A wave of relief passed over Lucinda as she noticed the two greeters weren’t actually naked. Far more importantly, they were the strangest male and female duo she’d ever laid eyes upon. Their skin was a peculiar brown shade, that was not unlike the effect of her Wooden Flesh spell. However, along the exposed parts of their skin, were thin tendril-like vine stems of a slightly darker brown. In places, the vines were even sprouting small flowers – though more so for the woman. The hair both possessed was also strange, looking more like a nest of twigs than actual hair, while their faces too were decidedly off, with larger than normal eyes of a green-yellow hue, a complete lack of brows or lashes, perfectly rectangular noses, and pale green lips.

That her assessment of their state of dress had been initially incorrect was understandable, as both wore very little. The man – who was almost excessively muscled all over – had a single large vine leaf that covered his crotch; while the woman – who was showing only light musculature – wore two such leaves about her upper body, and a large, attractive white flower further down. The final details for Lucinda to digest, were the far above typical human heights of both, and the woman’s bosom putting her own to shame – a rare occurrence, indeed.

“It appears we have rendered another hapless victim speechless, my love,” the man said, his voice slow, deep, and musical.

“Indeed, I fear you are correct, my dear. Let us hope she regains her senses presently,” the woman replied, her voice similarly slow, less deep, and more musical in tone.

“Ah… Sorry,” Lucinda managed to say at last. “I’ve never seen… People… Umm…” An embarrassed flush spread across her face. After pausing to take a breath, she continued. “…It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lucinda.”

“The heart of the upcoming gathering, no less,” the woman said.

“Be welcome, Lucinda,” the man added.

“They’re dryads,” Grissa voiced from beside Lucinda. “Tree people.”

"A crude but accurate description,” the male dryad replied.

“Masters of natural magic,” Waflaw chimed in. “They’re responsible for that fancy trick with the trees in case you were wondering. Can be a bit wooden, though.”

Grissa let out a brief few chuckles at Waflaw’s words, while Lucinda only managed a reluctant grin that still made her feel a bit guilty.

“I believe the human is making a joke, my dear,” the female dryad said to her counterpart, while maintaining a perfectly neutral expression.

“Should you be antagonising them?” Lucinda asked, partly from guilt, and partly because the two non-humans persons were reasonably intimidating.

“Relax, girl,” Grissa replied. “Upsetting dryad’s takes real effort.”

“Indeed,” the male dryad replied. “Those who truly respect nature will always count amongst our allies.”

“How many of those allies have turned up so far?” Waflaw asked, prompting an inaudible sigh of relief from Lucinda.

“Yalia has recently informed us that we are over half full of monkey-people at this time,” the female dryad replied, her expression still revealing nothing.

“…Monkey-people?” A faint smile played across Lucinda’s lips as she considered the odd statement.

“Don’t listen to her.” Grissa shook her head rapidly as she met Lucinda’s eyes. “Dryad’s are basically walking trees, while we look only a bit like monkeys. It’s just not the same, and she knows it!”

A short burst of giggles escaped Lucinda against her wishes.

“Are there any real monkeys here?” she asked. Her words brought a chuckle from Waflaw, who sent a knowing smile her way.

“My apprentice has only one thing on her mind, as usual,” he declared.

“I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Lucinda,” the male Druid replied. “A wealth of non-local animals have thus far arrived, yet none of that sort.”

Lucinda smiled at the dryad, before turning to more closely inspect the circle’s interior which the surprising appearance of the two non-humans had previously interrupted. Whether by coincidence or design, the area appeared perfectly circular. The external edge was blocked off by the same incredibly dense wall of trees she had passed through, while the grassy floor directly beneath the wall was lined with a wide variety of colourful flowers – the gap nearby revealing Waflaw had led them to an expected entrance – and more patches of similar varieties were found elsewhere across the space.

In terms of size, the walled-off area was roughly equivalent to an average village. However, with the only real structures being a series of wooden huts that lined most of the northern part of the circle’s edge, it appeared far larger. The southern part of the space was dominated by a clear blue lake; it took up about a quarter of the total area available, and was occupied by several people. Just shy of the lake’s north-eastern edge there was another larger congregation of people; naturally, both groups were joined with a variety of animals, and more still were found scattered elsewhere around or in the lake.

