Chuck
*'A nearby town?' Juna had almost let out a sigh of relief that she could at least do that. Though she hesitated. If she were to agree to help, she'd have to find some way to guide the Macen out of the forest without her knowing of the Canifor's location. The forest was thick enough, but Juna didn't trust the idea that a simple falter of step wouldn't be the key factor that lead to her whole 'lady of the forest' story being proved false. She was just a simple Canifor Huntress after all.

There was a noticeable moment of her not speaking as she quickly racked her thoughts of how she could help this poor lady. She didn't seem at all prepared for true combat, but Juna knew how much damage a cornered prey can do and she didn't want to risk her giving a reason to want to attack. Maybe she can send a guide, yes that's right Juna can summon some sort a guide to help show her the way. 'Spirit Wolves' Juna thought, remembering the spell. She knew she'd need to stall a bit before they could be summoned, so she began to get to work.

Closing her eyes, she scrunched up her face in concentration as three circles began to form atop the branch she sat hidden on. Soon enough the wolves will appear, but for now Juna could at least get the Macen heading in the right direction.*

"There are two civilizations nearby..."*She spoke casting out her memory of the towns around here that she had went by when coming to search this forest with its prey after a long trip from Salvania.*

"One is a capitol, very large and maze-like... It can be hard to navigate, but may carry the library you wish to seek... The other is a more small Capitol located upon a river... Probably a good place to get rest from your long journey..." *Two options, Juna gave her as the rings in front of the Canifor took its time to summon the wolves. At least with this, she'll have enough time to summon a wolf guide to her aid without being seen.*
Sara
*For a brief moment, Bella couldn't help but to feel a little suspicious at the absence of sound that had come out of the 'Lady of the Forest' despite her offer. For a woman who was quite possibility a hidden apparition, a spirit holding great power... She wasn't the most focused on conversation.*

*That was when she noticed the wolves that appeared before her, gasping quietly before taking a cautious step back, as not to alert the wolves who were slowly approaching her.* "Good heavens... Creating animal-like beings out of plain magic... Incredible." *She couldn't help but to compliment, although she didn't want to take any chances. In the darkness of the night, she wanted to get out of the place as soon as possible... But that was when the opportunity of a choice had made itself present.*

"Two civilizations... Well, both sound like promising places but..." *Bella knew all too well what the risk could have been if she decided to stay in the forest any longer to go to the otherwise maze-like capitol that Juna had explained. Judging from the information, the one near the river was the best bet, and it would have been a good place for Bella to get some fresh river water along the way just in case.*

"So be it. I will make my presence for you as short as it can possibly be, and I'll ask that I can be guided to the smaller Capitol. I don't believe I am pressed for time on a matter like this, aside for my own survival."
Chuck
*Juna kept herself pressed against the trunk of the tree for the time being as Bella was making her choice. With the wolves she could go more undetected, but she'd still need to travel alongside them to tell them where to go. The Canifor dug her claws into the bark of the tree, readying herself for tree-traveling. She didn't do it all the time, but Juna could at least make sure that she only traveled along the strongest branches that she could see in the dark. 


Down below, the three wolves that formed in front of the Macen sat still as if waiting instruction. Despite taking on the appearance of an average grey wolf, there was still a more spiritual magic hidden beneath, at least where the spell had come into play. Juna turned to look out towards where the river town was. From her high vantage in the trees, it wasn't too hard to catch sight of the water glimmering with its moonlit surface. Turaulon, time to head towards it. Juna closed her eyes, concentrating as she began directing the wolves where to go in silent instruction. The wolves faced the direction the Capitol was in. One wolf began to walk on ahead while the other two sat back by the Macen's side.*

"Use the wolves to guide you..." *Juna said in her calm 'lady of the forest' voice.* "They will take you to the river Capitol..."
Sara
*Watching as the wolves slowly made a makeshift convey - with them as the guards and her as the 'precious cargo' of sorts, Bella couldn't help but to be intrigued by these spiritual beasts and their loyal behavior. It only made her feel the more secure as she began to travel along, following the wolf in front of her and using her keen night vision to allow her to see what has head to some extent.*

*Yet as she walked, the caution that was ever-present with Bella remained. Just because she now had something to protect her didn't mean that she was out of the woods, and her ability to sense magic was otherwise dulled by the presence of the spiritual wolves that were around her person. She didn't want to show her ritual dagger once again at the sight of danger, but as soon as something dared prey on her, Bella knew all too well that it was time to run away.*

