Halleluiah! Nina thought after she had awoken once more. All of the rest of the room's occupants had entered. Three of them, including Sain'ja, were still asleep; however she could hear two sparring in the other room. Peering in for a brief moment, she was relieved to find there was not one, but two other females staying in the room with her. She returned to her bunk and spent her time fiddling with her father's dog tag as one by one, the others began to wake up as well.

Once everyone was up and had donned their armor and weapons, they moved as a group down the halls and out of the ship. Nina had only brought along her wristblades and left the rest of her items on the ship. Even though she knew many Yautja often gathered when large hunting party ships, she was still surprised at the size of the crowd that had gathered at the bottom of the ramp. It was a good thing she wasn't shy, or else she'd need Sain'ja to drag her down, making an embarrassment of herself and the clan. She didn't just represent herself anymore, but Sain'ja, her fellow hunt brothers and sisters, and even the elders and clan leaders for allowing her admittance. With that extra initiative, she held her head a bit higher as she walked down with the others.

Sain'ja, who was casually strolling beside her, muttered something to her, "Try not to draw too much attention, but don't make yourself appear meek either. Some other clans tend to be more…hostile towards your species."

Nina didn't even have to glance around to see the stares and low growls that were directed at her. Keeping a neutral, straight face, she muttered back sarcastically, "Really? I haven't noticed."

Getting with their friends, Nina and Sain'ja waited for the elders, clan leaders, and arbitrators to descend last. They received roars of greetings and signs of respect from those below. Politicians are the same everywhere, she scoffed inside smugly, they can't go anywhere without making a grand entrance.

The crowd began to thin slightly, however her group stayed where they were talking to one another. It seemed that Fox was interested in giving her a full tour, meanwhile Adahy wanted to spar and Sain'ja insisted that she needed to continue training until the Chiva was over. However, all plans were halted as Makya poked her on the shoulder and pointed her to the direction of the Elder. The Elder was speaking to a few other Yautja who seemed to be the same, if not even higher in rank than he. To her confusion, a couple of Youngbloods were standing there as well. Then the Elder gestured for her to come over.

Approaching them, with her friends waiting for her farther away, Nina tilted her head downward and crossed one fist over her heart. "You wished for me, my Elder?" She typically didn't always act so formal around him, because the Elder wasn't so. In fact, he had more patience and kindness than most others. She guessed it grew with age, because more of the older hunters were often like this. But if the people she was if front of were as important as she thought, she would need to be on her best behavior.

The Elder clicked his mandibles and grinned slightly. "Ooman warrior Dto-Raija, I would like to introduce you to Ancient Councilmember Yeyin-Thwei and Arbitrator Megedagik, leader of the Guardians of the Council. I was just informing them of how you came to be a member of our clan and of your participation in the upcoming Kiande Amedha Chiva with Youngbloods Ehawee and Liwanu."

Nina bowed respectfully to the older Yautja, closing her eyes in submission to their power other her, "It is truly an honor to be in your presence. I am most fortunate to be granted an introduction to such esteemed hunters above all of the Yautja." They nodded in turn, and then began to speak with the Elder once more. As they did so, Nina took in the two people she would be hunting with on the Chiva. She was glad to find that Ehawee was one of the females that she had seen sparring on the ship in their quarters. She didn't recognize Liwanu though. Both of the Youngbloods didn't speak to her and just flit their eyes from the ground below their feet, to the conversations the other Yautja around them were having, to the roads ahead of them that led away from the landing zone and deeper into a grand city.

Soon, Sain'ja and two other Yautja were called over. Nina didn't doubt that the other two were the Youngbloods' training masters: She saw that the other Yautja female from before was with them, tall even among the woman. Nina had to bite her lip in order not to grin or laugh at the site of the Ancient, Elder, and Arbitrator looking pathetically tiny in comparison to the woman. She seemed to make even them want to take a few steps back. Nina hoped the look on her face only made her appear slightly nervous.

The group was led through the city and all its grandeur. And to think Nina had thought that the Jungle Hunter Clan's settlement was something to look it. The capital city of Yautja Prime made that seem like a tiny town that was in shambles due to a F5 tornado. The world's twin suns made it feel a little hotter than what she was used to, but her three years spent with the clan and her mesh suit helped her adjust easily enough.

They walked to what must have been the center of the city, and before them was a magnificent Ziggurat-like palace. The steps seemed to be inlaid with gold and the walls constructed with other priceless metals. When they went inside, the halls, ceilings and floors were designed of some stone that made it look as if they were walk through space itself, with a multitude of carvings engraved in them, appearing as constellations of raging battles and legendary hunters. Small casts of light came from the ceiling, deftly lighting the way until they were poured into a circular chamber, which shockingly was decorated more like the classic style Nina had seen on her previous endeavors. Many this chamber had been the start of it all built who knows how long ago and lasting throughout with ages because of its well craftsmanship and dutiful care.

