(2025-05-01) Desolace: New Fronds

Details

Author:	Alli
Summary:	Apricity (Piper, Hearthleigh), Arric, Kenelly, Stelianna and Thaniel arrive to assist the Cenarion Circle in the Cenarion Wildlands of Desolace. As they tend the flora and fauna, they find new friends (fronds?) in one another. ~5200 words.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Kalimdor Newbies

+ Show additional content warnings

some flirting and reference to nudity

Arric sits at the edge of a tranquil pool, sorting various plucked flowers in his lap while a baby raptor watches his every move. A condor is perched nearby.

Kenelly descends through the trees. Well, a stormcrow does, which transforms into a Kenelly. She smooths her skirt, and lights up. "Oh, Lord Arric! Hello!"

Thaniel wanders over.

The condor flips out for a second when the stormcrow turns into a person. Arric says, "Calm," firmly to the bird, and it settles back down.

[Arric]: Afternoon, Lady Kenelly! I say, it must be about tea time, isn't it? I should have eaten.

Kenelly giggles softly. "Sorry about that." Then she spots the baby raptor and gasps softly. "Oh my word. Who is this adorable creature?"

[Arric]: That's right, you haven't met Rica. Rica, this is Lady Kenelly Ashewood. Ke-ne-lee. Lady Kennelly, Rica.

Stelianna comes out of the inn and stares, amazed. "Lord Arric and Lady Kenelly! You're here?!"

Arric looks surprised to see Stelianna as well.

[Stelianna]: Oh… you have a baby.

Thaniel is holding a flower that he has dug out of the ground roots and all. He winds it around his staff.

[Arric]: She's a very capable baby, though. She will be fine accompanying us. Isn't that right, Rica?

Kenelly gives Stelianna a wave and a greeting smile…but the baby has stolen her attention. "Rica, aren't you the cutest little predator? Goodness, look at those eyes!"

Rica stares at Kenelly with those eyes.

Kenelly melts.

[Arric]: Stelianna Thorne, isn't it? Are you joining us today?

Arric's lap is full of flowers at present.

Stelianna nods. "I'm… I guess so? I'm here answering the call from the Cenarions. My mentor seemed to think I should hang out with really old races for a while."

Apricity jumps off from a nearby tree, in his worgen form, falling close to the baby, Rica.

Thaniel smiles happily at Apricity. Maybe he doesn't startle easily.

Rica jumps about a foot in the air and then hides behind Arric.

Arric also startles at Apricity's entrance.

[Kenelly]: Oh! Do be careful. There's an infant present.

Stelianna startles easily. "A worgen!"

[Arric]: I think she's more of a toddler, really, from what I'm reading of raptor maturity timetables.

[Thaniel]: Three worgen.

[Stelianna]: Three? But I'm not one. Who…?

[Apricity]: Oh, my apologies. I didn't mean to scare anyone.

Arric notices Thaniel and smiles. "Hello there! Aren't the flowers here just lovely?"

[Kenelly]: I seeee. Is it true that raptors are intelligent like us?

Arric nods at Kennelly. "It very much seems so!"

Hearthleigh laughs at Stelianna.

Stelianna peers at Arric. Is he a worgen?

Thaniel smiles. "Yes. Kenelly and Piper are in my pack."

[Kenelly]: How absolutely marvelous.

[Arric]: Oh, so you're Piper then?
Arric peers at Hearthleigh searchingly.

Thaniel looks at Apricity. Did he use the right name? Names are hard.

Apricity winks at Thaniel as he's introduced as 'Piper'.

Stelianna looks at Kenelly in amazement, and then at Thaniel. "But you look just like humans."

[Apricity]: I am, indeed! Piper Gravehowl, at your service.

Kenelly smiles warmly at Stelianna. "We can change shape."

[Thaniel]: Oh. I don't have to. But it's easier to have fingers when I'm braiding.

[Arric]: I'm Arric. Good to meet you, and good to see you again, Miss Thorne, Lady Kenelly.

Arric looks at the flowers in his lap. "Yes, I should braid them…" he murmurs to himself.

