vila-of-burning-waters

[vila-of-burning-waters]

'' Ooh, a letter from my sisters! Let's see... What have they been up to? ''

The Melusine goes to a nearby chair to read the letter, tail wagging. As she reads through, her rhinophores quiver with joy at the news conveyed in the message.

'' Mister The Kabukimono is our half-uncle now because of 'two lives reborn as one' as he put it? Ooh, I'll have to tell Uncle Albedo and Uncle Rubedo that they have new family now! They said Mister The Kabukimono also looks like Mister Balladeer and Mister Wanderer... Does that mean they're our half-uncles too? Ooh, I have to go meet them! Mister The Kabukimono lives in Inazuma, so I'll go on an adventure there next. ''

[vila-of-burning-waters]

" It's Halloween!!!! I have to get my costume on and stay in the city, and make sure to stay safe! Then I'm gonna go back to Natlan for a visit and talk to Manaia. First though, Mel, let's go get our costumes on! "

[vila-of-burning-waters]

" Okay! How about these stickers I made based on the nice Eremites? They are very helpful, even when my spare Mora goes missing while traveling with some groups. Mora isn't that nice anyway, it's all the same and that's sad. "

Even with her experience with humans and long-lived nature, she does still have the youthful straightforwardness typical of all Melusines. Her casual comment about the Eremites is said so cheerfully that it's unlikely Vila even understands that she has been robbed in her sleep...

" Oh, sorry, us Melusines see things differently. Humans are adorable, our food looks icky to humans, the Traveler looks like they could devour the world... "

Vila explains happily, still holding out the offered purple flower. That explains that, at least. As he looks at the rocks with suspicion, she takes one out to show him.

" These are from Uncle Durin's rock collection on Dragonspine! They look like the red rocks at Elynas, but they glow a bit and the glow pulses at a regular rate. I wonder why... my other uncle said to keep these away from humans so I have been, but I haven't noticed anything weird aside from Mel avoiding them. You'll be fine though, since you are a human-adorable tree with the strongest bark I've ever seen. "

[vila-of-burning-waters]

" I'm glad you like it, Mr. Wanderer! Stickers are very important to us Melusines, and we like putting them on our friends. Like Sigewinne putting stickers on His Grace's gauntlets. Do you want any stickers too? "

Vila gets a selection of Sumeru-inspired sticker sheets out and fans them out so the other can look through the options.

" Oh, sorry, us Melusines see things differently. Humans are adorable, our food looks icky to humans, the Traveler looks like they could devour the world... "

Vila explains happily, still holding out the offered purple flower. That explains that, at least. As he looks at the rocks with suspicion, she takes one out to show him.

" These are from Uncle Durin's rock collection on Dragonspine! They look like the red rocks at Elynas, but they glow a bit and the glow pulses at a regular rate. I wonder why... my other uncle said to keep these away from humans so I have been, but I haven't noticed anything weird aside from Mel avoiding them. You'll be fine though, since you are a human-adorable tree with the strongest bark I've ever seen. "

[vila-of-burning-waters]

After a moment she proudly presses a Qucusaurus sticker onto his glove with a grin, tail wagging and rhinophores wiggling.

" Here, a sticker I got in Natlan from the Flower-Feather Clan! It's a Qucusaurus, the Saurian that can use Anemo. Stickers are great since I can see what humans see. To me, they glow like Windwheel Asters do, but to humans, they just look red. "

Vila puts her sticker collection away and proudly nods at her work, Mel seeing her expression and bouncing happily... and yet somehow, the metal armor doesn't clang loudly upon hitting the ground.

" Oh, sorry, us Melusines see things differently. Humans are adorable, our food looks icky to humans, the Traveler looks like they could devour the world... "

Vila explains happily, still holding out the offered purple flower. That explains that, at least. As he looks at the rocks with suspicion, she takes one out to show him.

" These are from Uncle Durin's rock collection on Dragonspine! They look like the red rocks at Elynas, but they glow a bit and the glow pulses at a regular rate. I wonder why... my other uncle said to keep these away from humans so I have been, but I haven't noticed anything weird aside from Mel avoiding them. You'll be fine though, since you are a human-adorable tree with the strongest bark I've ever seen. "

[vila-of-burning-waters]

" Alrighty, I will! You're really nice, Mr. Wanderer. Do you want a sticker? "

Before he can reply, Vila already has a sheet of stickers ready and is combing through them carefully for the perfect sticker.

" Oh, sorry, us Melusines see things differently. Humans are adorable, our food looks icky to humans, the Traveler looks like they could devour the world... "

Vila explains happily, still holding out the offered purple flower. That explains that, at least. As he looks at the rocks with suspicion, she takes one out to show him.

" These are from Uncle Durin's rock collection on Dragonspine! They look like the red rocks at Elynas, but they glow a bit and the glow pulses at a regular rate. I wonder why... my other uncle said to keep these away from humans so I have been, but I haven't noticed anything weird aside from Mel avoiding them. You'll be fine though, since you are a human-adorable tree with the strongest bark I've ever seen. "

[vila-of-burning-waters]

At the question, Vila grins and looks at the Pyro Slime.

