"Seems so." He said and stopped petting the dragon instead he started walking away "I got to get back to the farm, and put these flowers in a vase." He said and left his footsteps not making a sound as he turned around a corner and down the path back to the farm. When he got to the farm he set his Emery seeds on the table and promised himself that he would plant them tomorrow morning, found a spare vase, filled it with water, set the moon drops inside and set them on his window sill next to the front door so all could see. Satisfied he left again heading back into town and into his position at the guard post.

This was the boring part of his job, as nothing ever happened aside from the occasionally curious monster. So he just settled in with his sword across his lap and counted leaves on the tree across the way, as that was more entertaining than sitting around and waiting for nothing to happen. But this time he kept thinking back to the others wondering what they think about him in this town, and if he really belongs here.

Nanashi watched him go before petting the dragon and continued to eat the apple as he patiently stood there, flicking his ears ever so slightly. He saw the jewelry shop owner pass by to go to her own store , but he said nothing as he continued to pay attention to the monsters around him. He yawned a little before picking up a large red ball, the critters around him jumping with interest. Tossing it, the wolves, panthers and dragons chased after it before bringing it back to him.

"I have returned, my dear sister!" Coriander exclaimed, as he opened the door to the house. "And I've procured the bread!"

He laid the bag of bread on the front desk, then stuffed the croissant into his mouth before going upstairs into the living quarters.

"You sure took longer than necessary," Lavender huffed, standing just inside the kitchen. He handed the loaf of bread to his sister before heading into the kitchen as well.

"Well, you see, I encountered Meara, and we had a conversation."

"Meara?" Lavender asked, before put a finger to her cheek in thought. "She's running the jewellery shop now, right?"

"Yes, indeed. I bumped into her, quite literally, on the way to the bakery."

"Well, so, whatcha guys talk about?"

"Oh, just... things," Coriander replied, digging into the fridge and taking out some apple juice. He took a sip when...

"So when are you gonna ask her out?"

Well, now there's apple juice on the floor. Thanks.

"*cough* Wh-Where... where did tha*cough*... Why would you ask that?!" Coriander exclaimed, coughing and sputtering as Lavender burst out laughing.

"Whatever," Coriander continued, "I'm going downstairs and opening up the shop. You, dear, sister, will clean this up," Coriander said, pointing to the puddle on the floor.

"S-S-S-Sure, I will, I will." Lavender replied between her laughter.

The Evening/Night ~ Monday Spring 2.

The town of Slysian began to unwind after another day of work, play, and gathering. The usual, but it was enjoyed. Notes were made all over the town that Spring 6th, will be the cooking festival. Some already started to excitingly prepare, such as the baker, who planned on making the best cakes. A local old woman held a note for making a outstanding pie, and some new faces would appear in the contest.

As the sun came to it’s warm-colored set, the sky lit up in oranges and the early stars began to show. The birds quiet down, and so did the town. Children went back inside for family dinner, shopkeepers closed for the day, and the day was coming to it’s end.

---

Meara was pleased with herself. She had made three items of jewelry, and sold two nice necklaces, a bracelet and a set of earrings. It was a slow day, but it wasn’t wasted. She stepped outside her door, locked it, and turn to walk to the lake. Meara always liked to walk to the lake in the spring and summer during the night. It was a little chilly, but she had a cup of tea to keep her warm. She loved looking at the water and the sun set on the blossoms. A fish splashed a little in the water, which made her laugh. Things were going good, she sat there thinking about the day to come and her tea.

For a long time she sat there and looked at the cool lake water. It wasn’t like the ocean, but she liked how it was still full of life. After a little while sitting on the bench, she got up and sat on the edge of the lake in the grass. She began to try and dip index finger in the water, but as soon as she did, she retreated. Because her skin began to change into her water form. Meara pulled her hand away so it wouldn’t have time to change. She often wondered if people would be scared of her in her water form. She didn’t think it was that bad, and she knew a lot of people around here would accept her for the way she way. This made her smile, and she continued to sip tea. But she stared at the tea cup, and wondered how come tea didn’t change her. I’m not complaining, she thought, and looked up at the sky with a small sigh of relaxation.