Taking note of the many potential new acquisitions that awaited her, Lucinda turned back to the ongoing conversation with the dryads. The tail end of Grissa’s words met her renewed focus, but without context the meaning was unclear. Fortunately, a fresh question was soon directed her way.

“What do you think of our home, Lucinda?” the female dryad asked.

“It’s wonderful!” Lucinda exclaimed without delay.

There was no way she could say otherwise. It wasn’t just the scenery that she adored. The potent smell of flowers; the light, refreshing breeze; the warming sunlight breaching through the gap in the canopy above; even the slight dampness of the air; it all combined to produce a setting that easily matched the descriptive term she’d used.

The dryad’s eyes seemed to glow for a moment, as an incredibly faint smile appeared on her lips.

“We are most pleased,” she replied.

“Indeed we are,” the male dryad added. “It is now our duty to escort you to your temporary homes for this gathering. Yalia has suggested that non-couples are housed separately for the time being. She also demanded we stressed the suggestion part.”

“No couples here,” Grissa responded. “We’re fine with that.”

“Damn… I mean, exactly,” Waflaw said, while Lucinda offered a happy nod as her response.

“Then, if you will follow me.” The male dryad indicated Waflaw. “Your animal companions may wish to join the others by the lake.”

His words sounded like another suggestion to Lucinda, but she saw no reason to do otherwise. Kneeling down, she began petting Marrow, who she found had been watching the lake with obvious interest.

“Go play if you like. I’ll be there soon!” she sent to her companion.

“Play?” Marrow’s response included an image of the last time they’d played together in a body of water, which meant Lucinda was naked within it.

“You remember what I said about clothes?”

“Play!” Marrow’s reply was full of amusement. With a flap of her wings, she set off after Grussi and Wollow, who had already departed.

“This way, please,” the female dryad announced as Lucinda stood back up.

The male dryad’s retreating form inevitably caught Lucinda’s eye, but she was still relieved to see his rear was similarly covered with another leaf. As her and Grissa’s escort turned to lead them, she was greeted with the considerably less expected sight of several smaller flowers lined up vertically on the female dryad’s posterior, covering far less overall, but still maintaining her decency.

“Interesting look, don’t ya think?” Grissa asked as they moved to follow their guide.

“Unusual… But, pretty.”

“You blush way too easily, girl.”

“I know…”

While Waflaw had been led towards the eastern part of the area, Lucinda and Grissa were led just a short way north to the nearest set of huts. With there being three clear collections of the wooden buildings, each separated by a line of trees, Lucinda had an inkling that they might be for women, couples, and men, in their respective left to right ordering. As they drew closer, Lucinda marvelled at the design of the buildings, as they seemed to be made entirely out of leaves and flowers. Shaped like two intersecting domes, there were two gaps in the structure that represented windows, and a single door in the centre that used a curtain of grassy material for a covering.

“If you are willing to share, this can be your room,” the female dryad said, as she stopped by one of the huts whose door covering was held open.

Grissa raised an eyebrow in Lucinda’s direction. “Your choice.”

“Sure, that’d be great!” Lucinda replied, earning herself a smile from her outspoken friend.

The interior that awaited them was undeniably cosy in appearance. Two thick tree trunks sat in the central part of each dome, fully explaining the construction method, while elsewhere similarly natural furniture decorated the room: A semi-circular table protruding from the wall opposite the door, with four chairs arranged around it; and two chest of drawers, each decorated intricately with carvings of flowers, trees, and animals of all kinds. The ground was covered in thick grass, much like outside, but the feel of the earth beneath was strangely spongy. However, it was the sight of the two beds on either end of the building that really caught her attention.

“Literal flower beds!” Lucinda exclaimed. “Wow…”

“Don’t listen to anyone that says Druid’s don’t know how to live in comfort,” Grissa said.

“I am gladdened it is to your liking,” their guide commented.

“This is incredible… I had no idea…” Turning around, she smiled widely at their guide. “Thank you…”

“I believe we have yet to be properly introduced,” the dryad said. “I am named, Fiogoren. You may call me by any of those letters; most choose ‘Fi’. My partner is named Croeden, or ‘Cro’.”

“Thank you, Fi,” Lucinda finished.

