Nathaniel
It was a warm day in Huiruor. The cries of eagles and the rustling of the undergrowth disturbed the forest's peace and tranquility, not that such things were unwelcome. There was something unnatural about true silence; the world was not crafted in such a way to be devoid of noise, in all its chaos and discord. There was just something about the empty noise that made you feel like but an observer, as if the world was going on around you, regardless of your choices and decisions. Such meaninglessness was freeing.

A horse's hooves broke through this silence, as the wooden man on its back hummed. This wooden man was a stranger to this forest, from an even stranger land, where such sights were as alien as he. Yet he felt weirdly at home, surrounded by his unliving cousins. His song was one of his people, learned many years ago. Music and company were all that carried him through those trying times, many years ago. Now he only had the former.

The man-thing, who had claimed the name Gambir, approached a lake, vast and blue. Many herbs and reeds dotted the banks, like little forests of their own, and dragonflies and bees flew around the flowers and plants. He had once prowled such banks for ingredients, but that was many days ago, in a distant land.

Gambir dismounted the steed on lead it to the bank of the river, where he procured a stake from its satchel and planted it in the ground, wrapping its reigns around it. The horse began to drink and eat of the rich grass, succulent and of a darkest green. Gambir doffed his large robe and clothing, stripping himself almost bare, bar his hat and cloth that kept his modesty. Even though he was alone, he would not allow the woodland creatures, of which he could converse, to an awkward sight. He looked up and soaked in the sun, before he waddled past the reeds and into the shallow water, where he sat.

A large gash spread from the oaken man's neck to waist, as if a large blade had torn him asunder, along with many scars of a lesser seriousness. Many pink flowers were spread across his body, small but vibrant, many coming off his head and shoulders where they could best reach the light. His eyes were yellow and large, sparkling with the light of the desert sun, as he blankly stared out into the horizon, past the trees and the water and the mountains, to visions of home now lost.
Allen
It was a quiet day in the forests. Well, every day in the Outskirts was quiet if Mimi had any say over it, but today especially so. There was barely anyone around due to the upcoming winter, which left the few roaming the forest almost bored. And yet Mimi was there, at the center of it all... Drifting slowly on the surface of a lake, if a person was close enough, she appeared dead. She had made her thoughts on this clear: If she was tasked to do something by her master, she would try to accomplish it. Or go home. But that last option held no meaning, as she needed to find the herbs first..

Mimi situated herself floating on the lake's surface, her eyes scanning the sandy floor in an attempt to find the underwater herb. She drifted in a manner so practiced it looked mechanical, or it would've were it not for her usual elegance.
Nathaniel
It was only then that Gambir noticed a splotch in the water, distracting him from his daydreams. He had quickly passed it off as a mirage, one of the many he had seen in his life. Yet, he was well-hydrated, well-fed, and the sun did not bare down on the land enough to cause such an illusion. His eyes adjusted and peered forwards at this misshapen lump. It was almost humanoid in shape, yet blue and almost translucent. What could it be? Some creature of the lake, perhaps? Not an animal, not a man. Oh! How could he be so blind?

"GREETINGS, NAIAD, GUARDIAN AND SPIRIT OF THE LAKE! I MEAN THEE NO HARM!"

Gambir raised his arm and waved at the thing, his limb long and slender and green, his wooden stretching to the sky. His voice was booming and rough, yet his words were pronounced elegantly.

"I DO HOPE I DID NOT ENCROACH ON THY MOST SACRED GROUND! I MERELY WISHED TO BATHE IN THESE WATERS AND CLEANSE MYSELF! CAN THOU HEAR ME ADEQUATELY?"

The plant man was more than loud enough. Perhaps not loud enough to pierce the surface of the water, but his voice echoed on the realm of the land, disturbing a number of birds that simply wished to rest. He had heard of naiads, water spirits, in the words and folklore-tomes of tavern dwellers nearby. Perhaps the Great White Sea even had its own? There were stories of guardian spirits amongst his folk, perhaps they were of such creatures?
Allen
The Uzhi would raise her head from the surface of the water, the jellyfish on her head deflated. Mimi watched his body language, unflinching. She didn't make a physical move to approach him nor move from her position. She stood, her back straight and expression cheerful yet reserved. Her dress flowed beautifully down her frame in the water, where the hem almost reached to brush against the lake floor.

"Mimi says your loud... Why?" *She questioned in a tone as neutral as her gaze. She was quiet while speaking in the forests, but her voice was clear and words carefully paced so her intention could still be made out easily. One may wonder why she didn't want to answer his question; Maybe she really was just a confused person behind that mask, or maybe she wanted to keep a secret from him.
Nathaniel
"I APOLOGISE, CREATURE OF THE LAKE, I SHALL LOWER MY VOICE IMMEDIATELY!"

Gambir made a sound like coughing up a hairball, perhaps a poor attempt at clearing his throat. His next words were still loud, but his bellows did not shake the very trees and stones.

"I have quieted myself now, spirit of the water! Is Mimi thy name? I am Gambir, of land afar, and have come bearing no ill will!"

Gambir continued to sit awkwardly in the shallows, knees tucked tight to his chest. Ignoring the loudness of his voice, many small fish had come to nibble on the moss that furrowed his lower half. He paid no mind to them, simple creatures free of worry, as he was but a curiosity to them.

"If I may ask, what art thou doing in these waters most splendid? I am always ready to assist a creature as divine as thee!" In truth, Gambir simply wanted to do something, anything. He felt useless merely traveling, and it was his deepest desire to be of some importance to anyone, anything. Combat was most preferable, but he doubted he'd find such things here.
Allen
Mimi raised her eyebrows at the sudden interest of assistance. "How dare you call Mimi a Naiad?" She said, sounding mildly defensive. Silence, tense and awkward, filled the clearing. It stretched between them, oddly heavy as the sun lowered in the sky. She cleared her throat and dropped her gaze. She was unsure whether to stay or leave, especially since he hadn't said anything outright rude, but at the same time, he hadn't come off as inviting either well.. To Mimi.

 "Mimi does need help however.." She motioned at the sky, the pale shades of blue now shifting into a melt of tangerine, red, and rosy purple as the first stages of sunset began to sink in. "Mimi wants to know if flying herbs are real"
Nathaniel
"Thou art not a naiad? My apologies, but thou art now but an enigma to me!"

Gambir had never heard of the Uzhi, and therefore could not identify that Mimi was of their ilk. Perhaps he has heard of slime-folk in the same bars or taverns that he had learnt of naiads, but such information was not taken in by him.

"Flying herbs? Well, herbs only fly if you throw them! But this is a strange land, and perhaps there could be some plants of airborne inclination!"

Gambir followed Mimi's gaze to the sky.

"But I believe that is the sky, and those art the clouds! Neither of which are herbs, I believe. And if the herbs fly in such a realm, how does thou hope to catch them?"