Yet another night was fast approaching with the Beanies' wagon sitting outside the city largely due to zoning laws and the lack of budget to pay for in-city parking, so the Beanies got to setting up a campfire taller than themselves as usual. Something about the minimum size required to not immediately be extinguished by the autumn winds necessitated a rather voluminous campfire, a fact that always made Goody feel rather uncomfortable. Fires are scary. But they hadn't any more efficient means of night lighting, and it was supposed to serve as a deterrent as well so Goody had little choice but to accept campfires as a part of their adventuring life.

Anyway, the campfire was soon burning and lighting its surroundings, consisting of a Chili-plush preparing the spices, while Star-plush and Goody-plush stood on a tall kitchen stool cranking a wooden handle, the other end connecting to a big fish with a metal bar running though its mouth and coming out where its tail should be, and the body of the fish itself netted in metallic wires to keep it secured. If this turned out delicious, then the Beanies might have a new menu item for their still-not-officially-opening-anytime-soon restaurant!

Demony envied the Beanies' capacity to find joy in the most mundane of activities, and deeply loathed it in equal measure because it meant they were mostly emanating wholesome emotions that did not suit its tastes at all.

The fish was soon nicely grilled, and the Beanies worked together to remove it from the campfire and let it cool on the side of a log after removing the wires and placing them on a flat surface, careful to bend the ends of the wires inwards to avoid possible cuts. Chili, too impatient to wait any longer, took a bite into it and let out a painful-sounding "Chi!!!!!"
"(Chili-plush!)" This may be a regular occurrence, but Star certainly wasn't ever going to be any more lenient.
Goody, in the meantime, fetched some pastries they bought in Starlight City from the wagon to enjoy. Soon, all three Beanies were dining in on their meals.

Nighttime in the Crescent Isles was a chorus of wild, exotic sounds and sights to Ari. She enjoyed the warm humidity even in the depths of autumn, where most places were starting to feel the first frosty bites of winter's embrace. Traveling across the continent had been a riot of colors, the various trees and plants hunkering down for the coming frigid months before steadily getting greener as one traveled south. Here in the Isles, it was almost a perpetual tropical summer and life thrived in verdant abundance. Adding to the symphony of nocturnal critters was a sea of bright flickering stars, spread out across the sky and slowly unveiled by the fading light of day.

As an Astralblood, she preferred the evenings for the weather and distinct lack of activity from most people. She was acutely aware of Charon's history towards other celestially influenced people, and she intended to avoid that fate at all costs. Times like this were some of the few where Ari would forego the many accessories she wore to conceal her heritage, letting her hair fall down in wavy, starry cascades over a simple form fitting black dress. Her almost alabaster skin sparkled with it's own luminescence, constellations of tiny lights in a myriad of colors peppered her complexion in the same way a fair skinned person might have freckles. Entranced by the experience, she gave herself over to the exhilaration and joy of not looking over her shoulder or hiding who she was.

Ever since she was very young, Ari had been using magic to counteract her oddest celestial feature. Now well into her twenties, all that experience made her magic a dazzlingly subtle display of mana flow and willpower. With a word and a gesture, her pace quickened through the woods.

"Brysio."

Her joy turned to a lighthearted laughter as she raced along the ground, caught up in the moment as she passed through the trees like a glittering, glowing wraith. Thinking little of her surroundings or whom might be out in the wilds this far from towns or cities, she came careening into a clearing occupied by a fairly large wagon. Outside a campfire burned and the heady scent of fire grilled fish with some sort of spices filled the clearing. Ari wrenched herself to a halt, her outfit quickly shifting to include a billowing cloak with a low fit hood to keep her hair out of sight. She looked around cautiously for the occupants, though did not immediately see anyone. Woops...

The Beanies bore witness to a brief glimpse of beautiful sparkles before it quickly became hidden in shadowy veils. They looked up at their unexpected guest, a tall feminine figure wearing a hooded cloak over a form-fitting black dress.
"Oh, hello!" Goody greeted cheerfully from a little wooden bench.
"Starry~," Star was starstruck with the starry starriness.
Chili was too busy savouring their newly-spiced fish to care all that much. Demony was somewhat curious about what the stranger just did with her clothing.
"What brings you here?" Goody asked innocently. "We had to park our wagon pretty far away because the terrain here is pretty uneven."
"Star-plush wants to see more starriness~. Pleaseeeeeeeee?" Star was enamoured and stared up at the stranger with enlarged, sparkly eyes.
"Did you come here because of fish? You want fish?" Chili offered some fish meat, now sliced and nicely placed on a plate.
"Ah, but where are our manners?" It was only then Goody realized they hadn't introduced themselves yet. "Goody is Goody!" Goody waved their right arm gently.
"Star!" Star raised their arms and spread them outwards, drawing an arc as though trying to project some kind of imagined visual.

