Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ziari frowned as she walked through the market, eyes not really focusing on anything in particular. So much had happened in the past few weeks — running into the water earthling and arguing with him, finding Arijah in the market and catching up (and realizing that, despite Ziari’s feelings for the other Oban...things weren’t going to work out) and the fight with her parents — and Ziari was growing ever tired of being stuck in the sandy desert that was Oba. Things were always the same here — hang out with friends, do chores, browse the marketplace and spend her parent’s money. Same thing, day in and day out. Ziari was growing older and needed to find a place in life but she felt like she needed to leave to do that. Her parents still had not relented in their hopes that she would take on a healer job and Ziari was not bending either. It had been one of the things they had fought about.

Sighing, Ziari refocused her attention, forcing herself to concentrate. She was looking for someone in particular, someone she knew could help her. Zi wanted to leave, had told her parents as much. Though without someone to lead her away from Oba, she was reluctant to leave. She didn’t know her way around — not even outside of Sulburi, if she was telling the completely truth.

Finally, she came upon the woman’s stall and she paused, waiting for her to finish taking care of a customer. When the older lady’s gaze fell onto Ziari, she smiled and dipped her head in greeting. “Hello, Nirah.”

“Ziari! I didn’t expect you back so soon. We just got in some fine silks.” Nirah moved, picking up a vibrant red colored fabric and held it out for Ziari to inspect.

She ran her fingers over it, appreciating the feel of the fabric under her fingers. Ziari frowned as she pulled her hand away and shook her head. “No, I’m not looking to buy anything today, Nirah.” She paused, biting her lower lip before continuing. “You said that you traveled to Jauhar once, a long time ago.”


“Yes, yes. Wonderful place. So beautiful.”

Ziari smiled at the older lady and nodded. “So I’ve heard. Could you...take me there?”

Nirah’s smile faded and she shook her head. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m older now and traveling takes a lot out of me. Plus I can’t leave my stall unattended for as long as it would take to travel there and back.”

“Oh…” Ziari’s shoulders sank and she sighed. “That’s ok, I understand. Do you...perhaps know anyone that might be willing to take me?”

“No, I’m sorry Ziari. I could ask around for you.”

Zi smiled and thanked the woman before moving away to look around at the other stalls.

Lost in her thoughts as she was, Ziari didn’t hear the approaching footsteps. At the tap to her shoulder, she jumped a little and spun around. “Wha…” She opened her mouth to ask what the person wanted but snapped it shut at the sight of what she could only assume was an iceling. He brows knit together as she looked him over and just as she was about to open her mouth and ask her initial question he was speaking. Her posture relaxed some, frown slowly disappearing and was replaced by something that was more curious.

“You would do that? For a perfect stranger?” Her eyes narrowed slightly on the man. “How do I know I can trust you?” As she spoke, her gaze flicked to the sailscale that popped out, making itself known to her.

Ziari eyed the man for a moment, warring with herself. On the one hand, she’d finally found someone willing to take her across the desert and away from Oba. On the other, she had no clue who he was or what he did for a living. For all she knew, he could be dangerous. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she reached out to scratch under the sailscale’s chin, smiling at the sounds it made. When her gaze flicked back up the man offering his services, she tilted her head.

“I have a kinfa I’ll be taking along. And I still need to gather a few things and settle things with my parents. So it might be a couple of days before I’m ready. You’re sure you don’t mind taking me?” She paused for a moment and realized she didn’t even know his name. “I don’t even know your name.” She gave a small laugh and shook her head as she held her hand out for his. “Mine’s Ziari.”

Ziari’s smile grew as the sailscale clammered onto her shoulder and she rewarded it with more pets. At the man’s words, she glanced up, a small tilt to her head. “A beast tamer? That’s what I’m aiming to be. My parents...wish otherwise. It’s one of the reasons I’m leaving. I need to get out on my own. I’m old enough.” She laughed as the two sailscales conversed and shook her head.

