Watame watches as Anon and Flare disappear behind the mountainside and lets out a heavy sigh. She knows this is something they have to do, but it doesn't make the fact that she won't see either of them for at least a few days any easier to bear.
Seeing her souring expression, Undine rests a gentle hand on the sheep's shoulder and gives her a comforting smile.
Oh…Look what I've done. I've already gone and worried Undine with my sulking…She's probably missing Anon already too. I know Flare is with Anon and will protect him…but I can't help but worry.
"So!" Polka calls everyone's attention to her, as a still sleepy Nene sways back and forth next to her. "We got some time to do whatever we want. Any ideas?"
Polka looks around as she waits for an answer. Watame is being a bit apprehensive, likely because Anon isn't around. Nene is well, trying to fall back asleep while standing, and Undine is just, staring happily back. That gives the fennec a brilliant idea.
"What do you think, Undine?" Polka asks. "What do you want to do? Is there anything fun you've always wanted to do?"
"Something fun?" The water spirit repeats the question to herself as she tries to think of how to answer. "I rather like watching you all celebrate with one another, but it seems to be early for that."
"That's not what I mean. Well, that IS fun, but that's something that's very…all of us." Polka corrects herself.
"I think Polka wants to know what you would want to do with your free time, Undine. When we aren't fighting bad people or traveling." Watame chimes in. "I know you don't remember a whole lot from before you fell asleep, but do you remember if there was anything you did that you enjoyed?"
"I see. Thank you for explaining it to me that way, little sheep. It's true I can't remember much of what I did before my slumber. I remember how I would watch over the waters of course. It always brings me great comfort to be near them, but I suppose that does not answer the question either."
Undine thinks hard on this question for a few moments, as if trying to reach further into her memories to pull out some forgotten clue. A flash of revelation shines in her eyes as she looks to have found what she was looking for.
"Since my summoner has brought me back to this world, I have been experiencing so many different things for the first time again." she starts. "Through our time together, I have also seemed to have developed a fascination with seeing new places, similar to you all. Like with my summoner, if I were to partake in activities you all find enjoyable, I may find I enjoy them as well. You all mean a great deal to me, and I would like to learn more about what you all find fun doing in this world."
Polka whistles at Undine's prideful answer. "That's a tall order. But nothing Omaru Polka can't handle! If you want a day jam packed with all the fun things within our reach, I'm just the girl to make it happen!"
With the goal to find what makes one of her friends smile to fuel her, the circus fennec gathers Watame and Nene together for a quick huddle to brainstorm.
After a session of quick whisperings, the group breaks and Polka stands proudly before Undine.
"So here's what we came up with!" Polka declares as she pulls a small scroll from her hat and unrolls it.
"Practice my acts with Nenechi. Learn the music of the Talonclaw, and go…bug hunting."
"That one is Nene's!" The girl in question admits proudly.
"So what do you want to start with first Undine?" Watame asks, her mood considerably improved from earlier already.
"Well, it is still early morning. The rest of the tribespeople may not awake for a few more hours to teach you their music. And perhaps bug hunting will be best saved for a later part of the day." Undine states.
"That leaves mine then!" Polka chirps. "I know just the spot too! Let's go!"
The girls are led to an open area just outside of the settlement by the circus fox. With a twirl of her baton, and a flicker of magic, a small circus ring appears on top of the grass. All manner of props begin to appear, juggling pins, a circus ball, and a set of three metal hoops.
Nene claps excitedly for the whimsical magic her friend conducts, which earns a small bow from the fox.
With preparations complete, practice can begin. Watame and Undine watch with interest as Polka begins to instruct Nene on the proper way to step onto the comically large multi-colored ball. The emphasis on making sure your backside doesn't get shown to your audience does not seem to register all that much to the simple girl, as her legs lift in all manner of elongated ways in an attempt to position herself atop the sphere.
