[The Lost soul]

The clothes are taking so long....also this is a WIP

um...I'm teetering on the edge of Guest artist or not....

I guess I could do a few designs....but I'm extremely forgetful...so I'd need you to remind me...

um....yeah...

so far.....

Red-gold colors
The colors of her home land's flag. The small city of Garuth(Gah-roo-th).

Claws- she is rather a out-doors personality, and uses them for rock-climbing, steep hicking and for self defense in case she is threatened. She has them in a latched lock with her own claws.

She wears a hood because she is a shady person, in here, her hood is pulled back enough to show her face, but in reality, it covers down to her nose/muzzle. Also, she sometimes has bags of rocks and different souvenirs from her journeys, she is a vivid collector of almost everything ranging from precious stones to colorful shells and skulls and teeth or claws.

She also is a seamstress, which she is always adding detailings to her clothes and has issues with the colors of white, pink, and magenta....she has a vicious fear of aliens(which she imagines will eat her brains out) and constantly is doing something, which is why she has a sleep disorder.



The night of a Hunter-

Murder is such a strong word for what I did. It's not simple, I can explain, but it will probably twist your ideas on right and wrong.
Morning came on a cold breeze, everything here was always so cold, I honestly wish I could set a fire on my head to keep me warm, but that's ridiculous. So, furthermore, I am off gathering the regular timber and wild fruits I can find, rather a young and fearless child, I had no exact direct lines. Innocence could be put to it, but I was too devious and plainly fun-loving to be called that. After a few picks, my eyes stray over to a ledge, I spot something quite interesting, a color that entices me, a air of awe hits me as a smile creeps upon my lips and I start racing, excitement and curiosity boiling inside me like a earthquake. Oh, the hunt of a new object, the pursuit of a new idea and treasure, a discovery! Oh, what delightful, savoring love of the chase, I can never match that feeling with anything else. As i near the rocky wall, I realize just how tall this climb is, but I blow off my fears, shooing away the ideas that make me doubt and I reach and grasp the crooks and crannies, making my way up the great tower of stone. My nails dig into the rock, the grit falling into my face and eyes, but it's not a bother, no...these are mere hindrances in my quest. Lifting my hand up, I catch a ledge, pulling myself up, I can see the desired ledge above and I know I'm close. Within seconds I'm sitting on the ledge, staring at something beautiful, it was old, very old, but so beautiful.... a golden necklace, buried partly in the rubble, recently broken up by something. My hand gingerly caressed it and I slipped the tips of my fingers over it, tightening them about the accessory, I pulled it close to my face, brushing the dust off of it, smiling and letting out a giggle of delight, my eyes wide and full of joy. It took me only around half a hour to make my way down the cliff and back to my fruit and wood. I placed the beautiful piece in my pocket and cradled my bundles and gathering in my arms, racing towards home. I couldn't wait to wash it and see it all cleaned up.

The pounding of her heel digging into the earth was like a rhythm, putting me at a easy pace.I could feel the wind blowing at my back, twisting and tangling my hair....man, I was gonna get in soooo much trouble for messing up my hair! Troubles passed out of my mind as I climbed, fumbling, over the city's wall, dropping down to skip and trot towards my home. Well....my home for now.I was a orphan...well..one without a caretaker. Midelle,my caretaker, left to pursue love with a special someone. It had been hard...she and I had never connected, but still, when she left, it had hurt, to be left...the other children had been older and nicer, not like me. They liked the usual things, they liked the things inside the lines, they liked fish, I hated fish, they liked talking, socializing, friends, and colorful things, I preferred to be alone and preferred the colors black, red, gold, and deep blues. They played games, I wandered around, they showed affection for their caretakers, I wouldn't let them touch me. I was....a problem child. I didn't let people touch me, hold me, I had issues with being inside, I didn't even sleep in my bed! I would sleep on the floor. I was constantly passed around, handed on form caretaker to caretaker. Nobody wanted me, and each sympathized for the other, so they had me for a week, then passed me on to the next caretaker. It kept me in a home, and it kept them from getting stressed over me. I accept it....I don't mind the fact that they don't like me, I actually kinda appreciate it. Every Karth is different, and me....I'm just a really weird one, and they have accepted it. This makes it easier for both of us.

The door opens and my current caretaker, Gaeio(Gay-o), walked out, a load of laundry in hand. I skid in a attempt not to hit her, digging my heels into the ground to feel my head instead, hit the door with a thud. I flop down on my butt and rub my forehead to see Gaeio looking at me in shock.
"Are you hurt?"
I shook my head, getting up I made the normal greeting of a blink and went inside. I dropped the timber by the oven and placed the fruit in the basket by the herbs and seasonings. i ran down further into the house,opening the second to last door to the room, a chaotic room filled with children everywhere. Too many of them to name....I dodge flying balls, tumbling girls doing dance moves and jumping around, Guys wrestling, talk-groups, and circles of toddlers playing ring-games. I squeeze past the last roup, gossiping older groups to reach the small closet I had to myself, I open the door and slide inside, shutting the door and locking it behind me, squatting down in my confined space, I make sure my hand-made locks are working to keep curious and nosy children kept away as I turn and pull out the beautiful necklace, admiring it as I wipe it with a tattered rag, part of a old blanket, gently swiping it through the intricate curves and rounded beads, gently dabbing it in my water from the canteen I had, I forgot what it was made of....I had found it in the trash and had washed it in boiling water. Such a foolish thing to throw out a useful piece like this! Back to what I was doing...

