After the sparring matches were over, Aronel found Matsi and gave a quick bow, "Well met, Matsi. I just wanted to say that I quite enjoyed our match. You are very skilled, and a worthy opponent." She smiled- more a friendly, yet almost challenging sort of grin- cocking her head sligtly to one side. After a moment's hesitation, she continued, "I was wondering if I might..." She raised her hands slightly, palms out, "Learn what my opponent looks like?"

Matsi regarded Aron, confused. She had never really known any blind people before, and she didn't understand what Aron was asking.

"I apologize for my ignorance, but how can you know what I look like if you cannot see me?" she asked quizically.

((SFSR))

Aronel gave a quick laugh, patient with the girl; she was used to people not understanding, "Oh, I am sorry; you must never have met another blind person." She smiled apologetically, withdrawing her hands a little, "I get a sense of what things look like by feeling them. It is how I know what shapes are, and how I can read what is carved into stone." She bit her lip, "I get a feel of what people look like in a similar manner, by touching their faces, letting my fingers learn their features. I would understand if this makes you uncomfortable."

"No, all is well," Matsi said, only halfway understanding. You could know what something looked like by touching it? It was rather fascinating.

"I suppose that would be fine," she said, wondering awkwardly if she should lean in or take Aron's hands and put them to her face. She settled by just standing still.

Aron gave a quick nod and reached up slowly, finding Matsi's face and carefully smothing her hands over it, fingers brushing past eyes, nose, lips, chin. Her mouth was purse very slightly in concentration as she went over the smooth features, her mind running over many possibilities of combinations before settling on one final pictured; of course she had no idea what the colors were, or how they fit in with Matsi's looks, but she did have an idea. Settling on this, she smiled and lowered her hands.

"You have very smooth skin, slanted eyes, high cheeks, full lips, and..." She fumbled over the last word, "A... button nose, yes?" She had always found the term to be an odd one; buttons felt nothing like button noses did, and she was downright certain they looked nothing alike. "You are very pretty, from what I can tell."

Matsi nodded at the description, and half smiled at the final assessment, "Thank you."

"And thank you for the match, as well. You surprised me with your abilities," she bowed her head respectfully, "You, also, are a worthy opponent. Have you been fighting long?"

"I only recently got into Ku Kar," Aron started, "But yes, I have been fighting my entire life. My dad taught me from a young age, and after he was confident that I had potential he got the help of Master Gaigan to train me. It's a bit difficult, though, when half the people here refuse to fight me because I am blind. Roreck says it's to be expected, and that I should be patient." She let out a low breath, "So I try. I just hope all my dedication pays off, or I will grow to be a useless, blind housewife with no ambition." She faltered, "Of course I mean no disrespect to housewives, or mothers. It's just not the kind of life I want for myself." She dreadfully hoped she had not offended the Ethia wick; she hoped they would grow to be friends.

"No, that is not as I would wish for myself, either. I began training eight years ago. Some do not wish to fight me because I am not Roek. But I will never turn down an opponent," she smiled at Aron, "So if you are ever in want of a partner, ask for me and I will fight you. After today, I will not underestimate you again."

"That would be wonderful." Aron said, rubbing Hurteth's ears. The dog had been standing by her the entire time, tensely watching the exchange, but was now wagging his tail at the loving attention, "This is Hurteth, by the way. He is not fond of strangers, but he should warm up to you, soon enough."

((SFSR))

Matsi smiled down at the dog, holding a hand for him to sniff, "Greetings, Hurteth."

She turned to where her things lay near the edge of the ring, giving a loud trill with her tongue. Ruha came running over and scrambled up her leg to sit on her shoulder. She held out her arm and the piikii walked out onto her forearm, "This is Ruha, my piikii. He does not bite. You may touch him if you like."

Hurteth gave Matsi a few quick sniffs, then turned his head away with a snort, as if the scent offended him.

Aron lifted her hand to the chittering piikii, tentative at first, then started scratching the creature between the ears and around the ruff of its cheeks. A smile came to her face, "I've never touched a Piikii before. His fur is interesting, far different from a Bander or an Osta." She continued petting the piikii, "I bet he's adorable."

"He is. And quite precious to me. I never go anywhere without him," she stroked the animal and led him back to her shoulder.

"Well," she grinned, "I hunger greatly. Do you care to accompany me someplace to eat? The Bright Sky Lodge is not far. Their food is not quite palatable, but it is filling and I feel as though I am starving."

"Oh, the Bright Sky Lodge..." Aron's tone bordered a fine line between amusement and disgust, "I have been there multiple times with my father, and Roreck. The only thing I can get down without a fight is the ale." She smirked, "But I hunger as well, and you are right; Bright Sky is not a far walk." She shrugged, deciding the taste didn't matter too much, as long as she could fill her belly, "Let us go, then, and dine together."

Matsi smiled, pleased to have the Roek along. Oftentimes, she was not allowed service, in lieu of the other patrons, as she was not one of their tribe, although she was as good a fighter as any other warrior at the lodge. Perhaps with one of their own accompanying her there would be less trouble.

