(( After the end of this thread, Vazi will show up, and it will lead immediately into the thread 'There is Always a Cost'. )) She was rather tired from the game of tag that ensued with Pounce, and her voice was a little bit sore form all of the stories she had told to keep them amused on the slow trek to Pisces. The temperature dropped somewhat from the cool mists of Cetus to the cold humidity of the waterfalls and pools of the caves. Not that it was particularly warm anywhere, but some rooms were warmer comparatively than others. It simply added to another reason why she liked Eridanus so much. The leafy greens there and the jungle-feeling to it all was comforting. She had kept quiet for the last few minutes or so, keeping a companionable silence with the Ambrus on her back. She rather liked carrying the patient bird around, and she felt that the Ambrus would grow into a wise thing when it grew up. It certainly seemed wise for a child, despite the lack of common knowledge, but that was hardly its fault. Youth was something to be treasured, she mused. As for Pounce, she watched her sweet creature with a vigilant, patient eye, who was constantly darting hither and to, questing after new things that came across its path, exploring little crevices and hidden things behind rocks. The enthusiasm it showed was almost tiring in itself to watch! If she had never seen the little thing sleep herself, she wouldn't have guessed that Pounce ever tired out. It was endearing. They walked a ways into the room, nearing the waterfall and stopping at the edge of the pools. Its crystal clear water was inviting, and she was eager to wash herself and her muddy legs clean. One could only stand the mud in Cetus for so long, after all. "Well, my loves, we are here!" She said brightly, kneeling down to let the Ambrus jump easily to the ground. "And not a scratch on us, an accomplishment indeed! We were lucky not to encounter any dragons on the way here," This she said in a spooky voice, easily created by the tired, hoarse quality of it. "Otherwise that's the last that would be seen of us! But here we are, safe and sound, ready to be clean." "Now, on the count of three, hmm?" She said, looking at the little ones with a calm, amused eye. "Then we shall all jump in together." "This is how I speak." @Ambrus @Vicktor

It was astonishing how much energy this cub held in it's bones. Running around both his tall ethereal guardian and his new friend Ambrus whom was upon her back! He didn't mind how slow the trek to this Pisces was. That just meant more fun! More time to play and enjoy this world with them! Bouncing around from playing tag to simply walking beside the two as stories were told. Occasionally bounding around in a circle as the doe walked a bit slower keeping a keen eye on the surroundings they passed.

Somehow along the way, while he was caught up in the moment of ever changing excitement, the environment had shifted! It was no longer thick with fog, no sloshing of mud beneath their feet. And that hum of water? It was so new! So exciting! He had no idea that this type of terrain even existed! It was so nice! But even with all the excitement he grew a little nervous. He could see so much easier without the mist. So it too would mean others would be able to see them with ease. But as long as they were with her, they would be safe. Right? Of course! What was he thinking! Giving way to doubts, how dare he! With a shake of his head he raced off ahead. Being careful and keeping within her sight. There was a baseline after all. A set of rules she would kindly remind him of once or twice a day. It was simple really, don't go wandering off too far! Stay within her sight and all will be fine!

But with being such an excited child he forgot these rules, once or twice a day. But he never meant to on purpose. He was just so- oh mygod all these new things! He raced off again, darting from one rock to another. Small lizards hiding from his bounding mass. Tiny crevices which were perfect for hiding new small friends! Oh my this was so fun! He couldn't wait for a bath! He couldn't even imagine what that would be like! Finally he came to a halt, stopping at the edge of the pools. The water was so clear! And that waterfall, it was so BIG!

Eyes wide in amazement he stood alone for a few moments. Waiting for the others to catch up, they were just behind him now. "Look! Its so pretty! Do you see those little animals swimming!! Fish!! Those are fish Ambrus! I want to catch one!! Do you like fish! I bet I like fish! They look nice! "

She spoke announcing they had arrived and he shook with excitement! Seemingly to forget all about what he spoke of before. Racing around her, stopping most abruptly when she knelt to let Ambrus down. He understood Ambrus was different and easier to hurt than himself. So he made sure not to do anything too stressful around his dear bird friend! But he did watch them with intense focus. The way they walked was interesting, he had only ever seen a bird fly really. Beside standing on sticks or even his tall ethereal friend. But to watch them walk across a flat surface was new. He liked their feet, they were very interesting!

