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 Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2022 6:41 pm
Heike had moved deeper into the jungle, father away from all the Earthlings and closer to her Alkidike cousins. She thought she'd feel a bit different, having made her decision on her future. But she felt the same. The only thing different was a new determination to be a better person than she had been raised to be, to honor all the sacrifices made for her and her tribe. Ever since she'd picked up that spear and began training with it daily, her head had cleared of its fog. Oh, remembering things still hurt and she felt far from ready to face fully what darkness was still inside her. But at least she felt on the right track. The spear in question was slung on her back, the tip poking up just between her right shoulder. It was not a fancy design by far. Quite simple, actually. It would serve its purpose in helping her learn how to hold and use it. Maybe than she could have it fitted with something prettier. Or get a new one made entirely. It wasn't like she felt any kind of sentimental attachment to it. It was just a sharp stone on a stick, far as she was concerned. Putting down the bag she had been carrying, Heike stretched her arms above her head, opening her eyes to the canopy of the trees above her. Interesting how it got thicker as she went further north.
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2022 8:33 am
[ Nayyara 1 ]
It was bittersweet leaving the spiritual homeland of her people, but Nayyara knew that this day would come. She appreciated the experiences she gained - from meeting her extended family to finding trainers that helped her grow stronger as an eventual Sacred Heart. It made her wonder if she would come back again, maybe annually during the great pilgrimage. It would be special to witness such a gathering, and she hoped that other sisters from the other trees would do the same.
Maybe she was becoming soft, but every day she continued down this path, she hoped all of her Aishan sisters would find a way to live in harmony, not restricted by where they bloomed. Some day she hoped to see all sorts of sisters, even hybrids, co-existing on Kiros.
For now, though, she was mentally preparing for the hardest path of their journey, through the deep valleys and icy mountains until they would fly across the sea. It was because of this deep thought that her traveling companions had moved ahead without her, and Nayyara knew they would meet again at the villages to the east.
It was also how she didn't quite recognize or expect the other Elidae that appeared ahead of her path in a small clearing covered by trees.
"Oh my goddess..." She said in surprise, quickly trying to process who was standing in front of her.
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2022 7:50 pm
Eyes closed to the world around her, Heike breathed in deeply the smell of nature. She almost smiled. Almost. There wasn't really anything to smile about these days. She felt a bit silly, but she was hoping that would change soon, as she went closer and closer to the Alkidike. She felt a need to see them. To see others similar to her. Maybe she could even learn a thing or two from them. Maybe they'd like to take some of these extra weapons off her hands. They'd be useful to help train the younger generation, simple made as they were without a tiny bit of decoration adorning their blades or handles. Just like her spear. Perfect for novices. Her ears picked up noises. Small shuffling from above and around her, the sounds of animals going about their day. This far away from most Earthlings, but still a good many days from where she'd expect to find Alkidike, Heike wasn't worried about anyone finding her and breaking her peace. Until someone spoke behind her. She stiffened and spun around, than froze. Another Elidae? All the way out here? She wasn't ready to face her own people and yet here one was. What did she say? She'd never socialized all that much even when she was home. "Hi," the younger Elidae greeted, giving an awkward wave of her hand. "Funny meeting here."
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Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:36 pm
[ Nayyara 2 ]
Nayyara took a long time to evaluate the younger Elidae, surprised once more that she didn't recognize the girl. Sure she was maybe around the age of her cousins, but surely Nayyara would have noticed each of the sisters who bloomed around her. Unless this one was kept away, considering she was out here in the wilderness. But, was that even permitted? She had a hard time getting permission to leave and she was a blade when she walked away from the isle.
Plus she had her mother around...where was this one's family? Why was she alone in the middle of the dense jungle, away from Chibale.
Biting her lip a moment, Nayyara was hesitant and nodded slowly in response.
"I admit I wasn't expecting to see an Elidae out here...especially with the reception I got in Chibale..."
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2022 4:12 pm
No, Heike could confidently say she hadn't been expecting to see another Elidea here, either. Or any kind of Aishan, for that matter. She should be far enough away from the Earthlings to get some peace from them. Even if she didn't have conflicting feelings about them, their cities were just so big. Of course, she wasn't even used to medium sized towns, having spent most of her time living away from the others. Still on the island with her mother tree. But still away from most of the population. Heike had never been much of an extrovert. She was hoping to fix that one day and return, to take up her post with her Sisters to protect Esena. And thus not be an outcast among her own tribe. First, she had a lot of emotions and other things inside her to sort out before she returned back home. She hoped to find some of those answers she needed here. So when the other Elidae mentioned trouble with the Alkidike, that raised Heike's curiosity. Being the oldest, she thought they'd be the most receptive to the rest of their species. "Did something happen in Chibale?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2022 8:10 am
[ Nayyara 3 ]
Nayyara began to fiddle with her long dreads, uncertain about the situation she faced. She was one of the oldest Elidae, and prided herself on knowing all of her sisters. So why didn't she recognize the girl before her? And why was she so far away from their home? Suddenly, the elder started to wonder if maybe the young girl was in a sort of trouble...why else would she be alone, in the middle of a forest, and not seemingly being raised by any sisters or cousins.
The question and reaction pulled Nayyara out of her musing, and she dropped her dreads to hold her hands up in surrender.
"Oh no, nothing of the sort. It's just....well I was the first Elidae many had ever seen, so it was overwhelming. But not nearly as bad as Zinris. We represent a bit of a dark past with them...being the blooms of a stolen seed and all..." She trailed off with a half grin, before deciding to step closer.