[Stelianna]: Whoa. Yeah, I can see that. Hard to braid with… *she peers openly at Piper's paws.*

[Thaniel]: I'm Thaniel Clay. Of Gravehowl pack.
Thaniel looks around for Gabriella. Did he miss her?

[Stelianna]: I'm, ah… Stelianna. Stelianna Thorne.

[Arric]: I tried offering a bouquet to one of the ladies here. It seems that kaldorei prefer their flowers, er, still in the ground.

Apricity waves his fingers at Stelianna. Clearly. Hard to braid with those.

Hearthleigh laughs at Arric.

[Thaniel]: Oh, are you here to help too?

[Kenelly]: I'm delighted you're all here. The Cenarion Circle needs a lot of support here.

Arric looks at the flowers in his lap and sighs. He decides to lay them out neatly in a row along the edge of the pool.

Apricity nods. "I heard about the troubles the Circle was facing and of course I had to join and help."

Stelianna nods. "I don't have a lot of gardening experience, but I did bring my hammer, just in case."

Thaniel smiles. "I'm a gardener."

[Apricity]: I knew we'd find a lot of people who wouldn't be willing to get their hands dirty. That's precisely why I came here to help.

[Stelianna]: Oh good! So you can garden and I can hammer if anything dangerous gets close.

Thaniel nods. "I can garden and you can hammer," he says agreeably.

[Arric]: Everyone I see here is well familiar with dirty hands, *Arric observes with a slight smile.*

[Thaniel]: But you should wear gloves when gardening.

[Arric]: Dirty gloves, yes, technically speaking.
Arric smiles at Thaniel.

Apricity waves his claws again. "I'll do my best."

Stelianna smiles, and glances over to the center of the camp, where Karnum Marshweaver waits. "Oh yeah, your hands will hurt if you don't."

[Arric]: I always have to wear them anyway, thanks to Singer here.

[Stelianna]: Nippy bird, huh?

Arric whistles, and the *enormous* condor lands on his shoulder. How does he carry that thing?
Arric must be stronger than he looks.

Thaniel whispers, "Singer…"

Kenelly smiles at Singer in awe. "Such pretty feathers you have, Singer."

[Stelianna]: Does he have a beautiful voice?

Singer cocks her head toward Thaniel.

[Arric]: She does. You'll hear it before long.

Thaniel smiles at the bird and whispers, "Hello. I'm Thaniel Clay."

Stelianna smiles. Birdsong and gardening today!

Singer tips her head the opposite way at Thaniel.

Apricity seems unimpressed by the bird. He smiles at the raptor instead.

[Stelianna]: Let's see what they want from us?

Rica puts herself on the opposite side of Arric's body from Piper at all times.

[Apricity]: After you, milady.

Stelianna blushes a little. Did he just call her a lady??

Karnum Marshweaver, the leader here, is a Tauren druid.

[Arric]: A tauren!

Thaniel seems to have one walking pace in this form and it is not a very fast one.
[Thaniel]: Hello, Karnum.

Karnum Marshweaver says: Hello, Thaniel. You and these others are answering the call of the Cenarion Circle, yes?

[Arric]: Indeed!

[Kenelly]: Hail! The winds…guide you? That's the saying, yes?

[Arric]: Oh, sounds very Tirasian!

Karnum Marshweaver says: It is, and wind is one of the things I will speak with you about, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Arric gestures gallantly for the tauren to go ahead.

Thaniel nods. "Piper and Kenelly are my pack. This is Stella and Darric and Rica and Singer."

[Apricity]: Please, do start from the beginning.

Karnum Marshweaver says: What I can say to start is… the winds of change are blowing. Of that there can be no doubt. There are many pressing issues vying for our attention and action. Chief among them is the spreading of our growing oasis.

Thaniel looks at Stelianna and Arric.

Stelianna nods agreeably.
Stelianna is kind of staring at the tauren though, because TAUREN!

Karnum Marshweaver says: Its growth has surpassed our hopes as well as our understanding, yet now it faces opposition.To the west, where the grass meets the sand, whirlwinds prevent its penetration into the desert.

