Moonglade had proven to be a lovely place, full of beautiful locations and vibrant storied culture. Ari had recently been on another quest, and had chosen to stay for a few extra days before returning north across the sea. Dragon's Cradle was an ideal home for anyone looking to keep out of the spotlight, and away from the world's power struggles. Still, this was an opportunity for her to study new things, expand her horizons so to speak. In her time near Stargazer Field, she'd spoken to a few of the locals who recommended several places within the territory worth visiting. At the top of everyone's lists was the Lantern Light Wood, a place of beautiful forests whose trees are home to glowing flowers.

Travel had been pleasant for the most part, as she'd been told of a less trafficked route through the countryside. Arianna had filled up a full two notebooks already, pages full of notes, observations, sketches... anything and everything she could learn. Getting away from home was common to her normal adventuring, but this trip was the first she'd taken outside the Cradle. Thus far, it had proven to be an invaluable and enjoyable experience. Along the route, she stopped in a small town for an evening's rest and even found a small bookstore. Adding to her growing collection, she picked out a pair of books about the local flora and fauna. The first was a practical tome, noting important features for those looking to safely survive on their own. The second was more research focused, explaining many of the life cycles and strategies at play in the local ecology.

Comparing them to her own notes had been a wonderful exercise, helping occupy her mind over the many wooded miles since. She found the authors' perspectives interesting, each bringing a different type of insight. Overall, the days spent in Moonglade had been fruitful. Now, to put a pin in this journey before heading home, the Lantern Light Woods came into view. Lush trees spread their colorful canopies in wide, tangled plumes that bathed the ground in dazzling beams of light that pierced the shadows. Wildlife darted about, birds flitting between branches while small critters scurried about the underbrush. There was a musical din to their sounds, the varying rhythms and pitches building melodious patterns. Ari pulled out the notebook she was currently working through, spreading out a small blanket as she sat down on the edge of the wood. Sketching and taking notes, the morning seemed pleasantly quiet thus far.

Mimi had finally reached the edge of the Lantern Light Woods, her excitement bubbling over as she took in the sight of the bioluminescent trees and plants that made the forest famous. Having heard countless tales of this mystical place, she couldn’t wait to explore and gather some of the unique flora for her alchemical experiments. The journey through the fields from Eclipse Jungle had been long, but the promise of discovering rare ingredients kept her spirits high.

Zeke, her ever-curious gecko companion, perched on her shoulder, seemed just as intrigued by the new surroundings. His tiny head darted around, taking in the vibrant plant life. Mimi smiled and whispered to him, “We’re finally here, Zeke. Look at those glowing trees! Imagine what we can make with these plants.”

As they ventured further into the woods, Mimi marveled at the soft, natural lights emanating from the surrounding flora. The glow cast a gentle illumination, creating an ethereal atmosphere that felt almost magical. She continued to talk softly to Zeke, sharing her thoughts and excitement. “This place is even more beautiful than I imagined.”

Just then, she noticed a clearing up ahead with someone already there, sitting on a blanket and deeply engrossed in a notebook. Mimi hesitated, not wanting to disturb whomever this might be. She considered quietly turning around to find another path, not wanting to intrude or be noticed.

As she began to back away from the stranger, her foot caught on a protruding root. With a yelp Mimi pitched backwards, her arms swinging wildly, trying to regain balance. Gravity won over and Mimi landed with ‘thump’ in the dirt. Once again, she was glad that her small height meant she didn’t fall far.

So much for being stealthy....

While comparing her own notes against the pair of books she'd been reading, she heard the sounds of someone approaching. They weren't terribly near at the moment, but they were getting closer. Ari kept her focus on her notes, but listened intently, alert to her surroundings. The soft murmur of a voice echoed through the trees, though she could not discern what was said. Just as she was about to close her notebook and investigate, she heard a yelp and the dull thump of someone falling over. Calmly, she closed her notebook and stood up, turning towards the sound to see a young looking gremling sprawled out with their foot tangled in a root. She couldn't help but chuckle softly for just a moment before walking over.

"I do hope you're alright little one, I mean you no harm so long as you don't try to harm me. Would you like help up or to unravel your foot?"

She tried to be polite, and seem like any other person. That was difficult to do when your skin seemed to glisten with starlight, and the swirling cerulean of your eyes screamed celestial. Even her silvery white hair seemed to sparkle and shimmer, catching light and throwing off prismatic displays of color. The biggest giveaway was around her feet though, where the grasses and leaves seemed to move aside for her. As if some gentle breeze pushed outwardly to keep Ari from touching things, and things from touching her, causing her to stand out even when her disguises are enough.

