ORIGIN - Hoppin'

Iokepa walked- or rather, hopped, more accurately- into a break in the trees with unnecessary vigor. His light plumage had long dried, albeit a bit crusty and mottled with flecks of dirt and grass. He stopped briefly to preen himself, combing his beak through the lower portions of pure fluff.

The boy heaved a sigh, stretching his compact wings out as far as they would go. With a little shake, he took a look around- curious to actually observe his surroundings. He'd been wandering for far too long, and to be finally free of swamp and water made his chest swell with something akin to pride. Still, he was exhausted and desperately wanted- well, what did he want? He wasn't quite sure.

Cooing softly to himself, Kepa blinked wide eyes at the trees that stretched endlessly above him, swiveled his head to peer at the long grasses he'd exited- and finally, gave a long look at the stretch of rocky clearing before him. It was rather dark, the landscape only illuminated by the few lights above him. The hatchling settled in, leaning back against his feet, not yet brave enough to venture forward. He did something similar to concentrating, but really it was more of dozing off. He honed in on that feeling he'd felt twice previously in his short life.

Yet again, whatever he was focusing on was a failure. Huffing in mild frustration, Iokepa closed his eyes. He'd rest, for now, and hopefully try again later.

Sprig had taken the time to wander Polaris for a few more days after eating the chocolate, finding that the cave was not completely barren. There were some plants here and there, and the greenery definitely brightened up the place compared to if it were just plain rock. The lion padded at a moderate pace, occasionally stopping to sniff at a plant or investigate a random outcropping.

He seemed to be in no hurry to get anywhere, just looking around to see what there was. And this was true, as it was essential for him to check out the varieties of plant species that every cave held. Not to mention, the thoughts he had after eating the chocolate prompted him to want to more thoroughly look around Polaris. Partly because he wanted to find who it was that had placed the chocolate there, and also just to make sure he hadn't missed any potentially useful plants that may grow in this cave.

And then he came upon the owl. The hint of magic he had gained from eating the chocolate welled up in his gemstone, wanting to come out- but it fizzled, and nothing happened. Ah well. "Hello, are you okay?" He seemed a bit concerned about the small thing's well being, "Do you need help?"

@Iokepa

Iokepa was nothing short of startled upon seeing a large, colorful something breach his view. His feathers poofed, wings angled to make him look as big as possible- which, really, did nothing for him. Once the creature spoke, though, Kepa soothed himself quickly.

"Hello. Kepa." He rumbled, almost silently. He wasn't all that shocked at the notion that there were more individuals out there than just him. He couldn't pin point why, but all of the things happening around him felt.. natural. He was curious, but he didn't know exactly how to vocalize that.

He was pulled from his mind with the now extremely familiar feeling of that sting. He hadn't meant to trigger anything this time, and he hissed with the discomfort- which was minor, yet unexpected. "Ow," He breathed, shooting another vacant glance towards the feline in front of him.

@Sprig

Sprig sensed that the owl was a bit scared of him, taking a step back to show that he wasn't a threat. Sometimes he was still unused to his own size, the sudden jump from being a little cub to emerging from his chrysalis as a full grown lion had been a shock. Though it had been a few cycles since then, he found that it was still easy to underestimate his own strength.

He smiled lightly, "I'm Sprig." The lion couldn't quite figure out what he was trying to do. What was he getting frustrated about? And what was hurting him? His eyes didn't catch sight of any blood, nor anything else in the area that could cause pain. But he knew something that helped either way! A mint plant! Whenever he was feeling frustrated or in pain, he could chew some mint and it would all go away. It was unfortunate the spell didn't work though...

"Unfortunate, magic is fickle like that." Sprig's eyestalks swayed from side to side as he thought about this, "You sure you're alright?" He internally smacked himself on the head. "I will grow some mint, it makes you feel better!" The lion had not figured out that it was the pain of casting magic, and not some other physical pain. He was very intent on getting this mint to grow, even though it failed the first time.

@Iokepa

Iokepa hummed quietly when Sprig introduced himself. He was utterly unsure about half of the things he said afterwards, though. Magic? Mint? It was all very confusing. Still, Kepa had the brains to realize, even early in life, that the lion seemed to mean well. With no indication that he was going to be hurt, the little owl’s feathers smoothed and his posture untensed.

”Yes. Mm.. Tired. Not hurt- What is mint?” He asked, head tilting in an unintentionally discomforting sort of way. He paused, briefly, before adding: ”Want this-” and honing in on that gut feeling he’d been denied so many times now, he felt a little pop on the dermal layers of his flesh.

Kepa trilled in a surprised, obviously pleased way, twisting to peer at the budding green between his own feathers. Tendrils of ivy and skullcap, although to the hatchling it was just green, wound their way out of his skin and fascinated the creature- his first experience with magic. He could now put a face to his feelings.

”Yes! This!!” He called happily, voice still strangely hushed yet now enthusiastic.

@Sprig

He breathed a sigh of relief. Tiredness was something much easier to fix than pain! He was not a healer himself, nor did he know any. Plant magic itself wasn't all that special in terms of healing ailments directly, but it was what you used it for that made it so flexible and adaptable to your needs. Having never met a bird, and especially not an owl before, he was a bit creeped out by the head tilt. Not in a scary sort of way, it was just rather unsettling. But he continued, keeping his voice calm despite this. "Mint is a plant. It's very useful for when you're tired! It perks you right up." Ever since his discovery of mint, Sprig found himself relying on it at times to get through the day, or just as a way to clear his mind. "Here, let me show you." And from the ground sprouted a mint plant, large enough for him to pluck off a few leaves. "Try chewing- uh, pecking it!" did birds have teeth? He wasn't sure.

"Whoa!" Sprig watched as some ivy grew right out of the owl. It looked rather painful, but Iokepa seemed more excited and happy about this rather than pained. "Seems you have plant magic too, it's super cool huh?" the lion peered down to get a closer look at it. It was indeed growing right out of the little thing. That- was a bit concerning. "You sure?" Sprig did not think it was a good idea to take the ivy. Would that hurt if he just plucked it off?

@Iokepa

Iokepa cooed curiously upon seeing the feline's magic in action. He obliged quickly to Sprig's request, grinding the fresh plant in between the keratin that was his beak. The refreshing crackle as it caved with the pressure of his chews was satisfying, and Kepa decided he liked mint.

The owlet simply tilted his head at the last part of the conversation. Sure? What of? Clearly there had been some sort of misunderstanding- likely due to his stunted sentences. Clearing his little throat, he chose to simply shake his head and move on.

"Thank you Sprig," He said, silently patting himself on the back for the phrase that came to him easily. "But.. Explain magic?" Iokepa could figure out that magic was what the both of them had just performed, but where did it come from? How? He wasn't quite sure how to phrase such a question- nor did he know how complex of a thing he was asking. Still, hungry for knowledge, he asked.

@Sprig