Welcome to Gaia! ::

(1/10)

In some ways, the weeks following Hesperia's return from her own self imposed pilgrimage had been... underwhelming. She believed, erroneously, that touring the world would grant her a peace she'd been yearning for, that she would return whole and satisfied. But... she wasn't sure if she was. Her home felt smaller somehow, and though she'd missed the little ones she taught and trained, something felt like it was missing.

Sighing, she hung up another set of clothes to dry. Today another elder Sister was watching the younglings, so Hesperia had opted to cleaning the home that had partly gone to rot while she and her sister traveled to the other trees. When a voice outside called out, she was a little too eager to abandon the cleaning. "Oh yes please, I'm quite ready for a distraction!" She called out her open window, bustling to the front door.

The Elidae outside was... a surprise though. Her mouth opened in surprise, and her golden eyes blinked, but then a shy, but delighted smile took over her features. "Oh! I - well I didn't realize we had a cousin visit! Hello hello - I'm Hesperia." She wiped her damp hands against her dress and pushed back her dreads from her slightly sweaty brow. "You know, I just visited Mother Esena a few months ago! Have you been to see Mother yet?"

(2/10)

Hesperia's home was still small, as she was an unattached and childless Vandrea. Her space was cluttered though, the dark wood interior of her home had little tokens from younglings displayed like trophies. A smaller section, now, was dedicated to trinkets from her travels; a set of empty spectacles from Yael, a tiny satchet of crystals from Jauhar, a painstakingly preserved placard of tree bark from Tale.

Hesperia busied herself making some tea, but watched the other girl curiously as she scribbled in her journal. "Ah - I was lucky, my sister and I made the pilgrimage together." She was so thankful for her sister, Wangui, for sacrificing so much to run off with Hesperia's whims. "How far are you now? Is this your first tree you've visited since leaving home?"

Right! Hesperia smiled and came to where Iphito was looking at the collection, quietly handing her a cup of tea. She cupped both hands around her own cup, inhaling the slightly fruity scent of it. She'd never been a huge fan of the taste of tea, but couldn't get enough of the different smells! "There are a lot of earthling lands between here and Aishan, and even more until you get to Elzira. That's a long way to go, by yourself!" She looked at the younger girl, quietly worried. "There are plenty of merchants who travel between Belrea and Jauhar, so it might be safer if you tagged along with one of them! Even if they ARE earthlings." She said the last bit teasingly, but ... well.

Iphito was an Elidae, and while they weren't quite as reluctant as the Elaria were to travel with earthlings, there was always the chance the girl might be offended by the suggestion.

(4/10)

Oh! Hesperia's smile broadened at that, and she immediately had to push down a wave of questions. She'd been lucky enough to meet some kind earthlings on her own travels, but she'd sadly had to part ways without any prolonged means of contact. "Oh that's just lovely, Iphito!" Hesperia found that she liked this girl - it wasn't often she got to make proper friends with someone she hadn't grown up knowing, or seen grow up herself!

"Someday, it'll be up to us to help shape our communities. The more we can learn from the world around us, the better, don't you think? At least that's how I've come to think of it."

(5/10)

Yes, exactly! Hesperia bounced a little in place, excited to have found someone (out of nowhere, it felt like!!) who actually understood that perspective. "Do you work closely with younglings, back home?" She asked, curiosity piqued. "I volunteer to watch the little ones, who are too young to properly start training, myself - I think that's part of why I thought a pilgrimage would be so helpful."

(6/10)

Hesperia tilted her head at the other girl, humming in acknowledgement. "Well, not everyone can handle lots of children. It's not for everyone." Hesperia conceded kindly. When Iphito continued though, the Vandrea gasped in delight, setting her mug down so she could look at the other woman properly again. "Jewelry? As a blacksmith? So do you intend to use metals? Oh-- I saw jewelry like that on my trip, but here I've only ever seen the usual. You know - shells, beads, woven things..." She fluttered her hands expressively, excited. "I wondered how that was possible! Would it not be too delicate for a hammer? Do you intend to use crystals and gems? That sounds magical, Iphito!"

(7/10)

Hesperia watched Iphito methodically note down the questions, her curiosity growing. But the poor girl seemed overwhelmed enough with these, and Hesperia didn't want to chase her away too quickly. Her fingers tugged a little at her skirt as she listened. "That's so impressive." Hesperia whispered, yellow eyes glittering, beaming as if she was a proud mother, and not simply a stranger listening to Iphito explain her craft.

She blamed it on her role as a teacher to children; sometimes, she enthused a bit too loudly and made others her age feel she was being sarcastic, or talking down to them. Truly, she just was used to conversing with little ones these days.

"I think we have plenty of blacksmiths making weapons; this? This is unique! And I know I'm not the only one who would want something beautiful to wear."