The next morning and unfamiliar tickle pulls me from sleep. "Hmm?" I mumble at the odd sensation.

"Morning sleepy head." Amelia teases me. "Mind letting me up? I need to pee." She laughs and the tickling sensation increases, finally causing me to open my eyes. "About time." She says in mock anger.

"Oh, sorry" I say. A little confused because she's sitting up, not trapped in my arms.

"Down here silly." She says, pointing to my vines before giving them another tickle. "These little guys were playing with my tush and wouldn't let me get up."

Eyes widening in shock, I quickly disentangle my errant limbs. "Oh, s-sorry." I stumble. "I honestly forgot I had them." I say truthfully. Taking her not screaming in horror as a good sign.

"Well, you're just full of surprises, aren't you?" Amelia smiles and stands, stretching in the pre-dawn light. "Too bad you didn't remember about 'em last night, those things seem to know what they're doing." Seeing the look in my eye. She just laughs and dances away. "Not now loverboy, we've still got a lot of ground to cover. Why don't you make us some breakfast while I get dressed."

I just sit there for a moment and watch her walk away. Her shapely bottom swaying with each step. Only snapping out of it as she disappears behind the curtain of vines, I hop out of bed and start rummaging in the bags. Grabbing a couple cups, some bread, and a pot of jam from the last bag I checked, because it's always in the last bag, isn't it. I then take some fruit from my inventory and use magic to juice it into our cups.

Trying something new, since the only Fire spell I know conjures a small flame. I instead channel fire based mana into the bread to warm it up. No skill learned from the experiment, but at least I didn't burn the bread.

Amelia returns and snatches the bread from my hands like a starving woman. She slathers it in jam before chomping down. Chasing the mouthful with a big gulp of juice. She smacks her lips and says. "Ahh! Warm bread first thing in the morning. Thank you magic."

"Oh yeah, thank the magic. Not like I had anything to do with it." I say. Trying to pout but failing because the corners of my lips keep curling up.

"So, were you planning to get dressed?" She says, rolling her eyes. "Or, were you planning to run around nude all day?"

"Ah. Sorry." I say before grabbing some clean pants and a shirt from a sack before casting a quick Cleanse on myself.

"Ooh, me too. Do me too." Amelia hops up and down. Almost spilling her juice.

"Sure. Cleanse!" I oblige the bouncy blonde. Tucking my vines away, I bend over to pull on my pants.

"It's no fair." Amelia stomps her foot on the ground playfully. "You've got those amazing tattoos, and an extra pair of arms. But I didn't get anything."

"Yes you did." I interject into her mock temper tantrum. "There's one in the middle of your back."

"Really, I do? What does it look like." She says, trying to twist around and look at her own back. "Why did I only bring the one mirror? Can you do anything?" She begs.

"Don't think I can make a mirror, but I can show you what it looks like. Light!" Using my Sculpting skill, I recreate the mark. Floating in the air between us, a simple image forms. Concentric waves spread out from a central splash. A slender pillar of water trying to hold onto a tiny droplet that's about to fly away.

"Ooh, pretty. It's a water droplet." She coos and examines the images from just inches away.

I can't help but smile at the look on her face as she traces the image with her finger.

"Beautiful." I breathe out.

"It really is." She agrees.

I smile wider at her misunderstanding. "The sun will be up in a minute, let's pack up and get going. Your newly Awakened stats should let us make good time. We should have all afternoon to practice magic... And other things." My smile turns more sly as a blush creeps up her face.

We're on the road again before the sun has fully cleared the horizon. The next few days follow the same pattern. Up, and on the road by dawn. Reach the next camp in time for a late lunch. The campsites are all just like the first one, though most are in slightly worse repair. But, it's nothing I can't fix up in minutes. This leaves us the rest of the afternoon and evening to work on our magic, and other things.

***

"Why is this so hard?" Amelia huffs. Throwing up her arms and sending water flying over the camp. "You figured this out in seconds."

"Well, I had the advantage of using actual threads." I reply. Shaking some droplets from my head. "You're doing amazing, as it is. Really. You learned Mana Manipulation by making those ice sculptures yesterday. And, I swear you nailed it faster than I did. Oh, I know!" Turning around I grab a piece of firewood from the pile.

"What? What is it?" The exasperated girl begs.

Turning back to her. In my left hand I hold out a small square frame, rows of pegs all along the edge. My right has only a needle, connected by a long thread to one corner of the frame. "Sorry it's not a proper loom, but this should be more than enough for you to unlock the Weaving skill. I got it right away, and... uh, kinda.. forgot about it. Sorry." I apologize, sheepishly. "Once you have Weaving it's like you don't have to focus on the pattern anymore. Though, you're still gonna have a slightly harder time of it than I did. You are using water streams instead of thread after all."

"Jackass! why didn't you tell me sooner." She says snatching the frame from my hand. "And, thank you." She dances back to plant a kiss of my lips. "What are you working on now? I thought you were done playing with fabrics. You've already managed to make stuff finer than anything I've ever heard about, let alone seen."

"Oh yes, I figured something interesting out. You remember the honeycomb we found earlier?"

"..."