Attention flashing from Ambrus to her when she spoke of dragons! How they were lucky not to cross any on the way! "If we did! I would protect us! All I have to do is ROAR! Right! " He unleashed a small 'roar'. Though really it was very pitiful, but he was still a cub! Once with boundless energy, maybe he would sooner tire a dragon out that scare it off!

'Now, on the count of three, hmm? Then we shall all jump in together.'

Oh boy! Bath time! Stepping closer to the edge he eyed the water. Wiggling his butt as he prepared himself. Soon he would- oh no, a slip of his front leg and there he went! Only to fall in on the simple count of one! Arms thrashing he held himself to the edge of the pool with claws extended. Pulling himself halfway up drenched, mud trailing off his onyx coat. A small laugh of 'hehe' escaped his maw. Looking over to Ambrus and her, he smiled. "I fell.... "

"Speech"

"Thought"

the trek was filled with happy times, loving memories, and growing much closer to both mom and pounce. and when she knelt, i was able to hop off, hopefully minimizing any and all chances of harming her as i did so.
"dragons?"
i asked noname curiously, unsure of what this creature was she spoke of. they sounded dangerous if we were so lucky as to escape them, or not encounter them at all.

i peered down into the water, as pounce exclaimed about the..what did he call them? fish. yeah fish. and they looked mighty good. i wanted to dive in to snatch one, eat one. my stomach rumbled, and i looked from pounce to mom then back again. creamed feathers beginning to riddle with a deep brown color, stark yellow beak shining brightly.
"can i try to catch one?"
i asked mom, smiling back toward pounce who was super excited. i poked a talon into the water, feeling the temperatures before hopping toward the shallowest part of the pool. soon, i found that both limbs were consumed with water, but that was all i'd manage for now. i wasn't sure i could swim. but mom wouldn't let me drown, not at all. i grinned knowing i was in a safe place with her and pounce, two much larger creatures who would help me whenever i needed.

@clover
@vicktor

She smiled, walking into the water, letting her countdown fade after one, when Pounce fell in. She nuzzled Pounce, murmuring to ask if they were alright and grinning at them, then to Ambrus, who was looking to her with such wide, trusting eyes. "Of course you can, my sweet. They are very difficult to catch, however. I will teach you how." "Pounce, you listen too, hm?" She said, glad of the cool water that washed away the mud on her legs. She recalled when she watched the Aza hunt for fish, how calm and collected and still they were, till the last minute. "You have to be completely still. Pretend you are a statue, of no consequence to the fish. They will slowly come to you, forgetting that you are a thing that moves." She demonstrated, standing perfectly still. As she spoke quietly, the fish swam in their normal cadence around her legs, as if she was a natural part of the pool all along. "Then....when you have one near you..." Her eye watched one touch her leg, and her head darted under the water quickly, and she tested her speed to catch the thing. It wasn't as easy as she made it seem, for when she tried to grab the fish with her teeth, hoping not to harm it, it thrashed away from her, scaring her with the close violent movement near her eye. She had no idea that it would fight for its life, seeming so languid and calm just a moment before. She pulled her head back, gasping for air, words forming in her mouth to laugh over the loss of the fish, when it jumped from the water and thwacked its tail against her cheek, slapping her. In this, she slipped on the pool's slippery rocks, and fell onto her rump. She was silent for a few seconds, stunned. Then pure laughter bubbled from her, wild and loud, laughing so hard tears came to her eye. "This is how I speak."

Eyes wide he watched her enter the water. Mud swirling from her long legs as the soft motions of water washed it all away. He listened, he stayed silent and most of all he watched the fish. Pupils still, he could see them all swim around her. As if she was but a statue in their underwater realm. And within a moments notice she had attempted to strike the fish with her own teeth. Only to have it smack her back in retaliation! The wet rocks around them did not help! Before he knew it she was flat on her rump, with no fish and a soaking wet coat!

