Welcome to Gaia! ::

..........// First Encounter

Vesale had been meaning to go out to the small outcrop of trees sooner, he really had, but things had just been so hectic for him lately. That and he'd been spending an unusual amount of time hanging around the udon-ya. He'd also been busy with his cabbage, as well as the shop, in fact, when wasn't he busy with the shop? But that's beside the point.

With his bag slung over his shoulder, his cabbage safely packed away, the shape shifter ventured off to find some of the mushrooms he would need to finish one of his potions. "One day," he muttered to himself, "I'll be able to afford to pay people to supply me with things, so I don't have to buy them myself." He laughed then, amused at the thought of the shop making any kind of huge profit.

Jun'a had settled himself in, if you could call it that. It had been roughly two days since he'd stepped through the portal into this unknown world. He'd spent most of his time watching the space where the portal had been through a broken window, waiting for any sign of the army but none had come so far. However he didn't find himself worrying over the situation too much. He'd reasoned that it would take some time for his superior to figure out what must be done to reopen the portal and retrieve him. He'd finished his camp, a small shelter in one of the buildings that still had a roof and had already retrieved some food, a few birds eggs he'd found in one of the nearby trees. He'd also built a fire. It would suffice for now, he wasn't expecting to be around too much longer. He'd spent most of his time watching the space where the portal had been through a broken window, waiting for any sign of the army but none had come so far.

Another two, three days max, he estimated to himself, poking some of the smoldering ash with a stick. He'd let the fire burn out during the day, but he was still sure there would be enough heat to resume it at night. His brown eyes glanced over at his small collection of food. He only had two eggs left. Perhaps I should go get some more to eat, he thought. Nodding to himself, thinking it was a good decision for now, he gather a small bag he'd fashioned from a piece of cloth he found and venture out to the unknown territory.

His mind flashed back to where he'd found the birds eggs and remembered a small crop of mushrooms just beyond it. That's where I'll go. And he set off. His soldier trained mind remembered the path easily, he'd learned to always take note of his surroundings throughout his training, take note of any significant landmarks or vegetation. Within a few minutes he had reached the patch of mushrooms and was picking them and placing them in his bag.

Vesale was also approaching the mushroom patch. He knew they were the type he needed and he knew they grew in the area, and so it wasn't long before he too came to the same area as Jun'a. With his cat like vision he was easily able to see the other, though he can't make out a face as the person has their back turned. Figuring they cannot be of any harm Vesale decides to give them a friendly greeting. "Hey there! Nice day for mushroom picking isn't it?"

Jun'a immediately stiffened at the sound. Where had it come from? Behind him. Shoot. Whoever they were, they had the advantage. He didn't know what this thing was, whether it was an enemy or not. What was worse they were using speech, that wasn't his strong point. He reached to his belt for one of the spear hooks but his fingers grasped air. Damn! I must have left them behind. Stupid Stupid Jun'a. He scolded himself mentally for the rookie mistake. Still, he wasn't even sure he'd need the weapon, but he would feel more secure with it. Slowly, warily he turned to face the voice.

Vesale smiled and waved when the other turned around. He didn't know the person but that didn't mean he could be civil. He was a bit taken a back by the individuals clothing of choice, he seemed to be wearing some kind of armor, but there was no battle going on here, at least he didn't think so. He then gave the other a closer look and a sense of familiarity washed over him. The boy had the same pale skin and facial features as the others he'd met back at the store! He was sure of it now and he walked over to properly introduce himself.

Jun'a's expression did not change. He remained neutral, not projecting any emotion or conversation, instead he analyzed the other. He'd never seen his type before, he'd never seen anyone that looked like that before. The man, the creature? seemed to have the ears and tail of a cat, yet the body of a tall man. He definitely was not Porcelain. Where am I? He thought to himself. He noticed the man was coming closer and decided that he was not comfortable with this and sent projections of warning at the Male. Come no further, remain where you are.