" Oh, I met Mel 200 years ago in a little cave that's now filled with water. I had my Pyro Vision by then, so I no longer needed to carry skin moisturizer, and Mel didn't cause any of my skin to dehydrate. Mel was scared and ready to try to make me leave, but I gave it some Pyro to show that I was a friend and Mel calmed down right away. "

Vila explains cheerfully, patting the top of the slime's armor. As far as the Melusine knows, Mel just saw she was good and became her companion, easy as that. If there's more that went on, she doesn't really know about it and sees no reason to question the events of that day.

" Okay, thank you Miss Shinobu! Will you at least accept a flower that's also a great light source? "

Vila puts the pouch away, gripping the stem of the flower gently. Mel shuffles nearby, watching passersby with a relaxed and friendly expression.

[vila-of-burning-waters]

" Oh, they're scared of Pyro. I'll be sure to put my Vision away and have Mel stay back if I see the Aranara again. I wonder if telling them I planted a tree will help them see that I'm good? They are trees to me after all... "

Vila stops to consider this, Mel waiting next to her patiently as the Melusine thinks intently. After a few minutes she nods, tail wagging.

" I'll tell the Aranara about the tree I planted. "

" Oh, sorry, us Melusines see things differently. Humans are adorable, our food looks icky to humans, the Traveler looks like they could devour the world... "

Vila explains happily, still holding out the offered purple flower. That explains that, at least. As he looks at the rocks with suspicion, she takes one out to show him.

" These are from Uncle Durin's rock collection on Dragonspine! They look like the red rocks at Elynas, but they glow a bit and the glow pulses at a regular rate. I wonder why... my other uncle said to keep these away from humans so I have been, but I haven't noticed anything weird aside from Mel avoiding them. You'll be fine though, since you are a human-adorable tree with the strongest bark I've ever seen. "

[vila-of-burning-waters]

" Okay, thank you Miss Shinobu! Will you at least accept a flower that's also a great light source? "

Vila puts the pouch away, gripping the stem of the flower gently. Mel shuffles nearby, watching passersby with a relaxed and friendly expression.

" It's nice to meet you, Miss Shinobu. Do you happen to know where I can find Dendrobium flowers? I haven't been here in 15 years and I remember that they were extinct back then, but they are back now. "

Vila waits expectantly, getting out her Mora pouch to pay for the information. She may not like Mora due to the uniform shape and texture of each coin, but it is essential to buy supplies and negotiate with humans. She also reaches into her satchel for a Windwheel Aster, still gazing at Shinobu with anticipatory excitement.

[vila-of-burning-waters]

" It's my birthday today! I wonder what my sisters will send me this year... "

Vila muses, tail wagging. Beside her, Mel is wearing a Pyro-proof party hat much like the one taking the place of the Melusine's usual hat.

[vila-of-burning-waters]

" It's nice to meet you, Miss Shinobu. Do you happen to know where I can find Dendrobium flowers? I haven't been here in 15 years and I remember that they were extinct back then, but they are back now. "

Vila waits expectantly, getting out her Mora pouch to pay for the information. She may not like Mora due to the uniform shape and texture of each coin, but it is essential to buy supplies and negotiate with humans. She also reaches into her satchel for a Windwheel Aster, still gazing at Shinobu with anticipatory excitement.

A few minutes later, a child-sized humanoid with a tail and sea hare-like feelers skips her way over with a smile, stopping next to the Pyro Slime and waving at the Deputy.

" Hello, I'm Vila, a Melusine, and this is my companion, Mel the Pyro Slime. What's your name? "

To the Melusine, Shinobu is adorable like all humans, and her short blade has a voice like the vibrating plants she saw earlier. Interested as she is by the similarities between the two, she doesn't feel a need to ask about it at the moment. Meeting a potential new friend is more important than asking about little details, as far as she's concerned.

[vila-of-burning-waters]

" They mention something about 'Agni' when I get close though, and stay even further away from Mel. "

Vila explains, unsure of what 'Agni' means but aware that it must be bad for the Aranara. She won't force an interaction if the tree creatures don't want to say hello.

" Oh, sorry, us Melusines see things differently. Humans are adorable, our food looks icky to humans, the Traveler looks like they could devour the world... "

Vila explains happily, still holding out the offered purple flower. That explains that, at least. As he looks at the rocks with suspicion, she takes one out to show him.

" These are from Uncle Durin's rock collection on Dragonspine! They look like the red rocks at Elynas, but they glow a bit and the glow pulses at a regular rate. I wonder why... my other uncle said to keep these away from humans so I have been, but I haven't noticed anything weird aside from Mel avoiding them. You'll be fine though, since you are a human-adorable tree with the strongest bark I've ever seen. "

[vila-of-burning-waters]

Vila shakes her head, Mel still just as rich in energy as a Pyro Slime in Liquid Phlogiston.

