Ciniki
Disciple Pony
“Be everywhere, do everything, and never fail to astonish the customer.”
Posts: 68
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Post by Ciniki on Apr 26, 2014 23:28:04 GMT -5
Looking up from her list Ciniki spotted Ofuna. He looked as though he had a good nights rest and a peaceful morning. She laughed at his comment about the nasty surprises and she nodded. "Aye I figured I would let you alone last night. You seemed like you needed a good nights rest. Also that nice patch of grass is where I go to think quite often when I'm home. I'm glad you enjoyed it." She smiled pleasantly to him and put down her list. It wasn't quite done yet.
She grabbed two cups and poured some morning tea for the both of them. "Hungry?" She asked as she set a cup for him at the table. She also laid out two plates for the bread and for the berries. She took a chair at the table and continued writing out their list. "So I have a few tasks for you today. You will join me as we check all the traps then you will go chop more wood to replace what we took from the shed while I bring more into the house." She continued on with her list. The things she said would obviously take up the whole day. She wasn't only preparing herself and Ofuna for the trip but her father to keep himself going while she is gone.
She popped a few berries in her mouth and stared at Ofuna across the table. She sat for awhile before finally asking. "Tell me something more personal about yourself Ofuna. Where is your family? You have a special somepony somewhere?" She thought it rude to pry but she was curious.
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Post by Ofuna on Apr 28, 2014 21:34:37 GMT -5
Ofuna watched the mare set the table as he responded. "I could eat." He then took a seat and tried a few of the berries. While it wasn't a large amount of food, he could tell the two were doing rather well for themselves. Considering the fact that they lived on their own in the Zebra Territories. The berries themselves were pretty good.
"That doesn't sound too bad." Ofuna commented on the chores she gave him to do. "It'll probably take all day to finish. Though, I'm just glad you didn't ask me to fight a lion or some such. Personally, I like living."
He was lifting up the cup of tea when the mare asked her questions. It took him by surprise, but he was happy he didn't have any yet. He shot her an incredulous look before answering. "My family is part of the Kickuyu tribe. When I lived there I learned my survival and combat skills."
"For many years I had a desire to travel the world. So, a few years ago I left the tribe and the Zebra Territories and made my way to Equestria. As I've said before, I got jobs there guarding traders and merchants." He paused in his story to have some of his tea. "A couple weeks ago I returned to the Zebra Territories and have been wandering on my own since."
He had a few more of the berries, thinking he had forgotten something in his rambling. It didn't take him long to remember what her other question was. Which was one he was a little hesitant to answer. "Er. No. No special somepony. Never really gave it a chance. Or really even thought about it for that matter." He was clearly flustered, and nervously shifted in the chair. Hoping that the mare would change topics.
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Ciniki
Disciple Pony
“Be everywhere, do everything, and never fail to astonish the customer.”
Posts: 68
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Post by Ciniki on Apr 28, 2014 22:07:42 GMT -5
Seeing how uncomfortable Ofuna was she smiled and stood up getting ready for the day. She brushed off her fur and put her knife on her leg. She strapped her bow onto her back as well as a bag and motioned toward the door. "Shall we? We need to get started if we want to get this done little after night fall." Stepping out into the sun the ground was still slightly squishy, perfect for harvesting the garden she had out back. That was something she would have to do. First things first was to check the traps. "Come along Ofuna." She started on the path into the forest.
She weaved her way through the thick foliage stopping and checking a few traps. one of them had a small rat in it that she took out and put into her bags, she reset the trap and kept on her way. "So Ofuna do you miss your family?" It may not have been a good idea to chatter while walking through the forest but she was bored. She took 5 different trails every 5 days. The daily trips can get rather old. She picked berries as she went when she found the good bushes. Off in the distance the noise of her Father making repairs to the cart could be heard. The creak and cracking of wood and hammer.
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Post by Ofuna on Apr 29, 2014 18:50:59 GMT -5
Ofuna, glad with the change of topic, happily got up to get the day started. He quickly grabbed his crossbow and quiver, before following the mare out the door. The ground was till a bit damp from the rain, though the sun was shining this day. So that probably wouldn't last long.
He raised an eyebrow when she started along the path to her traps. "What, no blindfold this time?" He trotted quickly to catch up with her, slowing his pace to match her's when he did. His tone returning to it's default snark. "What would your father think? Certainly he would be upset if we were attacked an didn't leave me to fend the beast off."
He was a little surprised when she picked up a dead rat from one of her traps. Certainly it made him wonder what it was for. Though what really caught him off guard was her question, which made him pause mid-step. Yet he started moving again before she could notice.
