Chapter 6

The Sorceress' New Friend

Forests are a strange place. A stark reminder of the strange and powerful natural magics that the world possesses. Myths and legends are born from people who venture to deep into the trees, only to come out changed, to have seen things they shouldn't have. Hulking beasts hiding among the moss and leaves, or ethereal lights hovering just out of view leading those lost, further astray as they steadily drive them mad. The rampant undergrowth, a collection of damp and dark passages near the soil of the forest, covered by an armor of roots and stone, hides living nightmares that creep into you time awake. Massive armored beasts that shrug off blows from a blade, or bludgeoning’s with a hammer. Small creatures that can leap and stick to the trees before stabbing it with a sharpened point to draw out its sap, though they are not afraid to hunt. Forests are a strange place, but it takes an equally strange or dark person to control them. The City of Nocturnia was not one of easy charity. Good looks got you very few places as most people were visually stunning. Women with buxom curves, or men more solid than a stone littered the city. Vibrant eyes, and flowing hair all made each difference feel less like something that separated each person, and instead brought them together. I.O.U.'s were even less likely to be accepted as everyone seemed to always have something to do that produced money. Malgana saw this first hand, when the last of her coins were. relinquished from her at the cost of staying in a warm bed. The Inn Keeper was a pleasant woman, possessing a gentle voice yet, something about her stood out to Mal, she couldn't quite place what it was however. Though the room was comfortable, the bed as plush as one could wish for and the blankets warm and inviting, Mal endured a restless night. Dreams were infrequent for her, and usually carried a meaning if she had one at all. Tonight was one such night, as when her eye lids shut, she saw the dark undergrowth of the forest, a vast ocean of trees, before what looked like smoke... Her dream refocused on a clearing in the woods, one with a large white stone in the middle of it. The stone seemed to pull her in, enticing her to get closer. It was intoxicating, just the mere sight of this stone was enough to set fire to Mal's skin. She wanted to find this place. This piece of alabaster stone and figure it out. Within the confides of her dream, Mal stepped forwards and was met by something rising behind the stone. A sphere of flames, that seemed to morph into a man. Its arms outstretched as flames fell off of them turning this intoxicatingly happy dream into a hellish nightmare.

When Mal awoke in the comfortable bed, it was washed in sweat. She had not been this cold since her vessel sank, sending her into the icy waters north of Cordelia. Even now, she would bet coin on the fact that those waters were warmer than she was now. Through the thin curtains of the room Mal could see that it was in fact the wee hours of the morning. Much earlier than she had hoped to be awake. Letting out a distasteful groan, she lifted herself off the bed and dawned her clothes once again, choosing to sleep nude as it was not only her preference but also more comfortable to her. With her boots snug against her slender legs, she exited the room heading down into the main lobby where she saw a brood of children working tirelessly while the hostess from the eve prior held a small one in her arms. Mal passed them and gave a false smile as she exited the building. She was by no means a morning person. Now in the twilight dawn of the streets she ran into a dilemma. Mal had used the last of her coin to purchase the room for a night. With no means to pay for anything, she needed to find a way to make money. Unknown to herself, Mal had begun strolling through the marketplace while she confronted this issue. By the time she realized she moved, she was standing in front of the grand forge. Its fires burned hot still, stoked by a strange person who promptly vanished as the being realized they were being watched. Believing it to be a trick of the night or her head still not being fully with her, Mal turned in a circle slowly looking at the various businesses around her while her hands crossed under her toned chest. She barely made a quarter rotation when she spotted what she was looking for. A small sign in the window of a place she could only assume was a bakery and butchery by the smell emanating from it. Stepping closer she read the sign. “Will pay for spices and herbs found in the forest. Inquire inside for details” this caught her eye. Not only would it solve her financial problems, it would also give her the chance to explore the area with a better grasp on the flora present in the surrounding woods. As she thought on this solution to her problem, her mind drifted back to the white stone. Maybe, just maybe. she could pick up a trail on it. The door was not to heavy but held enough weight to keep the cold at bay. As it swung open, a soft jingle rang out into the heavenly space. The scent of fresh breads drifted through the space while the hearty smell of roasting meat filled the empty spaces giving the room a feeling of a banquet hall. It strangely felt almost like home.... Mal shook the feeling from her head almost as soon as it arrived. She had not possessed a home in along time. She had no reason to, being