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Jauhar was far too warm for Shukri's liking, the air was hot, the ground was warm and he swore the trees that made up so much of the landscape emanated heat. The wind tribe earthling would have much preferred the bone freezing chill of Zena's tundra to the hot and humid rainforest he found himself in. His current duties however had sent him not in the direction of tall ice capped mountains but to the homeland of the Shifters and Alkidike. He'd have to put up with the strange and uncomfortable atmosphere in order to deliver the message and small package he carried. The pale haired young man could only hope it was like climbing and that his body would acclimatise to the heat eventually. At least down on the forest floor his pale skin was protected from too much sunlight, it seemed that outside Sauti it somehow burned brighter and left Shukri weaker when exposed to it for too long.

Treading carefully he made his way along the ground, being careful to avoid brushing against unknown plants and keeping a watch out for anything that looked like it meant him harm. Shukri had done his best to prepare for a journey into this foreign region but what limited knowledge he had gathered was failing the non native at the moment. He just wanted to find this Ast village and take a well deserved break before dealing with the emotional part of his temporary job.

Somewhere above him in the trees he could hear but not see Thema.

Freedom! Shukri emerged from the jungle's treeline and paused to bask in the wonder of what could almost be considered open space. Not that there weren't trees here, they were simply less thickly packed here and the ones standing were being used as housing either within the trunks or up in the branches. A weird way to live and not just because the people her had permanent homes.

Thema glided down and draped herself across Shukri shoulders, the sail scale gave a sad low whistle. Clearly she had been enjoying leaping from branch to branch and feasting on the new exotic foods of the regions.

"I'm sure you'll find something interesting in the village, maybe some children to feed you," the young man teased. Thema was a bit of a glutton and more than happy to beg or steal food given the opportunity. Still he grinned when she nuzzled the side of cheek with her snout. it was good to have her here especially after having to leave Ridwan behind with the band in Sauti.

As he began to search for someone to guide him to his target Shukri saw an old but memorable pair of markings on an Alkidike body. Maya was here! "Hey, Maya" he called out and waved.

"A promise I made to a dying man," Shukri shook his head. " You don't need to worry about that right now though. How are you, did you get caught up in the war and what's with the new toothy monster, one wasn't enough?" The wind tribes man's words flowed fast but were light in tone.

Thema gave curious chirp but made no move to leave her perch atop Shukri's shoulders.

A little shocked Shukri cleared his throat before replying " Congratulations on becoming a mother, I'm sure your daughter is taking Tendaji by storm wherever she is." Perhaps off to see her other parents if they lived in separate locations.

"I was a non combatant in the war, that mountain fight against the ancient beast was enough battle for me and I'm not trained to fight." Shukri could use a slingshot and throwing knives to defend himself and hunt but on a proper battlefield or against a battle trained opponent he was no match. Which was fine with the wind tribe man, most warriors couldn't barter and trade like him, didn't know how to tell one shiny rock from another and were of no threat to the purpose he had chosen to make his life's work.

"I recorded the final thoughts of the dying," he continued "I took their last requests to deliver letters and important items like a weapon, shield or medallion back to their families." Shukri sighed softly "Like all the people of Tendaji the wind tribe suffered in the war and my band lost a few warriors but we are recovering." Time and travel healed most wounds as they said.

By Shukri's recollection Pacju would be sufficient to keep someone safe unless severely outnumbered. Still he understood the idea that anyone who took up the role of parent would worry about their child being gone for any length of time. As it was he too hoped the girl would forgive Maya for keeping her from the war, it had been no place for the young except when unavaoidable.

"Food would be greatly appreciated, oh and Faiza says hello," no longer a youngling Shukri's best friend had blossomed into a young woman who would do the wind tribe proud one day. When she had heard Shukri was headed to Jauhar she'd insisted that he take along her greetings if he should run into Maya again and also some pats for Pacju.

At the word food Thema chirped again and stretched out her neck to sniff at the strange woman, was she carrying treats?

When food failed to appear Thema lowered her sail and grumbled softly until Shukri reached up to tickle her side.

Faiza would be an amusing traveler Shukri mused, she was bound to make friends or enemies everywhere she went. For now she was too busy trying to prove herself as a prentice to break from the band but one day he could see her becoming another member of the wind tribe who made a name for themself all over Tendaji.

"Eaten by pups is not how I'd liked to perish," the young man joked as he stepped past Maya and into her home. It gave him a strange feeling to be here to be in another person's permanent dwelling. This was not just a place where Maya resided for now but somewhere that she would almost always be. Everything about this home would always feel of her and her family. " Thank you for inviting me, " he murmured softly.

Maya was, well she was something special, of that Shukri was sure. With a smile he followed the Alkidike further into her home. While he quite liked his animal companions he could not imagine raising and caring for so many. The pups were incredibly cute though and they'd probably sell fo- no they were Maya's and one was meant for her child, they were not to be thought of like that..

" Anything not an insect will be fine," he answered" It's not that the dishes are horrible but Jauhar has way too many things featuring bugs as main course."

Now less interested in food herself Thema leapt off Shukri's shoulder and glided down toward the pups. These seemed interesting, did they play?

"Thema is harmless, well mostly, might want to watch your valuables around her."

"Sweet is fine," Shukri replied as he reached for the offered fruit "Sauti has a lack of plants and creatures that produce sweet tastes." There was a swarming insect that produced a sweet syrup as part of their homes but they were vicious defenders of it and the band came across the nest of a swarm so rarely that he only had it once or twice a year. Water berries were a more common choice of flavorful snack and even they were not something you could have on the regular.

"Sailscales are usually meat eaters and they live in groups of about a dozen or so. They're not particularly aggressive unless they need to be and I imagine if the pups get too rowdy she'd just headbutt them or flare the sail on her head to let them know they need to stop." Sailscale body language had always been interesting to Shukri and even now he enjoyed being able to read Thema based on how she held herself.