January 28, 2019, 1:03 am.

While we wait for Kellica to recover, I continue to look around the clearing, dropping my glamour. The grass inside the circle of standing stones is still a lively green, but outside the stones, the grass has been replaced by a thin layer of snow. Guess winter's come to the Reaches. That doesn't seem to bother the Zanbia outside, it's long neck stretching to shake loose the snow from a nearby tree as it takes in another mouthful of covered leaves.

Leaves that I realize probably should've fallen by now. I guess trees handle snow differently here. Maybe they're magical?

Before I have time to investigate the nature of the trees, Genitha floats into the air, lifting us with her. Even Kellica, who hasn't recovered from the teleportation is hoisted alongside us. Then we're soaring over the forest towards a spire of rock on the north side of the river.

It doesn't interfere too much, and I'm able to analyze the tree the Zanbia is using for it's snack.

“Plant analyzed: Unnamed marcesceen tree. Gene seed D. A tree with passing similarities to trees from earth that uses mana to protect it's leaves from the cold. It can be used for mortal and iron grade crafting. Resistant to ice magics. Grants limited resistance to ice-derived concepts. Makes excellent firewood once dried."

"Unfortunately, it's defences are useless against the Zanbia."

I was right! It does use mana. And it's resistant to ice! Ha! Point for Alexis, which leaves me at... I've lost count, but another point for me! Nature's probably still winning.

The journey to Theria's is smooth, and I lose myself in memories as I look over the area we arrived in a mere two weeks earlier. Special attention is given to the church. It was my first attempts to change things with my stoneworking powers... and it shows. Definitely going to have to revisit it. Maybe fix it up a bit. Oh, and check out the door.

My main focus though is definitely going to be fixing up the church.

The edifice that houses Theria's home soon fills my vision, and I'm brought back to the present. It's one of those stacks of rock that stick out of the earth. A... yeah, I don't remember the word. Right, it's an atoll. I think. And if this was earth, I'd be worried about the whole thing falling over. But I can see traces of mana flowing out of vents along the sides of the tower. I wonder if the mana formed the tower. Like a volcano, but instead of tectonic forces, it's all earth and stone mana.

I haven't seen mana act like that on it's own. But maybe there's a creature or something? I'll need to ask Genitha later.

Speaking of Genitha, she's shouting something about the time Rufka lost all her fur on the right side of her body when she was a cub. Honestly, it seems Rufka's lost her fur a lot.

The tale continues, telling us of Rufka's decision to tame a fire elemental. And her refusing to give up just because she'd 'lost some fur'. I can't help but look over at her with a smile. But her ears are back and she's looking away from everyone. Overriding Genitha's spell, I float closer to Rufka and take her hand, giving it a squeeze. She shakes, then glances over at me. When she see me, Rufka squeezes back, her ears standing up.

Just in time for her mom to tell us that Rufka succeeded in taming the fire elemental. By letting her fur get burned off while spraying it with water. Repeatedly.

"What happened to it?" I ask Rufka, noting that I haven't seen a pet fire elemental.

"Squish is living in a mana-vent a few hours north of here," Rufka answers, her eyes gazing off into the distance.

"Squish?"

"I was five..."

"Still. Squish?"

Rufka just shrugs and I pull her closer to give her a quick peck on the cheek as I chuckle. Then we remain close as Genitha guides us in to land on a clearing halfway up the jagged tower of rock. It feels sturdier than the outside structure made it look. And for some reason, despite having just spent a day in a city suspended by nothing but bone and magic, part of me is worried it could collapse at any moment. Maybe that's why, when Genitha sets us down, I continue floating just a touch off the surface.

Which is when Kellica turns to stare at me. Not sure if it's cause I'm floating or just cause I dropped my disguise. Either way, I just wave at her before following Genitha towards a blank wall. As I step closer, the wall shimmers and fades. On the other side is a valley that must fill the entire structure. In fact, it looks like it extends through several levels. On the sides are terraced plots, with all sorts of greenery growing on them. Unlike outside, they're completely unaffected by the winter cold.

It's much warmer inside the glimmering illusion that hides the valley, and I'm suspecting it does more than prevent a casual eye from noticing the valley. Despite that, none of the stonework in the valley seems to have been crafted using magic.

Gentiha has us wait on a small circle of stone near the illusion until another K'tharn makes their way toward us. They're not flying. In fact, they're walking slowly, pausing to inspect one of the terraced fields next to the path before they continue towards us. Eventually, they reach the top, taking a moment to look us all over before stretching their arms wide towards Rufka.

Stepping forward, Rufka wraps her arms around the dark brown K'tharn, mumbling something. The only words I catch are 'good' and 'Theria'. Then they break their hug and Rufka begins introductions. And the K'tharn is indeed Rufka's friend Theria. As they continue talking, I notice that Genitha's usual levity is missing when she addresses Theria.

I'm not sure if she's being more respectful, or if it's something else.

No matter the reason, I decide it's not important. What's important is that Theria is giving us a tour of her place, pointing out the hard work she and her guests put in to her home. I feel kind of singled out when she says, "Everything here was built by hand, free of the System and Mana."

"You still use mana for your wards," Genitha notes, and I hear the same edge Rufka uses when she disagrees with someone, but doesn't want to completely call them out.

Something she doesn't use on me. She tried it once after we'd been cuddling and I told her to just tell me what was wrong. And that's why I don't... actually, that's kinda private.

"Of course we use mana for wards," Theria says, not pausing. "For a lot of things. Mana is a tool to be used. But you know the valley's not just for growing food."

