The snow leopardess let her grin fade. Instead, she adopted a stoic and serious face, looking to Eve. "I can go to the eyes too. I want to learn more." Layla volunteered. She wanted to help in any way she could. She needed to help. Especially after her aggression towards Father Aquarian, which was uncalled for. Then again, he kinda almost squished them all.

Ah, well, at least Dragon's hunting wasn't all in in vain. He thought when Aquarian surfaced a second time to claim the pile of rotting meat with his jaws. So, according to the swamp serpent, they were to destroy those that served the "masters", but it wasn't as simple as that. He turned to Dragon and awaited his command. This certainly was an interesting turn of events.

Dragon and a few other Children were going to the Eyes. Septiezal felt a bit envious. He wanted to witness this "cold, cruel" magick for himself, but Dragon was right, it was smarter if they separated. He recalled a few curiosities he encountered cycles ago, but he also wanted to know if anyone could share any points of interest.
"There are.. ssssome curiousss carvings in Canisss, as well as Tunnel I" He finally said. "But I have no meansss of deciphering them. Dragon, do you think thesse are worth invessstigating, or do you sssuggest something elsssse? "

"speak"

@Dragon

Dragon listened closely. Too many were volunteering for the Eyes. Annoyed, he huffed.

"I had said I do not wish us to all go for the Eyes! They may lash out at us." He grumble-hissed for a long moment, already focusing more on the task at hand, already half-forgetting Aquarian's prior screeching.

"Who among you holds the magic to see into the past? Those who can divine from stone and air? If you do not--you must find more. We must all find those who can. Our first task is this: Ghanyarah, myself, Aithaxas, and Eve, we will go to the Eyes. But we will not approach them. We will see, from a distance, if there is anything to see; and we will call out to see if any live there who know more."

He turned his attention then to the others. "Sizzle, then. It is good to meet you and I believe you will be of good aid! You and Serek must investigate the great tree here in Cetus. Again, you may need to seek those with the magic to see beyond! I do not know."

He stood for a moment, regarding them in silence, dignified despite being splattered by dripping mud. His ridged tail lashed back and forth slowly through the swamp.

"Septiezal. Take Layla. Go to the carvings of which you speak, and even if you cannot learn from them, do your best to commit them to memory. Return here, and recreate them--perhaps in the mud--when next we meet, and we will try to discern meaning from them. Layla, too many volunteers were for the Eyes. I do not wish to send Septiezal alone. You must protect one another."

"When we finish seeking our knowledge, and I suspect we will find little if we do not hold the proper magics--then it will be time to find the aid of those who do. To recruit them to our cause. Find those that can pull truth from the world around us, and bring them to us. I will return to Cetus, here--you may find me at any time--but we will gather again, officially, in one cycle. Is this acceptable?"

The alligator looked over those present--over the new Children. He had only one thought running through his mind, now: they had a chance. A real chance, to learn and to survive.

ooc - people can write exit posts now if they wish! I can pop the Eridanus thread for those coming with Dragon.

@Serek @Layla @Aithaxas @Septiezal @Sizzle @Ghanyarah @Eve

Layla nodded at Dragon's words, turning to the large snake. "Shall we go, Septiezal, or should we stay for awhile and make preparations?" SHe asked, her face as serious as she could manage. She was excited about the trip, to help and do her part, but excitement would do nothing to help.

@Septiezal

"Thank you, Dragon," he said, moving slightly closer to the muddied alligator. He was grateful that he could get in with them. He wasn't entirely sure what he would do on his own-- nobody else seemed to have wanted to go to the room of bones, likely because there was nothing there.

He felt a small twinge of disappointment that they would not get close to the Eyes, but he would obey the command. Even with the negative feeling, he could barely contain his excitement, shuffling back and forth on his feet.


"Speech."

exit unless otherwise

Serek nodded proudly when Dragon addressed him and he glanced towards the snake, Sizzle. She was very colorful. "Lets go, then, no need to stand around." Perhaps he had the power they needed. To see the future. His Mother had it, it was in his blood. Yes, he would try his best. He would see.

He felt much better about having a companion that was the same age as him, or, at least, only a little older. The others seemed so old, so experienced. It terrified him. But this would be bette, hopefully. He gave Sizzle of nod of greeting before turning towards the tree and bounding away, not thinking at all about if the snake could even keep up with his speed.

*exit

"I'm screaming submission"
I don't know if I am dying or living

tags: @Sizzle
notes:

The plan was set in motion, then. Ghanyarah looked between each Gembound as Dragon designated them a task, and his gaze fixed on the maned wolf, Aithaxas, that would be joining them. It would be a good opportunity for him to get to know the other Children a little better. Though he would have preferred for Eve to stay behind, at least she seemed comfortable atop his head. He would keep her safe - keep his distance from the Eyes, just as Dragon said.

Of course, he couldn't deny his curiosity... but perhaps such investigations were best left for when he was alone.

The komodo finally fixed back on Dragon and nodded. "Eve, are you well enough to go now?" he asked.

Awaiting her response, Ghanyarah turned in whatever direction was conducive to their plans. Be it toward Eridanus, or toward the depths of the swamp to let the crow rest.

@Eve
exit Ghanyarah unless otherwise spoken to.

Eve croaked faintly, eyes shut for a moment. She was glad not to be removed from her perch so soon-- as it happened, everything ached and her chest felt too tight to take in long breaths.

Regardless, she let out a wheezing squawk of agreement to Dragon's plan about the Eyes, though her eyes opened again once the Divine was mentioned. Was he serious? Her gaze shifted towards the general direction of the possibly-sentient tree, with some distaste.

He might be sending those kids to their deaths. Was he aware?

After a moment of considering, Eve decided that yes-- Dragon was aware and for some reason, he thought that Sizzle and Serek should be sent to their deaths. With a grimace, the crow tried to forget about it.

"I'll be fine," she replied with another little wheeze. "If it gets too bad I'll come back to Cetus and rest for a while."

With this, Eve shut her eyes again, perched on Ghanyarah's head as he started moving off to Eridanus.

exit eve

Septiezal turned towards the leopard and eyed her with haughtiness. He swallowed his reluctance to pair up like a bitter herb. If Dragon did not want him to go alone, then he would not go alone. He just hoped Layla wouldn't become a nuisance.

"Canisss is a long way from here."He said to her, flicking his tongue. "If you're hungry, I sssuggest you eat now, we leave as soon as we're able." With that, Septiezal turned away and slithered into the underbrush.
"speak"

-Exit Septiezal-
**You don't have thread Layla hunting, I'll start the carving thread in canis.