Welcome to Gaia! ::

After everything he had been through one would think he would be traumatized by this point. Being chased by bug people hadn't exactly been what he was expecting at his 'trails', he still woke up trembling in the middle of the night from nightmares, even though it had been days since it had happened. It didn't help that Zuko ....the nondwa had taken up to sleeping just above his head, so when he woke up it usually ended up being a loud process.

Gathering his tools this morning he packed his newly acquired healer's book into his satchel, he had thumbed through the numerous pages and found it riveting. There was lots of things he already knew and so many more things he had yet to learn. Takoda could easily stay at home until he committed the entire book to memory but he refrained. Takoda was going to join a group of adventurer's on a journey, much like his trial's though he desperately hoped this wouldn't end with him meeting more bug like people.

The essentials were packed, a water skin, dried fruits and meat, and the book neatly wrapped in some fabric (to protect it from dirt). Upon reading in the book it was soon quite obvious he had to choose a form of magic to perform any healing like spells. Most of them seemed...a little barbaric to use. Fire and lightning seemed severe, earth morbid (in a burial sense) the only ones that seemed usable in his mind were air..or water. In a toss up he decided water magic was the way to go.

Hurrying up he quickly ate his meal and set out some food for Zuko before he dashed out of his home. Dawn was rapidly approaching and he didn't want to be late.

Moving quickly he soon discovered the spot they were suppose to meet and upon his arrival saw the shifter girl who's name escaped him but he recognized. Shifting the bag on his shoulder he offered the girl a small smile,
"Good morning, " He began tipping his head to her he had expected to see many others though it ended up just being the two of them for the moment.

"Are you really sure about this?" He found himself asking for what had to be the hundredth time since the night before when his father had decided that he would be going on this trip and even helped him to pack for it. He didn't like the idea of leaving his family for so long but at the same time his father was home to look after them, right? They would be safer with the massive brute of a man then they would have been with just him alone there looking after him, "It will be the first time I am away from home for so long." He murmured, not sure at all but he really couldn't not go, could he? This would be good for his training he was told and that was something that caused him to really think hard on this journey. Finally, after seeing how he was dealing with the creature that attacked him and his little sisters, the man acknowledged that perhaps he shouldn't force his son to follow in his foot steps and instead listen to him when he said hat there was aught else that he could do in the world.

The young Shifter prentice knew what it was that he wanted to do as well, his father had hit it on the head actually when he said that he would make a fine guard. Since he knew full well that he would need to go into training one day for one class or another and he really felt that of all of them being a guard best suited his nature. He wanted to keep people safe from harm, his siblings and mother especially, even his father if he thought that the man might ever need his aid. It was something he'd been consider from time to time though had always been hampered by the fact that his father wanted him to follow along in his footsteps. He was thankful that the man had finally changed his mind.

"I'm sure you will do fine." The man said, giving his son a clap on the back and a smile, "I just want you to promise you will be careful, keep your companions safe, and if you see anything interesting pick it up for your siblings. If you go on a long journey without bringing them something back you won't ever hear the end of it." He said, pausing when they reached the place that everyone was told to go that going on this journey. He looked them all over before his attention went back to his son, "Work hard and make your ancestors proud, Chalcedony." The man said, putting a hand on his back and gave him a pushed forward, "Everyone else will be waiting for you."

With that Bomani turned on his heel and headed back for home. He wasn't the sort for teary fair wells, he knew that the boy would be fine because Chal was his son. Theirs was a strong bloodline and as such there was nothing to worry about if you asked him. It was likely biased and arrogance speaking but that was just how the man was.

Chal watched the massive brute as he went on his way, gave a bit of a sighing sound, and turned to look around, to see who all might be here already and much to his surprise he spotted someone straight away that he knew, Takoda. So he was coming along too, was he? That was interesting, if a touch worrisome. He was a little twitchy from what he had seen so far, afraid of bugs, and seemed a little on the fragile side to him. He supposed if he should be protecting anyone as his father told him to do it would be this one he thought to himself as he walked over toward him, lifting a hand to wave, "Morning, Takoda." He said, giving his friend a smile as he got closer, "Glad to see you again, though I'd of never guessed that you would be coming along on something like this." Maybe he got a nudge from his family as well to get out into the world? It was one possible reason at least though it might not be the exact one.

Antiope looked a bit startled as she was approached, clearly having been entranced with her own thoughts. She quickly recovered, a bright smile alighting upon her lips. ”Good morning!” She chimed in response, flitting forward with arms outstretched, fully prepared to greet the tribe’s new Healer with a hearty hug. ”It’s Takoda, isn’t it?” She continued, truly bubbling. The girl had taken it upon herself to learn the names of everyone she would be leading. Surprisingly, there were quite a few whom she had not yet met. Takoda was of particular interest to her. She was, after all, a Healer herself. ”Congratulations on your new position. Hopefully there will be many opportunities for us to work together.”