*As a result, all that she could trust was that of which she sensed with her eyes and her ears... Both of which were filled with perplexing new sights and sounds that otherwise were typically new for the sheltered apothecary.*
Chuck
*Juna began to walk across the branch, moving on fours so as to retain her grip on it. All the while, down below the wolves moved almost in sync, making their way through the overgrowth with ease. Occasionally there was the absent rustling of something else within the forest, maybe prey, maybe even her Jackal. Juna kept the second thought in mind with the knowledge that Jace wouldn't be far away. At least he could follow their scents, he could even be flanking them at the moment somewhere within the large grasses and weeds of the forest. Juna simply hoped he didn't suddenly jump out at the group. The wolves could at least give him hesitation, but she could never be sure with her pet.

The further they progressed in the dark forest, the more she had become aware of the silence passing between them. Maybe the Macen was taking it all in or maybe she figured the 'lady of the forest' had already vanished or whatever it was the lady of the forest did. Juna wasn't quite sure herself, more surprised by the impromptu in it all. As she traveled along the branches, she moved rather swiftly, occasionally stopping to make sure the wolves and Macen were getting on fine without any disturbances the forest may throw at them. Seeing nothing in sight, the Canifor began to relax a bit.*
Sara
*It was that lack of silence from the 'Lady of the Forest' that had made Bella raise an eyebrow, the same silence of which Juna was aware of. All of a sudden, Bella spoke up, her head turning from left to right as she began to look around as she heard the rustling in the area surrounding her.*

"So, Lady of the Forest... Since you clearly must be one who understands a lot of this region, do you perhaps understand what is making that noise? Or perhaps it is for the best that you warn us beforehand. I appreciate the protection, however to say that you're doing everything in your power to aid me feels rather doubtful, to say the least. But I mean no offense, once again, I can not understate how much I am indebted to your help."
Chuck
*Juna kept herself relaxed as she traveled along the branches, listening to the words of the Macen. She had to appear that she knew what she was talking about, though spending most of her time in the forest it wouldn't be that hard to explain the noises that a forest makes. 'The noises that the forest makes.' She thinks to herself as she continued. That could serve as explanation. Juna smiled, taking on the role that she had made up herself. She was the lady of the forest, she knew the forest like the back of her hand.*

"Worry not... The forest only speaks to you..." *Juna said with a glimmer in her eyes at what she was able to come up with.* "The creatures of the night are restless, but they are not the ones to fear..."

*Juna hoped that much was true, she's already had encounters with viscous creatures though most of the time they were only viscous because she had either tried fighting them or they were under control of some sorts.*

"Show calm and carry it with you... The forest can sense your emotions as can those that inhabit it..." *Juna didn't mind the suspicion that Bella probably had with her, Juna was just a makeshift being in the forest, but perhaps she could take her own advice and carry a sense of calm with herself. Being a pet owner, she's learned that they matched whatever emotion she gave off and in some cases Macen's weren't so different.*
Sara
*The more that Juna explained some relatively interested context about how one's emotions needed to be kept in check at all times for the sake of one's safety within such a winding and cluttered location such as a forest, where one could easily lose sense of their bearings if they were inexperienced or careless... The more that Bella visibly appeared calm to the eyes of the spirit wolves which had escorted her across.*

*To her, the information was downright interesting, something that she never had heard of even within the darkest reaches of her family library... And new knowledge was always an exciting prospect, as much as Bella was personally used to having her knowledge appear in the form of the written word.*

"So, do you find the job being the 'Lady of the Forest' as a meaningful task?" *Bella spoke once more, her voice seemingly more pleasant than it had ever been during their interaction.* "It is quite interesting to think that you may have spent so long as... Whoever you may be. As for myself, this is in fact the first time I've found myself in such an environment... Let alone anywhere outside of my home. You could say that my life was rather enclosed on my studies rather than the outside world... But this reminds me that this was what my sister was often doing while I was reading... Not to say that it is **Very** Clearly a dangerous place regardless of her enjoyment."
Chuck
*At Bella's question, Juna found herself saying in her head: 'Well I've only just gotten this job a few minutes ago, how about you?' Juna knew better than to actually respond with that, but the thought did amuse her. She listened to Bella for a while longer, letting her get all her words out before finally responding.*

"It is only as meaningful as those that care to see it..." *She says.* "Not many seek my guidance, but those who find it may take meaning in my assistanc..." 

