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[Sabra via Discord]

Well, this was definitely an enlightening trip. Quiana shook her head as she started down the stretch of beach that led away from her family’s cove (such a strange thought!) but there was a small smile on her face as she simply enjoyed the ocean breeze. Being in Oba had been an interesting experience and one that she would rather avoid going forward. The last thing the Elidae had expected was to be caught up in a brawl with bandits while hunting down her half-sibling in the desert country, but it had happened and now here she was enjoying a few days in Matori while her startled family members prepared for an overseas journey towards Kahi. She just hoped that her friendly musician was still in the area after helping her on the path towards Oba.

Quiana had taken the trip to Oba alone after seeing Siel’s expression at the very mention of the country, the Elidae not wanting to impose any more than she already had by even trying to suggest that he tag along with her. Now that she had returned though she was hoping to find him to say her farewells in case this was her last visit to Matori. It wouldn’t feel right if she didn’t at least thank him one last time and let him know that she had safely returned. Would this be the final trip though? What happened once she returned home to her tree and the other Elidae? Quiana’s expression flickered, the young woman suddenly wishing she was back at a tavern with plenty of drink. It was an experience she did not wish to repeat, but it had been nice to lose track of her worries for one night. Not that she was too full of worries after spending an afternoon shopping around the local village yesterday with her half-sibling, the hybrid trying to bond with the stranger who had suddenly appeared in her life. Dressed in new attire, her favorite dress had unfortunately been ripped and stained in that fight, Quiana stopped walking along the path as the docks came into sight.

The Elidae was definitely a startling figure on the horizon for anyone not expecting her with her long locks of hair twisting down her back with seashells and pearls woven between the strands, a fluttering dress inspired by an ocean sunset leaving little to the imagination about her curves while keeping Quiana cool in the afternoon sun. Just in case this was her final trip in Matori, Quiana wanted to have as much fun as possible while also keeping her appearance in case of any wandering eyes. No regrets, right?

[Sabra via Discord]

The whistle immediately caught Quiana's attention, but rather than flushing and turning away like some shy child the woman simply raised a hand and waved boldly back towards the fishermen. There was less of a weight on her shoulders despite the approaching journey and Quiana's smile only brightened more as she spotted Siel near the fishermen. "Siel! You're actually here!" She called out as she continued her walk, the Elidae climbing up onto the docks and darting around some of the fishermen who were carrying nets full of flopping fish from today's haul. It wasn't the most pleasant of sights or smells for that matter, but she didn't care since Siel was here. She had come looking for him, after all, and didn't mind a few playful whistles and winks from the Matori working along the docks either. It was all harmless fun really...though...did something seem to be going on? A small frown crossed her lips as she glanced around, the Elidae stopping in front of Siel as the fishermen gave them some space. One mumbled something under his breath, but Quiana couldn't quite make it out as he walked away with the others. "Everything alright today? Seems strange without some music or dancing going on." She teased lightly, a hand lingering on her own hip as she studied the musician.

[Sabra via Discord]

"Hmm." Quiana moved and without asking for permission simply placed the back of her hand against Siel's forehead. "You don't feel sick. Earthlings do have fevers if they're unwell, right?" She asked after a moment before shaking her head at his question. A diversion maybe? Still, she would indulge him. A small smile crossed her lips as she looked over her outfit. "Well it was shopping or coming back with a stained and torn dress. I found someone who led me to my sibling but we got a bit involved with bandits first. No wonder you made such a face when it came to Oba, that place is crawling with trouble." The Elidae let out a soft laugh, not even bothered by the actual memory of fighting. Despite her playful behavior she was still an Aishan warrior after all. It was just a shame that she had to waste a perfectly good dress in the process.

"The family reunion is going as well....as can be expected." She managed after another moment. "We'll be going towards Kahi in the near future to see my grandmother and after that...well I'm not certain. Enough about me though. I wanted to see you at least once before disappearing into the horizon. How are you?"

