The Lost Smile (Oonah)

[Qit'ria]

Common Text
Xanthean Text
Kashehino Text


Saun 38, 718

Qit'ria sat there on the edge of town, on a mossy rock, staring out into the wilderness. She held Caz'aria in her arms gently rocking as the little girl was fast asleep. Qit'ria's mousy eyes scanned through the trees and undergrowth, picking out various small critters, mostly squirrels and birds. It had been such a tumultuous storm here in Desnind, so much good and bad all at once. She'd given birth to her daughter, but underwent a seemingly permanent mutation in her face and other aspects. She hadn't cared about such things as appearances before Desnind, and was trying to convince herself now. And failing.

She looked down at her beautiful daughter, whose mere existence was the source of Qit'ria's self consciousness. With her blue-black skin, crimson eyes, and downy feathers atop her crown, she was the most beautiful daughter Qit'ria could have ever hoped for. And Qit'ria was worried that one so beautiful might be scared of one that looked like herself. Her jaws elongated into a bear snout, her eyes shrunk, no longer looking like they belong in her head, and so many other things. All mutations she'd acquired protecting Caza during her birth, protecting her from the Spark within Qit'ria that had gone into a panic, thinking they were dying. There was no doubt, Qit'ria would take these mutations a hundred times out of ten, but that didn't make her worry less.

Caza was nearly 50 trials old at this point. Soon she'd be able to see more clearly, to recognize her mother's face. Would it terrify her? Make her cry? The local children often pointed and laughed at her, calling her Mama Bear and other such names, and mimicked her look. She still snarled at them, making them scatter screeching, but that didn't stop it from hurting. She'd thought coming to Desnind would fix everything, take it back to the way it was when she was a girl. But she could never go back. Her father smiled again, pleased to be a grandpa now, and was more than comforting and accommodating, went far above and beyond. But Qit'ria knew there had to be a pain and resentment there he could never forget nor forgive. She was sure of it, for she'd never be able to do so for herself, so why should he?

Looking down at her wrist, she saw the green vines bracelet there, a gift from the Great Spirit of the forest around them, a token of thanks for helping to heal it, as well as the removal of her cursed sores upon her chest. So many good things here, yet it still didn't feel like it could be home. To many memories of old. She'd need to go somewhere new. She spread the large batwings out, stretching them. She could fly anywhere now. But where would she go? Faith was in Rharne by now. She had no desire to return to Scalvoris. Maybe somewhere new. Zipper was in Etzos, and she knew where Caza's father was. That seemed as good a plan as any.

Reaching out to her bracelet with her emotions, in the same manner she'd communicated with the Great Spirit. She was able to uncoil and grow the vines, just as had happened instinctively when she'd saved those kittens from the cave in. Caza stirred and woke up, and Qit'ria cooed at the little girl. Qit'ria watched as the vine she grew bobbed and weaved there before her like a serpent. She had near perfect control of it. She had it bend down and boop Caza on the nose, and the little girl chortled playfully, waving her arms. Qit'ria was fairly certain she could use this bracelet to make travel easier for Caza and herself. She could make a baby backpack of sorts, and then she could fly, or even swim.

She wouldn't have to travel with Enrick and Ellen now, which was fine by her. The two were alright, but were too caught up in their budding romance, and that made Qit'ria into a third wheel. She was better off alone.

But it she was lonely.

And Caza needed a family. QIt'ria would have to find a place to settle down to raise her. She sighed. Settling down sounded so... boring. Still playing with the vine, touching it to Caza, the little girl reaching for it, gripping it sometimes, Qit'ria simply felt lost. It seemed as though there was no place in this world she could truly call her own.

[Oonah]

"Now open wide and say, Ahhhh." Oonah tugged one of the wildcat's whiskers to get its attention as it's pale round eyes rolled about and it offered up a garbled "mowr." The Tunawa woman's lips quirked appreciatively at the rancid odor of the animal's breath as the dagger-toothed maw opened. Her nostrils flared at the sickly sweet smell of rot hinting of infection.

