The tsunami that had plagued the Crescent Isles the night before devastated the land. It was rather unfortunate for Morrigan Moonweaver, who had decided to visit the island country after a long string of tense encounters across the continent. Hellhounds, arciulas… the list was never-ending, and the stress was starting to give Morrigan wrinkles! They needed a long break and a drink. But the ghosts of the gods were not content to even give the charlatan this much. If they had an ounce of self-awareness, they might have come to the conclusion that the universe was trying to give them a sign that they didn’t deserve a vacation.

And so rather than resting on moonlight beaches with a nice cocktail, Morrigan was huddled up in their inn with the rest of their entourage while wind and water pounded at the outer walls, threatening to tear the place apart. The storm raged until the early hours of the morning - their inn was safe, but the rest of the coast did not fare as well.

Morrigan traipsed through the wreckage of the city, where villagers were sweeping up debris and picking up rubble. Man, this place is a wreck…

“So much for a relaxing vacation.” They mumbled to themselves, turning to glance at their followers. Bubbles, Mariposa, and Ceres were all trailing closely behind, wearing matching expressions of wide-eyed loss on their face.

“I’ve never seen a storm that violent.” Mariposa said after a moment of silence.

Morrigan was inclined to agree. The Crescent Isles were accustomed to storms, but they doubted the island had seen anything on this level. What was happening in the world?

The charlatan had never cared about the comings and goings of the world. All that mattered in the past was what they could control in their own domain - and as long as their criminal empire was thriving, Morrigan didn’t care. And yet… something had inexplicably shifted ever since that mess at the Arid Mesa, and Morrigan was no longer so secure in their own future.

It was an odd feeling.

“Maybe we should help…” Ceres Celestia spoke up nervously, as she expected to get rebuffed. Mariposa, the only one of Morrigan’s followers who knew the truth of their selfish nature, raised her eyebrows with a curious glance at Morrigan. She thought she knew what the charlatan’s answer would be - no, it’s not our problem, we should leave before another storm hits.

But Morrigan merely nodded their head.

“I agree.” The words left their mouth before they could think too hard about what that meant. That they’d put someone else’s safety before their own. Perhaps the storm really had rattled them. “There’s got to be someone around here that requires the service of a wizard. We’ll just… help out a bit and go on our way.”

They turned to the minstrel with a wink. “Besides, that just gives you more material for your next song on my greatness, hmm?”

Mariposa rolled her eyes as Morrigan skipped ahead, heading towards the coast, which had been hit the hardest by the storm. Surely, there would be something there they could do to help… not with too much effort, though. Morrigan wasn’t that selfless yet.

---

Bringing Minions
Bubbles (Warlord I)
Mariposa (Warlord II)
Ceres Celestia, Witch in Training (Earth Domain Apprentice)

Wind and rain had battered the Isles for nearly two straight days, and Taki had gotten messages from across the many scattered towns and cities calling for aid. After she'd spent a solid day securing her own home, she gathered her companions inside the main house. Today, she pondered which of them should venture out with her. Many of the letters from the coast had indicated a tsunami had come in off the sea and battered homes, villages and farms. Only Rina would be staying home on this venture, her other companions would all be traveling together with her to help with the cleanup, and disaster relief.

"Rina, we'll be back in several days, there should be plenty to eat in the stables. Try not to be outside when the storms are bad, I'll see your adorably fluffy self soon." 

"Yes miss, Rina will tend the garden"

"Another fine venture this will be." Commented Shion, tucked into the hood of her brightly patterned traveling cloak.

"As long as it's not getting chased by Hellhounds... no thank you..." Stated Kurobe, with a bit of a rattled tone to their gruff voice. 

"Ready as always miss, lead the way." Shuna purred, rubbing against Taki's thigh.

She waved to Rina as the group left, Yukina perched on Kurobe's back and looking miserable in the damp rain. Everyone looked silly half soaked, especially Taki, who's hood had been flipped inside out and had a finnicky Shion hiding beneath it like an umbrella. The group left the bamboo reeds, rising up into the sky like countless straws for some unseen giant beast to drink from the land itself.