captain of a ship was tough but she was beyond strong enough to preform the job. As she through of her vessel, which rested in the deeper parts of the ocean near Cordelia, Mal began to feel home sick. Maybe she did have a home just, not in the usual sense of the concept. Her eyes moved across the room as the feeling came and went filling her with a strange sense of need to get the coin, and a longing to find that stone. Even now, it still resonated with her. Her eyes locked on a pastry, a flakey, golden brown and honey covered apple treat resting on the case. She had not noticed the voice calling out to her. "Excuse me miss, Ish there something I can help you with?" The voice was gruff, but some how smooth despite what sounded like a lisp. With her connection to the treat broken Mal looked up to the Man who stood behind the counter. Fair skinned and rather attractive. It was only a few moments before Mal realized the most major thing about this man. He was an orc. A very attractive orc as well. The source of his lisp was in fact his bottom tusks, which were small but still a dominate feature on him, save for his green skin. Mal collected her thoughts and took a breath composing herself as she stepped to the counter and began to speak

“I am here about your post on the window, The one concerning herbs and spices in the forest?” She was eloquent and polite. If you knew her past it was almost jarring to hear her speak and yet, it did not seem out of place. While speaking Mal walked to the counter and relaxed a bit, granted she was hungry, but she knew that a meal was not far off. Her attention focused on the deep hazel eyes, beautiful shades of honey, and emerald mixed against a color of blue that would make the sky jealous. They were captivating if only for a moment. The man who had casually crossed his arms awaiting a request was a bit shocked at her response. He glanced quickly to the back of the parchment on the window before nodding slowly at her. "Ah, yesh. I am looking for speshialized herbs. Speshifically, Bird'sh foot and Cold Bramble. The bramble is eashy enough to find. Jusht, feel for the one that bleedsh cold off of its Bird'sh foot, though is a bit tricky. Its leaves look like birdsh feet, that'sh how it getsh its name. They will be found on your way to the Crag mountains in the wesht. Oh and one more thing! Im offering a bonush, should you find any Fillery leaf. It ish a plant with a dark brownish black shtalk, and golden leaves. Bring me that and I will add an eashy twenty five coinsh onto your pay. Oh no, where are my mannersh, My name is Callus Rockjaw. I own the Bakery and Butchery you're shtanding in” Mal watched in awe as the man gave her both a direction and description of her targets. This Fillery leaf was interesting to her though. Golden leaves could be any number of things. A color, or shine on them due to wax. She doubted they were real gold. Catching his name at the end Mal nodded and gave a small smile to him as she offered her hand out to him. The orcish man took it rather gently and shook, agreeing on the terms. "It is a pleasure to meet you Callus, I am Mal, and I accept the job. I will return by dark with something for you.” His description in mind, Mal turned and exited the shop, looking down the street the distance. Direction was something engrained into her by being a captain at sea. She made a small turn to her right and saw in the distance massive stone peaks looming like silent giants over the city. She was as prepared as she could be. Her next stop was the wilds of the woods, the stone still heavy in her mind. Traveling was something Mal was used to doing. There were a few cases in which her vessel would have made port in places that were not ideal, forcing a trudge up a shallow river, or a romp through a marsh like landscape. While the early morning dew was no knee deep river, it did not stop mal from detesting her idea to leave the city before the sun had fully risen. Even now, the large ball of light glowed an eerie red signaling that not even it was awake yet. She had run into a bit of trouble leaving the city as not only did she have to double back to the inn where she stayed and collect her belongings which she had forgotten she had to struggle with the members of the staff who were very young and did not understand the concept of an accident. After said incidents, Mal's hunger only grew thanks to the wasted calories. She walked onward, ignoring her stomach keeping her eyes peeled. There were many plants among the undergrowth and many more plants that grew around the trees or as part of them. The more she looked around, the more she. realized this may not be as easy of a task as she first thought. No more than an hour into her venture, spotted one of the first rays of sun to pierce the canopy. With a small grin sliding across her lips, she sat down under it bathing in the warmth like a lifeline from the dark and cold under the blanket of green that was the treetops. She allowed herself a moment of relief, from everything but her stomach. It wasn't until she extended her hands behind her, attempting to prop herself up with them that she found something to eat. A sharp thorn pierced the fleshy part of her palm near the area her thumb connected to it sending a bolt of pain up her arm. When she turned around expecting some form of insect or creature she spotted a gnarled bramble in the small dip behind her, growing between