“Uuuuuuughh…..” Groans TT as her Striilii strumming comes to an abrupt halt, “We’re in a forest... how hard is it to find some dumb little weeeeeed?”

“Harder than I thought…” Muses Morook as he strides through the underbrush ahead of you with barely a sound! “These woods are… well, they’re a hotbed of magical energy…”

“No kidding?” Volka blinks, her eyes darting around in a vain attempt to catch a glimpse of the magic, “Well that’s what ya’ get when ya’ leave the city, isn’t it? Magic Forests! Gosh!”

“Sure doesn’t feel magic…” Grumbles TT as she tries to thumb a few more notes before climbing onto your back. “Now a real forest Veeti… THAT’S interesting!”

Stumbling over a root, you grimace as TT’s claws dig into your shoulders! Is that weird?

“It’s not un-weird…” Sniffs the Durher, her bushy tail tickling your elbow. “Veeti aren’t really fans of the urban lifestyle…”

Yea, you scoff, you noticed!

“It’s more than just preference,” Adds Morook as his eyes light up, “The Veeti are one of Zoral’s older races, Anton… well, older and still alive, I should say.”

Older than Chytree? And Skogs? And Durhers?

“Mhm!” He replies with a sagely nod! “Like Zetsi, their ancestral homes lie deep in the forests and jungles… but while Zetsi are more adaptable, Veeti, well…” The Chytree clicks as he struggles to put out an answer. “It hurts Veeti to be separated from the wilds. Biologically.”

Right, you nod, Volka’s pal Lila didn’t seem very comfortable-

“Lila?” The ranger interrupts, his eyes glowing brighter than a pair of headlights, “Yes, yes… Volka’s friend… you’ve met…” His high-beams glance over to his adoptive sister. “... did she ask about me while I was… indesposed?”

A rare sly look worms its way onto Volka’s face. “Hmmm… nope, can’t seem to remember anything, Mor~”

A dull click leaves the ranger’s lips(?). “Strange. Is your memory okay? I distinctly remember the conversation we had a few days ago when we discovered Anton here-”

Darting over to cover Morook’s mouth faster than you’ve ever seen her move, Volka forces out a laugh as she sends a bashful smile in your direction!

“Y-you know… s-she MIGHT’VE asked how you were doing! Y-yep! Definitely concerned! Mhm!”

Morook’s gaze softens. “Ah… Good… That’s… that’s good!”

>CONTD.