A few hours later, the shaman and her retinue were walking into one of the larger settlements that dotted the coast. Many had gathered and were in the process of removing debris, fixing homes and tending to anyone who'd been wounded by the recent storms. Taki went through town, the storms having dissipated some time ago. Yukina shook the last of the water from her feathers and took to wing. Shion and Shuna started roaming town, the trio scouting for the worst of the damage in the area. 

Spirits of all kinds whispered thanks to the shaman, guiding the group to the worst locations. When they reached a large building that served as a meeting hall and town center, she summoned one of her Guardian Spirits. Appearing in the form of a small, serpentine dragon with overlapping scales, curled horns like a ram, and a mane of iridescent, fine scales growing like hairs, it aided Taki in mending those who'd been injured. She left the hut after a few hours, having rendered all the help her knowledge and magic could muster. 

Wandering town and helping with odd jobs was soon interrupted by the shouts of villagers. At the edge of town, someone had wandered back, lacerated and battered by what looked to be some kind of vicious whip. She wondered if the man had been lost in the storm, whipped to shreds by the braided lines the locals used in the high winds. Yukina and the others went to investigate the coastline, while Taki and Ryu helped care for the villager. According to his story, he'd gone out to fish with a few others spread along the beach. They were gathering food to cook for the others when he approached what he thought was a new cavern that had been buried beneath the sands. Filled to the brim with silted waters, some massive sea creature had gotten trapped on the beach as the waters receded. 

Yukina called out, a shrill, sharp cry that warned of danger... confirming the man's story. She inquired to the villagers about gathering any warriors, anyone brave enough to take the risk of injury or even death. Looking around, she noticed a group of four who stood out, not locals, too well dressed and equipped for adventuring. Taking a deep breath, and running a hand across Ryu's scales to calm down, Taki approached the group.

"Pardon my intrusion, would you happen to be adventurers? A major problem has presented itself on the beach, and I was wondering if you might be inclined to lend your skills?" She asked politely as possible. It was always hard to tell for her, since her voice hissed naturally and common wasn't her native tongue.

As it turned out, there was more than enough work that needed to be done around the settlement Morrigan was staying at. They’d been run ragged clearing out wood with pitifully weak arms that bore no physical strength of their own, helped calm down scared animals - which mostly just wanted to get as far away from Morrigan as possible - and attempting to patch up some of the injured. They weren’t so good at this last one, but they happened to have some spare healing potions in their trunk. Real ones, this time, rather than snake oil. Something that was proving to come in handy here.

Mariposa was handing out potions from their trunk while Morrigan attracted customers. “Come one, come all - a charitable donation from the great Wizard of the Wastes, champion of Zeinav! Free to the good people of the Crescent Isles who have been affected by the storm!”

Each free potion they handed out made the money-minded part of Morrigan’s brain cringe, thinking of all the profits that were being lost in this deal. But even they weren’t so stupid as to try and upsell potions immediately after a tragedy. That was a quick way to get one’s self run out of a city… not a smart idea when that city happened to be surrounded by water. They would have to suck it up. At least the people seemed grateful.

It didn’t take long for a small crowd to gather around the small, broken rock that the self-proclaimed great Wizard had claimed as a podium for their potion-selling. It started with a couple of children, scared but more interested in the glittery fellblood on the rock - and then more gathered, all curious to hear stories from an outsider. To have a small moment of entertainment after everything horrible that had happened over the last few days.

“Master Wizard? Will you perform a magic trick for us?”

Morrigan grinned, clapping their hands together before kneeling down closer to the kid. “Why, of course I can! I’m here to bring miracles to the good people of the Isles, after all!”

The child’s eyes sparkled with wonderment, as if Morrigan had promised to fix the entire village with a wave of their hand. The charlatan could do no such thing - but they could at least give the child a little laughter. Morrigan pulled a silk cloth out from their bag, fixing the crowd with a serious look as they beckoned Ceres to step forward.

