After spending a day and a half in Mamlak (not nearly long enough, in Elowen's opinion), she and Randal had moved along on their journey. They were directed to the island of Apoy by a kind merchant, who was very helpful, albeit a little flustered every time she smiled at him. He told them that he knew of plenty who had found a gateway to Angela's realm in the small patches of woodland that dotted the island. Yet Wen had mixed feelings about what would happen when they finally met the Deity. Her stated purpose for visiting Mother Gaia was to pay respect to her and possibly seek her advice on where to go with her thirst for knowledge and adventure. She was still planning on doing that, but… every time her golden eyes drifted over to Randal, whom she'd grown rather fond of. Would he want her gone after they finally reached the goddess? There would certainly be no need for them to travel together anymore. A pit sat in her stomach each time she thought of the future, so she tried not to think about it.

Instead, Elowen focused on the quaint village of Kinigoh, which was bustling despite being a great deal smaller than Mamlak. The Dryad enthusiastically waved at everyone who made eye contact with her, viewing all the activity with an air of excitement. "Wow, this place is so nice!" Wen remarked enthusiastically. "After we get a room at the inn, can we walk around here some?" Her eyes sparkled with an idea. "And didn't that merchant mention something about hot springs?" The smile on her face was as wide as it could possibly go as she reached a pale green hand to tug on Randal's sleeve. "Oh, Angela can wait just one more day, right? Evening will be her soon, anyways," Elowen pleaded, for more reasons than one.

After all that happened in Mamalak the young mage was glad to get out of it quicker than expected, after almost being killed multiple times he thought that this island would be his chance for a vacation from stress, this was until he saw the large volcano smoking away in the distant he let out a distressed sigh before looking over at Wen with a grin when they first met he was shocked at her appearance but he quickly learnt that she was just a really kind girl to everyone she met and now the tight feeling he felt her tug on his arm or even drag him somewhere new was becoming a regular thing even as he stared into her golden eyes all he could do was melt before being scorned at by Edgest for being an idiot even Randal knew as soon as they got to Angela there was no way she would need his help anymore he thought all this with a frown and mindessly tapping of his chin.

Watching her excitedly wave to every new person she met receiving a friendly wave back he happily nodded "Of course we can, I mean Edgest is gone for the weekend to learn some things about where we need to go next so we can just relax, and uhhh hot springs I mean sure why not" trying to hide the flush on his face at the thought quickly imagine the disapproving look Edgest would give him if he found out after hearing that Angela could wait one more day he let his hand slide down wrapping his finger round hers with a small smile "Yeah, she can wait a couple more" because at the this moment he wished this journey could last forever.
Watching her excitedly wave to every new person she met receiving a friendly wave back he happily nodded "Of course we can, I mean Edgest is gone for the weekend to learn some things about where we need to go next so we can just relax, and uhhh hot springs I mean sure why not" trying to hide the flush on his face at the thought quickly imagine the disapproving look Edgest would give him if he found out after hearing that Angela could wait one more day he let his hand slide down wrapping his finger round hers with a small smile "Yeah, she can wait a couple more" because at the this moment he wished this journey could last forever.

The feeling that bubbled inside her was foreign to the young Dryad when Randal grabbed hold of her hand. It was something she was not quite used to, yet she liked it. "Right, then. To the inn!" Gently tugging Randal behind her, Elowen asked a local woman where to find the building, then proceeded in the direction she pointed. When she finally caught sight of it, a grin grew on her face. As the pair entered, they saw a kind old woman, presumably the innkeeper, behind the bar in the small tavern that made up the bottom floor. "Hello, ma'am," Wen greeted courteously, dragging Randal over with her. "What can I do you for, loves?" the woman responded as she wiped down a wooden cup with a rag. "We'd like a room, please," replied Wen, smiling innocently.

