Nemo

He's happy to bring some of the genuine glee back, and he nods in understanding at Azure- making a mental note to be discerning anyway. Wouldn't be good to send anyone creepy after his... friend? Friendly acquaintance. To whom he will be bringing anything neat he can carry back.

Nemo appreciates the confused support of his endeavor- honestly he was confused himself about the instinct but then again, it might just be a him thing. But the mention of predators... "I'm a predator, I doubt anything would hunt me." He sounds mildly confused, but he lifts a taloned foot as if to demonstrate. While yes, his talons themselves are worn down a good deal, if one really studied the curve it'd be easy to see how long they were supposed to be. "And anything much bigger than me would have to catch me first- hence why I want to learn to fly properly. Sometime."

Its not the most pressing concern, right now, but Azure had gotten him thinking, and now he's got that good old fashioned burn back in his bones to touch the ceilings of the caves with his own two wings. Learning to get fully off the ground BEFORE he gets chased would be a good idea as well, honestly.

"But again, thank you for... everything, honestly. Being concerned about me, making me this- and inviting me over." a small wiggle to make the glittering stone dance on his chest. "I hope other Gembound I meet are kind like you. I'd hate to come back minus some feathers instead of with some fun things." Nemo makes a wry joke, opening his beak again in that odd smile of his.

@Azure

I'm a predator, I doubt anything would hunt me.

How to tell him..? How to tell Nemo that she'd chosen the word "predator" delicately, that there were monsters and murderers throughout the cave who would kill anyone given half a chance?

She forced a little smile, and dipped her head in acknowledgement. "I suppose I mean... anyone bigger than you. Some eat anyone smaller, or just--kill them. But hopefully that won't happen," she added. "Learning to fly fast's a good idea," Azure agreed--then amended, as she thought of it, "Just remember, some can catch you with magic, instead." It was a warning given with the memory of Nemo's lack of magic knowledge. Azure herself wasn't sure of all the types floating about the caves, but she was pretty sure there were enough that anyone flying should be worried about. Oh-... "I had a dragon fuck me up with ice magic. I was midair and it froze me solid--I fell. Went back into my chrysalis," she added, a little grimly. It probably wasn't a great thing to tell someone with flight anxiety but it was, Azure felt, important to be aware of. She turned, gesturing her beak to her forelegs. "I got new legs out of it, though. And my antlers, and--beak. Not a terrible deal."

"Anyway, I'm sure it'll be fine. I hope you have good adventures and find cool stuff. I'm only warning you so you know about it." A reassuring nod, for what it was worth, was offered Nemo's way. "Worst case scenario, maybe you get cool new legs, too." -And humor.

@Nemo

Nemo

He nods his head as she warns him, feeling a little cold at how casually she mentions the possibility of being killed. Nemo hadn't thought the caves were like that, to be honest... but considering he's spent almost all of his time in this one room, he doesn't have a leg to stand on when it comes to that sort of knowledge.

"Well then," he huffs, ruffling up his feathers in a show of bravado he really wishes was genuine, "If others can catch me with magic, I've got to get better at it myself even more so. All I can do is practice, for now, but I'll become strong enough to protect myself and others. If others like that really roam the caves, then that's what's right, right?" the idea of being frozen solid makes him shiver, and he glances over his shoulder at the Gorge- where the cold air had become even more so. "I'm... sorry that happened to you..." he visibly deflates as he looks back at Azure, and looks her up and down.

"But I wasn't aware that going back in was even possible, let alone that people could change so much while doing so... but, I'm glad you're okay. Both mentally, and okay with how different you became." The lammergeier puts as much sincerity as he can into his words, and shuffles in place, making his bauble dance as he debates taking a step closer to nudge the other Gembound. He decides to do so while adding, "I doubt I could look as cool as you do, but maybe! We'd have to race then, okay?" he chuckles, the mental image of their possible future sprint across Monoceros making him shake his head. "I really appreciate the warning, though. Honestly. I haven't left this cave much, but I'll take whatever advice you offer. I trust you on it."

@Azure

Azure's ear tufts perked a little at Nemo's phrasing--'...to protect myself and others. "If you're interested, I think there's some Gembound in the next cave over--Orion--who say they protect others. Maybe they can... help you learn how? I don't know much about them, so I can't exactly vouch for 'em but it might be something to look into. If you ever wanna practice with me or race me, though, I'd be glad to! I mean, I'd offer to teach you what I know? But I'm not sure making rocks shiny's gonna help much in a fight," she added, and the way her eyes scrunched up, despite her beak preventing a true smile, looked very much like a grin.

