Leni-Aura closes her eyes when Beist places a hand on her head; she blinks a few times, her cheeks turning a shade darker when he ruffles her hair in response. Once he’s lifted his hand, she shakes her head and raises her hands up, smoothing out the tangled strands. Before she can say anything else, Beist stands and heads into the wagon. She blinks after him, peeking through the front window when a book is suddenly pushed through it.

“Um…” she trails off, taking the first book— and then the second— all the way up to the fourth, which she sets down next to Beist’s seat, and proceeds to almost immediately feel overwhelmed by their mere presence and nearness to her.

She can’t even read the titles of them.

She blinks, then looks up as Beist returns; she… she did say that, technically— but she didn’t mean impatient to get started! “Well…” she trails off, lowering her ears with a bit of uncertainty, until Beist places a slate and pencil in her hands. She narrows her eyes, holding the pencil awkwardly, and examining the way it sits weirdly in her hand. “Writing?” she repeats, frowning slightly.

She only agreed to reading, though!

Why's she got to learn how to write, too?

Leni-Aura sets the slate and pencil against her forepaws, suddenly feeling… awfully nervous about Beist’s enthusiasm for teaching her to read and write… she has a feeling she’s going to be learning much more than she bargained for.

"Yes, writing! If you know how to read the letters, then you should easily be able to write them as well. We'll start with the alphabet. The letters go in order...."

Beist began to teach Leni, writing the letters of the alphabet in order and having her write them as well, explaining the different sounds made by each letter. In what felt like no time at all, Beist and Leni spent the next few days continuing their lessons as they travelled on Beist's Wagon with Dora babysitting Nimbus while he wasn't napping in Beist's robe. They took breaks each time the caravan stopped to rest and eat. Beist asked Leni to keep the lessons a secret so that Orym and the others could be surprised.

Finally, it was the final day of the journey across the Lightning Fields. Other than the acid rain, it was surprisingly uneventful. Storms were often seen in the distance with flashes of lightning striking the ground and the thunder echoing across the fields, but they faced less trouble than anticipated. Beist was relieved. He'd heard the place could be very dangerous, one of the reasons he was hesitant to cross the area alone. Soon they would arrive in Frostgale. The air was already growing colder and windier. Dora had started walking with a blanket over her back for warmth. Bull wore a little coat that Beist had clumsily crafted him.

In their latest, and likely final lesson for now, Beist gave Leni a warm smile as he closed the book he had been using to teach her.

"You're making excellent progress. I'm very proud of you! Should we tell Orym about your lessons tonight?"

“But…” she trails off, unable to cut in even when she drops the pencil through the slots of her fingers onto the wagon seat. She manages to reclaim it before it can fall off; but, the rabbitaur looks a little ruffled as Beist continues without pause to explain the alphabet to her.

---

Learning is awful. Terrible! She didn’t expect Beist of all people to be such a ferocious teacher— that is, ferocious in making her do work she doesn’t actually want to do. For the first couple of days, Leni spends her time grouchily following the beast man’s instructions.

She does not consider herself smart, nor does she consider herself clever; writing does not come easily and neither does reading. In comparison to Beist’s writing, hers looks a lot like ancient hieroglyphics, or like throwing handfuls of sticks to see where they land, and she just can’t figure out how certain letters stick to the tongue. It’s frustrating; so, so, frustrating; her cheeks darken each time she mis-pronounces a word, and she huffs, puffs, and pouts in a child-like way every now and then when Beist corrects her.

… But when the initial begrudgement of the learning fades, the frustration becomes a double-edged sword to her lessons.

She doesn’t like to fall on her face.

She never has.

So despite throwing several sticks into the fire during breaks between the caravans, after growing frustrated while she absently traces the letters Beist is teaching her into the dirt, a competitive streak desperate to succeed at this one stupid thing breaks her slump for the most part— and she actually stops complaining for the last few days and focuses with more intent to succeed where she last failed.