After a good douse of water and a good patient cleaning, I placed it on my make-shift pillow. My eyes sparkled with curiosity, such a weird piece of jewelry, none like I had ever seen. It had some weird engraving on the back, some type of emblem. My fingers followed the smooth lines with love. I turned, looking for my Rosette Box, fumbling through the bags and boxes of stuff, yes...I was a great collector, and it was rather crowding. I would have to give up some when I got passed on to the next home. I hated that part, but it kept me from over-collecting. I took my favorites and left the rest for the world to deal with. I smiled when I found the cherry-wood colored box, picking it up I carefully placed it before me on the rug that Gaeio had knitted for me in her spare time, it was the least she would allow me to sleep on. She was a high-mannered woman, very polite, and the stereo-typical school-teacher mother. she normally had me sit and eat a fish every 3 days, not letting me eat anything else until I ate it, saying I would be a very frail and sick child if I didn't, and that I wouldn't be very smart, cause fish help brain growth. I would wrinkle my nose, growl and groan, roll my eyes and sit in silence, but I would always have to eat it, the disgusting soft, mushy meat. I can't stand that soft meat! It makes me gag! Ugh!

Gently picking up the necklace, I unlatched the Rosette, cherry wood box, seeing the contents, a heart pendant, a carved tooth, a colorful stone that reminded me of a Sunset, carved by me into the shape of a Karth, which I loved dearly.After rearranging them, I placed the necklace gently in the middle, cushioning it with some rags and cotton to keep it gently held. I sat there fr a good minute, staring at it before closing the box as a knock on my closet door shook my world, My hand snapped the lid shut and latched it with a swift curve of my hand before I shoved it under my pillow.
" Jasvelle! Jasvelle it's time for lunch!" That was Gaeio's helper, or... her little pet. The one child I hated.Dreading to ever hear her voice was my everyday plague. And now, I had to listen to her....
"Jasvelle get out here right now!"
Silently I unlock the door, peering out to see Alle, her perfect cream hair and soft white skin and golden scales, her bright pink eyes and perfect smile. The Perfect child, the opposite of me. Alle stood there, arms crossed.
"Gaeio is waiting" she chirped and turned, skipping towards the dining room. I followed slower, closing and locking the door behind me as I left it. I dragged myself to the table to see the one meal I hated...fish...yay...I sighed, sitting down on my spot on the floor, being given my fish, Gaeio frowned.
"eat....it's good for you"she said flatly, patting me on the head, I winced away and grabbed the fish off the plate, going to shove it in my mouth, I choked on my pride, stopping, I looked at it, wrinkling my nose, I ripped it in half, swallowing one half...and then, disgustingly enough,the other....Gaieo looked at me in sadness, worry and disappointment as I got up, walking into the kitchen to wash my hands in the kitchen. I knew she hated it when I did that....but I hated having to sit and wait for the others...I hated having to bare the wreak of fish all over them...it was horrible. Alle glared after me.
"You would think she's be more grateful for this delicious meal" she huffed. Gaieo nodded.
"She'll be with the next caretaker in a few days....in time...in time she'll learn....she just needs time." she murmured, she didn't believe her words, and I knew it. Time wasn't what I needed....I needed something to get in my face, to get my attention...no matter the punishment, spankings, time out, none of it phased me. One time I was force-fed....they learned how much I bite.

Time went slow when you had nothing to do. I sat in my closet the rest of the day, polishing, cleaning...trying to waste time, but nothing could help it. Alle would knock and blabber on about stuff and I would sit there, my hands over my ears, cursing her silently in my head, wishing she would be carted away some day, to leave me alone!
"...and the guy, Kuri, he is sooooo cute, and not to forget that Mako is extremely sweet, oh and did you hear the big news? A city parade! and the guards are escorting the village ruler through the streets!" she said. I blinked, taking my hands away from my ears....a parade? the ruler? cool! maybe there would be colorful streamers, shiny beads, wonderful music and tales of great beasts! The rest Alle talked about was lost to the world, because I was caught up in day dreams of hat the parade would be like. After dreaming of sweet treats of fruit and a day of stories, I realized Alle had gone away....peering out, I saw that everyone had gone for dinner....wow...had I really been in here that long? I snuck out, racing into the kitchen to snatch s fruit from the basket, hiding in the shadows as I crept back to my closet, digging into the tasty morsel. My teeth crunched on the crisp, hard meat of the fruit, finally erasing the rancid taste of fish in my mouth, I lick the last bits of juice off my stick fingers before settling down on my mat. I stay there, staring at the roof....well, I had only half a year....then I'd be 14 and I could go anywhere I wanted.

Time came with discoveries as I found more and more beautiful jewelry. I couldn't believe how beautiful they were, such master craftsmanship! But....not without suspicion. I had realized the guard patrols were coming more often, searching the orchards, sometimes, they found my piles of beautiful rocks and kicked them aside! No time for rage...the curiosity on why they were doing this forced me to stay one day, I stayed all day, and that, my dear people, was my first mistake.

The cold stone scraped at my scales, giving me a uncomfortable perch as I waited on the ledge to watch danglig my legs over the edge, humming along to a few childish tunes. My nails tapped out the drums and I myself, hummed the words in my mind, but, of course, every song ends. I felt something, a shaking to the ledge...small, faint....Raising my eyes I met the bright burning ember red eyes of a city guard, his stern face scarred down to the tip of his nostril.no words were exchanged, I sat there for a moment, blinking once to say hello, but he made no polite gesture and instead grabbed me by my shoulder, yanking me up.
"What are you doing here?"
"nothing..."
"Speak up!" he snapped.
"I was just watching" I snapped, shaking my shoulder in a attempt to get him away from me. He didn't let go, he just started digging his nails in my shoulder, pulling back his lips in a growl.
"You're old enough to have a mentor, now, why are you sitting out here?"
"I said, I was watching, and I'm 13 and a half!" snapping my shoulder back, I let out a yelp as his hand slipped off my shoulder, taking a scrap of my garment as I crashed to the ground, seeing I was close to the edge still, I rolled to avoid it. Grabbing the wall, I raced further up the cliff, trying to get away. If I got caught, Gaei would kill me! I would be eating fish for all my meals, for the rest of my childhood! I could hear him yelling, saying something, I didn't care... I was not gonna be forced to eat fish!

