Notes: A continuation the 'Travels of a Ryassophore' oneshot series. I would suggest reading the stories previous to get a basic gist of how this'll be going, though it's certainly not needed.

Warnings: This story contains various plot devices, and if it ends up being continued/finished... There is genderbending and there will be eventual slash. While it will not be hardcore anything (a kiss and hug at most, surely), be forewarned. Any criticisms of this or flames will be looked at and promptly posted for others to mock at.

Finally, any reviews are appreciated, especially those which contain constructive criticism. Thank you!

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The Country of Trees

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Part Two

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/Travels of a Ryassophore/

The Ryassophore sat down on the fresh set of blankets and pillows that laid in a corner of Erin's room with a happy sigh. The building in which the boy lived was small and humble, but well-used and clean.

"This place is amazing! I was amazed at the amount of technology you have!" He smiled at Erin as the boy wandered over to hunker down by him. "I mean, sure I've seen some area grow mosses for trade, and other fungus and others precious metals and stones, but never such diversity! Most places I've visited focus on one key resource, but here you have expanded so much! At this rate, it wouldn't surprise me to find out that this place will become a city soon enough!"

"Glad ye like my home." Erin chuckled as he beamed at the Holy man. "Ye should stay 'ere for a few days. I'd love to lis'en to ye're stories. 'Sides, we're goin' t' have a festival for our good harvest! It's great fun, it really is!"

Al blinked, looking a bit shocked at the prospect. "Me? I could never..." He hastily continued when the boy's face fell. "I mean, I'm traveling so that I can become a better person and explore the world and gain knowledge. I can't do that if I stay in one place, now can I?"

"I guess not..." The boy sighed, shifting to look at the Holy man's profile.

Feeling his stare, Al turned his head curiously. "Yes?"

Erin jerked away. "No, it's not a thing..." He fiddled with his pants-leg. "It's only four days long... And it's e'ery year, so..."

The man sighed softly, his shoulders drooping some before he looked at the boy and smiled kindly. "On my travels, I've met many people, and some of them I've grown to like very much, despite the short time we had spent together. They always ask me to stay longer than a night, and I've always denied them, regardless of my feelings. Everytime, I would regret my decision, so... I'll tell you what." He shifted to sit on his knees and laid a hand down on Erin's broad shoulder. "I'll ask Cloe, and we'll see if we can stay another day."

At Erin's happy grin, Al smiled too as he stood. "She should be done with her bath, so I'll go wait for her and ask." He laughed softly. "Besides, I feel that I need a bath as well. Would you mind?" He looked back with a questionable look.

The boy shook his head like a dog and jumped up as well. "I can wash ye're back for ye!"

Al laughed weakly. "There's really no need for that."

"No, I insist!"

"I really don't think that'll be--" Al paused as he saw Cloe standing in the doorway, looking up at him. Water dripped from her bangs to slide down her cheek, reddened some from the day's walking. "Ah! Cloe! I had a question for you!"

Cloe stood there for a silent moment, her eyebrows arched inward. She closed her eyes for a moment as she tried to find the capacity to breathe. Her chest was filled with a burning sensation as her heart pounded against her rib cage... Her eyes started to sting with the onset of tears and she lifted her head, looking at the two with a smile. "I'm sorry. I need to get some fresh air." She started for the door, ignoring that she would catch cold from being wet.

She paused to turn and smile again. "But please, stay and enjoy yourself. I don't want to hinder you." With a toss of her head, she opened the door and strode out, shutting it behind her to bide her enough time to walk around the side and be out of view if anyone came after her. She kept walking, a hand pressed to her heated face in a meager attempt to hide the tears that seared down.

Al wouldn't stop fawning over that boy... he even agreed to stay longer! She couldn't deny that he was cute and akin to a puppy, and possibly could even be considered attractive... There was a small pause in her step as she trembled, but regained enough composure to continue on.

Behind her, Al had his hand raised, lips agape to call her back, but Erin stopped him. When the man turned back questioningly, the boy grinned. "I'll talk to 'er."

"But she seemed upset..."

