Familiar Forests

[soti]

"Hmm, not really anything new at all."

Soti was actually somewhat disappointed. He knew that Ordona Province was closely connected with Faron Province, of course, but the botanist had also hoped to find that starting his journey in the land most familiar to his own would make the differences stand out even more. So far nothing had stood out at all.

"You were expecting brand new flowers to be found right next door?" asked the boy's partner, a bit of amusement in their voice.

"At least one. Or anything, even a different kind of tree," the redhead with pointed ears answered. "I think there might actually be fewer varieties of flora in this province."

The citizens of Ordon Village might have at first thought it strange to see a ten year-old boy walk into town all by himself. This might have even required some investigation. The sight of a fairy coming out of the lad's orange cloak and discussing with him so familiarly, however, reminded them of what the child's green clothes might actually mean. If a Kokiri had actually wandered out of the Sacred Forest it was still cause of curiosity, to be sure, but not something urgent that required attention like a lost Hylian boy as they might have first suspected.

"Come on," the child of many years continued as his friend disappeared back inside the cloak. Soti himself walked over to a nearby dock and took out a thick book, flipping through its pages. "Let's see what grows by the water."

[Volkin]

Volkin made his way along the path, not caring where he went so long as it was away from the Minish Forest. He had been visiting relatives for all of one day and already he realized why his parents had decided to leave and start off a life of their own. His head hurt from all of the bickering and instruction on how he should live his life. Needless to say, none of them approved of the adventuring lifestyle and he could only imagine what they would say if he'd told them he was a pirate as well.

"Why don't you just find yourself a nice girl and settle down? Why do you feel the need to take risks? You're going to worry your parents sick." He mimicked them in a whiny, nagging tone and let out a sigh.

Volkin made his way through the village and set course for the dock. Maybe he could call for someone to pick him up in a rowboat and take him back to the ship. When he saw the small child, however, his train of thought derailed and he found himself curious.

"Seems like heavy reading for someone your age." It would be easily clear that Volkin did not realize just who or what the person he was talking to was. "Looking for plants, huh? Keeping your eye out for anything specific?"

[soti]

Soti's eyes were shifting between the water's edge, the pages of his book and little else. When Volkin approached his red eyes shifted over toward the Minnish only long enough to recognize what the person was, then resumed his work.

"New species of flora," the Kokiri began to explain with a smile. He so did enjoy talking about his research, Most Kokiri were fine with simply being completely child-like their entire lives. Soti was still a kid at heart too, of course, but when it came to research and study he was quite the oddity among his people.

"I've finished documenting all the different varieties found in Faron Province," he continued to explain, shifting his book enough to gesture toward some sketches, diagrams and written descriptions that were on the current page. "I was hoping that Ordona Province would have more to offer, but so far I haven't come across anything I haven't encountered before."

Flipping a few more pages to refresh his memory on a certain species Soti quickly resumed his study of the pond, kneeling down at the edge of the dock.

[Volkin]

"It makes sense I guess. Ordona and Faron are kind of similar in makeup aren't they?" Volkin only knew what he had seen of each province and even then it wasn't much so he wouldn't be surprised if his assumption was completely off base.

Volkin leaned over and looked to all of the different sketches and diagrams. He had to admit that he was extremely impressed with this boy's work and he had to wonder how someone so young got so smart. It wasn't until then that it dawned on him that this one might not be a child at all. Volkin quickly turned the subject back to the plants before he could say anything about his discovery.

"Maybe you'll find more variety in Lanayru Province." Then again it was only right to assume that one would find more there even if just because of the size difference. "There are a lot of different plant species around Lake Hylia."

[soti]

Soti nodded to the Piccori's statement about the similar provinces. Honestly, it was enough to make Soti wonder by Ordona was a separate province at all. It was when Lake Hylia was mentioned, however, that the redhead's neck turned back toward his new acquaintance. He'd never been to a large body of water like he'd heard Lake Hylia was before.

"Are you familiar with that area?" Soti asked, his eyes brightening up like a child who just heard how much fun a new toy was before he had been able to get it himself. "Can you remember seeing any flowers or plants that aren't by this pond?"

Soti had quickly skipped to a blank page of his book and flicked a small feathered pen out of seemingly nowhere. He seemed ready to record any statements that Volkin was about to make onto a permanent record.

[Volkin]

Volkin gave a wide, proud grin. "Of course I'm familiar with it, I grew up there." Even though he had left it behind for a life of adventure, it would always be his home and the place that he cared for more than anywhere. At least that's how he thought of it now. It was possible that there may be a time later on down the road that he came to see the Defiant in that light instead, but that day was some time off.

"Hmm." Volkin looked around the area for almost a minute before nodding slowly. "Yeah, there are a few things here that don't look like the plants I'm used to. The trees seem a little different as well." He could only imagine that the difference was due to the differing abundance of fresh water.

[soti]

"Wonderful!" the boy stated exuberantly as he jotted some simple notes. He kept these back pages for things like reminders or theories that hadn't been proven yet, saving the concrete data for the front pages. "I should start my search there then. Perhaps a stop in Hyrule Castle Town first to inspect the state of botanical knowledge at large."

"I thought you said you didn't want to use anyone's research but your own?" asked a voice as a small, light red light drifted out from the boy's cloak.

"Of course, Mura," Soti answered. "I just want an idea of how well they keep their own records. I'll need to check my findings against the general knowledge eventually, after all, to see if anything was missed."