Virtus got up and left as another guard came and relieved him from his post. The sun was gone and it was a little nippy out, but Virtus didn't care, normally about this time he would head to the Inn but he wasn't in the mood for crowds right now. So instead he walked to the lake, the jewelry shop girl, by the divine dragons Virtus couldn't remember her name and it was on the tip of his tongue, was it Marcy? that didn't sound quite right, Mara? No that didn't quite sound right either, then it hit him like a ton of bricks Meara! That was her name. He felt quite proud of himself for remembering her name. But he should of remembered it sooner because she's been here longer than most. As she had been here when he arrived, but he never did have a need for jewelry. But despite everything his mind kept wandering back to when he arrived.

Spring 10th, A year ago.

Virtus had been on the run for weeks. He had just escaped the Sechs empire after their mad emperor swore to torture every Earthmate they came across, at the time Virtus had been unlucky enough to be there when he proclaimed it. They caught him and they lived up to their promise, when the break out happened he ran for it and didn't look back. Now though he wasn't so sure where he was or if he was still in Sechs Territory, but by pure mistake he found the town Slysian, at first he was nervous about heading in just in case he still was in Sechs territory. But hunger and dehydration pushed him into the town.

He didn't even make it into town, he passed out at the entrance exhausted, and hungry, Virtus did not know what happened next though he assumed someone found him and brought him to the doctors, as he woke up in the doctors office people asked him questions about who he was and what he did. He told them, but when the pressed him about how he came to the town he did not answer he remained tight lipped and defiant about telling people.

After the doctors office he stayed at the inn. He could of left and never looked back but instead for some reason he stayed and even till this day he does not understand why. but eventually he was welcomed. He was even allowed to take over a farm after he told someone that he grew up on a farm, and there he made a home for himself a home he would not give up for all the world.

Virtus loved looking back at his arrival here and finding a home here, he could do without what happened before but without it he never would of found this place, but he shouldn't be so easily trapped by his memories and thoughts so he shrugged them off picked up a pebble and skipped it across the lake it skipped once,twice,three times before finally sinking below the surface of the lake.

Mari Stood from her seat behind the counter, stretching. It had been a long day, but she still had some flowers left. She took up the miscellaneous blossoms, bunching them together and tying them off with a turquoise ribbon. She bent her head down, into the bouquet and sniffed, smiling at the pleasant fragrance. Mari had always loved plants, especially flowers. Ever since the day her grandmother had told her she would be able to inherit the shop. That day had come about a year ago. She still mourned over the loss of the person she trusted most, but that was a long while ago, and the future was close, she needed to be here and now to see it through.

"Hey, Lilac, wake up. We can go take a walk." Lilac yawned and stretched out, before shaking her silver fur. Turning eagerly to her master as she heard the word 'walk', Lilac began happily yipping and leaping around Mari, who giggled at the her playfulness. After they were both out of the shop, she slid the little bronze key into the lock. Sliding her hand off of the door, she turned and began walking down the cobble street. It was spring, her favorite seasons. All the flowers and trees came back to life, and the forest filled with animals again. It was only after Mari felt something rub against her leg did she realize that they were home.

"Oh, hey there little guy. Sorry, didn't notice you there!" She smiled down at the animal currently jumping around her feet. It was a Chipsqueek, a bouncy little creature, full of energy and curiosity. Bending down, she gave it a pat on the head. It latched onto her sleeve, slowly crawling up until it was sitting on her right shoulder. Mari giggled, its paws tickled her even through the cloth.

"Well, I suppose you would like to come along with us?" The chipsqueek gave a small nod and made an appreciative noise, chewing on a seed. Mari smiled softly, turning around and untying the wagon from Lilac. The wolf bolted, running across the yard before turning and dashing back, skidding to a halt at Mari's feet. "Alright you two, I get it. Let's go."

