As day broke, Taki stretched her weary bones and shook off the protesting morning. It was cool, only a few birds singing as the first rays of dawn drove away the shadowy darkness of night. The week had been especially long, having taken several jobs across the isles, traveling excessively. A few of the extended tasks had been handled above and beyond, but at least one hadn't gone well. A sheep had fallen into a ravine, and there was little the Shaman or the farmers could do but comfort the animal and send it to rest peacefully. 

The cycle of life was everywhere, and Shitakibo did her best each day to accept it's blessed wisdom. A sharp and observant woman, she spent her life on the go, helping any animals and plants she could, and by extension the folks who took charge of their care. Some day, on some lovely patch of ground at the edge of this forest, the shaman planned to open a sanctuary for animals in need of recovery, or who would otherwise have no home and way to fend for themselves. Much like the animals she loved to be around, the spirits of the world would often seek her out for guidance, help, or soothing at times. 

She had been outcast from her familial home, banished for spending more time with animals than with her clutch mates. Even her immediate family barely knew or understood what had enthralled a young woman so thoroughly that she would not participate in most social interaction. Determined, Taki set out on her own with some basic provisions and the weapons passed down to her by one of her older brothers. Knowing full well it had been meant as an insult (Women of the tribe seldom did any hunting, more often staying at camp to mend clothing, make meals and raise hatchlings), the shaman made every day count, spending an hour honing her skill with the weapons.

Some day, she would make her dreams come true, and build a haven for the forgotten, left behind, and broken critters of Charon and experience them all first-hand.

The Crescent Isles has always been Cirice Lunestre’s home. It was no secret that she was from there, much as she stuck out from the normal society of the greater Isles. She had grown up on the Isle of Shingestsu, a melting pot of sorts between Moonglade and the Isles greater and saw herself as a kind of ambassador between her people and the outside world. Any time she returns to her homeland she finds time to try to share stories and news brought back from her adventures and do as much good as possible. So it was as she went to speak to some of the locals before heading back to the mainland that Cirice, or Suzuki as she’s known in her homeland, heard of a curious figure that had been seen traversing the land and doing good for the animals and spirits of the land. Intrigued, Cirice decided to find this mysterious figure and thank them for helping people and see if they needed anything themselves.

Flying down into the bamboo forest on the back of Hitia, her demonic reindeer, Cirice begins her search for they mysterious druid.

“Hello?” She calls out, friendly, “I’m looking for someone called Taki, are you there?”

A soft cry from the morning birds alerted Taki to the approach of someone new. In the middle of dressing for the day, she finished donning her simple fabrics. They came in a rainbow of colors, matching many of the spring time flowers that bloomed across the Isles. Yellow and pink, with white, green, purple and orange accents, the outfit was reflective of the bright hues that heralded new growth. Her crimson eyes watched from her simple bamboo shelter, the creature was something new, some amalgamation of a gazelle and horse (by her still limited reckoning) that had taken a trip through the Pit of Burning Poison (Hell to her tribe). 

"Hello? I'm looking for someone called Taki, are you there?" Called the creature's rider once they'd landed, a moon elf woman in elegant, practical dress. Taki stood, her bright blue scales and vibrant patterned outfit walked out of the tall chutes of bamboo. Neither seemed to be a threat at first glance, though Taki sensed the young woman was a capable adventurer and had traveled far beyond the Isles.

"That would be me, what brings you here today miss?" She replied, flexing her jaw for a moment afterwards to loosen it. Common had always been odd for her kind to vocalize, most refused more than a few hissing words, but Taki understood the value of sharing ideas in such a way. Her voice held a strong accent, with the 's' sounds having an airy hiss, and the vowels spoken like someone with a swollen tongue.

“Hello! I’m Tsukinaga Suzuki, or Cirice Lunestre if you prefer. I’ve heard a little about you so I was curious. You are quite the interesting individual and I was told you’ve been doing some good around the Isles so I wanted to meet you.” the moon elf gives her a low bow and a friendly smile. “Tell me about yourself? I brought muffins!”

"I have been doing what comes most naturally to me, caring for plants and animals in need. The spirits of the world whisper their needs, and I am one who hears these gentle suggestions. I am no longer welcome in my home, amongst my clutch mates... therefore I live here, on the edge of the forest... far away from the territories of my kind." Taki replied. Pausing, she takes a deep breath and collects her thoughts. Curiosity was something she understood well, so she calmed herself before continuing the conversation.

