Jerome
*It had been much too long since Emma had come to a place such as this- the song of the birds in the trees, the chirping of the insects below let her know even without the assistance of her magic that she was home. Her eyes glint with the radiance of the setting sun as she takes off her mask that contains the eye marking on it, leaving it with the shoes that she had worn to her recent performance. The grass feels nice upon her soles, as it usually does.*

*Alongside this, she flicks her hand, summoning a small pigeon to perch on her shoulder, taking their sense of sight over the course of a few moments so she can see the various items around that she would only be able to feel before. These moments remind her of her childhood...*

"It's nice."

*She finishes her thought aloud, beginning to hum along to the tune of the birds above, her focus remaining on pitch and rhythm. Her lute, etched with various childish markings of her past, sits alongside her things, leaned up against a tree.*
Kathleen
*Terrel unfurled the map with his hands, looking around for any notable markings that would suggest he was heading the right way through Prasia. He didn't visit the Dwarven lands often, only having to pass through here every now and then to advance his weaponry. And, having made a quick visit to a blacksmith, he now had to retrace his steps to return to the Beastkin lands. It was amusing with a Silnari of all people heading through either lands. None of the races had a good history with one another, but Terrel didn't care too much. 

With it having grown cold in season, Terrel had changed away from his usual garb into a blue overcoat. The pig mask he typically wore still remained on his face, but other than that his attire seemed to have changed quite a bit. Around his shoulders rested a Furrow, a rodent-like bird. It typically took shelter in his hair, but nowadays the animal felt safe enough to be out in the open. Maybe it was because of the lack of predators around or something. Terrel was never sure. For a while he seemed focus on his task of following the map, only for his attention to be caught by the sound of someone humming distantly. He paused for a while, his bird matching his confused look. Maybe common sense should have told him not to follow some random voice in the forest with his history of finding crazy people out here, but he had to admit, he was curious at times. 

He began to follow it, the noise gradually growing louder in time until past the trees, his gaze had fallen upon the source of it. An Air Macen. How strange to find one out here. Terrel would have at least figured it to be a Dwarf or maybe a strange animal of sorts. He found himself listening for a while, the sound reminding him of a woman he once met in the outskirts of Salvania.*
Jerome
*The various birds and animals that by this point had gathered around the Air Macen begin dispersing soon after hearing hearing the Silnari approach, Emma's mind filled with indistinct chatter that basically surmounted to 'scary'... Though in the pigeon's vision that had been perched on her shoulder, he didn't seem that bad. It was unlike the people around the capital to venture into the wilds without having a clear destination, so they were obviously not from around here. How odd.*

*After a brief moment of contemplation and silence, she turns her head towards the one that had disturbed her song, milky and murky eyes gazing at them as the pigeon takes off and lands in a nearby tree, watching the coming exchange. Perhaps this was someone similar to her, as evidenced from the Furrow on their shoulder.*

"Hello. It is not often that people come out here, especially not foreigners. They usually stick to the paths, however long and winding they may be. I'm usually alone out here. A nice change of pace, I suppose."

*She smiles gently, the soothing evening rays reflecting off of her eyes. They would probably be beautiful, if not for the fact that they were obviously vestigial in nature.*
Kathleen
*Terrel's gaze shifted as the animals all seemed to suddenly vanish away in his presence. Seemed like he crashed whatever gathering they were having. It was true that him and the Macen may have one thing in common. Terrel was rather fond of some animals. Even having quite a few pets at home. Hearing the woman's sudden greeting, he figured that he might as well join her in the clearing, not realizing he had been staring up to the point of the animals leaving. 

She had mentioned something about foreigners which was strange as he wouldn't have expected her to anything else.*"You're... From around here...?"*He eventually asked. His voice was rather low in tempo as was typical of a Fricharii. It had been some time since he had really spoken to anyone with all the traveling he was doing, so this was a nice change of pace. Terrel finally looked back at her, only now meeting her gaze and noticing the blankness of her eyes. He couldn't help himself from half-consciously waving his hand to and fro in front himself, as if testing the idea of her actually being able to see him.*
Jerome
*The Air Macen looks at the soil beneath her, sighing slighly.*

"Everyone always does that when they find out I'm blind. It's humorous at this point."

*Emma chuckles at the hand gesture, copying it somewhat well, her other hand touching the ground as she whispers something under her breath, as if speaking to the earth itself. Her eyes quickly land back on Terrel, peering into his eyes.*

"And yes, I'm from around here. My name is Emma."