"I got it, I got it!" Without skipping a beat, Erin hurried out, pausing to keep a distance between the two, waiting until she paused her walking before strolling up to her absently, as if it were entirely by chance. "Oh, hey there!" He smiled merrily. "What's goin' on, huh?"

Cloe stared at him susipicious through one eye while she rubbed the other. "What are you doing here...?" she asked, ignoring his question. "I didn't ask to be followed."

Erin hunched over and laughed softly. "I always come 'ere when I get upset... But talkin' helps, ye know. What's wrong? Ye don't want t' stay for another day?"

Cloe sighed and leaned forward, resting against her knees to hide her face. "What motivation do I have to talk about my personal affairs with you?"

"Well, 'cause I like ye, and I want people I like to like me back."

"You like Al..." She lifted her head just enough to rest her chin on her knees, gazing at nothing in particular. "Everyone likes Al. I'm just a tag-along until the next city."

"I like ye, too." He pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her. "That's why I want ye both t' stay here with me."

Cloe would have fought against him, but couldn't find the strength, though she didn't lean against him. "How can you say that so easily? You don't know anything about me. I might actually be a murderer for all you know."

"Are ye?"

"I might as well be." She sighed. "There's little difference between liars and murderers where I come from." There was a pause, and she pulled back to frown up at him. "Why are you here again?"

He frowned. "'Cause I like ye. Don't you listen t' what people tell you?"

Cloe's frown didn't waver. Finally, still frowning, she rested her head against his shoulder. "I tried to wash his back when he was staying at my village a few months ago. He has to be a very private person, so don't push the back washing thing on him."

Erin relaxed as well, letting his hold on her do the same. One hand moved up to play with her hair. "Really? So ye've been with him for that long... When did you first start liking him?"

Cloe sighed. "It was just a physical attraction at first, when I was..." She paused. "It's complicated to explain, really..."

"Yeah, I know... It's weird, ye know? I've never really felt attracted t' anyone before... But as soon as I saw 'im and you, it just seemed good, ye know?" He smiled lightly.

Cloe pulled back again, the frown in place. "Well, he's out of both of our reaches, so don't get any ideas about him."

Erin barked a laugh. "Well, then, what about ye? If I asked, would ye stay with me?"

Cloe stared up at him for a moment before smiling. "I don't think I much appreciate being the back-up." She sighed and looked out over at nothing in particular. "I don't know the way home, and staying with him isn't doing my heart any good. I was planning on parting ways with him, anyway..." Her gaze returned to him. "But I don't know if I can give you anything in return."

Not that she could fall for him. She rather disliked him too much. Cloe couldn't help but think that, despite her words.

The boy frowned. "Ye're not back-up. I like both o' ye just the same." He paused for a second before grinning. "Oh, I got ye! Ye're just worried 'bout how the others'll think about it! Don't worry. It's traditional in my family for the man t' have a wife and husband. My grandad e'en had two husbands, and they were happy enough. I'd be sure t' keep ye both safe, I promise."

Cloe smiled faintly, though the concept didn't comfort her any. "I only agreed to stay with you. You'd have to know more about me before I'd even consider anything like that." She stood out of his lap and stretched her arms. "Like, for example, my real name is Cole." She smiled down at him over her shoulder. "But that's a secret we're keeping from Al, all right?"

"What?" He frowned confusedly before it turned a bit more suspicious. "Why would you lie about your name? Why's it a secret?"

Cloe lifted a finger to her lips. "If you don't tell him, I'll try to explain..." She sat down beside him, looking up at the sky. "But it's a little weird, and I don't think you'll believe me."

"Oh... Well, if I beleive that I can fall in love with two people in one day, then I can beleive anything." His grin was back, stretching his face as he talked.

"Mmm..." She closed her eyes thoughtfully. "About two months after Al left my village, I set a pixie free from a weird little bottle, and she asked me what I wanted most." She gave a delicate shrug of her shoulders. "I told her about Al and that I wanted to be with him, and before I knew it," -- she snapped her fingers. -- "I was lying on the ground at Al's feet, looking like this." Her mouth twisted up in distaste. "I used to be Cole, just a regular guy living in a town of no real importance..."

Erin fell over backwards, hitting his head against the wall with a loud thud. "Wha-what?!" He gingerly rubbed his sore skull and stared at her. "Ye're a guy?! Ye mean tha--!!"

