The next day, Fay was woken up early by the cries of two girls running around and a boy trying to calm them down.
He sat up, hair a ss, and hurriedly reached for his new charm, now hanging around his neck.
"Mira, what's happening?" Fay asked the one he knew would answer him best.
Mira, having been called out, suddenly stopped, causing Rina to crash into her.
"She… she tried to steal Jiggs! I don't want that!" his little sister cried out.
Fay, rubbing his eyes to clear his vision, saw the small sli creature being crushed against Mira's chest.
"It's fine, Mira. She can't steal it. Just show it to her. It's your sli—she won't be able to take it," Fay said with a loud yawn as he began getting up.
He glanced at the boy nad Tomo, who had looked confused earlier but now seed calr.
"Next ti, try to calm them down… ugh, Tomo?"
The boy nodded in response, seeming to understand.
"Good. Now let's get ready. We need to head out and eat—I think there should be so leftovers."
Fay, seeing that at least the kids were decently dressed, hurried to keep up with their pace.
Within a few short minutes, they were outside. Despite partying heavily the night before, the Ravari were already up and about—cleaning, working, setting up their new work areas.
Fay greeted each one he passed. He saw Sihra with the other tanners, setting up racks.
Even if they didn't have much leather yet, they were already thinking about the best place to organize their tools.
[Little hunter! Please bring back lots of skins—we need more clothes for the tribe!]
Fay waved back to her. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Kimya—far enough to hide from her, but not from Fay's sight.
"Don't worry, I'll go hunting soon, so please wait for to return!" Fay called out. He didn't mind whether it was hide or leaf-made clothing—he just wanted sothing new for Mira.
As he approached the food area, he noticed several Eluwyn still helping out. Among them was the young one with leafy green braids. She seed to be around his age, though Fay knew better than to judge them by appearance.
At least she still behaved sowhat like a teenager.
[Hey there, I ca personally to bring food for the kids. You see, they shouldn't eat the sa as the adults—this is their food.]
The young girl carried a bag made of stitched leaves. It looked just as sturdy as leather—sothing Fay quietly envied but didn't say aloud.
Inside were the sa stead dumplings he had seen the day before, only these were much smaller, more carefully shaped to fit a child's hand, and made with a firr consistency to avoid breaking when handled.
Fay gulped, eyeing the food, but noticed there were only three—at least at first.
[I know, you look like you want so too. Don't worry. As thanks for helping us with the kids, I brought you a portion as well. I'm not sure if it's the best—I made it myself—but I hope you can overlook that if it's not...]
She cleared her throat lightly and handed him a wrapped leaf slightly larger than the ones given to the children.
"It's fine. If it's food, it's always fine!"
Fay didn't stand on ceremony. He sat beside Mira and began eating. The girl who had made the food seed to wait expectantly for his reaction and took a seat next to the two kids. It looked like they had grown close to her during their ti in Yllasei Village, ho of the Eluwyn high among the trees, because they imdiately started talking to her.
As Fay dug in, he made sure to savor every bite—the food was truly good. He doubted it was the girl's first ti cooking.
"Best food I've had—thank you," Fay said after finishing his al.
He found himself watching the elf girl play with the kids. Even Mira, who had already finished eating, waited patiently for her turn as they played a clapping ga that required various rhythmic patterns.
[That's good to hear. Just know I won't be doing it often, so I hope you're full. Now then, we also brought clothes for your sister. We'll need to try them on—I'll help with that if needed, just to check the fit.]
Fay noticed a few dresses made from the sa material that the other children wore.
"That's great! I was just about to ask Elaruîn for one. Thank you. Please, let know if there's anything else you need help with—you really know how to reward people!"
Fay gave a slight bow, but the girl gently stopped him.
[Relax, hunter. I know you'll be going with my grandfather to help find the beast. He sees potential in you, and that's enough for . But at least tell your na. I don't want to keep calling you 'little hunter' like everyone else does.]
Fay straightened up and almost facepald—he had completely forgotten to introduce himself properly.
"Sorry about that. Well, I'm Fay—Fay Elwood. And this is my sister, Mira Elwood."
Hearing her na, Mira perked up and raised her hand enthusiastically.
[That's a lovely na, Mira. As for mine, it's Selûne, granddaughter of our Chief Elaruîn. It's a pleasure to et you.]
Fay was about to say more when he spotted Horin in her hunting attire. She glanced at him and the girl—then quickly turned away. He noticed her head toward a nearby table in a hurry.
"Did your grandfather say when we'll start the hunt? I want to begin early so nothing goes wrong. I think he ntioned he was going to teach a few more things before then… like how to manage my beasts better or sothing?"
Fay asked, though part of his attention remained on Horin, who had just picked up a portion of food and was now trying to rush out of the area.
[Oh, uh… he should be with the leader of the Ravari. You should be able to find them nearby. Well then, I'll take the kids and work on the clothes. It seems you'll be busy, Fay… I hope you don't run into danger during the hunt.]
Fay dusted himself off and gave a small nod. He watched as the girl and the children made their way back to the tent. They had clearly grown attached to her, especially Mira and Rina, who were each clinging to one of her hands.
"Well then… let's get started."
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