Chapter 22 "The Gathering of the Tribes"
A restless silence hung over the tent that Kai'sa and Taliyah were sharing, Taliyah lying on the very edge of the rug with just a sheet over her, Kai'sa lying on top of the sheet on the other edge of the rug, both staring at the tent roof as sunlit wrinkles waved across the tent from a mild breeze. "You… don't want to…apologize?" Taliyah finally asked, breaking the silence. "Do you really think that would help?" Kai'sa replied plainly. "I suppose not…" Taliyah said. Another few minutes of silence passed. "But…Why…?" Taliyah murmured painfully. "There was no other way," Kai'sa replied. "Is that the truth?" Taliyah asked, turning over to look at Kai'sa. Kai'sa looked back at her for a moment, seeing her questioning eyes search her soul, while she searched through her memory to judge her own actions. "I don't know… there was no time to spare, and even with years of hindsight I still can't think of any other way that would have saved all the people in that settlement.
"There's always another option than death…" Taliyah quietly replied with sadness. "You didn't have a problem fighting the barbarians at that last town, or Renekton's followers… I don't think all of them survived your boulders," Kai'sa replied. "That's totally different, we're talking about killing an innocent father who was protecting his daughter," Taliyah said, her tone growing frustrated. "They wouldn't listen to me, I was just this thing to halfway fear to them, the warnings I pleaded with them but they wouldn't listen. All I had was fear, so I used fear to save them, it's not pretty I know…" Kai'sa replied, trying to explain her position. "When we first met in the Sai Kaleek and you threatened us, did you mean it then?" Taliyah asked. "I… I don't know exactly… I was just trying to snap some sense into some strangers, I wasn't thinking ahead if I meant what I said," Kai'sa replied. "That needs to stop," Taliyah replied bluntly. "What does?" Kai'sa asked. "This rushing forward without thinking, maybe there was nothing more you could have done to save Sehla's people at that moment, but I suppose we'll never know because you just acted in an instant," Taliyah replied firmly. "Life just seems to move too fast for plans, I've seen people with their whole lives thought out die one after another, I've survived by focusing my mind completely on the now, I don't know if I can live any other way…" Kai'sa replied nervously. "You are gonna have to learn how to if you want to live with someone other than yourself," Taliyah replied, with a kind of sharp cold tone as she shifted and turned to face the tent wall to try and get some rest. Is she referring to us being together… I mean we are sleeping on the same bed mat, even though we couldn't be farther apart without one of us leaving the tent, Kai'sa thought to herself, still dumbfounded at the fact of them being in a relationship, however, realizing that they were in a relationship made her feel guilty as she could feel the disappointment and pain Taliyah was feeling.
Sehla sat alone in the corner of a different tent, replaying memories of her father in her mind's eye. She remembered the day when he decided to move and leave their life on the northern coast of Shurima, not even taking time to tell her mother where they were leaving. Not that it bothered her too much, she never had much of a relationship with her mother, recalling the few times that they ever spoke. Sehla suspected she worked at a brothel and drank heavily, but she never asked her father to confirm her suspicions, all she knew was that she only met her mother a few times in public places. And though she looked like she made a serious effort to look clean and pleasant when they met, she still smelled like a mixture of alcohol and strong perfume and looked very tired, and pale, clearly not usually being awake during the day. Before she knew it her father's business, and most of their possessions were sold and they were traveling in a large desert caravan south. Thinking about it now it seemed strange the suddenness of it, but when she was a child she just thought it was an adventure she was going on with her father.
