• Memory • Lady Problems (Ti'niva)

[Niv]

50th day of Ashan, 714

“I think I’m going to finally go for it.”
A sheepish young women whispered as she approached another young women who was diligently weaving a basket under the shade of a tree. The basket weaver raised an eyebrow at the statement and looked generally unimpressed.
“Really? or are you going to chicken out again.”
“No, This time I’ll get him to notice me.”
“Ceh’ve..I feel a sudden feeling of de ja vu” The basket weaver chuckled mockingly as she slowly shook her head.
“But I mean it, Ti’niva should be all alone this time!” The young girl Ceh’ve stopped her foot with determination.

From the tree tops above, Niv’s ears perked up at the mention of her beloved Ti’niva and she nearly choked on the ant she shoved into her mouth moments before.

How dare this girl think she could steal her man? who does she think she is?

The more The tunawa thought about it, the more she seethed with rage. She calmed herself with deep breaths and tried to keep herself from jumping to conclusions. This silly girl just didn’t know that Ti’niva already had a special flower, an easy problem to solve.

“We’ll why are you talking to me for go get him girl!” The basket weaver chuckled warmly as she shooed Ceh’ve towards the forest.
“I’m going I’m going!”

Niv got on her knees and looked down at the conversation only to realize she was too late, this girl was already on her way to disturb poor Ti’niva with her nonsense. She pounded her tiny fist into the tree branch before springing to action.

Ceh’ve power walked through the woods with a determined frown, She was a women on a mission. Every other attempt Ceh’ve had made fell apart quickly and she wasn’t even sure the hunter knew who she was. She couldn’t think that now, nor could she dwell on the fact that she’d been practically stalking him since child hood. Of course the poor sev'ryn girl did, since her self doubt was a formidable beast her will was unable to slay.

The dreaded butterflies of doubt caught up to her quickly and she stopped to take a break on a fallen tree stump to regain her composure. This gave Niv a chance to catch up to her unsuspecting prey and feed the flame.
“Who is there?” Niv forcefully lowered her high vocal range into a deeper male sounding voice. She did her best to throw this masculine tenor so that it appeared to be hidden nearby.

Ceh’ve jolted to attention and held her breath for a moment before hesitantly responding.
“Sorry its just me,” A bead of sweat trickled down her worried face and her mind was so jumbled she nearly forgot her own name. “Ceh’ve.”

“Oh its you, That girl thats been following me.” Niv said with a sly smirk as she did her best to hold back her amusement.

“Pardon..” Ceh’ve’s eyes widened in horror and she tensed up into a statue as her mind went to the darkest of places.

“Yah I’m Ti’niva the boy you follow all the time. You should find other boy to follow because I already have a special flower and she's cuter than you.” Niv brushed a stray vine from her face with a smug glare down at the girl.

Ceh’ve chocked on her own words and stumbled away to keep herself from crying, Mission accomplished.



Art credit to Kidchan

[Ti'niva]

He was out hunting as was how he spent most of his days, he would track some animals for a few hours before finding them and others he might follow through the forest for days. It just so happened he was on the tail of new prey today, prey that was taking him much closer to the City than normal. Still there was no problem with going to the city, it was just somewhere he hadn't been for some time. He was focused on following the tracks of what appeared to be a young deer from its small hoof prints. So focused he did not see the girl until he heard the voices.

It wasn't often that he saw girls out in the woods, especially not ones his age. They tended to be older hunters if he saw them. This girl, however, was clearly no huntress, she walked heavy and carried no equipment. The fact that she was also unaware he was in the vicinity was possibly another sign of her not being a huntress. At least she was attractive, or in Ti'niva's opinion she was. Small and petite, she was more cute than anything else, she still had a flush and innocent complexion not worn by the forest like his own. Of course he hadn't the slightest idea how to talk to her. It had been a long time since he spoke to girls, in fact he was definitely a child last time.

Of course what was even more odd than seeing this cute young thing wandering the dangerous Makubwa Lori was the disembodied man's voice. It was a deep voice that cut through the trees, most certainly nothing like his own. Or at least to him it sounded unlike him. To others it might have been an accurate mimicking but he could hear the difference from his own. Firstly this one seemed forced, like someone was straining to create the sound and it was also weaker than his own like originated from a much smaller source.

He watched as the girl, Ceh’ve it appeared was her name, with the raven black hair that cascaded down her back was surprised and shocked at the voice. This made it clear whoever was making it had not accompanied her here or at least not to her knowledge.

His ears pricked up at the mention of his own name though, whoever this person was claimed to be him and to have some kind of romantic partner, he knew without a doubt now there was something not right going on here and even more so when the poor girl ran away. She ran right past him while blinded by her tears. He remained confused and looked at her go shocked and unsure if he should chase her. He almost did but he wished to know who the causer of this poor girls sadness was.

He stepped out and looked around for the source of these harsh words. He rubbed his chin and looked up now examining the trees unable to spot the Tunawa girl who had caused this girls heart break. "Who's there?
show yourself." He looked around and waited for a reply.

[Niv]

Niv eyes bulged out in shock when the real Ti’niva’s voice entered her ears. Whether it was from guilt or fear, Niv wanted to run away but her legs wouldn’t allow it. She held her breath for a moment and wished for a strong wind to carry her far far away from this awkward situation. The wind had been calm the entire trial, so Niv knew she would have to explain herself somehow.

