ORIGIN - Manhood.

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Another day of impeccable loneliness. The leering feeling of doom held itself firmly to the beast's heart, gripping a little tighter in every passing day that he neither came to meet new or old friends. Sure, he had passed many and been threatened once or twice, but that positive attention he sought for was nowhere to be found, buried deep somewhere in the caves of Origin. Little did the big brute know, however, that his current depression was just the predecessor for his oncoming musth, a first of firsts for his coming of age. Four cycles had come and gone and now, here he was, with swollen glands, large tusks, and drive that was only just peaking, but remained misunderstood.

With a low rumbling call to any who could hear such a roar, he carried on, feet slowly rising and falling in pattern. His tail swung, occasionally switching at a biting bug. Ears waved a little, trunk fidgeting and nabbing up green when it was available. Large brown eyes stared ahead, able to see onward for ages, but only catching the next curve of the tunnel instead. His back wasn't far from the low ceiling, the extra-low spots grazing him from time to time, which he never seemed to really take notice to. Atsila was a lonely bull, seeking some company; a kind he was not yet aware of.

----

"Speech."
Thoughts.

OOC:
Tag: @

Destiny's spirits had gradually mellowed since her first realization that she wasn't alone anymore. All the excitement and joy at that first had filled her as she revelled in the slightest company- whether it be from a lesser gembound or just a couple of bones- it'd drained, a little. She was alone again, left to wander until her webbed paws began to ache. Things had gradually been growing more dire, though; she'd felt it growing inside of her, signaled by countless migraines and the blood oozing down her scalp with each new vibrant needle. Her vision was failing, her eyes failing to see. Though maybe it was this little flower crown, still far too big for her. Even now she gave a little twitch of her head to try and shift it, only for the pretty little thing to fall down over her eyes, as of proving her point.

But she wouldn't give it up; it was the memento of a friend, a tiny gift that meant the world to her. It made her feel beautiful despite all the chubbiness, her big bill and waddling walk. It made her feel happy even through the silence that had reigned for.... oh, she didn't know how long it'd been now.

In the end, she'd left her watery den in Polaris, in an effort to find someone. She needed to find someone; or maybe she just desired a change of scenery. The journey would help, maybe. The little platypus wanted nothing more than for all of these pains to go. She'd just left the lights behind, and now waddled through stony halls when she began to hear- distantly- the thud, thud, thud of enormous footsteps.

There was someone out there!

Despite her paws beginning to ache, Destiny picked up the pace, her head aching as she jolted and jarred forward, panting breaths whistling through her bill. "Hello! Hello! Is there anyone out th-there? Hellooooo!"

She cried out loud, but was soon forced to slow, as all her aches and pains and the fact that she was unsuited for this kind of movement on land- it all caught up. The little one slowed to a halt and panted but, it was worth it- she could see someone looming above her. A giant figure, one that she could only gaze at in awe, her eyes sparkling with joy beneath flowery crown.

"...H... Hello!" she stammered, panting heavy. This creature was familiar... so familiar. Bringing back warm feelings and a tremble to her breast, yet she hardly dared to hope. Instead, she just let out a shy purr and huddled up, stammering out the only thing she could think to say. "...W-wow... You're so... huge..."

@Atsila

He trekked on. Heavy steps managing some level of silence despite the weight behind them. Atsila heaved out a sigh, just before a faintly familiar voice perked up his big ears and attracted his gaze, which began to frantically search for the source of the sound. A few more steps and some squinting lead to him coming upon a long-lost friend. He halted, staring widely at her little waddling figure as she commented on his size, just as she had when they were still tots.

Seconds ticked by, the realization coming upon him in heaps as a smile grew large on his mouth. His trunk tossed upward with a trumpet before he collapsed to his fore knees, long trunk circling around her on the ground. His tusks rest on either side of her huge and curving upward, but still digging into the dirt as he shoved his mass against them, trying to get closer to her. An elephant never forgets.

