Aetius had been in this tunnel before. She was in this part of the caves simply because of the carvings that were here. She didn't come here just to admire the carvings on the wall. No, she came here to find out the story behind these carvings. She had found out a bit of information last last time she was here. Alas, it was not enough information. The owl was going to use her power to find out more, as this was a part of her goal. The whole, of her goal, was to find out the secrets of the entire cave. She put her wing on one of the carvings and focused. Blast, nothing yet.

Aetius kept her wing on the same carving, as she tried to focus again. This snowy owl was one for results, not failure. She already knew her hindsight power would not work on the first go. Though it was worth the effort, because she was able to see things those without arcane magic could not see. And for that she was proud. She was also proud of the spider Thothaga she had met before not too long ago. That spider held true intelligence, and Aetius could clearly see that. As the bird focused, she finally got a vision. It seemed for those who used arcane magic, you could learn new things every day. This was a true statement for Aetius.

Aetius sees large beasts decorating the carving with quartz, muffled voices conversing with one another as if confirming whether or not the placement is good, or if it should be like this, or if it would be better like that... They point to different places and hold up different sizes of quartz, quarreling quietly with themselves.

Astraea slowly made his way through Orion, his eyes tracing the buildings in the distance with remorse. This had been his favorite place once; it still held dear memories to him—what pieces he could remember, anyway.

A figure just inside of Tunnel J caught his attention and he made his way over to investigate; it seemed deep in thought so he approached as quietly as he could, trying not to disturb it. Its wing was placed on the carving that guarded Orion and his lips twitched into a small smile.

"Curious, are you?" he asked gently. "About the being that guards Orion?"

@Aetius

Aetius, as with all her visions, was in complete surprise at what she saw. Who were these large creatures decorating the carving. Why were they confirming about the placement of it? It may have been a brief vision, but it sure got Aetius thinking. As Aetius removed her wing from the carving, she heard a voice. The owl turned and saw a deer with a red gem on his head. Aetius nodded her head politely in greeting. Then her eyes slightly widened when he spoke of a being that guarded Orion. But the owl decided to use her manners first, as she should. "Greetings, my name is Aetius. You said something about the being that guards Orion? Who and what is it?" The owl looked up at the deer like a child getting ready for a story. Only this one would be true. "I like to find out the secrets and history of the cave, trying to learn all I can." The cave was her home after all.

@Game Master CJ

He reflected fondly on the carving, nodding to her words and thinking for a moment before telling her anything. "Well Aetius, the secrets might be secrets for a reason," he decided to say first, red eyes shifting down to her. "But yes, this creature depicted in the carving guards Orion, as he guards all of us too," Astraea explained, glancing back up to the quartz-encrusted being. "He is the Creator. This is one of His many forms."

@Aetius

Aetius nodded when the deer said that secrets are secrets for a reason. But of course, she could not help herself asking another question. "It seems the Creator is a very important part of the caves. It seems very wondrous that there is a creature guarding the cave and its inhabitants." Knowing that there was something guarding the caves and the gembounds sounding very fitting, and it made Aetius feel protected. The young owl was beginning to look up to The Creator. "Does The Creator have a name?" Aetius then perked up as an even more important question came to light. "Would it be ok if I could meet The Creator? I would like to give my gratitude to him since he guards us all. As well as see him in the flesh, if that's alright." Aetius hoped she wasn't being disrespectful by asking to meet The Creator. She just wanted to meet her guardian was all.

@Game Master CJ

Astraea smiled, almost wickedly at her ready acceptance. "Yes, He is the reason we exist," he commented quietly, though that was only half true. "He does have a name, but we do not speak it lightly," the deer warned, his ears flicking forward. When she asked if she might meet the Creator, Astraea tilted his head slightly. Oh. Now there was a request.

"He has many forms," Astraea began. "He is in each of us, in a way. It is dangerous to meet Him. His magic is very strong and it can corrupt the most gentle of minds..." He paused, thinking about what to say. "There was one before who also had this request, but it turned her mind dark and wicked; of course, this was not the intention, but the magic is that overwhelming." Regarding her kindly, he frowned. "I do not think it wise to try again."

A smile grew, soft and gentle. "Your gratitude is not unheard, though."

@Aetius

Aetius nodded her head respectfully, as a sign she respected The Creator and the fact that there were some things that must stay secret of him. "I understand. With magic that strong it wouldn't be good to meet him. Though I still greatly appreciate what he does for us and the cave. I would also like to thank you for telling me about The Creator. Now I have someone to look up and stay loyal to, knowing He protects these caves." Then Aetius remembered the work she had to do with her nest, realizing that she must get back to Eridanus. "I must go, but it was very nice to meet you. Also again, thank you for telling me about The Creator. May I ask what your name is?" She wanted to know the name of this stag before leaving. He seemed very kind.

@Game Master CJ

He listened and nodded every now and then to her words. Good, loyal, respectful; he wished to see these traits in all of the children, but unfortunately some of them seemed to have... misplaced ambitions. "You're welcome, Aetius. My, forgive my lack of manners; I'm called Astraea." He seemed genuinely sorry for not introducing himself. With a slight bow he excused her, "It was nice to meet you as well."

@Aetius

"It was nice to meet you Astraea. I shall see you around sometime." With that the snowy owl flew off with grace and poise into the air and off in the direction of Eridanus. She had much work to do to tidy up her nest, as well as decorate it more to her liking. She would keep this lesson of The Creator in mind. He protected the caves, so the owl's loyalty lied with Him.

-exit-