"Let's see what you've gotten yourself into." One dainty hand pulled the feline's jowl back to reveal its back teeth. Her tone one of commiseration, "Why, you've got a bit of gristle jammed up in there." The cat garbled another 'mowr rrroowwrrr' as it crouched lower, nails clenched and unclenched, it winced as Oonah poked her fingers about the gnarled bit of fur and flesh lodged between two molars that had caused its gums to swell red-veined and hot. "Good thing we ran across you now as it looks like it's been there more than a few trials." She noticed that the red veining had begun to creep beneath the nearer teeth and knew if it stayed there much longer the infection could begin moving through the animal's bloodstream.

Still holding the jowl out she leaned back to catch the feline's rolling eyeball straight on with her own trying not to sound eager, "You know we may have to lance it?" It's tongue began to wobble about ineffectively pushing at her probing fingers through a rivulet of drool. "But really I think if we just pop it loose, it'll start feeling better right off." Turning back with a dutiful nod she unsheathed her paring knife, lifted the jowl higher and placed the blade just below the offending scrap. "Hold still now, catkins," she warned.

With a deft jab the blade wedged itself alongside the gristle and stuck. No quick jab and flick this, she did her best to get it out quickly but it took several see-sawing movements before it loosened to fall at her feet with a bloody, wet plop. The cat had begun to buck and struggle at the end before pulling free of the lip lock to dart off without a backward glance, it's puffed tail the last to go. Oonah huffed, "Well there's gratitude for you," though her smile belied the thought for offense.

She cleaned the blade in the grass, resheathed it in the belt she wore tightened about her bark covered hips and approached her mount, "Maybe it's lacerated gums will help the infection bleed out...." a good excuse for her ineptness with the blade. "Keep a look out for that one for us, Leilani. I'd like a chance to see how well it recovers over the next few breaks." Oonah always tried to follow up with her patients if they could be located and convinced to let her check them. It was the only way to see how effective her efforts had been. Sometimes she even got the chance to try something else. Climbing into the straps wrapped about the bat's body she tucked her bent-kneed legs securely under its shoulders to settle against the makeshift back-rest of her satchel. "Let's go another round about before dinner."

They often flew such rounds to locate and help any creature that might be in distress. Becoming more comfortable with the Sev'ryn after saving a young lad's life, their rounds were extended beyond the forest's edge into the fields and hills between the wilderness and the local village. Still there had been very little interaction with them. At least she knew some recognized her and Leilani for saving the boy. Occasionally one would even raise a hand high and wave. It was still difficult though for Oonah to bring herself to approach anyone in their town. The wildling within her warily clung to the familiar wilderness.

Tonight though, perched to peer ahead between Leilan's short fuzzed ears as she rolled with the rapid flap of bat wings, she saw what she thought was a Sev'ryn woman with a young child. Signaling with a palm brushed against her mount's shoulder to fly closer she realized that they were not - entirely. Her silvery gaze blinked and again, as It seemed they were both a combination of creatures. A bird-child? Those feathers were not simply tied in as she'd seen other children here do but were attached. And the mother seemed an awkward hodge-podge of several creatures that surely defied anything natural. Bear face? Bat wings? What else?

Through another silent circle she signaled Leilani in a little closer, a little lower as her healer's curiosity with such oddities overcame shyness. Or perhaps it was their adaptations of wilderness creatures she was already more comfortable with? "Leilani, drop me before them a goodly distance beyond their reach." Should she be overheard it would sound as bird-like trills, warbles, and clicks.

On the last circle Oonah loosened herself from the securing straps to hop from the bat's back, bouncing lightly as a pine-cone would, to land several long strides before the pair sitting upon the mossy stone. Jump skipping through the tallish grasses toward them, Oonah stretched thin fingers of both hands out before her as if patting the air in a downward gesture hoping to calm any alarm. Her tiny voice chirruped and coo'd musically as she approached. Stopping just out of reach the tiny twig-like woman placed her hands on her woody hips, tipped her head to the side quizzically, and in broken common said quite bluntly, "Be you What? Be you Who?"

