The Beanies were hopping along Gold Port, with Star and Goody staying as far away from the waters as possible while keeping Chili from attempting to steal all the openly-accessible ingredients they could get their fluffy paws on, when they stumbled across a clearance sale for a whole bunch of wooden goods, ranging from an "Ultra! Sized! Wagon!", sets of tables and chairs, kitchen shelves, and even a lovely tall dollhouse with cute little beds the Beanies could sleep on. All that for a bargain too!

Needless to say, the Beanies were immediately sold and it wasn't until everything was carried out of Sol City (to avoid running afoul of zoning laws) that the Beanies realised they didn't have any way to bring the wagon around. Also they were made to sign some papers about waiving liability for the wagon, which was bad since the Beanies couldn't read and had no way of understanding what it was even about.

Yeah, the Beanies were most definitely not long-term thinkers. Demony was snickering to itself on the side, relishing the horror emanating from the Beanies as it dawned on them this was a bad purchase. Oh well. Nothing the Beanies could do now except actually inspect the condition of the wagon. 

The wagon itself seemed to be functional, given how it successfully hauled all the other purchased goodies, the merchant and the wagon driver just fine without much noise. The Beanies got together to think about what liability could be referring to in this case. Damage? Malfunction? ...Structural issues?

The Beanies decided that they didn't have enough information to work with and began a meticulous inspection of the wagon's entire structure, spending hours upon hours looking into every nook and cranny and reconstructing a detailed blueprint of the wagon.

By the time they were done, it was getting too dark to actually inspect the blueprint proper and the Beanies didn't have a lantern, so they called it a day and set up a little campfire to relax and have dinner.

    The last ship taking passengers out of the region had already made its way out. As per usual, this isn't a big worry for the big boar. He just has to set up for the night and get to cooking something from his foraged morsels. He ought not be wasteful of the ingredients he acquired between work, they will be valuable to show others what it is like living here. Yet, somehow, on this gorgeous evening, there may be another good reason to make the most of the unsightly creature's talents.

    The deep orange of the crepuscular sky was as sweetly serene as can be. Just as Baird gripped a piece of flint, ready to strike, he picked up a smell. There were a handful of common people set up among a few other camps with fires not too far away. Yet there was one that urged Baird to wonder. It came from a wagon, one so disheveled that it seemed as though one of his own ancestors sat it there for him to find today. He pondered a moment, but knew there was no harm in checking in on a stranger. Hey, maybe they'd be glad of his company. Or they'd mistake him for a monster and attack him, but that is equally possible for any given moment.

    Baird dusted off his leather skirt, adjusted his vest, and made his way over. His typically furred torso and head had shed themselves to a smooth shine. Preparation for change was always bothersome. Despite the personal embarrassment, he'd reach out to these strangers. He had to approach openly to avoid startling the no-doubt fine people taking refuge in this wagon. Coming at the camp from the other side of that wagon meant calling out to them first.

    "Evening, folk! I was just about to set up my own camp up the way." he spoke loud, but soft. Steadily he moved closer, "I couldn't help my curiosity. I'd like to have a chat, since we're both stuck here for the night." Baird's just about crested the wagon's side from a wide angle, "I'm coming around. I know I don't look-" He cuts himself off. He stood frozen as he took in the sight of what seemed like a troupe of stuffed animals. His mind went blank, so he is left staring much like how others do to him. Clearly, an interesting night was ahead of him.

The Beanies stared blankly at their uninvited guest for a moment, though not because of the latter's unique appearance -- despite the Beanies' plush exterior they were very much seasoned travellers who have ventured far and wide, taking in various sights and met all kinds of beings!

In their Beanieventure stories, anyway. Charon is very new to them.

Anyhow, the Beanies were just frankly surprised they had a guest, rather than any pre-established prejudices.

"Hello!" Goody quickly snapped out of the brain freeze and greeted their guest cheerfully, waving hi with one of their paws, and the other two quickly followed with their hellos as well.