"No no Nenechi! We want to give the crowd smiles, but not THAT way!" Polka groans. "Let's try something else…"
"Why not juggling? With Nene's dexterity and strength, perhaps that would be easier to instruct her on?" Undine suggests, seemingly growing more interested in the makings of a circus performance.
"Teach Nene to juggle!" Nene says joyfully as she jumps down from the circus ball.
"L-Like…right now?" Polka tries to clarify, wearing an unusually insecure look on her face.
"Yes!" Nene answers.
Polka hesitantly gathers four of the red, blue, and white bowling pins, and takes a position in the middle of the ring. With a deep breath to push away her nervousness, she throws the pins up in the air with a dramatic flair. She catches the first one that comes down, and then misses the second, and then the third, and fourth falls right on her head.
The group looks unsure if this was part of the act, or if Polka did not mean for any of that to happen. As the fennec soothes the bump on the back of her head, she looks back at the expectant, but concerned faces of her friends. She lets out a heavy sigh and straightens herself back out.
"Alright. So I can't actually juggle very well…or much at all really." she admits. "I would normally only try if the crowd needs a good laugh, but it's kinda sad isn't it? A ringmaster who can't even juggle?"
"It's okay that you can't." Watame assures her with a bright smile. "You're good at so many other types of acts, Polka! And I bet you can learn how to juggle as good as you want if you keep trying."
"Is there a particular reason you cannot juggle?" Undine asks. "With your agility and precise movements in battle, I find it rather surprising that the catching and throwing of objects is more difficult for you."
"It was just something I always struggled with I guess. Once whatever I'm trying to juggle leaves my hands, it's like I'm trying to find them in the dark."
"May I try?" Undine asks, earning a surprised look from the group.
"Of course!" Polka perks up and meets Undine to hand her the four bowling pins.
"You can do it Undine!" Watame cheers from her seat.
The water spirit gives her sheep a polite nod and walks herself to the center of the ring. She places three of the pins down at her feet, and with a gentle nudge of her own mana, her hands begin to glow a cool blue. When she is ready, she flicks the first pin high in the air, as a stream of water follows it from her one hand. The azure stream covers the object midair and carries it along as it arcs down to Undine's other hand. When the pin touches down on her hand, Undine gracefully sends it along to the other, which sends it back up through the stream to begin the cycle anew.
After a few more passes, Undine's smile widens as she raises the second pin at her feet up into the air with a simple splash of water from underneath it. Now two bowling pins swim through the clear blue arc over the water spirit like fish in a stream. Once she is satisfied with her pace, Undine adds the last two pins in quick succession, and is now elegantly juggling all four within her self-made current.
With a splashing flourish, Undine cuts the stream off as the last pin leaves her hand to fly through the air. Her other hand lays flat with palm towards the sky, the water falling to it forms a suspended swirling whirlpool above it. One by one, every pin falls into its grasp and spins around its torrent slowly until coming to a full stop. Undine lets the water vanish from above her hand to take the four pins between her fingers. A look of pride and satisfaction paints her face.
Nene, Watame, and Polka stare in awed wonder at the impromptu performance of the water spirit.
"That was amazing Undine!" Polka begins to clap as the others join in. "How did you? What even gave you the idea to use your water to carry the pins for you!?"
"When you mentioned that your problem with juggling came from a lack of connection to the object you were trying to catch, it made sense to try and use my own waters as a tether of sorts. I believe you are the one who taught my summoner to tackle problems from another angle. So, that is what I did."
"I never actually thought of trying something like that…" Polka says, a little dumbfounded.
"Give it a try, Polka! Your type of magic is perfect for doing stuff like that!" Watame cheers.
"Omarun can juggle now for sure!" Nene adds. "Use fun pink magic to make pins go where you want!"
