Humans are the Alien Creatures

[Ravenloft]

"Mmm, honey..." Blue sighed, smacking his lips as he turned in his sleep toward Piza, casting an arm over her, his lips ending up in her hair, mistaking her form for Gaia's, he pulled her tight against him.

When he woke to the calls from Water, he disengaged from her warmth, careful not to disturb her, preferring not to make her think he had mistaken her for Gaia in his sleep.

He sat up and rubbed his face, sighing and stretching his neck.

There was some activity and what sounded like angry words being said outside. His first instinct was to go and find out what was going on, but Piza's lesson with her sisters last night made him weary to go out and stick his nose into anything.

He rubbed Piza's shoulder to wake her up and gave her a worried look. "Whats going on? Everything alright? Anything I can do to help? They all sound angry out there..." He asked her before she rushed off, rubbing his neck, feeling anxious over the sounds.

 

[landiek]

Breeda rose and shoved Rain over. "Ay..gets oop."

Breeda listens and frowns "Kran ees ma ad wif waif."

Rain began to worry. They would have no male protector if Kran releases her sister.

The girls step out first. Wynn walks over to Breeda and speaks with clicks of the tongue. Kran was on the verge of banishing Suda and needed support. Rain overheard them and begins to wail mournfully.

Deva came running over. "Unkl oop." Wanting to be the first to hug him.

Kran walks over to Larj. "Yao not go. Bad veesion. St ay."

 

[Ravenloft]

"You two..." Blue chuckled over the way Breeda and Rain treated each other.

He turned to Breeda. "Over what?" He asked curiously, wondering if it had something to do with him.

Blue got up and followed Breeda as Wynn talked to her. "Whats he saying?" He asked, scratching his head.

When Rain started to wail, Blue turned, concerned. "Whoa, what's going on?! Why does Rain cry so? Is something wrong?" Blue hated to see a woman, any woman cry.

Then a little one came up to him, begging to be picked up. He looked around, rubbing his neck, unsure if he should or not. She was insistent though, so he caved and lifted her up in his arms.

Then he went over to Kran to see what was going on between him and his wife.

 

[landiek]

Breeda answers. "Herz jel louse. Tink Kran nau la v. Ma osa .az ma ucgh az Piza en aijah."

It was the chat with Wynn that told Breeda how bad things were. Kran had forced his wife to leave before he hurt her. Yet to be banished rain would have no one and be treated badly as if she were an outsider. Those banished lived outside of the walls away from the village. Rain would be an orphan and forced to beg. She would never have a mate and that was a horrible life.

 

[Ravenloft]

Blue shook his head in disbelief, he couldn't imagine turning Gaia out for any reason, it just wasn't done. He didn't want to give Gaia's family reason to be angry with him though, so he snuck off to go talk with Noel in private before they went to search for the yellow leaves.

"They do not have any yellow leaves, but know where to find them. We leave to find them soon, me and several others. Dangerous out there, can you give me anything to keep us safe from beasts and a mad man? They say there is an exiled member of their tribe that went insane and killed his young out there." Blue hoped that Noel would do something to help, but didn't expect anything.

"Also... There was a fight between one of the men and his wife, he wants to turn her and her sister out, into the wilds, to fend for themselves... To die. Would you... Could you take them? They would have a chance at survival with us and they are Gaia's family... Please, take them, don't let them die, cold and alone. One of them has never even taken a mate. You could give her to another male, or let me care for her and Gaia."

He didn't have time to wait for an answer as he saw the men coming out of the gates, looking for him, calling his name. "Please... Try?" Blue asked Noel to consider saving them, should they be forced out of the tribe. Then he went around and came out of hiding in a different direction from where Noel was hidden. "Aye! Here! Went to make water!" He called back to them, waving as he rushed back.

 

[landiek]

Noel was listening to the recorder and learned about the problems Gaia's people were going through. Spine birds were getting to be a nuisance and had killed a number of the tribe as well as well maim a few others.

Noel tried explaining. "Wynn has asked his daughter to ask Kran to reconsider. These people are not harsh to one another. Kran's first wife died by another tribe and the widow was his new wife.. I believe her name is Suda. She had a baby last month and feels her husband treats the newborn. Indifferent to his daughters. In truth he is very fond of mouse but not publicly. Kran would keep Suda for his children but his wife's sister needs to be promised or orphaned. This scares the girl... but she may be promised to Water if a brother suggests it."

"The wild man you speak of lives with a new tribe." Noel checks.

"It also seems that the root you brought was well needed here. Kran's only son needs it to survive." Noel advised.

 

[Ravenloft]

Once he was with the party of men, Blue walked next to water. "What do you think of Rain?" He asked him, trying to get him to think about taking her as a mate. "She would make you a good wife." He suggested, smiling.