"Kid! Kid get down!" it was all I heard as the cliff shook with a tremendous tremor.
"Another quake! get everybody out before we have another cave-in!"
I grabbed on tight, shutting my eyes.
"Kid! Come on!" this time, a new one...but I didn't budge. I was too....too....okay, I admit, I was....scared....Don't you dare judge me! you too would be scared if you were a good half a mile up a cliff, well....maybe..i dunno how high it was, I was so small it could have been only 20 feet! It was shaking so much it would collapse!
It all slowed and I sighed, but that was because it had a gap of empty space. I had only a second of relief before the stone that held me there, exploded with a tremor so violent...I slipped. I plummeted, no scream could come out of me, my hands reached at the sky in a prayer for help, I saw something and I felt my wrist get yanked, that pain hit me with a rupturing screech, but not even the guard's strong hand could keep me from diving to earth, my small hand, bony and frail slipped through his grimy, callused hand. I watched as his red eyes disappeared, sending me to scrape at whatever cliff part I could reach, the pain in my wrist unbearable, it was merely a snap as I hit a large tree, crashing from branch to branch as I finally hit the ground...

I had barely scraped my conscious to recollect what was going on, I was lying, my face in the dirt, my face was numb with pain, my limbs aching so bad I couldn't move, and my wrist, the skin around it was slightly ripped, obviously dislocated, and my hips were on their side. Leafs covered my feet and left shoulder, a branch on my ankle. Twigs were all up in my hair, grass blades in my ears, teeth and toes. My eyes were the only thing that seemed to work as I looked up to see the cliff, it's high, flat, regal look, now it was a disaster, dust filled the air in a cloud of the past remnants of the air from it's inner tunnels. I blinked slowly, feeling sluggish, I tried to pull myself up, finding all my body was bruised and battered...such a wonderful thing. I grabbed and drug myself up against the tree with my good hand, the other was practically useless, I had torn my shoulder's muscle in the pull, the elbow was sore at the strain, and the wrist was still the mess I had said before. The white-ish flesh inside was covered in blood, disgusting, reeking blood. I feebly brought my hand to my wounded wrist, letting out a cry and a whimper as I picked it up, bringing it to my lap as I tenderly wrapped it up in one of my polishing rags, I could feel my eyes watering, from the dust.I laid my head back on the trunk, gasping in pain, biting my lip till it bled, trying to distract myself from the pain that shook my body. Give me a break, I was only a kid....I had never encountered pain like this, and the shock, the fear, the suddenness of it, it overwhelmed me. I tied it as tight as I could before I settled in, trying to keep my breathing even...My clothes were ruined and I knew, I was not gonna be able to hide this from Gaeio. My eyes closed, my breathing slowed and the world faded away...I saw a bit of movement...something grey...but against the dark grey-blue night time light, I didn't recognize it as anything, and my mind slipped off the edge into a dreamless sleep.

Time, once more, dragged on and I woke to harsh terms.
"...we don't have time for this! You let a child go to the cliff? Do you know how much the press would love this? Do you even know if she discovered them?"
"How should I know? I was off on the Right wing, near the old orchards, and when I make it up the cliff, I'm staring at the runt!"
"Okay....she's around apprentice age? s we tell her mentor she was out with some guy!"
"She plainly said she was 13 and a half...she yelled it at me" he huffed.
"Well then, smart guy, tell me what we're gonna do!"
"Well...we can tell her caretaker she got beat up by robbers...."
"What of value would a child have?"
"...maybe it was a alley brawl? a personal fight?"
"and some kid did that to her?"
"Look, I'm the only guy trying to come up wit-" I blinked at them, looking around...it was a weird room, a dusty old place. I was on a bed, a water dish on a night stand beside me, along with a fish...great....a fish....
"Ugh...Harris..." the guard nudged the merchant in the shoulder, hard enough to knock him over.
The merchant turned, his cold pale yellow eyes slid over to bore down on me,Jasvelle, who clearly had no idea, what in the name of the Queen, was going on. Blinking a hello, in return, he blinked his greeting.He strode over, dressed in fine garments, the dyed-golden hair he had was definitely expensive, he wore jewelry down to the tip of his nose rings, and had a air of pride and self-power.He squatted down to peer at me from beside the bed, staring in m wide eyes at my range, level to the bed's height.
"Hello..."
I held my tongue, and my breath, staring at his eyes...they were so weird....
"Do you know what happened?"
I didn't speak.
"Why were you up there?"
I shifted, wincing the pain that accompanied my movement.
"Look...we need to know, where your caretaker is"
"What day is it?"I rasped, realizing how much I craved for a drink, I quickly went to reach for the water dish, pulling my arm up made me realize just hos hard I had fallen. I shaking held it, trying to being it to me, the merchant watched, amused at my attempts to hide my discomfort and weakness and how I fumbled with the dish with only one hand.
"Would you like help with that" he sneered in a funny, mocking way.I merely glared at him and went about shifting and squirming, trying to get a drink, instead I ended up getting my whole head wet....not bad for a one-handed cripple...but I had more pride then that.
"Well...that was....a wonderful show" he joked, but I didn't see his laugh as friendly. He thought I was stupid and I was not very happy.
"Now, let's see...the day....hm...it's been 2 days since the cave in..." he trailed off in thought, a mocking joke to make himself look stupid just to make her feel happy.
"2 days?" I croaked.
"Well....yes...." he said, looking at me, surprised at my shock and worry. I looked at him.
"Um...who....who comes after Gaeio...um..."
"Gaeio is your caretaker?"
"Ugh...two days ago...um...I think...I go to Sheba's house now...." I murmured, trying not to whimper at the thought of what punishment I would get for this. sheba would make me stay inside for weeks and only let me eat fresh, sticky fish. I sighed as I saw my cornered status and looked over to see the Merchant was completely confused.
"I have...multiple caretakers...today I should be at Sheba's house...the one near th-"
I know where she lives...but...multiple caretakers?"
I shrugged.
"Okay...s-s-so....we take you to Sheba's..."
"I'm in so much trouble" I hissed under my breath.
"Hm....well....I'm gonna get in trouble that a child got past the guards....how bout this...you and I make a deal?"
I flicked my ear loosely in question.
"Okay....you nd I will both get in trouble....big trouble...so, how bout we make up a story? I can say a animal attacked you...and they will understand why I kept you here to heal...."
I thought over it...to lie would to save both our hides, right? I blinked at him, he had spared me from having to explain it on my own, and he had laid me here to heal. I took in my options, and I could see, he had much more to loose then I did. I could bargain with him. I frowned to make him doubt.
"If I lie, I could get caught, and that would leave me in the rut and you could say you only knew that I was hurt and what I told you, leaving me a liar and you a plain helpless man helping good-heartedly..." I muttered softly.
"Well...um....how about I send you back with a doctor?"
"Um...."
"Well Mrs.needy...." he grunted.
"I want to know why the guards were up there."
His jaw tightened and his eyes went into a flurry of thought, but over all, you couldn't tell the question had bothered him, but I had spent a good part of my life, studying the small hints of emotion, lying, guilt and of course, discomfort. I was not one to be lied to. I knew when somebody said 'Oh, it doesn't hurt!', or ' It doesn't taste that bad!', or even ' I promise it's not like that!'. Well...now I was looking at him, and I realised just how stupid I was playing this. he could get off scotch free, never tell anyone about me...to let me die here and keep it to himself.
"I wish you would think twice....now...I am, of course, a merchant, and that land is my property, so I am bothered when people bother me there"
"Well...that explains it" she said with a small, forced smile.
"now, let's get you to...Sheba's...."