With restored confidence and a new method to try, Polka agrees and takes her spot back in the middle of the ring. She takes a deep breath, and focuses her mana to the surface to create a light pink glow around the head of the pin she holds. With a silent prayer, Polka tosses the object up into the air as a pink trail of magic follows it from below. Now that her own magic kept her constant connection to her juggling instrument, the fennec is now able to accurately catch it on its return trip with her other hand.
Polka's face lights up with how effective the new approach has made a once impossible task for her. After a few more cycles, she nods to Nene who happily obliged to toss her a second pin. Soon, all four pins are flying in a splendid circle in front of the circus fox, the pink stream from her own mana adds a particularly radiant glow to the act. In an ending similar to Undine's, Polka lets the light from her mana fade from her one hand as it follows the last pin in flight. She bows as the pins fall into her hand.
Everyone claps for the fennec who is all too happy to accept the praise and feel the pride swell in her heart.
"That was excellent Polka." Undine says proudly.
"Thanks everyone!" Polka bows again. "And thank you Undine! I can't believe I never thought to try and use my own mana like that for this. You're a lifesaver! Not only can I actually juggle now, it looks so much more exciting than regular old throwing and catching sticks! I can't wait to add even more excitement to it."
"I look forward to seeing what you create." the water spirit replies.
After a quick magical cleanup of the things Polka had created, the group takes a short walk further into the plains to start the activity Nene had proposed, bug hunting.
On the way, Nene chatted about all sorts of bugs she could find back in Bjornholm, her favorite type to find and play with were beetles. It was a surprising interest for the bubbly girl to have to be sure, but with a smile as bright as that, she could be into something like collecting slime and no one would mind.
With mostly grassy plains in sight, Nene begins her search by lowering herself to a crawl atop the soft ground. While Nene's idea of a fun activity is a little…strange to the others, they still pleasantly follow along as they leisurely stroll through the fields. After a decent amount of crawling and no promising prospects in sight, Nene rolls onto her back and sighs.
"Nene thought there would be lots more bugs in so much grass…" she mopes.
"Is that where you usually find them back in Bjorholm?" Undine asks, a little sad to see the bubbly girl so disappointed.
"Mhmm. They like to come down from trees and make holes in the dirt, but Nene can't find any."
"Maybe the bugs here just like to hide in different places?" Watame suggests. "Why don't we try a nearby tree or rock?"
"Rocks maybe, but definitely not the trees around here." Polka chimes in. "Any lone tree around here is bound to be a home for some bird. I don't think I need to explain how that might end."
Undine ponders on the predicament for a moment. There had to be insect life throughout these plains, or else other life could not thrive. They were an essential part to growing nature. If the nearby trees were not a suitable living space, perhaps they have adapted to find a more secure habitat.
Another idea sparks in the water spirit as she lays on her front next to Nene. She creates a small sprinkle of water with a wiggle of her fingers onto the bright grass and dirt that lies underneath it. Nene turns to watch with curiosity at what the timeless ruler of the waters is doing. If nothing else, watching clear pure water dance from her fingertips into the earth below was certainly a sight to behold.
Once the dirt below is good and damp, Undine props herself up with her elbows and waits patiently. Before long, cracks and clumps of dirt begin to form around the wetted areas. Nene's eyes widen as a black, thumb sized beetle emerges from the earth. The bubbly girl watches the bug intently as it explores its surroundings, before finding a shorter blade of grass that glistens with Undine's waters that it begins to nibble on. Nene continues to observe happily until the insect has eaten its fill, and crawls to return underground.
"That beetle was smaller than ones back home!" Nene chirps. "It was so cute and tiny. How did water lady know how to find it!?"
"Like the ocean, you can't always see what lies underneath. Much like a certain girl I know that hides a great, and fearsome power within her." Undine says with a wink as she brings herself to her feet.
"Nene think she understand! Some bugs don't like to be seen, they not big and strong like the ones in Bjornholm. Some have to survive in other ways. Thank you Undine! Thank you for finding new bug for Nene!"
