Women of The Plains (Midori x Mana)

[Mana]

Mana rolled happily on the soft bedroll Midori had given to her. It felt even better now that she had borrowed some dry clothes from the gentle healer. They had different size so Mana had to adapt to the uncomfortable feeling of the temporary outfit, at least until tomorrow. She wouldn't ask for more. Just having a bedroll and change of clothes were enough for the simple-minded swordswoman but Midori had gone one step further by inviting Mana into her personal tent. Unlike what the pink-haired maiden claimed, the tent wasn't cramped even with two people inside. Sure, crazy jumping and wild pillow fight would tear the poor tent apart but as long the two girls didn't do anything crazy then the tent would be a nice shelter for their sleep.

"Wow, I feel much better now. This tent is more comfortable than what you have told me, Midori," Mana said to Midori. Last time she checked the healer was inside the tent with her so Mana just assumed she was nearby. Yeah, why would anyone stay outside in this cold night anyway? Sliding herself into a blanket made of animal furs, the black-haired swordswoman giggled happily. After her wet incident, anything that could bring warmth had become her favorite thing. By the way, she also hoped Midori still had some tea, it was quite delicious and certainly warm. "Not too cramped, absolutely. Although you can't shove a big man into here. It's good we are quite small!" Mana said, laughing.

Mana put her belongings and her swords next to the bedroll, still within arm reach, so she could quickly grab them if necessary. "Do you usually sleep alone? I am not taking anyone's place, am I?" she asked, seeming worried that she had troubled Midori. While it wasn't unusual for someone to have a personal tent, some Sacaens preferred sharing so Mana worried if Midori actually had someone she usually slept with.

[Midori]

Midori happily showed Mana around the Chaklai tents. She showed her around the mess tent, the supply tents, and the stable tents. The priestess explained a few things about the Chaklai as she went. How each member of the tribe wore something that either bore the symbol of the lotus or the color of plums on their bodies. She told how all the healers wore a similar garb to hers. The priests wore a similar garb except their colors were traditionally black and white. By the time the pair of them made it back towards Midori’s tent, the pink haired maiden was exhausted. Before Mana entered the tent, Midori took a moment to clean it up a bit. She moved a few objects around so that there would be room for both women to sleep comfortably. A tiny lantern was it so as to provide some illumination. Mana made herself comfortable in one end of the tent. Midori was happy to see her all snuggled up in her bedroll.

“Sorry the spare clothes are a poor fit. But it’s just for one night. At least until those finish drying.” She pointed up at the thin string that was strewn up above them. Mana’s clothes were hung up to dry.

“I'm not allowed to shove any man in here.” Midori spoke as she slowly started to strip down to her under clothes. The red over cloak of her robes was the first to go. She folded it neatly and set it down ontop of a small crate. This left her in her under robes and pants. She undid the black sash that held the top together and set it aside. This allowed her top to flow loosely and she let out a relieved sigh. Underneath her top was a lighter white thin sleeveless top that hid her breasts. The healer kicked off her sandals and set them aside. From her bag she fished out an old sleeveless tunic. This thing was very old and riddled with patches. Midori turned around so she faced away from Mana and finished stripping her top half down. She then threw the old tunic on. It was too long for her as it came down to a little past her knees. Next thing to go where her pants. She folded that and set that on top of the rest of her clothes. The healer finally took a seat on her own bed roll and let out a relieved sigh.

“Usually, I sleep with my mentor Lady Lucy. She decided to spend the night catching up with some old friends.” The healer shrugged then grabbed a small bowl with a wet rag inside.

“Sometimes I share this tent with another priestess or one of the body guards. It really depends on how hectic it is. Right now it’s ok since we haven’t actually gotten into battle yet.” She twisted the rag so that the excess water fell out and started to wipe her face. Midori removed the light coating of makeup she used, then put the bowl aside. Midori didn’t look any different than usual, save for the lack green bindi, and lipstick.

“Phew. Finally got everything off. Oh, drat. I changed clothes before asking if you needed something else. Uhm.. Did you need something else?”

