Welcome to Gaia! ::

Deca woke early as she did every morning. There was something satisfying about being able to enjoy the beauty of the sunrise alone on the lip of stone outside the entrance to her cave. Her cave was high up the mountainside where none but the most keen eyed of winged Unis could reach or even find it. She gazed out over the tops of the trees below and suppressed a chill. While she enjoyed the cold beauty of winter she was ready for color. She walked to the edge of the cliff and stepped into the abyss. She let herself fall almost to the trees before opening her wings and gliding to the small clearing she maintained. Landing she looked around. Her flowers, especially her roses were beginning to show the beginnings of a stiring of life. She sighed and nosed some of the protective mulch around. She really should make a trip to the jungle or the beach. But it was such a popular area this time of year. She might have to deal with others. She trotted in a circle at the edge of the clearing before leaping into the air. Well, it couldn't be too terrible. Her need for color was outweighing her aversion to others. With quite a flight ahead of her she flapped her wings hard to make the best speed she could. She knew she had the stamina to maintain the pace and it minimized the amount of unis that might see her passing by.

As Deca drew closer to the coast she dropped in altitude until her hooves touched down just inside the inland side of the jungle. She had decided to make the rest of the trek by foot not only because it would attract less notice but also because it gave her a chance to admire the beauty of the tropical flora and fauna. She took her time basking in the temperate air and sweet aroma. When she finally made it to the edge of the beach she hesitated a moment before leaving the cover of the plants. Looking up and down the stretch of sand she made sure no one was in sight other than the other winged Uni that was a ways down doing his own thing. With a quick dash she ran to the water and splashed her way in admiring the way the water looked like gems in the morning light.

She startled at his voice surprised and a bit miffed. Feeling like he had snuck up on her. However before she could take flight, like she normally would in this situation, his coloring and pretty words caught her attention. Deca, not being one to pass up indulging in the sight or sound of something lovely, turned to face him and silently studied him. After a period of time that would have been awkward for most she spoke, "My name is Decadent. I was missing the sight of colors so I came here for a visit. Hoping to avoid company." She shifted in the belly deep water obviously uncomfortable with the small talk and her lack of skill with it.

She gave a bit of a shrug. "It's not my beach. You can stay or go as you choose." She pawed a bit at the water and her eyes began to study the tree line as if making sure no more Unis were going to pop out at her. She looked back at him still little unsure what to do with herself. She wasn't used to company and she only saw even her own children very rarely. "So. It's a lovely morning." Her clumsy attempt at small talk had her looking intensely concentrated. If he didn't appreciate the way she sucked at it he could leave, she thought to herself.

Deca looked around at the sparkling tropical sea and the cotton candy cloud dotted sky and let the beauty soothe her. "Well . . . " she thought for a moment about how much she was comfortable revealing. This strange Uni seemed unlikely to cause her any trouble. In fact she admired the way he noticed small details like she herself tended to do. " I . . . collect pretty things. Not just things. Views. Ideas. " She shuffled, a little embarrassed. "I usually can't relax with others around. They seem to mar the perfection of what occurs naturally. Sometimes even on purpose. Or just from not caring." The last couple sentences came out with an edge of fierceness.

She was a bit taken aback by his excitement. Giving him a quizzical look she just stood there for a moment fighting an internal battle. As intrigued as she was she really hadn't wanted to spend the day with company. Finally her curiosity won out. Also, since she had engaged already she figured it was her own fault. She waded into the shallows and to a few leaping steps to get some momentum before leaping into the air and snapping her wings open, the warm air catching in the membrane and giving her lift as she strained with her shoulders. Once airborn she hovered while she watched the water drip from her hooves and fall like mini gemstones Ito the water below. 'Or tears.' She thought to herself ruefully. Then she looked at him. "Lead the way I suppose. "

Deca flew along with him listening to him half interestedly. Mostly she just wondered about what he could possibly be wanting to show her. As they came over the top of the cove a little thrill went through her at the sight of it. When she landed beside him in the sand she looked around with obvious appreciation. She trotted along the edge of the water enjoying the way the sand moved under her feet. Finally she stopped and turned back to him. "This is very nice. I appreciate it. " When she noticed, she tilted her head at him with a bit of confused irritation at the fact that he couldn't simply enjoy it as it was.

Deca stared wide eyed back and forth between him and his collection. "You're like me." She stepped over to where he had unearthed the trove of treasure. "You have some very nice things. " She looked over the baubles with a critical eye then looked back at him. "Very good tast to keep pretty things in a pretty place. Away from others who might spoil them or try to take them for themselves. " She gave him a nodding smile and trotted back down to the waters edge. She stuck her front hooves in the surf and let the gentle waves wash up to her ankles.