Smiling on the back of the jaguar he wrapped an arm around Booker. Smiling as everything was going very smooth! They had just met two kind gembounds! One of which would be telling a story soon! He couldn't wait! And just before he could say anything they were off! It was rather nice not having to walk...well swim through Cetus. Traveling also went a lot faster! Though maybe not as fast as running and jumping through the tree tops. The young jaguar took extra care to not run after the glowing doe too carelessly. Avoiding any major bumps and trips along the way! Diot could definitely get used to this!

Before he knew it they were rapidly closing in on a very tall tree! One that held very interesting root work! It was a magnificent sight and brought Diot excitement and joy! Story or not this was a very nice treat! To see just a tree, how lucky was he! She had found her seat, nestling carefully between the root work. And only using one of his free hands to stabilize both himself and Booker, when the carrier began to jump around with bubbling excitement.

Taking a moment the jaguar had situated itself and soon Diot sat flat on his rump. His little feet out flat as he got comfortable with what tales would soon be told! His tail flickering around till it wrapped just a bit around his father. The doe's story was one of two families so far. One of light and one of the earth. A smile grew to his features as he quickly realized that, maybe her story would be heavily influenced by the two families here right now. Such excitement bubbled within the young tamarin. So much in fact that it must have been contagious! His euphoric state feeding the very plant life around him! As the small growing foliage around the two larger gembounds made themselves present.


"Speech"

"Thought"

It huffed to himself, quietly, leaning heavily into Diot's side as the ground began to disappear behind them, watching the passing swamp with distrust. He clung to the tamarin with tiny fists, wincing with every step of their chosen ride, feeling the cub's pelt shift and his own flimsy balance waver. Thankfully, their destination soon came into view: an absolutely massive tree, bigger than anything in Eridanus. It stared up at the plant with a wide eye, gaze awed. There wasn't much that impressed him, but natural landmarks like the storyteller's tree were one of the few things that managed. The tiny numbat relaxed just a bit, paws unclenching from their tight grip in Diot's fur. Of course, their trusty steed chose this moment to bound up and after Clover, and It couldn't quite contain a tiny squeak, hands flying back to grab onto his son while the world bobbed and weaved, finally coming to rest beside the doe. Dizzy and just a touch terrified, it took the Gembound a moment to focus again, sitting back on his haunches to listen to the girl's story. The earthen family, they were very kind and open to others, welcoming to all those they came across. Yeah, that definitely sounds like you, Books.

@Clover

She faltered, seeing the sudden plant growth around her, and smiled and laughed! Tall grasses and little white flowers bloomed around them, and she felt so cozy and wrapped up for this story. She would make it sweet and kind, she thought. "How lovely!" She cooed at Diot. "Thank you, little one."

Then she cleared her throat and continued. "The light family had gone out on their daily adventures in the woods, enjoying the wild life and each other's company, playing games and singing songs along the way, when the littlest of the family noticed that they didn't recognize any of the local landmarks. Nothing was familiar, and it had grown cold and damp and misty. At some point they had gone from Eridanus to Cetus without noticing at all, without going through the tunnels, and they had no idea how! Had they been too enveloped in their revelry that they simply didn't pay attention to where they were going? Had they magically been moved without their knowledge? Had they come across a secret way that no one knew about?

The family stood about, confused and lost, worried that they wouldn't be able to find their way back to their green home. They kept their cheerfulness though, because even if they were lost, they were together, and that was what mattered. They had been through many an adventure together, and they refused to lose hope."

Look at me, I'm already starting to make it dark, she thought in a frustrated mental tone. Why do I always do that? "As they continued walking, they came across a witch sitting on a log with a long grin, and offered a cackle to the family. "I have brought you here for a specific purpose," They said. "There's a group of gems that require your assistance. Take this, you shall need it. Best hurry along now." They offered a little bag of herbs to the hesitant group, and the took it, looking at each other with confusion. But they took the witch's direction and hurried along the path."