The wind whooshed out of Mimi as she hit the ground. For a moment, the sudden change of position made her lose her orientation, and the world became blurry. As she tried to regain her bearings, she heard a soft chuckle and the sound of approaching footsteps.

Mimi stared at the being standing above her with wide eyes. She was absolutely gorgeous. Her pale hair and skin seemed to catch the sparkling light of the forest around her and reflect it somehow, creating an otherworldly effect. Her eyes were even more mesmerizing, swirling and sparkling like starlight in a bright blue sea. For a moment, Mimi wondered if she had died and was now looking at an angel.

The woman’s voice startled her out of her reverie. It was probably the most beautiful sound Mimi had ever heard—soft and melodious, like the wind sighing through the trees mixed with gentle birdsong.

“Wow, you’re pretty,” Mimi blurted out before she could stop herself. Reeling, she shook her head, not believing she had actually said that out loud. “Uuuuhm… I mean, no thanks, I’m fine!” To demonstrate how fine she was, she quickly pulled her foot free and jumped to her feet. The sudden motion caused her to waver for just a moment. “See, all good.” She awkwardly waved her hand, motioning to her wholly whole body.

Realizing she had been staring at the ethereally beautiful being the entire time, she quickly looked away, a furious blush blooming across her face. Maybe now was a good time to try running away. Or maybe the universe would have mercy on her and open a hole in the ground to swallow her. When that didn’t happen and her feet refused to move an inch, she cleared her throat. “Erm… sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude on, uh, you and, uh, whatever you were doing…”

Only then did she notice the slight but unmistakable absence of a familiar weight. Where was Zeke? She quickly rummaged through her hair, then checked all the spots he might usually hide in. He wasn’t on her shoulders or clinging to the front of her shirt. He wasn’t even in her trouser pockets, a spot he would only rarely seek out. Had he fallen off when Mimi took her tumble?

She searched the ground around where she had fallen but could not see the little gecko anywhere. “Zeke! Where are you, boy? It’s okay to come back now,” she called out for him but did not even get any rustling from the underbrush.

Remembering the woman who had taken all her attention just moments before, Mimi turned back to her. Her initial awe and awkwardness were forgotten in the situation’s crisis. “Have you seen a little gecko? Yellow, with dark spots all over his back. He’s about this big.” She motioned one gecko length with her hands.

With tears brimming in her eyes, she pleadingly looked up at the woman. “He doesn’t usually stray far from me. But if he got scared and ran off… I’m worried he might get lost here. We aren’t used to dense forests like these... Please help me find him?”

Ari blinked, not sure how to respond to the energetic gremling or their reaction to her presence. Why was she blushing? Had Ari done something to be embarrassed about that she wasn't aware of? She was in the midst of trying to sort it out when the subject of a pet or companion of some kind brought her attention back to the present. She listened intently to their description, then took a preliminary glance around the area looking for a shock of yellow in all the greenery that moved about.

"I don't mind helping you look, but it would be best to do so calmly. Haste could cause you to overlook something, or crash into them accidently. Try to take a deep breath, calm down a moment and we will look together."

Taking a deep breath herself, Ari knelt very carefully closer to the ground and began looking intently. Scanning back and forth, she built a mental grid to help focus her efforts. Each area was scanned methodically, searched by eye as she kept her breathing steady. It was no easy task, as she had to also concentrate on keeping her balance and trying to not make her use of magic to be able to stand on the ground obvious. She was already considering how to tackle a search that could last for hours, though she sincerely hoped it did not turn into such a drawn out event.

Unfamiliar in every way to the concept of caring for a pet, let alone having a companion in the way any number of disciplines did. It was difficult enough to live life on her own, with her occasional Ice Pixie companion. Ari was exceptionally glad that Mio was so independant, preferring their own pace and privacy over constant attention. While they would pair up on occasion, it primarily was a sharing of space and safety. What she did understand is just how easily panicking or rushing into a situation could cause more problems, instead of solving them.

Mimi nodded vigorously at the woman’s suggestion, though staying calm was much easier said than done. She took a deep breath and tried to focus, mimicking the stranger’s methodical scanning of the area. However, her gaze kept darting around frantically, and she found it difficult to concentrate. She wrung her hands nervously, feeling the urgency of finding Zeke weigh heavily on her.

Determined to find her little companion, Mimi began parting leaves, peeking under bushes, and even lifting small rocks to check underneath. Her movements were quick and desperate, her breath coming in short, anxious bursts. She muttered Zeke’s name under her breath, trying to coax him out of hiding.

