Io took a deep breath in, closing her eyes and enjoying the scent of her hosts cooking. Even with all the places she had journeyed, even after having dined on the finest cuisine, her favorite foods were to be found in the kitchens of the humble commoners. Perhaps it was a faint memory of some distant family meal, or the sentiment of a hard working person putting aside time to give a weary traveler a warm meal-whatever it was, it warmed her heart. This particular farmer had three beautiful children, two boys and a girl, and a wife. He was rather elderly, and worn from all the years, but he still insisted she stay the night. It wasn't often she was allowed to stay in a house, but it was a welcome change. At the moment she sat on the rooftop, overlooking the forest and the city. She had travelled here to explore the forest, though a few of the shoppers she had met in the city had warned her of dangers, Io didn't mind. Looking at it now, illuminated by the soft glow of the setting sun, her eyes were sparkling with curiosity and wonder. A new place to search, to look in every crevice, to inspire her. She sketched gently on parchment the forest, mindlessly writing notes of her journey here on the back, taking time to make sure she mentioned the elderly farmer and his family. Once she was done she placed it into her satchel to be kept with the disorganized array of other papers, containing her previous journeys. Just as she was about to return to gazing at the bamboo, and return to contemplating what must be hidden inside, she heard the sound of the dinner bell, and scampered down, just as the children did, eager to have her meal.
The next morning, giving her farewell to the family, she headed back into the city. As much as she dreaded heavily populated areas she knew she still needed to gather a few items before she could begin her excursion. It was early in the morning, with the shopkeepers just beginning to turn their signs and open their doors, all with sleepy eyes and tired shuffles. Io, however, had a smile on her face- she loved the shades of pink and orange the sunrise turned the city, and that there were few people to bother her. She grinned even wider at passing the pet store, seeing that some of the animals had gotten out of their cages. She disliked the idea of holding creatures captive, and was about to laugh when she felt a sudden impact and fell to the ground with a thud, she looked up to realize she had walked straight into someone…