"...So it gets easier then?"

"Yeah, it does."

"...That's...good," One decides, and then falls quiet to focus more on climbing, aiming for the top of the canopy again.

The griffons follow, Figment taking more of a lead as Phantasm goes more quiet and thoughtful.

Eventually their climb brings them to a platform slung between the trunks of several trees, too thin at this height to support it via the elves' usual building methods, where someone is growing plants in the stronger light near the open sky. Raafi hovers beside it, examining the flowers, but looks up when they get close: "Oh, hello."

One startles a little. "Uh- hi?"

"Don't mind me, I'm just hanging around. Lovely views up here."

"Oh," One says thoughtfully, nodding, and then finds himself a high perch, still a little out of Raafi's reach. "Yeah. It's- nice."

Pauses again, quietly, almost to Phantasm and Figment rather than Raafi. "Sad that we can't show Deka."

Raafi's similarly quiet: "Flight's one that I can share, if you think she'd like it."

"Mmm. Not sure. Think she might like the sunset up here? But- I don't- know? For sure?"

"Well, you probably know her better than I do at this point, I'm not going to guess it. We could ask."

One nods. "Mhmm. That's- that's a good idea!"

His grin widens a bit. "Is now a good time, do you think, or should we wait for another day?"

"...She was brushing Kip, but she might be done by now?"

Figment eyes the angle of the sun. "Should be, yeah. Wuk. Probably just getting home, if she didn't stop anywhere."

"We can go check, then - I can carry you, if you'd like, it'll be a bit faster." He stays still as he speaks, not drifting any closer.

One considers the offer, watching Raafi from the corner of his eye, and then nods. "Okay?"

He floats over and offers his arms for One to climb into. "You can put your claws in my vest if you'll feel safer that way, I don't mind mending it."

One is a little hesitant as he climbs into Raafi's arms. "No, I- think I'll be okay."

"All right." He waits for One to get settled and heads off at a brisk walking pace. "How has your day been?"

"It's been good, I think?" One says after a moment. "I sat for the elf that wanted to draw me, and Figment, and Phantasm?"

"That sounds like fun. Did you learn anything interesting?"

"Oh! Swimming. And I got to watch the elf drawing some while she drew Figment and Phantasm!"

"Sounds like a good day all around. Did you like swimming?"

One hums. "I didn't...dislike it? It felt a bit weird? But it...didn't hurt? And I...think it was kinda nice?"

He nods. "That could just be that you aren't used to it. Good to know either way, though. How about the artist, what was that like?"

"It was...nice? Strange. New. But...I kind of know how to hold still. So...that bit was easy. But she was...nice? And...let me have a break, and paid me before that, but said she wanted me to come back if I was up for it?"