Anubis stared at Aran, eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly. Oh, big monsters he said? Consider the jackal's interests mildly piqued. He still remembered seeing...things, a long time ago. One of the first days of his current life after the rockfall had been cleared. They had been battling in Canis, large white monsters against those that inhabited the cave of bones. Canis had never been the same. Were those the beasts Aran referred to?

He didn't really care right now. Questions for later.

He looked back at the seemingly empty mushroom and nodded, making sure to lean himself back a bit before trying his own spell again. This time, as he willed it, a puff of spores shot forward, into the bowl rather then up his nose. He captured it as best he could and got most of the spores in, a thin layer at the bottom. There would need to be more.

He looked up at Aran. "Don't breathe mine in either," he murmured, the slightest bit of amusement in his voice. "We will need more. Keep going."

@Aran

Aran watches as Anubis begins proper preparations, this thing must be huge if they need a magic bomb like this. Aran isn't going to complain, though - the thrill of discovery is thrumming in his bones. What could possibly be in there? There's an infinite amount of possibilities of what it could be. Aran wants to see it.

For now, though, he just nods along to Anubis' comment, and uses his magic. If he wants to see it he needs to be useful, so he'll supply his magic where he can. And perhaps heal the two of them if the going gets tough.

"So what is the thing we're trying to put to sleep, exactly?" Just small talk, but Aran really is curious.

When he begins to use his magic - it backfires - and really Aran can only tell because of the sudden tiredness. It's a different kind of tiredness than the usage of failed timeline or blessing of pisces, but just as debilitating. Still, Aran is functional and awake. For the most part.

@Anubis

Anubis didn't take notice of Aran's failure - he hadn't even noticed the initial spellcast, so he just assumed that, along with the fungal dust, they were adding in some bacteria that would speed up the process. He, too, pressed more spores to line the sides of the mushroom bowl, holding his breath as he leaned in so he did not inhale any of their precious filling.

He glanced back towards the entrance to the prison. He was silent for a second. "You ever been in there? Sprawling darkness, unending. An old prison from a long time ago. Completely dead and abandoned, of course. Except...in the pit. It's too big to light up properly. There is something in there - something huge. White and malnourished, I think. It is feral and volent. I want to knock it out properly to study it, perhaps get it properly restrained before it wakes again. I would like to know what it is, why it is there, and how it has survived so long with so little." It all came spilling out as Anubis stared intensely at the doorway to the prison.

@Aran

Aran shakes his head no, he's never been in there. He might have his bird pendant, but it does not give him the ability to see in the dark. Perhaps he could use one of his many spells to allow vision, the bacteria could be very useful to him in that scenario.

A prison shrouded in complete darkness sounded interesting. Just the kind of place Aran would like to explore. Perhaps he's lucky to have ran into Anubis and his mushrooms.

"I also would like to study the beast." He decides.

Aran's never seen something like that before - would it be like Tenzin? A powerful being, this one just happening to be inside a prison unable to leave. Could the beast see, even? Don't creatures of the night lose the ability to see after so long-

He has a lot of questions.

"I have some spells that will give me more vision, and a familiar if we need it. Though I would rather not use the familiar." He'd like to keep that bird perfectly safe, outside of the prison. It's already got enough problems with being infected, Aran doesn't need to heal it for other reasons too.

@Anubis

To be honest, Anubis was surprised at how agreeable this new study partner had grown to be. His only real experience had been with Bacchus and the tiger was aloof at best, manipulative at worst, twisting favors into debts and never truly seeing any interest in Anubis's work, only Anubis himself. But Aran did, at least from what Anubis could gauge, seem interested in what he was trying to do.

As he continued to shed spores in the mushroom, he chatted, feeling more relaxed by the moment and seeming more at ease rather then the closed off and strange beast that he was moments before. "That would be good. I have lights set up on the path there, and I can make more lights too but the space is simply too large to light easily, especially with that thing in there. No need to risk your familiar - I have my own. It will fly the basket in for us while we observe." Somewhere, he felt Wings shift uncomfortably, a spark of fear lacing the corner of his mind, but he shushed softly into the link. It would all be fine. Don't worry, Anubis knew what he was doing.

"If it doesn't work, we may have to fight. I would rather the beast be dead then rampaging in the prison. There are ways to study it postmortem. Are you prepared for that?"

@Aran

Aran hums to himself when Anubis mentions the light. He can completely function without vision so it won't be a problem. Aran's got a full arsenal of spells to use for vision when he has no physical sight. If he were to ever lose the bird pendant he would function perfectly, though the magic use would potentially take a toll on him over time.

"It won't be a problem for me." he reiterates.

It might be an issue if Anubis loses sight, though. Aran can heal a good amount of injuries with his various spells, but too much and the damage to both of them could be too great and they'd both be sent to their stones. Especially if he fails.

Oh well, if it happens they'll deal with it another time.