Star and Goody were sitting a respectable distance away from their clearly oversized campfire (largely due to the physics of setting up said campfire) on a miniature long picnic bench and helping themselves to sugary bread rusks, while Chili was standing relatively close and happily cooking some delicately salted meat on a makeshift skewer. Demony lied flat behind Star and Goody, appearing as no more than a lump of shadow to the untrained eye and silently indulging in Star and Goody's instinctive fear of fire.

The Beanies looked to one another for a moment as they recalled their large guest's words, and Star replied "Sure! You can help yourself to anywhere around here. The name's Star," nodding, spreading their arms wide around the campfire and ending with a soft L-shaped arm raised upwards.

"Goody!" Goody placed their bread rusk away on a wooden plate to the side and stood up to wave both arms energetically before sitting down once again to resume their little meal.

"Chili!" Chili waved their non-essential hand at their guest before going back to focusing on their cooking.

"Aaaaaaaaand..." Star scoured around, looking for their crafty, shadowy friend. Failing to discern its presence, Star poked Goody, who immediately found Demony behind them and pointed at it. "This is Demony!" Demony was displeased at being introduced. It enjoyed staying hidden and it had no interest in learning about others, so it slid under the wagon in annoyance.

"Don't mind Demony, Demony's just shy," Star chirped, oblivious to Demony's feelings on the matter. "Anyway, what's your name?" Star tilted their head to one side, curiously looking at their fellow camper.

    These manifestations were beyond Baird's expectations of magical creatures. His eyes met with each of the Beanies as they introduced themselves. Each name brought his brow to curl upwards more and more. It was like he was witnessing a child's best friend walk, talk... and cook! Some simple nodules of freshly browning victuals and a tray of bread. The fae he knew of his homeland were very different, yet it seemed some fundamentals always opened the path to connection.

    "U-uh, forgive me! Baird, Baird Sickleclaw." he sputtered with an eased composure. The fire's glow wreathed his fur in a pleasing warmth as he moved to sit nearby. His voice continued with a subdued, yet still obvious, inquisitive reverence, "Thanks for having me." He questioned himself if being so stiffly polite was even necessary. Always best to be proper, when in doubt.

    Baird's eyes settled on the skewer held aloft. As Chili turned it over, now felt as good a time as ever, "This might be odd to ask, but may I join you in cooking? I came over to offer a hand. It is my dream to learn and teach others with food! I have some ingredients that I'd love to share and see what you think." A wide smile rose in Baird's face like it had a home there. However beady his eyes, they were cupped in upward crescents at the mere thought of making this bridge with an incredible set of wonderlings. The question of even if they had taste like him had went right over his head. Expectant and eager was his gaze cast at the adorable others.

"Ingredients!!!!" Chili's eyes widened and sparkled from the dancing campfire in such excitement that Star had to immediately bring Chili back to Charon before they could do anything stupid.
"Chili-plush! Finish cooking meat first!" Star shot an angry glare at Chili.
"Oh oh, right," Chili blushed in embarrassment, red lines appearing along what passed as their cheeks for a brief moment before fading away.
"Back to the topic, sure, Mr. Baird, feel free to use our campfire!" Star turned towards Baird and their eyes formed upside-down smiles. "Also we'd be happy to learn about the ingredients you have! Especially Chili-plush. Chili-plush and food are inseparable."
"Chi-li!" Chili puffed their non-existent chest in pride.
"Um, Goody and Star can only have confections..." Downward arcs formed along the upper hemispheres of Goody's eyes as memories of eating a juicy meat burger with vegetables and soup popped into the brain for a moment. That's odd. Goody was sure they've never had meat before, let alone vegetables, much less liquid soup. They weren't Chili, who could actually eat all that. "Oh, but Goody and Star can cook too! Chili is best chef among us," Goody perked back up again as quickly as they turned sad.
"Chi-li-li!" Being praised by both Star and Goody made for an elated Chili.

