Learning from Nature

Facility Event: Flames of Reflection

Episode 6

Learning from Nature

Previous Quest

The Power of Trust

Next Quest

Hidden Potential

Summary

Now it is Renee's turn to face her weakness. According to Arctos, the key is in learning from the forest. But although the party searches for the answer in the woods, they are unable to find it. When night finally falls, the group decides to gather up forest ingredients for dinner.

Dialogue

Lay it on us, Coach! What's the next phase of your training program? The next stage is where we train you! Teamwork is the key to your smithing, and YOU, Renee, are the linchpin of this particular team! Hee hee! I suppose my role IS pretty important. I mean, not only do I cool the metal, but I also clean up coals and whatnot. I've got OODLES of responsibilities! Yeah! You're the go-to gofer! Hey, I am NOT a gofer, you jerk! I'm a jill-of-all-trades who can do any blacksmithing task required! Or, um, that's the plan, anyway. But if I'm gonna be the best blacksmith ever, I can't have a single weakness in my game. Not one! That's what ol' Coach likes to hear! ...But hearing it don't mean squat if you don't overcome your weakness. Oh noooo! What's my weakness?! You expect me to just TELL you?! That's not how the program works! Oh, come oooon! At least give me a little hint or whatever! Your hint...is the forest. LEARN FROM THE TREES! That is SO not a hint! Come on, Sis—let's believe in Coach and see what we can figure out. Hell, I bet just the act of thinking about it like this has some kind of deeper meaning. I guess that's how it was for you, huh? Okay, well, if I'm gonna walk around a dumb forest all day, I guess I'll start... oooooover...there! Byeeeee! Whoa, slow down! You can't just run into the woods all alone—they're dangerous! Maybe we'll come along to keep you company. Oh, and if you see anything that seems like it might be important to your training, just let us know. We'll figure this out together! I am trying to bear in mind the coach's admonition to learn from the woods, and yet I see only the usual amount of trees, dirt, and...bugs. I think I may have found something... Really? Do tell! I foooound...this super pretty flower! See, the way I see it, I have so much blacksmith talent oozing out of me that my weakness has to be related to some OTHER thing. Which means...? It means I have to be even MORE dazzling and radiant than ever! So even during the harshest smithing job, I'll be as graceful as this flower. ...Isn't that right, Coach?! ...... Uh oh. That's totally NOT right, is it? You are really something sometimes, Sis. Hee hee! Which is what we love about her. Okay, fine—didn't hit a home run my first time up to bat. That's fine! I'll try again! Hey, so I don't wanna ruin this special moment or nothin', but if I don't eat soon, I think I'm gonna keel over. It IS getting pretty late. Maybe we should stop for the day and set up camp. Unfortunately I thought we would only be gone for the day, and did not bring along any dinner supplies. So I gotta go to bed without dinner? What in a hog's fresh hell is THIS?! Fortunately for us—and it seems Ranzal in particular—the woods should provide more than enough ingredients for us to put together a simple repast. Leave the gathering to me! Aren't you forgetting something, Renee? It's nearly dark, ya dope, and you're runnin' off without any light at all! ...Here, take this torch. Oh, right. Good call. Thaaanks! Everyone who's going to look for food, grab a torch and let's go!