b a m b o o <-> BATTLE!, ic: Lettuce ; iso: Aureilus && OPEN

[Lettuce]

"I don't like this, Chisa." Jhinto let out a small sigh. The cold air that surrounded him turned his breath into a thin fog that hung in the darkness, accentuating the remote, isolated position they were in. The late afternoon light had died away completely - and much too early - as they had moved deeper into the bamboo forest. The cheerful spring bird song had disappeared long ago, replaced with an eerie silence occasionally broken by the sound of a breaking twig or a distant, ghostly moan that may or may not have simply been the wind. Jhinto pulled his blue jacket tighter around his body, glaring into the darkness around them. He had had more than enough of this exploring already, but knowing Lettuce's love of adventure, the worst was yet to come.

"Oh, don't worry Jhinto! You're being such a baby!" Lettuce laughed loudly, her voice ringing in the broken silence. Seeing Jhinto's scowl she swung around and wagged her finger in his face, leaning in close to stare into deep into her partner's green eyes with her own fiery brown ones. "Honestly, are you that scared already? Maybe I shouldn't have bothered to bring you along today. We're just going on a little walk!" Lettuce shook her head in amusement, her hair - brown styled into large, curly pigtails on either side of her head today - bouncing with the movement. "Stop being such a baby. The fun hasn't even started yet!" Scolding finished, Lettuce playfully rolled her eyes and whipped back around, bounding down the old path they had been following, bamboo leaves rustling as she pushed them aside.

"That's what I was worried you would say..." Jhinto muttered under his breath and followed after his mistress. His movements were much quieter than Lettuce's considering his feet never touched the ground - he kept up a steady float instead, not willing to disturb this eerie ground with his feet. Lettuce paused ahead of him, stooping over to examine a patch of pale white flowers that grew to the side of the path, her face a mask of concentration. She is always like this! Stopping for the littlest thing, unheeding of danger... one day these little adventures aren't going to end well, no matter what she says!

Jhinto's scowl increased and he cast another nervous glance over his shoulder. True, the action was rather ridiculous. Given enough warning he could simple dematerialize his body and avoid any harm - but, there were certain creatures that could harm him. Demons that would eat a demon or a soul at a stage of power that he was at were rare, but Lettuce tended to travel into areas that were hazardous even for him...

"Chisa, why are we even her-" Jhinto began, pulling his gaze away from the rustling bamboo leaves and back to his wayward mistress.

"AH!" Lettuce sprang up suddenly, startling Jhinto. He reached over his shoulder, frantically tugging at the hilt of his sword.

"What?! What is it?! Where is the demon?!" With a furious yank of his arm he managed to free his sword. The movement had set him off balance, however, and with humiliating suddenness he crashed into some of the bamboo plants, his robes getting caught in their stiff branches. Lettuce ignored the clamor behind her and stood stock still, her hands pressed against each other and her head bowed. After a moment - in which Jhinto struggled furiously to free himself, causing several rips in his fine silk robes in the process - she lifted her head and turned back to her bongun, a peaceful smile on her face.

"It is a shrine to mark the grave of a monk. I thought these flowers looked rather odd. They're moonlight lilies, the ones commonly planted at the base of a small shrine. See? If you look close enough you can see the shape of the shrine here, though it is so aged it looks almost just like a rock..." Lettuce waved her hand over a very old rock structure behind her, pointing out where the gaps had once been to hold offerings and incense. Jhinto, completely freed except for his hat, which was stuck in the bamboo above him, glared at her and slid his sword back into his scabbard.

"Well, great, and now that you've paid some respect to the dead..." His voice was dripping with irony. She hadn't seemed to care at all, like usual, that he'd gotten into trouble! Instead she spent all that time studying a shrine. He was dead too, shouldn't that count for something?!

"Besides..." A familiar catty smile appeared on Lettuce's face. Jhinto felt his blood run cold - not that it was exactly running very fast in the first place. "This means that we've found a wonderful spot to hunt our prey!"

"Prey. Prey. Great. I knew there would be prey." Jhinto clenched his jaw and wondered why on earth he let himself be dragged into this time after time. "What are we going after now?"

"Nothing too big -" Lettuce drew her hand lovingly across a dagger she'd pulled out from its sheath at her hip. "Just a few lude - or something bigger. Whatever comes at us first."