“Yeah, as good as ever,” Grissa added. "Yes, I've been here before," she continued for Lucinda's benefit.

“If you would like to leave your belongings here, we can move on to the baths,” Fi said. “They are heated and secluded. Fresh garments will be provided afterwards.”

“Is this how royalty feel?” Lucinda asked as she immediately began removing her pack.

Once she and Grissa had discarded their carried baggage, which for Lucinda was only her backpack and her staff – Waflaw was currently in possession of the bundled bones – Fi led them from the building, and then northwards to the boundary separating the two sections. It was within that boundary that the baths revealed themselves, as the tree line was actually two lines that widened sufficiently towards the area’s outer edge. Accessed through a small gap against the circle's outer edge, Lucinda was met with the sight of a steamy pool inside, that appeared large enough to hold close to 10 people before things became overly awkward.

Like the wall of trees that surrounded the Druid gathering location, the trees around the pool were low hanging, and dense enough to obscure sight from outside. However, Lucinda still felt a small amount of trepidation at the prospect of bathing with others; A fact that Grissa seemed to pick up on instantly.

“If you’re waiting for an invitation, Princess,” she said. “You’re gonna be waiting a long time.”

Seeing Grissa was already working at the ties that held her leather armour together, Lucinda reluctantly set to disrobing herself. Of course, she still shot a playfully annoyed frown in the older woman’s direction. By the time she was down to her underwear, Grissa was already in the pool, and sighing with obvious contentment. Further hesitation reached Lucinda at that point, and even when she overcame it, she couldn’t resist hastily clambering into the pool; Much to Grissa’s further amusement.

As she sank into the deliciously warm water, all thoughts of embarrassment were washed away. In their place, she found herself sighing contentedly just like her Druid friend.

“I shall return your clothes to your room,” Fi announced, though Lucinda was enjoying the intense relaxation provided by the water too much to respond in time.

“It’s been too long since I had a proper soak.” Grissa was sitting opposite her in the rectangular pool, submerged up to her neck beneath the reasonably opaque liquid, just as Lucinda herself was. “Having to bathe in cold streams is the worst part of wandering.”

“Yeah,” Lucinda agreed, before another happy sigh followed. “Waflaw always said bathing in inns was too expensive…”

“Heh, typical. Harder to perv on ya in an inn too.”

“Ah… I’m not sure that was it…”

“Uh-huh. Did he claim having your own room was too expensive too?”

“Umm… No, he said it was dangerous.”

Grissa laughed loudly. “You’re far too naive, girl. Unless you’ve been bedding him every night?”

“No!” Lucinda almost shouted, bringing more laughter from Grissa. “He… There was always a privacy screen… Or nearly always.”

“Do your parents know you’ve been sharing a room with a strange man? A much older one at that?”

“…What do you think?” Lucinda pouted, bringing yet more laughter from her bath companion.

“Relax, I’m just messing with ya. Learning from your elders is important, even in the bedroom. That’s what I tell the younger guys I pick up anyway… And I don’t get refused often.”

Lucinda’s face flushed noticeably due to Grissa’s words. The sound of approaching footfalls was a welcome interruption, but her embarrassment remained in place as she spotted two new women entering the bath area behind Fi.

“Hi, Ladies,” a dark-haired woman greeted. At first glance, she appeared to be a few years younger than Grissa.

“Ah a proper bath!” the other said. She was a red-head like Lucinda, though leaning more towards the orange side of things. “And hey!” she offered with a friendly smile. She was about Grissa’s age, or more likely, slightly older.

“You’re in luck, it’s damned perfect in here,” Grissa said. “I’m Grissa. And this shy thing in front of me is the special guest: Lucinda.”

“Hi,” Lucinda greeted, before turning and frowning in Grissa’s direction. “I’m not shy…”

Her reprimand was met with quiet laughter from the dark-haired woman. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Call me Sevi, everyone does.”

“Emalin,” the other woman offered.

Sevi soon removed the dark leather armour she wore, and Emalin’s more normal coloured set joined hers in being taken away by Fi, along with the other articles they had worn. The two newcomers slipped into the bath, with Sevi seating herself on Lucinda’s left side, and Emalin, Grissa’s right.

“I have to say, I’m feeling a bit inadequate here…” Sevi announced, her related smile lingering on Lucinda for a second or two.

