Once they were done taking their notes on Moe, Beist wasted no time looking to his companions to choose the next one to show their magical capabilities. He didn't even notice the curious spirits gathering around, too caught up in the exciting research and lost in his notetaking. If he had seen them, their research likely would have ground to a halt with him wanting to observe them and take notes on them just as much as the Raccoon-dog he looked to as the next subject of their study.

"Next, how about Awd?" Beist said with a smile. The Mage's Guild wanted to know more about the mysterious Mystical Archive, and Beist happened to have a companion that was related to it. The raccoon dog was rare and only found in the Crescent Isles, but for some strange reason, they were apparently also able to be found crawling out of the Mystical Archive! It was odd to think animals could survive within a machine, but it seemed they could. Or maybe they were somehow created inside it? Who knew?

"Awd here is a raccon-dog. He's an amazing tracker with a very acute sense of smell, but that isn't the most magical part of him. He's also capable of making a sound that can break any mind-altering magic that might be affecting someone. Unfortunately, I don't possess any such magics to let him demonstrate his ability on, but we can instead focus on other things. His fur is very soft, and I've found it to be an effective ingredient for sleeping potions and calming potions that help lower anxiety. Ah, don't worry, I just use the fur that he sheds when I brush him. He enjoys being brushed."

Beist went on to talk about Awd in as much detail as he could, sometimes going on a tangent about how cute he was or that he liked to play music, but he mostly tried to keep the subjects of conversation professional and scientific.

When they were finished taking notes on Awd, Beist introduced and then spoke about each of his companions in turn. He demonstrated Dora's flight and strength. Griffons were also a rare species with similar connections to the Mystical Archive as raccoon-dogs. Sorbet's magic was indeed pretty much identical to the snow owl's, and finally, they were on the subject of Leon, the Woolful.

Leon stepped forward a little hesitantly, still not sure if Taki would break out in tears again just from seeing him. Beist was also a bit nervous. He didn't want to make Taki uncomfortable. Maybe it would have been easier if he hadn't saved Leon for last, but he kept thinking he could just put it off for later until he realized too late that the Woolful was the only one of his companions they hadn't looked at yet.

"If you're uncomfortable, I could just take the notes myself and then share them with you?" Beist offered, looking to Taki while petting Leon comfortingly.

Taki took notes, illustrations, following along as best she could with the information as Beist presented it. When each of his companions was done, she would give them a pat and a treat. When it finally came time to examine Leon, she took a moment to steady herself with a few deep breaths. Being reminded of Kurobe had been unexpected and jarring at first, but she understood that made it even more important to overcome those feelings. She walked to the center of the room with a bar made of grain, honey and dried fruits, something she'd crafted just for her fallen companion quite some time ago. She knelt and held it out, offering it to the big green ball of fluff.

"It's quite alright Beist, Leon. I'll be alright and it's not a discomfort or aversion... just an unexpected reminder of a friend who gave their life for others. Your concern is valid, and appreciated, but this is a good chance for me to face the emotions I've been setting aside for too long and complete our research at the same time." She replied, peaceful in the knowledge that she had done her best then and would continue to do so for the rest of her days. She stood and began to make notes, reciting them as if she were reading from the pages of an archive. "Woolfuls in their myriad colorings reside across Charon, often travelling in small herds. They are prone to charging anything that might catch them unaware or drive them into a corner, but prefer to use their powerful legs to escape when possible. The horns often curl with age, though some lineages have straighter horns or horns that twist along the length versus curling. The wool is of incredible quality, making a fine linen for crafting clothing and other luxury items and is often a reason they are poached in less developed areas. It is speculated they are also capable of some healing magic, though in my own studies and experience I was unable to confirm this." She said, smiling as the last of the treat was being crunched down.

Beist nodded. If she was sure she was alright with it, he wouldn't stop her. He could also understand having a past trauma that was bottled up and needed to be let out. He'd held in his emotions after his anger and disappointment with himself for some time after his failed potion turned him into a monster until one day, in the company of a stranger, he'd suddenly found himself letting it all out. The pain couldn't compare to losing a cherished companion, but it was a pain of his nonetheless and he could relate to how she felt needing to confront that pain.

"Actually, I can confirm that. Leon is capable of healing magic. We haven't exactly tested the extent of what he can heal, but the magic doesn't seem that strong. The same strength as a minor healing spell, or minor health potion, I'd say. There are also stories that harming a woolful brings bad luck, but this I can't confirm."

Beist started petting the soft wool while Leon finished the treat Taki had given him.

"Now, the alchemical uses for woolful wool are extraordinary. The wool is extremely durable despite being so thin. It's ideal for making cloth for straining potions to remove small particulates. I've also found it's incredibly soft and makes wonderful knitted clothing, but that's not related to alchemy. Despite some woolfuls having healing magic, their wool has no inherent healing properties. It's not an alchemical ingredient, but as I said, its uses lie in alchemical equipment instead."

