<div style="background-color:#FCFAFA; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#6594A8; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#D1E85D; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#630908; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><span style="font-family: papyrus;"></span></div></div></div></div><br/><div style="background-color:#FCFAFA; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#6594A8; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#D1E85D; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#630908; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><span style="font-family: papyrus;"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">Xpiayoc let out a frustrated huff, picking her way through the trees. The more she obsessed about the magnificent plumage of the traders, the more upset she became. Even if she was a <span style="font-style: italic">little girl</span>, like the trader had so self-righteously sneered, she was still an ajaw, and so highly loved by her people for her inner fire, a blessing from the gods.<br/>"Hun Hun," Xpiayoc called the dog to her side in a more affectionate manner than usual as she sat herself, back resting on a tree. She kept one knee up and left her arm rest on it, other hand patting the ground for Hun Hunahpu to sit. He let out a cheerful bark and cuddled by her, knowing to take advantage of her more affectionate mood. <br/>Admiring Hun Hunahpu's dark chocolate coloured skin, Xpiayoc gave him a few strokes down the back. He was always so soft, and such a unique colour. Sometimes Xpiayoc wished she had skin like that. Then, when she was sad, she could stroke her arms and feel better. But of course, she already had Hun Hunahpu for that. Xpiayoc was often like that, thinking of ways to be independent from others. It wasn't that she didn't care about anyone, but if something could be done by herself, she would do it. <br/>Slowly, Xpiayoc began to nod off. It was only midday, but hunting had taken quite a lot out of her. She hunted and adventured as often as possible, testing her endurance and going farther and farther from the village each day. She wished that maybe, some day, she would go as far as to find another village, and never return home.<br/>Just as she closed her eyes, Hun Hunahpu stood up and began barking frantically at the sky, jumping in a wild circle. Xpiayoc flailed wildly from her state of half-sleep, letting out an extremely annoyed shout.<br/>"Hun Huna-" Before Xpiayoc could finish her reprimand, something came crashing through the branches above them, landing directly between the young Mayan and her dog.<br/>Xpiayoc hushed her dog and immediately gained composure, despite the curious nature of proceedings. It was in her character to be controlled more by curiosity than fear. As a precaution, she began reaching for her bow. Her heart dropped as she realized it wasn't on her back; it must have fallen when she rolled down the hill. So there were consequences to her impulsiveness. After thinking for a moment, she grabbed her skinning knife and approached the body slowly.<br/>Xpiayoc quickly identified the person as a woman, but she was unlike any woman the ajaw had ever seen in her entire life. The stranger's hair was coppery red, a colour belonging on a dog or in the ground, not on someone's head. Her clothes were strange as well, so blandly designed. Was she a traveler, from far away? Certainly from farther away than any trader Xpiayoc had ever seen. And she had fallen right from the sky!<br/>Against her better judgement, Xpiayoc crouched right next to the woman and poked her cheek. "Who are you?" The young girl spoke in her most commanding voice, holding the knife in a powerful manner. She was now in control of this woman, until she learned more about her, "speak, strange woman!"<br/>Hun Hanuhpu circled the two, ears alert as he watched his owner's body language. Xpiayoc knew that if she was attacked, the faithful pup would protect her.<br/>"Come now, speak!"<br/>Perhaps this was the adventure Xpiayoc had been looking for.<br/><br/></span></span></div></div></div></div><br/><div style="background-color:#FCFAFA; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#6594A8; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#D1E85D; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#630908; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><span style="font-family: papyrus;"></span></div></div></div></div>