ORIGIN

Silence reigned between them or a while, during which time Kin-Kin watched the glow of her coat dull and slowly fade away, leaving the water dully reflecting Orion's lanternlight again. The pup gave a sniff and finally turned back to the other wolf who was still facing her, now looking down at her as she lay awkwardly on the ice.

It seemed she had gained some rapport; Kin-Kin understood as they held out a paw.

The golden pup looked awkwardly at the paw which was held out to her, but it was worth noting she didn't protest or try to decline the unspoken offer. She just gave a tiny nod of thanks. The icy ground chilled her belly fur though, and she began to pull her front paws slowly towards one another in an effort to stand. They slid over the ice until they were curled below her. And then she slowly pushed.

Slowly, carefully, she rose. Her paws shifted occasionally, slightly. Even the slightest twitch would likely be enough to send her back down again. But she kept at it, and soon she stood, her legs placed squarely beneath her on the ice. Her tail flicked from side to side happily and her face beamed in quite the surprised way. It seemed as though Kin-Kin was starting to understand what she was capable of.

@Rinaotei

The light died out leaving the whole Tunnel in a state of dimly lit as the two small wolves stayed in this static of silence as Rina waited til Kin-Kin turned back to her and sees her offered paw. She's waiting to see if she has the consent.

She sees Kin-Kin looking at her paw for a bit, albeit awkwardly she inwardly worries if there's something wrong, she hopes she didn't give the wrong impression as she doesn't mean to force Kin-Kin to taking the paw. Although she worries she doesn't show it externally still remaining cool and waiting to see what unfolds in Kin-Kin's choice, or reaction as even though she is looking at her paw awkwardly, she isn't exactly outright saying or taking direct action that suggests she is offended to the offer. Like aggressively slapping it away like she has seen others do, finally she sees Kin-Kin has given a nod of gratitude towards her, but she sees that Kin-Kin is going to try herself, which she is content with. She lowers her paw a little, but not completely and continues to keep a watchful eye as she starts to pick herself up.

Eventually she got back up and sees that she's glad that she managed to do it herself, feeling glad for her the corners of her mouth tip slightly upwards.

@Kin-Kin

They remained silent; no congratulations or inner monologues to be heard of. how strange. Kin-Kin hadn't often seen creatures so unwilling to talk- apart, perhaps, from those who couldn't. The cave mice and cave bats that she'd seen flitting around Orion hadn't said much. Kin-Kin gave a little shrug and shifted her paws slightly, trying to move over onto a less slippery part of the ice.

Kin-Kin noticed that Rina was smiling slightly, and Kin-Kin smiled back, her tail twitching minutely from side to side. Then the flagrantly golden pup went back to focusing on her paws, slowly inching forward towards the icy ledges which she'd struggled her way down before. She breathed deeply, and then looked back at the other wolf. "Gonna try to climb back up to Orion. You coming with?"

Turning back to the ledge, she made her way forward and reached up, scrambling so that her chest was draped over the edge. Then her back paws scrabbled, struggling for a hold on the slippery ice. Her front paws failed to grip, and she was so very close to simply sliding back. It was so very difficult just to stay there, and she just couldn't seem to pull herself up no matter what she tried. She slipped and slid, barely staying in place as she grappled against the ice. Maybe she needed something to stand on...

@Rinaotei

She noticed that Kin-Kin was thinking about something like she realied something unusual. Perhaps her silence, is a little confusing to her, Rina herself does realize she is a tadest bit quiet. She always has been wary about her words of choice, as others seem to pick out things in her words that they think means something else, and those types show quite flagrantly that they take offense, even though that was not what she meant at all. Also while Rina is particulary a bit sarcastic at times, and arrogant towards some about some things she doesn't mean anything horrible when she does congrats them so she prefers to express with her expressions. Befitting as she also does slightly think she should only speak when necessary, she however sees that Kin-Kin shrugs again perhaps not paying too much mind to her quietness or accepting it.

She notices that Kin-Kin is attempting to climb back up, and while she is trying Rina's ears perk up, eyes widen a tadest bit and she quietly says 'Ah' in realization as she realizes she may have to move aside a little as she's somewhat blocking the way to the edge of the slope that Kin-Kin is trying to climb back up on. So she backs to the side a little to give Kin-Kin the space to be able to reach back up, afterwards she went back to smiling at her, a bit more than the other one as Kin-Kin is smiling back at her.

Ah so she has been given an invite to go to Orion from her. Looking up at the entrance to Orion again she didn't see any reason why she shouldn't "Well since you're inviting, I don't see any reason to not go. OK then." she answers in her usual serene, although with a tone that sounded a little more warm and friendly as she proceeds to close her eyes and curves her closed eyelids upwards to show a slightly more happy & friendly expression. She thinks she's getting better at this. She notices that she's struggling a little bit to get back up, perhaps she should extend her paws out a bit again to see if she wants them, however like last time she'll see if she has the consent as she sees that Kin-Kin does want to try to do things herself.

