You have been very quiet today, Kehareeh.

I have nothing to say today. The world is quiet.

I would more call it... lonely.

...I suppose you would like to return to air, then?

Yes, please, can we?

As you like, Kreool.

The silt 'ocean' floor, not deep enough to be too hot, too close to that steaming volcanic ridge, served as their home now. Invisible under a layer of sand, silt and ash, the sudden shift of muscles and scales broke the illusion. The beast twisted, shaking the silt from its scales, then lazily flicked its body upward, towards the rippling surface some meters above.

They broke the surface with a huff of air, filling their lungs with fresher life and sparking a thrill of wakefulness with it. The leviathan twisted then, turning to head for one of the smaller islands littering the shallows. Kreool hoisted them onto land and with a sigh, settled to bask in the misty humidity. Eyes shut, the beast appeared asleep- but those ears listened, and that sensitive nose flared to take in scents.

We are hungry.

We are.

We should hunt.

I am not ready yet.

You never are.

Can it wait?

As you like.

Thank you.

Her home, Fornax, was once more silent and undisturbed with the defeat of the Leviathan. Iris had never felt more on edge, however. She wasn't sure what horrific monster the caverns would spew out next to try and rid the Gembound of their home. Perhaps the Caves were deciding against their decision to give life to stones that likely were never meant to hold it. Iris didn't like to think about this much. She just focused on exploring every nook and cranny of Fornax with Ghost at her side. Since his reawakening, they'd been able to go on all sorts of adventures. Even if the lycan had gained sight through mutation, Iris knew he never really needed it. You hardly ever saw anything with your own eyes... only with your mind.

Enough of that poetic bullshit, Banshee. As usual, Iris was hunting a school of tuna that had recently returned to Fornax after the threat of Leviathan was over. She was careful about which ones she chose to hunt down and which she left alone. All of the young were safe from her hunger. The hybrid did not want to take too much or too little. For that reason, she was circling about the school of fish, eyeing them carefully and making her decision.