Sehla's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Kadira, Ziafa, and Samir entering the tent laughing, Kadira roughhousing Samir a bit. "Sigh… can I have some peace and quiet please?" Sehla said in a tired tone. They all stopped for a second before Kadira finally replied, "Sorry kid, but it is blazing hot outside and there are only three tents, we'll try to keep quiet at least," Kadira said. "It's fine, I'll go…" Sehla replied as she stood up to walk out of the tent. "Eh, Stop, It's roasting hot out there, and you haven't slept in 2 days," Kadira said firmly as she grabbed Sehla's shoulder and reasoned with her to stay. "What do any of you care," Sehla snapped as she pulled her shoulder free. "EH! We all care, and I particularly care because I bet that I'm the one gonna have to carry your butt when you pass out while we are walking tonight," Kadira snapped back, latching hold of her arm. "Please, stay Sehla," Ziafa asked softly as she scanned the room while deciding. 'Fine," Sehla replied, jerking her arm free and walking back over to the corner of the tent.
"Follow my lead," Kadira whispered to her friends. "Sooo… What do you need to get off your chest," Kadira asked out loud. "Nothing," Sehla replied. "I doubt that," Kadira replied. "Ask something…" Kadira then whispered to her friends. "So, why didn't you do it? I thought you were gonna when you had your knife to her throat," Samir asked. Kadira's facial expression immediately switched to one of shock and despair as she gestured to Samir why the heck would he ask that question? "She's already dead," Sehla replied. "What do you mean?" Ziafa asked softly. "She plays the hero and thinks she can stand against forces of gods and devils, much like my father I suppose, and her end will be the same, It's a waste for me to kill her," Sehla replied. "But didn't you want revenge for her killing him?" Samir asked. "I did... But she also did save my life so I'm conflicted, I know she's not lying when she says we would have all died to the Void, I saw what that looks like... She's not the evil I wanted to kill for justice, she is just a naive fool, and all the real evil is hopelessly beyond my control." Sehla explained. "You act like you don't care, but you want to live don't you?" Ziafa asked, the simple question pried at Sehla's heart.
Sehla paused for a moment thinking how to reply, after some time her mind fell blank unable to commit to a response. "Well, let's move on to something more lighthearted shall we?" Kadira said inserting herself into the melancholy mood. "Yeah...sure," Sehla agreed finally. "Well... at least your mage abilities are manifesting now, that's cool right!?" Kadira asked cheerfully. "What?" Sehla asked confused. "that was magic you knocked Kai'sa on her butt with, what else did you think it was?" Samir said. "I thought it was something from her suit..." Sehla said as she stared at her own hands. "Nope, that was definitely coming from you, though I've never seen magic that looked quite like that, anyway, I'm sure you will learn to control it in time," Samir said. "I remember when Taliyah first started making mini earthquakes while she was dancing, she was about your age," Kadira said. "But I don't even know what I did?" Sehla replied, still confused. "Try to think about something you feel deeply attached to in your soul, for Taliyah it was the earth, it made us all think she was a little weird for a while, but then when it was revealed that she was a weaver mage it all became clear why she was the way she was," Zaifa explained.
"Hey, what about your shadows you told me about?" Kadira said. "That feels alive, not an object like Earth that can be controlled," Sehla replied. "That's not how magic works," Samir then said, both Zaifi and Kadira then looked at him as if to say, what do you know about magic? "Magic is alive, in fact some believe every soul is made of magic, mages just have more, that's why Taliyah speaks about the earth as if it were alive, magic is alive, whether the object it is in is not," Samir explained confidently. "Well that was surprisingly deep coming from you," Zaifa replied. "My mother loves telling me stories about magic," Samir replied. "Soo, shadow magic, that sounds cool!" Kadira said to Sehla. "It doesn't feel that simple," Sehla replied as she raised one of her hands and tried to focus.
