Claustrophobia tightened its grip around the creature, murky blackness extending within all areas of the enclosure. Comprehension did not yet hold a significant role in the creature's conscience, therefore the specimen acted on pure instinct. Wiggling its small body, the creature pushed against the suffocating walls of the prison. Nothing. The little critter attempted to up its forcefulness, shoving itself into the chamber's bulwarks.

Foliage sprouted in copious amounts around the area, selfishly claiming large portions of the land. The most prominent, in this division, at least, were differentiated species of ferns. A relatively deep fissure within the earth cut across the room, setting itself apart from other territories. A particularly thick growth of horsetail ferns clustered along the right side of the trench. Within these perennial shoots of greenery laid a stone commonly known as Serpentine, reflecting a moss-green pigment. Grass and juvenile ferns jutted out from under it, as if it had been there for quite a long spell.

A tapping noise seemed to come from within the stone.

The shift in decibels only seemed to increase in volume as time passed, the formation twitching periodically. The sounds of the inhabitant's struggle, to what could only be assumed the intention of breaking free, ranged from the first tapping, scratching, and even full blown weight being thrown against the stone's insides. Eventually, thin cracks ingrained themselves along the sides, a few chips giving in to the attack. Soon, a shard of the gem was fractured, and left its original vessel. A teeny, paw-like appendage coated in some sort of fluid slipped out of the new opening, flailing and clawing at the ground. Two, three more shards detached themselves from the egg-like stone, a slick, wet tail slithering out, along with another paw-like limb following suit. As the ore began to fall apart, the creature residing within threw itself against the cavity one last time.

Crack.

A slimy lump of fur lay in the middle of the mess of gem shells, curling its body into the fetal position, its senses flooding with the unfamiliar happenings of the cavern. Shivering, the minuscule body clumsily lifted itself, wobbling from side to side, its young body unable to stand properly. Eyes shut, the tiny beast shoved his nose in the air, confused and dazed. Its fur had begun to dry gradually, and displayed a fuzzy, juvenile appearance. A small, tilde-shaped object was exhibited upon the base of the creature's tail, matching the color scheme of the gem it hatched from. An infant cry left its jaws.

His life had officially begun.

*

Small gray paws fell upon the earth as a feline made her daily rounds about the Mother's Garden or Eridanus as everyone else preferred to call it. Her duty was to tend to the plants, to See what needed to be sent into the Void and See what needed to be helped. Today, she'd seen the dwindling life of a few young ferns and as per her duty she went and dug them up before toting them along in her mouth. With the plants she planned to pray for them at the Mother's base and then bury them as was her duty. The ferns were large things usually but these were young so they afforded special privileges. Young life was always to be treasured and lifted up.

You never what youth could turn out to be...

It was while she had these thoughts in mind that she heard it. The shrill cry of a newly hatched youngster. Blackfeather's ears swiveled towards the sound and with a curious tilt of her head she was on her way to check it out. Before long her paws carried her straight to the tiny body of a young creature, it was feline-like but with a long body. Having never been out of her home she had no idea that this was a pine marten, she believed it to instead be some sort of cat like she and her Sisters.

The gray feline believed that everything happened for a reason which was was why she put on a smile and wandered over to the new kitten after dropping her leaves on the earth. The All Mother must want her to see about this youth, to embrace him and help him Learn and Grow. Yes... That was what she would do. "Hello, little one, welcome to the Mother's Garden." The gray feline walked up slowly and then lay right next to the newly hatched gem. After reaching a paw out to gently bring him closer she began to clean the dampness from his fur with her tongue. After all, it must the Mother's will. Why else would her footsteps be guided her?

---

356
@Sylvestre
---
6/10

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

We'll light up the sky,

We'll open the clouds...

Dovefeather had been trying (and failing, as usual) to catch herself a mouse to share with her sisters, her purring setting off the regular crowd of mice. Rabbits were even worse; she had no idea how Black and Owl ever caught them. Her tail swished as she heard a noise off towards the trench, and quietly gave up her pathetic attempt a hunt. Her white paws crept through the rich, black soil of her home, pinpointing the source of the newborn by her sister's own cooing in the distance.

