Since Amaria's return, Carcino was a whole new cat. He'd been happier, more willing to participate, and overall just friendlier. He still left Orion only once he was sure the girls were safely protected, but now he could trust not only his son Niru, but the ever-graceful Amaria as well. Her new shape served well enough to stop any intruder in plain shock of her visage, he was sure, that he'd have time enough to get back home if he heard their call from Canis during his visit.

It had been many cycles since his last visit to Canis, and to see the group his friend Azazel reigned over as King. Today, he was here for two reasons; first, he'd deliver the completed bone armor to Azazel, and help the bird get fitted for it. Second, he had a request- one he never thought he'd consider until the arrival of his growing girls. A home. A new, and proper, home- for his whole family to call their own. Not just him, not just he and Niru, but everyone. And Amaria.... if she'd come.

A soft red glow about his horns signaled his casting, reaching out with magical sense to count the bodies here; the living, glowing heartbeats now so crystal clear in his mind's eye...

...and to his delight, he found many familiar shapes. Birds, cats, dogs- ah, Azazel. That shape was familiar. As far as the cat knew, only the Bone King's heart beat such a tone. The leopard smiled knowingly and called out, his voice a wordless groan against the dripping backdrop of Canis cave, echoing off bone-dug walls and filling the cavern with his summons. There, with the feather-and-crystal bone armor in a bag on his back, the King in Exile waited for his counterpart's arrival.

@Azazel and anyone else in BB who wish to be in on this. Play nice. :>

It had been about a cycle since the "Battle of Polaris" (as Azazel had proclaimed it to be called afterwards.) He'd done reconnaissance multiple times and concluded that the core, in fact, was back to normal, which was excellent. It seemed many gems emerged there, due to all of the magicka welled up in the cavern. With the great dragon Raheerah perched on the Spire and literally turning the cave into a toaster, that probably wasn't too good. It likely wasn't what one would consider... well, optimum conditions for a newly hatched Gembound to emerge into. The lammergeier needed to decide on a better name to call them. Perhaps, Gemlings? Gemlings sounded like a good idea. Much easier than saying the former.

Enough rambling into thoughts, he declared. Azazel, as always, was stationed upon his perch, which was a stalagmite jutting from the pool of water that coalesced in the central area of the room. It wasn't very tall, though it had seemed to be so when he was but a small mass of fluffy down. Sighing deeply, he remembered those days. Origin Caves used to be so quiet. Now it was brimming with life... and unfortunately, danger.

Shuddering as he felt a draft come in, then a groan amongst the light tink! tink! of water splashing from the ceiling onto the floor, to form more spires of rock jutting from the floor of the cavern. It was a methodical sound, easily interrupted by any speech. For a moment, he ruffled his feathers, until he heard a call once more, but for his own name. He wasn't wearing his skull today, just so he could actually see and survey the cave that was Canis, so carmine eyes scanned the darkness. There was a shadow darker than the rest cast by the rocks and bone piles in the caves. In the shadow, there was two small curves of bright red, and a faint glow of two dots. Familiar was the shape, until he realized. The voice was that of Cancer's. But why was he here?

Feeling as if it were urgent, the Ave took flight, and easily glided across the cavern to find himself at the paws of the melanistic leopard. "Cancer." The Bone King tucked his wings away to his sides and smoothed (he had forgotten they were still ruffled) his feathers. "Hello. What do you need, old friend?" There wasn't any sense of urgency in his voice, as he noted that the feline seemed to have a relaxed and calm demeanor... almost happy. Perhaps he finally had an epiphany when he ate a fruit in Eridanus, proclaiming it was far better than his stupid lemons, so he quit sucking on them in favor of the sweet and juicy flavor of fruits.

Leopards ate fruit, right? As far as he knew, Azazel was pretty sure that Cancer ate a lemon for breakfast and before bed. Today, he looked like he ate an orange.

OOC | For timeline purposes and continuity, this takes place before the Eyes quest and Canis is shrouded in darkness! @Cancer

Carcino hadn't expected the dark cave's king to arrive to swiftly. When the wide, familiar windspan emerged from the darkness, Carce stepped back with a smile, polite and pleasant for a change. He sat down as Azazel landed.

"It's been Carcino lately. That old nickname's god a nasty ring to it now." He purred, forgivingly. Time to put some effort into his desired changes. "I'm here for two reasons. One," He paused to shrug his shoulders, letting the armor fall to one side and catching it in the opposite front paw. He held it up by the collar piece to show it off. "I believe you requested this beauty some time ago. Finally got some time to finish it, all that's left is sizing then it's yours, friend."

He'd leave it up for Azazel to examine, and even raise himself onto his hind paws to hold it in both front paws, if the bird desired to try it on. As he left it for Azazel to investigate, he chose to speak further.

"I've news, too, from Orion." His smile turned practically silly. "I'm a father of twins! I've a proper family these days... and that's... kind of why I'm here..." He trailed off and willed his magic as he did. He reached out with a soft red glow to his horns and eyes, an easy task at such close range, to get a read on Azazel's reaction to the news. Would he be surprised? Impressed? Would he disapprove? After he got a feel for it, he'd release the cast, returning to his pale-eyed gaze and candy-corn horns.

@Azazel

Landing on the cave floor with a soft click of talons, he noted the good-natured and relaxed stance of the dark king. Something good had to have happened. Gently corrected, he smirked and bowed his head. "Apologies, Mr. Carcino." With a hint of mischief glinting in carmine eyes, Azazel hopped back a step and snickered, before he waddled forth again.

Hearing a small and metallic clang, Azazel quirked his brows. Oh, he'd forgotten all about the armors he had requested from Canc—no, Carcino some time ago. Waddling forth with great curiousity, he probed it with his beak and nodded approvingly. He didn't doubt Carcino's abilities, but the armor looked exceptional. "I'm excited to try it on, but we could size it later." Carcino seemed to agree, as he went onto his second reason.

Twins? The Bone King's heart swelled for a moment, and the shadowy king would feel a surge of happiness and pride. "Congratulations!" Blinking, he smiled up at the felid and cast a quick glance towards the Chambers. "I myself have been blessed with a trio of children, though one's a little later than the others." Laughing, he knew that they'd eventually come. When they did, Azazel, Liora, and Ashtoreth would welcome them with open wings.

Thinking for a moment, he tilted his head. Carcino was here... to request a home, in Canis? Among the Bonebound? "You've come to ask if you could live here?" Without even waiting for an answer, he nodded vigorously. "You're welcome to, old friend."

@Cancer