Rara and Kinntho made their way back to where they'd last seen their sister. They expected the find her still crying on the ground. Instead they were greeted by a very different sight.
The ground all around them was green and healthy. In the middle of this meadow stood a tiny structure made of large brown and green plants.
Rara raised a hand for them to stop.
They listened for a moment and heard two voices. One was Lage but the other was unfamiliar.
It was deeper, but not as deep as their Father's voice.
Then Lage emerged. Holding her hand was a man.
The man was young looking, with messy hair and a green tint.
They were talking and laughing and then they both tumbled into the grass together their laughter getting louder. Kinntho took note of how beautiful the whole place was, even colour blossomed from the grass.
She'd never seen Lage so happy.
Kinntho felt Rara begin to stew. She steeled herself for a fight but Rara did something else entirely.
Rara smiled widely and called out almost cheerfully, "Lage! We've been looking for you!"
Kinntho stood statue like, shocked to the core at the lie.
Lage looked up and hesitantly smiled as Rara rushed forward to give her a hug.
"We were so worried about you," Rara cooed, "Wherever have you been?"
Lage relaxed, "I've been here all night, isn't it beautiful?"
"Who's your new friend?" Rara asked, ignoring the question.
Kinntho watched the stranger and could see how uncomfortable he was with the situation.
"This is Ni," Lage said with a huge smile, "He made this marvouslous house for us!"
She gestured to the structure.
Rara laughed, though it was strained, "I don't think we'd all fit! Besides we've found something much, much better."
"Better? Then this," Lage looked disappointed.
Rara gave Kinntho a meaningful look. With a sigh Kinntho explained there discovery to Lage and Ni. She could see Ni looked uneasy, but Lage remained stunned.
"A castle for us?" Lage said.
"A big castle with lots of windows and a throne just for you," Rara nodded encourageingly, then she grabbed Lage's hand and pulled her back toward Kinntho, "You're going to love it there," She said through gritted teeth.
Lage let out a yelp and that's when Ni spoke, "Let her go."
He stood, legs apart, ready for a fight. Lage shot him a pleading look.
Rara stopped, and her friendly look started to fade a bit, "And who are you exactly?"
"Ni, spirit of trees," He replied, "I won't let you just take her away with you."
"It's okay," Lage called back to him.
"How do I know we can trust them Lage?" Ni spoke with a cold tone.
"They're my family Ni," Lage explained as Rara started to drag her along, "These are my two older sisters. Rara and Kinntho."
Ni remained unmoved.
Kinntho could feel the tension in the air, but knew Rara wouldn't give in. Something else was going on.
Rara seemed to melt back into a more friendly version, "You're welcome to follow us, theres way more room then that little house," Rara invited, her sweet voice had returned.
Ni gave her an icy look, he made a point of taking Lage's hand in his, "I think I will."