[IC] An offering you cannot refuse

Exeba,

home to Avaladona and ungracefull

On the northeastern border of the continent Exeba, there lies a dense forrestlike biome.
It is probably the most lively of places, though there are many that travel through here.
The sargomians that live here are peacefull towards eachother.

Though many creatures, illnesses and other dangers lurk the deeper parts of the woods, in the safe-haven, that is the town of Ava, there's a great joy ongoing. Visitors came from a long travel and had to be given an acute emergency labor.
It had taken hours. But eventually, there was nothing more they could do.
Many people had gathered outside to hear the names of the 50 healthy newborns that survived both pregnancy and birth.

As the names were called of by proud fathers and mothers, (mostly fathers) the rumors began to spread.. ("oh, i'm certain these boys and girls will grow up to be explorers!")

Not too long after the parents of most decided to stay in Ava. And let their children play safely in their woods. @Skrubsetsu

[Samdragonx]

The children born soon grew up.

It was not long before they would walk out the playground to find their parents. A cruel trial usually only 5-year olds were allowed to partake in. But this year was special. As the children were from all arround(caravans included).
Now they were seperated from their natural parents, choosing people they thought capable as their parents.

Sargom was one, Kor another.
Aegnith was one, Mildor another.

The four now wandered out into the woods.

[Skrubsetsu]

"Miggyyy," The smaller elf of the sibling duo would whine almost immediately as they began the trek into the woods to search for their true history. "My feet huuurt!" She was a small thing, with soft and long blonde hair and curious aqua eyes, her ears long and pointed to show off her species. She was about two years younger than that of her brother, but was the more lively and curious one. The two had a close bond, refusing to leave each other's sides as they aged.

The older elf gave a low sigh, lifting a hand to run his fingers through his silver locks, glancing back at his sibling before grumbling, "Here, Aeg." He'd stoop down, allowing her to climb up onto his back, in which she would happily do. She'd wrap her slim little legs around his waist, her arms resting comfortably around his neck. He'd stand back up and resume walking once more, glancing at the two children walking alongside them. He didn't know that much about them, but it was safer to travel in groups rather than mere pairs.

"So.." The blond-haired lass would say casually, looking over at the two walking alongside them. "What's your names? What are you guys? You look so cool!"

[Samdragonx]

With his excessively big teeth, the younger Kor announced his name.

"Thank you, Sllgght,(Swallow noise) mwhy name is Kwor".

He stood proudly, one arm on his chesthairs. He couldn't speak very well, though he had a bright look about him. His purple skin made him stand out among the other children. He was the only of his kind there, but didn't really seem to mind.

"Thisss ish Shjargom. Shlee doeshn't talk muchshhh, but shje'sh really nicshesch wen you know her long."
He drooled all over the floor and really all he touched.

The bigger girl looked a bit uncomfortable as her bowtie kept leaning left and right with every step. She eventually looked over and blushed a bit. She would rub her nose every time she was shy like this.

"I belong to the Ungrashfull. Shlee'sh from the Avaladonna. They gwow to be really big boys and girls.
And when i grow up, I'm going to be the vewy stwongersht there is! "

He proceeded to walk forward mindlessly right towards a tree.

"I've never sheen anyone like you befow. What are you? "

Sargom didn't seem to mind sniffing arround with Kor talking, as she found some green berries to eat.

[Skrubsetsu]

The younger sibling of the elf duo seemed quite interested in the way the two held and spoke of themselves - Or rather how Kor spoke of himself. The other, a female, doesn't seem to quite speak as much, though the girl didn't really mind it. Her brother tended not to speak as well, letting her do all of the talking.

"We're elves!" She'd state, rather proudly in fact. "We have really cool abilities catered to who we are as a person!" She pouted. "Neither of ours have shown yet. Really lame, if you ask me."

Her older brother would snort slightly, rolling his eyes. "Life isn't about power, Aeg." Her response was a flick to his sharply pointed ear.

[Samdragonx]

Surprised about hearing you could get private abilities shaped to the person you were, Kor decided he had to treat these powerful people with some manner of respect. They might become important.

