"All of the things that humans have come up with over the years and one of the best methods they have for preservation is to just press something between two heavy objects?" And yet he likes the idea of it. It's uncomplicated. It sounds like a good way to keep it from being damaged. There likely won't be another to replace it with after this. Not until next year. Not one that looks so lovely.

Carefully, Elyas picks up the leaf and sniffs it, then holds it up to look at it from a different angle. It really does look so alive and smell so fresh. He wishes he could preserve its scent as well, especially through the winter months when the smell of nature is no longer quite so prevalent, but at least he'll get to see it in their home.

"I want to go into the city with you. The chances that we run into the hunters are pretty small, right? And I can hide myself in case we do run into them."