"I am no warrior, I have no plans to engage in combat. Instead, I would like to see if there are other... Potential applications for such."

She muses playfully.

"Do you know what ores you use to make your weapons? It'd be grateful if you could show me where to find them."

It sounds too good to be true, but far be it for her to look a present-bearing steed in its maw. Solanum takes Hornet's hand and shakes it.

( She thinks she's improved on her handshake technique! )

"I know it is so soon after our agreement... Then again, you did ask the last question." ↷

She has seen her fair share of bugs from afar, careful to keep her distance. She had been equally wary of them as she had Hornet.

If any of them were as quick to combat as she was, Solanum imagines she won't last very long here.

"I'd be grateful, though I am unsure how I would repay you."

Pharloom —- she has a name to this place, now. A window for research opens, but she pushes it aside for now.

It's preferable to engage with the now, before her. Until all paths are exhausted, and to display gratitude for one willing to engage her ignorance.

"Is it especially dangerous?" ↷

That does sound good. She ceases her sprawling and sits upright, resting her portion in her lap.

"Have any stories since I've been away? This land seems to be perpetually busy. Always moving."

She nibbles on one of the kebabs. Her tiny tail wagging says she's enjoying it.

She makes herself comfortable, exaggeratedly so. Her behavior is followed with an innocent smile.

"I'm still learning the names of all your foods. Why don't you surprise me? I'm sure whatever you make will be wonderful."

"Sounds like a plan~"

She leans forward to wrap an arm around him, then return his earlier kiss.

"I missed you too, cutie."

She glances down. "This might be silly, but this makes me feel like princess. I've never been carried before..."

"Oh– Hey there, Dinny."

She doesn't try to explain, just points upwards towards a slowly-closing portal.

"I miscalculated."

Falling out of the sky directly towards him.

// Thank you, something between happy and anxious to be back lol. ❤️