*Now that Terrel looks at her, she isn't actually looking at his eyes as it had first appeared. She is looking at him, yes, but there is something off about it, as every time she would look back, her eyes would land in a different place, sometimes at the forehead, others at the eyes. Such an occurrence takes place soon after, as she stands, looking down to brush herself off before her gaze lands somewhere near the eyes, though not quite.*

"What brings you to this batch of Nature?"
Kathleen
"Right-."*He said, lowering his hand at her confirmation.*"You seem to see awfully well for someone who is. Well sort of."*He let out a light chuckle at her response.*"Name's Terrel. Mainly passing through here before realizing that someone else was around."*Maybe she was one of those nature mages, though if that was the case, hopefully this encounter wouldn't end similar to another one he knew. It didn't go the best to say the least.*"Granted the wise idea would have been to turn the other way, but I've been walking for long enough as is. I'm guessing you just come out here for the sake of it?"
Jerome
"I am only well due to my efforts, as most others typically work to try and be."

*A few of the smaller animals peeks their heads out of the grass, warily looking at Terrel for a few moments before crawling over to the lute laying against the tree and transporting it over to Emma, before doing the same with the mask. She dons the mask, a singular eye taking up the top half of the mask that glows for a moment as it is worn, the pigeon that was in the tree disappearing at the wave of a hand. The wooden mask itself covers the top half of the Macen's face, leaving only her mouth exposed as she continues:*

"It's for the sake of these little ones as well as myself. After all, no one comes out here of my kind to be their friend, especially since many of them live in other nations. They have light in their hearts, wishing to be spread, untainted by expectations and other such constructions. My music is a vehicle for such light to be spread. You could call it a faith, even, though I seem to be the only one that believes in it that I've met."

*Her head shakes slightly, before her head turns to the animals, kissing each of them on the head and whispering thanks after they begin climbing on her, squeaking happily. One of them makes a bed on her head, making the now masked woman look silly. After all, they like hearing her sing, what is the best place to hear but as close as possible?*

"Would you like to hear a song? You may have heard it if you were in the capital at any point, as I perform there often."
Kathleen
*Terrel watched the animals cautiously make their way back over to her, returning her stuff with as much organization as would take weeks of training with his wolves. The world had its wonder though and each day he was met with something new.*"Out of simplicity, I'll call it faith... Like the magic type."*He said in response. Although he was a magic-less Silnari, he retained some memory from the book he had glimpsed through before a Lathian had taken it away. Only recently had he learned that there was a nature type unlike the ones he used to study, ones that allowed people to communicate with animals. He wondered if she was similar. She did give him the same weird vibes if anything, but nothing seemed too psychotic of her just yet.*

"I don't travel to the Capitol often unless I'm upgrading my weaponry or passing through."*He told her, glancing out into the forest before finally deciding to fold up his map and tuck it away for the time being. Terrel was sure he could find his way back to town later.*"Sure, I'll listen."*He eventually said, coming to take a seat in figuring the animals would find it more passive of him being closer at their level. At least his Furrow seemed comfortable enough in his company despite their history. The bird chittered at the other animals as thy moved about, clinging to the Silnari's locks of hair to not risk falling away from his shelter.*
Jerome
*After receiving the affirmation from Terrel, she moves down once again, first onto her knees and then sitting sideways, letting the various woodland creatures nuzzle up against her. The Macen grabs her lute, playing a note across the entirety, messing around with the fret board for tuning before inhaling deeply. A smile spreads across her face as she sets the base of the lute onto her right knee. Though unseen behind the mask, she closes her eyes, taking in the surroundings through her other senses... Before beginning. At first it's quiet, but slowly gains volume over the course of her playing, as if the leaves were magnifying her sound, though never uncomfortably. She decides not to sing for now, simply playing a song she had learned whilst in the bardic college, more animals coming and laying their heads down peacefully nearby as she continues, some even nuzzling up to Terrel as he listens.*
Kathleen
*Terrel listened to the tune for a while, watching as the woman strummed away in what peace she felt while playing that Terrel did not. It wasn't long before he had grown distracted as more and more animals began to appear in the clearing, drawing his attention away from their attraction to the song. He never seen song used as magic before. It was magic wasn't it? Most wild animals would stray away at the first sign of a person roaming about if not try to attack outright.*"Do... A bunch of forest animals typically come to listen whenever you play...?"*He asked in a softer tone, aware of all the animals surrounding him.*
Jerome
"They can understand me, through my music especially. Each individual has their own personality. For example, the grass likes when I play the lute more, but the birds adore when I sing along with them. The wilds were my first friend, after all. Though they may be simple, they are pure."

*During this, she finishes the song, changing the tuning once again before flicking her hand, a pigeon appearing on it. It flies onto her shoulder, whistling a bit as she plays a scale, letting the bird accustom itself. She turns to the other birds in the trees, smiling widely.*

"Would you like to join in? I need at least four of you. My close friend here will lead you all."

