Early morning light flooded through the spaces between leaves in the forest canopy, dappling the area below. The spots could have easily hidden the lights following the mage that wandered between the trunks if one were to look from above. The girl herself would have been far from hidden even without the general flashiness of her appearance. Neru tucked a few strands of escaping hair behind her ear, taking a quick survey of the area around her. It seemed as good a spot as any: quiet, with a fallen tree off to the side that provided a nice place to sit. A soft smile rose to her features, one that only showed itself when music became involved. She seated herself, lifting the flute she'd been thumbing absently, checking it over for any differences since she'd set out.
It was an old piece, something Neru had possessed since she was a little more than five years old. It held no abilities other than the notes it could ring when played correctly. It was these very notes that Neru always wanted to hear, whether she played them or another did. Lifting the instrument to her lips, she started into a simple lullaby, her eyes drifting half closed as sound filled the air, the light orbs that drifted about her gentle shades of green and blue. Her peace of mind did not last long, however. A sharp squeal cut through the music like a knife through soft cheese, and Neru jerked the flute away from her lips in alarm. She scanned her surroundings, her eyes wide with surprise. It'd sounded to her like the squeal of an animal in pain. It was something she'd rather not think about, but if there was a creature that needed her help, it was her place to provide it.
Tucking the flute safely into her belt, Neru got to her feet and followed the sound, her footfalls gentle on the dead leaves. It didn't take her long to find her quarry, given the noise it made and the soft light it emanated as she drew closer.
Twisted in the leaves of a fern was a fairy. It reminded her immediately of a butterfly, given the shape of its clear wings were almost identical to the insect's. It wore a black top and skirt, white hair splaying out against the green of the leaves. All in all, it was a striking creature, despite being about the size of Neru's hand. The most striking part about it, however, was the red that stained its skin and wings, oozing from wounds on both its back and legs. "Oh..." A slight gasp escaped Neru's mouth, and the pained cries of the creature came to a stop. It opened its eyes, violet gaze shining. It made no sound, but watched her, its breath coming in quick pants.
Kneeling down, Neru quickly reached out, drawing her light spheres in with her fingers and settling the barest of touches against the fairy's hand. It seemed to recognize her lack of menace and made no move to escape her touch. The spell worked quietly, healing some of the wounds and pausing the bleeding enough that both Neru and the fairy let out little sighs of relief. At least, she'd thought it was a sigh of relief. With the small exhale, the fairy closed its eyes, body going limp. It appeared unconscious.
A sudden jolt of brown color took over the orbs both around her hand and in the air, betraying Neru's fear. "Hello?" she asked, scared to touch it once more, but fearing that perhaps the injuries were worse than she'd thought. She looked up, glancing around as if help would appear. She couldn't use Gentle Light again for a little while, and if this thing didn't have long...
Wincing inwardly, Neru made a decision. She'd heard that there was an expert on creatures in the guild, by the name of E. Or, she supposed it could be a nickname. She was by no means sure if he could help, but it was the only option she could think of right at this moment. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a handkerchief, spreading it out on one of her hands. She lifted the fairy as gentle as her movement would allow with the other and settled it on the handkerchief. Adjusting so that the creature was settled safely across all ten fingers, Neru carefully scrambled to her feet, turning and making her way for the guild.
The journey seemed to take hours, even days when people in the town began to get in her way. Once to the guild itself, she slipped in the door behind an entering mage, refusing to pause even for a quick apology. "E?" she called nervously, unsure of what the mage looked like. She'd only heard the name by mouth, after all. Neru could only hope that her little escapade wasn't in vain.
It was an old piece, something Neru had possessed since she was a little more than five years old. It held no abilities other than the notes it could ring when played correctly. It was these very notes that Neru always wanted to hear, whether she played them or another did. Lifting the instrument to her lips, she started into a simple lullaby, her eyes drifting half closed as sound filled the air, the light orbs that drifted about her gentle shades of green and blue. Her peace of mind did not last long, however. A sharp squeal cut through the music like a knife through soft cheese, and Neru jerked the flute away from her lips in alarm. She scanned her surroundings, her eyes wide with surprise. It'd sounded to her like the squeal of an animal in pain. It was something she'd rather not think about, but if there was a creature that needed her help, it was her place to provide it.
Tucking the flute safely into her belt, Neru got to her feet and followed the sound, her footfalls gentle on the dead leaves. It didn't take her long to find her quarry, given the noise it made and the soft light it emanated as she drew closer.
Twisted in the leaves of a fern was a fairy. It reminded her immediately of a butterfly, given the shape of its clear wings were almost identical to the insect's. It wore a black top and skirt, white hair splaying out against the green of the leaves. All in all, it was a striking creature, despite being about the size of Neru's hand. The most striking part about it, however, was the red that stained its skin and wings, oozing from wounds on both its back and legs. "Oh..." A slight gasp escaped Neru's mouth, and the pained cries of the creature came to a stop. It opened its eyes, violet gaze shining. It made no sound, but watched her, its breath coming in quick pants.
Kneeling down, Neru quickly reached out, drawing her light spheres in with her fingers and settling the barest of touches against the fairy's hand. It seemed to recognize her lack of menace and made no move to escape her touch. The spell worked quietly, healing some of the wounds and pausing the bleeding enough that both Neru and the fairy let out little sighs of relief. At least, she'd thought it was a sigh of relief. With the small exhale, the fairy closed its eyes, body going limp. It appeared unconscious.
A sudden jolt of brown color took over the orbs both around her hand and in the air, betraying Neru's fear. "Hello?" she asked, scared to touch it once more, but fearing that perhaps the injuries were worse than she'd thought. She looked up, glancing around as if help would appear. She couldn't use Gentle Light again for a little while, and if this thing didn't have long...
Wincing inwardly, Neru made a decision. She'd heard that there was an expert on creatures in the guild, by the name of E. Or, she supposed it could be a nickname. She was by no means sure if he could help, but it was the only option she could think of right at this moment. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a handkerchief, spreading it out on one of her hands. She lifted the fairy as gentle as her movement would allow with the other and settled it on the handkerchief. Adjusting so that the creature was settled safely across all ten fingers, Neru carefully scrambled to her feet, turning and making her way for the guild.
The journey seemed to take hours, even days when people in the town began to get in her way. Once to the guild itself, she slipped in the door behind an entering mage, refusing to pause even for a quick apology. "E?" she called nervously, unsure of what the mage looked like. She'd only heard the name by mouth, after all. Neru could only hope that her little escapade wasn't in vain.