About chrysalises, though-... "Yeah, going back into your rock's a thing. I've seen it happen a few times--but it doesn't always happen, sometimes Gembound do die," she added, and it was neither callously-said nor particularly grimly. Just a sort of thoughtful fact. "But when it happens, sometimes they do change! I'm not sure why. I don't know if anyone does--but if you find out, tell me, okay?"

Azure eyed Nemo, and then seemed almost to smirk. "You know, I get the feeling you'll be way beyond me in terms of magic pretty fast. Soon, like. If you learn how to do--more stuff-? Come back and teach me, okay?"

A question, rather than a demand, albeit playfully-offered; and Azure seemed more comfortable now, at least, around what she hoped was her new friend.

@Nemo

Nemo

There's a whole group of Gembound who just... do that? Really?

"Huh... noted. I'll see if I bump into them in my travels- but I don't know if they're what I'm looking for..." he sighs, and settles himself to the ground to rest. "I know I'm looking for something, I've said that a lot, but I'll know it when I find it... besides, if I go all official with keeping people safe, then I won't have time to come back here and bring you interesting things and any new smarts I pick up!" Nemo reflects the birdy smile he notes on the others face, and squints his eyes and opens his beak in his own.

After a beat, he continues, "I mean, who says it's only rocks you can make shine, right? Maybe you can make something big glow and distract them long enough to run for it, or throw leaves at them," He keeps his suggestions light, and chuckles happily at the mental image of Azure pulling a 'made you look' and flying for the hills.

"Though..." a sobering switch in topics, and he looks up at Azure, "I think I will look into that... reverting thing. I don't know how I can tell if someone's gonna change or not in their stone, but I can try? Maybe help people who wind up changed a lot get back to their lives."

Nemo was feeling much more comfortable, although he was no-where near as anxious as Azure had been, he's happy to settle down and actually roost for a bit, and he's found himself a comfy spot on the floor in all honesty.

After a moment, he also adds, "We have different magic, yeah? Maybe I can't teach you what I know, but I'll sure try. It'll be fun!"

@Azure

Azure laughed quietly, repeating "Leaves," with some amusement. As to the rest, she simply listened, before nodding again.

"I'll look out for your return, then, huh? Whatever you learn, whatever you see, or do, and whoever you meet, I hope you stay safe."

It wasn't much of a speech, though warmly-given, but--Azure seemed to be running out of things to say, or maybe she was just tired. Either way, she didn't try to rush Nemo off; but she gave him a nod, and leaned idly against the stone 'door frame' as she watched him.

@Nemo

Nemo

Oh she looks tired I-

The skittery lammergeier gets to his feet, stretching both legs one at a time, and then rolling his shoulders with a happy tilt to his head and an embarrassed flare of feathers.

"I'll stay safe, don't worry! I promised to come back, didn't I? But, uh," a short hop, and he takes a step away and towards the door, "I should go, honestly. You look tired, I'm all hyper- so I'll head out while I've got the energy! I'll even get better at flying so you don't have to worry about that, okay? Bye!"

Nemo goes to leave, turning around to offer a open beaked and crinkle eyed smile, a wave, and he stretches his legs and struts off, headed to the nearest Tunnel he sees- adventure time!

Everything I've been dreaming about for... a long time.

So why am I so nervous?

@Azure

Azure laughed, a little. "You do that. You'll be outflying me before you know it," she added, in a tone of encouragement.

The vulture was wandering off, then, and Azure turned back to the rocky den. She didn't necessarily like sleeping there so much, anymore--not since the shadowy figure had appeared there--but she was tired. She'd been active all day, and the social interaction had drained her, some.

Time to sleep, then, maybe. Like Nemo said; she could rest, and see him again some other time. At least, she hoped she would.

"Take care!" she called over her shoulder, and then slipped into the den to rest.

exit Azure

Nemo

He offers one last farewell,, shaking off his anxiety to wave and respond with a jovial, "Will do, and you too!" before he disappears around a rock and out of sight, click - clacking his way away.

;Exit Nemo, there he go