As the weather cools, and even Leni-Aura wriggles into warmer clothes, she’s starting to grasp some of the basics. Not a lot, she still can barely read most of what Beist puts in front of her, but apparently this is going to take time. She hates it, but that’s just how it is. Lying beside the Beast Man with her slate, she blinks and looks up at him. “Uh…” she hesitates, looking down at her scratchings with lowered ears.

Honestly, she’d been so focused on this over the past few days, she forgot it was meant to be a surprise for Orym. She doesn’t feel like she’s progressed that much, though. “Do you think it is really enough to?”

"Yes, I really think he'll be impressed with how much progress you've made in such a short time." Beist assured Leni with a proud smile. He was happy with how much progress she had made in her lessons. It was true that her writing wasn't flawless and her reading wasn't the best, but what would anyone expect of someone who had only started to learn a few days ago? Beist was quite pleased with her progress so far and wanted to see Orym's reaction to it as well. Their journey together would soon be over, so if they didn't tell Orym tonight, then Beist wouldn't be around for the announcement.

When it grew dark and the time came for the caravan to set up camp for the night, Beist invited Orym and Leni to have dinner at his wagon, like they had on the first day of the trip. Beist prepared fruit juice again, along with a large pot of stew filled with conjured vegetables along with a bit of meat provided by Orym. He made sure there were extra carrots in the stew, just for Leni. He wanted her to be in a good mood while telling Orym about her lessons. She seemed a bit apprehensive about doing so, so he didn't rush her. He just let her take her time deciding when the moment felt right to say something.

Leni-Aura’s ears perk despite her brows furrowing slightly; she looks back at her slate and breathes a soft sigh. “Okay.” she agrees after a moment of consideration; she supposes Beist knows best, given he actually knows how to do this, but… she still feels a little apprehensive.

---

As night approaches, Leni-Aura escorts Orym between the wagons at rest; the old halfling man is as delighted as ever to share a meal with his good friend, Beist. Leni-Aura settles down with Nimbus and a bowl of the soup that Beist had made; she pokes at some of the vegetables in her bowl absently, weirdly nervous about telling Orym about something as simple as learning to read and write.

It’s a good thing, isn’t it?

She tunes into the conversation when she finally gathers herself enough to address the old halfling. “Orym?” she muses over the crackling fire. Orym perks up, having already polished off his bowl; he smiles warmly at her, content with good company, good travel, and good food. “Hm?” the old man hums quizzically.

Leni-Aura flicks an ear, looking helplessly at Beist, before looking back to Orym.

“I am learning to read and write.”

It comes off pretty blunt; not much of a surprise, but more of a straightforward statement. For a moment, Orym looks quizzical; and then his brows raise. “Huh?”

“Beist has been teaching me while we travel.”

Orym blinks a few times, looking at his dear friend, before looking back to Leni. “Really?” he sounds awestruck for some reason; she’s not sure why; but he raises a hand to rest against his cheek as he looks to Beist. He looks back at her, suddenly beaming; he reaches out and takes one of her hands in both of his smaller hands and squeezes them fondly. “That’s wonderful, Leni! I’m so happy to hear that— oh, reading is really such an important skill—but it is certainly a handful to learn… how have your lessons been going?”

Leni-Aura seems a bit flustered, ears lowering while her cheeks darken. “—- Good, I think…”

Beist nodded in response to Leni and spoke proudly. He picked up the conversation where Leni left off, noticing how flustered she was and not wanting to force her to speak if she was uncomfortable.

"Yes, it certainly is an important skill. I believe her lessons have been going quite well. She's made excellent progress in such a short time. I could see every lesson just how much effort she put in and I'm very proud of her." he praised Leni happily, his tail swaying back and forth behind him. He was very happy that Leni had worked so hard and hadn't given up on the lessons even though she had been so resistant to beginning them in the first place. He could see how much effort she put in while he taught her. She wasn't incredibly talented or a natural born prodigy, but she worked hard and Beist believed that was far more praiseworthy than just being good at something without the effort.

