All I See is Stars

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ Welcome Home, Lurial ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊

You mulled over the options that you had and eventually decided that you would go with Bryxel. At this point, you had little options. And you were willing to go with this Nexel, as they helped you when you were down. You nodded toward them.

They smiled and set down the lantern they had on the ground before standing up. Although the lantern covers a wide area with light, Bryxel's face was partially covered with shadow while standing. From where you are, they seemed to be about six or seven feet tall. They removed the cloak that was wrapped around their neck and let it fall to the ground, revealing more of their tall and lanky figure. They also seemed to have a feathered tail, with the tips being as dark as their claws. 

You wondered what they were doing for a moment before they turned around to face their back towards you and kneeling down, their slim tail moving out of the way.

"It would be easier for me to disguise you if you are on my back. We will put the cloak over you. That way, you will be safe. There are creatures here that are dangerous in the wild."

Your eyes widened, the gesture very unexpected. However, you willingly hopped on, wrapping your arms around their neck. Bryxel moved their tail to support you from behind. Though their tail was slim, you were surprised to find that it held you safely. They went to pick up their cloak and threw it over your head swiftly. 

"Are you well under there, Lurial...?" They asked, shifting their head to look at you.

"That's...not my name." You replied, but you didn't seem to mind it too much. "But yes, I'm alright."

"Ah, forgive me. A slip of the tongue."

"It's really okay. Call me whatever you like, as long as you don't insult me." 

They chuckled slightly before taking off. Bryxel was only taking one step at a time, as if they were strolling, but for you it felt like you were traveling at a run. From where you were hidden, you can see the ground as Bryxel traversed it. You didn't notice it before, but the ground contained crystals of many kinds, surrounded by dirt. Many of these gems would have been considered valuable from where you had come from, but Bryxel doesn't blink an eye. They even hopped onto some bigger ones like platforms as they traversed in the wilderness, sticking to the many shadowed areas under the large trees. 

Eventually, Bryxel reached a clearing up ahead, which was surrounded by glowing mushrooms of all colors. The mushrooms grew not only on the ground, but along the stalks of the large trees that surrounded the clearing. Bryxel only stopped moving when they were in the ring of mushrooms, where they let out a sigh and removed the cloak from around you. 

After kneeling down, you got off of their back and observed your new surroundings. You could have only seen the stalks of these trees when you were in almost complete darkness, but now that there were mushrooms that grew to the canopies you realized that the canopies were actually large bundles of crystals. They reflected light off of the mushrooms, lighting up the area nicely. 

Bryxel walked past you towards a few of the canopies that were on the ground, partially buried. The crystal bundles seemed to be fashioned into some kind of functional house, three somewhat stacked on top of each other. You can see some of the crystals were transparent to be fashioned into windows. Bryxel looked back towards you and beckoned you over to the house. 

"Come. I will make you some food and fix your bed." 

Through all that had happened, your body became numb to your environment and you failed to realize that the outside had grown colder. The cloak, the pain of your injuries, and Bryxel were the only things that kept you from noticing it. You gladly entered the strange abode, speed-walking to keep up with them and, as soon as you entered, your body was immediately enveloped with warmth.

The house had a strange layout compared to what you were used to. The spherical room you were currently in had many contraptions, fueled by some kind of golden source that originated from the lanterns that were placed everywhere. Each one looked exactly like the one Bryxel was holding when you first met them. They were not only hung from the ceiling, but they were also put up near the windows, each lantern seemingly their own little mushroom garden. Directly in the center seemed to be a contraption that Bryxel immediately went to, setting down the lantern they were holding on the ground beside them. The contraption had many glowing segments to it, with multiple trapdoors. Bryxel opened one of them and pulled out a tray, filled with sweet-smelling goods. They set it down on a cushioned table in the center of the room and pulled up an equally cushioned chair.

"Please, have a seat. Eat. They are very good." They merely said. They even went over to you and led you to it, pushing your shoulders lightly so that you sit. "I will prepare your living space. Forgive me, we only have one bedroom, so I hope you do not mind the company."

You watched as Bryxel went to another room up to the top right, hopping onto carved crystal platforms that were fit comfortable for their legs and disappearing before you could say anything. While sitting down, you realized how big everything was compared to you. Your feet could barely touch the ground. A normal room for you would have been a fourth of the size of the spherical room. 

Bryxel seemed like they were going to be gone for awhile, so you pondered what you could do in the meantime. There was the enticing food that they had brought out, though you have no idea what was in it. You were rested enough for you to move around with your own legs now, so there was also one other room that Bryxel had not acknowledged that you could explore. The contraptions in the room also piqued your interest, as there were things that you couldn't quite figure out. So many things to do to get used to your new situation.

Your move?