Fire Side Dancer

[Angeltears]

The tent village had been raised before the sun had set, fires had been lit now every one was walking between the tents visiting families and friends sharing dinners as they told tales of where they had been and what they had seen. Young ones were tucked away in tents and the old ones dozed sitting in front of some of the fires. Instruments were heard playing from different fires and at one of the larger fires two brothers were playing drums as there other brother played a tune of a guitar. As the three brothers played they watched there only sister Tora dance circles around the fire, in her multicoloured skirt and her black sleeveless shirt. Her long brown hair loosely flying around her as she spun and grass green eyes flashing as they caught the firelight. Many of the people of the tent village came to watch this dance, standing just within the circle of fire light there eyes all on Tora as she danced and swayed to the sound of her brothers music.

((Closed for Josu_T ))

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn exited his tent, ducking lightly so that only his short brown hair brushed agaisnt the fabric. He looked around and smiled at the village. It felt good to be around a group of people. He had only even been around his mother. Now that she was dead he had found her old village and joined them. Only a few people knew who he was, the son of a banished woman. Before he had been born she was banished. He did not even know why. He now smiled down at his reflection in a bucket of water, his blue eyes sparkling in the fire light. He looked up and went to find some food.

He met up with one of the village elders who knew who he was. The elder offered him some dinner and he accepted. He sat next to the older man and spoke of how he grew up. As he spoke he stared blankly at the fire. The music sounded good, but he was focused on answering the questions of the elder. Then he noticed a figure pass by the fire. It passed by numerous times, distracting him. His eyes slowly focused and his gaze shifted up. When he finally focused he saw a beautiful girl dancing. Her long brown hair flowed around her as she moved. Her skirt twirled around with every turn and spin. He caught a glimpse of her eyes in the firelight and his words trailed off. The elder nudged him and asked what was wrong. He blinked and shook his head, turning back to face the elder. "I'm sorry sir. Um, who is that girl dancing? She is beautiful."

The elder smiled at him and patted him on the back. "That is Tora. She is about your age. Those are her brothers playing music for her. That is all I will tell you. The rest you will have to find out on your own. I think I have asked you enough for tonight. Have a good time and rest well. Tomorrow there is a hunt planned. I hope you will join us." He then patted Rahn's back again and stood. He walked away from the fire to his tent. Rahn stayed by the fire to watch Tora dance. He was captivated by her beauty and by how well she moved.

 

[Angeltears]

Tora spun and swayed in time with her brother’s music, for when she danced that was all she focused on, that and the fire. She forgot about the people around her and day she had had, the sky above, the smell of food. All these were forgotten along with all worries and hopes there was only the fire and the dance, freedom. The beat sped up slightly and so did she, not missing a beat and smiling as her brothers tried to catch her out. It was there game they played it had been along time since they had caught her out.

Her bare feet never tired nor did she, as she began to move faster with the music her spins becoming wilder to the eye, but completely controlled to Tora. Her arms held out wide matching her skirt and her head thrown back, never fearing that she might step to close to the fire. Then the music stopped and so did Tora. Standing very still her arms still held out wide and her head thrown back and her chest rising and lowering to her quick breathes and beating heart and her eyes closed. Only when she heard the clapping did she open her eyes and smiled at the crowd that had gathered. Smiling she tucked one of her legs behind the other on and curtsied to them all bowing her head, her hair falling in front of her face. Standing up straight again she heard one of the men call for another dance, laughing she called back. "I will give you another dance Tal, only if my brothers agree and I have had something to drink first."

Tora turned to go get her drink from by her brothers and as she turned she spotted a new face, this in it's self wasn't strange because there where always new faces coming and going. But there was something about this one that caught her attention, but she had no idea what it was. "Tora!" her brother Tan's voice broke through her musing and she realised she had been staring. Blushing slightly she quickly turned and run over to her brothers, taking her drink from Ash.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn watched Tora as she moved around the fire, faster and faster as her brothers increased the speed of the music. She was beautiful as she moved in the fire light. When the music finally stopped his eyes continued watching her. He clapped for her performance. He had never seen anything so amazing. One of them men in the crowd called for another dance and he waited to see if she was willing to dance again. He was happy when she said she would. He looked away for a moment when someone tapped his shoulder. It was an older woman asking if she could take his plate. He smiled and handed to her. As he turned back he caught her eye. He heard her brother call her name and then she blushed a little before turning and running to her brothers. He wondered why she had been blushing, what might have embarrased her. He did not know much about social behavior, but his mother had taught him enough to help him get by.