"Of course, it will take more time and lessons for her to be entirely proficient, so I was hoping you could pick up where we left off once this journey comes to an end. If you're not too busy." Beist asked a bit sheepishly. He didn't want to shove work onto Orym, but he wanted Leni to continue her lessons as soon as possible. Leaving them off now and not continuing them again for a long while could be detrimental to her progress. He also hoped Leni would be willing to have Orym continue her lessons as well.

Orym looks towards Beist, his brown eyes softening while the beast-man explains Leni’s lessons. The rabbitaur doesn’t pull away from Orym’s old hands, too afraid she might offend or hurt him if she did so, but she stares down at her paws— embarrassed— while Beist talks encouragingly about the hard work she’s been putting into learning this.

The halfling seems impressed, and he laughs happily as Beist asks him to pick up where her lessons last left off. “Of course! Of course I would be more than happy to,” he agrees. “We tried to have Leni learn it when she was learning to speak common, but it was a bit much at the time… I’m so glad you’re picking it up, now.” He turns his warm eyes back to Leni, even though she seems intent on not looking at him. “Is it okay with you if we continue your lessons in the caravan, Leni?”

Leni-Aura’s ears perk when she hears her name, then tilt back again. “... That is fine.” She agrees sheepishly.

Orym’s gaze brightens, and the old man’s dimples deepen with his big smile. “Wonderful! Oh, this is wonderful news! I’m so proud of you.” Leni-Aura’s flush simply deepens as he pats the top of her hand and finally releases her with a happy chortle— but to be praised so much after her hard work does make her feel warm and fuzzy.

She retracts her hands, looking sheepishly to Beist. “Thank you, Beist...”

Beist's tail wagged harder once Orym agreed to continue Leni's lessons in his place. He was overjoyed that she'd be able to continue to learn to read and write and that she was willing to do so. He still felt a little guilty, feeling as if he may have forced this whole ordeal on her out of guilt, but if she was willing to continue even without Beist, she must be at least a little pleased to be learning this new skill.

"I was happy to do so." Beist replied to Leni's thanks, blushing slightly. "Thank you for letting me teach you."

Beist stood and clapped his hands together excitedly.

"Well, this is our last night travelling together, I believe, so let's have a little bit of a celebration! For Leni learning to read and write, and for our goodbyes." he announced before walking into the back of the wagon.

Beist emerged after a moment, a large cake in his hands. It was a golden brown with bits of orange visible embedded in it. A drizzle of something red and fruity was on top and dripped down the sides slightly. A layer of more fruity jam was in the center of the two layers of cake.

Beist palced the cake on a stool and presented it with a sheepish "Ta-daa... It's a carrot cake with some berry jam on top! I'd normally make some cream cheese frosting, but I didn't have any. My apologies. I hope you like it!" he said as he cut the cake and handed a slice to each of them.

Leni offers him a short-lived smile, but turns her head down quickly. Orym chuckles, looking up at Beist as the man stands and claps his hands together. “A celebration?” Orym asks, blinking up at him. “My, you’re telling me this isn’t the only surprise, tonight?” The old man smiles, looking towards Leni-Aura, who blinks back at him cluelessly.

She’s not actually sure what else Beist has planned.

Tail twitching, Leni-Aura turns to watch him walk towards the back of the wagon, and then re-emerge with a large cake. “Oh?” Orym chirps, reflecting the surprise indicated by Leni-Aura’s perked ears. “You baked a cake?” he laughs, clapping his hands together with delight. “Beist, you certainly didn’t have to— but what a surprise, indeed! It looks wonderful, doesn’t it?” He looks at Leni-Aura with a smile.

She simply nods, but she does look rather interested in the treat as it’s placed on a stool nearby. Nimbus squawks, curled up inbetween her forepaws, and tries to wiggle over to investigate— but Leni-Aura stops his curious flapping wings before he can take off and potentially ruin the cake.

“Nimbus,” she scolds lightly; Orym laughs, listening to the soft trill of annoyance that comes from Nimbus at being denied the entire carrot cake. The old halfling thanks Beist happily as he takes a slice of cake with berry jam, and cuts into it while Leni-Aura takes her plate with her only free hand, and thanks him as well.