Meanwhile, under the wagon, Demony would be gagging at the levels of saccharine this conversation was exuding if it had a physical mouth- Oh, what's this? A nail on one of the wooden beams under the wagon seemed to be coming loose. Thinking it would be a gateway to chaos, Demony pulled the nail out, which sent the wagon platform crashing down... And trapping Demony under the wooden debris. Oh how Demony loathed having a physical form. Worse still, the first emotions the whole fiasco elicited was concern for Demony by Goody. Worst. Feeling. Ever.

"Demony!" Goody immediately sprung out of their seat and rushed towards the now broken wagon, forgetting they were a little plush bear who most certainly wasn't able to perform the physical labour required to free Demony.

    The crashing wood structure carried a series of heavy thuds through the dirt. Once the waves were sent through Baird, he quickly darted over to help. "This won't be comfortable, brace yourself." Baird began with planting his hand on the ground beside the wagon. With focus and a whisper, a frictionless sheath of ice^[1] coated a path to Demony. He moved over to the waning angle of the crumbling vehicle. Perhaps a heavy weight, but if a beast of burden can haul the wagon, so could he.^[2] "Alright, there should be some clearance. Goody, you pull him out while I hold this for ya!" he assured with a grin.

    The sudden burst of excitement would keep Baird from noticing changes to himself until things were calm. The skin and scales of his arms and legs reacted to the exertion. Lines, raised scar tissue in thin strands all across the surface. Dozens of them making smoke patterns from top-to-bottom. By the time he took the weight of the wagon off of Demony, the whole of his exposed limbs looked as though large fingerprints had rolled across him. From herein they'd stick with him forever, the first omen of many to come.



^[1] Ice Over (Sea Domain), ^[2] Bull's Strength

Goody began dragging Demony out post-haste once it seemed free enough to be moved, Star and Chili quickly joining them in the effort. In a short while, Demony was safely outside the wagon... And wispy puffs of smoke-esque trails were flowing out of it here and there, indications of the injuries it had sustained.

"Is Demony okay!?" Goody crouched and looked at Demony with a worried look.
Ughhhhhh. Demony absolutely loathed Goody's goody-goody concern more than anything else in the world. It wanted to claw those beady eyes off Goody's face so bad, but so extensive was its injuries that it could barely even move, only managing to twitch one of its ears to indicate it was still alive. Concern tasted like wet tissues to Demony, but right now it had little choice but to eat whatever emotions wafting from the Beanies to survive.

Demony was no conventional creature so the Beanies had no way of treating its injuries and could only hope their emotions were enough to sustain it, lugging it over by the campfire so the three could snuggle it and allow their emotions to be feasted upon easier. The Beanies then brought their food over and continued eating while they gathered around Demony. Nothing they could do about the wagon until dawn arose and they could assess the damage anyway, though the mood for the night was very much ruined.

Before that though, Goody gave a polite "Thank you, Mr. Baird," to their generous helper, with Star and Chili nodding along.

    Baird set down the haphazard wagon as gently as he could, hoping not to incite more bad luck out of the ramshackle. The whole scene does fill him with an unease at being a guest, though he was glad that he was here to help. As a turn of fortune, he came to do something, and Baird Sickleclaw does all he can to see things through. A pause took him as he glanced down to see the flare across his limbs, but now is not the time to dwell.

    The small bundle of plushies huddled around the fire with their simple meals. It was, hopefully, time to make the most of things! Baird wandered about a short while, picking at the stones he could find until a few fit his specifications. While rummaging, he tried to clear the silence, "I'm not sure your tastes, Chili, but I do have a meal that's been a hit back in Sol City." Building a pair of small piles by the fire, he pulled out an iron vessel that was wrapped shut in strips of leather. Undoing the ties, he opened it to reveal a rather complex stew.

