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Upon returning to the Gathering, Kylola, Sharon, and Teran made their way to the common where they reported to Bora.

```

Bora: *concerned hum* That makes for the sixth chewa in one moon.

Kylola: Hardly out of the usual for this time of year.

Bora: Our usual is four, and your kill comes from a section that usually doesn't see any kills, just like all the others. When the other two watch teams return tomorrow, I'm expecting another two to three kill reports based on historical averages for the areas.

Kylola: Are you thinking that we should temporarily increase border watch?

Bora: *affirmative nod*

Teran: I'd like to request to take on more border work.

Bora: Denied.

Teran: Request to take vacation time?

Bora: Denied. You have a good heart, Teran, you should use it to help the young grow.

Teran: *pouting*

Kylola: Do you really want his bad habits rubbing off on them?

Bora: Generally, I respect his "bad habits", but in times like this we can't afford to be lighthearted. We need to ensure the current generation of chewa understand the gravity of disrespecting our border markers. The last thing we need is a repeat of seventy cycles ago.

Kylola: I assume I'll be heading back out soon?

Bora: If you and Sha-su are okay with it.

Kylola: It's fine, and probably for the best.

Sharon: It's fine with me as well.

Bora: Then you should get to making the most of your time. Te-su, this will be your next assignment.

```

Kylola watched as Bora held out a letter for Teran, who looked it over for a moment before bowing and wishing Bora well for the day.

While following Teran to the common Kylola stared disapprovingly at the back of his head as she waited impatiently for him to tell her what had been written in the letter.

```

Kylola: Well?

Teran: You lasted a little longer than usual.

Kylola: At least tell me if it's dangerous.

Teran: *chuckling* You'll just have to wait and see. *raspberry*

Kylola: *defeated sigh* How long am I going to have to wait?

```

As the trio entered the common, Kylola couldn't help but smile at the sight of Kion sitting at a table with Wafit, Reteh, and Yineh.

```

Teran: Looks like a while yet.

```

Pushing back her annoyance with Teran, Kylola broke away and made her way over to the group of trainees.

```

Kylola: You all look well.

Yineh: For now...

Kylola: What do you mean?

Yineh: Only a matter of time until Mirra-su gets us for something, I'm sure. *bombastic laughter*

Kylola: *concerned* I see, so you've been getting Kion into trouble already?

Yineh: *innocent whistling*

Kylola: *glaring towards Wafit*

Wafit: N-nothing too bad.

Kylola: *glaring towards Reteh*

Reteh: *awkward fidgeting* H-he hasn't actually gotten into any trouble himself... H-he's just been around a bit of it, and gotten wrapped up in some extra training by Mirra-su.

Kylola: *smile towards Kion* Have you been enjoying yourself?

Kion: *affirmative nod* I've especially enjoyed getting to know everyone.

Yineh: Especially me. *boastful smile*

Kylola: What about Vivica, and where is she?

Yineh: That last one's a good question actually, Viv took Lina out on their own private morning regimen and it's getting kind of late in the morning.

Kylola: That's unlike her. Have they become close friends?

Yineh: *hesitant* Uhm~

Wafit: Viv got her in trouble accidentally and wanted a chance to apologize before she found out.

Kylola: *concerned hum*

```

As Kylola felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned to see Teran.

```

Teran: I'll go out and check up on them. You and Sha-su can stay here and enjoy your break time. I'll see you all later.

Wafit: C-can I come with you?

Teran: *thoughtful stare* No, it's late enough that I'd like to find them as quickly as possible, but don't worry, unlike Kylola-su and Sha-su I'll be sticking around for a while.

Wafit: A-alright.

```

Kylola watched Teran for a moment as he walked towards the door before turning back to the others.

```

Kylola: What kind of trouble?

Yineh: Nothing big, Viv just blabbed about Lina sneaking in food.

Kylola: I see...

```

Kylola pulled out a small sack from her satchel, which she then held out to Kion.

```

Kylola: It's not much, but I wanted to get you something as a welcoming gift. *embarrassed smile*

```

Kylola watched nervously as Kion opened the sack, but smiled in relief when he smiled at the sight of the brightly colored hand carved beads.

```

Kion: They look amazing, thank you.

Yineh: *perplexed* Why beads?

Kylola: Because he's always liked them.

Kion: I have a lot of fond memories of them. *embarrassed chuckle*

Yineh: Like?

Kylola: Every morning he would rush into Airina's room to wake me up, so that we could remake our bracelets for the day.

Kion: I did enjoy that, though my fondest memories are certainly all the times you took me out to find new ones.

Kylola: Did you bring any of your collection with you?

Kion: *affirmative nod*

Kylola: Have you shown it to anyone yet?

Kion: *affirmative nod* I was going through them with Viv last night.

Kylola: *excited smile* You and Vivica are getting along?

Kion: *affirmative nod* I've been getting along well with everyone.

Kylola: That's good to hear. What are your plans for the day?

Yineh: We're supposed to take it easy today and recover.

Kylola: I see, and do you have any ideas as to what you'll be doing to recover?

Yineh: If you're trying to figure out if you can steal Ki-su, go for it.

Kylola: That's not it, I'm simply trying to plan out my day.

Yineh: *eyeroll* Just take him already.

Kylola: But I-

Yineh: You two are officially on forage duty. Go out and gather something good for last meal.

Kylola: *stunned*

Kion: I'd enjoy that. *hopeful smile*

Kylola: A-alright... H-however, we should wait for Teran to return, to make sure Vivica and Lina are alright.

Yineh: Since Mirra-su hasn't randomly popped out of nowhere all morning, it's probably safe to assume she's following them.

Wafit: *epiphanic* Huh, you think she might have started some kind of punishment on them while they were out?

Yineh: It certainly sounds like something she would do.

Kylola: *contemplative hum*

