Faelan skipped out of Tunnel I with his tail lashing excitedly and his golden gaze fixed on the quartz studded tower ahead. He'd longed to search every inch of it when he passed by it on his way to the Olympic competitions, but after meeting and spending time with Nassir, he'd worried he'd miss them altogether. So, the lion cub had promised himself he'd return after the events were over, and properly investigate the imposing structure. A grin covered his maw as he hopped closer and closer to the Tower. I'll finally get to see what's inside, he thought, his grin spreading until it crinkled his eyes as he scampered the last few tail lengths and rushed up to the first step.

Halting in front of the winding staircase, the young Gembound sniffed about curiously while his thoughts bounced back and forth between what was in front of him, and what he had left behind in Polaris. Not only had he seen a whole different landscape in the other room, he had also seen other Gembounds, and he had seen them perform spells. He'd been astounded and awed by all of the performances in the Magic competition, but more importantly, he'd learned something about himself while watching.
Not long after Faelan emerged from his chrysalis, he'd had been able to sense another Gembound that was nearby. Granted, she had been close enough for him to hear, but somehow, his mind had reached out, and he had been able to tell exactly where she was without seeing her. After seeing the magic competition, the lion cub was certain he had performed a spell, though he wasn't sure how.

Finding no new scents along the stairs, or around the base of the Tower, the tawny cub finally gave up and plopped down. The logistics of how to perform a spell were so ambiguous, but there was one thing he had found out during the competition. The stone on a Gembound was supposed to glow, so he assumed it had something to do with one's magic. After dropping his golden gaze to the deep blue, oval stone on his right forepaw, he narrowed his eyes and stared at it curiously.

@Septiezal

Septiezal slithered through the forest of crystals, clutching the limp body of a young Echoing Gray Rat tightly in his mouth. It was smaller than the one that attacked him in the tunnel near Canis' entrance, but it would still make for a pleasant meal, and he wouldn't have to hunt for a few days. He could not believe he managed to pick this rat off outside their nest and got away with it unscathed. The only reason he fled the kill site was to escape a few angry older rats who had caught scent of his deed. They chased him all the way to Orion, where Septiezal was sure he lost them. He continued to slither, searching for a perfect spot to swallow his kill. There, not to far away, he spotted Orion's mighty tower, rearing over him like a giant, crystalized serpent.

I want to big like that one day. the young python thought, his eyes scanning the structure, half hoping as if wishing upon a star would work in the Room of Stars. Yet, he knew this was silly notion, because that fantasy would never become relality.
If I was that big, no one would mess with me.

The tower seemed like a nice, secluded place to gulp down this rat, so Septiezal started towards it, scaling the steps as he ascended. After finally having deemed a step satisfactory, he placed the rat's body down and flicked his tongue over its ruffled fur. Septiezal frowned. He must have slithered for awhile, it was already starting to loose its warmth. He hated swallowing cold things. Maybe he could warm it up...

He touched his snout to the deathly chilled body of the rat. The center of his onyx birthed a bright, fire like glow that shone against the black like a flame with a lightless cavern. The hot glow seeped out under his scales as if lava flowed under his skin. Septiezal braced himself as his snout grew hotter, but the pain never peaked, for his flame had obeyed, returning the warmth to his once cold meal.


"Speech."
Thoughts...

@Faelan

As Faelan stared at his gemstone, he tried to remember how it felt when he cast his first spell. Despite the fact that he hadn't known exactly what was going on, he had sensed that something was different when he was following an unseen trail straight to another Gembound. It had been so sudden, and brief, though, that he could barely summon up the odd feelings. After a few moments of staring at his gem, and seeing no glow, and feeling no different, the lion cub gave up with a deep sigh. Whenever he looked up though, he noticed that there was an odd light shining in the air overhead. Slowly, he realized that it was brighter over his head, near the Tower.

After twisting his head about, Faelan spotted the light fading somewhere up the stairs, around the Tower. He'd never be able to see if he went under it. So, after leaping to his oversized paws, he raced around to the first step and then started up at a precarious dash. He had no idea he could fall, and was lucky enough to not come close enough to edge to get one. Instead, he reached a creature he actually recognized within a couple of moments, and was more than eager to meet him.

"Hey Septiezal! It's me, Faelan, from the Olympic competitions!" The honey hued cub said excitedly, his small, round ears straining forward to catch a reply. His exuberance wasn't hard to miss. Silhouetted against the adit to Tunnel I, the young Gembound was all gold, grinning and giddy. In his excitement though, he didn't even notice that the other Gembound had just cast a spell.

