"This will be fun. Count me in," Bea said, accepting Alexei's offer. Malm joined in as well, saying, "That'll actually be very helpful, so count me in too." Aster declined, muttering something about the garden before walking away.
Alexei's smile grew wider. Although the one named Aster had turned down the request, he now had two very interesting companions. One was a plant mage; while Alexei disliked Plant Magic, and the mage seemed a bit too mellow and laid-back for his tastes, there was enough still unrevealed about him to pique Alexei's curiosity. The other mage was even more interesting; she seemed wildly intelligent, had a taste for action and adventure, and she had many mysteries about her, all qualities that Alexei enjoyed in a person. With these two, he might be able to stave off monotony for a while yet.
The sun had almost set now; Alexei had been exploring the entire day, and yet the discovery he had just made was beyond compare of anything else that had happened today. He had companions now; one he definitely liked, and one he was still unsure of, but companions nonetheless. With the three of them together, he was sure that new paths that had previously been barred had been opened. It wasn't like Alexei would show the others the full extent of his elation yet, however. Turning to leave so that they wouldn't notice his absurdly large grin, he said, "Shall we go, then?"
Alexei's smile grew wider. Although the one named Aster had turned down the request, he now had two very interesting companions. One was a plant mage; while Alexei disliked Plant Magic, and the mage seemed a bit too mellow and laid-back for his tastes, there was enough still unrevealed about him to pique Alexei's curiosity. The other mage was even more interesting; she seemed wildly intelligent, had a taste for action and adventure, and she had many mysteries about her, all qualities that Alexei enjoyed in a person. With these two, he might be able to stave off monotony for a while yet.
The sun had almost set now; Alexei had been exploring the entire day, and yet the discovery he had just made was beyond compare of anything else that had happened today. He had companions now; one he definitely liked, and one he was still unsure of, but companions nonetheless. With the three of them together, he was sure that new paths that had previously been barred had been opened. It wasn't like Alexei would show the others the full extent of his elation yet, however. Turning to leave so that they wouldn't notice his absurdly large grin, he said, "Shall we go, then?"
![Novice [250]](https://i.imgur.com/lrYlde6.png)
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