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 Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 5:26 pm
Oba was such a unique land, so dry and dusty... but, it was also a fairly common hub for trade and knowledge passing through. Her daughter, Faenna, had insisted that they come to the earthling lands for a closer look at mount animals, and Vermina wanted to keep it as short of a visit as possible. The trip over had been pleasant enough, but being there in the choking heat... How was everyone not withered into dried up stalks here? She had to stand in the shade to keep from baking like a loaf of bread!
As such, she took another sip of water from the skin at her hip while keeping a close eye on her daughter. The teenager was bursting with excitement and standing way too close to every earthling within the stables. Despite her discomfort, it was amazing to see the differences between herself and her daughter that came from new ideals while growing up.
This whole being friendly with the earthlings thing was still a work in progress for the mother..
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Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2021 8:22 am
The longer Ai remained in Oba as a victim to it's ceaseless dry heat the more she felt like cooling off in the blood oft those closest to her.
Waiting on the shifter to gather supplies and information was perhaps worse than simply traveling through the country itself. At least when they were on the move she could focus on the end goal, but standing still gave her so much more time to think on things. Such as why she hadn't simply leveled the country itself in search of her goal, but was instead just passing along, walking side by side with earthlings and generally ruining her good name.
Her job for the day was to secure fresh mounts for the remainder of the journey. They could continue on foot, but the journey had already taken too much energy out of her. Ai needed to be as well rested as she could before reaching her destination and if that meant spending a little bit of Lucijah's gold then so be it.
What she hadn't expected to see at the stable was another alkidike. Two, actually, now that she'd caught what the older one was looking at.
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2021 3:01 pm
She couldn't help a small smile lifting while watching the teen interact so excitedly with the animals. Her own mount options for when she had been that age had been much more limited, and part of her wanted to experience the delight of finding out about the strange creatures. But then the earthlings would speak up or touch Faenna's elbow to guide her around, and Vermina had to resist to urge to smack them.
A familiar figure caught the edge of her vision and she looked over with interest at the fellow Alkidike. She felt relief at first to know they weren't the only ones there, and raised her hand for a respectful and inviting wave.
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Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2021 12:47 pm
End me now.
If the other alkidike had expected anything other than a terse grunt then she must have been sorely disappointed. As far as Ai was concerned earthling sympathizers were just as bad as the vermin themselves, and the familiarity that teenager was showing to the stable hand was disgusting. It was one thing to temporarily use them to serve a purpose, but quite another to allow touch.
Still, something about the situation caught Ai's attention enough that instead of simply moving on she moved closer. "If that were my daughter he would have one less hand."
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 3:55 pm
Her brow cocked at the gruff introduction, gaze turning back to her daughter. "As much as it would please me to see that... these are different times, if you haven't noticed. One can not remove the limbs of earthlings for.. well, for anything anymore." Not that Vermina would have ever actually harmed an earthling for anything outside of self defense... but that wasn't important when her stomach was indeed sour with how friendly the pair was being. "We would not even be here if times were not changing such as they are..." She glanced over to the stranger again. "I assume the same can be said for you.."
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:34 pm
"It's hard not to notice." Ai groused. At least this wasn't an earthling loving alkidike, though her daughter still left much to be desired. It wasn't a perfect social scenario, but it wasn't as terrible as it could have been.
Crossing her arms over her chest, the extremist looked on at the pair with unveiled disdain. If she said anything to the earthling now it would cause a scene and unfortunately she still needed to stay in this goddess forsaken town for a few more days.
"I don't intend to stay for long. I have business in Oba and once that's done I'll be going home." Where home was exactly was left to vague interpretation. "Have you seen other alkidike since you've been here?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 5:43 pm
With the way the other talked, it seemed surprising that she would put up with being here at all. It must have been some important business, but Vermina wasn't about to ask outright. "She wanted to come see other mount options in person. I hope she will see that something more traditional will be better than one of those... whatever they're called. I intend to head back home the moment she has satisfied her curiosity." She sighed and took another sip of water.
Cocking her head slightly, Vermina thought a moment before nodding once. "I have seen a few. All but one seemed to be just passing through." Years of practice kept her from crinkling her nose too much with distaste at the memory of the Alkidike holding hands with an earthling female... "Are you expecting anyone?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 5:51 pm
"The only mount of worth out here are the Janarim. I'm not a fan of how the earthlings raise them, but if you can manage to find a juvenile out in the wild it could be formidable mount." Ai should know; she'd taken down more than her fair share while traversing the wilds of Oba's deserts. The Janarim in the city were all for show; fake fangs and pet-like personalities. Those in the wild, though? They were as vicious as a huntress should be.
