(no subject)

[socrowdedinhere]

*It's only been a week.  Terris has set time aside to start training Rihn, Mitham, and anyone else interested in learning.  Today, the Pranksters have decided to go to town to do a performance.  The family could use the little bit of extra coin and they always make the most when they all go.  Ziomi's with them too.  Things go great!  They make a killing, especially since this is the first time the entire troupe has performed in town.  It's on the way home that things go to shit.  They're set upon by slavers, and the fight is a nasty one.  Tam and Quin are injured, and so left to bleed out... Patch is considered too old... and so left... and while Ziomi and Rihn have disabilities (blind and mute), they're young and good looking (and not bleeding all over the place) and so they're taken.  And poor Rihn hasn't been training long enough to really put any of that training to much use yet.  The two will wake in the back of a barred wagon, having been knocked out in the fight.*

Comments

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *n-no . . . nononoNONONONONONONO!!!!! starts FRANTICALLY trying to find or /make/ a way out!!!*

[socrowdedinhere]

*Rihn will hear a familiar voice crying out nearby, and will see a group of men around Ziomi groping her.*

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *no, NO! WHISTLE SHRILL WHISTLE!!!*

[socrowdedinhere]

Ziomi: Rihn! *scared! She's fighting hard to keep from being violated by these brutes.*
*And then Rihn will hear the distinct grunt of pain from behind him. If he looks he'll see a darker skinned man with a spear in his hand...a spear he's just used on a nearby slaver. Said slaver has slumped to the ground, bleeding from a wound in his gut*

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *Ah! W-what!? He's never seen someone with dark skin - is he human? Is he another race, like j'har? Rihn's /pressing/ back against the bars away from the newcomer, eyes /wide/ in terror*

[socrowdedinhere]

Man: *pauses by the wagon Rihn is in.* Neh worry. I'll get yeh out, promise. *but not yet. He's got a lady to save first...*

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *just /cowers/ back from him!*

[socrowdedinhere]

Man: *approaches the slavers* Yeh'll remove yehr hands from the lady, or I'll remove them for yeh.
Leader: You bastard. You'll pay for this!
Man: I'm here only because yeh can't keep yehr filthy hands off of free people. *look turns cold* Like meh daughter. If yeh want teh live, yeh'll do as I say now.
Leader: *spits at the man, still holding Ziomi.* Get him. *cruel smirk* Try not to damage his face too much.
*The men close in and the man... almost seems to dance with them. The spear spins like a staff as he move about. He darts this way and that, tumbling between legs and attacking from behind. It's like watching a deadly version of a tumbling act Rihn and Tam have done. The man isn't completely uninjured, when all is said and done, but he /is/ victorious.*
Man: *finally stills and looks around* Where's meh daughter?
Leader: *pale...he points to the wagon near Rihn.*
Man: *nods at Ziomi* And yeh'll give her teh meh. Now.

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *has curled himself into the smallest, tightest little unnoticeable ball he can in the far corner of the cage, eyes WIDE in terrified awe*

[socrowdedinhere]

Leader: *shoves Ziomi at the stranger.*
Ziomi: *yelps, flailing to keep her feet, and ends up tripping anyway.*
Man: *catches her with a grunt, swinging her behind him as the leader lunges with a knife. He stops the man with his spear then turn to Ziomi.* Sorry about that, milady. Are yeh hurt?
Ziomi: *shaking. She shakes her head.* Not badly. Please, my brother is here too. He's sixteen. Mute. His name is Rihn.
Man: Neh worries. Everyone is goin' free. Sit an rest, neh one will bother yeh now. *he pushes to his feet, holding a wound at his side. He turns back to the closest wagon, which is Rihn's, pausing only to get the keyring from the leader's corpse. He sees the look he's getting from Rihn.* Don't fear meh, boy. I'll neh harm yeh. *he'll go through each key until he finds the one that works, then will wave Rihn to him.* Are yeh Rihn?

