ORIGIN

Teeth gripped around a small crystal in which illuminated parts of this cave along with its larger figures. Having left the other he had with the creature he met here before, the pup was keen on retrieving his own again. Though it was not turning out exactly perfect as a duo of bloody teeth found their way out of his maw. However, it was okay as he still had his milk teeth. Releasing the little crystal, tongue constantly licked to keep blood, iron at bay. Head tilted in trying to figure out how to obtain this mineral, deciding to climb onto what space it offered from others and using the bigger one atop to help force himself onto the smaller one. While trying to break off the piece in such a way, sight caught a different light for a second; stopping for a moment before pressing down one last time. Crack! The sound echoed, falling onto chest and rolling around before returning onto all four paws. Panting lightly, he grabbed the broken light, sauntering over to where he saw the glow from earlier.

One step after the other he softly sung while seeking the producer of the glow before. Everything seemed to be fine until paw met a substance that brought a chill down his spine. He did not step in what he think he did, did he? Waddling back with one paw off the ground, he stretched leg out and put light close to it in examining it. Luckily, it was not what he thought it was, however, now he was wondering what this particular matter was. Deciding to give it a sniff, he let go of his crystal and coughed a few times, finding the smell impacting lungs. He was not sure whether this was worse or better but it was likely best to get it off. Searching for his crystal, he gave a silly sigh when seeing it had touched the dark substance. Well, this was not working out smoothly. Carefully picking up item, he figured his way around the slime trail, heading for the river.

Form made it to the river circulating this room. Keeping sure to stay cautious with its steep edge, he gently placed the light over the water. He kept it there for a few moments while admiring the gleams the water made. Large ear flickered at a strange sound, eyes finding its way to the corner in searching for the source. Barely could he see a large figure. He narrowed eyes to figure out what it was; however, the figure remained dark. Turning his head slightly, light slipped from his maw and was taken underwater. Oh no. He thought as he whimpered, not wanting to take the chance in entering the deep river. Watching the light fade as it made its way to the deep bottom, he peered over at the figure once it was fully gone. There was something strange yet familiar about the shape, although it would seem that way with any large shadowy figures. Honestly, he wondered if it were anyone or just something. The canine ambled close to the "stranger" with nose sniffing about to see if a smell came off of them. A smell was surely there and it was very similar to what he had came across not a moment ago. Observing what the creature was doing, head angled at how odd it was in seeing them taking in water. "Hello?" he said, humming at what type of creature (if anything) this was.

He stepped back when movement could be seen of the other, but it was to give the being space seeing they were rather large. Eyes continued to squint in wanting to have a clearer view of the stranger. Though he would not be missing much as the figure would appear the same whether he could make out the scene or not.

Attention switched over when he saw a light come from where the creature was drinking. Ears perked and expression surprised when barely seeing the crystal he dropped into the river only a few seconds ago. It seemed they were able to retrieve. What a relief! Form got close but was forced away again when they began to turn away from the water. The pup had forgotten that he had spoken to them which is why self figured they were turning toward him. Crooked ears displayed his uncertainty of what was to come next; however, Kyorai lightened up when he saw crystal placed on the ground. Lightly wagging tail, he ambled close to it, giving it a few sniffs before picking it up.

Since sight was not assisting in this darkness, crystal was the next best thing. Hardly could he notice much of anything upon this creature, but the slime they produced surely had the canine's attention. Ah, so that is where the slime trail came from. Looking up at the other, he could not make out any eyes to look into, pondering if they had any to begin with. Once scanning what he could of their form, he settled light by his forepaws, offering a smile for having a light source again. "Thanks for getting my crystal back! It would have been the second time I'd lose one," he sighed with a humored note, angling his skull soon after. "Are you okay? That stuff on you isn't causing you trouble, is it? It's quite odd," he voiced his concern, finding some slime to paw at in wonder.

Paw had pressed into the substance in front of him, watching it cling to limb while pulling from it. He chuckled at how it appeared, mind not holding a lick of concern for what this stuff could do to him. Repeating the action again, ears went forward in the calling of this entertaining thing. "Slime? Ooh, so that's what this stuff is!" he said, smacking it in testing its properties. How youthfulness was truly showing in this case. Curiosity overflowing from the pup. Though realizing that the stranger had apologized, brow rose with a little smile, wondering why such a thing was needed. "It's okay! This stuff was the reason I lost it, but I'm glad to have it back no matter what's on it," he assured, wagging his curly tail to show his forgiveness. Honestly with finding enjoyment of slime, he could not be mad at the creature, not that he would be in the first place.

