Welcome to Gaia! ::

Dyakida relaxed at the roots of her home tree, her hands wrapped in loose lotion-coated gauze as she drank a magic-cooled mug of fruit juice. She was taking a well-earned break, resting her hands, her body, and her soul after a long morning of crafting. The nerves of her hands still jangled from all the carving work, and the lotion was there to ease them and keep her hands soft and pliable – Dyakida's hands were everything to her, after all. She had to take care of them.

Peyla chattered nearby, telling Dyakida whatever she felt the spritely need to tell her. Suddenly, she stopped, her ears perking up at the sound of footsteps. She chimed, surprised. She knew that person!

”Peyla?” Dyakida pushed herself languidly into a more upright position, ”What is it?”

Dyakida half-rose in surprise at the voice – one she had thought she would never hear again. Could it be? Could it really, truly, be possible? She broke into a loud, sudden laugh. ”Somehow, I doubt that it was Amadi she was happy to see!” she grinned broadly, ”Briella! My dear friend...” she greeted, holding her arms out in the general direction of the voice, her delight and relief evident, ”You've returned!”

It couldn't be... but it was, and Peyla's feelings were very mixed as Amadi proceeded to dance with her. She pouted but, perhaps, she secretly was happy to see her nemesis return. He had made her life so interesting, after all. So, she let him dance and chatter, flying in a circle with him as she pretended not to be smiling...

Normally Dyakida did not do hugs well, but for Briella she made an exception. Dyakida's hand remained on Briella as they pulled away, 'looking' at her in the only way Dyakida could. She ran her hand over Briella's face, her arms, her hands, her shoulder. ”You've grown...” Dyakida said, almost a little sadly. And she had – the adventure she had had, had changed her in body and likely in mind. She was a little stronger, a little gaunter, a little prouder, a little more humble (perhaps).

Her inspection not complete, but complete for the time being, Dyakida gestured to the tree. ”Please, Brie... Sit and tell me about your adventure?” Dyakida had no adventures, not really. This suited her fine, especially since the closest thing to an adventure that she had had was being captured by the Obans and that was not something she wanted to repeat. ”Tell me of Ilyra? We have all missed you...” she said.

All right, fine, she was having fun but she'd never show him that! She fought to take the lead in their dance, just to show him. If she got maybe a little close to the black-marked sprite, who cared, right? Right?

She grimaced when he said that he was never leaving. [Not if I can help it!] she chimed back, sticking her tongue out at him, [Where were you, anyway?! Everybody was worried about your Alkidike.] she smirked, [Nobody was worried about you, by the way.]

Obans had taken Ilyra?! Dyakida could not repress a shudder. She knew their hospitality well. ”Well. Aside from the war.” she said, ”Very little of note that is not crafting... and this new war that appears to be on the horizon.” She shook her head in distaste, ”I do not think that any of us are done fighting. Not yet.” her hand found Briella's, and she held it. ”I hope for her sake that things work out. After such an ordeal, She deserves it... Though I believe that Tahigwa, her girlfriend, has had children? I've not met them, but... Mmm... I hope it works out well.” she said again.

”What of your love, Briella? The Mystic, Kadriye?” she asked.

[Was not.] Well, maybe a little bit, but Peyla would never tell that to him. [Yours is too sensible to go gallavanting off without telling anybody. Clearly, that was your doing.] She dipped him in midair, playfully.

”Hmm.” Dyakida may have made that joke herself, once. Now, though... Now she knew that war was good for no ones business, hers or her customers, though one hoped that her business saved lives. As it took them.

She squeezed Briella's hand in return, deciding to say nothing. This was a joyous reunion, not a time for depressing thoughts and philosophies. Her sister was back, and, though she was as impossible for Dyakida to romance as she had ever been, she was a welcome piece of the past, that hopefully would be a part of the present and the future.

”Yes, I heard of that.” Dyakida said, ”I hear that the new mystic is unusual looking.” she managed to force out a chuckle at her own joke. ”You both deserve your time together, after so long away...” and so many dangers ”So I am grateful you took some of that time for me.” Though, she did feel she deserved some portion of Briella's time herself. ”What of Kaalnia? Have you seen her yet?”

Peyla squealed in delight and immediately tried to hide it. She gave up on hiding it. This was fun, after all, and she couldn't help it. [I helped too!] she insisted haughtily puffing out her chest too, [I helped my Alkidike a lot!] she gave him an incredulous look. [What did you do to help] she asked curiously.

Pure, hmm?

Pure blooded, yes, but pure of ideal.... But it was not Dyakida's place to judge. ”I hope that meeting goes well.” she said, smiling at the implication that she was important. It was good to be important. Though she had all of this prestige, though she had earned respect for herself, the old doubts still lingered...

It was very good to be important.

”Mmm. You could say that. Kaalnia has a daughter now.” said Dyakida, waiting for Briella's reaction, ”A sweet child” mostly ”Named Kiunyki. She pled to Aisha for her on her own, and received her... if you can imagine that.” it was still a little unbelievable to Dyakida. ”She has also been promoted to a warrior and has been helping a half-ice hybrid fit in. She's been very busy.”

[No you didn't] said Peyla, incredulous. Sprites didn't fight off enemies. They tricked and trapped them, and then they fled. He was lying again, like the black-face he was. [I found shinies for my Alkidike, and earthlings, and important things!] She puffed out her own chest, [I even rescued her when she was kidnapped!] It wasn't quite a lie. She'd gone for help. That she hadn't managed to get the help, and had gotten lost and nearly eaten, wasn't the point. She'd tried, and she had to be better than Amadi. He had to think she was better... Even if it meant lying. [Bad guys tried to get her, and I had to save her! They took all her things!]

”I hope so too!” Dyakida laughed. Kaalnia had been subject to quite a lot of ribbing once the news got out, which the firey Alkidike had taken with her usual aplomb, theoretically with a grin. It was a reasonable assumption on Dyakida's part – Kaalnia was the sort to grin about everything. She had heard it was quite spectactular.

”Mm, only the usual trials and tribulations.” she said, ”Sisters becoming Blades, Blades becoming Warriors, Warriors becoming Sacred Hearts or Amazons... even Guardians, these days. And many of those coming to me for their weapons.” she said, with some pride. ”Which reminds me, my dear Briella, which path will you follow? It occurs to me that I never asked.”