Rainbow splashes across many different facets of the caves main hub. Many glowing clusters of crystal are jaggedly pushing through or growing off many of the surfaces. Bioluminescent mushrooms speckle across the more vertical portions of the hollow, illuminating even the smallest of crevices or creatures lurking in the penumbra. Tucked away in some of the corners, are crystals more special than their other counterparts. Within these lie the newest inhabitants to the world of The Nest.

In one particular case, in the deepest of corners where almost everything is consumed by the darkest shadows sits one violet chrysalis. A soft shimmer radiates from it and within a darkness. Nothing sinister of course, if someone peers closer they would come to find a tiger cub within its confines. Shrouded in something weird, bubbles? Were those bubbles inside the chrysalis with it? Indeed. The tiny cub seems to have some affinity for water magicka, and apparently its getting an early start!

That small crystal is no room for both tiger cub, his big ol' gnashers and bubbles. Case in point, that the strain was too much and the more bubbles reproduced the less room and the more pressure on the crystal walls built and built. In no time at all, those cracks all splintered until the fragile crystal shattered.

Splort.

A tiny wet ball of void covered silk, rudely dumped on his big ol head. Qflugr was suddenly thrust quite rudely into the world as his chrysalis dramatically expunged him. Bubbles float about his form, some wisp away on the wind within the Polaris. His big ocean hued oculars blink several times as he takes his first breath of air, hits wits still swirling around in his rattled noggin.

Polaris wasn't a cave Relic was familiar with, so it was natural that they found their way there eventually. There was something about this place, a tug within them. A kind of natural magnetism that somehow felt deeper than viscera. The air around them felt like a held breath, and they weren't sure they liked it. To be fair, Relic was finding it hard to like most things; A sour mood had overtaken them as of late, but they didn't really know what to do about it. How could the caves feel so claustrophobic, and yet so frustratingly big?

Not to mention the frighteningly bright hue their face had taken as of late. They had wondered if the fur on their back would be soon to follow, and one nap they'd wake completely gnarled and naked and so very orange. The thought didn't stir much within them though.

Splort. Wait, what?

Relic turned her pumpkin head, eyes glowing with new interest. They took a few paces forward, nose low to the ground. The noise had been further off, closer to the mushroom covered walls. She felt her magic bubble within her, hoping to aid her investigation. Nothing came, and she huffed. It never seemed to work when she needed it. "Hello?" She tried, wary of the dark and what it held.

@Qflugr

There didnt seem to be much sound in this part of the cave, aside from some dripping water in the nearby distance of the great expanse. His eyes finally fluttered open enough to look around, tiny visage turning from left to right albeit awkwardly. Those rather large overly sized gnashers on either end of his kissers, well they werent helping. Their sheer weight alone kept his head pinned essentially to the ground, his tiny pillars finally puhsing his bulk what little he had that is, forward.

Soft round thorns swiveled this way and that, while his bubbles seemed to be uncontrollable at this moment and continued to be produced even when they popped or floated away. Arching his brows, tiny Qflugr carries on with trying to move about and then a soft voice caresses his senses.

mew. MEW. MEW. MEEEEEEEEEEEEEW MEWWWW!

No, by no means is he voiceless. Just, tiny kitten with kitten voice.

@Relic

The darkness loomed before Relic, and she could only glare back, fiery eyes flickering. She felt strangely empowered, a soft hum beneath her paws. Almost a reassurance that whatever may appear, she would defend herself. This part of the cave was strange, similar to Draco in the way it stirred her, though much less unpleasant.

Peering at the void, she stiffened at its reply. Little more than a squeak, certainly not something to worry about. They felt a bit foolish for being so cautious, and began their trot towards the source.

They found it, a small, soggy shape against the rock wall. A tiny, tiny cat. A kitten? There seemed to be something wrong with its face, but it was hard to make out. They kept their distance, careful not to overwhelm something so small and new. Old, fuzzy memories stirred, barely distinguishable from instinct. They could remember being frightened for the first time, and they didn't want to inflict that on the little cub. "Hi." They said, head lowered to the height of their shoulders, yellow gaze waiting expectantly, anxiously.

@Qflugr

Qflugr had stood their what felt like forever, wondering if he would be lost in the darkness forever. A soft hum seemed to be coming off the larger crystal formations, which blended with the dripping water echoing in his ears. He might be small now, but his gnashers were pretty adult sized which surely would make anyone chuckle the first time they see him. Lost in his own thoughts as he struggled to move around, his plexus rumbling with hunger letting the newborn know it needed nourishment.

Small rifts blemish the ground wherever he goes, those fangs of his dragging in the dirt. He was busy lifting his head, or attempting to do so for another small step when he was startled by a voice. It was soft, but loud within the cave walls and because of the startle his hackles went up and he turned into a bigger wet pile of fluff. A hiss slipped his kissers as one kitten who was startled would, it doesnt take him long to settle though after he notices the face.

"Mew? Meeew mew mew mew mew."

Qflugr still has no voice, hopefully itll come in soon.

Squinting, Relic was able to make out more of the kitten amidst the gloom. Dagger-like growths sprouted from his face, shimmering in the barest of light. Fangs, and big ones too. They scraped across the dirt as the poor creature moved, striking lines in the thin soil. He would have to grow into them, or else he was in for a hell of an inconvenience for the rest of his life.

"Mew?" They tried, their voice a bit too rough and deep to properly reproduce the sound. "Hi." They said a third time, softer still. They chanced another pawstep in the cub's direction. "Are you ok? Do you need help?" If Relic had to become this kid's personal taxi for a bit, they'd accept that.

@Qflugr

Qflugr tried to crane his neck up, but could only look up with his oculars. Their bright ocean orbs stared back at the being standing before them before plopping his bottom onto the earth. He huffed, he wanted to talk like her but finding his voice seemed impossible! Q's ears splayed to either side of his cranium, mumbling like mews came from him and at first they were quiet until they were not.

"mew mew mew mew mew mew Mew Mew MEw MEw MEW MEW MEW NAME IS QFLUGR!"

Apparently, if you just internally monologued long enough you eventually spat out something someone else could understand. His heart thumped in his chest, his breathing a little ragged from the excitement and behind him acting like a tiny duster his little tail wiggled like crazy cause he had finally spoken! He gave a big toothy grin to Relic,

"Hard to move."

Qflugr was frustrated, you could probably see it on his face if one looked hard enough. He could barely speak words that others understood and he definitely was having a hard time moving.

The cat exploded into noise, making the hyena flinch. It wasn’t like he could do much else, but… She’d appreciate it if he were just a little less loud. She sunk back slowly as his volume rose, anxious about what the kitten could be attracting- before something actually coherent left his mouth. Relic froze, then shifted back to her original position, grateful for the quiet.

”Hello, Qflugr.” The name felt peculiar, but that just meant they hadn’t heard anything like it. ”I’m Relic.” They offered, voice still low (A silent plead for the cub to keep the volume down.)

”I can see that.” They observed, trying not to let the tiny bit of schadenfreude they felt be heard. ”Can I help?”

@Qflugr