Do Not Sleep In Fairy Rings~

The moment Brand opened her eyes, a large straw hat with a lackadaisical daisy leaning to the side greeted her.

"New citizen, welcome to Thaumatos! Due to the irregular magical storms here we have found that humans tend to take on Thaumatosian-like qualities. It's downright magical how adaptable mankind is. Why I wager that- ahem, excuse me. What I meant to say is that in other words, we will be sending you a 'Welcome Young Elemental' gift basket via The Lost & Find Branch of The Dragon's Cottage shortly."

"Um..." Brand sat up warily and took her surroundings. It looked the same as it had last night. Nothing had changed there. A green clearing with trees on all sides. Even the fairy ring that she had fallen asleep in was the same. The mushrooms that made up the fairy ring were white and tender-looking, but there was nothing particularly special about them. They were just mushrooms.

The hat leaned back and only then could Brand see the rest of the figure. About 120 cm tall, clad in a worn linen shirt with cartoonishly patched green pants. The oversized floppy hat covered their entire head down to the ruffled lace collar around their neck. Man, woman, fuzzy caterpillar. Whatever they were, it was just weird... And random. Maybe this was a prank? Brand could feel her eyebrows scrunch together while she tried to piece together what was going on.

"Any and all questions will be answered at orientation." The hat continued. Brand opened her mouth to ask a question, but somehow the hat must have been able to see her and interrupted, "What? Where is that you wanted to ask? Oh, don't worry your pretty little head."

The hat waved its ruffled gloves at her, "Our very own Yggdrasilin, Ashling hosts Orientation monthly in Dryad's Garden. Don't worry, you will not have to much problem getting there. Just a quick jaunt to The Dragon's Cottage, and one portal later. Ta Da!" Ruffled lace gloves swept upwards into the air for effect.

"Just make sure to bring the 'So you aren't human anymore?' guide. It would be most beneficial if you read the part about Elementals beforehand, but it isn't a requirement of course." The hat leaned closer, daisy tilting to the other side as they stage whispered, "I have been told that humans need a few days to process their changes because you don't have 'Others' on your world."

Brand attempted to respond but the stupid hat interrupted her once more.

"Hmm? You don't want to go? Nonsense! Of course, you do silly. We have an excellent Guide waiting just for you, and our registration is very simple. Oh! Not to mention the accommodations and tuition for schooling are free till graduation however you would need to pay for your Empryean Courses if you decided to keep furthering your education, but that's a discussion for another day."

The hat leaned back. "As a newborn elemental, it is important for you to not just decide what classes, but to make sure that you take your basics as well."

The hat stood straight one arm behind its back, the other pointing up as it spoke with authority, "Just so you know, I have heard wondrous things about our Volcanic Gardens & Agriculture Academium. The students there have expressed their satisfaction at attending such a prestigious place during Reconvening. So don't worry, everything will be okay. You'll see."

Brand couldn't believe what she was hearing. Everything was going to be okay? She looked carefully at her hands. Gone were the hundreds of centimeter-long scars she had gotten from her mother when Brand had embarrassed her, and in their place was a red stain going from the tips of her fingers stretching its tendrils up to her elbows.

No. This was not a dream and she had no clue where she was. Who this person was, or where they were trying to take her. The loss of control, new environment, combined with the suffocation at the thought of being confined by another after having finally attained freedom was the last straw.

"Now with our welcoming coming to an end, I am going to transfer you to. Ack! Why are you on fire!!!" The dulcet tones of bells began to chime ring through the glen as the hat ran to the other side of the glen.

"Hello Imperick, we have a new elemental raging here. Yes, yes, I did as you told me to. I was bright and cheery in my welcome speech but that did nothing. I said everything you told me and no I made sure to answer all the questions when they were asked and yes I even told them how we do things. It seemed to aggravate the little one though and I am not quite sure why. I was very reassuring. Why are you laughing, oh never mind, can you call your imps to pick this little ember up before she burns down my forest and messes with the portal? Yes, yes, thank you."

Brand admitted that her emotions may or may not have gotten the better of her. What the weird hat being said was not all bad it was just. She didn't even get the opportunity to speak. To ask questions, or even have a friggin' moment to process.

The more upset she got the more she sparked. It wasn't intentional or anything. It was as simple as she got angry, and oh look there's a spark! Then she started to freak out because, humans don't do that, and oh look! another spark and another! Then things went from bad to worse when she couldn't stop sparking.

It wasn't too long after she set the grass in the fire ring on fire that a troop of tiny blue flying humanoids arrived. The leader wore a green elf hat and barked at the squad which promptly divided, five were going to put out the fire that was starting to spread the other encircling Brand.

Brand back away, but the team stayed with her. The leader gave another order and the five lifted glowing hands. As Brand fell to the ground she couldn't help but to regret taking her friends up on their dare to sleep in the Fairy Ring. Right of passage her butt.