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 Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:43 pm
Zira had never seen a traveling troupe before and so she had been especially excited whenever her father mentioned one was in the area. She was visiting Sauti and after helping with the harvest, working alongside her father and earthling cousins, the girl was eager to explore the area and see what else was around. Usually during the day she would be helping around the forge with chores or hanging out with other Aishan warriors who were training so that she could work on her own fighting form, but since she was away the girl had decided to try and relax. Even her father worried about her hardworking spirit and Zira knew that she had to calm down in order to preserve her strength, it was best to not be reckless after all. And so here she was walking through the fields near the local village, trying to get a peek at the performers who would be hosting a show tonight after the harvest festivities.
[Zira 1]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:43 pm
Ixia adored the harvest season. She had already had plenty of fun helping gather corn and wheat with Maxi and the other performers, doing some tricks and somersaults even in between actual work before getting chastised for playing around too much, but now it was time for everyone to relax and prepare for tonight’s show. The troupe was in full force to amaze the local villagers after having received such a warm welcome and while Ixia wished that she could perform alongside of the others she settled for just playing around instead. At least the autumn sun was warm on her skin, the golden glow warming the land and matching the amber and crimson colors of the nearby trees that had started losing their leaves. The swaying wheat in the background was still picturesque, considering how much of the field still remained even after so much had been harvested by everyone. “Maybe I can just reflect the swaying movements of the wheat.” She joked to herself before stretching out her body, running forward and then somersaulting across the open field.
[Ixia 1]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:43 pm
“Hmm?” Zira blinked as she spotted movement just outside of where the rows of corn and wheat began. So there was someone playing around in the open field as she had hoped! While the tents of the performers were just off in the horizon, she could see some of the yellow and green striped tents just around the edge of the field, Zira had not been certain that someone would be so far away from the main area of the encampment. Had she lucked out that a performer was doing their exercises out here? Would it look similar to Aishan training or would it be something more fabulous because of all the tricks? Darting forward the girl went to investigate, only pausing as she saw the figure twisting and spinning across the fields. How could someone flip like that? Zira started clapping with a laugh as she waited for the other girl to finish with her impromptu performance.
[Zira 2]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:43 pm
Okay, admittedly Ixia had noticed that there was a stranger approaching. She was more than happy to put on a performance for the other girl, especially considering how welcoming this village was to the point that even her mothers didn’t feel the need to hide her existence like in the busier settlements, and so Ixia continued flipping and twisting around until she was out of breath. The clapping increased her confidence, confirming that she had made a good decision to display her talents to the stranger and while Ixia gave a slight bow to the other girl she also within a second later flopped onto the ground while trying to let her heart finish racing around in her chest.
[Ixia 2]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:43 pm
“That was amazing!” Zira was, as usual, completely honest with her emotions as she finished clapping. “I’m guessing you’re from the troupe?” She asked as she boldly approached, plopping down on the ground next to the other teen so that she was not alone. Her pale hair stood out in the sunlight, her own hybrid features obvious as she started to study the other girl who was also an Aishan hybrid of some sort. One of the Elaria? Surprise flickered across Zira’s face as she noticed the curled antennae and the like. It wasn’t as if she was disgusted by the hybrid, if anything it made her more interesting! Not many Elaria took earthling lovers and seeing someone like this around her age out in Sauti definitely was a surprise!
[Zira 3]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:43 pm
“Yeah, hehe.” Ixia grinned at the other girl, her freckles moving with the movement and revealing a dimple in one cheek. “Made it pretty obvious, right?” She nodded, not even bothering to wait for an answer before leaning forward to stare at the stranger. “You’re part Aishan?” The other girl didn’t barely look like she had any wind blood, if any! How interesting that she would be all the way out here and not in Jahaur. Ixia recognized that the locks were a part of the Aishan culture, so it would make sense to think that she was being raised in the Alkidike fashion. Though then again it could just be a fashion choice. Her own curls made it nearly impossible to do anything other than fighting to tie her hair back into the frizzy ponytail. Or rather she simply wasn’t patient enough for it despite her mothers’ best attempts to have her sit still for so long. “Surprised ta see you out here, but then again I’m guessing I’m surprisin’ too.”
