A Hopeless Search

[Sujamma Addict 514]

 A Hopeless Search

 

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"...Var' ees ape'kha!" Muja shouted as he leapt from building to building. He knew every spot on the Isles of Xerdali  and wanted all who went there to know that he was the best.

"Var' ees kha!"

The young Tigrasi could only shake his head as he watched a younger Kha stumble her way up toward him. She was struggling. This he could tell, but what left him confused the most was the oyster pearl she had attatched to her ankle. It very much resembled the exact one he had fished out from the depths only a few days past where a violent tropical storm crashed against the island. The small boating vessels rocked back and forth, rope groaning with each beckoning from the ocean. Muja's eyes quickly darted back to his friend who was now dangling from the ledge of the hut they stood on. A gust of wind had disrupted her leap, causing her to take a misstep and lose her footing. Out of instinct, Muja darted toward her, reaching for her hand just a second late. He watched helplessly as the kitten fell into the abyss, eyes focused on hers until they were engulfed with bubbles. Opening his mouth to shout only choked him and water began to fill his lungs. An immense pressure pushed against his chest until his vision blurred and all he could do was wake up.

 

"Man, if he hoped to survive in this world, forges his own quest rather than wait for the skygods to make for him." - Tomas Mallory, in a drunken rant at  the  Squirting Stallion

 

The Tigrasi had fallen asleep in a canoe while fishing. His pole was already drifting away, but this was the least of his worries. Waves crashed against the creacking wood, giving him no time to react when the vessel toppled over, flinging Muja into sea of salt. There was no time to think or act, remember his father or...

 

Did he even have fri-...

 

Darkness engulfed him and soon the panic went away, replaced slowly by — what felt to him — was a calming aura. He could feel himself slipping away, his body relaxing and the grip that he just realized he had on the edge of the canoe was now loosening. 

 

He let go and dreamt of the first snow with Inaijo...

 

 

Spoiler

 

The Dwed lands were a place of true beauty, making one forget all about the nipping frost that bit at them. The crescent-shaped island that Muja had learned to call home was often taken by vacancy at times and so the kitten, too, was often taken by mischief. His patta, Inaijo, did the best he could — like any loving father would. He would take Muja to the Grand Library of Vailor to teach him how to read. From one of the children's books, Inaijo decided that he would want his per to see snow for the first time. He ventured off to the Cloud Temple docks, Muja seated on top of his shoulder. There they sailed off to Urguan.

 

As the ship approached the shores, the first thing Muja noted were towering castles which clouds seemed to have gotten stuck to. The clouds that were still free in the sky, however, seemed to have broken off into thousands of little flakes which glided down softly. A chill like no other pushed against his fur and the Tigrasi shivered, but he felt as if this were a dream he'd never want to wake from. Inaijo smiled widely and lifted his per onto his shoulder, "Mabee we can find yaw sawmthing wawrm tuu wear?" 

 

 

 

 

Waves that gently rolled over sand — a calming sound to the ears.

 

 

Muja coughed violently when he awoke, coughing out the seawater that had been trapped in his lungs. A sudden head rush rendered the Kha dazed and confused for several moments, causing him to sit up abruptly and pant. He'd think he were home if it weren't for the unfamiliar tower he saw in the distance. The jacket his patta had bought him was now damp — torn in various places and stuck uncomfortably to his fur. 

 

It was nearing dawn. The chilling winds of the morning made his jacket feel like he was packaged in ice. Memories began flooding back to him, his eyes flashed, and he quickly began patting himself down — breath hitching when he couldn't find what he was searching for. He'd have sprung up to his feet if it weren't for his failing limbs. His eyes scanned the shore until they caught a glimps of a shimmering orb in the distance.  With what strength he could muster, Muja rose and lumbered across the shore toward what appeared to be an abandoned mining facility. Whether or not it actually was vacated, wasn't any of his concern. He was starving and knew he needed his oyster pearls to trade for food. Maybe even shelter if someone was willing.

 

 

This place seemed familiar to him, yet different all the same. He figured his mind was still a bit hazy from his sea expedition. 

 

"The one that attacked yesterday took an aurum knife to the skull, and an arrow to the head as well. Then your daughter broke its neck. After all of that, it was still kicking..."

 

Muja's ears perked at the sound of woman's voice and his hands fumbled for one of the few pearls he had managed to salvage. He felt almost disgusted with himself for being willing to use something with such value — economical as well as sentimental — for scraps. He stepped out into the open, looking toward two elves conversing, and let out a small grunt to make his presence known. The man was next to speak.

 

"Hm, then I do not know. Install some traps around your home if they continue to become a problem? Hire a guard or two?" 

 

The conversation continued and like that, Muja remembered. Kharajyr are not welcomed there. Matter of fact, he recalled he and his father being casted out from many places. He was too young to understand or think anything of it at the time, but just by being ignored, Muja couldn't help but feel a tinge of anger. 

 

A small gust of wind shook him back into reality and the Kha held out the pearl toward them as he murmured weakly, "Muja... Pay fawr fuud." The woman was the only one to finally speak with him and give him food for free. This brought his lips to curl into a small smile, temporarily causing him to forget about the worries of persecution.

 

"Sa'vi... Do yuu know awh Kha named Inaijo..?"

 

[BonesOfTheEarth 2252]

All these Muja stories.. <3

Nice writing

[lev 627]

really nice work!

[grimmothy 188]

This was fun rp, glad to see it get posted.

[Gizzol 252]

Woah, grandkids did a lot of stuff while I was banished

[1 1393]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.