He was unsure, was she alright? It sure looked amusing but was it? A smile grew to his features as she bubbled with with laughter! So wild and loud! This was great! She was ok! He laughed with her, dropping himself into the water and bounding over. At one point laying down to submerge his coat. Dark mud swirling off by the handfuls as soon his coat was a clean as it could be! Shiny and wet she stood there before her smiling and laughing! Looking over to Ambrus to make sure he too was alright. Until he grew silent and the same fish as before. Their elegant scales he found memorizing. All he could do was watch, that was until it gently swam through his legs.

Within seconds his ears laid back flat, lips curled back as he struck the fish. Fangs sinking into and cracking through the rough scales he laid flat in the water. The fish thrashing violently in his grasp. Throwing himself sideways he pushed it against a nearby rock. Holding it against the stone surface, fangs and claws sunk in deep. Till finally the fish came to a slow stop.

Mouth wide he released it from his grasp, claws still sunk into the fish. Afraid it might thrash against him again and swim away! "I- I DID IT!" Eyes shut and body wiggling he picked it up and brought it onto a sturdier surface. Smiling wide he looked over at Ambrus. "Do you want some!" He wiggled in place, happy he had won the fight between the fish! Quietly repeating 'I won I won' over and over' as he stood triumphantly over the scaled meal.

"Speech"

"Thought"

@Clover
@Ambrus

i listened to noname as she instructed how to catch a fish. i observed her, but she failed in catching one. then, pounce tried, and he got one! i was impressed, and looked at him with a smile.
"my turn! my turn!"
i chirped loudly as i fluttered flightless wings, peering down at the water to see if maybe i could catch one as well. i put to use everything noname had just taught me along with instinct, and my head jutted forth into the water, beak parting and snagging the very tip of a fish's tail fin, it wriggled and writhed and i quickly pulled my head out of the liquid with the morsel in tow. i backed up out of the puddle, hobbling in reverse where i smacked the fish upon the rock flooring, placed a foot atop the morsel and jammed a beak into the fish's scaly goodness, quickly and mindlessly eating at the small creature until not much was left. the time i'd done so i had forgotten about pounce and mom, then when i'd realized i'd selfishly consumed the entire thing, azurite eyes widened then grew with sadness.
"i'm so sorry..maybe i can catch us another?"
i now felt tremendous guilt for mom. pounce had caught his, but mom hadn't. surely she was hungry? then, i remembered, she didn't eat these things. she ate only vegetation. but still, i felt horrible for not even asking if she'd like a bite. feathered rump sat upon the ground, looking between pounce and mom, hoping they'd forgive me.

@clover
@vicktor

She watched with the widest grin on her face, wiping away the errant tears, as her two little gems successfully caught their fish. She had no idea whether or not her teachings helped, or if it was a simple matter of instincts(that she obviously lacked!). Regardless, she was incredibly happy that they both managed to hunt a new thing for for the first time. She knew how bolstering it was to one's confidence to succeed so easily, and she was glad they could feel that. "Don't worry, my Ambrus, " She said, beaming at them. "If you do catch another, it would be for you. I've tried fish before," She said in a hushed secret-giving tone, "And I don't think they taste very good. If you like, you can give the bones to Pounce." In truth, she'd never tasted fish before, but a whiff of one was enough to deter her. She knew from the smell she would most definitely not like it, unlike the wonderful earthy aroma she loved from Eridanus and Cetus. "But, my congratulations to the both of you," She said with all the pride she could extend into her voice. "You both are growing into fine creatures, my loves, and I couldn't be more happy for you. Knowing that you two will be confident and strong and happy when you are older is enough for me. Soon after we will go and celebrate, and I show you my favorite rooms of the caves." "Feel free to catch more, as many as you want. To the victor go the spoils, hm?" She said, wistfully grinning. Maybe she could bathe herself pearly white again while they caught their fill. "This is how I speak."

