Elemental Harmonics I: Wind (Cleansing the Earth)

[Creatia]

"Now, after we deliver these goods to Miss Melody..."

"U-uhm, mister..." The books were starting to get a little heavy.

"We have to make a stop in Ambrosia and pay our respects to the princess..."

Princess? "Mi-mister?"

"Oh!" The elf turned to address the group while leading the witch along, "And one of you lot needs to remind me to write a letter for the ninja village's hokage. They need to allow us safe passage to the Animus River."

Ninjas?! Creatia couldn't take the weight of the tomes or the confusion anymore. "Mister!!"

"M'yes, little one?" It had been like this for a few minutes now: he was telling the lost witch about their schedule under the assumption that she was a volunteer. In the meantime, her arms were starting to strain from carrying the stack of books and scrolls. She was hating every second of this, at least until now.

A little relief relaxed her face. She had finally gotten the man's attention. "...W-who are you? And-"

"Ah, pardon my manners. I am Michael, of the Gaineswind tribe. I lead this bunch of..." He turned towards his current caravan with a disdainful eye, "...Layabouts in our mutual efforts to revive the Scorched Grove."

The group gave their various greetings to the newcomer, some snickering at her lost expression towards the elf before she asked quietly, "'The Scorched G-Grove?'"

A wary eyebrow was raised. "Child, you do not know what the Grove is?"

Creatia frowned at the man. "I-I don't know... What this, this place in general is...!" As she said this, her arms started to wobble again, reminding her of the pile she held. Her frown deepened; she really hated carrying heavy things.

"Ah, I see... New Prime?" A smile reached his lips; this information was definitely of use to him. "Well then... Let me be the first to welcome you to the Tangled Green." Michael wrapped a hand around the unamused mage's shoulder. "I assure you, you've chosen one of the best places in the Omniverse to reside!"

"R-reside?" That wasn't even on Creatia's mind. However, the man did bring up a very good point: where was she going to stay?

"Of course reside! Dear child, you're much too young to wander off on your own. Such a fragile thing you are, yes..." Some of the volunteers coughed and gagged at the man's efforts to woo the involuntary recruit, which was met with Michael's harsh and gritting glare to silence them.

"I-I'm not-" She was cut off yet again. Creatia's cheeked puffed up to show her displeasure as the man spoke yet again.

"Tell you what, help me with the day's work, and I'll show you some of the best places in the Tangled Green to stay!" He clasped a hand underneath his chin as he thought out loud, "Of course, my home is always an option... But of course then I'd have to..."

Creatia was nearing her wit's end as his ceaseless prattling continued. I just want to know where I am! How did I get pulled into this? Creatia decided to try reasoning with the man one more time. "M-mr... Michael, is it?"

He stopped once he heard his name. At least that was one good way to settle him down, which was always a bright side. "Yes?"

"Can you, uhm... A-at least tell me everything you, uh, you know about where I can go f-from here? I-Including uhm..." What did that one man called it? "...Gates! That's it, including gates. I..." She paused to shift her arms a bit underneath the large tomes. "If... if you can do that, then I'll... I'll help you w-with whatever you need today..."

"Oh, you need a guide to the Green! Sweet child, you've chosen the right man for the job!" Everyone else in the group groaned in exasperation; what had the girl done?

"You lot hush!" He turned to snap at his hecklers, his nose upturned and scrunched to show his clear distaste, "Unless any of you wish to accompany the poor thing, you'd do right to hold your wagging tongues and keep moving! And make sure not to drop the seed bags! Useless tripe, all of you..."

His face smoothed to a pleasing sight as he addressed Creatia, "Child, you have a deal: aid me with Miss Melody's work, and I'll be your charming guide to the Tangled Green! A pleasure to work with you, Miss...?" Crimson eyes sought to meet with green as they waited for a name.

"C-Creatia. Miss Creatia Weatherly."

"Weatherly... Now where have I heard than name before?" He shrugged the thought away with a simple hand flourish, "I'm sure it'll come back to me! Now then..." He called out toward the rest of the elves, "Onward! We're losing daylight! It's not even 11 and we're nowhere close to the Grove. Move those lazy bones of yours!"

Without a second thought, he continued his brisk pace, tugging Creatia along as he continued to talk about various things to the ageless woman while barking orders at the other elves to move. Creatia was halfway listening to the man; something was bothering her just a little.

How has he heard of my family name? ...Hmm, he must be mistaken for another tribe named Weatherly. Her arms tensed again; she had forgotten she was still toting those books of his. She silently sighed.

This was going to be a long journey.