The next of that day was of him and me, straightening our stories and then me being taken to Sheba's via cart. Sheba had issues with me, telling me how reckless, stupid I was, crying over me and pecking at my bandages, checking everything twice, smothering me in oils and lotions, all this stuff i felt I was buried underneath a inch thick of this stuff! Of course, me and the merchant, whom I had learned went by the name of Jaron, stayed to our story, and if they asked outside of context I would look at them in confusion and say my head was still fuzzy, and Jaron explained it might never recall the event.

After a good dose of lies, me and Jaron parted our separate ways, leaving me with Sheba, being pecked over. Sheba was absolutely, wretchedly doubled head-over-heals worrying over me, telling me I had to have like 5 bowls of soup every day! fish soup! It tasted so bad I would plug my nose and roll on my side to keep from having to eat it. She changed my bandages every single day! She hated it when I moved even a inch, and wouldn't let me go outside! I silently suffered, knowing it was my own doing, scars formed, my wrist was never the same, but that didn't mean it was bad, just....it felt funny. I soon was going back to picking from the orchards, the guards didn't mind me, and I simply ignored them. Nobody could stop me, if they chased, I ran faster, if they threatened to tell my caretaker, I snorted in reply. Jaron constantly showed his displeasure by putting obstacles in my way, picking all the fruit, scarring the ground, putting up posts and fences... but he couldn't keep me away, it was too big of a job. Along with leaving shards of glass and nails about, I simply wore leather wraps on my feet. Last of all, I visited the tree...the one I had fallen into. I looked at the great boughs, scarred my the branches ripped from it by my doing. It sighed, feeling sorry for the tree, I had never meant to hurt it....The last few days of my childhood, I visited the rubble heap, smiling, I stood on the top, showing I had no fear of my past. Scars or not, I would not be afraid of a pile of dust!

