This is a short Oboro x OC story because this man doesn't get enough attention. Makes me really wish him, Tadori, and Kagero would get more relevance in-game!

A soft breeze helped to carry the ship over the gentle waves and to the port. Felynes scrambled about, working alongside the human sailors to prepare to dock. It was a simple cargo ship to bring food and materials to the people in Elgado, but it had a single passenger aboard that was neither human nor Felyne. With her hands on the railing, Reika leaned forward with a bright smile to take in the view. Light skin almost shined in the sunlight. A beautiful, delicate face gave a sense of kind gentleness. Eyes as vibrant and green as fresh spring leaves practically sparkled with enthusiasm. Black locks with loose curls cascaded down to the middle of her back, the top half pulled up into a bun while bangs, parted in the middle, framed her face. She was garbed in a floral pink and white kimono with a tan pouch fastened at her hip. Pointed ears, four fingers on each hand, and digitigrade feet made it quite clear she was a Wyverian.

"So this is Elgado," she uttered under her breath. "Magnificent."

The ship slowed to a stop and the sailors dropped anchor. That's when Reika felt something pawing at her leg. Looking down, she met the jolly gaze of a striped Felyne. He pointed her to the gangway where boxes and barrels were already in the midst of being transported.

"It's been a purr-leasure sailing with you, Miss Reika!" the furball said with a meow.

The Wyverian woman reached down to take his paw with a grateful smile. "Thank you for allowing me passage. I appreciate it."

Releasing his paw, she gingerly made her way around the working crew. She spotted a familiar face on the dock that forced a gasp from her. Quickening her pace, she crossed the gangway and hurried to the tall male.

"Doctor Tadori!" Reika wasted no time in hugging him, her friend and mentor for years. "I wasn't expecting you to be here. You never remain in one place for long."

Tadori chuckled, looking down at the woman and placing his hands gently on her shoulders. "Indeed. In light of recent events, my aid was needed here in Elgado." Reika released him from her hold and stepped back, an unsettled expression on her face. "You've heard, I'm certain. The plague inflicted upon this land. The Archdemon of the Abyss."

With a solemn nod, Reika turned her gaze down and rested a hand over her heart. "Yes. A true calamity. I could practically hear the voices of the monsters and the land crying out from across the sea. It was…awful." She shook her head and met his gaze. "But things appear to have calmed now. Please, tell me what's happened."

A smile on his face, Tadori slipped his rather large box of things onto his back, then gestured for her to walk with him. "A hunter from Kamura - the Fierce, we call him - united with the Knights of the Order to fight back the plague. It is thanks to everyone's efforts in Elgado and Kamura that the Archdemon was felled. The life here is still healing, but with time, the ecosystem will balance itself out once more. It always does."

Reika nodded in agreement. She was a gifted Wyverian. Her people had always been far closer to nature than humans, but her connection was greater than even that. Tadori had mentored her a long time ago, but he learned a thing or two from her as well. She could seemingly hear the voices of the creatures around her, though not literally of course. In that way, she could read a monster's emotions or understand how healthy the environment was. Like Tadori, she traveled a lot, learning everything she could about the world's fauna.

"I must tell you of the places I've been - of the things I've seen on my travels. You wouldn't believe your eyes, Tadori. There are things out there that are simply…magical."

Tadori chuckled. "Believe me, I know all too well. But before you get ahead of yourself, I'm sure there's someone who wishes to hear of your journey even more than me."

Reika quieted, a perplexing look on her face. The man suddenly stopped, turning his whole body to the left. Following his bespectacled gaze, Reika saw a merchant stand not far from them. Supplies and trinkets lined the shelves. Potions and the like were necessities for any hunter or fellow adventurer, which meant setting up shop at a hunter outpost assured plenty of business. However, at the moment, there weren't any customers. The Wyverian man running the stall was currently seated and reading a book, his attention on the writing before him.

"Oboro!"

Upon hearing his name, he lifted his head, turning it toward the recognizable voice. A smile stretched across his face when he laid eyes on the woman approaching at a brisk pace. He closed his book on his lap, bowing his head politely.

"My, my, is that Miss Reika I see? It's been years!"

"It's great to see you, Oboro! And please, I've told you before, you don't have to be so formal." Her contagious smile made him melt.

"I sent Reika a letter about everything that happened here concerning the Archdemon and Malzeno," Tadori elaborated. "And of course, her arrival came too late. But she wanted to study the areas most affected by the blight."

Reika nodded in agreement. "That's right. I wish to check the current state of things. I must know if the monsters and the endemic life are still thriving. I mean, I trust Tadori's wisdom on the matter, but experiencing it myself is preferable."

"I see. Your way of connecting to living things never ceases to amaze me." He placed his book in his pouch. "Since you'll likely be heading out soon, may I interest you in any of my wares? I would like the chance to talk and catch up."

Tadori looked between the pair with a knowing smile. "As much as I would love to join you both, I have business that needs attending. Excuse me."

He turned to leave, but Reika was quick to halt him with a hand on his arm. "Just promise me you won't go running off before I get to show you my drawings."