"Oh, come on. It was funny, and it's not like you got stung, or anything."

"..."

"Alright moving on... So anyways, I was looking at a piece and saw how the six sided shape repeats in three direction. And well, I thought. Why not try to make some fabric with that same three way pattern?"

"So, you found a new way to weave..?" She asks, not quite getting it.

"Oh, that's not all I found." A wide smile grows on my face. "See, the plain, round threads worked fine, great even. But I was thinking about what you said that first night. So, I decided to experiment a little, and when I flattened the threads..." Demonstrating as I speak. "Use this pattern. And, dye these threads like so." A small swatch swiftly forms in the air between us causing her eyes go as wide as saucers.

"Star Weave!" An awed whisper slips from her lips as she reaches out for the piece of fabric. "No wonder no one else has figured it out yet. You'd practically have to be a mage to create it"

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"Oh, I'm sure it's possible with the right loom, it'd have to be fairly complex though. No wonder that one family won't let anyone near theirs."

"What do you plan do with it? Just a few dresses could make you rich. Gods, once we get to the capital the nobility will snatch it up at whatever price you set." I can practically see the coins spinning in her eyes.

"If I do make any dresses you'll be first to get one." I can barely finish my sentence before she tackles me to the ground with a hug, where our lips meet, starting an impromptu, and rather energetic, love-making session.

***

"I'm going to have my own starweave dress." She says, stars in her eyes. Laying on my chest afterwards. My fingers twirling through her hair as our bodies cool. "That's been my dream ever since I first learned about it as a little girl." Her eyes darken and begin to fill up with tears. "You've given me so much... I have magic now... I-I just can't help but think about.." She stops with a hitch in her voice.

"Shh, shh. It's going to be okay. You're alright." I hug her close. "I never knew your brother, But I can't imagine he'd begrudge you a little happiness. It's alright to cry." A few tears even slip from my own eyes. "And, it's alright to be happy too." Pulling her to me. I kiss the tears from her cheeks. Starting at the corners of her eyes, working my way, back and forth, down to her lips. Our mouths join together in a salty kiss.

Pulling back slightly. I stare deep into the windows of her soul, and speak three simple words. Our lips meet again then, and then we spend the rest of the afternoon slowly exploring each other's bodies. Only stopping once the sun begins to set.

"Thank you." Her eyes full of emotions for a moment before rapidly switching over as an avaricious look fills her face. "Now when are you going to make my dress?"

"Hah!" I bark out. "You'll have to wait until we reach Riverton tomorrow, at the very least. I need something to base the pattern on. Unless, of course, you'd like the boy who's spent his entire life in the woods to make a dress from scratch?" I laugh again at the wince that crosses her face. "Didn't think so. Some decent dyes would be nice too. The ones I've managed from different plants... Well, they could be better."

"Riverton will have the dyes..." She seems conflicted. "But unless we're very lucky... Oh, foo. None of the dresses in town will be suitable for the Capital." She huffs out.

"I can make you as many dresses as you want. You know? But, seeing as your first Starweave should be special. You're just gonna have to wait until we reach the Capital..." Seeing her downcast look, I smirk. "And, in the mean time, settle for having all the rest of your clothes be made from it instead."

Her eyes light back up, but quickly turn fiery. "Meanie!" She playfully smacks my chest. "Don't play with a girls emotions. Not when it comes to clothing. Now give me some light so I can unlock this weaving skill, that you conviently forgot to mention." She commands, with another smack to my chest.

"Yes, Ma'am. Right away, Ma'am." I jump up and bring my fist to my chest in salute.

"You're out of uniform, soldier." She plays along with my antics.

"My apologies, Ma'am. I seem to recall a certain commanding officer tearing it off of me.. Ma'am." I try my best to deadpan. But a smile creeps onto my face, and into my voice.

"Where is he? I'll have him demoted this instant." We both lose it at that point and start laughing. "But seriously." She says. Wiping tears from her eyes. "Get dressed, and fix my shirt while you're at it. I wasn't the only one to do the tearing. Oh, and you're making dinner tonight, and don't forget the bread."

After some magical repairs, we swiftly dress. Amelia quickly unlocks the Weaving skill and gets down to business furthering her craft. Deciding to put all my Plantshaping practice to use, I make pasta from scratch. Not lifting a hand, except to toss a few wheat berries onto the ground. I channel magic to do everything else, from growing the wheat, to grinding, to mixing, to cooking, and creating a sauce. Not forgetting the bread, of course. A full meal for two is ready in moments.

"Why have I been doing all the cooking, if you can just do that?" Amelia starts in a fake huff, but is interrupted by a call from the road.

"Hello the camp!" A man guides a wagon full of belongings around the edge of the thicket. Sitting next to him is a pretty brunette woman holding onto a small boy. They all freeze and stare at the scene they just stumbled onto.

Magical lights fill the clearing. I'm standing next to the fire, levitating the meal I just created into two bowls. While Amelia is trying to use her Water magic to re-create the Starweave I showed her earlier. Our bags are dumped onto the ground next an over-sized fluffy white mattress. Oh, and there's one of my living outhouses in the background too.