Samir continued trying to give her tips but his words fell on deaf ears as Sehla's mind narrowed, focusing on the Shadows that had haunted her always. All of a sudden Sehla's skin seemed to turn darker than usual, as if no light from the sun that was coming through the tent was hitting her. A chill ran up everyone's spine as they saw Sehla's eyes fade into pure black, then the shadows that trailed every object in the tent seemed to reach out in every direction, even the lone candlestick, its silhouette expanding until it enveloped the little candle making it fade until the entire room felt like the dead of night… Finally, Sehla snapped out of her focus, her eyes returned to normal and the room filled with sunlight again. Sehla froze for a moment, a look of panic on her face, not because it scared her what she saw, she had seen dark visions like that her whole life, what scared her was the distressed looks on the other's faces showing they saw it also. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to scare you all," Sehla said nervously. "That WAS AWESOME!" Samir exclaimed. "Yea… awesome kekeke" Kadira added with a nervous laugh. "DO IT AGAIN!" Samir said. "Maybe later when I'm not around," Zaifa then said. "I think I'm just going to get some sleep now," Sehla replied. "Awww," Samir complained. "She's right, we all need some sleep before tonight," Kadira said.
The next few days of travel were uneventful, the days were so hot that even the nights seemed warm from the sand letting off the heat from the day. Most of the party was too tired to chat most of the time, except Kadira and Samir who were always bickering, and the occasional quiet word between Kai'sa and Taliyah. Sehla had remained a closed book as much as ever, thousands of thoughts racing in her head that she didn't want to share. She saw how close Taliyah and Kai'sa were, she assumed it was love even though everyone else seemed to be oblivious to it. Taliyah seemed kind and good in Sehla's opinion, and in a dumb naive way Kai'sa was she supposed, good seemed to be a confusing word to Sehla at this moment, taking revenge for my father's murder some would call good, she pictured running her blade through Kai'sa's heart then seeing Taliyah scream in agony… It doesn't feel good when I think about it, Sehla thought. Fighting the void, is a force more powerful than anyone, and if you die to it you make it stronger, in that case, some would think running is the "good" thing to do. "And then there's you," Sehla said to herself as she looked at her own hands, a tiny bit of shadow magic wisping off of her fingertips. She then clinched her fist, resolving her mind to decide what was "good" for her. The past did not help her, it was stifling, instead, she decided that to the best she could, she would move on from the past, and do everything she could to become strong enough so that all these forces of gods and devils did not control her fate.
"Kai'sa?" Taliyah gently asked. "Yes?" She replied. "You doing okay?" Taliyah asked. "Just tired of walking, I got spoiled from your rock surfing," Kai'sa replied with a little chuckle. "So… we should be able to reach the gathering of the nomads by this morning or at least just before noon if we keep going after the sun rises," Taliyah said. "That sounds doable" Kai'sa replied. "Yeah, anyway I wanted to talk to you about a few things before we get there," Taliyah said. "Fire away," Kai'sa replied sharply. "So, odds are there will be quite a few superstitious people there of many tribes," Taliyah explained. "So people like yourself, got ya" Kai'sa teased. "Oh stop it, I saw who you were the moment I cracked the helmet off your head… My point is there might be some people who are uncomfortable around you," Taliyah said. "So we want to do the disguise thing again?" Kai'sa asked. "No no, you shouldn't have to hide, But I do want you to just be on your best behavior, If people are mean to you let me teach them a lesson, not you," Taliyah replied. "Okay," Kai'sa replied. "And, there is also a chance my parents are there, so… you know, be on your best behavior," Taliyah said, stuttering a bit with nervousness.
"Oh, um… ok, what should I say I am to you if they ask?" Kai'sa asked. "Don't say anything, let me handle all those conversations, and as far as anything else… The Great Weaver says we should never weave anything but the truth, so just don't lie and be respectful and you should be fine," Taliyah explained. "Also, I guess you should probably downplay the life-threatening parts if they ask about what we've been doing the last few months," Taliyah said, crossing her arms nervously. "Just the life-threatening parts?" Kai'sa replied with a devious smirk alluding to the other things they had done that she probably shouldn't tell her parents."Oh shut up!" Taliyah replied, punching Kai'sa's shoulder. "But you said just tell the truth keke," Kai'sa teased. "Stop it! You don't understand how nerve-racking this is for me," Taliyah replied with an almost whimpering tone. "Okay, I'm sorry, I'll just follow your lead I guess," Kai'sa said. "So, just stay close to me ok?" Taliyah asked. "I will," Kai'sa replied, leaning over and kissing the top of Taliyah's head.
