He trotted in as instructed, but Quentin's words, at first, haunted him. He thought of mice, of the vast empty cave full of bones--and there was nothing worse he could imagine than what he'd actually seen. Any darker, ominous part of his imagination drew a genuine blank at trying to picture what had caused it all. Somehow, a cave full of bones and lurking, unknown, alive somethings was worse than anything else--with, or without, mice and their metaphors.

But as he moved closer to Quentin's home, he found it hard to stay afraid. It was difficult to think dark and ominous thoughts in the bright, summer-like heat, and now that they were in the utopian shade alongside the gurgling of a blue river, the cave full of bones felt somehow very distant.

"It's a nice place to live," he said, and he felt it, genuinely. He himself wandered the Crucible, for the most part, and as far as Hydra went, the Crucible was relatively hospitable; but this part in particular had been a well-chosen spot. "You did good finding this place," he added, having trouble picking out their den even with the directions. "I dunno if I'll ever need it but--thank you very much even if I don't. And thank you for bringing me, today. If you ever need me I'm usually around," he added, nodding his head this way and that. And he wasn't, really; but now he was making a mental promise to linger closer to this place from now on, just in case they needed him. He liked Quentin, and there was no reason not to; banding together was always important.

"Do you mind if I rest a little upriver? I'm really tired after that, but I won't stay so close as to draw attention. -Maybe I can meet Mirage later?" he added, hopeful.

@Quentin

The little fox nestled in place as they walked, having managed to not think about the bone cave for once. The coolness was welcomed, and he thumped his tail on Warrior's spine as he looked around.

He didn't know if Mirage was here, yet, but he still looked about anyways. There was such a difference that the height he was at gave him. "Thank you," he said in turn, eyes set on the dark hole. He hopped off easily, landing carefully on his front right- it was still a bit sore from the flood the other day.

"Hey, who knows?" He smiled up to Warrior once he was back on all fours. "It'll be good to have another friend around." The smile grew to a grin, before he turned to the den.

He paused, watching Warrior speak more. "No, not at all! There should be a few areas of shade that the water dug out, and I think there's a bigger hole closer to the ground somewhere around here." His ears flopped to the side as he flicked his head between Warrior and the den.

It didn't seem like she was home. "Of course!" His voice was chipper- despite everything, he was trying to get back to his old self. "I'll make sure you two meet- she's probably out getting food for herself." He leaned to his side and discovered that it still ached somewhat to put his weight on his right. He kind of didn't want to stop talking, but he also wanted the wound to heal- his mind was split.

Warrior needed his rest. "Feel free to stay as close as you want." He was stepping over his own feet, looking at the sand he kicked up. "It's nice to know it isn't just us out here, y'know? You're always welcome." With wide eyes, he gave a final grin to the horse before turning around. "I'll see you around, okay?" He spoke when he twisted his head back, waving his tail in a goodbye.

;exit Quentin?
@Warrior

Warrior felt warmth flow through him--and it was a warmth wholly unlike the blistering heat of Hydra.

"Thank you again," was all he said, softly--but he made a mental promise not to be too far away, in case anything ever happened.

Quietly, he turned, and began pacing off toward the water; he'd have a drink, have a look around... get to know the area, a little. He was pretty sure he'd passed through here once or twice, but he'd never lingered; it'd be a good idea to learn the entrances, the exits, in case of emergency--or to know from which direction a predator might come.

Hydra had taught the horse many lessons, and he wasn't about to shirk them now.

And yes, he was saddened that he hadn't found Oleander--he grieved her; and he was frightened, still, by Canis. But he was weary, and his immediate needs--thirst, hunger, tiredness, and the need for shade--called to his body too strongly for the rest to really weigh him down just yet.

It would, in time-... but, first things first.

exit Warrior