Exowai (ɛks oʊ waɪ)
We didn't ask to be here but this is the only home we know. We must make them care as we do.
Exo-Waikusans or Exowai for short are the 2nd generation and beyond of displaced Waikusans mainly living within the Citadel annex in the nation of Philae. Most were born in the Citadel annex and never knew their ancestral home of Waikusa other than through stories and trinkets kept from the exodus of Waikusa. The Exowai have strong cultural ties to Philae even though their treatment by native Philaens has been less than ideal. Many Waikusans speak of returning home but some of the Exowai feel as though its better to blend into Philaen culture and become fully realized citizens rather than fight and possibly die for a home they do not know.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
Many Exowai are influenced by Philaen ideals and as a culture with many native elves, gender tends to be fluid, like the water that most Waikusans are born in. Nobles are more likely to be rigid in their gender identity but the Exowai feel as though gender is whatever feels good to them and represents themselves the best.
Gender identifying markers are typically hairstyles and jewelry, as most Exowai wear traditional Waikusan clothing or a Waikusan/Philaen fusion which is not gendered.
Waikusans are devoted to community and treating people differently based on their gender would anathema to this ethos, therefore they try their best to treat all people with the same dignity.
Courtship Ideals
Most Waikusans love for life, they marry and start a family, however many Exowai do not feel the need to be
Relationship Ideals
Most Waikusans date monogamously with the intent to marry for life, families carry on the name and reputation that precedes them and married people tend to have more social standing. However, Exowais do not subscribe to this, they date a lot of people inside and out their culture and marriage is not always the goal. They believe in order to become more accepted to Philaens they need to aschew traditional relationship norms and carrying on the family name is not as important to them since they believe the names carry no weight outside of Waikusa.
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