    The air was engorged with the smell of smoked spices, fatty meat, and shallots. Baird placed the container above the fire, resting the handles on the rocks he placed. Stirring it all with a stick, he beamed with pride at the steaming aroma of sweet peppers warming up inside the flavorful stock. "I hope to find an agreeable baker before the next time we meet, then I'll learn something worthy of Star and Goody. For now, I bring you my special Lilicors Gumbo!" Baird portions a cup and holds it out to Chili. "What does Demony eat? I'll be sure to seek out something."

The instant the complex scents reached Chili's nose, Chili immediately pounced into action like a hungry cat... Whereby Star and Goody immediately grabbed them by the legs, causing Chili to fall flat to the ground.
"Chi-liiiiiii!? (What was that for!?)" Chili's tone was accusatory.
"Stawa stawa stawa! (What if Chili-plush gets burnt!?)" Star retorted angrily.
"Googa googa. (The food won't run away.)" Goody shakes their head, hoping to calm Chili down.
"Chiiiii..." Chili was pouting now, but more level-headed as they walked over to the campfire.
"Chili would love to try some!" Chili proclaimed happily. Well, at least one of the Beanies was happy now.

To the topic of what Demony eats, the Beanies shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to broach the topic specifically.
"Uhhh..." Star looked to the side awkwardly.
"Demony doesn't eat food..." Chili joined Star in the awkward response.
"Demony can only eat our emotions," Goody looked down with their ears flapped forward, and paws alternating between touching and moving away sideways.
"So we're snuggling together to help Demony recover... If that's how it works," Star wasn't sure and it showed in their voice. Demony didn't use to get injured, like, at all. The Beanies couldn't even isolate Demony in one location, let alone harm Demony even if they wanted to in their story. Demony was too hurt to really think about anything, clinging onto its sheer hatred for the Beanies to get itself through the night.

The Beanies sensed the air beginning to shift and looked around in the sky. Some rainclouds were slowly looming towards them, and the blur streaks of rainfall could be seen in the distance.
"Mr. Baird, do you need a tent[1]? Rain is coming," Star pointed at those ominous rainclouds approaching them.

"Don't worry about us. The wagon platform might be a mess, but there's more than enough flat space on the in-built shelves." Goody chimed in.

---

[1]Tent (item)

    Baird pondered everything while scratching across his jawline. Naturally, he handed Chili the cup of stew, hoping it to be the right amount for such a magical being. "I have long learned to not judge anyone without seeing their actions first. Still, I'll be honest, not good optics with an emotion-feeding shadow named 'Demony'." He used the leather strap to grip a side of the gumbo vessel, using his other hand to pick out a bit of meat and toss it into his mouth. Continuing while chewing, "I'll accept the offer since I don't really have shelter myself. This meal is gratis for allowing me by your fire, so I'll owe all'ya tomorrow for the cozy night." 
    
    While sitting nearby, Baird greedily chomped and gulped at his stew. He spoke oddly gentle for how he seemed, in between slurps, "The elders of my people told hundreds of stories of wonderlings and fae. The magical among my village had many different perspectives on their origins. Supposedly I might be one of the descendants of a lineage of lost fae, who hail from a time before the sea swallowed our home. What is it like to be such beings? As a man born of dormant blood, I don't know anything different than mundane living."

    The lumbering figure loomed from his place by the fire. Even while sitting, he had to angle his head much just to see the Beanies. He tried not to stare too much, though probably did. Soon after, he'd get up to help himself to setting up the tent.

Chili takes the cup of stew and begins gorging on it greedily.
Hearing Baird's words, Star simply replied "We're aware."
"But but, Goody no wanna see Demony die," Tears welled up on Goody's eyes at the mere thought of it. "It'd be too cruel," Goody looked down with their ears flapped forward.
"Also, Demony can only feed on us Beanies specifically. We don't know why, but it is what it is," Star added on, just to make sure Baird wasn't misunderstanding things.
Demony's rage further swelled at the show of pity by Goody. It loathed the reality that it was dependent on the Beanies to survive, and indignantly wished for a reality where it was not the case.