“Come off it,” Grissa retorted, shaking her head at the dark-haired woman. “You’re plenty pretty enough.”

Sharing a bath as they were, it was impossible for Lucinda not to notice certain things. She understood where both women were coming from, as Sevi was noticeably unblessed in the bust department – Grissa was what Lucinda thought might be a bit above average, and Emalin slightly less so – yet was hardly unattractive much as Grissa had claimed. Though the woman’s pale skin, and the dark tint surrounding her eyes and similarly affecting her lips made that beauty an unusual sort from Lucinda’s point of view. However, there was one other aspect of her body that Lucinda couldn’t help but notice, nor refrain from asking about: The two piercings she bore, though not the ones in her ears, or even above her shoulders.

“…Didn’t that hurt?” Lucinda asked, unable to directly specify her meaning, but hoping it was clear enough regardless. The bright smile Sevi turned her way seemed to indicate so.

“If I hadn’t had them numbed first, it would have.”

“Oh…” Lucinda turned away as her face flushed, embarrassed by the obvious answer as much as the topic itself.

“You should probably tell her why you’ve got ‘em,” Grissa said. “They’re nice, by the way.”

The small hoops – both with a tiny gem-inlaid spider of a differing sort attached – were quite impressive to behold, despite the unexpected location. They also provided a potential clue to the woman’s animal companion.

“I’m curious about that too…” Emalin added.

“Thanks, Grissa,” Sevi replied, with an obviously pleased smile. “As to why: It’s not for everyone… but, I like it. A lot. As does my husband.” Sevi’s cheeks flushed slightly as she delivered her explanation.

“Heh, keep her guessing, that’s good.” Grissa smirked at Lucinda.

“…I got it!” Lucinda corrected.

I think…

“If you’re interested in trying it out, just let me know,” Sevi said. “It doesn’t have to be permanent, and more normal places are an option too. I may not look like an expert, as others in the trade usually like to pierce themselves all over… But, I am. I just prefer to keep my own to a pleasant minimum.”

“Probably less likely to get run out of any towns that way too?” Emalin asked.

“Some people do react negatively…”

“What do ya think?” Grissa asked Lucinda.

Lucinda’s eyes widened as the question reached her. To her, the idea of piercing her ears was reasonably risqué, and anything more, almost unthinkable; Even if the area to be so adorned was very unlikely to be seen by many. Especially those that might really get upset about it. Like her mother.

“I’m… okay,” Lucinda replied.

“Shame. Not even if I do it too?”

“Oh, that would be nice,” Sevi said. “I’ve only got a few designs with me, but enough so that you could match! …Or be different if you’d prefer.”

Another rush of heat found Lucinda’s cheeks. Like with many things, she was curious to an extent, but she wasn’t sure it extended quite far enough. A short bout of pondering did lead to her to consider a compromise of sorts.

“Maybe my ears?” she said uncertainly.

“Boring,” Grissa said in her usual tone for that particular word. Lucinda frowned at her unhappily, but was met with a good-natured grin that gradually soothed her displeasure. “But, sure, why not? I haven’t worn any in a long while… Risky in combat.”

“Oh.” Emalin perked up suddenly. “I’m a Ranger by the way. I guess you three are Druids?”

Lucinda giggled slightly at the looks Grissa and Sevi both shot the older woman.

“Did I say something wrong?” Emalin asked.

“You didn’t get the message?” Sevi asked her. “You’re here, so it must be okay… Lucinda’s a Shifter.”

“Oh!” Emalin’s eyes shot wide as they snapped to Lucinda. “Sorry! I tagged along with a friend of mine… I’ve never met a Shifter before…”

“I’m just like anyone else…” Lucinda replied.

“Hah!” Grissa chortled. “No one who’s almost as busty as a dryad can say that, girl! Just wait ‘till the men lay their eyes upon ya in your new outfit.”

“My… Umm, what?”

“How’s it coming, Fi?” Grissa asked the dryad instead of answering. Lucinda had missed the return of the tree-like woman, but Grissa’s words were clue enough.

“The flowers are almost done. I will take requests soon,” Fi responded.

“Let me know when you want to get your ears done,” Sevi continued as if nothing untoward was going on. “I don’t have anything to match your necklace, unfortunately,” she directed to Lucinda. “But, I have other things you might still like.”

