Welcome to Gaia! ::

The dining hall of an Oban manor was the biggest room that Quiana had ever entered. It was like a smaller tavern within the hall with several tables arranged for events. Strangely enough though the tables were lower to the ground with pillows around them for seats which was different considering the taller chairs and blocky wooden tables at the Matori taverns she had visited. Cahira had told her that it could be overwhelming and had even helped her to purchase new clothing that was more fitting after her previous attire was ruined by the bandit attack. Now Quiana had her hair tied up in a long braid down her back, metal bands of gold and silk ribbons woven in between the pale strands. A silk dress in pale lilac with an embroidered rose gold sash holding it into place matched the Oban style while her bracers had been replaced with new ones with rose gold and gemstones intertwined, a gift for helping to save the day. Not that Quiana had asked for such a thing since she was just happy to find someone who could guide her to Noelani, her half-sister that she had been looking for over the last couple of weeks since arriving in Matori. Still, this was what her sister was involved with? It’s so fancy. Quiana’s bright gaze skimmed over the hanging wall tapestries before finally settling on a Matori hybrid who was sitting at the head of the table with a wine glass in hand.

“Omari, right?” She asked as she approached. Quiana had been told that Cahira’s younger brother ran this academy of sorts and that he would be hosting Nanami and her companion tonight for a dinner per her request. It had originally been just a private meeting to discuss business but Cahira had been quick to send word to Omari that she needed a favor from him and the academy master had been agreeable with the suggestion, he apparently according to Cahira was a softie at heart especially when it came to family despite appearances. And appearances definitely were a thing for him. Quiana noticed how regal he looked in Oban silks with golden jewelry incorporated within his outfit, the hybrid sitting straight and proud as he studied her. This is Cahira’s relative? Strange how different siblings could be…

[Quiana 1]

“So much effort to look nice just for an event.” Noelani pursed her lips as she tried to sit still long enough for Nanami to twist her hair into intricate braids with golden bands and gemstones in between. She much preferred just traveling with a simple tunic and leggings, the adventurer more prepared to explore and fight than mingle in a crowd. To think that she had gone from a shy and sheltered girl to being someone that attended such busy events! Treasure hunting definitely had expanded her horizons after so many years of travel, that was for certain. Then being a mother…well that just changed things even more. Not that she minded, all four of their children were precious treasures in their own way, but it definitely had matured Noelani even more knowing that she had lives to protect. And now here she was playing socialite in order to help one of her key sponsors to acquire more funding for their exploits.

[Noelani 1]

He’s fairly adept at keeping conversation. Mused Quiana as she settled in the seat to the right of Omari, the Elidae tucking her legs in as she made herself comfortable. Omari had been explaining the manor to her along with what the academy taught, something which amazed her considering how she had been raised with the impression that the arts were a hobby to most or only good for passing down important history with the elders’ approval. Apparently earthlings could actually get away with using it as a profession! She had understood that from her interactions with Siel and others since arriving in Matori but never before had she imagined a grand building being in place to teach such things to another generation. “So if I tried to woo you then I could perhaps get a free dance lesson or two before departing?” She teased lightly, her lips curving upwards into a sly smile before the door opened once more and two figures stepped into the room. Quiana immediately tensed and leaned back away from Omari, her shoulders straightened as she prepared to face the pair that had just entered the room.

[Quiana 2]

The decorative tapestries, colored glass orbs with flickering candle light, golden embroidered cushions, decorated tables and even the array of fruits and cheese on a golden platter had been expected, but the appearance of an Elidae was a surprise. Noelani found herself pausing before a nudge from Nanami had her moving forward to take her usual seat on Omari’s left. Crossing her legs she frowned as she studied the Elidae. She had met her before, right? Not like it would be easy to forget considering how few Elidae she had ever encountered before. “Ah! With the hapuna, right? We met at a festival in Kahi a while ago.” A smile crossed her lips. “It’s nice to meet you again.”

[Noelani 2]

“It is me.” Quiana managed after a moment. She had spent so many years wondering about this strange hybrid and now she had finally encountered her again! It had only taken a few years of time to build up her resources back at the island, her grandmother’s illness prompting her to finally travel and then months to get to Matori before finally arriving at this point after more time to explore and track down Noelani. “I was actually hoping we could run into each other again, so it is very nice to see you and your companion here in Oba.” She glanced over at Nanami with interest, her own cheeks flushing as she had the feeling the kawena had already caught onto something.

[Quiana 3]

“You were?” Noelani blinked in surprise. “Hopefully I didn’t leave such a bad impression that you had to chase me down for revenge.” She teased lightly as she reached for something akin to a roll, her fingers curving around the slighter flatter version of bread served in Oba with its rich curry. As a bowl of curry was placed in front of her the hybrid scooped the crimson liquid onto the bread and took a bite. It immediately melted into her mouth and sent a tingling sensation along her tongue as the various peppers and species made themselves known. That would most definitely warm her stomach on a cool desert night like this one. It would also hopefully stay settled until the evening was over and she could retire from the party later on. As she finished chewing one more piece she found herself looking back at the Elidae, curious about why she seemed almost startled by her teasing. “If so then I really wish Omari would have warned me better. It would be a shame to lose me when you would like to fund more digs in the future, sir.” She addressed the hybrid before looking back to Quiana once more. “In all sincerity though it is a pleasant surprise to see you again, Quiana. I’m certain a familiar face in a foreign country like Oba is a blessing. What brought you all the way out here from Kahi?”

[Noelani 3]

Quiana smiled towards Omari with amusement despite her nervousness. “I can handle spice.” She promised while resisting the urge to wink because of the current situation. She had played around a bit too much in Matori perhaps before coming to Oba, it made her feel a bit too relaxed around earthlings now that she had gotten closer to some. She would have to remember to show Siel her appreciation once she returned, that was as long as this went well and she could return to Matori. “As for why I’m in Oba?” She twisted her fingers together beneath the table, her hands holding onto each other to stop their shaking despite how calm she tried to appear. “Well, I apparently have family in Matori and was hoping to find some answers.” She managed after a moment, her gaze studying Noelani as she spoke. “My mother was an Elaria who disappeared from our island years ago. Omari actually invited me to this dinner at my request because I was hoping that perhaps you could help me find the answer to what happened to her.”

[Quiana 4]

Admittedly Noelani had not expected Quiana’s reason to have such a direct impact on her life. Her hands immediately moved from the table to rest in her lap as she stared at the Eliade, her mind trying to place everything together. A missing mother who was an Elaria? Her own mother had been washed in from the ocean before being taken in by her Matori family and falling in love with her father. Surely not, right? As if her own family wasn’t enough of a mix right now! But she had noticed the similar neck markings before and Nanami’s own expression made her think twice before denying the possibility. Something was definitely going on here and as unexpected as it was there were some pieces that lined up almost too perfectly for Noelani to reject the story. “Quiana…” She began quietly as she tried to think about what to say without allowing her flustered emotions to get the best of her. “My mother had amnesia from an accident which caused her to be rescued in Matori years ago. Can you tell me the Elaria’s name?” She glanced over at Omari before simply shaking her head. It was fine if he stayed. They worked so closely together and surely he already had an inkling of Quiana’s intentions before even inviting her here so why chase him out now?

[Noelani 4]