the tree and one of its massive roots. With the ambient light of the sunray she rested in iluminating the area, Mal spotted a small bundle of black orbs on one of the thin branches of the bramble. A berry bramble. She had gotten lucky. She then felt the aftereffects of the brambles touch. A severe cold chill ran up her arm as if she had encased it in ice. She had gotten very lucky. A Cold Bramble. One of the items off her lst. She was always told luck ran in threes. Testing this theory, Mal lifted a berry and popped it into her mouth as she fished out the thorn lodged in her hand. To both her surprise and delight. The berry was sweet and slightly tart, while the thorn came out rather easily releasing the cold feeling instantly. After picking through the bramble for a light snack, Mal lifted a dagger from her belt and cut a section of it. She was unsure how this plant was used in food but she did not think on it to long. She had better things to occupy her mind. She was well into the forest and while she was exceptional at keeping her directions about her, the rush of cold from that thorn broke her concentration. In a sense she was lost, that was until she spotted a break in the trees leading to a small meadow. Moving to it in an attempt to use the sky to get her bearings, Mal was unware she had a guest joining her in the clearing. The tall half-elf woman strode into the clearing and stopped looking up to the sky, turning in a slow circle attempting to find some sort of landmark, like the peak of a mountain. So totally focused on her task, Mal ignored the voice talking to her for ts first few attempts. It was only after the voice cleared its throat that Mal snapped her attention to it. Much to her surprise it was the woman she met in the garden a few days past. The Queen. Lush reds and blacks against the vibrant green and yellow flora that rested under her. It almost gave Mal whiplash due to the contrasts. She was petting a creature. Something small and black, with strange forelimbs, and a boney beak like mouth housing sharp teeth that shredded the flowers it chewed on, but when it touched her skin, it seemed to rub against it lovingly.

The Queens attention was on this creature not Mal, however, something told Mal that the Queen was more. than aware that she was here. The Queens full lips parted as she spoke, her voice just above a whisper. The way she spoke seemed hypnotic, the softness in her words but the choices she made of which words to use. They carried a lot of weight. "All creatures, from the smallest Opterop, the most sickening Lurcher, and even this infant Umbra Furi, are all part of this world in ways no one understands. My people have learned to live together with minimal problems, but their connection to nature... It concerns me. This poor infant was relieved of its parent just recently." The Queen looked up to Mal as the small creature rested in her lap, curling up with its tail circling around its body. The Queen's eyes burned with some sort of unknown fire behind them. Like a mother who had lost a child once before. It was a phantom emotion but Mal could see some glimmer of it. The Queens attention slowly turned back down to the creature in her lap resting her hand on it, providing some comforting weight over the top of it as its parent normally would. "This creature never know why its parent will never show up again or why it left in the first place. It will be alone, without the skills to survive, taught to it by the very parent it no longer has. All because someone ventured to close and weighed their life against its, and found themselves more valuable." The Queen lifted the small creature and stood up her dress flowing downward as it brushed the flowers below her. She moved silent, like an unspoken promise resting the small creature at the base of a tree, before taking her hands to create a small roof of roots with her magic. Turning to face Mal, The Queen took a heavy breath and adjusted herself, returning to her queenly composure. "Forgive me. I value all lives equally. It pains me to see a child left abandoned by actions outside their control. I do remember you from our previous meeting. Malgana. Its a pleasant surprise to see you in the woods. Might I inquire what you are doing out here? Not many people venture out, let alone this far without being properly prepared?” Mal was a bit shocked by the display in front of her. While none of it showed on her face, she kept a mental note of the emotions she felt behind the Queens words. With a small shake of her head to clear the flurry of interest in wanting to know more she responded to the question as best she could currently. Her head was a mess of questions and insight behind this almost perfect ruler. "I am on an errand for Callus Rockjaw. Collecting herbs and spices. Though, I have only found one of the things I was asked to, I am hopeful I am close to the others. Would you like to join me on a stroll?" Mal smiled slightly, hoping to continue as fast as she could, knowing that it was possible that the Queen could take precious time away from her search for the stone. The Queen took a moment and then walked towards Mal giving a soft nod. "I would love to. I feel company even out in the wilds such as this is a good thing. It makes the overbearing nature feel less claustrophobic.” The Queen gave a small smile back to Mal. She felt strangely welcomed around her, but not in the usual