He started to think more of how his mother died. It saddened him and he suddenly felt tired. He stood from his seat and walked toward his tent. He walked past Tora and her brothers and took one last look at her and smiled before moveing quickly to his tent. He went inside and prepared for bed. He lay down and the memories flowed back. Tears escaped his eyes and he forced himself to close his eyes and fall asleep. That night he relived his mother's death in his dreams. He woke early in the morning, sitting up quickly. It had not been a very restfull sleep and he still felt tired, but did not feel like going to sleep. He stayed under his blankets for a long while, not really wanting to leave his tent. He would have to soon for the hunt, but he wanted to wait until the last moment.

 

[Angeltears]

Tora sipped the water her brother gave her as she smiled at the small group that had gathered around them. "So little sister do you have any more dance in you or are you danced out for the night?" Her brother Sol said putting his drum to the side and pitching her drink from her drinking it him self. "Hey that was mine," she tried to get it back off him but he held it out of reach of her laughing, when Ash pinched it from him. "Thank you brother," he said finishing it off. Tora shook her head and laughed at Sol's look, catching the stranger’s look as he passed and watched as he headed away into the tents. "What you looking at little dancer?" Tan said wrapping his arms around his sister’s waist. "Nothing, I was drifting," she said leaning back against her oldest brother. "So do you want to do another dance or is that it for you?" Smiling up at him, she replied, "One more dance and then I will go to my tent. The three of you need to get some sleep for the hunt tomorrow." Slipping from his arms she stepped up towards the fire.

Slipping into her tent, Tora went straight to bed. Curling up in her bed one of her hands wrapped around the necklace that her mother had given her before both her parents had died. Her mother had been a fire dancer and as Tora slipped into sleep she dreamed she was dancing along side her mother around one of the largest fires she had seen.

Tora woke up early realising she had slept in her clothes from the night before. Getting up she got changed into a black shirt and a red singlet. Slowly emerging from the tent she went to see if her brothers were awake. Each of there tents were next to hers so they could keep an eye on her. Realising that none of them where awake she smiled to herself and went in search for her Aunts. Coming upon them she realised she was just in time to help prepare breakfast; laughing with the other women she set to work.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn got up slowly at the time he normally got up for a hunt. He assumed that the men of the village also hunted at that time. When he left his tent it was quieter than he expected. He smelled cooking and heard the sound of women laughing. He moved through the camp and followed the noise.

When he finally saw the women preparing breakfast he approached the group and tapped one on the shoulder. "Excuse me, when is the hunt starting? Did I miss it? I hope they have not left ye......." As the girl turned around he realised who it was. It was Tora, the dancer from the night before. He was surprised and a little embarrased that he had not recognised her before. He had stared at her long enough by the fire. His words trailed off and he lost his train of thought.

 

[Angeltears]

Tora was laughing at one of the womens tale about her husband when she felt some one tap her on the shoulder. Turning around a knife in her hand she smiled and saw that it was the stranger from last night. "No the hunt has not started yet, the men should be getting up soon, your early." Turning around she set the knife down and wiped her hands on a cloth. "Your new here, I don't think I have seen you around before, I am Tora." she said holding out her hand to him. She smiled at him as slowly the sounds of movement around them began to increase as others started to emerge from there tents.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn forced himself to focus as she spoke. He noticed that she had a lovely voice. He was happy that he had not missed the hunt as well. He felt that it was his duty to go, especially since he was new. He smiled at her and noticed her hand. He was a little confused and held out his hand as well, but he did not know why. His mother had not told him anything about hand signals. He left his hand there and smiled at her again. "I'm Rahn. I am new here. I joined up with the village just a few days ago. It is nice to meet you Tora. I watched you dance last night. You are very good, but I'm sure you hear that from everyone."