All but one...Luckily enough, it was just one that Ai was searching for. "Not exactly. I'm looking for someone I haven't seen in a few years. Her markings would have been similar to mine."
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 6:47 pm
Vermina nodded lightly. "Janarim, that's what it was. Perhaps it would not be too poor a choice if it is as you say. She has found a surprising amount of options from her studies, but she might see it as you do." She still would prefer a creature that she had more knowledge about, but if this intense Alkidike was certain... "Catching a wild mount would be good for her, too," she went on with a pleased expression.
She turned to look a little more closely at the stranger, and felt a faint tug of recognition. Something from days that she could barely remember, just a whisper of a passing image... "My apologies. She was being rather.. friendly with an earthling, so I did not linger on her long enough to take note of her markings."
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Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 6:55 pm
Ai nodded. There weren't as many suitable options for a mount across the earthling territories, but considering their location the Janarim was as good a choice as any. It's size could easily carry an alkidike and the natural armor would deflect attacks. Much better than a worthless kinfa or something of that ilk.
After the statement was made, Ai waved her hand. "It's fine; I completely understand." That was as good a reason as any not to give another 'sister' a lingering look. "Unfortunately, it's that sort of wretch that I've come to find. I'm looking for my bloom sister and last I saw her she was here with an Oban man." The way she spoke the word was with as much of a snarl as she could muster. "The thought of her traipsing about like that leaves a sour taste in my mouth."
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Posted: Thu Sep 02, 2021 7:43 pm
Vermina sighed softly with a nod. Not only an earthing, but a man earthling! The other's disgusted tone resonated with her, comforting while also unsettling. It was shockingly easy to slip back into the old mindset. She knew she felt the same, but... she had been working to be more open to the changing world. It was just weird!
Within the stable, Faenna laughed and playfully punched the earthling's arm, completely at ease. Vermina couldn't help smirking at the wince the punch had brought up on the earthling's face. Knowing Faenna, that had been nothing more than a tap. Earthlings... so small and frail.
"Would you like me to keep an eye out and let you know if I see her? Are you staying nearby? As I said, I am not here for long, but I don't mind. Watching out while I am here."
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Posted: Sun Sep 05, 2021 11:19 am
"Yes, that would be nice." If she wanted to the younger alkidike could snap that earthlings neck and simply take a mount. At some point she may have done just that, but the world was changing into a softer place... "If you come across any information you can find me at the inn near the south of town. Vir's, I think is the name."
Now that she was a little more comfortable in the presence of the other alkidike, Ai allowed herself to open up a bit and explore her curiosity. "You said you were just passing through; where are you headed?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 6:54 pm
Vermina gave a slow nod in return. While she wasn't entirely sure that a reunion between those two would go very smoothly... well, it wasn't her place to question why someone was seeking out a sister. Maybe it was better to just not know. She looked up as Faenna burst out laughing again, holding some scaled little creature in her arms. If Faenna ever came down with such intentions for an earthling... She could only pray to Aisha that she wouldn't have to face such a challenge.
"Possibly Jauhar, but I am hoping to keep the trip shorter than that. She is curious about those flying canines that some of the earthlings ride." She sighed softly. "I am trying to find more local stables with variety, but it seems that those tend to stay north."
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Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 8:27 am
"Possibly? Are you not from Chibale?" She didn't recognize the other Aishan and surely she would have, if she'd gone to Zinris. There hadn't been too many of them that had survived the war, and those that had were at least aware of one another. "Or do you just reside elsewhere?" Maybe that was it, then? Clearly her daughter was Aishan so she must be of their ilk.
"I've never been far enough North to consider their mounts, in all honesty. I've never seen a need." Perhaps it would have been different if Fiya decided to seek them out? Except I would just send her out on her own. If the girl wasn't strong enough to capture one or quick witted enough to steal then she didn't deserve the beast.
"I know of Kinfa, but I'm not sure what Sauti or Zena would have to offer."
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Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 2:16 pm
Vermina shook her head. "I was born and raised in Chibale. My wife and I moved to Chiume with our daughters to help with Azehra." Her smile softened visibly. "We were blessed with more daughters while we were there, so we have remained longer than expected for the time being. We will return to Chibale eventually, but my wife is the daring sort and looks forward to traveling." For all their differences, she and Danika had just the right similarities to make their love strong...
"The kinfa are birds, correct? What she's looking at are.... rapax? Rapix? Something along those lines. It looks like a land mount, but it has wings; from what I understand." She tipped her head back. "I used to ride a radaku, but she passed long ago. Maybe I will also find myself a mount while we are out."
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