"What's this, Blackfeather? Another child of the All Mother?"

The cat asked as she slipped through the ferns, her lithe, curly furred form appearing before the marten and her sister. Her pale golden eyes landed on the absolutely tiny long-kitten, whiskers twitching.

"Hello there, little one,"

She meowed, dipping her head towards the scrap of russet fur, blinking softly. Her mind was stirring with wondrous thoughts, eagerly trying to See what she could of the child. As a Seer, it was her duty to always try to See beyond the usual. She smiled, her lips curling back to reveal a set of glistening, pearly teeth. Immediately, the light around her fractured into a multitude of brilliant, brightly sorted colors, and they fell across the clearing brightly.

The rainbows danced around the newborn mustelid, painting the grass beautiful shades. The feline blinked, and the purr in her chest grew twice as loud as before. Immediately, she knew this was a good sign. Her magic never showed itself so strongly without her trying.

"Basil Speech" "Dovefeather Speech"

Sylvestre squeaked.

It was so sudden; an elongated, warm, wet appendage coming in contact with his body. It was somewhat rough, but tranquilizing all the same, and soon the fear subsided a bit from the little marten. Bringing his front paws up, he attempted to prod at the entity above him. It was awfully peculiar, but the newborn's mind took it as something that was simplistically supposed to happen, the presence of the unidentified being. He wriggled his body over, exposing his stomach, and expanding his jaws in a wide yawn.

Another surprising factor was the ever so slightly present coherence within his conscience, as if memory was gradually trickling into his psyche. Basic words fumbled about within, sparking tension, curiosity, and even fear in regards to his current situation. He could pick out a few. He was 'tired.' He was 'hungry.' They made sense, but did not at the same time, as if he was thinking with instinct and not actually worded thoughts. But the weasel was able to match a word with a feeling, like, as stated prior, the urge to sleep and the urge to feed. Slowly, he felt his mind become more connected with his body, the initiate confusion lowering a bit.

His heart leaped marginally as an unfamiliar noise prodded at his eardrums. It sounded.. he could not describe it. Some of the words used his mind registered, but he did not know speech even existed. It was truly a lovely experience, hearing such a tone. One word in particular, 'Hello,' caught his attention. Struggling a bit, he opened his mouth, trying his best to utter a noise. The result was a gargled chirp, like a dry-drowning bat. But it was something; his first greeting. Excitement bubbled forth in his chest, tail wiggling cheerfully.

*

The feline purred as she felt the tiny paws prodding at her, examining who she was. She didn't mind and continued on with her work, cleaning his coat until it was smooth and dry. It was then that she heard the familiar voice of her Sister. Gray ears tilted in the direction of the sound and eyes turned to look pleasantly in her direction. "Why yes I think it is, Dovefeather. I was tending to the Garden and I heard his cry... Do you think Mother showed him to us because She wants us to raise him as another disciple?" Possibly but she didn't have the Sight like her Sister did. Seeing through plants only went so far when it came to other creatures.

The feline rolled onto her belly and wrapped her tail about the long-cat, eyes still locked onto her Sister. Then, she saw the lights playing across the earth and the happy cooing of the child beside her. Blackfeather's lips curled up into a smile as she watched the proceedings. "Dove, is this a sign? Have you Seen into his future?" She leaned forward eagerly wanting to know what the All Mother had shown her about the child. Would this be a new disciple?

---

207
@Sylvestre @Dovefeather
---
6/10

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

We'll light up the sky,

We'll open the clouds...

Dovefeather wasn't an expert, but it certainly wasn't every day that the lights danced for her like they did now. She watched as shades of green and yellow fell upon her sister and the long kitten, watching the way the shadows landed and the colors formed. Her sister spoke a reply and her ear twitched, watching as the marten tried to speak but failed.

A gentle laughter came from her maw as she padded a bit closer, bringing her nose down to the brown creature. She kept her golden gaze soft, blinking softly at the small, wriggling creature. A new brother to add to their family... What a wonderful gift.

"My, you sure are a spiritual one, aren't you? The All Mother has shown me that your future is bright, and full of many wonders."

