Aelion stood by the window, transfixed by the unusual weather outside. The sun shone brightly, yet rain fell lightly, creating a rare and mesmerizing spectacle unique to Mystara. Despite the intriguing phenomenon, she felt content to remain indoors, her curiosity piqued by the mysterious plant she had discovered and now studied intently.

With a smile, she turned away from the window and made her way to the small kitchen. She prepared a cup of tea and a light snack, taking her time to savor the simple pleasures. Carrying her mug, she returned to her desk and sat down, her gaze falling on the plant once more. It was then that she noticed her reflection in the tablet screen, the same peculiar glow still evident on her skin, even after a week since her return from Aquara. Shaking her head, she pinched her cheek, watching the skin turn pink, then laid back on the couch, reveling in the comfort of being home.

Just then, her phone chimed, interrupting her thoughts. It was a message from her roommate, Lysandre.

'Aelion! I'm back from Avalon. Need me to pick up anything from the markets?'

She smiled at the familiar greeting and quickly typed a response. "Hello, friend! I could use some fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, and milk. And yes, I'm planning on cooking tonight. It's time we get back to our routine." A few minutes passed before Lysandre's reply appeared, his enthusiasm evident.

"Will do! Any specific requests? And yes, let's get back on track. Sound great, see you soon!"

Aelion placed her phone down and made her way to the kitchen, pulling out ingredients for a simple stew. As she washed and diced the vegetables, her eyes began to water from the onions, and she let out a soft growl of frustration. "Damn onions," she muttered, wiping her eyes. She was grateful that Lysandre had offered to fetch fresh produce from the market, ensuring the quality of their ingredients.

Soon enough, the sound of the door opening signaled her roommate's return. Lysandre, tall and tanned, with brown hair cut just above his shoulders and vivid green eyes, entered the kitchen, a smile on his face. His arm bore a sleeve of vine tattoos, adding to his relaxed and friendly demeanor. "Something sure smells good!" he exclaimed, taking a seat at the table as Aelion laughed and turned to greet him.

"Welcome home," she said, stirring the vegetables. "It'll be ready in a few minutes. How was your trip to Avalon?" Lysandre groaned playfully. "My mom is still trying to marry me off to some rich suitor or another. It's always the same story when I visit." He stretched his legs and took a slice of fresh bread that Aelion offered, slathering it with butter. "I think I'd rather stay here in Mystara. Maybe travel around the Isle like you do." Aelion teased, "A medical researcher like yourself wanting to roam the realms? That's a rare notion." She brought him a plate of warm bread and joined him at the table. "Well, you make it sound so appealing," Lysandre laughed, slicing into the bread. "Besides, Mystara is home. And the Drakyr here are far nicer than in other realms, I've heard."

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Aelion shrugged, "Some of them, perhaps. I haven't had the best encounters lately. Being pushed around and called names isn't my idea of a pleasant interaction." She rubbed her arm, remembering the recent incident on the street. "The last Drakyr who made me feel accepted was Vorrik, but he's been unreachable lately. My messages and calls go unanswered."

Lysandre's eyes widened in recognition. "Oh, right. I'm sorry, Aelion. I'm sure you'll meet a decent one soon enough." Aelion smiled, hoping he was right. As she poured herself a glass of wine, Lysandre's eyes widened, noticing her glow more intently. "Hey, are you, like, actually glowing? Like a firefly or something?"

She rolled her eyes, taking a sip of her wine. "Yeah, it's still there. I have no idea why. Maybe something in the air or that underwater breathing potion I drank in Aquara. Hopefully, it'll fade like a rash." Lysandre nodded thoughtfully. "Could be. How are you feeling otherwise? Any exhaustion from the trip?" "Swimming so much did tire me out," Aelion admitted, stretching her arms above her head. "I think I'll take it easy for a few days and continue my research from home."

Lysandre's eyes lit up. "How did the plant samples from Aquara turn out? Tell me everything!" Aelion's face lit up as she described the unique characteristics of the Coralberry and Pearlfruit plants she had encountered. She spoke of the blue-tinted petals and bright purple berries of the Coralberry, and the rare Pearlfruit, with its amazing pearls growing from the pods. "And the city itself?" Lysandre prompted, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Oh, it was breathtaking," Aeliln replied, her voice filled with wonder. "The buildings and homes built into the rocks, the small city nestled within... I took sketches and photos, which I'll show you later. But first, let's enjoy our meal."

As they ate, their conversation turned to future plans, with Lysandre asking, "So, any word from your superiors about your next assignment? Will you be staying in Mystara or venturing to another realm?" Aelion looked thoughtful as she chewed. "I believe I'll be heading to Borealis, the continent up north, in a few weeks. It's less advanced and has a different culture, so I'm preparing for a unique experience." Lysandre nodded, "You'll need to pack lots of layers for that trip. Maybe we can go shopping for a new coat this weekend?" Aelion smiled, grateful for her roommate's thoughtfulness. "That sounds like a plan. For now, let's enjoy our stew and make plans for a relaxing weekend."

And so, the two friends continued their evening, lost in comfortable conversation and the warmth of their shared home.