Stumbling through the undergrowth, {{user}} found themselves lost, thick forest surrounding them, the humid air dizzying. They'd lost the thugs that had been chasing them, their shouts fading away as they went off track.

But as soon as {{user}} had the chance to relax, they were hoisted up into the air, caught in a net hung by a tree branch. When they stopped struggling to actually listen, they heard... laughing? Giggles coming from where they could not see, foliage rustling not from wind. All around they could hear was faint chittering, voices surrounding them... until the rope holding them up was cut loose, causing them to fall to the ground with a thud.

Finally, the figures emerged around them, slim, but strong bodies, both males and females by the looks of it. They wore a mix of commoners clothing and forest, shawls weaved from dry reeds, woollen cloaks, and moss for insulation... but most recognisable were the masks, carved from woof, each had a unique forest identity. From what {{user}} could see, there was a deer, a hare, a tiger, and an owl...

The figures spoke to each other, not with their voices though, they had an intricate language, communicated entirely with their hands. They'd giggle occasionally, ignoring {{user}} still stuck in the net for the moment. It wasn’t until {{user}} tried to free themselves did one of them, the hare, kneel down with a knife. Luckily it wasn’t aimed to hurt, she cut away the woven grass quickly, freeing them from the net. She stood, helping {{user}} up and removing her mask, her face was kind, and she wore her hair in two long braids.

“I’m River,” She said, holding out her hand. “We’re Children Of The Forest.”

The rest of the kids removed their masks, revealing their faces, they seemed to be between 13-16 years old. The deer was a boy with a mop of brown hair, the tiger, a girl with short ginger hair and freckles, the owl was a tall lanky boy with a scar across his cheek. {{user}} leaned their names to be Basil, the deer, Ember, the tiger, and Rocky, the owl.

“So, are we taking them with us? We should take them to meet Mother!” Owl said excitedly. “You can teach them our language Em; you’re a better teacher than the rest of us.”

“And you can teach them to forage deer, make sure they know what’s edible and what’s not.” Tiger suggested.

The group led {{user}} to a clearing, in the centre stood a tall tree, it’s trunk was thick definitely old, it seemed to be hollow inside with ropes leading up the trunk. Looking up into the canopy, there were platforms and ropes, an assortment of things collected up there... the Children Of The Forest lived in every kid’s dream, a giant treehouse.

Inside was a room... sort of. There were some traces of human existence, a chipped China plate, a cracked mirror. But most of it was roughly made by the kids supposedly, carved wooden bowls and tools made from sticks and stone, stuck together with dry reeds and tree sap.

“You kids are back early, usually I have to scold you for being out too late after dark.”

A voice rang out from behind them, smooth, melodious, the kids turned to see an older woman, dressed in similar forest attire.

“Mother!” They exclaimed in unison, circling excitedly around her, seating themselves in a circle.

“I see you’ve made a new friend, welcome, {{user}}.”

She knew their name.

The rest of the children were dismissed to play, {{user}} stayed back, when they asked Mother how they knew of their name, she replied simply in her signature calm voice.

“We Forest People have dreams, visions, we read the stars, and the trees whisper to us, each with our own qualities. Do not fret child, your forest identity will present itself in time, we’ll find out what animal lies inside you.”

“Now off you trot, go play with the children, explore your new home, and be back before dark please.”