Pride--squeezed rather tightly to one side--took his time to look out over the cave, pleased, before responding. "I admit I have no idea," he said, and then laughed. "This, the city, the throne, the forum--all of this was here, and already quite ancient, by the time I hatched. I suspect the Masters might know--but most of them cannot be trusted," he added, more quiet and solemn now. "Some of them intend to use us for their own ends. You can, however, trust Tenzin, I think--he lives in the pool in Pisces. If you ever have questions, or need of help, he is... kind. Jampa--one of your siblings--is his child." Pride didn't clarify how, exactly, he'd wound up creating a child with a Master.

"This tower almost looks like it was designed, you're right--to look out over the rest. I don't know why, however. But it is a lovely view." He dipped his head down on a curious impulse, nudging the stone. He fell silent, here, but his magic was reaching out--searching for any sign of an answer to the question Cadenza had asked.

red deer img credit - dan seagrave

@Cadenza (no rip it did not :D)

Cadenza was confused. They had heard that word briefly before when Pride had spoke about his history but they had not understood it. ”What are… The Masters?” It felt very important, and it was a title that seemed to apply to a number of beings. Mostly potentially untrustworthy beings, from the sound of it.

”Where is Pisces?” Was the next question. Connecting caves to names was difficult. Cadenza still thought the snowy cave they had passed through was called the Snow Cave.

”It is a very lovely view, dad,” Cadenza agreed. “Thank you for sharing this place with me.”

@Pride

An image glimmered up in Pride's mind. One moment, he was peering down at the stone, worn and aged, and the next it was fresh and new. The sparkle of quartz was uncovered by dusty time--and when he raised his head, Cadenza would be gone from beside him.

Instead, a hulking, spined monster stood there--barely contained by the room--all Oil and fangs and too-many-glowing-eyes. It gazed out with the empty expression of one who has been there for hours, and will be there for hours yet; and by its side were smaller creatures, goblin-like, hoisting what might have been tools or weapons in their hands. These were long things, wood or metal--it was difficult to make out--with thick strings joining the tips. Had Pride seen a bow, before--or an arrow--he might recognize these things here.

All of the creatures were observing the city below. The forum flashing with lights. The Throne, gleaming pristine red. The-...

...dust crept back in, Cadenza beside him once again. The vision faded.

details provided by the illustrious cj

Pride jolted into stillness as the vision took him--and Cadenza's words, though heard, were not answered right away. He had to take a step back, and take a deep breath--steadying himself against the dizzying feel of plummeting through time.

He spared them a glance, hiding his alarm as best he could--and trying, too, not too look too worried as he glanced around behind him to ensure that the hulking creature and its minions didn't still somehow linger in the tower's shadows. "Ahh-... I think I have seen its purpose," he said quietly. "-Through magic. A... watching place. A Valkhound, I think--where you are--and this place was new..." He looked around, marvelling.

Ah, but wouldn't it be easier to-... "Steel yourself, and I'll simply show you, if you don't mind. You'll see it, in your mind." He glanced toward Cadenza, focusing his magic next toward them, attempting to impart some echo of the visions he had seen--the Valkhound, the goblin-creature archers, the distant shining Throne--all new, untouched by age. It was vague and brief, but... it showed it, well enough, though if Cadenza's mind seemed unwelcoming he wouldn't press the matter.

"...I'm sorry, I--may have missed a question, but--the Masters are those who ran or owned this cave, and they imagine that they still do. They demand deference. They will kill if they are not given it, and their powers far surpass our own. That... isn't to say they are all like that. Or that they can't be spoken to. I can tell you more, if you like? But for now, know to use caution around one. As for Pisces, it's..." He turned, and nodded vaguely east. "There's many tunnels that lead there--through Eridanus, or Polaris--but if you go as far in that direction as you can, avoiding Fornax or Cetus, you'll find it. It's full of ice and water--cold, and bright, but very beautiful."

He paused, and glanced at them. "We could always visit, if you like--after you have rested; but in the meantime... did I miss any other questions?" His mind hadn't been... quite all there, for a few moments.

red deer img credit - dan seagrave

@Cadenza

Intrigue and trust both kept Cadenza’s mind open and receptive, though the given vision was somewhat vague compared to the original. They were awed by this use of magic. Both uses of magic, the original vision and sending it. ”What are Valkhounds? Do they all look like that?” Were they like lessers, in that they were all about the same-ish?