[Sabra via Discord]

"If you say so." Quiana gave a slight shrug as she removed her hand after another moment. If he was ill then worse case she could carry him somewhere later. Surely there was a healer out and about, right? But if it wasn't illness then she did have to wonder what could be bothering Siel. Admittedly though she had noticed the flush and it was hard not to smile or be tempted to fluster him even more after seeing such a thing. Instead she settled for sitting next to him, her thigh pressed against his own as she realized he was inspecting her. Was he concerned after she had mentioned bandits? How touching. Truly though there was no need to worry about her. Even if Quiana tried to play up certain situations to get her way there was still a bit of pride with the Aishan. Quiana couldn't help the quiet laugh that left her though at Siel's description. "Sun crazed folk with more blades than sense...I quite like that one. Still, it's over with now and I'll stick to my ocean countries from now on." She truly wasn't much for the desert with how much sand enjoyed slipping into every place it could find. At least with the ocean there was water to balance out the hot beaches, that much she could appreciate even if she didn't appreciate how sand could cling to her outfits and skin. The sun as well had been harsh on her eyes, the Elidae having to wear a cloak or scarf for most of her time in Oba. Though sunlight did nothing to affect her hearing and she most definitely heard some fluctuations in Siel's voice. Quiana raised an eyebrow and leaned forward, peering towards Siel even if it did give him ample view of things should he glance that way.

"I think I would want to know though. If it's bothering you then it's only fair to share considering how much you dealt with my worries that one night." Her expression softened though as she recalled pieces of their conversation despite her drunken state at the time. "Is it your family?" Should she ask? She did want to help, truly. It was only fair considering how much he had helped her since she arrived in Matori.

The Elidae tilted her head with confusion. Something definitely appeared to be the matter with Siel if he was asking for such a thing. Had she done something wrong? Quiana opened her mouth then closed it again as the truth slipped out. Oh. OH. Shifting so that she was leaning back rather than forward the Aishan looked over her friend. Out of all the trouble that Siel could have mentioned that was the last thing she had expected. Then again why would she worry about such a thing since Aishans had to pray for their blooms? There were no accidents within her community, only blessings and sometimes misfortunes if a family did not stay together afterwards. "I'm guessing you aren't fond of children?" She finally managed with a quirked eyebrow, trying her best to understand his despair over something that others would celebrate. "Was she also from Matori?" They may have encountered a Matori themselves one night before Quiana left for Oba...not that she had to worry about the aftermath of such things normally.

A sigh left her lips as Quiana twisted a stray lock of hair in her hands, the motion giving her something to do rather than fidgeting in her seat as she kept an eye on the distressed hybrid. Suddenly it made sense why the fishermen were giving Siel certain comments. Earthlings truly were strange to find children an issue. He wasn't even the one who had to carry the child for months in...what was that called? Quiana tilted her head to the other side as she tried to remember the word. Womb. That was it. "She's the one with child. So why do you appear so unwell?" She blinked as she pondered the whole situation more. "What happens once the child arrives? Could there be a chance that it isn't your child? I'm not certain how promiscuous earthlings normally are..." Quiana personally was a bit more inclined to explore and have fun than other Elidae, that much was for certain, but she did not know everything about earthlings.

"Siel." Quiana reached a hand out to gently touch her friend's shoulder. "If you're fond of children and had a decent enough relationship with the mother for her to contact you then perhaps...perhaps it will be okay?" She tried to sound optimistic since it was fairly obvious that the hybrid was panicking over the whole situation. It was strange considering how many worries earthlings could have in comparison to her kind. None of them ever had to worry about anything other than hurt feelings and potentially over zealous lovers...how strange to worry about causing someone to have a child by accident. Oh! But what if? Quiana tilted her head as another thought occured to her. It hadn't sounded this way based upon what Siel was saying but she wanted to ask just in case. "Do you think the mother will just leave the child with you once it's born? If it is your child that is..." Perhaps there was a chance that it wasn't Siel's child. How did she feel about that? Did she mind if Siel had children? Quiana frowned at the sudden thought and quickly shoved it aside. She was fine with Siel having fun, it wasn't as if she had any expectations of something permanent after they spent some time together. She didn't even know how long her time in Matori was going to be and there was no way that Siel could live in Kahi with her, after all. It was all so complicated and something she hadn't even thought about when she first started getting closer to the hybrid. What if she had a chance of an accidental bloom with Siel? Quiana pursed her lips tightly as she tried to imagine that scenario. Perhaps then in that case she would also be panicked since she was not prepared at all to raise a child on her own.

