Mar 27 — [Quest] EMERGENT INFLUENCE (READ MORE) Mar 8 — [Event] Spring Regrowth! (READ MORE) Feb 6 — Domain Migration Complete! (READ MORE)
CAVE STATUS
QUESTS/EVENTS
Torrential downpours cause localized flooding and many upset cats. Along with these frequent rain, from gentle drizzles to heavy rainfall, there seems to be a flux of Magicka drawn in particular to water sources. Occasional jet streams of warm air make narrower tunnels harder to navigate. On occasion, the rain intensifies, becoming howling storms with sleet or large hail. However, the temperatures overall are a little warmer, with snow and ice in temperate caves somewhat receding.
The lioness listened to her, finding her mental voice just as calming as her physical one. She also found that the words thought made a lot of sense and highlighted what were valuable to the canine. The lioness' head dipped in agreement but there was a bit of wistfulness in her gaze. "Yes, you are right... but what about when you run out of new things to see?" For all of her cycles roaming the caves she'd ceased to find anything new to get excited about, the only thing that had helped her along was family but now without them... There was nothing that was truly good. Well, besides the off gembound she found that wasn't entirely tainted, like this she-wolf. She'd seen many spells and many newcomers and it was all starting to grow tiresome. But what could she do about it? Nothing... nothing except educate and care for the new life she would bring into the world.
The lioness could feel one corner of her mouth starting to twitch upwards into an apparition of a smile. "I'll be interested to see what you come up with... Rina." Hers was a very nice name, one that seemed to fit her very well.
On the way towards the divine, for that's where she decided to go now as the wolfess seemed to be passing her tests. There seemed to be no ill-will buzzing around in her mind and her body language seemed to betray no evil intentions. Perhaps she could let the wolf see the chrysali... then she would gauge any reaction. Regardless, it would still take a little while to get there and to make the journey faster the lioness decided to cut through a more swampy area. "Mind your steps. It can get treacherous here." More than once she'd seen a deer get caught in the bog and be unable o free itself. The golden cat lifted her head up to make sure that the deer in her mouth wouldn't drag and then she carefully made her way across with light and slow steps to make sure that the wolf could easily follow in her pawsteps. They should be able to go across easily with not more than dirtied paws.
Things seem to be going well so far right now, although she catches the look of mourning on the lioness when she asked when Rina runs out of new things. She... Honestly doesn't know quite yet on one hand she has an intelligent way of thinking that could lead to some creative ideas to some new passions, while adventure is a passion of hers the reason it is a passion is due to the freedom involved. "For now I am sadly unaware, but I believe I can decide on something in time..." Really as of right now it's like she has something like a writer's block of some new ideas, then when she does have a new idea later on she quips at herself on wondering why she didn't think of that sooner. While she herself is intrigued in her spells such as her new one she doesn't have many of her own as she really is more of a thinker & her spells were really just better improved due to her crafty thinking in spite of not really being a Mage.
She does see that smile and is glad that she is making some progress, her own corners of lips upturning to show a soft smile as well, whilst nodding at the lioness.
Their journey went on over to where the areas that had some of the last seen rather foul water, listening in to the words of this lioness to be wary to where she must tread on this area fairly carefully. "Will do so." While she will hate to wait it out, but recklessness in this part whilst there is someone with her really isn't all that logical and so not really the best of ideas. She does admit she is curious to where they are going, then again that could be an adventure of its own really so she follows along this path with a clear mind to ensure she doesn't slip as advised.
The wolfess was proving to be pleasant company. Polite, answering questions as they were presented but presenting few of her own new ideas. No matter, she would fall silent for now and let the journey be one in silence. The lioness said --er, thought-- nothing more as they made their way through the swampy land. Her paws fell easily with practice, going only in spots where she knew she wouldn't be sucked down into the bog and hopefully the she-wolf would be following in her pawprints. Soon enough they made it out of the more treacherous land and something less dangerous as they neared her tree. It might be obvious that they were getting somewhere that was familiar as the cat's pace began to pick up and her tail began to flick with anticipation, all subconscious cues that she was hardly aware of.
Finally the great tree branched out before them, a behemoth in the land of perpetual fog. Through the mists she could just make out the faint glimmering of her stones. The gems that she'd found and breathed life into, the ones that she had given a second chance at life, the ones she would be teaching about the evils of the caves so they could --hopefully-- thrive rather than perish again.