[Kenelly]: It's so beautiful. It's hard to believe this place was all dry desert so recently.

Arric is also staring at the tauren a little.

Karnum Marshweaver says: Isn't it! We have made so much progress, and we want it to continue. To that end, go and eliminate this hostile obstacle to life! Before you leave, I advise you to ask Thressa and Ferrah if they need any help with their work.

[Arric]: Such lovely names!

[Thaniel]: Eliminate… whirlwinds?
Thaniel tilts his head.

Karnum Marshweaver says: That is what I would ask you to do. Thaniel, I expect Thressa and Ferrah may have tasks better suited to your talents.

[Arric]: I suppose we'll have to give it a go and see what works best, hm?

[Thaniel]: Okay.

[Arric]: I doubt my rifle will be much use in that situation, but we shall see.

[Thaniel]: Oh, if they're elementals, you can shoot them.

[Stelianna]: Won't it just go straight through?

[Arric]: Oh? I've shot water elementals, so I suppose I should not be surprised.

[Thaniel]: It gets caught in the twister and spins. I think it hurts them.

[Arric]: Fascinating!

[Stelianna]: Weird.

[Arric]: You seem a very knowledgeable young man, Mr. Clay.

Botanist Ferrah says: Well met, Thaniel and… new friends?

[Arric]: I'm Arric.

[Kenelly]: I'm Kenelly Ashewood, miss. I'm with the Circle, as well.

[Stelianna]: Stelianna!

[Thaniel]: Ferrah! Piper and Kenelly are in my pack. This is Singer and Rica and…
[Thaniel]: Oh.
Thaniel repeats to himself, "Arric. Stelianna."

Botanist Ferrah says: Oh, pleased to meet all of you. Arric, Kenelly, Stelianna, and Piper.
Botanist Ferrah says: I hope you're ready to work!

Rica chrrrrs.

[Apricity]: A pleasure to meet you as well.

[Kenelly]: Certainly! How can we help?

Botanist Ferrah says: No one knows better than the Cenarion Circle that this lush oasis could dry up as quickly as it appeared. We must take care not to interfere with the processes taking place here, but to support and preserve them.

Stelianna nods seriously.

Botanist Ferrah says: A new species of plant, very plentiful in the surrounding region, has appeared since the great change. Collect samples of these for me, so that I might study them and learn what they have to teach us.

Arric looks around in concern at the pretty flowers.

Botanist Ferrah says: They're called Aloe Thistles. I think those of you with knowledge of plants can recognize them by that descriptor.

[Arric]: Not my area, I'm afraid.

Thaniel wiggles excitably.

Apricity raises an eyebrow. He looks at Thaniel.

[Thaniel]: Yes.

Botanist Ferrah says: Good. Make sure not to harvest too many.

Thaniel nod nods. "I won't."

Botanist Ferrah says: On a more sober note, with such an abrupt change to the ecology, it is to be expected that some of the flora and fauna don't react as well as we'd hope.

Kenelly exchanges an excited grin with Thaniel.

Thaniel grins at Kenelly.

Botanist Ferrah says: The uprooted lashers are a troublesome example of this. Roaming the fields to the east and south they are a detriment to the region and must be disposed of. While you're about, please deal with any of these pests that you find.

[Stelianna]: Now that sounds like a good task for guns and hammers.

Hearthleigh nods at Stelianna.

[Arric]: By the way, Miss Ferrah, I apologize for picking some of the nearby flowers here. The colors are just so intoxicating, I wanted to take some with me. But I shall leave them in peace henceforward.

Botanist Ferrah says: One or two harms nothing, but… consider if everyone did that. Please ask permission before you pick flowers in the future.

[Arric]: Certainly, Miss Ferrah.
Arric bows before Botanist Ferrah.

[Thaniel]: You can bring them with you. The ones you took. I know you left them back there.

[Arric]: Oh, they'd just get all bruised in my pack, and I hadn't time to braid them into a wreath.