Jhinto moaned and floated up to pluck his hat out of the bamboo. "Please let it be something as simple as some lude..."

[[OOC Haha, I was TOTALLY just getting into the mood. <3 You do NOT have to reply nearly that freaking long if you choose to do so. XD Just do whatever makes you happy, I was just having fun!]]

[x.vintage]

Aurelius breathed deeply as he made his way through the labyrinth of bamboo. Normally, this languid pace might bother him, but he stuck to it, parting the trees instead of running through them, and more than likely breaking them. Human thought played at the edges of his extra sense, though he did his best to drown it out. It really wouldn't be wise to come across a human while traveling at his supernatural speed. No, that wouldn't be wise at all. At least the sun isn't out, he thought to himself as he looked skywards. Almost all of the light was blocked out by the tall bamboo as it stretched towards the energy-supplying light. He then peered at his skin that had not too long ago been sparkling with a dazzling brilliance. It was one of the things that made being a vampire so hard to deal with, as he couldn't enjoy the sunlight when around those who feared him. He sighed lightly, then shook his hair of some of the leaves that had fallen in it.

As he continued moving, parting the bamboo like an all-too-solid water, his ears faintly picked up the murmur of voices. He paused, then stepped forward, his ear cocked forward. They were still probably far off, as even he could barely hear it. A grin spread across his face, an eager look blooming in his honey-colored eyes. Perhaps these people were lost and needed help, or perhaps they were experienced and he could ask for help. Either way, it was a chance for him to talk to someone. He had been craving human intelligence for the past month or so, what with his travels and not really speaking to anyone. Even when he came across the occasional human, they always seemed frightened of him. But this place was dark, not to mention restricted, and he thought that most humans might find it scary, or at least disturbing (not that Aurelius was scared. After all, he himself was a monster.). Hope blossomed that the people who were here weren't easily frightened, and he quickened his pace, going just slightly faster than what a normal human could.

He was close now, even in the range of normal humans. His grin grew into an out-and-out smile as he picked up pieces of the conversation. It was between a woman and a man, the man sounding obviously unhappy. He slowed his pace as only a few feet of bamboo stood between them. Inhaling deeply, he tried to compose his features into a more serious look, then failed, unable to contain the joy that felt similar to a large balloon in his chest. He almost laughed as he parted the bamboo and stepped out. The man was picking up his hat from the bamboo and the woman was holding a dagger, almost seeming to caress it. He cleared his throat, realizing that he hadn't spoken in a while. "Ummm...Hi! I'm sort of new around here, and well, I just heard your voices, so yeah...." His smile faltered as he realized that this was a poor excuse of an introduction.

[Lettuce]

"SHIT!" Jhinto dropped his hat and spun around, grasping for the hilt of his sword. With a moment's struggle he had it free but the tugging had again thrown him off balance and he tumbled back into the bamboo, once again finding himself slightly stuck in its branches. Lettuce ignored his struggles and gazed evenly at the newcomer.

"Why, hello there." Lettuce giggled and gave a short bow, appearing to relax. Jhinto - once again freeing himself from the bamboo plants - kept Lettuce in the corner of his eye. He knew full well that just because his mistress appeared to relax that meant nothing - Lettuce was an experienced fighter. "You are... ah... new to the area you say?"

Lettuce raised an eyebrow and exchanged a quick, subtle glance with Jhinto. Aghnim Fell was some distance from the village - and it had been abandoned for centuries, still scarred over from the horrific war that had once raged across the land. Now the only new residents where various animals and the Demons that emerged from the Abyss... After a moment Lettuce mentally shrugged. He could mean he was new the village and got lost exploring Kafei Forest or maybe he was a Mage of the Palace or maybe he just decided to live out here - it was none of her business.

"Ah - Chisa." Jhinto turned quickly to stare at the dark gloom behind Lettuce. He had managed to free himself and fetch his hat again, though he was still floating a foot off the ground and kept his sword tight in his hand. Lettuce smiled and stretched broadly, letting out a happy sigh.

"Right! So it is time." A short ghostly moan sounded off behind her. In the murky distance of the gloom a few lights flickered as though they were some distance off and coming closer. "I hope you don't mind if we tidy up a little before real proper introductions." With a silent signal to Jhinto to watch their new guest Lettuce turned her back on him, flipping her dagger casually in her hand as the lights got closer. "What is your name, though, friend? I'm known as Lettuce, a demon hunter. My partner here is Jhinto. Say hello Jhinto."