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *tears streaming down his face...s-slowly obeys, nodding*

[socrowdedinhere]

Man: Go teh yehr sister. *tone and expression gentle as he helps Rihn from the wagon.* *he'll move on and open other wagons, coaxing j'har, amin, and humans from them and softly assuring everyone that they're free to go.*
Child: Da!
Man: Khepri! *drops to his knees, clinging to the red-head who's thrown herself into his arms. He huffs with barely held back sobs, tears streaming down his cheeks.* Khepri, my star. I've got yeh now. Da's got yeh.

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *bolts to Ziomi and CLINGS, scared and crying - what do they do? He doesn't know which way is home from here, Quin and Tam are probably dead by now...w-well, maybe not, Raizen was with them...but now he and Ziomi are lost and he can't communicate with her and...what does he do??*

[socrowdedinhere]

Ziomi: *HUGS him tight, just clinging.* It'll be okay. It'll be okay. We'll make it home.
J'har: *A j'har woman slips from another wagon (the now freed slaves are freeing those the man hadn't gotten to yet) she darts towards the man.* Naijah!
Naijah: *the man's head snaps up, and one are releases his little girl to reach for the j'har.* Zera! *he hugs her tight when she drops to her knees by them.* LifeLight, I'm glad yeh're both safe! *reluctantly he pulls from the two and will start to check with everyone. Do they have a home? Where? Nearest town is that way and their home is that way (irbhe's not sure where their home is but town is over there and they should be able to find help). The j'har are free and encouraged to head over the mountains to the south where they'll be allowed to remain free. And finally he steps up by Rihn and Ziomi, couching down by them.* Yeh two injured at all?

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: */curls/ from the man, shy and scared . . . shakes his head, then soft questioning whistle, squeezing Ziomi’s hand – is she?*

[socrowdedinhere]

Ziomi: I'm all right.
Naijah: Do yeh have a home?
Ziomi: Yes. Near (town). We were taken while on the road out to head home. *and clearly after a performance considering their dress.*
Naijah: *considers. A skiddish mute boy and a blind woman....he can't leave them on their own...* Will yeh allow meh teh lead yeh back there? If yeh were at (town) could yeh find yehr way home?
Ziomi: Yes. Yes, thank you.
Naijah: *will gently take her hand and offer the other to Rihn to pull the. To their feet.*

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *accepts the hand up, still staring in awe at the man*

[socrowdedinhere]

Naijah: *gives Rihn a smile.* Yeh her beother? *nods at Ziomi*

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: …………. *gaze drops, nodnod, still clinging to Ziomi*

[socrowdedinhere]

Naijah: *holds out his...um... bloody spear to Rihn.* Here. Yeh know how teh use this at all? *he's got an easy smile on his face*

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: */huff/gasp as he /flinches/ back from it, tucking behind Ziomi and /shaking/ his head – Ziomi might almost think Naijah just /threatened/ Rihn if not for the tone of the man’s voice…and knowing Rihn’s temperment*

[socrowdedinhere]

Ziomi: Rihn...?
Naijah: It's all right, Rihn. I'll show yeh how teh look threatenin' so people are less likely teh try takin' advantage of yeh. You'll be able teh keep yehr sister safe and neh even have teh do anythin'.

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: …………….. *keep Ziomi safe…like he was supposed to be learning from Terris…he failed that pretty spectacularly, didn’t he? . . . shifts out from behind Ziomi, the look in his eyes shifting too…h-he’s…eyeing that spear a bit, now that Naijah’s put it that way*

[socrowdedinhere]

Naijah: *will motions for Rihn to take the spear* If anyone looks like they're thinkin' of given yeh trouble, yeh just hold this right and they'll think twice about tryin'. First off, yeh need teh be loose. Feet spread as wide as yehr shoulders-- yeah! Like that! *grins* Yeh know how teh balance yehrself. Very good. Now teh hold the spear... *and he'll spend the next fifteen minutes giving Rihn a quick crash coarse in using the spear. Nothing fancy, just enough to at least look competant and to manage a little defence if necessary. He's got an easy grin on his face the whole time and is wuick with encouraging words and praise.*

