█ ❀ ; for ylisse.

     Primrose was hardly the type to coop up in her room, and avoid the world before her, no matter how new it was. The technology, in many regards, extended beyond anything she could even imagine, and while that captivated her, she likewise still sought some comfort in her search through this unfamiliar island. She’d traded out all her garb from home (stored lovingly in her closet with her other outfits) for an easy crimson shift dress, and a pair of deep-brown leather sandals, and trekked to one of the beaches with a small woven bag in tow. It seemed exactly the kind of place she’d enjoy, with the sun on her skin and the sound of waves lapping against the shore. She wasn’t alone, there were people scattered about enjoying the stunning beauty of the area, and basking in the glow of the day, but one woman caught her eye. She was seated on a picnic blanket, reading as the sun beat down. Certainly people read at the beach, but there was this eternalness to her, it reminded Primrose of Ophilia… perhaps she was a kind soul too. Primrose was not one to let her guard down without a fight, nor to trust easily in strangers, but she could at least talk to the woman, and learn her story.

      Sitting herself down next to her, without permission, Primrose plucked a small book of her own from her bag, and shot the brunette a sideways smirk, a glance from the corner of her eye. “What are you reading?” // @fleureia​

          Although Sumia hadn’t been here long, she’d already spent so much of her energy exploring the ins and outs of Koi, attempting to find her bearings and make herself as familiar and comfortable as possible. Of course, that would take a little bit more time, and she couldn’t deny the nervousness she still felt every time she stepped outside of her cozy apartment, but she’d grown so much over the years — and knew that venturing beyond would be necessary for her to come into her own here. Today, she’d decided to settle down and relax on the beach with a good novel. It was far from what she usually read — this one was a psychological thriller meant to chill its readers to the bone. 

          And it was certainly working, as Sumia nearly jumped when a stranger sat right next to her, inquiring in a melodic voice about her choice of book. She quickly collected herself, turning to face the woman with bright eyes and a smile. She was excited at the mere idea that she’d have someone to discuss books with!

     Olivia was very new to the island of Koi, and while she did seek to get to know the roommate she had been paired with, as well as any neighbors or other habitants of the island she could potentially befriend, she also sought to make her apartment a new home. They were well furnished- beautiful places to call home- but she wanted to add personal touches too. Forget-Me-Nots, an antique shop not far from her apartment, had drawn her in fast. There was a plethora of beautiful, unique items she could purchase and furnish her home with, and maybe even gift to her housing partner, or other friends she made. She was mostly window-shopping today, but some old copper and ceramic pieces had caught her attention, and she almost didn’t notice the other presence that had come beside her, presumably to investigate the same selection of pieces.

     “Oh, I’m so sorry! Am I in your way?”

          It had taken all of Sumia’s courage to convince herself to venture outside of her room. She’d been lucky enough to receive a few books in her welcome package, and as much as she wanted to dive right into their pages, she knew it would be better to explore this new world. Her first stop was an adorable shop for antiques, though its selection didn’t seem too aged to her. There was a lot to learn about this new realm, she’d concluded. Sumia’s heartbeat rapidly quickened when she spotted familiar waves of soft pink hair between the shelves — she knew she shouldn’t get her hopes up, but she couldn’t help herself from scurrying across the store, very luckily avoiding a crash with stacks of delicate antiques. 

          “Oh, Olivia! It really is you!” She exclaimed when she got the other woman’s attention. “I knew I recognized your hair from a distance, but I thought that finding someone I actually know would be too good to be true... I’m so glad!”

     Primrose listened to Sumia entirely, watching her body language shift as she opened up to her, and watching the flickering differences enter her expressions. Sumia had always been sweet and warm, like a taste of run under the summer sun, but as Primrose got to know her better, she saw her open up even more, blossoming like the flowers she plucked petals from to tell her fortunes. She was sweet, considerate, and had an eye for detail, while likewise taking in the whole picture of the world around her. It made it easy to be around her, to be her friend, and to help her when she asked for it. 

     Primrose turned, her eyes slowly scanning her liquor shelf as she contemplated what she could serve to Sumia first, when the simplest of epiphanies hit her. Of course.

     “I’d love to help, Sumia. Drinking requires some moderation, and mixing requires a certain art to it. Thankfully, there are a lot of tried and true drinks already around.” Pulling a bottle of white rum from the shelf, Primrose then turned to the fridge to fetch some limes, and a bottle of simple syrup. “The truest of all is the drink I and many others use to gauge an establishments level of skill, and it’s a sweet, tart drink that should be right up your alley.” First, she would have to squeeze some fresh lime juice, but it was worth it to make the perfect daiquiri for Sumia. ”Have you ever had rum before, Sumia?”

       Primrose was so knowledgeable about this subject, and Sumia was utterly fascinated: she brimmed with excitement about what she could learn from the other woman, the possibilities seeming endless. “I’m pleased to find out it’s considered an art... it’s no surprise considering how much thought seems to go into it! And some of the drinks are so beautiful, too. I’ve seen some that are garnished with blooms and fruits, as well.”