Jhinto scowled instead. Under normal circumstance he may have said hello, but he wasn't one to be ordered around all the time like a pet!

[x.vintage]

Aurelius' eyebrows flew skyward as the man let out a curse and fell back into the bamboo. He then turned his attention to the young woman, who had giggled and bowed. He bowed back, then nodded in affirmation. "Yes, that's right. Actually, I just arrived. I've been travelling the world in search of cities and towns with focuses on the arts. I didn't really hear a lot about Mossleaf, but I've travelled almost everywhere else, so you know, I figured why not." He half-turned, showing the canvas pack he stored all his items in.

Through the mental barrier, thoughts of apprehension fluttered into his own. Hmm...I'm guessing here isn't the normal place for travellers to show up... His lips pressed into a small frown, knowing that he should've followed a main road at least. He looked down at his clothing and skin. They weren't scratched or torn in the least. He bit his lip, hoping that they wouldn't notice. That's all he needed, villagers alread suspicous of him and he had only arrived.

"Ah - Chisa."

A low moan came from behind the young man and woman. Curiosity peaked, and Aurelius peeked over their shoulders. Lights were flickering on and off. His frown deepened. Of course, he had no reason to be scared, but he was slightly concerned, until the woman introduced herself as a demon killer. His eyes widened, and he took an involuntary step backwards. Of course, there weren't many things that could kill a vampire, and he was almost positive that this girl wouldn't be able to do it. Still....He cleared his throat and tried to grin. "Oh, not at all! Do whatever you have to do. It's a pleasure, Lettuce, and Jhinto." He nodded in the scowling man's direction. "My names Aurelius. Aurelius Augustus, at your service, milady."

[Lettuce]

Jhinto huffed slightly. Fine. He could be ignored. It wasn't like he cared or anything. He settled his feet on the ground and oriented himself for the approaching fight, though he kept one eye on Aurelius. "Bit out of the way for why not..." He muttered, more out of his natural annoyance than anything else. Mossleaf was comprised of several wandering travelers so Aurelius' appearance really wasn't of too much interest. If he is even a villager and not some Demon, at least... Jhinto glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. He could probably swing his sword fast enough to protected Lettuce if needed...

"Ah, the arts. A noble endeavor! Do you partake of painting, perhaps, good sir?" Lettuce twisted her torso in a casual stretch. The dagger in her hand glinted briefly in the dim light - a moment later a swath of bamboo fell in a tumble around her; she had freed up more space for fighting. Another ghostly moan emerged from the depths, soon joined in by a chorus of others. The lights rushed closer, weaving in and out of the darkness in the distance. "I enjoy a variety of artistic pursuits myself, including part-time work as a milliner."

Lettuce tensed as one of the lights flickered out in the distance - and with a swift jerk of her hand brought it up through the pumpkin lantern of a lude that had just materialized beside her. Another jerk of her wrist and her dagger flashed through its almost-insubstantial body. With an offended cry the lude disappeared, leaving behind a thick pile of green goo and a piece of fabric that fluttered in the air toward Jhinto. He caught it with a relaxed motion and tucked it into one of his pockets while his mistress bent over the pile of goo, sticking one finger in experimentally.

"Ah, perfect! This will make a wonderful acne banishing cream. Very high demand in the village right now, especially with the Flower Festival right around the corner. Toss me a bottle, will you Jhinto?" Lettuce giggled happily and reached her hand out blindly behind her. Jhinto sighed and swung the rucksack he carried on his back off his shoulders, rummaging around in it for a glass bottle.

"What am I, your pack mule?" Despite is protests he located the bottle and threw it to Lettuce. She carefully began spooning the contents into the bottle, keeping the corner of one eye on the many still approaching lights. The lude would probably be coming thicker, now - their guest may be a little startled by the appearance of ghosts, though he nearly looked as pale as one himself. And since Lude feed off fear, he might make good bait...

[[There is a page on lude in the Mossleaf Wiki here!]]

[x.vintage]

Aurelius' eyes narrowed, his brow darkening as he caught fragmented thoughts of the man named Jhinto. He was suspcious, and annoyed, and this worried him. What would happen if he attacked, thinking him some sort of fragile demon, then his sword would glance, probably breaking, off Aurelius' skin. Then they would know that there was something extremely wrong with him. This frightened him, more than the perpetual moans and flickering lights that surrounded them.