We all just stand there stunned for a minute, even the horse leading the cart seems a bit flummoxed. "You forgot to close the thicket." Amelia hisses at me.

"I would have, if somebody hadn't distracted me." I try to grumble back but she's already moved to greet the newcomers.

"Come in, come in." She says. Beckoning to them after dumping her water into a large wooden bowl I made for her. "Sorry about the mess. Sorrel will be happy to clean it up. Won't you, Sorrel?"

"Yes dear." I set the bowls down and quickly throw our luggage into my inventory. Noticing some of Amelia’s undergarments strewn about as I do. Likely the reason she made me hide everything.

The young man let's out a chuckle at my meek reply. Earning a playful smack from his wife in the process. Likely deciding that, mages or no, we're still normal people, and that it's safe for them to finally relax. Setting the horse in motion, he guides the wagon along one wall of the campsite.

Helping his wife down. The man says. "Sorry to disturb you folks. Wasn't expecting to meet any mages on the road to Southwood."

"Not a problem." I state. "You're welcome to join us. I'm Sorrel, as you heard, and this is Amelia." I introduce us and hand Amelia her bowl. "We actually just had our awakenings recently, and are heading to the Capital."

"Darrel" The man gestures to his chest. "This is my wife Mina, and my boy Jax. Nice to meet you."

"Aww, he's so cute." Amelia coos at the boy. "How old is he?"

"This is his third summer." Mina answers. The boy in question is now hiding behind his mother's skirts. "Come on out and say hi, Jax."

Seeing the boy's shyness I decide to draw him out. I cast Light and, with a gesture, send a glowing fish swimming through the air towards the boy. I've been focusing on Nature magic, but the gains I've made to Mana Manipulation allow me to easily animate the construct.

"Show off." Amelia mutters from next to me. But, I just chuckle.

"Fishy!" The boy's eyes light up and he starts chasing after the magical piscine as it makes a slow circuit around his mother and father.

Seeing his mother's concern. "Don't worry. It's just a fancy light" I re-assure her. Turning to my lover, I lean in and say. "That wasn't showing off. This is showing off. Light!" I cast with a wicked gleam in my eyes.

Simultaneously around us four creatures of light begin to form. From the Fire, I call forth a phoenix. Shaking it's head back and forth, as though to remove some ash, it flaps it's wings and takes flight. From Amelia's Water bowl, a shimmering sea serpent flows forth. The Air itself seems to coalesce into an over-sized monarch butterfly. And lastly, a tiny brown fox seems to burrow it's way up from the Earth. Hopping up, it begins to run on the air itself. Spotting each other, the creatures start circling above the fire pit. They close in and flare briefly before slowly dissolving into sparkles.

*Ding*

I gain a level in Light. Then, breathing heavily, I begin to chuckle at the family across from us. Partly at their awed faces, but mostly at the fact that the little boy never looked away from his 'Fishy'.

"Are you okay?" Amelia ask with worry in her voice. "You didn't over-tax yourself did you?"

"I'm fine." I re-assure her. "But now you see why I was so focused on the weaving. I never would have been able to do that without all the gains to Mana Manipulation."

"Sir. That was..." The man starts. "I've never seen anything so amazing."

"None of that 'Sir' business, please. I'm younger than you are." I tell him flatly. "It's just a bit of fireside entertainment."

"Don't take him too seriously." Amelia speaks up, swatting me on the shoulder. "He's always doing stupid stuff, trying to impress people. The last time I called him a show off. He grew the first of those latrines, yes grew. Just tossed down some seeds and poof, a minute later there's a living outhouse. You'll find them in all the camps on the way to Southwood."

"Don't think too harshly of him, lass" Mina chimes in. "Boys are always doing silly things around pretty girls, especially ones they fancy. Why, some of the things Darrel-"

"Shouldn't we get our bed rolls laid out? Mina dear." Darrel cuts her of with a look of panic on his face. "And I need to un-hitch the horse, and I'm sure Jax will be getting hungry soon." He rushes on, hoping to find something to distract his wife.

She lets out a trill of laughter but doesn't continue with whatever story she was going to tell. Simply moving to the wagon and pulling down some bundles while her relieved husband deals with the horse. Jax is still trying to catch the light.

Amelia and I return to our interrupted supper and eat in silence while the family get ready for the night. I offer to help Mina with her dinner preparations, but she just waves me off. The next few hours are quite comfortable. Us adults chatting about this and that while Jax plays with the fish. We even get to hear a couple of stories from Mina, much to her husband's chagrin.

The next morning arrives without incident. Amelia and I rise first, but by the time we're dressed and have had a light breakfast. Darrel and Mina begin to rise.

"Ah, you two are off already?" Darrel asks. Standing up, he stretches his back, and I swear I can hear it pop from here.

'So glad I made this mattress’ I can't help but think. "Yup, we're eager reach Riverton. You folks stay safe on the road, okay?" I tell the man. "Oh, and I left a carved 'Fishy' for Jax by the fire pit, in case he misses his friend." I also left a pile of fresh fruit, but I'll let him discover that on his own.

"Thank you, and safe travels to you as well." He replies. And with that, we depart with a wave.