Welcome to Gaia! ::

Toki smiled as he sensed a small figure approaching. It must be his lucky day! Another child to convince to be his 'pretend bonded.' Children were so much more eager to play pranks and try to pull one over their elders, as he knew from long experience of dealing with the clan's keinlings.

He got up from his spot and waled over towards her, snapping at one idiot who wasn't looking where he was going and almost stepping on Toki's tail. They have eyes, and yet they can't use them.. Toki grumbled under his breath.

He reached the child and bent his long neck down to her head's height, breathing in her scent.
"Hello there child, I have a favor to ask." he rumbled softly. "The child I used last time is not around, right now so you'll do. I need you to pretend to be my bonded so that I may walk among this crowd safely. Are you willing to help me?"

Kilian
Kilian pulled back from Lanzecki and frowned. Did he mean an Orderite and a Dovaa? His gazed flicked back to the table and the letter that laid open on it. Was that what the letter was about? Were they going to do something to Erionda at this gathering? He frowned and ran a shaky hand through his hair. He had to go. There was no question about it.

His gaze came back to Lanzecki as the drakein started to howl. It was obvious he wanted to go. Kilian mulled it over as his gaze dropped to Amadia. Do I have to? She whined through their bond. "Please?" Kilian pleaded with her. There was no way he was going to take Lanzecki with him but he didn't want to leave him alone. What about you? Who's going to protect you? Kilian shook his head. "I'll be fine." He said as he pushed himself up to his full height.

"I'm going Lanzecki." Kilian said as he went into the guest room to pack a small bag. He grabbed the cloak he'd bought recently and donned it, hiding his daggers under the light fabric. He stalked back into the main room. "You're staying here, though." He said as he reached the front door. "Amadia will keep you company." Amadia snorted at that and looked away. She wasn't happy about letting Kilian go on his own but he had asked her to this for him. So she would. Didn't mean she had to be happy about it. With that out of the way, Kilian headed out into the desert heat, pulling the hood of his cloak up around his face.

It didn't take long to travel to where the letter had said. He cringed at the throng of people that had gathered. What possible could be going on? His gaze wandered around the pavilion, searching for familiar faces. Searching for Erionda. Though, in the back of his mind, he knew he wouldn't find her just standing out in the open. He clenched his fists under his cloak and cursed himself mentally. Again, he had not been there with her and she had been taken.

Kilian's eyes traveled the whole pavilion finally coming to rest on a high platform. His sockets widened as he realized who was standing with the leaders. "Rio..." He whispered as he pushed his way through the crowd, desperate to get closer to the platform. As he made his way through the crowd, the hood from his cloak was knocked off.


Araceli
Araceli let out a low whistle as they disembarked from the boat. There were so many Magescians around. It seemed as if there were more here than there had been at the battle camps. Her eyes scanned the crowd for any familiar faces. No one. Though that wasn't a surprise. She hadn't really interacted with anyone other than Toki in the camp and she wasn't sure if the older drakein would show up to an event like this.

She bit her lip as the trio moved deeper into the crowd. She wondered what this was about. What could they possible have to announce that so many had to gather to hear. It had to be important for all three leaders to be under the same roof. Araceli played with her boa, her mind going through all possible scenarios.

As her parents and her made their way through the crowd her eyes took in a large platform. The leaders had gathered there along with what looked like that hybrid from a week ago. What was she doing with the leaders? A frown crossed Ara's face.

It took all of Marcus' patience to not turn and glare at Draco and Aevah. He was already displeased at Aevah's refusal to accept that those who had ambushed and killed his people the week before had been anything more than rogues or bandits. Such cruel deaths deserved a proper investigation. When his own need for justice was sated he would see about this supposed orphanage attack Draco claimed a dovaa had perpetrated.

For now though there were other matters that had to be attended to. Last weeks events had revealed some disturbing information that needed to be shared at least to some extent. There were also rumors to clear up and then a little bit of what most would hopefully see as pleasantness to get around to before everyone was dismissed.

Marcus offered a reassuring glance to Erionda before he cleared his throat and addressed the crowd again.

