Submission (#1423) Approved

Quest: Resonance - Act 3
Act Type: Exploration
Word Count: 1039
Adult Elnin Present: Hikari [ELN905]
Regional Affinity: Ealei
Claiming Regional Affinity for: Mimi [MYO-ELN201]
[Adventurer] Rank Unlock Mini-Requirement: Include an adventuring outfit

Upon returning with her stash of fruits and her newfound ability to shift into her gijinka form, Momo was rife with emotions, unable to contain her excitement nor pride in Mimi’s achievements. It seemed the elnin had speculated this would happen as well, and had brought an adventuring outfit for the kittom just in case.

“Nice work, kiddo. How’s it feel having a slightly less tiny body?”

Mimi stuck her tongue out at Hikari. Just because he was still taller in his gijinka form, she was sure she’d at least be taller than him when he was in his elnin form. 

As if reading her mind, he shifted back to his feral form, smirking as the two were roughly the same size, with Hikari being a little taller due to his ears.

“Ya know, if you think you were gonna be taller when you grow up, then I’d hate to be the bearer of bad news, haha.”

Mimi huffed as he shifted back, still chuckling.

“Oh, stop teasing her. She’s fine just as she is.”

Momo, who had shifted into her gijinka form as well, placed a hand on Mimi’s head and offered her a reassuring smile. 

“Besides, there are things that only you can do as well, isn’t there?”

Mimi’s eyes widened. Oh yah!

Flapping her wings, she gave a small jump, hovering off the ground at first before taking to the skies, giggling with delight as the wind whipped through her hair. She flew back to Hikari, giving him a grin herself as he grinned back.

“Got me there, kiddo.”

Landing back on the ground, Momo shook her head, smiling softly at the antics between them.

“Alright you two, that’s enough. Besides, didn’t you say you wanted to go exploring, Mimi? Hikari will take you part of the way since you insisted on doing this yourself, but just know we’re both within reach should you need us, ok?”

Mimi nodded.

“Now, put these clothes on. I know it doesn’t get nearly as cold in Ealei, but if you’re going to be flitting about the tree tops, I don’t want you catching a cold prancing about in just a dress.”

Taking the clothes Momo gave her, Mimi looked over the articles of clothing. A pair of leggings, seemingly thin but warm enough to block out the cold wind against her bare legs. A coat just long enough to go past her knees, but sleeves at just the right length so that her hands were visible. The trim of the coat and hood were lined with plush fur, warm and soft to the touch, and the coat itself was made of durable yet plush cloth. The back also had an opening where her wings could poke out. A pair of boots were provided as well, with open soles so that her toes could poke out, but the material wrapped around her heel and toe beans to provide protection should she decide to do more walking than flying. 

Along with the clothes, Momo also provided a hip pouch and sling bag which contained a canteen of water along with some of the fruits and berries Mimi had picked earlier.

“I included some snacks in case you get hungry, and staying hydrated is important!”

Meanwhile, Hikari just snickered.

“Geez Momo, think you packed enough? You might be missing the kitchen sink, too.”

Momo swatted at Hikari who pulled away at the last second, and turned her attention to Mimi.

“Are you sure you don’t want us to come with you? Ealei’s pretty big, and I don’t want you getting lost, or hurt, or-”

Before Mimi could interject, Hikari placed a hand on Mimi’s shoulder.

“Kiddo will be fine. You worry too much, Momo. Cut the kid some slack, will you?”

Momo fidgeted, and let out a sigh.

“I suppose… you’re right. Just don’t take too long, ok? Come back before it gets dark.”

With the sun slowly starting to set, that didn’t give the faenin a lot of time, so she and Hikari went on their way. As they ventured deeper into the forest of mangroves, careful to not trip over the sprawling roots, Mimi turned to Hikari with a puzzled look on her face.

“I didn’t think you’d stick up for me, Hika. Aren’t you usually always teasing me about silly things?”

At this he grinned and ruffled the kittom’s hair, making Mimi squeak with indignation.

“Only because you make it so easy, squirt. But that said, you wanted to show Momo you can be strong and independent too, right? Can’t have her fussing over you all the time.”

Mimi nodded, fixing her hair.

“Think you can make it from here?”

She nodded again.

“I’ll be back before it gets dark!”

Waving goodbye, she dashed off. She didn’t have a lot of time to explore if she wanted to be back without worrying Momo, so she’d have to make the most of it. 

Taking a leap, she fluttered her wings, taking to the skies. The trees around her were tall as ever, taking a while for her to clear the treetops. That said, it wasn’t hard to spot Yggdrasil, the eldertree of Ealei. Momo had taught her that if she should ever lose her way, locating the region’s eldertree would help her establish her surroundings, not that she had a particular sense of direction to begin with.

During her exploration, she came across tree houses, or perhaps, cities built among the trees, and marveled at how some of the buildings were built directly INTO the trees, making a literal meaning out of the word “treehouses.” 

She also came across other cities built across the water, with various platforms and bridges and even fishing boats.

Having her fill of exploring to her heart’s content, Mimi started to make her way back. There was so much to see, so much to do, and even in this time exploring the unknown parts of Ealei, she was sure there was so much more she had yet to see. That said, she had made a promise, and it wasn’t like this was the only time she’d be here. When she was grown up, she’d make sure to come back and visit her birthplace once more.