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 Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:21 am
“Ah, that’s right. I’m the one freeing my schedule for you.” Teased Xylia as she gathered her belongings and started along. “I’m truly considering getting a janarim, I would just need a place to house one whenever I’m doing my more discreet missions.” She admitted, the hybrid not looking forward to a long walk after spending so much of her morning sparring. The temptation of just relaxing at the springs though outside of the nearby city was simply too strong. It was a nice place to go, even if it was a bit of walk from between Jatine and Sulburi.
[Xylia 16]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:21 am
“Pfft. Well, I mean I suppose. Thank you for taking precious time to spar with a bum like me.” Teased Cahira with a chuckle. “I would like to think that this could count for some serious training, though you’re the one that bested me today.” Xylia refused to do anything other than fight with dual blades, sometimes she would do archery but Cahira was more talented with single-swords and less archery and even dual-blades still had a long way to go before she felt super confident wielding them instead of her single blades.
[Cahira 16]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:21 am
“It still counts.” Managed Xylia as she turned down the path, the one splitting right that would take them from desert to a more vibrant place that had natural springs hidden within. The public baths in Oba were just too crowded for her liking, but a place like this that was away from larger settlements was perfect. It was run by an older couple, a pair that meant no one harm and also didn’t ask questions whenever you came covered in blood or grime and simply needed to rinse off and relax. Xylia glanced down at her arms thoughtfully. At least she didn’t need to take a separate bath in their smaller bathhouse before going into the springs today, as there wasn’t any grime or blood lingering on her body this time.
[Xylia 17]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:21 am
“I’ll take it!” Cahira grinned happily as she focused on the journey, it was dusty going through this place and honestly the more she thought about the idea of a janarim the more appealing it was. “Oh! Maybe once I open up an academy you can feel free to drop in as a guest teacher. I’ll let you use the small stables that I will build for it too. Could keep your janarim there, but of course I know nothing if someone tries to look for you.” She added with a quick nod, a small smile on her lips despite understanding the dangers of housing a vigilante. Who knew what type of underground crook Xylia would irritate next?
[Cahira 17]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:21 am
“Are you certain?” Xylia blinked in surprise at the offer before a rare smile crossed her own lips. “I would truly appreciate that, Cahira.” Maybe they could go to the markets after this and see about finding an animal tamer who could help them with mounts? It wasn’t as if she were in the Oban army to be assigned a familiar that way nor did she think she had the skill to really catch anything out in the wild. Finding a bred mount would probably be best, all things considered.
[Xylia 18]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:22 am
Cahira nodded. “I’m not afraid of some creeps trying something because I can handle it.” She promised, raising her fist up before her as if she would punch someone right now. Making a determined gesture she nodded once more as they continued along, pondering their options. “My family knows a breeder, we could look into a pair of janarim that way. I can introduce you as someone that just helped me out once, keeping our friendship downplayed if it helps.”
[Cahira 18]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:22 am
Xylia pursed her lips thoughtfully. “It would make sense, instead of recklessly diving into things.” She admitted after a moment, thinking over their options some more. “It helps me to get between Jatine and Sulburi…would a xaraan be better?”
[Xylia 19]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:22 am
“Potentially.” Cahira nodded, not even hesitating as she considered things. “Maybe a racing xaraan would be best for speed, you’re not much of a bulky person either. I think that’s the better option if your mount isn’t going to be involved in heavy fighting with you.”
[Cahira 19]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:22 am
“Alright, then a xaraan it is.” Xylia smiled, relieved to think that they actually were coming up with a decent plan. It was strange not being quite as reckless and go with your emotions as before, but dealing with Valek had taught her a few lessons….as much as she hated to admit it. It was best to think ahead, not always roll with the punches just in case. She was wary though now that she thought more on things. What if Cahira suffered because of this? She didn’t want anything to happen to her precious friend who had helped her out so much since coming to Oba.
[Xylia 20]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:22 am
“Alright, we have a plan! Maybe I could find a pair of sibling xaraan, that would be cute.” Mused Cahira with a small nod. It wasn’t as if she was fighting with a mount, something speedy would be fine for her as well. Then she really could get between Matori and Oba a lot faster and see family whenever she wanted! Though speaking of getting to places faster…Cahira let out a sigh as she focused on the trek ahead, listening to a few of Xylia’s stories while sharing some of her own on the way to the springs. Once they arrived the place was like a miracle, a splash of green and blue against a previously sandy background. “I always think it’s a mirage when we finally do get here.” Commented Cahira with amusement.
[Cahira 20]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:22 am
“I don’t blame you.” Replied Xylia quietly, her gaze taking in the little paradise waiting for them. While she had been raised in Oba and did not decide to follow the Aishan path, there were pieces that she missed from the jungles. The vivid colors, the refreshing feeling as a breeze whipped over water and brought cooler air against flushed skin, the smell of blooming flowers and even the scent of rain as it fell down all around them. The cities had just as much life and colors, just in a different way from the natural beauty and dangers found within Jahaur. “It always surprises me, everytime we come here.”
[Xylia 21]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:22 am
“Right?” Cahira nodded as she finally started moving forward again. There was a small storefront, or rather a house shared by the owners who had set up a home and rest area here, and Cahira rang the bell once she entered. The place was cozy enough with wide windows and a back area where the owners actually lived. The front room was mostly just a counter with some herbal remedies, some necessities for those traveling in between the cities and the hanging bell that Cahira rang once more as she waited on the owners to emerge.
[Cahira 21]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:22 am
“Same as usual.” Xylia smirked as she waited next to Cahira, enjoying the breeze that was already coming in from around the springs. The area was higher up, slightly above the rest of the desert and the mountain behind them always provided a nice breeze unlike the desert they had just trekked through. Eventually though the pair came out from the back, a plump Matori woman and an Oban man who always greeted them with a bright smile. “Welcome, welcome! Want the back spring, as usual?” There were at least five springs in the enclosed area, some smaller and the most private one was the back spring which was perfect for the two women who could use a refreshing swim. Since the place was so remote, it was one of the spots that Xylia felt she could actually relax in and didn’t mind that the owners recognized them both as regulars. There was no need to hide away in the shadows here, thankfully.
[Xylia 22]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:22 am
Cahira placed the coin on the counter, leaving more than was necessary since she couldn’t help but to support the older couple who always treated them with kindness, and took the key for the gate that wrapped around the springs. “Got it. Thank you.” She smiled, taking some satchels of herbs that they could sprinkle around the waters to help them to relax and soothe their sore muscles. Then it was back outside, towards the fence that wrapped around the actual entrance to the springs. Walking through the outer area, Cahira finally stopped when they reached an upper level that was behind the rest. Vines covered the fencing, the area so humid that plants thrived the most here which helped to add to their privacy with so much flora blocking anyone’s view from the other springs.
[Cahira 22]
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Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2023 7:22 am
Xylia nodded politely before following Cahira out and towards their usual spot. Once the gate swung open, she slipped past Cahira and immediately started to take off her outer clothing and placed it on the stone bench that was next to the spring. The spring itself was a larger pool, comfortable enough to fit five earthlings, and surrounded by white and tan rocks that were smooth and large enough to completely surround the oval shaped pool of gleaming water. The water itself was not exactly clear, there were too many minerals inside, but it was a pleasant teal color that seemingly shimmered in the sunlight. “Toss me the herbs?” She held out a hand, waiting for the satchel before going into the pool.
[Xylia 23]
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