@Kin-Kin

Kin-Kin breathed deep, her eyes wide, her claws scrabbling but, with all her might she pushed with her back claws and swung, feeling herself going from side to side and back again. But as she went, she got just that little bit more height... And suddenly one of her legs was draped over the edge. That was an achievement, but... aargh! she was slipping fast and her other leg still dangled uselessly. She quickly pulled it up next to her and pushed herself away from the very edge where she could catch her breath without fear of falling.

The tattered fabric that clung to her gem was still trailing down onto the floor below though, which was... subdueing? The pup wasn't sure she had the words to describe it. Settling down, she hooked her claws into it and began to slowly haul it up the icy face so that it was all piled up next to her. Didn't want it pulling her back down again. Of course not.

With that done, finally she replied to Rina's words. "Well, it's up this way! through that door." Kin-Kin said, with a final heavy breath. She peered over the edge to be sure that the black and white wolf could see her and gestured with her muzzle up towards Orion's entrance.

@Rinaotei

Rina continued to watch silently as Kin-Kin continued in her attempt to climb back up from the slope, she plans to be there for her if she requests for assistance to get back up. But it seems she wants to be able to handle it herself and Rina sees she is making progress in reaching back up here and it seem she has enough poise in dealing with her situation, so she'll wait. Eventually Kin-Kin reaches back up here, and proceeds to move what she thinks is a blanket or a cape so it doesn't pull her back down the slope, good precaution.

With that she spoke and gestured Rina to the direction what their next destination shall be, to which she looked up to and now sees the entrance. "Ah I see it yeah. OK then." She says with her tone a little perked up. Still she waits for what Kin-Kin wants to do on whether she wants to go right away to get out of this cold, or if she wants to wait out a bit to rest from taking out some of her energy trying to climb back up, the choice is up to Kin-Kin. Although she isn't fond of waiting herself but if she lets herself be too hasty they might be back at square one.

(LOL when I read the part about pulling her fabric back up so it doesn't pull her back down, I thought of Edna from The Incredibles with her 'No Capes!' XD)

@Kin-Kin

Right away, Kin-Kin was off to climb the next ledge, though she wasn't sure if it was higher or lower. it was a lot more rugged, which meant more pawholds, right? It'd be easier to climb. She looked determined for a moment, then turned back to make sure Rina was following her. "Hey, you coming or what?" she called, bounding back and popping her head over the edge for a moment. And then she gave a bright laugh.

"Well, it's a tad hard to miss!"

Back to the ledge, she'd rested enough. It was getting colder the longer she stayed here and she wanted to be out. She wasn't much of a fan of this world, thus far. it was all either dark, or cold, or stony... She hadn't seen much of it yet but... hm. The golden pup felt she needed to find somewhere she felt safer. But... she wasn't as scared anymore was she? And it felt good. Kin-Kin knew that she didn't want to be scared any more.

Ah, distractions. It was time to climb that dang wall!

Kin-Kin briefly turned to see if Rina was there behind her, before she raised herself up and placed her paws on small, slippery outcrops. She sucked in her breath. Paw one, paw two, paw three... oh, hell!

Paw slip one- she almost fell. The pup sucked in a sharp breath and put the paw back on a different ledge, clenching her claws into the ice. She reached up, pulled up. Paw four. It was on the top now! With a great heave, her chin was up there, looking for some way to pull herself up...

@Rinaotei

Rina watched Kin-Kin continue onward to the next ledge as her mind was drifting away in thought, with her ears slightly drooping and her head down a slightest bit. Her ears perk straight up and still, with her head snapping back up to its original position when she heard Kin-Kin asking if she was coming along. "Ah... My apologies, just spaced out briefly there. Coming.", she responds with a small smile. While responding she noticed with her vigilant eyes that Kin-Kin's atitude and confidence has perked up quite a bit, seeing how previously she seem startled by her own reflection and now she's laughing while proceeding to climb up another ledge.

"Yeah, I believe I can see it even from here." she quips, although it was a harmless remark. Anyway though seems like Kin-Kin has silently decided on the former choice, good enough for her she does dislike standing around and she wanted to see if this world had more than these contant dark colours. While they were good for her blending in to avoid a backstabber getting her, she can't help but feel around her, besides the snow and water of what she has seen so far is almost like a blank canvas. Still Rina is also a little worried about the possibility of another presence deciding to show itself, so she follows along to perhaps assist Kin-Kin if she needs it.

Ah she took note that Kin-Kin almost fell, but she managed to storm through it and has almost reached the top. Anyway for now she'll wait when Kin-Kin is at the top, from the size of the ledge it's better if it's climbed up in a single file manner, and she still wants to vigilantly watch from behind to ensure nothing else comes.

