Day 045: After The Punishment
Summary: Pontus and Khesu discuss Lexa's ruling and punishments. Starling shows up and talk turns to armor smithing. She wins.
Date: 13/07/2016
Related: Memoirs: Judgement
Pontus Khesu Starling 


Lake Arkadia
Surrounded by breathtaking mountains and rolling foothills, the Lake Arkadia — or known as Lake Audo to the Trikru — is a sprawling, crystalline body of water that joins the Potomac watershed. It is encompassed in low grasses and young alder trees. The forests start to thicken to the west, where the rocky peaks of this small mountain range poke up out of the groves of hemlock and cedar. Following along a newly flattened path is the road to Camp Jaha. The Skaikru city is what remains of the crashed Alpha station. The enormous ring stands vertical some many hundred feet in the air, and it has already begun to be salvaged for materials.
Wed Jul 13, 2149.

After yesterday's excitement with Lexa's official arrival and his niece having formally withdrawn, or been cast out of the clan, Khesu has been quiet. He obeyed his orders and enforced them upon others as was necessary to perform his service as a warrior of his clan, but otherwise has kept his opinions to himself. So now they wait for Lexa to meet with the Skai's kruheda to discuss the scouting party's findings and decide what is (or isn't) to be done.

Waiting for such a decision is not easy on this Trikru but Khesu bides his patience in silence. There is always work to be done. Hunting, skinning, helping to keep the camp stocked with firewood, laying in excess food stores against the coming winter. And discussion on where they will settle for said winter yet to come.

At this moment Khesu is finishing up butchering of a wild hog, the carcass strung up to hang in the shade of alder trees and the meat cut from the bones. As needed Khesu gently uses a tuft of grass to dislodge the yellow jackets that crawl over it. Even the bones are to be used for boiling down for marrow and broth which others will then seal into jars and cool stored in the earth until wanted. Khesu uses his knife rather than his axe to chop the joints apart as he patiently works to separate the bony portions. The meat has already been distributed back at the camp for cooking or curing along with the skin. A few flies and yellow jackets buzz around him but Khesu ignores them.

Pontus already looked like he got in a fight with Bobby Flay and lost, but ironic enough took no cuts as it turned out. He already got his when he did heed the call, and followed Britt into battle and took return damages from the Skaikru. He was not, though, elated to see things come to a head. He didn't particularly enjoy watching his tribe get cut into, specifically Wren. It was a hard time where things sat divided, but apparently focus was restored harshly. With all things sometimes a cut turned into a tear turned into a divide. He was hoping it was not going to come to that.

So Pontus did what he could, Wren being distracted these many days with life's complexities. He found his fellow soldier of like mind and whistled two chirps before walking over; the ground quiet underfoot.

The chirp brings up his attention from disjointing the bones of the hog's carcass. Working by the lake, Khesu notes it is Pontus approaching and gives his fellow warrior an up nod. He then cuts apart one more section and binds that pile together with a piece of long twisted sinew to make it easier to carry. That work now done, he goes to the water to crouch down and wash his hands as well as his knife, ever mindful of keeping an eye out for 'river snakes' that can show up in the lake water at any time.

"<In Trigedasleng> Any news?" Khesu straightens up, wipes off his long knife and sheathes it.

In the distance, well not to far, but abit between the trees and the camp stands Starling with her hands on her hip, her eyes are searching the banks for the river, and she is following the directions from someone at the cooking fires. She doesn't seem upset and might not even be noticed for awhile, but she starts to pace towards the general area that both males have taken up. She is dressed in that mix of leather and cloth, the wrapping shirt showcases her form and right now her arms are bare, as the leather vest hangs to her knees and her pants are tucked into boots that come to her knees as well, offering some protection atleast. Today hair is braided and curled at the back of her neck and she carries a measuring rope around one arm and her her "work" belt hanging around her hips with it's weapons as she moves.

Pontus nodded in return and took a look around stepping up to the water. The scout, if we could keep calling him that these days, kept an eye out for anything interesting in the water coming up to say hi. As it was that spear of his was slung on his back, his sword (really more of just an efficient machete) hung still neglected at his hip and all of his knives were found… somewhere on his person. After seeing the replay of that harrowing mission he was on and the judgement levied on their people. He's not really had opportunity to discuss Starling's ver visceral reaction to all of this. The scout was quiet and turned to Khesu and said quietly,

"<In Trigedasleng> In the old days it used to be our people were one and aligned. We were smaller and territories drawn and divided. Up until recently no one has dared to pull death from above like a panther from a tree. But teh rules are changing. The world suddenly got smaller and that's… going to take teamwork. Kruheda has made decisions Trikruheda is not comfortable with. Indra makes decisions that Oxfor is not happy with this. In the end we all want the same thing: A safe place for our families and our children and our people. We want to have them be safe and prosperous. Every time we encounter something larger than ourselves fear of that being threatened. We react. We try to do the best we can but… what we don't do is become a herd that splits off in every direction. An arrow that is splintered only flies half as far." The social climate troubled him at the core, but he plodded forward in spite of that through life. With some comfort he assured, "<In Trigedasleng> I'm not hearing any talks of reprisal on you for not being where you could have known. The reprisal seems directed at those knowlegebly in conflict with known request. You cannot let down those that have asked nothing of you."