 

[Angeltears]

Tora saw him hold out his hand but not taking her. Stopping herself from laughing at him she took his hand and gripped it, then let go. He was a strange one, she thought maybe thats what had caught her attention the last night. No it couldn't be that he hadn't done anything strange last night. "Thank you Rahn, alot of people say it's good but it's nice when some one new to the village says it to, because then I know they mean it. I will be danceing again tonight your welcome at the fire to watch again." "Tora, stop flirting and start helping the hunters will need some thing to eat before they hunt," one of the older women called to her. "I am not firting just introducing myself," Tora laughed back smiling at Rahn. "I am sorry, I had better get back to helping the others."

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn was a little surprised when she took his hand and gripped it. He guessed that was what he should have done and felt a little embarrased. He smiled at her telling him he was welcome to watch her again. He knew he definitely would. When the older woman interupted he laughed a little. He smiled at her and nodded. "I understand. I need to make sure I have everything I need for the hunt, then get something to eat. I guess I'll see you later. It was nice meeting you." He gave her one last smile before wandering over to where one of the older men was sitting to ask him about how a group hunt worked. He had only ever hunted on his own.

 

[Angeltears]

Tora returned his smile and then turned back to the work, taking up the knife she had put down. Throwing the old one a fake pout she laughed and went to start working. "Whats this I here about flirting?" Tora spun around at the sound of Tan's voice. "Good morning brother, and no body is flirting," she remarked giving him a hug. "Are the others two up?" she asked him as she started working. Tan didn't answer he was facing where Rahn was nowtalking to one of the older men. He had seen him talking to Tora and was wondering what he had said to her. "Wake up Tan, our you'll be no good on the hunt," Tora childded him and he turned back to her. "Who is the new guy?"he said turning back to Tora. "His name is Rahn and he has been here a couple of days."
"What did he want?"
"To know if he had missed the hunt, which is what you will do if you don't go wake up Ash and Sol and stop asking questions." She shooed him away and sighing she went back to preparing breakfast.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn was busy talking and learning about what he would have to do on the hunt and did not see Tora speaking with her brother. Once he was done talking and knew what to do, he went to gather his things. When he returned he picked up some breakfast and sat alone by a fire. He ate slowly and prepared himself to leave. He was a fairly skilled solo hunter, but he would have to get used to working with others and learning the strategies of a group hunt and getting enough food for a village, rather than just two people.

 

[Angeltears]

Once breakfast was served to most of the villagers, Tora grabbed a bowl for herself and was looking for some where to sit, when she saw Rahn sitting by himself. Deciding that she would eat breakfast with his she headed in his derection when one of her brothers called to her from beyond him. Waving to Ash she walked past Rahn, but not before whispering to him, "Good luck on the hunt and take care." Then she moved to where Ash was sitting with Sol eating there breakfast. She joined them, Sol looked tired as he ate. "Did you have another late night last night?" she asked him, worried. "Thats none of your businsness little sister" he said scruffing her hair. "Well don't come crying to me when you have hurt yourself due to lack of sleep," she sighed and focused on her breakfast.

Soon the call for all those that were hunting to gather and head out. Tora watched her bothers go wishing them all a good hunting and telling them to be careful.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn smiled as Tora walked toward him. It seemed as if she might sit with him, but then he heard someone call her. She waved to the man who called her and walked past him. He felt a little dissapointed, but smiled again when she wished him luck. He finished eating and handed his plate to the woman who was cleaning dishes. He then gathered his weapons as the hunters were called to assemble.

He walked to the stables and his horse was already prepared. It was a trusty horse who he had caught in the wild and tamed. He was named Rain, since he seemed to be calmest when he was in the rain. He mounted his horse and gathered with all the others. He focused his mind as they rode out. He followed close behind the group leaders until they reached the hunting grounds.

Since Rahn was a good shot with his bow he was put into the group that waited quietly for the prey to be pushed out toward them by the group that was going to flush them out. Rahn dismounted from Rain and tied him to a tree out of the way from where the prey would run. He then set himself up in a spot near a man who he was fairly sure was one of Tora's brothers. He sat perfectly still and waited to hear the animals running through the forest that the other group of hunters flushed out toward them.

 

[Angeltears]

The three brother rode together with the other hunters, Tan had not yet mentioned the new man he had seem talking to Tora this morning to the other two. He would wait and watch if any thing more came of it then he would let them know. Tan caught glances of this Rahn riding ahead. Instinct told him to watch this one, then again the three of them always watched any of the new faces that seemed to turn there sisters way. Then had been a few that had shown interest in there sister but they had yet to find one that they approved of.

