ORIGIN - A New Arrival

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One of the most obvious things about Eridanus is the fact that it is very green. There's a clump of green ferns over there, a couple bushes and shrubs over here, and several green moss-covered rocks or logs everywhere in between. Perhaps it was because of the room's greenness, at least in part, that the gem had gone unnoticed for so long.

The gem too was green and positioned just the right way within a clump of ferns that were just tall enough to shroud it in shadow, the light from cave's various lanterns unable to reach it or cause its white flecks to sparkle. 'Twas large, oval-shaped, and oddly smooth for a chunk of raw uvarovite that had apparently just been dropped here. Except, of course, it hadn't been dropped there--it had grown there, in order to protect the life within. And when it suddenly began to rock from side to side, causing the ferns that it laid against to rustle, it seemed a safe assumption that this life wanted out.

A muffled thumping sounded from within the chrysalis, as if whatever was inside it was kicking against the walls. The sound would continue for quite some time, pausing for a few minutes every so often before starting up again. Then finally, finally, the side of the chrysalis split apart with a resounding crack, muffled by the ferns. The Gembound within then had little trouble getting the rest of the chrysalis to splinter and break apart, and within a few heartbeats a golden calf was spilled out into the ferns on her back, and laid there, completely still for a moment.

Then, with an audible gasp, the calf took her first breath, green eyes opening wide to take her first view of the world. Or, at least, one of the many caves that would make up her world. The girl-calf laid like this for several minutes, pink nostrils flaring slightly to try and collect the scent of the ferns around her, while her eyes took in the various green sights and the harsh light that emanated from the orb-like lanterns all around the cave's walls.

Then, she tried to stand. Instinct had her rolling onto her stomach and trying to place her short little legs beneath her. The first attempt ended in a face-plant. The second one didn't end much better. On the third try she only half-stumbled onto her front legs. It was on the fourth try that she succeeded, on shaky legs, to stand. Her triumphant moo could probably be heard on the other side of the cave. A shame that it caused her to fall once again, with a frustrated huff.

Fallah was beginning to grow, beginning to learn. The lynx had often hunted at this place, getting small meals here and there. It wasn't anything large yet, but, hey, food was still food, right? Frogs, mostly. Maybe rats or mice on occasion. A rabbit would be nice to eat. It would be a complete meal for the adolescent cat, though, once full grown, such a find would be a snack. Fallah wondered if any larger prey lived around this place. Surely it would with such greenery, right? Maybe it did, and that's what Fallah had come to scope out.

On such an occasion, however, the cat had already eaten a few things, but as it grew so did its appetite. Satisfied, at least for now, Fallah was surprised to hear a low thudding, followed by a crack. Now, the cat wasn't exactly positive, but it was pretty sure that noise was the sound of a chrysalis hatching. They hurried to investigate.

Through the green, over or under this shrub, turn around at this log, then through this other log, now up this bump- or was it a hill of some sort- and there it was! In the ferns, in contrast to all the green, was a golden-blonde form. Fallah watched as it rolled and fumbled, trying to stand. Sky eyes widened and breath hitched as the cat found itself hoping that the being would accomplish its goals. Why? Even Fallah didn't know why, but the calf was trying so hard and the lynx wanted to see it succeed. Finally, it stood, letting out a loud noise that caused Fallah's ears to draw back flat to her scalp. When the calf fell once again after its moo, the lynx couldn't help but spring forward, rushing to the thing's side. Springy legs prepared for a quick escape if needed, but for now, Fallah bent down, rump in the air, large, blue eyes peering at the calf, "You okay?"

"speak"

The calf had not been aware of the lynx's presence, being so preoccupied with the challenge of standing. So as she lay there, mentally preparing herself to try again, it came as a surprise to her when the feline suddenly arrived at her side. "Aaaah!" was the somewhat undignified squeal that left the calf's lips as she tried to scramble away, green eyes wide. She only made it about an inch or so away, as she still wasn't on her feet, and cows just simply weren't made to crawl.