[Apricity]: What a good-natured show of appreciation for our Night Elven allies, it is to apologize. Is it not? *He turns back to Ferrah.*

Botanist Ferrah inclines her head with a smile. "In any case, I'm certain the good you will do in this land will outweigh the loss of a handful of flowers."

[Arric]: I'll collect them afterward.

[Thaniel]: Okay. I can help you with that later.

Arric smiles at Thaniel.
[Arric]: Thank you, young man. Knowledgeable and helpful!
Arric bows before Botanist Ferrah.

Thaniel whispers, "My name is Thaniel," very helpfully, just in case Arric forgot.

Rica says, "rrrreeeeeek!"

[Stelianna]: Okay, now last we have Thressa…

Thaniel giggles.

[Arric]: Do you prefer Thaniel to Mr. Clay?
Arric remembered, it seems.

[Thaniel]: Oh. Yes. Everyone calls my dad Mr. Clay.

[Arric]: As you like then, Thaniel!

Thressa Amberglen says: Hello! You're all here to help?

Thaniel smiles. "Hello, Thressa."

[Arric]: I'm Arric. We're with Thaniel.

Thressa Amberglen says: Wonderful!
Thressa Amberglen says: The land is not all that has changed in Desolace. Here, the wildlife has responded to their new environment in strange and sometimes exciting ways.
Thressa Amberglen says: I am particularly interested in the Rejuvenated Thunder Lizards that roam just to the west. I need samples of their blood.

[Arric]: I've been noticing how many species have crowded together in this oasis. But so far they seem to be coexisting reasonably well.

[Apricity]: Ah, sounds like my area of expertise. *He smiles, his fangs in full display.*

Thressa Amberglen says: Oh yes, they do! For the most part.
Thressa Amberglen says: So obviously, we don't want to harm the thunder lizards *she shoots a glance at Piper* so I've developed a natural way to collect the samples that won't bother them at all!

[Arric]: Blood samples, hm… I hadn't realized I'd need tranquili— oh!

[Kenelly]: Oh, that's lovely.

Thressa Amberglen says: Here, take this jar of leeches. Once they've filled on the blood of those beasts, return them to me.

[Thaniel]: Oh. You can't take credit for leeches, Thressa.

Thressa looks at Thaniel innocently.

[Arric]: Leeches! How terribly creative and clever! *He says, though he loses a shade of color.*

Apricity didn't come here for all those pacifist quests. He wanted to spill BLOOD.
[Apricity]: I'll take the leeches.
[Apricity]: As I said. My specialty.
[Apricity]: … Not leeches.

Thressa hands over the bottle of leeches to Piper cheerfully.

Arric looks relieved that someone else is carrying the leeches.

Thaniel pouts.

Apricity opens the jar and holds up a leech, looking at it curiously.

Arric moves away.

[Stelianna]: Alright, so we have our tasks. *Stelianna says, staring curiously at the leech*

[Thaniel]: Okay, goodbye.
Thaniel waves to Thressa.

[Stelianna]: Are they any different from normal leeches? Cenarion leeches?

[Thaniel]: No.
[Thaniel]: They're just leeches.

[Stelianna]: Huh, okay. Well, definitely better than just like, cutting the thunder lizards open. They wouldn't like that.

Arric admires the flowers as they walk out.
Arric gawks at the Ancient passing by.

Stelianna gasps at the ancient walking by, covered with purple flowers.

Thaniel points. "Aloe thistle."
[Thaniel]: It looks like this, see?

[Stelianna]: I see! It does look sort of like an Aloe, doesn't it?

Arric peers at the plant curiously.

Thaniel clips off several fronds.

[Kenelly]: And a thistle. Aptly named.

[Apricity]: Long leaves, spiky. Exotic for us, from Gilneas, isn't it?

[Stelianna]: I remember that from when I went to the beach in Westfall once. My mom broke open like a leaf and there was medicine for skin inside!

Arric is amazed by Cenarion Ancient of Lore!

[Thaniel]: You can grow them in pots.
[Thaniel]: I don't know about this kind though.

[Arric]: Another lizard there. I believe Mr. Piper wished to apply the leech?