A few minutes passed in tense silence, with only the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds breaking the quiet. Just as Mimi felt like she couldn’t take the suspense any longer, she noticed a small movement near the woman’s feet. Squinting, she saw a familiar yellow and black-spotted gecko cautiously sniffing at the stranger’s foot.

“Oh my gosh, you found him!” Mimi exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief and joy. She darted forward, scooping up Zeke gently and cradling him in her hands. “Zeke, you silly boy! You had me so worried!” She pressed a light kiss to the top of his head, then turned her grateful eyes to the sparkling woman. “Thank you so much! I don’t know what I would’ve done if I lost him.”

Over the moon with joy, Mimi spread her arms wide and moved towards the woman, ready to embrace her, completely forgetting the small amount of social decorum she had so painstakingly learned over the past few months.

"You're quite..." Ari's response was cut short by the sudden impact of the small green lass. She wasn't exactly sure how to respond to the sudden burst of affection, so she gently pat the stranger's shoulder. While it was wonderful that they'd been reunited, the entire situation was quite abrupt. Taking a deep breath, she took a gentle step back and bowed politely.

"You're welcome, I'm glad you were able to reunite. Shall we start with introductions? My name is Arianna, it's wonderful to meet you."

So much of this situation was foreign to her life, especially the compliments and affection. Ari kept mostly to herself, at most interacting with a whole ten people or so in a month's span. This adventure across the ocean had been a constant barrage of new situations, new faces, and unknowable experiences. Thankfully, she'd kept out of any serious matters and away from the scheming grasp of politics. If she could make it home while that was still factual, she would consider it a stellar success. Three (potential four) notebooks full of new information, new books for her collection, and her first major undertaking as an adventurer awaited her across the sea.

Did she really want to take another trip by boat? Be stuck packed into a glorified barrel for a week? Not particularly, by her current reckoning. It was convenient for the sake of swiftness to get to Moonglade, but she had a more complete map now and had been considering what she might need to take a more scenic route home. The idea had many merits, and began it's winding path through her thoughts.

Mimi’s cheeks flushed a deeply as she realized how suddenly she’d thrown herself at the sparkling stranger. She hadn’t meant to be so forward, but in her relief and joy at finding Zeke, her usual caution had flown right out the window. The graceful way the woman patted her shoulder and then stepped back, bowing politely, made Mimi feel even more aware of her own lack of decorum.

Arianna… Mimi rolled the name around in her mind, wondering if she was in the presence of someone important. Maybe she was royalty or some kind of noble? The woman certainly had the air of someone who belonged in a fancy court or grand library, not poking around the underbrush looking for runaway geckos.

Mimi quickly took a step back herself, trying to mirror Arianna’s poise but almost stumbling in her haste. She managed a clumsy bow, nearly toppling over. “It’s, um, nice to meet you, Miss Arianna,” she said, her voice wavering between formality and her usual chirpiness. “I’m Mimi! And this here is Zeke. We’re, uh, adventurers! I mean, not the grand, fancy kind—more like the small, scrappy kind… but we get by!”

She straightened up, biting her lip as she tried to think of something else to say. Her eyes flicked to the book Arianna had been reading before they had so rudely interrupted her, and curiosity quickly bubbled to the surface, helping to push past her nervousness. “That book looks real interesting! Are you researching something? Or are you one of those adventurers who goes out lookin’ for new discoveries and stuff? I mean, not that it’s any of my business, but it’s just—you look like you know a lot of things, and I bet there’s all sorts of secrets hidden in books like that, right?”

Mimi’s words tumbled out in a rush, her excitement getting the better of her. She rocked back and forth on her heels, trying to calm her fluttering nerves. She couldn’t help but be a little awed by Arianna’s calm and collected manner, and she found herself wondering what it would be like to be so composed. Maybe if she spent more time around Arianna, she’d pick up some of that grace too!

As the silence settled in, Mimi suddenly worried she’d overstepped, and her large eyes flicked up to Arianna with a hint of anxiety. “I didn’t mean to pry or anything,” she murmured, her voice softening as she fidgeted with the edge of her cloak.

The young lass seemed to grasp the situation after a moment to compose herself. She couldn't help but chuckle softly at her wonderfully spirited attempt to copy Ari's demeanor. Listening to the cavalcade of questions was a bit overwhelming at first, but she spent a moment building up the answers to each question in her mind. It must have seemed a longer moment than she realized when Mimi seemed to grow uncomfortable. With a gentle smile, Ari took a step forward and offered the tome to the young lass to peruse herself.