"Jasvelle....hurry up already!" The annoyance in their voices lashed at me, along with their narrowed eyes. Yeah, Gaeio and my new escort, Leopak(Lay-o-pack), were both mentally passing, with crossed arms and tapping feet, they both hovered outside the house. I had no intentions of making it easier on them, I didn't want to go visit the lands, I wanted to go back to bed.
"Jasvelle if you don't get out here right now I'm dragging you, kicking and screaming!" snapped Gaeio, who took a threatening step inside. I, was sorting out my stones, frantically trying to stuff them into my pockets, mouth, anywhere to hold them so I didn't lose the precious cargo of being left behind, but her hand slapped my back as it came down on my shoulder, jerking me forward, and whipping me back in a way that sent all of my treasures to the ground in a large, messy crash.
"Ga-" I didn't finish as she practically threw me out the door, barely packed with my one satchel over my shoulder, holding my only clothes, and the rosette box I loved. Yeah....I hit Leopak o the way out, making him even more of a grump, which wasn't one of my favorite events to add to my day's displeasure. I had thought they might just let me go, instead they were shoving me out the door with impatience....why? probably because of the past few days of rebellious shouting, constant fighting, and tension between me, and the city itself. Everyone was starting to feel my wrath, though unintentionally harsher then I had proposed. I was going through regular teenage rebellion, independence issues, but with me, already being a rebel, this was insane. I wouldn't let anyone touch me, I didn't eat anything at home, I never spoke, instead I would just glare, spit, kick, punch, scream, and mostly, just one rotten soul to be around. I didn't know why exactly...but this over-powering rage had just hit me, and I hated everything, and everyone that wanted to do anything with me. I wanted to be left alone completely. I understand it may be weird, to get mad that a tree is in my way, but explain to me why that was happening at the time and I would've ripped your throat out....
"I wasn't done!" I snapped, barring my teeth like a rabid dog, flashing out my eyes like a blade, slicing into Gaeio with a deadly gaze.
"You should've packed last night" she retorted.
"I still don't want to go!" I snarled, my hands had knotted into fists and I wasn't going to let Gaieo win this...vocally, or physically...
A firm hand brushed my arm and I turned to snap my gaze at Leopak.
"Jasvelle....we're leaving....now" he stated flatly, no room for argueing by the look in his eyes. I let him know I was going to make him miserable if he touched me again by jerking away from him, dealing a deep growl to them both as I placed both my hands in my pockets and looked at the ground, gritting my teeth and putting out my bottom lip slightly to signal I was done talking to them for the day. A sigh was heard from Gaeio, who for once, was letting herself relax and go back in the house, having left Leopak to nudge me on to walking out the city gate, since we weren't that far from it... we were a house along the wall, as it is, and it was merely a minute of walking to get there. Leopak was busy talking about the skill I could try out, fishing, wood-work, painting, sewing, all the different skills, only I just flicked my ear at sewing....it was the only thing I could relate to. I had spent most of my spare time as a toddler, sewing my own clothes, since my caretakers weren't allowed to touch me,(being my rule) as a child. I blinked, realizing I was at a end with myself....that was the only option I really had....
"are you listening to me?" his voice snapped me from my deep thought and I scuffed him with my foot on his ankle to show my response.
"Fine..." he huffed.
"Let's start off in sewing...since you seem to familiarize with it" he snorted, noticing my external signs for the internal thoughts...not that hard really, it was instinctual to do things like that.
I lifted my head to see the fancy-looking building. Walls of smoothed stone with white mortar, a roof of carved stone shingles instead of hay or wood like on shacks, and a brick chimney for the stove instead of a hole in the roof or plainly having it outside. More to it, they had a delicately, beautiful carved door with metal hinges and everything! they even had a polished handle! I spent a few minutes, looking at the outside, now, when I went inside, I felt extremely misfit. The girls here were soft, had delicate, small finger, groomed nails and hair, and they had nice clothing, were over-all pretty and they were less plain then me...I was black and white, they were all sorts of grey shades with markings, white hair, dyed hair, pretty eyes and everything! They even had their scales tattooed to look like things like butterflies and wings, even a flower or colors to accent their own natural beauty. I found myself standing in the middle of a room filled with rich people! My eyes hollowed and all life and spirit in me left and my face paled, my hands went cold and my feet becames heavy. I looked around to see them all looking to me to introduce myself, and I held my tongue to realize, Leopak was talking.
"-elp her to get a job, now that would be wonderful" he turned to me and I looked at him, my eyes coldly pleading for him not to leave me in here with this group of Wealthies, but he returned it with nothing, actually smirking at my pitiful demeanor and turned to leave. My hand snapped out to grab his ram, but his hand snapped mine away and he closed the door behind himself. I was left to fend for myself. Turning to see them....they were talking....not to me, but about me, acting as if I were deaf or something! as if I couldn't hear them!
"-her hair is so....untamed....so uncared for, do you think she has lice?"
"No...no lice, she seems to have no lice, she'd be scratching"
"So she's a well-bathed beggar?"
"Well, she might come from a poor district of the city..."
"I come from the city-walls of Garuth" I said flatly, feeling it was pitiful not to snap at them.
"And indeed, I have no lice, I'm no beggar, and I have come here for a job" I stated, my anger showing through in the last few words.
"Now, where is your mistress?"
"Actually, it's a mister...and he's in the back, doing finances" a snappy yellow-eyed guppy-of-a-snake(a insulting name) chirped up with a smirk on her face. Yeah....not on my good list. I lifted my chin and smiled.
"Even better...." and went towards the door, reaching for the handle, I felt their eyes, bearing down on me, yeah, enemies to start...me against them. All of them. I smiled to myself, happy to finally be back in the swing of things. I opened the door without knocking...I wasn't going to let this man think I was scared and shy like some child!
"Excuse me sir?"
His head swung to face me, his glasses scrappy and old, seeing as he was neck-deep in papers. OCD probably, with that much documentation of everything, worse then Gaieo.I blinked my hello and smiled.
"I was sent here to try out for a job....I can see you have a few already here, but I can always adapt to fit any job you have" I sung like a canary, the words rolling off my tongue with ease, since I had rehearsed many times in my mind. Now...I was back ontop of my world, looking down my nose at the other girls.

Yeah, I got a job, I showed him I could sew....but instead, he had me carrying things, packages, boxes, dresses, skirts, clothing really, cloth, anything they wanted me to do, I did it. I did my job, and they paid me....I slept in the trees, since the rooms inside were taken, I ate what I could get, and I spent all of my waking moments working. I didn't get paid much....not much at all. Late nights became common, and the usual payments began to thin. Buisiness was low for him....and he was cutting ends, and I wasn't going to get cut off as a loose end. I turned towards the scrap cloths, and started sewing designs. My treasured stones were my inspiration, along with the shells and leaves. I became good, for a guppy my age, and I decided I could show him I wasn't just a box-sorter.
"The last dress will be placed aside for two more days, we don't have the time for it!" he flailed his hands.
"We need more people to get more money, but we can't get more people because we don't have anymore money!" he complained.I raised my hand.
"I can work on it" I volunteered, sending every girl in the room into a spinning halt to look at me, the box-sorter.
"Just let me take a go, I'll pay for it if I ruin it, I got all the money and nothing to spend it on, I can pay for it....just let me try" I offered, seeing as he wasn't very impressed. I picked out my needle from my bag.
"I've been practicing" I stated happily, smiling.
"Fine....you ruin, you pay," he grumbled, turning to leave, I snatched the soft creamy white dress, picking out some golden threads, and golden and burgundy ribbons, walking over to set it on the table, ignoring the girls who hadn't continued, instead, they were watching me with beady eyes, whispering...I just went about, embroidering the hem. After a good 20 minutes, the hum of work turned into a roaring buzz, and girls were constantly passing by me, peeking at the dress, snorting, huffing, showing their disapproval. They didn't want me taking their place....and they knew I wasn't going to leave. I laid the golden ribbon so it hung it swooping arches down the dress, I sewed the tips in place, not cutting it as I made small knots at the joinings with ridges to add some design,, along with drops of thick deep red cloth along the skirt and sleeves, I went about to the back with the ribbons to make a bow and let two ribbons flow down the back. Adding ribbon on the neck line and on the shoulder sleeves and down the back in a criss-crossing pattern to tie the back in. I embroidered the neckline with a diamond at the tip of the neck V and finished with adding a small ribbon about the waste...this had taken both days, due to the fact I was constantly being bumped by the other girls, trouble getting the ribbons from the stock when the other girls were blocking me, and the fact that I was having to embroider while I was being constantly distracted and annoyed, but all-in-all, it looked good in the end. I showed the piece to Mister Hermiph, who was rather surprised at my jump in skill from simple sewing to a designer.

