Bamboo Forest

Everett and The Dancer mounted the twins' dearest pet ostrich, Millard, and sought off to find the Golden Stallion. The dancer had no choice but to hold onto the reigns and guide Millard while Everett acted as navigator. The three had successfully entered the bamboo forest with Everett's guidance and were now speeding along a dirt path.

"Why can't I be the navigator?" The dancer questioned Millard as her body leaned forward so it would be easier for her to run faster.

"For the last time, my lady, I'm Lord Hefaru's disciple. Therefore, I must keep this map safe. Take a left here," Everett sighed in annoyance.

The dancer huffed and stirred the reigns so that Millard would proceed to the left. She made Millard turn to the left tightly, almost causing Everett's potential death if he hadn't grabbed onto her shoulder quickly to balance himself.

"I reckon you do not trust me. Then again, I don't trust you either," the dancer muttered to herself.

Everett extracted his hand from the dancer's shoulder and kept on analysing the map. As they went deeper and deeper into the large bamboo forest. The scenery was getting dull to look at—row upon row of tall bamboo trees. The bamboo that was near the city was thin and short, whereas the bamboo in the deeper parts is thick and tall, almost as tall as Bulohwi Palace. You had to crane your neck and look up to be able to see the leaves. A primaeval forest would say.

'This part of the forest appears to be untouched by humans,' the dancer thought to herself.

When they arrived at the deeper parts of the bamboo forest, Everett urged The Dance to slow down and bring Millard to a halt. The dancer got off first and tied Millard's reigns around one of the huge bamboo trees. She placed a hand on her hip as she waited patiently for Everett, who took his time unmounting the ostrich. He finally folded the map and placed it in the satchel that he brought along with him.

Before embarking on their journey through the bamboo forest. The dancer had inquired of Everett about purchasing some rations and supplies before heading off. But Everett declined, saying that they didn't need to buy anything. He sounded quite confident with his words, so the dancer forgot the matter entirely. They decided to camp out here before proceeding with their journey. Noting the fact that the sun has begun to set as well.

"Isn't it dangerous to camp out here? What if Millard got spooked by something and decided to leave us here?" the dancer questioned and rambled on while holding her head with her hands. The dancer spoke softly so as not to alarm any beasts that might be lurking out in the dusk.

When she turned back around, to her surprise, a campsite was neatly built beside Millard. Everett was quietly seated on a makeshift bench with a small smile on his face. There was a glass jar filled with luma lights. Insects that could create light on their own. There was even a tent behind him, all set up and ready to be slept in. The dancer gently walked and stood by the bamboo poles that were now made into a makeshift bench. She carefully watched Everett as he tended to the fire.

"How did you?" the dancer began, but was cut off by Everett.

"I learned a few useful things when I acclimated to annual camping trips during my time at High Wind Academy. It's a school for people to learn spells and hexes. I presume you've already connected the details that I'm Bulohwi's royal mage?" Everett explained and questioned her.

"I suppose I did realise that when we went to retrieve the map," the dancer admitted.

She continued to awkwardly stand, fidgeting about whether to take a seat or not. Especially when she didn't help when he set up the camp. Everett's serious expression changed to that of a charming smile. The flamboyant twin glanced up at her surprised expression and chuckled.

He beckoned her over as he scooted to the side so there would be space for her to sit. The dancer noticed that the twins had changed places; she sat opposite him instead. Elliot pouted at her actions but shook his head in defeat and continued to stare at the luma lights in the glass jar. He had propped his elbows on his knees so his hands could support the weight of his head. He looked bored for someone who always spoke as if flowers were coming out of his mouth.

The dancer too stares at the luma lights in fascination at their soft, glowing abdomen. Some of them gave off a green hue, while others were a shining blue or even an exotic purple. Soon, the once-orange sky began to darken into a navy blue, which made the luma lights glow brighter. The light illuminated both the dancer's and Elliot's faces. Millard was fast asleep near the tree that the dancer had tied her reigns around.

Elliot glanced at the dancer's sparkling brown eyes as she continued to stare at the luma lights. The lights dancing around her iris and pupils were a reflection of the luma lights' glowing abdomen. The more Elliot stared into her eyes, just like before, her eyes had a strange pattern on the iris. He recognised the shape to be that of a butterfly—only one of the wings of a butterfly, to be exact.

'Huh, that explains her butterfly-like outfit. Maybe I can create a doll that has the same outfit,' Elliot thought.

The dancer got his mind out of his daydreaming palace by asking a question.

"How...um. How do they glow?" the dancer asked.

"Hm?" Elliot said.

"How do they glow?" the dancer repeated, pointing at the luma lights.

"Didn't they teach you about this in school?" Elliot questioned.

The dancer furrowed her eyebrows in annoyance.

"I wouldn't have asked if I knew, fool. So, are you going to tell me or not?" the dancer spat as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Okay, okay, calm down. I didn't mean to trigger embarrassment. I now presume you didn't attend school, so I'll explain it to you," Elliot frantically said, trying not to make her angry.

He explained that the luma lights used a process called bioluminescence to create their own light. He further explained that luma lights aren't the only ones who use this method of illumination. Many other living organisms also use this process. For instance, different species of fungi and microorganisms, including certain species of sea animals, have habitat in the deepest parts of the sea where the sun does not shine.

The dancer listened in closely with her eyes full of wonder, staring at Elliot as he talked. She nodded ever so slightly when he asked if she understood what he said. After he had done explaining, the dancer smiled at him and blushed in embarrassment at the way she had treated him before.

"I'm sorry, I get frustrated when someone asks about my studies. For you see, I never had the chance to attend any schools," the dancer apologised, with her head down.

"Not to worry, pretty dancer, I've forgotten about our unpleasant conversation from before. You do owe me something after, don't you think?" Elliot smirked.

The dancer grimaced when he said something about owing him something. She shouldn't have asked after all, considering this is Elliot and not Everett. She sighed with a shaky breath. She lifted her head with a straightened back, looked at him and placed her arms on her lap

"What is it that you desire?" she questioned him, showing him a poker face.

"Not to worry, it is nothing compared to the requests I've made in the past. This is something more personal," Elliot said, which made the dancer raise an eyebrow at that.

'That is even worse, Everett said to Elliot in his head.

Elliot ignored his brother.

"Would you dance for me?" Elliot grinned.

"Huh, why?" the dancer questioned.

"You are a dancer, aren't you?" Elliot remarked.

"I am, but I dance only in the palace of Andramesh and nowhere else," the dancer states.

"Please, pretty please. I just want you to dance," Elliot pleaded with his hands in a praying motion.

"Diminish your petty grovelling; I would rather die," the dancer said, standing up. She made her way towards the sleeping ostrich and laid on its fluffy feathers with her back facing Elliot.

Elliot sighed in defeat once more, but he longed to see her dance. What's a dancer who can't dance? Maybe she's using a façade to hide her real identity. He shook his head, got up from his seat, and laid against Millard's soft feathers with his back facing the dancer's. He soon closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Soon the luma lights, one by one, began to drop to the bottom of the jar, their light flickering until it finally glowed no more. The whole bamboo forest fell asleep in the darkness.