"Amongst my kind, I was given the title 'Jinsei No Seishin' or 'Spirit of Life'. As a Shaman, the spirits have guided my actions since I was young enough to recognize their voices. I prefer the company of the wild to the company of people overall, though I do all I can to shun no life and respect others... and you? what tales do you tell? what are these muffins you speak of?" Taki finished, reflecting on her words and curious about the response Cirice would give. Spirits and creatures, even plants, were easier for her to commune with. Each had their own uniqueness, yet every life she'd encountered had a language it's own to speak. A gentle wind blew through the clearing, and the Shaman closed her eyes to listen to it's gentle song and the whispering words it carried.

“That must not be easy… Living all alone…” Cirice says with a soft smile, “Surely you get lonely from time to time…”

She listens to the shaman explain her situation and her heart breaks a little, “You sound very kind and caring… I don’t understand why anyone would cast you out. If you’re doing good and taking care of people then you’re amazing! If you ever want a friend, I don’t live far from here! My tales are of Mother Moon and all the adventures I’ve had spreading her faith!”

As Taki listens to the wind she approaches and sits next to her, taking a basket of starberry muffins out of her bag. The smell of fresh-baked confection fills the air with sweetness.

“I don’t know much about ‘spirits’ but Mother Moon talks to me and has me help people too! Though I really love people. I’ve made so many amazing friends all over the world! “

Curious about the confection, Taki walked over and inspected the basket. A quick flick of the tongue told her it was a sweet something, with a hint of berries and grain. She had never heard of this Mother Moon, and was intrigued about the stories told of her 'faith'. Faith was not a concept in her own culture, they had no 'deities' to speak of, instead viewing life and all things as part of a great well of spirits. Taki had been in tune enough with nature and life to be able to hear the soft whispers of their voices.



Pulling up some simple bamboo stools to a counter, Taki offered Cirice a place to sit and be more comfortable. She dipped inside the simple woven mat that served as a door to her personal room in the hut. A few minutes later she returned with a fragrant drink for each, served in a simple cup made from the same bamboo, though they had been finished and sealed in a different manner, giving them a glossy appearance. Inside, the beverage was a mix of fruit juices that grew in the area with a few spearmint leaves dipped in.



"This should compliment your... muffins... well. I hope you like it, it is something I like to make for myself and some of the less picky eaters who come here to be cared for." She said, settling in on her own stool. One set of arms plucked a muffin from the basket and studied it, while the other turned the cup on the table a few times to stir it's contents. The cup turning was an absent habit, as Taki was enthralled by the pastry. After several long moments of trying to figure it out, she tore a small piece off, curled her tongue around it and ate. Her vibrant scales rippled, as a wave of excitement passed through her. This muffin was amazing, sweet without being overbearing, soft enough to fall apart on the tongue yet firm enough to hold together. Normally one to enjoy more zesty meals, laden with spices and peppers, sweets were not something Taki often enjoyed, but this was marvelous.

“Thank you!” Cirice joins her at the stool and takes the cup, sipping it delicately and smiling at the flavor, “Oh this is lovely! I love the mint added with the juices!”

She watches Taki’s reaction with a giggle. “You like the muffin? You can have the rest! I baked them for you!”

“So tell me more about you! Have you ever left the Isles before? Travel is really fun and there are lots of strange and wonderful creatures out in the world. Like hellhounds, or arculia! They’re scary sometimes. Oh and giant bugs and oozes too! Have you ever seen them?”

"I've not left the Isles as of yet, even the vessels that run between the islands unnerve me at times. Carriages, Boats, human transportation... it's not really... suited to me. Some day, I hope to find myself a companion such as yours, a fine creature to convey myself and my own companions to and from the world abroad."

Taki tore another piece of the splendid muffin off and let the morsel linger on her tongue. Whoever had invented such a marvel of a dish was worthy of praise, alive or otherwise, the serpent woman thought the person must have a good spirit. The winds shifted, blowing across the meager garden off the side of the house and carrying with it the scents of herbs, spices and fruit flowers in bloom.