sense of her people. It did not feel forced or even required. It felt as though, Mal genuinely enjoyed her company. This thought alone gave the Queen a feeling of happiness. It was more rich in feeling than the smiles of her people who adored her. It was the feeling of a friendly happiness. A connection with someone who she could be a person with before a Queen. Though they walked in relative silence as Mal glanced about having just chosen a direction in haste, she felt as though the Queen knew where they were going. Stealing a quick glance to her companion, Mal spotted she walked with her hands clasped together over her stomach moving without making a noise or even any notion that her legs were in use. There was no ambient movement in her motions she moved forward and yet there was no sway or bob from her. As unnerving as this was, Mal did not seem to mind. It was not out of the ordinary for a member of royalty to be held to a much higher standard than those around them. It was certainly not out of the ordinary for them to feel closed off from their people as well. For just a moment, Mal felt almost like she did when she had her crew. She shook this feeling quickly. Now was not the time to worry about feelings such as that. For now they continued onward into the forest, the natural noises of its inhabitants the only sounds to be heard from the path.

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Mal would never know if it was by coincidence or fate that the chose the right path, but soon after her departure of the clearing with The Queen in tow, Mal had followed a dark path through the forest. One. bathed in the shade sheltering her and her follower from the slowly warming world around them. Something, seemed right about this path, something that felt like she was heading directly to her goal. It wasn't long until she stumbled into another clearing, this one almost out of place or time as the trees around it were massive and tall but the distance between the walls of the clearing and the center was enough to situate a house in. Curious and interested in this bizarre development she entered the clearing heading towards the center to get a feel for just how large this empty space was. Had she not been watchful of her steps, Mal would have missed something very glaring within the center of the clearing. Covered in a tangle of gnarled and barbed roots, almost as if they were restraining what was being hidden underneath, Mal saw a stone. Upon first sight she knew it was the stone from her dream. Yet this stone was different somehow. As she peered into it, she saw that the white coloring in it was merely a reflection of ight. In reality the stone was a pale color so sheer that it was see through in some places allowing Mal to peek inside the stone showing. vast cuttings of golden color inside. They seemed to shimmer softly to which she chalked up to a trick of the eye. Throwing a glance over her shoulder at her guest. Mal saw the queen strolling around the edge of the clearing gently touching the trees in the area. She seemed distracted enough for Mal to do a bit of quick look. Why did she dream of this stone, and why did she seek it out so badly. Pulling away at the roots, minding the barbs and thorns, Mal soon found out why. With the pads of her fingers barely touching the strangely warm stone, she felt it. A vastness like the ocean rolling and rippling with power and strength. The weight of it all was enough for Mal to remove her hand. She was shaking, both in terror of what power the stone held, and in excitement. It was intoxicating and powerful. A simple brush against the stone had left Mal sweating. She stood upwards but that only made things worse as the head rush she encountered was enough to send her reeling backwards. She however was saved by something soft behind her. While Mal touched the stone, the Queen had moved forward and behind the kneeling half elf. When she stood the Queen took a step back before watching her friend begin to lean backwards and tumble. She caught Mal against her chest, letting her head rest against the softness of her bosom. The Queens arms rested under Mal's giving the Queen a subtle feeling of Mal's chest. It was almost as soft as her own but her physique was much more toned than her own. She lifted her friend upwards back to her feet and held her for a moment giving her time to recollect herself. Seeing Mal shaken and sweaty the Queen had an idea and offered it to Mal with little room for negotiation “I have something that will help you feel a bit better. Come with me.” The Queen laced her fingers with Mals taking her literally by the hand to lead her through the woods. In Mal's dazed state, she did not notice that the Queen was moving them faster than she was letting on, displaying some sort of hidden power to pass through the forest rapidly. Their walk was a short one as the Queen stopped the pair at a small rocky outcropping. They stood at the bank of the hot springs. Steam rising from the waters as the sun just barely pecked over the rock face behind the large pool of hot water. The Queen tured to Mal and offered a pleasant smile. "I believe a dip in the springs will ease your mind and body" with her indirect command spoken, The Queen released Mal's hand and began unlacing the front of her dress. It had been far to long since she had the freedom to soak in the springs and she would enjoy this time with her friend.

