<div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/5/5a/Skrida.png)</div><strong>Character name</strong>: Skrida<br/><strong>Who:</strong>'Nesii, Open<br/><strong>Where:</strong>Kayax<br/><strong>When: </strong>Early Morning<br/><br/><hr/><br/>It was cold enough to make a snow owl cry for it's mama. He'd been oblivious in the forge, the roaring fire more than accounting for any morning chill. Muttering curses that were unintelligible even to himself, he continued to slog forward through the snow. There'd been a snow slide from one of the roofs sometime in the night that had yet to be cleared away, meaning he was knee deep in the white hell substance. If he'd been smarter, he thought wryly, he would have waited in his forge and gotten more work done until the celebrations started.<br/><br/>As he drew near to the entrance of the village, he spotted 'Nesii greeting Ts'itu along with several of the other warriors and sacrifices. Here the paths were clearer, and to warm himself up he began to jog toward the mass of Tikaan and human. His gaze drifted up the hill to where the last few stragglers were coming in, including what looked like two new human girls. He'd need to greet them, hopefully soften them up to their new home so they wouldn't cause too much trouble. Then the one with red hair fell into the snow. Skrida winced in sympathy and increased his pace.<br/><br/>"More frail girls? We're going to have to get the Beta's to stop thinking of Sacrifices with their dicks and start looking for useful skills. Not all of them will come to us with a trade necessary as Skrida's." 'Nesii's words made him laugh brightly as he slowed.<br/><br/>"Aw, you mean you didn't pick me for my lovely eyes and irresistible smile?" he said, coming to a halt near the elegant but fierce woman. He gave a respectful nod toward the alpha. Together the pair were enough to make even the stoutest heart wonder at it's courage, especially when they were smiling so predatorily. His breath caught, he smiled again and began to run once more toward the new girls who were not nearly so intimidating as their Tikaan counterparts.<br/><br/>Once more he slowed as he saw Astir pick up the girl and carry her down the last few yards. He waited, knowing that the Tikaan warrior would put the girl down in a moment. When he did and then strode off, Skrida approached the girl with an easy smile. She was still shaking a bit, had to be freezing cold and exhausted. For all the kindness the Tikaan were capable of, they over overestimated their sacrificial humans. "'lo there," he said cheerfully, reaching out to grip the girl's arm and haul her upright fully. "Not the first spill you've had today?" If it was, he'd be surprised. Her clothing was too damp for this to be her first fall. "Well, I promise the village has stable snow. Finest in the Dyr."<br/><br/><hr/><hr/><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/5/5b/Tsitu%2C_Nadaeki_Alpha.png)</div><strong>Character name</strong>: Ts'itu e'e Son<br/><strong>Who:</strong>'Nesii, Open [Essentially Everyone]<br/><strong>Where:</strong>Outskirts of Kayax<br/><strong>When: </strong>Early Morning, Sixth Day of Hunger Moon<br/><br/><hr/><br/>The last of them were coming down the hill, Kon herding the two girls. She contemplated for a moment going back up to help them down, but 'Nesii was already approaching and it was only those few left. They were literally moments away, especially considering it seemed the entire village was pressing out of the gates to meet them. Shaking her head slightly, she turned to fully face her approaching second in command.<br/><br/>Taking in the amused grin on the woman's face, Ts'itu waited for the comment she was sure was coming. As per usual, 'Nesii's sharp tongue made her laugh, though quietly. She laughed again at Skrida's passing comment, pleased to see him already off to help the sacrifices. Lifting one shoulder in a half shrug, she said, "The small dark one has knowledge of the outside world. It would do the pups good to learn more than what humans are like in rough villages. As for the other...well."<br/><br/>It was hard to say what had urged her into taking the redhead. Perhaps the defiance in her gaze or the way she'd squared her shoulders as if she were going off into battle. There'd been something, even if Ts'itu couldn't quite pin down what it was. Not that it mattered. They were long gone from the girl's caravan. "Is all well with the village?" she asked. "No trouble with the betas or sacrifices?"<br/><br/>Astir's voice startled her a bit.<em>I've pushed myself too hard,</em>she thought crossly. It was true she'd slept little since their battle a few days ago, too worried for her injured betas and spending most nights pacing around the campsite looking for any sign of pursuit. Yet it would figure that in these last moments all those nights would finally catch up with her. She turned her head slightly to survey the warrior who was for all intents and purposes her unspoken third.<br/><br/>"They didn't drop. Aside from the red one," she said, just barely restraining the urge to poke her tongue out at him for his earlier comment. He'd been her friend for so long that he at times inspired such ease in her that she couldn't help it. But in this case she did, keeping her tongue firmly within the confines of her mouth with only the sparkle in her green eyes to alert him to her playfulness.<br/><br/>Noticing Danae waiting near the gates, she took a step forward and swayed slightly.<em>I will <strong>not</strong> pass out.</em>