Lettuce's voice broke him out of his reverie. "Hmm? Oh yes, I love the arts. But of course, milady. I have my brushes and paints in my sack, though sadly I have no canvas. I'll have to aquire some once I come upon the town." He stole a fast glance at the dagger, then at the approaching lights. Ghosts of any sort were odd creatures, feeding off fear and other bad emotions. He supposed that the rest of his sort were sort of like that, in a sense. They were leeches, though he did his best, which was extremely good, at keeping off humans. Actually, he hadn't had a human since after the few first weeks he had been created. He was glad his willpower was so strong. He shuddered at the thought of what might've happened to Lettuce and Jhinto had he never reverted. "A milliner, you say? I haven't actually ever dabbled in sewing myself. That was what mother and the shops were for. I mainly profess in music, painting, and sketching, though I do enjoy writing. Acutally, I've even wrote a novel."

He crouched as a ghost appeared beside Lettuce, then backed down as she attacked it. He then realized what a mistake it would've been to protect her. His movements would've been too fast for them too see, but still, it probably wouldn't have ended happily. No, no. Best to let her defend herself. I can always run to the village and find a doctor. With slight amusement, he looked down at the green goo, almost resembling a large pile of bogies. His nose crinkled in slight disgust as Lettuce poked it.

At the mention of the festival, his curiousity peaked again. "Flower festival, did you say? It looks like I've arrived just in time." He grinned slightly before realizing that he should probably be afraid. Too late now... His grin turned into a slight grimace as he stepped back, ready to retreat if they attacked. He didn't fear their attacks, and he wasn't that he didn't trust his willpower, but he knew that it would just be better for all three of them if they didn't try engage in battle.

[ooc: Awww... Poor ludes! They're adorable!]

[Lettuce]

"Well, good for you." Jhinto muttered under his breath as Aurelius described his various strengths in the arts. Jhinto had been formally trained in respective military arts - poetry and word games, mostly - but had given up attempts at painting after Lettuce had practically laughed her head off at one of his earlier efforts. Not that he had particularly enjoyed painting in the first place...

"You sound quite accomplished." Lettuce murmured as she popped a cork into the top of the now goo-filled jar. She threw it back to Jhinto, who caught it and tucked it into his rucksack without comment, and turned back to the wavering lights, bracing herself. A moment later another light flicked out in the distance - and she jerked her hand, catching the newly materialized lude across its side. As it let out its ghostly wail of defeat two more materialized behind her. Without a moments pause she swung around, slicing through both of them. Thick piles of green goo fell from to the ground and pieces of fabric floated to the ground. Lettuce took the moment's pause to whip her blade off on some bamboo leaves, her back still to her guest.

"Why are you moving around so choppily?" Jhinto scowled at his mistress - her movements had been not been the usual elegant twists that defined her fighting.

"I don't want to hurt the blossoms, of course." Lettuce gestured to the beautiful white flowers at her feet - so far she had been able to keep the thick goo from falling and crushing their delicate petals. "And yes, it just about is time for the Flower Festival, Mr. Augustus. I take it you've heard of our beautiful festival before? I'm looking forward to the Goddess' blessings this year!" Lettuce glanced over her shoulder and gave Aurelius an honest smile. "I'm unaware of any artists in the village with your talents - you'll be a very welcome addition for however long you plan to stay. Do you paint commercially? I'd be interested in commisioning a painting for my shop sometime, if you do."

"What the hell do we need paintings to decorate a tree trunk for?" Jhinto sputtered. Another series of ludes appeared around them - Lettuce dispatched the ones closest to her and Jhinto lifted his sword, poking one of the lude with the tip of his sword. It swung around and howled at him - another jerk of the sword and it disappeared, leaving clumps of green goo falling to the ground. "It isn't like we'd have room anyway, as cluttered at the place is..."

"It isn't clutter, it is important ingredients and supplies." Lettuce countered in a calm voice, lightly leaping up on stump of a cut bamboo stem to slice at a few more lude. They were coming a little faster now, but it was just the middle of the storm. There didn't seem to be quite as many lights in the distance now - word must be spreading that these travelers were dangerous to mess with.

"And what are we going to use dried dragon hide or vampire teeth for? It's just clutter. You couldn't keep a tidy house if you tried, Chisa."