The midday sun slowly sank towards the dusky horizon. While it was no longer near noon, it was not quite evening either, showing off a large array of colors within the sky and clouds. From soft oranges, and vibrant pinks to shadowy purples and haunting blues. The cavalcade of color played with the imagination and the emotion of anyone looking up at it. A subtle sense of serenity and peace mixed with a bolt of energy hidden in the dancing colors of the sky. It was a sight most beautiful to behold, made only better by the mountains and tree line which framed the scene keeping its majesty in scope. Malgana stared up into the endless sky, her mind adrift in curious thought and whimsical fantasy. Drifting between her attempts to understand the experience she just had and her bodies attempts at relaxation. While they were not in vain, her body was fighting hard against her brain. The stone was so unassuming, so mundane that one could pass by it without a single thought, and yet, when she touched the stone, Mal was thrusted into an ocean of power with a depth not even she could find. It was a swirling maelstrom of magic and energy unlike anything she had ever seen or even heard of before. The thought was captivating and yet, it partially scared her. If that kind of power existed naturally, what type of person could tap into it, more so, who already had their hooks in the deep ocean of power, and was using it for their own gain? She needed to clear her head, trying to process all of it was giving her a headache. Swallowing a deep breath of air, Mal slipped from her resting spot intentionally, sinking past her neck into the balmy water drifting downwards to the strangely smooth stone bottom of the springs. She rested there on the bottom, looking up at the sky through the water. Swirling currents, and subtle movements from Mal caused the water to move, making the colors over head dance through the water as she relaxed. For a short time it worked, that was until what looked like a red stain drifted across her view of the sky. While she ascended to the surface slowly, Mal just remembered that she was not alone, though her company spoke little past a delighted sigh, signaling that she was enjoying the waters. Breaking the surface, Mal looked to the source of the red stain, her current company. The Demon Queen herself. It was odd to see royalty acting so relaxed, considering that the pair of them were alone and rather isolated in the woods. Mal however was not an idiot, she was aware the Queen held some sort of power, just not what type, not that she had probed for an answer either. Mal was sociable, and good company. Rather than keep the awkward silence between them, she decided to speak. "My Queen I-"

"Uzume" The Queen responded, a near blurted answer. Nervousness was not something that happened often, if ever to her, but the current situation put her on edge. The Queen had spent so long just being "The Queen" She had yet to have a true friend to be anything other than "The Queen" with. Catching herself, she attempted to regain some form of composure against the abrupt cut into Mal's sentence "Call me Uzume, if you please.” Mal was slightly startled by the sudden interruption. The Queen was usually incredibly composed. Perhaps, having someone she could be close to displayed a chink in her infallible armor... Mal stowed that thought for later exploration, as she recollected, and began to speak once more. "Uzume, I was curious about a few things. As the Queen, I am sure you can answer them for me, yes?" Uzume's name left a strange tingle on Mal's tongue since it was the name of royalty in vain. Something akin to biting into a fruit only for the first taste to be bitter. Despite this nearly physical bitter feeling on her tongue, Mal continued, her words still stiff and unsure of how to approach the Queen as a friend. "I was wondering if it would be possible to make a home for myself? I would not need to remove any trees from their homes, but instead, plant and grow my own home from a rather special seed I possess.” It sounded ludicrous. To be able to grow a home from a seed? Magic was powerful, but it did hold some form of bizarre logic to it. Even so, Uzume tilted her head, pulling a few long wet locks of hair back over her ear as she looked to Mal. The idea alone was interesting, and not something she herself had ever thought about. Growing a home... With nothing to lose from saying yes, Uzume let a small smile grace her lips. Her eyes closed softly as she nodded, an expression of happiness rolling over her usual