January 14, 2019, late morning.

Turns out, roast deer is as easy as unroasted for Josh to carry. This is because he's so freaking creative. And strong. His solution is to use his magic to weave a branch that wraps around each end of the skewer. Then he just hefts the combined assembly onto his shoulders creating a pseudo backpack. Huh. I wonder if he could make me a backpack. I'll ask later.

It only takes us a few minutes before we're making our way up the hill. Even with his burden, Josh isn’t having trouble. Meanwhile, I'm left picking my steps carefully, trying not to slow him down. When we reach the trees, I glance down the slope to our left. Which is when I notice the spring Beth mentioned. It's back down the west slope not even twelve meters from where we came up. It's a couple of minutes down, but seeing it makes me realize how thirsty I am.

Damnit, why didn't we stop on our way up?

When I turn to Josh, he's already standing next to me, gazing down at the spring. When he sees me looking his way, he offers me a small smile with a shrug. "Oops, " he shrugs, before turning back to the copse with his burden.

Sighing, I turn back down the hill then head towards the spring, keeping my eyes open for anything that might attack. I'm not very concerned though. Even after our trek through the forest, and our time on the beach, the only creatures we've encountered are small birds and the deer that's slung over Josh's shoulder. Plus, the area around our little hill is mostly rocky terrain, so there isn't a lot of foliage for any potential monsters to hide in.

So, since I'm convinced there's no way anything can sneak up on me, of course when I get close to the spring, I hear a rustling noise. I'm pretty sure it came from just ahead, near the spring, so I stop in my tracks, holding still while listening carefully. After waiting a moment, a small furry animal hops out. It reminds me of a rabbit with a giant squirrel-like tail.

When it sees me, it freezes. We spend a minute sizing each other up before it decides I'm either not a threat or that it can escape if I try to chase it.

Which, I mean, fair.

I watch it approach the spring, stopping at the pool that lies just below. The rabbit critter dips its head down to drink, pausing regularly to watch me with its cute little eyes. Once it's reassured itself, it takes another drink.

After a few more sips, it seems to have had its fill, so it hops away. As it's about to move out of sight, it stops for a moment to stare back at me. With a final shake of its head it continues on its way.

Shrugging, I step forward to get my own drink from the spring. I almost copy the rabbit starting to dip my head down to drink directly from the pond before I remember one of the ideas my survival skill shared with me. I cup my hand to lift the water to my mouth, which should allow me to keep watch as I drink. Unfortunately, I have a hard time pressing my thin fingers together enough to form an effective cup so I'm effectively getting less than a small sip every attempt.

After a few more attempts with frustratingly little success, I decide to try drawing the water up using my mana instead. After all, I've already taught myself how to create and hold fire in the palm of my hand, how hard can it be to manipulate water? I know, I know, famous last words.

Bringing my mana to my fingertips, I dip them into the pool beneath the spring, urging my mana to match the feeling of the water. Then I activate my channels again. But this time I have them direct the ambient mana in the opposite direction. Hopefully this way I can use my mana to pull the water up and out.

My results are again, surprisingly effective, as I create a geyser of water that completely soaks me and my onesie.

Why is it that all my magic reacts so explosively?

Sighing, I try again. But this time I use a much smaller amount of mana, so when I pull, I only cause a small splash of water. While the reduced volume is exactly what I was hoping for, I'm still not getting a drink this way. I guess I could wring water out of my onesie, but the thought is disgusting. I’ll just drink from the pool before it comes to that.

Trying again, I create another little splash but I'm still unable to shape or hold the water. As I watch the water cascade back into the pond, I try to figure out what I'm doing wrong. While I'm thinking, I continue creating small geysers of water. Checking my status to see how much mana and focus creating the geysers is costing me, I'm shocked when I discover it's completely free. I start creating larger and larger bursts. It's only when I create a geyser as large as the first, that I see my mana and focus each tick down by 0.1.

Does this mean I can cast less powerful magic completely free?

I start creating the smaller bursts again. While I'm still making no progress, I confirm that even after twenty small bursts I still haven't used any focus or mana. At least my experiments aren't costing me resources.

With this minor discovery buoying me, I decide to approach the problem from a different angle. Since raw water refuses to be gathered, maybe I need to start with water mana already formed. Maybe then I can draw water from the pond to it.

So, instead of drawing water up, I try creating water with my mana. It's as easy as thinking of home, with the perpetual mist, that last great downpour and the weight of the tides washing in. However, when I draw the water mana out of my hand, the mana disperses immediately. It's even faster than when I was attempting this with my fire mana.

Pausing in confusion for a moment, I then repeat the process several times, but each time the drop scatters. I even try to summon a ball of fire which fares no better. After a few more attempts, I remember that I reversed my channels to draw the water out of the pond.