"Well, I'm glad and happy to meet you two!" Kor chose to slitther between his enormous teeth. He picked what he was going to say carefully as he wouldn't want to drool on the hand he stuck forward to give a proper greeting. As this happened, the girl now wandered closer to the group.
To everyone's surprise, she carried a wide variety of berries and offered them to everyone. Kor didn't wait on a handshake anymore, but would gladly partake in the tasty meal. The two now having stopped to eat, didn't take heed to the surrounding children that walked in the forest. Some of which were dissappearing hasty and unwillingly.

Kor would later remember this as the first day of his 'short attention span' disorder.

[Skrubsetsu]

Aegnith accepted the berries for both her and her brother, and the two took a seat beneath the shade of a willow to dine on them. The older of the two seemed indifferent as he ate, glancing around cautiously as the blonde-haired lass thanked the other girl for the berries, a wide smile on her face and the berries' juices already staining her lips. She'd turn and casually flick one up at her brother, who'd huff in minor irritation.

"Oi," he grumbled, catching her hand easily, but only lightly holding it in his own. Mildor tsked lightly before letting it go, glancing away again. The sister pouted lightly, before taking a berry and lightly pushing it at his lips, in which he'd take in between his teeth before eating it, still keeping an eye on things.

Seeming satisfied with his actions, she'd lean back against his chest, sitting in his lap, and continue to eat the berries. "Oh yeah! My name's Aegnith, and this is my brother, Mildor. I call him Miggy!"

"I told you not to call me that."

"Why? It's such a cute nickname!"

"I'm not cute, Aeg."

"Lies! You're sooo cute!" She put extra emphasis on the word 'so', earning another irritated tsk from him, but it was quite obvious he wasn't actually upset with her.

[Samdragonx]

The eating of berries went flawless for the most part. It wouldn't take long or the berries would all be gone into their bellies, though. Especially with the appetite Kor had. Munching away at the barries he even took along some of the bush he ate from. "Hmhm.. you shwouldn't bully eachother like that, you know.."
Sargom looked over and tried to give Mildor a hug.
"If you want to pick a fight, you got to take it outside and slsettle it like real men!"
And while this was happening, the forest quickly became derived from children. Sargom spoke in a high-pitched voice:
"We should be heading over to home. Mommy and daddy will be waiting on us."
She looked arround nervously for a few seconds and proceeded to do to Aeg what she had done to her brother. Sargom took some of the sticks Kor had left behind. Some were a bit sharp.

In the bushes behind them there were 7 eyes starring at the children... lurking.. preparing to jump out. As it had done to countless others subject to this trial...

[Skrubsetsu]

Mildor was restless, not quite fond of the hug that was given to him, but accepting it regardless in order to be nice to the different specied lass. He'd slowly stand, helping up his sister as he muttered in Kor's direction, "It's not fighting. It's sibling talk."

The smaller elf would giggle. "We do it all the time! It's how we communicate! Pretty normal, if you ask me."

Mildor suddenly grew tense, feeling as if someone was watching them. "Aeg, hush." He said, frowning and eyes narrowing as he looked around.

"Whyyyy? Mom and Daddy will want us home!"

"Aeg," He snapped. She grew silent, realizing that he wasn't joking. She took his hand and stepped closer, afraid.

[Samdragonx]

Though most of the forest would have been known to be a safehaven for all those seeking refuge, there occasionally lurked creatures that were real threats to the people of Exeba. These included the terrorhawk, lobstercroc and the most fierce Marmall.
The first would swoop down and pick up all that were in the open, up to 48 creatures per creature per swoop. No weapon existed that could yet take even one down. Even it's feathers are considered high quality weapons... and they aren't effective against them.
The second Would lurk in the waters and the sands, creating sinkholes that can take on houses of any kind. There is but one person who has ever escaped one. He is now renowned as Limpy. And he is proud of it too.
The last was revealing himself as he stepped forward, one paw at a time.

From that foresty bunch of leafs, there came a creature best described as a mix of a bear, wolf, lion and smoke-machine. The black thick fog surrounding the hard to discern sillouette of the creature made its eyes stand out even more. It was sniffing at the young ones as it too drooled blue acid unto the floor.

Sargom grabbed Kor by the mouth and dragged him into the berry bush. Kor didn't resist when he knew what was going on, but he did have a hard time not drowning in his own saliva as it build up in her hand. The silence alone could kill a person. Kor flapped his hand arround in the direction of the 2 elves.

