Hilana didn’t seem taken aback or about to turn her nose up at that revelation, she just nodded. She could understand - maybe it was another income, keeping busy, networking, building her skills… the reasons were endless. “You must be an incredible dancer, Domina. I might dance with water… but never with an audience. But I will be sure to come and check it out, thank you. All work and no play makes for a dull girl.” The young woman beamed. As careful as Hilana was trying to be, the Starborn had been easy to talk to, and the Vastiana loved to talk.
The snake, while substantial, was surprisingly soft for something so composed of thick muscle. But his symphony was one of a relaxed, contented creature, who was perfectly happy being petted and loved on in his owner’s arms and lap. He seemed curious about her, too, though he curled up a bit on Hilana’s arm when the senior priestess’ voice cut through the serenity of the gardens. The Vastiana, who had been about to speak up, kept her mouth shut and lowered her head respectfully as if she was not listening to this and would prefer to give them privacy for this discussion. If anything, she did so, sectioning off some more of the pannelus and guiding them into jars, filling a few more quietly and tucking them away into her Featherlight Satchel. Between her efforts and Domina Astraea’s, she had plenty of the bioluminescent fungi - she would be able to get more than a few batches out, which would allow her to refine the process and improve on the efficacy of her craft. The python had remained where he was while Astraea and Petra spoke. But even as she focused on her work, she could see from the corner of her eyes the way that the younger priestess's back had stiffened. Maybe it was from being spoken to that way. Maybe it was something else.
When the priestess extended the offer to accompany her once the Sunborn went back inside, Hilana, who had managed to make herself properly quiet and subdued so as not to disgrace herself by interjecting, brightened right back up. She bowed her head to her in agreement. “I would be honoured to accompany you,” she affirmed, gathering up the last of her equipment and tucking it away into the slightly glowing Satchel. She opened a squirming cotton bag inside of her rucksack and withdrew yet another python, though this one was considerably smaller than TIaz. “This is Fiya,” she introduced the paler python to the Starborn. Fiya was not as content to sit still like Tiaz was, and she left Hilana's hands to move up to her shoulders, starting to work her way around the girl's bun, while the bottom half of her was resting on her shoulders still. However, even with the snakes, Hilana was able to get her rucksack on her shoulders while Tiaz remained on her skirts, and then got her Featherlight Satchel over a shoulder to rest on a shapely hip. With the straps in place, Tiaz was moved to her shoulders as well, underneath Fiya, and the bigger python was pleased to be back into position.
With that rather process handled, the girl stood up easily, and the air spirits dusted off her skirts for her - the length and fullness of the vividly-dyed garment that hung off of her hips rather shocking now that she was finally up on her feet. Those long legs of hers gave her some height, and the bun and snake on her head added to it, and Hilana's hands went to the straps of her rucksack. She considered offering the use of her Ring of Traversion, but considering the way the Sunborn had spoken to her... Well, perhaps the Deiori would prefer to take the long way. "Do you want me to put the box in my Satchel, Domina?" she offered, patting the flap of the bag. If she agreed, Hilana would put it away for the time, and if she preferred to carry it, then so be it.
But when she was ready, they could start the walk to the lift that would take them from the Umbrium up the Luxium. "Would you prefer to stick to the Umbrium for as much as possible for the way?" Hilana inquired. There were lifts in every district, but if they went from the Sanctine district, they would have to cross the Luxium to get to the Templum Solis Radians over in the Palatine district above. It was in the Vastiana's experience that Umbrian denizens preferred the coolness of the lower city rather than the blazing sunlight of the Luxium above.
