Elias had been confused, though he did not expect an explanation of everything like he was given. The canine was keen on explaining everything as quick as possible, but keeping the information inside. Elias would have been bewildered if he wasn't actually keen on listening to what was being said. Everyone had magic... That was interesting! The caves, had many places in them that looked different. He would have to explore. Maybe he could ask Black to take him to those places later! Or explore them himself when he got bigger than what he was now.

"Understand." Was the reply.

At least he knew some things, now, about the place he was just brought into. "Magic?" He questioned.

That was a start.

@Black

Black listened.

One word--then two.

The second had him turning, slightly, concentrating for a moment on his own magicka--to create an example for the little one. For a moment he considered what, exactly to do; there were options, and most of the hound's abilities consisted of "remove light; make dark." None were exactly spectacular shows, for a child.

He settled, at length, on a magic he rarely used: the ability to make shadowy doubles of himself. It had stood him in good stead as a defensive maneuver, to confuse others--or as reassurance to his child, White, that he was close when maybe-danger lingered, but wasn't yet enough to draw his interference.

He shifted onto his haunches, and his shadow, beneath him, seemed to warp and slip away--in two directions. One left, one right, and then they stood, as if shadowing the air itself.

"This, is magic. This is my magic," the black dog explained, as the two other identical, lightless shapes circled him once, and took their places at his sides.

All three black hounds then seemed to stare at Elias, as if awaiting another question.

________________

@Elias

Elias wasn't sure of the protocol to take when he saw the three canines in front of him. His question was certainly answered, though. Magic... was a strange thing. He wasn't sure he liked the duplicates of the canine that had approached him before. It was... Intimidating. To say the least. Though Elias wasn't sure if he wanted to do something like that, he didn't think he could do that. His mind was set on other things, as he looked back to the water before looking to the canines. Water... He liked that. Maybe his magic was with water.

The little Alligator looked back to the canine. "Scary." He decided to say, motioning to the duplicates that were at Black's sides.

@Black

The black hounds vanished, fading the moment the child professed fear of them--or perhaps he was simply pointing out that they were, generally speaking, scary things.

Now that "knowledge" had apparently been imparted, the black dog turned his attention to Elias himself.

"What does it wish to do? To be?"

Black seemed to muse, for a moment, and added--"Guardians and seekers-of-knowledge; users-of-magic, hunters in the dark. Which will it be, I wonder?" and then, peering more closely at Elias rather than simply rambling, he added--"What does it wish to become?"

@Elias

Elias didn't understand the words offered by the canine in front of him. It was a strange thing. What did Elias wish to do? The Alligator didn't know. If anyone had told him that he would have this kind of interaction not long after he'd come to this world, he would not have known what to think. Alike his current standing.

The rambling continued, before the canine's face came closer to the small creature. He was surprised, at first, but then recomposed himself on the stone that was under him. Elias still wasn't sure the answer to those questions. He blinked. "Confused?"

@Black

Black seemed, at least, to understand this: leaning down, sniffing as if with amusement toward the child.

"Confused, and young. Yes. Eat fish, do not die, and you will learn, in time." Sometimes he forgot that all were not like him: hatched with purpose immediately given. Granted, that was because someone else had been there and immediately decided for him, but he'd just sort of gone with it.

This one would just want to survive, like so many did, for now. Perhaps further purpose would come with time.

"I will go. But remember these words, for later: first, there is magic, and you can learn. And second, there are places with water not-so-cold." This was given with amusement. The water of Pisces was bitterly cold, the bottom portions frozen solid, and he couldn't imagine it being particularly pleasant for a reptile to bathe in. He knew of Cetus and its swamps, Eridanus and its ponds, and even Canis had its stagnant pools.

The dog then turned, offering a woofed "Farewell," and he departed.

exit Black;
@Elias

Elias still was certainly confused, and it looked like the canine understood that. The small alligator squeaked when the nose of the tall creature huffed. He wasn't sure he liked that sound. Eat fish? No die? Elias would learn? What would he learn? The meaning of the things Black had said? It was all confusing.

Black was going? Elias would be alone once again. He would just have to get bigger! Then he would be able to explore! Warmer water? He would have to find it! Look! Search!

The small gator squeaked a "Bye Bye!" In reply.

Elias Exit