Welcome to Gaia! ::

It had only been about four days since Kirima returned from Alaska after spending two and a half weeks with family. While she would have loved to go hunting with them, time didn’t quite allow for anything more than some leisurely fishing. Venison jerky would have been a great gift to bring, but what she had in hand was equally as good, if not better in her opinion.

She approached the Ranger Station with sure steps and opened the main door. Above her, a bell rang announcing a visitor.

Karima was quick to spot the woman with caramel-colored hair, the exact person she was hoping to find here. “Ranger Laverdure, it’s been a while,” she stated with a pleased grin and approached the front counter. “I hope you haven’t missed me too much,” Kirima added in jest.

“I come bearing gifts,” in front of her she placed a small package wrapped in brown paper and tied with a hemp string.

“In one piece…” Kirima rolled her eyes jokingly. “You make it sound like you expected me to get run over by a moose,” she muttered under her breath. Although she acted offended, Kirima was anything but.

“Last time we spoke I promised to bring you back jerky. While we didn’t go hunting this time, I did catch some Wild Alaskan Salmon and what you have there is salmon jerky. Made two kinds for you, sweet teriyaki and a mildly spicy peppered one.” They were separated, of course, each in their own vacuum-sealed bag.

"So, did I miss anything exciting while I was gone?"

Kirima felt a measure of pride when Izusa mentioned that her salmon jerky was tasty. Well worth the time preparing it then, she beamed a smile, quite proud of the achievement.

“Monster sightings?” Her tone changed at the mention of youma to something more serious since these beasts, in her mind, were far worse than normal animals like bears or badgers. “Where are they here at the park too or just downtown?”

Since awakening a year ago, Kirima was too spooked to continue powering up; talking cats and a sixth sense with powered signatures just kind of weirded her out. Not to mention her own magic was erratic and gave her the heebie-jeebies.

Akh’lut were creatures of legend and when using her own magic, she had seen one lurking in her peripheral. It was one of the reasons she returned to Alaska, so she could talk to her anaanatsiaq, to get her opinion on the matter and learn if these things were something she should be afraid of.

“Honestly, I just relaxed most of the trip. Spent a lot of time with my extended family.” While a few from her own generation had moved to Canada and a couple, like her, to the States, the older generations were content living where they’d grown up and spent most of their lives. “We are planning two hunting trips and trying to work in some time to go skiing or snowboarding with my siblings.”

“Honestly though, for your first visit, I’d actually probably recommend taking a cruise up to Alaska unless you’re prone to getting seasick. They usually sail out of Seattle, Washington, and travel north to at least three of the main ports; Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, Whittier, or Sitka. It’s kind of touristy but depending on what time of year you go there’s a chance to see the Aura Borealis and they do stop by the glaciers.” There were other activities to do in each town, one offered a tour of an old mine with the option to do some panning for gold at the end of it.

Overall, while the upfront cost could be spendy, it limited the risk of getting snowed in or having to worry about driving on snow assuming she’d need a car to get around. “If you do decide to go through, let me know.” If it aligned with one of her next trips then she’d be happy to meet up and take her to some of the hole-in-the-wall restaurants or treat Izzy to some homemade food.

“Sure thing! It’ll take a couple weeks for everyone to coordinate their time off but we can make it work.” Kirima tapped her palms on the counter. “As for the skiing, one of my cousins is a ski instructor and I’m sure he’d be happy to help teach you. But if snowboarding is more your style then I’m your gal.” She pointed at herself with a thumb and winked as if she were proud of that fact.

“Anywho, I don’t want to take up more of your time since you’re still on the clock. But let me know when you’re free next and we can have a ladies' night out, or something.” She leaned in slightly, her enthusiasm bright and genuine. “Maybe we could grab some drinks, check out that new sushi place downtown, or even just hit up a karaoke bar. Whatever you’re into, I’m game!” With a friendly wave, she stepped back, leaving the invitation open.