Nina, the Youngbloods, and their mentors were lined up before the Ancients, kneeling, being carefully observed as once more, the Elder explained. Did all Yautja go through this before the Chiva? She didn't know.

When they once more stood, they were ordered to face their mentors for a show of skill in order to prove that they were truly ready for this challenge of taking on the greatest prey. Since Nina's mask was off, her eyes were able to give a silent word to her friend and teacher: Whatever you do, don't hold back.

At once, all six fighters were told to begin the spar.

Sain'ja and Nina activated their wristblades at the same moment, and charged one another eagerly. Wristblades clashed with a loud clang, sending sparks flying in all directions. Both attempted to push the other back. As Sain'ja came at her with a forward punch, Nina swiftly used her right arm to block his attack by shoving his arm up and away from her.

Sain'ja landed a blow to her stomach with a front kick. She staggered back, but had fortunately kept her gut tight so the impact wouldn't do near as much damage or setback her as it could have. As Sain'ja approached and swung again, Nina did a backbend and quickly flipped herself over to all fours, balancing herself so she could land a kick of her own, so when Sain'ja bent down to pounce, she was able to let lose a good kick to the forehead.

She spun back to her feet as Sain'ja righted himself. Even though they were still supposed to be serious about this fight, real or not, Sain'ja managed to crack a joke softly enough so that only Nina could hear it, "Remember, you're not supposed to try to kill me. I think that'll leave a bump for the rest of the day."

"I thought we were playing to win," she replied in mock innocence. Sain'ja let off another swing on her right side, so Nina spun toward the left and back behind him, preparing a swing of her own. Sain'ja quickly turned and blocked it, locking blades with her.

The Ancients walked enthusiastically, amused by how this was going. They paid particular attention to the human female in front of them. She did well for someone young enough to still have the impatience and lack of humility and experience that was so often seen in youth. She had pleasantly surprised them, because they had been expecting someone who would be the first to fall within a few minutes due to her soft and tenuous appearance.

Looks could be deceiving.

The three fights carried on out until both of the Youngbloods had lost with their mentors, however still showing such practice and form that they were indeed deemed ready for the Chiva. Sain'ja and Nina had still been going at it, and eventually their fight had to be drawn to a stalemate because there was no obvious winner or end to the battle. They faced one another after the group had been dismissed.

"Well done, Dto-Raija. I would be disappointed if you did not bring back a Kiande Amedha warrior skull, maybe even that of a Praetorian," he said as they stepped back outside into the daylight.

Nina grinned back, "I learned from the best. And I think if I didn't, than you should be more worried about whether or not I come back at all."

Fox contacted them after a few minutes, saying to meet them at some kind of drinking hole that was southwest of the palace, past one of the many marketplaces. The pair walked in that direction, talking to one another all the way. It didn't seem to bother Sain'ja at all that he was speaking to a human, but Nina couldn't ignore the sharp, yet curious glances in their direction. Definitely not like the Jungle Hunter Clan at all, she thought, but she digressed. She couldn't, and wouldn't, change just because of what a few thick-headed people thought of her.

She would just have to prove how very wrong they were for misjudging and underestimating her.

As they passed one of the finer areas of the city, however, she couldn't stop her eyes from widening into what have must have been perfect circles, stopping in her tracks, stunned. It was so sudden she very well could've been shot by a bullet.

It was not the beauty of the buildings this time that had paused her stride, but rather some of those that occupied them.

"Dto-Raija, what is it?" Sain'ja asked once her saw that she wasn't following him anymore. He looked to the direction she was staring at and quickly moved to pull her away.

Standing outside some of the finest buildings were a few Eta; some human, some Yautja, a few form a couple other sentient species. Eta was a class set in reserve for Yautja that couldn't hunt and/or hadn't picked another worthy occupation. They were classified as servants and slaves in the Yautja culture, often abused for their difference. Other beings might have been caught solely for the purpose of servitude, while some might've been taken as living trophies. From what Nina had said, she came from a land where slavery hadn't been around in many years in the human lifespan, and she had not known of the Eta...not until now at least. Her sympathies and heart were no doubt being given to them within the few seconds it took to glance their way.

"Come on; let's get out of here…" Sain'ja said gently, pulling her away from the scene by her wrist, just like a parent would pull a child away. She was too absorbed and pained by what see saw that she only followed because her feet were forced to move that way.