A smile grew to his features as he watched Ambrus catch a fish with ease! He was so happy for his bird friend! That was until it displayed guilt for eating the fish it had just caught. Luckily she explained that there was nothing to worry about. That she only ate vegetation in complete contrast to the two carnivores she looked after.

"It's ok Ambrus! I got a big enough fish for two! I think...catch another one if you want!" Smiling wide he proceeded to dig into the very fish that was 'big enough for two'. Though through his ravenous appetite, that proved to be a false statement. Happily devouring his meal, easily chewing through bones, scales and all.


Occasionally he looked up once or twice as she was giving them praise. He was happy! She would even show them her favorite rooms! Oh what a fine day indeed! 'To the victor go the spoils'

He pondered for a moment, never quite hearing a phrase such as that. Heartbeat quickened and he bolted upright. Staring straight at her, eyes wide, mouthing the very words she had spoken just moments ago.

"Victor....goes the spoils....Vick....tour.....Vicktor...VICKTOR MY NAME YOU FOUND IT!!" He beamed with energy! Fur bristling as small sparks danced throughout his coat. None of it traveled, maybe he was getting a better handle on it! One would hope so anyway! Loud bubbling laughter emitted from him as he ran around. Sparks dissipating from his coat as he ran in his victory circle. He was so happy! They had found his name! Vicktor! He knew it to be true! He could feel it radiating in his very bones. A new found energy, a new look on who he was. He was Vicktor!

Managing to stay still he stood before the both of them. Wiggling with excitement. "My name is Vicktor!! I am so happy! This is me!! This is Vicktor! Yes!"


"Speech"

"Thought"

{switching ambrus to third person POV :3}

the eaglet's melancholy was short lived as both is mom and pounce reassured the little creature that his selfishness was quite alright in this instance. but as mom said something, little pounce grew so excited he even expelled his own magic, which resembled ambrus's all the same. the electricity could be felt, a subtle zap which caused for creamed and browned feathers to rise on end. flightless wings fluttered as he propped himself up on taloned limbs, jumping for joy with vicktor.

"wow! vicktor! vicktor! how lovely, that is you! that's your name! vicktor, vicktor, vicktor..."

the little bird's chirps and screeches trailed off as he then hopped a circle, overly excited for pounce's discovery. now only mom was left. mom needed a name. ambrus turned his attention on her and chirped.

"now we will find your name, mom! we will, we will. i promised i would help and i will help. won't we, vicktor?"

his head turned to look upon vicktor then. now, it was time for a celebratory fish! ambrus approached the puddle once again, spying a silvery fish of only a couple inches in length - perfect for the eaglet. he paused, braced himself, and lunged into the water, stark yellow beak parting to snag the head of another fish, as it writhed in his beak he thrust his head backward, tossing the fish to the ground where talons continued to place upon the morsel so that it wouldn't escape before the eaglet could feast upon it. he tore into it without much hesitation, eating it clean again. now, the eaglet was happy and full.

@clover
@vicktor

She chuckled as her cub offered their fish to the sad Ambrus, proud that Pounce was so kind and thoughtful. Even if they did eat it all straight afterward when Ambrus was paying attention to her. It was understandable, they were hungry. Then Pounce grabbed her attention, staring at her so widely after she congratulated them both, then for a heartbeat, was still. Then they rose and jumped around in pure joy, chanting that Vicktor was their name! They found it! She laughed and danced in the water, her magic bubbling from her, the happiness in her rising and making her glow so bright. And when she got to her newly named cub, her Vicktor, they stood and introduced themselves, and she was just so happy. She kissed her cub all over, nuzzling their forehead, telling them that she was just so happy and proud. Nothing could be better than this! Ambrus spoke behind her, and she turned to them, her whole being gleaming with affection, glowing so wonderfully. "You're right, my love! We are all almost clean, and when we are all ready to leave, we can continue to explore Pisces. We'll find it here, I know it." As Ambrus cheerfully went back to the water to continue to eat, she then she looked back to her beaming cub and said, " Now, my dear, my Vicktor....race you to the water!" With whooping laughter she jumped right back in, creating a huge splash! "This is how I speak."