There was a squeak above them. "What happened?"

Al's voice was unmistakable, and upon looking up, Erin and Cloe saw him, staring worriedly down at the two of them from the bathroom window. As the window was not only high off the ground, but also very thin, the Holy man could only squeeze out his head and left shoulder.

"Are you alright?" He asked with a small frown, water dripping down from his hair.

Sparing the girl a frantic glance, Erin grinned as best he could. "N-no! I just fell and all. Nothin' to worry 'bout at all! Ye finish ye're bath! Sorry for botherin' ye!" Jumping to his feet, the boy grabbed Cloe's forearm and yanked her along behind him as Al frowned at their retreating forms.

Once the two reached a good enough distance away, Erin whirled around to stare at the girl. "Ye're a guy?!"

Cloe pouted slightly, her eyebrows furrowing to make a small crease between them. "Why is it such a big deal?" She tossed her hair almost indignantly. "Yes, I'm a guy. It doesn't really make any difference to me one way or another, since I don't know how to return to normal, or if I even can." Her shoulders lifted in a delicate shrug. "Does it bother you?"

Erin grinned absently, looked up at the sky above and kicking the ground. "Why would it? I think it's mighty awesome."

"Awesome..." She hummed thoughtfully, lowering her gaze to look down at herself. "I don't know. I prefer my real body, but there's the problem that Al would recognize me, and wouldn't let me travel with him..."

The boy shrugged before his grin slid into a more comfortable, crooked line. "I'll admit I don't know too much 'bout him, but..." He chuckled and turned to Cloe. "but... I like ye and Al lots..." He extended a big, heavy hand and pulled her to him. "Come on. It gets cold at night 'ere. We should get back inside."

Al met them at the door, his robe already on and tied, his hair still wet. "Is everything alright?"

Cloe smiled and nodded. "Please don't worry. I just had a strange flash of a memory while I was in the bath, and it was messing with my head some... I'm sorry for the way I was acting." She smiled affectionately, reaching up to move some of his hair from his eyes. "You should have dried off more, or you'll get sick." She walked past him to sit on the floor. "Well, when are we going to eat? I'm starved."

"Oh, I've got some stuff for dinner." Erin brushed past the two and disappeared into a small side-room before reappearing with a large bowl of assorted fruits. "Ye'd said ye'd wanted some, didn't ye?"

Cloe's eyes lit up. "Ah! Definitely! It's a nice change from..." She paused, stopping herself from saying 'fish,' and instead feigned being worried about Al's feelings, turning an apologetic smile up to him. "... Well, not that there's anything wrong with what we've been eating, and all..."

The man laughed. "Fish is tiring after a bit. It's a shame that it's the the only easily obtained travel food. Even bread can be scarce in places."

Erin perked up at this. "Hey, I can get some dried fruits for ye, if ye'd like?"

"That would be delightful." Al clapped his hands together. "You've been most kind, and on the subject, where would you like us to sleep?"

"Ah..." As Erin bounded off to get the beds ready for the night, Cloe looked up at Al with a soft smile. "Erin has asked me to stay with him. It is a nice village, and I don't want to keep tagging along and bothering you, so I'm considering agreeing to it..."

Al looked at her confusedly. "You..." He furrowed his brow confusedly. "What do you mean? You're no bother. Is this what you want...?"

Cloe returned the confused look. "I..." She shifted uncomfortably. "I want to go home and have everything return to normal, but I don't think that's ever going to happen..." She leaned back, lifting her gaze to the ceiling. "You have to return to your special someone someday, and then what'll I do?" She smiled at him. "Besides, you said so yourself... you're a solitary man."

There was a moment of silence before Al slowly raised a hand to caress her cheek softly. "I can be what is needed."

Cloe flinched away from his touch, her smile only wavering for a moment. "Please don't worry too much about me, Al. But..." She leaned in some. "... before we part ways, I want to know what Al stands for." She grinned like a youthful child.

The man ignored her question and smiled, though it was not youthful, but more soft and molten with emotion. "If I asked you..." He paused and swallowed. "Would you stay with me? I... My reasons are selfish, but even so... Would you?"