At this, the innkeeper's expression changed to one Elowen could not place. Her face held a sort of knowing, though the Dryad could not possibly figure out what she was thinking. Placing the cup down, she reached under the counter and pulled out a worn book filled with names of previous guests. "Of course, dear." After giving their names and splitting the cost of silver, the two headed upstairs to unload some things before going to the hot springs. Their room was quaint and rustic, with only a desk and chair, a nightstand, and a bed furnishing the room. Elowen went straight for the window, breathing in the fresh air and taking in the sights below, occasionally waving at a passerby.

He looked around the room with unease "Only one bed? that's a little bit cosy" trying to avoid the hitch in his throat and imaging Edgest giving him a disapproving look he quickly unpacked his backpack full of herbs and pots onto the desk before picking one at random sticking it into his mouth for a quick chew finding it was a dried herb that he found in Mamalak that sent the warm sensation throughout his body, with the herb hanging from his mouth the young mage walked to the window leaning against the dryad gently giving her a soft smile at her excitement before throwing her cloak over her head with a chuckle "Dont want to be late to the hot springs now do we?"

As they left the Inn Randal made sure to flash a small smile to the Innkeeper before heading out into the village watching the colourful birds fly around the sky amazed him on how even the wildlife seemed unfazed at the idea of the volcano in the distance smoking away but just like the villagers themselves the young mage felt at ease with it, even now he walked close to her side seemingly always touching Wen even if it was his finger tips lightly tapping against her hand or gently leaning towards her while walking even just before he saw the hot springs ahead he caught notice of a flower stall standing proudly on the side path displaying all colourful flowers glancing quickly he noticed a bright yellow flower that seemed to stand out in the pile which he quickly brought before walking back to her, "I uhhh got you something" he said quietly before showing the flower, "It was already picked so I thought it would look nice but you know if you dont want it its okay, I understand" the young mage ramabled on before nervously slipping the flower into her hair with a small rub of his neck.

Arching an eyebrow at the strange action, Elowen wondered if she should ask why he did that. Her hair was already filled with stray twigs and leaves that had gotten caught in it, so why put yet another plant in? She shrugged it off. "No, it's fine. For all the plant life that gets tangled in my hair, I do not normally find flowers in it," she assured him, smiling brightly up at him and linking their hands. Soon, the hot springs were in view, steam rising from different pools of water. The setting sun was reflected by their crystalline surfaces. Wen's eyes shined with sheer joy as she darted towards one of the pools. "Oh, it's so beautiful!"

Eager to experience the amazing feeling she had heard about from the passing villagers, Wen only stopped to tug off her cloak before jumping straight into the warm water. It stung slightly, but the feeling soon turned into a warm engulfment. Swimming back up to the surface, she felt the braid fall out of her hair, but she hardly cared. As she broke through the water, Elowen did not notice the few annoyed visitors in the surrounding pools, instead waving over at Randal. "Come on! This is very nice!" she called out enthusiastically. 

He let out a quiet sigh before nodding with a small smile "Of course I mean what else can you get tangled up in there" he chuckled "I'm sure I can find a use for it" he quickly took it placing it in a small glass vial in his rucksack nodding to himself that what he thinks could be a reality could never happen he then allowed himself to be pulled along to the amazing pools of hot water as he watched the steam billow around it nodding at her comment with a grin "It really is".

Raising his hand up in apology to the other visitors mouthing sorry their general direction he quickly disrobed and slipped into the hot water with a sigh, "I can't remember the last I had a proper bath, It's like my muscles are jelly" he then frowned to the water seeing his reflection and causing him to rub his chin in deep thought wondering what the Dryad will decide to do after reaching Angela, in fact he did already know that Wen would leave him and even Edgest once their goal was complete then it would just be him again a Mage who deals with ghosts, letting the water flow over his hand before starting to speak "So what are you gonna do after Angela?" he awaited a answer before a large tanned man walked over obviously a local to the parts but still showing the signs of a great fighter he spoke only to the Dryad "How about I show you around after a soak? I mean I am a knight after all much better than the human stick here" he flexed making Randal wince deeper into the water with a pained look.