*Juna crept down onto another branch that grew short of the one she was on, making her way more easily through the treetops than those having to brush through the shrubbery below. There were moments when she had to wait for them to catch up so as not to lose sync with them before continuing once more. 

Listening to Bella speak about her life before coming here, Juna couldn't find much relation in. Bella stayed enclosed in a life of studies, while Juna spent her time playing in the woods and learning to hunt. Bella had a sister, Juna never had a sister, at least not one that she's known about with her limited knowledge of her real family. She began to reflect a bit from the realization on their differences, but shaking it off she continued:*

"The world holds many dangers only to those who lack the knowledge to face it... You speak of studying much, but that can hold little to actually experiencing it..." *Juna figured that was obvious enough with how their earlier encounter had gone. Bella scrambling to draw a weapon out on nothing as far as she can tell. Sure, she could still try attacking the wolves, but without knowing where Juna was, the Macen might as well be fighting air itself.*

"Your sister makes daring decisions in the pursuit of enjoyment... What is it that you do for such?"
Sara
"Oh, is that so?" *Bella questioned as she only began to chuckle as well, seeing the humor in Juna's philosophical sentences.* "Then **That** Make sense. But how long you've been here is not a pressing issue. If it is your first time escorting a lady out of the forest, then so far you're doing quite wonderfully, if I say so myself. As of how long I've been working..."

*Bella would suddenly tap a finger to her chin in thought, before she'd raise in slightly in remembrance. At this very moment, she had paid little attention to the various noises of the forest, let alone Juna's presence, instead focusing on the chat between herself and the 'Lady of the Forest', still clearly unaware of who her true identity was.*

"I had inherited the family shop alongside my sister the very day I turned but eighteen years of age. In fact, this would mean that I've been managing it with her for at least nine whole years. The two of us decided to turn it into an apothecary, and as a result, it had always made a tidy sum of silver per day. More importantly, I believe it was what brought my sister and I together... Yes. It was what had brought us together."

*A small frown crept up on Bella's face as she reminded herself of what she had done to her sister just a few days ago. It appeared regretful and guilty in Juna's eyes... But Bella would quickly proceed to shake off that look, feigning a smile once more.*

"In fact... Why I enjoyed the idea of becoming an apothecary was the idea of helping others in my sort of way. I was always someone who was scared of my own shadow, so I tried to learn more of the world, to try and understand why it was so scary to begin with... It drove me away, but when I turned to creating potions... What I put in was what I got... It was magic and science, two brilliant topics, all rolled into one wonderful outcome."
Chuck
*Juna tilted her head a bit to the side at Bella's change in expression. It was obvious that something bothered her, though to Juna's little knowledge of it, she couldn't pinpoint what. The way Bella spoke of becoming an apothecary with her sister seemed to carry some happiness in her words even as she continued on with wanting to learn more of the world. The want to learn more, Juna could at least relate to though she was curious with Bella's method of going about it.*

"Is that why you find yourself here?" *Juna questioned.* "In the middle of a forest, creating enough noise to be heard for miles on end?"

*Part of Juna was thinking that maybe she really was caught going in the wrong direction or maybe she had been looking for herbs of sorts. Either way, Juna couldn't blame her for getting lost out here. If Juna herself was at ground level, it probably would have been harder to navigate the forest herself.*

"Magic is for those of commitment, those who can put every ounce of their being in what they cast... Are you looking to do the same in your search of knowledge?" *It was more so a question of whether or not the Macen was prepared for strain the use of magic can have if unready for it. Like all ways of fighting, it would be a tiring process and though Juna was no expert herself, the overuse of it was always exhausting to her even with the most simplest of spells.*
Sara
*Just for a couple of seconds, Bella had remained silent at Juna's mentioning of why she was in the forest in the first place. It was true that she had gotten lost, and she admittedly didn't even want to be in the forest to begin with. However, there was definitely a reason why she was out in the wide open world having an adventure like this one, even if so far, it wasn't going as she had planned it to go.*

"... No, Lady of the Forest." *Bella suddenly replied as she gripped onto her beautiful skirt just a little tighter in response, trying to hold back her emotions at the thought of what she done, especially after the advice she had received prior about her emotions and fear.*

"I'm afraid that my motive for setting out into something so... So... Dangerous is for a motivation that is not among my own interests. Admittedly... I **Loathe** The idea of throwing myself into such perils like these. When you know a fair amount of the world... You know what it's capable of doing to harm you. It's perhaps why I had stayed in the comforts of my home for so long... I'm scared."

