Heavenfall

"Somewhat," she chuckled. "But you can take the badger out of the wilderness, can't take the wilderness out of the badger. In fact he might just become more cranky and irate."

He winked.

"I didn't know that it was possibel to be more cranky and irate."

"Give it time~," Saruko retorted in a sing-song tone.

"Are you gonna check out the city some more?"

"As much as I can. That library of theirs... we should have something similar to that, too. So who knows what else we'll find that I want to emulate? These people are a marvel."

Leave it to Sora to get along better with bipedal rats than with many of the humans he knew.

"Mm, I will take a scenic route back to camp myself... trying to see as much as possible and commit it to memory so I can draw it all down when I get back to my tent. I didn't think to bring anything to draw or paint with coming here."

She looked up at the constructions around them some more.

"Well, with any luck, we can come back someday. Pay a visit, repay them for their help as best we can..."

"That would be nice. In fact, I think I would like to personally return here someday. To help out, and to have more opportunity to look around and just... take in the sights."

She tapped the side of her head. "But this will have to do for the time being."

"Just so."

He chuckled.

"I kind of want the kids to see this place, though. Meet Nezumi children, so they can start to understand each other while understanding still comes easily."

"A childlike state of mind does have many advantages," she said with a knowing smile. "It's a... pure way of thinking, of being. So true to your true self. Children are often so much more accepting of change and differences."

"No bad habits yet, only what we teach them."

She thought about something for a few moments, before speaking.

"Seek me out in a couple of days, Sora. There's something I've been working on. Writing, to be specific. Maybe it would be of interest to you? Since everyone's like... trying to write about philosophy, I've been giving it a try myself since my children were born. Lots of time to write for a while there actually."

She just hadn't really showed it to many people yet.

"I would be honored. Actually, that gives me an idea..."

"Oho... I'm intrigued now," she mused.

"Shall we agree to sit down and talk again in a few days time then? I think I want to see some more of this place before I return to camp first."

"That sounds like a lovely idea, Saruko."

He batted his eytelashes at her.

"O Light of My Life."

"O' my scruffy-looking little rage-filled badger. Even the stars turn away from your... errr... yeah... they turn away."

She covered her mouth as she loved. "Sorry. That was a bit mean."

"Bah, you should hear what Han-Han has to say about me!"

"Probably something like yip-YIP-YIIIP-yip-yip!!" Saruko did her best to mimic Han-Han's more talkative moments.

"And the judgmental looks he uses, too..."

"I know those looks well," she chuckled.

"Anyway... I should get going, Sora. Even if it's great to stay here and chat. You stay out of trouble with the locals, though, you hear?"

"Naturally! I find them... Refreshing."

He offered his friend a bow.

"Take care, Saruko."