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Since Wanderlust's return from the barrens, Homewood had become refuge for more than just noulicorns and their familiars. Now, to Njeri's delight, there was something new trying to eke out a living in the rich foliage and glorious hospitality of the forest. Dire Rats. Njeri never thought they'd see the day when noul and rat lived together in peace, not when the little beasties had made a living eating carefully tending crops and picking off the small and weak for their own purposes. Njeri had never even heard of a dire rat speaking to a noulicorn before. Those creatures came with the others, they weren't children of Vykeli. They were invasive pests at best, murderous and dangerous at worst.

And yet, these new individuals came with bright hearts and brighter minds, filled with a desire for peace, and more-so, the ability to obtain gifts. Maybe not in exactly the same way as a noulicorn - they seemed to require the aid of mysterious blue crystals, rather than grandfather tree - but the gifts came from Vykeli none-the-less. They had to. And Vykeli wouldn't offer magic to someone that intended to do harm, would she?

Njeri preferred to think not. Many in Homewood seemed torn about the idea, and if Njeri was honest with themself, they were as well. But how could they make up their mind proper when they'd never met a dire rat before?

Oreme hopped elegantly beside them as they trekked through the cool greens of Homewood in twilight. The stars would be out soon, and with them, Njeri would have to devote themself to map-making and memorizing. Their preferred spot loomed ahead - the rising crest of a gentle hill that led to a little opening, where the sky was clear and the stars would sparkle like gemstones once night set in.

"Do you have your quills?" Oreme asked, pausing to stare up at Njeri.

Njeri nodded. "Tucked into my mane, my dear, as you reminded me several times before we left."

Oreme herself had parchment rolls strapped to her back. Together, their scrawl was messy but legible.

Homewood was always pleasantly quiet as sunset teased the horizon, with only the singsong chirping of insects or the ghostly coo of a night bird dabbling through the silence. Njeri expected no other voices but their own and Oreme's, so when something piped up a greeting they nearly startling. Njeri whipped their head around searching for the source of the voice to no avail. No noulicorns in sight! Had they misheard? Oreme cleared her throat and Njeri glanced down to find not only his bond mate, but a wee, brown, dire rat as well. Their heart leapt for joy! They'd seen a few during the festival of flowers, but never before had the opportunity to converse with one, and now... here they were, face to face (in a manner) with a delightful little fellow who seemed to be joyful spirits and ready for some evening companionship.

"We must apologize," said Njeri," This one nearly didn't see you! Why, your coat is so perfectly suited to slipping into the dark of the woods, isn't it?"

Oreme cleared her throat again, louder this time. She started," Good evening. I'm Oreme and this is Njeri. We don't often run into anyone else when we come up here at night."

"I have heard dire rats are nocturnal," said Njeri, leaning their head down to get a closer look, urged on by their curiosity. "Is this true?"

What a darling! Njeri had never had the opportunity to meet a dire rat before, but here was their first, and he was simply delightful. So polite! If this was what they were all like, then Njeri could see no problem in inviting as many of these enlightened rats into Homewood as would like to come along.

"It's an absolute pleasure," they said, with a quick dip of their head. "I'm a navigator, which means part of my duties is mapping stars and studying the sky, so I know how to keep my direction when I'm out in the barrens. There aren't very many landmarks out there, after all. I've found a little clearing up on this hill that offers a lovely view of the sky. You're more than welcome to join us, if you'd like. If you're not heading to nest yourself, of course."

"We're not meant to be nocturnal, but Njeri's job has us keeping all sorts of hours," said Oreme. "It's easier to travel in the barrens at night, too. Not as hot."

Njeri and Oreme exchanged a quick, silence glance as the rat scurried off, no words required between the bondmates. Njeri's smile was firmly in place, while Oreme scowled with displeasure. What Njeri considered an adorable eccentricity, Oreme was clearly offended by. But in no time, the little rat had returned, and the sweet smell of something delicious accompanied him. Oreme's expression softened a tad and Njeri chuckled under their breath.

"Thank-you ever so much, Brownie!" Njeri exclaimed with a brightening grin. "They smell absolutely wonderful. Come along then, my favorite vantage point isn't much further from here."

Njeri turned and continued up the crest of the hill, with Oreme trailing cautiously at their heels. They'd slowed their pace considerably for the smaller rat, although Njeri was plenty accustomed to taking their time. As long as Oreme's legs were, they weren't a match for a noulicorn's! It seemed rude to request that Brownie ride on their back, particularly so fresh into a burgeoning friendship. Did dire rats like to be offered that sort of thing? Or did they prefer to travel on their own four paws? Njeri would have to ask for the return journey.

They reached the pinnacle of the hill where the trees were sparse and the grass soft and long. The stars were bright and clear above their heads, twinkling in swirls of meandering patterns, bright spots of silver against the inky blackness of Vykeli's sky. Oreme unhooked her back from around her shoulders and let parchments spill out into the grass. Many were already half filled with constellations.

"Isn't it lovely?" Njeri asked, flicking an ear in Brownie's direction.

"It's not so much a secret, my dear," said Njeri, casting a warm smile to Brownie from over their shoulder. Was the rat a little red in the face? It was difficult to tell in the dim light of twilight, but Njeri couldn't imagine they were winded from such a short journey. Must be a trick of the light. "Just a quiet place that isn't frequented at night."

Njeri folded themself to their knees and nudged the collection of parchment. Oreme busied herself leaping to and fro to gather the supplies before they spilled further down the hill. Once she had everything in ready order she set it neatly at Njeri side, gripped a quill, and sat poised, ready for instructions. Always so serious. Njeri kept their eyes on the stars, the glittering clusters of constellations Njeri had been tracking on and off for months now.

"Do dire rats have navigators?" Njeri asked, flicking an ear at Brownie. "Do you know much about Vykeli's stars?"