#osk

She had been wandering the dense brush of the Eastern Shroud for days to no avail, 'It would truly be a shame if I miss the flowering, supposedly only blooms once for a week per spring then lays dormant until the next. The tale also remarked it to be incredibly beautiful, large deep pink petals with a texture reminiscent of velvet, and a light green but delicate foilage, I really do wish to see it, if only once. Suppose I should stop for lunch, taking time to admire the scenery ought to clear the mind' as she picked a shady spot at the base of a large tree.

Her eyes wandered as she ate, landing on a small building, 'oh dear, I hope I'm allowed to stop here, though if I'm quiet enough and tidy up after myself they shouldn't notice me, thus not being an issue'. Keeping to herself, her eyes continued to wander, and as if by some miracle, they landed on a plant that matched the description of which she was searching for - unfortunately mere yalms away from the building. "If im quiet they shouldnt notice me" she repeated, as if willing the sentiment towards the occupants' thoughts.

Lunch finished and packed, journal and pencils equipped, she proceeds to sneak towards the flower - laying low to avoid being at eye level (to most folk anyhow, unless perhaps the occupants are lalafell). With the spot chosen, the doodling commences. Every care is taken to not damage the plant in any way, but also correctly drawing the shapes and noting characteristics. Little did she know that her doodling position was easily visible from the building, and the occupants are aware, and most importantly - they are watching.

"Ahem" came a voice from her left, not that she paid mind to the voice as she was deep in thought about the fine floral specimen infront of her.

"Can I help you?" there it was again, the same voice, but firmer and considerably closer.

Theia looked up, and saw a peculiar woman with dark blue hair and ..... rabbit ears? Her arms were crossed and she had a stern look, matching her tone.

"Oh, hi, I'm sorry if I am tresspassing, however I have been searching for a plant that matches this description for weeks, and I happened to catch it during it's blooming period. Please if you'd permit me to draw and document the specimen then I'll be out of your ears- HAIR hair I'll be out of your hair." Theia fumbled both her words and her pencil, as she held up the drawing she was in progress of completing, as if the evidence would permit her for tresspassing. Ultimately she was distracted by the womans ears - wondering if they were a glamour much like her own replicating an elezen's, or if they were genuine.

"Hm" was the only thing that came from the woman as she went back inside the building, though she felt like she was still being watched. Her mind also playing back the blunder from mere moments before. 'Get this done and we can leave and get out of everyones way'. Packing up her journal, she paid mind to apologise again for the tresspassing on their land. During her apology her eyes crossed with a small child, no less than 12 summers or so, wearing a beautifully purple coloured tunic. The child radiated a powerful aetheric signature, she wondered if her friends from a lifetime previous (though their names escape her) would have noted anything else peculiar about her - they were able to see the colour of ones soul, which Theia always found interesting, but far less interesting than the creatures and flora of the forest if she was honest.

Several weeks had passed since the encounter with the odd woman and even more peculiar child, and Theia had started to forget about the encounter - until she felt a powerful surge of white magic originating from the area that their building was located. Chocobo already mounted Theia was on her way to investigate.

She got there to find quite the scene - voidsent on the other side of the brush, that rabbit eared woman brandishing a staff, another couple of men weilding bows, and that purple tunic wearing child amidst the chaos.

"Well, this won't do now will it?" came out of Theia's mouth as she drew her bow, arrow knocked and aimed at the heart of what she hoped was the leader of he voidsent pack. They hadn't noticed her as the arrow flew towards its target, they seemed more interested in the child. Picking off voidsent one by one, the ones that looked like they were about to snatch away the child were unanimously deemed higher priority and thus were immediately dispatched.

Her bow may look delicate and ornamental, but most importantly it was quite powerful. Gifted to her by a dear friend, oh how she wishes she could remember their names, their faces, anything other than a fleeting memory.

Just as the last few voidsent stragglers were felled, two of the Padjals Theia had seen milling around Gridania on an occasion had chanced upon the commotion. Undoubtedly just as curious as she was about the situation.

"Hey, sorry about that. 'Twould seem amidst my hazy memory that my casting ability is more potent than I had initially thought, I'll try to reign it in next time, I'm ever so sorry to have disturbed you all" came out of her mouth before she could think. Taking the blame for the child? Weirder things have happened in her past, and if the child masters her ability she could become quite the sorcerer.

The Padjal's seemed to have believed her excuse, talked among themselves, then left. If they said anything to Theia, she had hardly time to process it.

The blue haired woman, however. "What was that?" came a voice from behind.

"What was what?"

"You didnt cause this, why are you taking responsibility?"

"Because I'd hope someone would do the same for me were I in the same position. I'm not sure what your situation is entirely, but it's certainly a situation to be in. Protecting a child that powerful in the outskirts of the Shroud. Should she master her skills she would be a sorcerer for the history tomes, and I'd very much like to see it."

"You know, I never got your name, my names Osk" she says with an outstretched hand and a sigh of relief, "and the child is Gatty. I'm currently tutoring her on how to master her skills."

"You seem to be doing a good job of teaching Gatty, still has some ways to go, but I believe you both will get there" holding out her hand to shake, "Mines Theia" as she beamed cheerily to Osk, hopefully a new friend, or at least an ally.