Stelianna nods. "The aloe, yes. My mom had it in a pot. I don't know about thistles. Are they for healing?"

Thaniel drops forward into his worgen form to move on all fours.

[Kenelly]: I wonder how many new plant species have developed here. I could explore here for ages.

[Thaniel]: There are a lot of different kinds of thistles.

[Apricity]: Medicine for your skin, you say? Is it the reason your skin glows as beautiful as it does, too?

Arric shoots… a plant. His expression is bewildered, to say the least.
Arric looks at Stelianna as though checking for glowing skin.

Stelianna blushes again, raising a hand to her cheek. "It's beautiful? Maybe, but… um, that time was because I burned myself in the sun playing."

[Arric]: Oh, I burn dreadfully in the sun. Plants can help?

Apricity slashes at the plant. It bleeds green. Chlorophyll is close enough to blood, I guess.

Stelianna nods eagerly to Arric. "Though, I mean, for healing afterward. I don't know if it does anything in advance."

[Arric]: Noted!

[Stelianna]: I don't know, like, a lot about plants, but my mom is kind of a plant… healer… herbalist.

[Kenelly]: I can recommend a camphor balm to help protect your skin from the sun. Though, I also suggest a hat.

Thaniel approaches a thunder lizard carefully, calling almost melodically, "Hello, my name is Thaniel Clay."
[Thaniel]: Will you let my friend Piper put a leech on you?

Apricity throws the leech.

[Thaniel]: Piper, you have to place them… They have tough hides.

Arric averts his eyes from the leech.

[Apricity]: Very well. I will, then.

Thaniel murmurs soothingly to the thunder lizard.

Rica wanders over to Kenelly and stares up at her.

Apricity picks up the leech. Correctly this time.

[Thaniel]: That's it. Now you can go, friend.
Thaniel pat pats the side of the thunder lizard's neck and backs away.

The thunder lizard trundles on peacefully.

[Arric]: I've managed to kill every house plant I have ever possessed.

[Apricity]: Wait, he's leaving with the leech!

Kenelly giggles. "Good to know. I shan't ever gift you with a houseplant, then."

[Thaniel]: That's probably okay.

[Arric]: Not unless you have a grudge against that particular houseplant.

Kenelly laughs at Arric.

Apricity gets the leech from the lizard. "It's all good. Problems avoided."

Arric shoots more plants.

Apricity sniffs the blood-filled leech. He cringes.

[Stelianna]: This place really is lovely, isn't it? So green. I wonder what it looked like before.

[Apricity]: Dreadful, from what I heard.

[Thaniel]: It looked like desert. If we keep going, you'll see. The whirlwinds are on the border.

[Arric]: Well, I rode through all manner of fel wasteland on the way here, so I imagine it was all like that?

[Stelianna]: I might've been napping on the ride in, so…

[Kenelly]: I saw a bit of it when flying in. It's so very dry out there. Rather…desolate.

Rica sniffs at a dead lasher, then sneezes in disgust. Ew, plants.

Kenelly giggles at Lashtail Hatchling.

[Kenelly]: Lord Arric, how did you ever come to befriend such a remarkable little creature as Rica?

[Arric]: Oh, I simply happened to be the first person she saw when she hatched.

[Apricity]: As simple as that.

[Arric]: Indeed!

[Kenelly]: Well, that certainly sounds like there's more to the story. How did you come to be present at her hatching?

[Thaniel]: Oh, she imprinted on you.
Thaniel smiles.

[Arric]: Her egg was isolated in the jungle we were exploring.

[Kenelly]: It wasn't in a nest? Or it was the only egg?

[Stelianna]: I wonder how she got separated from the other raptors.

[Arric]: There was some troll mischief involved in it I'm sure.

[Apricity]: Good thing you didn't crave an omelette at that moment.

We reach the end of the oasis, beyond which is bare dirt and wind elementals.

Thaniel points ahead. "That's the kind of whirlwind you can shoot, Arric."

[Stelianna]: Oh. Here's the edge of it.

[Arric]: I won't eat raptor eggs anymore. But I will confess I have.

[Kenelly]: Piper…what a thing to suggest!