"Some old empire ruins up ahead," Zaifa called out looking through her spyglass. "Really!?" Taliyah replied, grabbing the spyglass to take a look herself. "I think the gathering is just on the other side of those ruins, should be able to see it soon," Taliyah explained. "Good, it's getting too hot for walking, "I don't know why you desert folk are complaining about the midday heat, I'd think you all would be used to it," Rumble replied, opening the hatch to his mech. Everyone just sort of looked at him as if he was crazy. "Well I suppose I do get AC in Tristy here," He said again. "AC?" Sehla asked. "Air Conditioning, of course, condenses and expands air to cool it," Rumble explained. Everyone still looked at him as if he was crazy, never having heard of such a thing. "Anyway… Hey Zaifa, I think we explored these ruins before, don't you remember?" Kadira said as they got closer. "You mean the ones you kept waking the hibernating salt bears? Yea… please don't do that again," Zaifa replied. "Ahhh, but no one got hurt and it was funny," Kadira replied. "And we were grounded for a month," Samir replied. "Only because you were there, if it was just us adults there my dad would have given me a high five," Kadira said. "I don't think your mom or mine would have let us off so easily," Zaifa replied. "Well, that's the benefit of us being adults now!" Kadira replied.
"Yeah, you're adults, Now I'm the one you all will be in trouble with if you do that stuff again," Taliyah replied sternly. "Yea yea whatever… So anyway Taliyah what were you planning to do being separated from Kai'sa because of alahyta qaeidun? You two have been like conjoined twins lately," Kadira teased in her snarky tone. "None of your concern Kadira." Taliyah snapped back in a serious tone. "Alahyta qaeidun?" Kai'sa asked Taliyah privately, perplexed as to what it meant. "It means like… Family welcoming, it's a rule we have with these major gatherings… so we never turn away strangers but they aren't welcome to be a part of most of the activities or sleep in the same area, there normally is a separate section with shops and a few tents for lodging of travelers that are passing by," Taliyah explained. "Well, that sucks, but I guess I can wait in the stranger's tents with the girl who wants to kill me," Kai'sa replied quietly with a bit of cynical humor, only loud enough for Taliyah to hear. "You'll be staying with me, just let me do the talking," Taliyah replied quietly.
The party carefully walked through the ruins as Zaifa pointed out the few salt mounds that were actually hibernating salt bears. Making an effort not to disturb them, the group pushed forward to the encampment of tribes, everyone pretty tired of walking. "The Sun disk looks bigger every time we come here, are you sure it doesn't grow?" Kadira asked, seeing it on the horizon. "No it doesn't… at least it's a sign of us not having to travel far from here," Zaifa replied. "We should be well rested by then anyway," Taliyah added as they approached the outer encampments. "So how long are you all planning on staying here, with the capital so close I feel like I could walk to it in a few hours," Rumble asked with a giddy attitude. "It looks that close but it's not trust me, it's about two to three days from here," Taliyah replied. "Kadra.." Sehla walked over and privately got her attention. "Yes?" She replied. "Would there be anyone here that might know about my… you know…" Sehla asked while she gestured with her hands, implying she was talking about her magic. "OH um, Yes there is always a shaman or two that is knowledgeable on those subjects," Kadira replied.
A loud flute note billowed out announcing their arrival as a group of a few dozen people came out to greet them. Kai'sa noticed Taliyah's shoulders stiffen up as she prepared to meet them, following her lead Kai'sa compelled her suit to curl up her shoulder pods flat against her back making her silhouette almost normal. "Greetings kinsmen and friends, Welcome Taliyah, Kadira, and Zaifa of the tribe "...", Samir of the tribe Sai Kelish, and Kai'sa savior of Marrowmark, we noticed you're approach an hour ago." A slender elderly pale man that spoke with a raspy high pitched voice welcomed them. "Impressive that you could work out who we are from that far away," Taliyah replied. " It is my duty to know the faces of all the Weaver's children, And Kai'sa has a very unmistakable appearance." The man explained. "It's not just kinsmen that are the Weaver's children, strangers are a part of the great tapestry as well," Taliyah replied sharply but not in a hostile tone.