"Oh, you'd be surprised." Lettuce said lightly. She bent down to collect some of the fabrics that lay strewn about the ground, occasionally whipping her dagger up to dispatch another lude. "Do you have another destination, Mr. Augustus? I think we're almost done here. Normally I'd stay in the forest for some time, but the vanishing cream does take some time to simmer and the festival is coming up so soon, I'd better get it started..." Lettuce narrowed her eyes, a distant look on her face as she mentally went through the preparations for the beauty cream.

[x.vintage]

Aurelius was somewhat taken aback by Jhinto's personality. He wondered faintly if he was like this all the time. At Lettuce's comment, he smiled at his own little private joke. "Well, I've had plent of time to practice. My home city was very focused on the arts, and I was trained at an early age." He shrugged as she demolished more lude. At the comment from Jhinto, he frowned slightly. What did it really matter as long as she got them? At the mention of the blossoms, he looked down, then back, realizing with a grimace he had crushed some of the blooms. He positioned himself in front of them, so perhaps Lettuce wouldn't notice, then made sure he stayed clear of the rest.

He looked up at the sound of his name. "Oh, not really. You said that it was just around the corner. But it does sound interesting. I love dancing, and festivals usually have dancing." He shrugged once again, his grin returning. "Really? No artists...Hmm. Actually, no, I don't really sell my paintings. I usually just give them away to whoever seems like they like it the most. I'd be delighted to paint a picture for you. Just give me the time and place. Of course, I'll need to aquire some canvas, so after that." They live in a tree trunk? he mused as Jhinto ranted.

"And what are we going to use dragon hide and vampire teeth for?"

Aurelius' smile faded just a bit before he composed himself. "Vampire...teeth, did you say?" he asked before he could stop himself. How in the world did they aquire vampire teeth? Perhaps there was another race of vampires...Slightly less powerful and able to damage by humans. He wondered if he had ever came across any in his travels and wasn't able to recognize them.

He nodded. "I don't really have an exact destination. I just wanted to get to town, perhaps find a place to stay for the night. But now that I think about it, I'm not really sure which direction town is. If I hadn't came upon you, I probably would've wandered around this place all week."

[Lettuce]

Lettuce whipped her body around in an elegant arc, dispatching a quick series of lude. The last wave - their howling moans drowning out any voices momentarily - surrounded her, waving their lanterns in agitation. Lettuce crouched down, clutching her dagger tightly in her hand. She bowed her head for a moment - Jhinto took several quick steps backward - and then stabbed the dagger to the ground with a loud exclamation - a spell in another language, attuned to the dagger and her skills. A burst of bright purple energy shot out in a circle around her - her curly braids shot back in the wind and the lude around her disintegrated, lanterns, ectoplasm, and fabric hitting the ground with soft thuds. Lettuce stood up and brushed herself off, satisfied.

"Wonderful. Jhinto, would you mind...?" Lettuce turned to her friend with a warm smile. Jhinto opened his pack and tossed her a couple glass bottles and pulled out a few for himself, getting down to the job of collecting all their spoils. Lettuce picked up one of the pumpkin lanterns and turned it around experimentally in her hands. "You know, I still can't think of anything that these are good for. Who in the world would hallow out a perfectly good pumpkin and stick a candle in it?" With a shake of her head she let the pumpkin fall to the ground and resumed gathering ectoplasm.

"You're more than welcome to join us on our way back to the village. I'm afraid it is a bit of a long walk, though. Are you tired at all?" Lettuce glanced up and studied Aurelius. He didn't appear to be tired at all, though surely he must have wandered for some time in the forest - the village was hard to miss, especially considering the Abyss hugged the other side of the forest...

"Got most of it, Chisa." Jhinto tucked the last of his bottles into his rucksack, gazing down rather proudly at the bulging bag before him. Just perhaps all this messy work would translate into some sweet rice cakes for him, later...

[x.vintage]

Adrian watched with mild surprise as Lettuce spiraled about gracefully in the air. If this was how she normally worked, he could almost understand why Jhinto would ask why she was moving so choppily. She had more grace than anyone he had ever seen. Well, not everyone. He frowned as he remembered Alexandria. He truly missed her, and he almost wished that he would have found her and changed her into a vampire, if she had been willing. But of course, it was much too late. Hundreds of centuries too late. He bit his lip, then banished the thought from his head. Alexandria would want him to be happy, not wallowing about. His frown disappeared, though it wasn't replaced by his normal smile.