I waited patiently, shifting and squirming as I sat in the tree. I wouldn't get to hear the feed back from the customer until later.
'It's all in the customer's opinion' Hermiph snorted at me when I asked if he had liked it. Now I was here, awaiting the verdict. I had enough money to pay for it.....but Hermiph might make me pay for the time and customer wasted, which I knew I didn't have enough for, and would miss payments for it. Then I'd probably get laid off! I started to claw the bark, the soothing feel calmed my nerves only a bit. I needed to know!
"Hey Jasvelle"
I yelped and fell out of my spot, hitting the ground with a loud 'Thump' to blink and stare at a bunch of guppies. They giggled at me and I sat up, brushing myself off to glare at them.
"What's the deal? Sneaking up on me like that" I growl at them. They nod, intimidated by my size, and attitude, backing up a few steps.
"Well....Jasvelle..... we were wondering...." A green-grey guppy spoke up, being nudged by the others.
"C'mon, speak up and tell it to me straight"
"Would you like to make some extra money? cash? Something to get you a real bed?" A pale purple one chirped, a female.
"Yeah....." I murmur, eyeing them.
"Well...."
"C'mon, tell me how, and I might just let you walk away without a good welt on your heads for being annoying" I grunt.
"We know this place where you can fight for some!" The green-grey guppy spoke up quickly, not wanting to get a beating.
I pause. Money... for fighting? This must be heaven! I get to hit people, bite 'em, and clobber their brains out.... and they pay me? I'm ready to jump out of my skin!but... I need to play it cool.
"What's the catch?" I say, less aggressive towards them now.
"We get.... 10%!"The boy says, then backs up, afraid of being hit.
I think it over.
"I guess..... tell me where to go.... and get me in... and we've got a deal" I mutter.


I find myself in the middle of a huge, basement. Or I think it's a basement. It might just be a underground gym. The people here are drunk, smoking... most of the stuff here is illegal by the Queen's law, and by the Land's law. I am wearing a mask made of wood. The ones used in festivals and other festivities. It's black with gold markings... I picked it out. The others didn't have a choice. I wasn't going to wear something stupid.

As I walk into the inner crowd, I can see what the kids were talking about. Its a cage. Metal barrs keep the fighters from running or leaving until PIN is called. My hood is pulled over my head, all the way, and I left my items back at the tree, up high so no one could steal 'em. Now.... I'm unsure about this. The kids have signed me in, and are waiting, up with their friends, watching from a small window. The people here aren't soft, and wouldn't give a teenager like me a second chance. I take in a breath, but choke on it as I hear my name called. It's my turn. I walk over to the door as it opens and look around once inside. It's roomy....and the crowds are so loud...
My eyes catch sight of the brute before me. I panic. I thought the kids promised to sign me up for a easy fight! This guy is twice my size! and he's definitely not a easy fight! The horn is blown and he charges. I shoot under him, between his legs, turning to watch him have to stop himself from hitting the door. I don't give him the chance to turn around before I lung, grabbing his neck and biting into the his nape. I dig in, harder then I thought I ever would use on another soul. Blood spurts out and fills my mouth. It tastes horrid! I want to gag, but I can't. My whole body is tensed up. I can hear him screaming. He keeps trying to grab me, but he's a muscular guy, not a acrobat. I'm out of reach for him, thankfully. I dig in, but it's not enough and I rip back, taking a chunk of flesh with me, spitting it out before I slam my head with his. Ow....I hit the ground. Worst idea ever. I scramble away and stand up, but he's already taking a swing. I duck and his knuckles hit the bars of the cage while I slip away from his grasp, panting. My eyes are wide with fear, but the mask hides it. All I can do is pray that I make it out of here.

He swins and swings again. Each time I have to evae. The crowd isn't pleased and they scream and yell. I know if this goes on too long, they'll call off the fight. so I have to act. I charge and run all my weight and force, right into his knee. It buckles, dislocating and the knee cap breaking under my hit. He screams, grabs me and slams down on me as he falls. His weight is crushing me. I can't breathe. I claw at the ground and kick, but he isn't letting up. My head starts to ach, and my lungs strain. I turn around... I know I'm going to hate myself later, but I lock my hands together, turn, and slam them down on his diaphram. He curls up and huffs for air, giving me space to squeeze away. I try to crawl awya, but he grabs my ankle and yanks me back, throwing me into the cage. The metal hits me like cold reality, and I scream in pain as I feel one of my ribs, cracking under the force. I crumple to the ground, unable to move. It hurts.... It hurts so much. He stumbles over and reaches to grab me.

