Welcome to Gaia! ::

Malta watched as her brother spoke with one of the Magescian villagers, shifting from paw to paw anxiously. Traders from the Settlement were not unheard of in this town, and Maike and his colleagues were well known and well treated for the goods they bought and sold. They treated Malta well, too, by association, but with Sorai having flown off to find a place for the three of them to rest, Malta felt very exposed, even with her brother there.

She knew she would feel even more exposed in Tukyere, but such were the hassles she went through to see her friend, Naarhiji. She wondered if it was nerves or impatience that had her scenting him on the breeze, even though they were still very far from Tukyere. She did like to spend time with Naar – his life was bizzare, but he had never hurt her, or threatened her. As long as the scary Magescians he lived with left them alone, then she could enjoy his company in peace and relax, both from the rigors of being a well-respected crafter and her terror at the powerful twolegs. She was safe with him, and they got out and did such interesting things.

She hoped that her arrival would not be too much of a surprise. It was so hard to send messages ahead, especially since her Giogimar had eaten her previous flying beast and refused to take messages himself.

She sniffed the breeze idly again, wondering at the scent in the air. Odd that it was so like Naarhiji... almost as if he had a...

Twin.

She stared, stunned, as a Magescian on a hastar passed by, bearing someone that looked very strongly like her friend. “Naarhiji?!” she exclaimed, rearing on her hind legs for a better look...

Malta purred happily at the contact, lowering herself carefully back to all fours. It was Naarhiji! That was such a pleasant surprise! She looked over Kaylinth cautiously, managing a smile. “Oh! I see!” It was still difficult to figure out just what Naarhiji's 'job' was, but he did things for others and he was paid, so she supposed that was the definition of a job. She'd learned a lot since their last meeting about the ways of love – she had her mate to thank for that – but what Naarhiji did seemed different somehow.

Ah well, that didn't matter. Naarhiji was her friend, and that was the point. And he had someone with him who didn't seem too dangerous. “Hello Kaylinth.” she said, bowing her large, horned head politely, “It's nice to meet you too.” She didn't think she was that interesting, though...

Maike noticed the interaction and excused himself from the conversation, trotting over in amusement. “Whats this, Malta. You, talking to Magescians?” he snickered, “I never thought I'd see the day.” he scrutinized the Oblivionites with his bright, cheerful dragonic gaze. “So.” he said conversationally, “Which one of you is this Naarhiji I've heard so much about?”

Malta flushed. “Th-this is my elder brother, Maike.” she introduced, “We're, um... here trading.” And, in her case, on a stopover before finding Naar. Who was here. She should really tell him that, she knew, but with the other Oblivionite here... would that interfere with Naarhiji's work?

It was a good thing that Naar hadn't asked her to eat a magescian because Malta had never even thought about eating a magescian before and probably would never think to do such a terrifying thing. She knew khehora that did, but the idea of eating such powerful and dangeorus creatures... who were her friends... no. Just no. No thank you. No. She watched the interaction between Naar and Kaylinth, intrigued by the easy familiarity. It looked... nice.

Maike scrutinized them for a moment. He was cheerful, grinning around his tusks and in a generally easy pose, but his eyes were intense, assessing. Whatever opinion he had formed of the two, however, he kept to himself, turning to Malta with a grin. “Well, go with them, then. I need to talk to Sorai – My sister -” he added, for the benefit of the magescians, “about our inventory, and then I might be heading down there myself – the best items are at the docks, you know...” he paused, ”Are you going to be okay with that?” he rumbled quietly in dragon.

Malta nodded, giving her brother an affectionate headbutt. She had to learn how to handle tough situations. She had a mate, after all, and eventually there would be eggs in her future. “I'll see you later, then, Maike.” she said, leaning against him briefly before trotting over to the two.

Maike chuckled – his baby sister was growing up so well. “Allright, then.” he said, “Aye, see you soon...” He contemplated adding a request to see if she could secure a dinner invitation, but decided against it. It wasn't the time to joke at her. So, with a wave of his tail and a grin to the magescians, he trotted off.

Malta watched her brother go before turning to the magescians, her glowing eyes curious. “... What do you mean by interesting?” she asked, belatedly.

“Oh! Diving? For pearls?” Malta perked up a little, “I've done that before! Off the coast of Soldul when I was going home...” How odd that she should be doing it again, years later, with Naarhiji of all people. Also, how odd that it should be something she already knew about. She wasn't wholly comfortable with it, of course. It was still dangerous, but she had at least done it before, and she wouldn't be doing it alone, and maybe she would get something that Maike could sell... or better yet, something she could use in her potions. “I don't feel pressured at all!” she said, giving Naarhiji a reassuring nuzzle, “I'd like to go with you!” especially if he hadn't ever dived before.

Malta opened her mouth to answer that it was fairly safe, not completely but if they were in a group it should be okay... but the older Oblivionite had already answered the question for her... in a way. “It's safe.” she said. She hummed happily as Naar touched her head, enjoying the contact. It was certainly odd, seeing the two Oblivionites interact, but Kaylinth was not scary... Odd, but not scary. Not like that... other one. Elric and the female that lived with Naarhiji. They scared her... they scared her a lot. But this one. She murred, more confident than she usually would be in such a situation. “Nothing will happen to me.” she said happily.

Of course, if something did happen to her, her siblings would be very powerful and their vengeance would come both swift and slow... but Malta did not concern herself with that. She was going to have fun! On the beach! In the water! With her friend!

“Oh!” she realized she should ask something very important. “How far out are we going?” she tilted her head towards Kaylinth, careful not to dislodge Naar's hand, “Close to the shore, or deeper out?”

“Oh yes! I helped with a group that was gathering pearls just off of Soldul! It was so much fun...” she hesitated. Oh, right. Another question. “Will they be using... oh, what was it...” she became briefly flustered, “Bahikal saliva?” she turned to Naar, “They use it, you know, to help them breathe underwater.” she explained. It was unpleasant, but she was pretty sure that the word 'saliva' said as much. Such slimy, alchemically useful stuff, saliva... and hers was poisonous to boot. “And, uh, yes. Closer to shore... thats fine.” Preferable, actually. She'd had plenty of open ocean flying, and it was not something she liked to do often. If ever again.

She perked up at the sight of the pier – while she was through with ocean travel, she liked its edge very much. “Oh!” she said, squinting at the groups of rough people along the wooden length of the dock, “Er, which are your friends?” she asked, hopeful. It would be nice not to be afraid of the very scary magescians, and surely if they were friends of this mans, they wouldn't be so bad...

Malta observed their interaction with curiousity – it seemed very intimate, but Naarhiji was like that with lots of other people. She had long ago just supposed that was his way, and it was the way of the (sometimes frightening) people around him. They touched, and others liked their touch. And paid for it? Malta was still not entirely clear on that. It was all very odd.

She did like touch too, though, and she was perfectly happy to let him pet her neck and side. He had very nice hands. She'd been watching the dovaa woman and the hybrid boy with wariness, very aware (still) of the power they held as magescians and how, unlike Naarhiji (and even his friend) they were unknown quantities.

“Hmm?” She turned towards Naar, listening, tilting her head at his words. Mm. So even his friend was an unknown quantity, a potential threat. Her glowing blue eyes slid towards Kay, then back to Naar, before tucking him gently under her wing. “All right.” she said. She trusted Naar to know when to run, and herself to follow.

The bells at the docks tinkled, catching the glance of the fishermen and sailors before they returned to their tasks, their vital knowledge updated – the winds had changed. The pearling group, waiting on their vessel, smiled. The wind was blowing their way today, and it would take them right to where they need to go... once their friend got his a** on board, of course.