Luckily for him this creature was a lone hunter and mostly blind...

[Skrubsetsu]

Aegnith was about to open her mouth, but Mildor quickly covered it with his hand, bringing her close to him as he watched the beast slowly prowl forward, his eyes narrowed. He didn't say a word, afraid that if he so much as whispered, the beast could detect it and be upon them. Slowly, he'd turn and pick Aegnith up by the waist and lift her into a tree, in which she'd quickly scurry up and hide high up in the branches, her eyes wide in fear. Her brother then jumped up, grabbing a branch, and was trying to pull himself up, but his feet slipped against the rough bark. He chose to lift himself up by sheer muscle, and it was quite difficult for such a young kid.

[Samdragonx]

As the creature came closer and was about to sniff up the tastefull smell of fear, it turned its head to a screaming missy in the distance. She had seen the creature.. and it was the last she would see.. As the beast stormed off with the sounds of loud bumps at every one of its movements, the children now faced a tough choice.. would they run away or would they hide and hope someone would help them?

After the handfull of the children had left the woods hearing of the screams, they warned their newfound parents and village elders and they began to dispatch a retrieval squad to pick up the remaining children.

Back in the forest, Kor spit out his slime just in time not to drown in it. He didn't have time to breath or Sargom picked him from the floor.

[Skrubsetsu]

Mildor got up in the tree with Aegnith and was holding her close, feeling her tremble within his arms. He decided to wait up in the tree, not wanting to get caught again by the beast on their way home. He trusted that a squad was coming for them.

The parents of Mildor and Aegnith were indeed warned, and their father went out with the squad, searching for his children. When Mildor saw him, he called out, "Father!"

His father would come rushing and first help Mildor down, and then Aegnith, holding her as he felt her tremble. "It's alright, dear. Daddy's here." She clung to him, just a bit shocked from the sight of such a ferocious creature.

[Samdragonx]

The 2 other children hid in the bushes longer.
Though not certain of what was going on, hiding seemed to be the better option.

Kor drooled all over the bush they were in so he didn't look forward to having to step through and Sargom remained hidden and holding on to the boy. Though they were warmed by the father acting this lovingfull to his children, they did not know who he was.. neither if he was part of the seperate race movement that had been tearing up the town recently.. Looking carefully at their newfound friends was all they seemed to do.

Cries of desperation filled the air.. mothers searching their children, fighting over orphans and the retrieval squads trying to scare away the marmall.

[Skrubsetsu]

Mildor stood next to his father, quiet as he looked out at the vegetation, somewhat afraid that the giant beast would turn and come back for them. He gave a low sigh before glancing towards the bush, but didn't say anything. He wasn't sure if they want their position given away or not, so he just remained quiet.

"Come on," His father would grunt, holding Aegnith and turning, beginning to walk towards the town. Mildor would hesitate before giving a tiny wave to the bush and a soft, "Bye" before he'd follow alongside his father.

[Samdragonx]

Kor noticed the gentle wave given to him. He waved back and recited their names a few more times as to not forget who his newfound friends were. The two were carrying their sticks and berrybush leafs.

After waiting another good 40 minutes or so, Sargom let go of Kor and the two went on their way too. In the town there were numerous districts that they could go too. But where would they find parents? (Or even their own) The couple recognised many races in the commoners district, but none of them seemed to look like Kor. Not the elves, humans, not the Avaladonna, Urshi or tenshin. A few hours past. Eventually Kor and Sargom changed districts. Being confused about the politics of their town, the 2 set out to the outskirts and found an old crystal farmer. His wife took in Kor happily, but the girl was cast aside.

Sargom continued wandering the streets for several hours, crying in fear of being alone forever. A captain of the guard noticed the sobbing girl and asked what was going on. In tears the girl told him(the Urshi) what had transpired. She was picked up with one arm and held above the floor firmly. "I will make a warrior out of you!" He took her to his home long before she could actually give consent. But being given a Flipwood-&-GlowStone toy to play with, she didn't have to worry about getting affection from someone. Just about being home at 43/3.(6:00 PM)

[Skrubsetsu]

The elven family headed home in their own district, in which their race was quite commonly roaming the streets. Elves bustled through the streets alongside humans and other similar races, all either shopping or searching for children, or just roaming around and socializing. Mildor would walk alongside his father, observing the people walk around and live in harmony. They'd make it to the southern portion of the district before they would reach their own home, in which the duo's father would open the front door and step in, setting down Aegnith and making sure Mildor bustled on in before he shut the door.

