Welcome to Gaia! ::

Solo Format
Counts as 5 RP growth Points
Solo word minimum is 750

Prompt
The earthlings were welcoming and open to the ways of Kahikina, willing to trade knowledge for knowledge. In the initial years of relationship development, the people of Kahikina learned about battle and magic. When before a rare few could cast spells, now anyone could learn if taught properly.

Healers, casters, fighters and warriors. All of these new jobs were novel for the trade-based Kahikinans. What an expansion to a world they never knew!

This solo-only prompt is for you to explore how your character deals with the new classes and magic of Tendaji. Do they embrace it? Shun it? Are they interested enough to take on a new class compared to before?

===

Bane was relaxing after a long trip deep in sea, avoiding her younger sister and the excitement she had for the new landwalkers. It wasn't that Bane didn't want to know about them, it was more that she found her level of excitement was lesser than those around her. She was more focused on her job, on her responsibilities than those above the water that she would most likely never see. So, whenever Etana got on a tangent of 'what ifs', Bane would either nod in silence or make an excuse and make herself scarce.

As part of this tactic, the prentice was swimming through the market looking for new tools for her hunt. It was then her attention was caught when someone was shouting about weapons from above, special weapons that they guaranteed wouldn't rust underwater. Bane floated closer and listened to the merchant peddling new swords and spears, the metal shiny in the twilight waters.

Two small blades caught her attention.

"What are these for?" she called out to the merchant, who recognized her and smiled.

"Well, my aspiring huntress, these are weapons used for hunting up there, and fighting each other. This long thing..." He held up a hammer, "...is even used to work fire and build!"

Bane shifted through the small group, looking at the hammer with interest before taking it when it was offered. It was clumsy in her hands, pulled against the water and moved slowly.

"How would anyone hunt with this?" she responded in dismay, shaking her head and handing it back, "It's too heavy and unbalanced."

He nodded, before turning to his box and pulling out two shorter blades. They were longer than the crude knives she used to hunt, sharp and extended. He handed one back to her, "Try this, huntress."

Taking the longer blades, she moved it through the water once more. The water seemed to split for the swords, moving swiftly enough and she nodded agreeing that this was much more satisfactory. She then turned to look at the rest of his wares and shook her head.

"Many of these things aren't suitable for hunting. You said they fight with this?"

He nodded, "Yes! I've seen it myself. They fight on land, and these things can move pretty quickly. Some have a lot of muscle in their arms to hold the hammer and the giant plates they call shields. All of them say they are at peace, but often are preparing for war."

Bane shook her head at the thought, still trying to wrap her head around the idea that people dealt with disagreements with violence. It was so rare in Kahikina, the water-folk seemed more keen to deal with disagreements with words and bargains. While not entirely unheard of, violence was something that very few turned to.

"What type of jobs do they take on with these weapons?" She asked, curious enough to continue the conversation. It was interesting to understand what their purpose was. In Kahikina, everyone had a role to play. No one would move around just to fight each other or for protection. Instead they focused on work and trade, skills and development. It was normal, and the land walkers were bringing something abnormal to the world of Kahikina.

"Some work as guards, protecting people who travel. Others actually train their whole life in case they need to battle against others...but they might not actually battle. Others will train in weapons but do their own jobs, it's more of a protection thing and not a true job..." The merchant explained, his expression pensive and considering just like Bane's.

"So some train their whole life to fight, but never do? And others use weapons to protect themselves from...land walkers that want to hurt them?" The nod she got was confusing, and so Bane pulled away.

She nodded in thanks for the information and rushed away from the crowd, ignoring the other Moakai that played with the new weapons. She wondered if the metal they used was actually suited for the water.

Traveling home, her mind kept going back to the daggers and swords. It seemed that they might be something worth her exploring. She wasn't one to go into a war-focused path, but if she could use weapons to help her with her hunting, maybe she could become more efficient. Her goal was to become a great huntress, and maybe the weapons they had would aid her. It was worth considering, after all. Bane had a bit to think about, to consider. Maybe it was worth a short visit to the surface to learn more.

[ 769 ]