The Fairy seemed to shrug despite being just a ball of light then flew out to the water.

"I assume you need me to dive again?"

"You're best, Mura."

Mura sighed before going below the surface. His glowing light moved around at the bottom of the pond.

"Aquatic plant life might be the last chance for a new find in Ordona," Soti remarked in an off-handed manner. He seemed to have almost forgotten that Volkin was there at all, save as someone to talk his passing thoughts at.

[Volkin]

"I'm sure you can find a great deal there, it is a very large town." He added, not really sure if Soti even remembered that he was present. As he began talking to the fairy, Volkin took a step back and clasped his hands behind his back, waiting for their conversation to finish.

"Are you looking for underwater plants as well?" He had to admit that he had never even considered plants that might grow along the bottom of a lake. Volkin usually just considered that which he could see normally.

[soti]

"Of course," Soti explained with his usual cheer. The Kokiri turned his attention back toward Volkin again now. "I'm going to make a detailed record of all plant life in Hyrule. That includes what's in the hard-to-get places as well, of course. If I find any particularly useful or special examples I hope to find ways to safely integrate them into different areas so that they are easier for everybody to access."

"Hey, I think I found something!" came Mura's voice as he bobbed back up above the surface of the pond.

"Fantastic! Describe every detail!" Soti said as he flipped to a blank page and readied his pen again. The pair discussed the findings in hushed tones while the Kokiri's hand didn't stop writing for a moment.

[Volkin]

"I see. Especially if you find any plants with healing or soothing qualities, it would be beneficial for everybody to have access to them." That was something that he could understand greatly. Before that statement he had thought that the boy's ambitions were purely scholarly. Now, however, he could see how his studies could be of use.

He went silent as the Mura resurfaced and described the plant in detail to the fascinated Soti. Once they were finished he spoke up once more. "If you ever need any help," Though Volkin doubted that this one would, he seemed to have everything in order. "I'm willing to do what I can to give you a hand. My name is Volkin."

[soti]

"Soti," was the Kokiri's quick answer as he closed his book and put it away. The redhead assumed that Mura no longer needed any introduction and the fairy had disappeared into the boy's cloak again anyway.

It was always nice to meet someone who appreciated his work. most Kokiri thought that Soti put too much work into a forest that already took care of itself just fine, though a few did enjoy his lessons on how to grow their favourite flowers or fruits more effectively. Kokiri didn't actually worry about getting sick much so Soti's information on healing plants might need some brushing up but he was well aware of that and knew to update his notes for Hyrule at large now that he'd decided to take his research to that scale.

"Well, I may need the assistance of the Minnish on my journey eventually," the boy thought as he rubbed his chin, contemplating Vokin's offer. "It would be hard for me to search the smallest places in Hyrule or properly examine the tiniest specimens right now."

[Volkin]

[Sorry for the delay, didn't think it would take this long to get internet]

Volkin clasped his hands behind his back and glanced out over the water, his mind wandering off for a seconds before being brought back by Soti's words on the usefulness of the Minish. "Ah, yes I didn't even consider that." There were times that Volkin forgot just how small he could become. He spent most of his life either human sized or as a weasel and often forgot that he could shrink himself down.

"Tell me, have you found any good plants for healing just yet? I travel a lot and you never know what might happen." Especially when a lot of that travel was done as part of a pirate crew.

[soti]

"Hmmm."

Soti's hand was on his chin as he seemed to consider Volkin's request. The short Kokiri's eyes looked up but off to the side, not really focusing upon the person before him. After a few seconds the redhead snapped his fingers and brought out the book again, flipping some pages.

"Us Kokiri don't really get sick much so I don't have personal experience with curing many illnesses yet," he explained, though the boy's face seemed to brighten up as he found the page he had sought. Soti turned the book so the illustrations and notes faced the taller Minnish and held it up as high as his arms went for him to view the leaf detailed there. "We do get scraped up a lot when we play rough though. If you ever get a nasty cut but see a tree with these leaves growing on it try chewing one up and spreading it on the wound. The stuff dries up and your skin is fully healed before you know it."

[Volkin]

Volkin leaned down, though given his height he didn't have to lean far, and examined the leaves that were drawn on the page, doing everything in his power to make sure that he had them memorized for the next time he may need them. "And tell me, do these leaves store well or do you need to use them directly from the tree?"

It had been a while since he had been granted the chance to learn more from another, at least about things such as this, and his curious nature had taken over. This Kokiri had much to teach and Volkin was ready to learn.

[soti]

"They keep their effect if stored directly in water," Soti said, pointing his finger to the lower right side of the left page where he recalled writing that note, though he was pointing blind. "If they dry up before you use them then they can't heal your skin. Keep them inside a pot of water at home though an they stay good. They take a while to dry up so you can take them out if they might be needed and then just put them back if they weren't. If you're always travelling, though, I guess a bottle of water would work too. They aren't big leaves."

[Volkin]

Volkin took a few notes on the properties of the plant before looking the image over one last time, memorizing the leaf structure and the type of plant that they came from. "Does it have to be fresh water? Or can salt water work too?" He did not know much about growing plants.

He glanced back over his shoulder, wondering how long it would be before his aunt came looking for him. Volkin had told them that he was just stepping out for some air, that he wanted to stretch his legs. He wouldn't dare tell her that he just wanted to get away from the nagging about his chosen lifestyle.