[Mana]

Mana turned red. "Aaa...I don't mean it that way..." The Sacaen seemed to realize that she might have said something inappropriate. Surely Mana herself wouldn't want to share the tent with a man, except a few people she was close with or people she could trust. Anyway, she got the point. While Midori was changing to her night outfit, Mana showed courtesy by turning away. She then snuggled on her bedroll, humming happily. It was soft and comfortable, ensuring a good sleep tonight.

"Hmm...I guess she won't mind if I take her place for one night. You must have very close relationship with your mentor if you share tent like this. Having mentor seems nice...I don't really have mentor figure right now..." From the way Mana talked, it seemed she was a bit envious to Midori. Sometimes she kinda wanted to have a parental figure to guide and teach her...or maybe just accompanied her. Mana surely had matured but she was still young and yearned for someone to look up to. Kenshin was more like an idol and a goal so he probably couldn't be a mentor for Mana.

Mana thought for a moment when Midori mentioned bodyguard. Did the healer usually bring bodyguard? Understandable. After all, they usually weren't adept in self-defense so if the worst were to come they would be helpless. This felt a little strange for Mana because she wasn't used with being constantly protected. "You will be safe tonight. Trust me! I will be the best bodyguard ever for you tonight. Not even a mosquito can bite you tonight!" Mana said in raised voice, puffing her chest a laugh. They shouldn't be in any immediate danger so they probably didn't need to worry for anything. They were in war indeed but the coalition had people doing night watch and patrolling in shift so even if the enemy were to launch a night raid they would have enough time to prepare.

Noting that the pink-haired girl had washed off her makeup, Mana realized that Midori had quite beautiful face even without those eyeliner and lipstick. Her full-makeup version certainly made her look more mature and refined but even without those Midori's clean face brought out a charming and calm personality. "No no no! It's fine really. I am good. Can't be better than this unless you have some apples, my favorite." Mana waved her hand as she told Midori that she was doing fine as a gentle host. Geez this girl was truly a good wife material. Mana was half-joking about the apple as she didn't expect Midori to somehow store fruits in this tent. "In fact I may be tired but I am not going to sleep anytime soon. What a waste to sleep now. I would like to talk a bit and know you better, Midori," she said.

"By the way, your tribe is quite interesting. I enjoyed our little trip around the camp. All Sacaen tribes are different but yours has something unique. Not sure what it is but maybe because...Chaklai has integrated a little bit of Bern culture?" Mana said.

[Midori]

“My mentor Lady Lucy would not mind. To be honest she's probably delighted at the thought. I don't get too many.. non Chaklai guests.” Midori smiled softly. It was true. The temple was arranged in such a manner that the ladies would all sleep in one floor. They slept in bed rolls. With just enough room for each of them to move around.

“She's a strong woman. A Valkyrie from a Illia. She integrated into our clan many years ago. I've been under her tutorship since I was 12. She has shown me how to heal and how to ride. Without her I wouldn't be where I am now.” She blushed lightly. Midori saw Lady Lucy as family. Without her guidance there was a very real possibility that Midori would have been restricted to the confines of the temple and monastery. She wouldn’t have had the opportunity to ride out outside her clan’s territory borders.

“Lady Lucy has told me several times that learning took exposure. As much as we Chaklai try to integrate outsiders into our culture.. it is sometimes difficult to do so on an individual level.” Midori carefully started to work her fingers through her hair. Gently undoing the braids she had on.

“So a sleep over with a different tribesman.. Or tribeswoman is the perfect thing for learning. You do not need to be on guard Mana. We usually don't bother one another unless it's an emergency or for an errand.” She grinned slightly. She got through the last of her braids and let her hair hang loose. Simple straight locks of pink hair steadily framed her face. Mana had requested an apple, to which Midori actually had. She leaned over towards her bag and pulled out an apple. She handed it to Mana.

“My steed is a sucker for apples. So I usually have a few near me at all times. Might be a bit bruised but it’s perfectly edible.” Midori was a little surprised. Mana seemed to be very perceptive. She seemed to accurately identify that the Chaklai had incorporated some of Bernese culture into their own. This was true. Without the Bernese helping them in the early days of their foundation they wouldn’t be where they were today.

