ORIGIN

Kin-Kin clearly took the reptile's comment as a great compliment. Even if it was a bit of an odd one. Anyone could 'not hesitate' if they were really trying hard enough. But at the same time, he didn't say that that the rest was bad... in fact, she felt that he was thoroughly impressed, judging by the head bob and the flick of his tongue. "Why would I hesitate?" she asked with a grin. "If I hesitated, I wouldn't be nearly as impressive. Would I?"

She grinned, although had to pause-contrary to her previous words- when they began questioning her on the practical use of her magic. Although that being said, when she thought about it more, she realized that she had brought about some good in the cave aside from simply being salient. Being the ideal role model for gemlings, that counted, right? She'd taught a couple of them in the way of magic, hadn't she? Others... not so much. Heh...

"My role can serve many purposes. I can craft weapons, I can light the way and even fight with magic! I teach the kids in the ways of magic too... Whenever an opportunity presents itself, I'll do what the cave needs me to do." She wasn't quite lying but maybe what she was presenting as her duty was just, at the time, what ended up being the most fun. The wolf lived a nomadic lifestyle, after all. She went where she pleased, did what she wanted. And she'd have it no other way. "And if there's anyone who comes looking for trouble... well... they can talk to me."

Kin-Kin's brow twitched slightly as she thought back to her many victories over Imperia, who at this point seemed to be the menace of the caves. Although these battles were for the glory more than anything... the thought that other Gembounds might look up to her as a hero for those battles made it even more worth the effort.

Victory was the sweetest tasting fruit in all the caves.

---

He was quickly beginning to find that this wolf had something of an ego. Ghanyarah was no stranger to ego - he himself had a bit of one, and he'd known Gembounds with equally as swollen egos. He imagined that the large chaos beast in Polaris had quite an ego, as did the little sprite that led him away. The wolf spoke a lot about being impressive, being a champion, and being bright. She probably adored the attention. The reptile didn't know how that information would affect him at that moment, but he was sure it would come in handy later. He tucked it away into the back of his thoughts and listened as she rattled off her purpose.

Crafting weapons was an oddity because Ghanyarah didn't know what weapons were. He had half a mind to stop her and ask her what she meant by a weapon. She went on about lighting the way, which Ghanyarah already figured, and teaching younger Gembounds how to use magic. That was an interesting one! But Ghanyarah had little interest in teaching young Gembounds. He had taught Nova, yes, but only so that he could learn how to use the same magic that allowed her to lower the temperature of the air. Ghanyarah had since figured that one out, and he hadn't seen Nova since the attack that caused him to form his chrysalis.

The reptile flicked his tongue with mild interest. "So you are a protector?" He guessed. That sounded like something a Magical Champion would do. "I am not a protector." Ghanyarah started, shifting his gaze to think. "In a way, I used to be. I protected my kin, the Children of Rot, but they have fallen into the unknown. I cannot find them. So I suppose I have failed in that respect." He said, but he didn't sound sympathetic or mournful. Dying and disappearing seemed to be a way of life. He wished it hadn't happened to his friends, but there was nothing he could do to fix it. "I believe I would like to try again. I would like to have someone to protect again."

"A protector?" Kin-kin echoed, pausing momentarily to consider the prospect. She didn't really have anything... or, anyone... in particular that she wanted to protect. Except for her ego, obviously. Creatures came and went from her life like fireflies blinking their little lights on and off. But she supposed that would make sense, given the reputation of the one she just so happened to pick fights with. "...Er, yes!" she finished finally, sitting back on her haunches so that she could puff out her chest all the more.

Her head cocked and ears twitched towards the lizard as they continued. Kin-Kin had never been involved with the Children of Rot; she had been born after their numbers had begun to dwindle and in addition, she avoided their home like the plague simply out of disgust for the sliminess of their home. But she felt like she might have heard a passing whisper. They did sound like something she ought to have heard of, but maybe it was simply because their name was such an intimidating one. Mind, the wolf did feel like she ought to avoid someone with 'rot' in their title. "Well, that's a shame," she replied with a slight shrug, unsure of what else to say. "Ya probably did everything ya could, anyway." She seemed hesitant, and from those words it was clear that the creature had never really shown sympathy. She'd never been in a situation that favoured it before. and so when the moment presented itself, she could only really sit and look awkward.