She already knew the answer to her own question though, as much as she loathed it. Dark stories were easy to make interesting to listeners, easy to hook them and keep them in suspense. She would keep this light, she promised herself.

"This is how I speak."

It was so difficult to keep it light though - she could so easily make it that the witch and traps them for their own dinner(if she even felt comfortable with making Giggle that much of a villain in the first place), and the earth family has to come to the rescue, only to fail miserably, and add such gruesome details as to their demise - and she knew it would make a great story to listen to, honestly she did, but almost every story she told was dark! She needed a happy story too!

"Along the way, it got colder and wetter, and the family stuck close together. The mist clung to their feet, and they didn't want to get even more lost than they already were.

They heard voices just ahead, even though they couldn't see where the voices came from, and with quick glances towards each other, they hurried towards the sound.

Right at the edge of a long expanse of water's edge, sat a very small and petite family of the earth, who were contemplating on how to get across the water with an empty satchel in their paws. They were so small that they were afraid they would get tired before they reached the other side. The light family came up to them, and, since they were bigger and taller by nature, offered their help.

With the earth family safely on the backs of the light ones as they swam across the murky water's depths, with the bad of herbs tucking in one of their mouths, they made it across with no difficulty at all. On the other side were all sorts of fruit trees imaginable, a veritable rainbow up in the trees. The two groups stuffed as many fruits into the bag as they could, eating a couple along the way.

Naturally, the two groups talked, and it turned out that the earthen family had been asked to complete this task by the witch as well. Both sides were silent in thought, wondering why they were being asked to do such simple requests by such a powerful mage. It felt like a hoax, but they didn't dare refuse the witch's demands."

"This is how I speak."

Plants began to sprout up around them all. It was rather sudden, did his doe do this? Wide eyed he watched her thank the small tamarin. AH, so he controlled the plants! That was cool! Very sweet of him too! This was a first he had met someone who controlled that kind of magic! Wiggling his paws he listened to the story. His claws digging into the earth, very lightly. Practically kneading, filled with excited as he kept it rather contained.

Vicktor was more than excited in all honesty. It was a wonder if he had any other emotion other than it. But he knew when someone met a witch with a nasty cackle and long grin. It never spelled out an easy task. Though with love from the lost family he knew they would win! Wouldn't they? Maybe if it got too bad a knight would come in a save them! Though maybe this wasn't one of those stories. Tossing some thoughts around his head, maybe one of them would turn out to be the knight! Who knew! Well, that was simple. Only his ethereal doe knew, and each of her stories had a striking plot twist.

Listening along the light family had found a rather petite family! OH just like they did in real life! How exciting! They spoke to one another and ate! This was going along very well he mused! Except when she spoke about each family having been asked to complete a special task by the witch. There was that hint of mystery and worry for both the dear families. Why would she ask both of them to do something? Especially since it seemed they both found that long grin witch in a short amount of time. Oh this story would be exciting, he just hoped they all would be alright!


"Speech"

"Thought"

When the soft glowing doe thanked him for the plants he practically melted. Holding onto his father, spreading the love around. He was so soft and fuzzy now, both inside and out! It went without saying her story was livid! Bright with details and characters he very much enjoyed. Except maybe that of the long grin witch, he trusted her. But this story could go anywhere in all actuality. Especially since both families had been given a task from her.

Maybe that is why she was there in the story, to teach those listening never to judge by first impressions. That made sense after all. Especially with how he had first met Bara. Boy was that an impression from hell. Though Diot understood first impressions. He hadn't met anyone too bad yet.

Though with how he grew up that was understandable. Not to mention it was a small childhood with few stories, listening to facts and lessons from the plants and nature around him. This was a very nice change of pace.

When ever she spoke about the earth family Diot practically vibrated with excitement. Murmuring 'they are small like us!' into Booker's ear. Holding onto his father's hand, waiting eagerly for what happened next. He just hoped that his dear numbat was enjoying the story too!


"Speech"

"Thought"

@Booker

"The earth family had mentioned that they had another task after this one, and asked if the light family would come along and help. After an immediate agreement, the whole group went on their way, mixing with each other and chatting merrily along the path.