“Thanks… But, umm, flowers? And…?”

“Do not fear, Lucinda,” Fi replied. “The outfits I am to make can be modest if you prefer.”

“You’re going to make them? Right now? …From flowers!?”

“Waflaw wasn’t wrong earlier, ya know,” Grissa offered.

“…Masters of natural magic?”

“You got it.”

Lucinda had a few moments to consider whether she’d actually accepted the outlandish idea before Sevi sent more words her way.

“I’ve got something else you might be interested in,” she said.

The dark-haired woman immediately turned her back to Lucinda, and then rose until the waterline was just below her back. Considerable confusion played across Lucinda’s face as she watched the other woman, but as Sevi’s substantial quantity of waist-length hair was pulled aside, she jumped back in shock at what she saw.

“Oh! Wow…” Lucinda uttered, as her eyes took in the incredibly life-like depiction of a mostly pitch-black spider that decorated Sevi’s exposed back. Covering most of the skin as it did, and bearing its fangs menacingly, Lucinda felt justified in her startled reaction.

“Don’t we get to see too?” Emalin asked, prompting Sevi to twist around to accommodate her wish. “Wow, I agree with her. It looks so real! And kind of terrifying…”

“Sevi the spider girl, huh?” Grissa commented.

“That’s me,” Sevi replied with a wide grin as she sat back down. “Spiders are beautiful!”

“Beautiful…” Emalin said, the way she trailed off revealing exactly how unsure she was about Sevi’s statement.

“I’m agreeing with Emalin here,” Grissa added. “Lucinda?”

“Umm… I’m not sure I’d say beautiful…” Lucinda winced as she saw Sevi’s sight pout. “But, I did choose Giant Spider as one of my first three forms!” she hastily added. “I like them…”

“I think that’s 2 against 2, then,” Sevi declared happily. “Anyway, it’s one of my husband’s better talents. He’d be thrilled to do one of your own animal companions. Large, small; temporary, permanent; even other animals, if you’re companion’s aren’t the jealous sort.”

“I’m starting to wonder if you’ll be asking for payment…” Grissa said, causing Sevi to cover her mouth as she laughed vigorously.

“Not at all! All free, so long as he has the paints to work with.”

Lucinda surprised herself by realising she was far more partial to the idea than the piercings.

A small one of Marrow might be nice…

“I am ready,” Fi abruptly declared. “I shall start with you, Lucinda. What do you wish to wear?”

“Oh… Umm, I’m not sure. Can I choose anything?”

“Here at the Circle of the Wild, people usually wear something that is suitable for swimming during the gatherings. The particular design is up to you, as is the amount of coverage it provides.”

“Skimpy gets my vote,” Grissa said. “You want to knock ‘em dead!”

“I do?” Lucinda asked as she fought off laughter.

“Give it a rest, Grissa,” Emalin interjected. “I don’t think Lucinda’s that kinda girl…”

“I almost agree with Grissa,” Sevi said to Lucinda. “You never know who you’ll meet here. Perhaps even someone you could end up spending the rest of your life with? In which case, making a good first impression on him is paramount! That’s how I met my husband, in fact.”

“I never said anything about marrying anyone!” Grissa blurted out in response, before calming down momentarily. “But, otherwise, yeah. Saying ‘him’ might be a bit close-minded though.”

“Ah!” Sevi smiled at Lucinda, who couldn’t keep a faint blush from her face. “I didn’t mean to make any assumptions.”

“That’s not…” Lucinda began.

Ahh, how do I even respond to that…?

“…It’s fine… Grissa is…Umm…”

“Teasing you again,” Grissa supplied. “Can’t help it, honestly. Anyway, back to outfits. Then we’ll need to talk hair.”

“We will?” Lucinda asked, as the question was obviously directed at her.

“Yes, we will. You’re in need of a trim, girl! And I don’t just mean up top.”

“…Grissa!” Lucinda exclaimed, feeling possibly more mortified than any other time in her life. A fact that she was sure her cheeks were reflecting.

“Raised by Clerics…” Grissa revealed to the other two women. Sevi’s subsequent laughter didn’t help Lucinda’s condition, though Emalin’s own minor display of embarrassment did slightly.