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *goes from shy and scared to determined…to /glowing/ at the praise, hungry for it like a small, abused dog (even all this time, and love, later) – he’s attentive, intelligent, focused, and graceful once he gets what he’s supposed to do*


((daughter and friend just hanging back watching? XD))

[socrowdedinhere]

((Daughter and wife/stepmom yes. XD))

Naijah: *gives a final nod* Yeh could really get good with a spear if you wanted. Shall we head out? Get yeh two closer teh home?
Khepri: *daddy is done teaching, so she comes over and hugs his leg. She's likely twice Jendayi's age because she looks about the same age.*
Naijah: Meh little star! *scoops her up and sets her on his shoulders, earning a giggle* I guess I should introduce meh family. I'm Naijah, this little glow bug is meh daughter, Khepri, and Zera here is meh wife. *waves the j'har woman forward, slipping an arm around her as she comes up beside him.*
Zera: It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm sorry you were taken from your home.
Ziomi: I'm sprey you were taken from yours. I'm Ziomi, and this is my brother Rihn.

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *small wave, shy grin at both wife and daughter, not reacting at all to the j’har woman being married to the…human?...whatever he is*

[socrowdedinhere]

Ziomi: *can't see to react either way.*
Naijah: C'mon. *He'll head off towards the town Rihn and Ziomi live by. After about and hour he... seems to be dragging a bit and will have to put Khepri down to walk.*
Zera: *glances back and gasps* Naijah! You! You didn't tell me your were hurt. *has stopped him* How bad?
Naijah: *gives her an easy grin.* I'll just have teh try teh get some help in town.
Ziomi: You don't sound like you'll make it that far...
Khepri: ...daddy...

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *oh! Oh, right . . . maybe he can help! – will try to get Naijah to let him look, initially handsigning on reflex but…/damn/, no one will understand him!...attempts miming gestures*

[socrowdedinhere]

Naijah: *catches on quick enough, and with the look his wife is giving him...yeah. He'll sit and life his shirt for Rihn to check his side. It's pretty deep. Needs stitching really. He keeps a smile on his face and flinches only a little as Rihn checks his wound.*

[dragondancer5150]

https://socrowdedinhere.dreamwidth.org/297296.html?thread=6284112#cmt6284112

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *is clearly knowledgeable, even if he can’t actually /do/ anything . . . turns and gently takes Ziomi’s hands, manipulating them as if /she/ were the one signing* “Stab wound, right here.” *touches her side* “Deep, needs stitches.”

[socrowdedinhere]

Ziomi: *presses her lips together* Can the wound be bound for now? Unless you have anything to apply stitches with, Naijah?
Naijah: Afraid not, milady.
Ziomi: *nods and kind of "looks" to Rihn to answer her firat question about binding the wound.*

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: …………….. *pulls off his vest, then his tunic and will borrow Naijah’s spearhead to start cutting/tearing it into strips*

[socrowdedinhere]

Naijah: *will catch him from cutting any of his obviously tailored clothing.* Neh ruin yehr clothes for meh, Rihn. Yeh can cut up my shirt as needed.
*And this is the scene the other Pranksters will spit from afar. Once the slavers had gone Raizen healed Tam and Quin. Their bloodloss had been great, though, and they were forced to rest and eat before they had the strength to go after the slavers in hopes of rescuing their disabled siblings. Now they'll see a bloody, dark skinned man with red hair sitting on the ground, Rihn beside him with a bloody soear in hand trying to cut up a shirt. Ziomi is beside Rihn, and a child with the same dark skin and red hair stands close with a j'har woman.*

[dragondancer5150]