@Septiezal

The snake snapped his head at around at the mention of his name. What? Some one knew him? Someone he didn't know? He immediately caught the sight of a honey colored lion cub, looking happy, too happy. Septiezal eyed the cub with suspicion and tucked the rat's body underneath his coils, just in case he got any ideas of stealing his kill. He certainly didn't recognize him and he didn't recall meeting any lion cubs or seeing any in the crowd of spectators. Maybe his small size was hidden beneath the other Gembounds. Regardless of how this cub knew him, those big, adoring eyes and toothy grin made him want to regurgitate his own stomach acids.

The python flicked out his tongue. "Do I know you?" There was jab of irritation in his voice. He just wanted to eat this rat in peace like a normal snake, but this overly excited cub was keeping him from doing just that.

"Speech."
Thoughts...

@Faelan

Still new at socializing, Faelan completely missed the irritated tone of Septiezal's words. All he cared about, and focused on, was the snake's question. It didn't bother him at all that the other Gembound didn't remember him. The scaled creature hadn't been a part of the event that he announced for, the Obstacle Course, and he hadn't been a part of the event that was meant to impress the judges, the Magic Contest. It wasn't surprising in the least bit to the lion cub that while wrestling Mosi, Septiezal hadn't seen him. He had hung back, and hadn't actively cheered or done anything at all to make himself known. The contestants, and spectators, had been strangers, and he was only there to witness things since Baratheon kept a close eye on everyone.

"I was a judge, but I announced for a different event. I just sat by Baratheon for your match against Mosi," the honey hued youngster explained himself in a straightforward, no nonsense matter, despite the fact that he was still excited to meet Septiezal. The snake had put up a good fight against the canine, but had ultimately lost. Still, he'd admired every minute of resistance that the reptile put up, and was awed that he actually got the chance to talk to him like he had hoped for. Without waiting for the other Gembound to say something to his explanation, Faelan hurried to ask some of the questions that had suddenly come to mind.

"Can you use magic? Do you wish you could have fought back or used magic against Mosi? Were you hurt from the competition?"

@Septiezal

He cringed when he heard the cub state that he was there that the wrestling match. Septiezal had hoped to have slithered away far from that bitter memory. He had hoped to forget about Mosi. Yet here he was, letting his rat get cold and remembering that awful beast and how he beat him, all thanks to this lion cub. A soft hiss rose in his throat, both directed at this young Gembound and Mosi's stupid, grinning face.

But before he could take out his anger on the little lion cub, the Gembound began bombarding him with many questions. It took his mind off of how annoying this cat was and directed his pent up fury elsewhere.

"Nothing but my pride." he grumbled as he responded to the cub's last question. Septiezal lifted his head higher in malicious interest as he prepared to spill out his heart's desire. Somehow, this random Gembound was asking all the right questions.

"I would have given anything to squeeze the life out of that airheaded lunatic." He hissed, eyes glinting with buried anger. "He was lucky that was just a tussle, in a real fight, I would have scorched his dumb legs off so he would have to slide through the dirt like me!"

The python relaxed as he felt some of the steam leave his body. As irritable as this cub has been, he was actually somewhat greatful that he came along to ask him these questions. It felt good to finally say what he had been thinking for so long.

Septiezal flicked his tongue and sighed, laying his head down on a coil."And yeah, I can use magic, fire magic to be specific, why is that important you?"

"Speech."
Thoughts...

@Faelan

Faelan's golden eyes were wide with curiosity and wonder as the reptile lifted up his gem studded braincase, and then began his reply. The cub's short, rounded ears were pricked, straining even, to catch every word and tone associated with it. Septiezal's anger, and wounded pride, were completely new to the young Gembound, and yet, he still felt as if he understood how the other felt. It would hurt, and be...humiliating, to be able to use none of your strengths and to only be seen for your weaknesses. Nodding along to the other Gembound's last, aggravated words, he watched with only half his attention as his company finally relaxed.

Before he could come up with anymore questions, Septiezal confirmed that he could use magic, fire magic to be exact, and then asked why it was important to him. Faelan's eyes lit up with giddiness at the opportunity to explain his fascination with magic. "Well, he began excitedly, his tufted tail lashing from side to side as he continued, "I saw a lot of different kinds of magic at the Magicka Competition. In fact, it was the first time I'd ever seen so much magic used so often, and since I don't really know how to use my magic, or even what kind it is, I want to learn more about it! I saw some fire magic at the competition. What can you do?"