"Of course my dear, I meant no disrespect to your companions," He said as he adjusted his hood to cover his head more as a breeze of wind disturbed it. "None was taken," Taliyah replied, maintaining her polite manners. "TALIYAH!" Kai'sa saw a seasoned man with a familiar facial structure trot out of the crowd and cut in front of the elder. "Dad!" Taliyah replied as she stepped forward and welcomed his hug as he ran up to embrace her. A few minutes passed with them hugging, Kai'sa could hear them quietly speaking to each other while they hugged though she couldn't understand a word of the language. "Hello, travelers if you would like to follow me I can show you to the lodging we have for you, if you need any garments washed or anything like that I'd be happy to help with that," A young woman stepped forward and addressed the other members of the group, Taliyah, and her father didn't pay her any attention. "Guess I'll see you all later, come on Rumble and Tai," Sehla said as she walked over to the young lady. "Oh I'm sorry but I'll have to take that, we'll keep it safe until you leave," the young lady said pointing at her short sword. "What, but what about…" Sehla said as she looked over and pointed to Rumble's mech but she then noticed that all the weapons that hung from the craft were gone and were replaced with random tools and winches. "Wha, what the f… grrr fine!" Sehla grumbled as she flipped her blade and handed the hilt to the lady.
After Sehla, Rumble, and Tai went with the young woman, Kai'sa's attention turned back to Taliyah who had finished her moment with her father and was now leading him slowly over to her. "This is my friend, she only speaks the common tongue…" Taliyah quietly explained. "Of course, You must but Kai'sa, I've heard a lot about you," Taliyah's father said. "Hopefully it's been good what you've heard," Kai'sa replied with a shy smile. "Certainly, Thank you tremendously for looking out for Taliyah and her friends, I heard you took quite the beating in Marrowmark," He said with concern. "Yea that was a rough fight, but If I'm being honest Taliyah has looked out for me just as much if not more," Kai'sa replied softly. "You were there in Marrowmark?" Taliyah's father asked with deep concern. "Um, yes, we were passing through and," Taliyah replied stuttering, "Taliyah wasn't there when Renekton came, she was delivering a note to a messaging caravan that had just left, however, she was of tremendous help tending to the wounded after the battle was over," Kai'sa explained cutting in on Taliyah's stuttering.
Taliyah brushed her hair nervously as she gave Kai'sa a little thankful glance. "Oh my that must have been difficult sweetie," he said with concern. "I was fine, and they needed our help," Taliyah replied timidly. "We all read about you two from an imperial decree, It brought great honor to our tribe and we are all grateful, and I couldn't be prouder," Her father explained. "You didn't seem too proud last time we spoke…" Taliyah replied with a bit of coldness. "Really? I didn't mean to come across that way, I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, you certainly have led a different path than I expected…" He replied. "Mmhm…" Taliyah muttered. "But, I don't mean that in a bad way, it's just clear your fate was never woven to be a shepherd," Taliyah's dad added. "Hehe yeah I suppose you're correct there," Taliyah chuckled in agreement.
"I'm sure you all must be tired and would like a bath," He said. "Just a little tired, But she definitely needs a bath," Kai'sa replied. "ackem…" Taliyah muttered giving Kai'sa a stink eye, "What it's true," Kai'sa muttered back at her implying she stunk. "I'm sorry but just customary rules, you are going to have to stay with your other friends, You will be welcome for dinner of course," Taliyah's father said as he pointed to the outer tents. "Oh ok…" Kai'sa replied respectfully. "Actually um…Dad, assa… Kaisa o Ke sessa… muaeid sharik…. lo mequl fuem rajk'bek?" Taliyah replied sheepishly with her hand scratching her hair nervously.