Apricity gasps loudly and puts a paw on his own chest.

Arric shoots a whirlwind!!
[Arric]: Capital!
Arric gently pats Lashtail Hatchling.

Thaniel sniffs the air and heads through the sand.

Arric squints as sand blows into his eyes.

Stelianna finds that hammers work well against elementals too.

[Apricity]: I didn't suggest anything, Lady Ashewood. I was only rejoicing that such an incident didn't happen!

[Stelianna]: So you found her separated, she imprinted on you and… the rest is history?

Rica quietly says, "trrrrrr" as they down another air elemental.

Thaniel whispers to the Light to protect his friends.

[Arric]: Well, there was a capital fellow in a nearby camp who gave suggestions on how to feed her.

[Stelianna]: Oh? How do you feed her?

[Arric]: Eventually she will be able to hunt on her own, but for now I bring down a large beast and she takes bites of its underbelly, where it's softer.

Stelianna shivers.

[Apricity]: Lovely!

[Stelianna]: I guess she is a little carnivore.

[Arric]: Raptors are quite fearsome beasts when grown. My hope is that Rica will continue to remain friendly, but I have never observed a raptor's development before.

Stelianna looks a little nervously at the sharp-toothed team members.

Rica says, "chrrrrr."

[Stelianna]: Maybe you'll be a good influence.

[Kenelly]: It will be fascinating to observe. You know…trolls often have raptor companions. There are many trolls joining the Cenarion Circle now. Perhaps we could get some tips for you?

Thaniel soothes another thunder lizard.

[Arric]: Oh… that would be fantastic! Darkspear trolls?

[Kenelly]: I do believe so, yes.
[Kenelly]: I'm sure Thaniel and I could speak to some of them. They're rather friendly within the Circle.

[Stelianna]: Did you know they were in Stormwind Harbor not long ago? I didn't get close, but I saw canoes.

[Apricity]: You could give that little carnivore feathers, like Trolls do. How adorable!

[Arric]: I would be most indebted to you. Also, if you could ask them about Gonk and Hir'eek and Shir— you know what, I'll write it in a letter.

[Kenelly]: I heard, yes. It was quite a stir.

Thaniel shakes his head. He didn't know that.

Kenelly smiles to Arric, nodding. "That might be best."

[Arric]: Actually, Mr. Piper, the raptors decorate themselves with feathers.
[Arric]: They have been observed to wear them out in the wilds, miles from any troll settlement.

[Kenelly]: Astonishing.

[Apricity]: They do? Why would they do that?

[Kenelly]: Still, it might be a learned behavior. You may still need to teach Rica how to do it.

[Arric]: Why do we wear clothing?

Thaniel blinks at a wisp playfully circling a tree. He begins to chase it around on four legs in a circle.

[Arric]: Hm… I'm not… certain how to teach a raptor how to dress herself… *He looks anxious for a moment.*

Kenelly giggles. "We'll ask the troll druids."

Thaniel ends up just running underneath the wisp.

[Apricity]: You're right. Why do we wear clothes? Should we remove our armor now?

[Arric]: That would be wonderful, thank you. And perhaps someone in Cobalt Company knows about raptors.
[Arric]: I'll leave my armor on, if it's all the same. Tendency to sunburn, as I mentioned.

[Kenelly]: Oh, um…no, Piper, I don't think that would be appropriate.

[Stelianna]: Um, I think it would be really distracting if we all undressed. And sunburn and… the armor protects us from angry plants.

Thaniel flops down in the grass and flowers on his back, laughing. It sounds more ominous in his worgen form.

Stelianna looks at the boys and blushes.

[Apricity]: After our mission is done, then.

[Thaniel]: Oh…

Kenelly giggles at Thaniel's antics.

Arric laughs delightedly at Thaniel's antics.

Thaniel gets up and follows everybody again.

Arric picks a blade of grass from Thaniel's back.

Stelianna smiles nervously.

[Arric]: Oh, did we embarrass you, Miss Thorne? My apologies. It was only a jest.
[Arric]: Mr. Piper, let's try not to say such risque things in future, hm?
Arric shoots another plant.