Her gaze flicked towards the trees, eyebrow raising. “I’ll try to be ready by tomorrow but if my parents give me trouble, I can’t promise I’ll be back by then.” Her gaze flicked back to Kiyelt. “You’ll be there tomorrow...and the next day too? Or are you staying elsewhere?”

Ziari hesitated a moment, eyeing the small copse of trees before turning back towards Kiyelt and nodding. “It should be...interesting. I’ve never traveled outside Oba before. I’ll be back soon. Thank you.” She gave him a small smile before turning and heading off in the direction of her home and head on into the task of convincing her parents it would be a good idea to let her travel to Jauhar. Yes, that would be extremely easy.

Ziari rolled her eyes and sighed as she pushed into her home and called out for her parents. Her echo returned to her, unanswered and her brows pinched together as she wondered where they were this time. Heading to her room, she let Aser out of his cage and gave him lots of pets. “I’m sorry you had to stay in there today but soon you’ll be able to fly through the air often enough.” Her words were met with a chirruping sound that made her smile. She tossed him a scrap of meat — something she’d gotten from the market place on her way back — and set herself to the task of packing the essentials. Despite having an abundant amount of things, she knew that she would not be able to bring it all with her and had to keep it down to what she, herself, could carry.

She packed her clothes first and wandered off to gather up a few water skins before coming back and staring at her non-essentials. Perfumes and jewelry of all sorts littered her dresser and wish as she might, she knew she wouldn’t be taking much of it. Ther perfumes were out of the question. In the wild, it would be within her best interest not to have on anything that would attract the attentions of any unwanted beasts. Her jewelry, though, was a different matter. She could wear it, and at night, store it in a small pouch she would kept tucked inside her pack. Still, though, she kept the amount to a minimum and only what she would comfortably wear — her nose ring, forehead jewelry and a few bangle bracelets.

By the time she was finished with her packing, the night was late and, while her parents were back home, she knew now was not the right time to bring up the subject of her leaving. So instead, she settled into bed, with Aser curled up by her side, and slowly fell asleep.

The next morning came too soon and Ziari was awoken from tugs at her hair. When she opened an eye, Aser nipped at another dread, tugging gently. “Off, get off,” she mumbled as she patted his head. “I’m awake, you can stop now.” Ziari pushed herself up and stretched her arms over her head as she yawned. “I wonder if they’re still around.” Pushing herself out of bed she went about her morning routines and then went off in search of her parents. It didn’t take long before she found her mother, surprisingly, in the kitchen. Ziari stood in the threshold between the living area and the kitchen, leaning her shoulder against the doorframe and just watching her mother move about, oblivious to being watched.

In that moment, Ziari almost changed her mind. Despite their differences in opinions on what she should be doing with her life, Ziari loved her parents dearly. And would be sad to leave them behind but it was something she had to do. Clearing her throat, Ziari pushed away from the door frame and stepped into the kitchen.

“Oh! You started me Zi. You’re up early,” Samiya said as she turned, fully, to face her daughter.

“Mmm.” Ziari let her eyes wander before finally focusing on her mother. “Can we...talk?”

Samiya blinked and nodded. “Of course, what is it Zi?”

“Well…” She frowned as she thought of the best way to bring it up. “Promise you’ll listen all the way through before saying anything?” Ziari waited for her mother’s nod before continuing. “I know I’ve talked about this before and neither you or daddy have taken me serious but...I want to travel to Jauhar.”

“Ziari…” Her mother opened her mouth to interrupt but quickly closed it at her daughter’s look and nodded. “Continue.”

“I want to be a beast tamer. I’ve thought about it. A lot. And it’s definitely what I want to do. But, I also don’t want to do it in Oba. I want to explore while I learn. I want to see what all is out there in the world.” She hesitated at the next part, unsure of just how much she’d tell her mother about Kiyelt. “I have someone that will travel through the desert with me and help me find my way to Jauhar.”