"Chili!" Chili briefly raised the left arm to form an L-shape before returning to their food.

"Oh, and there's Demony." Goody pointed at the shadows behind a large rock. Demony was annoyed at how Goody always seemed to be able to find it whenever it was in the vicinity.

"What's your name?" Star tilted their head as the question came out. "Your hair is pretty," Star complimented honestly without any shadow in their words.

It was then that Demony sensed that there might be someone or something else in the vicinity with their eyes on the Beanies. Hoping that this other uninvited guest would make matters more interesting, it opted against suggesting anything and pretended that it noticed nothing unusual as it laid flat amidst the shadows.

Voices greeted the startled mage, though she did not immediately recognize the sources. It wasn't until several small plush bears she thought might be toys of some kind began to move about, offering her fish and asking excited questions. Ari hadn't been expecting to socialize this evening, in fact that was why she'd come so deep into the wilds. As the trio introduced themselves, they also pointed to a peculiar shadow stretched amongst the rocks and introduced it with a name. She squirreled away that tidbit and took a deep breath, collecting her thoughts and organizing them before letting out a soft sigh. They'd already seen her uncovered appearance, and something about their demeanor put her at ease for the moment.

Her cloak faded away once more¹, like a shadow being chased away by the brilliant starry light within. Might as well get all the excitement and questions out of the way to start with, as the proverbial feline had indeed escaped it's rucksack. Bowing just a bit, she spread the hem of her long dress just a bit as she began speaking. Her tone was soft yet haunting, like some ethereal spirit who'd not quite decided if they would sing or speak their words.

"Good evening and well met to you all, my name is Arianna Entahlia. I was out enjoying an evening run, exploring the area, and did not notice your caravan before I was upon the clearing. I do appreciate your offer of a meal, but I've already had quite the filling dinner. What brings yourselves out to this part of the Isles?"

The trio of bears intrigued the young mage for many reasons, and she could only imagine what sort of peculiar phenomenon animated their lively spirits. It was always a tricky task to ask about another's origins, and was something she wasn't keen to do... though the curious researcher running around in her mind was going to blow a gasket for not asking. The mental image brought a smile to Ari's face, amused to no end by the idea it represented. She hoped her intrusion wasn't the start of some hectic event though, and watched the odd shadow called Demony with extra caution.

---

1: Morph Suit

"Yay starriness!" Star's eyes sparkled in childish joy as they laid their eyes upon the enchanting beauty of the stranger's hair, with Goody and Chili also forming appreciative smiley eyes in response to their beautiful guest.
"""Hello Ms. Arianna Entahlia~!""" The Beanies greeted their new guest in unison as they normally did with little hesitation.
"Oh, okay," Chili was slightly disappointed that they could not get Arianna's opinion on their cooking, but oh well. More fish for them!
"We're travelling around Charon to see what this world is like," Star answered honestly.
"Parking in cities is expensive though, so we're camping outside," Goody added.

Demony genuinely wished the Beanies wouldn't always attempt to introduce it as it would near-consistently introduce wariness from others towards its presence. Not that it had any complaints about being a shadowy creature, sans the fact it was currently susceptible to physics, but Demony was deeply aware that most people found its existence disconcerting. It also wished the Beanies would share that commonplace sentiment rather than constantly attempt to be its friend. Just because their book ended with them becoming friends didn't mean they had to keep to it, damn it!

It was then that an eerie laugh echoed in the air.
"Found you!" At that instant, howling winds[1] would extinguish the Beanies' campfire, leaving them without a proper light source and sending the Beanies flying into the air from its sheer strength.

---

[1]Unknown: Push/Pull

Ari listened to the unusual trio as they replied, seeming to enjoy her change of attire. She wasn't fully sure what made her want to reveal herself again, but it was nice to not feel like such an oddity at the very least. As they concluded, she nodded in response to their comment about cities and their pricing. As she was about to reply, an eerie laughter carried itself through the clearing. A new voice joined the group, shouting just a moment before unleashing a spell. A wave of unseen force pushed across the camp, snuffing out the small fire and sending the bears tumbling.

Quick to react, Ari conjured a brightly glowing orb of light and tossed it up above the camp.

"Golau."¹

The mote of light illuminated most of the clearing in a clear, bright radiance. Taking a quick glance about, she caught sight of where the trio had gone sprawling and moved to position herself between them and the direction of the spell.

"Whomever you are, whatever you are, what in the cosmos is your issue?! If you value tomorrow, leave now."

Calm washed over the mage, readying herself for a potential onslaught and having to shield the bears while they recovered. As an additional precaution, a shimmering wall of golden brilliance curved ahead of the mage.

"Tarian."²

The barrier grew solid as it took shape, blocking the path of any and all on the other side. She took a deep breath and a moment to scan the gloomy forest for the source of the laughter and proclamation, ready to unleash a cadre of spells.