blank face. "I see no issues with your proposition, and would rather like to see it if you don't mind? It sounds rather intriguing and interesting." Her hands clasped one another as she brought them up in front of her chest, causing her breasts to be pressed together in a rather unintentional provocative display. The soft curve of her lush bosom came out of the water. It was nearly impossible to not glance at it but Mal did. While she usually kept hey eyes from prying quite well, the Queen was enticing. Soft and stated curves, supple skin that held the sheen of water, flowing crimson hair. She was beautiful, however, Mal found one part in particular to be the most captivating of all. Her eyes, Pools of softly glowing amber, that appeared to pull the light from the sky. Each glance she stole into Uzume's eyes was intoxicating but on a different level. They were more than just amber, and light. They held a depth to them that few beings possessed. A sort of emptiness that was both saddening and yet, warm almost loving. It reminded Mal of her mothers eyes, once upon a time. Mal moved past that thought, taking in a slow breath she responded to Uzume's delight and curiosity. "I would not mind at all. Though, I do have a prying question for you, if I may. Are you not used to having friends Uzume?"

Uzume paused as she heard Mal's question. Her mind began to process both the words, and what kind of response she was going to give. In truth, Uzume had not been close to anyone. While she was Queen and adored by all of her people, she had no personal friends. No people she could actively waste time with, though she had plenty of spare hours to give. The more she began to realize this, the farther down her gaze went until she was staring into the water completely. Her response came out slow, almost like she was struggling to find the right way to say every word. "I have not had the luxury of friends. The extent of contact I have with my people is more of a... motherly presence which causes most to be polite and cordial but shy away from me after. Too answer bluntly, No. I am not used to it, for I cannot recall a time when I did have friends. I have always kept to my duty as Queen..." The last word trailed off as she came upon another realization. Maybe it was her steadfast devotion to her duty that kept her from making friends. Mal was no stranger to breaking people down to their darkest parts, finding the roots of their problems and issues. She did it to her crew when she was captain. It let her see peoples true intentions, and their real selves, the one they keep hidden from the world. While Mal was not actively trying to do so, She was given a glimpse of the Queen that she was certain no one ever saw. Someone who was adored by thousands but never allowed to be around them in the way she wanted. Like some higher power keeping her away from it. Mal moved closer, moving her hand out to Uzume's arm, gently touching her. Mal watched as Uzume lifted her gaze to meet Mal's eyes. Mal spoke only when she was sure that she held Uzume's full attention. “I am your friend, and I can see past that motherly presence. I will be your first friend and should you ever want to visit me, I will always leave my door open for you." Mal had yet to realize that she had pulled Uzume into a light embrace. Said embrace caused their breasts to press together, but also caused the Uzume to learn a very interesting fact about Malgana. She had an extra part on her lower half. This part shocked her for a moment then gave her plenty of ideas should she venture into that realm with her newfound friend. “Thank you Malgana, I may darken your doorway in the future but-" As Uzume spoke an abrupt snapping noise in the trees around them caused the Queen to return to her guard, and become defensive, her eyes slowing subtly as she looked around. Mal moved towards the shore, getting her clothes as did Uzume. A figure emerged into the clearing of the springs, stumbling along. Via her senses alone Uzume could tell this being was male but something was off about him. She used her powers to redress herself and Mal with a mere wave of her fingers, then grabbed her friends hand, vanishing into the forest, leaving only a flurry of leaves where they once stood. The strange figure stood at the edge of the clearing, before dropping to its knees, a thin line of silver trailing from its neck to its hand, its hidden gaze on the leaves drifting in the air. Uzume stopped only when she felt they were far enough from the springs, somehow, returning to the stone from