*A few of the fliers join her, perching on her shoulder alongside the summoned one. It would be a few moments, but the summoned pigeon begins whistling a tune and they begin following in suit, as if they are practicing.*

"Give them a moment, then we can do another."
Kathleen
*Yep, she was definitely one of those weird nature people. Maybe if he sat still enough the animals wouldn't all react to him suddenly. It was always hard to tell the unpredictability of animals and those that have some form of control over them. He didn't say anything though, simply watching as the pigeon was summoned again and started creating a tune for the other birds to follow. His furrow attempted to chitter along for a bit before eventually giving up and listening instead.*"Did you grow up in the wilds?"*He decided to ask simply while they were tuning themselves up for another song. Terrel had met quite a few outcasts in the woods of Ombu, some wanting to tag along with his group rather than stay. With all the mages that seemed to control the woods these days, he could see why. He wondered if her story was similar or if the blindness simply led her to such. It was like she could see in a away, yet never focusing.*
Jerome
"Something like that. This is one of the favorites among the non-dwarves whenever I see them around."

*After some excited chirping and pecking later, Emma plays a scale, the birds tweeting along with it as she goes through each individual note.*

"Good. Follow my friend's lead, now."

*As such, her fingers begin strumming away after she removes her mask and sets it down next to her, becoming absorbed once again, eyes closed. She enjoyed the breeze when it blew, each breath of the wild coursing through her being as she inhales, the voice of so tempered by her vocal cords and expelled through once the passage gets to where she sings. Those beaked do not join in until the latter half of the song, at the behest of her 'friend'.*
Kathleen
*Terrel went silent once more as they started up a new song. Once again, listening for a short while before his attention faded elsewhere, this time mostly on her as she seemed to be completely in tune with her music.*"Are you a traveling musician?"*He asked.*"I would... Assume not since you're from around here, but I don't typically meet a lot of musicians on the road. And I've met quite a lot on the road..."*That wasn't to list every person individually. Some were pleasant. Some not so much. Perhaps she remained stationed here without much interest of travel, but at the mention of hardly seeing other Macens, it was a wonder if why she didn't visit a neighboring Capitol. Maybe since these creatures couldn't follow, but he began to suspect some to be mere illusions or summons rather.*
Jerome
*This time, the song concludes before she responds, her right hand brushing along the top of the grass next to her as it eventually touches on the mask next to her. Her fingers run along its surface, finding the edge of it so she can actually grab it, placing it awkwardly on her face as the symbol glows briefly once again. It hangs sideways, quickly remedied as she fixes it, now able to see the problem.*

"Ah, there we are. I don't use these guys when I perform typically, only when I'm out in the wilds. Occasionally, if I'm camping with other people, a few of these will come and join in, but here in the forests near the capitol's mountains is where they tend to come in droves."

*Most animals begin dispersing after a bit, since she seemed to be done playing for the time being. A few stuck around, like the birds that helped with the song, still tweeting a tune of their own making. Once she moves to stand, however, they flutter off back into the trees, all except the one that seemed to have been conjured from her gesture earlier, which flies onto her head.*

"And no, I'm not from around here. My origin is towards the outskirts of the Empire, I merely came to learn in the capitol. Now, I have a residence there, from which I travel to different regions in the Empire and share the light with those who would hear it. I haven't been underground yet because it is too expensive, but I hope someday to unite the two regions with song. It's the least I can do for the place that birthed me, after all."
Kathleen
"Well not sure if music has that kind of power, but I suppose we live in a magic world."*With all the animals vanishing away, Terrel finally stood back up from his spot.*"You seem more like a bard of sorts, but they typically travel with a group. I've met one once without one. Never knew what she got up to afterwards."

*He gazed around the forest, drinking in the peace of it for the moment.*"But I can see staying here being much nicer. Traveling has its hardships and yes, monetary need as well."*He admitted. It was hardly much problem for him, though he never lingered in the Dwarven long to full explore it outside of the occasional city. He was sure they had all kinds of underground networks worth visiting. Maybe he'd look into it one day when he wasn't busy.*
Jerome
"Indeed. I am a Bard. I studied in one of their schools for a few years."

