Ever since Troy had gotten his feet under him, the colt had been impossible to keep still. He'd left Jasmine to explore Eridanus, and in doing so, discovered a tunnel. Courageous and not wanting to put his dear tall lady in any danger, the colt ventured on alone. Perhaps she'd follow, perhaps not. They weren't glued together- but come the dark time, when the lights dimmed each day, he'd always return to her side, or her to his. The colt felt confident he'd be home in no time, so he left Eridanus behind to venture through the stone tunnel and into a new part of the caves.

The colt came to a new cave after some time. It stretched out high and far, sparkling with twinkling diamonds above, gleaming streaks of quartz below. Ahead, a city, in ruins now, sprawled out before him. A tower, a stage, a throne. The colt was compelled to carry on, his pace becoming a trot as he navigated the new area.

"Wow!" He breathed, coming to stand beside the circular walls and pillars surrounding many carved shapes, all alike and in rows, surrounding what he could only describe as a pit. Carefully, he started down the stairs, headed for the center. "What is this place...?" Jasmine would love it. Maybe if she saw the pretty twinkles in the ceiling, she'd find some joy out of her height, instead of fear. Wistful, the colt admired the stars above and settled in the center of the arena, one hoof lifted in relaxation.

@Jasmine in case she wants to follow and @Hasira and any of his followers!

He stared, head lows and eyes gazing at the blue stone of his brother. He knew about things, about bringing the dead back to life and about creating new creatures. He'd seen it before and he wanted to do it himself. The Tainted One, despite her knew title, was still a deer like him. He was starting to think that deer were the best among the herbivores. It was an underlying thought but one that invaded his mind daily. Only Clover had come to understand him better than any other, only Clover was smart enough to have her own thoughts... Well, minus that stupid bull but that bubbling idiot couldn't match wits with him like his beloved could. Yes... Deer were the smartest and the most pure. He kept these thoughts to himself while he stared at his stone. Wynry had not been a deer... He would give it another chance. He would continue to observe, to monitor. Perhaps someone would surprise him with their own thoughts, with their own opinions to match wits with him rather than being rash and stupid.

His nose stretched out to touch the smooth surface of the stone. Soon. Soon he would have his brother back but not yet. Patience. He needed it.

Ears pricked as he heard a sharp exclamation of wonder from the direction of the Forum. He gave a farewell nuzzle to the stone before turning and wandering away. He wondered who had come into his land now, friend or foe? he rounded a bend and saw the black and white back of a young zebra, a friend. A smile graced his muzzle at the young one's strong form. He could use that... yes... That would be especially helpful in the coming days. He silently watched the youngster go all the way to the center of the Forum while he himself remained on the top stairs while he gazed down. His antlers lifted proudly while his head tipped upwards. The words of the youngster drifted up easily with the design of the theater and Hasira was easily able to hear what was said as well as reply with his own words. "Welcome, my child! This is Orion, my home." He gave a smile and a wink as he came down the stairs easily, muscles rippled under his pelt as he neared the youngster. "I am Hasira, Lord of the Herbivores." Here he dipped his head pleasantly and politely just as he reached the center stage. "Might I be so bold as to ask your name, young one?" His steel-blue eyes met that of the youngling, they were shining with deceptive warmth. He always liked to open these little meetings with kind words to get the kids on his side.

______________________________________

"This is how I talk!"
This is how I think!

458
@Troy
---
7/10

"Welcome, my child!" An older, more masculine voice called from above. Troy startled, and spun to face the stranger. He gasped at what he saw.

The larger animal had cloven hooves like Jasmine- a relative species perhaps- and walked with grace and charisma. His coat was an earthy brown, tainted red in places and black in others. Deep slate eyes were only glanced at before Troy looked up at the rack of antlers atop the stag's head. Woah. He'd never seen anything more regal or powerful in his short life. The stag spoke, introducing himself as Hasira, Lord of the Herbivores. Troy stepped back a pace. That sounded like an important title.