"Last week many of you learned of a group called the hybrid coalition. They were the ones that created the unnatural hybrids that we have come to know as the captured Alpha and the still on the loose Beta." Every inch of Magesc was being scoured but Beta was incredibly good at hiding it seemed.

" While this group is more widespread and organized than we initially believed they are not every hybrid in existence. Rest assured that city guards and special task forces that will patrol the countrysides have been made aware of the signs to look for in identifying these individuals. We do not encourage seeking out every hybrid who's location you know and harassing them." The last thing Magesc needed was more violence on it's continents. Although it would not effect his people with the celestial plain having been very thoroughly cleaned of any hybrids that did not hold a certain, very rare, status.

" We do not currently believe the hybrid coalition to be a threat to the general populous, their goals are more," here he paused to frown" blasphemous and relate far more to our deities than to war." The information they had found certainly indicated their desire to rule Magesc but more through assimilation and some rather distressing breeding practices. Fortunately all projects at their Eowyn based had been mercifully terminated before any sort of bred monstrosities could come to fruition, at least as far as they knew. It was possible successful projects had been shipped to another site but someone seemed to have destroyed the papers covering that information.

If Marcus ever found the drakeins responsible for that the old piesio dovaa was going to have some very strong words with them.

Watching the crowd as they reacted to his words Marcus continued to speak, detailing that the underground Eowyn facility had been thoroughly documented and then destroyed. Noting that for those that wished to pay respects to the creatures and people who had died a small graveyard had been constructed near the former entrance.

Once he was done speaking Marcus paused again to let the crowd converse amongst themselves and ask a question or two. The next part of this gathering would likely be the most controversial and he wanted the crowd settled before then.

[ You still can't get up to the leaders and Erionda but you can attempt to converse with them. ( please bold who you're asking questions to) The mule will reply as often as possible. The next big meta jump will be in 2-3 days]

Erionda shivered as her eye opened and glanced around the sea of people before them. Many seemed to be staring at her, and their looks weren't entirely pleasant. Shuddering under the scrutinizing glares Erionda closed her eyes. She wanted so desperately to flee. To be home where she was safe. Away from the glares and words other exchanged. Her ears twitched as louder voices near the front, rose above the others in volume.

"What's a filthy Hybrid doing up there."

"Is she part of the Hybrid Coalition?"

"Did she start all this mess?"

"Are we killing that hybrid today."

Opening her eyes a fraction to see who was speaking Erionda's eyes froze on Kilian. When had he arrived? Her heart began to thunder in her chest, lifting a foot to step forward. Erionda swallowed when a glance from Marcus, meant to reassure her stayed her foot. She wanted to much to join Kilian. Her mismatched eyes scanned the crowed. Before returning to the familiar Oblivionites face. She had to stay were she was, and away from him. Especially in such a public crowd as this.

If she even acknowledged she had feelings for a pure blood. For anyone. Erionda new the consequences. Not only would she face further scrutiny, but Kilian could suffer so much more. She would not risk Kilian receiving any fallout from their relationship. If they could even call what they were, a relationship. Erionda's mind whirled. What would she consider the bond they shared. Were they just simple friends? Where they more than that? Or where their interactions merely just something friends naturally did. Her eyes still focused on him. As if mentally pleading for him to understand what she was unable to voice.

Uassae gave an irritated rumble before taking flight again. Erionda mentally reached out to check how he was doing. She could feel his raw nerves at the large crowed. Marcus' words did little to ease his discomfort. He hadn't explained why Erionda was up there. And a crowed this large, could easily turn into a mob with the little information they had been given. Angling towards a familiar figure in the distance Uassae moved to land safely beside Junjie and Abellio. Moving to sniff Tilawen with a reassuring rumble. "Rio will be pleased to know you are both safe."

