>>5889158The language barrier is daunting, but you feel the need to ask, "so why are you here?"
The fungal female folds her hands to her chest, "we have chosen..." she looks down, where her eyebrow would be furrowing in frustration, "we chose this form" she settles on that, opening her arms, "this form... most able... for travel"
"Not to be a pedant," you carefully tell her, "but when referring to oneself, one uses 'I' and 'me'."
She tilts her head, and shakes it in disagreement, "but *I*" she motions to the expanse of mushrooms "am all... I tell you... already"
"Then who is 'we'?" Ferris becomes cross.
"these" she pats her chest with her hands.
"Your," the boy blushes deeply, "your bosom?"
Her arms drop in defeat, a clicking groan petering from her throat.
"The Shamblers," you surmise, ignoring your own rosy cheeks and thoughts of bosoms, "they are a collective, but her *identity* is the Amanita Heights."
She doesn't really understand, but is fine with that assessment.
"So!" you continue before anyone can protest, "This Shambler before us was chosen by the others to travel with me. Does this sound right?"
"no complaints" she answers. "may I"
"Hold on. Why? Why does your collective want an avatar to follow me?"
You suppose when you say it out loud, the question is self-explanatory.
"see world... hero protect-" her face scrunches in thought, then smiles again, "-avatar... avatar protect hero too" she grunts a little, a red facsimile of a cape made of the same fungal lace as her 'hair' forming over her collar and a shoulder, "we even have... cloak"
Cheeky.
"What even is today?" Ferris' hushed whisper barely reaches you.
"What do we even call you?" you ask, ignoring him.
"friend" she grins cutely.
"Acquaintance at best!" Ferris shouts in protest, "we just met you, and-"
"It's fine, if not a bit too friendly too fast," you hold a hand at him. "A name, my fair maiden, like we humans, if you would."
"mmmmm" she lists her head down, then gives a cozy smile, "Lady"
"You aren't seriously having it tag along?" Ferris furrows, afraid.
"I don't believe there's cause for immediate concern," you hide your own hesitation in favor of amicability, "we treat her like any other living person."
Are you just going to gloss over the fact that this boy is acting like your traveling companion?
"Hey wait a second, you aren't even with me, why is it your concern?"
"W-well..." he presses his fingertips together, "I-I hope we can at least pal around while your here. I'm expected to s-stay and train for a f-few more days."
You appreciate that extra context. For now, at least, you decide it's okay for them to come with you, until you're ready for a more committed answer.
What now?
>[ 1 ] Anyone else hungry?>[ 2 ] It looks like the Fuzi Settlement is nearby, let's go there.>[ 3 ] Travel to the Mid Shrooms.>[ 4 ] Go to the platforms overlooking the Haze Sea.>[ 5 ] There's a long, bridge-esque staircase of stone ahead. What's beyond that? 