Submission (#4671) Approved

Quest: Resonance - Act 1
Act Type: Character
Word Count: 1005
Regional Affinity: Bellmoril
Claiming AP for: Cain [ELN2875]
[1] Adult Present (Requirement) - ELN551 [Calliope]
Mini-Requirement Met for Noble -- Far From Home

**Edited to add some Bellmoril colors.

The sun soon came above the horizon, bringing warm light across the lands of Bellmoril. Rays of light warmed the area, dispelling the fog from the early mornings and creating a haze throughout the orange woodlands. The village in which Cain resided for the miasma season started to come alive as the day started. Shopkeepers starting to open their doors to those in need and travelers heading out to their destinations.

Cain was one of those travelers.

The miasma lifted finally, offering him some relief to traverse the lands once again. He was still determined to land in Kyendi, his homeland, but first, he did have some things to do. Plans had changed as he thought about his adventure layout, knowing he needed to learn a couple of things before he settled back down. Cain didn't want to be restless, he wanted to visit most, if not all of the regions. He decided he wanted to travel north to the hot lands of Zevija first before finally resting at his final destination.

Cain rose and pulled his things into his bag haphazardly, fixing his bed on the way out of the room. He'd miss the good food and company at the inn, hoping he'd one day return to catch up with friends he made here. The innkeeper stocked him up with food and a few potions before giving him a firm hug. Cain appreciated everything they had done for him and he would definitely return in the future.

November was there to see him off as well, waving her hand as he walked down the trail. She gave him a small spice cake, a little gift before he headed into the unknown. Cain smiled, glancing down at his feet as he wished he could stay a little longer, but knew he would come back.

Being on the trail again was calming, wondering along the way what Zevija would be like. He imagined it'd be hot much like Ahza considering the volcanic activity. That was one aspect he wasn't looking forward to; he felt so miserable in the desert. Even so, it was something he wanted and needed to do. The experience was the goal and the faster he went through the region, the faster he could go home. Still, Cain felt like he would miss the crisp feel of Bellmoril with the yellowing grasslands and warm treelines. He felt comfortable here with the people and their autumnal landscape.

The trail started down a steep hill between some birch, winding down into a creek area where it would pick back up again. Cain figured this would be the perfect place to have lunch, maybe chow down on some of the spice bread November had gifted him. He noticed someone else propped up on a boulder, enjoying their own food while taking in the scenery.

"Hey! Mind if I join you?" Cain called out, stepping up to the rocky shores.

"Oh, hello! I wouldn't mind the company, come on up!" The stranger gestured to him, holding out a hand to give him some help up the large rock face. "My name is Calliope, nice to meet you!"

"Mine's Cain. Thanks for the help," he smiled, sitting down next to Calliope. He shifted his bag between his leg and dug out some bread and sliced meat that the innkeeper had given him for that day.

"Where are you headed?" Calliope inquired, taking a bite of her own sandwich. She had a slight smile while she chewed as she was happy to have someone to chat with.

"Up to Zevija, hoping to see all I can see before I go home to Kyendi. Definitely missing it." he said before stuffing a piece of bread and meat into his mouth. Cain didn't realize how famished he was until he started eating.

"I see, heading to Faerindell myself. Gonna see what I can set myself up for in terms of jobs... Maybe I'll find something I like and move to a place I love. For now, I'm a bit unsure."

"I'm sure you'll find something," he assured. "But I know what you mean. I'm kind of in the same position as you."

The two talked for quite some time, watching the creek and finishing their food respectively. Both were quite talkative, paying no attention to the time. As they continued on into their conversation, Cain decided to pull out some of the spice bread, hoping to share some between him and his new friend. He set it aside for a moment to put his bag away, unaware that the rock was unstable ground. The bread was knocked and it rolled down part of the way. Cain tried to grab for it, but it was too late.

Suddenly, a black ball bounced down and grabbed the bread just before it hit the ground. Cain stared in wonder and confusion, slipping down to approach the weird black ball with his bread. "A pomu?" he asked, squatting down to take the loaf from the pomu's paws. "They're yours, yeah? Thank you, little guy!"

"I think they're yours!" Calliope noted, her own pomu sticking out of her shadow a little to wave at him. Cain blinked before looking back down to the pomu below him, it waving as if confirming her statement.

"Mine? I... have a pomu?" Cain picked the ball of feathers into his hands and brought it up to his face, inspecting the horns which were the same as his. "I didn't know I had one."

"All Elnin have one," Calliope mentioned as Cain climbed back up the rock to sit down next to her. "They just appear one day, seems like today is that day for yours."

"I see..." he mumbled, breaking off a little piece of bread for the small pomu that sat down next to him. It took the piece and started to nibble. Cain offered a piece to Calliope, which she gratefully accepted. "I guess it's a day of celebration then."

A good day for some fresh spice bread.