[center][h1]||[color=a36209]Koa Jakwela[/color]||[/h1][/center]
The sun was just peeking out from beneath its bed of dunes when Koa finally arose. She lay still in her bed of furs and pelts, staring up at the thatched ceiling above her with a somber expression. Today was the day. The end of another cycle. It was hard to imagine how swift the day had come when the last festival's events seemed so fresh in her mind. The dancing, the laughing, the eating; it was still a wonder how swift the days blended into nights. But now, here it was again, which meant anticipation for the night, but work for the morning. 

Koa groaned as she sat up. Load cracks sounded as she twisted her back, stretching the exhaustion out of her limbs. It was tempting to stay in bed, returning to the world of sleep. She quickly vanquished the thought. It would do her no good to just lay about in bed. There was too much to prepare. There was the morning's hunt, of course, to gather the last of the Yakkuls before they hid into their dens. Then there was the dance. There was great honor in being chosen to perform, and Koa could feel the pressure of it weighing heavily on her chest. What-ifs circled around her mind like scavengers around a dying meal, but she quickly shooed them away. It may have been her first time, but that was no reason to panic. She knew what to do. She knew that she had been chosen for a reason. Despite the doubt, Koa's excitement barely wavered. If anything, her restlessness seemed to grow.

Grabbing her bow and hunting knife, Koa headed outside. A warm, amber sky greeted her, the sun turning the already warm sand even hotter. The village was beginning to awaken, with chatter filling voids of silence and people dashing to and fro. Koa smiled softly, letting the warmth of the rising sun warm her face as she took in the sights. As odd as it sounded, it was comforting to see that, despite the years, the hustle and bustle of the village never seemed to change. With a satisfied nod, Koa slung her bow over her shoulder and set off.

She slowed as she reached the hunting party, pausing near the painter. Koa noted the paint on the other hunter's, the designs intricate and detailed. She was impressed, to say the least, and bowed her head slight in greeting as it came her turn. Koa's gaze shifted to the side,a towering form catching her eye. [i]An Akit'r?[/i] She knew of the legendary hunters. Who didn't? They were said to have the speed of a demon and just as much strength. They were dangerous as they were skilled. Then again, those were just from the mouth of gossipers. Koa narrowed her eyes, looking the man up and down. A spark of a challenge glowed in her eyes. It was time to see if legends were real.