Pontus rarely speaks so much in a single go so he certainly has Khesu's attention. He dries his hands as best he might in the summer grass and listens. His mouth thins somewhat as he does so but he reserves his own comments for after Pontus has spoken. "<In Trigedasleng> Or perhaps our world has suddenly become … larger. More in it than we knew, before." He gives a faint nod to the rest of it. "<In Trigedasleng> I am not concerned for myself. I serve my clan, though now I grieve for the loss of a niece as well as my Houmon." Even that, Khesu tends to mostly keep to himself. Few if any displays of his grief where others might view his pain. Instead, he keeps himself busy with work that needs doing.

So he goes over to remove the rope he'd used to hang the hog up in the tree while butchering it. That he strings through the bundles of bones to make them all easy to carry back into the camp easily. Khesu's gaze lifts as Starling comes towards them.

Starling is not moving fast, she is simply letting her steps lead in that direction, but when she notes where they both are, her path changes slightly to be heading straight towards the pair. Starling has simply been working since the Heda appeared and all emotional hell broke loose, she and Pontus will have to talk at some point, but she was working on leather when he went off to do what Scouts do to keep in training. Now though those eyes move from Pontus to Khesu, and since the later is looking her way, she meets his eyes and nods before holding up a hand in greeting.

Pontus turned his attention off the water and absorbed what Khesu said, and moreso, didn't say. At the counter thought the rogue sage dipped his bald, marked head once giving it consideration. "<In Trigedasleng> Perhaps. Maybe you're right in that. Either way… it's changing. Has to because the situation is changing. It's no comfrot but… we are the soldiers we are." Slate grey eyes shifted to Starling seeing what she was up to, her perhaps considering how his words were about to impact her after yesterday. Looking back to Khesu he nodded, "<In Trigedasleng> We will ever worry about ourselves last." As for the loss of a niece, Pontus winced and fell silent. He didn't look up trying to find words. "<In Trigedasleng> I followed Gideon into the heart of the Mountain…" Finding his thought for his friend in arms he confessed, "I'd do it again." The loss of Gideon to the Trikru was a hit.

Starling gets the same up nod from Khesu as Pontus had to welcome her. It seems to serve him well enough for greetings most times. He finishes cleaning up his work and now all packed and ready to carry, he leaves it lying in the shade. One more time he goes to wash his hands in the lake water and then draws his knife to dig the bits of flesh and blood out from beneath his finger nails as he stands there. "<In Trigedasleng> We each of us have to choose for ourselves what we do. She has chosen hers." Whether he is angry or disappointed, Khesu doesn't indicate. Everyone knows he loves his neices, but they are grown women now.

When Starling draws closer to join them, Khesu looks her over ere he rumbles low, "<In Trigedasleng> You all right?"

Starling pauses near the pair, at the question from Khesu she seems to blink and then gives a tiny forced smile. "<In Trigedasleng> I have no choice in the matter, either I am all right, or worry those who care for me. I don't wish the later.." This is admitted with a little warmer of a smile as she steps abit closer and tilts her head to the side, pondering her next words, "<In Trigedasleng> Gideon is not lost, nor is she far, she simply has a more unusual path to follow.." That being said her eyes flicker towards Po and then back to Kh, "<In Trigedasleng> I need to measure you both, and fit you with new armor. I can't let either of you go out with what you had.." Nope, not in the least going to le that happen.

Pontus glanced up to Starling with a look that was sorry for something he couldn't apologize for. He knew he was heavily contributing to that equation. There was just an accepting nod at her needing to make her own choices. He had no ability to understand them, but they were not for him to understand. "<In Trigedasleng> Rain wants to be a Second next year…" He was proud of her but still…. at a loss. "<In Trigedasleng> Come spring she will have to be her own woman. It will be hard to accept, but we do what we can for our family. Hope we have done well enough being the good example. THen… then we trust them even if we do not understand. Trust that we helped them grow strong, and trust they will remain that way…"

Starling makes him frown. Khesu eyes her, "<In Trigedasleng> I can not afford to pay you for new armor. Repair the set I have and it will do. Those who have no armor at all need your time more than I." He finishes cleaning out beneath his nails and sheathes his knife once more. "<In Trigedasleng> I can pay you for that in skins and furs." Or whatever else she might need that he could come up with. "<In Trigedasleng> The shells are already yours."

Ah, what Pontus says gets Khesu to lay a hand to his friend's shoulder, "<In Trigedasleng> Aye. If any of my children had lived, all I can do is see that they are taught the best we can. Ultimately, it is up to them how they live and die, same as the rest of us." No matter how heavy it may be for the heart to bear. He draws a slow breath, "<In Trigedasleng> Let us not have heavy hearts. We will have faith in our Heda that Lexa will choose what is wisest for our clan. Then we will proceed accordingly." No doubt /he/ thinks she will choose to go to the mountain but if she does not? Even Khesu will have to abide by her decision, or deal with the consiquences if he should choose otherwise.

