Mayfal took the familiar path to Pegasus. The first time they travelled to Pegasus, they were also feeling rather depressed. This time, Mayfal was feeling even worse.
In the middle of their sulking, they picked up Comet's scent. Relief overtook them and they followed the trail exclusively. They didn't notice the other, strange scent underlying Comet's. Probably because of the thoughts and feelings that were overwhelming them.
Either way, the scent was getting stronger and they felt the cool warmth of Pegasus. She was here. She had to be here.
Mayfal kept following, becoming more excited. They started to hear movement, too. It didn't sound like Comet, though. It sounded different. Maybe she had a limp?
"Comet?" Mayfal called out. Their voice was pathetic and husky from crying. Comet would recognize it immediately, Mayfal was sure. They finally felt a little safe.
"Comet, you're here."
Amaryllis stood on top of a small rise, her six blue eyes watching out over what she could see.She was filled with awe and wonder at the sights she had seen on her way here, and the new cave itself. It was absolutely stunning here. Slowly the little girl turned her head taking in everything around her that she could possibly see. In the distance she could smell water and other gembounds. She caught what looked like a forest of sorts in the distance, and was curious about them instantly.
Suddenly a voice called out behind her. It was calling out her big sister’s name. The little creature spun around with bright blue eyes finding herself face to face with someone taller and much fluffier than herself. Suddenly Amaryllis became sheepish and sunk down to the ground.
”I… I’m not Comet. I’m her little sister Amaryllis” The little creature called out in an sheepishly sweet voice. Looking at this new gembound, she found them to look much like Comet in fact. They were a beautiful white, but much smaller and fluffier.
@Mayfal
Little sister.
Something inside Mayfal broke. They were fighting back even more tears. Choking their sorrow even more. They couldn't cry in front of Comet's - in front of their? - little sister. They pulled themself together. They pulled a mask over their face.
"O-oh. Hi, Amaryllis. How are you?" They were trying so hard. They didn't want to scare this young creature.
But Mayfal couldn't sense anything else that would have been signs of Comet. She wasn't here. Amaryllis had come to Pegasus alone.
"Where is Comet? Why are you here on your own? That isn't safe." Thankfully, their concern was able to cloak their growing mental breakdown. Worry was stronger than guilt.
@Amaryllis
For a moment Amaryllis looked upon the newcomer’s face, as a flash of emotions crossed it. She wondered what it was that she had seen. Though she didn’t ask as it seemed they quickly covered it up.
”Are you alright?” Amaryllis asked brushing off their question. She couldn’t just sit here when someone seemed distressed and just let it go. ”You seem upset.” The little girl offered in a gentle sweet voice.
Then they started asking about where Comet was. ”Uhm… Comet… is at home with my other siblings.” Amaryllis answered honestly, there wasn’t much she could do to really hide the fact that she had snuck off on her own. After all she was barely a cycle old.
”I came to see Pegasus. Comet kept telling us stories of Pegasus and I just had to see it for myself.” The little girl yet again admitted honestly. Besides it seemed that this gembound knew Comet, so if she lied to them it would get back to Comet and she would be in even more trouble.
Everything that this small, innocent creature said was like another punch in Mayfal's gut. She could even see past Mayfal's façade. She was so much like Comet, but still so young.
"I'm okay, thank you for asking." Of course they lied to her, what else were they supposed to say? "I'm guessing that you didn't tell Comet about your little outing." The child had been honest. They shouldn't make her feel bad. They tried to match Amaryllis' amiability.
"You know, the reason Comet has so many stories is because she started exploring at your age, too. She would have understood your desire to come here. You're rather lucky that I found you before some other creature-" and then a cough. Mayfal was speaking too much. They couldn't contain this state for long.
After a small coughing fit, Mayfal suggested, "Maybe we should take you back to Comet. Where is she? I actually need to talk to her about something." They hated to be a downer, but taking Amaryllis back probably would be the best course of action. Hopefully, she would be just as sweet while doing something she didn't want to do. Mayfal couldn't handle conflict right now without breaking.