Switching my channels back, I'm immediately able to create a small globule of water. It appears reversing my channels increases the disruptive effect of ambient mana. I really need to remember that direction matters.

My success is finally confirmed by the system as I receive a pair of notifications.

"Skill increased: Mana Manipulation (11)."

"Skill gained: Water Manipulation (1)."

Water manipulation wasn't high on my list of magics to acquire, but considering how explosive my efforts have been, it'll probably prove useful. Plus, it should be convenient when I'm thirsty.

Taking my globule while holding it over the pond, I'm able to easily draw additional water up. As I'm siphoning it, I realize I can choose to carry the loose particles within the water. Or I can just draw pure water. Leaving the particles behind, I keep drawing more and more pure water. Once I have a basketball-sized globe of water floating over my hand, I finally take a good long drink. It tastes very pure and refreshing. It's without a doubt, the best water I've ever had. Except... I swear I've had water like this before. Oh, well, not important.

Since I've established I'm able to manipulate water without any drain on my resources, I decide to play with the water as I make my way back up to Josh, trying to coax it into different shapes.

It's only once I get back to the trees that I realize I haven't been keeping alert. Quickly looking around, just in case, I walk the last few steps up to Josh quietly.

By this point, I've figured out how to keep the globe of water floating over my right shoulder. This requires new channels on my shoulder which pushes my poor onesie into an even greater state of disrepair. Of course, I don't stop at a globe of water over just one shoulder. I need a matching set. So, further compounding the damage to my onesie, I create a globe of fire which I set to hover over my other shoulder.

Maintaining both orbs at the same time does require some focus, though still no mana. The focus cost is low at about 0.1 per minute, but I definitely wouldn't want to walk around with both floating orbs non-stop. Josh's expression of shock when I step into the little clearing proves holding them in place was totally worth it.

I can't wait to show Beth.

After revelling in Josh's shock for a moment, I let the orb of fire dissipate while searching for a spot to deposit the water. I bring it down to my hand while requesting, "cuh-can you make me a container please?"

Josh jumps as if I slapped him, moving quickly to the far side of the little clearing. I see him pick up a bowl that's clearly his handiwork. There's no rose petals or thorns but the weaving of the stems is similar to his earlier plate. Pouring the water into the bowl, I take it from him. Holding it up I inspect the bottom. Not only is it beautiful, but it's also more watertight than our old apartment, not a drop to be seen.

"Wow, thu-this is amazing," I say, handing his bowl back to him.

"Thank you," He smiles fondly at the bowl as he takes it back. "My sister always loved my weaving. It's much easier with magic."

Nine years I've lived across from him. This is the first hint I've had that he has a sister. I don't know what to say. So, I look around the little clearing instead. Other than the woven dishes, it doesn't seem like he's had enough time to do anything else. There's so much to be done to make this into a secure space yet I can't think of anything I can do. Feeling useless, I turn back to him, "is thu-there anything I can do to help?"

Turning up from the bowl, I see Josh wipe a tear from his eye. He looks around the clearing. Then after some consideration suggests, "gather firewood maybe?"

Well, not the greatest task but I can see how it'll be helpful at least. Too bad I have no idea what makes for good firewood. But hey maybe my survival skill will help me. Focusing on it does give me the impression that dry wood burns better, which also reminds me of how well the driftwood burned. Score one useful insight from survival.

Seems I'm off to find some dry driftwood.

I'm about to step towards the beach when Josh clears his throat behind me.

"Uhm Lex. Now that the others aren't here, I wanted to ask you something." His head dipping nervously. I realize he probably wants me to teach him magic.

After my amazing display when I came back into the clearing, I'm not really surprised. I'm still not sure if I'm ready to teach anyone yet. Still have a stupid stutter. I guess I could give him a couple basic pointers. It's not like I have to teach him everything I've discovered. Just enough for him to get started. Ohh. Maybe I can get him to teach me how he does his magic weaving thing.

"Suh-sure," I reply.

He raises his head, then seems to gather his resolve, "Are you okay?"

I'm shocked by his question. Apparently, Josh feels the need to clarify because he continues when I don't answer.

"I don't mean the stutter or whatever. We've woken up in another world. There's magic, dinosaurs and a woman with a rifle who frankly scares me. I'm weaving wood together with little more than my thoughts and an energy I've never imagined before. But I've been through worse."

"So, yeah. Are you okay?"

I can feel tears forming in the corner of my eyes as I nod then stare at the ground.

"I'm actually ku-kind of relieved, you know? Being here without mu-my mother. Though I think if I'd woken up alone, or even with just du-Dr Roberts and Beth I'd be terrified. But with you here, there's lu-like someone I can count on. Something familiar and safe."

