With that, Nikolas led her to the riverbank and to the few fruit bearing trees and bushes he knew. Ksinya took note of the crabapple and cherry trees. It seemed like the fruit here was the same, wherever here was. Nikolas felt a pit in his heart that she could only eat a handful of fruit before he showed her the next plant he knew. He decided he would weave a basket for her as soon as possible so she could have as much as she'd like. He led her back to the Persona and he couldn't help but smirk as he showed off his fishing skills. Ksinya was indeed impressed, it seemed like the fish were lining up to be caught by him. She applauded him with each catch.
Nikolas was elated at the praise and he only stopped at three fish as to not be wasteful. If she wanted more later he would gladly catch it for her.
He waited for her to begin eating, a dumb smile on his face.
Ksinya grimaced. "I'm sorry, I don't eat it uncooked."
His smile wavered for a moment. "Right, I'll cook it for you…" he stood and went gathering materials for a fire pit. Large smooth stones circled dry leaves and twigs. Nikolas held two rocks in his hands and struck them together, trying to spark up the fire. He had never started a fire in his life, but he had heard stories of it being done. Ksinya watched him closely, making him want to succeed even more.
After a few minutes of failed tries Nikolas was ready to give up. "I- I've never made a fire before, I will go gather more fruit for you." He swiftly stood and was about to run off.
"Wait!" Ksinya called, making the man stop in his tracks. "I've never made a fire either, but we should try to learn. I know another way we can try out." Ksinya believed a fire was important, she didn't know how cool it would get at night nor did she want to waste the fish Nikolas had caught. "Can you bring me a few dry branches about this size, and a log about this big, oh and some dry grass as well?" She gestured with her hands.
Nikolas obediently ran off and came back with the materials she described. "Will these suffice?" He asked ready to run off again if she needed him to. Ksinya surveyed his haul and was happy with it.
"Perfect!" She exclaimed and started to set up. "Okay so you're going to rub this branch between your hands really fast; where the branch meets the log will start to smoke, I'll blow on it and add the grass in order to start the fire."
Nikolas felt his heart swell with joy, she was so smart! He did as she explained and rolled the branch between his hands. She bent her head down toward the log and blew.
Both people were surprised when fire escaped Ksinya's lips. The grass and log were ignited and Nikolas dropped the branch. Ksinya's eyebrows came together in confusion. She looked to Nikolas for an explanation.
"Well, I guess now is as good a time as any to teach you who you are." He sighed. "Please stop me if I frighten you." He stood. Nikolas outstretched his hand toward his river where the water started to rise and arch to meet him. He took a sphere of water in his hand and it kept shape while it spun. "I can only control the water that is already there. Many other people can control plants, the breeze, they can call down lightning, control a flame. You are different. You are a Sorcerer. You create the fire and control it."
"You knew all along?! How?"
Nikolas chuckled and nodded. "You knew I was different from you, did you not?"
"Yes but… I had just arrived…"
"And I have been here."
"So there are other Sorcerers?" Ksinya asked.
Nikolas replaced the water he took and sat next to her. "I'll tell you everything, let's eat."
"Okay, can you put the fish on sticks so we can roast them?" Fish sticks. She chuckled.
Nikolas smiled and did so gladly. "I am a Nymph. You are a Sorcerer. Although I have never met one newly arrived, there are many legends. In most legends you arrive confused and you have to be retaught everything. They say you come from a different land. They say you have overcome many trials wherever you were and that is why you were granted your power."
Ksinya was skeptical. "Do I have any responsibilities?" She knew all too well the saying about great power.
Nikolas' face became red and he turned away. "You can do anything you want. You are not required to do anything."
Ksinya breathed a sigh of relief. "But?"
"Well, some legends say, well because Nymphs cannot reproduce on their own…"
"Ah so it's one of those." Ksinya nodded understanding. Back before she killed herself, she found herself enthralled by transmigration stories where the main character chose to have multiple offspring in the new land.
"The fish looks ready." Nikolas deflected.
They ate in comfortable silence. The fish from Nikolas' river were so fresh and fragrant. "This was the best fish I've ever had, thank you so much."
"It was no problem." His tone was soaked in pride.
"I'm curious." Ksinya paused, wondering how to phrase her thoughts. "Where I come from there is day and night and four seasons."
Nikolas nodded. "It is the same here. You arrived in the morning, we are past the peak of the day now. It's the rainy season now. Prima. Next is Vicina the hot season, Altra the windy season, and Ultima the cold season. You've arrived on a good day, the past three days have been pretty dry but my river has receded so a big storm is coming."