Nimbus snuffles curiously at her plate as she sets it down, and she scoffs fondly at him, cutting a piece off, and offering it to the drake first so she can release him. “Menace.” she puffs, her voice giving way to affection as Nimbus chomps happily at his mouthful of cake. She cuts into the cake again and takes a bite, ears perking when she actually tastes the flavour of it.

It’s sweet, but not too sweet; it’s really pleasant, actually.

“It’s really good,” she compliments, blinking down at her plate. “How do you make cake with carrots though? I don’t see them in here....”

"Thank you. I'm glad you like it!" Beist replied happily. He was pleased with how the cake had turned out and was glad to hear that she enjoyed it. He wasn't as confident in his baking skills as he was in his alchemy skills, so he was a bit relieved it had turned out well. "The carrots are difficult to see, but they're in there. They're very finely shredded. Yes, I used this nifty little tool I picked up from a baker in Moonglade. I thought it might be useful in alchemy, shredding ingredients for potions, you see. But of course, it's also wonderful for its intended purpose! He called it a grater."

Beist cut himself a small piece of the cake and ate it with Orym and Leni. It had turned out better than he had expected, especially the berry jam in the center. He had worried about what to do since he wanted to make a carrot cake for Leni, but didn't have any of the ingredients to make a frosting. Thankfully, the berries he could create with magic had worked well enough to make some jam and add some moisture to the spongy cake. The cake was larger than average, but was still miniscule to the giant beast man. He probably could have eaten the whole thing himself, but he wanted Orym and Leni to enjoy it.

"Have as much as you like! It's a celebration! Oh, I'll make some fruit juice as well. What kind would you like?"

“It’s nice.” Leni agrees; she plucks at the interior of the carrot cake with her utensil, squinting at the contents as if looking for the carrots that Beist promises are somewhere inside… She still doesn’t see them; for a moment, she considers whether Beist would lie to her, but she doesn't think he would. If anything, he seems like Orym— the type to be too honest.

Orym laughs softly in contrast. “A grater! I never thought of using one for alchemy.” The old halfling rubs his chin, a warm smile on his face. “Why, that’s awfully ingenious! I may have to repurpose our own.”

“We have a grater?”

“We do! Miss Dahlia uses it in her pastries quite often; in a way, baking is a lot like alchemy…” Orym’s smile is cheerful as he rattles a bit about the relationship baking has to alchemy while Beist cuts himself a piece of cake. Leni-Aura listens, with little idea what he’s talking about, but she listens anyway while taking bites out of her own cake. Her tail twitches, content with the treats; she looks up as Beist speaks, and Orym quiets down with his rambling— still smiling lightly.

“Thank you Beist— my, I haven’t prepared nearly this much for our farewell!” he laughs, looking a bit sheepish while Leni-Aura chimes in with a, “The one you made last time; the orange juice.” Orym chuckles, watching the rabbitaur content to pop another mouthful of cake while she waits. “Next time we meet I’ll have to prepare something special as a thank you.” he continues, smiling warmly up at Beist.

Beist enjoyed the conversation with Orym about the similarities between baking and alchemy. Preparing the ingredients correctly, using the correct amounts, heating for the proper amounts of time and to the correct temperature. It was undoubtedly quite similar. He supposed that may have been why he was actually pretty good at preparing food even if he lacked confidence. It was just following a recipe, just like a potion, but the end result being tastier and without the magical effects. He was very good at following recipes.

"We'll have to share some recipes some time! I can give you the recipe for the carrot cake if you'd like it. Oh, I also know a great recipe for an easy pickling brine that would be wonderful for those cucumbers and peppers I gave you yesterday!" Beist replied happily.

Beist smiled and began conjuring up a fresh batch of oranges, chuckling. He looked back at Orym, a slight blush on his face and waved his hands in front of him. "Oh, there's really no need! You don't need to thank me, I enjoyed making it, and it was to celebrate. You don't need to make anything special just for me." he tried to argue, but his wagging tail betrayed his happiness and he knew it. Embarrassed, he looked back to the oranges that had grown nearby. "E- excuse me, I must go make the orange juice!" he stammered as an excuse to escape and got up to begin squeezing the oranges, remembering to cut them in half first this time.