"I'm Troightheach, but my lady Jasmine calls me Troy. She says it's easier to pronounce." He introduced openly, smiling all the while, staring at Hasira's antlers with obvious envy. "Is this your cave? I came from the green place back there-" He looked over his shoulder towards the tunnel to Eridanus. "That's where Jazzy and I woke up together. She'll be worried, so I can't stay long..." He didn't sound fond of leaving yet. The boy looked up at the stag again with a tilted head. "What's a herbivore, and what's it mean to be Lord of it? Can I be a lord of something? That'd be so cool!"

@Hasira (and any of his followers or @Jasmine can still post into this thread at any time)

---------

In the green place the towering calf was exploring all of the plants that grew around. Noting how each was different but also so special is it's own way. Yet, it didn't take her long to notice that Troy had wandered off again. He did that some times but never went to far. Slowly, she stood up high and looked around for any flash of black and white. Where did he go? Luckily the giraffe managed to go down the right tunnel that he had taken. Slowly, she made her way closer to the other room and away from the green.

Must have taken her a long time for by the time she found her dear Troy, he was speaking to a face she hadn't seen before. A new face? Possible friend? "There you are!" Her knobby knees and twig legs carried her as quickly as she could without standing up all the way. Stepping over rocks and soon she would be next to the Troy and the new face. "I didn't know you went this far before . . . wooooow, this place is pretty!!" Train of thought stolen away when she looked up and saw the glittering ceiling of this place.

Slowly, she would stand up all the way, stretching her neck high up as if she could get closer to the lights. Jasmine was only a child, but she stood 6ft high at the top of her head. But that joy on her face washed away when she looked down to Troy to realize how far away the ground was. Noooope. Shutting her eyes, she lowered her self down and rested her chin on the back of the zebra. This was much better. Wow, she was being rude? Peking at the stag now. "Who is this Troy?"

----------

"speech"
Thinking

OOC: fashionably late

@Troy @Hasiar

The stag continued to keep his horns elevated, making sure to give the youngster a good view of them. He was actually quite proud of his rack it was intimidating and awe inspiring, not to mention a great asset in battle. He was glad that the zebra was admiring them, it meant he would know of his weapons should he try to step out of line. "Troy it is then, my boy. That it is. Orion is my home and my territory, me and my family live here and protect those who wander into my domain." When he mentioned Eridanus the deer's eyes clouded over. He hated that place. The she-demon patrolled there... He hated her and wanted nothing more than to march on Eridanus and take it. After all he was the herbivore and that land belonged to him as did every other land in the cave!

Before he could say as much another creature wandered in. A great tall thing with gold and brown fur. Now, what a useful creature. He grinned at her and though it might seem warm he was really smiling at the possibilities this tall thing offered. "I am Hasira, Lord of the Herbivores, my dear. It is wonderful to make your acquaintance." Hmm, now he had two recruit. Today must be his lucky day. "Your friend Troy," At least he assumed they were friends since they seemed to know each other. "Was just telling me about how you stay in Eridanus. I must warn you that that place is not safe. It is inhabited by creatures that eat the flesh of our kind... Carnivores, is what they are. They are terrible treacherous creatures that will kill you as soon as you turn your back on them." It might scare the children but if he could scare them and keep them away from Arkrael and get them on his side then that was the best situation. "You do not have to listen to me but I think it would be beneficial if you did. I was turned on by many carnivores in my time," Here he showed his face which had the burn scars and he tilted his antlers to indicate the scars across his back. "I only wish to keep you safe... Orion, is safe." He dropped the hint. Orion was open to any herbivores that wished to find shelter and learn to protect themselves from the carnivores.

______________________________________

"This is how I talk!"
This is how I think!

405
@Troy @Jasmine
---
7/10

Hasira explained some things, and Troy nodded eagerly, saving the information for later. Hasira seemed so noble and great! He was a hero, or so it seemed, protecting others that ate plants. What a great job! Before Troy could voice his approval, the sound of familiar hoof-falls echoed into the arena. The boy turned and lit up when he spotted Jasmine making her way carefully down to them. She was commenting on the distance, but to his delight, was cut short by the sight of the stars above. For a moment, he watched with some sense of pride and accomplishment as his predictions came true, and she stretched up to stare in wonder at the sparkling lights above.