“If you are alright with such, then I think learning more about the Masters would be beneficial as well,” Cadenza decided in their musical voice. These Masters sounded scary, but the knowledge also sounded quite important.

“There is no need say sorry, I do not think you even missed a question,” Cadenza reassured their deer-dad kindly.

At the mention of water, Cadenza perked up particularly. ”Is there a place where I could swim in Pisces?”

@Pride

Truth be told, Pride did not know exactly what a Valkhound was. He thought he did; he'd heard the word a few times but that was it. So his definition, when he gave it, was at a minimum questionable. "The older monsters of the caves--older than we are. They slept before we were hatched. They're usually purple and bear spines and too many eyes," he explained. No, never mind questionable; his impression was outright wrong. He didn't know that, naturally.

"Well, some time ago," and here Pride briefly fretted, casting a worried glance Cadenza's way--How will they take this-?--"the Master Astraea, and Overseer Vargas--who is himself now a Master--came here, to Orion, to that... big ring, over there." Pride nodded down to the huge bowl-shaped forum in the dusty distance. "They explained our 'place,'" and he tried to keep faint bitterness from his tone. "That this place serves to provide fodder, soldiers, to some unknown further creature who apparently serves as ultimate master of this place. That, if required, they will take our children from us, and thrust them into warfare, if the 'designs' are desired. We argued this--those Gembounds of us present. I had arranged the meeting, but... the dragons--Dread, and his family--were there, and made threats of their own against the Masters. Others--dozens of others--came to hear, to speak, to argue. From what I understand, some of these Masters live in fear of the one they answer to, to the point that they are afraid to even stand against it. Whoever it is." Pride gave a little shrug, looking again to his child. "Understand, then, where their perspectives lie. That they are not our friends--bar, perhaps, those like Tenzin. And yes-... there are places, there--in his cave--for you to swim. But they are very cold," he warned, trying to keep a little humor in his tone at this last.

He paused, worried, for a moment. "I hope this isn't too upsetting for you to hear. I don't know what Dread's already told you. But it's... best to know what you're dealing with, so as better to keep you safe."

red deer img credit - dan seagrave

@Cadenza

Cadenza nodded solemnly at the explanation of Valkhounds, accepting it as truth.

As for the rest... It was distressing, the idea of losing family or being taken away because some being willed it so. It was hard for them to muster the eagerness regarding swimming that they had felt mere moments ago.

"It is upsetting. But... It is also important to know. Thank you for telling me," They sincerely told their deer-dad. "We should visit Pisces, after I rest." They still wanted to do what they enjoyed, even if they definitely did not feel up to it now.

They fell quiet, their weariness stronger than ever after the story. "I am very tired," Cadenza told their deer-dad. "Can you lead me to where I might rest?"

@Pride

Prided nodded, a little. That was wisdom, that his child was showing. Accepting upsetting knowledge, but acknowledging it as useful nonetheless. A hard lesson, he thought.

"We can," he fluted. "We can see if Tenzin is there, if you like. In the meantime--how about resting back in the garden? The ground there, at least, is soft."

He nodded down toward it, back the way they'd come, trying to summon up his 'wings' in preparation.

Golden tendrils began to flare out from his shoulders, forming into feathered wings; the 'armor' reappeared again, pure light encasing his own diamond.

red deer img credit - dan seagrave

@Cadenza

They thought this idea over. "....I am not sure if I am ready to meet a Master yet, even if Tenzin is nice... Eventually, I would like to meet Tenzin, though," Cadenza decided.

At the mention of the garden, they perked up a little. "I would like to rest there," They announced in musical tones.

Cadenza already knew the way, so they prepared to take off. But, right before they flew towards the garden, they spoke, having had an important thought to share.

"I am glad I met you, dad," Cadenza told Pride, sincerity radiating from their words.

And then Cadenza jumped into the air, their wings snapped out, and they soared towards the garden to rest. After all, they were very tired.

[Cadenza Exit]

@Pride

He followed them closely, pleased.

They were tired--but intelligent, inquisitive, and kind. Those were all such important aspects; intelligence, even power, were nothing without the moral base to guide them. It was always a relief to realize-...

Well. He lit with soft hoof-steps at the garden's edge, giving Dread a nod. "They are very tired," he explained. "We won't go far, but--do you mind if we speak, a little?" He glanced at Cadenza, and left Mischief there to look after them--and at Dread's wary nod, he moved a little ways away.

In Pride's mind, there were a few things he wished to ask--and he imagined Dread felt much the same.

red deer img credit - dan seagrave

exit Pride/Dread