@Kin-Kin

Kin-Kin's sharp breaths stung and the ice was cold against her chest and paws, but with a little luck- and plenty of effort, she was up. Panting heavily, she looked around to see if her friend had begun to climb yet. Surprise surprise, she hadn't. Kin-Kin didn't mind too much, but she was starting to get impatient. The entrance to Orion was right next to her! And Kin-Kin wanted to go back, to find someplace which wasn't cold or dark. she didn't like the darkness of this world much. But then again, what had she expected? It was better than her imprisoning chrysalis, at least.

"Alright, then," Kin-Kin called down, plodding a little way from the ledge so that she didn't fall. here she stood not on freezing ice, but cold stone. It... it was something, right? Kin-Kin slowly settled back down on her haunches and looked around. It was... refreshing to feel like this. The fear, gone, and in its place was almost a new world. It felt good, to not be afraid. But... was it really something she could make a commitment to? After all, if she was scared, she wouldn't get hurt. She'd know if something was out of the ordinary.

But... it didn't feel good. What Kin-Kin wanted was this feeling and more, to rule her. Not fear. Anything but fear. There had been so much of that already, and although the world was big, maybe... maybe it wasn't so bad after all. The thought was tentative, but it was there.

@Rinaotei

Rina continued to watch as Kin-Kin, eventually managed to get up. As she noticed that Kin-Kin has looked down to see if Rina has followed suit, and noticed her surprise when seeing she was still at the bottom. She could also see she was getting impatient, fortunately for Kin-Kin she isn't the only impatient one...

"OK, I'm coming." She finally answers, proceeding to crouch down to transfer most of her strength to her hind legs, with some on her chest and front paws to prepare to leap up and get a head start on her climb. Finally she leaped up, and when landing on the wall there is a slight miss and her claws scrape down it a little, but she eventually managed to cup them on holds and using the remaining transfer energy from her leap, for another quick small leap upwards and successfully managed to get herself a litle further up and at least reach the middle. Albeit the resulting altitude position she has on the wall was smaller than what she was hoping for, ah well better make do right now.

Right now her legs are fully extended, with her paws clamped down on the pawholds that they have cupped onto. Having a look around her options in her current position were a tadest bit limited, seeing there's another hold above her not too far off but they were a bit too close together. Due to that if she were to use those for both her front paws on them, it would lead her unable to transfer as much power to her front legs which would make them have loose grips thus a rather awkward position. Thinking through it she sees that perhaps some parts of the wall were not sturdy, so maybe she could make some holes to grip onto if she perhaps headbutted it with her gem. Stretching up a little further and then stretching her neck a little bit while not trying to strain it too much, she procceds to in inhale and tucks in her head to prepare to endure the resulting pain it may have on her head, then at last she exhales and rams at the wall in full steam. The end result of the charge is a hole a tadest bit small, but it should be big enough for her paw and since this new one is a little further away from the other hole, she needs to grip she should have enough power added to her paws for it to chip away a bit more.

While waiting for the slight throbbing in her head to pass, she continues on. First she needs to also find pawholds for her hind legs, which she can't exactly see well so see feels around the wall with her tail and finds some that would be good to hold onto. Now knowing her next state of plan she proceeds and lets go of the holds her front paws are holding and moves onto the next ones. She first tries the natural one extending her right paw upwards and moving it to the right and clamping onto it so far so good, and now moves her left paw upwards and goes to grip the hold that was her handiwork and grips it firmly but carefully. Slightly awkward but sure enough some of it chips away making a bigger hole so doing good so far. Now the hind legs she moves her tail over across the two holds she plans to grip so she knows where they are, somewhat just slightly above to avoid clawing her tail. Once again leaping her hind legs a little bit and quickly clenches onto the holes, although she just tore a few threads of fur on her tail in the process.

Now she is just a little bit below the top, in this realization unfortunately caused a moment of distraction which made her hind legs loosen and slip causing them to dangle down. She has a moment of shock that causes her in act of haste makes her swing her lower torso to the side a little bit. After her dangling hind legs go straight again after that swing, Rina thinks she has a plan. Once again she swung her hind legs to the left and in a quick swift when they reached their highest point she swung them to the opposite side taking advantage to her lithe weight so she doesn't have to carry much. Although her first attempt in her plan failed and after that swing she quickly moved her right front paw up, and fortunately managed to grip the top of the ledge proceeding to dig her claws to the ground. And with that she once again swung her lower torso to the side then to the opposite with enough strength for it to go up. With that finally they reached the ledge and she quickly begun to stretch out her tail further down the path at the top, and made it slither like a snake slightly so it could drag her body a little further and then she loosened her grip on the last pawhold her other front paw was still gripping on and finally gets her head to the top alongside it as well and quickly rolls further down the path to ensure she doesn't fall.

She has made it and proceeds to walk over to Kin-Kin "Alright, I'm here. You ready?" she asks with a small deep breath and sits down, waiting for her response.

(Wow this one was long, sorry if it was a bit too much XD.)

@Kin-Kin