I hate this.... I hate the pain, I hate those kids for tricking me. I hate Hermiph for giving me such a low job. I hate Leopak for being so cruel. I hate Gaeio for being so picky. I hate those sewing girls, and I hate myself... but right now... none of that matters. Only this one moment. I shoot up and slam my head into his again, this time hitting his eyes. He stumbles back, blinded as I shoot at him and take him full-bore, slamming him into the cage before I rip him down by his hair and start to beat his face. this rage..... this fury. It burns inside of me like a inferno. It hurts.... but I want him to hurt more. I pulled away. The brute is barely breathing. I beat his face in... and I didn't even notice. My hand is raised in triumph, and I let out a cry of relief, making my way out of the cage, stumbling over to the window to scream at those kids.
"Come get your bloody 10%"
They're scared, and they run away from the window, along with their friends. I go to the Payment Ward. He hands me more money then I ever imagined. I count it out, and divide by ten, giving them their part, then growled at them, sending them running. I barely made it home...to that tree. I slump down against it and hug it, crying in pain, and joy.


Hermiph tried to ask me why I was so busted up, but I didn't say. He'd probably get all mad. The girls are gossiping, saying I got mugged, or I got in a fight and lost. I keep it to myself. My story will only make them grin at how they're suspicions of me being a illegal convict, were pretty much dead-on. I am finally laid off. Hermiph can't sustain me. I went outside and looked back, the girls were smiling, happy I was leaving, so I spilled.
"Herra? Charie stole your book, and Marta? Keelo stole your bonder, and also... Hermiph? Corile is stealing the biscuits again" I chirp happily, having told their secrets, I go and walk away as they bicker and scream at each other while I head into the city. I guess that fighting job will have to be permanent.

[TheCalicoTabby]

Wow, I love this design! ^^ The colours, the designs, and the clothes all look great.
The hood really would work for a shady person--exiled kartheans have shaved hair, and the hood covers her hair completely. Maybe she's trying to hide something?

[The Lost soul]

maybe....wait...does their hair grow back? if not, that's fine, but I didn't know about it.

oh...how advanced are they? do they have simple things like medieval-aged, or victorian? recent age stuff? or a indian type of life?

I wanted to add some more stuff...other then her belt with her polishing rag and side-bag....which may or may not be included.

[TheCalicoTabby]

It does, but very slowly. Here, this is what I have written so far on hair;

They have long hair on the back of their head. This is stronger than human hair, and rarely falls out or breaks, though it grows very slowly. The strands of hair are thicker than a human's, and very smooth and shiny. As they never cut it intentionally, it is possible to judge an karthean's age by the length of their hair.
...
Hair is important to kartheans--long hair is thought to show experience and wisdom. It is often braided and decorated with colourful beads. A karth who commits a serious crime may have their hair cut as a punishment, often being exiled as well. This is one of the only situations a karth's hair will be cut, therefore karth who are not children and have short hair are seen as dangerous and untrustworthy. Wigs or any other kind of fake hair is seen as vain, arrogant, and dishonest.

And they're about at the medieval level, technology wise.

[The Lost soul]

cool, hm......she'll be a murderer!(lol...now I'm gonna write a story for her! am I getting a little carried away? yes...and I'm loving it!)

[TheCalicoTabby]

Sounds good! ^^ Feel free to ask me any questions about the kartheans or their world; I have three pages written about it so far. If you'd like I can send it to you.

[The Lost soul]

yes please!
um...if you don't have it down...do they have a type of currency? any valuable ores/rocks? a high-holding position? a leader/king? What's their system of law?

It's being used in the story, which is a work in progress....I can't wait to see what you have down!

[TheCalicoTabby]

This is what I have so far, though I'm still adding to/refining it. Let me know if you have any questions!

Physical Description:

Kartheans are, on average, 6-7 feet tall. They mature quickly, reaching adulthood at around the age of 14. They live an average of 90 to 100 years total.

Male and female karth look very similar, with some small differences. Males are slightly bigger, often have more scales, and have longer, more curved spikes.
Kartheans look reptilian, but have several traits more commonly associated with mammals. They're warm blooded, have hair, give birth to live young, and feed their young with a kind of milk.

Karth have rough, dry skin with scattered scales. They have long hair on the back of their head. This is stronger than human hair, and rarely falls out or breaks, though it grows very slowly. The strands of hair are thicker than a human's, and very smooth and shiny. As they never cut it intentionally, it is possible to judge an karthean's age by the length of their hair.
They have sharp, curved nails and teeth, used for catching the fish that make up most of their diet. Their eyes have cat-like slit pupils, and they have a second, transparent eyelid that blinks from side to side to protect their eyes while swimming. They can also seal their ears and nostrils, and have webbed fingers and toes, making them strong swimmers. They cannot breathe underwater, but they can hold their breath for several hours. Their digestive systems have evolved to be able to drink salt water, though most prefer fresh water when it's available. They eat some plants in order to get vitamins and nutrients they can't get from fish--or just for seasoning.

Karthean's skin is generally grey, though it comes in many different shades and tinted colours. They often have faint spotted or striped patterns. Their hair is naturally light, usually white, grey, or cream. Their eyes are usually bright, warm colours, such as red, orange, and yellow. Dark eyes are possible, but uncommon. Blue, green, or grey eyes are rare.

Kartheans can have varied face shapes and body types similar to humans. The number and placement of scales can also vary.
Their hair is usually straight, sometimes slightly wavy, but never very curly unless deliberately styled.

Culture:

Hair is important to kartheans--long hair is thought to show experience and wisdom. It is often braided and decorated with colourful beads. A karth who commits a serious crime may have their hair cut as a punishment, often being exiled as well. This is one of the only situations a karth's hair will be cut, therefore karth who are not children and have short hair are seen as dangerous and untrustworthy. Wigs or any other kind of fake hair are seen as vain, arrogant, and dishonest.