Pushing all thoughts of his sister out of his mind Tan and the brothers seperated as usual. Tan and Ash heading with those that waited while Sol went with those that would heard the pray. Tan and Ash positioned themselves apart to wait. Tan looked over at his borther and saw Rahn settle close to him. Ash loked over at Rahn and smiled nodding slightly at him. Ash then returned to waiting for the time to hunt which would not be long, listening very carefully.

 

[Josu_T]

The first noises started to be heard from deep in the forest. The other group of hunters was making a lot of noise to scare the animals out of their hiding places. The other noises were from the animals running blindly toward the waiting bows of Rahn and the others near him. A boar broke into the clearing right near Rahn and he released his arrow before any others even had the chance to turn toward it. The arrow struck it in the back of the head and the boar died instantly, collapsing to the ground and skidding to a halt. Rahn palced another arrow on his bow and released as a deer broke through the trees. This time a few others struck as his did. He got into the pace, firing at any large animal running out of the forest.

 

[Angeltears]

Both brothers stiffened at the sound of the noise coming from the forest . Getting ready they waited. When Ash finally saw the boar it was to late and Rahn had downed it. Glanceing at Rahn she smiled and nodded then turned her attention back to hunting as the rest of the animals started braking through into the clearing. Tan and one of the other hunters hit the deer. They continued firing until there was enough for the whole village.

All the hunters gathered there together one the hunt was over collecting there kills and horses they returned to the village. Ash came up next to Rahn, "That was a nice shot back there,"

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn Continued firing until one of the leaders called to stop. They had mroe than enough to last the village for a while. Rahn gathered arrows from his kills and was happy that he had not missed once. He had been afraid that he would make a fool of himself. He followed the group back to the village, carrying some of the meat with him. then he noticed someone coming up next to him. It was one of Tora's brothers. He congratulated him on his first shot and he smiled. "Thanks. I'm Rahn. I don't think I've met you yet. That kill was a bit of luck, but I've had to fend for myself and my mother my entire life. I've had to get good at hunting since when you are on your own you don't have a group firing at each animal. You need to hit quickly and accurately if you want to get anything to eat at all."

 

[Angeltears]

"I am Ash, it that shot was luck then I wish I had luck like that. Any way that must have been tough, just you and your mother. I have always had my brothers and sister, even after our parents died. We have always had each other." Just then Sol came up up behind his brother, "Good aiming out there boys," he said slapping his brother on the back. "This here is one of my brothers Sol." Ash said introducing Solto Rahan"

Tan slowly followed his to other brothers wathing the way Rahn reated to them. He listened to what was being said. Tan had been the one to look after the others and become head of there family.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn was happy during the ride back. He seemd to have gained respect from the group because of his huting ability. He spoke a little more with Ash and Sol, but mostly about the hunt. He also spoke with a number of other men, some of whom wanted him to teach them to shoot like he could.

When they returned to the village he was led to a place he could drop off the animal carcasses. He then went to the large tent used as a stable and left Rain with the stable boy. He placed his weapons in his tent before going to the center of camp to relax and get some food. When he arrived a few more people congratulated him on his work during the hunt. He finally felt like he might be able to belong there.

 

[Angeltears]

Ash and Sol soon spotted there brother Tan and fell back to join him as Rahn talked to the other men. Tan greeted them and they Sol and Ash chatted together for most of the ride back. As they neared the village Tan asked them what they thought of Rahn. They both said that he seemed like a nice guy, Ash said he was a good shot. "Why do you ask?" Ash asked him. "No reason I just saw you talking to him and wanted to know." Ash looked over at Sol who simply shrugged.

Back at the village they dropped of the kills and Sol took the horses off to the stables. The other two returned to there tents. Ash was was the first one to emerge from his tent and went in search for food.

Tora saw the men come back and as she saw her brothers enter the camp she was releived, every time they left she worried they wouldn't come back. Now that she knew they were safe, she went back to the mending of the clothes she was helping her cousin do. Her cousin vanished as soon as the men came back leaving her at the central fire pit to she her husband. Tora sat there mending the clothes herself and picking at the food beside her. Watching the people come and go.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn sat and ate for a while when he eventually noticed Tora sitting and mending clothes on her own. He tired to create a break in the conversation with those around him, but they just wanted to ask him more questions. The questions eventually turned to his experience hunting on his own. Before he knew it he was teaching a number of men all about the strategies involved in hunting alone. He continued glancing over at Tora, wanting to talk to her, but he jst could not escape the curious people who seemed interested in him now, even though they ignored him when he arrived. He just hoped Tora's brothers would join her soon to keep her company since he was unable to.