"Destiny, it's you!" the bull chimed pleasantly, then scooped her up gently, pulling himself back to his feet as his large trunk cradled her with care. "It's been so long, but I remember so well. I've missed you."

Atsila snuggled her a bit before resting back to his knees, settling her onto the ground once more while keeping his big brown eyes locked onto her. Utter joy took over his body, shoving away his low emotions with little effort upon the sight of his first real friend. The one who showed him he could swim.

----

"Speech."
Thoughts.

OOC:
Tag: @Destiny

He came forward towards her, even more massive than she remembered, and her heart was in her mouth as it pounded with such excitement, her breath catching in her throat as she gazed so intently upwards, eyes sparkling beneath delicate flower crown.

It seemed like more than only a couple of heartbeats when the enormous gembound threw back his head and filled the air with a sound like nothing she'd ever heard before. Destiny was taken aback a little by this display but as soon as her old friend fell down onto his knees before her, she knew that if she'd been able she'd have made an even bigger cry of joy! "It's me, it's me! Atsila, it's you t-too!" she warbled excitedly, her body shaking with excitement, and a laugh rising in her throat as she felt the huge trunk around her. And suddenly, she was in the air! She was so high up, again! The world was so small, she could see forever! And none of it mattered.

"Same for you..." she murmured, with a small purr rising in her throat. "It's been so long since I've seen you... It's b-been so long since I've seen anyone." she felt herself lowered again, but not without Destiny snuggling up against his trunk as she was lowered back onto the chilly ground. Brrrr...

Pure joy sparkled in Destiny's eyes, it was impossible to tell if she was tearing up, or if it was just the opalescent sparks in her eyes dancing. "How've you b-been? What have you done?" Destiny asked excitedly, shaking her head and breaking the silence, as pleasant as it had been. She wondered if he'd been on any great adventures since they'd last met! Her eyes were the eyes of a child asking for a story, full of awe and fascination. "You'll... Have to b-bring me with you next t-t-time!" she laughed happily, but there was a fond hint of honesty in her voice.

@Atsila

The big bull elephant had to keep himself from lifting the smaller mammal up from the ground, the need to coddle her strong within him. His tail swayed behind him as the only safe outlet he could achieve for his utter joy at finding his favorite creature of the caves. He blanketed her with his trunk, cooing rumbles bellowing from his throat until she began to ask him what he'd been doing all this time.

"I've been exploring! Seeing the many rooms and tunnels that make this great labyrinth," he said.

A large smile overwhelmed his face, making his jaw hurt. He didn't care, though. He was just so happy, so over-joyed. He bellowed out his rumbles again, nodding his head as well as he could with tusks jammed against the ground.

"I will take you anywhere you want to go, Destiny! I lo-" he caught himself and froze, tail becoming limp. Something he'd never said before nearly flopped out of his mouth in the most untimely manner. How rude of him! He circled his trunk a little tighter around her, hugging her with all the affection a big ol' elephant could muster.

----

"Speech."
Thoughts.

OOC:
Tag: @Destiny

Sitting in the middle of Atsila's big trunk that he'd curled around her, Destiny's rainbow eyes were filled with glee beneath the flower crown sitting on her brow. She felt vibrations through her entire body with Atsila's rumbles of happiness and her own, purring little warbles that emerged from her bill were very nearly inaudible. "Oh, me too!" she cried out happily. Excitement showed itself in little wiggles up against the elephant's trunk.

Her own bill was opened up as wide as it possibly could, a grin showing in her every feature. "I never thought the world was this big! I started looking for someone 'cause I've not seen anyone in P-Polaris for a long time! And then I found you," the platypus explained. "The scenery was a nice ch-change! I've not seen much other'n rocks though." She gave a warbling, purring laugh.

