The Hunt
Pale
Once on the second ship, Tau'rah'ki's new clan decided they had had enough of her bullshit, and wouldn't tolerate it any longer. It was through this decision that she found herself on a hunt, attacking a Queen alone, angered and dismayed by her current situation. Instead of being granted death this time -- although it was unclear if that was her aim -- she was saved ... by a dirty, dishevelled creature that was eventually given the name Ambient.
Ambient was a hive child -- an abomination in the eyes of everyone, however tolerated he may be. Tau'rah'ki was attracted to him for this reason -- knowing that her attraction would infuriate her shipmates -- and played it as much as she was able. Eventually, Ambient was sent off for training, and returned as a blooded warrior, as well as with a new companion.
Tau'rah'ki still refused to play nice to the degree that the ships elders demanded, and to teach her humility, they tossed her into a jump team -- a disposable, cannon fodder group of hunters with no granted honor, who were sent in to do the jobs noone else would do. Her leader, predictably, was Ambient -- and his second in command was the companion he had drug back -- a bad blood who Tau'rah'ki derisively dubbed "CB."
The problem with this plan was that Tau'rah'ki actually liked where she was, now. She wasn't required to participate in ceremony, and there were no expectations of her. It didn't matter if she even survived. She rapidly became fond of Ambient, and somewhere along the way, stopped loathing CB as much as she should. Ambient was a good leader, and their successes eventually gained respect, even if Tau'rah'ki refused to acknowledge it.
They all changed, vaguely, for the better. The reason CB had been exiled -- his temper -- was bought under control. Ambient matured under the responsibility of having other peoples lives in his hands. As for Tau'rah'ki ... she relaxed. She never really enjoyed the hunt, as such, but she never once slipped up and left her team mates in danger. She and Ambient developed a hesitant relationship -- their individual motives remain unknown, but hers likely stemmed from rebellion. Whatever the reason, the feelings were genuine by the time it came to and end.
After some time, they were sent on a mission that they weren't expected to return from. Tau'rah'ki was ready for this -- willing to accept her fate -- despite the fact she no longer wanted it. It was simply a danger of the job. Ambient, however, refused to allow it to happen to her -- sacrificing himself to save her, and by default, CB. Tau'rah'ki never quite recovered from that event, from the fact that she had to watch her leader die, and once again, refused to hunt. She relied on CB to protect her -- not physically, mind you, but from being overcome by the fact that she had lost the person she loved ... even if even she was unaware of this. He looked out for her, protected her, and made sure no harm befell her -- and, despite her misery, she acknowledged this. CB became the one creature she showed something other than disgust and anger towards. The rest of the ship began to rustle about in irritation at her shift in mood, but the elders allowed her time to grieve -- they were, after all, forced to admit their mistake.
As it turned out, Ambient didn't die. This fact was revealed at a point when Tau'rah'ki was ambushed by a group of youngbloods out to teach her a lesson. Skilled as she was, they were trained better than her, and it was only a matter of time before she was overthrown. She had taken one down at that point, and was rather stunned when the rest followed, despite the fact she was sprawled on the ground. At first she assumed it was CB -- who had been absent all day -- but that was quickly put to rest when the lights flickered on.
Ambient's return terrified Tau'rah'ki. Unsure how to react, she ran.
Yadda yadda, things went back to normal eventually.
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Name: Ambient
Age: Late 20s
Eye Color: Grey, silver lacings
Hair Color: Silverygrey
Build: Lean
Distinct Markings: At first, none. At later dates, xenomorphic "hyde" forming a natural armor to his elbows, and thick, curving spikes on his shoulders. Fingernails become blackened claws. Xenomorphic hyde also forms a protective outlining to his major muscles.
Nationality: American
Species: Boosted hive child
Attire: Casually -- black pants. Mission wise, silver two piece jump suit.
Originally curious and simple, Ambient's lovely little life came to a crashing halt very abruptly. He was raised in the hive where he was born -- shunned and looked upon with disgust -- as much as one was able to be raised, rebelling against his Queen when she murdered his companion and prompted the acknowledgement of human thoughts. He was fleeing from her at the point where Tau'rah'ki attacked another Queen, and when that prompted memories of his mother, he reacted instinctively and saved her.
After his xenomorphic mutations become apparent, his personality shifts drastically. He loses any sort of curiousity and becomes very stoic, and a much more efficient fighter.