Tadori smiled at her from over his shoulder. "I promise. Bahari really needs my medicinal knowledge at the moment though. I simply took a break to greet you when you got off the ship. We can catch up later." With that, he left the pair alone.

Oboro shook his head slightly. "Always on the go, as usual." He met Reika's gaze with a pleasant smile. "So? How have you been?"

"Pretty good. My travels have taken me to so many places. I've seen and experienced so much more than I ever expected. And you? Have you begun your medical studies yet?"

"I have indeed. I was reading up on that very subject mere moments ago." He waved a hand dismissively. "But that's far less interesting than your journey. I'd love to hear all about it."

Reika immediately opened her pouch to take out quite a few rolled up scrolls of paper. "I was hoping you'd say that!" She moved to his side and knelt down to his level, unrolling the first scroll. On it was a hand-drawn picture of a ship sailing on a sea of sand with a massive creature swimming beside it. "This was when I visited this great desert. It was like an ocean of sand stretching as far as the eye can see. And it was home to a mighty Elder Dragon called Jhen Mohran. A titanic creature with two long tusks to skewer ships like dango."

Oboro's eyes lit up with fascination. "Amazing! How did you manage to draw such a fearsome beast?"

"Some of it is just based on memory." The girl tapped the side of her head. "And for the rest, well, Jhen Mohran only ever got aggressive when ships entered his territory. On foot, I was practically an Altaroth to him." She moved on to the next picture, one of a pair of dragons resting side by side. "This one was just too cute not to draw. I actually found a Teostra and a Lunastra together at this volcano."

She went through several more similar images of various monsters in their habitats. She truly had been everywhere. From the vast seas to the tallest mountains. Oboro enjoyed hearing every detail, her drawings painting a picture for him to imagine. She finally reached an impressive piece that had the male intrigued. There was a sky covered by various monster shapes, and under it was a mountainous dragon spewing magma. Around its back flew a much smaller dragon covered in spikes.

"My word," Oboro gasped out. "What is this?"

Reika pointed to the mountain of a beast taking up most of the scroll. "That's Zorah Magdaros. When I visited the New World, I learned of this huge migration of dragons. This colossal creature was a part of it."

"Astounding." Oboro pointed to the smaller monster captured mid-flight. "And I presume that's one of the many migratory dragons as well?"

Reika nodded. "Yes. That's Nergigante. He followed the migration to feast on other Elder Dragons present."

"Sounds similar to the Magnamalo that was once believed to be the cause of the Rampage in Kamura. As it turned out, it only followed the Rampage to pick off easy prey."

"I heard about that from the twins." Reika gave a disheartened sigh as she rolled up the scroll. "I wish I could've been there to witness it. Seems like so much happens when I'm not around."

"To be honest, I'm thankful you weren't present." The male's words stunned her at first, causing her to look at him in disbelief. "I'd heard the Rampage was a truly terrifying event caused by a pair of powerful Elder Dragons. Much like the calamity that befell us here. It ended up being the product of an age-old turf war between Malzeno and the Archdemon." His smile was gone when he looked at her. "I know you can be quite fearless, Reika, especially when it comes to the creatures inhabiting our world. If you were here during these times, you could've been harmed, killed even, pursuing your studies." He turned his head away, trying to hide the emotions written on his face.

Reika understood his reasoning. They had been close for a long time, and she knew he cared for her well-being. A frown tugged at her lips. "Perhaps you're right." She tucked the scroll away into her pouch. "I am no hunter. I have come face-to-face with many monsters - stared death in the eye. But for everything we do, there will always be risks. And without risks, we would accomplish nothing." Lightly, she touched his arm to get him to look at her, then smiled. "Here. I have one last drawing to show you."

The final picture she showed him depicted a human boy on the back of a Rathalos. "And just what is this?" Oboro asked, astounded.

"I drew this when I visited this quaint little village by the ocean. The people there - they call themselves riders." There was a sparkle in her eyes when she spoke of them. "These incredible people use the power of special stones to bond with monsters. This young boy I met - he hatched a very unique Rathalos that ultimately saved their home." Reika gave a dreamy sigh. "I could've remained there forever. There was so much to learn and experience regarding this bond between man and beast. It was also there that I met…a very special friend."

"It sounds like a fantastical place. Perhaps I'll visit it myself one day." Oboro wore an intrigued smile. "And this 'special friend' of yours? What are they like?"

"She's…a one-of-a-kind." The female packed her scrolls away, rising to her feet. "I really should be heading out. It's imperative that I get out in the field as soon as possible."

"Before you go, can I interest you in anything? It can't hurt to be prepared with a potion or two, just in case."

"I'm afraid I don't have much zenny on me, but I guess a potion would be worth it. The Jungle can be quite the dangerous environment even for the most experienced explorer." She handed over the zenny, and in exchange, received a small bottle of green liquid to stash in her pouch. "Thank you, Oboro. I'll be back soon."

"Thank you for your patronage," Oboro replied. "And promise me you'll be careful out there." She nodded in response. "I'll be eagerly awaiting your return to hear all about your findings."

Reika left with a chipper smile on her face, giving simple greetings to those she passed. She even waved to Tadori and Bahari on her way past the research lab. And thus, her journey continued deep into the wilderness of the Kingdom.