Naia's The Gift of Giving

It’s a cold morning, the frost just settled in and the only thing keeping Naia warm was the blubber underneath her skin thanks to her subtyping. She had received odd stares as she came from the freezing seas of Vence. Of course, it wasn’t everyday that some Faian rose from within the reef with a bunch of boxes during the frost season. She slowly blinked and looked out towards the group of Faians that looked towards her with bewilderment. She trotted over to them and gently asked. “Do you know where Cassie’s Crypt is?” They would hesitate with their answer before pointing in the general direction behind them.

Naia would gently thank them and drag along the bundle of gifts she had. They were weighted from the water, a trail of the reef water left both Naia’s paws and gifts. It was her seasonal rise from the shores of the reef. She didn’t want to be trapped over the freezing waters of the seas, not when she had gotten a letter from her parents about a family friend, Dr. Cassiopeia—a researcher of critters. Her parents were always interested in critters of the seas. She vaguely remembered Cassie, about 2 decades ago. This was before she was a doctor anyways, she was studying under her mother’s own work with the critters within the reef. They kept in touch from time to time. But as of lately, the last thing that brought her back was the letter. 

‘My dearest Naia,

Your father and I are off to research unique creatures found nowhere before this place. It’s quite hidden, a thing of myth, but it exists. We’re headed for the Serpents’ Glade. We’re being accompanied by Dr. Cassiopeia’s Sister, Ophia. We know that they haven’t spoken in a while, but she’ll understand once she hears the word of the serpents’ glade. After all, the Runes lead us here. The Runes will lead you too. 

Maybe it will reunite the two sisters, after all that all their parents wanted. You would be vital within their group. I heard they had an aquatic sector, you would do the very best there. Take care of yourself, my little starfish.

Your mother’

“How can I help you, stranger?” Naia returned to see the faian before them. A lumendra, blue in color, a Nudibranch suptyping. She would smile, “I have gifts to give to the researchers of the crypt. My family knew Dr. Cassiopeia.” She would softly say. The Nudibrach would perk up and scamper off. She could hear the Lumendra yell out for Cassie’s name. Naia would quietly fidget, looking outside seeing a… lava-based Water Rabbit Noodle fixing lights at the back. Cassiopeia would make her way out, beaming at Naia. “Naia! Goodness it’s been so long hasn’t it?” She seemed happy to see her. At the very least, she remembered her, that was reassuring. “Goodness, you’ve gotten so big. What brings you here?”

Naia was a Faian of few words, only briefly smiling at Cassie and grabbing her letter, handing it to Cassie. “My parents went on a trip and recommended I join your group. Also… I brought gifts. It’s Frost Season after all.” She hummed. She would go through the bundle of items she brought with her. She would turn to face them all and smile the best she could. “I hope we can work together.”