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Not far from where Ysalone and Sprite had begun their game, another Noulicorn emerged from his slumber, feeling terribly and almost uncomfortably rested. A Wanderer since his days of youth, the buck had grown quite unused to the comfort of the Homewood. Every time he returned, he felt like something was amiss, as if being able to sleep without worry had become a foreign feeling.

Roamer rose and stretched his legs. There was a stiffness in them that came not from tension or stress, but from... too much sleep. What a strange sensation indeed. He sighed and sucked in a deep lungful of air, waking up a mind that felt almost bogged down from rest. He'd only have to put up with this for a few days, just enough time to resupply and visit his family. They liked to know that he was still alive after all this time. After that, he'd be on the road again.

The buck had just lowered his head to sip some water when his ears swiveled and heard the sound of laughter ringing out from behind him. So early in the morning? And so loud? Roamer couldn't quite believe the audacity of nouls who had never ventured outside of the Homewood. Did they not have any idea how dangerous it could be--

Before he could finish the thought, a Jackhop followed closely by a young doe rounded the corner and came pelting straight at him. The little creature made no attempts to avoid him, darting right under his legs and leaping into the water with a giggle.

roamer wc: 264

Roamer didn't even know how to react. He'd sidestepped right as Ysalone swerved, and found himself watching as she'd pitched headfirst into the water. His eyes were wide, and no words came to his open mouth. In all his years... he'd never seen anything like it.

Of course, it had been years since Roamer had lived full-time in the Homewood, so it wouldn't be out of the question to think that perhaps the youth were simply raised a little differently these days. Were they more spoiled, perhaps? Or was this doe just young and inexperienced? The buck felt inclined to believe it might be both.

He heaved a sigh as she picked herself up and exited the water. "Honestly, a shower was not high on my list of priorities this morning..." he said, sounding a little grumpier than he'd intended to. Was he becoming a bit of a curmudgeon after so many years of traveling on his own? Roamer sincerely hoped not. But he'd become quite unused to dealing with the incompetence of others, and his patience for it had grown understandably thin.

The buck shook his head. "Don't worry yourself. Worse things could have happened."

roamer wc: 264 + 196 = 460

"Uh. No..." Roamer managed to say, doing his best to keep the incredulous look off his face even as his brain churned to provide an appropriate response. How could she be so naive?! The buck wanted to shake her. There was so much out there beyond... the technicalities of how wet one could get before it became miserable.

"Worse as in... you could be attacked by a horde of dire rats. Or trapped in the Barrens with no food or water for days on end. Or..." He sighed, frustrated. "Any number of things! Getting wet is the least of my concerns."

roamer wc: 460 + 101 = 561

Roamer's stern gaze softened as he watched her put two and two together. The buck nodded. "I am," he confirmed, gaze shifting to stare out at the horizon they couldn't currently see. So trapped, here in the Homewood, and yet so safe. "It's... well, I love it out there. Seeing the world and healing it, it's like healing myself. Or keeping myself sane, however you want to see it."

He thought of his travels and everywhere he'd been. Everywhere he wanted to go. "It's not for everyone. For me, it was the only option. I couldn't stay here in the Homewood all my life. I had to leave. I just felt it. And well, my name's Roamer, so it just made sense."

roamer wc: 561 + 122 = 683

"Oh, yes, of course," Roamer answered promptly. There was no other answer. Even if it wasn't permanent, he could find no arguments against every noul spending some time outside of the Homewood, exploring the world, finding themselves, learning what lay beyond the idyllic bubble of their home. She wouldn't have to ask him twice to get the same answer.

roamer wc: 683 + 59 = 742

Roamer found himself almost choking on thin air. "What?" He said, sounding strangled. "No, that's not what I said."

But it was too late. The doe had made up her mind. She pranced in place in front of him, looking and sounding awfully pleased with herself, refusing to listen to his spluttered excuses.

Roamer found himself rendered speechless yet again. His words had fallen on deaf ears anyway. He'd just have to try to find a way to convince her not to come

roamer wc: 742 + 83 = 825