Reaching the forest floor, Wafit made his way to where he suspected Demoron and Reteh would return to, then began doing shadow practice until they arrived.

 

```

Demoron: It's concerning to see you down here by yourself.

 

Wafit: Things between Viv, Lina, and Chyla were getting a bit intense, but I'm hopeful they'll work it out. Though the main reason I'm down here is so we can go talk to Bora-su and Te-su about leaving early. Yi-su's already went into obsession mode.

 

Demoron: How you feeling Re-re?

 

Reteh: Fairly hot, but certainly not obsessed with anyone yet. You're both looking equally appealing right now.

 

Wafit: Yi-su is taking Ki-su out camping, and are probably in the green warehouse gathering supplies. The others should still be in the trainee building, or if you want to come along and talk to Bora-su with us, that's cool too.

 

Reteh: *irritated* I'm going to go talk to Yineh.

 

Wafit: Be careful, she's pretty snippy and protective of Ki-su right now.

 

Reteh: You two should get going. *knowing smile*

```

 

Upon reaching the library, Wafit was surprised to find both Mirra and Teran present.

 

```

Bora: I assume you two are here about leaving early?

 

Wafit: *affirmative nod*.

 

Bora: Approved, you may leave immediately.

 

Wafit: Te-su, are you going to be coming with us?

 

Teran: Afraid not. Someone needs to stay here and watch after Lina and Chyla.

 

Mirra: That's a strange way of calling yourself bait.

 

Teran: I think sacrifice would be more accurate.

 

Mirra: Only if you let yourself get caught. *raspberry*

 

Teran: It would be cruel not to let them catch me.

 

Bora: Anything else before I make my own leave?

 

*short silence*

 

Bora: In that case, I bid you all the best of luck. May the keepers watch over you with pride.

 

Teran: May the keepers watch over you with pride as well... and please be careful.

 

Bora: *bombastic laughter* I'm off.

```

 

Wafit watched as Bora grabbed his cane before leaping out a nearby window.

 

```

Wafit: I feel a nagging feeling of worry.

 

Teran: Bora-su's going to the borders. There's been an increase in chewa activity lately, though nothing in particular to worry about.

 

Wafit: Understood. *trusting smile*

 

Teran: I'll come and get you two after the burnout. Perhaps we can do some training on the way back.

 

Wafit: I'll be looking forward to it. *excited smile*

```

 

Taking their leave from the library, Wafit and Demoron gathered supplies, left a farewell message on the main common board, then made their way slowly towards an old decommissioned watch house.

 

The pair took every opportunity to enjoy their leisurely day together as they journey down the long winding trails that weaved through the forest, around Moonberry Brew Lake, which was justifiably named due to the algae that gave it a deep red appearance in the day, and an eerie crimson glow at night, up the side of the Entraca Heights Ridge, the tallest mountain range in the central Squi lands, and finally ended at an old, yet well-kept stone and wood building which was surrounded on all sides by well-maintained walkways, lined with miniature plants in intricately painted planters, masterfully carved stone and wood statues, and a wide assortment of game and training equipment.

 

As the pair neared the building, Wafit stopped at an oddly familiar scent.

 

```

Wafit: There's someone else here.

 

Demoron: Kind of smells a bit like Ki-su.

```

 

Entering the building the pair were greeted by an older dark brown and gray with age furred male with deep green eyes, dressed in faded hiking leather, sitting at one of the writing desks who introduced himself as Eldric Rooka, a name they both knew quite well.

 

```

Eldric: You're here earlier than expected. *curious hum* I don't smell Kion with you.

 

Wafit: He's not. He voluntarily went with his mentor, Yineh Yawnet.

 

Eldric: *surprised* That's unexpected. In that case, I'll be relying on the two of you to deliver this letter to him for me. Once I'm done writing it of course. *gentle chuckle*

 

Wafit: Will you be staying around for the whole full moon?

 

Eldric: Depends. Would I be overly intruding if I were?

 

Wafit: Not at all, at least not to me.

 

Demoron: And especially not to me. *pleased smile*

 

Eldric: Before you go getting any ideas, we can't go too far.

 

Demoron: I've read every single text in the library on rammu traditions, there is nothing that states you lose your status or privileges as a rammu upon honorable retirement.

 

Eldric: That is true, but still it would go against part of the reason for the restriction to begin with.

 

Demoron: *Pouting*.

 

Eldric: *gentle chuckle* If it means that much to you, we can spend some time together and see how things go. I could use a break from writing this letter. I wanted to do some maintenance, anyway. Would you like to accompany me?

 

Demoron: I'd love to.

 

Eldric: How about you?

 

Wafit: No. I'll prepare last meal for us. Since I was looking forward to spending some extra time cooking, we gathered quite a lot of time-consuming ingredients.

 

Eldric: Now that you mention it, you two do smell like quite the selection of foodstuffs. You don't have to worry about making anything for me if it would be bothersome.

 

Wafit: Not at all.

 

Eldric: I'll be looking forward to it then. Let's be going. We don't have much daylight left.