Junjie blinked a couple times as Tilawen told him that she knew she would find him here, making him wonder if she'd in fact gotten a letter too somehow. When she asked him 'if he were nuts' he couldn't help but to smile a little, "No, not nuts, just a little curious was all given then contents of the letter." He said in a quiet tone of voice. It had spoken of how it was in their best interest to come if they had been involved, that they had information to reveal, and various other things. He was curious about what it was that the leaders were going to say... though given what he was maybe in the long run coming back here was a move that was more crazy then anything else. It's not as though the crowd seemed to be a friendly one he thought to himself, "I just figured that it would be best for us to know what they are all up to." He didn't know that Tila would be coming too, though he was kinda glad she was about since he felt less alone that way.

Turning from Tilawen the Ysali gave Abellio a nudge, causing the Keindred to settle down and sit next to him, as Marcus started to speak. He spoke of a 'hybrid coalition' who created the patchwork hbrids like Alpha, and he couldn't help but to wince a little. The fact that it was other hybrids that had done such a thing, announcing that to the crowd really wasn't going to help his kid any, was it? Couldn't they have named the group anything but given the implications of the name? Luckily as he continued he went on to say that while widespread that they group weren't every hybrid in existence, "I wonder if anyone will care about that part." He murmured to Abellio. There were those that hated those with mixed blood just for the mere fact that they existed, they could very well be people like Tilawen and Tyrok, those that had gone to save Rio, but would they really care? Or would they point and whisper behind their hands about how they must be a part of the coalition? Marcus was saying they did not encourage the harrassing of the known hybrids but would people listen?

He continued, talking about the coalition's threat to the populace, how their goals were blasphemous and somehow related to the deities instead of the war which made little sense to Junjie. He wondered what all of that meant. What was said next caused Junjie's eyes to get a bit wide, mouth going slack, as Marcus explained about how everything in the lab had been documented and destroyed, that there was a graveyard set up for the creatures and people that died where the entrance to that place had been, "Wait... what...?" He found himself a little surprised at that, all of those creatures inside, the ones that had been kept in cages, they were all dead? He glanced over at Tilawen a moment, as though to confirm he heard right, then back again to the three leaders, "So they called everyone here to tell us that they wiped that place out?" He muttered through the bond to Abellio only, finding himself disgusted. The creatures weren't normal, not by any means, but was that ground for killing them all? He'd been angry at Alpha for taking Rio, was glad when he was taken into custody since it meant that he wouldn't be kidnapping or hurting his friends, but he didn't want him and his kind wiped out.

Junjie gave a little jerk when he heard people in the crowd yelling at the stage, at Rio, calling her a 'filthy' hybrid, asking if she were part of the coalition, if she started the mess, and if they were going to kill her. His eyes went wide, then narrowed a little, "They sure are eager, aren't they?" He murmured, finding himself stepping closer to Tilawen, a protective motion, not about to let some blood thirsty mob get at his friend, "Maybe you were right, it was nuts to come here." They were going to get riled up and would never listen to suggestions not to harass the various hybrids if they were already bothering Rio who was a victim in all of this.

A part of him wanted to leave before things go worse, before the crowd thought to take matters into their own hands, when suddenly they were being joined by someone else, Uassae, Rio's biggest Drakein. He turned to look over at him as he commented about them 'being safe' and he gave a nod, "For the moment at least, who knows how long it will last. How is Rio doing?" Uassae was one of her bonded after all, he would know how she was holding up better then anyone.

Erionda's eyes were still on Kilian, pleading for the event to end quickly. It was painful the way things seemed to be progressing. The hybrid brought a fist up to her heart. Her eyes moved to search Marcus. She had been promised not to be injured while she was there. However that didn't stop them from seeking her out now that she had been placed in front of every living being. She would be easily recognizable from now on. If only he could move things along. This stalling was painful.

Uassae lowered onto his belly. Only those who knew Rio personally, would know he was bonded to her. "The leaders, Draco aside, have promised Erionda safety. She will not be hurt today, or so they have said." He eyes the crowd with a leery expression. "Though I have my doubts if Marcus doesn't move things along and explain things. A large group like this can easily turn into a mob if you get a couple of strong willed individuals who can rile people up."

