[PRP] From Mother to Daughter (Lumi&Kani)

[Tasinei]

Soon Kanika would be of age to wield real weapons. Soon, she would choose her class and would thrive in it. It was no secret after all what her choice was; she was following Lumikani and taking up the blade like her. Amusingly, Zayanna was following Zandala and taking up the bow. They`d both been training for a very long time for as long as she could remember and she felt both were ready to take that step now. Kanika was especially thrilled to be leaving behind her practice swords and feeling the weight of the blade in her hand.

Lumikani had asked her to meet her in a small open area after lunch. Kanika did not know why but she didn`t question her mother and did as she was told. As it because of what had happened with Niva? Was that moment finally catching up to her… Ah well, Kanika did not feel bad about it, especially now that she was much older and felt much better than some of her Alkidike cousins. She would not be looked down upon by them any longer; she was not a child anymore. She was going to take charge and show them what the Elaria were truly capable of.

Though in the mean time, Kanika clasped her hands behind her back and pushed around some dirt with her feet as she waited patiently for her mother.  

[Elyessi]

Tasinei

Her daughters were getting older. With so many Elaria, she wondered just how well they would shine. The first three Elaria were strong leaders, but Lumikani still had her worries. Add in the young Mystic who seemed so eager to go beyond their land...and she began to feel like she needed to prepare her daughters. There was no telling how much longer she would be around.

Lumikani took a breath. She was becoming more and more reclusive, concerned by the watchful eyes of the Matron's chosen. She wondered just how much longer until something happened. Her daughters seemed to be in the light of the mystic, but Lumikani was cast in a shadow of distrust by those around her.

She wondered if she'd need to leave.

In the beginning, she voiced her concerns to Zandala, requested that her mate protect her daughters. Just in case, she would always say. Just be certain they survive.

As she pulled out an old cloth item she hadn't touched in years, Lumikani knew there was one thing she needed to do. One like thing to wrap up, one last thing for her daughter who seemed so keen to follow in her footsteps.

Hopefully, she wouldn't lead her daughters down the wrong path.  

[Tasinei]

Elyessi

Kanika turned in the direction of some noise she was hearing. Most might just ignore it thinking it’s an ally but Kanika knew to always be prepared to face an enemy. Granted with practice swords the only thing she’d be able to manage was to smack someone to give herself enough time to run, it wasn’t enough in the long run. Bending at the knee’s Kanika readied herself, she wasn’t afraid to run if the trouble was too much to handle. Better to live and warn the others then die fruitlessly and possibly killing others in the process. Though Kanika was pretty sure it was Lumikani.  

[Elyessi]

Lumikani entered the space with an aire of relaxation, not too worried that it was silent. She could feel the movement of her daughter, just as she was sure her daughter could feel her own movements. Glancing around, she looked to where Kanika was poised, and raised a brow slowly.

"What good do you plan to do with those old practice sticks, Kanika?" She asked slowly, mirth shining through her tone as she moved closer. A green hand reached out to help her daughter up, and a smile spread across Lumikani's face.

"I see you are starting to think like a warrior...and that will get you far, even without true blades..."  

[Tasinei]

“I was taught to always be prepared,” Kanika said cheerfully as she took the extended hand. “And that anything can be a weapon,” she added on a proud tone. “How are you?” People talked sometimes about Lumikani, Kanika ignored it most of the time but she had noticed her mother becoming more and more reclusive. She was slightly worried for her, something felt wrong but Kanika didn’t quite know what or where to look for answers. She couldn’t ask her other mother, but she could share her worried with her sister. For now though, she would keep to herself and enjoy this time with Lumikani.

Elyessi

 

[Elyessi]

As the hand was grabbed, Lumikani moved forward to brush her daughter's cheek. Kanika was growing, and seemed to be normal height for an Elaria. She was proud of both her daughters, but had a special place for the one who wished to follow in her steps. Hopefully the legacy would continue on long after she came to pass.

"Indeed, we live in a time where there is no other choice...however, it always helps when one has a weapon."

Moving away from her daughter, she looked around a moment, "I am well. Training, preparing, always."

When she was sure the area was clear, she turned back toward her sister, "Come, let's go for a run." She didn't share the item in her hand just yet.  

[Tasinei]

“Soon,” Kanika affirmed. She would own a weapon very soon and would be able to call herself a proper warrior from now on. She would make her mothers proud.

“A run?” Kanika titled her head a bit, it wasn’t an unusual request but she had thought they would train. She definitely wouldn’t say no to a run though that was for sure. “Sure, lead the way.” Kanika gave Lumikani a grin and got ready to follow after her. She knew now that she was older Lumi would not hold back and wait for Kanika. If she wasn’t able to follow her than she couldn’t be a proper warrior.
 

[Tasinei]

Lumikani

A run. It was something she enjoyed doing but also a test of endurance. All of the young fighters thought only of the fight, but not of endurance. She was the same, an ambitious child who wanted to prove herself. But soon she learned that a battle was not like a spar. You moved, you traveled, you faced enemy after enemy. There was nothing one could do to truly prepare for such a setting, but Lumikani would do what she could to ensure her children would survive. As a result, she forced them to be the strongest, the fastest, and if they couldn't do that, she would make sure they would always be the last ones standing however possible it was.

