"We're here," she said, stepping around a large cluster of the luminescent stones and into a wide bright clearing. Moonlight beamed from above through a canopy of tall aspen trees. The cave seemed to have emptied into a large chamber with high vine-covered stone walls and sporadic blue glowing crystals. There was a faint fresh breeze that carried the sweet smell of flowers and green after a heavy rain down to them. The group came upon a small campsite with a little cookpot all set to go next to a quiet babbling brook. There was only a single bedroll (further confirming Legend's suspicions) and an instrument that looked very much like a well-cared for guitar laid next to it. There was no Stanley as of yet. The girl knelt by the fire as she prepared to light it and Legend found himself once again pulling out his fire rod.
"Step back, please." He motioned with the wand. She looked up at him and seeing his intention, did as he asked. He flicked a spark and within moments a cheery little fire lit the camp-site.
The girl clapped in delight, her eyes alight, and Legend found himself puff out his chest just a little in pride. "Marvelous!" She gushed. "A fire rod! How very rare! You must indeed be a 'Veteran'.." She teased good naturedly.
It felt nice. He liked her attention on him, and her praise. It felt so strange to want a thing like that, but he found that he did. "Would you like to see it?" He offered it out to her. She looked up at him hopefully.
"but- I don't want to risk damaging it.." She said almost shyly, causing the Vet to laugh.
"Oh don't worry, I'm sure it's sturdy enough." He said easily, rocking onto his heels with a wide grin on his face.
"That's not what you said to ME!" cried Wild in semi-faux indignation.
"That's cause you literally break EVERYTHING." Said Wind giggling to which Wild could only shrug and laugh at himself.
Legend held out the rod to Juniper once again and she took it gently in her hands. She held it carefully as she weighed it and admired the intricate work of its design. "Wow.." she murmured with admiration, and made to hand it back.
"Would you like to try it?" Legend asked and her face lit up.
"A-Are you sure?"
"Yeah!" called Wild from his seat by the fire "Live on the 'Wild' side!" he chortled. Legend rolled his eyes at the joke.
"What do I do?" She asked the pink-haired man in earnest. Her face suddenly very focused. He smiled. She really was very pretty. He coached her through it, telling her to place her feet apart and settle into a loose easy stance. When she seemed like she was ready he gave the order.
"Fire!"
She aimed for the middle of the pond, probably so as not to damage any trees or flora nearby. Legend expected, if anything a little flash. A spark to give her a smile and the satisfaction of having used a fire rod. That magical tool took a lot of energy to use at all and even more to control it properly. He waited. She took a deep breath and
BOOM!
A massive fireball erupted from the end of the rod flinging the girl hard onto her back missing her target entirely instead blasting the explosive charge straight up into the sky. She stared up in confusion as she watched it sail away higher and higher into the heavens before it burst open, momentarily shifting the dusk to a bright sunset glow, and then showering the forest in a cascade of orange glittering sparks that rained down harmlessly around them for several seconds. She sat up, eyes huge, and mouth agog. Legend's mouth was also hanging open. What…. in Hyrule just happened. That must have taken an unspeakable amount of energy to create such a blast. It shouldn't even be possible. He approached her, still in awe. She seemed to be alright.. She was shaking and looking a little ruffled. He helped her to her feet.
"A-are you ok?" He finally managed.
"I…I don't want to play with the fire rod anymore.." She said, pale and shaking, urging it into his hands. He took his tool back and she collapsed to the ground again. "I…I think I need to lay down." A high-pitched nervous sound that could have been laughter came from her throat. Wind and Wild had rushed over in the chaos and now stood beside the Vet. All looked visibly shaken. "I'm sorry.." She said and looked embarrassed as she tried to get back to her feet. Wind offered a hand this time and she gladly accepted it. He walked her back to the campfire while Wild turned to meet Legend's eyes. His face serious.
"What was that… What happened. Vet?" he asked quietly.
"I don't know.." The shorter man said honestly, still shaken up by the whole ordeal. "But…I definitely think there's more to this girl than meets the eye."