Before she could properly introduce herself, another Shifter approached, a very attractive man whom she recognized instantly. He was often seen around, toting at least a few of his many siblings. She let the boys, who clearly knew one another, exchange their greeting before closing in on the newcomer, prepared to indulge him in a hug as well. ”Welcome… Chalcedony, right?”

Almost immediately, a third Shifter approached, this time a girl. She too seemed acquainted with Takoda. Antiope couldn’t help but laugh. ”And you’re… Alassiel, am I correct?” Again, she moved in to hug her fellow tribeswoman, it was her way of saying hello. She liked to think it was a way of instantly breaking the ice, something that she felt to be more important than usual, giving that they’d all be putting their lives into one another’s hands.

”I’m Antiope. I’ll be leading the expedition. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.” The girl smiled brightly at the trio before her before turning her attention towards the sky. Tendrils of color had begun to take hold, although the sun was not yet visible.

A long exhale dripped from between the woman’s lips. ”Okay.” She recomposed herself, her attention shifting back towards the group. ”Are you all ready to leave?

Before the gathering had started Takoda had gave a small wave to Enitan but had not caught his attention about to move forward Chaldoncey was beside him saying hello and then there was Alassiel who also greeted him.

The shifter was not use to having so much attention, it was like EVERYONE knew him here, even the girl he just met Antiope. Blushing slightly as she mentioned herself being a healer he nodded his head curtly and looked to the floor. His hands fiddling with his satchel he wanted to mention that he was honored but couldn't find the right words.

He stood beside Chaldoncey since that was where his large friend had positioned himself. Noticing that Enitan was sneaking his way into the group he waved the shifter towards himself before he mouthed hello to Alassiel while Antiope spoke.

Returning his gaze to the female shifter he felt, somewhat relaxed considering he was with a bunch of people he knew, it helped to ease some of the worries of embarrassing himself cause they all were fairly aware of his intense fear of bugs.

"...Well...yes Antiope...but ...you havn't told us where we are going.." Takoda murmured looking a bit awkward about pointing it out. After all it was an expedition but even then the leader didn't lead people blind. It would be good to know where and what to expect and what exactly they were setting out to do.

While Alassiel wasn’t too sure as to whom the woman was, she was no stranger to hugs and gladly hugged the woman back, happy to see another girl on their team. “Nice to meet you too Antiope.” She said quietly hands going behind her back to clasp together as she rocked back and forth on her heels. She was a little nervous and was fiddling with her bag when Antiope asked if they were ready. Was she really ready to leave her home and be gone to do who knew what? Could she back out now that she was here? Alassiel’s thoughts all jumbled up together as she thought about fishing for the rest of her days. Takoda’s voice brought her back to reality, she’d completely forgotten t hat he was now a healer for their tribe, and she was going to have to congratulate him later on. For now though, Alassiel was just as curious to know where they were going and what purpose they had.

Despite her cheerfulness it made Takoda a bit uneasy to have no idea where they were going, perhaps even more so that their leader didn't seem perturbed by it. He returned his gaze to Anitope as turned a branch tip into a writing utensil he chewed his lower lip as he watched, slowly as a map was drawn into the branches below. Musing though completely unaware of the fact he was in fact the only one who knew almost everyone in the gathering. Takoda had met the all at one point before this excursion.

Blinking he tried to focus on what was being said to him, his face grew more concerned as the plan was detailed to them, packs were handed out to them and Takoda couldn't resist but take a search through them. Food. He wasn't surprised after all they would need these to survive the days ahead. Slinging it over his shoulder he had it join his own personal bag. Already thinking of other things they could gather on the way out of the forest so they could spare the dried rations for later.

"Ah...may I suggest we try and gather before we leave the f..forest? After all the dried...rations will last longer then fresh fruits and plants...I am sure if we pooled out our knowledge together we can make sure no one suffers from hunger pains." Takoda voiced his plan forward hoping that everyone would work together to help each other. Knowing each of the people who joined in this excursion he hoped they would pool their knowledge together in this venture.

However when a man approached saying that the Alkidikes were on the move, his own demeanor seemed to backpeddle a few steps, after all the Alkidikes were...rather scary people and if they were to run into them a fight may be on their hands.

Prompted by her question of readiness, Takoda fiddled with his satchel where his newly acquired holy book lay, fingers tracing the cover slowly before nodding his head.