Welcome to Gaia! ::

There was a faint pause of breath as the silver eyes of a very distinct mare gazed over the lands. It had been quite the time since she and her chosen had traveled to the King's castle. Sure they loved their small farmland a day or two of travel away, but it was nice to get back in touch with friends they had yet to see as well as meet others. And what better way than to travel to the King's Court? The mare flicked her ears as she trotted along, Athari resting on her back in an unusual manner. The amazon rested on the azrein's back in a peculiar manner - her feet was balancing her body, hands resting lightly on Nai's neck and shoulder. It was evident that Athari had gotten bored again for parts of Nailiah's mane had been braided. It was one of Athari's favorite things to do. 'You need to look pretty!' She would say to Nai whenever the mare would ask. 'That way, you can meet a handsome stallion, no?' Her best friend meant well, that was for sure. But sometimes the human could be a little..irritating.

For now, the two steadily made their way into the plains that were just outside the castle. Already she could see others around and about. Nailiah began to wonder if she would meet any old friends or possibly new ones today.

A new pair occupied one part of the plain. They watched the others with interest, one genuinely so and the other like a predator. A stallion and a woman that seemed newly bonded. She was thin, almost frail, with coiffed brown hair and green eyes; the Stallion white and bloodied, cut down to the bone in some places.

:This is boring, none here good enough to play with.: The Azrein heaved a sigh and dug at the ground with a cloven hoof.

"Must you play with them?"

:Of course!:

The Stallion perked up when he saw the winged mare, and a bonded pair. :Now this is interesting,: He glanced down at his Chosen before trotting out to meet them. :Hello, my ladies!:

Calathea sighed and watched him go. That Stallion was more trouble than he was worth sometimes.

The pair hadn't gotten very far in when Athari eyed the strange stallion. He was pale, frail, and quite the ill-omen as far as she was concerned. The stallion was looking at them it seemed which made Athari a little more on edge. His companion, the woman beside him looked equally as...wrong. On instinct, she placed her hand against the side of her mount with a careful cough. 'Be wary, my heart.' Athari whispered into the mare's mind. Nailiah seemed to catch on quickly for she too had felt uneasy as soon as their eyes fell upon them.

The mare flicked her head toward her rider and was about to comment when her eyes fell on a form coming toward them. Nailiah could tell it was feminine, but it was strange. She stopped trying to get a better look. Wonder who that is... Hello there! Nailiah called as Dark sat up a little straighter looking to see, her hand acting as a visor against the slightly bright sun. It was the afternoon after all. However, her eyes immediately shifted at the coming of the white stallion. His features became more clearer which made Athari's blood boil with an unnatural fever. He was bloodied and thin...even bones showing at some places. There were cuts and blood as if in constant flow. Everything in Athari shouted demon which Nailiah felt naturally. The white mare, however, stood her ground giving a nod toward him. "Ho, Stallion. To what do we owe this...greeting?" Her silver eyes slightly glowed with question as the mare watched him carefully. She was confused as to why his chosen didn't accompany him.

:To welcome you to the little gathering.: Bloody eyes glanced out over the plains, then back to her. :I am Nu'man, lovely. And that is my ... Chosen... Calathea yonder.: The word still felt strange to him. He'd never planned on Choosing, much less to a sickly woman.

Nailiah looked over to Gwena giving her a smile. "A pleasure. My name is Nailiah." She figured that the stallion would know her name now seeing as she said it loud enough for both of them to hear. Her ears flicked as she looked toward him again. "Nu'man? Does it mean something?" Silver eyes peered over to the human that was indeed Nu'man's chosen. Why was she so far off? Nailiah blinked a little back to focus as Athari introduced herself. "Hello there, all. I am Nailiah's chosen. My name is Athari the Dark One. Athari or Dark will do." She kept her eyes on Nu'man for a brief while before offering a greeting nod to Gwena. "My, you're a pretty birdy." The amazon gave a comforting grin. Being different was hard...harder on some than others.

Nailiah tilted her head toward Nu'man as if confused. "This gathering was planned?" The mare gave a bit of a snort, her obvious naive nature showing through. It was one of the things Athari loved and sometimes hated about Nailiah. She'd never change her though. There was no point.

Nu'man bobbed a greeting to the other mare. She was a pretty little thing, if odd, but Nailiah held his interest far more. :The pleasure is all mine, ladies. Cala would join us... but she has fallen sick again.: His Chosens racking coughs echoed through his body, making him flinch. Not again... :This gathering was not planned, or it would be far more eventful. And as for your question, it means 'blood'.:

Nailiah gave a brief and gentle whciker. "My thoughts go to your chosen, Nu'man. I'm not sure of your relationship, but I know you must feel it as well. If Athari grew ill, I wouldn't want to stray from her side." The amazon gave a bit of a grin hearing her friend say that. She patted the mare on the neck scratching lightly as she gave a careful glance over to Nu'man. "I see. Well usually that's how unplanned meetings go. But you could always make it eventful." The human chimed in as she began braiding the mare's blood red hair again. It was also a way of easing her tension. "Blood? I am sure the name has some history behind it." Nailiah gave a nod as she looked over to Gwena. "Come now, don't be shy. Where do you hail from? Or do you travel?" Dark listened quietly as Nai tried to include the other mare in this conversation. That's how Nailiah always was it seemed. She studied Gwena for a few more moments wondering what sort of creature she was. In all honesty, she looked like a griffin without the proper front appendages. But she was pretty all the same. Athari was also trying to keep her mind off of Nu'man and his eyes. The way he gazed at her Nailiah was...unsettling.