Rolling her shoulders once, she moved to sling the wrapped items over her shoulder with her pack, before nodding once, "Same path as always, let's keep the pace strong. Then, we can spar." With that, she took off, away from their home and away from the camp, toward the boundary line that danced the Yaeli border. She used her training as an excuse for scouting, and most didn't look twice to see her running the paths.  

[Tasinei]

Kanika nodded, she had already settled into her training mood. Light on the feet, eyes alert, ears to the ground. That was how her mothers had taught her and Kanika immediately slipped into it when it was time to work. She took off after Lumikani easily following behind her mother as they ran through the forest. It was all familiar, nothing seemed out of place. It was also quiet but it wasn’t like the Yaeli liked to push their luck with the Alkidike and the Elaria anyways. She was looking forward to a good spar with her mother after this run.  

[Suhuba]

Tasinei

Poke me on slack for replies, I'm trying super hard!

As they ran along the path, Lumikani kept quiet and focused on her breathing and the feel of the land. Her feet had no shoes, as it was easier for her to sense the life and the forest without them. It was a nice pace, and a relaxing and reassuring feel to have her ever growing daughter by her side. The item she carried bounced on her back as they moved.

After awhile, they circled back with nothing to report, finishing in the same clearing with the air still around them in the space where they called home. Slowing to a walk, she journeyed to where the water slings were before grabbing two and handing one to her daughter.

"You are a strong warrior, and so close to becoming an official blade to the tribe..."  

[Tasinei]

It was not uncommon for Lumikan to be silent as they ran together, but this silence was different. Or at least it felt different to Kanika and it seemed to hang in the air as if waiting on something. Kanika could not discern what it was exactly that gave her that feeling but she decided to keep a close eye on things for now and not bring it up. If there was nothing to worry about then she would only cause concern where there was none.

When her mother slowed so did Kanika and she was happy to say that she was not out of breath. She took the water sling from her mother and threw it across her shoulder to lay against her hip.

"Very soon yes!" She said happily, she was proud that she would be joining the fighting ranks soon.  

[Elyessi]

Tasinei

The smaller woman watched her daughter's excitement and felt both nervous and reassured. At least her daughter was excited and focused on becoming a part of her own sisterhood, even if she wouldn't be there to support Kanika. Lumikani kept the thought to herself, and pulled her other pack over her shoulder.

"You've trained quite a bit with practice swords, but I figured it was time you had something a bit more to get used to. I recommend just keeping them on you to become familiar with the weight..."

Unwrapping the cloth, she held out her own simple blades. They had no design change, and appeared worn, but they would help her daughter in some way. Turning, Lumikani held them out to Kanika, "You always seemed so keen to use the blades..."  

[Tasinei]

Elyessi

Lumikani was giving her, her blades? It was a great honor of course and Kanika's expression reflected both her surprise and admiration for the gift. Though after the initial shock had worn off, she questioned as to why her mother was giving ehr the blades to begin with? Surely her mother would never part with the blades. They were her weapon of choice, they were even tailored for Lumikani.

"Mother, this is a great honor, but I cannot accept these." But even as she said the words her hands still reached for them. "Thes are yours, why are you giving them away?" Kanika ddn't even know if she could hold them, she wanetd to be much more trained before she even began practicing with them.  

[Elyessi]

Tasinei

Lumikani watched her daughter's reaction with no clear emotion on her face. Lately, she felt drained, and deep in the night she often questioned why she had made this decision. Of course, it was to follow her old mystic. But now, with a new tree and a new mystic, things had changed. They had changed.

The only good she had from this experience was Zandala, and her daughters. That was why this conversation was so important. That was why she wanted to make sure she did right by her family.

As she noticed Kanika's expression change, she slowly lowered her arms and the blades. It was an understandable response, but she wasn't having anything to do with it. Oh no, this was meant to be.

"Don't make these more than they are, Kanika. They are old, worn down, practice blades. I used them when I was your age, and have since grown out of them..."

Another smile, a soft upturn of her lips as she looked down at the blades, and tested their weight, "...it's perfect for one to grow used to the weight. You'll be able to use these to train harder each day, and when you eventually need to protect yourself and your tribe, you'll be more ready than any other who still uses unbalanced wood..."

Settling on her grip, she held them for another second before once more holding them out for her daughter.

"Take them, these are my gift for you. In my heart you already are a blade and more than deserve them."  

[Tasinei]

Elyessi

/quote]

Kanika hesitated again, searching her mother’s face for any sign that there was something she was hiding from her, another meaning to Lumikani giving her the blades. She found nothing though, at least she could feel out for no ulterior motive right now than the blades being anything other than a gift. Still, her gut feeling was rarely wrong and it bothered her that she could not pinpoint what it was she was seeking. Maybe she was just trying to look into things far too deeply than they were. She wondered what Zandala would make of the situation, perhaps she would ask her at a later time.

Kanika fought her suspicions down and took the blades, lighting them up and feeling their weight in her hand. She liked them, they were heavier than the useless wood ones they’d been training with and these would most definitely come in handy. She liked the idea of being far more prepared than the others of her age. She was excited to show Zayanna the gift. Thankfully her sister didn’t use blades and there would be no fighting over the weapons.

“Are you really sure?” Kanika questioned one last time even if she'd already taken the blades into her hands.