The Tunawa brushed fingers across her own chest, "Be Oonah," and pointed toward the flapping form of the bat overhead, "Be Leilani." Glancing more directly at the pair before her the child seemed content but, regardless of Oonah's inability to read the woman's distorted face, the mother seemed sad. Tilting her head to the other side she chirped a question, "K?"

[Qit'ria]

Common Text
Xanthean Text
Kashehino Text

Qit'ria was still playing with the vines and Caza when her ears picked up some strange noises from above. She looked upward and she saw a bird, though she failed to discern the Tunawa atop it. She was still failing to realize that her mutated eyes had the diminished Aye-aye mouse sight. She'd seen the type of bird around Desnind before, but she'd not heard these calls from it. Was it a special mating call? Something that was a common type of calls?

Then Qit watched as something dark fell away from the bird, tumbling to the ground lightly. As it came closer, she realized it was a Tunawa, and she smiled. She'd not seen one in a long time, far too long. Qit could still hear the noises, and now realized that it was the little person making them. Interesting. QIt'ria's eyes followed it right up until the Tunawa stopped just out of reach. Qit'ria thought the little being looked feminine, but she couldn't be sure. Then the woman asked her who and what she was, and Qit'ria couldn't help but snort in laughter.

She placed a hand on her own chest, "I be Qit'ria. I be Sev'ryn huntress." She then nodded at Oonah. "Well meet Oonah." Qit'ria then picked up the basket and faced it toward Oonah. "This be Caza'ria. My baby." Qit'ria was positively beaming at this last statement, so proud of her daughter. Qit'ria's sadness was still there but much more muted at this point at the smile. "What calls you make? No know noise. Not bird noise."

Qit'ria found herself wishing to give the little Tunawa the traditional Sev'ryn greeting of the grasping of forearms. But it was not possible. Or so she thought. A small vine snaked out from her bracelet, and extended down toward the Tunawa. It hovered there in front of the woman waiting to shake arms. Qit'ria was so amused by this development, not realizing that it could operate just on her own whims like that. But now Qit'ria found herself at a loss in a lull of conversation.

She had never been much of a conversationalist after all. "I not see you Oonah. Live Magani? Live Desnind? What do? I return Desnind last season after long away."

[Oonah]

Tree Talk Xanthean Common

It was a good start as the woman seemed welcoming with her smile. Elbows akimbo, Oohna rested her palms on her cocked, barked hips as she was looked over while waiting for answers. The snort, typically a warning sound from many of the wildlife. Not humor. She startled back a step in a rustling skitter; but the woman continued on with some answers, so Oonah relaxed again to listen.

"Qit'Ria" she repeated each sound as a life-like imitation of cricket chirp, low growl, and bird trill all run together ending with "Hunt n rest," and looked up to see if she'd gotten it correct. "K?"

Introduced to the child, she attempted it's name, "Zzzgrrria," emphasized as a bee's hum with low growl then bird trill. Tentatively she moved a little closer lifting tip toe'd to better see into the basket noting the child's dark flesh, feathers and bright inquisitive red eyes, "Be Boy? Girl?" Focused so closely examining the child's features she didn't see the mother's glow of pride and joy until she looked up and her smile widened into a broad grin at the beaming smile that faced her. Qit'Ria's tiny eyes had begun to twinkle like the sky's night lights and the woman nearly oozed delight to show off her child. Motherhood transformed her to beautiful. Her own mother had occasionally looked at her like that so Oonah knew Caza'ria was a lucky child. She told Qit so but, not knowing how to say so in Common, her words were the melody of birds.

Cocking her head, Oonah listened to the questions that followed, 'What calls you make?' and nodded sagely. She heard, 'No no noise,' then nodded wisely. By 'Not bird noise,' it became obvious by expression that she didn't really have a clue what Qit'Ria was asking. Not wanting to cause offense, her smile slipped slightly as she worried for a moment how to respond. Then with wrinkled brow the little figure turned away to pace along front of them, back and forth, muttering to herself in whispered twitters interspersed with Qit'Ria's words - make... calls...noise. After a few paces her face brightened in an AHA! Eagerly turning back she pointed to herself, "Oonah," pointed to to the child to buzz, growl, trill "Zzzgrrria", then pointed to her mouth as she whistled and coo'ed, and then in common clarified with a broad sweep of her arms to the forest behind her, "Be words. Be Words of Trees. K?"