“Ladies and Gentlemen… watch as with nothing but a wave of my hand, and this little piece of cloth to help me, I turn my adorable little apprentice into a frog!”

Gasps erupted in the audience - children waited on bated breath to see what Morrigan would do. With a wink, Morrigan settled the cloth over Ceres Celestia, and… poof!^[1]

In a burst of smoke and glitter, the enchanted item took effect, leaving behind a little round frog in the place where Ceres Celestia once stood.

And the crowd erupted into applause, the kids bouncing around excitedly.

Morrigan watched the audience, a satisfied smile on their face. Huh. That was… kind of an odd feeling. Their usual performances just consisted of putting on an act to con people out of their money. They didn’t usually do this kind of thing just for the sake of making people smile. To earn their adoration… simply because they needed something to look up to.

They were probably just happy their legend was spreading, that was all. Yes, that must have been what was making them happy.

With a showman’s bow, Morrigan addressed the audience once more. “And that’s not all I can do! Would you like to see more?”

“Yes!” Came the chorus of replies from the children.

And so it went - Morrigan performed little tricks and illusions to distract the kids, keeping them entertained while their parents went around and worked. They juggled potions, flung glitter in the air, and entertained them all while Mariposa strummed away on her lute and Ceres Celestia made little fireworks in the air with her staff. Honestly, Morrigan hadn’t had this much fun entertaining others since they were in the circus.

But all fun things, too, had to come to an end. During the middle of a juggling act, Morrigan spotted someone out of the corner of their eye approaching them. A serpentine woman, dressed differently from the other locals, and surrounded by a menagerie of animals as colorful as Morrigan’s own followers. Morrigan stopped juggling, catching the glass in their hands before it could shatter across the ground.

“… The great wizard is going to take five - why don’t you children scurry off and see if you can find something to eat? It’s approaching lunchtime soon.”

The kids all scampered off, disappointed the show was over, but thankfully granting Morrigan privacy to speak to the woman who’d greeted them.

“Adventurer?” Morrigan’s tail flicked behind them in interest. “I suppose some might call me that, yes. Others have called me the Wizard of the Wastes - Sand Scorpion, Champion of Zeinav, holder of many titles, yada yada.” They waved a hand in the air dismissively. It was obvious they were quite animated. “What seems to be the situation? I’m sure my entourage and I would be more than happy to help, Miss…”

They offered her a sharp-toothed grin and extended a ring-clad hand for her to shake.

---

1. Pondcho

After shaking this woman's hand, Taki noticed the spirit's aversion to her. Not quite fleeing her presence, yet not thrilled by it either. "I am called Shitakibo, Jinsei-no-Seishin. Taki, Spirit of Life if you prefer as name and title. A fisherman just returned from the beach, covered in whip like wounds and bruises. He is being tended on the edge of town and says the attack happened at the edge of a large pool. If possible, I would like to resolve this without harming the creatures. I would appreciate the extra sets of eyes, hands and minds to the task. Care to join me?"

Taki tried her best to be convincing with such a voice, but she struggled greatly with the common tongue. Her voice held an airy hissing tone, and struggled with long vowel sounds. Ryu hovered over her shoulder, wary of the whole affair. The softly glowing spirit creating a warm and calming atmosphere that eased the exhaustion of everyone within 15 feet. Her companions wandered about the area around the group, other than Kurobe. The tri-colored Woolful nibbled on the leaves of a fallen branch, bleating softly. 

Sinking her hand into the thick, pastel pink, blue and white fur, she marveled at how unique a coloring Kurobe had. The colors reminded her of a few of the wild flowers she'd seen during the morning, in the meadows of the forest they'd met. Each of her companions was unique in personality and spirit, and they all comforted Taki in their own ways. 

