IT WAS ALL REDUCED TO RUBBLE | {P, ISHAYU}

[Mama]

[align=center][div style="width: 470px; font-size:9pt; font-family:calibri; text-align: justify;line-height: 110%; color:black"]The pair seemed to hold common ground where it come to weaponry though the type proved different, the very thought of the projectile weapon the Freelancer had once wielded never once having crossed her mind.

There had been no prior life for her, though within her mind she had come to separate the first three years of her life from the existence she lead now, bitter memory she buried yet found a way back within each dream, a twisted, dark thing never quite far from the surface of her thoughts. Once she held another name, had bore the weight of being a child born to wield rather than forge weaponry for it was the way of her people, each young boy taught from youth to be a protector. Nothing about it had drawn her in, however, and quickly she had set herself apart as a rebel, refusing to listen to any orders given and accepting each punishment her superiors had thought matched her reckless pursuits. Yet it did not matter how many times chilled steel had broken her flesh, each word screamed into her face about obedience and making her family proud, of being the son they had so desperately wanted her to be, nothing could get through to her.

Rebel, traitor, bastard, such were but a few of the names her own people had thrown in her face when she dared to question them, to speak of her worth as something more than a soldier, uncaring for anything she dared to speak. For a time she had taken it all with tense smile, had allowed the words to roll over her with little care, yet each was another mark upon her, a fragment of the wall carefully constructed about her heart and mind falling away with each new insult. It reached a point she held only two options; force herself to conform and accept her duties as son and soldier or leave, begin a life of her own making in an unforgiving place which cared only to see her dead.

There had been no real choice to the matter though she took time to carefully weigh each option and find ways to exploit each, seeking something though as to what she held no real idea, lacking any real thought of her own for no child was raised to think upon their own, just to follow. Though she might never care to admit such she was no exception to such a rule for her mind had struggled within those final days to draw anything forth which seemed promising, enough to force her hand and permit her the chance to escape. Beneath their thumb was the child as all others who found their life began within the tents, and that day had not proven her escape. Easily had she slipped into the ranks once more, proving a fast learner for her mind was set upon becoming better than those who whispered behind her back, spoke as though she had no worth, laughing at each clumsy attempt she made. Quickly they were set within their place for she seemed the perfect example of a solider, astute and uncaring of those who met her within battle, relishing the blood she spilled outwardly though she despised the act itself, enjoying the rush of adrenaline if nothing else.

She had been two years old when they had come across the settlement, well established and rather old, set amongst ruins where the ring of hammer upon steel marked the air, the heat overpowering yet it could not stop the laughter and jovial conversation between the smiths. Drawn to it all she quickly became immersed in the act of crafting, watched as steel became something more than mere ore, given life and a voice, wonder touching a heart she had thought long since dead. It had taken a month of pleading, offering deals she had no care to act upon, before she was permitted to stay for a time and learn until her tribe came back around, a journey which would take them five months at a minimum.

Within the forge with the heat burning her did she find her first taste of freedom, laughter light and filled with mirth easy to her as was the gentle ribbing she shared with her teachers, working beside them with little care to what she had left behind. But the good might only last so long. Upon the completion of her training she had sought to craft a blade her own without the supervision of the other smiths, a mistake she regretted. White beneath the flames the metal she worked had not been suited to such temperatures and had exploded with no prior warning, her screams drawing others to seek her, the terror and pain within the sound enough to worry all. Quickly it became apparent there was no chance to save her limb and so it was severed when the first signs of infection rose, yet it proved only to slightly dampen her hopes, each day after spent within the forge, not working but watching, learning more so she might be careful next time.

Ishayu. It had been her teacher who had given her that name and began her new life, accepted as the woman she was rather than the boy her family had tried to force her to become. She had found a new home, a place she sought to stay but it had ended all too soon, the screams and blood which stained her memory of both places she had once deemed her own obscuring the faces of those she once knew. There where days when she wanted it back, to be there with her teacher once more, laughing at his bad jokes and enjoying the strong drink readily shared amongst the bystanders, a simpler time when she had only just begun to learn who she was.

For a time she had wandered, seeking a new place to call her own, if not home than merely a temporary stop off until she might make one her own again, yet this place had drawn her like a moth to a flame. It was different in many ways, lacking the heat of the desert she had been born within, the rowdy, lively people she had known once nothing but memory, the soft-spoke traders present here nothing like she was used to, it would be a lie to say she did not care for them, however. A week had passed her by since she had wandered the very beach Washington had walked only a short time ago, had been drawn in by the floating structures, an oddity her mind had thought wonderful. Within that time much had happened and she had made herself a residence, temporary or otherwise yet unknown to her, and slow was her work on bringing together a usable forge but it was coming together rather nicely.

Fire bathed the opening of a cave set in the mountain and this is where the albino mountain lion had begun her work, humming softly as she set about organising her tools, the only things she had left of her old life. Well worn yet tended to with loving care they were still within good order and would be useful for her work, but everything else was new. A high ring of stones held within it a low fire, massive lumps of wood set amongst coals with a bellows set upon the lip, a large, flat boulder acting as an anvil for the moment. Pleased with how things were going Ishayu moved towards the opening of the cave, seeking some fresh air for she had been at her work for an hour now, only to find a stranger wandering the stretch of beach. For a time she merely watched him as he moved along the beach before seemingly thinking better of it and taking to the grass, wondering as to his purpose. He was an oddity even to her, the armour which adorned his body was unlike any she had seen, simple leather and chain mail what she was accustomed to though she had never cared to wear any herself. Briefly she thought of slipping back into her forge, leaving the large creature to continue his wandering but she was tasked with defending those present in the sea side town even if such left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Tongue clicked against the roof of her mouth and by her side one of her swords came to rise, simple overall and likely little use against the armoured smilodon, it was more a comfort than anything, though she knew such use of her telekinesis would only leave her with a migraine later on. Taking a slow pace she approached Wash from where he might easily see her, the sword popping as it floated along beside her, red toned eyes narrowed as she took him in. The smell about him was familiar for she had passed by the Ascended upon her travels though had never thought to stop by, not prepared to meet another even if they proved friendly, speaking of his own alliance to a group.

“You don't seem to be a loner so I take it you have some business with Sunhaven, correct?” There is a distinct lack of emotion within the deep rumble of her voice, a frown touching upon her muzzle, eyes narrowed as they latch upon Wash, unwavering as she awaits a response.