Once Irae had the axe, Charlie took down her hood and double-checked the knots on both tents.
Elric smiled softly, giving Daisy a grateful nod as they worked together. Fortunately, it didn't take long to complete the circle of rocks and move on to moving the logs into place.
Irae kept her hood up as she cut the wood, going as quick as possible, before bringing the logs over to the pit, handing them to Elric to put in place. "Do we have flint, or has someone got a simple fire charm?" She asked.
Elric accepted the cut pieces of Rae’s log but raised a brow at her question.
“Here. I think this should still be good.” Charlie answered quickly, running a flint and tinder box over. “Came with my pack.” she said, mostly hinting to Irae that there should be one in her travelers' gear as well.
Irae nodded. "Right. I should keep better track of what's in mine-" she muttered.
Daisy took the firestarter, getting the fire started. "Should I look around and see if there's a place to get water? A river or a pond?" She asked. They all (should) have enough water to last them till the next town, but it was always better to be certain, and water would help put the fire out when it was time to do so.
“Don't worry. It's your first adventurer's pack.” Charlie smiled. “When I got my first one, the only reason I knew what was in it was because the merchant explained everything.” she assured.
Elric chuckled, casting a glance at Charlie and Rae. “You’re lucky. My first night with an adventurer’s pack, I had to take everything out of it and make a list.” he admitted before turning back to Daisy. “I didn't see any ponds when we were getting wood… but there is a nymph tree a little ways back. If they’re friendly, and if we need the extra water, we can try asking.”
Daisy smiled. "We can try. If they aren't friendly, we don't need the extra water, but it would be nice to have." She said
Elric chuckled softly at Daisy’s logic but nodded.
“I know you just got back, but do you want to go hunting with me?” Charlie asked Irae. “We don't have to, of course. We have enough rations but…” she shrugged.
Irae nodded, barely hiding her excitement. "Yes." She said, following Charlie.
Daisy turned to Elric. "You want to approach the nymph or watch the fire?" She asked, happy to do either.
Charlie smiled at Irae’s excitement and grabbed her hunting bow and arrows before leading her by the hand to go hunt.
“I’ll watch the fire.” Elric answered. “You might have better luck with the nymph anyway.” he shrugged.
Daisy nodded, heading in the direction Edric had indicated earlier, up to the Dryad's tree or what seemed to be one.
".. Hello? Mistress of the tree?" She asked, softly and respectfully.
Irae followed Charlie, watching her.
A face slowly pushes out of the tree bark, but the nymph seems to hesitate to fully separate from the tree. “Hello?” she blinks.
Charlie smiled back at Irae and led her a bit further. “Are you ok?”
Daisy smiled lightly, respectfully, bowing lightly. "Hello! My name is Daisy. Me and my party are staying nearby, on a quest. We were hoping we might be able to get some fresh water from you? We can give you something in return, if we have something you'd need." She offered.
Irae nodded. "I'm glad to learn how to hunt." She said, smiling slightly.
The nymph nodded back in reply. “I have all I need… My sister is generous, but she is also fond of shiny things.” she explained. “She likes the way her waters reflect the light from them.”
“I still can't believe that I get to teach you how to hunt.” Charlie giggled.
Daisy nodded. "We likely have something shiny we would be able to gift your sister in exchange for her generosity." She said, nodding in appreciation.
Irae grinned. "I never had need for the skill before." She said, happy to see Charlie laugh.
The nymph nodded and pulled herself free of the tree. “I can lead you to her.”
“I know. It's more the fact that I get to teach you anything like this.” Charlie explained, slowing down and watching for anything that would be good to hunt. “And I like spending time with you.”
Daisy nodded. "I would be very grateful." She said, following.
Irae smiled. "I never thought a mortal would teach me anything." She noted, looking around. "Do you think it's safe to pull of my hood?" She asked softly.
The nymph nodded again and led the way to the nearest water.
“Oh, yeah.” Charlie answered, glancing back at Irae. “You don't have to wear it all the time. I just wear mine in towns cause not everyone trusts…” she trailed off, gesturing vaguely to herself.
Daisy (who I'm going to say has something to fill with water, a bowl or something) followed, gazing into the water and thanking the dryad again.
Irae nodded, taking the hood down, and followed closer behind Charlie, moving silently.
She nodded again at the thanks, not used to so much interaction. Once they reached the lake, she scooped up a rock and plopped it into the water.
Charlie crouched low to the ground and notched an arrow. “You want to watch this time or wanna give it a try?” she asked, keeping her voice soft.
Daisy watched the lake, staying close to the dryad (not touching-close, but if she reached out she could touch her)
Irae crouched as well. "Better just watch this time"
The rock flew back up from the water, fortunately missing both Daisy and the dryad, and landed harmlessly on the ground nearby. “You always have such a sense of humor.” a voice burbled up from the water before the naiad rose to the surface. “And you brought company?”
“Alright.” Charlie nodded, spotting a game bird not too far away. “Then watch me get this shot.” she smirked.
Daisy bowed her head. "Hello- I'm Daisy of the Magi clan. I come requesting water for my party. We can find something to give you in return." She said respectfully.
Irae nodded, seeing the same bird.
The naiad tilted her head curiously at the name of Daisy’s clan, but smiled at the mention of receiving something. “Something that catches light?” she asked.
Charlie focused on her target, her breathing slowed, the bowstring taut, her hands steady as she tracked the bird… before swiftly releasing the arrow.
Daisy nodded. "Yes. I'm not sure what yet, I'd have to talk with my party, but I could leave something here as collateral, if you wish."
Irae was quiet, tracking the bird and the arrow with her eyes, smiling as the arrow flew.
The naiad gave a soft hum at the offer. “As long as it reflects the light, it doesn't matter what you leave.” she answered with a shrug.
“Yes!” Charlie smiled softly at her arrow hit its mark. “It's not very big, but we should be able to make something out of it.”
Daisy nodded. "Of course." She said, pulling out a small coin made of nickel. It was a 5-cent coin. "This is all I have on me right now, will it do?"
Irae nodded. "May I try?" She asked softly, already watching a nearby game bird.
The naiad took the coin and polished it between her fingers. “Ok.” she nodded. “This will work.”
“Sure.” Charlie smiled. “Do you know how to hold a bow?” she asked as she passed the bow over, spotting the same bird.
Daisy smiled, refilling everyone's waterskins (that I assume they sent with her)
Irae nodded. "It may not be my favorite, but I do have some training." She said, accepting the bow and training it on the bird.
Charlie watched Irae as she aimed. “Just remember to hold it gently and not strangle the bow.” she whispered.
Irae nodded, relaxing her grip slightly. She watched the bird for another minute, before letting the arrow fly.
