The waters shifted.

Tenzin knew to come up gently--so as not to wash the Gembound away in a tidal wave of his own making. As the last of the ice cracked away, he gave a single sweep of his wings and allowed this slight momentum and natural bouyancy to carry him in a slow glide to the surface.

Feathers of hues of blue parted the cold river lake, ice glittering over cerulean wings. A vast sky-blue body swept up from the depths and toward Pride and Amazon. Despite his size, the phoenix seemed unthreatening as he came to rest beside the shoreline, peering at the two Gembound before him.

"Were you seeking me?" he asked softly. Behind him, long, shining tailfeathers drifted in the light current.

@Amazon

Amazon watched the shifting water intently and squealed with shock when the waters suddenly parted and a huge blue bird floated up from the depths of the lagoon. She backed away from the edge as Tenzin floated closer, but she did not flee. Perhaps if it had been going faster with more intent for arm, Amazon would have turned tail and ran right out of there as fast as she could.

But she was frozen in place, staring at Tenzin with wonder. She wanted to say something, anything, but the only thing she could get out was a small squeak. The stress and excitement of it all caused another dribble of blood to run from her nose and her head began to grow dizzy. But she stayed focus on the giant bird in front of them, looking helplessly towards Pride, unsure of what to do or say.

@Pride

Pride blinked, staring in awe at the great ice-bird as it emerged from the depths. He'd heard of Tenzin, of course--even where, approximately, to find him. But descriptions paled in comparison to the real thing. Tenzin was huge, and beautiful--his multifaceted shades of blue only accented by the glint of ice over his feathers.

Pride found himself sweeping into a low bow of respect, almost automatically--a genuine gesture. He then pulled himself back upright, listening with wide eyes as the phoenix gently spoke. The stag glanced to Amazon--but he saw her staring back at him, blood on her snout again. When it became clear she would not speak, he looked to Tenzin and explained.

"My name is Pride, and this is Amazon. I'm very sorry to bother you--she is ill, made sick, we think, by her stone. I had heard that there were those in these caves far older than we--I had heard of you, that you are one of them. I thought... perhaps you might know some knowledge, something we do not, that might aid her."

He hesitated, unsure as to what else to say. He felt that he should somehow say "please," and then there were the host of questions he wished to ask-... But now was not the time. He glanced again to Amazon, then settled in to wait, patiently.

Tenzin watched, and listened, looking over the two Gembound more closely as Pride explained.

The shape of the stag brought him a faint, yet still potent, pull of sorrow--but this one was a diamond, glittering like ice.

He turned his attention, as Pride spoke, to Amazon. His mind touched the Vandenbrandeite. Yes... a deadly touch, that one has. The ice-bird shifted in place, a little, his somewhat melancholy air only strengthened by the solemn gaze that his icy eyes levelled at Amazon.

"I sense it," he said simply. He paused, then, as he considered. There were two things he could think of, and neither were very kind. "There is little I can do for the long run. If there is great pain, I offer to end your suffering quickly." He did not mince words--it was not a kind fate for the young one, but there was only so much that he could do. "I can, perhaps, drive it back. Health, for another cycle or so. And perhaps a cycle after that, and again. Though," he went on softly, his voice melodic, like sparkling ice chips tinkling onto rock. "each time would be at a cost."

He studied the two sombrely. What had brought them to this point, he wondered..? How unfortunate, to be formed with a stone so terrible to its wielder.

@Amazon

Amazon continued to stare at Tenzin with awe and, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Pride flow into a bow. Hastily, she tried to mimick the motion, but her small stature did not allow for a very good one, nor a very visible one either, but she was out of it so quickly that perhaps it didn't make a difference.

His words washed over her like cool water, making her shiver at the thought of the power he had. For a moment, she considered his first piece. It would be easier, after all, and much less painful, for her to just end here. But...no, she couldn't. She had told Envy that they were going to explore. They were going to see things together. Besides, there were so many places that she desperately wanted to see before she died. To end her life now stopped those experiences from even having a chance. That left the second possibility.

"What cost?" she managed to squeak. She didn't want to agree to anything until she knew what she was getting into.

@Pride

"To offer health, and life--it must come from somewhere else," Tenzin explained. Iced feathers shifted as he settled himself against the bank more comfortably.

For a moment he simply gazed about him, marvelling at the dance of mist in the light, at the hazy glow it formed. He spent so much time beneath the lagoon that sometimes, he forgot.

"There is a balance in all things," he went on at last. "Nothing comes from nowhere; it is simply moved from place to place. If you are both willing, I can strengthen you, Amazon, at a cost to you, Pride. You will recover," he added softly. "And the mending is not permanent. A cycle, perhaps two. But you would be weakened, for a time."

Pride checked, at this, startled--and he looked it.

He was always willing to help others, to put himself out of his way to do so--to carry Amazon or Envy, to research ways to help through magic, to fight an enemy to protect. But he'd never been asked--never considered the possibility, even--that he give up his own life or health for another.

For a moment, the stag was uncertain, silent. A dozen thoughts ran through his mind, none of them pleasant. Would this hurt? How long will it take me to--recover? Just how badly-off will I be? and so forth.

It was stilled when he happened to glance, briefly and absently, Amazon's way. The earnest caution in the reptile's eyes, her mind still clear, was a stark contrast to the reddened scales, the weakened body, the blood that streaked her face. ...He said I would recover; that's all that matters, I think.

"...I would be willing," he said at last, but at the same time, some distant voice in his mind spoke once more.

And am I sure I trust this being? ...I suppose if he wished, he could take what he wanted, regardless. So, I doubt that it is a trap--unless somehow there is magic that requires permission from its target. Or he wants me off-guard-... No, I do not think so. I think it is an honest offer--and I wonder at that sort of magic.

"I've never heard of anything like this, I think. Of any magic that can do that."

@Amazon

Amazon couldn't help it. She wanted what Tenzin was offering her. For once, for once, it was the possibility of a longer life, even if it was a cycle or two more. She had no idea how long she had, but it wasn't much. And to alleviate the pain she had to carry, even for a little while longer, it was a dream come true.

But...the thought of taking it, stealing it, from Pride, it brought tears to her eyes and made her shiver with disgust. The logic behind it was sound, though. The health and life of someone transferred to another. The selfish side of her wanted to immediately agree. The gentle side would never accept. So how was she to make a decision.

That's when Pride spoke up, before she could say anything. She whipped towards him, eyes wide and trembling a bit. "A-are you sure? You...you barely know me! You'd really risk your health like that for me?" She had never expected such kindness. Envy was nice to her, yes, but she was almost certain that they would never agree to something like this. They held their life and possessions dearly to their chest. But Pride was different in that way, she assumed. Still, she could barely believe that he'd just...hand a part of his health over to her.

@Pride

Pride glanced at Amazon, a little bit surprised.

How did he justify such a decision..? Was it truly a strange thought? He would have done it for a stranger, even--to save a life, merely at the cost of being weakened, temporarily? Granted it was only a temporary reprieve, for Amazon, but-... He'd always taken pride in doing the best he could, in aiding and defending others with his abilities. Was it any different to simply offer up a part of himself in more direct exchange?

"It is nothing," he said, at last, simply and kindly.

Then he looked to Tenzin, uncertain.

He hoped, at least, that it would not be too painful.

"These thing are not by design, when they happen--I am sorry that you have suffered," Tenzin explained. His voice was mournful despite its melodic nature.

"I can attempt it now. It may cause some pain," he added--this gentle warning directed at Pride.

@Amazon