A couple of feet away she paused and without saying anything at all, raised her tail to signify that this was their stopping point. Easily, in the way that cats could, she leaped and landed on the massive tree root alongside her growing children. There she deposited the carcass, draping it across the root as she turned back to the wolf. The mind-link was dropped just as the carcass was as she said, "My den." She used the term "den" loosely as it was more of an open space... though she did sometimes rest beneath the tree in the hollow that the massive roots made. It was nothing like her old place in Pisces but she could live there no longer.
She wondered if the wolf would have any questions, she doubted it. She'd been silent so far so why should now be any different? The lioness made her way over to the largest stone, the yellow one and lay across it. Her blue eyes stared downwards at the wolf as she crossed her forelegs and twitched her, looking for all the world like some sort of Pasha of the Divine.
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words| 405 tagged| @Rinaotei ooc| Sorry that took so long x.x I had to take a break to get some muse back for this thread. muse| 7/10
"Talking looks like this!" Thinking looks like this...
~Briar's Account~
Please tag me in posts.
Always wears blue flowers in front of her ears. Wears a necklace with an aquamarine shard baubled as the pendant.
Rina would be glad that she is of nice company. Although yes, she is naturally polite, she might've thrown a few snarky remarks but with this lioness she does get the impression that being sarcastic isn't really the best of ideas honestly and since there is a connection in minds, even if she can push some thoughts behind the snarky remarks are a different story so she'll just shut up about them for now she may think some when she the connection is gone. Appreciating the silence, though her eyes analyse the coordination’s of where the feline is treading on to ensure that she doesn't get sucked away which is working right now for this fleet paw wolf. When they reached onto dry land that seems a little more loamy Rina took note of the lioness' subtle change on body language with her speeding up a bit and the sudden twitches in her tail, she is a tad bit curious on how it seems that the lioness seems to be a little bit excited. Rina proceeds to follow suit in speed, feeling a bit glad as the slow pace was a bit bothersome for her, although she'll still keep distance as to not want to make the lioness think that then she's up to no good when it isn't the case, that and... She'd... Rather not be accidently be whipped in the face by the lioness' tail for being foolishly too close.
She sees the lioness' tail rise up and immediately she stops at a standstill to see that they have arrived at their destination, she was a little disappointed how they arrived too quickly she really wanted to see more of the new surroundings even if one of them was dangerous. Despite that disappointment was short lived when she saw the destination, a large tree in her sights now. She does have to admit, even with all her travels this tree was the biggest she has seen and it was pretty to look at as she looks up in fascination. The thing that also caught her eyes is the shine coming from the tree what is that? When trying to figure what in the world that small light was Rina observes as the lioness leaps up and let’s go of the carcass while appearing to be safeguarding the unknown lights that were on the tree.
Curious, she walks on a bit closer to get a better view now that there was more space to come closer since the feline leaped up and now the fog has lifted a bit on the lights with a closer proximity. Now she sees it... They're gemstones... Now Rina sees why this one seems wary of threats, not that she had the right to talk about wariness about potential threats she was just more reserved about this factor. The lioness' statement of it is her own den makes it more certain that she's seems to be protecting these gems. In that case she'll wait to see if she's permitted to leap on this root herself, especially if this is her den and thus her territory, but she'll respond anyway, "I see... A fairly appealing den of choice from the looks of it as well." she responded it seems something like this is enough space with that many gems that'll soon come to be.
Her own blue eyes looked back at the lioness still unsure if she's allowed to come up herself, but she tilts her head and looks on with wonder in hopes that may look questioning on whether she's allowed to come up herself.
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words| 601 tagged| @Makyna ooc| Ah OK then I was wondering : D muse| 7/10
"Talking looks like this!" Thinking looks like this...
The lioness watched her companion intently, scanning for any change in body language in the wolf but there wasn't any. She was still standing there watching but she made no move to come closer though the lioness could tell that she was wanting to take a step closer. Well, she'd trusted the wolf thus far and it hadn't backfired... so why shouldn't she trust her to get closer now? The lioness inclined her head and tilted it towards a spot on the root about a foot in front of her. There was room there and if the wolf wanted to come up, she was giving her permission.
