Quote:
Spring storms can often appear with out little notice and last for days. They are filled with strong winds and heavy rain, which means one must halt their travel if they are able to even get outside during the downpour. Your character has found themself stuck away from home in an area with others seeking to avoid the storm. Who do they meet? What do they talk about? How do they feel about the storm?
As a tropical storm began to rage, its fury manifesting in pounding rain and howling winds, Zandala found herself stranded in a remote area nestled amidst the rugged terrain of the mountainous region. She’d been out on a short trip when she’d been caught out in the storm. With no other choice, she’d sought refuge from the tempest, she had taken shelter alongside a motley group of travellers, each seeking solace from the relentless onslaught of the elements.
Among them was an enigmatic figure cloaked in shadows, their presence shrouded in mystery. Zandala's keen senses detected an air of danger about them, a simmering intensity that set her on edge. Despite her apprehension, she found herself drawn to their silent vigilance, a silent understanding passing between them as they weathered the storm together.
As the hours stretched into eternity, the group huddled around a crackling fire, seeking warmth in the face of the storm's icy embrace. Conversation flowed freely, the disparate travellers sharing tales of adventure and hardship, each story woven with the thread of survival. Zandala listened intently but did not share anything about herself. She did not know these people and while most seemed to be Kahikian, there were also Earthlings among them.
For Zandala, the storm was both a foe to be vanquished and a companion to be embraced. Its ferocity stirred something primal within her, awakening a sense of wild abandon that lay dormant beneath her steely facade. And as the tempest raged on, she found herself embracing the chaos, revelling in the raw power of nature's fury. There was just something about the chaos of the storm that made her want to get out there and yell at the world. And yet, she hated the cold and stayed where she was.
As the tropical storm continued to rage outside, Zandala couldn't help but feel a sense of unease lingering in the air, exacerbated by the presence of one particular individual among the group of stranded travellers. It was a fellow Aishian, a warrior whose name she knew all too well but preferred not to speak aloud. There had always been a lingering tension between them, born from a clash of ideologies and a shared history fraught with conflict. Zandala's sharp gaze often found itself drawn to the figure, their silent exchanges speaking volumes in the midst of the storm. Where Zandala had moved on, following Lumikani, this individual had stayed and hunted.
Despite the camaraderie that had formed among the group, there was an unspoken understanding between her and the other Aishian, a mutual respect tempered by a deep-seated animosity that simmered beneath the surface.
“So do you two know each other?” A Kahikian asked as he glanced between the two. “I feel like all Aishians are related and know each other.”
“We know each other,” Zandala grudgingly acknowledged as she glanced at the hooded figure. “But we do not run in the same circles.” She added before anyone thought they may be friends. She gripped her bow tighter, the space under the thicker canopy was smaller and if a fight broke out they would surely injure the others as well.
“No, we definitely do not run in the same circles.” The other acknowledged with a glare.
“Have something to say?” she snapped back, anger flaring alive. She wasn’t afraid of this puny Aishian, if she wanted to throw punches then Zandala would not back down.
“We’re all friends here...” An Earthling said and both Aishian turned to glare at her at the same time. Sometimes, Earthlings were really dense.
“Don’t comment on the complexities of Aishian culture,” the hooded Aishian said bitterly.
“Especially if you do not know the circumstances,” Zandala added as she agreed with the other Aishians. Perhaps their anger would turn towards the few Earthlings within the group.
As the storm finally subsided and the first light of dawn pierced the darkness, Zandala found herself reflecting on the tumultuous night that had passed. She stood up quickly once the rain had stopped and brushed the sand and dirt from herself. Most of the others were still sleeping with the exception of the other Aishian of course. There was no trust there and so both had volunteered to keep an eye out for the rest of the group. They may have been at odds with each other, but there was an unspoken understanding that they both shared a common goal: to protect their fellow travellers from any potential threats that lurked in the aftermath of the storm.
“Time to go,” Zandala said out loud as she grabbed her pack. She did not make sure they all awoke before she set off again, she’d have to watch her back for the rest of her journey in case that hooded Aishain felt like taking their fight elsewhere.
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