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 Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:53 am
[Sabra via Discord]
Quynh was a skilled huntress. The Aishan hybrid had proven that she was lightning fast in the jungle, her speed and stealth making her dangerous to any prey that didn’t realize she was in the area until it was far too late, but at the same time she was also one of the laziest and short-tempered warriors around. Spending most of her time in Jahaur though had separated her more from her Elarian cousins and her hybrid status did nothing to help the relationship, especially from those who still struggled with earthling hybrids let alone a mixture of Alkidike and Elarian. She was a step up they supposed because she was at least pure Aishan, but she also served as a reminder of the Alkidikes who many still held reservations about despite the treaty. Some even felt like a hybrid of Elaria and Alkidike like Quynh was a sign that Aisha was trying to reclaim her Elarian kin, their features merging back into what was once a pure Alkidike race. Though Quynh felt like such claims were nonsense, she still felt heated after listening to some Elders making stupid assumptions based upon her appearance back in Zinris. It wasn’t as if she were the only hybrid! So why did she seemingly get called out more than others? It probably didn’t help that she was also notorious for skipping training to hang with earthlings, other hybrids and even wore bright and flashy clothing in comparison to the more drab and practical garments of those who wanted to blend in more with the Yaeli environment ... .but still!
So she had decided to blow off some steam by firing some arrows at a few trees turned practice targets, the hybrid eventually lounging about in one of the lower branches of one before slipping back towards the ground again. Her bracelets chimed with the movement, but Quynh didn’t care. She wasn’t about to go hunting today, not when there was plenty back at camp and she refused to feed those who were so picky about others anyways. Instead she would look for something that interested her - crystals. Yael had so many gemstones and crystals throughout the nearby caves and Quynh was determined to find something pretty to carve into jewelry, whether she dug it out of the ground or the nearby creek. “Now where to begin?” She mused, her fingers tapping against her chin thoughtfully as she surveyed the forested area that was a few good miles north of Zinris away from most watchful eyes.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:55 am
Ika reached up to pull her dreads into a short ponytail. While some of the wavy locks fell around her face the weight of them were now off her neck and subsequently so was the heat. No matter the temperature once Ika started to work her body heat would inevitably rise and she would curse her past self for deciding to keep her locks on the shorter side. If they were longer, as her mentor often pointed out, then she could have them pulled back. Even a shorter cut would afford some breathing room, but Ika held onto the style. While most everything else about her life had changed the moment, she decided to follow an Aishan path her hair could, at least, look similar. Even if it was dreaded.
Her training swords fell heavy against her hips as she walked. The blades were nearly twice as heavy as her regular swords and for good reason, strength training. Ika couldn’t bear the thought of an Elarian besting her, especially after the way some of them had talked about her when she’d first arrived. So, she’d had the testers made and they were…a nightmare. Taking a breath, she kept up with her casual walk, trying to slowly bring her muscles to a rest when she heard something nearby. It sounded like a…chime? But when Ika didn’t see anything she just focused on keeping an active eye, one hand ‘casually’ on the weighted blades.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:55 am
[Sabra via Discord]
Speaking of interesting and lovely things. Quynh found herself twisting around, her antenna perking up at the sight of a familiar figure walking along. Surely she was mistaken, right? There was no way that Ika was in Zinris at the same time she was....but there she was! A smile of pure delight crossed her lips as she remembered that the other hybrid had mentioned traveling with her mentor before. With everything going on though Quynh had doubted that they would actually cross paths here.
The nearby creek and quest for crystals and gemstones forgotten, Quynh crouched low before darting forward towards Ika. "Taking a stroll away from Zinris?" She teased as she emerged from the trees, her gaze bright as the smile on her face as she studied the other hybrid.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:57 am
Ika’s immediate reaction was to grab the hilt of her sword, one hand on the other, and spin it around toward her attacker. If Quynh had been dressed any less fabulously than she always was then Ika wouldn’t have had the recognition needed to stop in time. Her eyes, that had only seconds ago been hardened with a fight in mind, widened with surprise before a laugh slipped out. “Goddess, Quynh, are you trying to die?” With her heart still fast with adrenaline Ika simply let the blade fall to her side for a moment.
