Soon, the trio arrived at a grassy field south of the village, where they all sat down. Reaching into the food bag, Yuchauzh said, "Okay, let's see what we have here…" he dug around and pulled out a large sandwich covered by a wrapper, "A greenbird and cheese sandwich…" he reached for a sealed plastic container with a brown jelly inside, "marine aspic…" he retrieved a long piece of bread with purple, blue, and red fruit inserted in many places, "and a sweet loaf." He gave Siquioce an amused look, "These sure are some interesting things you decided to buy."
Siquioce's head fin flattened in embarrassment, "I'm sorry, but I didn't know what I was ordering. I couldn't read the menu."
Yuchauzh shrugged, "Eh, it's nothing. It's best to be thankful for what we have, anyway." He reached for the first item, "I'll be having the sandwich. What about you two?"
Still distancing herself from the others, Kantuta said, "Siquioce, hand me the sweet loaf, please."
After Siquioce fulfilled his friend's request, Yuchauzh said, "Looks like that just leaves you with the aspic, Siquioce." He rubbed his hands together, "Well, now that that's outta the way…let's eat!"
As his friends enjoyed what they picked, Siquioce opened the container of aspic and poked at it with suspicion, taking note of the various ingredients encased in the gelatinous wheel. "Hmm," he murmured with narrowed eyes, "What strange food this is." After inspecting the jiggling mass for a few more seconds, Siquioce scooped out a bit of it with his rubbery finger and did a taste test. Contrary to his assumptions, he found the jelly to have quite the pleasant taste. Although he was unsure of what exactly he was eating, he recognized the tastes of each ingredient as those that came from the ocean, bringing him a warm sense of nostalgia.
As he dug out another scoop of aspic, Siquioce heard a cheeping sound coming from the top of his head as his fin was pecked at. Using his free hand, the Samanian reached up and grabbed the bluegull chick, saying, "What's the matter?"
The hatchling looked at the container of aspic and back at Siquioce, looking at his caretaker with watery, dark eyes.
Siquioce smiled, "Oh, you must want some food." He held the meat stock close to the baby, "Well, here you go."
The young seabird's face lit up as he extended his neck towards the gummy blob. Then, in a burst of energy, the chick started rapidly pecking at the food, pulling out and swallowing piece after piece at an astounding speed. In no time at all, the lump was completely devoured, leaving Siquioce utterly confounded.
"Huh," said Yuchauzh as he finished his sandwich, "I was wondering what that little guy was doin' there. You his dad or somethin'?"
Siquioce put the satisfied chick back on his head, "Uh, yeah, you could say that. Though it was not intentional; I got caught in its sight when he hatched and now it thinks I'm its parent."
Yuchauzh replied, "Oh, really? And you're still takin' care of him despite you not even meanin' to?" he scratched his chin, "Weird, yeah, but admirable. Most people would just find some way to get rid of any unwanted animals, but you, you're different." He turned his head towards his ally, "I admire that."
Siquioce laughed a bit, "Heh, thanks. Yeah, I just couldn't leave it all alone; I would've felt horrible if I did."
"That's great." Responded Yuchauzh, "But that bird isn't an "it"; he's a male. You can tell by the curved tip of his beak."
Siquioce gently reached for his head and moved the hatchling towards his face, confirming that Yuchauzh was indeed correct.
Giving Yuchauzh the side-eye, Kantuta scoffed, "Since when were you a biologist?"
Frowning, Yuchauzh answered in a defensive tone, "Ever since I was a runt, lady. Now, I dunno what sorta view you have of us orcs, but I'm nothin' like them; I actually respect nature. In fact, before that whole bar situation, I was on my way to that nasty Orestone City. I'm plannin' on puttin' a stop to their polluting activities. It's a better goal than whatever you were trying to do, hunting me down like that…"
Reeling back in disbelief, Kantuta retorted, "Excuse me?! I'll have you know that I have a very important task to complete, one more significant than your primitive brain can comprehend!"
Yuchauzh smirked, "Oh yeah? Let's hear it, then."
Kantuta huffed, "My master sent me on a mission to travel through all of Kodalia, gathering and using whatever magical components I could find to increase my strength. And you think that your eco-trip can compare to my directive? Puh-LEASE!"
With his voice rising, Yuchauzh returned, "Watch your mouth, elf! Only the most ungrateful monsters would ever say that anything is more important than nature!"
Kantuta clenched her fists, "Do you mean to tell me that a few trees are more important than arcane mastery?!"
Yuchauzh growled, "With every fiber of my body."
As his friends gave each other hostile looks, Siquioce interjected, "Why are you two fighting? Isn't this supposed to be a relaxing moment?"