Rihn: *reluctant…but okay, will take Naijah’s shirt to tear up for strips*
Quin: Rihn! Ziomi! *will start forward at a run, Tam on his heels – both are also in their performance kits, torn and bloodied*
Rihn: */gasp/! – turns and /signs/ rapidly*
Quin: *pulls up short and gives a small bow, mostly focusing on the strange man but glancing to acknowledge the j’har and the child* Sir, /thank/ you for helping our brother and sister.
Tam: *doesn’t stop till he’s at Rihn’s side, dropping to his knees* Here, let me help. *will get right to work helping strip the shirt*
Quin: *moves to Ziomi, touching her hand to let her know where he is before slipping his arms around her for a /hug/* Ziomi…are you hurt?

[socrowdedinhere]

Ziomi: *HUGS tight.* I'm all right. Heh, Naijah showed up before they could do much. I don't onow how he did it, but he set everyone free.
Naijah: *friendly grin.* Glad teh be of service, sir.

((Patch follow with the wagon or is Raizen hiding among the trees to follow. Raizen at least would have come incase of injuries.))

[dragondancer5150]

Quin: *shifts to look at Naijah* Again, my deepest thanks. My name is Harlequin. *nods* My brother Tam.
Tam: Where’s Patch?
*The two had heard voices and jogged ahead of the cart.*
Quin: *turns to look* He should be- *spots the horses, pulls from Ziomi* Excuse me. Be right back. *calls as he jogs that way* Patch! We have wounded. Stab wound in need of stitches.
Patch: Ah! *looks around for his healer’s bag, spots it, looks up again* Come get the horses, Harlequin.
*Quin reaches him and steps between the horses, leading each by their halters as Patch gets down, grabbing his bag, and heads over to join the group.*
Patch: *gives everyone a nod of greeting, even Zera* Miss, sir, my name is Patch. I’m a healer.
*Tam and Rihn part easily for him, shifting out of the way and Tam helps him as he gets down to get to work.*

[socrowdedinhere]

Zera: If you can help, we'd be very grateful.
Raizen: *can...see it from the wagon... this man has had a LOT of Spirit worked on him. So he takes a chance. He actually swoops out to land on Patch's shoulder, addressing Naijah.* You, sir, have no sense of self-preservation, do you? *still... he braces for "omg dragon?!"*
Naijah: *blinks, then laughs!* Meh wife would say say it's so, friend, though I do try meh best teh stay in one piece.
Zera: *doesn't even blink at the dragon. Well...that answers that, hm?* My husband likes to pretend he can fly, friend. I love him despite his lunacy. *fond smile, down at Naijah.*
Naijah: *his own grin is fond and a touch cheeky, and he'll "whisper" to the guys around him* It's just because women can be so hard teh impress, have teh reach the stars anymore, eh?

[dragondancer5150]

Patch: */flinches/ at suddenly having the dragon on his shoulder* R-raizen…!?
*The others /tense/…and relax when there’s no real reaction.*
Tam: *laughs, glancing a wry but friendly grin up at Zera* Truth.
Patch: *soft huff at Raizen since there’s no need for worry* About give an old man a heart attack… I’d have to assume you are familiar with wielders, then, friend. This is Raizen. Will you allow him to heal you?

[socrowdedinhere]

Raizen: *nuzzles Patch's cheek* My apologies. I could see he's had Spirit used on him many times before and thought he might prefer a quick healing. Assuming what I was didn't startle him too greatly.
Naijah: Yeah. My father's caravan sheltered a number of inriomai. It's good teh see another while so far from the familiar. I'll gladly accept thay offer. *he can better protect his family if he's well.*
Raizen: *moves to Naijah and will heal him before moving back to Patch.*
Naijah: *GRITS HIS TEETH. He lets out a huff when Raizen is done and will get to his feet* Thank yeh, friend. Name's Naijah, this is meh lovely wife, Zera, an' meh daughter--
Khepri: Yehr little star!
Naijah: Khepri. *laughs and picks her up to set on his shouldera again.* That's right, meh little star.