Morrigan pursed their lips as the creature by the woman’s side eyed them with distrust. That was usually par the course. Most animals, aside from a few of the magical variety, had an aversion to the charlatan. Even the insectoid mounts that pulled wagons in the caravan they spent their youth in avoided Morrigan like the plague. They’d never really quite understood why… though that didn’t change the facts. Where animals tried to keep their distance, Morrigan would respond in kind - and they would exist as better strangers.

Besides, the creature didn’t seem as interested in Morrigan as their master, who was currently introducing herself in the lilting language of the Crescent Isles. Morrigan recognized the accent - Cirice Lunestre was the only person Morrigan had met with one as thick.

“I see no need to shorten the name.” Morrigan replied with a smile that they hoped appeared as charming though probably just looked punchable. “Well then, Miss Shitakibo of the Crescent Isles, Spirit of Life, what seems to be plaguing you?” They stumbled over the name - their overly-exaggerated Zeinavian accent did not lend to pronouncing Crescent Islander names - though it was obvious that talking Morrigan out of it would be a fruitless endeavor.

The fellblood nodded along, their tail swishing behind them while Shitakibo explained her predicament. A fisherman, attacked by some rabid creatures around a pool at the beach…

They turned their attention to Shitakibo’s menagerie of animals. She obviously cared for them a lot. Such generosity and love for the innocent creatures of the world, Morrigan thought, was rare.

“I can tell you hold a lot of love and respect for the life of this island.” Morrigan nodded, eyes glinting in interest. Though they were a charlatan first and foremost, always in search of a sale, there was one thing that interested Morrigan more than a potential customer.

A story.

“… Very well. You’ve convinced me, Miss Shitakibo of the Crescent Isles, Spirit of Life. I, along with my entourage, shall accompany you to investigate these creatures and resolve the situation.” Without harming them, Morrigan hoped. But they’d fought vicious harpies along the coast in the past. Surely, this could not be much more difficult…

Right?

“Why don't you lead the way to the pool?” They said with a flourish of their hands, inexplicably getting glitter everywhere in the air and all over Shitakibo.

"Scout ahead, Ryu and Yukina. Circle the pool and keep others away." Commanded the shaman, whose companions soared off into the sky side by side. Shuna and Shion moved off as well, each flanking the path. Taki led Kurobe as the others spread out along the path. Her recent progress was thanks in large part to a generous gift of books, gear and the funds to start making her own goals attainable. Along with several harrowing journeys over the last few months, and the newfound income it made, Taki invested in her future. 

The town's cleanup had made amazing progress for a few short days. Seeing people working together toward a common goal was something the shaman often admired about smaller communities and towns. As the group was leaving town, a few people waved to Taki, thanking her for helping heal the injured fisherman. The road out of town and toward the beech was packed tightly, though slick from the recent rains. Whoever was caring for this path did so with great skill and precision, keeping the path from getting overrun by water even in heavy rains. 

Shuna and Shion both reached the edge of the jungled terrain, perched in trees shaded from the bright spring sun. Overhead, Ryu and Yukina circled in a wide, graceful dance, each mirroring the turns of the other and outlining the size of the pool. It would make even a noble's swimming pool jealous, not to mention the shallow natural ponds that dotted her own home. About 30 yards from the tide line, and 40 from the current edge of the water, a deep pool had formed. Based on it's sloping, somewhat conical shape, Taki suspected the excessive wind and rain of the storm was responsible for the sinkhole they were looking at. 

"The storm did this, drenching the ground until it caved under it's own weight and squeezed the water to the surface. It's tough to see what's below with all the stirred up silt and debris... but something is moving within... notice near the edges, how the currents ripple in the same direction. It would be wise to not get close, these pock marks are likely the reach of it's attacks." Taki pointed to the perimeter of lashing, staggered marks around the rim. She walked up to the forest side, which had a slightly higher bank that sloped up towards the trees.