Uassae blinked his eyes to focus back on Junjie. "Rio is afraid. The crowd is intimidating. She's relying on the promise given her. She's also a bit miffed about having to wear such clothing in front of everyone. She also wishes she had demanded more information from the duo that came for her. The vagueness of the instructions are wearing on her nerves. She can at least see that annoying Oblivionite. Which gives her strength but makes her weak." Uassae turned his head. Trailing off into mutterings about how the Oblivionite should take a hint and go away. And how Pure Bloods are up to no good around Rio no matter how long they've known her.

Rumbling as Tilawen broke his muttering Uassae turned his attention on her. "We don't have much information. Just that this is a ceremony, and one that she will not be harmed in. Or so the promise goes. I would guess it has something to do with the chests on the table next to Rio."

Xenosa

A favor from her? Dae had warned her not to speak to anyone… Did that extend to helping someone? A Drakein could surely be an exception since they weren’t exactly involved with anyone specific… This one wasn’t bonded either, so perhaps that could exclude him? Xenosa had no idea, she was slightly weary of the Drakein before her, but also knew that if he was asking he had to have a very good reason to do so. “Okay.” She said slowly, her mind still processing the whole thing which could be seen by the slight squint in her eyes. “Where would you need to go?”

Before the Drakein could answer however, Marcus began speaking and Xenosa only turned slightly towards him. While she still didn’t have all the details of what happened, she had caught snippets here and there. Xenosa did not, plain and simple, like Hybrids. It was bad enough how she was treated and she was a pure bred, but these Hybrids were even lower. Oaia had more than once reminded her of what she was, and often compared her to Hybrids. Xen would only believe Marcus if Aevah spoke about it in her own words. Until such a thing was done, Marcus was none of Xen’s concern.

Esmeralda

After all the scrambling to save the papers in the lab, it had all been handed to Marcus and Esmeralda had headed back to camp. She heard news of the beast and other things that had come forth after all the fighters had gone after the thing that had apparently taken some girl. Esme wasn’t really up to date on the events, she had returned to camp to aid those she could with healing even if it meant fetching supplies for them, and any help was good enough help at this point in time.

Once things had settled, Esmeralda had returned home with her family. Her brother’s bubbling happiness was toxic, and the tension that had been the cause of many sleepless nights was eased. There was still however, the heaviness of knowing what would happen next to the Hybrids. There had been little to no word of what would be done until the family received the letter, and even that did not give away much detail minus a location everyone was meeting at. Esmeralda did not want to go, she did not want to hear the news of what would happen to the Hybrids.

As the family rode on the ferry, Esmeralda’s mind wandered to Ekundayo. She had mixed feelings of what had happened on the battlefield. Not only had he been there, but he’d walked right up to her and kissed her full on the mouth in front of everyone! Her first kiss and it wasn’t even romantic and it was with an Oblivionite during a fight against them… The confusion Esme felt had rolled itself into a tight ball within her, they could not be seen together again because it would cause problems. Problems Erisi had brought up, no if she never saw Ekundayo again it would be for the best… Right?

When they’d arrived, Esmeralda had separated from her family. She wanted to go around and see if she could find any familiar faces amongst the crowd, Jun was the one she was truly seeking. She feared for him the most and while he could easily pass as Dovaa within the crowd, she wanted to make sure he’d gotten out alive. As her blue eyes scanned the crowd and her body weaved through the people, she locked onto a face she did not want to see. Esmeralda froze in place, she began crouching hoping he would not see her and she could retrace her steps back and away from him.

While her reaction to the first summons of the three races had been far from positive, she met this one with a great deal more curiosity. Eanah had been many places and seen many things in her time, but encountering a pair of patched together monstrosities like the ones she had heard termed Alpha and Beta had certainly been a new experience. She was eager for new experiences. The Oblivionite hadn't realized how stagnant her life had become in recent years; her obsession with book learning meant she was far from weak, but she had lost sight of the world and what was happening in it. Where she might have once sneered at the pale Dovaa-Orderite girl on the dais, she did no more than mentally shrug now. As long as the hybrids weren't attacking her, she would leave them be. For now.

Once this hybrid coalition was taken care of, she might reconsider her position.