Oh thank Solaria, Lunala and the whole pantheon! he didn't take it that bad and wants to move on! Gladio definitely took that escape route quickly. "Oh yeah! I definitely have, let's see I once met a star-man, Another time I met an octopus man and we fought a baloth, another time I watched the library in the arcane academy burn after a book I was reading with a man-man was stolen, and one time I met a relaxed-man in the sludge-pits of bleakfort not that interesting really, but once I met a Cryomancer Girl in a cave frost gale who apparently didn't know how to light a fire and that's sort of interesting because why would you go around frost gale alone without knowing that or having equipment to do that! Also once I was collecting medicinal herbs for an old man and got some help from a half-elf, Yeah... I think that's the least interesting one actually but hey at least I learnt the difference between Chamomiles and Feverfews!"

He stopped for a second. "I have some more people I've met although those were the ones on the top of my head but most of my adventures have been sort of unremarkable really... just some hunting here and there, some tracking a few times, getting rid of a few bandits... nothing that outlandish"

"Oh! I also participated in the Summer tournament on the arena of champions! although I lost in the first round" he laughed nervously "It was a close call though!"

"My, that's quite a lot of adventure! Meeting so many different types of people. A star-man, an octopus-man, and even a man-man? Oh, that sounds like far too much excitement for an old-man like me. Except for the looking for herbs you mentioned. I really enjoy gathering herbs, so you admitting it was the least interesting is a bit sad." he replied with a chuckle. He actually quite liked gathering herbs. To have it be called the least interesting of his adventures was a bit hurtful, but probably true. All of the other encounters he mentioned did seem far more exciting.

"Even if you lost in the first round, it's very impressive you were in the tournament at all. The competition must have been quite strong to be able to best your lightning magic. What kind of opponent did you fight? Did they use magic as well?"

"Oh It's not like it wasn't fun! I just mean from a story perspective! I don't think you want to hear much from my struggle finding wild flowers" Gladio Laughed. "But about the tournament..." He thought for a good second "Well it was by judges ruling that my opponent should continue, He was a very skilled knight! neither of us managed to beat each other before the time ran out. But I barely used any magic to be honest. It's not like I couldn't in fact I knew almost as many spells as I do now, it's just that Gabriel, that's what my opponent was called, he was unable to cast any magic and while he said he wouldn't mind... he did do a comment about expecting a fair fight, Which I guess I took too seriously. But it was a nice challenge to try and keep up without using half of my skill-set" he chuckled again, this time softer.

"I don't think I would've managed to win the tournament though, most people there were really strong! It was a nice little rest from fighting monsters and bandits though. Funnily enough Gabriel offered me a place in his order of knights if I was interested, but that's not quite really my thing I don't know if I would fit too well there."

The truth was Gladio was more of a wanderer than a knight or a soldier, besides he really liked magic too, and while he didn't need to leave that behind, it was sort of unlikely that the martial order of knights would look kindly to him using it in fights or training. So it was better this way, although not having a place to return to, or familiar faces to receive him was starting to have a toll on him, after all he was always meeting new people but as of now he had never met any of them again... Staying at inns and stuff, while more comfortable than a tent, was still sort of a foreign place, His home was the road sure, but how long could he feel at home by himself, after all when he wasn't alone he was either in an Inn with people he'd likely never see again, or with someone he'd just met. He couldn't really return 'home' either, while he left in good terms with his parents, he'd probably be seen as a failure by everyone and a lot of people would probably be busting out the 'I told you so' they had predicted throughout his life... No home wasn't an option, he'd have to make a new one or die trying. at least that's how he felt.

"Or anywhere to be honest..." he sort of muttered that last part without thinking, he hoped Beist didn't hear him, after all he shouldn't be pitying himself he was quite well off, and his possibilities of fitting somewhere were probably higher from a statistical standpoint that those of Beist, still he usually was a bit... pessimistic when looking at himself.

I actually would enjoy hearing about someone trying to find wild flowers. but I guess my interests are pretty different from his. Beist thought to himself as Gladio spoke about his experience at the tournament. Oh dear, I hope I'm not boring.

"It sounds to me like Gabriel was very impressed with you, even with you holding back so much to keep the fight fair. Maybe that could even be another reason they were impressed. I wonder, though. Do you really have to join their order to be friends with them? Surely he would be happy to have you visit. I know I enjoy the company of others." Beist spoke as he stroked his beard.

Beist's smile faltered for a moment when he heard Gladio's last few words under their breath, but it came back even warmer than before as he tried to comfort them with his next words. 

"I believe you would fit in just fine there. You would certainly have an easier time fitting in just about anywhere than a big beastly thing like me." he laughed, trying to make sure he didn't mind the irony of Gladio saying those words in front of someone like him, even trying to be clear he was comfortable joking about it himself. "And you fit in just fine right here by the fire."

Gladio was nodding as Beist told him how he and Gabriel could be friends regardless, he had thought of that but he wasn't sure... although when Beist mentioned the part of him fitting, Gladio froze, still as the other continued he relaxed again seeing as it hadn't affected him and he didn't screw up yet again.

"Sorry, yeah... You're right, I shouldn't say those things. Thank you though." He threw a small stick on the fire, while he thought a bit, he wasn't really a pyromaniac otherwise he'd have chosen a different domain of magic, but there still was something enthralling about a campfire, the crackle of the flames, the brightness of the embers, the soft heat that emanated from it. It usually gives a lot of people a sense of security and Gladio was one of those people.

As the last rays of sunshine had completely disappeared on the horizon, night time was already here, The stars and a half moon were quite visible in the sky, it was a slightly dark night, given that only fifty percent of the moon was illuminating it, but not as dark as could be, for the same reason.

"So how about you, Do you have any adventures to tell? I mean I could keep on talking about stuff but... I don't wanna be annoying and also I'm sort of interested."

"I'm sorry to say I don't much much to tell, yet. I've barely begun travelling and I've spent most of my time practicing alchemy, which probably wouldn't be a very interesting subject for you if you don't care much for different herbs. My apologies, especially after you shared so many interesting stories, I'm unable to return the favor. But, I really don't mind you talking some more. I don't find it annoying and would actually love to hear more, if you don't mind. Or unless you'd like to hear the thrilling tale of me mixing up a jar of wolfsbane with a jar or aconite." he chuckled.

As he spoke, Beist rearranged the sticks in the fire with his walking stick, poking them into better positions to burn a bit brighter and warmer now that it had become night. He wasn't very cold himself thanks to his thick fur, but he tried to be considerate of Gladio.

"Perhaps if we meet again in the future, I will have more to share."

"Oh I'd love that! if we meet again and you have some stories you'll have to tell me." As Beist poked the fire-wood the fire got brighter and warmer, Gladio extended his hand towards the fire to warm them up. "By the way, where are you traveling to? I just noticed I found you here but never asked. Sorry about that..."

"I'm heading towards the Marsh Flats for a small quest, how about you?"

"Oh, I was actually headed the other way, toward Moonglade. I'm hoping to find some useful ingredients in the mushroom fields. It seems we're just passing by each other. Well, at least we were able to meet each other here." Beist replied, a little sadly.

They enjoyed having the company, but it wouldn't last. They'd be heading in opposite directions in the morning. It was a bit sad, but he wouldn't want to change his or Gladio's plans just to be able to talk with them a bit longer. They both had their own goals to accomplish.

"Well, it's getting quite late, isn't it? This old man needs his sleep, you know. I should head to bed. Well, head to a soft bit of dirt, I suppose. I'm sure you need your rest as well." he said, pulling a blanket from his bag and laying it out a bit farther from the fire.