The cat pulled away, running her tongue across the top row of her gem teeth, considering. The wind rushed by them, and she paused to listen to the creak of the trees and curled her tail around her paws. Her forepaws were together, forming a circle of a black dot between the white pillars.

"You come during a difficult time for us, little one. Perhaps you hold the answer to healing the All Mother. Perhaps, this is Her way of showing us there is still hope... Still life, to this day, that we should not be so afraid. Whatever the All Mother holds for you, little one, it seems to be a path of brilliance."

The cat looked to her sister, her tail tip twitching. Yes, she truly thought that this little child was a good sign, and it showed in how her body vibrated with a fierce, loud purr. She remembered, at the last moment, to introduce herself properly to the newborn gembound.

"Welcome to the Garden of the All Mother, little one. I am Sister Dovefeather."

"Basil Speech" "Dovefeather Speech"

@Sylvestre

Another intriguing sound filled his ears; laughter. Opening his maw, he attempted to reciprocate the noise. Similar to his failed attempt at a proper greeting, it came out has a gurgled mess of squeaks. But that was alright, at least he tried. Something caught his attention, though.

Spiritual one.

Though it did not make much sense, per say, Sylvestre felt it was relevant. The voice in question put him at ease, even if he did not understand what wonders were. It felt like warm honey had rushed over his teeny frame, and his mind registered that these two creatures were not to be feared at all. He did not know what to call it, but he saw them as maternal figures.

Difficult times.

Afraid.

Path of Brilliance.

Garden of the All Mother.

Dovefeather.

Sylvestre's ears twitched back and forth in sync, curious and puzzled as to what the alien phrases meant. He took a few notes: One of the entities was called Dovefeather, and the name 'All Mother' sounded imperative. This was all he could muster to ponder. Everything was still so odd, what with him still being trapped in darkness, but there was something. He could see the blackness, could he not? He must have something to be viewing it.

And just like that, two black, beady little optics opened up.

@Dovefeather

*

The future was bright? What a wonderful sign to herald the birth of this precious child! The gray cat looked down at the small bundle lying before them and she too laughed as he tried to speak. Everything seemed to be looking up now! To be going perfectly well! "The path of brilliance..." Echoed the gray she-cat in awe. "Perhaps this is Mother's way of telling us to keep faith. That the dark times will soon end." He was his own little harbinger of light. Blackfeather trusted every single word her Sister said. She'd proven herself again and again to be a reliable Seer and servant of the All Mother. Her word was as good as gold in her eyes.

With her own purr rolling in her throat the gray cat echoed her Sister's greeting. "Yes, little one, welcome. I am Sister Blackfeather. May the All Mother bless you and let you Live, Grow, and Learn." Now as she was looking down at him she saw the little one open his eyes. "Look, Dove, our little Brother Sees." Her voice rumbled out kindly.

"Do you think that Mother will give him a sign as she gave us?" She remembered her own feather had come shortly after birth but Dove's had taken a search to uncover. She wondered how his life would be... Would he See as Dove did or would he be a tender to the Garden as she was.

---

240
@Sylvestre @Dovefeather
---
6/10

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

We'll light up the sky,

We'll open the clouds...

At first, the little marten's newly discovered vision was quite disorientating. What with the large creatures before him, he was considerably frightened. But, as he backed up ever so slightly, he realized that these two entities were the beings who were speaking. From what he heard, the other creature was called Blackfeather. But, in all honesty, he did not care. What he cared about was the emptiness he felt in his stomach. The young weasel dug his miniature claws into the soft soil under him, clenching his paws in discomfort.

He pondered, for a bit, tuning out the conversation between Blackfeather and Dovefeather. He was 'hungry,' he realized, the word he had matched to a similar feeling prior to this moment. It was more prominent now, the aching within his belly, and he knew he had to do something about it. Since he had no knowledge of what 'food' was, though the word graced his conscience, he tried to alert the two she-cats of his predicament.

It was quite a comical site. The teeny brunette critter, wobbling clumsily forward, at risk of falling any second. He did a few times, tumbling over on his side, only to lift himself upward and try again. Eventually he made it to Dovefeather's leg, and propped himself against it. He pressed his nose to it, kneading her appendage with his small paws.

@Blackfeather @Dovefeather

*