*With one hand still on her skirt, Bella suddenly stopped as she gripped onto her shoulder with her free hand, trying to hold back tears from streaming down her face.*

"Why I'm here... Is as a result of my own foolishness. I drove my sister off in an argument, and now she has disappeared from the face of Ramul Ta... I haven't the slightest idea what has happened but... I **Must** Find her."
Chuck
*Juna paused mid-step as she turned back to look at Bella while she explained her motives for coming out here. At first, Juna simply wanted to shake her head in disappointment as the 'lady of the forest' would have done at the girls' response for not having the commitment towards magic, but as she began to tell her story of how her sister had run away ending with the Water Macen breaking down in tears, Juna quickly fell silent. She didn't mean to make her cry about something in her past and Juna quickly fought the urge to apologize and try to comfort her. No, she was the lady of the forest. She couldn't simply go down there to stop the tears of something long passed. Instead, she clenched her teeth and directed the wolves to stop walking.

Each wolf turned to look at the crying Macen, though they didn't exactly have a look of sympathy to their gaze. The lead wolf walked back to her, giving a small lick to her hand as if to help ease her sorrow. It's what Jace would have done if Juna was lost in such despair and it was all she could have them do to calm the girl. 

Once she had recovered from the initial surprise of it, she finally spoke up:*

"None can stop the tragedies of things long passed... You can only look to what can be done now..." *Juna said whimsically, her mind traveling with her own words.* "You mustn't dwell on the past when there's still a chance of finding her... All it takes is a step at a time..."

*Juna continued, her heat fluttering as she spoke. She never knew her real family, but the one that found her was enough to keep her going. Sure there were times when she missed them and sure even now, she has made her own foolish decisions and may likely continue to do so, but for the time being, Juna didn't mind living in this moment. She was the Lady of the Forest. Here to guide the Water Macen to safety and whether or not the moment last, Juna would enjoy her temporary title in the meantime.*

"Yesterday is history..." *She said quietly.* "Tomorrow is a mystery... But today is a gift... That's why it's called the present..."

*With that, she turned to continue moving along the branches, the city no longer looking so far away, maybe a few minutes walk by now if they kept up progress. She gazed back at the Macen girl, tilting her head towards her in thought from where she sat.*

"How will you spend today...?"
Sara
*In the darkness of the situation at hand, Bella felt herself fall down into her knees as she reached into her bag once again... This time pulling out a cloth to wipe her crying face of it's tears. It was true that there was a chance to find Jasmine again, it was true that there was an opportunity to make things right. And it was true that what was done in the past, was very firmly done - and Bella couldn't change it anymore.*

*Still, the apothecary understood the gravity of the quest that was before her. She just got lost in a forest today, what was going to happen next? Something worse? She wasn't always going to have the 'Lady of the Forest' guiding her to safety. She **Wanted** To help Jasmine, investigate her disappearance and bring her back home to Kadho.*

*... But she had no sense of adventure. She knew all too well about how dangerous the world was.*

"I... I want to try to find her but... Surely you must understand... I am not a powerful warrior, a skilled mage or a silent hunter... I am but a merchant and a lady who studies herbs and creates potions. I wish I was capable of doing so but... If I found myself in danger yet again... I can not rely on you all of the time."

*As she'd explain herself, the lead wolf would in fact approach her licking her hand, which Bella would simply accept... Before she in fact tried to pull the friendly beast into a soft hug.*

"I understand that I've said it before... But it is the truth. I am scared of what may happen..."
Chuck
*The wolf nuzzled the Macen as if she were just a pup while she hugged the beast, the other two that accompanied it simply laying down in response. Juna watched her thoughtfully. She was scared just as the Canifor was when in a close fight situation. To that Juna had a feeling of sympathy.*

"No warrior begins with the skills of combat and not everyone is made for combat..." *Juna looked at her hand, balling it into a tight fist before releasing it once more.* "Everyone has their own strengths... And it's those that learn to utilize said strengths that become a true warrior of themselves..."