“Yes. We Chaklai have had a long history with the Bernese people. Typically those whom share our mountain and river borders. We trade heavily with them. Especially for things like lumber.. In return we trade food, cloth, and ore from the mountain. The Chaklai view Wyverns as sacred animals and riders as someone somewhat divine. There's more too it then just that."

[Mana]

Hmm... Mana had never put much thought about integrating culture so it was something new for her. It seemed Chaklai was one of the open-minded Sacae tribes. There wasn't many Sacaen who embraced foreign influence so openly. It couldn't be helped because many people outside the plains had seen Sacaens with condescending eyes in many occasions so surely they shouldn't blame Sacaens for doing the same thing. For some "more civilized" people, Sacaens were barbarians. This war with Etruria could be a good proof. How those Etrurians arrogantly believed that their culture and religion were the only correct one and the others were heathens. Well, anyway, Mana was quite glad that someone like lady Lucy still existed. "I would like to meet her someday. She sounds like an amazing person" she remarked.

"I am sure we will have plenty to talk about tonight. It will be a fun night..." Mana said with a wide grin.

"It sounds like you have done this thing often. The sleepover I mean... Well, I has done it a few times as well when my tribe decided to take in guests as an act of friendship between tribes. It can be fun, alright." Mana seemed to be reminiscing the past happily. Now that she was thinking about it, she realized that her first meeting with Terra and Kai had been in one of that times. "It's a good way to make friends," she added.

"Oh my... It seems I share a favorite food with your steed," Mana said, giggling, as she took the apple. She took a quick bite and savored the sweetness with happy face. Sometimes when the young sowrdswoman was wearing this expression, people would forget how ferocious she could be in a battle. While not fighting, Mana was like a normal naive girl who loved to play and joke.

Mana wondered if the Chaklai might be wrong in this matter. However, she kept her mouth shut and respected Midori's belief. It was hard for Mana to see wyvern as more than a flying beast. the black-haired girl had seen wyvern riders in battle and they weren't divine in her eyes. Strong and ferocious would be a better description. She smiled. Chaklai possessed a different but interesting view about divinity. Maybe it was because they had lived so close to mountains that they had begun seeing wyverns as sacred. "It seems I shouldn't tell her about how I fought a few wyvern riders in Bern," she thought quietly, still munching her apple.

"Hmm... the Hawkeye didn't stay in one place for long time. We moved camp frequently so we met other tribes or Lycian and Ilian travelers often. The big trade were usually conducted in Bulgar for every few months but we also traded goods and information with travelers." The previous Mana would have broken down to tears easily if talking about her tribe but she had gotten a little stronger now. It pained her a bit but she could at least talk and shared stories normally. "We were in western side of the plains so we mainly were in contact with Lycians. Although I must say we don't really integrate their cultures much. The elders were pretty stubborn about maintaining our purity," she said. The memories about the uptight elders made her laugh a bit. 

[Midori]

"Oh I'm sure you'll meet her as this war progresses. She's a whiz with light magic and healing. She isn't the only companion I have with me. I've a childhood friend named Skai who's a fantastic sniper. Though I advise you to use caution because he's a huge flirt." She shuffled a bit on her seat. She recalled all the times she's smacked Skai in the back of the head due to his antics.

"I.. actually haven't.. done too many sleepovers. At home.. all the women sleep on the same floor. There is rarely any room for privacy. People are always listening. It's a cramped too. It is when Lady Lucy and I get to travel, that we can sleep in a tent like this." She stretched her arms up and outwards.

"It's very liberating." She smiled then put her arms down and relaxed.

"But, this is probably.. no not probably.. this IS the first time I'm here alone with a person from another tribe. I look forward to this sleep over to be fun and full of friendship making." She slowly made her way into her sleeping bag. She turned to lay on her side so that she was still facing Mana.