Nina could not tear her eyes away from the hungry faces, the grimy hands and baggy, ill-fitting clothing, the chains some of them wore that would occasionally clink together upon movement. The humans among them could not stop staring at her as well, not with pity, but with envy and hatred.

She hated herself too.

This was one of those times were the sting of betraying her own flared and burned like fire. She wished she could do something; say something, help them fight for their freedom. But she knew she couldn't. Any act of defiance against the ways of the Yautja on her part would no doubt result in punishment for both her and them, even if she was the only guilty one.

She had never known there to be a single Eta in the Jungle Hunter Clan, but maybe that was because they were so isolated from the rest of the Yautja. Well-known, honored, and powerful as the clan may be, they were also small and kept to themselves. They were also very independent, relying on their own abilities and keeping each other company when need be. That, and there was also the abundance of resources their jungle home had that made accessing what was needed pretty simple. Maybe it was these differences that caused them to be more down-to-earth, laid back, and sociable.

There was even one Yautja pup, one that Nina spoke to on occasion, that wandered around the settlement contently. Someone told her he was born with a disorder that left him slightly messed up in the head, but he was harmless. The story held true when she would find him dropping out of their conversations, staring off into space and a couple minutes later snapping back to reality, as if he didn't know what was happening.

Would the pup be among these people if he had not been born of their clan?

The next little while, they walked in silence. Nina was too hurt and shamed to speak, and Sain'ja knew better than to say anything. For all he knew, his speaking of the Eta might cause her to throw all of her anger at him, but this was just their way of life. And no one could change that.

When they reached the drinking hole, both had masked themselves with casual, kind expressions so their friends wouldn't know that something was wrong. Everything had been fine for a while. Nina had even chosen to take a weak drink- by Yautja standards- in order to settle her mind with the fire that burned from the alcohol.

That's when trouble hit.

Nina heard footsteps from behind her as two Youngblood males from another clan approached her closer to get a better look at the human. They didn't come close enough to disturb the party however, so they thought anyway. She could hear their whispers.

"What's with the Ooman? I didn't think Eta were allowed in places like this except to serve their masters."

"You idiot, she's obviously not Eta. Look at her armor at weapons."

"Than what is she?"

"How should I know?"

"Probably some creature a hunter felt sorry for and decided to keep as a pet."

"Or maybe they're using her to get information on Oomans."

"Well, I'm going to check it out."

"Don't."

"Why? It's not like she can do anything. And do you really think those guys are gonna pick her over their own kind?

"Whatever, but I'm heading back to the training grounds before you get us into any more trouble."

"Suit yourself."

Nina chugged down a good amount of the drink and sent the a little bit too large cup for her down with both hands, sighing. She was not in the mood for this to say the least. She turned around in her chair once she heard the footsteps stop behind her and scowled up at the Youngblood. The others watched interestingly.

"Can I help you?" she asked flatly. Because the Youngblood was wearing a bio mask- more than likely so he wouldn't be caught around here by anyone he knew- he should've been able to understand her.

"What exactly are you doing here Ooman? Last time I checked, your kind either belonged serving us Yautja- if you're lucky- or better yet, with your skulls and hides mounted on the walls," the Youngblood said sourly.

Sain'ja prepared to get up, but Nina gestured for him to stay seated, receiving a few raised eyebrows from some other patrons that had decided to watch the show. "What does it look like? I'm having a drink. Now get lost, I don't feel like kicking your sorry butt right now." She turned back around as the room filled with chuckles of amusement and hushed murmurs.

Before she could reach for her cup again, the Youngblood noticed her father's dog tag around her neck and picked it up in one hand, forcing her to turn back his way. "What's with the ugly, weird jewelry, Ooman?"

Last straw.

Nina stood up and snatched the dog tag out of his grasp, her eyes glaring into his and refusing to break their hold upon the foolish young Yautja. Her muscles tensed and she balled her fists. At full height, she stood face to face with him.

"Touch that again, pup, and you won't be losing just your hand, but any kids you might want in the future as well," Nina growled in perfect Yautja, which caused people to stare at her in amazement and shock, Sain'ja and the other three included. It made the Youngblood jump back a bit nervously.

For a moment they just stood there in a stare-off, but with a huff of defiance, the Youngblood left the building, carrying what was left of his pride as the patrons did their best not to laugh him out of the place.

When Nina sat down again, her friends couldn't help but stare at her. "What the heck was that?" Adahy finally asked. She had nearly made it look like she was an actual Yautja female had it not been for her size and that her face was uncovered.

She only shrugged. Nina had always had a hidden gift when it came to mimicking sounds and voices. She had even considered going into voice acting had the army not been the life for her. And after three years of pretty much hearing the Yautja language alone, she had learned to grasp a lot of the words and sayings.

Nina returned to finishing her drink.