As she waited to see if her answers and questions were appropriate her gaze was caught by motion around the woman's wrist. Thinking at first the vine was a snake Oonah hissed an alarm tensing to dart in between Qit and Cazza'ria to take the strike. If it were venomous... A closer look stopped her dead but for a stunned gasp. It was a plantling! A vine of some sort that seemed to grow or flow from Qit's arm. She watched it curl upon its self to support it's weight as it reached out toward her only to pause as if waiting, gently swaying in the light breeze. Tentatively she reached her own woody arm out with fleshy fingers forward. As the tip of a finger reached it, the vine curled about, twisting and twirling up her hand, over her wrist to her elbow with a gentle squeeze before gracefully withdrawing to circle back around Qit's wrist. Part Bear? Bat? Plantling? And Qit looked as if it were unexpected. Curiouser and curiouser. Obviously pleased, Oonah gave a slight bow toward them each, "Well met."

The woman's next questions were not as difficult to puzzle the meaning out. Maybe Oohna was starting to pick the language up better? How to reply took a few more bits though. Oonah settled herself cross legged upon the ground before the pair, reaching to pull a thread of grass through her hands and absently begin weaving a basket - a twiddling habit taken after her father. "Grew in Magani. Live Desnind now to..." she chirped words then found them in Common, "...fix others?" How frustrating to finally be able to talk to someone who actually answered back but stumble about so.... Then she perked up and, in Xanthean, said hopefully, "Do you know these words more?"

In another brief lull, Oonah thought back over Qit's answers. Huntress? Baby? That wasn't the 'what' she'd been looking for so she gave back tit for tat, "I am a Tunawa." Because, "What are you?" hadn't worked, perhaps she needed to ask in a different way. Still blunt yet only slightly uncouth, "Other children wear fake feathers. Caza'ria is different - real. You," she swishes her fingers about her own face, "are more than others too. Were you born this way? You were born here?"

[Qit'ria]

Common Text
Xanthean Text
Kashehino Text

Qit smiled at the small woman's pronunciation of her name, "Qit'rrrria" She made sure to emphasize the rolling r's, a differentiation she never bothered to give to other people. She almost giggled at the pronunciation of Caza's names, finding it odd how quickly she was shifting to mirth.

"Caw. Caw, like bird. Caw-sarrrrr-eeya. Mean Blackbird. Girl. Daughter."

Qit'ria saw the tiny woman's giant smile and couldn't help but smile even more. Her arrival had completely washed away Qit's sour mood. Qit'ria's eyes widened at what she thought she understood from the woman. She could talk to the trees! That was amazing. Qit's thoughts didn't bother to turn to if she could learn that, for in her mind, it made perfect sense that Tunawa could speak to trees and others couldn't. The possibility never registered.

At Oonah's observation of her vines, "Gift from forest spirit." There was nothing more to say on that, it was a rather intimate story. Perhaps one day she'd tell it to Caza, maybe after she'd met her own spirit for the first time. "Oh! You doctor! Healer! Yeye healer. Me papa. I know one more healer. Name Faith. Live in Rhawr now. Much nice. Sister. Has two baby. Is mate with Star Doctor. "

Hearing her speak in Xanthean, Qit'ria was absolutely delighted. She loved speaking in her native tongue more, other languages were just... ugly. "Yes, I see that you do as well."

She knew that this woman was a Tunawa, that was obvious, but clearly the reverse was not as clear. It was understandable, Qit knew all too well just how different she looked. "I am Sev'ryn, and yes, I was born here. But this," she gestured to her face, held up her hand to show the claws as well, "These are scars from my magic. It is a strong magic, but dangerous."

