Equinox watched the art take shape, more and more- and began to see herself in its semblance. But just as she was beginning to grow excited... she felt their claw dart out, snapping up some of her slime. She was so surprised that her head snapped back towards her body, and she peered at them in confusion as though betrayed. Why had they done that? Of their own volition, no less!

She was about to question that, when they began to smear the slime on their bark- within the lines that they had carve. She stretched out her neck once more, peering at their carving now stained in black. And suddenly it clicked in her mind, her jaws shooting open as she stared. Their words flew right over her head and she was silent for some time. "I... It'sss me! Isss it me?" she murmured, looking closely at the art, and never taking her gaze away.

"I... I see. So... you think I could make markings like this with my slime?"

Equinox didn't know what to think of this idea. Perhaps it would be a way to reduce her slime and leave less in trails throughout the caves, but... she didn't really see a practical use for it. It was interesting seeing her face, not in any kind of reflection and made by someone else entirely, but... what use did it have. It didn't cross her mind that maybe it would be fun.

But... perhaps she could do other things with it, too. Like... make warnings on the cave walls. She could warn other Gembounds of her presence somehow, perhaps. But she couldn't think of any other reason.

"What could I do with it?" she asked, turning to look at Ghanyarah.

"Speech looks like this."
"Thoughts looks like this."

tags: @Ghanyarah
notes: You're welcome to exit in the next post!

Ghanyarah nodded fervently at her question, shuffling closer again. But then she was unsure of what she could make exactly. "Whatever you like." Ghanyarah answered, turning his head to look at the drawing he'd made. Actually, if he could get his claws on different pigments, he could probably make even prettier pictures than the ones he'd carved into his tree. Maybe he would be able to change the colour of Equinox's slime, or he could find something that could work just as well. The black tint was pretty dark, so he'd have to look into starting with a paste that was colourless and easier to change.

"This is what I do, I draw. I have drawn the faces of my friends and family into the bark of my tree in Cetus. But your slime, it could add a new quality to it the drawings. It could make them more... life-like. More beautiful." He mused.

As he fell silent again, he had realized that his quest to hunt down the creature responsible for the slime trails was a success. More so, he had potentially found a use for this slime. She turned out to be benevolent and if Ghanyarah played his cards right, he bet he'd be able to coerce her into some kind of partnership. But he was beginning to feel the effects of putting out the fire really wear on him, realizing his throat was dry and he was hungry, craving the refreshing cold of Cetus' swamp. "I am tired now, and thirsty, and I have found what I was looking for. I must return to Cetus. But you are welcome to seek me out in Cetus any time you like. I would be happy to show you my drawings." Ghanyarah said, looking back to her.

Slowly, he started to make his way back towards the undergrowth, away from the mushroom and Equinox, growing more eager for a drink every step he took. "It was good to meet you." He threw over his shoulder and disappeared into the brush.

exit Yara! @Equinox

Equinox listened to their words, confusion, and yet interest, growing inside her. She could see what Ghanyarah was saying, but... why? What purpose did it serve? The point they made, of drawing friends and family into the bark, was an interesting one. It would immortalize their faces and not just their names, and whenever you were alone, talk to them. She nodded in understanding at their wish to make their carvings more... beautiful. Whilst Equinox still found the idea strange, she thought of the flowers in this world, of beautiful lights and magic. Some of them didn't serve much purpose other than beauty, and she herself was guilty of gazing for long minutes at beautiful objects.

Was creating them in this way really much different?

Equinox turned back to them as they excused themselves, and nodded her slimy head. As they left, she stayed where she was, with a gentle parting rumble of "Thank you."

She stayed there for quite some time, looking at her face staring back at her on that tree. Eventually though, she slowly backed away and stalked off through the undergrowth, jaws wide to seek another smooth-barked tree.

-exit Equinox-

"Speech looks like this."
"Thoughts looks like this."

tags:
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