Surveying the area, she wasn't sure what they were dealing with yet. How large was this creature? Would it be safe to dig a canal so they might escape? Could Taki speak to these creatures, or simply try to calm their spirits, in the same way she communicated with Yukina? She pondered the possibilities, then noted a gull swoop in to try and take something from the pond. The surface bulged, tension straining as a massive creature breeched the surface from below.. The manta-like creature came above the water a few feet, splashing and thrashing it's wing shaped fins. No wonder it was upset, thought the shaman, reminding her of a constrictor she found once in the tall shoots of bamboo as a hatchling. It had tried to swallow a boxy tortoise that had come ashore, ultimately ending both their lives as it was too large.

She looked to Morrigan and company, wondering if any of them might have some ability to help. 

"What do you think of this situation Morrigan? If there is more than one of these mantas trapped in that lake, they'll be upset beyond reason. What solutions do you see available to us?" Taki inquired.

Miss Shitakibo sent her animal companions ahead, to make sure that the site of interest was safe for them to approach - and to keep others away from the rabid animals. Morrigan followed Shitakibo to the pool, passing fisherman and workers who were still repairing partially-wrecked buildings. The people of the village seemed familiar with Miss Shitakibo, going out of their way to wave at the reptilian woman or stopping her to thank her for her help for little, inane things.

She truly had a high reputation around here…

It would behoove Morrigan to remain on her good side.

They eventually made their way out of the village, down a path towards a more shaded, jungled area, where some of Shitakibo’s animals were dancing gracefully along the side of the pool, standing silent vigil. It was obvious, even as Shitakibo explained, exactly how this pool was formed. Morrigan gave the pool a wide berth, mindful of the gashes along the side.

… They really didn’t do well with animals.

Water in the pool rippled as the creatures underneath writhed and thrashed in their trappings. A gull strayed a touch too close - Morrigan had to suppress a wince as the creature darted out of the water, thrashing at the bird with incredible strength and hunter’s instincts. Imagine if that was a person…

The charlatan had to suppress a shudder.

Miss Shitakibo turned to Morrigan. She was speaking to them, asking them a question. Morrigan forced themselves to pay attention - she was asking for their input on the best course of action. Morrigan tapped their chin in thought, tail swishing behind them. I doubt the lover of animals is going to want to harm those vicious things… which left them only a few options.

“I don’t suppose you have any way to charm them or calm their emotions, do you?” Morrigan asked.

As they thought, though, an idea occurred to them. Morrigan whirled around, facing their entourage with a wide grin that almost seemed to strain their cheeks as they clapped their hands together.

“Why, I know! This is the perfect training opportunity for young Miss Ceres Celestia, is it not?”

The young sylvan elf perked up, clearly not expecting to have been called on. “Um, y-yes?” She squeaked, pink cherry blossoms blooming in her hair as her face flushed in embarrassment at being singled out. Morrigan beckoned the young apprentice forward, showing her off to Shitakibo.

“This here is Ceres Celestia, a witch from the Arcane Academy that has been entrusted to my tutelage, as per my accomplishments in the Mage’s Guild. Her specialty is the manipulation of the physical realm. This will be the perfect opportunity for her to learn how to fine-tune her magic - perhaps she could mold the earth to create a channel from the pool to the sea, and allow the manta gliders to swim back to the ocean.”

Ceres bowed low, clutching her large staff nervously in her hands while she gazed up at this powerful woman. Master Moonweaver was depending on her! These animals were depending on her! "I... I shall do my best to help."

Making her way around the pool, the shaman consulted with the apprentice mage. Welcoming this new set of eyes and ears to the task, Taki inspected the area surrounding the pool. Churning across the surface, the water stirred with the wake of the manta gliders below. Finding a sturdy stick, the shaman began tracing out a perimeter around the pool and leading out to the sea.



"Along this path, we should make a way for the trapped ones to return to the sea. It should be wide, and not deep... If your magic can shape this path Ceres, then we should also be able to use the same trick to raise it's level from below and flush the stuck ones back to the sea." Explained the shaman, working her way around the area. As she returned to the edge of the pool, Ceres walked down by the shore and started the long process of shaping the canal. Taki sat meditating, her breathing slow and deliberate as she focused her senses.