Elowen swam over and sat in the shallow water next to Randal, absently tugging on a lock of her green hair. "Well, I was actually think–" Her response was interrupted by the bold knight approaching them. He was clearly very arrogant and expected Wen to be impressed, but even though she was quite naive, she knew that she did not like that kind of person. Especially not after he insulted Randal like that. Narrowing her eyes in distaste, she coldly answered, "No thank you. My friend may not have your strength, but at least he knows how to be kind and respectful."

The man scowled, but left them alone after she rejected him. She'd had just about enough of people insulting the mage. Despite his oddities, he was a genuinely kind person, and she was lucky to have met him. Smoothing back her hair, she let out a sigh. "As I was saying…" Wen finally continued. "After we visit her, I was thinking… I mean, I know you and Edgest will be on your own journey afterwards, but maybe we could…" Her voice trailed off. She did not really know what she was asking for. Letting her head fall onto his shoulder, she looked over the rising steam and shimmering pools for a while before whispering, "Stay with me."

Wen's response made him smile under the water her judge in character seemed to always been right even if he did think she over did his attributes and when her head came to rest on his shoulder the tight feeling in his chest came back was it out of fear that she may leave him but when she finally came to answering his question the tightness grew to almost unbearable she wanted to stay with him even with Edgest looking at his reflection of his slightly dull blue eyes, when he was first born he had brown eyes but due to Edgest's mana it had started to change quickly and with that he cup Wen's cheek softly lifting her face looking into her goldren eyes with a smile "Of course Ill stay with you Elowen" his next action surprised even him as he slowly grew closer to the Dryad kissing her genetly for the next few seconds he didnt care that there were vistors or even that the pain in his chest was gone his sole foucus was on her.

Until he opened his eyes and realised what he had done shuffling near to the other side of the small pool "I'm truly sorry, I don't know what came over me, there was a pain in my chest since that Fratis clan member flattered you and it kept getting worse and all these feelings" he rambled on stressfully worried she would think worse of him and end up leaving him alone in the spring glancing round see everyone stare at him he shrunk a little almost whispering "I'm sorry…".

The thought occurred to her that she had never truly worried about personal space with Randal. Absentmindedly, the Dryad wondered if Serci would disapprove of them, though it was becoming increasingly clear to her that the idea of "personal space" varied from person to person. With the mage it was nearly nonexistent, for example. A small smile formed on her face, and she hummed happily when he said he would not leave her. She raised an eyebrow when he shifted next to her, but her mind had no time to process the action because he just as quickly brought their faces together.

When their lips touched, Elowen jolted, unsure of what Randal was doing or how to react. But then she relaxed, letting herself naturally react to the sensation. And then it was over. His absence was shocking and caused her eyes to flutter open. Had she done something wrong? No, he was the one who apparently thought he'd done something wrong.  Wen looked to where he had shrunken into a ball, apologizing profusely. "Don't be sorry," she breathed, staring at him with widened golden eyes. Nearing him once more, she let her face hover close to his. "I have no idea what just happened, but do it again." As she stared him intently in the eyes, she curiously searched to figure out what he was thinking.

His eyes widen in shock as he looked into her eyes, did she know what this meant, how he felt about her? Randal shook his head to clear his mind of doubt as he reached his hand up to her cheek again running a thumb across Wen's bottom lip, "Wen, I…I care for you a lot" he paused taking a deep breath perhaps it was the heat from the springs giving him delusions or the herb he had eaten on the way her was a mind-altering drug but before he could pinpoint the cause he was already moving towards the dryad before wrapping an arm around her and kissing her once again smiling into the embrace in the last couple of weeks he had grown very close to the Dryad not because of her looks or logics but because he had deeply fallen for her goodness, pulling back from the kiss he rests his forehead against hers, "I should had explained what this meant before doing it, but a kiss is something special between two people" he finished his explanation with him tucking her wet hair away from her eyes still looking into her golden eyes almost entrahlled with them.

But now that she knew the meaning would she retreat, would she seal herself  away and run off to find Angela alone without him, almost looking something to anchor them both down he quickly lead to her hand entwining his fingers with hers with the smallest smile he whispers without thinking, which is unlike the young mage to do, and with a lot of hesitation "I think I've fallen for you, Wen"