Children Clan Recruiting (Multi)|Naurorod

[Kender Bard]

Trailing the tip of a stick through the sand and dirt, Lochan wandered around the clan, observing his fellows like always.

[Deleted]

She was alone again. But that was okay, right? Better to be lonely than to listen to the jeers and taunts of the other children just because she wasn't a "normal" Fire child, instead being meek and taciturn.

Out here, on the fringes of the transitory camp, she practiced endlessly, hurling darts and javelins at whatever target presented itself: Shrubs, sand piles, lizards that could be roasted for dinner, and tumbleweeds.

She hit nearly every one, too. Just thirteen, Jayna had been practicing virtually nonstop since she was twelve. It seemed she had a natural talent, but of course it was overlooked by the loud adults and malicious children.

That was okay, or so she told herself. If she could provide for and protect herself, maybe one day she could leave the clan that scorned her and be a hermit somewhere.

Lonely was better than being with others who hurt you, after all.

[Kender Bard]

As Lochan drew near to the edge of the clan he stopped and watched Jayna silently a moment with wide, childish eyes. After studying her, he spoke up in his soft voice that somehow managed to carry well regardless, "Hullo."

[Deleted]

Jayna jumped, which caused her to miss the sand-snake she had been aiming at. It slithered off in a hurry, and Jayna's expression of disappointment was almost heartbreaking. She sighed, and muttered "Hi" to the boy who had interrupted her. She could have ignored him, but that might have made him pick on her.

She went to collect her weapons: Twenty darts and five javelins.

[Kender Bard]

Lochan watched the snake slithering away and scuffed his foot on the ground. "I'm sorry," he mumbled. "Didn't mean to make ya miss. You're pretty good though. What's your name? I don't remember... I'm Lochan." He was surprised at how talkative he felt around the older girl.

[Deleted]

Jayna froze. Normally her parents were the only ones who praised her dedication; hearing praise from one of her age-mates was new. "I.... thanks?" she ventured, unsure how to react. "Um, I'm Jayna," she said.

[Kender Bard]

"I don't see you much," Lochan murmured. "Or I would know your name. I watch all the kids, even the bigger ones. Are you a scout?"

[Deleted]

Jayna sighed. "No," she admitted, "though it would be nice if I was. I would be alone more." Well, more than she already was.

[Kender Bard]

Lochan peered at her quizzically. "Why do you want to be alone?" he asked. "Isn't it... well... lonely?"

[Deleted]

"It's better than being made fun of," Jayna said shortly. Hopefully that would make sense to the kid.

She returned to her original starting place, taking a dart in each hand. What to aim at next? The living lizards in the area had cleared out by now.

[Kender Bard]

"Who makes fun of you?" Lochan asked quizzically, sitting down in the sand and resting his chin on a knee while studying Jayna. "And what about?"

[Deleted]

"I'm not like them," Jayna confessed, and was surprised she did. But then, so far the kid was being non-judgmental. Maybe that was what she needed. "I don't like roughhousing, I don't like running races all day or picking on other people. So they all laugh at me, even though I'm good with projectiles. It's better to practice alone."

[Kender Bard]

Lochan nodded solemnly and then broke the spell of his young wiseness by loudly sniffling and wiping his nose with the back of his hand. "I don't think that picking on other people is right," he declared quietly. "And girls don't need to roughhouse... Though why don't you like to run?"

[Deleted]

'It's tiring to run under the sun all day. I don't know how everyone else avoids passing out," Jayna told him. "I'd rather learn to ride a horse, but the only ones we have belong to the Elders, and I can't ask for lessons. That would be rude."

[Kender Bard]

"I don't think it'd be rude," Lochan protested quietly. "Elder Alexi loves us all, and Elder Malcamon likes to help us all out. And I'm sure Elder Charanth or Charminei would help if the other two didn't." He grinned a little and asked, slyly, "Want me to ask for you?"