(Alright, let's see if I can push this little plotline/intro thing along a little....)
Unmapped Landmass, Location Unknown
Xhai fastened the traveller's cloak around his neck as he climbed the stairs to the Aviary. The Elder had told him that he'd be using a Warbird to travel to the mainland, but hadn't said much else. Xhai figured he'd have to choose one himself.
Stopping just short of the doors to the Warbird's roosts, he did a quick spot check to make sure everything he needed was present. Most of his preparations last night involved finding clothes that wouldn't look too out of place outside the temple. A simple black shirt, a pair of dark brown leather slacks and a pair of traveller's boots with steel plates over the shins had seemed like enough. He'd bandaged his hands and forearms to hide the scars he'd given himself when he'd started to learn the art of crafting a wind-blade, and he'd picked the hooded cloak almost as an afterthought. He'd no intention of trying to hide who or what he was, but it seemed like a good idea to have something that could hide his eyes in a crowded place. He'd heard stories from some of the other warriors that eyes like his weren't exactly common in the outside world, and he'd rather avoid awkward questions if he could help it.
Satisfied that everything was in order, he pushed the doors open and was surprised to find one of the larger hawks already saddled up and ready to go. He approached it slowly, and gently rested a hand against its neck. The hawk leant in at the touch, seemingly happy with the attention. Turning his head to stare out across the sea of clouds that dominated the open section of the room, he could barely keep himself from jumping with shock when a pair of hands clapped themselves over his eyes from somewhere behind him.
"Guess who~....!"
He couldn't help the amused snort that escaped him at the childish tone his "assailant" used. "Only you would do something like that, Maia."
She let him go, and he turned around to speak to her properly. It looked like she hadn't been awake long, her vibrant red hair was ruffled and missing the beads and feathers she normally worked into it, and her tunic was crumpled and coming loose at the belt. Stifling a yawn, she grinned at him, wings flapping in excitement. "I know, but you're the only one that still lets me get away with it, Xhai."
He laughed. "True, but then I never could say no to you, could I? Even as little kids I couldn't do anything BUT follow your lead." He fell silent for a moment, a smile on his face as the pair reminisced. "What're you doing here, anyway? You're not normally awake so early."
She shot him another grin. "One of the older warriors told me the Elder had finally given you a task. When he said you'd need a Warbird, I thought I'd do you a favour and get one ready for you. You have the worst taste in mounts, you know! I can't think of any other warrior who'd be happy to ride into battle on a pigeon, of all things."
He tilted his head, an expression of genuine curiosity on his face. "And what, exactly, is wrong with the pigeons? They're as capable a mount as any other."
Maia stuck her tongue out at him. "Nothing bad, I guess. They're fine for novices who just want to fly, but they're not particularly intimidating. Could you picture Lucius riding one?" Laughing at his defeated shrug, she calmed herself and adopted a more serious expression. "Really, though, promise me you'll be careful, alright? I know you've always been fascinated by stories of the world outside the Temple, but second-hand knowledge isn't the same as actually experiencing something." She studied him for a second. "You're not carrying any provisions or weapons?"
Xhai shrugged. "I don't wanna carry a bag full of gold around with me when I can scavenge what I need from the environment. Did you forget the survival training we did in the forests? Lucius said I had a knack for hunting."
She shot him a flat look. "He also said you were the only one dumb enough to sleep in the treetops when we had perfectly good sleeping bags available."
Another shrug. "Eh. Just means I won't need to worry about finding accomodation. If I can rough it here when better options are available, I'll be fine roughing it when better options aren't available, right?"
The hawk next to him gave an impatient cry, and his cheeks coloured with embarassment. "Well, seems he's getting cranky from all the waiting, so....." With practised ease, he hopped up onto the hawk's back and positioned himself as comfortably as he could in the saddle. He had no idea how long the flight would take, but he wanted to be able to nap without the risk of falling off mid-flight. Turning his attention back to his friend, he gave a jaunty salute. "Well, I'm off. See you when I get back from saving the world."
Maia nodded. "Yup! And when you DO get back, and you've finally got your wings, maybe we can go flying together....?"
He responded with a warm smile. "I'd like that."
He nudged the hawk with his foot, and it started moving towards the exit, wings already in motion in preparation for the flight. With a final wave to Maia, Xhai shifted his attention back to the open air in front of him, mind already running through his plans following his arrival on the mainland.
Maia watched the hawk as it disappeared over the horizon.
You'd better come back safe, Xhai. I can't shake the feeling that bad things are about to happen.....