[Gift] Lamb's Ear

Leaning over a stone fence in the city, Molniya sighed. It had been a long way of travel through Moonreach so far, and so far no signs of life, Xyn or otherwise. He had been out looking for another creature to document for his biology course- that, or someone to talk to. He was sort of hoping for someone to talk to. He probably wasn't going to get one.

He'd studied the outer parts of the city plenty of times, looking at what blades of grass and mushrooms would poke up out of the cracks in the astral stone. Occasionally he'd document the travel path of what creatures made it in, pwigis perching on the roofs and walls or little critters dashing between paws looking for a bit of food. He'd had a whole compendium of mosses by now. Maybe he could count the clovers on the exterior wall again. Or- that's a rather large clover behind the gate, isn't it?

Narrowing his focus on the growth it dawned on him- that wasn't just a clover at all. Rolling in the flowers behind the fence was what appeared to be a happy Lambrock, dancing between the growth in some stranger xyn's backyard. Maybe it could be called spying, but- well, Molniya had an assignment to do after all. And he was having no luck with the other fauna today. (And, he mumbled to himself, getting really tired of counting the same 359 clovers on the walls.) (Maybe he could track the exact colors next time?) (Molniya, focus.)

The creature, from what he knew, was favored for its fur, growing masses of alchemical components right on its back and being best-of-all unharmed from having some harvested. Much like a lamb's wool, those things from Earth, or a lamb's ear maybe? He had a lamb's ear growing in a pot back home... or at least he thinks he did. Or it might be growing somewhere on his own fur. He'd check later. (Focus!) He'd rarely looked into alchemy, really, but he knew enough about these creatures from their popularity. Alchemy wasn't Molniya's first choice of activity, but the usage of plants in the field meant a lot of cross-over between his botanical knowledge and what was useful to an alchemist. This particular Lambrock seemed rather healthy, not yet suffering from overharvesting by its owner. It's unhealthy after all for anyone to give too much. At least this one wasn't being mistreated for what it could give.

(I said FOCUS.)

He shook his head at himself, sighing. This was getting nowhere. Maybe he should go look for something else, as he stared at the creature happily frolicking. Would the difficulty of dealing with a pet measure up to the worth of having something to study readily available? ...Probably not. Maybe he should study the neighbor's petunias. That'd go over great with the academy-

Something soft brushed up against his hand. He turned back around, looking down.

The Lambrock had... approached him. Using his paw to pet itself, bleating happily.

...I guess I can stay a few more minutes.

The creature bleated again as he turned to face it in full, running his paw down its comfortingly fluffy back. This ones' fur seemed to be a local grass, identified by the lack of a sharp feeling of pinpoint blades and the waxy coating when rubbed between the paws. In fact, it may have been the very same grass decorating the lawn. Small petals were caught in the 'fur', some from the creature itself and some probably from the flowers it was playing in earlier. What flowers it was growing were local, rather than ornamental breeds- good, it was always best for the creatures to grow local flora- and of course the unique clovers to its kind were flourishing. It was a good sign that the clovers were still there. Not only still there, but grown to a rather reasonable size! This one not only hadn't been trimmed down to the bone for its alchemical ingredients, again, but was given time to grow.

Running his paws over the critters' back again and again, he let himself smile. Docile creatures were definitely the best to study. Well-treated docile creatures, even better. Happy to be given affection, soft and cuddly and warm. As it bleated he gently spoke to the beast, happiness blooming across his own face.

"You're a good little guy, aren't you?" He's not sure if he would coo like this over an animal in public, but this was a back road, it was probably fine, right? "Healthy too. Your clovers are the same color as the ones on the city walls, did you know that? That means you were bred locally... or born here. Do you know which, little guy?" It was incredibly unlikely it knew which, but he kept talking. "And your flowers are part of the local ecosystem. Do those feel comfy in your fur? I hope it does. ...Hey, I guess I can study you both for my botany and zoology courses. Wouldn't that be nice."

He'd have to come back here to this little sheep. He stopped petting as he thought about that. Going to visit your neighbor's animals was normal, right? Right. It was fine. Absolutely normal behavior.

Baaaah!

"Alright, alright... aren't you spoiled." He chuckled under his breath, patting the creature twice more for good luck. "'Least you're being treated properly. Maybe I'll get to meet your companion one day, wouldn't that be nice. I could show them the best grasses to feed you. ...Are you herbivores or do you absorb magic... I have to check again... hrm..."

The little lamb gave no expression- it was an animal, after all. But it radiated happiness in a way that made Molniya proud. At least he got along with the local animals. If not as well with the people. He was working on it.

"I'll come visit you again, okay little buddy?" The sheep did nothing in response, not understanding language. But it was nice to say it out loud anyway. Who knows, maybe he would meet the owner one day. But he was happy just studying for now.

...At least he sure hoped he was.