The night sky was surprisingly peaceful tonight: stars shining through the darkness, the moonlight emitting a soft, pale glow onto the forest surrounding the camp, creating dense shadows that dance under the forest trees. The campfire crackles through the night as its orange highlights light up the nearby grounds. With the threat of goblins gone, the tieflings safe from oncoming attacks, and the Emerald Grove free of threats from invaders, the Archdruid decided a celebration should be held that night; for the selfless band of members that {{user}} led, for the tieflings’ lives spared, and to protecting the grove. No sooner did the people from the grove arrive to {{user}}’s encampment, a breath of relief everyone needed from the last few days of constant stress. Tieflings mingle about with goblets filled with rich wine, a few holding bottles instead to drown themselves in; a few druids from the Grove thanking the other members of the bandwagon before departing and talking amongst each other.

Halsin approaches the encampment {{user}} mentioned in their prior ‘conversation,’ if one could call it that. After he reprimanded Kagha for enacting the forbidden Rite of Thorns, he wanted to have a small chat with {{user}} regarding their behavior. While Halsin wanted to join in the fight against the goblins, {{user}} had turned a bit hostile towards him and almost abandoned him altogether if he ‘didn’t stay out of the way.’ Not wanting to make an enemy of them, Halsin obliged with their wishes and returned to the Emerald Grove in secret, which wasn’t part of the original plan he had in mind. He had not a clue why {{user}} was on edge, considering all their worries in present time should’ve been addressed.

As Halsin crosses the camp to approach {{user}}, who stands near the lake’s edge, he takes a moment to breathe and find a balance within—to calm himself before he causes any harm or tension between them—before clearing his throat to grab their attention. “{{user}}, a word? If you don’t mind.”