Occasionally he did feel pangs of homesickness, but never paid them much attention. The mare's innocent question brought up memories of his home, and with them, feelings of longing for home. While he wanted to return, he had no regrets for leaving in the first place.
It took Ofuna a moment to gather his thoughts before answering. "I do miss my home and my family. My tribe was rather friendly and carefree. Unlike the ponies of Equestria, they enjoyed my sarcastic comments on events. Though, I don't regret leaving." He glanced up at several birds flying overhead. "Since I've left, I've had many adventures. And have learned many lessons I wouldn't have if I stayed. Though, I think returning might not have been the best idea. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have been taken prisoner by a crazy mare."
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Ciniki
Disciple Pony
“Be everywhere, do everything, and never fail to astonish the customer.”
Posts: 68
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Post by Ciniki on Apr 30, 2014 18:10:48 GMT -5
She nodded content with his answer and continued on their way on the trail. She felt a pang on sadness for him. She had her father with him and she always returned after her trips. Deciding to change the subject she asked him a few more lighter questions. "What is your favorite food?" She absentmindedly asked him as she weaved her way through the forest collecting whatever the traps had snared and resetting them. She stopped occasionally and gathered berries from bushes being sure not to take them all. She might have been a hunter but she never left a big hoof print on the forest.
When they had made a circle around the house and returned with a full bag she made her way back into the house to set down her bags. "Ofuna can I have you put these berries away and lay these animals out in the shed outside while I go and harvest some of the crop from the garden?" she asked before making her way back outside. Before leaving however she laid her bow back down by the door, but kept her knife on her. She then made her way out the door and into the garden where she picked the veggies that where ripe enough to be picked.
They continued throughout the day with chores and such until a little past nightfall. Inside Ciniki was preparing dinner for the group. The cart lay just outside stocked with some trade goods and supplies to last until they reached the first tribe. The fire inside flickered as Cinikis Father made sure that Ofuna wouldn't turn out to be a bad Zebra. "Ofuna I want you to be very careful and help my daughter. If I hear that she gets hurt because of you. So help me Celestia I will find you." he said. His words on encouragement were always so motivating.
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Post by Ofuna on May 11, 2014 21:41:42 GMT -5
The mare’s newest question caused Ofuna to cast an amused look at her. “Do depressing thoughts always cause you to think of food?” He teased before letting out a small chuckle. He continued to follow the mare as she checked the various traps she had, several of which had managed to snag something. Though he wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted those for. She also collected berries from several bushes along the path.
When they finally returned to her hut, they had collected several animals and a good amount of berries. Upon hearing the mare’s request, Ofuna took them and made his way to the shed. As he did, he wondered what she wanted the animals for. Though, he soon tossed that train of thought aside as he neared the shed.
It didn’t take him long to store the mare’s spoils nice and neat. And once he did, he paused for a moment to remember what the mare had asked him to do next. He soon recalled she had asked him to cut up some firewood to replace what had been used the night before. Quickly, he hurried off to complete the task he had been given, which is a task that would take him the rest of the day.
By the time he rested comfortably in the hut, the sun had set, and the mare had begun to prepare dinner. Ofuna was tired from the day’s work, but paid it no mind as he watched the flames dance in the fireplace. He was broken out of his reverie by the mare’s father. His words made Ofuna wonder if he was trying to be intimidating, or if it just came naturally. Though, he wouldn’t ask him that.
“If I let any harm come to her then I wouldn’t be a very good guard now would I?” His tone containing only a small amount of its usual snarkiness, as he looked the older stallion in the eyes. He soon shifted his gaze back to the fire. “Besides, if she were to be harmed, then I’d probably be dead already. And even if I wasn’t, you wouldn’t need to hunt me down.”
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Ciniki
Disciple Pony
“Be everywhere, do everything, and never fail to astonish the customer.”
Posts: 68
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Post by Ciniki on May 15, 2014 19:49:02 GMT -5
Cinikis father seemed satisfied enough with this answer and nodded softly. Coming to the rescue Ciniki announced dinner was ready and laid out a fresh loaf of bread in the center of the table. A hardy meal was in order tonight since such a big task was coming up. They were to leave in the morning and make their way to a circle of tribes. The main dish set on the table was a sort of vegetable stir fry. All the veggies were freshly picked from the garden outside.
Taking a seat at the table Ciniki invited her father and Ofuna to sit down as she dished out servings for them all. The meal was warm and creatures outside sounded. All was peaceful in the forest. Ciniki ate her meal in a pleasurable silence listening to the wildlife outside.