However, it would soon become apparent to the lynx that their presence had only startled the newborn. Sadie had just come into the world, after all, and thus had no true reason to fear the other creatures of the caves. Already the momentary fear and surprise was being replaced with curiosity as she stared at the small feline. It looked elegant and graceful, not to mention that it had so many colors! To someone who had only so far seen the color green, Fallah truly seemed to be a treasure trove of colors, with their pelt of red and white, outlined with black. And it had such pretty eyes! Was Sadie as lovely as this creature? The calf might've turned her head to take her first look at herself, has she not been distracted by other Gembound's speaking to her.

Such odd sounds, and yet there was some vague knowledge deep down in her brain that allowed her to understand their meaning once she thought about it for a couple minutes. The creature was asking if she was unharmed? Yes, Sadie was alright, but how could she communicate that to the lynx? Could she make those sounds too? Well, it was worth a shot, was it not? Opening her mouth, the calf made her first attempt at speaking. It started out with another moo, her throat obviously not familiar with making the sounds she wanted, but near the end it changed to an "Ehhhhh." Not quite what she had been trying for. The next attempt went slightly better. "Yyyeeeehhhh." Once more. "Yyyeeeesssss." Success! More or less. The way Sadie's emerald eyes sparkled revealed her delight. What other words could she say? Perhaps she could ask a question of her own.

Another accidental moo was released into the air. The word she wanted rhymed with it, so perhaps it was an easy mistake. "Whhhooooo." That was the first word she wanted, but what was the second word. A slightly awkward pause arrived as she thought about it. Then finally, she carefully uttered, "Yooouuu?" Almost a complete sentence! Sadie was so proud of herself. The question had come to her mind when she'd finally taken a look down at herself, seeing that she was clearly not the same as the lynx. The golden-red hair was pretty, but she didn't wasn't a lean creature, and her legs ended in odd rock-like things instead of the furry paws that Fallah had. One of them, oddly enough, was green and seemed to almost sparkle in the cave's artificial light.

The calf was startled by Fallah's appearance, which was to be expected. The lynx simply tilted its head as the creature tried in vain to scramble away. The being was already larger than Fallah, though it lacked spry, springy legs and overall seemed to be tankish and knobby. It was very different from long brown friend- Fisher- with his longness and dark brown fur.

The calf would look to the cat with green eyes that reflected her birth place. It seemed that for a good minute, the calf would stare, its eyes roaming. Fallah allowed it easily, almost enjoying watching the thing experience the world for the first time. The cat felt a need to protect the thing, thought it wasn't sure why. As the calf tried to comprehend the words, Fallah watched. It let out a few noises, trying to form words, finally saying "yes" in a long and drawn out way, but it was a word nonetheless. A smile spread across the lynx's face. It was a small smile, but genuine, just big enough to part the lips and reveal a small set of sharp, pointy teeth. It would have looked like a mischievous smile, perhaps, with the way Fallah's eyes glittered, but it was nothing but true. It may very well have been the first smile the cat had broken into since birth. Something about watching this big big's gears turning as it figured out the world was kinda cool. At least, the cat thought so.

More words came, the calf asked for a name, though indirectly. A part of Fallah wanted to answer with a snarky, "That's a good question," or, "I am me," but the little big was so cute in its innocence that the cat was forced to be honest, "Fallah. Fall- ah." The cat seated herself then motioned to the creature that was now looking at its stone, a green stone that was on its leg or foot, or however calves were built. Fallah pointed to it with a fluffy paw, "Gem," the cat motioned to its maw, pulling back its lips to reveal the blue teeth of its lower jaw. After a moment, it repeated, "Gem," then clicked its teeth together twice for emphasis.

The cat decided that it was probably best to get a name from this being as well, "Who you?" The lynx would wait for as long as needed for the calf to form an answer. It would, however, stand in hopes of encouraging a similar response from the gembound once it gave a name.

"speak"