She passed the rows of flowers, bees darting around, seemingly hyper in comparison to the butterflies gracefully fluttering from flower to flower. The bouquet still rested in her arms, and a single white petal fell slowly to the ground, looking like a feather in the cool green grass that surrounded the worn dirt path leading into the forest. It wasn't a dark or intimidating forest, but instead it gave off a welcoming feel, sunlight flitting in through the leaves and wildlife scattered about. The trio walked in blissful silence until they reached the destination, enjoying the sounds of the forest. They came to a stop just in front of a large oak tree. It rose over the other trees, and Mari had come here since she was a child. Taking a seat next to Lilac by the grand tree, she smiled. Only here could she be totally relaxed. A group of Moppe Moppe ran past, and she had to put a hand on Lilac's head to restrain the wolf from chasing after them to play.

The evening rush was just about over. Most of the townsfolk had already bathed, and the there were only a few patrons left for the day. So, Coriander left the bath house, leaving Lavender to her shift. She'd only been working around the bath for a few months, but she was already familiar with how things worked. He trusted that she could handle the late shift. She hadn't failed him yet.

And so, Coriander went for his nightly wandering around town and its outskirts. It was his time to simply breathe in the fresh air and view the sights of the town. Even though he walked this rough route dozens of hundreds of times already, he never tired of it. After all, things changed, even if little by little.

A seldom walked deviation of his route brought him by the lake. He paused, as he did often during his walks, and stared out to the water's surface. He also noticed that Meara and... V... uh... Virgil? No... uh...

Well... it would come back to him, eventually.

He saw them standing by the lakeside.

He approached the two with a slight smile on his face.

He began to whistle a tune, as he often did.

Meara smiled at the skipping pebble, “Nice shot,” she smiled. “Virtus, is it?” she still sat beside the lake looking at the late sun dance on the water. She liked the moonlight better, honestly. “How long you've been standing there?” her laugh at the end of her question was friendly. She was interrupted by... whistling? Her head turned, and her eyebrows raised in surprise, or was it excitement? Both?

“Well lookie here, have a good shift did we?” she gave Corriander a teasing smile. She didn’t normally see him wandering around. Matter of fact, she never saw people at the lake in the evenings, it was always just her now and again. Or maybe it’s me who doesn’t get out much, she thought. “I thought I was the only one to chill out by the water..” she snickered at both of them. “Fancy that.”

Virtus looked over at Meara "I only come here once in a great while." He said picking up another pebble and sending it shooting across the lake this time it made it further than the last one "As for how long I've been standing here, I don't know few minutes maybe?" He said again and then he went quiet as he heard whistling, it wasn't a tune he was familiar with but then again not many people are familiar with the tunes of the Sechs Empire. Virtus stepped back so all he would have to do is look to his right or left to see the two.

The Person who arrived was Coriander, the bath house owner. He could remember his name as he would visit on occasion. But he never talked just payed for his bath and went in. "I need to talk to more people." He thought but how was he to talk to more people when he didn't fit in here. He shrugged off these thoughts they were the ones that assured he had nobody to talk to except monsters, and they rarely talked back. "So Coriander." He said sparking up a conversation which was highly unlike him. "How goes the bath house?" He asked.

Around 2:00 PM, Nanashi packed up his things and led the animals back to the farm where he brushed them and set them up for the night. Stretching out, he went into his house where he picked up his readied bag of supplies, setting a few healing herbs inside in case he got hurt. Setting some apples inside, he placed it on his back before leaving his home and locking it. Placing a sign on the handle that said "Out for awhile. Be back around 10:00 PM" before he walked along the path.

It was perhaps dangerous going alone adventuring in the evening to the nighttime, but Nanashi did it everyday. Usually he went out at around six o'clock but he felt he wanted to explore the ruins up the mountain a little ways and that could take some time. He wouldn't have time to mingle with other folks, but that was alright. No one has been sick lately at least so no one should need his medical services.

With that done, the long silver haired man walked off his farm and along the dirt path, deeper into the forests.

"It goes as about as well as one should hope for, I suppose." Coriander replied.

Shame, he was just about to get to the good part of the song.

Coriander walked to the water's edge, breathing in the air by the lake. Then, he took off his shoes, his socks, and then began to wade into the shallows.

"A wonderful morn makes it's way for a graceful moon. Wouldn't you agree?" he said, to no one in particular. "I wonder if such days can continue."

Very philosophical, my friend. Very philosophical, indeed.