     Robin had been over the moon to reunite with Sumia among the hectic nature of the latest challenge Spirale had seen fit to throw at them. She was a woman oft defined by how the dealt with conflict, and the true remained same here with her affinity for strategies… but said strategies could be applied elsewhere. When quests for the different kingdoms had been shared, and Sumia sought to resolve the one regarding a woman and her missing hens, Robin had been more than elated to break from her work and unwind with her wife. For who was to say fetching chicken’s with your partner was not relaxing in it’s own right?

    Robin listened attentively as Sumia spoke, following her gaze to the chicken in question. They needed to coax her, approach with caution and show they could be trusted. Sumia’s affinity was perfect for this, but enhanced still when mixed with robin’s strategy. 

“I have the feed. I believe it would be best if I could lure her to you.” She spoke soft, so as not to startle, when she replied to Sumia.

     Opening the feed bag, Robin laid a little mound of the mixture at Sumia’s feet, before cautiously creating a trail leading to the hen. Once this was done, she returned to stand by Sumia’s side. 

     “Can you get her attention so she might follow the feed to you?”

       With a determined nod, Sumia locked eyes with her wife; perhaps she was taking this a little too seriously, but this rescue was important to the woman who had lost her chickens, and important to Sumia as well. She knew how she’d feel if she lost a beloved animal, and it was the very least she could do to put a decent effort into completing this quest. And perhaps her... new physical attributes could help in their own right.

     “Okay. I’ll try to get her attention. Let’s see...” Her plan was to extend a vine from her body, flower in bloom towards it end, in the chicken’s direction. If she remembered anything from her childhood caring for these creatures, it was they they liked to inspect and even attempt to eat blooms like these. Gently and slowly, Sumia extended a tendril towards the little bird, and just as she’d suspected, it began looking at the flower inquisitively. 

“It’s cruel to think of those that are native to this world as less than we are. We have to fight for them as much as ourselves.”

At least people cared about the tree?

    It was the perfect task for Sumia, with her affinity for animals and dedication to ensuring their safety. Even those animals who were a bit misunderstood, whether because of behavior or because they were considered less ‘cute’ than others, they mattered to her. She suspected it would be no problem to recover the young woman’s hens, especially with Robin by her side. And they’d just come across one of the birds now; the little chicken was flopped on its side next to apatch of flowers in Airaisal’s central village, flapping her wings into the dirt so it could run through her feathers. “O-oh! Right there, Robin... She’s taking a bath in the dirt!”

General

Name: Sumia Age: Mid-twenties Alliance: Kingdom of Airaisal Race: Alraune Appearance: As an Alraune, Sumia is the same size as her human form, but her skin has changed to a light pink/purple shade that is difficult to distinguish from her human skintone. Her hair is now made of thin, interlocked branches that are a light brown in color, and her body is decorated with petals reminiscent of magnolias.

Abilities

Canon Abilities: Galeforce skill, Renewal skill at 1/3 potency up to 5 times daily, Luna skill up to 3 times daily. Spells: Heal, Poison, Light. Equipment: Brave lance, wooden lance.

Other

     Spirale was well beyond the technology and culture of Primrose’s homeland too, though she had taken quite well to the differences. New styles of dance, new music, new cultures, new fashion, all that had thrilled and inspired her. Access to more information that she ever could have dreamed of back home… this city was full to the brim of things to explore and try. Each day caught her waking with a need to explore more, to dig into new inspirations, and tell stories through her dancing. 

     “I do some creating, but it is mostly alteration. In Sunshade I oft had to make do with what I had so using what I have to create something new is what I am accustomed to.” She had omitted the truth a little. She could have had anything and everything in Sunshade, but it would have come at a price she would not have ever paid. Her dignity was too valuable, her pride too precious. So what she did have or obtain, she made the most of… she treasured and made special. “I do sketch looks though, ideas of what to look for to alter or wear, and things I can’t find I can make. We could sketch something together and work on piecing it together if you like.” It would be a good first step in a collaboration, after all.

         Like anything else new to Sumia, the idea of drawing in the presence of someone more experienced was nerve-wracking, even if it wasn’t critically important that she was good at it. Sumia always worked to improve herself, and having someone like Primrose to help would make that process smoother for certain — but the idea of failure, however small, still made her uncomfortable.

“Y'know, aside from that chaos during April Fools, plus the island’s general weirdness, it’s been pretty quiet lately. I kinda, um…” There was a particular phrase that explained exactly what she was thinking, yet she couldn’t quite remember it. It was practically on the tip of her tongue…

“I have a bad feeling about this.” And she remembered it!

‘…..I don’t… know maybe this one?” She asked, gently picking up one of the flowers. It did seem to remind her of her brother.