After the meal was finished, Beist looked at Leni, smiling with one more surprise for the evening as Dora walked up and lied down next to Leni. "Would you like to go for a late night flight before we say goodnight for the evening? The weather is lovely tonight."

Orym smiles warmly at Beist, “Oh, we would love that,” he agrees happily; his laugh is gentle as he cuts into the carrot cake. “Miss Dahlia has a wonderful strawberry tart recipe that works very well with those fruits you grow, actually!” Orym compliments. “The last time we met, and you gave us that basket… she made a few out of them! Oh, they were very good! I must ask her to write it down so you might try it yourself…” Orym pops a mouthful of cake into his mouth, chuckling behind the silverware when Beist starts to fluster and object to the idea of something special made for him.

The old halfling has certainly already made up his mind, however— and he doesn’t consider such genuine friendship a burden to prepare for. Not in the slightest— in fact, the old halfling already has something in mind for the next time they cross paths. “I would love nothing more than to make you something— a gift to our friendship.” the halfling objects, his smile warm as he watches Beist scramble off, flustered, to cut the oranges.

Leni-Aura looks puzzled, but when Beist returns, he seems calmer; together, the trio with their companions finish off their meal. Leni-Aura, somewhat drowsy after a few slices of Beist’s cake shared with Nimbus, lies contently next to Orym while she listens to the old man banter and ramble— until Dora walks over to her.

Leni-Aura’s ears perk, and she looks at the griffon somewhat quizzically. “Hello, Dora.” she greets, reaching out to brush the neck feathers of the massive griffon as she lies down beside her. The rabbitaur looks at Beist when he speaks— and there’s a gleam in her hazel eyes when he asks the question. “Can I?” she pops up to her paws with enough out-of-character excitement to make Orym bubble into a laugh.

As usual, she's quick to contain herself.

“Is that okay?” She looks at Dora hopefully; the flick of her tail betrays her contained excitement, however. “I’d like that.”

Nimbus chirps, stomping his little feet on the ground next to her; and when Beist agrees, Leni-Aura perks up gleefully. Picking Nimbus up, she bounces over to Dora, and gives the griffon a fond pat on the neck; once she's gotten Dora's permission as well, she hops up onto Dora's back like she had in the Moonglade those several months before. She sits Nimbus on Dora's back in front of her, and holds on tight when the griffon takes off into the night for one last joyride before the caravans ultimately separate upon their arrival to Frost Gale the next day.

Beist conjured up and loaded onto one of the caravan's wagons just far too many fruits and vegetables. Just an absurd amount of fresh produce. He just couldn't help himself. He even wanted to give them more, but he had to stop thanks to his supply of mana being near empty. He'd made so many that Beist started to wonder if instead of an alchemist, he should have just been a farmer, but that was just a passing thought, more of a joke, really.

"Don't slack in your studying, alright? I'm trusting you to continue learning just as much as I'm trusting Orym to teach you." he said to Leni, leaning down and giving her a couple of gentle pats on the back. Hugs were rather awkward with his size. It would have been more akin to him picking them up and squeezing them against his front.

Nimbus squirmed around in the front of his robe and Beist pulled the little drake out one last time. "Musn't forget to return him this time, eh?" he chuckled as he handed Nimbus back to Leni and gave his head a few strokes with a finger.

He offered Orym a handshake, his hand entirely engulfing the Halfling's. "Farewell! I look forward to the next time we meet. Hopefully I don't get even bigger or grow more arms before then!" Beist joked.

He stepped up into the front seat of his wagon. Dora gave one last screech of farewell to Leni and Nimbus before starting to pull the wagon northward, toward the World's Crown and Beist's next goal. He'd heard tales of a fascinating creature on one of the mountains up there and was eager to see it for himself.