Night ~

The sun was practically in complete set, and the moon had start rising to the sky to claim the night. What was left of the sun was only a light purple on the edge of the sky, and it was mostly becoming indigo. With the moon showing itself, it lit up the town, the forest and the lake with it’s glow.

---

She watched Virtus skip another stone, and the curiosity got her. Meara picked up a stone, tossed it, but it splashed into the water. Her brows narrowed, and she stuck out her tongue in disappointment. “You’re a peculiar one,” sighing at Virtus. “You can make rock jump like flying fish.” She shook her head at Corriander’s words about the sun and the moon in good humor.

Meara watched Corriander slip off his shoes, and stand in the shallows of the water. She eyed him, without realizing it. But she almost forgot that he wasn’t going to turn into something, and he can just touch the water. Her own feet itched to feel the water. Deep down, she started feel anxious. In a second, she stretched and gave a small yawn, “The moon is up, it’s getting late everyone.” She finally stood up and brushed herself off. She walked behind Virtus and gave him a tap with her hand, “You should talk more often. I think a lot of people around here would like to get to know you better.” she smiled. “Really.”

She walked behind Corriander, she could stay on the edge without touching the water, and she gave his shoulder a light push. “Don’t fall in.” she laughed and grinned at him. She turned and walked away on the path.

The water felt cool around COriander's feet, and he closed his eyes, enjoying the refreshing sensation. He almost forgot there were other people around him until Meara pushed him lightly. Coriander shifted, stepping forward a bit to avoid falling in. He turned and met Meara's smiling face, and smiled back. She turned to leave, and that's when something popped into his head.

"Meara, please wait up for a second!"

He then turned to V... Virtus. That was it. He turned to Virtus, gave him a grin.

"She's right, you should acquaint yourself with more people. I am sure that people would enjoy your company.

He then ran to catch up to Meara.

"Say, dear Meara, what are your plans for the Cooking Festival?"

“The cooking festival?” Meara blinked at Corriander, “Uhm… well I’m not sure.” She put her index to her mouth and look down in her pondering. Then she let out a laugh, “If there’s people cooking some sweet treats, I might ask to be a judge!” She paused, “But I don’t know if even I could be that brave or each that much.” Meara giggled. She stared at Corriander, then she went quiet. It took her a second…

“Oh uhm. Uhm...” Her arms crossed in almost like she was acting like she was cold. She felt her ears start to warm, “Well, uh, why you wanna know?” Meara’s eyes grew, “Wait, wait, I’m not meaning that in a mean way. You know, just, why? Uh.” Her face twisted in a funny nervous expression that caused her to look away, and also sigh at herself.

“Nothing. I have no plans.” She grinned at him, but her hand was covering smile because she was getting really embarrassed of herself. Her hand slid up to her forehead, and through her hair while letting out sigh. But like always, she laughed too.

Cool, she didn't have any plans. That was good...

Actually, that was a good question. Why did he ask her? It had popped up in his head and he acted on instinct, but now that he stood there, with her staring at him, his momentum dampened, and he hesitated.

"Uh... well..."

Come on, man, you can speak better than this.

"Actually, Lavender is going to enter the contest, and I wanted to let you know."

No, come on, don't leave it at that, man. That's super awkward. Say something else...

"...and also, uh... I was wondering if you wanted to go... together...?"

Nailed it.

It was around ten o' clock when Nanashi returned, his long silver hair seeming to let off a pretty glowing hue as it shine upon him. Most of the townsfolk would be asleep at this time probably. With a yawn, he walked through the night and onto his monster farm. He stepped inside his home and set his bag upon the ground before walking back out and heading into town. Wandering through the dark town, he arrived at the bath house. It was quite normal for him to attend at such late hours. Usually between 10 PM to 2 AM is when he arrived depending on how long he stayed out.

Stepping inside the building, he walked to the counter and gingerly tapped the bell to notify he was here before putting a small sack of coin on he counter.

At first, Meara’s eyes dimmed when Corriander’s response was only, “Lavender is joining the contest.” She accidently let the shape of “oh” escape her mouth. But when he finally came out with it, she couldn’t help but to rejoice.