"I will delight in this treat, you have my thanks Tsukinaga, and are welcome here at my home. Should your animals become afflicted or injured, feel free to bring them here and I will tend them as much as possible." Taki offered in return for her gracious gift. She wasn't usually inviting towards others, but this young elf put her at ease and the gentle spirits that tended to flock around didn't seem perturbed by her presence. A sure fire sign to the shaman that a person was full of ill intent, or good will, how the soft voices of the spirits spoke of a person held volumes. 

"Have you encountered other Orochi before? There aren't many of my kind who trade or even leave the deep forest, yet you seem to not be bothered by my appearance. Most folk I've met are startled and wary, at least for a short while." The shaman inquired, curious about the girl's experiences abroad.

“I could give you a ride in my wagon, if you like! It flies and theres a good amount of space! I prefer it to ships for sure.” Cirice suggests, “I appreciate your friendship! I hope I don’t have to call upon your services though, I’m something of a healer myself.”

Its a delight to see the snake woman enjoying the muffins, as a lover of muffins herself its only right that she spread that joy to others. “No I haven’t meet any Orochi before but I’ve seen all kinds of things and people, so I tend not to get too scared or surprised. One of my dear friends became a 12ft tall ooze once and I screamed and hurt their feelings so I try to be more careful these days. But I love people, as long as they don’t mean me harm I mean them no harm either! I’ve heard legends about your people but not much. You’re much prettier than I expected! I bet you give incredible hugs!”

"I should very much enjoy the experience of riding in a flying wagon, even if it's only the once... though I'm not sure what this 'hugs' you speak of are. Is that what people call it when they embrace each other, wrapping their arms about? By the context, I'd presume there aren't many species or folks in Charon who've got an odd body structure like my kind. If that is true, you are definitely welcome to a hug."

Lapping up the last of her muffin, she finished her drink and stood up. The rest of the muffins were tucked away in a simple box along with the few other baked goods Taki kept around. Most of her diet was carnivorous, but she kept a small stock of grain and a few easy to keep fruits and vegetables around for good nutrition and flavor. She took a brief look at the progress of some of the spices and onion she had curing and drying, then returned to the table. Socially inept, she hoped the break to clean up hadn't offended her guest.

"Your muffin concoction, that pastry must keep you busy with orders from all over. I couldn't imagine many folk resisting their delicate sweet flavors." Taki said as she sat down once more. The taste of berry and the soft spongy cake lingered on her tongue, making her crave another. Too much sugar would be bad for the shaman, whose work for the day was far from done. It always was, yet tending the critters and garden of her home were worthwhile pursuits. 

“Well if you ever want a ride just let me know!” Cirice smiles which immediately falls into shock, “You don’t know what a hug is?? Yes of course it’s an embrace. I’ve never met anyone with four arms before so I bet your hugs are warm and tight!”

Excited, she hops to her feet, “Oh no muffins are a very popular baked good, but they’re really easy to make, I think I have an extra copy of the cookbook in my bag…”

She pulls a small grey bag covered in beaded embroidery around a strange logo off her belt and stocks her arm in to the elbow, much farther than the bag should allow. She roots around for a moment and pulls out a pair of identical books, one with some smears of old food on it. The sullied book she returns to the bag with a giggle and the other she offers to Taki.

“Here you go! Now you can make them for yourself!” Her eyes glitter with good-natured mischief, “I think fair payment is one four armed hug between new friends!” She giggles, throwing her arms wide and inviting the hug.

Taki embraces the young woman with a silly grin, nearly lifting her off her feet. Hugs were something she could find enjoyable, she concluded, lingering for an extra moment. The sensation was very new, unusual, and a kind of closeness Taki didn't experience or seek out often as a youngling. Taking the proffered book, she skimmed through it to find detailed recipes and the methods to achieve them. Some of the things in the book were even easily available, albeit with small changes, from the goods she grew in her garden.

After flipping through a few random pages, Taki bowed lightly. "Many thanks to your wonderful gifts, and please, feel free to wander the garden and pick yourself out a few souvenirs for your travels. Flowers, herbs and spices, fruits, and even veggies are grown within. Some things are currently 'in season', which are indicated by a ribbon tied to the marker at the end of a row." The shaman offered, not wanting to be rude and let her guest leave without something to take home. While modest, the garden contained many plants that only grew in and around the area of the Bamboo Forest. This all had been a fascinating encounter for Taki, who did her best to contain her curious excitement.