@Amaryllis
Amaryllis tilted her head to one side curiously. She wanted to make sure that Comet’s were okay. After all they were Comet’s friends and she needed them like Amaryllis needed her family. As they affirmed that they were alright, Amaryllis nodded slightly and smiled sweetly. Then they asked about her having permission for this little adventure.
The little girl grimaced her ears falling back.
”N.. No she doesn’t. I slipped away a while ago while her and my siblings were napping.” The little girl again admitted the truth to the stranger. Of course she hadn’t let them know she was leaving. If she had, Comet surely would have stopped her. Amaryllis perked up a bit as the newcomer seemed to be rather gentle and not mad that she had snuck away.
But before she knew it, she was getting scolded. Again the little cub ducked her head sheepishly. She had never thought that Comet would understand, she thought that because Comet had done so many exciting things she would warn her against doing them. ANd surely she wouldn’t have wanted to drag all four of them out at once; they were enough of a handful at home.
”I know I really should have told her, but I thought she would have said no because bringing four of us here on her own would probably be too much work for her.” Amaryllis admitted in a rather melancholic tone.
Amaryllis perked up as the newcomer fell into a coughing fit. The little child stood up and approached them.
”Are you sure you’re alright? We can go find water if you need to.” The little child offered innocently. Finally after their coughing fit they settled down and asked where Comet was.
”Oh we live in Eridanus! I can take you there if you want.” The girl offered excitedly, she was sure that if she came home with one of big sister Comet’s friends she wouldn’t be nearly half as mad. Or so she hoped anyway.
@Mayfal
Eridanus. Good. They'd be safe. Completely safe.
"You came such a long ways! I'd appreciate you going back with me. Then Comet won't be as worried." They couldn't keep the gambit up much longer.
Mayfal turned toward the tunnel they had came from. They waited for the little creature - the little sister... - to move as well. They stood there, still keeping the tears back. They hoped to talk to Comet soon. Mayfal needed to talk to her so very badly.
They stood there in silence waiting for the young one.
@Amaryllis
Amaryllis tilted her head to one side curiously as the little creature seemed to mull something over for a moment. Then they were speaking again. Their voice was soft and friendly, and Mary actually liked it quite a bit. They were very nice and she was glad that she had met them. At least they weren’t scolding her too terribly badly for having basically run away from home.
”Oh but it was such a fun trip here!” The girl admitted joyously to her new acquaintance. She would be happy to walk them to Eridanus, it would make the trip back that much more fun. If she had someone to talk to and spend the time with rather than talking to herself, she had to admit she was thrilled at the idea of a travelling partner.
”Yeah I’m sure Comet and my siblings must be very worried about me. They are probably looking for me to be honest.” The girl admitted her entire body dropping at the thought of having worried everyone.
Amaryllis noticed the newcomer turn to head toward the tunnel she had come from. With a rather dissatisfied sigh the little girl stood up and began to follow the fox back towards the tunnel as she also started to lead the way. Not knowing that the fox couldn’t see she walked a few steps ahead of o them.
”I don’t think you told me, but what was your name again?” Amaryllis asked sweetly, she at least wanted to know the name of the person she would be travelling with.
@Mayfal
The small creature ran ahead, and their voice carried backward to Mayfal. It was a simple question.
They almost said 'Lutem'. They almost tried to save their skin...again.
But that made no sense anymore. Lying to keep themself safe started to reveal its problems. What growth.
"Mayfal." They couldn't think to add more. They could say more, really. They were consumed.
It would be a long walk back to Eridanus. And this child seemed to be similar to Mayfal when it came to questions. They had to just accept the possibility that they might break down, seemingly without prompting, in the middle of answering one of those questions. Hopefully it wouldn't scare Amaryllis too badly. She was going to ask questions, though. For once, Mayfal did not want to deal with questions.
They kept walking forward. Following behind Amaryllis.
@Amaryllis