"I'm Nayyara, by the way. I'm sorry...I don't really recognize you..."
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Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2022 4:19 pm
The younger let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She hadn't been intending to, but it seemed her own steps were making their way up towards the Alkidike settlements. She wasn't interested in seeing Aisha, but the fact she still might not have a nice welcome as a distant Cousin hadn't crossed her mind until now. So little she seemed to know about everything. "Yeah, I suppose that would be awkward for them. I had no intentions on going to visit them, at any rate." Heike chewed for a bit on her bottom lip, feeling uncomfortable with the direction. How exactly to answer that without giving away more than she wanted to? "I...Guess I wasn't much of a social child. I'm Heike."
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Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2022 9:01 am
[ Nayyara 4 ]
The reaction was interesting, and the older Elidae took a moment to just examine Heike some more. This girl really seemed to not be familiar with such things, both their home and the area she was in. Nayyara hadn't heard of a young Elidae not growing up in Kiros, but that didn't mean it wasn't true.
When Heike introduced herself, Nayyara let her face melt into a warm and welcoming smile, "Nice to meet you, Heike.
"Well, you're getting close to one of the camps, so just keep a look out. You'll see a few of the sisters in the trees. Though they'll probably just think you're me, and leave you alone."
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Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2022 6:59 pm
Involuntarily, Heike looked up at the trees around them, as if she expected the aforementioned Alkidike to be hanging off the branches above them, watching their every move. It sent an uncomfortable shudder down her spine. She wasn't used to be watched so intently by someone. Earthlings watching her didn't count. She didn't have to offer up her respect to them and thus could unleash all her feelings about their staring back at them without worrying over any consequences.
"Likewise." And she meant it, even if her own smile was very small and a little awkward. Talking to anyone, Aishan or Earthling, was always a bit odd for her. But that's what came from being a very introverted child, she supposed. "Should I be worried? Do they not like company?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2023 5:21 pm
[ Nayyara 5 ]
The elder smiled warmly as the younger girl glanced around, finding it an adorable action. The curiosity was lovely, and Nayyara resisted teasing her a little bit at that. She had a feeling Heike wasn't one familiar with such playfulness.
"Honestly. They'll probably welcome you like a long lost sibling. They were absolutely obsessed with me. Something about the future, opportunity and just a healthy example of Aisha's will. It was fun in the beginning, but got old quickly."
She stepped a little closer, hoping she wasn't pushing her luck, before adding, "I'm excited to move on. Get back to the open air of the road."
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Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2023 4:21 pm
Heike 6 Heike gave an involuntary sigh of relief, opening her mouth just slightly and relaxing tense shoulders she hadn't realized were tense. Some part of her, maybe the part that was connected to Aisha, had been telling her she should be making for the Alkidike villages ever since she'd set foot on Jauhar. It was such an odd tugging that she couldn't quite explain, as if a long since dormant side of her had awoken suddenly. Though she felt the family bonds with her Elidae Sisters back home, she'd still kept mostly to herself, enjoying her peace and solitude more to the company of others. She had thought herself broken. Maybe she wasn't after all. "That is good. I didn't want to disrespect them with my presence." She, of course, was no stranger to the history of her own people and had always felt a bit nervous about going up there. Not that she was letting it stop her. She didn't really know how the Alkidike would have reacted to seeing her, but it seems as if her fears were misplaced. Not like her body hadn't been telling her that this whole time. The Sisterly bonds ran deep, even across a large sea. "Thank you for the warning about it. Now I won't be so surprised when I'm suddenly the center of attention."
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Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 7:48 am
[ Nayyara 6 ]
Nayyara gasped before leaning closer, "Oh gosh, you wouldn't disrespect them at all. You know they have an annual pilgrimage each year, right? We don't really do it on Kiros because most stay there, but hundreds of Aishans travel across Tendaji to see Aisha. Even those that are hybrids."
She wasn't so sure about other Aishans, especially the Elaria who lived south. But it seemed like the Elidae would be welcome. And she might have spotted the elusive Vandrea around, though she didn't have a chance to look further into it.
"Of course...it was a lot. Add to the fact my mother was there...she's an Elaria, and we got so much attention."
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2023 8:36 am
Heike 7 A slight flush crept up Heike's cheeks. Not of anger, but embarrassment. Was there really so much about her own culture that she had been kept in the dark about? It wasn't like she hadn't been aware when a fellow Elidae went missing from the town, often accompanied by her mothers. But she hadn't given it any more thought than that. Never wondered where they had gone or even realized how long or short a time they had been gone. Sometimes she and her own Elaria mother left on hunting trips. She always assumed it was something like that. Looking back on what she now knew about her mother, it was no surprise Kioko hadn't left Kiros. "This is my first time leaving. I haven't spoken to anyone who had left before." Back came the feelings of being broken, if she wasn't even aware of something so important. This trip of her own had been a real eye opening to how little her mother had prepared her for life. "So I guess I should expect to see some Elaria, as well."
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Posted: Wed May 31, 2023 9:46 am
[ Nayyara 7 ] Her face softened at the tone Heike gave off, getting a sense of softness to the girl before her. It made her want to move closer, to give her a hug even, to comfort her like a lost bloom. But she also knew that this girl was a bit distant and didn't want to push her luck. So speaking it was. " Sometimes a sister finds comfort in a different tree..." She said softly, " That's why my grandmother left...multiple times. First Aisha, then Elzira. Each of the trees have their own culture, after all." At the second question, she looked thoughtful, " Actually...I didn't see many...They were mostly Alkidike. I think they are still hesitant with the Elaria..."
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