 

[Angeltears]

Tora had noticed Rahn sitting with a group of others and had smiled to herself at the fact that he wasn't alone like he had been this morning. It's good that he seems to be making freinds she said to herself and smiled as she went back to mending the clothes. Being alone never really bothered her, she licked to listen to the noise of others moveing around her and the convication that people have.

She didn't know how long it was wen she felt a shadow appear above her, Looking up she smiled and saw Ash standing there with some food. "May I join you?" he asked but didn't wait for a responce when he planted himself next to her. "I heard the hunt was a good one," Tora said her eyes returning to her work as Ash eat. "Yeah, we have enough to last us awhile," he said popping a sliver of meat into his mouth. "Well thats good, that means there won't have to be another hunt for a while."
"Yeah," she said looking around the fire and then laughed to himself. "What?" she asked setting her work down on her lap and pinching a bit of his food seeing she had cleared hers. "The new guy Rahn, has become quite popular. I don't blame him, he took down the first kill by himself this morning a boar that would have more likely slipped past us all." Tora looked over at Rahn and felt her smile even more as she chewed on the peice of meat in her fingers.

 

[Josu_T]

Rahn smiled when he finally saw one of Tora's brothers join her. A short while later he noticed him look in his direction and then say something to her. A moment later he glanced at her and saw a smile on her face as she looked toward him. He turned back to a man asking him about how he had learned to use a bow. "My mother taught me the basics. the rest I learned out of necessity." That brought a few more calls for him to teach them. That was when he decided to teach some of the men how to shoot better. He figured that there were others in the village who were better shots than him, but he did not mind teaching some of them how to improve their own abilities.

He got up and went to his tent to get his bow. Some of the other men went to get their bows while some others gathered things to use as targets. They moved to the edge of the village and a small group of men formed to watch. A stationary target was set up twenty paces away, a very easy shot. An old animal hide was placed over it and Rahn proceeded to fire an arrow into it where it would have been lethal to the animal. No one was too impressed by it until he had the target moved a hundred paces away with the first arrow still stuck in it. He then fired a second arrow that lodged itself into the target right next to his first shot. "The key is to stay focused with a clear mind. Don't worry about anything other than where that arrow is going to fly. Then hold your hands steady and release the shot. Now, for a moving target. Somone toss something into the air. The key is to shoot where the target is going to be, not where it is. With practice you can get to the point where you will shoot where the animal's vulnerable points will be if they continue moving the way they already are. With more practice you will be able to do that in a moment, rather than having to think about it. Eventually it will become instinct. I am sure most of you know these things, it just takes practice. There is not really much for me to teach you. I will go relax now. If you want to get better just try shooting at a target that someone throws into the air. You may miss at first, but soon enough you will be much better." As he spoke he shot a the target in mid air. when he finished speaking he turned and walked back toward the center of the tent village.

 

[Angeltears]

Tora and Ash watched as the group that had gathered around Rahn seemed to scatter. "I wonder what is happening?" Tora asked watching Rahn head of into the tents. "I don't know, but I will find out." Ash got up and went over to one of the men that had been part of the group. They spoke for a couple of seconds and then Ash returned to her side, "It seems Rahn has offered to teach them. If you don't mind I might go check this out." Tora smiled up at him, "I don't mind at all, maybe with you gone I can finally finish mending your shirt." he smiled at her and bent down kissing her on the top of the head, "Your the best sister I have." "I am your only sister," she laughed as she watched him run to join the others. She saw Sol also meet up with him and glance back at her, before he could move in her direction she waved a hand at him telling him to go with Ash. He nodded and mined the words Thank you to her.

Laughing to herself she returned to her work. She still had a bag of her brothers clothes that needed mending. Letting the sounds of talk and other sound of the camp slowly fade into the background she started to hum as she sewed the rips up. Occasionally finding a shirt that was beyond repair even for her good skill. She would set this aside and save it incase she could make something out of it. She stayed this way oblivious to the world around her.