Daav followed Kielo closely as they walked westward through the humid forest of El Hatzif. All around them foliage interspersed with large and small mycelium towered up towards the faded lavender sky. The air was thick today but at least it wasn't raining on them, Daav thought. Although, perhaps it would have delayed this journey a little longer. It wasn't that he didn't want to become a bard, no, he was just nervous about his lessons. Would he have to learn to sing, or to play an instrument? He wasn't too sure about his voice, and he wasn't a Tsabhua with their dexterous fingers.

When Kielo had first approached him with her suggestion of becoming the colonys bard, Daav had been very excited to say yes. He had always been told he was more skilled at conversing than most other welps his age, becoming a bard seemed like the way to go if he wanted to help out his colony. But now that the instructor had made the journey to Port Celeste to see him, it all felt a little overwhelming. What if he wasn't good enough?

Would Kielo and the others regret taking him in from the Center? Would they take him back? It wasn't a bad place, but it wasn't a home either...

Daav, consumed by his thoughts walked straight into Kielo who had paused. "Sorry Kielo."

She only smiled and gestured for him to look. He took a few steps forward to see what she was looking at. There, ((in the mud of the most recent rain was a group of orange and black striped creatures, "What are they?"

"Rootscrapers. On their way over the mud to get to the next pool of water. There was heavy rain last night, they might have gotten caught out as the flood receded."

"Will they be okay?" Daav watched the long creatures wriggle and writhe.

"Yes, they'll find a new pool of water, where no other rootscrapers have lived in awhile, and they'll begin working on the spreading mycelium there. Doing their part for El Hatzif. Their journey might be hard, but in the end they will succeed and do good work." They watched the rootscrappers make their way for a moment more before Kielo waved her hand for them to continue.))

Daav was sure there was a lesson in there for him somewhere... He sighed and followed along.

Soon enough they made it to Port Celest, Daav had never been here before. The town was mainly on stilts and boats were coming and going. Xunari were shouting cheerily a crossed the water, selling and buying things. Soon enough though Kielo was herding him towards a large tree that was rooted in the water, a walkway winding up its trunk. "We're meeting your instructor here."

Daav nodded, trying to see everything as they walked up and up and up...

When Kielo motioned him into the entrance there was a bright belamoid waiting. A deep pinkish color with bright strips and tail.

"Hello, you must be Daav. You're my first student today." He turned towards Kielo, "You can pick him up in an hour. Feel free to go out, or sit and watch."

Kielo pulled a book from her satchel and Daav was grateful he wouldn't be left alone.

"My name is Pank. So you want to become your colonies bard do you? That's a big responsibility."

Daav nodded, glancing at Kielo who seemed immersed in her book screen.

"Well, today we'll find out what you're suited for. Charm and charisma are a big part of you're job, but singing or playing an instrument is also a large part.

"But how could I play an instrument? I'm not a Tsabhua with fingers." Daav asked frustrated.

"Do you want to play an instrument?"

"I don't think I can sing, but I also don't think I can play." Daav said, his head held low, scuffing his claws on the hardwood floor.

Pank only smiled, "Well, do you think I cant play?"

Daav didnt want to be rude, but, what could a belamoid play?

Seeing his indesiscion, Pank went on. "You're young still, so perhaps you haven't seen things like these yet." He walked over to a crate he'd no doubt brought with him and took the lid off. "These are for my belamoid students." He took the items out one by one. One was tall and narrow, with colored strings running down it. another was small and narrow with a lot of holes, and had an adjustable stand to hold it. Another was a narrow tube but it had multiple smaller tubes running from it down to pedals.

"Today we'll try all these out and see which ones you like. And we'll even try a bit of singing."

Daav was at once excited, he could see how these instruments could be easily manipulated by someone with paws. "Oh wow, these look great!"

"And these are only learner instruments, you should see the fancier versions for advanced students and profesionals. Why don't you pick one, and I'll get mine, and you can copy me."

And that's how the rest of the hour went, Pank showing Daav a few notes on each instrument, and then demonstrating the range of the instrument. Afterwards he did a few vocal exercises which Daav was surprised to find he enjoyed as well.

Soon enough it was time to go. Daav was surprised to see Kielo walking back through the entrance, she had left at some point to go shopping. "How did he do?"

Pank smiled, "Very well, I think he will start with the practice Koto." At which Daav nodded very enthusiastically.

"Thankyou for your time Instructor Pank." Kielo said.

"Yes thankyou! I'll get to come back next week right?"

"Yes of course, the same time next week."

Kielo gestured to Daav, "We have some shopping to do."

"We do?"

"We are going to find you a small practice Koto."

"Oh wow! Thankyou Kielo!"

They spent the rest of the afternoon haggling over prices, and picking up small odds and ends for the rest of the colony before heading back home, contended and happy.