 

[landiek]

Water looked up at Blue Eyes "eet dat seeble?"

Kran took notice and smiled. "Han all da tyme."

Water blushed. It was soon he would offer her a gift and move her into his home til they were old enough for marriage. With Blue Eyes talking about it Water would see that it was out of care not brotherly teasing.

The mountains came into view and flowers and leaves hung off the crags. It wouldn't be easy but they began to climb to the first ledge.

 

[Ravenloft]

"We should have brought rope..." Blue observed, feeling a bit shaky in his knees. He didn't like heights, but he would do his best to stay calm and help the others as much as he could. "Why have you never harvested one and brought it back to camp to grow there? Is this the only way it can grow? Off cliffs?" He asked, really hating how high they were. He made the mistake of looking down. "Oh shit..." he groaned under his breath, feeling nauseous.

 

[landiek]

Kran hears Blue Eyes and tosses him a rope. "Dat gaia make. Good weeve. Strong."

Water stuck close to Crayde who also was making his first climb. It was good to have a steady companion.

Kran moves over to Blue Eyes. "See top..climb.. nau looks daown."

When they reached the landing. They rest and drink lots of water.

 

[Ravenloft]

Blue takes the rope and tests it in his hands, he had no doubt that it would be good if Gaia had made it, but he still needed the reassurance in the moment. "Thank you, Kran." He called back, looking for places to tie it off, just in case someone should slip and fall.

He kept his eyes up, toward the peak now that Kran suggested it. "Yeah, yeah, urp, thanks." He whispered, trying to hold back a nauseated gag reflex. When they stopped, he debated weather or not he should take a drink, as it would most likely just give him something to gag up.

 

[landiek]

The men laugh at Blue Eyes lack of vigor. Kran watches for signs of the leaves as he keeps an ear in case the joking get out of hand.

Water turns to his new brother. "Dey laffs at meh furst tyme. Nay feels b ad.."

Water offers the waterskin and walks to the ledge of the lip and gazes up. "Cees dem?"

Kran glances at his little brother. "Han.. jus lands..daja..daja."

The men stand and begin to dust themselves with sand along the campsite.. Water cane and begin tugged Blue Eyes to a shaft. There was a vine hanging in it and Water motions for him to grab it. "Nau leets gao til heers Kran saez so."

 

[Ravenloft]

Blue took the others laughter well, they had experience that he did not after all. He nodded to Water. "I understand, it is well, brother." He replied, giving Water a friendly pat on the shoulder for the support. He thanked him for the water skin and took a long drink to keep his stomach from lurching again.

His stomach lurched again anyway when he saw Water creep toward the edge of the mountain and look down. "ohhhh..." He groaned, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. "Daja? Danger?" He asked, picking up on what they were saying.

"What are we doing?" He asked as he watched the others coat themselves with loose sand. "What? What is it?" He was getting worried by their actions now, the Water dragged him to a tiny cave. "Go?" He looked at the vine, then all around it. "Go where?" He hoped that Water wouldn't say down.

 

[landiek]

newWater tosses sand on Blue Eyes and points to the vine. "Gra abz eet."

Kran and the others have gone to a tube and in a blink vanish. Water grabs Blue Eyes by the waist and holds on tight.

The vine turns out to be a tail of creatures that live on the crags. They pull their tails back to the nest giving the group a quick lift.

Kran shouts at his brothers. "Let Go!"

The yellow leaves are.dangling everywhere in sight. These beauties are eight feet long and fourteen feet wide. No wonder it was impossible to bring seeds back.. the seeds were as big as the group put together.

 

[Ravenloft]

Blue did as Water told him to and was in for the ride of his life! He'd never been shot up into the air with such surprising force before and he shouted out in excitement, finding it to be more of a rush than scary. When he came to a landing and Kran shouted for them to let go, he did and fell too his knees, laughing.

He looked around and found that they were surrounded by the yellow leaves. He'd never seen such unnaturally large flora in his entire life. They could make hammock out of these things like he had used in the trees in his jungle home so long ago. "By the great spirit!" He whispered, in awe of the leaves. "How do they grow so large?" He asked Kran, still stunned.

 

[landiek]

Water looked at Blue Eyes laughing on the ground. This would be a story for the people to hear. Even.Kran chuckled and was pleased that his new brother wasn't scared of the gigantic leaves.

Water looked at a leaf closest to him and began sawing the stem.. soon the other men was doing the same. Kran came to Blue Eyes and gave him a sharp knife. "Cut straight... be quick."

The two with them cut the leaf then jumped using the leaf like a parachute. Kran was getting nervous as the sun moved lower. "DAJA BROTHERS."