In her mind's eye, the realm of spirits swirled to life. Like multicolored ink swirls dipped in clear water, the shapes of each spirit roiled together. Much like the clouds of silt and dirt kicked up by a pebble, it took patience and understanding to see what settled after the disturbance. Her guardians were there, dancing along the edge of the pool in tandem with the other creatures. After a few minutes, the pool began to settle and grow still. Within, the murky water settled to reveal many creatures locked within. Fish, the Gliders, Arthropods of various kinds, and even a large eel-like creature coiled up at the bottom could be seen.



"Is... am I... safe to connect to the pool?" Questioned the apprentice mage from the opposite side. As she asked this, the creatures all tucked together away from the connecting point.



"When you're ready, be sure to keep out of the way. I am sending the gliders first, both for their safety and ours." Warned the shaman, sensing the eager strain of the large creatures. As Ceres completed the temporary canal, Taki urged the mantas' spirits to make for the sea. Nervous at first that they would thrash and flee, injuring others, the pair of gliders were docile as they went gliding down the waterway. Behind them, other creatures started to make way as well.



"Over here now Ceres, bring the bottom up slowly until it all is level, then we let nature do the rest I think." Said the shaman, worried that tampering with natural forces too much would upset the balance of the ecosystem. While still new to Taki, she marvelled at the progress already made by spending her days in such company. Her guardians and companions passed on their own wisdom and skills, teaching the shaman about many amazing feats and skills she might have otherwise overlooked.



"Thank... Thank you." Stuttered the shy apprentice, using her staff to bring the canal up. The gliders were nearing the end of the canal, with most of the fish and some of the others now starting their journey.

Ceres Celestia gripped her staff, every inch of her being determined to listen to miss Shitakibo’s orders. She would do a good job, no matter what. Sand was a different medium than she was used to sculpting, but the schematics made sense. Especially with Shitakibo’s wise guidance, it was not difficult to visualize what they needed to do.

It would take a lot of her energy.

Steeling herself with a deep breath, Ceres approached the place that Shitakibo had marked from the ocean side first, raising her staff to the air and waving about the complicated runes that would move the earth under her gentle administrations.^[1] All the while, Mariposa lounged against a nearby tree, strumming at her lute to gently encourage the little mage. With Shitakibo’s encouragement, she completed the final part of the canal, allowing water to flow freely between the formed pool and the ocean. Despite Shitakibo’s warning, Ceres let out a small shriek as water splashed while the gentle creatures made their way to the water.

As the gliders safely made the trek from one end to another, Ceres bowed lightly at the waist in front of Miss Shitakibo. “That was incredible, miss…! How did you calm those animals?” Was it some kind of magic? She wanted to know all about this curious woman and her abilities. Despite her fatigue, her eyes were sparkling with curiosity.

---

1. Mold Earth (Ceres Celestia)

Resting beside the rising pool, Taki marveled as the creatures within made for open waters and more suitable conditions. As the canal and the pool became level, one stubborn spirit remained. Stubborn and implacable, the creature coiled up around the bottom gave no indication of wanting to leave. Sighing softly, the shaman caused her garments to shift around (Morph Suit), becoming a form fitting, light covering that wouldn't weigh her down or restrict her movement in water.

She stepped in, the spring time ocean water not much different in temperature to the outside air. The cooling sensation made her shiver a bit as she knelt in the salty wash of the temporary pool. Ryu appeared beside her, trying to help coax the serpent from the water. As she gently lifted the creature from the sand, she noticed several lacerating marks across it's back and sides. It's head filled her lap as it moved painfully, it's nervous system and muscles flayed by the Manta's lashings. 

Chanting softly, the shaman's hands took on a soft, warm glow, as if she were holding tiny flickering stars in each palm(Major Healing). The serpent felt weakened, barely able to move, until the gentle warmth spread over it's coils. Each cut and slash began to replenish itself, working from the deepest points outward. Squirming and spasming about as this process took place, Taki held it's wide head just above the water to breathe. All the while, Ryu braced against the much larger serpent in an effort to keep the healing nerves and muscles from breaking bones or rupturing organs. 