Their mother came from the kitchen area, and let out a relieved gasp, going to her children and kneeling down to embrace them, gently holding the back of their heads as she kissed their temples. "Oh my goodness, I was so worried about you two!" Aegnith clutched to her mother, while Mildor tried to calm her. "Mama, we're okay. Nothing happened to us."

She gave a soft sigh and weakly smiled at her son. "But something could have happened. That's what I'm worried about."

[Samdragonx]

Slowly the evening came. The first night would soon be upon them.

Sargom was learning from his new parents. She would hold on to her sturdy toy, flaying it slightly. "..and when the dust-drapes are clean, you fold them like this." Sargom was paying attention as the lady showed her the various folding techniques. "Ok, now please proceed by doing it with this unorganised mess." A few soft and slightly wrinkled cloths were presented to Sargom. In full silence she performed the actions her new mother had performed for her. She missed one of the 16 tips. Her mother, by Sargoms ear, took her into another room and spanked her. Sargom cried and her mother scolded her: "No! You do not get to cry!" Sargom clenched her fist and was slightly shaken. But she followed what her mother had told her. Her mother showed her again. She did it correctly this time. "Not a problem." Was the only thing her mother had to say about it. Sargom felt a sense of loneliness crawling inside her.. as parts of her body still hurt. "Now go tell your father what you've done." She went, not realising there would be more punishment waiting.

Kor was walking arround freely. He got a lot of attention from his mother. Even though he was too old to recieve chest-feeding(from so-called Chesticles), He got plenty everyday. Kor got tickled and played hide and seek with his parents. The mother was slowly becomming pregnant.(Due to her being an Ungracefull). His father taught him to knot a rope. Kor wasn't even paying attention. He went to play tag with his mother. The mother played along with her son. The father sighed. He went to prepare the dinner as Kor was being spoiled.
He was even allowed to sleep in the bed of his parents. Closing his eyes early as the parents hugged him to sleep was to be his daily share. The parents gave him the fur-cushin that served to hold the needles. It may not have been much, but it was warm and soft.

[Skrubsetsu]

Mildor was the oldest, so naturally more was expected out of him. He did more of the heavy lifting outside, alongside his father. Chopping firewood, going out and hunting for dinner, etc. He had a lot more expectations placed on him than what was placed on his sister, though he honestly preferred it that way, wanting her to enjoy laugh and have fun a lot more than he did.

Aegnith did more in house chores, such as washing clothing, cleaning the house and learning from her mother to cook. She loved cooking, and the other stuff came naturally to her, so she didn't really mind it. Her mother always talked about finding a good husband someday, but the little girl wasn't really worried about that now. She didn't want a husband - They had cooties!

[Samdragonx]

Little did the children know their childhood would pass so fast. Soon they found themselves struggling with their teenage years. A time plenty of parents found unpleasant. There was a new caravan in town, not willing to pay the townsmen for their transport.

Kor was of course, willing to lay his hands on more than his fathers backyard. Sargom was 'informed' she would be joining by her parents.
Mildor and Aegnith had the chance of going as their parents were not in town this month.
There were 2 other children that joined. "Felnor" and "Merl".

The caravan would leave soon. Our young heroes had a chance at gathering some materials before they left the town they grew up in.

[Skrubsetsu]

Quick footwork and agile movements throughout the marketplace of the district was the workings of the now elven teenager, Aegnith, swiftly moving through the crowd with her brother in tow as she rambled off on a checklist within her mind of supplies that they would need for the caravan journey. She had been the one to properly decide that they were going, life at home almost seeming suffocating.

Mildor, however, was rather indifferent to the whole ordeal. He'd go wherever his sister went, he supposed, having that unspoken rule within the family that he needed to protect her. He'd listen to her, however, as she spoke of the various supplies they would need.

".. Why would we need empty mason jars?"
"To catch fireflies, DUH."
"And what use would that be?"
"For lights during the night!"
".. You can just use matches or lanterns, Aegnith."
"Excuse me for trying to be creative!"
"And trying to kill innocent bugs? Sure."