Pride listened, nodding a farewell to Rift as the cat abruptly departed.

After a moment, after watching its tawny-green hide vanish in a flash between the leaves, he turned back to Amras. Silver eyes blinked, and he tilted his head.

"Like Lesser Gembound..?" he said, curiously. "I have seen one tamed, for all of that. A hyena, in Canis; it had a black bird to which it spoke. I remember this, though I was very young," he admitted. "But if they can be tamed; then perhaps, too, if your theory holds--and not merely as a metaphor--then so can magic?" The idea was idly-given, merely a dabble in magical philosophy more than science, and with the faintest hint of humor. But perhaps, he thought, Amras wasn't aware that the things could be bonded with, or--even controlled? He was unsure as to how the hyena had done it.

Maybe she had merely befriended the bird, but regardless, it was certainly tamed.

@Amras

Amras nodded solemnly to Rift as they announced their departure. The cat wasn't overly fond of the form of magic that had been demonstrated, that much was clear. An unfortunate stance, but an understandable one all the same. Just as Xireidi had told stories of wanting to protect the cave from something terrible in his youth his new friend had appointed themselves guardian of these woods. Even if disease was the current threat fire no doubt would be seen just as destructively.

"Thank you for your help. I will try not to let this project distract me too much form the other project we are working on together." he called out, his gaze flitting back to the caged rat for a brief second.

Their departure left a moment of silence as the gryphon let his thoughts rest on his newfound responsibilities. Sure there was nothing that held him to clearing the disease from Eridanus, and Envy's condition had been an issue for their entire life with no reason to view it as high priority, but as the new magic champion he felt he owed it to the others to give something back. Especially with...

Pride's words prevented him from slipping back into dark thoughts, an observation build around the previous conversation. A welcome subject.

"Perhaps you are right. Magic has become more and more tame as I have delved into its use. I wouldn't be too surprised if it were just a matter of practice. I've been around a while but there are still many who are older than me, and the ancients I'd imagine are older still."

A wry smile washed over the gryphon's face as he considered how it might be if the ancients were as affected by magical fluctuations as they were. Just imagine one of the 'king' birds trying to put on an impressive display and then accidentally falling into a fissure that formed under them. Or the blacksmith placing patterns upon the wall and being knocked back as the entire image converted to energy and exploded.

---

Pouch 1: Baubled talc rods x12	Pouch 2: Charcoal dust (50 in3)	Pouch 3: Dried Mothers Tear mushrooms (25 in3)	Pouch 4: Charcoal chunks x7 (medium)
Back bag: Empty

Take hold of the power within
"And shape the fabric of reality around you"
tags: @Pride
notes: None

Pride listened, tilting his head a bit as he concentrated on the gryphon's words.

Hrm, a simple matter of practice makes perfect, then, he thought wryly. But something else the gryphon had said struck him--the matter-of-factness with which he said it, mainly. He'd made mention of what sounded an entire class of Gembound of which Pride had never heard.

He waited a polite interval, and then spoke. "Ancients?" he asked, curiosity evident in his tone. "I hadn't thought-... No one has told me that much about what we are," he added, realizing this only now in some surprise. "Just how long do we live? I had thought of the world as so violent--that surely... we must die so? Are there those who have lived--for very long, then?"

His pale eyes regarded Amras with distinct interest, now. Just how old was the gryphon? How old had Rift been; how old, even, were Reseda, and Envy? He'd never thought to ask, not really--he didn't think Envy was all that old, but Reseda?

The very concept of age beyond a few cycles was baffling to him--he hadn't even considered how long their lives might go on.

@Amras

The deer's confusion was to be expected, though its question one without answer. As such Amras could only hold his talons to the air, weakly gesturing his resignation of knowledge.

"I have seen almost twenty cycles, though aside from the color of my wings I don't seem to have physically changed since my fourth. There may come a time when the body fails catastrophically for no apparent reason, but if that time does come there isn't any evidence of it yet. I... try not to let it distract me too much..."

The specter of sudden death, the very real possibility that they were all marching to the end of their existence without even realizing it. A subject very few would want to dwell on. A subject that might not even be valid outside death by violence. Whether by threat of age or aggression or tragic accident, the gryphon suspected that the solution to keep death at bay could be found somewhere deep within the framework of magic itself. No time to worry, once the immediate concerns were taken care of he had to get back on track in his studies.

"I don't know a lot about the ancients, but I do know they seem to regard even the eldest gembounds as mere children. They are an enigma, with personalities ranging from the benign teacher to the self-absorbed betrayer. They tend to leave us alone but if you run into any gembound who feels older than time itself be careful lest it turn out to be one of the tricky ones."

---

Pouch 1: Baubled talc rods x12	Pouch 2: Charcoal dust (50 in3)	Pouch 3: Dried Mothers Tear mushrooms (25 in3)	Pouch 4: Charcoal chunks x7 (medium)
Back bag: Empty

Take hold of the power within
"And shape the fabric of reality around you"
tags: @Pride
notes: None

Pride considered this for a long moment, then gave a soft huff and shake of his head. It was a thoughtful gesture, rather than dismissive, and after a moment he looked to Amras.