“Oh hello Ti’niva “ Niv said as she jumped down to a lower branch just above the Sev’ryn’s field of vision. “What’s Wrong.” decided to play it coy, or as coy as she could manage. There was a slight shakiness in her voice that someone could pick up if they listened carefully. She also couldn’t directly look at Ti’niva, instead her gaze wandered to the left as she tried to think of a way out of this situation.

“What have you been doing in the woods?” Niv asked as casually as she could muster, in hopes that he wouldn’t ask about the crying girl. Niv was certain she had done the right thing, that girl had no business being in the woods or talking to Ti’niva. At the same time she didn’t think Ti’niva would see things the same way, in fact she was positive. Ti’niva was a hero after all and saw the good in everyone, even if they were a smelly girl with unkept head grass.

“If your free.. do you want to do something fun?” The corners of her mouth lifted slightly in a shy smile and she gave him a quick glance before looking away again. Niv didn’t really have a plan as to what they would do but she really wanted to spend more time with him especially if it were in a romantic setting, like collecting stones near the river or bugs in a rotten tree stump.


Art credit to Kidchan

[Ti'niva]

He was confused when he heard the voice of the small Tunawa he had recently saved. "Oh, Niv, I..er...thought I heard someone else." He scratched his chin as he thought about who on earth could have been making the sound somewhat akin to own voice. He looked up at her in one of the low lying branches after having pinpointed her location. "Was that you?" He thought it a stupid question, the small and sweet Tunawa surely couldn't make sounds like that, nor would she, right? He dismissed the possibility with a shake of his head. He was far too naive and inexperienced in social interaction to even tell that she was acting suspiciously.

"Oh not much really, just hunting like usual." He looked around for the tracks he had been following but it appeared he had moved too far from them and would need to do some searching to re find them. Perhaps he wouldn't find them again and it would be that young deer's lucky day. It wasn't often prey got away this easily but this time it didn't seem like he would have much choice in stopping it. "What are you doing out here Niv? You know you run the risk of running into a bee again right?" He smiled at her and offered her his hand to climb aboard, chuckling at his own rather insensitive joke.

She asked if he was free and he looked around, without the deer tracks any more he supposed he didn't have anything to rush after. He had some time to spare if she wished to be with him for a while, not that he believed himself to be much fun. "I suppose I could spare a while." He smiled and allowed her to clamber to his shoulder like she had last time they met. The miniature being using him as a sort of mount, he didn't mind of course and he actually enjoyed the company of the humanoid. She made a nice difference from the usual bugs he would find feeding on him or the poor animals who would fall victim to his hunting.

He rubbed his hands together and slung his bow over the opposite side to where Niv was and looked at her. "So, what did you have in mind my little flower?" He spoke softly as he was aware to how close she was to the source of the sound and did not wish to hurt her ears. Of course being as oblivious as he was he was unaware of how much impact such a name "as my little flower" could be on a girl. He started to walk, not really heading in any particular direction.

[Niv]

“Oh nope just me.” Niv shrugged as her gaze moved up towards the tree tops. While Niv technically wasn’t lying, She was still being deceptive. Thankfully the evasive eye contact didn’t seem out of place as Niv could simply be looking for this mysterious person. If she was pressed on the matter she would likely burst out into a confession, but it was unlikely since Ti’niva was far too trusting. It made Niv admire him even more, he was like an innocent lamb that needed to be protected from wolves like Ceh’ve.

“Oh did you find anything interesting?” Niv was generally curious but still considered hunting as more of a finder of things, like a treasure hunter and less a killer of animals. Niv wouldn’t be too taken aback upon receiving clarification since she understood the way of nature. It was hunting for sport that Niv would find deplorable but thankfully Ti’niva, nor anyone in Desnind would stoop so low.

“A Bee! Where!” Niv’s tiny head darted around as her wide fearful eyes looked for any sign of the ferocious beast. When she saw no sign of one she turned back to Ti'niva with relief “Oh you mean..like I might find one.” She breathed a deep sigh of relief before doing her best to play it cool.
“I’m not worried about some silly bee.” She threw a sloppy kick at an invisible opponent, followed by an awkward punch..or slap, it was hard to tell. “I’ve taught myself to fight... I wouldn’t want to be the bee that encountered me.” The Tunawa looked at Ti’niva with a raised eyebrow of smugness before climbing aboard his offered hand and making her way to his shoulder.

“Oh wonderful!” Niv clapped her hands in celebration upon receiving the answer she hoped for. Now it was a matter of figuring out what to do together. She knew it had to be romantic since she might not get another opportunity like this and a romantic place had to be beautiful, serene and with a touch of magic.

“I know! how about this rotting log by the river to the west” Niv beamed with confidence, certain she had thought of the prefect place for their date. “Its got lots of bugs and fungi of all different shapes and sizes, best of all it has a very lovely smell of decay.” Niv wasn’t sure what made it smell so bad but she liked its robust aroma and the tingles it gave her bark as she walked around it. “We can eat bugs together and then walk along the river, what do yah say?” Niv waited with baited breath for his response but was certain he would accept given how great a plan it was.

Art credit to Kidchan