She looked down at him a second later, though, and wobbled her way to the stone below, resting her chin across his shoulders. He leaned into it slightly, appreciating her closeness. For a moment, he looked serene, closing his eyes to soak in her warm touch. Then, Hasira spoke again, and he turned to listen once more.

The stag spoke again of herbivores, then moved on to something far less exciting. Carnivores. His description of such things left Troy dry in the mouth and fearful. His Jasmine loved Eridanus- or so the green place was called, it seemed- and he'd liked it fine enough, but if there were carnivores there... and they really did eat flesh... how horrible! He shuddered visibly and turned his head to look side-long at Jasmine.

"Did you see anyone else in the Green Place, Jazzy?" He murmured nervously. "I... I don't want to live in a place with flesh-eating monsters... I'm so little." And he was, compared to the two he stood with now, all legs and ears and no real girth or size to speak of. Hasira had those wide, sharp antlers and big muscular body to protect him. Even Jasmine had horns, though he wondered how furry stubs like those could be handy in a fight.

Fighting hadn't even occurred to him until now. He had little defense against savage foes looking to eat him. The train of thought he was on had him shivering. Would Jasmine believe Hasira's warnings? Would she still want to go back to their birth place? He knew she liked the green leaves and plants, and this place had little of that to offer. Maybe someday, Hasira would make Eridanus safe and they could go home again... but until then, he wondered, would it be wise to head back into danger so recklessly?

He was all for adventure, but the idea of being pounced upon and eaten by another gembound... that terrified him in ways only instinct could provoke.

@Hasira @Jasmine

---------
The words of the stag were so calm, so truthful and it seemed like this Lord was trying their best to make nice with the two young gembounds. And oh course the tall calf found nothing suspicious about him since she had no reason for such assumption. "My name is Jasmine . . ." Soft green eyes stared up at the male, listening to the things he said about the placed the two of them called home. How could the green place be dangerous? Seemed to be such a silly claim, the only thing to worry about there is to not fall into the fern trench. Yet, her mind slowed when Hasira showed them his burns on his rear.

Just the sight of them made her belly twist a little. Troy's question met her ears. Did she see anyone else in the green place? The answer was yes. "One, a simple child who talks funny." That child was the white pup Zariel, but he seemed harmless. Jasmien was about to protest about not going back, that the green place was home and she felt safe in the tall grasses and high ferns. At least she was until Troy's pleases were spoken allowed.

Ears pinned back lightly, "We . . . we don't have to if you want want to Troy." The giraffe didn't want him to get hurt. He was all she had currently, all she really knew too. But the lack of green in this place was hard to take in, so much stone. Almost cold. But maybe she could grow things like she did before when she met the pup? The calf got a fern to grow all on her own. "If you feel safer here . . . I will stay with you."

----------

"speech"
Thinking

OOC: poor babies, so easily tricked

@Troy @Hasira

Jasmine, eh? A decent name for an herbivore. It would get no complaints from him. He smiled pleasantly at her while he nodded politely, showing that he took in the name and that he thought it nice. This Jasmine seemed to be the weaker of the two... Not really a fighter it seemed. No matter, she would serve her purpose just as all did in his lands. No idle hands, he would not allow it. The stag said nothing for a moment, he simply observed as the pair talked amongst themselves. He took notes in his processor of a brain, making plans to use on them later. This Troy would be a great fighter and perhaps... Perhaps Jasmine could be paired with Carrie. Maybe the pair of them could be used to do something... Healing, perhaps? Ever since that wretched Beast left he was left with no healers and no one to tend the garden. If he ever saw that fool again he'd give him a piece of his mind... and his tines.

After they'd finished speaking the stag shook his head, eyes shining with mock concern. As if he really cared about what happened with them... He just needed able bodies to help with his plans. Ever since his Shadow had told him of his failures and helped him come to terms with them he knew that his previous thoughts had been weak. To love and to protect was a fools errand. He needed to take over the caves by any means necessary and if that meant using gullible gems to do it then he would. Perhaps when he had his revenge he could truly protect the herbivores but until then... "I implore you, do not return to Eridanus. Those carnivores might seem like your friends but they are not. They are tricksters by nature. Tricksters and monsters, do not let yourselves fall prey like I did." He wondered where his children were... Perhaps they could help convince these two two stay.