The light began to fade, scales growing back over what were deep wounds just a few moments ago. As the spell faded, she caressed the creature, comforting it as it's body mended. Once finished, she went to stand up and leave the pool, giving the serpent time to finish recovering and return to it's life. As she was leaving the water's edge, she felt a heavy nudge and toppled over into the sand, which covered most of her body in gritty annoyance. At the same time, the Tidal Serpent started to coil itself around Taki as well.

Using most of her upper body strength, she managed to flip over onto her rear as the serpent was wrapping itself about her legs. With all four hands, she held it's head, staring into it's bright amber eyes. It wasn't squeezing her, but that made the situation no less unsettling. The creature was big enough that both she and another could straddle it's back and ride the waves as well as any boat or ship, so Taki was taking no chances. 

Having barely grasped the ability to communicate with land animals, she was only able to glean impressions from the serpent. It had no malice, no hunger or desire to hunt the shaman, only an odd calm she couldn't quite grasp.

"This one wants you to stay here, keep it safe... as wild as that might sound." Ryu chimed in, having returned to Taki's side at a leisurely pace. Such things were not uncommon in her line of work... but what to do? Would a Tidal Serpent be okay to survive where she lived? What did they eat? Taki pondered this as the serpent loosened itself from her legs and coiled up beside her, head leaning against her lap.

"Why is it this always happens? I'm not sure my talents will convince you to return to your life... Should I give you a name? Risk your well being with what I do not know?" She said, watching the serpent's movements and letting her thoughts slip from her tongue. 

Morrigan crossed their arms and watched as Shitakibo’s outfit suddenly shimmered and shifted into something more suitable for swimming, before the woman stepped into the water. There was really nothing they could do - they were no healer, nor were they especially good with animals. They were not help at all, really. The majority of the work paving the way had been done by Ceres Celestia, and now Shitakibo was the one calming and healing the animals with gentle administrations.

Once she was finished healing the serpent, Shitakibo began to pull herself out of the pool - only to be halted by something whipping out of the water and grabbing her before she could leave.

“Miss Shitakibo?” Morrigan pulled themselves into a standing position where they’d been fanning themselves against a nearby nearby tree, alarmed. But Shitakibo did not seem to be harmed. Whatever the serpent was doing, it did not mean the serpentine lady any harm. Hell, it even seemed friendly.

They fanned themselves delicately with the elaborate beaded fan clutched between their claws, keeping a wide berth between themselves and where the serpent was coiled around miss Shitakibo. They did not think the animal would take kindly to their presence. Even standing this close, the beast seemed to give them a wary look, as if it could sense the… wrongness in Morrigan.

The mana curse, inexplicably.

Morrigan had never had a name for exactly what drove animals away from them, until quite recently. Only when they learned about the curse that plagued them did they understand why animals found them so offputting. They were better at sensing those which humanoids could not.

Admittedly, the charlatan had some pets - though those did not seem to mind the strange aura that clung to Morrigan. This serpent, unfortunately, was not one of those. It leered at Morrigan, as if warning them from getting too close.

They would oblige, considering they didn’t feel especially keen on getting turned into animal mincemeat at the moment.

Playing it cool, Morrigan changed the subject, shifting it back over to Shitakibo. “… Heh. You seem to be quite the animal magnet, Miss Shitakibo. An admirable talent. Is it a natural skill, or magical talent.?”

It took Taki a few minutes to reply to Morrigan's questions, as she worked to calm the serpent down and untangle herself. It also gave her a good chance to ponder the question asked, recall it playing out over the course of her life as best she could. Having only recently in her life been exposed to the disciplines of magic and it's use, she'd also discovered that at least some of her natural affinities were augmented by a sort of magic she wasn't aware of using. 

