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Andarien also had the chance to ask around in different shops to see if he could possibly have use of a forge, but while there were some who were willing to give Andarien advice about how to build one, no one was willing to let him use theirs. In the end, he returned to the camp without getting anything he had been hoping for, but nonetheless glad that Ponydash had been able to get some exercise.

Aside from a comb and brush, Shoneah didn't get anything, either, though she did get several sets of clothes ordered. She still had no idea what to get for their traveling downtimes, and she didn't want to waste money - especially someone else's money - on things she might not end up using, and didn't even want.

Eron on the other hand looked for tools that could be used as a chemistry set (as there was no such thing as a true chemistry set). His end goal was to be able to extract pure substances, as he knew which would be useful to sell to other people. Also it would give him a chance to see what he could make with a mixture of his knowledge and a bit of magic.

Though, since he wasn't at that point yet, he put it away in the tent he was sharing with Andarien.

Miyuki also told them to bring her their bags later on tonight so she could rune them.

"I'll probably have to go find Kyrie later too," Miyuki mused thoughtfully.

"We need furs," Miyuki explained, "And while we do have good hunters in the group, Kyrie knows the lay of the land better. She could point the direction to where to find the animals that have the pelts needed for winter gear."

And because Kyrie had done hunting for those furs when they were in Caras Galadhon.

"Also I need to ask her about her room."

"Is something wrong?" Miyuki asked.

She thought that Shoneah was going to offer to go on a hunt. From her understanding, this was the sort of thing Shoenah's people would be capable of, and therefore she would be right at home with.

"Traditions? Most of us have already seen a lot, I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad," Miyuki replied.

Did she maybe keep certain animals to herself? Did she maybe take them apart in certain ways? While Miyuki hadn't been raised in Gaia, her mother had always told her the differences between people in Gaia were much more vast.

Well that was.... new... Miyuki had to admit the idea kind of grossed her out, but if she were to follow that line of reasoning, she could see why it was done.

Even if she didn't believe it herself.

But well, gross or not, it was no weirder than children coming out of vases, music boxes or being delivered by storks. For that matter there were worse things in the world.

"The reaction was probably bad because they didn't have a warning ahead of time," Miyuki explained to Shoneah, "The thing is, while all life is respected and we don't hunt for no reason, the idea that you can receive it's strength and spirit is a foreign concept."

That was probably putting it nicely.

"Just warn our hunters before going that's all," Miyuki told her, "Some people will find it gross, I won't deny that,but they'll respect that tradition of yours."

Which made her wonder.

"Who was the person who freaked out?"

Because it couldn't have been her ada or her uncle (even if her uncle was a bit of a drama king). She wasn't sure if Cael could hunt and Wren would have shown more constraint than to 'freak' out. There was Kaito, but he would have more likely said something catty instead.

"Of course...." Miyuki sighed and rolled her eyes.

She loved her little brother, she really did, but sometimes it was frustrating to get him to think with an open mind. When they were little, everyone thought it was just a folly of youth for him to dismiss something as silly just because it didn't fit into his world view. As he had gotten older though, with Eron's help, Miyuki had come to realize that Andarien needed someone to sit down and explain everything to him.

"I'll talk to him, he doesn't know why you did it and just drew his own conclusions," Miyuki assured the young woman, "He's not good with change or something different outside his norm, especially not something like eating a heart and it won't occur to him to ask why you did it. Don't feel bad, he just takes things at face value."

Miyuki paused and then added.

"And... if what I'm understanding right what Eron has told me, Andarien doesn't even realize it's affecting you badly too. So I'll get it all straighten out."

"It's not a problem, and if you're not sure who to ask for help if something like this happens again, feel free to also ask mom or Shiro. Shiro especially knows a lot about the different cultures in Gaia, so most of what you say won't even phase him," Miyuki assured her.

Heck, Shiro probably knew more than Miyuki. Miyuki only knew as much as she was told and she hadn't spent a lot of time in Gaia. So there were always surprising things still in that world if one knew where to look.