"To answer your questions in order: 1. I am researching the local flora and fauna, that's the plants and animals respectively. 2. While that would be amazing if it happened, seeking the unknown is not my current goal. 3. Books contain the uncovered secrets that someone wished to share with others... they are a life's knowledge, information and wisdom, in a form that can be copied, shared and expanded upon by lives far beyond one's own. Questions are a healthy thing, as is curiosity, at least from my own experience. Might I suggest a more patient pace to your approach though? While I would not seek to hamper your enthusiasm, or change who you are as a person, I also do not wish to see you stumbling into a dangerous situation needlessly.

You're free to read through that book and join me while I compare and contrast if you like, though I cannot give that copy away. I can tell you where I purchased it though, as the town was not far from here. They would probably appreciate the extra business, though I would be careful to keep your companion from getting loose amongst the shelves."

Ari chuckled again softly, trying her best to be encouraging and lighten the moment. While far from her forte, it was something her father had a habit of doing when she was feeling down and she'd apparently picked up the habit herself.

Mimi's attention was absorbed by the book handed to her in an instant, although she tried to continue listening to Arianna as she answered her many questions. A researcher of the local fauna... what a lucky coincidence was that?

Mimi carefully leafed through the pages of the book as Ari spoke. It was filled with detailed descriptions of local plants and their properties some entries even had beautiful drawings of the plants next to them. This book was a treasure trove of information and Mimi couldn’t believe that she was allowed to read through it.

Looking up at Arianna one she had finished speaking, Mimi smiled, all her awkwardness forgotten now that her mind had turned towards the reason she had come to these woods in the first place. Maybe today would be a big step towards improving her alchemical abilities.

“I’ve actually come here to look for plants. I’ve heard there are some rare flowers with strong healing potencies growing in this area and I hoped to experiment with them for some potions. Would you really be willing to share your research with me? That would be incredibly helpful! Also maybe you’ve seen the flower? It is a white trumpet with a bright pink centre and slender dark leaves. I was told they usually grow in very shady areas. It might even be in your book! So yes, I’d love to read through it. Thank you so much for the offer!”

"Sadly, I've not yet seen the plant you describe, but I've only just arrived and not really taken the time to wander yet. If you don't mind waiting a bit for me to finish what I was working on, I'll gladly lend my senses to your search so that we might both enjoy more thorough understanding."

The excited and slightly awkward interaction was something Ari was a bit used to, especially when meeting new people for the first time. Something about her appearance, demeanor, and general presence were a beacon for strange interactions. Still, it was wonderful to see Mimi's own curiosity and joy for discovery of the unknown. Being able to learn about the way things work and interact with one another was a driving force in her own life. Sharing that with others had proven to be a fascinating and rewarding experience so far.

Strolling over to where her stuff was setting beneath a tree, she unfolded the rolled blanket she'd been sitting on to make room for Mimi, Zeke and laying out books. When she finished, she waved her new companion over.

"We can use this area as our start or reference for exploring the area. Feel free to use whatever materials you like, they're nothing fancy but they're reliably available."

She concluded, a pleasant smile across her fair features.

Mimi settled down on the large blanket happily, marvelling at all the books and research Arianna had laid out. It was the perfect time for a break anyway and there would still be plenty of time to continue their search for the white flower later. Plus, if the pretty woman was actually willing to help searching, locating it might become a lot easier. Mimi had a strong inkling that Ari would have a much more structured approach to a search, than Mimi would have been able to muster on her own.

After moving past the rush of meeting someone new unexpectedly, her anxiety and awkwardness began calming down and she actually managed to bring her thoughts into something akin to order, which greatly helped in forming coherent sentences. “I don’t really know about needing any materials. I was just gonna, y’know, wander about until I find the thing.” She looked over the things Ari had laid out curiously. Books were the most prevalent, followed by pens, but there were plenty of the other items scattered between them. Possibly tools of some sort? Most of the items looked strange to Mimi, and she had no idea how to even begin identifying them. This woman really was a treasure trove of mysteries.

“I’m happy to wait, if you really wanna help me search. It’s time for a snack anyway!” with that she produced a small wicker basket with a quaint looking cloth poking out of it^[1]. Opening one of the basket’s lids, Mimi began pulling out various foods: Triangle sandwiches with different fillings, muffins, pink, round fruit and a pitcher of juice with two glasses. Some of the plates and especially the pitcher looked decidedly too large to have come from the small basket. And still she kept rummaging, adding a plate of still warm fruit tarts to the growing pile of food. “Is there anything specific you’d like to eat or drink?”

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[1] Picnic Basket of Conjuring