As Polka helps her friend up to her feet, the group starts to head back toward the settlement, it was time to find someone who could teach Watame about their music. On the way, they spot Mayla and her daughter, Kerri, along with a couple other of the Talonclaw tribespeople, each with smaller children around Kerri's age. Each pair carries with them an interesting object; a slightly curved disc made of sanded down wood rests under one arm, while the other has what looked to be a sail.
"Good afternoon Mayla! Kerri!" Watame calls as they meet.
"Hello travelers! Keeping busy while your friends embark on their rite of ascension?" Mayla greets back.
"Mhmm! We are doing all sorts of things to find out what Undine likes to do most. She hasn't been back in our world for a while after all." Watame explains plainly.
"I see." The Talonclaw tribeswoman answers politely, as she is not exactly sure how to unpack the depth of what the fluffy sheep had just said. "If you all are looking for something fun to try, you are more than welcome to come plains surfing with us. It is one of our more enjoyable pastimes, and since you rid the fields of those demons for us, we can finally feel the winds at our backs once again."
"Did you say…surfing?" Undine's interest peaks.
With grinning smiles, the girls happily accept the invitation on the water spirit's behalf and are each given a disc and sail of their own. Mayla explains along the way that their ancestors discovered this pastime in an attempt to recapture the feeling of flight that their god, Ohn'ahra expamplifies while on the ground. Undine remains captivated by Mayla's explanation of the operation of the mode of transportation they had been given.
Once at a spot in the plains where the hills roll in quick succession, everyone begins to secure the mast of their sails to the hole in the middle of the wooden disc.
"Once your sail is secure, there is nothing else to do but let the winds take you." Mayla explains.
"What if we miss the timing or something?" Watame asks as she fiddles with her own sail to make sure it's tightly in place. "The wind could also just stop in the middle of us moving can't it?"
"The winds will blow exactly as they mean to." one tribe member says matter of factly. "Where you go, and where you stop, are all as they should be."
The slightly cryptic explanation makes Watame's head churn more than she cares for.
I wonder if Anon and Flare are dealing with even harder riddles right now on the mountain? The tribe elder did say there would be trials they would need to overcome. I hope they're okay…Oh! There I go again, getting myself down! This day is supposed to be about making things fun for Undine, she's worried about Anon too. I need to be a better sheep for both of them! If Anon is learning about wind on his mountain climb, I can learn alongside him with this game the Talonclaw plays. It might be something he wants to try too when he's back…and I could show him!
With new inspiration, Watame readies herself by placing one foot on one side of the disc near the sail's mast. The Talonclaw members want to give their guests the honors of going first. The sheep looks down on the slight slope of grass in front of her and gulps quietly. Then, with a flash of courage, she pushes herself with the foot that sits on the grass and quickly plants it on the wooden disc. The sail catches the full force of the wind at her back, and she surges forth like a rocket.
The burst of speed is exhilarating, frightening, and liberating all the same time. Watame does not know whether to scream or laugh, as she wobbles to keep herself balanced with the newfound speed she glides over the grass at.
Polka and Nene's laughter can be heard bellowing behind her, as they follow after her along with Undine. Watame's own speed seems to decrease just enough for her friends to catch up with her, and then, just that, the wind picks up behind them to accelerate them up the next hill.
"This feels great!" Polka yells over the wind. "You doing okay over there Watame!?"
"Y-Yeah!" Watame forces out as she grips the handle of her sail even tighter.
"It is like the people of the Talonclaw say, little sheep!" Undine says with a particularly beaming smile. "Just let the wind carry you, like water, it will support you."
The water spirit's words calm Watame down slightly. Her hold loosens as the tension in her shoulders starts to melt away. She observes the verdant grass as it speeds by her. Such a brilliant shade of green alongside the bright yellow sun. The feeling of gliding along these very plains begins to fill her heart with joy.