Taki took notes as Beist confirmed her own understandings, then walked over to compare and contrast their notes. Once finished she closed her notebook and let out a deep breath. "I think that about concludes our research. Was there anything else you feel we should add?" She asked, walking over to the table to sit and rest a few moments. Looking over the research notes, she was pleased by the progress and information within. Beist had proven to be a knowledgeable and well spoken researcher, which made things go smoothly.

She stood, stretched out, and felt her own stomach growling. With a smile, she headed towards the back of the cavernous building where a simple grill and prep station was set up. Pulling out a few veggies and a slab of fresh meat kept in a cooled container, she started peeling and dicing things. Afterwards, she started some firewood under the grill to let it burn down a bit. While that was happening, she skewered the chunks of meat and veggies onto some sharpened bamboo before mixing up some fresh herbs and spices with a handmade mortar and pestle. Sprinkling the mix across each skewer, she lay them out on the prepared grill to cook. The moment the skewers touched the hot grill, a satisfying sizzle could be heard and the aroma of spices and grilled meat filled the air.

"Yes, I think this will do nicely. I think we have everything we could safely observe about our companions, and I wouldn't want to put any of them in danger. This looks to be plenty to submit to the Mage's Guild." Beist replied cheerfully, closing the notebook he'd taken all of his notes in and putting it on a table. It had been a very enjoyable experience for him, learning new things about some interesting animals, though he was happy to see it completed as well. It had taken just about the whole day, following his arrival in the morning, and he was tired.

He lied down on the grass with a sigh. After a few minutes he heard the sizzling of meat on the grill and smelled the delicious smell of cooking meat and vegetables with an assortment of seasonings. He felt and heard his own stomach grumble hungrily. He stood up and brushed his back off. He transformed back into his real, gigantic form before walking over to where Taki was cooking.

"Please, allow me to help with the meal. I know a bit of earth magic, and it comes in very handy when one has so many mouths to feed, especially one as big as mine." He chuckled and raised a hand.

With a little focus, plants and vines suddenly started to sprout among the grass and grow rapidly into a variety of plants. Small trees bearing fruits that looked like large, ripe oranges, apples, and lemons. Vines with melons, snap peas, strawberries, and tomatoes. Large leaves of different types of lettuce, spinach, and leafy greens. All sorts of delicious produce that was ready to be eaten raw sprung forth to add to the meat and vegetables that Taki was cooking.

"Please, you and your companions can help yourselves. It only takes me a bit of magic to make these and I have plenty of it left to make more. Oh, and don't worry about the plants marring your garden. They disappear on their own after a short while."

---

Create Food

Taki turned the skewers on the grill, watching them carefully as they cooked up quite quickly. After plating the finished ones, she set them on the table for the others to begin eating. Returning to the grill, she made another set that were purely veggies or meat for those companions who weren't able to eat both at the same time. A few more minutes at the grill and it was done, so she set them out on plates for each. She retrieved a few of the fresh fruits Beist had conjured before joining at the table. Grabbing a skewer from each plate, she dug in as the others were eating.

The skewers were steaming, dripping grease down on the veggies as she gnawed at the delicious concoction. Her companions were all enjoying various foods, and she was glad to see everyone was getting along. As they finished, she cleaned up the dishes, scrubbed off the grill and put everything away. Afterwards, she set up the building for Beist's companions to all rest then got a guest room set up for him. It had been a while since she'd had a good night's rest at home, so she welcomed the opportunity to enjoy the comfort and unwind from the usually hectic and busy days.

The meal was a wonderful way to end the night, all of their research completed and ready to be delivered. Beist greatly enjoyed one of the skewers. As much as he avoided harming animals, he couldn't help having a craving for meat sometimes, Perhaps a lingering effect of his carnivorous Werebear side. Also, a lot of his companions required meat in their diets in order to be healthy anyways, and he'd never want them to be unhealthy, so eating meat was just an accepted part of daily life for him and his companions.

Beist thanked Taki for her hospitality, letting them all spend the night in her home. It was a lot less cramped than the wagon, even if the wagon was large. He'd have much more space than usual to sleep tonight. It was a shame he couldn't sleep while transformed into a monkey, but keeping his form changed required a little concentration which he just couldn't provide while unconscious. He just had to sleep in his usual giant form.

Seeing as none of the bedrooms, or beds for that matter, were quite large enough for him, he chose to simply sleep outside on the soft grass. He didn't have to change his clothing. His clothing actually changed for him, the vest, button shirt, and slacks reshaping themselves into a onesie made to look like a bear. Just like his day outfit, the onesie was perfectly fitted to him, including holes for his extra arms and tail. With the thick fur on most of his body and the warm pajamas, he didn't feel the cold night air at all.

He lied down on his stomach, the only way he could lie down really, thanks to his spiky spine and the long horns on the sides of his head, and went to sleep. His snores were loud and growl-like, fitting of the bear design of his sleepwear. Even with his snoring, his companions still strickled into the garden to lie down against him, Moe and Awd even climbing on top of him to sleep. Beist didn't notice at all that he was slowly being dogpiled, but then again, he never minded it when he woke up.

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Morph Suit