Yuchauzh looked at Kantuta through his hairy veil for a few more seconds before saying, "You're right. Wenches like her don't deserve attention."
Kantuta gritted her teeth, "Wench?! Don't you disrespect me like that, you…"
Ignoring the elf's rant, Yuchauzh said to Siquioce, "By the way, me and that mage chick already revealed what we're after, but what about you? You have a goal?"
Siquioce answered, "Of course I do! It's…" he blinked, "Uh…" For the first time since he exited the water, Siquioce realized that he didn't have any solid plans in mind. "I…don't know."
Yuchauzh replied, "Seriously? Well, what're you doin' all the way out here, then? Don't take this the wrong way, but you don't look like you belong here."
Siquioce responded, "You're right about me not belonging here; I used to live in this underwater place called the Roalitelv Settlement. The reason I'm here is because my parents wanted me to participate in our traditional event, the Expedition. Apparently, I'm supposed to collect information about the surface for my people, but…I don't exactly know how to do that."
Yuchauzh crossed his arms, "Oh yeah, I think I've heard of that. You said you were asked to get info about life on dry land?" Siquioce nodded, prompting Yuchauzh to say, "I see. Well, if you want to learn more about this world, we can help you."
Kantuta took a break from her rambling to exclaim, "Wait, what? We?!"
Yuchauzh nodded, "I may not like you, and you definitely don't like me, but we all have overlapping goals; you're traveling Kodalia for magic stuff, I'm traveling Kodalia to spread the word about the importance of nature, and Siquioce is traveling Kodalia to learn more about it. So, like it or not, it would be best for us all to travel together."
Kantuta's frowned, "I don't think…"
Suddenly, a chipper voice from behind them spoke, "Did I hear something about traveling?"
All 3 of the adventurers turned around and noticed a smiling, young satyr with blonde hair holding a sack of coins. "Hey," said Kantuta, "What are you doing here?"
The kid answered, "Oh, I came to give you your prize; the townspeople wanted someone to fix their orc problem, and you did!" he tossed the bag towards Kantuta, who almost fell over due to the sheer weight of the present, "But I couldn't help but overhear you guys talking about adventuring. Are you all planning on exploring all of Kodalia?"
Recovering from the massive object thrown at her, Kantuta answered, "That's true, yes."
The satyr replied, "Awesome! Well, since you're doing that, I want to give you something." He reached into his backpack and pulled out a rolled-up sheet of paper and unfurled it, "This right here is a tourist map of Kodalia; if you follow it, you'll find all kinds of cool things, I just know it! And do you see these places?" He pointed at 7 spots on the map, each one represented by a distinct symbol, "These are the Seven Paradises. Legend says that anyone who visits these locations will have their very mind and soul enriched, and they'll have their greatest wish fulfilled." He rolled up the map and handed it to Kantuta, "I wanted to use this map to reach those places, but my parents would never let me. But you 3 are all grown up; you can do anything!"
After receiving the map, Kantuta's demeanor brightened as she said, "Oh, thank you, little guy! You're too kind. Is there any way we can repay you?"
The boy shook his head, "Don't worry about it. I just wanted to be kind. Then again, there is this one thing…" He held his arms behind his back and dug at the ground with his right hoof, "If you do end up visiting those 7 Paradises, would it be to much for you to come back to me and tell me about them?"
Kantuta answered, "No, we can definitely do that, young one!" She nodded, "You can count on us!"
The satyr's eyes sparkled, "Really?!" he started to excitedly jog in place, "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! I can't wait for you to come back!" he waved and turned around, "Bye for now, I'll see you soon!" Then, in a burst of speed, the kid bolted away. Halfway through his departure, he made a quick stop and ran back, "Oh, also, my name is Skid! Ask for me when you come back!" He again started to leave, "Okay, bye now!" Skid began prancing away before stopping and changing direction once again, "Also, orc guy, I just wanted to say that you seem cool. You're not anything like what the villagers said you were!" He laughed with a hint of nervousness, "Okay, seriously, goodbye!" With that, Skid finally made his way out, humming to himself cheerfully as he hopped away.
Yuchauzh chuckled, "I like that kid. He's funny." He dusted himself clean of crumbs and got up, "Well, looks like we have a plan. Are you all ready to get started?"
Going back to her disdained state, Kantuta rose and responded, "If we must…"
Yuchauzh gave a thumbs-up, "Great. Well, let's get going then."
Thus, the trio set out on their journey; Yuchauzh stomped proudly ahead of the group, Kantuta waddled behind him as she carried the large bag of coins, and Siquioce took swaying steps behind the two of them, a hopeful smile on his face. While he was not very certain of what awaited him and his friends, Siquioce knew that whatever transpired would be nothing short of enjoyable.