The Academy: Nyota:

Aelina feels a rush of joy as she enters the Academy. It is the feeling of simplistic and wonderful home that no other place can give to her. Even the Ocean, as it rushes up her legs and lovingly plays alongside her, does not offer her the simplistic comfort that the Academy does. And Aelina loves Solira, completely. But the Academy is a sanctuary that is irreplaceable to any true scholar. The scent of wildflowers (tinted, now, with the more muted scent of fallen leaves) whisks around her, carried by the wind that she has only just recently taken as her own. It settles all around her and the scent (which is always on her skin, fresh honeysuckle and wind and clear, salt water) finds its place comfortably braided in her wind-combed hair.

Aelina is not here simply for a walk. She is not here to seek her teacher, Wyvern, or to find wisdom from the ruins. She is not even here to make new friends. The wind-girl is here with a specific purpose and it is to find a single mare and the white cat by her side. Aelina seeks Nyota because she told her to when she departed from the reef but also because she likes Nyota. She loves her, even. Aelina thinks, with a smile, that Nyota is something like a sister to her. They have not known each other for a terribly long time, but she thinks of the Earth-mare and she thinks of silvery fish and laughter and smiling and kind, maternal words. Nyota is her friend and the mare-child seeks her simply because.

"Nyota," she calls, her voice soft and sweet, carried by her wind as it blows all around her, brushing her gleaming amber skin. And when she trots forward, happy and eager, in search of her friend, Aelina feels content.

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