EU || Skills Worth Teaching

As Khaldor led the trio through the caverns, Karyss couldn't help that startled gasp when Haedian pups of softer, more earthy colors rushed past them and into the water far behind. She chuckles at the echoes of splashes and laughter as they echo through the walls. A glance back to see the softened smile from Prophet and the slight twitch from Damocles puts them in a similar mood, although Karyss can't help but snort as she turns back towards Khaldor.

As the begin to entire the clan in its entirety, Prophet’s shaky exhale makes her pause and look around and realize just what kind of Keepers they were. Knowledge Keepers. Perhaps of history, perhaps of subjects like Science or Magi. Some were scrolls tucked into cubbies, others of books that fit easily into shelves of all shapes and sizes. 

Damocles huffs softly, nudging the pair forward as Khaldor continues forward, leading them towards a large hut that appeared far more filled then the walls outside. It makes Karyss pause as her eyes narrow, leaning outside before poking her head back inside. The knowing look Khaldow gives the puller makes her freeze, hackles raising.

“I see you've noticed the expansion magics layered on my home. You may be one of the first that noticed before being in the know.” Khalor tells her, his smile becoming a tad sharp as she slides further into the hut.

“I had an… incident, so to say, in one of the previous clans. I've noticed I've become more sensitive towards magics due to it.” She responds, her own smiles sharpening in slight warning. 

Prophet groans at the posturing, shaking her fur while Damocles snorts. “Can you explain why we've been brought to your hut, Khaldor?”

“Oh, of course!” The Haedian exclaims, brightening as he starts towards his scrolls and books, lifting back onto his hind legs as he reaches higher for others. “I've brought you here to ask if you would be willing to share some skills with the younger pups,” He explains, pulling out a short scroll and placing it onto his desk and unraveling it. “We don't have many skills here in the Underground, and we're hoping that perhaps some from above might be of some help?”

B: As the trio were introduced to a small group of youths, mostly all fairly small, ever curious of the world and things they can learn. Khaldor herded the pups to the trio, before watching keenly as Prophet, Damocles, and Karyss each took to mentoring the pups in their own ways. 

"Oh my," Prophet laughed at the small swarm that surrounded them, looking at each of the vayrons so curiously. 

Karyss, while a bit taken aback by the swarm at first, matched the rowdiness of the pups the easiest, with her demonstration and stories of self-preservation. Her own life experiences, mixed with what she came to learn of the Forgotten and their ways constructed some useful- though, perhaps not most elegantly articulated- teachings to the pups. Their clan was well off and there was no shortage of supplies, but learning of the many ways of life and overcoming struggles is important to all. 

Damocles sat himself down before the cubs, and with a stern clearing of his throat he had the rapt attention of those keen on the old puller's words. He wasn't going to roughhouse with the cubs like Karyss might, but instead took to an almost storytelling approach of the many old guilds present upon reos. 

"So you have clans too?" 

"Hm, you could think of them that way. Much like the clans here, we have groups of Reoseans that have joined together in times long past, or in recent years. All thriving for glory, for knowledge, or the helping of others." Damocles explained. 

"Are you all friends?" Asks one pup. 

"What about rivals!" Asks another. 

The chatter and bustle of little paws and inquisitive noses around him is a bit much for Damocles' liking, but a warm chuckle escapes him before he continues his stories.

The remainder of the pups are sitting by Prophet, sitting eagerly with their little ears perked for the puller's teachings. 

T: She tossed her head, rather shyly. Recounting the past in such ways often made her feel- out of place. Like she was recounting something that was too grand. Too bold. But here she was. She gave the other two a glance before hesitating.

“The other two, I cannot speak for,” she said, voice low, rumbling in her chest, “But of my own history, I am sure. For many years, I served as a healer for a traveling band of warriors in Roenden; one of the great masses of land beneath the blue skies above-”

She sighed. Wistfully. How long had it been since she’d seen the sun? Too long. Karyss seemed liable to doze off at any second of the story, but Damocles’ ears seemed to stand a little straighter.

“And there, I cared for my sisters-in-arms, as close as any blood relative. Closer, even. Through tides of blood and strife, we pulled through. We felt as if gods themselves walked among us, blessing our every move.” Her eyes were shut in reminiscence, “It was there I saw many things; birth and death, wound and healing. It taught me many skills. How to rely upon the strength of others. How to draw upon your own. How to- love.” The faintest of smiles played on her muzzle. Some of the little haedians seemed irritated or disgusted, but others drew nearer. Karyss’ muzzle pulled into a grimace, and she faked gagging at the sheer sappiness of the story. The older puller just nudged her.

“Be respectful,” he growled, “It’s the least you can do.”

“But it’s just so… wholesome,” she whined, “Do I have to?”

Prophet just shot them a look, tilting her head, “It was there I met my wife, Callista. A skilled huntress and warrior. She moved lithely amongst the shadows, blending in until it was too late. I grew to realize that one day, I would be too old for this life. Too old for adventuring and healing; losing dear friends to senseless tragedy.” She looked rather solemn. “The bloodshed I saw–most of it was unnecessary. Lives could have been saved, if only reoseans had put aside their pride to help one another. It truly is a shame.”

She lapsed into silence, and the pups’ eyes grew wide. Damocles and Karyss looked over at her too, surveying her more critically this time. Prophet appeared much closer to what her age must have been. Old. Frail. Tired.

“Well? Is that it?” one of the smaller haedians demanded, looking rather indignant. She quirked an eyebrow.

“That’s enough,” Khaldor scolded, “It’s clear she’s said enough for one day. Been through enough.” He gave her an apologetic look, “Here, why don’t we go pester some of the other newcomers, okay?”

“Lame!” the same pup shrieked, before being shushed by another elder. The group of pups chattered amongst each other, rather intrigued by the story they’d been told. Soon, it was just the three of them alone, as the noise faded into the distance. Karyss was staring rather skeptically.

“Well?” she said, tone rising.

“Well, what?” Prophet retorted, not meeting her gaze.

“Is that it?” Karyss said, getting to her feet, “Your whole life story?”

The ghost of a smile flickered across Prophet’s face, “In a sense. Just the kind I can safely tell to a group of pups.”

“Gross.”

Her face grew somber, and she looked away, “Yes. War is gross.”

“Tsk, forget I said anything,” she muttered.

“Come on, you two,” Damocles sighed, “No use in bickering now.”