Fendros slowly rubbed the salve over the surface of Ahnasha's back, trying his best to relieve the soreness she was experiencing. "I don't know if I'm quite capable of growing a beard that I would describe as 'glorious'," Fendros laughed, "the last time I tried growing facial hair, it came out patchy and looked quite filthy. That was a few years ago though, maybe it'll grow out more evenly now. Janius is either lucky or just perseveres with his goatee." Looking back at Ahnasha's face for a moment, he smiled widely, still slightly amused at the prospect of a beard, "If you don't mind me looking like I rolled my jaw in a pile of dark dirt for the better part of a month, I could try and grow something passable." He looked down and continued, "Might itch for a while, as well. Hmm."

Janius, having taken care of the fire until it was in a self-sustaining state, was very receptive to doing something else. "Oh mercy, something to do in the water," he said gratefully. While he was not so eager for a swim, biting fish or not, fishing sounded like something nice to occupy his mind. "I'll try my hand at catching these swamp fish. The gods know I need a justification for that fire." Janius rose from where he was sitting and followed Meesei to assist in catching something to eat.

Ariel and Sabine were already absorbed in their own tasks. While Sabine gave no indication of her intentions, Ariel conceded to take a dip later, after she was finished with what she was doing. While her and Sabine were nearby again, Ariel tried to strike up a conversation. "So, how are you, Sabine? You look like you've been enjoying Black Marsh so far."

Sabine looked up for only a moment. She shrugged.

"It's certainly a diverse environment, so many plants and animals and insects. One could hardly catalog it all in one lifetime."

There was no response from Sabine.

Ariel breathed out through her nose, but kept her patience. Sabine was never a girl of many words. "How are you feeling about this ritual?" Ariel asked.

This caused Sabine to halt her activity of cutting up a new leaf she had found and think. "I don't know," She replied simply.