She did chuckle a bit at this conversation, "Blackbird's father is Avriel. They look like birds. That's why she has feathers and red eyes. She looks a lot like him, so beautiful and strong." Qit set the basket down, facing Oonah, and Caza's eyes grew wide at the new view. "Papa says babies can't see really well yet, but soon." The dark child laughed in mirth and threw her arms and legs about.

Curious about this clearly, equally curious woman, "Do you like to fly? I'm only just learning. My wings are new, part of my magic." She looked back at the village, "They are scared of me. Scared of my magic. Too nice of people." She looked back out in the forest, "This world isn't nice Oonah. It hurts, all the time. But staying stronger is the most important. If you're strong enough... people won't try to hurt you. Because they are scared."

Her smile had softened a good bit, "I think I might travel again. Find Blackbird's father. I thought I could settle down here after many arcs of traveling, but they just... It doesn't feel like home. Do you travel? I've not seen a Tunawa abroad."

[Oonah]

Tree Talk Xanthean Common

Oonah's brain had begun to ache trying to figure out another person's meaning who didn't know Common well either so the immediate relief to hear Qit'Ria answer in Xanthean was a blessing. Perking up she listened as her new friend spoke of her magic resulting in these...transformations...on her as if she'd chosen to do them on purpose. "Scars from magic? You choose for this to happen? I do not trust magic, but believe in the blessings of the Immortals instead." Slender fingers pause in their basket weaving to brush over her heart and the little mark of Sevrath. "I am blessed by Moseke." She leaned in to examine the effects of the magic on Qit's muzzle, eyes, and nails more closely; not really considering if her scrutiny would be considered rude or invasive. "Is there a benefit for each? Something good from the animal parts? Smell, sight?" As if she'd suddenly realized a more important question..."And what do you mean dangerous?"

By now she had twisted several grass blades into a servicable basket about the size and shape of a humming bird's nest then began unraveling it without thought. She listened intrigued as the proud mother explained Caza'Ria's heritage and began ticking off the questions in her mind she would later ask about this 'Avriel,' Blackbird's father, including, if they looked like birds how did she and he do....It?

Fortunately, her considering the nature of it all was side-tracked as the basket was tipped. Gracefully rising to her feet, rather like unfolding, she stepped closer to get a better look. The child's eyes widened and the Tunawa instinctively made a thurbert with her lips and waggled her hands along side her head encouraged by the child's chortles. Her sap warmed unexpectedly as her heart double-beat at the music of it. She didn't believe Oonah's father saying that babies couldn't see well, at least not from this close up.

"Your papa, Yeye? You said he was a healer? And your sister is a healer too?" Oonah lifted reflective eyes turned sea green as she grinned. "I very much would like to meet more healers. I want to learn all that I can from them about all kinds of people like your Avriel, Caw Sarrr'Rrrria's father." She still hadn't quite managed to exchange the bird sounds for letter sounds. "Do you think I could meet them?"

As if changing the subject, Qit asked if she liked to fly. The Tunawa proudly pointed to her bat hanging up-side-down and watching them from a branch in the nearest tree. "Oh yes! I raised Leilani from a pup and we fly everywhere together. Do you know it is most beautiful flying on a full moon night when the ground is white and shadows are silvery grey?" Getting lost in the image the words conjured in her mind she didn't realize that they weren't really listening to each other. "Wait. Did you say wings?" But Qit's spoken thoughts had lead full circle back to the magic and how other people reacted to her.

It was a sad story. "I do not trust magic," Oonah repeated, then continued doubtfully, "but if you have done me no harm, why would I fear you?" She knew she wasn't getting something right because the woman's words felt of truth and she hadn't seemed to be a bad person. "I do not think making people scared would be a good way to be treated nice. Nice should come from nice." It was the way of the Tunawa and she knew no others.