"We'll bring the tent over in a bit, then. No worries, we're happy to be of help!" Star gestured at the wagon.

The Beanies individually pondered the question from Baird.
"Star-plush wouldn't say being small plush toys who can only eat confections and have to be constantly wary about surrounding dangers is a fun experience." It might seem like an unexpected response given how jolly the Beanies were in general, but a serious question demands a serious answer.
"Being hounded by kids and animals alike for our appearance isn't exactly a 100% wholesome experience either. Goody is happy that they like Goody, but boundaries are important too," Goody added, shuddering at a memory of kids swarming the poor Beanie and slobbering all over them.
"People mistaking us for exotic beings are the worst! Chili remembers almost being Beanienapped by some old creep with guards!" Chili's face was suffused with anger.
"Star-plush does wonder about living as something else every now and then, but they all have their own disadvantages." Star shrugged.
"Goody is Goody no matter what!" Goody was very much not a philosopher.
"Chili is fine with anything so long as Chili can eat food and cook!" While Chili was very much the simpleton.

The Beanies were now done with their food, and the rainclouds were fast approaching their location. The trio hopped into the wagon and together, they carried the nicely-wrapped tent out for Baird to use.

"""Good night, Mr. Baird! Thanks again for today!""" The three Beanies bowed in unison and proceeded to lug Demony into the wagon and hit the bed.

    A refreshing rest, wind and rain finally staying suspended from Baird's own person. Most often he simply builds a rudimentary shelter wherever he happens to sleep. They are good enough, but hardly so comfortable. Such a small luxury, but this was a world of difference. Perhaps unfortunately, he was too proud to own a tent for himself. Always afraid of getting soft.

    A blissfully uneventful night turns to a clear and beautiful morning. So relaxed was the boar that he'd struggle to build the desire to leave the warmth of the Beanies' kind gesture. Eventually, however, he'd chastise himself enough to crawl into the crisp outside air. The harbor nearby was bustling with folk moving in and out of different kinds of ships. The wilderness opposite was chirpily fluttering with birds and game getting early starts to their foraging. Serenity.

    It seems Baird was the first to rise, or perhaps the Beanies were already out-and-about. At least as he was alone within the camp, it was time to make ready. Stoking the firepit back into a blaze, he looked to see what nests may be settled into the trees nearby. Despite his bulk, Baird was a capable climber. Whenever he would struggle to get his next hold, he'd kick notches into the bark with his hooves that provided ample footrests. He returned to the fire with hands full of differing eggs, as well as some edible milk-caps he happened by.

The Beanies were snuggled up on the hard, flat surfaces of the uppermost shelf, held in place through wooden brackets, while Demony laid unconscious on a lower shelf. Luckily for the Beanies, they hadn't a spine in their body, so they didn't have to deal with the sores that would have likely resulted from them sleeping seated up, leaning on the wall.

In a rare occasion, it was Chili who was the early Beanie this morning, undoubtedly from all the excitement of possibly being introduced to more delectable delights by their newfound friend Mr. Baird. So giddy was the little polar bear that they'd forgotten the wagon platform below had crashed onto the ground last night and jumped right down, only avoiding wooden splinters by managing to grab onto a lower shelf.

Chili lifted themselves back onto the walkable surface, and traipsed out of the wagon to see if their large, fluffy friend was up and about. There, Chili would lay their eyes on a wondrous selection of eggs. Oh, and some mushrooms too.

"Morning Mr. Baird~" You'd swear Chili was drooling if not for the fact that they had no saliva glands.