Giving a happy little squeak as Atsila responded to her joking request with acceptance, Destiny felt warmth once again flooding through her entire being. "What kinda p-places have you seen? Have you seen alla' rooms in the c-cave? Are there any that are b-b-beautiful?" Destiny asked dreamily, tilting her head in curiosity and confusion as he cut himself off mid-sentence.

"Wha?"

@Atsila

She still stuttered in the cutest way. He wasn't sure if she'd think it so cute, but he certainly thought so. A warmth not unlike the fire in his chest stirred within as she spoke, questions flying from her little bill eagerly. No longer could he resist his urges. The big bull swept her back up into his trunk, cradling her.

"I'm not sure if I've seen all of them or not. Some were beautiful. I think I know of a couple places you would like!" he chimed to her.

Atsila lumbered forth, carrying her toward the Pisces entrance. As he walked, he rocked her gently, humming in a low voice that sounded almost like a growl. As they passed a damp wall with plenty of texture, he threw himself into it, rubbing his rough, itchy skin against the available surface. He stumbled a little before straightening back up, but kept a safe hold on his little Destiny.

----

"Speech."
Thoughts.

OOC:
Tag: @Destiny

Destiny grinned happily, and felt his trunk once again tighten around her as she was raised high into the air. It was as though she was flying again; the little lady had never been this high, never been able to see this much of the world. She could only imagine how amazing it'd feel in a wide and beautiful cavern that she alone struggled to see in. Sometimes she was just too short... But right now, she felt on top of the world.

"I wanna see all of the c-caves some day!" the little one warbled happily, as Atsila told her he wasn't sure whether or not he'd seen all of the caves. "We c-can find 'em all together!" she grinned, opening her bill up wider than ever, and cuddled into the trunk that firmly held her, like a big, big father or mother with protective arms... except not quite. This was different. "O-oh! What k-kinda places are they?!" she asked excitedly, feeling his movements as he began to walk. And they were going fast! She could never have waddled that far in a single step! She'd be panting if she even tried to keep up with Atsila.

She felt Atsila trip, and automatically her grip on his trunk tightened, her little webbed paws fumbling for a hold. But he kept tight hold, and they kept on moving, leaving her little heart pounding with excitement.

@Atsila

Being with her brought a special joy to his heart. The way she talked, her voice, her face... she was perfect and cuddly and he couldn't ask for a better friend. Her size reminded him to be gentle, too. A nice change shortly after his most recent musth. She was enthusiastic and it brightened him up even more. Her inquiry about the places he'd seen brewed up an equal share of excitement.

"There's a room with stars, a room with trees, a room of fog, a room of water. There's much to see and they're all like their very own worlds. It's amazing, Destiny," he chimed.

Upon his stumble, she seemed to squeeze his trunk. The pounding of her heart could be felt very faintly against his thick, yet sensitive skin. He smiled to himself, being sure to tread carefully. His large tusks were like a shield as his big trunk blanketed her for extra support and warmth. The occasional flap of his ears brought for a breeze over his body, keeping himself a bit more cooled. Each step was surprisingly quiet for his size, but his strides were long and purposeful, carrying him with sense of confidence with no worry of anything else in the world.

----

"Speech."
Thoughts.

OOC:
Tag: @Destiny

Destiny listened to his deep rumbles, the words reverberating through her body, so powerful and yet so gentle. "I was born in a room with a big waterfall," she told him excitedly. "have you been there? Then we met in Polaris. Other than the tunnels, I haven't seen much." When you were this small, you didn't really need to, anyway! The rooms she'd been in still held many secrets, and they seemed so much bigger to her.

Held tight and gentle in his sensitive trunk, the platypus was so, so happy- she'd been alone for so long, and had returned to this. She'd almost forgotten how good it felt. Almost...

It was so good to see an old friend again.

Once more, Destiny excitedly looked around, admiring the world from this new birds-eye perspective. They were moving so fast! She'd never be able to keep up on foot, and she felt like this would never get old. It was amazing and beautiful, and so much fun!

"Everything is going by so fast! Is it always like this?"

@Atsila

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