Hara and Lyth left after Hara had tied a thin cloth over the opening of the glass jar, knowing full well that it was only to keep things out, as Lyth could cut through leather, let alone fabric that would rip with little force.
Hara announced her visit to the Chief and was about to set off before she abruptly turned around and got her bike, it was a mountain bike that she had bought a few months ago, she attached the little wagon at the end, normally using it to transport animal corpses or heavy objects from place to place.
This time, it was used to bring the tank full of beasts to the school, she had nearly forgotten about the deal, and it was nearing nine already.
She also had to ask to keep Lyth, not that she would give her partner up, but it still needed to be done, lest she stole.
Lyth seemed thrilled at the aspect of riding the bike, having seen some bare pieces of memories before.
Hara smiled and prepared to heft the heavy tank on the bike, she was left confused as it didn't feel very heavy at all to her.
As an active woman in a heavyweight job, she could lift 90 pounds, but seeing as yesterday two trained men had trouble hefting the tank, she should be having major trouble as well, but she didn't feel like that at all.
Lyth then send her a slew of emotions that shocked her enough for her to nearly drop the tank.
It was common knowledge that mantises can carry, and exert force, far above their own weight, someone once compared the situation of a mantis hunting a larger animal to a human hugging a bear and tearing it apart through brute force.
It seems that during their contract, Lyth had gotten part of her intelligence, and Hara had gotten part of her strength, meaning she could easily lift double, or triple her weight, a proud 110 pounds, she was skinny, but all muscles, her job, and lifestyle did that.
It was no wonder that she found the tank to be too light.
She did, in fact, not drop the tank, and safely secured it in the wagon, throwing the tarp over and securing it too.
With her partner in a bottle strapped to the seat, she drove off to the school, waving at some of her neighbors, they waved back with smiles as they all got ready for another day of work, or were already in it.
The school was the same as yesterday and she stopped in front of the entrance doors, careful not to block the way, one happy Angelica, a bulky man, and a class of excited students greeted her at the door.
"Good morning~" The woman chirped, bouncing up to her, her students at her heel, and the bulky man going behind her to get the flower mantis.
"Good morning everyone, do you mind doing me a favor?"
The forester asked and looked at the assortment of children as well as the two adults supervising them.
"Of course Hara, what do you need?" The teacher asked her.
"I want one of the mantises." She responded and got a few odd looks.
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"Oh? What do you say, kids, does our favorite ranger get a mantis too?" She asked the class softly, there were many quick nods and a resounding "Yes." not a single no or hesitant look anywhere, it was a fully supported group decision.
"Just choose one." Aryr, one of Sahras' children chirped.
Hara blushed a bit, gesturing at the blue mantis now around her neck, the little thing waved and there were cooes and "awws".
"This is Lyth, anyway, I did what you asked me to and separated the mantises, I got a bloody cut even while wearing gloves, so be very careful when handling them."
She informed them and got a few pale paces in return.
Angelica nodded, fully serious for once, and accepted the instruction.
"Alright, I'm off, have fun you lot." She waved, kicking off her bike and driving to the Chief's house, it was hard to miss as it was located at the heart of the village and had a little garden with a Cha-Cha tree filled with ripe blue fruits, they were juicy and sweet, just what children loved to eat as a snack.
She got off her bike, having left the wagon at the school for later use, and stepped off the bike, entering through the open gate.
She knocked and soon the door was answered by a well-aged and kind face.
"Morning Chief."
She greeted respectfully and he smiled at her as he invited her in, he knew she wouldn't come this early in the morning if it wasn't important, she stepped inside with a thankful nod.
"I'm sorry to trouble you so early in the morning, but this is important."
He nodded at her and led her into the kitchen, tea was served at the kitchen table.
"Sit down first, then start."
He reminded her kindly and she nodded, plopping down in her seat with a sigh, she set the glass with Lyth down on the table and waited for the elder to lower himself into the seat.
"What's the matter?"
He asked while eyeing the beast in a bottle, she opened the lid and let the beast climb on her shoulder, where it nuzzled her neck.
"I have... interesting news, Chief, I'm sure you've heard of the swift mouse from yesterday?"
She asked while taking her cup, sweet cherry, her favorite.
Her leader nodded and silently looked at the beast now settled on her shoulder and the crook of her neck.
With a grave expression, he spoke, "I did, and soon everyone will know, but I doubt that's why you came here unless you want to leave for the city?"
Hara frantically shook her head, earning an angry cheep from Lyth, she sent a wave of apology over and it settled the beast who sent back a huff of emotion.
"It's something else..." She hesitated while speaking, taking her notebook and silently handing it over, seeing him flip through it as she silently drank the offered beverage.
After a good while, enough for the tea to cool, he looked at her.
"Are you sure?" He asked, looking at her beast again.
Hara leaned back, sighing as she began to recount her story and then went back to her notes.
"It's hard to explain, most of my information is from my experience and Lyths' explanation, and it was composed of feelings and concepts only."
She explained with a defeated huff.
"I tried, Chief, I really did, but there are no words for it."
She looked at him and saw him nod, "I understand, can you prove it?"
"I can, Lyth, carve me a smile." She ordered her beast, Lyth looked at her and sent her a wave of something that could be described as insult, as if it was beneath her.
The beast still did as asked, harmlessly jumping from her shoulder and carving a smile into a napkin before returning to Haras' side.
"That's... revolutionary." He breathed and Hara gave a nod, although the example might have been weak, coupled with her honesty during her life here and the fact that this topic was too much to pull a joke about, it wasn't hard for him to believe her as long as there was some form of solid evidence.
If anything, the order proved the beast understood her words and was willing to follow her orders.
"We will move the monthly meeting forward, I'll call you once I have the new date, as of now, keep this to yourself," Hara gave a decisive nod.
"Of course." She responded dutifully.
They switched topics afterward and talked for an hour more before he sent her away to deal with some things and to begin calling everyone together for an early, but urgent, monthly meeting.
Hera left, and with her beast back in the bottle, took her bike and set off again, now she wanted to see how her partner would hunt other beasts, the crickets in Sry sounded like a prime target.
With a sense of agreement, her partner was on board with her plan.