Kartheans often tattoo their skin and dye their hair in various colours. The hair dye will eventually wash out, though higher quality dyes will last longer. There are two kinds of tattoos--temporary ones, that are often used decoratively in the same way humans use make-up. Then there are permanent tattoos, usually symbolic, that are often used to mark important events, such as reaching adulthood or becoming bonded to someone.

Karthean's 'bonds' are slightly different than human marriages. They focus less on romance or reproduction, and are often closer to what humans would consider very close friends than couples. Bonded pairs are just as commonly pairs of the same sex as those of opposite sexes. Not every karth will become bonded, and it is not a decision they undertake lightly. A bonded pair is expected to spend the rest of their lives together, protecting and caring for one another. They may still have relationships, romantic or otherwise, with other karth, but are expected to put their bonded partner first.

Karthean children are not usually raised by their biological parents. They are given to caretakers--kartheans who devote their lives to protecting, caring for, and teaching young karth until they reach maturity. Caretakers are not allowed to bond with other karth; the nature of bonding expects one to put one other karthean above all else, and caretakers are expected to care for nobody more than the children under their care. Caretakers are very well respected in karthean society, and though they have no real authority over adult karth, they are often sought out for advice.

Once a karthean has reached maturity at 14, they can choose to leave their caretakers immediately, though many choose to stay for a few more years before they feel ready to set off on their own. Once they do leave, they must choose an area to work in. Some common occupations are caretakers, farmers, fishers, architects, smiths, weavers, dye makers, woodworkers, healers, artists, entertainers, and soldiers. Once a young karth has chosen, they are expected to find an older karthean already established in the trade. They then must impress this older karth in some way. Depending on the trade and on the karth, this may come in the form of gifts, demonstrations of skill, or even sparring matches. Very successful kartheans may have multiple young karth vying for their attention. Eventually, they will chose one apprentice, and will begin to teach them all that they know. It will take anywhere from a year to a decade, but eventually they will deem their apprentice ready to continue without them. At this point, that karth may take an apprentice of their own, and the cycle will continue.

The kartheans in this part of the world are ruled by a queen. Very few have actually met her, and for the most part she does not interfere, allowing villages and cities within her domain to govern themselves so long as they follow some basic laws sent forth each year by a royal messenger, who also collects mandatory 'gifts' from each karthean for the queen. She is rumoured to have a powerful army; not particularly large, but made up of the most strong and skilled kartheans known. Each year, many karthean warriors journey to her fortress in hopes of joining. Most return to their homes disappointed--the others are never heard from again. Whether they met misfortune on their journey or succeeded in their quest is unknown. The queen and army are almost mystical figures to the average karthean--apart from the rumours and stories and the yearly messenger, they play next to no role in every day life.

Each individual villiage and city is lead differently. Some have a single ruler, either voted on, ruling by force, or by birthright, and some are lead by groups with similar reasons. Some smaller villiages have no clear leaders, managing to work together without one. One consistent law of the queen is that no karthean or group of kartheans can rule more than one city or villiage, with rules regulating the size of the city that can be ruled. This law is one of the few directly inforced by the queen's knights.

Kartheans have no money or other currency. Instead, they trade. Most villiages and cites have a large central marketplace where kartheans can come to trade their goods and services for others. The soldiers, who guard the cities and keep the law, are paid by the queen herself. The payment varies, but is usually in small, valuable items (such as fine jewlery) that can be traded for other supplies. Caretakers, who, like the soliders, serve the community but have nothing to trade, live on donations from the rest of their city or village. Because of how highly respected they are, these is not hard to come by.

The religions and spiritual beliefs of kartheans are varied, but the ocean plays an important role in much of their mythology. Though it can be dangerous, kartheans have always relied on the ocean--fish make up a large part of their diet, and ocean water has sustained them in times of drought.

World:

Kartheans live on the world of Aradris. The planet is mostly vast oceans, with two large landmasses, one in the south and one further north. Kartheans inhabit the southern continent and a few nearby islands. The area where most karth live is warm year round, though it gets hotter and dryer in their 'summer' and slightly cooler and rainier during their 'winter'. Kartheans tend to live on the coastline, near the ocean they depend on. The surrounding land is rocky, with cliffs rather than beaches bordering the water. Various grass like plants flourish here, with patches of tall, twisted trees. Further inland, the land becomes more barren and mountainous. Few kartheans live this far out; the area is mainly inhabited by criminals and exiled karth. There are rumours the area is also roamed by dangerous predators, but due to it's remoteness few know for sure.
The waters surrounding the coastline are warm and somewhat shallow. Further out, the ocean floor drops steeply, giving way to much deeper waters. The kartheans avoid this place--even in boats, most are reluctant to pass it. Legends tell of huge, dangerous creatures lurking in the deep. Whether or not these legends are true, there are dangerous currents in the area.

[The Lost soul]

Wow, that is well-thought out and awesome.
so....could I make some conspiracy? something that involves the queen's guards, and herself?

do you have the queen made? is she yours? and...do they have a jail?

[TheCalicoTabby]

Thanks!
And sure. I haven't created a design or anything for the queen yet, but I did plan to eventually. As for if she's mine or not, I was considering having her be a bit of a shared character--one anyone can use in their stories. I'm still working on deciding how exactly I'd do that while still keeping the character and her story consistent, though. I'd love to hear your ideas for a conspiracy--that could be interesting.

As for jails, I'd expect most cities would have one. It would probably be more for kartheans that have committed relatively minor crimes who would be released eventually, though. They'd use exile rather than life imprisonment. The shaving of the head insures that they're unlikely to be taken in by another city or village, which means they'd be forced to live in the barren, dangerous lands beyond the coast. So it's a very serious punishment--the only thing worse would be execution.
The queen would have a dungeon of her own, which would likely only be used for kartheans who have committed a crime against her, personally. As I mentioned, she and her guards rarely involve themselves with other crimes.