ORIGIN

The foal flicked his ears, glancing at Booker expressionlessly.

"Doesn't hurt. But, I don't know them well enough yet. Don't know if they can do it."

He spoke matter-of-factly, too focused on keeping his ungainly, wobbly legs moving in a straight line to think about tact, what tact was, or how to use it. All he knew was, it didn't hurt to cough the bacteria out--he just wasn't sure if it could actually heal Booker. Maybe time would tell.

He looked forward. There were already soft coats of moss on the tunnel they were entering, and Khloros paused to sniff, then lick, and then nibble, a little, at the edges. It was like green carpet on the walls, thick and plush. The tunnel itself was narrow and dark--or started off that way; ahead, he could see it widen to a gaping maw where faint light glowed.

The foal pricked up his ears, peering ahead curiously--and for the first time, his walking pace seemed to be almost natural, as if being distracted by all of this had taken his mind off of walking enough for him to do it without overthinking it and falling over.

Khloros reached Polaris a few moments later; Orion had been interesting, and the tunnel very short. He paused at the mouth to this new cave, glancing warily in, and then looking to Booker for reassurance and for guidance.

This was another new place, to him. What would it hold?

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BRING OUT YOUR DEAD

The foal's gaunt expression was a bit disquieting, but Booker put it down to the illness his friend was suffering, hoping to see his spirits lift once they reached home. He nodded at Khloros, accepting his response - after all, just like Book knew his fungal friends better than anyone who didn't have the connection he did with them, Khloros must have that same relationship with his friends - and he'd only just met them, being even younger than Booker himself.

As the duo entered the tunnel, Book sighed in relief at the soft, spongy feel of lichen under his paws. The rock floors of his recent travels had calloused his feet, and the tiny Gembound was beyond relieved to see Polaris through the short tunnel, knowing he could collapse soon, back in his own bed - after providing Khloros with shelter nearby, of course. Considering he'd found the foal, Booker felt responsible for him, like Baratheon did for him after he'd hatched. He didn't make any mentions of brotherhood - yet - but Khloros had absolutely leapt up his list of companions to rest beside both his dragon caretaker and Magdalena.

Booker smiled softly as Khloros seemed to relax, taking part in the moss of the tunnel's walls, walking more easily than he had for the entirety of their adventure. When the foal paused, Book almost ran right into his back hoof, but managed to roll out of the way, coming to a stop just in front of his friend.

He glanced up, noticing the foal seemed to be waiting for him, and grinned reassuringly, leading the way back into his home.

"Welcome to Polaris, Khol!"

[ Exit Booker ]