Welcome to Gaia! ::

The day started normal for her. Sy grabbed the basket she would need to head down to the market so that she could get food for the nights meal and set out down the street. What wasn't normal were the pairs and groups of people who were paused everywhere and whispering to one another. Gossip in it's true form, matrons seemed to be the culprits in most circles. At first Syqvara was very conscious of them, thinking that perhaps it was her they were speaking of in lowered tones and behind cupped hands, but then she passed a man speaking to a young woman and what she heard stunned her. “Did you hear..?” The low baritone voice drifted to her, “The alkidikes are becoming unruly.” Knowing the subject matter of the gossip, Sy did her best to pick up more and more of it here and there.

“A radical group...” She heard one voice. “Extremists.” Came another. Each person she passed seemed to have a word or more for what was going on. Near a large group that had gathered, Syqvara stopped and listened to what was being discussed. “Apparently there are rumors that Alkidikes are harming shifters in Jauhar.” It made the leafling shiver. The warrior race that was indigenous to the isles always made her feel very small. Not just because they were a head taller than most races, but also because they were known for their fighting prowess. Taking a step closer her ears twitched slightly as she took in more of the conversation. “They beat a shifter so badly that he moved away, fearing for his life.” Were things truly that bad?

A fear stricken expression seemed to plaster itself onto her face as the next words were spoken. “How long before they pass the borders? We are close to Jauhar.” There it was. How long? Would the female amazons come into her home town and demand all shifters and earthlings leave? Fine homage elsewhere? Sy stepped back, not wanting to hear any more of the rumor. Or was it truth? Was there not truth to all rumors in some way? The red headed girl moved swiftly away from the gathered group and made a bee-line toward the market. Syqvara wanted to hurry up and get what was needed and return home. Return to safety. Return to her family. It then struck her that her mother and twin may not have heard the news. Should she tell them? Inform them that their home may not be as safe as they thought? It also occurred to her that her friends may be in danger. Dezani lived near Sauti, so he was a bit farther away, but Chandra didn't. He spent a good amount of time in Jauhar with his father.

A panic filled her. Not only was she now concerned for her family, but also her friends. Sy bit down on her bottom lip and moved even faster, not quite yet at a run. She needed to hurry and get what was needed so that she could get back home. From there she didn't know what she would do. First things first. Sy had to take a centering breath to straighten her thoughts before she became overwhelmed. Who knew, maybe this rumor was more exaggerated than anything. Perhaps they were safe? Perhaps it was a misunderstanding. It could have been an isolated incident that had been taken out of context. It was possible. Everyone knew that the Alkidike could be intimidating when they wanted to be. “Yes, that's it Sy, you are just hearing one side of the story. It was probably just a mistake.” She nodded to herself, trying to convince her brain that this was what must be so. Anything beyond that was just... well it was just too scary for her.

Gripping the handle of the basket even tighter, the leaf earthling started to enter into the main market and with it she encountered more people. Their talking, shouting, and shuffling mixed together to create a deafening noise. Pair in the vendors shouting to sell their wares and it was utter chaos. At least for someone who didn't know how to navigate. Since she was a shy person Sy knew the way around the crowds and how to avoid being blindsided by talented vendors with silver tongues. As she got to the spot she wanted she waited patiently for other customers to be finished before she shopped, keeping her ears open for more news of what was going on across the boarder.