Cloe's smile fell and she was silent for a moment, staring down at her lap, before lifting her head to frown curiously. "What are your reasons?" she asked, somewhat hesitantly.

He lowered his head, hunching over to hide his face from her. "I... I don't know if I can go through what I need to do." He paused and swallowed audibly again before looking back up and smiling weakly. "I mean, I might chicken out and never go to the capitol and see the Great Schema."

"Ehh?!" She leaned forward with widened eyes. "Why would you chicken out?! If you don't, then everything will be wasted!" Her eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "No, it's decided. I have to come with you. It's not fair of you to do that to him after making him wait this long." There was a momentary pause before she turned her head and gave an exaggerated sigh. "But I mean, if you've decided that you don't care for him enough to go through with it, I won't force you."

Al, not catching the teasing tone in her voice, jerked up. "No! I do want to go through with it, it's just... After so long, and having all this time to think about it..."

"Just think about him and it'll be okay." She smiled, looking up when Erin walked back into the room. "Ah, look at how cute they are!" She stood to look at the bowl of dried fruit. "They'll fit nicely in a knapsack... how long do they last?"

"Up 'til you eat 'em." The boy laughed softly and turned to gesture to the other room. "I got the bedding set out in the other room, so make yerselves at home. I'm going t' go on and go t' bed, 'cause today was pretty long... Ye might want t' go t' sleep soon, too... Don't want t' travel all sleepy-like.""

"What?" The Ryassophore frowned, puzzled. "I thought we were sta--"

The tall boy paused at the door and waved a heavy hand, shaking his head gently. "Night. See ye in the mornin'."

"Good night." Al waved him off, managing to come up with a gentle smile despite his confused thoughts. "Sleep well, then."

Cloe nodded. "Good-night, Erin." She smiled at him. "Thank you for everything." Once he was gone, she leaned back and picked up one of the fresh fruit, looking at it almost dreamily. "Doesn't it look almost too good to eat...?" She gave a lopsided grin. "I've never seen anything like these fruits before coming here..."

The Ryassophore smiled wearily as he watched the girl flutter about the food, picking over at every peice, looking at the different colors and shapes. Finally, he stood and started to the bedroom door. "I'm going to turn in as well... And, Cloe?" He stopped at the doorway to look back. "Thank you."

Cloe smiled cheerfully. "Thank me when you've passed your test and are on the way toward a happy relationship. Until then, I haven't done anything except eat your food."

"No, you've done more than you know. Get some sleep soon. I hope to get a fair ways tomorrow."

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That morning, Eric smiled as best he could from his door, though it looked more of a hang-dog expression. "Bye..." He waved forlornly at the two as they walked on down the road. "Ye sure ye won't... Maybe ye'll visit?"

Al gave the boy a smile, albeit a softly sad one. "Perhaps, Erin."

The boy stepped forward haltingly. "Then... then when the harvesting is done, I'll come find ye. Got it?"

Motioning Cloe to keep her moving, the man inclined his head to the boy. "Good-bye."

"Naw, it's just a 'til next time!" Grinning widely now, Erin waved with both hands, and continued to do so until the pair had left the town walls.

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As the two rounded the corner, losing sight of Erin's home behind them, Al let his shoulders sag some. "Goodness, that was a bit heart-wrenching." He laughed weakly. "Erin's a good boy, but he seems like he would be quite the handfull. And... You didn't seem to like him very much at all."

"Of course not." She jutted her chin in the air in a holier-than-thou sort of way, her face scrunched with irritation. "I don't care if it was how his culture was. I'll never approve of having multiple husbands and wives. You can't just..." She puffed out her cheeks. "... You can't just love more than one person! The heart shouldn't work like that."

Al couldn't help but laugh, rubbing his side. "If a being has enough love to share with more than one person and all are happy, then why should we begrudge those people their happiness?" He paused thoughtfully. "Of course, by that token, I can't say that your feelings are incorrect... In any case, I hope to make it to the next town by noon. That sound good for you? And if we find a brook before then, we can sit and have some of the fruit."

/from the traveling diary of a wandering Ryassophore/

...to be continued as we please (signed, kris-et-dan)