He almost gritted his teeth. The whole bonding thing had not been in his plans. Calathea had jumbled them up when he'd found her outside her little cottage. He'd been looking for other Azrein to torment and instead...

Nu'man smirked. :It does have quite some history behind it... besides the obvious.:

The mare looked him over with cautious eyes. "Maybe you will tell me one day.". IT was true, she had a fascination for the unknown and the strange. Nu'man was all that and more. However, she knew to be careful for Athari kept patting her neck or sending her gut feelings through their bonding. Nailiah wasn't going to endanger herself or her friend. Not by a long shot.

"Where have you been? The mountains? The rivers? The forests? I would say oceans, but we're on a floating island." Athari gave a chuckle as she turned herself more to face Gwena. The human was quite interested in her and how she came to happen here, but alas. One thing at a time it seemed. Athari noticed Gwena's apprehension and wondered if it had anything to do with the stallion. Of course it did, however, as she got the same gut feeling as Gwena did probably. Athari carefully reached out to the bird-azrein showing she meant no harm and gently stroked her neck and scratched behind her ear. "There's a pretty girl." Athari gave a warm smile feeling all the more better about their unnatural guest.

:You need only ask, my love, and I will tell.: Nu'man chuckled. He fidgeted for a moment when his Chosen leaned against him, panting softly. :I would have come and gotten you, fool woman.:

Cala held onto his mane, dipping a little as she coughed again. "You were... you were busy talking and I needed to walk." Up close she didn't look quite as frail. Frequent illness had made her unsteady but her eyes were kind. "Greetings, Nailiah, Gwena, Dark."

His endearing terms were a little confusing, but she wondered if it was simply all part of him. Each azrein was different, and it appeared this one was to be suave in a dangerous way. Her ears flicked back as she got a chance to halfway listen to Athari and Gwena. It was good that her chosen was calming the other down. She didn't want the other to feel so trapped. However, there was still that uneasiness about Gwena, and Nailiah figured it was coming from the stallion - who was currently speaking to his chosen.

Nailiah was surprised that Calathea was so gentle. She expected her to be a harsh woman with a sense of bitterness. It may have been due to the fact that she looked quite sick all the time. "Hello to you, Calathea. I wish you would have let him get you, though I understand you wish to make yourself better." The mare nodded before turning back to Nu'man. "Perhaps another time on that story.." Athari cut in with a snort. "Yes. Perhaps." It was moreso a warning to Nailiah than anything else. However, the female patted the mare on the back showing only concern. As the sickly woman came near, Athari felt a pang of pity for her being stuck with such a demon of an azrein. But such was bonding and it was permanent. "Hello. I would tell you I hope you fair well, but in actuality, I hope you will fair better than your current state." Athari sensed how sick she was. It wasn't healthy for her to be out and about, but she sensed a strength in this woman. A little risky, but commendable.

The woman smiled at Arathi. "Thank you, though I fear that it may be for naught." She choked down a cough, covering it with a laugh. "I've been sick for a long, long time." Cala patted Nu'man on the neck, scratching under his mane. His blood and open wounds didn't seem to bother her. They were as much a part of the Stallion as she was now.

:Just let me know when, and I will tell you. Maybe we will talk a private walk when you decide.: He winked at the mare, promising more than a tale and a walk. She was a beautiful one, and he adored the color of her mane and tail. Like freshly spilled blood.

Nailiah turned over to Gwena and gave an apologetic smile. Athari was becoming a little hostile, but it was her natural nature to do so just as it was Nailiah's nature to be friendly and open. Her tail flicked as she turned back toward Nu'man. "Don't worry. I will." His voice was soothing, and he was showing interest. It was rare for a stallion to show such interest...Nailiah was beginning to wonder if she could meet up with him later...just perhaps to know his story... 'It better be never. Nailiah heard the harsh words of Athari in her mind, but took no heed of the hostility. However, the mare gave a snort as if to reply before turning toward Gwena. "So please, tell us of your travels. I'd love to hear about them."

Athari slightly listening to Nai's conversation with Nu'man, but she kept her attentions focused on Calathea for the most part. "Well, you can always hope, neh?" She grinned scratching Nai on her forehead before beginning to braid parts of her mane again. If Athari kept up, Nailiah would have nothing but braids. The amazon watched with curiosity at Calathea's relationship with Nu'man. She seemed to be totally devoted to her azrein unlike the other way around. But that was the way it was. And it seemed as though the demon gave her peace somewhat. How could she blame that? Everyone deserved someone...even someone seemingly as dark as the stallion in front of her. Athari made sure to keep her eyes on her mare. If one were to seek her, they would most definitely have to get through Athari first. "Tell me, Cala," The woman began with gentle tones. "What sort of illness do you think you have? Is it not treatable?"