*She relaxed on the branch, coming to lay down on it slightly as she watched the young Macen.*

"You want to find her... But how much are you willing to give in order to? How much are you willing to learn about yourself with what lies between now and then?" *This was a question that even Juna couldn't answer for herself for she didn't know what she was looking for. Not the bond between sisterhood that's for sure, for she's never felt one like that. However, maybe there was something else for her out there.*
Sara
*Juna's wise words rung true across Bella's ears as she slowly began to stroke the fur of the spiritual wolf that had proceeded to nuzzle her, her shoulders visibly relaxing as a smile actually managed to creep up to her face once more.*

"You... You are correct. It is true that I am not a warrior and to say that I am flawed as a combatant is but me being honest. I've never even **Tried** To harm somebody deliberately... And I've always preferred not to fight to begin with... And perhaps it is why we've met on good terms, rather than using my fear to fight against anything that in reality didn't mean any harm. Sometimes, it's just better **Not** To fight at all, and resolve our issues through other means."

*She'd then place a hand underneath the chin of one of the other wolves, beginning to gently scratch it.* "... I can't see myself running Gladstone Apothecary on my own. I want my sister to forgive me, to see the woman that I've become is one that she can be happy of. If I have to throw myself in danger just so we can reunite... I'm frightened of danger yet... I'm more afraid of what may be happening to my sister. Even if I may not be able to do much, there must be **Something** I can do, correct?"
Chuck
*Juna gave a grateful nod at Bella's understanding, feeling relieved that she didn't have to further explain the cryptic words that came to her mind.*

"The answer may not always be clear... But with enough faith, you'll find a way to get your sister back. There will be others out there to teach you, even more that can help you more than I." *Juna concluded with a dip of acknowledgement that this was all just an act and she was still nothing more than a huntress.* "Find those worth your trust and your little quest will become easier... Find those untrustworthy and feign caution. You'll know what to do when a situation presents itself... Just have faith in your capabilities... In who you are... And others just may believe in you as well..."

*Juna gave a small wink, naught to be seen but it was in indication to who the Macen believed she was over who she truly was.* "Come now... The Capitol draws near... And with it, a place to rest."
Sara
*Bella felt the faith that she had placed within herself grow a little upon the short, yet still effectively inspiring, speech that she had explained. It was all true. She wasn't always going to be on her own, and as much as she knew that she couldn't always rely on others, Bella still understood that with a friend, her burden could at least be relieved a little. She just needed to take that first step.*

"You're correct... But I think there is one other thing that I need to do on this journey as well." *Bella suddenly mentioned, as she pulled herself up from the ground, and then proceeded to brush off some of the grass and dirt from her otherwise long skirt.* "I should be improving my skills as an alchemist as well. My sister always was the one to gather the ingredients while I was the one with the magical experience... Perhaps dipping my toes a little into making new potions sounds like quite the interesting endeavor. And as such, it may lead into me stumbling into you again. But I promise, it will not out of disdain for those who inhabit these lands, but rather to continue helping others out. Just because I am far away from home doesn't mean that I should no longer maintain my duties, much like you're maintaining your own this very moment."
Chuck
*Juna dipped her head in acceptance. The forest was for everyone, at least those who don't wish to outright destroy it.*

"Take whatever you need from the forest, nothing more." *She stated. It was always the one rule the Canifor went by whenever hunting. She would simply hunt enough to provide food for her and her Jackal and anything spare she'd simply sell to the rest. Juna didn't know much alchemy herself to know what ingredients Bella was talking about, but she was at least aware of the few plants and herbs that carried healing prowess to themselves.

Juna was glad that Bella can see to it that she best take her of herself no matter what that survival may entail and in response, Juna says:*

"I look forward to the day we shall meet once again. I'm sure by then, you will obtain skills unlike anything you can imagine currently."
Sara
"As do I." *Bella responded as she emerged out from a thick covering of trees to notice something that was otherwise her goal, at least for the night.*

*Civilisation, or to be more specific, the minor nation of Turaulon.*

"But listen, for this to be the start of my adventure, I'm glad to realize that this may not be as worrisome as I had first thought. Well, of course there will be adversity, but it isn't an adventure without one. All of those things said and done... It has been an honor to meet you, and I sincerely do hope that one day, we will meet again, the two of us better ladies as a result."
Chuck
*As Bella emerged to the town just beyond, the three wolves slowly began to fade from view. Only the small glimmerings of light signified that they were once there. Juna crept along the branch before finding a comfortable place to sit where she could see the city just before them as well as keep Bella in view.*

*With a smile, she says:* "It was nice to meet you too... I wish you luck on your journey young traveler..." 

*Part of Juna doubted that they would encounter one another and even if they did, chances where they wouldn't recognize one or the other. After all they had never given their true identities, but maybe there was a small chance that they would know, even if it ages passed. Maybe.*