The two BLADEs passed through Green Threshold and entered Noctilum. As the short passageway opened up onto a view of Rustpool Banks, one of the pair pointed to a cluster of oversized mushrooms a short ways across the area.

"The flowers we've been asked to gather should be over that way! As for the berries, we should find them on the way there!"

Stella nodded, checking for the hundredth time that the gathering pouch she'd brought with her was big enough to hold all the stuff they'd been tasked to collect.

"Got it. Lead on if you want, I can bring up the rear."

Cathan grinned and gave an exaggerated salute before casually leaping off the raised ledge they were standing on, landing lightly on his feet a few metres below. Stella followed a moment later, and the two of them began the short trek towards their goal, stopping at the bases of the trees, ferns and rocks along the way in order to search for the unobtrusive berries that they had been tasked to get. Stella found herself amused at how Cathan's ears twitched every time he found a patch of them and excitedly shoved them into his satchel.

The indigens seemed to leave them alone for the most part, and the few that approached them with more than mild curiosity were sent scattering with a threatening glare. The journey passed quickly, and the pair were soon picking the flowers they were looking for at the base of the mushrooms. It was only a short while before they'd got all they needed and the pair began the walk back to NLA, hoping that the return journey would be just as uneventful as the first leg.

They spent the evening over dinner, which Stella had offered to pay for on the grounds that she had more than enough credits to spare. Their client, a botanist, had thanked them for gathering what they needed and invited them to check back in a few days to see the results of their studies. Cathan ate more than Stella had thought it was possible for a mimeosome stomach to hold, and picked at her own plate with an unusually small appetite. Cathan spoke at her though a mouthful of food, but quickly realised that she couldn't understand a word and washed it down with some water.

"How's everything been going for you? We don't see each other particularly often these days after all!"

Stella rocked her head in a so-so motion and shrugged.

"Ups and downs, same as usual. I've been sparring more than usual though, and it's really taking its toll. I'm always up for some training but it gets utterly exhausting when it's basically all that happens."

Cathan pouted, an exaggerated movement that the mediator had long since grown accustomed to.

"I really hope you get a break soon. It's not fair that you have to work so hard when some of the others here get off so lightly."

"I'm fine with it. Someone else would probably accept the challenge if I declined it, so I might as well let them focus on their own work."

Cathan sighed, but perked up when he noticed someone across the street and waved excitedly. Stella turned to see Gwin waving back, his perpetually embarrassed grin on his face. She turned back to see Cathan shovelling the last of his food into his mouth before getting to his feet and dashing across the road. It was only once he'd got there that he turned back and shouted at her, drawing looks from passersby.

"Thanks for the food Stella! I'll see you around!"

Stella gave Cathan a small wave of farewell before turning back to her food. It was hardly going to eat itself after all.