[Stelianna]: Oh, no, its fine, its just then I start to wonder what we would all look like if… that is… not that I'm imagining, only… *Stelianna trails off, her face red* Maybe we can talk about being clothed.

Apricity smiles at Stelianna.

Arric is now a bit red himself, after that monologue.

Thaniel brandishes his clippers defensively at a plant.
[Thaniel]: Okay. I'm wearing clothes.

[Arric]: Oh, capital, Mr— Thaniel, that seems the best weapon for a plant.

[Apricity]: My apologies. I didn't know we were in the presence of such sensitive ears. I should have guess, however. You look oh so delicate, even as you swing this hammer.

Arric looks between Piper and Stelianna, and gets a bit of an 'oh' look, then smiles to himself.

Stelianna now looks like she might be re-evaluating the veracity of his earlier compliments. No one has ever called her delicate before.

Arric has Delicate in his diamond, Piper, just saying.

Thaniel takes cuttings of more aloe thistle.

[Stelianna]: I did grow up in Westfall, so you hear things. I know stuff.

[Arric]: Lady Kenelly and I worked out in Westfall for a time, didn't we, Lady Kenelly.

[Stelianna]: Oh yeah, you mentioned! During the Defias resurging.

[Arric]: It's… there's a very lovely sky out there, so open.

[Stelianna]: It feels different than the Eastern Kingdoms, somehow. I know it's the same sky, though.

Hearthleigh points at Uprooted Lasher.

Thaniel stares at Stelianna.

[Arric]: My favorite sky is in Loch Modan. The air is so clear there, and the clouds tend to be little puffs like wool, and they scatter the sunset light so magnificently.

[Kenelly]: Aww, that sounds lovely. I'll have to visit sometime.

Apricity snarls and growls as he cuts a lasher into pieces. Covered in green plant juice, he turns around and rejoins the conversation. "I must confess, I do miss the grey clouds of Gilneas."

[Arric]: My homeland tends to be rather on the stormy side, so a clear sky still feels special.
[Arric]: Even though I've been here quite a while now…

Stelianna stares back a little at Thaniel, but she breaks eye contact first. She lost the staring game. She looks to Arric. "That does sound beautiful, and… I'm sorry about Gilneas."

[Arric]: Yes, dreadful business.

Kenelly leans close to Arric and whispers, "I thought we weren't discussing your homeland."

Arric whispers back, "I didn't name it…"

Kenelly nods to Arric, looking duly concerned but placated.

Arric continues murmuring to Kennely, "Besides, these people are all Cobalt Company, they won't judge, surely?" He looks at Kenelly uncertainly.

Kenelly nods to Arric, "You're probably right. My apologies. I suppose I'm having an overabundance of caution on your behalf."

Arric smiles at Kenelly. "That's very thoughtful of you."

[Thaniel]: Piper, I don't think she looks delicate.

Apricity blinks at Thaniel. "Who?"

[Thaniel]: Stella-anna.

Stelianna beams, like that was a compliment. "I don't really think so, either."

[Arric]: You're doing quite well, Miss Thorne!

[Apricity]: Ah, that, my dear friend, is because you're only looking at her superficially. The way milady Stelianna blushes, the way she call upon the light… There's delicateness in that.

Stelianna looks decidedly skeptical now.

[Thaniel]: But she doesn't want to be.
Thaniel tilts his head, looking confused.

[Arric]: I believe the gentleman is trying to pay the young lady a compliment. Sometimes people say what they think would be flattering, when they have difficulty understanding what a person would actually like.

[Apricity]: That, I know now, and I will refrain from calling you as such, Stelianna. It was my mistake.

Stelianna brightens with understanding and points at Arric. "Yes, that. I think that's it. Because it's a thing I've never thought of myself, and I've never really… wanted to be delicate?"

[Arric]: That was a nice apology, sir.
[Arric]: You know, very few people know how to apologize properly.

Thaniel smiles. He fixed it.

[Stelianna]: Yes, I forgive you, Piper. And I realize you meant it as a compliment.