"More or less... It is deep in the swamp, which is good. I can also hear and smell all around." Not so much "see" but that was true for everywhere in Cetus. One had to be good at scenting and listening... which was also good for her chrysali. Unless they knew they were here or they just happened to stumble upon them, her babies were safe.
Now she was curious, why had the wolf followed her this far? If she wasn't here for harm was she truly just curious? The lioness hoped so... she would hate to have to kill her. "Now, I am curious, Rina. Was your only reason for following me curiosity? Did you just want to see what I had to show you? Or are you seeking something more?" The golden cat did not know but hopefully she would find out.
The 'staring contest' the two are having was short lived when Rina sees the lioness tilt her head in a direction at a spot on the roots, signalling her permission to Rina that the lupine can join her. With that permission granted, Rinaotei starts by lifting her front paws up, as she carefully comes up the roots herself being careful to not be foolish clumsy and accidentally slip when there's delicate things that are up here. Even though the feline directed this spot for Rina, she quickly checks to see if there's any of the gems around this spot to ensure she doesn't sit or lie on top of them by mistake, she knows they may not be that fragile but she really doesn't want to do that anyway, it should be respectful and decent of her to avert doing that especially in another's territory. This brief inspection, she has, she is now certain that there's nothing she'll accidentally sit on and so she finally decides to sit down slowly. Being a bit closer to the lioness she properly sees her face now, although Rina isn't right up at her face or blatantly staring without reason either as that would just be disrespectful since she was up close now, Rina sees the gem the lioness has and Rina quickly saw that it was similar to hers in a way, similar colours, shape and it is indented in the same part of their body, Rina's was just a little higher up. It actually looks a bit like a... Dewdrop actually, a dewdrop that's shining from the reflecting light it certainly is quite a jewel though, she mulls in these thoughts a little even though she has stopped looking now.
"Yeah... A very insightful consideration on the matter. It certainly will help a lot of some of the vital things. It does seem to have lots of space as well, which is also fairly helpful.", Well, lots of Gembounds were good at these senses, and that includes the lioness too, and while yes Rina is very much aware about the babies now, she is no danger to them even if one had to perhaps feed on gems even though she is unsure if some do, who knows with some unique things she has encountered while adventuring, but if that was the case Rina still wouldn't do anything dangerous to them, she has too much honour & hidden empathy or she thinks is hidden to try anything horrible like that.
She relaxes a bit, but perks her ears a little and pays attention to the lioness when the question was asked. She is pretty certain that curiosity is all there is to it due to her adventurous side, but a part of herself was originally a bit curious as to why the lioness was a bit off-put in her appearance that had a temporary tension to it, a part of herself was wondering why she reacted like that even though that wonder has now been dissipated since if the lioness is protecting her young, she'll need to be on edge of others presence. At least that's what she thinks could be the reason, but if not she'll prefer not to pry the lioness had the right to privacy. "Yeah, curiosity was just about the only reason, perhaps it was just 'innocent curiosity' you could say? If that type of curiosity actually exists. There's really no ulterior motives to me for following you." She answers with full honesty without a tad bit of hesitation nor stuttering, just speaking with her normal voice as she explained herself. Let's see though, hopefully that explanation will be of satisfactory.
The lioness watched as the canine made her way up to the root that she indicated and sat down before her. She didn't say it aloud but her relaxed posture might be an indicator that she appreciated the respect that Rinaotei seemed to be trying to provide. "Helpful, yes, but it can also be a curse depending." The chrysali didn't give off smells, fortunately, but there were always adventurers who were likely to come and discover them. It was just up to her to be attentive and not leave them unattended for too long. It was a great thing that the gems could not be removed and were here until they hatched but still, you never knew what someone could do to them.
She listened while she lay atop her gem "seat" while the wolfess explained herself. "Innocent curiosity" she nearly laughed but she just gave a flick of her whiskers. "A thing exists but in this cave it is a rarity, I have found." Perhaps in the early days when they all were children but now with the maturation of most of the youth... it was rarer. "Though I appreciate your honesty. I believe you, you seem like you haven't yet let the cave's taint influence your soul." She would continue to give the wolf the benefit of the doubt. She seemed calm enough.
She just hoped that this nice soul wouldn't soon be taken.
