drops her own hood, allowing her hair to fall freely down to her waist. She nods her head and smiles warmly. Upon seeing the look of the other, she allows her ears and tail to appear as well, not feeling so alone. "Greetings Traveler. I hope the day has been good for you." Her voice is soft but firm, and amber eyes travel up and down the other, looking him over. Hostility was not in any of her movements, but a kind and friendly air.
Orikahn eyes the other with brief mistrust, but the moment Iktomi allows her own feline features to show, he visibly relaxes, sensing a kindred spirit in the fellow wanderer. "It has." Raising a paw like hand to shield his eyes, he glances up toward the midday sun, a bit of a snort escaping him before he returns his attentions to Iktomi. "Rotten land here. Hardly any game to be found." His own voice is a velvety basso, surprisingly articulate for a creature as savage in appearance as he. "Haven't had a bit of luck."
Iktomi laughs at the other, "You just have to learn where to look. Why, just a few days ago I managed to kill a big buck while I was walking through the village." She spoke and relaxed more around the male, her elven facial apperence was starting to vanish and her lion apperance took its place, even her hands where turning into the massive paws she has. Her golden tan fur sparkled in the sun, gold flecks reflecting off the snow banks around them. "its not every day I come across another traveler. I have to admit, your a bit of a surprise but a welcome too."
Orikahn cocks his head curiously to the side and he takes a few steps closer before seating himself on the most comfortable-looking rock he can find, which as it turns out is not particularly comfortable, but oh well. Orikahn retrieves his goatskin with a chuckle and takes a long sip before shaking his head a bit. "Either way, its a far cry from the natural paradise the elves have claimed, south of the city in the forest." He screws up his face, attempting to recall. "Kelay or something, south of there. Full of pixies. Never spent a day hungry there." Another glance is thrown Iktomi's way, watching as her form becomes increasingly catlike before hastily looking away. True, the creature didn't have much modesty, but he seldom considered transformation in front of company.
Iktomi laughed, "Either you are speaking of Sage or you are speaking of the Pixie home, Enchantment. You can never go hungry there, but here, I enjoy the hunt. Its quite fun and rewarding once the kill is made." She spoke as he searched for a rock and drank. She didn't carry anything with her. No pack, no water and clearly no extra food, making it seem like she lives by her natural instincts of hunting for both her food and water and warmth. "So what bring you out here, Mighty one? Surely you could not leave the Pixie land on your own in search of a good hunt." Her changing appearance was not of her own doing, but controlled by hoe relaxed she was around this particular individual.
Orikahn tucks the goatskin away, ears perking a bit as she addresses him again. "I travel this road on the way to Sherezade, the floating city Cerinii built. Have you met her?" Turning his head again, he dares to take in the others appearance more fully now, regarding this, her natural form. "Her city is one of the few places I walk on all fours. I'm much more accustomed to the bow." Reaching behind himself, he fingers the uppermost curve of the drow-built weapon. "Do you live here?"
Iktomi keeps her eyes on him, ears perked and tail curled over itself at the tip. She hakes her head, "I have not heard of this city and I am afraid I have not met her. A floating city seems unlikely, but in this place, nothing is out of the ordinary." She turns her gaze away from him and sighs, "Walking on all fours would be nice to do again. I haven't done that in some time now, but then I wouldn't be able to use my spear if I did." She laughed at her own self, "No I don't. I travel from here, to Frostmaw, to Kelay, Sage and Cenril. I don't really have a permanent home."
Orikahn scratches his chin thoughtfully. "The city's very tame. You wouldn't need a spear. I certainly don't need my bow there." The comment about a lack of a permanent home takes him somewhat by surprise. His problem has been quite to the contrary; far too many seem eager to offer him a place to stay, to belong. It was a bit overwhelming at times, and it occurs to him that she might remain a nomad by choice. Standing, he moves over before crouching beside her. "No home." He nods. "No name, too?"
Iktomi listens to him with all her attention, and even watches him as he crouches down beside her. Her scent is very strong, and very earthy smelling. "Just because I don't have a permanent home, doesn't mean I have no name. I have one, you have yet to ask for it. But, I will be kind enough and tell you. You can call me Iktomi." She looks down to him and smiles, "What about you, a mighty male like you should have a name."
Orikahn flares his nostrils, taking in the earthy scent. His own scent is one of old, dry bones and animal skins, sea salt, stale snow, and perhaps a hint of sausage. "Iktomi." He repeats after her, leaning in a little closer and taking a more obvious sniff, making sure to connect the name with her unique scent. "I am Kahn." The faintest hint of a smile curls at the corners of his lips. "And I'm glad I've met you, Iktomi." Sitting up a bit, he looks around the barren landscape. "And perhaps, if you'd like..." Eyes snap back to hers, curiosity and eagerness a lightning in them. "...we could go hunting sometime?"
Iktomi takes note of his scent as well and figures the male spends some time near the ocean while she did not. Her gaze softens as she looks down at him, "Kahn. I love it and hunting together sounds like a date." She knelt down beside him, and looked him in the eyes, "I couldn't have asked for a better creature to meet. You seem to be full of potential and promise for hunting and I could use a partner." There was longing in her voice, hope that this could lead to a great friendship.
Orikahn perks up noticeable at the acceptance of his offer. It wasn't often he felt genuinely cheerful, but something tells him that he's found someone as full of potential and promise as she seems to think *he* is. "Agreed completely." A moment of hesitance, and in a very catlike gesture, he presses his forehead to hers, letting a little bit of his scent rub off in her fur. "I look forward to it." Then, carefully standing, he hesitantly steps back a pace. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm afraid my traps won't empty themselves, and the fish aren't getting any thinner." A moment he stretches, bushy tail giving a flick before he glances to the horizon.
Iktomi closes her eyes at the touch of their heads. She liked it. She laughs at him, "It was a pleasure to meet you and hopefully we can go on that hunt soon." She stands with him, and before he leaves, she grabs his arm and stands before him, rubbing her nose against his. It was her way of telling him that she was a friend for life. "Your presence will be missed, Khan."
Orikahn feels his heat skip a beat as nose touches nose, fur standing momentarily on end before he takes a slightly woozy step back before quickly regaining his proper senses. "I'll be eagerly awaiting our next encounter." And with that, he finally turns and makes his way, his spine a little straighter, and his step a little lighter as he resumes the long trek back to the sea.