Vesale paused as he received the projections from the boy. He was one hundred percent with out a doubt that this boy was like the others from the shop. But he was confused as to why he wasn't as friendly as the others. "Oh, sorry, it's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you, heck I can barely hurt a fly!" Vesale let off a small laugh, hoping to ease the tension.

"I know the others, you know, the brother and sister that run the udon-ya? You guys kind of look the same, but your hair colour is different, more like the other one who sat in the corner quietly." Vesale babbled to the boy, trying to make it known he was a friend.

Jun'a stopped his projections and listened to the strange man, his expression unwavering, analyzing everything in his private mind. Others? Like me? He thought. Maybe this was part of the Golden World after all. Well, I haven't ever been anywhere but Rinkoku so I wouldn't really know... Perhaps this... thing can lead me to these others. I should be careful though I still don't know if I can trust him.

He projected to the other now. There are others? You will take me to them. Wait here, I will get my things. Don't follow me. Jun'a then turned and jogged back to his small camp and gathered up his things.

Vesale nodded in reply. The kid was sure acting weird, so remained where he was, not wanting to scare him off.

Jun'a soon returned, his few possessions bundled up. You lead, I'll follow behind. He projected sternly.

Vesale gave the boy a raised eyebrow but turned and began to walk anyway. If worse came to worse he always had his magic. "Okay, okay, but seriously, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm Vesale by the way, you are?"

Jun'a stayed several paces behind Vesale at all times. Jun'a, he projected flatly.

Vesale shrugged and continued on the way to the udon-ya. This one was certainly different to the others...

..........// What's that? A cat!

Jun'a was just returning from a shopping trip. He'd been asked by Vesale to buy some groceries as their supplies were low, and the Porcelain did not hesitate in accepting. Although it had taken some time, Jun'a was slowly getting used to Gaia and what it was like to live there. Any opportunity he had to explore and learn new things was readily used. So, when the offer for shopping had come about, he was quick to accept.

His arms now laden with bags of food, Jun'a had begun to make his way back towards the place he was now calling home. It was strange at first, living with a person who had furry ears and a big bushy tail sticking out his behind. But soon Jun'a had learned that he was just a normal, relatively speaking, person and eventually he settled into his place.

Before heading home, Jun'a had decided to take a small detour. He'd often passed the udon'ya, with hopes of meeting others like himself. Vesale had often told him about the others that he'd met there, and he listened in earnest. Yet he was still to meet any of these other Porcelain. He'd not given up hope though, and any chance he could he would visit the place in the hopes of finding someone.

Today, that someone was not quite what he was expecting. As he approached her realised no one was about and so turned and headed towards home. When he had turned, there in his path was a dragoncat. A dragoncat! It was the first sign of something other than himself that had come from where he had. Of course he'd never had one himself, but he'd often seen them wandering the streets, and he was always willing to offer a spare platter of milk, or a hand for a nice scratch. This dragoncat seemed quite happy to sit in front of him, mewing loudly and affectionately.

Jun'a put his bags down and bent to pat the cat. You must be from around here? Perhaps you belong to someone from one of these houses? He projected slight amusement. Obviously this cat had a knack for getting out of places it shouldn't and making it's own way around. He smiled and bent down to give the dragoncat a scratch behind it's ear. Are you hungry? Perhaps you would like something.

The teen rummaged in a bag before taking out a bottle of milk. He took of the cap and poured a small amount into his hand before offering it to the feline. The cat lapped it up happily and once it was finished rubbed it's side against the boy. Jun'a laughed silently, emotions of happiness and contentment surrounding him. He didn't realised he'd missed animals so much until now. He'd often care for wounded birds and other mammals that may have received a stray arrow. His thoughts drifted to his home, to his team, his other life. Sadness washed over Jun'a. Even though he was used to Gaia he still missed his home and still hoped one day to return.

Shaking himself out of his reverie Jun'a looked down at the cat. Well, I should be off. Perhaps I will see you again. He smiled and gave the cat one last scratch before picking up his bags and heading home.

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