```

Walking away from the group Kylola made her way over to the bulletin board and looked under Mirra's marker, where she found, and read aloud a note which stated that her assignment for the day was to act as Vivica's and Lina's personal trainer.

```

Wafit: Guess that solves that...

Yineh: *bombastic laughter* I'd hate to be them right now.

Kylola: Indeed... S-should we be going?

Kion: *looking towards Wafit for permission*

Wafit: Go for it, have fun.

Kion: Alright, can I stop by my room first?

Kylola: Of course.

```

Giving the group a farewell nod Kylola followed Kion to his room where she watched him put the beads she had given him away and in the process, took out a letter which he held out to her.

```

Kion: This was in the satchel Eldric gave me.

```

Accepting the letter, Kylola saw that it was addressed to her and had an unbroken wax seal.

Breaking the seal, she skimmed through the sappy heartfelt letter which went into great depth about some of the fears Eldric had for Kion as a rammu, and ended with a plea to keep him updated on his progress.

```

Kylola: I see...

Kion: Anything bad?

Kylola: *cracked smile* No, just Eldric being Eldric. It's cute. Thank you for delivering the letter to me.

```

After putting the letter into her satchel, Kylola led Kion out foraging.

As the pair approached a berry grove, Kylola looked over to Kion.

```

Kylola: Is this okay?

Kion: I like sweet globe berries, but we should probably find something more nutritious to go with them.

Kylola: Indeed, there should be some mushrooms nearby, but I meant are you enjoying your time with me? We haven't talked much at all since leaving...

Kion: Is there something you wanted to talk about?

Kylola: No, I just don't want you to feel like you're wasting time with me.

Kion: *warm smile* Being with you never feels like wasting time.

Kylola: *pleased smile* If you would please collect the berries, I'll gather some leaves for tea.

Kion: *affirmative nod*

```

A while later, when the pair had finished gathering berries, and a few leafy greens, they moved on to the mushrooms.

```

Kion: *stunned* T-that's odd.

Kylola: What's the matter?

Kion: I-I seem to have lost my mushrooms...

```

Turning around, Kylola looked at Kion to see that all the mushrooms in his basket were indeed gone.

```

Kylola: *deep sigh* Don't worry about it, just collect a few more, but don't overfill the basket.

Kion: *bewildered stare* O-okay...

```

As Kylola put the last mushroom she wanted to harvest into her basket, she turned around to see Kion staring blankly into his now completely empty basket.

```

Kylola: Now that your training is over, you may as well show yourself.

```

Turning to the sound of footsteps, Kylola smiled as she saw Vivica walk out from behind a tree with mushrooms, greens, and berries peeking out of every pocket.

```

Vivica: *awkward laughter* Sorry about that...

```

Vivica walked over to Kion's basket and started putting everything back.

```

Kylola: It's fine. I'm well aware of Mirra's training techniques. I'm surprised she had you go after Kion, and not me.

Vivica: She did, but I only had to take one berry from you. *sly smile*

Kylola: *stunned* Y-you got one of my berries?

Vivica: Yep. *triumphant smile* Though I couldn't have done it without Ki-su's help.

Kion: *perplexed* My help?

Vivica: *affirmative nod* Yep, she was so distracted watching you I was able to sneak a berry.

Kylola: *blushing heavily* W-where are Mirra and Teran?

Vivica: Don't know. They took Li-su off for her own training, and I'm just supposed to go back with you two.

Kylola: I see, let's be going then.

```

Kylola began leading the group back to the Gathering.

```

Vivica: So~ how are you two doing?

Kylola: I believe we've had an enjoyable outing together.

Kion: *affirmative nod*

Vivica: That's good... Sorry for interrupting it... I can go back on my own if you'd rather have time to yourselves.

Kylola: I'd rather you stay with us. How did your punishment go?

Vivica: It was a lot of fun. *awkward laughter*

Kylola: Really? You enjoyed training under Mirra?

Vivica: I think it would be safer to say I enjoyed training with Li-su, but Mirra-su was actually quite fun today too, she didn't seem as interested in "punishing" us as much as teaching us. Though it started out a bit awkward since she showed up while we were feeling each other up.

Kylola: *cracked smile* Have you taken a liking to her?

Vivica: A little, but not as much as I've taken a liking to Ki-su. *knowing smile* Our friendship started out pretty rough, but it was me just being jealous *awkward fidgeting*

Kylola: Jealous of Kion?

Vivica: Ye~ah, I kind of felt he was going to take all my time with you away.

Kylola: I see. I trust you don't believe that anymore?

Vivica: I don't...

Kylola: That is good.

```

As the trio made their way back in silence, Kylola cracked a smile as she saw Vivica grab a hold of Kion's free hand as they walked.