If Katniss had known just how much the mare was suffering on land, perhaps she would not have entered as she had. For like this newcomer, Katniss is also a daughter of the sea. Her mother is a kelpie that had been cursed to live her life on land. The sea had always been an important part of her life, so when she arrived in Novus, she was happy to see that she had magic that could help her out in this new land. While it wasn’t her natural ability to breathe underwater, Katniss could grow the gills she needed, and she did so often.
This particular morning, Katniss is at the bottom of the lake, standing peacefully. She takes pleasure in the way the lake weed laps at her legs in the steady current. She listens to the way the fish seem to sing beneath the water. She can hear the waves lapping at the beach not far from her. But there is something that does catch her attention. “You are being watched…” It is the voice of Finnick, her harpy eagle soaring high in the skies above. He has seen the mare as she comes upon the lake and he has watched the way she takes pleasure and pride in it. But he knows that this is a new member of Denocte, a member that must be welcomed.
Reluctantly, Katniss knows her duty is to greet this newcomer, to welcome her into the land of Night. Slowly, she turns so she can begin her trip up the banks of the lake. As her head seems to rise out of the water like an angel, her gills begin to recede and Katniss heaves a giant breath as air feels her lungs. She steps closer still, her eyes locked on the stranger. “Welcome to Denocte.” Katniss is rather plain in comparison to the other. She has no vibrant colors that adorn her body. She is simple. But perhaps the most notable thing about Katniss is the shear amount of scars that riddle her body. Most would not see Katniss and think she was a master of beauty but a master of death instead. Her scars each tell a story that perhaps the warrior is unwilling to tell. They tell of a hard and troubled life, but one that has always ended in victory.
As she comes fully out of the water, the tall mare towers over the newcomer. At over 18hh, that is not hard to do. But her features are soft an welcoming, even if she looks a little daunting at first. There is a cry from the sky and Katniss looks up to her eagle, souring above the two of them. She offers the bird a silent nod, a thank you. Finnick means so much to her now that she has very little family left. He’s always by her side, always watching, always ready to give his life.
Turning back to the mare, the deep red of Katniss’ eyes look upon the other, her face soft where a smile is trying to form. There is so little for her to be happy about in this life, but she tries her best to muster up a welcoming. “My name is Katniss. Welcome.” She does not tell the woman that she is Denocte’s Champion of Battle. Titles had never been important to her, but she will not deny the role if asked. But in this moment, she is not a soldier, only a friendly and welcoming face.
@Naida
