Welcome to Gaia! ::

Keke wasn't sure he believed that. Every question had an answer, and he asked a lot of them. If he asked a question, he felt it deserved an answer, unpleasant or not. Knowledge was more than power – it was beauty and delight. ”Hmm.” he said, like the question of why she thought that way. If he ever met her again, maybe he would find out but, as she curled up to rest, he could see that now was neither the time or the place to ask: that was one thing he had developed in his maturity – the ability to know when to ask. ”All right.” some of the other orakoi followed suit, napping in the darkness of Kekeovonnai's wings.

It was a simple task for Keke to endure the sandstorm, his magic deflecting and shifting the sand with ease, though he began to get sore from the standing and battering. Eventually, though, the roar ceased, becoming a growl and then, soon enough, a mere hiss. Keke poked his head out of the tent he had formed with his body and the canvas and peered out at the desert. It had been blasted clean by the sandstorm, smooth and perfect like liquid glass. It was desolate, a few flurries of sand dancing along the dunes, but light seeped in through the dusty air and he hummed quietly as he used his magic to clear off any sand that would prevent him from standing.

”It's done.” he informed his protectees, nudging the little ones awake before moving on – with some slight caution – to Xenosa. ”The storm is done, and now it is time to go to Taliuma, yes?” he was excited – in the aftermath of the storm, and at the prospect of a Magescian city.

Keke watched Xenosa camouflage herself, intrigued by the depth of her deception. It was such a neat trick, though he had to wonder why she did it. But for now, Taliuma and adventure were foremost on Keke's mind. His students were second. He shepherded them as they tried to take some of their skeletal discoveries with them. ”We can pick them up later.” he reassured them, ”Keep your mouths and claws free, in case we find something else interesting, all right?” there was unanimous agreement as the four students swarmed around Xenosa, and as Keke joined them.

”Yes!” he said, ”All ready to go! Lead the way?” he said, moving to her side. He could not yet see the city in the distance, but he knew that, geographically, it should not be too far...

Keke gaped at the display, awed, and the little ones chirped in astonishment at the brilliant sight of her wings suddenly bursting forth from her back. Neither he nor they had never seen anything like it before – it was amazingly impressive and wonderfully convenient. The only thing comparable was the illusory wings of some khehorians, and they had none of the sort in their tribe. It was marvellous. Magnificent. Magescians were truly remarkable creatures.

”I think it would be best to walk.” he said, composing himself. Wing questions were for later. He needed to focus on the adventure at hand, and save a study of comparative wing anatomy for later.

“But teacher Keke! I want to fly!” There were murmurs of assent from the other children and Keke shook his head. They were all excited over nothing.

”Well, you could do it, but you would be tired before you went more than a few lengths, and you would be falling asleep at the city.” he commented, ”And you don't want to miss the boat, do you?” there was a grumble of agreement. Nobody wanted to miss out on the floating thing.

”Their wings are still small.” he explained to Xenosa, ”They're not ready for more than gliding yet. Riding, however...” he could carry the four on his back. Not for long distance flying but he could save them sore feet if he needed to.

Keke pondered the idea for a moment. They were orakoi, but orakoi were heavier than they looked. Still...

“That's a good idea.” he said, turning to pick out one for her to carry, but he didn't have to: the little Ayrala who had whispered their name in Xenosa's ear wiggled her way off of his back and clambered immediately over to Xenosa, looking up at her with big, soulful emerald eyes. “It looks like they approve too!” he said, amused.

He tested his wings with three on his back, and then tucked one of them under a foreleg and tried again – much better. “I can probably fly like this.” he said, inclining his head “Lead the way!”

Keke had had to take off with just his wings and hindlegs alone, but once airborne, he managed fine with the excited youngsters on his person. He flew a little higher, needing space for his wings to flap, and the higher he went the more his students squealed in delight.

The Ayrala snuggled into her ride, clearly having taken a liking to Xenosa. It was as if she could sense the secrets on the Orderite, and appreciated them herself.

At the city, Keke banked slightly to give the orakoi on his back a better view. “It's all built!” one of them exclaimed.

“Yes.” said Keke, marveling at it, “Twolegs build their own homes, much like Samael does. It means they don't have to worry as much about finding shelter.” He thought it was remarkable, and wished that his father's innovation had caught on. “Other than that, though, Twolegs do many things in their cities!” he flapped, “Maybe Xenosa can tell us what those are?” he asked hopefully.

Keke was pleased at her explanation – her words giving it better credibility than his would have.

Almost arrived? Ah, all right. he prepared himself for a landing, somewhat awardly taking to the ground next to Xenosa. The students 'assisted' by jumping from his back and (in the case of one) wiggling from his grasp to glide the few feet to the ground, laughing at the joy of using their wings. He corralled them up and herded the excited youngsters to Xenosa.

“Next is the boat, correct?” he asked, “This is your lesson, so it goes by your rules.” he winked at her with a mischeviously glittering emerald eye. Likely, the Orderite had not expected to have such a responsibility on her trip, but... well... she seemed to be enjoying it, and the orakoi too.

He loved being a teacher.

Keke had no idea what 'too pretty' would look like, but the long, wooden contraption certainly was pretty. “Come along!” he called to the students cheerfully, noticing that some of them were suddenly nervous, “Single file!” He crossed the plank boldly, himself excited to see this piece of magescian technology for himself, and turned to make sure he left no-one behind.

Most embarked with only a little reluctance, but one hesitated at the plank long after the others had gone over. Keke crooned to them gently, sweetly. “Come on, its perfectly safe.” he said, smiling.

The Orakoi, stared at the ship, then at the water below. “I'll fall...” they said, backing up slightly.

“No you won't.” protested Keke, “Do you know why?”

“No...”

“The boards are sturdy. But... do you want me to help you across? Do you want to see the boat?”

The Orakoi hesitated. “Yes.” they said in a small voice.

Keke promptly picked them up and carried them onto the ship. “Let me know if you need to get off.” he cooed, “This is a special, optional field trip. Nobody has to do it.” The hatchlings nodded. They understood.

He turned to Xenosa (gawking slightly at the other Magescians). “Well, show us the ship... Captain?” he asked, queryingly. “Are you its... leader?”