Star woke up next, which was an entirely normal occurrence. The first thing they did was to check on their adorable Goody-plush, who stayed up a long while until Demony went unconscious out of pure concern and give them a loving nuzzle with their nose. The nuzzling would wake Goody up, and the two heard Chili's voice echoing from beyond the wagon boundaries.
Figuring their fellow Beanie must be outside, they hopped down the shelves to join Chili, but not before Goody checked on Demony to make sure it was still alive. And alive it was, annoyed that its first meal was once again the soggy concern of a worried Goody. It still had not recovered enough energy to be up and about, and it promptly shoved Goody away, sending them hurtling towards Star and the two of them almost fell into the wooden chaos.
"(Demony)!" Star glared at the seething shadow.
"(Goody and Star should go,)" Goody, ever the compassionate one, took no real offence to the action and held Star by the hand to drag them away.

Star and Goody popped their heads out of the wagon and saw Chili staring at Baird's haul excitedly, waiting for the creation of gourmet delights with bated breath.
""Good morning Mr. Baird~"" Star and Goody gave their morning greetings as they set by the edge of the wagon, helping themselves to buttery bread rusks as was their common travel rations.

    The man delighted in the Beanies energetic greeting. Cooking up the eggs, folding in the mushrooms, adding dashes of salt and spice; omelettes for the discerning palates! "Chili! Come, enjoy." he said with gusto. Lacking finery or many things he did not simply scavenge, he wipes a hard stone with a cloth and sets it down to act as plate and table. A swipe of his spatula had a neatly folded mushroom omelette set before the kindly host. With what can be called a beastly imitation of a dignified bow, he strolls on to allow Chili time to eat.

    A warm smile shines from under the snout of the boar, "Star, Goody! Thank you all for the lodging. I rarely get to awaken so dry and cozy. I'm already planning on how I'll learn what I can about quick breads, just in case I am blessed to run into you again." It won't be terribly easy, but putting together a kiln or rock oven he could travel to and bake, gather some items, see if he can meet with the farms and work for dairy as needed. This could be an important step to providing for his goals.

    Opening his mouth to think aloud, he catches himself. Yet, he chose to simply inform anyway, "I am granted gifts that alleviate me of wants or needs as others have. I can eat nearly anything, I have grown big and strong, I know who to meet and how to make fast friends. Think of what I do as merely paying forward the gods' kindness."

"Omelette!" Chili drew out their mini utensils and dove right into it like a ravenous bear descending on its prey, savouring every single bite as though they were in foodie heaven.
"Delish!" If this were a world where emotions could be actualized, there would be hearts emerging into the air emanating from the smiley-eyed Chili-plush who now had their ears flapped backwards from pure joy.

Star and Goody would be deeply envious whenever Chili was able to savour delectable delights that they could not. Despite their inability to eat non-confections, their noses would find the foods temptingly fragrant and they would have a sad look in their eyes as their logical circuits told them they could not feast upon it. Then they heard that Baird would endeavour to be able to bake for them and their faces lit up.
"Star-plush looks forward to Baird's pastries!" Star danced in joy.
"Goody too!" Goody hopped excitedly.

Listening to Baird's offer, the Beanies looked to one another, hinting at their thoughts with their expressions. The wagon platform was a complete mess, and the Beanies were sure some of their furnitures were also damaged, if not outright broken as a result of the crash, and trying to fix all that on their own when the Beanies were what they were was nothing short of self-imposed torture, so ending with a collective nod, Star voiced out to Baird.

"Well, if Mr. Baird says so, us Beanies would greatly appreciate if you could help us fix the wagon platform!"
"And whatever other casualties we have," Goody added. "Should have a tool pouch in there somewhere..."
"Then we can have a celebratory meal when we're done!" Chili, never one to miss an opportunity to relish food, chimed in with their thoughts.

Demony continued to lie down on the shelf surface, its annoyance growing by the minute as the morsels of salacious envy quickly faded into the aether, replaced by more wholesome emotions it had little interest in understanding. Its injuries were barely recovering, however, no matter how much it feasted on the Beanies' emotions. While it could feel that it was safe from death, whatever that entailed, it was not feeling any closer to better. Not by a long shot.