Submission (#1860) Approved

Noble Rank Unlock Requirement: Advancement Act for Nevon [ELN1029]

Act: Peace and Naps [Act of Character / Advancement Act]

Word Count: 1204

Noble Rank Unlock Mini-Requirement: Depict your Elnin in the company of two or more other Elnins.
https://www.deviantart.com/dracooties/art/Elnin-A-Growing-Family-01-799129888

Sun high on the deserts of Ahza, news of the Sylvan Queen's visit to Ahza spreads through the region with passing conversation. Those seeking to harmonize their mana grow excited by the day for the opportunity, and soon the  information reaches Nevon's ears. While they are a bit shy when it comes to new interactions, Nevon's desires to learn and experience the world win over as they begin to look into how to make the arrangement with Sunleth's relaxation hour. It was an opportunity that was hard to come by, and who knows when the next time the Sylvan Queen will make her way back into Ahza's arid climate. 

With some poking around, Nevon finds out that the site of the event is currently held under Ahza's eldertree: the very one breaking the horizon no matter from where you look within the region. While a ways away from the current town they were in, Nevon's determination to grow as an Elnin pushes them to ask around for any potential carts and wagons they could hitch a ride on. While it was initially difficult to ask for others' travel destinations as it is an odd topic to bring up, Sunleth's presence happened to make for many merchants' interests and a kind one allowed for transportation services in exchange for some help around the stall. It was a tough bit of labor with the desert sun blazing in the sky, but the work was soon wrapped up and Nevon eagerly hopped into the wagon with the merchant's merchandise. It was not long before they dozed off despite the bumpiness of the ride.

An indeterminate amount of time passed before Nevon woke up as the wagon slowed down on arrival. A bit groggy upon awakening, Nevon dizzily made their way off their transport and stumbled on the descent. While embarrassing, the merchant was too preoccupied with accounting for inventory to notice the little mishap before their attention was finally called when Nevon stuttered out an awkward goodbye. They parted on good terms, and Nevon made their way to the much closer eldertree just an hour's trot away. The trek seemingly flew as they admired the scenery and odd bits of plant life on the way to the largest of them all.

Making their way to the nap site within the eldertree's shade, it was hard for them to not admire the grandness of the tree itself. At a seemingly impossible height, the tree seemed to surpass the sky itself as its ancient presence commands years upon years of untold history within its branches. Countless divergent roots and trunks tangled and reconverged in a controlled chaos in its tree-like shape, and once more branched in many different directions as the tree reached its peak. The leaves reaching towards the sky provided for a greatly shadowed area encircling the tree itself, making for a perfect and refreshingly cool respite away from the direct blistering heat of the desert sun. It made for the perfect area for anyone to take a rest on their travels.

Many kittoms, among much fewer adults, had already arrived to Sunleth's nap site. Most were sound asleep around the Sylvan Queen, though some of the more restless ones played among the roots and branches of the tree before tuckering themselves out enough to joing in on the snooze. Like an unusually large slumber party, the event very much kept a friendly and welcoming atmosphere that pulls any onlooker into the sleepy pile.

Nervous but intrigued by the mana harmonization that will result, Nevon approached the group of Elnins clustered around Sunleth and made a little resting spot for themselves. While they were still in the middle of the heat of the desert, the combination of ambient warmth with the cooling shade of the eldertree made for a perfectly temperate sleeping environment. While they were feeling a touch awkward due to the large group of other unfamiliar Elnins, the travel fatigue caught up to Nevon; they quickly found their energy melt away the moment their eyes closed, nodding off into a very relaxed slumber.

Time flies.

And flies.

Opening their eyes at long last, Nevon finds themselves in the darkness of night, awoken by a particularly chilly gust of wind. Elnins were still piled amongst each other in their sleepy piles, Sunleth as well, though a few waking ones began their trips back home after being refreshed by the experience. While they couldn't quite put their paw on it, they found that their senses felt much clearer than before. The Sylvan Queen was still asleep, so Nevon waved quietly before following behind a few other departing Elnins to make their way back home. The group they joined discussed their plans to make their way back to their various Ahzan homes, and Nevon wound up tagging along with a ragtag group of Elnins going to the same destination. 

Introducing themselves, the two Elnins who wound up accompanying them on the trip home were Risale and Keldyn, each with their own reasons for seeking mana harmonization from Sunleth while also being lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. They needed to make a stop by Nevon's home in Ahza either way, so they chatted on their convenient wagon trip back, previously arranged by another Elnin who left at a similar time. The three exchanged chatter on their own goals and general life happenings; Risale prattled about her desire to be an esteemed adventurer while Keldyn, albeit in his typical irritable fashion, reluctantly parted with information on his desire to become a reputable scholar in one of the two major magic academies. Upon hearing about these goals though, Nevon realized how nebulous their own ideals were; while they wanted to be "better," there was no real solid subject to be better at. They pondered over themselves as they walked the rest of their way home after parting from them, although they were fairly happy about the experience. Now they can focus on themselves and what kind of Elnin they would want to be, and there was an adventure in itself in finding that out.