[Arric]: Most seem to try apologizing without actually admitting they've done anything wrong in the first place. It's most puzzling.

[Kenelly]: Isn't that so true? I find even the willingness to apologize to be a mark of good character. And to apologize thoughtfully is a sign of great emotional intelligence.

[Arric]: Indeed!

[Stelianna]: Really, maybe it's a good idea to make mistakes sometimes, so you can show people how much emotional intelligence you have.

[Arric]: Oh, in that case I must have been very helpful to people. *Arric chuckles.*

Stelianna smiles at Arric cheerfully.

[Apricity]: Of course. See, it's simply like any piece of art. It can be interpreted in many different way, by many different people. My eye must have simply deceived me, for a moment.

[Arric]: How very poetic, Mr. Piper!

Thaniel lures another thunder lizard over and pets it, whispering softly, while Apricity places the leech.

Arric definitely does not shoot the lizard.

The team makes it back to the camp.

[Thaniel]: Hello, Karnum. Arric shot a bunch of whirlwinds with his gun.

[Arric]: I did!
Arric pats his custom-engineered rifle.

[Stelianna]: And I hit a few with my hammer!

Karnum Marshweaver says: You have done well. We will doubtlessly call upon you for assistance with more significant matters in the future.

Thaniel stands again, shifting into his human form.

[Apricity]: Please, do!

Arric checks on Rica, who is making crankly little sounds.

Karnum Marshweaver says: In the meantime, I hope the work with the plants and the animals of this oasis is keeping you happily busy.

Thaniel smiles. "I like it here. I'm going to help Arric with a wreath soon."

[Arric]: Ah yes! Let's make our wreath. Lady Kenelly, Rica seems to have taken to you - would you mind taking her out and hunting a beast for her? She seems hungry.

Karnum Marshweaver says: That sounds like a good use of your time, Thaniel and Arric. Wreaths are excellent decorations.

Arric smiles at Karnum Marshweaver.

[Apricity]: I would love to go hunting with the little devil.

[Arric]: I do not think she likes you, Mr. Piper. You startled her.

[Apricity]: It was a regrettable accident! *He answers Arric.*

[Arric]: As magnificent as your apologies are, Mr, Piper, I do not believe raptors are susceptible to them.

Kenelly lights up and crouches to beckon Rica. "I would be delighted, Lord Arric!"

Arric looks at Rica and points to Kenelly. "Ken-ne-lee. Go, follow. Hunt food. Food."

Rica may understand the words, or just the general pointing and vibe, because she follows Kenelly.

[Thaniel]: Piper, you should give Thressa the big leeches. The ones that have blood in them.

Arric clears his throat at the mention of the leeches etc.

Thaniel seems utterly unbothered by leeches.

[Stelianna]: Oh yes, she probably needs more, but we could give her what we have so far.

[Apricity]: And of course. I'm sure she'll appreciate getting the leeches she inventively decided to use.

[Stelianna]: Should we tell Ferrah about the weeds we killed?

[Thaniel]: Okay.

Botanist Ferrah says: Oh, have you cleared out some of the weeds?

[Stelianna]: Yes, we have. The plants should have more room now.

Thaniel nods. "I also got some fronds from the aloe thistles, but… do you want the whole plant? With the roots?"

Botanist Ferrah says: Splendid! Oh, yes, the fronds are useful, but I would like at least a few of the whole plant. Maybe you can fetch that next time?"

[Thaniel]: Okay.
Thaniel does give her the fronds he got.

Arric has acquired all manner of new fronds today.

[Apricity]: Ah, unfortunately, our job is rushed and incomplete. Poor us

Botanist Ferrah says: Thanks, Thaniel. This place really is such a success of our revitalization methods.

Arric beams at Thaniel.

Botanist Ferrah says: You've done so much… why don't you have a rest before you go back out into the field? This camp is a place of rest.

Thaniel smiles broadly. "It sings in harmony," he says like that makes sense. "Arric, let's go make a wreath!"

Thaniel tries to grab Arric's hand and tow him off.

Stelianna wanders off to explore the camp.