A bit of consideration, and Oliver paused, deciding that light was very much necessary. A baubled stone wouldn't give off that much, but it'd be barely enough to see by, if he were careful. And if Callum was in his chrysalis, it'd provide some guidance as to where to go.

This time, his magicka--tiring, no doubt--did not answer; the owl hissed, a wince between clacked beak, and pressed on in the dark. "Hello?" he called out, hunching down and peering blindly ahead. "Is anybody out there?"

At length his feet found a drop: a place where his tunnel came out into another, larger space, another deep pit of bones--where Callum would be. The question was, was the other Gembound still awake and alive--unaware of the cramped tunnel mouth high up on his wall in the darkness--or deeply set in gemstone slumber..?

@Callum

Callum had dreamed away the passing time in his chrysalis as his body recovered from the injuries sustained from falling into the pit. When his consciousness returned to him, he found himself incased in raspite. The dragon thrust out against the walls holding him in, breaking through and leaving large shards of the gemstone scattered among bones. Callum was surprised to find himself so tired. Weakened. Had he not healed completely from his time within the chrysalis? Was it the effect of the tree cursing him? The dragon did not realize that continual return to heal could have rather bad side-effects.

There was nothing to eat or drink down there. And he could not get out. Or rather, he could not find a way to get out. Callum had been circling rather aimlessly inside of the pit, starting to lose hope when- was that a voice? "Hello?" he called into the darkness around him, not nearly as loud as he usually was. "Who's there?" A savior? Or an enemy? But he was desperate. If he did not get help, he hated to admit, there was no way out.

@Oliver

Oliver peered down, his owlish form blinking large eyes--but without light, in this darkness, he could see nothing. "Hello! Are you Callum-? Oh, um..." A pause, and he squinted, trying for his magic.

The little orb that he summoned, with the demeanor of a newcomer mage shaking a magic ball in the hopes that it'd, well, do something, was glimmering but weak. Still, maybe that was for the best, after so long in the dark; it was bright compared to the pitch black pool of void down here. "Can you see--up here? The light?" he called down. He pushed the orb out a little ways--enough that he could see the orange shape moving below, see the bones at the bottom. "We came in another way, but this tunnel--it's up here on the wall? Behind this rock. It should be big enough for you?" he hazarded, unsure.

He could see now what a death trap this place was. Without light, there'd have been no way to see even a huge, glaring exit; and this little tunnel was high up, hidden on the wall behind a sloping ledge. Anyway--"Mossie brought us. She's up top. It's a bit of a long way back but if you need um... water, or fruit, I can make those?" Oliver offered. "Otherwise just see if you can get up here--she said you can fly?--and follow me." He turned, ready to either lead the way completely out, or create some food and water for a starving stranger--whichever Callum might prefer.

@Callum

How did this gembound know his name? The faint light of the orb was a welcome reprieve from the pressing darkness, and he saw that it seemed to be some sort of black animal. Dog? That's what the head was. Yeah, he was pretty sure he didn't know any dogs. But before commenting on this, Callum allowed him to finish his explanation. Ah- so Mossie had come back for him. That little gembound was reliable after all. He would have to pay her back later. It was the least one could do after being saved from certain death.

"Callum, yeah, that's me." his eyes squinted, managing to spot the tunnel that was mentioned. "I think I see it. Gimme a sec." He flexed his wings, unfolding them to release the soreness that had sunk in. WAIT NO HE HAD TO BE COOL. He was a dragon after all, not some rando gembound in need of saving. And so he attempted to become cool looking. Minor issue- it made it much harder to see where he was going. Ah well.

Once he was sure that his wings wouldn't just give out on him, he leapt into the air, a few powerful flaps- more than he usually needed- brought him to the entrance of the tunnel. Callum nearly fell right back down due to having difficulty seeing. Hopefully it would wear off after a bit. He retained his composure after looking silly for a few moments. So it was an owl. Funny. "Thanks. What's your name?"

@Oliver

Oliver pulled back a little, blinking at the sheer size of Callum--it was unexpected, to say the least. Mossie had described the dragon, but in person-... To see the massive shape come swooping out of the dark? The dragon might've failed his attempt to "look cool" but Oliver was left trying, nonetheless, not to show his vague intimidation.

That, after all, would be rude.

"Oh--hi." This startled greeting, as he quickly shuffled out of Callum's way to make space atop the ledge, "I'm Oliver. There's a few of us who came to help. They're back this way," he explained, turning to lead the way. Given that Callum did not take him up on his offer of food or drink, he politely assumed it wasn't needed, at least not now. "I'll show you the way out--and if you want food or water then I can make some. I think." If I can make any more magic. He'd certainly been taxing himself a great deal more than usual; though in fairness, Oliver's magic usually was used only in intense spurts, like summoning and purifying water and then creating a light source and then! growing his plants. So, while it was a bit draining, it wasn't nothing he hadn't done before.

He took flight now and then, in short hops, where it was necessary. Other than that he led slowly, careful to keep their path illuminated so Callum didn't get lost or smash face-first into a rock wall or something.

The tunnel led back to the other bone-strewn cave, and here he hop-flew in short bursts toward where he thought he'd left the vines. It took him a moment to find them again, even with his light, and the sounds of talons on bones send scraping echoes here and there. "Okay--here. Can you climb-?" he asked, glancing back. "They should be strong enough, especially if you can use your wings a bit on the way up to lighten the load. Just-... don't cut them with your claws, please," he added, with a worried glance at Callum's talons. Those would slice right through, and then--well, they'd both be out of luck.

@Callum

Mossie had seriously brought an entire rescue team with her- he should give that little gembound way more credit. Even if he didn't see where she was yet. "Appreciate it. I owe you- saved my life back there." He shook his head at the offer of food. "I'm feeling fine, I'll catch somethin later." After all, he didn't want Oliver to tire out when they weren't exactly out yet.

The tunnel seemed way less mysterious and scary when there was a source of light- and Callum felt really stupid for not having lit his own way earlier. Then he wouldn't have fallen in the pit. He heeded the owl's words on the way out, but it seemed his withered state and general being a bit too big for this stuff made it an arduous trip out even with guidance. The dragon even got tangled in the vines at some point, but managed not to make too big of a mess and tangle it all up.

The rest of the trip didn't go too smoothly either, and he found himself earning way more cuts and bruises than he did entering the tunnel. Yeah. He wasn't coming back. He would stick to hunting from now on! At the exit, he thanked the adventuring party from helping him out then promptly left, with a burning reminder that sometimes you needed to think with your head and not charge into everything recklessly. He would probably forget in a day or two.

Exit Callum

Mossie didn't want to go down there.

But she didn't have much choice. Callum was trapped, somewhere, and it was her fault for insisting they go down there.

With a deep breath, she plunged down after Oliver.

The scene she meets she can't quite comprehend at first. Then the raw grief at the implications of what she's seeing crashes over her like a wave, and she feels the sudden urge to cry.

But Callum...Callum's alright, at least. She makes sure to apologize profusely as he leaves. And there are stones.

Could she be a mother, beyond her broken-ness?

She hopes so.

She takes the deer's stone and leaves. She'll have to come back to this place later. Perhaps it could be a nice hideout.

[exit mossie

Oliver gave the stones out. When Oka went for the mustelid's emerald, he was happy to offer it--happy to help.

He offered soft farewells to Mossie and to Callum, and was left, then, with the leftover, unwanted stone: the Citrine belonging, long ago, to the tiny king or queen.

He clutched it close, held it in his owl's talons. "I'll look after this one," he offered softly, ruffling his wings. And with that, he took flight, winging his way back toward home.

exit Oliver