"I can fight. My magic takes time to fully work, but it should be doable with two of us if we must fight." Sickness takes a long... Long time to work. Thankfully Aran's favorite spell just means it goes faster. Or he could just give it organ failure.

He's curious about what the post mortem studying would be like. They might have to be quick about it less it turn to oil. The thought of needing to kill the beast has Aran suppressing a jittering feeling. He hopes he wont have to leave his eyes behind. Getting rid of the anxiety it can cause might be useful.

"How does studying it postmortem work?"

@Anubis

Anubis nodded. This all almost seemed too perfect - a wanderer finding their way to him, with abilities that he needs and a willingness to help with his research? He couldn't help but remain a little bit suspicious, but otherwise allowed Aran to continue assisting with the first stage of his plan.

He cast once more, a much stronger puff of the spores, and caught them all in the bowl, which now had a visible layering of iridescent gray fuzz at the bottom. There was a wet sheet to it all too, perhaps from Aran's magic, but it was definitely looking like quite the potent mushroom-bomb at this point. He looked to the deer and gestured. "One more will be good. Then I will seal it."

He mentally called to Wings to approach. The familiar obeyed his commands, only because they had already gone over this a few times - what was going to happen this time, how it would be different, how they would be safe and not in harms way. There was a plan. Anubis knew what he was doing and the bat should follow his commands. It had taken some coaxing, but the lesser gembound had at last submitted to him.

Turning back to Aran's question, he simply shrugged. "I have some magic that I can use. Divining the past that requires touch. Shredding of its decomposing form to gain knowledge. But simply studying its physical body can tell us a lot." He paused and those sharp amber eyes on him locked with Aran's. "I know how to examine a dead body."

@Aran

Aran pulls his magic forward one more time on Anubis' instruction. His magic comes to him easily, coating the carefully crafted bomb in the bacteria one more time. With the both of their magic, sleep should hopefully come quickly to the strange creature. And if not fast enough, Aran could possibly use his magic to make it happen quicker.

Aran watches as the familiar approaches, a bat of some sort. Inside, the sight of it has him cringing but he's not sure why. Something to think about later - something he doesn't remember. Aran does not mention his uncomfort at the familiar - there's no need to.

"I see." Aran feels no fear when their eyes lock. Aran's eyes are blind. "I'm sure the two of us will be able to handle it just fine."

Aran won't admit it, but he's feeling some kind of excitement at the thought of examining this strange creature. He likes to fight but won't admit that either. Either way this will be interesting.

@Anubis

He waited a moment for Aran to put one last spell into the mushroom before focusing on the edges and coaxing a thin layer of fungus to spread out from the edges. They had large, thin caps and delicate stems so they would do well to seal the mushroom bomb for the time being, but enough force would break them right off, opening the contents within for escaping.

Pressing gently around the edges to make sure the caps were good and sealed, Anubis stepped back with an approving nod. "I think its ready. Hopefully it works." He turned to Wings, who had made it to their side, and motioned with it. The pitch rat stared at him with wide eyes for a moment, before letting out a small chirp and fluttering up and onto the bomb, carefully grabbing it in its claws.

"Take it to the Pit," Anubis whispered, audibly and mentally. "Wait for us at the entrance." The pitch rat shivered briefly, but then acquiesced, taking off forward and following Anubis's mental instructions down the tunnels of the prison, towards that dreaded entrance to the Pit where it had nearly been made a snack before.

Anubis glanced to Aran and nodded to the entrance. "Lets go, I'll show you the way." He took the lead then, padding towards the entrance of the prison and stepping right inside. There was a trail of glowing fungus leading them on a path straight through the prison, as well as a few everburning torches that Anubis had set - one of these he picked up in his jaws and continued. He walked with purpose, not giving Aran any time, at least right now, to take in the grim scenery. He could explore later.

He led the way through the prison and stopped in front of the entrance to the Pit, excitement growing with each step closer they got until he was practically vibrating. He stopped at the entrance, where Wings was waiting with the bomb, and set the torch down. He turned to Aran. "Its in here. Are you ready?"

@Aran

Aran waits for Anubis to finish sealing off the mushroom-bomb, staring uncomfortably at the bat familiar as he does so. The bat is fine, but the uneasy feeling doesn't go away even when Anubis sends it off to do its job. He can't tell if it's the birds eyes making him weary of if he suddenly has built a strange fear of the creature. Either way, it's time to finish the job.

"Alright." he hums, trailing after Anubis through the prison.

The prison is a dark place, but the carefully placed torches offer enough light to navigate the corridors. Aran's never seen something like this in the caves before. It's all very mysterious, he's curious about it - but isn't going to intrude. Aran'd almost forgot Anubis lives here.

The two of them stop at what he assumes is the entrance to the Pit, confirmed by Anubis asking if he's ready. Aran feels strangely excited about this - he's always been a curious one.

"I'm ready." he replies.

@Anubis