Once dinner was over, Ciniki moved the dishes to the wash basin and returned with a map. She laid it out on the table using their cups to hold down the corners. On the map was a line for a trail and marks for each village. "This is our route Ofuna. I take the same route every year at about the same time. The tribes expect me and are usually rather welcoming. Took me forever to get it that way and I would like to keep it that way." She traced her hoof along the line starting at the hut. While she explained her tone went from cheerful and peppy to dead serious. This was her life so it was very important he knew what was going to happen. "We start at the Coloured tribes. They usually have good trade for us to stock up on for later stops. They also have some Equestrian wares. We then head for Damera they tend to need our help rather quickly seeing as how they're rather poor. After that we go to the Maresi, Bushponies, Kickuyu, Hottentrot and finally Shoelu if they let us in."
Giving Ofuna a moment to look at the map she chipped in again. "The wares we get at each place help the next tribe or two over. We help try and unite the tribes in some way shape or form. Without us many of the people would not get what they need." She sat down and took a large drink of her tea. "We will stay in each village 3 days and no more. We then press on to the next village usually a walk between a day and two days." She looked up at Ofuna and felt like she flooded him with to much information at once. "We stop at each Tribe market or gathering place where they will all meet us. They know we are coming at certain times so delays are not a good thing."
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Post by Ofuna on May 23, 2014 15:53:17 GMT -5
Ofuna was relieved when the mare arrived with dinner. For it meant he was no longer the focus of her father's scrutinizing gaze. Though, the silence that pervaded the room as they ate caused him to feel slightly uncomfortable. It reminded him that he wasn't sure if he was a guest or a prisoner. A conundrum he considered all throughout dinner.
After dinner, he listened to the mare give the details on the journey they would be taking. Her change in torn and more somber expression was rather surprising to him. She obviously took this very seriously, and didn't want anything to go wrong. Something that seemed fairly common with trades and merchants.
"I am rather impressed you managed to get the Shoelu and Hottentrot tribes to welcome you. I think I'll let you do the talking there." He was genuinely impressed with Ciniki. Though, that isn't something that has an effect on his snark. "I'd rather not get run out of a tribe while they shoot arrows and throw spears at us. It doesn't sound very pleasant."
He listened attentively to the rest of what she had to say before speaking up again. "This sounds easy enough. Get to each tribe, trade for supplies the next tribe will need, then head to the next village, rinse and repeat." He gave a slight nod. "It sounds really easy in fact. Things are never that easy. How many animal attacks can we expect?"
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Ciniki
Disciple Pony
“Be everywhere, do everything, and never fail to astonish the customer.”
Posts: 68
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Post by Ciniki on May 29, 2014 21:04:14 GMT -5
Satisfied that Ofuna understood what was going to happen she felt a little more relaxed. She liked having things planned and felt more comfortable when she knew what she was doing and that others knew what was going on as well. She could sleep a little easier tonight. Answering his question with a more light tone. "Well now that you said this was easy. Probably quite a few." She laughed softly trying to make a friendly joke. There was never really much trouble when it came to monsters but it would be nice this time around knowing that if something did happen, she had somepony there to help her.
Ciniki didn't notice that her father had left the room while speaking to Ofuna. She looked out the window to the stars twinkling above and the moons beams casting shadows in the window frame. It was getting late they would be leaving at sunrise. Her father was already in bed and thought it to be a good idea to turn in. "We should get some rest soon Ofuna we're leaving at sunrise." She nodded to Ofuna and stepped away from the table, but instead of heading to bed she made her way to the doorway and grabbed her bow. It of course wasn't strung since the bow string was tied around her tail, but that doesn't mean she wasn't going to make sure it was in good condition. Especially the night before she left for her trip. "Just one final check before bed." Ciniki grabbed her quiver and made her way outside to the back of the shed. She strung her bow and, tested the flex of the sturdy wood. The moonlight gave her just enough light to see by. She took an arrow from the quiver and strung it on her bow. She drew back the string and her leg with a deep inhale, aiming the arrow toward the make shift target made from a bale of hay. Taking her time to aim she held her breath before releasing the arrow and burying the head of the arrow just outside the bulls eye. After retrieving her arrow and replacing it in the quiver she returned the string to its place around her tail and yawned. Heading indoors now to turn in for the night.