They traveled and traveled, and soon the lights dimmed to signify that much time had passed, but they were still determined to reach their destination, fearing the witch would appear again and be dissatisfied. They enjoyed themselves regardless, and even if they were tired, they were all in good company, passing stories and songs along with each other.

It became darker and darker, and the trees loomed over all of them, then all together disappeared. Somehow, without passing through tunnels, they had entered Canis, knowing so for all the bones littering the ground. They all grew quiet, wondering why the witch had brought them here."

Her voice went quiet, gaining a spooky timbre to it. Keep it light, keep it light, she thought. She fought down the compulsion for a long and wonderful fight scene. "Then, a rumble came from under their feet. Bones slithered and snaked under their feet, coming together as if possessed. They all joined together to make this one massive beast of bones that towered over them all, this powerful dragon that boomed echoing laughter over them all!"

She paused, smiling, especially at her Pounce, her eye glittering with mischief. "One of the light family, the smallest, ran forward and said, 'I remember you! Come back for round two?' The dragon laughed against this and peered down to look closely at the cub and boomed, 'I remember you, little knight, though I imagine it's not a fight that brings you here.'

The earth family, shaken and scared, mentioned that there was a guest they were asked to collect, and the dragon nodded. 'That sounds like my friend, the witch, alright,' They said with a chuckle. 'Always asking others to do what they have no time for. Well, we'd best be off then, and not keep them waiting.'"

With that, they were on their way, and the cub happily climbed the bone dragon as they bantered heroic words at each other all along the way."

"This is how I speak."

Vicktor was already sucked deep into the story by the second his doe had spoke. The interactions between the two families were so pure! Even though they were entering darker and darker territories. Until they had reached a familiar room called Canis. He had remembered Canis, back when the Lorekeeper was telling their own tale. Within seconds his ethereal doe's voice became spooky. The bones were now moving!? Snaking around the two family's legs forming into an enormous dragon! The young jaguar was thrilled for this part! Perhaps there would be a fight!

The story continued and the smallest of the light family ran forth. He was grinning wide at this part, eager for the fight. To protect them from the mighty dragon! But he did not see the continuity happening here! It was the same dragon from the story before! Only they did not fight now, but instead helped one another. What a wondrous twist!

"Speech"

"Thought"

The two families seemed to become to best of friends! Just like their own families! How loving and sweet! "Those families are just like ours! Friends!" Diot had whispered to Booker again, grinning and practically vibrating. That was until the white doe changed her tone. The young tamarin grabbed his father's hand, holding it close, eyes wide. Both of the families were in trouble now! The bones began to form a huge dragon! One that one of the light family members had fought before!

He was sure there would have been a fight, until the young knight spoke to the dragon about a round two. The dragon spoke that it wasn't a fight that brought them there. With explanations he began to lead them to their destination. A large sigh of relief left Diot, he was worried for those families. Granted it was a story, but he cared so much for them.


"Speech"

@Booker

It sat, warm and comfortable for what felt like the first time in a long time, letting the doe's tale weave its way through the air. She certainly had a knack for it, after all. More importantly, Diot seemed contented, and something in It settled, just a bit - some fatherly instinct, of sorts. They are small like us! It hummed back, a hint of a smile curving the numbat's lips. After all, he had promised to be a better father to the tamarin, and that meant letting him share his obvious enthusiasm over the story. It even seemed relaxed - until the doe's tone changed, speaking of a dragon, made of bones and white fur and fire, singing his heels, telling him to run, a tooth jammed into his leg, and It made an effort not to let the flashback rock him outwardly, managed to keep the effect down to a hitch in his breath. He squeezed Diot's hand, grateful for the unknowing support, let the tamarin think it was out of enjoyment. He was too young for discussions of why, exactly, his father seemed to freeze at the mere mention of such beasts. Those families are just like ours! Friends! "They sure are, kiddo," he murmured back, eyes stuck to Clover and her words.

@Diot @Belladonna @Vicktor