Still, she wanted to help ease his mind somehow and so Quiana sat straighter as she tried to channel all of her determination. "If the mother leaves the child to be raised by you alone then perhaps I can offer to help out. I have to visit Kahi, but until then or after I can help out if this is your child. My sister has younglings so surely they would be alright having a playmate. They are simply visiting to reconnect with my grandmother, the trip isn't meant to be a permanent stay so I can return with them if you need me." Aishans enjoyed community and it was healthy to have youngling friendships that could develop into strong sister bonds one day. Surely the same could be said for earthling connections? And she felt fine with such a promise surprisingly. If it was for Siel then she could return to Matori, and maybe it was more so for herself too. She did enjoy the earthling countries and having family here helped to build her resolve. Surely her grandmother would understand, Quiana's future simply wasn't meant for her to be idle in one spot like others.

Okay, perhaps that hadn't been the best thought to express. Quiana let out a soft sigh when she saw Siel's reaction. "Surely not. I was just expressing some thoughts, so don't worry about that one." She shook her head, wishing she had filtered that question before letting it out into the open. "I'm certain things will resolve. It was best to let you know, right? Better than never knowing." Quiana's gaze lowered at the very idea. She would have rather known her own mother, even if for just a little bit as a youngling. All she had were fuzzy memories that were replaced by her grandmother caring for her as she grew up with the rest of the Elidae. And it wasn't as if Siel was a bad person. He liked playing around but Quiana had been helped by him in the past before so she knew that he had a good heart. What was there to hate? If anything she was almost jealous that the other woman could...well, that was definitely a thought that made her look away in haste with flushed cheeks. So silly!

"Well, I would have come back anyways. It would be rather boring if I didn't see my dancing partner on occasion." She managed finally, her gaze set on the ocean and her flushed features turned away from Siel. He was already having a rough time so why add her complicated feelings to the mix? Still, she was leaving soon and didn't want to miss the chance to express herself. "You helped me out a lot when I was in a stressful situation, it's only fair that I return the favor...if you even needed. I'm sure the mother will want to keep her child, she may just want to grab you at the same time." Which would be oddly disappointing as much as Quiana tried to deny that fact. For the first time in her life she felt strangely jealous of earthling anatomy, something that flustered her even more at the realization.

"Two bit bard, hmm. I don't know about that one." A small smile crossed her lips as she let out a quiet laugh. "You really have to give yourself more credit one day. Still, as long as you're happy with the company then I'm willing to provide it." Even if he wasn't a world famous musician Siel was special in a way. Then again Quiana could just be biased considering everything that had happened since her arrival in Matori, but she didn't care. Her feelings were her own regardless of the situations that had formed them. Though what earthlings would have been so willing to play with an Elidae on the docks like that? Most avoided her gaze or just gawked at her, never had she expected to dance with a foreigner so easily!

A brow raised and it would be a lie to say that Siel's denial of the other woman claiming him didn't make Quiana feel relieved in some way. "Solo act, is that right?" She let out a soft sigh. "That's a shame. Though if it's because you're worried about children there are some who you can spend time with that wouldn't give you any reason to worry about such things." The Elidae gave a slight shrug even though she fully knew what her words implied. She knew that she could be unusual compared to others, but she was just as much of a free spirit as Siel could be. "It would be a lie to say that I'm not somewhat jealous that others have more flexibility with their options to expand their numbers, but I'm also not ready for children myself. Once I visit my grandmother it may be nice to just explore the world some more. There's more to the world than just Matori and hopefully better countries than Oba, right?" Quiana finally looked back towards Siel, her expression thoughtful. "If the child isn't yours did you ever consider traveling a bit more? Or are you content with just Matori now?"