Kai'sa couldn't understand what she said but she noticed a peculiar reaction from Taliyah's father and the pale elder seemed to be disturbed by whatever she said. "Muaeid sharik?" Her father asked. Taliyah nodded her head affirmatively, still holding a sheepish demeanor. Immediately the elder started quietly arguing with Taliyah's father though Kai'sa couldn't understand what about, finally the argument stopped when Taliyah's father clapped his hands together and gave a rageful look at the elder as if to say, enough. "Um… well then, follow me then, we'll get a tent ready for you Kai'sa," Taliyah's father replied, clearing his throat as he shooed away his quiet argument with the elder. "What was that all about?" Kai'sa asked Taliyah. "I'll explain later, it's no big deal" Taliyah replied. Kai'sa couldn't help but not believe her, She noticed how Taliyah looked like she was about to throw up and worried deeply.
About five hours passed, and Kai'sa hadn't seen the others, she sat in a tub that was just barely big enough for her legs and butt, even so, she sat still in it for a long time just enjoying the alone time in peace. Her tent was pretty empty, clearly put together in a rush, there was a lot of chatting and action going on outside though she couldn't understand any of it but a few scattered words in common tongue spoken by random strangers walking by. Kai'sa finally got out of the bath, she was a bit bored as she waited for someone she recognized to come get her, she was uncomfortable going outside alone here. Walking over to a table on the wall of the tent she noticed a basket of fresh apples and pears, but her stomach and her second skin grumbled for something to eat. She then without hesitation melted the fruit and let the suit slurp it up, choosing that it is much better for her to be hungry than having her suit misbehave here, plus she heard Taliyah mention dinner anyway.
"KNOCK KNOCK HOPE YOU'RE DECENT! Oh wait what am I thinking kekeke" Kadira laughed as she barged into the tent. "What do you mean?" Kai'sa asked, confused. "Never mind me, That suit can't come off can it?" Kadira asked. "No," Kai'sa replied sharply. "Huh… that must get a little itchy…" Kadira said cavalierly. "You have no idea," Kai'sa replied. "Well here Taliyah asked me to help put this on you, It's actually my father's but I doubt he'll miss it, should be able to fit," Kadira explained as she held a large robe colored with red, and other earthy colors similar to Taliyah's color patterns. "Snap snap let's get going!" Kadira said as she came at Kai'sa trying to put it over her head, VRIMB! Kai'sa's power pods snapped up like they were going fire only to have Kaisa wrestle one pod down with her hands and pivot her body so the other pod pointed away from Kadira "Nasus! Can you not come at me like that!" Kai'sa complained, still trying to get her second-skin under control. "Um, my bad," Kadira replied, actually frazzled a bit by the Kai'sa's suit. "You're ok… just... Be Careful around me," Kai'sa replied.
Tai was sleeping hard already, tired from their long walk. Rumble was outside working on Tristy who was steaming like it was gonna explode, Sehla would want to help, but she had seen his mech do this enough at this point to know it was gonna be fine and Rumble didn't need her help, so she slipped away to talk to some of the shopkeepers. Sehla was rather disappointed in the selection as she looked through this shop tent with some books, most of it was nothing but fiction though there was a booklet on basic principles of hextech from Piltover that she found interesting enough to buy. "Excuse me, I was wondering where I might find the local shaman?" Sehla asked the bookseller as she paid for the booklet. "Irazi ain't welcome in the travelers' camp, and is more of a witch than a shaman if you ask me," the shopkeeper replied. "Is she in the main camp?" Sehla asked. "She is not welcome there either, you wanna see her you gonna have to walk around the whole encampment, it's just outta sight on the other side of that dune," the shopkeeper replied pointing to a dune that could be seen rising over the entire encampment. "Thank you for your help," Sehla replied. "Enjoy your book," the shopkeeper then said as Sehla started walking out of the travelers' camp to go around the whole gathering.