*Emma makes her way over to her boots that she had left by the lute and mask previously, slipping her feet into them as she stretches a little bit. A giggle escapes from her as she waves her hand and places down her lute, roots sprouting up to hold her feet in place as she leans forwards to attempt to touch her toes, which she does with some difficulty. She was confident that the Silnari in the pig mask was not hostile, so she felt comfortable doing such a thing.*

"Where's your next destination, if you don't mind me asking?"
Kathleen
"Heading west to the beastkin lands."*He answered while casually watching her.*"Got some business in the Capitol there so I have a lot of traveling ahead of me."*He removed his map from his cloak, slowly unfolding it.*"I was hoping to reach a city somewhere out here by day's end. But things are pretty sparse out in Prasia. Or maybe I simply haven't visited often enough. Could be either one."
Jerome
*The roots retreat back into the ground as Emma completes fussing with the boots, the bird on her head flying up and landing on a nearby branch. She turns, hands behind her back, a warm, gentle smile across her face, like a girl much younger than her age, eyes filled with energy.*

"You're in luck, good sir! This forest is on the outskirts of the capital city, Esvoduko. I can lead you there, if you like. I can also vouch for you should anything come up; it's the least I can do for someone who bathed in the origin of the light with me. No one else comes out here, on purpose or by accident."

*She hums to herself happily as she awaits Terrel's response. To be excited over something like this... She was a lonely girl. Who could blame her, for she has to keep her true visage behind a mask and could never see the world through her own eyes? The Macen herself was unsure why she was feeling so elated.*
Kathleen
"What would come up...?"*He said in a softer yet confused tone. Terrel hadn't encountered any trouble before passing through the region. Most typically seemed rather pleasant at any rate. He looked over to her, seeing that she was looking to lead him. Some would consider it common sense not to follow a blind person. Then again, when has he ever followed that when it was inconvenient for him?*"You sure you know where to go?"*He questioned.*
Jerome
"I sure do! It'll take a few hours by foot, but I can fix that. You know how to ride a horse, right?"

*Emma flicks her hand as the bird disappears, in its place two draft horses nearby her after a few seconds and a short incantation under her breath that seemed to be in Menti rather than the common language. Her smile stays as she turns and prances over to one of them, stroking them on the neck. It had been a while since she had used this incantation in particular since she has a pair of actual horses at home, but she thought it would be more convenient if they left on horseback. Her head turns back towards Terrel:*

"I hope you do."
Kathleen
"Been riding them all my life."*He said with a grin, watching as she summoned the pair. He had a few horses of his own, though they were all the way across the country.*"You're really good at this nature magic aren't you?"*Terrel couldn't recall seeing many summoners as far mages went, only the occasional one that had the capabilities of creating a quick Mount. Though it seemed as if she were summoning every animal in the forest. Which was a first as far as he could recall. He approached one of the mounts, offering his hand to give them a light stroke. Terrel didn't have many treats to give, but it was a wonder if the horses needed them at all.*
Jerome
"This is but a simple application, from my knowledge."

*Emma, whilst making contact with her mount, makes a connection with it, a slight spark between them as it squats down a little to let her on. She seems to jump on, not really afraid of missing the mark and falling: she was quite agile as well. She was actually inexperienced in riding, but her connection with the animals let her bypass that significantly since she could connect directly with them and talk with them, especially those that she summons.*

*The horse Terrel strokes gives a light neigh as it flinches away for a moment, before allowing the hand to touch it, a breeze rushing in all the while to cool off those present.*

"Well, if we make a decent pace, we'll be able to get there sooner. I usually just walk, but I also don't usually have someone with me."
Kathleen
"Wouldn't horse travel still be better considering the horses can at least se-"*He decided to cut himself off there, figuring the woman has shown herself to be abled enough to not be the brunt of every blind comment. With the horse's nervous acceptance, he cautiously mounted up on the animal and gave it a tap in its side with his foot to get them to turn.*"Alright, which way?"*He asked her instead.*
Jerome
*Emma points a direction almost immediately: directly in front of her. It seemed that she had summoned the horses facing that direction. The horses themselves are rather docile in comparison to most other horses, likely because they are linked to their contractor. She sighs, laying down on the back of her horse, a small flash of light as a set of roots come up from the ground and tie her to the horse, rooting her in place, after which she goes limp, the horse summon seeming to have much more vigor than before. From those knowledgeable, she had taken control of the horse. As such, the horse with the woman on it takes off towards the distance at a brisk pace, their eyes a hazy white like their owner, though much more brilliant in color.*
Kathleen
*Terrel watched her with a much more perplexed expression as she had gone limp and summoned the roots to tie her down. He did the waving motion again, though it seemed like she didn't give much response before the horse suddenly trotted off on its own. Strange. Had he understood this level of magic, perhaps he could have piece together that she was in full control of the horse now, but that much had never been taught to him before. If anything, it looked like a dangerous and ridiculous way of riding a horse, but he didn't have much else to do except to follow. Tapping on his horse, he got it to follow hers and soon setting off towards Esvoduko.*