Then, seemingly, the topic changed again so she answered. "Most of my people do not go far. The few that have do not come back. It is said that they are taken and sold." Woody shoulders tried to shrug as if that knowledge didn't make her nervous, although the idea did send a little thrill across her and scared her too. She was still getting used being seen in the open and now what would she be getting herself into? "I could stay here and learn much of the Sev'ryn and nothing more. Be safe. But eventually I would need to go farther to learn more. I think," she took a deep singular breath, "I would learned more quicker if I did not delay."

Once said, nervousness turned anticipatory. Her eyes shifted to sky blue with excited twinkles as she looked up at Qit'Ria, "I have an idea! We could travel together!"

[Qit'ria]

Common Text
Xanthean Text
Kashehino Text

Qit'ria didn't answer Oonah's questions about her magic right away. She'd literally never spoken about in detail with anyone. Not with Bear, the man who initiated her. Not with Faith, her closest and dearest friend. Not with her family. Not a soul. She remembered the promise she made to the spirits of the forest. To never become a servant of the Immortals. But that didn't make all servants of them bad people. Faith wasn't bad people. Her father wasn't bad people.

That meant Oonah wasn't necessarily bad people either.

She certainly didn't seem bad, to Qit. But the Immortals Oonah worshiped, that Faith worshiped, that her father worshiped were dangerous. Just as her own Spark was dangerous. She took another deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment, rubbing the nub where her pinky used to be, the digit cut off and sacrificed to her spark for her magic.

Her eyes opened, and she was staring intensely at Oonah. "I do not have great control over my magic. It lets me do many things. Smell and sight are the easy parts of my magic, Oonah. The safe parts. I also must break my body every single time I use it. And there's no guarantee that I can come back from it. When I was with child, I nearly lost control so many times. I nearly killed Caza here because of it." A tear strolled down her cheek as she continued, "I nearly ate the soul of a woman I met. A stranger. I don't know what came over me, but I couldn't control it. What happened to her... was worse than death."

She gazed out into the forest for a bit, collecting herself. Then she continued onto Oonah's other questions, a heavy smile on her face. "Yes, Papa, Yeye is the word for Papa in the common tongue, is a healer for the Order of Adunih. My brother is a healer there too, not sister. I don't have sisters anymore." A longer, awkward silence, "I have met several healers in my time here and abroad. You would love my friend Faith. She's the best healer I know, and makes really delicious food. And she's short like me! Her mate is a star healer too, though I don't know how he does it..."

She smiled at Oonah's enthusiasm, it was rather infectious, "Well, I've been thinking of going to find her papa. We only met for one night in Scalvoris. But a friend of mine might know where he is. I talk to her in my dreams." It seemed Oonah had a strong desire to meet people. It was rather endearing, even if Qit herself wasn't overly fond of most people. At the mention of the moonlit flight, of her wings, Qit'ria smiled. She removed her cloak and spread the vast batlike wings. They were the wings of the batpanther, a creature native to Desnind's forests.

"People fear what they do not know. So they fear me. Nice doesn't always create niceness in others Oonah. I've learned that quite heavily in my travels."

Qit'ria had a really good feeling about Oonah, and at the Tunawa's exuberant offer, "Yes. We will travel together Oonah. You will meet just as many people as I have, or more."

She looked down at her baby, and knew that Oonah's words were right. She needed to be nicer to people, not just for her own sake, but for her child's. "Will you help me be nicer while we travel?" It was one of the extremely rare moments where Qit actually asked someone for help. For Qit had already decided that Oonah was a dear friend, and deserved that from her.

[Oonah]

Tree Talk Xanthean Common

Oonah listened in growing alarm as Qit'Ria explained all the terrible things her magic had effected and wondered if she wasn't quite right in the head. With her brow pinched into a scowl, the healer's mind first shuffled unsuccessfully through a few trills of potential treatments for 'crazy' until she saw the single shiny tear trace a trail down the woman's cheek.

Without thought Oonah stepped closer to pat a knuckle of one sharp-nailed finger. Looking up she tried to read what might show in the Huntress' eyes at her next words, "There must be more good from this..." she almost finished another way but instead said, "... this magic to make this....," her arms circled about before her encompassing what was obvious about Qit, "... worth it." The twigs about her head rattled as it shook, "There is no sense in what you say."