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Post by Ofuna on Jun 9, 2014 14:05:28 GMT -5
Ofuna gave a slight smirk at the mare's answer. The question had meant to be a joke more than anything. And her going along with it certainly helped lighten the mood. He cast a glance in the direction of her father to gauge his reaction, only to see that he wasn't there. It was late, so he figured the stallion had hit the hay.
He turned back to look at the mare when she gave her suggestion. "Don't need to tell me that. This isn't my first rodeo." He got up from the table and began to make his way to the room. He turned back when she told him what she was gonna do. "Alright, but I suggest you follow your own advice."
Turning around, he made his way to the room they provided. Getting as comfortable as he could on the couch, he began to think about the last couple days. It made him wonder how she managed to convince him to be her guard. After several minutes, he gave up trying to figure that out and instead just resigned himself to his situation. "All aboard the crazy mare express. Next stop, the colored tribes." He muttered, getting out one final snarky comment before letting sleep take him.
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Ciniki
Disciple Pony
“Be everywhere, do everything, and never fail to astonish the customer.”
Posts: 68
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Post by Ciniki on Jun 9, 2014 14:15:26 GMT -5
The next morning the sun peaked out of the clouds and into the windows of the little hut. The cool night had left a chill inside the hut. Slowly the crisp fall air was warmed by the arrival of the sun. Ciniki awoke well rested and excited to get going. Her guard on the other hoof might not be chomping on the metaphorical bit. Climbing out of her bead she stretched her legs and then proceeded into the kitchen. No pony else was up yet so Ciniki decided to put on a pot of tea and stoke the fire. Everything had already been prepared for the days trip except this mornings breakfast.
Ciniki got down the pot and started to cook some porridge for the group. A warm breakfast would do them all well. Her Father hadn't joined her on these last few trips nor this one. He would stay and tend to the house and the garden. Hopefully Ciniki and Ofuna would be back before spring. As the porridge cooked Ciniki made her way to the window and stared outside for awhile admiring the sunrise. The morning birds song was always her favorite.
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Post by Ofuna on Jun 12, 2014 13:23:09 GMT -5
As he had the day before, Ofuna woke up before sunrise. Yet this time, he continued to lay on the couch. Not because he was tired, but because he was comfortable and didn't want to get up. So he just lay there, staring up at the ceiling. Thinking about many of his previous jobs of protecting merchants.
This continued until he heard movement in the hut. He took this as a sign that the mare was now awake. He was reluctant to get up, and only managed to motivate himself to do so when he heard the tea pot. Ofuna made his way to the other room, and saw the mare had started to make some porridge. While she was staring out the window at the sunrise.
Walking up behind her with quiet hoofsteps, he stopped before he got close enough for her to notice. "Admiring the sunrise before setting out on a journey? A bit cliche don't you think?" He asked her with an amused expression adorning his face. Turning around, he trotted over to the table and sat down. "How soon can we expect to leave on this perilous journey where we risk life and limb to bring supplies to the various tribes?"
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Ciniki
Disciple Pony
“Be everywhere, do everything, and never fail to astonish the customer.”
Posts: 68
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Post by Ciniki on Jun 12, 2014 14:20:15 GMT -5
She turned her head upon hearing the hoof steps of Ofuna and grinned at his comment. "Yeah I'm just waiting for the porridge to cook." She replied. She sat at the table with him as the porridge started to bubble in the pot. "We will be leaving right after we finish eating. Make sure we fill the canteens though with water before we set out." They had done everything but that to make sure the water wouldn't evaporate.
Ciniki stood up and made her way to the pot. She took the bowls sitting beside it and ladled some porridge into both of them. she gave one to Ofuna and then took her own and sat down to eat. The tea pot was already sitting on the table as were the cups. She had set it there before she started staring out the window. Ciniki sat and quietly ate her food seemingly lost in thought. She ate sort of quickly since she was eager to get out on the road. She had to be at the first tribe within three days. Once she finished she took her bowl and quickly washed it leaving the soap for Ofuna to wash his once he was done.
Outside the birds were singing their morning song. The cart was parked beside the hut now instead beside the shed. Ciniki did a once over to be sure she had everything packed. She double checked to make sure everything was secure by tugging on the ropes as she walked around the cart. Grabbing the canteens she took them to the tap and filled each one up. She never ran out of water before but this time there was another with her. She had no idea how much to bring. Four canteens ought to cover it? Returning to the cart she hitched herself up to it and waiting for Ofuna.
Once he joined her she hugged her Father goodbye who was now awake to see them off. Her father gave Ofuna one last warning glare and shook hooves with him. Soon after they were off walking down the dirt path out of the jungle toward the first tribe.
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