For the next few days, Visha made sure everyone drank the Vitality Stew.
At least once a day, each person would have to drink it. Not only because it helps the Blight, but because it will help build strength and stamina.
She noticed the temperature dropped sharply yesterday. She decided to give people the ever-embers, to help them get through the night. The first night they rested, she decided to tell Uri about the inventory.
Xeno already knew, so she felt it was only right that she tell him. There was still a voice in the back of her head nagging her about saying anything, but she pushed it away.
If she were truly going to spend time with these people, they would know at some point. Uri and Xeno saw it as the powers of a priestess, but she knew it wasn't. She still didn't consider herself a priestess.
Sometimes, she really wondered why they depended on these priests and priestesses as much as they did.
No one had left the cave since last night, too cold.
It is possible they were used to winter being like this, but Visha's body noticed immediately that the temperature was dropping by the minute.
[Task: Insulate the cave]
[Reward: unknown]
The system she hadn't heard from for a while finally showed itself. She thought about what it wanted her to do and couldn't help sighing. She didn't know how to do these things, yet here she was, trying to make it work.
She stepped out of the cave with Uri and Xeno, who wouldn't let her leave to explore on her own.
That's what she told them she was doing.
Uri, who looked much better than he did a few days ago, was more than ready to move around. Visha had insisted that he not leave their cave until he was actually better.
At the time, he kissed her and assured her he was fine, but she wouldn't take no for an answer.
Now, the three were going on an adventure of sorts.
She hadn't used Nature's Echo to check the grotto when they first came in. Now, she decided to give it a try, hoping they would be able to find something.
She saw many kinds of moss and flowers, which she picked and put in the inventory. She would have to try her hand at drying them later. Although the inventory allows her to keep them in a fresh state, she can't take out fresh flowers all the time. It would be too strange.
They walked around looking at stalactites and stalagmites. They heard the echo of their footsteps or voices as they spoke. All in all, Visha was having a good time despite the cold.
The three came upon a narrow channel. They wouldn't be able to pass it together. Ensuring safety, Xeno went in first, followed by Uri. Vish was only left at the end because they were sure there was no danger behind, and if she needed to leave, she would be able to do so quickly.
In the channel was a cavern. Almost a different world compared to the place they had been. It was even colder than where they came from.
Visha again used Nature's Echo, trying to find something, anything to complete the task.
Not because the system asked her to. Because she herself genuinely felt she would need to.
She decided that after insulating the cave, she would have Xeno and Uri give everyone their share of food for the winter. That way, no one needed to leave unless absolutely necessary.
Looking around the cavern, she noted similar plants she had seen before, some new ones, and one particular section full of moss.
Moss was nothing new in damp places; what made her look at it was how Nature's Echo identified it.
The name of it is Clay Moss; however, it is neither moss nor clay. It grows densely, which Visha can already see. It feeds on mineral-rich sediment.
The sheer amount of it made her happy. She wouldn't need to freeze, which she very much had an aversion to.
She realized that ever since coming here, she has always been cold. She hopes to never feel that way again.
She grabbed Uri and Xeno, excited to collect the moss. As soon as she started moving towards it, her feet stopped.
She remembered the last time she ran up excitedly. It led to Xeno getting hurt. And although the silver knot did wonders and he healed quickly, she didn't want the same thing to happen again.
Stepping back, she asked, "Is there anything here that will hurt us?"
Uri, ever the perceptive one, noticed her trepidation.
He raised his hand, patting her hair, "It's fine, there isn't anything here."
"Good." She released a breath she didn't know she was holding.
Uri glanced at Xeno, trying to figure out why she would ask that. He signalled he would tell him later. Xeno also knew why she stopped. His heart ached. He didn't want her to feel like she could run around and be excited about the things she liked.
The three walked to the dense mass of would-be moss.
"We need to collect this," she pointed.
"Do you need it for something specific? How much do we need?" Uri asked, already moving forward to pull the moss.
"We need a lot. This is going in all the caves we occupied. The place has been getting too cold. I know beast men might be able to handle it, but I am not sure about females. I know I can't."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Xeno wrapped his arms around her. "I would have shifted so you can sleep better."
"Visha chuckled, nestling into his arms. "You don't need to shift, you're warm enough as you are. I'm only worried because it might get colder from now on. I don't want to take any chances."
"Sha'mīn is worried about everyone?" Uri asked, walking towards her. He hadn't picked any moss yet. Visha wasn't sure why he turned back.
"Sha'mīn, you should be worried about us, only us. Everyone has their own partner to worry about them." He caressed her cheek. His eyes held a hungry gaze she hadn't seen from him before.
Visha would never admit that his gaze made her heart pound, her knees go weak, and her pussy spring water.
Then again, she didn't need to say it. They could smell it.
"You came here for this." A statement.
Visha knew she was caught; she bit her lip and nodded.
"You don't need to keep secrets from us. If there is something you want to do or say, be open. If we do deny you, there must be a reason." He bent down, placing his forehead against hers. "Remember, we are yours, just as you are ours. For my snake tribe, there is only ever one partner."
He lifted his head, his gaze shifting from Xeno to Visha, "I am lucky enough to have two." His lips curved into a smile. "You don't need to hide from us."
The sincerity in his voice made her breath hitch. She wasn't sure what to say to any of that. He came back to talk to her because he felt she didn't trust them. Rather than say what she truly wanted, she made an excuse.
He wanted her to know there was no need to do such a thing.
Xeno, who was still hugging her, kissed the top of her head.
"I will protect both of you with my life. Never doubt that."
The moment stretched. None of them said a word.
Uri was the one who broke it. "Come on, let's get the things you need. You're going to need to tell how to use this."
Visha smiled. Their reassurance meant a lot to her.
She knew they had a long way to go, but she was willing to make it work.