" No thank you, Mel is doing just fine and so am I. There are lots of torches along the way and I can recharge Mel if I need to. "

Although the shift in expression doesn't escape her notice, Vila isn't all too worried about it. If anything bad does happen, she can always stop a fight. As soon as the Starsilver is offered, the Melusine focuses on the gift instead.

" Ooh, a shimmery blue-rainbow rock... Thanks, Uncle Albedo! "

She tucks it into her bag, choosing to conceal the contents after the way Rubedo reacted to the Scarlet Quartz chunks within. Vila certainly doesn't need to be told twice about the danger in keeping them, and how to ensure they don't hurt anyone.

[vila-of-burning-waters]

Although the shift in expression doesn't escape her notice, Vila isn't all too worried about it. If anything bad does happen, she can always stop a fight. As soon as the Starsilver is offered, the Melusine focuses on the gift instead.

" Ooh, a shimmery blue-rainbow rock... Thanks, Uncle Albedo! "

She tucks it into her bag, choosing to conceal the contents after the way Rubedo reacted to the Scarlet Quartz chunks within. Vila certainly doesn't need to be told twice about the danger in keeping them, and how to ensure they don't hurt anyone.

Vila looks around the cave in awe, fascinated by all the potions and alchemical equipment.

" Uncle Rubedo says hi too! He's gonna visit my sisters at home in a few weeks with a friend. Don't worry, I know I'm a long way from Fontaine. Adventuring is just so much fun and I find all sorts of trinkets to send back home. "

The Melusine grins, hands on her hips and tail wagging as she expresses this love for exploration and collecting items. The Pyro Slime, Mel, bounces a few times at Vila's excitement before shuffling around the lab carefully to study the items within.

[vila-of-burning-waters]

At her gift being accepted, Vila can barely resist dancing. Her rhinophores quiver and tail wags, eyes sparkling.

" Thank you, mister Wanderer! "

At the mention of the Aranara, Vila tilts her head. She begins thinking about what she's seen, looking back up at Wanderer with confusion.

" The green and orange moving trees that keep disappearing when I try to get close? Are those the Aranara? "

" Oh, sorry, us Melusines see things differently. Humans are adorable, our food looks icky to humans, the Traveler looks like they could devour the world... "

Vila explains happily, still holding out the offered purple flower. That explains that, at least. As he looks at the rocks with suspicion, she takes one out to show him.

" These are from Uncle Durin's rock collection on Dragonspine! They look like the red rocks at Elynas, but they glow a bit and the glow pulses at a regular rate. I wonder why... my other uncle said to keep these away from humans so I have been, but I haven't noticed anything weird aside from Mel avoiding them. You'll be fine though, since you are a human-adorable tree with the strongest bark I've ever seen. "

[vila-of-burning-waters]

" Okay, Mr. Wanderer. Thank you for getting me back to a public road, it really means a lot. Do you still not want a Sumeru Rose? "

Vila asks, reaching back into her satchel to take hold of one of the purple flowers in case Hat Guy accepts the offer this time. They're certainly special to her, and whatever he sees them as are likely just as interesting.

" Oh, sorry, us Melusines see things differently. Humans are adorable, our food looks icky to humans, the Traveler looks like they could devour the world... "

Vila explains happily, still holding out the offered purple flower. That explains that, at least. As he looks at the rocks with suspicion, she takes one out to show him.

" These are from Uncle Durin's rock collection on Dragonspine! They look like the red rocks at Elynas, but they glow a bit and the glow pulses at a regular rate. I wonder why... my other uncle said to keep these away from humans so I have been, but I haven't noticed anything weird aside from Mel avoiding them. You'll be fine though, since you are a human-adorable tree with the strongest bark I've ever seen. "

[vila-of-burning-waters]

A few minutes later, a child-sized humanoid with a tail and sea hare-like feelers skips her way over with a smile, stopping next to the Pyro Slime and waving at the Deputy.

" Hello, I'm Vila, a Melusine, and this is my companion, Mel the Pyro Slime. What's your name? "

To the Melusine, Shinobu is adorable like all humans, and her short blade has a voice like the vibrating plants she saw earlier. Interested as she is by the similarities between the two, she doesn't feel a need to ask about it at the moment. Meeting a potential new friend is more important than asking about little details, as far as she's concerned.

@vila-of-burning-waters asked:

< For Shinobu >

A Pyro Slime in metal armor is hopping around, when it spots Shinobu and begins approaching with purpose... only to stop a few feet away and wobble in place idly. It 'pancakes' slightly, eyes shifting to a relaxed expression, and rests there as if waiting for something to happen.

"Hmm?"

She was used to dealing with slimes, of course, but she'd never seen one with armor of any kind before. Shinobu would loft a brow before turning her full attention to the creature. She'd summon a Naku Weed blade to play with, but make no move to threaten the creature. After all, it hadn't tried to attack her, and she had no reason to believe that ALL slimes were incapable of even minor intelligence.

"You are an interesting slime, aren't you? I've never seen one in armor like that before."

Sure, she'd seen the large 'armored' Geo, and Cryo slimes in the past, but neither of those had actual metallic armor like the one she was looking at.