---

Action 1: Cast Light over the camp
Movement - Positioning between the general direction of the mysterious spell/voice and the bears
Action 2: Cast Wall of Light out in front of her position, curving the wall to provide as much cover as possible

The Beanies tumbled and landed a distance away from their wagon, and they were generally feeling panicked from the sudden darkness before a beautiful Light shone around the camp and returned some visibility to the location.
The Beanies were not used to gusts that strong, since they would normally run for shelter at any sign of changing winds and were largely disoriented as a result.
"(Goody-plush and Chili-plush okay?)" Star groaned as they looked up.
"Googie..." Goody replied, sounding somewhat exhausted.
"(Chili's fishhhhhhh...)" Chili despaired over their food as usual.
Demony was largely unaffected thanks to the fact that it was behind a rock, and continued to chill as usual, enjoying the Beanies' disorientation which tasted similar to sweet alcohol.

Then The Beanies watched as a wall of light formed in front of Arianna and curved to cover her and the Beanies as best as possible, which made the Beanies feel a little more secure. Those feelings would not last, unfortunately, as another magically-induced gust[1] would send the Beanies hurtling once more, pulled in the direction away from where the wall stood, where Demony, with their night vision, could see a black-robed figure standing with their arms spread wide and their fingers moving excitedly, as though waiting with bated breath to capture the hapless Beanies.

---

[1]Push/Pull

Her first sweep of the gloomy forest night revealed nothing, despite the luminous boost overhead. As it seemed the bears were beginning to recover, another great gust pulled them away.

"Oliwi"¹

Ari's voice whispered to the darkness, and it seemed like the night's shadows themselves responded to the beckoning of her magic. Tendrils of darkness reached out through her magical light above and touched the Astralblood's cyan, starry patterned eyes. Glossy obsidian replaced her bright eyes, which brightened her vision for a few moments and revealed a peculiar, hooded figure waving their hands about greedily. It wasn't clear if the figure noticed or cared about her presence, transfixed as they were on the tumbling plushies being torn away from their home.

"Heheheheheh HAHAHAHAA!!"
The laughter grew louder, more confident as the silhouette moved to fire off another spell. With a large, theatrical sweep they proclaimed "GOTCHA!!"²
As another wave of magic was about to pull the bears further from home, Ari returned it with one of her own.

"Allwyra."³

Between the Beanies and the strange cackling figure, a rectangle of bright beams formed a barricade against the spell. The two effects clashed with a thrumming force that made the air buzz and pulsate, the mage looking on to see if her spell would hold. While the barrier did seem to strain, the pressing spell waned and was halted, fading into the gloom a moment later. With a wave of her hand, she directed the luminous orb above towards the hooded figure as the obsidian magic faded from her eyes. She took a deep breath, steadying her senses and body, trying to keep the flow of energy within from becoming too chaotic.

---

1 - Ebon Eyes
2 - [Unknown Figure's Action] Push/Pull
3 - Force Wall

The Beanies fell to the ground once more as the pulling sensation was suddenly halted, with a brief sensation of magic preceding that. As they recovered from their fall, they saw the light looming closer to them and a visibly strained Arianna. The Beanies were appreciative of her effects to keep them safe, but they didn't want to see her in pain over it. Which meant they had to confront the source of their troubles. The Beanies looked to each other, nodded, and reoriented themselves to face their wannabe Beanienapper.

"Why are you doing this?" Goody was the one to ask the question with a pleading voice, their ears flapped forward and their eyes widened and beady, the highlights wavering under the magically-induced light. Their arms were raised up to under their face, and Star and Chili did much the same except without the beady eyes.

"AHHHHH!" The mysterious figure screeched and recoiled backwards, before shooting forward and leaning eerily close to the Beanies. "SO CUTE!!!!!!!!" They then removed their hood and proceeded to snatch the Beanies from the ground to snuggle them, revealing themselves as a tall, horned Fellblood with glasses and of a large, imposing build. The Beanies were largely displeased. Not at the sudden, unsanctioned snuggling, mind you, that was a fact of life they were already used to and they were in fact, physiologically predisposed towards not minding such actions. Rather, they were unhappy at the lengths the Fellblood took, and the trouble they'd unwittingly wrought upon Arianna as a result. So annoyed were they that Star would yell angrily, "Let us down!"[1]

"Oh, of course! Of course! A filthy Fellblood such as I couldn't possibly deserve the grace of beings as majestically adorable as yourselves!" They lowered the Beanies to the ground as gently as they could, which was to say, not very, and began kowtowing as though they were the subject of worship.