earlier. Mal, who was taken by surprise by Uzume's magic and speed waited for her thoughts to catch up. What was that figure clad in black, and what were they doing? Considering how fast they vacated the springs, either the Queen was startled, or she was afraid of it. Knowing what she did, Mal bet on the former, rather than the latter. When she finally got her head about her, Mal looked around for a bearing, her eyes moving for a short time before she found the stone from earlier. She wanted to know more and hatched an idea on the spot. "Uzume, My Queen, why not plant my tree here? It is enough of a clearing for me to have a decent home and not disturb the natural way of the forest.” Mal was already reaching for a small pouch she kept tied tightly against her waist. Uzume looked back into the woods as they stopped, Her eyes stil a soft amber glow as she watched for anything following them. When Mal spoke it eased the tension in the air enough that Uzume actually relaxed. She knew that she could defend herself from whatever that was, but she was unsure of how Mal would react to seeing such a display of power. Taking a breath to regain her composure and poise, she turned, placing her hands over her stomach in common stance, nodding to her friend. “I must agree. It does make the most sense.” Uzume put on a false smile, keeping her guard up while she tried to seem relaxed.

With the go ahead from the Queen, Mal opened the small velvet sack pulling out a seed, one the shape of an almond but coarse and rough, with a small twig sprouting from the point, displaying two green leaves. Mal knelt down and moved a small amount of soil aside then placed the seed into the ground, speaking a few words of magic to help the seed grow, She stood up and backed away from the spot. From where the small item was planted, a tiny green glow emanated from the soil, minutes ticked away as Mal watched, and the Queen who was curious began to question whether or not the seed would work. No sooner did this thought cross her mind did a loud creaking noise erupt from the seed as the roots of a massive tree began spreading out into the ground, from the seed itself, a sapling which rapidly grew into a massive tree. However this was no ordinary tree. It came with a door, and windows intact. The roots formed a sort of porch or resting area outside the front door, while a canopy of leaves covered the immediate area around the door blocking it from rain. Inside the home itself was a soft light of a fire strangely enough. In relative awe of what just happened, Uzume walked to Mal and offered her arm "shall we go inspect the house?" She tried to sound as normal as she could. It seemed to work Mal watched the seed burst into her home then glanced to her friend as she took her arm, nodding to Uzume with a small smile "Absolutely, If you would like you could even help me break in the bed. Its awfully stiff after being shrunk into a seed.” Mal smirked as she made the passing joke though, considering the Springs trip... she had a feeling it wouldn't remain a joke for long. Uzume matched her friends expression and began walking in step with her up the porch to the front door. The joke as Mal told it was less of a joke to her and more of an invitation for her to explore a few ideas she had from the spring prior. "Being shrunk into a seed? You must be joking. How does that process even work?" The Queens words trailed off as the door shut behind her, the pair now fully inside. The moon hung high in the sky as night had fully set in. The hot springs waters sat still, like a pane of obsidian glass, dotted with million of mimic stars. The only sign that this was not a piece of the heavens fallen to the ground was the subtle billows of steam rolling out from the banks. The figure had not moved. Something had frozen him in place. Clutching a locket in one hand, the other being used to keep it off the ground while it rested on its knees. It removed its hood and looked down at the locket. Déja Vu was nothing, more than coincidence and happenstance, or so he thought. Opening the locket slowly, the cloaked hunter looked down to a picture that appeared to be the exact same woman with crimson hair he saw in the water, In place of crimson, the hair was the color of an empty night sky, ebony. Rather than amber eyes, she had soft purple irises. Her cheeks stained an almost permanate rose color against her pale skin. His head hurt, but his heart screamed out in agony. Something was not right, and right now, he could no more move than he could figure out what was wrong.