"Oh! I've been trying to do it right!"

Zephiran wasn't exactly sure what was right or wrong. But he certainly didn't plan to try and attack anyone without reason. Certainly planned to protect those that might need it.

"I can do this!"

Zephiran closed his eyes a bit, just like he did back in the tunnel. A small bright blue orb appeared next to him. And he sent it to swirl in the air. Although he knows he cannot do it for long, when he sent it up. Zephiran made it disappear the higher it went.

Cyan eyes watched as Pride bounced against the ground. Bright eyes, could he do that? He could swoop up something and hop on away!

"I'd love to! Can I still use my den as a spot to live too? It's in this cavern, not too far ish. But I have a lot of stuff there and I dunno if I have enough paws to carry it."

He gazed back over his shoulder, to the general direction where his cellar was. There was no general marker to where it was… but he planned on keeping it mostly to himself unless he had to show for proof.

---

"Speaking"

( @Pride )

Pride peered at the light, and then blinked. "Ahh, is that your--your own magic? Is that what you hatched with?" he clarified. He reached for his own magic--intending, cheerfully, to show Zephiran what could come of Light magic at its strongest.

But it was one spell that cooperated with Pride the least, and true to habit, it flickered and sputtered out before forming more than two or three illusory sparks. He shook his head, dismissing it without speaking, and looked to Zephiran again. And he laughed, a little--good-naturedly--at the question of whether Zephiran could keep his own den.

"Of course. We do not all live in the same spot, and some indeed travel widely. But if you do ever wish aid in moving what you have collected, you have but to ask. I can help you easily." He could always make a basket out of a gemstone and put everything in it, and carry it on his back, or the like. Well-... that depended on just how much Zephiran had collected.

"I would welcome you to the Seven, then, if you are certain-? Would you like to make that official?"

red deer img credit - dan seagrave

@Zephiran

"Yeah! It's what I can do! I started off doing stuff like this!"

His paw pointed down at the baubled rock he did just a little while ago. A little blue shined rock he planned on using to slowly help light up the cellar he lived in.

Zephiran tilted his head in confusion. Was that to say Pride also had light powers? Light magic? That was cool. So far he didn't know how many actually knew what he had.

"Oh! I don't know if I'd ever move. There's so much there…"

Zephiran couldn't imagine moving all the items he collected. From rocks, sticks, and gems. To the random container he had, and more. He wasn't keen on moving all these individual items over to another spot.

"Yes! I'd love to!"

He practically leapt off his front paws. A smile bright on his jaws. Tail swaying from side to side. Not only could he help people but he could have friends around him too.

---

"Speaking"

( @Pride )

Pride laughed gently. Zephiran's enthusiasm, and his good nature, were infectious; he found himself warmed by the child's bright demeanor. "Then consider it done; you may call yourself a member of the Kingdom of the Seven. And in time you might learn our magic, but let me show it to you now."

He focused for a moment, stepping back. Then a shimmering dome of energy raised before him, a shield of sorts. "Try to hit it, but don't hurt yourself," Pride advised, humor in his tone. "It's something you can use to protect yourself, or others who may need protection. It's a good magic to learn."

red deer img credit - dan seagrave

Pinged on discord to ask if Zephiran should be added to the group ooc also! @Zephiran

Of course he giggled along with it. A bright smile curled from his jaws. A swift patter of his paws.

"In time! I plan on learning all I can! Well here I come!"

With the permission of Pride, Zephiran leapt off his paws. Instincts pulled his teeth out to any attempt to grab ahold of the shield. He was successful with his accuracy, but alas. The shield stopped him from doing anything outrageous.

---

"Speaking"

( @Pride )

Pride smiled. And then--a little mischievous, a little playful--he dropped the shield, after Zephiran's biting. He called upon another magic, and this time it came; a little frivolity, he thought, was in order.

Sparks flew in every direction, or at least, light imitated such a thing. A soundless purple explosion from where teeth had impacted energy magic, expanding outward in beautiful rings and clouds. "Oh no," Pride deadpanned, a twinkle in his eye. "I am defeated."

The shield had dropped, but now so did Pride, delicately lowering himself to his knees with a dramatic roll of his antlered head. Light-illusioned rain fell around him dramatically, and he bowed his head. "...Mercy, I beg of you." His tone was still light and joking, but infused with that dramatic flair, playfully amused.

red deer img credit - dan seagrave

@Zephiran

It was far too late by the time he noticed the shield dropping. After the initial biting, the shield dropped. Which made Zephiran's heart sink for a moment. His eyes widened for a solid moment he truly had thought the shield bite hurt Pride.

It was the flare. Magic danced around them. Silver tail dipped between his legs.. Had he actually hurt Pride? Fear crept its way into his eyes. His voice was soft, concerning. "Oh!" Immediately he sought to back off in case he did injure the deer.

---

"Speaking"

( @Pride )

Pride glanced up, surprised and amused. Zephiran had completely missed the humor, and he immediately laughed, not unkindly. "No, I'm--joking, sorry. You did strike it! But that was--humor," he offered, with a shake of his head. Sometimes, he forgot how earnest and literal the young could be. "I am unharmed."

He paused, studying the pup, amusement still on his face. "So--mercy?" he repeated, with a playful waggle of his antlers, still bent on one knee.

red deer img credit - dan seagrave

@Zephiran

"Oh!" Zephiran chuckled, it was awkward. Uncertain. No one had really used humor around him. Perhaps he could try it one day.

"Mercy! Of course there's mercy!" Silvered tail thumped against the ground, he reared on his back legs. Swinging his front paws in the air. A giggle erupted from his chest. "Show me around! I wanna see what I can work with! Who else is here?"

Zephiran bounded up on his paws towards Pride. Excited and keen on learning whatever the deer would teach him. And what else he can use to decorate with. A toothy grin sparked his maw.

[Happy to fade with your post Dark! Presuming they spoke about the Kingdom of Seven, etc. Unless you want to do more posts (: ]

---

"Speaking"

( @Pride )

Pride laughed softly, pushing himself back upright with a nod. "Why, thank you. Now... as to showing you around--and who is who?" He chewed on that question for a moment. "I'll tell you as we walk, then. Have you seen the tower, or the Forum?" Admittedly the latter was more of an arena, but 'Forum' was what Pride had heard it called, at least. "And perhaps I might visit your home, if you wish? I might be able to help you make it more comfortable," he offered, "or one of the Seven could grow a garden for you?" They'd need to bring in dirt and water, but with their magic, that wasn't even hard.

So he began his tour: showing Zephiran around Orion. The garden lit with magic lights, the Tower with its glittering quartz, the Forum with its bloodstained sands. All the while, he spoke, telling Zephiran of the others who had joined the Seven.

He told him, too, of its history: of Gembounds gathered as children for cruel purpose (Sloth, Lust, Envy, all gathered by the one named Greed; but they had turned on Greed, and now Envy was their slumbering King--Livius--and Pride tried to be a force of good). He told of those who had joined them on the way, those who had since passed; those who were friends, those who were family.

It would be a lot to take in, certainly--and it would take some time. But one thing Pride made clear: whatever Zephiran might need--be it training, protection, supplies or simply someone to talk to--he could come to the rest of them for support.

red deer img credit - dan seagrave

(Sure!! He can totally give them a rundown on the who's who of the Seven :D )

@Zephiran (for visibility!)