Self finally decided to cease in playing with substance, shaking his paw to rid of what tried to drip off but leaving much of it on him. Head angled as they stuttered, wondering if something was bothering them to create the shaky words. However, skull straightened and ears drooped when hearing their warning. Expression had shown guilt as the warning was already thrown under before it was even stated. "W-well... may be too late for that," he murmured, "Is it bad? What can it do?" Carefully had he got onto all fours, taking a few steps back as to not be tempted by it again or just touching more in general. He issued an anxious look at stranger, unsure what slime may do to him.

Forgetting to retrieve his crystal, as he went to take it from getting covered by anymore slime, he dropped it a few inches away and gazed up at the other for what needed to be done. Washing it off seemingly was enough—relieved it did not need anything out of the ordinary to get rid of it. "Okay!" Walking toward the river's edge, he stopped and peered into the liquid with some uncertainty. "Umm... This... water is quite deep. Could you hold me while I wash it off?" he asked, viewing stranger to see if they would help him out. The pup was not all that confident with his swimming yet so, he did not want to risk drowning for the moment.

Self could not believe how fun yet likely dangerous substance was able to be produced by a creature. It broaden his mind with how much more the animals of this cave may get appearance-wise. For long, he thought an oddly named bat species was the weirdest thing of this place. Surely, he had his ideas and interests mixed up due to such categorizing.

An audible sigh came from him when calmed about the possible repercussions of not playing it safe with this stuff. Apparently, it needed fire in order to become a true worry. He hummed in imagining how it would look if the aggressive element found its way to this. He had not witnessed fire since the first time he seen snake friend showcase it. With that, Kyorai was partly understanding and partly interested in flames coming up for just a small bite of time.

Shuffling uncomfortably in now feeling the slime upon him mess up his fluffy coat, head went over shoulders when company told of having another idea for ridding icky substance. He would put on an expression of inquiry, but moved off from the river's edge when seeing the other nearing it. Now what was this idea? He sung a note and kept head tilted throughout the duration of their plan, self supposed. The canine had no clue how drinking could help with this minor situation, but perhaps they were getting their thoughts arranged. Perking ears when they finished another sip of the water, brows furrowed when he saw how bigger they were than before. Well, he would realize the reason without putting forth a guess.

Suddenly, liquid found its way onto him, causing the pup to jump from the surprise and slip from the oncoming water. "Wah!" he exclaimed, brought onto the earth without say. Eyes remained closed during his unwarned shower, belly staying glued to the ground. Once rushing water gradually ceased, he staggered onto all fours, shaking out soaked coat and sneezing out some liquid that found his nostrils. He stood quiet for a few seconds before running to where crystal rolled off to from the bath, returning with a feeling of refresh and shock. Offering fur another shake, he peered at the creature as less fluffy tail swayed. "W-w-wow! I guess that did the trick," he grinned and laid down. "Thank you! I'm Kyorai! What may you be?" he asked, nudging the air as a formed gesture.

Attention snapped back when hearing his name, exhaling when seeing they were only gaining a use for it. Kyorai listened to the stranger's explanation, snorting at the reason why they had not picked him up or the like. It made sense when mentioning how slime would only return onto him afterwards. Though while licking foreleg he realized they left out something. "What about your tail?" he asked, likely a dumb question but he thought their tail might have been of assistant; not that the shower bothered him as he was just adding onto the options that were available for the action.

Maw moved along at pronouncing Equinox's name. The first bit interested him and was rather the part he went over the most. Although he let out a snicker when they gave a nickname if such proved difficult. Well, he caught the hang of it, but he liked the sound of the other so would likely stick with it. "Nox," he hummed, "what brings you here? Are you passing through or are you up to something?" he questioned as if demanding an answer than politely asking. It was all fun and games, however, lining up a smile on his face. Pulling crystal light close to him, neck snapped over when he heard a particular word from company, content becoming expressive joy.

He gave a loud gasp, trotting close to Equinox but making sure to avoid slime to not repeat what was done earlier. A lot of eagerness fell upon him with face delighted by the knowing. At this point, body could not hold still, headquarters making it near impossible to remain calm. "I know a dragon! A friend! He's really nice and helped me with my magic and stuff! Maybe that's why you seem familiar to me," he explained and tilted his head. Kyorai was referring more to shape than actual appearance. Another being like his friend, he wondered if they knew each other. If not, then perhaps the pup would draw up some arrangements. Mind definitely flew over the part when they spoke not knowing if they really were truly such, but he thought they fit the mold of one well enough. "Ooh, what kind of magic do you do?" he inquired, gazing up at them in wait.