Welcome to Gaia! ::

Fulsome was running late. Again. He'd spent the morning pouring over the most interesting book he'd found. He was sure he was so close to figuring out what those squiggles were! It was only a matter a time. Once he'd mastered reading the symbols, he knew a whole new world of knowledge would open up! The others may have destroyed Vykeli, but they clearly knew so much! Fulsome was sure their knowledge could help save it too ... Still, he worried what others thought. Would Moon Mist chastise him for being late? Would she be angry if she knew he'd been occupied with some artifact from the others? It made his stomach churn a little. Still, he was nearly at her glade, and he was quite sure he wasn't hours late. The sun hadn't quite reached its peak in the sky, so he hadn't left her for too long.

He'd known Moon Mist since they were both foals. They'd been in the same nanny group. Their quite temperaments had meant they'd sort of drifted together some of the time. He hadn't been in the group as much as she had, but he still had pleasant memories of the quite little doe. It had been some time since he'd seen her though. He hadn't even been to Grandfather Tree when he'd last seen her! And her certainly hadn't been an expander then either! He looked forward to catching up with her while they worked. It was quite serendipitous, really. She'd inquired with a much more senior expander if someone help with a little project she was working on. Important expanders usually didn't take on tiny personal projects, but an apprentice like Fulsome was just right for this sort of job. He'd been a little surprised when her name had come up, but then immediately less surprised when he heard she was now a gardener. That just seemed to fit her like a glove. At least the Moon Mist he remembered.

Mostly lost in though, he realized he was now standing in her grove! Or what he assumed was her grove. At least this was where he'd been told to go. "Moon Mist?" He smiled. That was certainly her. She had a plant in her mouth, her front feet dirty, but her distinctive markings couldn't be hidden. "Moon Mist! I'm so glad to see you!" Fulsome trotted forward, and carefully took the plant from her mouth, so she could return the greeting.

As they walked towards the Barrens their conversation was pleasant. It was nice to catch up. Moon Mist didn't mention anything about his interest in the others, which he appreciated. And she seemed quite pleased to see him. They fell back into their old rhythm together with ease. Fulsome began to wonder why he hadn't sought her out sooner. He felt a little guilty he'd let this friendship fall to the wayside. He really did like Moon Mist.

"I think you went to Grandfather Tree before I did. I had a ... uh ... few false starts. I had to make sure I was ready for any outcome. Eventually I was. And aqua! But I guess you probably knew that already. It's interesting, being on of the first. Discovering this new gift. It's so useful Moon Mist. I think the implications are so great. I have so much left to learn, but already!" He smiled at her, trying not to run his mouth.

She really had grown up to be quite stunning. She'd always stood out, at least to Fulsome, but now as an adult? He was quite sure he'd never seen a Noul quite like her. He regarded her carefully. He didn't want her to think he was staring at her. And then she dropped a bombshell. Pregnant! He nearly dropped the plant she'd grown. She was so young though! Both still green apprentices. Barely apprentices! He tried to swallow his shock. She was already digging the hole for the plant. He felt something funny in his chest. Moon Mist. Already, she'd found a mate? He supposed he wasn't surprised. She was very pretty. Probably some gardener had swooped in ... Or maybe someone from her grand adventure.

Hole completed, he gently placed the plant in. Now there was no reason not to speak. "Well, congratulations. I'm sure you and your mate are very pleased." He glanced at her again. She couldn't be very far along. He was also surprised that her mate had allowed her to come out to the Barrens like this. Well, he'd have to keep a close eye on her, and move quickly. No sense taking risks. "I'll be as fast as possible, so you can get back home quickly."

Fulsome clamped his eyes shut, and fumbled around for his magic. His heart was fluttering, making it hard. He took a few deep breaths, tried to calm himself. Eventually he found it, and the magic flowed through him. He used his teeth to tip over a waterskin he'd brought, a stream of clear water flowing out. He used his magic to direct it just so, into the ground to form a little pool just beneath the plants roots. It should be just enough to get the plant going.