"Hmm? Oh, well, I'm a little tired, but nothing I can't handle. I'm actually feeling pretty refreshed, except for my feet. I slept a few hours ago." Of course, this was a complete and total lie. He hadn't slept for about the past 980 years. But he wasn't about to tell them that, especially if they harvested vampire teeth. He grinned, then stretched his arms behind his back.

Unable to think of anything else, he tried small talk. "So, there's a festival coming up? May I ask what it's about? Besides flowers, of course...Or is there something more to it?"

[Lettuce]

Lettuce giggled. Jhinto froze and whipped around, his face frozen. Usually these trips into the wilderness with Lettuce left them completely isolated for months. Although this had just been a short jaunt outside of town, Jhinto was use to only being out with Lettuce. And here she was giggling with some random stranger who had shown up. It isn't like I care or anything... Jhinto kicked at the leaf litter and tried to stifled the growing unease building in his chest. Even in the dim light he could tell that Aurelius would count as a handsome guy - but Lettuce had never let herself slow down for guy before, so why was he worrying? Maybe I've just been... jerk too much today...

Lettuce, ignoring her partner's silent moody struggle with himself, stood up and brushed her clothes off, tucking the last few pieces of fabric into her own rucksack. Gesturing to Aurelius she slowly began back down the path out of the forest, giving Jhinto enough time to notice they were leaving from the depths of his brooding.

"The Flower Festival is an annual festival held every spring in Mossleaf." Lettuce's voice was light and bright compared to the darkness around them. The light had truly darkened now, instead of merely being a deep foggy haze. Night must have set in by now. "Villagers gather in the meadows to admire the flowers, picnic with friends, and exchange seeds with those interested in growing something new. After a while, if the village has been good in its ways throughout the year, the Harvest Goddess sends a flock of birds -"

"All kinds of birds..." Jhinto muttered, remembering when he'd been dive-bombed by a flock of angry flying peacocks.

" - each of whom carries a special seed. They fly to the individual person the seed is meant for. They're very special seeds, one of a kind usually. Sometimes they're very plain, though." She glanced over her shoulder at Jhinto, whose face suddenly became very blank. His seed had sprouted into a simple white orchid, but he had never explained the significance that would cause the Goddess herself to deliver such a gift. He still kept very careful care of it in his room, tending to it every day and staring at it for for long periods of time when he thought Lettuce wasn't watching. Lettuce smiled to herself and turned her attention back to the path.

"Of course, that is just one of the festivals that the Mossleafians celebrate. Do you plan on staying in the village long, Mr. Augustus?" Lettuce stifled a subtle yawn as she asked the question. She could tell there were some more interesting prey items in the bamboo, but there was no point in chasing after them with a villager in tow. Such inactivity and typical talk did make for rather boring company, though.

[x.vintage]

Aurelius smiled at Lettuce's giggle, but it dimmed slightly as he caught hints of Jhinto's thought. He seemed to not like the newcomer, and there almost seemed to be a hint of jealousy. He watched as Jhinto kicked the leaves, then almost felt bad for coming. He bit his lip once again, and looked at the ground for a few moments, wondering if he should just leave. But when he looked up, Lettuce was motioning him, and he started walking behind her, keeping a careful distance, not wanting to give Jhinto the wrong impression. Sure, Lettuce was pretty in ways of her own, but he didn't feel that way about her. After all, they had just met, and he didn't find her physically attractive. He had only felt that way about Alexandria. He gave a smile to Jhinto, hoping to make amends.

He then turned his attention to Lettuce, nodding. "Really? It sounds quite interesting. I'm sure my mother would have loved it. She kept a garden, and she kept many birds as pets, though they were free to come and go as they pleased. She loved peacocks. She enjoyed how exoctic they were, with their magnificent plumage. I myself am torn between the owl and the whippoorwill. I just can't decide." He grinned, realizing that the birds he loved were both noctornal, forced to a life of darkness. Much like myself, he mused.

He nodded. "I plan on staying at least a year, perhaps more if I find it to my liking. As I've mentioned before, Mossleaf is one of the few places I've never seen. I've heard of it, a little, throughout the pubs and taverns of some of the closer villages, but I've never actually seen it until now. I hope to find it as interesting as it sounds."