"Thu-thank you," I stutter when I finally raise my head.

"Any time," Josh states, smiling back at me.

Josh then hands me a giant rose petal to wipe my eyes while asking "Petal?" I laugh at the absurdity. Soon Josh is chuckling along with me. It isn't that funny, but I feel as if the massive pressure pressing down on me is a little lighter now.

"Ah-Anyway, I should go find some firewood," I say as our laughter dies away.

"Right. And I should get back to," he pauses, as he waves his hand indicating the whole copse.

I nod, patting him on the elbow before turning to find some wood. When I step out of the other side of the copse, I get my first view of the river to the north.

It's almost a kilometre away from the hill, but it appears rather wide from here. At least we shouldn't have wandering dinosaurs sneaking up on us from that side. Upon further inspection, this hill seems to have clear lines of sight in every direction. No wonder they thought it would be a good place to set up camp.

As I make my way down the hill towards the beach, I start summoning little wisps of water and fire, playing with them while I think.

Josh has a sister. I don't think I've ever seen her visit, but then I guess I was never that close to Josh.

I wonder if mom's noticed I'm gone yet? Probably not. Which means no one will notice until my mami doesn't get her Sunday night phone call.

I almost stumble across my first piece of driftwood by accident. I've been trying to keep my eyes open for danger while playing with my magic this time, so I may have forgotten I was searching for firewood.

Even as I gather the wood, I keep practicing with my mana since I'm able to direct my mana without using my hands. By the time I've gathered a bundle, I'm able to spell out my name in both fire and water, though only one letter at a time. Even though my practice was fun it wasn't just idle play, as I can tell that my ability to control both elements has improved. Including my earlier walk back to camp, I've made great gains in my fire, water and mana manipulation I've also made lesser gains in my runic channelling. My log conveniently summarizes the improvements for me after a second of focusing.

Skill increased: Mana Manipulation (12)

Skill increased: Fire Manipulation (6 to 8)

Skill increased: Water Manipulation (2 to 8)

Skill increased: Runic Channeling (2 to 3)

Heading back up to the copse with my bundle of driftwood, I see that Josh has already woven walls between several trees. He's left a small gap of about thirty centimetres for us to squeeze through on my side. Pushing my bundle of wood through first, I step inside. He's clearly been busy. Even though I haven't been gone that long, the woven underbrush is nearly a solid wall around the clearing. The only gaps are the one I just squeezed through, plus a similar one near where I climbed up from the spring.

Josh is currently standing near a stump that I swear was a tree when I left. His eyes are closed, his face all scrunched up. As I watch, he draws his hand forward while a small overhang forms over the clearing, following the movements of his hand. As I watch, he creates a transparent ceiling of rose petals to protect us from the elements. Once he's finished Josh slumps to the stump exhausted. The entire clearing is only about five meters across, but it's still amazing he made all this while I gathered firewood.

I attempt to neatly stack my driftwood to one side of the gap but end up dropping it. At the clattering, Josh opens his eyes then greets me with a lazy wave of his hand.

"I think this is all I'll be able to do for today. It takes a lot of mana and focus to weave these walls," he informs me as he gestures to them.

"It's incredible," I exclaim, for once with no sign of a stutter. It really is. In the space of about half an hour, he's created a reasonably secure shelter. It's not very big, but I imagine it'll keep out most smaller dangers. Besides, anything that can bypass or destroy his walls we should be able to hear coming.

"It will do for now I guess," Josh says, yawning near the end. Checking his status on my party screen explains why. He's completely out of mana, focus and petals. He's even used a large chunk of his stamina, which considering his edge is impressive.

While I'm reviewing the party screen, I realize that Beth's status is grayed out. And there's another name there now. Roberts. I can't see any details, but it reminds me that I want to fix my dissonance.

Going over to sit on another stump, I take a moment to draw forth a ball of water and fire mana then just gaze at them. They represent a power I never had before. I've always been small and weak. Not that fast either. But now I'm able to wield the elements as easy as walking. I set my globes spinning in orbit around each other, gently nudging them so they circle between my hands. All it takes is directing minuscule amounts of mana to propel them, with a translucent tether of non-elemental mana to bind them.

As I observe the globes, I admit, neither seems like mana. They just look like little orbs of water and fire. The only reason I know they're not is because of the connection I feel as I hold them. Stilling their orbit while holding them both in front of me, I wonder what would happen if I brought them together. Before I can set that into motion, I remind myself of the explosive results of most of my other experiments so far.

Maybe I'll use the beach as a testing range.

From a long way away.

Later.

After all, I still need to address my dissonance.

Dissipating the fire, I get up then pour the water sphere into another of Josh's bowls. It's not much but it's still better than a hike down the hill. Then I settle back in place.

Okay, let's do this.