Name (Nickname): Teemu
Race: Human (Lossoth)
Attire: Hooded Jäkarhu skin cloak with a silver clasp.
Furred coat, pants and boots, made of Poro skin, trimmed with Hylje skin and fox fur.
Weapon: Hunting Bow (on back), Hunting Spear, Long Knife (in belt).
Location: Pynti-Peldot
Tagging: Everyone
Time:TA 3018, March 1, evening
The Elf spoke first. Her large hazel orbs caught Teemu's gaze and he felt like a poro staring at a torch at night, frozen in place as a hunter crept up behind it. But, before she spoke and snared him with those captivating eyes, Teemu had noticed her hesitate. A dry swallow, a brief flutter of her eyelids, and her head dropping as if gathering courage. Clearly there was more to her story than the simple answer she gave him in that earnest tone. The Lossoth had a word,
Ukalikanijo, that translated to 'a white rabbit in the snow.' Sometimes you could hide the truth in the open and still have it not be seen. She wanted to help the Lossoth? But why? How did their curse affect her people? And why was this woman alone? What man had she stolen that bow from and why did she wear it so shamelessly? Or was it a decoration in her culture, like jewelry? Teemu pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes slightly. She was quite comely and exotic and Teemu's mind wandered, perhaps he should spank her over his knee with that bow until she told him everything...
The human woman called Brynne interrupted his fun, but unproductive, train of thought. It seemed she might know the warrior, but Teemu had apparently entered in the midst of their reunion. In his tribe, unmarried women lived with their family until they found a husband, so both the human and the Elf being alone in Pynti-Peldot were baffling to him. How could they survive without the protection of a man or a family? Who hunted for them?
Brynne's tearful story seemed honest enough, although the names and places she mentioned made no sense to him. In Lossoth culture, unmarried men might capture women as war brides during raids, but such acts were common enough that women accepted them and built their lives in the new tribe. Indeed, Teemu's own mother was a war bride, the daughter of a rival chief taken by his father in a daring raid many years ago. Being captured and forced to be a slave, however, was much worse. The Suri-Maja traded for slaves from foreigners and Teemu was accustomed to the slaves being well-used to captivity already. Escape wasn't possible as they couldn't survive without the protection of the Lossoth. They were worked hard, but treated with some respect as servants that aided the tribe greatly. Some slaves were even eventually taken as wives, although that thought brought a surge of emotion that Teemu struggled to hide.
Some, but not all. And not by the son of a chief. Teemu was more sympathetic to the plight of slaves than most Suri-Maja and knew that for Brynne, captured older in her life, the experience must have been terrifying. She was lucky she was rescued by kind Lossoth. If the Suri-Maja had happened upon her captors she might still be a slave in one of their camps. Teemu gave her a rare smile and nodded at her story.
"May you find your village and tribe again."
The warrior spoke and Teemu found himself bristling. Vaemyr's accent was strange and some of the words he used were confusing, but Teemu caught the edge in his voice despite the low tone and could see the challenge in the rival's eyes. He had given some sort of reprimand to Teemu... for asking questions too
rudely? In the Lossoth world, rude was denying your yurt or food to a freezing hunter, not asking strangers what they were doing in your lands. Teemu was unafraid to stare down the warrior in return, the smile that had been on his lips for Brynne fading quickly into a frown. At his side, Reko let out a low growl as he sensed the tension growing between the two men. Teemu casually reached down to stroke the big dog's head.
"Easy Reko, he is no threat to us." His fingers thrummed along the wood shaft of his hunting spear in response to Vaemyr's casual touch of the hilt of his sword. Teemu had promised Naiq no harm to his guests, but self defense was always his right.
Vaemyr shrugged suddenly and turned to speak with the women. Again, more strange words and an odd bending at his waist to each one. Was that some show of respect or flattery? Was he wooing them? Perhaps the warrior knew Brynne from before, but why would he make that gesture to Celeste as well? Teemu's eyes narrowed suspiciously at the strange customs and he felt annoyance surge at his ignorance of the warmlander ways. The Lossoth were a utilitarian people. They spoke directly and wasted no energy on meaningless words. You showed your appreciation for another Lossoth by doing something for them or giving them something, not by bending over. But Vaemyr's gestures left him feeling like the barbarian he imagined these warmlanders thought he was. Like a small child that couldn't understand the fireside conversation of the adults.
Vaemyr's question made Teemu's annoyance flare and a grimace came to his face as his fingers clenched his spear tightly. His voice was sharp and loud as he replied,
"I am Lossoth. This is my homeland. I am where I should be. You warmlanders are the ones that are out of place." It was more than Vaemyr's manners that sparked his anger, Teemu realized, it was all the pent-up tension and anxiety of the last two days flaring up at the first outlet available. And there was the shame as well. He was a tribeless Lossoth now. In many ways, barely above these foreigners in his standing. Vaemyr's question hit him hard as a truthful answer was difficult for him to say out loud. Was he scared to say it because it would make it official finally?
Naiq, who had been listening, suddenly leaned in as Teemu's angry response had created a momentary silence. His voice was stern and he spoke to Teemu firmly, like a father berating a child, "Hunter, you are Lossoth, yes, but you don't tell them that you are Suri-Maja. The question is a good one, Suri-Maja. Why is one of your tribe, known for raiding and war, visiting Pynti-Peldot? I can't remember the last time a Suri-Maja came here in peace and I've lived here for ten years. Why
are you here?
Teemu stiffened and blinked at Naiq's words. Shifting he glared at the innkeeper, this soft and helpless man who spoke to him like he was some ignorant pup barking too loud. How he wished he hadn't promised Naiq no bloodshed. But, Teemu knew he would have to control his anger and shame to forge a new life apart from his tribe. A life where he might have to associate with people such as Naiq or even these foreigners.
"I am a Suri-Maja no longer. I have left my tribe. I am alone and come to Pynti-Peldot to find a new life." Saying the words made Teemu shiver suddenly, though the wooden room was overly warm. He felt as if he were an ice hut that was collapsing upon itself. Like the structure of his very being was suddenly crumbling and he had no shape. What was he now? Who was he? Despite that, he lifted his chin up again and eyed the group defiantly.
"I am still a Lossoth though. And don't know why we need warmlanders to help us when legend has it you gave us this curse to begin with."
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