“Yeah!” Hey, it was a big deal. she thought. As long as Meara knew this young man he’s never stepped out on even really talking to her much. “I mean, yeah. So. Sounds like a date.” She stepped forward and exciting hugged him. But then she realized her hyperness was getting a little too much, and she didn’t know how he would feel about that. So she gently pushed herself off of him and stepped back. Her eyes grew wide and her lips went narrow in an odd expression. “Sorry, sorry.” she whispered. “It’s late, your sister probably is going to get mad and we have shops to run and stuff.” she trailed off. She gave him a sweet smile of warmth, “I’ll see you on the 6th. Meet me by the small garden, near the edge of the square.” Her hand softly touched his shoulder as a way of saying goodbye.

--
Spring 6th ~ Cooking Festival

As the morning sun rose, the town seemed a little more, ‘into it’ than usual. There’s only a few options that could get the town worked up, and that reason today was the festival. Cooking festival to be exact. As the things set up in the town square, more and more people arrive and more things started flooding the area. Different tables of different food, all kinds of cooks with the work they have presented, games, musicians, ribbons and colors everywhere. The time rose to 10 o’clock, an hour before contestants could submit their dishes. Soon the festivities were really ready to begin.

---

Meara walked to the square and took a breathed in deeply. “So many smells.” she mumbled to herself. She was excited to see all who was going to be at the festival. New and old, food after food, music and finding out who won. She liked festivals, some more than others. She was wearing a dark blue dress to contrast her hair. Her mind set was she was going to be festive today, because why not?

Meara saw a girl she somewhat knew and they talked of a little while, it was good to talk to towns people. Again her mind adventures off to all the things that could happen today. She walked briskly to the bench near the garden at the end of the square. Her dress spun around and she plopped down comfortably. Anxiously she sat there, waiting, and she kicked her feet to keep herself occupied while she looked around for Corriander.

Something about Meara's reaction when he'd ask her to go with him made his heart flutter.

Especially when she hugged him.

He returned her smile, and watched as she left.

And as he returned home, that same smile was plastered on his face.

---

Of course, as soon as Lavender figured out what had happened that night, she never stopped bugging him about it. And so, as they walked toward the square, Lavender said, "So, where are you meeting her? Gonna go have a good time? You gonna kiss her, maybe?"

Coriander blushed at that question, but cleared his throat.

"We... we shall see about it."

Oh god, he shouldn't have said that. Lavender giggled.

"Well, I'll be, at the plaza, preparing things. Have fun with your date, Cori," she finished, smirking at that last line, before splitting with Coriander.

Coriander watched her leave, before heading off toward the garden.

"Good morning, Meara, I hope you weren't waiting long," he said, smiling, as he reached her location.

Meara jumped up from the bench without really thinking, “Hi there, handsome!” Even though her own cheeks showed a little bit of pink, she pulled it off with big smile. “No, only a few hours.” But then she snickered, “I’m teasing, only a few minutes actually.” She pulled a strand of hair behind her ear, and look away, trying to think of what to say at what to do.

“You said Lavender is competing? I bet she’s going to make something good.” She gave a welcoming smile, then she linked her arm with his. “So, what would you like to do? Where do you want to go? I’m not really picky.” She kept smiling at him and enjoying his company. Her eyes looked up and she noticed the sky. It was sunny, but there was a rumor is was going to rain. Which she saw some clouds on the horizon.

Meara looked out the corner of her eye at Corriander and started to become scared about the thought of them getting caught in rain. She stiffened up a bit, but then told herself to relax.

"Oh, you." He said, in response to Meara's joke.

He blushed a bit more when she linked her arm into his. He cleared his throat.

"Well, anyway, I was thinking of just walking around, enjoying all of the fanfare, try out some games," he said, sheepishly. Truth be told, he hadn't really thought up a detailed plan; he was just planning to walk around.

"That way we can work up an appetite. I would also like to see how Lavender fares in the contest. She's not told me what she is making, so I want to spectate as much as anyone."

He began to walk toward the plaza, bringing her along. An idea came to him as he walked.

"Later, if you would like, I can show you something special."