Yet it seemed very obvious that Qit was not happy with the prices she and others had paid. "Why is this great, terrible power needed so much?"

Then as dark as their conversation had been it turned brighter when the words turned toward family and friends. Innocently, Oonah spoke her thought aloud, "It seems a good thing for you to have many healers near."

Now Oonah was the last one to think about balance, or so her mother would say, but maybe her mother had a point. There was an imbalance here that the young Tunawa recognized. Not in the morality of the woman before her but in the effects that were imposed upon her. Much bad with very little good. Something her father once said came to mind.

It wasn't often that Oonah thought of her own Papa. As an artist he was often away with clients or secluded some place he found inspirational, which wasn't their home. Her mother had been the nurturer whom she related to while her father worked his artistry. His life had been more social than Oonah ever thought to consider for herself so she hadn't listened to him as much as she probably should have.

Her finger tips lightly brushed the silky smooth Ojogbon blowgun at her side as she shared his advice. “My Papa told me once," her voice deepened, "Little splinter, you must have the strength to pull yourself away from toxic things and surround yourself with all the nourishing things you need to grow. Be with those who inspire and encourage positive change in your life. Be with those who help make you a better version of you.'"

"I would be pleased to meet those who stand so importantly to you. I would be one of those people too."

~~~

[Rakvald]

Here's your stuff!

Qit'ria
Requested Rewards:
Knowledge:
Caregiving: Playing with your child
Discipline: Allowing yourself to open up about your magic
Discipline: Recognizing when you're losing control
Etiquette: Adapting the traditional Sev'ryn greeting to a Tunawa
Etiquette: Being polite about a Tunawa's height
Etiquette: Speaking in a person's more fluent tongue
Socialization: Making a friend upon first meeting
Socialization: Speaking about friends in a good light
Teaching: Using bird sounds to improve pronunciations of words

Loot: N/A
Injuries/Overstepping: N/A
Renown: N/A
Wealth Points: No
Collaboration: (Yes)
Magic Experience?: (No)

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Oonah
Requested Rewards:
Knowledge:

Skill
Animal Husbandry: Watching over and tending to a Bob Cat
Medicine: Diagnosis and treatment of a toothache
Linguistics: 'Common' words can combine many animal sounds
Socialization: Earning the traditional Sev'ryn greeting - interlocking arms
Detection: People can be 'different' through interspecies relationship or from magic effects
Surgery: Using an eating knife to dislodge gristle and bleed out infections
Acrobatics: Jumping from a flying bat's back
Etiquette: Approaching strangers with calming gestures
Mount (bat): Flying to make rounds on 'patients'

Nonskill
Healing - feline dental work
Magic - can effect drastic changes in a creature
Mating - different species can produce mixed offspring
PC: Qit'ria - Sev'ryn huntress from Desnind
NPC: Caza'ria - 1/2 Avriel, 1/2 Sev'ryn. Daughter of Qit'ria

Loot: N/A
Injuries/Overstepping: N/A
Renown: N/A
Wealth Points: No
Collaboration: (Yes)
Magic Experience?: (No)

Points:15
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Comments:

You left a note saying this was a thread of sadness, but I found it very uplifting, despite Qit's depression.

Qit seems to be going through the wringer at this point, having just given birth to her daughter and struggling with all kinds of emotions, the unrequited love for Noth, being back at home yet feeling like a stranger in a strange place. It all rings true.

Oonah is such a good care-giver. I'm in love with this little Tunawa healer. I think the way you opened into the thread was very creative, having her care for that poor cat's tooth/gums before even trying to engage the thread starter. The language barrier as Oonah attempted to speak in common first, perhaps for practice, was as well executed as I've seen a language barrier done. I was pleasantly surprised when you offered to follow Qit, to keep a healer around her at all times. I'm sure this will be the start of a beautiful friendship.

If you feel I've missed anything or if you have questions about your review, please don't hesitate to send me a quick PM. Thanks!