"Hmmm... I can see what you mean." Kin-Kin for the first time began to consider the practical side of creating a weapon like hers. Perhaps she could... use it somehow? The caves had been silent for so long. would having someone to protect somehow ease the loneliness? Was that the point? And even if it wouldn't, perhaps she could get something out of it. Everyone would know her name. Look up to her. Admire her. Not that they didn't already, but... it would be nice if more Gembounds began to seek her out. "Do ya think the caves are gonna stay empty?" Kin-Kin asked, changing the subject as she remembered that no matter what plans she came up with, this was still the first greater Gembound she'd encountered in months. Nothing would come to fruition if she was all alone. Being a creature who seemingly thrived on attention, being alone forever wasn't the nicest thought.

"It's no fun being by myself."

---

Ghanyarah wasn't so sure he had done everything he could to protect them. He'd been attacked and receded to his chrysalis for who knew how long - it was hard to tell how many cycles had passed - and when he returned to Cetus, changed, no one was there. Something had happened to them, and maybe it was something that Ghanyarah could have prevented if he was there. He'd never know unless one of them ever came back, or he could find someone else that had witnessed the dispersal. Whatever the cause, it would remain a mystery until Ghanyarah happened upon the answer, and he was afraid that he wasn't so keen on finding it. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know.

His long, whip-like tail began to drag through the dust, twitching and slithering behind him as he retreated back to his thoughts. He was only drawn out again by Kin-Kin's next question, at which his lips twitched slightly and his tongue flickered. Ghanyarah drew in a breath and held it in his lungs, sending his gaze out to the gaping cave around them, to the distant tunnels that opened up as hungry mouths, wondering the same. "They are not empty." He said outside of his thoughts, fixing back on Kin-Kin. "We are here."

And as long as they were here, the caves wouldn't be empty.

Ghanyarah knew he could never be satisfied with such near solitude. He would do everything in his power to find others and draw them to him, keep them by his side. He'd been alone for far too long. Alone, wanting, desperate - there were things he'd seen that he craved for himself, and as long as he was still alive, he would strive for them.

"You said there were slime trails. That implies there is at least a third Gembound out there." He pointed out, knowing very well there had to be more than just the two of them. He'd seen evidence of others, even if he hadn't seen them himself. "I will go find this creature." Ghanyarah had decided. Besides, her mention of it piqued his interest and he wanted to know what kind of a monster it was that left such trails behind. Surely it had to be a Gembound. And if it wasn't? Well, then count it as another beast that Ghanyarah protected the Gembounds from.

He slid off of the rock he had been perched on and waddled next to Kin-Kin, tilting his head to peer up at her. "When we cross paths again, I will tell you of my finding." The reptile told her. It was the least he could do after she had informed him of the slime trail and briefly chased his loneliness with conversation. Besides, the wolf wasn't so bad - a little egotistical, but weren't they all? He liked to think that they could be friends. Ghanyarah shot her a brief twinge of a smile before moving on, intending on tracking down these slime trails and the creature that left them behind.

Ghanyarah's response stated the obvious, but a welcome kind of obvious rather than a pandering, condescending kind. If it had been, a sarcastic remark would have sufficed but as it was, she instead grunted quietly and allowed the corner of her mouth to twinge in a slight smile. "I suppose we are," she murmured. "oh well! I bet I'll make ya into an adoring fan yet! We have forever, after all."

She couldn't help but snicker at the thought.

Her ears perked as Ghanyarah continued... bringing the conversation back to the odd slime trails. She could understand their reasoning, and figured that any audience was better than none. But even so, Kin-Kin would sooner search nearby and prepare for the journey ahead(aka... make herself look beautiful) than charge off headlong to find someone assumably disgusting. Judging by the slime trails, of course. No matter the glory waiting for her, Kin-Kin would need some time to think, and return to her usual self.

"I'll look forward to it!" sge cslled after the retreating reptile, and with no proper reason to stay she soon trotted off, following a familiar path to where her blade lay, sharp tip buried in the ground.

Kin-Kin didn't think she'd ever lay her head down here again.

-exit Kin-Kin-

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