“What are you doing here? I thought you were still in Jauhar?” She knew the Aishan hybrid traveled frequently with her mothers, but honestly Ika hadn’t expected to run into her. Maybe she’d been given information that she forgot?
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:57 am
[Sabra via Discord]
"I suppose if you're the one to kill me then it's alright." Teased Quynh, her body slowly relaxing from its tense state whenever she had noticed Ika twisting a blade towards her. "I may have gotten a bit too excited to see you." She admitted with a grin, her green eyes bright as she glanced over Ika. Her earlier frustrations were easily forgotten with Ika's sudden company, her cheeks flushed with happiness more than adrenaline from nearly getting attacked by the earthling hybrid that she liked.
"I was, but then some cousins had an emergency so my mothers decided to take an impromptu trip over." Quynh admitted with a soft sigh. "I thought I would have a break from those prickly attitudes for a little bit, but here I am. Not that I mind in this current moment, if anything I'm glad they reached out to us. How is your trip going?"
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:58 am
“A little warning goes a long way, Bright Eyes.” Now that her arm had rested some Ika lifted the sword and placed it back in its sheath. Even though some of the trees around them had colorful hues, they were dulled in comparison to Jauhar making them positively muted against Quynh’s countenance. Her smiles were infectious, and Ika couldn’t stop herself from giving one in return.
“An emergency? I hope everything’s alright now.” Her features furrowed a bit, but since she didn’t want to pry into personal family matters Ika let it hang. “The trips gone well so far. We had a few issues with the crossing from Matori to Yael, but nothing drastic. Right now my biggest issue is getting used to this.” She motioned to the area around her.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 9:59 am
[Sabra via Discord]
"Fair enough." Quynh raised a hand and shook the bracelets there so that they chimed. "Though was this not enough for a skilled huntress?" Teased Quynh, the smile on her face showing that she truly meant no insults and was just playfully bantering now. The colorful beads were one of her favorite accessories and reminded her that she had come out here for a reason before getting distracted by Ika. Not that Quynh minded, she was far too happy seeing Ika which was part of her reason for walking this far away in the first place. Zinris often frustrated her and made her mood sour, but this was a good surprise...even better than finding any pretty gemstones.
Quynh quickly shook her head with a soft sigh. It was Ika so she didn't mind letting out a little bit. "One of my Aunts is throwing a fit over a cousin asking for blooms with an....earthling." She gasped in surprise, her hand against her chest as she pretended to be so disturbed by it all. "The initial letters basically spoke about a potential family divide with my mother's sister seemingly on her deathbed from shock." While the rest were somewhat awkward about the situation, most of her family especially her own mothers were more understanding and supportive of the decision to ask for blooms. "At least you made it here safely, that's a relief. It is very dreary here though in comparison to Jahaur, right? I know half of my own family lives here, but Jahaur always felt more homey to me." She admitted quietly as she glanced around at the darker landscape. "Honestly, I came out here because being in Zinris was irritating. I thought finding some pretty gemstones could be a better reward than just dealing with some judgmental Elaria."
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:00 am
“A skilled huntress no, but I’m a fighter.” Ika tapped the weighted blades at her side. “Not much for tracking.” She knew enough of the basics to land a meal or two, but Ika had never found her passions in the wilds. As far as she was concerned she was the wildest thing out there and others needed to come find her.
“Oh the horror.” Ika put a hand on the side of her face, absolutely distraught over the news. Just as soon as the drama overcame her she broke away with a snicker and an eye roll. “Y’know, they’re right to worry; we all came out of the bloom with three eyes and twenty toes. Absolutely worthless lumps the whole lot.” Seriously, the fact that anyone could divide their family over something so minor annoyed Ika. If they didn’t like it then fine, but was it worth losing loved ones?
