ORIGIN

As of late, due to a combination of inconvenient weather and the risk of consuming whatever putrid fungus coated the cave's greenery, Fahl more often avoided Eridanus than visited where he'd once frequently foraged and fished for food. Better to trust the waters of home and the finned denizens dwelling within which remained free from an insidious film of scum than risk courting infection here. Furthermore, the Eyes had been robbed of the satisfaction it'd used to bring him, its latest prisoner loosed upon the world again to his immense, unending horror.

All that could be offered for him now was art supplies. No harm could come from dabbling in a pastime such as that, surely, even with the current unfortunate state of the berries. And so it was he stumbled upon an unusual sight nestled in the brush.

"What the...?"

Whatever Catsquirrels gathered around the package who didn't flee at his approach were shooed away by a sweep of claws overhead. Once he settled beside it, the wrapping decorated with images of perfect green trees received a quizzical eyeball, purple pinpricks of confusion speckling his dark hide. The tag was utterly meaningless to the illiterate like himself, an oddity whose purpose eluded understanding. Therefore a tentative poke transferred the much-needed information he desired.

Visions hit him, accompanied by a strong impression of "Blacksmith" that announced itself in every corner of his mind. Fahl, blinking away mild disorientation from the sudden intrusion, became more emboldened by the realization of the gift placed before him and slapped an entire paw down on its surface. He did not know the intended recipient too personally, having only helped among a substantial crowd of others when asked to venture to the Black City and free Artio for Farina. Nevertheless, this being had set off unintentionally the chain of events that had allowed him to help his teacher regain sight.

He nudged at the package, testing its weight. Making sure this found its proper owner was the least he could do for repayment.

"Beats me," Fahl grunted with a roll of his shoulders. "But the Blacksmith... I guess works with the Masters of these caves. He does 'smith' things?"

A wholly unenlightening answer. "Eh, I don't know the details. Just helped him out with something before, that's all."

If he had been younger, the sight of this newcomer whose fur and feathers carried an otherworldly sparkle might have been far more of a surprise to encounter. Having worked alongside all manner of oddly shaped beasts over the cycles though, not to mention dealing with his own body warping according to another's will, appeared to have disabled any possible alarm. With no visible sign of a threat exuding from Reverend, he found no harm in silently observing the odd way it avoided looking directly at either him or the package beneath its light touch.

He then tapped a claw on the wrapping and watched to see if the sound managed to better center the other Gembound's attention on him.

"Whatever he does, this thing's a long ways off from where it ought to be. And unless it can handle a soaking, Leo is an age away from here on foot."