While Anahita much preferred being within the boundaries of the forest she was not completely upset to be out and about in a village. The little town in Sauti was a few hours walk from their home and so the family would usually go out about once or twice a month to trade for supplies. Their mother created art pieces that got picked up and taken away back to Oba and other areas while their father had his work as a ranger to help them get everything they needed for the upcoming winter months. Ana though was less worried about supplies today and more excited to explore the town while her mother went about her business. Ana was older now and had asked her mother about coming along to town so that she could pick out gifts for her parents and twin sister. So while her mother dealt with business the girl was determined to find whatever she thought would be perfect gifts for everyone today, something even more exciting with a few traveling merchants holding outside stalls while the weather was still decent. There was no telling what she would find today! It was always exciting to see what came in from all over the world especially if Belrean airships were involved! Ana loved the strange trinkets that came from the far away continent, the little gears and things always enjoyable for her to fiddle with. Her mother especially had a few things that she had gathered during her time training in Belrea and Ana always liked the stories she told about the continent and the other countries she had explored during her younger years as an apprentice artisan. Unlike her mother though Ana was more skilled with fighting than doing delicate things like crafting which was why she was going to the market for gifts instead of trying something on her own. She was especially determined to find presents today because Ana knew that the solstice was coming up and it was always customary to try and give gifts during the celebrations. So why not try to find something to give her loved ones?

Once her mother disappeared from view, Ana found herself clutching her coin purse tightly and going so that she could browse the market. Now where did she even begin? Her mother was more accustomed to warmer climates and so Ana was determined to find something warm to give her this season, the appeal of furs and brightly woven shawls already catching her eye. Perfect! A grin crossed her lips as she already marked the first item from her mind, the younglings’ fingers tracing over intricate patterns on a shawl that reminded her of the ocean at night. There was a little charm she could purchase as well from the merchant that reminded her of a kinfa, a token to her father’s feathery companion that allowed him to quickly travel all across the countryside. Ana found herself picking up two nearly identical ones to give to her parents before leaving the merchant’s stall with a heavier bag and a lighter purse. Surely it would be touching to give them something that they could share, right? A token that reminded them of each other even if they had to leave home for a bit. Her mother sometimes went to Oba and Matori for weeks while her father would go out on patrols for days, if not weeks during the busier months when things got more heated and merchants asked for their aid. Hopefully her mother could wear the token on her shawl for now and her father could pin it on his clothing somewhere.

Now that just left Zota, her dear twin. Ana pursed her lips thoughtfully as she bounced from stall to stall while trying to find the perfect gift for her sibling. Should it be a trinket? A toy? A box of sweets? Ana sighed as she passed the fifth stall without success. She was running out of options! This would be so much easier if she could just craft things like her mama! Disappointment crossed her expression before the glint of something shiny caught her attention. What was that? Ana tilted her head before catching sight of a golden comb with intricate details etched into the main body, the shaft covered in delicate drawings of animals that they would see in the forest. It was brilliant like her sister and the creatures on it reminded her so much of their home! Would her sister like it so that she could comb her hair and decorate it with pins like their mother? Ana was never much of one for dressing up but she could easily imagine Zota decorating her hair and looking really pretty. A small smile crossed the girl’s lips at the thought as she made her final purchase and prepared to spend the rest of the afternoon just picking out a few sweets and things to share with her family when she returned home with her mother that evening.

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