Starling places her hands on her hip and narrows her eyes at Khesu, "<In Trigedasleng> Did you hear me ask for payment? No, you did not. It is a gift as you are important to me Khesu…" She narrows her eyes at him really challenging him to turn her down, her eyes flicker towards Pontus and she waits to see if he's going to back her up in this before she motions around her, "<In Trigedasleng> This is something I can offer as protection, I know who has what and what can be done with what. Old armor will be remade for the younger warriors, I have traded this season well and still have other left over. So they will go where I say they will.." She then moves over and leans up and kisses Po's lips in greeting, touching his cheek as if she knows what he is thinking, then and only then does she turn back to Khesu and wait on his reaction.

Pontus watched and relented a nod under his compatriot's gesture. His hand found Khesu's shoulder in return with a nod, then, of affirmation. "<In Trigedasleng> As it will be." Listening to teh exchange of trade the rogue sage offered wise council, "<In Trigedasleng> Have you ever known arguing with Starling to prove fruitful?" She'll win. It was a argument of attrition. Starling kissed him, and for the briefest of moments his hand found her side and he returned the affection. He was never ever one for PDA nor has even routinly taken a niron ever preferring to solely, and completely focus on his role as soldier and parent before himself or his own wants and feelings. It was a change, but not one he was apt to flaunt either. Finally he said resting his hands on his belt, "<In Trigedasleng> girding us in armour is the best way she knows to help keep what is hers alive. She's not going with us where we go, so only in arming as best she can will there be satisfaction in knowing we are optimally prepared as possible to return hale and hearty and not flat on our ass…. or hacked up like kibble for Veks' hounds." like he was… like… two times before…

"Hmmm." That's the reply Starling and Pontus both get for their long winded lectures about his accepting her offer of making him new armor. He's a stubborn son of a bitch, but usually he doesn't dig his heels in unless he has a good reason. Hopefully. So he eyes them both and settles his attention on the petite, strong willed, red headed woman. Woman usually win because they cheat. But in this case she's being straight forward enough. "<In Trigedasleng> How long would it take? We'll both be needing armor quickly. Perhaps within days. If it's not ready when we are ordered to go, I'll have to take my /not repaired/ armor if new can't be ready in time." A slow, deep breath is drawn and then slowly let out, "<In Trigedasleng> This is assuming you already have the materials you need. I can certainly restock you with plenty of hide to make into leather." Khesu /can/ even help tan it, nasty hard work that it is, if Starling oversees the tanning so it's done well.

The petite red head in questions knows very well what Pontus is and isn't used to and it seems while she respects his desires and needs, the whole not touching him in public isn't going to happen when he is not "On" duty. So She just leans back against him a little chuckle at his first question for Khesu, but she seems to agree with the later words as she watches Khesu.

She listens to Khesu then, maybe getting abit of glee from making both the silent type talk so much, but when he's finished there is a tiny little smirk to those full lips. "<In Trigedasleng> Khesu you will learn .not. to underestimate a Maker. I would not be standing here and telling you I had armor for you if I did not have armor for you. I worked what I had made based on the armor of yours that you gave to me. I need to measure your legs and along your back for finishing touches, not to just now start on it.." As if he should have understood that!

There is then a deep breath and she gives him a dimpled smile, "<In Trigedasleng> As for the hides, I'll take them, and late you and Po can come with me on a mission to find abit more metal and hardshells to replace what I used this season…" She nods to that before she tilts her head to the side, "<In Trigedasleng> I handle almost all my leathers from animal till they become armor, same with my cloth. You may think of me as hands on.." There is something in the way that voice speaks, that paints different pictures with her words, than what she is really talking about.

Pontus was likewise felled in arguing with said petite red head. while the armour conference was playing out the scout sat quiet and watched the water giving their discussion some more thought. he may have mugged her shoulder with his, and he may have moved a bit so she could lean s she will, but he would not confirm or deny any of it.

Starling gains a raised brow from him at her already having startd making the armor and ready for final measurements. She's been a /very/ busy woman this week already, hasn't she? Khesu gives her slightly furrowed brows with a touch of skepticism but he relents, "<In Trigedasleng> All right. I can't refuse that. But, you will let me help. Materials I can find, whatever you need." A look to Pontus, then back to her, "<In Trigedasleng> Not just for our armor, but anythime you need materials. For the good of the clan." It's good to be useful. Khesu can understand that need himself.

He goes to pick up the bundles of hog bones and shoulders the rope, "<In Trigedasleng> Too much talking. I want a drink." He dosen't mean water either. Back to camp time.

Starling can't help it, she bounces up and then Khesu is being hugged from the back in a tight press of her body to his but just as quick, she is stepping back to let the man head to camp. "<In Trigedasleng> In my wagon is the mead that Benning and I had been collecting, your welcome to a share, and I accept your offer.." With that she turns back to Pontus and curls up next to him, as if they might have a little talk before following.

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