He blinked, his eyes turning to Troy now as he addressed him. "Size matters not, my child, it is your inner strength and the skill at which you wield what you have. I was not so large once and even I could hold my own in a fight... I could teach you, if you so wish." Now he shook his great head and turned his gaze to address both of them. "If you are worried about plants and not having company then there is a garden nearby," He tilted his antlers in the direction of the garden that Beast had created. "And I also have other children here... A family that you would be welcome to with open arms." With that he let out a great bellow that echoed across Orion, calling his children to him.

______________________________________

"This is how I talk!"
This is how I think!

481
@Troy @Jasmine @Feverfew Deadnettle @Aarien @Carrie
---
7/10

Jasmine confirmed that she'd met someone else in Eridanus, and for a moment, Troy felt a flash of jealousy. Someone else had interacted with his lady, one on one, without his being there. The foal's ears pinned back. Her expression changed and his turned to one of concern. She was willing to give up her green haven for him? His heart pinched in places and the colt stifled a sigh as he considered his options carefully.

On one hoof, he could return to their home and be surrounded in greenery and Jasmine could be happy.

On the other, Hasira had given them fair warning of the beasts that lurked there. Just because they hadn't encountered one yet, didn't mean one couldn't be waiting for their return, jaws set for their throats. He winced at the image of a snarling beast as it appeared in his mind's eye, then turned to press his good cheek into Jasmine's scruff.

Hasira was preaching again. He turned his bad eye to the stag, listening to his reassuring words, inviting the empty promise of safety. Yes, Lord Hasira could keep Jazzy safe until Troy felt himself ready to protect her himself. Hasira even encouraged the colt to thrive, become strong, offered lessons of greatness. That was it. Even before the tyrant king bellowed for his children to gather, Troy was sold on the idea.

"...Jasmine, maybe we should stay." He murmured again, into her neck. "It's safer for both of us. Lord Hasira can protect us until we're big enough to protect ourselves. We'll learn a lot from him, I bet." He pressed his nose against her shoulder in a feather-light kiss, then turned to look upon the ceiling again. "And you could spend time in the garden, you like plants right? And all the sparkles above... you looked so happy to see that, I knew you would." He swooned, no longer whispering as he addressed her. "Maybe someday, Lord Hasira can make Eridanus safe, and we can go back home again then." His eyes turned to Hasira. "Right?"

@Hasira @Jasmine @Feverfew & Deadnettle @Aarien @Carrie

---------

Knowing the green place wasn't a safe place anymore would cause her stomach to twist, twist even more then when she gets scared of being up so high. It was so hard to imagine that scary things hide away in the green and made her wounder if the pup she met was bad too? Maybe not him, but was there others too? As Troy touched her cheek to her own, she gave him a returned nuzzle as he spoke. "If you think it's best . . ." Voice was low, maybe even a little shaky at the thought. Even at a young age, so soon in their lives, Troy was the processor of the spotted lass already.

When the mention of a garden was brought to her attention, some hope glowed in her mind. Yes, she would like that and maybe help make it grow? And could the lord help make the green place safe? "Is that true Lord Hasira, will the green place be safe some day so we could go back? " The soft green eyes stared at the stag, lifting up her head slowly coming eye to eye with him. Knowing that would make this all better, the hope of a safe return. And if Troy feels safe to, that would be even better.

The low call of the stag startled her for a moment, such a haunting sound but it seem to travel the whole room. Maybe even heard through the tunnels? The giraffe wondered what sort of family the Lord had as he seem to call for them. Jasmine would lean against the zebra lightly, thinking about the stag helping him get stronger. Strong enough for them both to be safe. safe together.

----------

"speech"
Thinking

OOC: o-o

@Hasira @Feverfew @Deadnettle @Aarien @Troy