Faelan grinned at Septiezal, expecting the other Gembound to care about him or about showing off his magic. He hadn't met another creature that didn't seem at least somewhat interested in their magic, so he assumed the snake was no different. Plus, he couldn't help himself from wanting to know more, learn more, see more.

@Septiezal

The python sighed and looked at his rat. The heat was already fading from it again. Whatever, he'll just have to make it warm again. He waited impatiently for the cub to finish his great flood of word, thinking of ways to get this Gembound to leave without being rude or getting into a fight. So, he was curious about magic? Maybe he could use that.

If I show him how to use magic maybe he'll go away.

The cub asked to see what he could do. It wasn't often Gembounds took interest in his magic. Regardless of how this young Gembound kept getting under his scales, he decided to show him. Septiezal cleared his throat and picked up a nearby stick with his tail. "Okay, watch closely," He said, waving the stick in front of the lion cub's face. "I'm going to try to burn this stick, hopefully to ash, but I can't guarantee that." He gripped the stick tighter in his tail's coils and pulled it closer to himself. "You see, magic is not a slave... its more like a..." The python tapped the stick on his jaw as he pondered on what to compare magic too. "Well.. lets just say it has a mind of its own."

He held the stick out away from himself and the cub. Like it did before with the rat, the onyx on his head began to glow with the illumination of a flame. The heat spilled out into the scales around the stone, lighting them as well. Now that he had the spell, Septiezal directed towards his tail instead of his snout. His ember eyes stared satisfyingly at the stick as it began to blacken in the hot coils. Taking his attention off the charring stick, he turn to the young Gembound. "The secret," He told him. "Is to make friends with your magic, friends are more likely to do things for you than strangers." The python let the charred stick slide from his tail. It fell to the floor with a clatter that echoed through the halls.

"Speech."
Thoughts...

@Faelan

As Septiezal agreed to show him magic, and waved the stick in front of Faelan, he focused in to watch, unblinking, while the other male explained what he was going to do. The snake didn't seem to have an adamantine confidence about casting his spell, and he even went so far as to explain that magic had a mind of its own. How will I ever learn to control mine, then? The cub wondered silently, before his attention was snatched by the illumination of the onyx on the reptile's forehead. For a brief second, the Gemling could have sworn there was a flicker of something in the gemstone, but then the stick began to burn and blacken, and he was focused on the magic in front of him once more.

There were so many new questions filling Faelan's head, that he barely caught what Septiezal said before he tossed the charred stick away. The so called secret brought on another wave of inquiries, but he knew that he couldn't ask them all. Eventually, he'd grow tired, thirsty, or hungry, and as uncomfortable as all those things were, he couldn't go and let them happen. So, after a couple minutes of obvious brooding, his golden gaze fixed on the distant quartz studded ceiling, he flicked his eyes down and grinned at his new acquaintance.

"So you can heat up your own body to burn things?" It was far simpler, and shorter, than his last request for information had been. However, the snake couldn't know that it was for a reason. Faelan was remembering the burnt hair smell that had wafted over him, and the other judges of the Magicka Contest, while a feline had done her routine. At the time, he hadn't understood where the smell came from, or why she would want to do such a thing because it had NOT been impressive, but now he did. Before Septiezal could answer his first question, Faelan suddenly thought of, and blurted out, another. "Does it hurt?"

@Septiezal

Septiezal stared impatiently at Faelan as he watched him glance around the cavern. There were questions swirling in his big eyes, he could tell. Feeling irritation creep up his scales, the python thumped his tail on the ground rhythmically. He wondered if he could make a break for it while the cub was distracted. Something told him it was now or never.

He lifted his coils to reveal the young, echoing gray rat underneath and quickly scooped it up in his jaws. Without an explantation, he lurched away from the cub, with the intention to haul tail as far away from this place as he could. However, he was stopped prematurely in his tracks as Faelan blurted question the python found rather stupid. The cub did not ask him about how to use magic, but instead, just a "So you can heat things does it hurt?". Septiezal was beginning to get fed up with Faelan's questions. He hd places to go, rats to eat. Surely Faelan was old enough to understand that. He dropped the rat from his jaws as he gave a soft, hiss. He felt his stomach growl and it was at his moment Septiezal felt something inside him snapped.

He snapped his head back to the young Gembound, and slithered angrily towards him. "Of course it hurts!" He hissed violently. "Would it hurt if you had a fire inside your body? What kind of question is that?"

"Speech."
Thoughts...

@Faelan