Undine then begins to carve and weave along the grass to everyone's shock. She nods to her friends to try the same, and they begin to follow her movements. The wind begins to shift its direction, prompting everyone to turn themselves to keep it at their backs. Undine turns her sail and slides along a steeper hill like it was a cresting wave.
The rest take the turn a little less gracefully. Watame almost fell over when met with the shifting elevation of the incline while trying to make a full turn. Nene did actually fall off, but quickly jumped back on, while the wind was more than happy to blow through her sails once again.
The return trip is much easier on everyone, as the winds seem to die down to a gentle breeze, but also strong enough to push them all along. As curious as it is convenient, the wind dies down completely as everyone reaches the end of their trip, slowing down to a full stop to let anyone who wishes, step safely off their plains surfer.
With slightly wobbly legs, Polka, Watame, and Nene step back onto the lush green grass, half expecting it to move from underneath them. Undine steps off with a calm satisfaction, and a wide smile that carries a hint of nostalgia.
"What did you all think?" Mayla asks as she helps Kerri off of the front of the disc that they shared for the ride.
"It was absolutely wonderful!" Undine answers first. "It really reminds me of how the waves feel along the ocean. It's remarkable that your ancestors invented a way to surf along grass just like you would the ocean. The land itself is also completely unharmed from the activity. It was perfect!"
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Polka says cheerfully. "It makes sense that the queen of the waters herself would enjoy anything that reminds her of things like surfing right?"
"That means we found something Undine likes to do for fun!" Watame exclaims. "Mission accomplished!"
"We are not done are we?" Undine asks. "I believe we still have one more planned activity to do, your request specifically, little sheep. I would very much like to join you as you learn more music."
The warm request from the water spirit makes Watame flush slightly, but her fluffy smile returns in earnest as she agrees.
After the group walks with Mayla back to the Talonclaw settlement, she graciously offers to start what they call a music circle, so that Watame can learn their songs first hand. Seated next to Undine on the same blankets as the night before, Watame takes out her harp and patiently waits for Mayla and some of the other tribes people that join them to begin playing.
The sheep's fluffy golden hair bobs with the beat played on the simple drum. A collection of wind chimes that hang nearby begin to flutter with their unique tunes. Watame starts to think how it's kinda strange that the winds seem to blow at exactly the right moments for this group of people, but before she can contemplate on this more, the gentle notes from the flute Mayla plays starts to captivate her.
Before long, Watame can strum along in harmony with the flutes that grace the air with their soft notes. She begins to think how the music of the Talonclaw makes her feel. The sheep feels an uplifting force on her own spirit. She feels calm. She feels a connection to the air around her, and she also feels…free. The emotions swelling from deep within her are so reminiscent to that day she met Anon, and he freed her from a life of imprisonment. For the first time in her life, she felt what it was like to truly be free, and it was all thanks to him, a funny human with a heart of gold.
Her mind traces back to when Anon himself must have felt like a prisoner. Not just in the literal sense like what happened in the elven kingdom when he was wrongly accused, but when that awful girl took him and did all those horrible things to him. Watame vowed that Anon would never have to feel that way again, for as long she breathes, she would make sure he always stays free.
I might not be as strong as someone like Noel or Nene, or as good with magic like Polka and Flare are, but I can use my songs to always make Anon smile. I want to make him feel the joy of freedom just like he's given me. My music is my magic after all, and I will keep trying to make it better and better. Just like Anon is always trying to better himself and learn new things for the sake of others, I will too! This newest song will help him feel as light and free as I do now.
Without her knowing, Watame begins to sing a harmony along with the song she plays on her harp. The gentle tones of the wind chimes and flute play along as her voice rises more and more.
Those within earshot begin to feel something strange, but not all too unfamiliar. Most members of the Talonclaw marvel at the feeling with a look of nostalgia, before returning to whatever it was they were doing. Polka and Nene inspect their own hands and legs, marveling at the ease their limbs can now move with.
The wind itself begins to dance and swirl around the sheep bard, her golden hair flows along the air ever so slightly.
