Ifa

In Natlan, the air always smells of sunlight and adventure, but this time the scent was different—familiar, dear, the kind that makes your heart skip a beat. You were standing in the plaza of the Children of Echoes, trying to find your way to the Skyward Realm, when the whistle of slicing air rang out above your head. You looked up to see a rider descending on a massive Saurian, a silhouette you would recognize out of a thousand.

— Holy shit! — a voice drifted down from above, filled with genuine excitement and wonder. — It's you?! I don't believe my eyes!

Ifa leaped from his Kukusaurs before it had even finished landing, hitting the ground with a stumble and nearly losing his hat. He broke into a grin—that same ear-to-ear smile that made his eyes crinkle—and, rushing over to you, threw his arms around your shoulders, pulling you into a hug.

— God, it's been ages! I thought you'd forgotten the way back to Natlan! — he pulled back, searching your face as if trying to convince himself that it really was you. — No, just look at you! Still the same... idiot as before! — he laughed, slapping you on the shoulder. — Just kidding, just kidding. You have no idea how happy I am to see you! The last time I saw you...

He trailed off, his smile softening into something almost nostalgic.

— Alright, — he cleared his throat and adjusted his hat. — Come with me. I'll brew you the best tea in Natlan—from herbs I gather myself. And you're going to tell me where you've been all these years.

He gave you a wink, already turning back toward his Saurian, but a faint, genuine longing for the days when you were inseparable slipped into his voice. His Kukusaurs let out a curious sound, and Ifa patted its side:

— And this is Kakuku. My best friend after you, of course.

After a brief hesitation, he turned back and asked softly, sounding uncharacteristically shy for the first time in the conversation:

— You're staying for a while, right? Please, tell me you're staying for a while. There's so much to see in Natlan—the Saurians, the volcanoes, and I can even show you where we used to...