Miyas Primary Expedition

    Outside was chilly, snow drifting down on the brisk wind. The snow stuck to the ground and began to make large piles and stick to the roofs of the buildings. Owlfrost was a remote place but to those who lived their it was hone. Miya was one such resident who could often be found at the library. Inside the air was warm and smelt of paper and leather. It was quiet, with hushed voices and the occasional sound of a page turning. Miya sat in their favorite spot, in a secluded corner that others rarely went. They closed the horologist book, having finished it and sighed happily. It had been a great read, lots of information about clocks and other time keepers. Miya took out the notebook she had on the subject and jotted down her final thoughts before putting everything away. 

The library was lined with shelves, desks and chairs of mismatching types scattered around. Most brought in by regulars who would use them and leave them there for others to use as well. Miya scanned the shelves for their next research topic, Bookbinding for Beginners, Innkeeper Tips and Tricks, Craftful Carpentry, and more but nothing stood out to her. Seeing Miya looking one of the librarians let's her know they got a shipment of new books from Starhaven earlier. He points at a stack of books on the desk, still yet to be sorted and placed in their new home on a shelf. Miya tips their head in thanks and goes to investigate. 

Miya smiled at the feel of new stiff leather and crisp pages as they flipped through the books. They admired the craftsmanship of a few, a book on farming techniques that has detailed illustrations of different crops. Another a book on star gazing with charts of many recognizable constellations. Near the bottom is a completely paper book that looks more like a journal than anything. Miyas curiousity is piqued, they read the title which seemed to be hand written. New Coresmithing Discovery a biography of Berhael Ingotbrand. Scanning the summary revealed that this was a second hand account of recent developments in the field. The handmade look gave off it was meant to be a first draft that perhaps never got past this point. 

Miya went back to her spot and flipped the book open to the first page, wrapping herself in her blanket as she did so. Hours went by, chapter by chapter Miya was enthralled by every word. She never knew about what went on in clusterfalls or the making of chronovelour. The information was vague in places but it all seemed so intriguing. After awhile a dear friend stopped by and they enjoyed lunch together, Miya telling him about the new research topic. The conversation was nice, getting to share her new interest and he told her about a sculpture he was working on made from snow and ice. He waved goodbye as Miya picked the book back up. 

The topic had fully engrossed them, nightfall came sooner than felt possible. They had the librarian but the book behind the counter, not wanting to chance it being checked out by another. Flying home in the frigid air she couldn't wait to read more in the morning. After getting ready to sleep they couldn't rest just yet. Miya got out a new notebook and wrote coresmithing on the cover, filling out the first few pages with what she had learned today. 

Over the next few days Miya finished the book, even rereading a couple chapters to fully grasp the new knowledge and checking their notes. Not satisfied Miya scoured the shelves for more books about the topic. Looking for anything related, something to further her study. However there was very little to be found. Those who knew Miya could tell this was different from her normal researching. Her curiousity in the topic was growing exponentially and the drive to learn more was more intense than usual. Enough so that Shiori, the owner of the library noticed. Shiori waited for Miya to notice him before he spoke. When they looked up with a disappointed frown Shiori knew what he needed to do. He asked her if she's thought about traveling. Miya was confused, she's been happy living here and doing her research. Shiori recommends going to Nebula's Reach, they have a bigger selection of material to study and even classes. He tells Miya to give it some thought as it's a pretty big decision and goes back to sorting books.

Miya thanks him quietly for the advice as he walks away. Thinking on it, this is the first time they've been so frustrated with something. Her curiousity normally is satiated after reading a book or two but this time. This time it wasn't enough. For the next couple of days Miya thought about what to do next. Always going back to her notebook on coresmithing, the itch to learn more burning within. They decided a fly would help to clear their head and took off, flying over the trees and buildings of Owlfrost below. Seeing the town from up there, the familiar feathers of Quillian she's known for so long made her pause. They always made her feel at home here but who said she could never come back. With a deep breath Miya lands back at her house and gets to work. 

The next few weeks was filled with spending time with those she cares for and getting everything ready to leave. Miya couldn't bring herself to actually say the words farewell, opting to give each of them a hug and a thank you instead. They all wished her safe travels and let her know that they believed in her. Filled with more determination Miya waved before flying towards Nebula's Reach.

     Nebula's Reach was more amazing than she expected, so many books with knowledge she couldn't have imagined. It took her a bit to settle in, the Astrali there are mostly seekers of knowledge unlike those from Owlfrost. It was nice being surrounded by others with a drive to learn and discover. Though Miya would not deny she missed those back home. Especially the lunch dates with her friends and her favorite fishing spot. They frequently wrote letters to those back home to help with the feeling. Settling into a dorm room and going with the diurnal schedule. Miya mostly kept to herself and began to further their research. 

The next few seasons where full of reading, more than just coresmithing but they would always circle back to it. Wanting to learn even more, each new small fact found tucked away felt exhilarating. Though as time went on it was getting harder to find new knowledge on the subject. Miya decided to asked around about how could she learn more. Most of the Astrali in Nebula's Reach were researching other topics, with most studying the constellations that travel in the sky. A few Astrali  suggested books she had already tried,  while others simply did not know. More than one were surprised she was coming to them for help, mentioning seeing Miya around but no one knowing fully what she studied.

Miya asked a Cloven Astrali if she had any knowledge on another source of study on astral cores. They were happy to mention hearing about a class in Starhaven, run by Berhael Ingotbrand himself. Miya thanked them for the information before rushing off to verify it. Their excited only grew when it was confirmed that it was a real course. Miya knew that Starhaven had to be her next stop. They informed the professors and packed away their stuff again. The notebook on coresmithing now thick enough it could be its own fully fledged book. With a smile on her face she flew off again, she couldn't wait to learn even more.