Maybe Rei was looking for a different word, but still, at least now she wasn't thinking he was a bad man-sans. Obviously the child might have some idea about bandits or the like perhaps, at least that's what he thought bad man-sans could be. He smiled, grateful that she seemed to think he was just silly and believed he looked like normal people. Not that he wasn't proud of being a Bount, it was merely an existence as he chuckled.

"Ah, Chiki-chan is very smart, Ash Face-san is grateful for her wise words," He said with a playful smile on his face. Human she was, but Chiki was an interesting child, perhaps interesting enough to befriend. "Would Chiki-chan like to help Ash Face-san with finding the right trees?"

Ash Face-san's sudden change in subject didn't throw Chiki-chan off in the slightest. It never did with kids or mighty heroes of justice and Chiki-chan was both! Still, Chiki-chan stared at Ash Face-san then Chiki-chan stared really really hard at the surroundings and then she stared really really hard at Ash Face-san again. "That's a big job in a Forest-san to find special Tree-sans!" Then Chiki-chan puffed her little chest up. "But Chiki-chan and the Doll-sans can do it! Helping Lost-sans is what a Hero of Justice does!"

Rei blinked, waiting quietly and patiently as Chiki seemed to be coming to some kind of great decision or epiphany. Or maybe she was just a little confused by his words, it was a little hard to say at first until she spoke and Rei couldn't help but chuckle when wee Chiki-chan puffed up her chest. "Thank you very much Chiki-chan!" He smiled, already thinking about how much wood was required for his workshop. Actually, as long as the trees were tall, he would only need under five and he was already planning on waiting until spring so he could harvest the seeds and plant them in the ground.

Now that that was settled, Chiki-chan hustled and bustled to the nearest tree with all three Doll-sans in tow. Dramatic pointing! Big eyes! Open mouth! And a very loud,"Is this the right Tree-san, Ash Face-san?" :o

Rei smiled as he got up and followed the little girl, chuckling and looking over the tree quickly. Yes, the tree was a fine specimen, a shame that the tree's life would be given to his workshop. But he was not so callous as to ignore the fact that it was best to replace what was used and he quickly glanced up at the leaves, recalling what he could of the tree and knowing that he would need to come back as soon as winter ended so he could get to work on harvesting the wood and then planting the seeds in it's place.

"Yes, this is a good tree. I think I only need to find two more like this," He mused aloud, studying the tree and estimating how much wood he would need for the roof. And of course, there was the matter of getting the right materials to use for the actual junction point between the planks and the stone walls. Ah, the mind of a blacksmith was a strange one when he had something in mind to work on.

Chiki-chan wasn't paying attention! Chiki-chan pointed to the closest tree to the first one. "IS THIS THE RIGHT TREE-SAN," Chiki-chan hooted loudly, having figured out how the game worked, or so Chiki-chan thought. Chiki-chan - 2 Ash Face-san - 0. >,,>

Rei chuckled, wondering where the child got the energy from and gave her a small nod and a soft laugh. "And where did Chiki-chan learn to find special tree-sans so well?" He asked, smiling softly.

Thank heaven that no animals were about to try and investigate them and possibly attack. Or Hollows seeking a meal, for that matter, though he was sure Kura-ude was not one to attack children. Unless Chiki-chan somehow angered the doll...

Dramatic posing! Puffed chest! Doll-san trio backup dancers! Explosions in the background! Okay, so not the last one, but Chiki-chan was pretty epically posing in response to Ash Face-san's question. The verbal reply was, "All Heroes of Justice can find Tree-sans!" As good of an explanation Any-sans could expect from a six year old. "But Chiki-chan is extra good because Guardian Angel-sama made Chiki-chan smart!"

Rei chuckled, rather glad to have met such an energetic child. She seemed rather happy and filled with life, a refreshing thing to see as far as he was concerned. "Oh? Guardian Angel-sama sounds very smart too to teach Chiki-chan," He stated, wondering just who this mysterious benefactor to Chiki was. And more importantly, what kind of person they could be; human, bount, or an aware?

Chiki-chan nodded in agreement with Ash Face-san. Chiki-chan even opened her mouth wide to reply, but then... Chiki-chan's tummy growled! Chiki-chan had done the Hero's task of helping Ash Face-san find Tree-sans, so Chiki-chan could tend to the one weakness that Chiki-chan had as a Hero of Justice! Chiki-chans had to eat! So regrouping, Chiki-chan and the Sidekicks of Justice known as the Doll-sans started to sprint toward the end of the forest. "Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Ash Face-saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan," Chiki-chan called out as the mighty Hero flew off into the sunset, or something.

[Chiki-chan Exit]

Rei smiled and watched the little girl, pausing to blink and tilt his head as he heard the girl's stomach growling. He opened his mouth in an attempt to speak and offer her perhaps a meal in exchange for her help, when Chiki-chan dashed off! No doubt the girl was already thinking ahead, and it seemed her dolls were in hot pursuit. Rei blinked, and made a quick note to see if he could speak with the girl or rather, find her actually and thank her for the help. "Farewell little Chiki-chan!"

No sooner had he spoken, and that Chiki-chan left that Rei heard footsteps and turned to find himself smiling at the face of Terra. His fellow elder merely paused and then quietly bowed before walking up to him. "I have found you, master."

"Good fortune must be smiling upon us, come, let us find Holt. We have much to discuss my apprentice," Rei instructed, and the pair made their own way out of the forest.

[Rei and Terra Exit]

[Thread End]

Thread Rewards:

Rei - 21 Points

Chiki-chan - 20 Points

Post for placement.

10 to Stamina
5 to Reiatsu Skill
6 to Reiatsu

Thank you.