Water was careless and cut his hand. Kran quickly wrapped it as the creatures that aided the climb became agitated by the smell of blood.. Kran had to get Water off the ledge. Handing the youth the leaf he cut tells him. "Go back to tribe with men. We stay back in light."

Water did as told and Kran had Blue Eyes stay back on the mount where it was safe. Water and the other men stayed in the first landing overnight. It was too dangerous to go now.

 

[Ravenloft]

Blue went right to work on a stem of his own, cutting as straight and quickly as he could through the thick and almost wooden fibers of the stem. The others were done in half the time it took him to finish off a leaf though, and he and Kran were stuck up on the mountain for the night.

Fortunately, there was enough time to send Water, with his injured and wrapped hand along with the others. Blue clapped a hand upon his shoulder and told him they would see him and the others back at camp. Blue helped Kran set up a temporary shelter for the night and asked what sort of dangers he should look out for during the night, offering to take first watch if it would help.

 

[landiek]

Kran pulled a large leather hide from his pack. Between the two of them they had a good wigwam. Kran offered Blue some jerky and the extra water skin. "The beasts who bring up.. they see good at night. The hide protects. The lizards are our worst threat but not on this range."

"Our sha mon says you will leave tomorrow and go back where Gaia is. He says we will not see you for many years. I have a favor to ask of you." Kran ventures to ask. He was unsure how Blue Eyes felt about orphans but with many sick from fevers some may pass..there was one in mind that his sister tended when among the people.

 

[Ravenloft]

Blue was grateful for Kran's generous offer of food and water. He hadn't even thought to bring any himself. "Thank you, Kran. You are a life saver!" He said, accepting the food and water. "I wish there was a way to stop the lizards. They are nasty."

He paused at the mention of the Shaman knowing he was intending to leave the next day. He knew it was true that he was likely never to return, but he had no idea how they could have known. "Yes? I will do my best to honor your request, Kran." It was really up to Noel weather or not he would be allowed to take the orphan with him when he left, but he would do everything within his power to convince the keeper that it was the right thing to do.

 

[landiek]

Kran didn't mention his mother sent the extra supplies for all the men. That was her responsibility for these journeys. Kran put half in Water's pack so they had food if separated.

"Lizards have short life. Human beings stronger." Kran replies taking another bite of meat.

Kran noticed Blue Eyes made a small noise. Kran explained "Some of our tribe see in the head. Know what is not said. Piza is like this.. she see what you will not say. She knew you were truthful about come to us. First touch and she knew. You tried to hide things she keep them only tell what is right to tell."

"Will you tell Gaia if your time among the tribe?" Kran asks curiously.

 

[Ravenloft]

"The lizards would have a much shorter life if I had my bow." Blue boasted as he took a bite of the dried meat Kran shared with him. He hated them for what they had done to his beloved and her family.

"Piza? She can read minds?" That worried him, what had she seen? Everything? "She must be wise beyond her years to know what to share and what to keep to herself?" He couldn't imagine with what detail she must have seen his thoughts.

"I don't know... Should I? Won't it cause her heart pain to know that I've been here, but cannot bring her back to you? I think you know that it is out of my power to return. If you think it will bring her joy to hear about my short visit, I will tell her, but I fear it will only bring her sorrow, instead. If you say I should tell her, I promise, I will."

 

[landiek]

Kran pondered for a short while and muttered " she may ask of leaf."

More questions came to mind but darkness was growing. Kran opted to sleep and pulled his cloak over the shoulders "here you sleep too."

It was Wynn's cloak. It was sent to be used. Plus a sign of acceptance

 

[Ravenloft]

"Leaf? What should I tell her? I..." Blue had questions of his own, but Kran was right, it was past time for them to sleep. "Tell me all you would have me share with Gaia in the morning, on the walk back, and I will do it, I swear." He gave his oath that he would, patting his chest to seal it before he covered up with the offered cloak, sharing the warmth of it with Kran. He recognized it as the one Wynn had worn and felt accepted.

 

[landiek]

Kran thought about the words for his favorite sister. Come home was at the top of the list but our hearts soar for you would be more reassuring that memaw doesn't mourn for you. Most everyone in his immediate family would send words for Gaia.

Unable to settle his thoughts Kran looked over the shoulder. "Blue Eyes, tomorrow I must make you fight a race to prove you should be Gaia's mate... it is a rite of passage.. Wynn. needs to give this tradition.. he can not.. as chief I must. Then you will take little bear with you."

 

[Ravenloft]

Blue was nearly asleep when Kran told him that tomorrow he would be tested. He want sure if it would be a fight or a race, maybe it was to be both. In any case, as long as it wasn't up on this mountain and instead on flat ground he was sure he would succeed. "Thank you, I will prove myself worthy of Gaia." He glanced back at Iran. "Is little bear sick?" Blue Eyes doubted that Noel could turn away a sick orphan.