Scholar Mu immediately broke the tension she had created with her last statement.

  “Nothin’ steep mind, just some questions answered and me curiosity sated on a few matters. We’ll have plenty of time for it while we’re travellin’ together.”

  Willow felt some slight trepidation as the wanderer woman looked at him as she said that. However his father seemed relieved that the cost would be small, and the meeting went on without much drama or fanfare.

  It was all quite boring for the four children present. A lot of talks of organization and what they’d be allowed to bring, not much excitement or action. Willow zoned out partway through and began playing with his spirit friends, though Harmony tried to gently chide him for not paying proper attention to an important matter.

  It’s fine, his Da could explain what everyone decided later.

  Besides, he felt he hadn’t given proper attention to the newest member of their group. He wasn’t in the best head space when they were acquired, and things had been rather hectic since.

  Calypso was an odd little raindrop, words seemed to hold no meaning for them, only intention mattered. Which for the rest of his friends wasn’t really a hindrance for communication, but for Willow it meant that he had to focus a bit harder to get his point across to them.

  He still loved his new friend quite dearly of course, as he did all of his spirits.

  However it was still an additional hurdle in getting to know them.

  The crystal clear raindrop with swirls of red moving across its surface sat in the middle of a group of friends, all of which were giving them their full attention.

  “They don’t do much, huh?” Observed Change, giving the small spirit a little poke. Which just elicited the nonverbal equivalent to a giggle in Calypso.

  “They just need time to get to know us.” The projection of the boy said as they sent a burst of affection his new friend's way. “Plus the way they were born was a lot less happy than the rest of you. I’m sure that did something to them.”

  The yang spirit wasn’t convinced.

  “I guess. Could also be that something was up with one of their parents. Did you see that red ink snake? Can’t imagine that guy as being particularly chatty.”

  “Hmmm, maybe. Sad I never got to meet him.”

  His aunt had said they weren’t for polite company, but maybe they’d have gotten along if they were given a chance.

  Then again, with the amount of malice they had been displaying, maybe it was for the best that he’d never met them properly. Still wasn’t right that they died the way they did.

  Nope, he was choosing not to focus on negative stuff right now.

  What game could Calypso join in with?

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  Playing Catch with Phoebe was fun, but the only ones who could actively play it were Change, himself, and the little rock spirit. They had grown increasingly fond of whizzing through the air at high speeds, so Willow tried to play that game with them when he could.

  Eos liked being tossed around less than Phoebe, but they still enjoyed games where they got moved or chased around.

  Xandra seemingly liked being the center of attention with the funny reflection game. Willow still wasn’t entirely sure of the reflection spirit’s feelings on certain things, but had grown a bit more confident in thinking that they enjoyed everyone’s company just fine.

  Calypso just didn’t seem to want to do anything. They seemed perfectly happy to take in everything and everyone, and just enjoyed existence. Honestly if Willow could get away with it he’d bring the little raindrop out of his space and let them observe the world around them, since right now that was all the small spirit seemed to want to do.

  He physically sighed and was brought out of his spiritual playtime by a poke on his forehead.

  “You okay, little gremlin? You were spacing out, and then let out a big sigh.”

  Yew was staring at him as Willow came back to reality and rubbed at the poked spot on his head.

  “Just figuring out what to play with my friends.” The boy said, keeping his voice a bit low so that Scholar Mu couldn’t potentially overhear. He was getting kind of tired of keeping the wanderer woman in mind whenever he did things.

  “Well the meeting’s over and we’re heading back home for now. Got a lot of stuff we need to do to get ready.” The young teen clearly wasn’t looking forward to the loss of his free time for the immediate future, but that was the price that must be paid for all of them to leave.

  Willow still didn’t know how to feel about leaving the Vale. It was his home his whole life, and the idea of encountering so many strange new places and people had him both afraid and excited.

  He wished things didn’t have to change.

  The thought made him chuckle a bit as the boy in a dress realized how strange it was for him to be so resistant to the concept when one of his friends embodied it.

  “What’s so funny?” His brother asked as their family slowly made their way home. Bough lumbered along beside them with their father resting atop his spirit beast friend. Aunt Jieun on the other side of the big earth turtle, eager to be as alone as she could for a bit.

  “Just realized how silly I’ve been, change can be nice, and I have proof of that.”

  “Thinking about the move, I take it?”

  At Willow’s nod he continued. “Yeah I’m also worried about it, but as you said it could be nice. More people to meet and places to explore. Hopefully less dangerous than out here.”

  “It’s not that bad, I met lots of friendly spirits when I went exploring.” Which gave him an idea of something nice he could potentially do for his aunt. He could tell how much the loss of her friends still hurt her. Maybe a new friend would help.

  “When did you explore the woods by yourself?” Yew asked, incredulous.

  Oh right, he hadn’t really told his family he had done that while looking for more friends.

  Whoops.

  “Wasn’t by myself, had Eos, Change, and Harmony with me. Plus, nothing could see me, so I was very safe.”

  His brother gave him a fairly flat look. “What do you mean, nothing could see you?”

  Was that something else he hadn’t told him? Guess it was.

  Willow looked around to make sure no one was watching him, and after he was satisfied he harmonized himself with the environment, causing Yew’s eyes to widen as he looked around.

  The boy appeared again with a gap-toothed grin. “It’s something Harmony taught me! Pretty neat, right?”

  His brother just stared at him a bit blankly for a bit before cracking a smile and tousling his hair.

  “Yeah, it’s pretty neat, little gremlin.”