Noodle had asked for some plants that only grew in the plains of Mireh, and Nova and Glow had pulled the short straws. They stepped out of the flyer, baskets in hand, and looked around at the green hills rolling off in every direction, dotted with trees against the blue-purple sky.

"Well," Nova sighed, bending to examine some of the nearby flowers, "no time like the present."

Glow looked about. "What did ze need again? 'Prize fruit' or something like that?"

"Prizk fruit. The purple ones, remember?"

"Oh, yeah."

They looked around aimlessly for a bit, until Nova let out a startled yelp and Glow looked up sharply. Nova stood nose to nose with an aerobic youngster who looked at him with interest, then at Glow.

"You aren't from Wayward!" they said excitedly, hopping over, leaves stuck in their fur. "Where are you from?"

Nova and Glow tilted their heads, Nova crouching down to look at the youngster closer.

"It's usually considered rude to not introduce yourself before asking questions," he said, amused. "I'm Nova. That's Glow. Who're you?"

The aerobic blinked in surprise. "Oh! I'm Killdeer." they fluffed up cheerfully, then stuck their neck out again. "Where're you from?"

Glow snorted at Nova and went back to looking through the bushes for the prizik fruit. He'd started this, the youngster was now his problem in her opinion.

"Where're you from," Nova countered, and Killdeer fluffed up indignantly.

"I asked first!"

Nova laughed but caved good-naturedly. "From Rekes! We're here looking for some fruit that our doctor insists is absolutely necessary."

Killdeer wrinkled their nose at the mention of chores like foraging, ick, but their indignant fluff relaxed. "I'm from Wayward Station! We're from here in Mireh," they drew themself up, proud of their home. A thought occurred to them, and they tilted their head at the two outlanders, a mischievous gleam in their eye.

"You know… I bet I know where this fruit is! I know aaaaaaalll about this part of Mireh." \

"But," Glow prompted, sensing a caveat.

Killdeer hmph'ed, but drew themself up regally. "You'll tell me all about your colony!"

Nova and Glow considered. It seemed a rather painless deal, and this way they could keep an eye on the youngster and maybe deliver them back to their colony safely at the end.

"Deal," Nova agreed, and Killdeer did a flip of excitement, wings flicking the air.

"So, what are you looking for?"

The youngster bounced over to peer intently at their still empty baskets.

"Prizk fruit. It's a purple fruit about this big -"

"Oh I know what those are! Hmm."

Killdeer considered, then ran off into the bushes. "Follow me!"

Nova and Glow exchanged looks, shrugged, and followed the overly energetic youngster. Though the hills were soft and rounded, they were still covered with tall grasses and scattered bushes and trees that made it hard to see far without a good vantage point. What with the spring rains, everything was in a riot of color, grass a green that seemed unnaturally bright, flowers sprouting in every color of the rainbow. It was a pretty sight, and Nova and Glow took their time following Killdeer, much to the youngster's exasperation.

"Come ooooooooon," wailed Killdeer up ahead. "I found some of the fruits for you!"

The two hurried up, and soon emerged into a small clearing, with Killdeer sitting proudly in the branches of a tree. Purple prizk fruit hung from its branches, and as the adults watched, Killdeer snatched one and bit into it, red and purple juice running down their chin.

"Now," they said around a mouthful of fruit, "you need to tell me all about your colony!"

Nova and Glow acquiesced to the youngster's request, gathering the fruits in baskets as they told the youngster about their home in the high mountains of Rekes. About the mountain caverns they lived in, and the glowing bones that ruptured from the ground. Killdeer listened intently, nodding on occasion, and asking questions that varied from the inane to the thoughtful.

As their baskets filled, Nova cocked his head at the youngster. "And where's your colony? Shouldn't you be getting back?"

Killdeer cocked their head right back, a mischievous gleam glinting in the evening sun. "Make me!" they laughed and took off, darting into the shelter of the tall grasses and bushes.

Nova and Glow looked after them and Glow sighed and shrugged, hefting her basket. "Well, they seem to know the terrain well…"

Nova nodded in agreement, reluctantly - but they couldn't shepherd the youngster home if they couldn't find them. The two headed back to their flyer, baskets heavy with fruit, luminescent bugs beginning to flicker into brilliance in the fading light.

It was a peaceful sight, and Nova stole one last glance before Glow climbed in and set the course for home. It would be nice to visit more often, maybe…