[Ixia 3]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:43 pm
“Very.” Zira admitted with a small smile. It didn’t seem like the other girl had any malicious intent and so she was happy enough to answer her questions. “I’m part Aishan, but my father has family in Sauti so we’re visiting them this week.” She explained, “Other than that I would be in Jahaur. What about you? You definitely have Elaria blood, right? I recognize those curly antennae, I’m so jealous of how cute they are.” She would have loved to have antennae like her parents! If only she had been luckier. Zira pouted slightly as she reached up to touch her forehead. Not like it would matter to other Alkidikes who still judged her for being a hybrid, but antennae seemed so useful with sensing movements and such in the darker areas of the jungle. Her father had explained it to her once, but Zira could never quite grasp how the sensation would feel since she had never truly experienced it for herself.
[Zira 4]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:43 pm
"I see." Ixia nodded before a snort of laughter escaped her. "Cute?" She replied after a few shaking moments. She always got reassured that she was adorable from her family members, but this was the first time an outsider had called them cute! "I mean, thanks. It's just I didna ever get that outside of my moms before." She expressed finally with a grin towards the other girl. "I'm Elarian and my earthling blood is Sauti. My ma is one of the best performers the troupe has. Hopefully ya can watch the show later and see how amazin' she is."
[Ixia 4]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:43 pm
"Oh." Zira's cheeks flushed slightly at the sudden laughter. Did she say something wrong? But the other girl didn't seem terribly upset. Oh! The explanation made her purse her lips in protest. "Well, I think they're amazing and that you should cherish them." She would have been so happy to have any type of antennae. Why would anyone mock the other girl for having them? Talk about rude! "She’s a performer? I’m so excited! My father is going to take me to the show with some of our cousins. Are you not performing in it? I saw all those twists earlier, you looked awesome.”
[Zira 5]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:43 pm
“Ah.” For once Ixia found herself startled enough to not know what to say. Cherish her antennae? This other girl definitely was an interesting one. Still, she eventually smiled and found her voice again. “Good ta hear. I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for ya. I’m not approved for performances yet, but I do plan on participating eventually! I just…don’t know what my skills are.” She flushed lightly. Those spins and somersaults had been child’s play for their acrobats. Ixia had learned a little bit of everything, but truly was not a master of any particular skill just yet.
[Ixia 5]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:44 pm
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Promised Zira with a nod. “I’m following the Aishan path but there’s still so much to decide upon. We have different types of fighting paths, some with a bit of magic and others that are more focused on speed instead of brute strength…” She began, shaking her head as she thought about it all. “I don’t think I have the spark for a sacred heart, but I’m not certain if I should rely upon a familiar to help me either.” Maybe it would be best to just be an amazon…Zira frowned before focusing back on the other girl. “Either way you seemed really cool, so I’m sure whatever you decide on will work out.” As usual she was full of optimism, her expression bright as she offered her support to a complete stranger.
[Zira 6]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:44 pm
A flush crossed Ixia’s cheeks. She usually was lashing out against the other teens in the troupe that usually teased her instead of encouraging her, it truly was strange to have someone being so supportive! “Thanks.” She managed finally with a smile. “I’m sure I’ll figure it out or I’ll just go and be my own one person troupe, doin’ all sorts of acts.” She joked before pondering the other information. “My ma spoke about that before, she’s just an amazon though because she didn’t have the spark either. She’s also not that patient with animals so no familiars for her, just her spears and daggers.”
[Ixia 6]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:44 pm
“Ah, yeah.” Zira chuckled. “I think I’m in the same boat. I do like the feeling of a spear whenever I’m fighting.” She held out her hands as if she were miming a staff. “You can use it to anchor you while you kick up and spin around.” She loved that trick even if it wasn’t used by many of the Sisters it looked awesome. “Actually would probably look cool in an act, maybe?” She offered almost sheepishly. If only she had a spear to show the move off with! Zira had worked so hard to perfect it, even if some of the others thought it was wasteful, and she felt certain that she would have to use it in a fight one day.
[Zira 7]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:44 pm
“Maybe.” Ixia replied with a playful grin. “I could imagine someone twisting around a spear though unless you have a mighty kick…would it work in a fight?” Now she was actually curious. It would look pretty cool to twist around like that and kick someone away! Maybe she could steal err….borrow one of her ma’s spears so that they could practice the move. “Sounds like fun either way.”
[Ixia 7]
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2023 7:44 pm
“It is!” Zira perked up despite the usefulness of the move being questioned at first. “I like having a lighter spear that I can have more flexibility fighting with. My attacks use my whole body not just the spear and the kick gives me more space if the opponent gets too close. I’ve knocked back quite a few opponents with it.” She tucked back a stray lock of hair, feeling sheepish that she had gotten a bit excited talking about her own fighting style. “But yeah. That’s umm…well those are my feelings about fighting apparently.”
[Zira 8]
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