"Apologies for delaying my response to your question. I suppose you could say it's a mix of inherited ability, learned skill, and magical enhancement. Some of it is my connection with the spirits of the world, some of it is my own experience, and some of it is an impulsive need to help life as often as I am able." Taki explained as she went over to the edge of the pool and rinsed most of the sand from her scales. Turning, the serpent sprawled across the sand sunning itself was watching the group. Closing her nostrils to fine slits, she whistled through them in a sharp tone that carried through the area. Her other companions moved in closer, returning from the call. 

"The likelihood you're going to follow me wherever I go is strong, so you might as well meet the others and get used to their company." She addressed the serpent in a motherly tone, stern but caring. The others gathered and greeted in their own ways. While startled at first, the zoo-like gathering of creatures all seemed to be getting along. Taki left them to their devices. Like hatchlings, sometimes one had to give them room to grow into their own and find their place.

"What about you Morrigan? What skills and talents do you market to the world?" Asked the shaman, her crimson orbs focused on the curious adventurer. What phenomenon or deed would cause such aversion from animals and spirits? Was it a combination of the two things, or something else all together?

Morrigan nodded along as Miss Shitakibo explained her natural inclination for animals and spirits. They supposed it made sense. Magic was a force of life, and it was that life and spirit that attracted creatures who acted more on instinct than rational thought. As she continued, there was a small part of Morrigan that wondered if perhaps animals carried an aversion to the charlatan because they could accurately judge their distasteful character. And perhaps that was a part of it.

Either way, it was obvious that the shaman and the charlatan couldn’t be more different. Shitakibo had a natural inclination for helping those in need, and so much compassion that it simply attracted others closer towards her. On the other hand, Morrigan was so devoid of those emotions that they could only muster care for themselves, until it pushed others away. And yet, here the two of them were, standing on a beach and enjoying an amicable enough conversation.

And yet, here they were. Helping animals together.

Shitakibo resigned herself to her new follower, calling forth all of her pets to get to know one another and become acquainted with the serpent. Morrigan watched the happy display, silent and oddly contemplative until Shitakibo addressed them directly.

They hummed, tail flicking behind them thoughtfully. “I am a person of many talents, I suppose you could say. I’m known around Zeinav as the Wizard of the Wastes - I will not bore you with my plethora of titles.” A small blessing - though it was obvious they were still going to continue going on and on about themselves. “I am of the Mage’s Guild, the Golden Consortium… though I have a special talent for elixirs and miracle brews. Unstable chemical reactions are my primary trade. I don’t suppose you’d have need of any, would you?”

Chuckling softly, she shook her head before replying. "I'm afraid I don't normally indulge in such pursuits. While very minor by comparison, it's another notch that labeled me outcast amongst my own tribe. Many were fond of potions, poisons and other concoctions and their methods of creation. The discipline never really interested me, though I'm not adverse to making a simple herbal remedy or three, since being introduced to the magics of light and life, I find less need." She pondered the ideas of having some volatile deterrents, then looked at her own odd gaggle of companions. The idea vanished instantly, too many wild unknowns in her life to feel it would be okay to just... keep such things around. 

She thanked the group, and Morrigan in particular. She also shared a meal with them, cooking up a selection of meats cured in a savory ginger, garlic, and soy based sauce. Along with a dash of salt, some orange zest, ground pepper and a sprinkling of shallots, the long bamboo skewers roasted the meat quickly over a small fire she built on the shaded sand. All in all this had turned out to be quite pleasant and she hoped to cross paths with Morrigan and her entourage again under different circumstance some day. Serving the group, and her companions, she washed the skewers off lightly and wrapped them in a cloth to be reused later. 

After cleaning up the makeshift picnic, she bid farewell and headed home. The Tidal Serpent in tow, and now given the name Keiga, she made her way back home, trekking across the wild places with the same ease as most people took the main roads. Another companion found, wildlife rescued from a terrible death, and even new friends made... This trip had become a joyous and memorable one, even if it started out quite a mess for all.