This seems to catch Kellica's attention, because she asks, "Then what is it for?"

At this, Theria smiles, showing enough teeth she could be challenging an old clan matriarch for domination of their clan. "Excellent question. What could a hidden valley where we don't use mana be for?"

Kellica starts answering, throwing out theories. Theria lets her talk, but only hums in response. I can hear Kellica's frustration growing. And I can hear Rufka's soft chuckling. I elbow her softly and Rufka messages me.

[R] "Theria does this to everyone. It's like an initiation."

[A] "She's not doing it to me."

[R] "Cause you're my thiani."

I can feel my cheeks warming as Rufka pulls me into a kiss when she sends the last message.

We make it down to a central fire as Theria plays Kellica along. They're not just talking about mana usage, but the nature of plants and the meaning of life. Which somehow has something to do with mangos? Seems weird to me.

The fire is being tended by a chitinous creature with four legs, it's upper body set in the middle of the legs. Like one of those cranes that unfold for stability. It looks armed for war, the upper limbs boasting serrated edges and each of it's joints having massive spikes. It turns it's surprisingly soft looking eyes towards us, blinking as we get closer. It's focused on me, I realize as we stop.

I give it a timid wave.

As if I poked it with a stick, the murder-bug jumps away. Then runs into a long low building not far away.

"Ah. You'll have to forgive Ckichik. He's had some bad experiences with mancers," Theria says, giving a small nod in my direction.

How did he... looking down, I realize I'm still floating. With a blush, I allow myself to set foot on the packed stone surrounding the fireplace. Another person comes by, though they keep their distance from the burning fire. Which makes sense, given that they look more bark than flesh. In a way completely different from Theria.

They talk to Theria for a moment. At least, I think it's talking. It sounds more like wind blowing through the trees than any words I can pick out. But Theria responds in Vausian. "Thank you, Thistle. We have a mage here who might be able to help with your blockage in the morning, if you'd like."

There's some more rustling from the plant-person, who I guess is named Thistle.

"Very good. Tomorrow then." At this, the plant person bows towards Theria, then steps off to the side, still well away form the fire.

"Thistle has prepared beds for you. Genitha, tea?"

At that, Genitha nods, then turns back to us. "We'll talk in the morning. But for tonight, rest."

She and Theria go around the far side of the fire, leaving us with Thistle. She makes a warm sound and waves us to follow. At least, that's the best interpretation I can make of the way her fronds bend.

After guiding us inside a nearby lean-to, which is actually more sturdy looking than the tower this whole valley is resting inside, Thistle waves goodbye. Left to our own devices, Smoulder emerges as I claim one of the bigger hammocks set in the shade of the lean-to.

Tipan grabs the hammock next to me, which causes Rufka and I to look at her. But she's already turned over, her pulling her floppy hat over her eyes.

Kellica takes the hammock on her other side, her eyes fixed on us as she settles down. Her glare is undercut by the fact she's still wearing her hat from earlier. In fact, we're all still wearing our hats. Pulling mine off, I stop as Rufka pouts at me. Rolling my eyes, I put my hat back on, then settle in. But it's not that easy.

"What are you?" Kellica asks.

"Me? I'm an elvenoid, can't you tell?"

"Not that. Your class. I can't read it."

This gets Tipan's attention as she pulls the hat away before sitting up. "You can read classes? Isn't that... right. Taken."

"What?" I ask.

Tipan shifts enough to smile our way as she responds, "The ability to read classes is restricted. Which clearly the Taken aren't affected by."

"Wait, so you can read their classes?" I ask, tilting my head as I stare at Kellica.

Instead of answering, Kellica squints at me, closing her upper eyes. Then she shakes her head and leans back.

But Rufka's not having that. "Hey, Lexi asked you a question."

"Yes. I can see your class, Astra's Chosen," Kellica answers, turning to Rufka. "Yours and the Stormcallers. But your thiani's is just a bunch of nonsense symbols."

"Cause she's special," Rufka states, pulling me tight against her.

"Uhh. Astra's Chosen sounds pretty special," I note, looking at Rufka.

"It is," Tipan says, staring at Rufka. "There's only ever one Astra's Chosen."

"It's not that great," Rufka says, waving Tipan away.

Kellica comes closer, sitting on Tipan's hammock, which Tipan grumbles at but otherwise just pulls her feet to the side. "It's pretty strong. But not specialized. It basically guarantees you'll get a truly unique class if you can progress it."

"Tell you what. You tell us your class, and I'll tell you mine," I offer, crossing my arms and staring at Kellica.

"Wait, really?" Kellica glances between us. "Just like that?"

"It's just a class name," I say, shrugging.

"Yes... but..." Kellica squints again, looking between us.

"Look, you're going to be spending the next two weeks with us. And I doubt we'll be sitting still for most of that. Knowing more about each other is going to be important," I say. I don't mention that my class's name isn't going to tell her anything about me she doesn't already know.

Her fingers curl into fists before straightening out while Kellica looks away. Finally she balls them up, turning to look directly in my eyes with her lower ones. "Fine. I'm a venom mage."

She sits there with her hands curled into balls, like she's expecting us to attack her.

"Huh. Neat." Not sure why she's so tense.

"Really?" Tipan asks, making Kellica twitch. Then Tipan reaches over and takes Kellica's hand. "That must be tough."

Whatever reaction I expected the Taken agent to have to Tipan's comment, I did not expect her to start crying.

Guess sleep's going to wait.