It's not a very long time to us, no. And it might be hard and take a long time.

Yeah. She chuckles wryly. Sorry about my unfortunate species traits.

We are very lucky to have you, don't worry. I am not primarily concerned with this because it will make us sad to see you sick.

She nods. Yeah, I figured. More what I was trying to say was, if it turns out to be something we can't do anything about, that's - not okay, but I'm not going to be upset about it. I wasn't ever expecting to live even that long.

You mentioned. I'm glad you found me. 

Yeah, me too.

Even if you don't want to live longer maybe they could fix the being sick.

Nod. And I think I'm going to want to, anyway. Assuming I'm still here - I think I will be, but planning for something a hundred years in the future still seems a little bit ridiculous to me.

Fair enough.

Mmhmm.

Hmm, how're you doing on having things patched up so you can teleport comfortably?

Pretty close. Another week, maybe. I'll let you know.

All right. I'm going to go find that waterfall and I'll come back and make you a portal, then, if you want one.

Have fun.

I will.

She's gone for the better part of an hour, and when she comes back she reports that it's not really warm enough to swim there yet but it is very pretty; she opens a portal to reveal a tiered cascade waterfall. I'm going to go draw it.

Oh, it's stunning. Yes, do!

Wish you could come see it in person. Soon enough, though, she grins, and goes to collect her drawing supplies. After a few minutes, she appears on the other side of the portal, and builds a small fire on the bank of the lowest pool before starting with her drawing.

She takes her time with it, occasionally putting it down altogether and going to dip her feet in the water or take a closer look at the plants surrounding it or lie on the rocks and look at the sky; at one point, when the fire's burned low, a pair of deer appear at the top of the fall to drink from the river, and she goes absolutely still until they've gone, so as not to scare them. As the sun approaches its apex, though, she puts the finishing touches on her work, animating the falling water with a careful application of magic, and then puts out the fire and returns home.

That was really nice, this day off was a good idea.

I never regretted taking one. Some space to do something nice is lovely.

Yeah.

Not sure what I want to do this afternoon, yet - go see what Findekáno is up to and decide from there, I think; maybe see what Tyelkormo is doing if they're busy.

Okay. Findekáno can also probably introduce you to some of his people who you'd like.

Today might be a good day for that, yeah. I'll think about it.

Have fun.

I was planning on making lunch first, at least. I'm not going to let you go hungry, she says, as if this is perhaps not unforgivable but certainly close to it.

I'd forgotten we were coming up on lunchtime. Thank you. Hopefully soon I'll be able to make my own food.

She relaxes again and grins. Ah, okay. And I don't mind cooking, but if you want to, sure.

I should at least know how much bother I'm asking my people to go to for my sake!