"Uhh..." Neither Chili nor the other two Beanies had any idea what just happened.
"Yes, my liege?" The Fellblood posed like a dog awaiting their master's next orders, replete with the wagging of what appeared to be a lizard tail.
"Why are you doing this?" Goody asked once more, and the Fellblood answered promptly this time.
"Oh, forgive me, my dear angels in bear guise! I could not resist my uncouth desire to lay my hands upon thee, majestic beings that you are, and if I may, selfishly have thee for my own comfort." The Fellblood prostrated exaggeratedly.
"Please do not ever try to Beanienap us again." Star glared angrily, paws on their waist. "If you wanted to hug us, you could've just asked, you know."
"I could never! What right have I to impose myself upon you, my lieges? No, this is a trial I must endure now and forevermore!" The Fellblood lowered their head, casting their gaze onto the ground so as to not lay their unholy eyes on them. Star put one of their arms to their head, visibly frustrated at this entire conversation. Goody and Chili had no idea what to do, either.
"YOU JUST IMPOSED YOURSELF ON US THREE MINUTES AGO!" Star exploded in indignation. "PLEASE DO US A FAVOUR AND JUST TREAT US NORMALLY, DARN IT!"
The Fellblood was now in tears. "You would... forgive my transgressions, and not only that, see me as your equal?" They raised their head, their expression that of genuine awe at the kindness the Beanies were extending. "Oh, I shall never forget your compassion for as long as I live!"

Demony found this entire interaction surprisingly delectable. It didn't think there was a way for the Beanies to find hugs annoying. It ought to remember this as a possible avenue for Beanie frustration in the future.

---

[1]Charming Grace

Ari watched the conversation unfolding with a modicum of reservation. The bears had gotten too close for many of her own spells, so she would have to be patient and see how things happened. As one of the little plushies exclaimed at the man, there was some magical effect that passed between bear and stranger. She didn't quite recognize the spell or ability, but the stranger seemed to calm down quite handily. The exchange that followed was something stranger than even the oddest tales she'd read in her travels, but she was thankful to see the fellblood put them down and apologize. She had to wonder to herself, what might have happened had she not been around... likely the very same thing that transpired this time. One did not get by without a few tricks when you stood out too much, something the celestially touched mage could attest to.

Not quite sure if there was any further help she could provide, Ari approached the group.

"It seems things have found a peaceful resolution, thankfully. If it's alright with you all, I'll be on my way and disturb your meal no further."

She didn't want to seem rude, but she also didn't want to get too involved either. The stranger's attire was enough to make her wary, and she really wasn't interested in the games nobility liked to play. While she did consider saying something to the trio, there was little similarity between their situations and her own aside from a difference in appearance from the common folk. At a glance, they seemed tricky enough to be surviving in the wilds, though whether they were thriving or not she couldn't say.

The Beanies would have liked Arianna to stay longer - the more the merrier, as they say - but they had already troubled her enough and it would not do them well to impose, so they looked to each other and nodded. Besides, the airs were only going to remain awkward with both her and the Fellblood around.
"Alright, Ms. Arianna. Thanks for today and safe travels!" the Beanies happily waved their arms as they walked over to her with their arms spread open to give her a hug, if she would accept.

Following that, the Beanies would turn around to face their supposed Beanienapper once more. What were they to do with this stranger...
"Um, so who are you?" Goody asked.
"Ah, how could I have forgotten to introduce myself? Salatha. Just Salatha." the Fellblood replied.
"What does Salatha do?" Chili wondered.
"Manual logistical work, mainly. Wind magic pays for itself among such labourious conditions," Salatha unfurled their cloak to unhide one of their arms, then flexed their biceps to show off their toned muscles.
"So... a dock worker?" Star cut the fluff.

"Indeed, my little angel!" Salatha puffed their chest proudly. "I laid my sight upon thee during one of my monotonous shifts, and could not resist the eclectic beauties that thy presented. I spoke to myself thus, 'I must have thee!' But now I know I was a fool to think that I could possibly shackle thee to myself."

"Nay, thy cuteness must be spread throughout the world! Then only shall the world know peace!" Salatha declared with a resolute expression on their face.
"Uh... We appreciate your compliments, but..." Goody was not good with situations like these.
"Chili doubts the world will know peace just because everyone knows us," Chili found the idea facepalm-worthy.

"If we could achieve world peace, there wouldn't be people Beanienapping us," Star blurted out, before realising it could be construed in another manner, which Salatha pounced on.

"Ah! The prospective Beanienappers are but fools who understand not thy majesty! They must be led to enlightenment!" Salatha was sounding like some kind of religious preacher now.
"Please don't cause us any more trouble," Star cradled their head. Goodness, what did they bring upon themselves this time?
"I wouldn't dare, my dear angels! If my presence troubles thee so, then allow me to excuse myself!" Salatha swiftly disappeared before the Beanies' eyes before any of them could get any word in edgewise.

The Beanies could only look at each other with bemused expressions on their faces. Twas a weird night. Demony would observe the Beanies for the rest of night filled with snickering amusement in its being.