Skill — Ranger

Valerian Root. It had been doing its job and left the woman feeling refreshed during the day. Her insomnia no longer had control of her sluggish body, and somehow, such a small root had chased away the goblins in her mind. They still lingered in the shadows, but by no means were they orchestrating her life like some sort of vindictive ballad.

Barbosa now danced to a different tune, one that made the vibrancy of spring appear more colourful than before, but so too made the shadows of the night feel ever darker. While the night was wakeless, a loneliness and lack of control continued to pull and push during the day. A lack of fulfillment had seized control of her restlessness as she wandered her home.

She missed her companions, her friends, the faceless man and child of her dreams. She missed the fresh air of the world that changed with every coming day. It was something she knew she must discuss with Raisa, but something she continued to hide within her heart while she organised her thoughts. Seiiki was not made up of many, a healer being herself alone with the knowledge of the plants. It was a great pressure to wish to be free of her confines, as it affected many with such a large decision, and she no doubt would miss their comfort.

So did she know that to lie to oneself was a selfless act that ended in hurt. Perhaps a medium spot could be negotiated; the Seiiki were traders by nature, and often shared their wares with the world. Barbosa wanted them to succeed; she truly did, but she also knew that could not happen when so few knew of their existence. The thought invigorated her to spread their word just as she had with the Frond. Raisa had been so kind to let her stay, to let her heal amongst the confines of their home while she could not contribute.

It was time for her to contribute, she thought as she hopped onto the log that crossed the red forest's river, deciduous trees now decorating themselves amongst the plagued trees. It seemed she had wandered far, the doe's eyes cast on the woodland that surrounded her. Any further, and the leaves of red would no longer be found.

She remained where she stood, on the log that bridged her fantasy with her reality, the rushing of water trickling in her ears while the wind gently ruffled the wisps of her fur.

---

Currently on the outskirts of the territory border.

Skill: Ranger

Carnifex in comparison was growing more and more comfortable in Seiiki by the day, comforted by his patrols, by how his route along the border was beginning to flatten into a true path around their lands. One day it will be worn down to dirt, it's lush grasses trampled down like a prey trail, a visual marker of the border to go along with his scent markings.

He could smell another on the winds, but their scent was familiar, giving him no reason to rush as he prowled with his ears on swivel.

Nothing was out of the ordinary, and when he saw the wolf on the log up ahead he chuffed out a greeting as he approached. What was she doing up there? Did it help her see further, or something? His gaze drifted towards where she was looking, just in case.

It couldn't stop thinking about the odd miasma, that plague unlike anything it had seen before, and it had seen so many, many things. This world was full of firsts, it seemed. Creatures like itself, things odd and unexplainable — it was all so terribly fascinating. It wanted to learn more, more, more.

It moved, hungering, gaze drawn by the blood-red trees. Another first. The glean in it's eye was almost predatory as it loped with intention toward the pair gathered at its fringe. A wolf (here, there were many) and another tiger, the first it had seen since arriving.