Rina turns her head over to the side so she can see the horizon herself to see that, yup the mist that veils over this location of the cave is definitely clouding her vision quite a bit. Still in a way though, that sort of is how she explores the caves herself, blindly travelling but not completely in a blind manner as she will observe her surroundings, mean after all it'd be just illogical to just tread on and walk in... Say a pool of lava, that's just foolish and it's really more one relying on instincts a bit too much if she only does it that way. Rina then turns her head back to its original position when the lioness spoke up on how this root here does have a curse in a way, which is true in a way lots of things have their drawbacks so it isn't surprising really. Rina chooses to remain quiet though, instead she closes her eyes and nods her head twice intensely so the feline can easily see that Rina agrees with her.
Her observant eyes did see that twitch on the whiskers, Rina personally wasn't offended of course, she does admit that perhaps 'innocent' really wasn't the correct word to choose in describing her curiosity. "Yes I agree, I do believe the better term would be 'neutral', instead of 'innocent' really." Something like that, it's neutral since she can easily get it under control, if satiating the curiosity, she has will only get her in huge amounts of trouble. Still at least Rina has convinced this lioness that what she says is truth, although the part of the 'cave's taint' has somewhat garnered interest and confusion of Rina although this is inwardly, the emotion is under control so she doesn't show a trace of it outwardly that indicated she is feeling these things. She does have some slight cynicism as she really is not one to be a naive fool but Rina doesn't think that's what the lioness is getting at. She'll try her response though to what she thinks the lioness means "Yes, I do need to ensure I possess enough willpower to keep my emotions under restriction for whatever that could come to try and corrupt me." She believes that's what the lioness means, although Rina hasn't thrown her emotions away that would mean she has no control on them, she very much has them she just has such a tight grip on them which is displayed with the way she acts.
"Perhaps neutral is a better word, or just simply 'curiosity' without anything else added." It seemed more fitting. Curiosity alone was implied to be "neutral" all in itself but innocent curiosity was something she applied to babes. Even then, some of them could break the mold and have malevolent intent. You could never be too sure in this place.
The wolfess tried to assure her that she would keep her emotions under control but the silly girl didn't know that the cave already possessed them... It was only a matter of time before it showed itself. Still, the lioness didn't know if she should spill this news or if she should just let it go. What about both? "But what if it already has?" The lioness posed the question to her, watching intently for the she-wolf's reaction. Then, she blinked and seemed to lose all interest as she assured her, "Oh, ignore me... I'm just an old lioness who's seen too many troubles in her day. Seen too many good souls go bad or perish." She reached out to grab the half-eaten deer and began to work on finishing it off. It seemed as if she were done talking for a while unless the she-wolf had something she wanted to ask or to bring up.
Yes, perhaps just curiosity on its own is a better thing, Rina doesn't know why she felt the need to add another word in her description of her curiosity, perhaps it's just somewhat part of her own vocabulary even though she prefers to not speak too much. Well nonetheless that's really only the reason why she followed along, no ulterior motives whatsoever really so she thinks since she's already gotten her point across with that so she'll just stop.
The new question that the lioness asked really piqued her interest even more than before still showing her stoic look however, if it already has? Which one... The 'cave's taint'? If that's the one she meant, then... Perhaps really some things a Gembound have that are flaws, that are used in an excess can just ruin them... A fatal flaw, and she supposes her lust for freedom could count in a way if that's what she meant. But if the lioness meant her emotions? If that's the case then no, those have always been under control, not once in her cycles has she utterly lost her cool, her emotions have always been under control. But before she says a thing, the lioness decided that she has spoken enough in regards to this. Still... Sounds like this one has went through quite a bit of things which may explain some things, how this one is a loner 'now', refusal to take a name and generally seems more cynical than Rina is, could almost say nihilistic really. With some realization her brows soften slightly to express some form of understanding but it was just understanding in them, there's no pity in her expression while it is very tempting to pity her, Rina perhaps does inwardly but what use will this lioness have with pity?
Seeing how the lioness... Or 'Dewdrop' she inwardly has dubbed her as just Rina won't refer to her as that yet in words to her, is now continuing to finish her kill Rina stares out again where all this condensed cloud surrounds them in keeping watch, appreciating the calming silence.
![[Image: kysmaller_by_solaris_meadow-da6s5hx.png]](http://orig03.deviantart.net/18ec/f/2016/169/3/9/kysmaller_by_solaris_meadow-da6s5hx.png)
![[Image: ky%20copy.png~original]](http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr354/SungazingLioness/ky%20copy.png~original)