"There that should work," Kadira said optimistically as she looked at Kai'sa dressed in the robe. The robe was stretched to all hell having to be forced over her shoulder pods, the collar was stretched so much that it hung halfway down her left upper arm and the right arm sleeve was completely missing from being torn off from getting caught on a sharp piece of armor, but other than that it looked fine. "I sure hope she thinks this looks fine," Kai'sa muttered as she looked at herself in the mirror. "Not really any other option, come on let's go, the food at these gatherings is to die for," Kadira cheerfully replied. The rush of sounds and people overwhelmed Kai'sa as she tried to keep up with Kadira through the crowds. "So, how did Taliyah manage to sweet talk the elders into letting you in here? I've never seen that rule be broken," Kadira asked, having to talk very loudly so Kai'sa could hear her over the masses. "I'm not sure, I don't understand your people's language," Kai'sa replied. "Any words you remember I could translate?" Kadira asked as they continued pressing through the crowds. "There was one phrase that seemed to make them argue amongst themselves," Kai'sa replied. "Which was?" Kadira asked. "It was something like "Mooeid sharic?" I think the elder and her father seemed to be startled by it, was it a warning of danger or something?" Kai'sa asked.
"Um… think you're saying it wrong, "mope sharic" Perhaps?" Kadira asked. "No That wasn't it," Kai'sa replied. "So… Muaeid sharik, then?" Kadira asked again as they walked. "Yeah, that's the words" Kai'sa responded "KEKEGRR," Kadira gagged herself as she choked with laughter. "What's the problem?" Kai'sa stopped and asked, thinking Kadira was choking. "Nothing, keep moving this way you little slayer kekeke," Kadira said as she pushed Kai'sa to keep walking. "What's so funny, what's that mean?" Kai'sa asked, growing desperate. "I don't know, why don't you ask your girlfriend hehe," Kadira continued teasing. "Wa… First of all, you do know what it means, and she's not… my girlfriend," Kai'sa replied stuttering nervously. "Really, she's not? Funny why she would say you are then, well maybe she just said it so you would be welcome inside the rule of alahyta qaeidun and there be no romantic feelings behind it hehe," Kadira teased with a wink as Kai'sa looked speechless. "Papa, are you doing okay?" Kadira said as they pierced through the crowd and emerged at a massive grid of wooden tables and seats set out in the flat desert ground. "Kadira my darling," A heavy-set man stood up and hugged his daughter Kadira, "I see you showing the newcomer around," he added after seeing Kai'sa. "Yes, Kai'sa Taliyah should be somewhere at one of these tables, I think she is closer to the middle than where her family table is," Kadira explained as she sat down at her table.
As Kai'sa walked away she heard Kadira's father mention Taliyah and the words muaeid sharik, the rest she couldn't understand. "Aww yes papa, but don't let her hear you she's very shy," Kadira whispered a reply to him though Kai'sa could still hear her, looking back she saw her give another wink and silently say "It's ok," to Kai'sa as she was walking away. As Kai'sa walked through the rows and rows of tables looking for Taliyah, she couldn't help but hear many people mention the words Taliyah and muaeid sharik as they all looked at Kai'sa as she walked by. Some of the families had joyful smiles on their faces, even toasting their drinks to her as she passed, but other families had very grim, disdaining looks on their faces. Kai'sa had never felt the kind of nervousness that she was feeling now, pounding in her chest violently, her second-skin started to crawl and itch violently all over her body, Kai'sa had to stop walking and bow her head to keep herself in perfect control, she didn't want anyone seeing her not be in control or else they might be afraid of her as they should. "Kai'sa! Over here," Kai'sa heard Taliyah and then saw here about a dozen rows away. Taliyah's voice helped Kai'sa snap out of her daze as she pressed forward and walked to Taliyah.