After his trials, when he becomes leader of the jump team, he finds himself in an awkward position. Rather than acknowledgint Tau'rah'ki's attitude, he dismisses it, simply expecting her to follow his orders. This turns out to show a deeper understanding of her personality than previously expected, and he earns her respect. He values his team -- even if noone else does -- and trusts them to uphold their end of the expectations.
He rarely speaks -- choosing to converse with CB when he must, through their "link" -- but his affections are blatant. CB is his brother, as far as he's concerned, and he doesn't pull rank. Tau'rah'ki, however, is his lover, but he has no problem telling her to get in behind if she gets out of line.
Ambient never demands acknowledgement or requests praise for his acts, and instead, is [theoretically] content knowing that he is at least doing something.
Age: Late 20s
Eye Color: Grey, silver lacings
Hair Color: Silverygrey
Build: Lean
Distinct Markings: At first, none. At later dates, xenomorphic "hyde" forming a natural armor to his elbows, and thick, curving spikes on his shoulders. Fingernails become blackened claws. Xenomorphic hyde also forms a protective outlining to his major muscles.
Nationality: American
Species: Boosted hive child
Attire: Casually -- black pants. Mission wise, silver two piece jump suit.
Originally curious and simple, Ambient's lovely little life came to a crashing halt very abruptly. He was raised in the hive where he was born -- shunned and looked upon with disgust -- as much as one was able to be raised, rebelling against his Queen when she murdered his companion and prompted the acknowledgement of human thoughts. He was fleeing from her at the point where Tau'rah'ki attacked another Queen, and when that prompted memories of his mother, he reacted instinctively and saved her.
After his xenomorphic mutations become apparent, his personality shifts drastically. He loses any sort of curiousity and becomes very stoic, and a much more efficient fighter.
After his trials, when he becomes leader of the jump team, he finds himself in an awkward position. Rather than acknowledgint Tau'rah'ki's attitude, he dismisses it, simply expecting her to follow his orders. This turns out to show a deeper understanding of her personality than previously expected, and he earns her respect. He values his team -- even if noone else does -- and trusts them to uphold their end of the expectations.
He rarely speaks -- choosing to converse with CB when he must, through their "link" -- but his affections are blatant. CB is his brother, as far as he's concerned, and he doesn't pull rank. Tau'rah'ki, however, is his lover, but he has no problem telling her to get in behind if she gets out of line.
Ambient never demands acknowledgement or requests praise for his acts, and instead, is [theoretically] content knowing that he is at least doing something.
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First Name: H'ulij-bpe Thwei [Rough translation -- Crazy Blood]
Alias: CB
Eye Color: Amber
Hair Color: Black
Hieght: 7'
Build: Muscled
Distinct Markings: Mottled flesh
Species: Yautja
Attire: Cracked mask; heavy armor on shoulders, legs and feet, and metal loincloth. Netting is irregularly seen. Oddly shaped wrist blade is more a weapon than an accessory, but is never seen without it.
CB was outcasted after mass murder. It was very tragic. He was then dragged back in as part of Ambient's trial -- as was the standard, by that time -- and the honor he displayed prompted Ambient to adopt him as his wingman.
He is always stoic -- moreso than Ambient. He doesn't engage in banter or teasing, or outwardly react to much at all. He is forever scanning his surroundings, prepared to protect his leader [and Tau'rah'ki, upon request] no matter the cost. He doesn't appear to show any resentment towards the rest of the clan for his status, and makes no excuses for his previous behaviour.
He is loyal to a fault. Once someone has won his loyalty, is it nigh impossible to lose it again. It does not escape attention that he is far, far from an inexperienced warrior, even if he is considered expendable.
He considers Ambient his superior, although their relationship is one of blood brothers. Ambient saved him from death, and he will stand by his side until that debt is repaid or he dies, whichever comes first. He does derive some satisfaction, however, that their relationship is arguably closer than the one Ambient shares with his lover.
CB, however, is not fond of Tau'rah'ki. They clash constantly, over everything. He protects her out of obligation to Ambient, not because he doesn't want to see her hurt. It is likely that he would like nothing more than to see the arrogance she treats him with pounded out of her in the most painful of ways. However, no matter what she does, he never reacts, never tries to harm her, and never even speaks badly of her.
And when the time comes and she requests his help, he gives it willingly. They may not love each other, but they do bond in the way team mates do. Her reaction to Ambient's death forces him to re-evaluate his priorities, and eventually, to accept that somewhere along the way, the relationship between them changed, even if he didn't notice.
