Welcome to Gaia! ::

Xylia stood in front of the meeting place, hands on her hips as she stared down the two other hybrids who were waiting on her. “Cahira? Who is this?” The other girl seemed like she could be related to her friend, but she had no warning that some teen was going to be tagging along today when they went shopping for xaraan. Xylia didn’t know whether to be worried, curious or frustrated about the surprise and so she simply waited for an explanation from Cahira. She was already on edge after having an exciting day in the markets with Valek a bit ago, the hybrid hoping that nothing too exciting would happen on this particular visit.

[Xylia 1]

Ezili rolled her eyes. Out of all her aunts and uncles, she thought Cahira would at least be more fun about things! Then again her aunt seemed a bit on edge, almost like she had been ready to run away this morning until Ezili was dragged downstairs to breakfast by Omari. It had just been a few insects…huge crawly things that she had picked up from a merchant who had promised her they were harmless, just terrifying to look at. It had been worth it to shock some of those divas, a trio of noble girls, who were at his academy and had said some rather nasty things to some of the scholarship students and to even Ezili when she stood up for them. Ezili was too proud to admit it bothered her, but she also couldn’t simply sit around and not unleash something on them.

“I’m old enough to wander around by myself.” Ezili protested with a frown even as the sight of the strange hybrid waiting on Cahira caught her interest. Were those tattoos or actual markings? Hmm. “But I would like to browse the markets and see some xaraan. So if it’s alright, I’ll tag along.” It felt much better to present it that way, as if Ezili was wanting to tag along and not because she was in trouble over a prank.

[Ezili 1]

“I see.” Xylia’s bi-colored gaze skimmed over the younger girl before she gave a slight shrug. “We’re already here so we may as well. We’re already at the edge of the market, but you said you had an idea of someone who breeds xaraan that we can work with?” What harm could one teen do? She glanced over at Ezili thoughtfully before shoving such worries aside. She seemed innocent enough, almost like one of those delicate ladies with her long teal hair decorated in gemstone flowers and flowing silk skirts that she wore today. If anything Xylia was more nervous about the growing crowds as the morning market started to pick up. She didn’t like being surrounded by so many people all at once and was ready to move somewhere more open.

[Xylia 2]

Alright, so they were actually doing this. Ezili bounced along after Cahira with Xylia trailing next to her. As fun as it would be to explore the crowded market, she also knew that a xaraan would be a lot more fun. “Do you think I could get a xaraan as well? Think they’ll do okay in Tale?” She asked, only pausing for a moment to pick up a necklace from a merchant and tossing a coin her way for the trinket. It was nice, a pretty moon that made her think of their companion for the day. How long had Cahira been hiding such a badass looking friend? Those dark leathers, those markings and bi-colored eyes…everything about her seemed so intriguing if not a bit intimidating, especially when you noticed the swords hanging at her sides.

[Ezili 2]

“A xaraan in Tale?” Xylia mused, actually listening to the niece who Cahira had brought along. She saw some similar features between them that was interesting, the darker Oban skin, slightly curved nose and high cheekbones that they must have gotten from their mothers, and even their grace as they moved forward seemed similar. Other than that Ezili had features that resembled an oasis bathed in moonlight while Cahira was bright and fiery like a flame dancing under the sun. A small smile lingered on her lips at the comparison before she focused again. “I would think that a xaraan would be happier in a place where it could run. They do enjoy racing around.”

[Xylia 3]

“Hmm, flying does sound cool.” Ezili nodded, not as displeased by the offer. If she could convince her papa to let her get a kinfa then she could get around the forest so much easier! Well, not exactly but there was a place by the waterfalls where most of the rangers flew in and out of the forest before walking the rest of the way home. Less trees to block their flying mounts and it was easier to throw off any tracks by that particular area with the mists constantly rising from the crashing waters.

[Ezili 3]

Xylia nodded. “A kinfa definitely would be more fitting for Tale. They’re good lifelong companions, as long as you earn their respect and treat them properly.” She advised, the hybrid distracted by her conversation and not noticing the shift in the crowd behind them. It wasn’t as if she had been to this particular area in a while and she normally didn’t roam around in daylight hours like this so she truly didn’t expect a group of men to be heading this way, ready to confront the vigilante who had recently ruined a good smuggler’s ship.

[Xylia 4]