```

 

After spending the evening preparing food, Wafit enjoyed a nice meal and a short chat with Eldric, before making his way out to sleep under the night sky, so that Demoron and Eldric could have the watch house to themselves.

 

At first light Wafit kept himself busy with maintenance tasks for much of the following day until it was time again to prepare food and sit down with Demoron and Eldric for their second and final last meal together.

 

```

Eldric: You two looking forward to getting back to training?

 

Wafit: *affirmative nod* As nice as it's been having some real relaxation time, I'm getting worried about Ki-su.

 

Eldric: If you get a chance, you should be sure to send me a quick letter or stop by on a regimen run to let me know how the full moon went for him and Chyla.

Demoron: I'd be more than happy to have the excuse to come for a quick visit. *eager smile*

 

Eldric: I handle a large amount of the foraging alone now, so if you're hoping for a tip for delivering the message, I suggest tracking me down sometime after dawn.

 

Wafit: *awkward fidgeting* C-can I ask you something inappropriate?

 

Eldric: Of course, though just because you can ask doesn't mean you'll get an answer.

 

Wafit: Ki-su was acting strangely around Chyla... Originally I had brushed it off as being a byproduct of the full moon, but the more I think about it, the more I don't think it was.

 

Eldric: There's nothing between them to worry about, if that's what you're asking. They get along fine, and respect one another.

 

Wafit: *concerned hum*

 

Eldric: Kion has always had issues talking around his family. He never felt comfortable talking to anyone about serious or personal matters; much to a fault, mind you. The only surefire way to tell when he was ill or injured when he was young was smell, as he aged and got wise he found creative ways to hide that too.

 

Wafit: I'll be careful to watch for that.

 

Eldric: Please do, and if he ever needs it, berry brew algae is a comfort food for him; sundried and added atop any light and crispy root, and you'll always get at least a hint of a smile from him.

 

Wafit: What makes it so special to him?

 

Eldric: That's a good question, and if you want to learn the answer to it, you'll just have to ask him yourself. *playful smirk*

```

 

Once the meal ended, Wafit made his way outside where he toiled a few hours before returning to his hammock, which was set up between two ornately carved wood pillars at the end of a lightly weathered boardwalk overlooking the valley.

 

Lying down, Wafit turned his head to the side and stared into the distance at the gently glowing patterns along the Alethean wall until he drifted off to sleep.

 

Waking up to the feeling of something warm next to him, Wafit quickly recognized Teran's scent and pulled him into a long cuddle, which Teran broke at first light.

 

```

Teran: I'm going to do some quick maintenance before we start heading back.

 

Wafit: Alright, I'll get things picked up, and help the others clean the house.

 

Teran: They're already gone, and the house is already spotless.

 

Wafit: *surprise* I-I see, alright, I'll clean up my stuff here, then help you.

```

 

After putting away the hammock, and taking care of some other personal tasks, Wafit found Teran trimming plants down one of the rarely maintained trails.

 

```

Teran: *somber* Free-su was going to trim this trail... I should have done it the last time I was here, but...

 

Wafit: Do you think he's really going to stay in exile?

 

Teran: Free-su can be quite stubborn... Next moon, I'm planning to take Re-re out to see him. I'm hoping when he sees how well she's been doing, he'll reconsider his exile and come back to us.

 

*long silence*

 

Wafit: How was your full moon?

 

Teran: Entertaining, I'll leave the details to the girls, though.

```

 

After a short while of working alongside Teran, the pair began their journey back to the Gathering, stopping frequently along the way for miniature lessons, survival skill practice, and bouts of intense physical training.