01-06-2014, 04:50 PM
Letting out a deep sigh Katia looked it the mirror, studying her pale eyes and face. When her mother walked through the door a few moments later she was still studying herself. Through the mirror she watched her mother walk over to her and start to braid her long and wavy hair. The two almost identical people were silent for a moment before her mother spoke up. "I'm so proud of you Katia. I know you are going to do amazing things." She finished the braid, tying it off with a small piece of leather. "I'm just going to miss you so much." Katia sprang out of her seat and embraced her mother. "You're going to see me again, believe that. I love you." She kissed her mothers cheek and stepped out of the embrace. It was time. Walking over to her bed she grabbed her thick fur jacket and put it on.
Underneath she was wearing her winter clothes, extremely thick leggings and a long sleeved shirt. Over the shirt she was wearing a thick sweater that fell down to the tops of her thighs. On her feet were wool socks and over them she had on her knee high boots that were lined with fur. Her mother helped Katia put on her leather backpack. Grabbing her knit muffler she put it on and pushed it past her mouth so she could speak freely. The next two things were her knit headband to cover her ears and her gloves, those items she didn't put on yet. Sticking her hand out to her mother the clasped hands and walked out of the room.
Coming upon the front door Katia stopped before rushing forward and launching herself into her father arms. Her caught her and crushed her to him. "I love you kitten," he whispered into her ear. "I love you to Papa," was whispered back. After placing a kiss on her forehead he set her back on the ground. "You will do amazing things kitten, I've always known that. Just be safe please and come home when you can. Your mother and I couldn't be any prouder and we love you with our whole hearts." Nodding once she gripped both of their hands before placing her headband on and slipping her fur-lined leather gloves on.
Taking a deep breath and letting it out Kaita opened her front door and stepped outside. What she saw shocked her and made her stop. Her whole town from the looks of it and maybe people from towns over were waiting in front of her house. She glanced around before taking a step forward. "I will do us proud and I will protect our people." It was all she said, there was no need for a long speech. Her people stayed silent, the only thing that mattered was they all bowed their heads to her and placed their palms together over their heart. It was a very old gesture of their people only used on extreme occasions. For them to do it to her caused tears to well up in her eyes. Straitening up gave the gesture right back, then started to walk through the crowd. They parted right down the middle to let her through. After a few steps she turned back to her parents who were pressed side to side and giving her the same gesture as her people. Smiling she turned back around and continued on.
After finally walking through the last of her people she looked around, she was at the edge of town and now had the long hike before her. Since she was in the northern part of Unlief she had a good 6 to 7 day walk to get there. She pulled her muffler up to cover her face just under her eyes and pulled the hood of her jacket up. Steeling herself she pushed onward.
Feeling something land on her shoulder she looked down and smiled. It was her nations guide, the preying mantis. "Thank you for joining me," she said softly before falling silent. The two were off.
About four days into her journey Katia ran across a family stranded in the cold without the proper clothing. Running up to them, the preying mantis had vanished for now, she knew she couldn't just leave them. After conversing with them for a minute she found out that their home had been destroyed by a beast and they barely managed to escape. Their were two little ones and the parents. The mother could barely walk and the little ones were just about frozen. After telling the father to carry his wife she took off her coat and wrapped it around the two little girls then scooped them up in her arms. There was a town about a day away. They would have to go there. So they set off.
When they finally reached the town Katia went directly to the local medicine man whom she actually knew. After entering with them and explaining what happened to the old man he welcomed them in with open arms. The family would be safe and taken well care of her. Katia placed the two little ones in a bed and carefully slipped her jacket from around them, she was absolutely freezing. Placing it on, her friend then made her sit and eat some warm soup. She would take two hours to nap and them she would be off again. Helping them and put her back about two days but she didn't care. She couldn't have just left them.
After waking up from her nap and being given a few medicinal things and food from her friend she kissed him on the cheek, thanked him and went on her way once more. Her guide was back on her shoulder, making her smile.
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