With a gentle final crescendo, Watame's song ends as she wears a content smile.
"That was beautiful, little sheep." Undine praises. "I would say that I could feel your very soul being poured into that one."
"T-Thanks Undine." Watame blushes. "Do you think Anon will like it too?"
"I bet he'll love it!" Polka answers for the water spirit. "His eyes and ears get fully locked on you whenever you start up like that. It's almost a shame he will have to wait a couple days to hear it."
"And who says he will have to wait?" Elder Ruumal's voice comes to the circle as he takes in the joyous scene around him.
After the various tribes people give the elder of the Talonclaw their respectful greetings, Mayla decides to speak up to answer the question the group clearly had regarding the elder's statement.
"Tomorrow, you should go to the base of the mountain and sing your song, Watame." Mayla says. "If the bond between you two is strong and has weathered much together, your voice will reach him. The winds will always carry that which is meant to fly."
"Really? But he and Flare will probably be so high up by then…" Watame says, unsure of what Mayla is suggesting.
"I agree with Mayla and Elder Ruumal." Undine says, hoping to quell Watame's doubt. "The bond between you and Anon is certainly strong enough that I believe your song will reach him, no matter where he is. It has done that once before, has it not?"
The water spirit's words ring true to Watame once again. She resolves herself to do as they suggest tomorrow, and with any luck, Anon will hear her newest song just when he's supposed to. She might even think of a way to make it even better by then.
With the sun slowly beginning to set, the settlement gathers within one of the larger tents for supper. Watame, Polka, Nene, and Undine sit comfortably around each other with their plates of food, a nice selection of hearty greens, fruit, and even freshly caught game.
"So Undine." Polka starts as she chews a bit of meat from her plate, which causes the sheep next to her to dart her eyes ever so slightly in nervousness. "I don't think we have to ask what your favorite part of the day was, should we try to make surfing a regular thing as we travel? The next time we hit some water, I can probably whip something up to surf on."
"I enjoyed the grass surfing very much, yes." Undine says warmly after a sip from her cup. "I am not sure if it was my favorite part though."
"Really?" Nene asks. "But Undine looked so happy when we rode the grass like it was water. It was easily the favorite!"
"Was it the juggling then? Or listening to Watame sing? Or even the bugs?" Polka asks, her curiosity reaching almost unbearable levels.
"If I had to put it into words, it was all those things, but not specifically any of them. I think what I enjoyed most was that you were all there sharing those experiences with me." the water spirit happily answers.
"With Watame, all you had to do was sit and listen nicely, but you had to help me and Nenechi out. Was that really as fun as grass surfing?" Polka asks, trying to fully understand what exactly Undine means.
"The joy I felt from helping you was one of the higher points of my day. My summoner feels something similar when he does that as well. I suppose that's another part of him that's influenced me. I am rather happy with that too."
"I should have known." the fennec chuckles. "Well if helping with my acts makes you happy, I'm sure I could come up with a few more that could use a little help from that unique perspective of yours."
"All you need to do is ask. Perhaps we can convince my summoner to join in too, one day?" Undine says with a playful smile.
As the idea of roping Anon into possibly uncomfortable situations starts to make Polka's mind race a mile a minute, everyone laughs and continues to enjoy each other's company. They miss Anon and Flare already, but know they will all be back together soon, and they all will be even better than ever.
The next day, Watame stands at the base of that massive spire of earth, harp in hand. She looks up determinedly towards its peak and readies herself.
"Here you go, Anon, Flare. I know this song will reach you. Keep giving it everything you got up there!"
With a deep breath, Watame begins to play and sing from the heart. The song of the Talonclaw with her own inspirations added to it travels through the air. The wind begins to gently gather and swirl around the sheep bard, and as her song reaches its end, the winds suddenly shift and blow upward.
What a magical world we live in…Thanks for wanting to show me all of it, Anon.