"Apples and plums are common back home. One of the first things our tribe traded for with Bern. The seeds and saplings have been well cared for. We've planted them in our hillsides and valleys. They are cultivated and cared for greatly. The fruits are usually preserved. A small portion of it is turned to wine or cider. The wine is used in religious ceremonies, traded, and served to high guests." She thought more about what the fruit were used for.

"The plum trees are early to bloom. Some times they bloom with the last of the winter snow.. it's quite the site to see." She closed her eyes briefly and saw the image of the plum trees blooming from the temple balcony. Lovely little speckles of red, pink, and white that coated the white and black colored mountain sides. She opened her eyes again.

"Your tribe sounds very worldly. I have never been to Lycia before. Only to Bern and Sacae. What's it like?"

[Mana]

"You bet!" Mana nodded in approval of Midori. Liberating, huh? That was one way to describe it. Anyway, there was no denial from the pink-haired maiden that she was enjoying it. That lifted the last strand of doubt from Mana. She had been wondering if she troubled Midori but now the girl had completely feel relaxed.

Mana listened when Midori spoke about how her tribe had cultivated the land and adapted the concept of farming. How nice. The Hawkeye wasn't very accepting with staying one place for too long so they almost never planted trees. They lived from hunting wild animals, fishing, and foraging the mountain and forest. The older generation had prevented the development of the tribe by stubbornly sticking on the old ways. Maybe...just maybe...if only they had decided to open up a bit, maybe the Hawkeye would have had more prosperous life? Mana closed her eyes and sighed. No matter how she had been used to hate those stubborn elders, she missed the now.

"Hmmm...." Mana buried half of her face in the sleeping bag as she thought about Lycian. It wasn't easy to describe the Lycians. They lived differently not only from Sacaens, but also different from Etrurians and Ilians. "How should I put it? They are a bit similar with us. They live in "states", just like our "tribes", and they are unified and work for mutual interest. Maybe they are not so different from us, after all." Mana said, rubbing the back of her head. The girl might not the person who understood the Lycians best but she was trying to give an satisfying explanation. She then continued. "They are strong people I think. Many Lycians I have met can endure difficult struggles. Honestly, what I like the most about them is that they don't judge us for our Sacaen heritage like people from Etruria. Maybe because they are more accepting and open-minded..."

"I traveled in Lycia a few times. Going alone a few times and sometimes with companions. I received warm welcome often and I feel...accepted. Hmm...oh yeah... maybe it just me but for some reason I feel many Lycians value chivalry attitude. Maybe that's why they have many stories and folklore about gallant knights," Mana giggled when she joked about those knights. Well, she probably wasn't wrong because many Lycia states had pride in their knights, sometimes too much and it turned into obsession.

"Hmm now that I think about it... The people who helped me after I was taken to Lycia was knights..." Mana put her finger on her lips as she tried to remember how she had met Reylan and Cebrail for the first time.

[Midori]

"Lycians sound very nice. If only the world had that sort of attitude. Of Chivalry and tolerance towards ones origins and beliefs." She mused out loud.

"The Chaklai are unique in the fact that through out our history we've had to rely on outside help. Our early ancestors would have not survived without the help of others. The tribe tries to teach those values of kindness, tolerance, and courtesy. It is refreshing to hear that there are other places out there that instill those values." She smiled softly. She leaned over from her spot and lied down on her side. Mana's tales of Lycia were fascinating.

"It is a shame we are going to war with such a close minded group. No..Not all Eturians are so devoted. I imagine that the Eturians have common folk who want nothing to do with this war.. but are under the thumb of the leaders who do. It.. is quite sad." She had a small frown on her face.

"I really shouldn't be thinking about these things." Perhaps Midori wasn't cut out for war. She continued to further move herself into her own bed roll.

"Most Knights I have met have been from Bern. I think they share a similar ideology of Chilvary... and pride." She stopped to think about it. Pride was a problem for many countries. A problem for many tribes. Midori herself was no stranger to pride. She liked to keep her image clean. She tries her best to show off the good parts of her tribe. Even though she knew the Chaklai weren't perfect. She understood that no one was perfect.

"Sorry I didn't mean to interrupt. Did you make any knight friends?"