"Can I- do you need help to get there?" she was entirely uncertain of the etiquette involved with the blind. Had she been with any other, she would have simply turned and begun walking. But when the other couldn't see you... "Do you need my hand, or...?"

She held her hand out, just in case.

Aron gave Matsi a look, dead serious as if she were offended, then, unable to continue with the charade, she allowed the corners of her lips to turn up and burst into a fit of laughter, "By the gods, Matsi, no need be so uncomfortable." She grinned wholeheartedly, "I can get there without aid; I will just listen to your footsteps to guide me, Hurteth will do the rest."

Matsi laughed, "All is well, then."

After a moment's hesitation, she headed toward the entrance, collecting her things along the way. She had to fight herself to keep from running ahead, accustomed as she was to running from one place to another.

"So, you have only recently begun fighting in the ring, and your father has trained you. Have you learned many weapons? My father will not allow me to fight with a blade."

Aron was a bit surprised by this, "No fighting with a blade? At all? That is odd. Your father is, perhaps, a bit over protective?" She shrugged, "My father taught me to use a sword and a spear, once I had hand-to-hand down." She raised her spear, "This is his spear, the one I have been using since he gave it to me on my six and tenth birthday, a little over a year ago."

"Ah, no. He would like to keep me as safe as he is able, but I get hurt quite often and yet do not mind. When I decided to take up fighting, the only way he would allow it is if I fought without blades and if I pursued dancing as well. In my opinion, it is better than nothing," she laughed. "I have learned many other weapons in lieu of the blade."

"You are ten-and-seven, then? We are of the same age! Though my birthday is less than two months nigh," she smiled at Aron, "It is good to know others my age."

"Ah, yes, and likewise. It is also quite refreshing to find a skilled fighter in the ring- one who would give a blind girl the time of day. It is not to say they have not faught with me, before. Rather, most think it a joke, and those who do not simply think it a disgrace to fight one with such a large 'handicap.'" She stopped, tilting her head back and gave a few sniffs, a not-so-mouth-watering scent wafting in the air, "It would appear we are almost there." Hurteth, beside her, barked excitedly, his tail wagging, "Well, at least someone likes the food. I sometimes wish I were as easily pleased as a dog; anything tastes good to them."

"Indeed we are," she agreed. She opened the door and stood aside, allowing Aron easy access to the lodge.

They approached an open table and Matsi took a seat, keeping an eye out for the barkeep.

((SFSR-- And I'm thinking it's time for some npc action, as well as perhaps meeting some other Roek who might be in attendance for lunch ))

The barkeep, Ja Renau, tipped his wide-brim hat at the two women. He was a very pale man; rumor had it that a terrible skin sickness kept him inside at all times, and when he went outside the Lodge, he had to wrap himself in heavy blankets to keep from burning up in flame.

"Hesta," he said, greeting them in Deep Tek. "Aronel Matsuaa, and a friend I do not know. You are both in luck. My latest batch of ale has just matured, and I have some bread, onion and beets in from the market."

He told himself that no matter what they wanted, he would not ask for payment from Aronel. She was blind, and the barkeeper always took pity on those who were unfortunate. He knew he could always expect help from the Matsuaa family in return. But the outsider would have to pay him something of value if she wanted anything to eat or drink.

Aronel smiled sweetly in the man's general direction, "Hesta, Ja Renau, this is my new friend, Matsi of the Ethia Tribe. You may or may not recognize the name. She is a skilled fighter in Ku Kar. And as for the ale, that sounds wonderful. What would you take in payment for my friend, Matsi?" She offered, fully intending on covering Matsi's payment.

Ja bowed his head respectfully to Matsi, smiling gently. He was more surprised to learn that an Ethia was a fighter than he had been to learn that Aronel was. In light of this newfound knowledge, he decided not to bother asking for payment; two girls could not eat very much anyway, and if Aronel was vouching for her, he knew things would balance out in the end.

"It is an honor to meet a Ku Kar fighter, and so unusual to meet someone of your tribe who is interested in our customs," he said. "What can I get for you two?"

Matsi smiled as she was introduced, but it slipped as Aron offered to pay for her meal.

"Oh, no, Aron. I cannot--" she hesitated as the barkeep bowed to her, "Hm," she laughed lightly, bowing her head to him in return.

"Your customs have fascinated me for many years, and I am enraptured with them," she smiled at the kindness of the barkeep, "If I may, a beer and a meal. Bread and onions appeal to me, as I am quite famished, and so should do quite nicely."

"It will be the usual, for me, please." Aron said without a second tought; her usual was Mead, with extra honey for sweetening, a hunk of red, mildly undercooked meat, and bread; the vegetables always depended on what was in season at the time.



Aron smiled at this. Matsi's fascination with her people's customs had been apparent when first she faught her in the ring. It was with a certain pride that she could 'look' on Matsi, now, almost as if the girl was another member of Roek.