His gaze was considering and grateful both, and he gave a graceful half-bow by bending his right knee and dipping his head.

"I have to tell you, I... am glad to have met you. It is a good thing. You are--hmm. I feared that it was far more savage a world. That those who could eat others, would. You and the other--Rift--have proven otherwise and for that I am--grateful." After this long speech of carefully-considered words, he paused and peered up at the blue gryphon thoughtfully.

"I will--go, soon, and tend to my friend, but I will ask... if you have any other advice for a young one. I will look out for the elders, and be wary of their--motives." He had a tone of promise; it really was good to meet another Gembound so intelligent and, at least so he seemed, benevolent. Perhaps Amras would be willing to teach him more; if not, he had already been more than helpful.

@Amras

Amras bowed his head to the deer before him, returning the show of respect and acknowledgement. Pride certainly seemed to have a good head on them, and their willingness to look into helping Envy indicated their heart wasn't too far behind.

"Predation is an unavoidable fixture in the lives of many of the gembound that reside here. It is only through magic that Rift and recently I have been able to bypass such requirements. I would ask that you please try to be patient with those who have not yet reached such a point, assuming of course that they do not harm those with voices."

The deep emptiness of the gryphon's stomach came to his attention with these words. It had been weeks since his last actual meal and while thanks to the gift of the trees he was not hungry it was a feeling that took some getting used to. A feeling that doubtlessly was the only one Envy knew.

"Do not let my warnings scare you too much. use your best judgement and consider the ancient ones on a case-by case basis. Potential knowledge may be lost if you let fear rule your mind."

He was still kicking himself a bit for ignoring the challenge of the great birds. He certainly didn't actually need any wing magic but that would have been another possible spell to study.

Glance shot toward his live subject trapped in a tube. Once Pride was gone he would probably start testing on it rather than putting the diseased thing out of its misery immediately. Could it be cured? Could he perhaps come up with a disease that would attack the other disease? It was a school of magic he had not yet perfected but he suspected it could be adapted for much more good than Rift gave it credit for. Only one way to know for sure though.

---

Pouch 1: Baubled talc rods x12	Pouch 2: Charcoal dust (50 in3)	Pouch 3: Dried Mothers Tear mushrooms (25 in3)	Pouch 4: Charcoal chunks x7 (medium)
Back bag: Empty

Take hold of the power within
"And shape the fabric of reality around you"
tags: @Pride
notes: None

Pride again inclined his head, and glanced about. He was thinking; considering where to go from here. Aster would need food, soon, and Envy--he wanted to do more tests, and on more objects, with this spellwork before he tried to actually apply it.

Amras's words, however, settled in his mind. Fear, pah. He would not let fear rule him. But-... the other's words were measured, at least, and he would take the first part into account.

"I will be patient. I hunt rats for another--a young one, wounded--I do try to make it quick. But on that note, she is... likely again hungry, by now."

He paused, then, eyeing over Amras once more as if to commit his form to memory.

Amras... scientific, logical, benevolent, he thought to himself, filing the idea of the gryphon in his mind. Should they only meet again far into the future, he would, he hoped, remember him.

"You have my thanks for your patience, and your advice."

With that, and leaving behind the slight mess he'd made with resin and pebbles, the young deer turned to take his leave. Slender white legs picked their way carefully over the mossy stones and fern clusters, and after a moment he was gone into the thick foliage.

((exit Pride; if Amras would speak more I can just say it's just before Pride walks off; he'll hear it!))

@Amras

The gryphon's brows rose ever so slightly at Pride's mention of their other charge. For one who's name indicated a love of self they certainly had remarkably selfless aspects to their life. For an herbivore to hunt rats to feed another in need; such an activity certainly deepened his respect for this younger one.

A few parting words later the deer was gone, leaving Amras alone in the clearing with only the sounds of furious scurrying breaking the silence. The last infected one for the day, harmless as it was in its cage but suffering still from the blight that resided in it. Perhaps it was his own pride that kept him from finishing the job right now, or perhaps like pride it was a desire to find ways of improving the lives of others. Whatever it was now was the time to try to unlock the last of the twelve.

The gryphon approached the cage and closed his eyes, resting his mind and waiting for his thoughts to quiet. He could not rush into this, could not risk attempting to access the external element which hides within haphazardly lest he cause another blight. He would act after a time, but for now there was silence.

- Fade out Amras -

---

Pouch 1: Baubled talc rods x12	Pouch 2: Charcoal dust (50 in3)	Pouch 3: Dried Mothers Tear mushrooms (25 in3)	Pouch 4: Charcoal chunks x7 (medium)
Back bag: Empty

Take hold of the power within
"And shape the fabric of reality around you"
tags:
notes: None