Samiya’s brows knit together at the prolonged silence and finally spoke after it was evident her daughter was finished speaking. “You’re sure this is what you want?” At her daughter’s small nod she continued. “You can go, then.” At Ziari’s raised eyebrows she only smiled and shook her head. “We’d rather you not go Zi. We’d much rather you stay here, safe. You’re of age, though, and you’re free to do as you please. The person you mentioned...are they trustworthy?”

Ziari bit back a frown at her mother’s question and only nodded, though she didn’t even really know herself. “You...you don’t mind if I go, then? I’ll write. All the time. I promise. And Aser will be with me.”

“I’ll hold you to that promise, Zi. When do you plan on going?”

“Soon. Either today or tomorrow.”

“So soon? At least stay until tomorrow, hm? Your father won’t be home until late and he’d be very upset if he didn’t see you before you left.” At Ziari’s agreement, they both moved out of the kitchen, Ziari’s mother intent on checking the things she’d packed and making sure she had what she needed. Later that evening, they both worked together to fix a nice meal and broke the news to her father during dinner. Nazir was a little more stubborn than her mother had been, arguing and throwing out reasons Ziari should stay in Oba. With her mother on her side, though, it didn’t take long to win her father over. The rest of the evening had been deemed family time and they spent the time together, talking about Jauhar and the various towns there. Neued would be her first stop and at least there, there would likely be other Obans if she ever felt threatened.

Night came soon enough and the family was settling down. Ziari slept through the night, Aser waking her again. Morning routines were done and, to Ziari’s surprise she found both parents home (though she shouldn’t have been...she was leaving). They embraced and ate breakfast — an insistence from Ziari’s mother. Soon, Ziari was hugging her parents and bidding them farewell. When she arrived at the trees, with Aser in toe and an extra bag full of supplies, just for him, from her mother, Kiyelt was no where to be found. Ziari frowned, panic welling up inside of her at first. Where was he? Had he left, without her? She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and let it out slowly, forcing herself to calm down. It was morning, maybe he was out gathering supplies from the market. She would wait here for a bit and then go off in search of him if he didn’t show back up in an hour or so. With that decided, her and Aser settled down under the shade of one of the trees to wait.

Aser chirruped softly as each of Kiyelt’s familiars moved forward and Ziari felt him press closer to her and his claws clutch a little more on her shoulder. She ignored the slight pain, though, knowing that her kinfa was only nervous around so many others. She reached up and pet him, murmuring quietly to him until he relaxed a little. At Kiyelt’s question, she glanced back towards him and smiled. “It went better than I expected, actually. I think they knew it was coming.” She shrugged lightly and the movement elicited a ruffle of Aser’s feathers. “They weren’t home, the other day, when I got back to the house and I had to wait for my father to return last night. Which is why it took so long. So unless you have any other last minute supplies to get, I’m ready to head out.”

Ziari eyed the janarim and xaraan carefully, unsure of which one she’d rather ride on the back of. She hadn’t really given much thought to a mount and was ever thankful that Kiyelt had, conveniently, two for them to use. Buying one might very well have taken all of her coin not already set aside for the man before her. Her attention flicked back to Kiyelt as they started to walk.

“Aser?” Ziari gave a sad smile at the question as she absently scratched at her kinfa’s belly. “He was a gift. From my parents. An extravagant, unnecessary gift and I don’t like thinking about where or who they got him from.” She sighed and shook her head. “They thought he might keep me here. Keep me from wanting to go off after other beasts.” She gave a soft snort. “Worked out so well, didn’t it? I’m happy they gave him to me, though, and I’m happy to be able to travel with him. Now he won’t be stuck inside so much. He’ll be free to spread his wings.”

Ziari nodded at Kiyelt’s words and smiled a bit. “It is exciting to know that I’m finally going to be on my own — making my own decisions — but it is scary at the same time. All I have ever known is here in Sulburi — my friends, family.” She shook her head. “I have to leave, though. If I stay I feel as if I’ll never move onto the things I want to do. Like something is holding me back.” She let her attention focus back in on Kiyelt. “Thank you for taking me. I’m not sure I’d have been able to make the journey on my own.”