Aruna

Pottery will be the next skill to learn.

My mentor is an eccentric man.
He hopes to revive the dead.
I seek to put them to rest.

I was reminded some time ago about certain rituals we observed before we were forced to flee.
Since then, I’ve taken to studying another world’s alchemy under a mentor.
It’s simple chemistry, I’ve found, with elements of magical properties. Aetherology, it’s called.

And I thank you for it.
Multiple avenues for sustainable food has been invaluable. I suspect the only thing which would pose a detriment to our continued survival now is losing the ability to travel.
But you and the others we’ve endeared ourselves to would no doubt find a way to remedy even that.

Whether the loss of our kind and thirteen years of purgatory was worth this peace, I cannot, will not, say.
Neither will I contemplate the hypotheticals.
What is done is done, where we are now is where we will stay. I will see to it that it is so.

I expected to fizzle out quietly in the cold recesses of space.
I expected to see the last of everything I held dear one day lay his head down and never lift it again.
Instead he greets me with a smile every morning. Instead I see him eat his fill every evening.
Unimaginable.

He’s gotten somewhat… round.
Odd for a species previously so sharp around the edges.
I welcome it.

The overabundance of silks accumulating in our den bespeaks Ino’s remarkable health these days.
Never thought he or I would live to see it.

No objections.

To start. But over time I see no reason why we couldn’t eventually do all.

An invitation to these activities would be extended to Xenolith and Joris, should you wish.
They are our family too.

I imagine Ino may also be keen to teach you and Shadow how to make dyes for silks.
And there is ever our garden and Pokemon to tend to.
Chores to you, perhaps. I would understand if that were the case.

I won’t speak for my son, but Ino and I wouldn’t be opposed. And if they happen to be something we can enjoy, all the better.
If you speak of cultural activities we may all do together, then I might suggest the procurement of materials for and making of our incense.

Easily arranged. So I would hope.

It has been a while. Tensions were too high with those creatures lurking about.
Be nice to get back out and do things as a family again.

It won’t bother me. I’ve dealt with worse. That’s what the bathhouse is for.

Doubt he would mind.
If we’re going to get that dirty, it’ll have to wait until after we’ve had time to wash off, though.

Always open to more productive variety.
If not for the guarantee he would have a fit about the dirt getting in his fur, I would bring Ino along. He can try them after we return.

Potential means of cultivation’s already on my mind, on the off chance they’re a viable option to make drinks out of without being a hit to our nutrition. A cave’s not too different from a mine. Chances are, we could grow them at home.
But one thing at a time.

Got it. I’ll make sure Ino’s aware of the possibility.
These berries hard to find in quantity?

Tuesday works for me. This a multi-day thing?

Sure. Day?

Contour matters most. User can always wear gloves if texture’s causing abrasions over time.
Next time we meet, I’ll let you get a measurement of my hands. Won’t be universal, but you’ll have a starting point for anything with my hand shape.

Wider grips. Your human digits are slimmer compared to mine. The handles of tools never account for broader finger pads, and add too narrow and too many segmentations; Three digits and a thumb compared to your four+one.

Imagine my surprise, seeing a notification from here. Might’ve forgotten about it.
This year’s been busy. Too much being said over text or not at all, if not on a call.

Shoot.

Sunday it is, then.

Ino made a friend in the forest, but didn’t catch it.
So be it. We move on.

I doubt we’ll stay here long.
Glimwood Tangle and the Crowned Tundra both have a sense of uncanny about them.
Too dark, too bright.
We weren’t built for the snow.

Cold here.
Blinding compared to the forest we were just in.