“Have you found any? Gemstones, that is?” She didn’t know what kind of gems Quynh would find out here, but she imagined they would be…dark. Some kind of twisted, knobby thing. Maybe they would crawl on their own and she could send it to Ujiri as a gift? Served him right for being such a brat.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:01 am
[Sabra via Discord]
"Ah, I see." Quynh smiled teasingly towards Ika. "It's a good thing that I'm a skilled huntress so that I can track you down if you ever got lost." She joked lightly as she fixed her bow that was tied to her back. While Quynh was studying the blades as well, she did prefer archery since it gave her distance and allowed her to keep her clothing from getting ruined with bloodstains. Hunting was a much better option in that sense, especially since their world was far more peaceful now and Quynh doubted war would be anywhere in her near future. At least that was the hope, right?
"Pfft!" Quynh laughed at the description of earthling hybrids. "Stop lying. Three eyes and twenty toes is just silly. We all know it's because earthling hybrids are gorgeous and pure Aishans would be too distracted with you running all over the place. I probably am in trouble enough as it is when I'm near you." She glanced over Ika with a bold expression, her gaze as bright as ever while she flirted around a bit. It made up for her own frustrations about her family's division over hybrids and how much she wished the whole Aishan community could move on and embrace anyone with their blood. What did it matter as long as the person helped out and followed their path? The mother trees wouldn't bloom for those with earthling lovers if they didn't want that type of mixture in their kind, right? So it was time to move forward and let things be.
"Remember that distraction comment?" She shook her head, a smile lingering on her lips. "I just got here and was hoping to try to find either a nearby cave to dig around in or try to mine some out of the water. I've heard if you look closely enough there's a stream here that comes from the underground and sometimes carries up gemstones."
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:02 am
“You say that like you plan on running into me often enough to need it.” At this rate it may even be so. Now, if they ran into each other amid earthling territories going from Zinris to Chibale then that might be a sign.
“Gorgeous?” Ika laughed. “I’d keep that to yourself if you don’t want your family to really throw a fit. Imagine what they’d say if they finally got things settled with this bloom business and then you’re found out traipsing through the wilds with an earthling hybrid. Tragic, really.” Quynh had turned into a little flirt during their time apart. Of course, she’d always been a casual sort that was easy to talk to, but now Ika had to wonder how much of this was genuine and how much was part of her personality.
“How about a tag along? Sounds better than listening to my group go over shipping routes and cargo weight for the trip back.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:03 am
[Sabra via Discord]
Quynh shook her head. "I mean only if you're in Jahaur and wanted to see me. I hope to stay there for quite a time after this." She looked around and gave a slight shrug. "I know I'm giving up on a dream by leaving here to live closer to Chibale, it's gonna be heartbreaking." It wasn't as if Quynh hated Yael, it just wasn't for her. She loved her vibrant jungle with its constant heat and heavy rains that one could splash around in. Zinris felt like someone had just sucked away all of the colors and fun which she hated.
"I think it's worth the risk." Teased Quynh with a small smile. She was being honest despite her playful personality but she would leave it to Ika to figure that part out. Quynh truly wasn't one to give out compliments that often. Even though Ika was mocking her family, which Quynh fully supported considering how ridiculous they were being, the Aishan hybrid was sincere when she looked towards Ika. Certain things were definitely worth some disdain from her elders.
"Sure!" Quynh nodded. "As long as you don't keep everything. I did want to make some new jewelry from this, after all." The Aishan hybrid gestured, guiding Ika forward until they could find the stream. It was probably better to just cool off in some water and hope for the best. Crawling around in a cave could wait for another time, unless they were truly unlucky here.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:03 am
“I’m always going to wonder what life would have been like if I stayed here.” She would be missing out some of the buffer, more battle-hardened Elaria, but as far as she could tell that was about all Zinris had over Chibale. It was nice enough, but it just didn’t compare to home.
