“You really came!” Insia cheered the second she saw Thera at the base of the volcano where they’d agreed to meet up the day prior, with Rocky hovering by the fairy's side as the two rushed to fly around her. “And right on time! We just got here too.”

“Incorrect. We have been here for approximately two hours.”

“No, we definitely just got here,” The fairy said, lightly hitting her friend while looking bashful, bringing a small smile to Thera’s lips seeing it.

Cute.

“I am, aren’t I?” The fairy said proudly, puffing out her chest.

“You’re what?”

“Cute. Mom and dad say so all of the time, you have a good eye.”

“Uh, did you just read my mind?”

“Hmm? No, you just said I was.”

Did I accidentally say that out loud? Embarrassing.

Thera cleared her throat, trying to keep the little slip from her thoughts as she spoke up.

“So, what did you have in mind for the day?”

After saving Rocky the day prior the two had approached her after, asking to see her again and with no other solid plans, Thera had agreed. She couldn’t deny herself the chance to learn a little more about the two other mana-based races in the world and it was a chance to practice her socializing, something she was sorely lacking. With her charm no longer being an issue she wanted more experience interacting with others, why not start with two who seemed to want her time?

Insia looked frazzled by the question though, not actually having thought that far ahead, leaving Rocky to take over.

“Allow us to show you around the area as thanks for your assistance. It would be our pleasure.”

“Yes, that! Let’s do that!”

“Ha, sure, that sounds lovely.”

With the plan made they started walking, Thera content to be led wherever the two thought was interesting enough while being peppered with questions as they went from the small fairy buzzing around her.

“So what happened yesterday, when you lit up so much, I asked my dad and he said you probably awakened a skill, did you?”

“I did, the one that helped me heal Rocky.”

There was no point in hiding such a thing when the two had seen as much already and she was still feeling good about it, with the little fairy looking at her in open awe.

“So cool! What does it feel like when that happens?”

“Mostly it feels like getting stronger. Getting the boost to all of my attributes just creates a feeling of power unlike anything else. I’m more used to it now that I’ve slept, but I still feel stronger and probably will for a while until I get used to this as my new normal.”

“That sounds great, I wish I knew what that was like.”

One of the things that all of the mana-based had in common was their inability to grow. The mana that made up their bodies was fixed and while they could use it for some incredible things, beyond what any mortal could hope when using their own power, they’d never be able to grow beyond it, at least not normally. With Thera’s awakened skill though, there was a chance they could see what it was like to be buffed.

“Want to see what it’s like to get a little stronger?” She asked, holding out her hand to let Insia land in it, giving her palm a subtle warmth as the fairy looked at her with curiosity and excitement.

“Okay, what do I have to do?”

“Just let me know if you feel at all uncomfortable. If you do, you should be able to fix it by spending some of your mana.”

From there, all that was left was to try as Thera opened up a path, empowering the young fairy with her mana as the name of the skill implied she could.

She was a little worried that it might be unpleasant, Ben always complained about having his soul overfilled when he used his own skill, but either because of the difference between mana empowering and deep connection or because of the difference between mana-based beings and the more common forms of mortal life, Insia felt no pain, only power as her little form grew brighter, the fire that made her up becoming all the more radiant as Thera transferred over tens of thousands of points of power.

“Okay, how are you feeling?”

“Incredible!” She practically buzzed, leaving Thera’s hand to dart around faster than the other could see. “Is this what being buffed is like? Why don’t people get buffed all of the time?”

“Ha, it kills growth rates so it’s important to know when it’s an appropriate time to get a buff, that’s all.”

She doubted the fairy heard her explanation, too enraptured by the experience as she enjoyed playing with her new level of power, leaving her with Rocky.

“Apologies, she is still young. Gets easily distracted.”

“That’s okay, I assumed as much. How old is she?”

She knew from past experiences that fairies would give a typically playful and innocent impression that she’d expect more from youth than the untold centuries many of them had, but the girl she was with seemed even more so, with her elemental friend confirming as much.

“She approaches her thirteenth year.”

So still a child then. Probably. I don’t actually know what fairies consider adulthood. Still, she’s sweet.

“So how do you know her then Rocky?”

“Originally her parents requested I watch her.”

“Originally?”

“I care for the child, no need for the request to give her my time when it makes her happy.”

“That’s sweet.”

“It’s what it is.”

They kept walking as Insia slowly burned her newfound energy until they made it to what seemed to be their first destination, another crack in the volcano, different from the one she’d crawled in yesterday but looking equally as tight.

“Oh, is this where we’re doing first? Good choice Rocky, this is a great spot.”

The two were already going in, only stopping as Thera spoke up.

“Um, I think I’m probably going to struggle getting in there.”

“Ah, yes, you still aren’t an earth fairy despite how you look. One second.”

Using his power and knowledge of the environment, Rocky gently widened the path for her, smoothing out the edges to give her room to squeeze in, even if it was still going to be tight.

Okay, I think I won’t immediately tell Ben I’m doing this again.

Her curiosity was getting the better of her and she followed along, squeezing through the cramped path and trusting the two at least understood that she wasn’t fireproof until finding herself within a far more spacious cavern, lit by a glowing pond of magma and filled with other fire fairies

Wow.

Stalactites and stalagmites filled the area where the fairies played as a crowd of them raced around, stopping only briefly to look at the three of them before going back to their fun.

“Friends of yours here?”

“Ah, oh, um, no. But it’s a popular spot for us that others can’t really get to so I wanted you to see it, isn’t it great!”

“It’s beautiful.”

She was very aware of the heat, it was barely tolerable thanks to the bands Ben had made her but such a rare sight made it worth it, even if Insia’s reaction to the causal question left Thera curious. She seemed almost embarrassed, with Rocky rushing to change the subject.

“For Thera’s continued safety we shouldn’t stay long. The heat and atmosphere can prove harmful to mortals. Other sights to see.”

“You’re right Rocky, come on! I know plenty of places other than this that are nice, let’s go!”

The little fairy rushed out, looking in a hurry as she went now that she'd shown off the area, leaving Rocky with Thera as the latter squeezed her way out.

“Please do not ask that again.”

“What?”

“Friends. Delicate issue.”

“Does Insia not get along with them?”

“She has family and myself. Other fairies don’t know how to approach her because of her differences, nor she them.”

Differences? Because she’s blue?

Hearing that made her heart go out for the girl as she empathized. It was easy for her to understand how differences could leave one separated from others, it just wasn’t fair for a child to have to go through that, especially one that seemed so full of energy and warmth to give.

Is that why she wanted to see me again then? Well, I’ll see if she wants to meet up again after today, it would be nice to make another friend while I’m here and it’s only a gate away.

“Thera, Rocky, come on! There’s still plenty of things to see!”

“Coming so lead the way.”