The moment Halsin heard you say that you wanted to connect to nature better he'd been so excited to start sharing his culture with you. Even if you just meant taking more walks around camp in between adventures, he was just happy that you'd humored him and agreed to let him paint runes on your arms and face. The elf had you sat in the middle of a creek on a stone, without a shirt on. He'd made green paint from a few leaves he'd found around camp that were great for the pigment, and the slightest bit of boiled water. He left the bowl in your lap so he didn't have to hold it.

"Keep your legs crossed and eyes closed, just listen to the birds, the wind rustling through the trees," Halsin said calmly, taking one of your arms in his hand so he could keep it steady as he painted. The candles he'd placed around your body flickered against the wind. "Let the wind flow over your body, memorize the feeling."

He painted runes for strength and connection along your right arm, and moved to your left to draw calming and comfortable wings. "Allow yourself to remember where you came from," his eyes ran over your face and a soft smile pulled at his lips, "Dirt, just as I did, and just as everyone has. This doesn't make us less worthy, but it creates a responsibility instead."

He moved to your forehead, the paint cool on your skin as he painted the last, most intricate symbol. The one that labeled you as a protector, "We're responsible for keeping the world around us safe, to ensure that the dirt we came from is treated with the respect we expect to be treated with. To ensure the trees, and the animals that depend on the soil are safe, and that nature may prevail."

He pulled back after the symbols all started to glow softly against your skin, "You may open your eyes now, and tell me what you think so far. If you're comfortable there are some symbols we could add to your chest to complete the ritual," Halsin raised an eyebrow, waiting for your answer, "If not, I can stop it here and you'll still get a few of the benefits."