somewhere, someone in the distance is screaming "no madison, you have enough posts to make, you don't need more threads"

i do not hear them.

Life was becoming more and more routine for the cat. Gembounds came and went through the caves; some he'd recognize, others he didn't. When he spotted a friend, he would shout at them from his cliff and talk to them briefly before returning to his work in his little den. Most of the time, he'd venture out in the morning, collect whatever he thought was interesting, and bring it back up to the cliff. Then he'd spend the rest of the day in his alcove, experimenting with rocks and trying to build things out of them, seeing how each material reacted to being manipulated by his magic. So far, he'd learned that the basic rock types: granite and limestone, mostly, or anything sedimentary was the easiest to change. He'd learned that it was because they were composed of tiny smaller particles that made it easier to break apart. Soft or composite could be broken down or built up because the grasp of his magic could cover so much more surface area. Whereas complete stones - crystals and gems, or volcanic stones, were more difficult because they were so much more intact. It took a lot more effort to break them open.

His studies had been going well for the most part; Bartos tried not to pay any mind to the affairs of the other Gembounds that lived in Orion. They didn't bother him, and he didn't bother them, so there was no point in interrupting what wasn't his business. But he couldn't help but notice the chaos that seemed to follow one deer in particular, who often had a white lion trailing behind him. A lion like Faelon. Bartos shoved the thought aside. He'd watched them every now and then, curious - he didn't know if they knew he was there, after all, he was pretty quiet. In any case, he made the effort to avoid them as best he could.

This particular morning, his paws took him back to the circular stadium in which he'd originally found his spectacles and a point cluster of pink tourmaline. Today he was on the hunt for more exciting gemstones - after experimenting on some of them, he determined that some were easier to break apart. Granted, all gemstones were miles more difficult to manipulate than composite rocks, but it seemed like gemstones existed on a scale of hardness all their own. That was why he'd come down here, hoping to find more gems to experiment on. With a wave of his tail, Bartos made his way through the wide hall that would open up into the round seating area. As he did, he placed his focus on the sensation of the stone in his chest, wondering if he'd be able to detect anything. Alas, the magic flickered and vanished, relaying nothing back to the cat. He'd have to go in blind.

The dragon was gone, the numbat was gone, Louie had disappeared somewhere but she didn't worry about it. No, not yet. If Louie wanted to take off and run some errands then that was just fine with her. He was gone a lot before and he always returned, however, she wanted revenge on those Boneheads and if he hampered that then well... They'd have a problem. A big problem. She wouldn't let that get to her though. If Louie didn't return she'd deal with him for taking away their ace in the hole. For now she had other things she wanted to do. Such as find pretties to take back to Monoceros for bartering with hapless travelers.

All four paws were on the ground as she scurried amongst the shadows, searching for anything that caught her eye. It was a little while in coming but she managed to come across a shiny bit of quartz crystal about the size of her paw. It wasn't especially pretty nor was it particularly rare but perhaps she could convince someone else that it was and get something good in return like the knife and satchel she'd gotten from that leopard. She'd never found that stupid bear, Gustav, or whatever his name was. Pity. If she saw that leopard again she'd just have to tickle his throat with her poisoned spear. A shame when he was so cute but it was just as they said...

Business before pleasure.

The mongoose scurried along before raising onto her rear paws to get a better look at her surroundings. It was then that she saw another creature in the distance. Oh ho... What was this? He had spectacles on his eyes and seemed to be searching just as she was. However, unlike her he looked like a huge dork. Ah well, perhaps Dorky would have something good on him. Sniggering, the mongoose tucked the quartz into her satchel before she scurried up to the platform he was on and climbed up it. After a moment of staring at his back she straightened up onto her hind legs and put on one of her best smiles, one that exposed her namesake.

"Hey, there, cutie. What ya up to?" Always start out this way first. See how they react. If things went sour she always had her poison spear with his name on it.


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"Talking looks like this!"
Thinking looks like this...

395
@Bartos
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6/10

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After find a few souls on her ways through the caves tunnels and large rooms, the bubbly shiba had entered a place she had yet to see before. Such a spectacular place! Something had kept the light wielding gembound hidden away in the caves for many cycles; she couldn't find others nor could she seem to make it back to places she recognized. Until now that is. Trying to think back on the days she was gone, everything was a bit fuzzy but she did remember seeing so many beautiful things. Now this room was indeed a place she would love to come and visit time and time again. Eye gazing up at the ceiling at all the sparkling lights, some of the clutters seem to make pictures or at least she thought they did.

The female didn't have a clue where she was headed, but she let her paws carry her over to a place in the center of this room with what seemed to be a shelter in the middle. What is that? Interest was peaked, moving faster into a run to get closer and investigate. Her excitement caused a flicker in the stone above the base of her tail.

The flickering would become a warm glow, soon filling her whole form and resulting in a glowing shiba. The golden fur was really glowing, appearing that it would radiate heat but it was only a warm glow. Getting closer to her destination, a voice cause her attention. Is someone there? Running came to a smooth walk, coming closer to look around a corner and see one . . . no two gembounds. She held back, which took great strength on her part, waiting for a good moment to hope in and greet the two. Yet her glowing could give her position away? It was a great possibility, but if Farrah was called out she would willingly shout out a hello.

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"speech"
Thinking

OOC: please do not mind me hoping in x-x

@diamondfang @bartos

Blind, unfortunately, meant that he couldn't track down any gems that would be hiding in the arena. It also meant that he wouldn't be able to detect anybody else nearby. So when the mongoose appeared basically out of thin air, the cat squeaked in surprise and whirled around to face her, tail puffed up. She wasn't the only one lurking behind him though - he caught sight of a faint glow through the ambient light and his gaze briefly lingered on the dog in the distance before his attention shifted back to the lady. Boy, he really was blind, wasn't he? Bartos breathed fast for a moment then set his shoulders back, straightening up. "Lookin' for rocks." He answered.

Maybe they would like to help him look for rocks! Were they friends? He almost assumed so, but the dog lingered quite a ways away, so he didn't really know. Bartos blinked at them and then looked back into the forum. "I'm a rock collector." He added idly, twitching his tail.

@Diamondfang

In response to her calling him cute there was no reply, he simply answered her question with a simple answer. No matter, it still seemed that he was doing exactly what she wanted. Collecting rocks that she could then pilfer when he wasn't looking. The mongoose grinned, exposing that fang of hers. "Ya don't say?" The mongoose didn't think to look behind her and didn't hear or notice the light so she was completely unaware of the canine's approach. "I'm a bit of a collector m'self." She shifted the bag around her shoulders and tilted her head to the side, feigning honest curiosity. "What sorta rocks do ya like? Shiny ones or what, hmm?" Lightly playful was her tone.


____________________________________________________________________

"Talking looks like this!"
Thinking looks like this...

119
@Bartos @Farrah
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3/10

She was a collector too?! That was awesome! Hearing this news, the cat near instantly brightened up, his smile broadening upon his pointed little maw and his tail twitching with delight. "All kinds! Shiny ones, dull ones, weird shape ones, smooth ones, I collect them all and store them on my ledge. I have a huge collection. I like to compare them and find out what makes them different. Plus, I'm learning how to make rocks of my own. It's really hard, but..." Suddenly Bartos realized that he'd been rambling. His gaze had wandered back to the forum and the seats that lay beyond their vision, then he snapped his attention back to the mongoose, briefly forgetting the dog. "What do you collect? Do you want to collect rocks with me? I can sense them." He boasted, puffing his chest out a little with considerable pride.