Another summer festival.

It was always highly celebrated within the ranks of the rangers as they could take the time to enjoy themselves in the local villages outside of the forest. While the upcoming months would prove to be one of their busier seasons there were a few weeks of solace where they could entertain themselves and visit local areas for festivals. Jhin was content staying within the forest, his time spent pouring over books and practicing more archery while others danced and drank the nights away. He wasn’t quite as religious as others in the group and mostly he preferred to just thank the spirits of nature for their protection rather than praying to a particular god. After visiting Oba recently he had only just started understanding how diverse beliefs could be and while he didn’t truly grasp the concept of praying to so many deities the wind earthling was content to leave others to their ways. At least he could enjoy the perks of their celebrations with a peaceful afternoon and no worries about the next food or drink. The spirits of nature he so strongly believed in also provided plenty during the spring and summer months, his supply of berries seemingly never ending while he stocked up on jams and the like for the harsh winter months.

While he waved to those heading to a local village for festivities Jhin found himself heading further into the forest instead. He walked past the home he shared with his Aunt Tyka, the leader of the rangers, and continued walking for at least a mile before he reached his destination towards the southern border. It was here that Jhin could climb up rope vines and cross the giant branches of the ancient trees where they connected to the cliffs that led down towards Matori. The stream he had walked alongside was quickly turning into rapids more and more and as he climbed he found himself eventually on top of the cliffs that overlooked much of the forest. It was amazing to see exactly how far the crystalized leaves spread throughout the miles of area, their various shades of green, blue and purple leaves almost glittering in the sunlight. Jhin loved this view the most and found it a more peaceful area to relax, away from the encampment and the chatter of other rangers, and it was here that his kinfa could easily fly in the sky above. Aelle was currently doing that now and Jhin smirked as he watched her lazily circle around, her flight only becoming more active when she spotted some sailscales along the cliffs that she could bother for fun. “Such a bully.” He joked with a chuckle as he spread out a blanket for his own summer festivities. The others could enjoy their crowded areas but he was content doing this. A basket of freshly baked bread, some berries, cheese and sugared nuts made up most of his lunch and Jhin was eager to enjoy every moment of his quiet picnic.

Well mostly quiet. Another laugh left his lips as Aelle came crashing down next to him, her wings fluffed out from the group of sailscales who had gotten her back for bothering them. The kinfa let out a huff, an annoyed chirp mostly, and shook her tail to dislodge the last of the scaly creatures who flew down from the cliffs when it spotted Jhin. “Are you done then?” Jhin teased as he reached up to scratch at the kinfa’s chin, right below her beak where she loved being scratched. The giant bird seemingly shot him a look before settling down next to him so that she could steal some of the berries he had in his array of food. It appeared that Jhin would not be the only one celebrating summer festivities today on the cliffs. The very thought brought yet another chuckle to his lips as he flicked her beak away from the cheese so that he could have it for himself. Plus, it was not good if she ate something like that. That much he had learned the hard way when she snuck into their summer storage supplies last time.

Either way it was nice to feel the breeze against his skin and to see the world from such a vantage point. The weather was beautiful and Jhin couldn’t hope for a better summer day. It was nice to finally be back in the forest that he called home. The Oban desert was far too much as were their diverse array of gods. Truly the spirits of nature felt much more comfortable and natural, no pun intended, to him and he was forever thankful for their summer bounty.

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