“Yeah? If that’s what you think then we’ll have to meet up in Jauhar or-“ Ika moved a few steps closer to Quynh, then leaned in to say, “-maybe you come by the beach tonight.” She gave a deliciously devilish grin that lit up those bright, vermillion eyes before moving on. Maybe it was pushing it, maybe it wasn’t. It never hurt to give a little push back when it came to flirting.
“No worries here. I’d only keep a piece or two; something small to remember the trip.”
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:05 am
[Sabra via Discord]
"Just imagine the bleakest day of your life on repeat." Replied Quynh without even skipping a beat. She knew that some of her Elaria cousins were a lot bulkier and tougher because of the area and their family background with the Extremists never relaxing on any training, but Quynh was content being what she considered an alright fighter instead of a beast. The sacrifice simply wasn't worth it. There were also plenty of Sisters back in Chibale who could also snap a person if half, if wanted....it just took determination and lots of work. At least that's how her mothers explained it whenever they tried to encourage Quynh to become stronger, mostly because they were worried about her being bullied by the pure Alkidike and Elaria.
Quynh's eyes brightened with interest and a slight blush covered her warm cheeks. "Maybe, both will just have to happen." She managed as she smirked towards Ika and continued forward towards the stream that was now before them, the Aishan hybrid suddenly thankful that the water was cold against her flushed skin. Ika was probably just teasing with her, right? She wouldn't...but at the same time Quynh had the feeling she would go to the beach, just in case. If not then at least the stars would be pretty at night there.
"I can always carve them into something for you. Making jewelry is a hobby that I do enjoy." Quynh finally added as she allowed the cooler water to rush around her legs, sweeping away the sudden heat that Ika's suggestion had brought to her skin. "Hmm...there may actually be some gemstones in here." One smooth blue pebble immediately caught her attention and she found herself moving to pluck it up from where it was wedged in between two bulkier river rocks.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:06 am
“So long as it’s light then I don’t see the harm. If it moves around too much then it’s just going to get caught in a fight.” That alone was why she hadn’t gotten any piercings. An ‘honorable’ fighter wouldn’t go for the earrings or any sort of bodily jewelry, but Ika had been in several fights where all bets were off. The one time she’d had ear piercings they were ripped out two days later.
Before wading into the water, Ika took the weighted blades off her hips and sat them on the bank. Almost immediately the blades sank into the muck, causing the hybrid to rethink her plan and sit them against a rock instead. She moved into the water slowly so as not to disturb the silt, but instead of going straight to searching out gemstones Ika washed off. She dipped down at the knee, scooped handfuls of cold water up and let it fall against her heated skin. “So, jewelry making? How long have you been doing that?”
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:07 am
[Sabra via Discord]
"Fair enough. Hidden jewelry, anklets or chokers are probably best for fighters, perhaps?" Mused Quynh as she placed her own bow and arrows against a boulder by the river before wading into even deeper water, the current rushing against her waist as she continued her search. For once the girl didn't seem to mind ducking beneath the waters to see what she could find before emerging again. So far nothing other than the blue crystal had caught her attention, but she was determined to find at least a few others before leaving.
"Ever sinc e I was young." Quynh admitted after a moment. "Surprisingly enough I was not the most accepted by my peers on either side, almost as if the Extremists and the Alkidikes still held some sort of grudges." It was one thing to be a hybrid, another thing to be a blend of two races that had nearly killed each other and then separated out of spite years ago before being forced together under a treaty. "So instead of dealing with their boring attempts at play I picked up things like jewelry making. I also am fairly decent with a needle and can make some good tarts on a rainy day." She joked, shaking some silt from her hands as she finally clutched another gemstone. This one was more golden and orange in color and she held it up towards the sunlight to appreciate how it gleamed before tucking it away. "What about you? Any hobbies?"
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