wake up from your reverie a light year from reality There was this sensation of swelling—a feeling that urged the pup to rub onto face to possibly rid of the unwelcome surge. Mind had awoken but form remained dead despite his demands to issue a recall. Darkness—not a surprising thing to view. Limbs stretched to relieve the aches they had, lungs going on to take another breath. Though this came as an immediate problem; liquid poured through and while doing so, brought the pup to panic. Oh no, did he put himself into the water of this room? A not so smart move on his part if that was the actual case. Body had took the chance to alert itself on the issue at hand here, flailing paws about until he realized something solid was surrounding him. This... everything was blurry. Subject of mind calmed itself, eyes blinking at a slow rate as he stared forward into whatever fortress this was. Muscles tensed up for the moment before putting pressure against the walls of this enclosure. That is when the sound of something breaking entered ears, finally having air fill his lungs. He lain still with less desire to do anything now. He was not sure if eyes were closed or holding onto their faulty ways, but he tried his best to scan area the best he could; resting for a few to recollect previous actions. Body seemed frozen after what came to be an hour. Even though nothing twitched in a notable way, breathing did carry its own noise as pipes were still filmed. He could not remain like this for such a while as much as he wished to; form would at least try to move. First, however, he wanted to see if sight could be recovered. Lids tried to pull away from each other but something appeared to have sealed them together. Unsure of what it was, discharge from earlier on had somehow hardened itself around eyes, likely from leaving them be after escaping. He let out a sigh as he ignored the problem and continued gaining a feel for this area's atmosphere again. It was not much of a big deal, mind was refreshed so, vision was not a main concern anymore. "Kyo Speaks"

wake up from your reverie a light year from reality Nose sniffled about the ground around him, dragging belly as he moved closer to any peculiar scents. He remembered there being water near; an abundance of water to be precise. There was a bit of a recollection of the path he took so, that would be where he would begin. Staggering over to the large body of water within this area, he stopped short of the edge to figure out whether self was prepared to retreat if the water stood deeper than expected. Honestly, there was not much to be afraid about the liquid as he had nothing better to give anyhow. Moving forward, once forelimbs were slightly submerged in water, he dropped onto belly as if legs gave out. Entirety felt as if it were in a daze, but soon he would likely shake himself out of it. Throwing out a whine hinted with growl, paw splashed liquid while he buried in thoughts to see all what he could do. There was no one he could really go to though he knew of those he could run into. It was difficult to think of next task, putting it aside and covering face with water. He would hold his breath and lie under it a few moments, gathering all he needed to put together and indirectly cleansing eyes. "Kyo Speaks"

Anyone is free to join now! @Ghanyarah

Every day, he was getting closer and closer to his dream.

It never used to be a dream. It used to be just a passing fancy. It had emerged first as a desire for companionship, and for a long time, had never grown past that. But then he had made a friend, finally, after so long of solitude and he had come to realize that it was more than what he'd ever wanted. He missed the ones he loved so deeply, though he never realized how deep this love had been, and he wanted them to remain with him. Lituus showed him that he could have that if he committed, if he promised to protect, if he dedicated himself to them instead of his own selfish whims. He'd lost the Children of Rot because of his selfishness and recklessness. He wouldn't do it again.

Cetus had long since been his home, but he was trying to keep an open mind, acknowledging that not everyone might enjoy the muddy and often wet human atmosphere of the swamp. But as of yet, he hadn't found a good place that would equate to home. Pisces had been another option, but it was still far too dry even with the lagoon and the waterfall; there were no trees, and he felt strange settling into the home of what had once been Maji Walezi. Other rooms didn't seem comfortable to him either. Orion had no water. Canis was too spooky. Monoceros was too windy. And the tunnels were hardly an option.

He recalled having discovered Fornax alongside a bunch of other Gembound a while ago, but he'd never had an opportunity to explore it. So that was where he was headed next, bringing Lituus to show her more of the caves. This water room would have been a paradise for Ghanyarah, had it not been so swelteringly hot.

Already he could feel it seeping in past his hide as they entered the room, cast entirely in shade - it was difficult to gauge anything without the ability to see, so he left that to Lituus to paint an image of the room with her echolocation. Hearing, though, and smelling, those were a different story - and just as quickly, Ghanyarah honed in on the sound of splashing water against an object ahead of them. He flicked his tongue and found a source of warmth, coming to assume that the object was a Gembound, but he couldn't tell how deep they were in the water. "Hello?" He asked, hoping to get a read on the stranger and decide whether or not they were hostile. He didn't want to be bringing Lituus into dangerous territory.

@Lituus

There couldn't be a doubt in anyone's mind that Ghanyarah's growing conviction had inspired the youthful bat. Her desire to assist her mentor in any way that she could left her feeling ineffective at worst- because of her size- but when she was able to do something. Oh, the pride that swelled within her breast. And this was one of those moments.

Since the glowing glass orbs that served as the cavern's main source of light- brings of 'night' and 'day'- had blown own, each cave was left in a perpetual state of shadow. Many could not see. But she could. Early on she had known of a skill innate to her being- the low, whispering clicks that made her species unmatched in their ability to navigate and hunt in total darkness. And here she sits, perched atop the tip of Ghanyarah's rounded snout. Tightly folded wings lift her chest up into the air, as high as she could as her nose pivots this way and that. Clicking. Clicking. Like a low hum. A soothing song that would vibrate into the ears of any creature with hearing at least half as sharp as hers. She'd learned Ghanyarah couldn't here the ultrasonic frequencies, but there were many who could. Felines. Canids. Predators.

Her curious clicking may have lured a stray hunter to the tree in Cetus one or two times, but so far she's been able to stay just out of reach. "It's hot." she speaks up. Little wings stretch out and hug either side of the reptile's nose, as if that would serve to help cool her down. "It's.. just empty. Big. Like, really big! And totally empty-- did I say that already?" The childish voice cuts through the humidity, though there wouldn't be much of an echo. "Ah! Ghanyarah. There's something moving!" the exclamation is softer, and she points her nose in the direction of whatever it was, shallowly lowering itself into the warm waters.

Taking Ghanyarah's cue, she calls out as well. "Hello? Helloooooo?" Her wings fold up again as she lets her thumbs idly cling to the scales peppering the sides of his snout. "Are you lost?" Of course they were lost. It was dark and no one could see. She wasn't lost, though. No. That means she can help, right? They could help! The dynamic duo.

@Kyorai @Ghanyarah

wake up from your reverie a light year from reality Bubbles popped along the surface of the water as he slowly released his breath. Something was working here since he felt lids weaken in their tight hold. Bringing his head deeper and tilting it to the point it touched the soft ground below, he rubbed face into it to make sure all the glue like substance was off of his eye lids. There was uncertainty in whether this would improve something or not, but self remained hopeful that a matter would arise from it in whatever way it may enter. Frantic movements ceased after a minute flew by, carefully lifting up his skull from what submerged it. Weirdly, form felt a whole lot better than before; likely from getting rid of all the gunk in which covered it. Sitting up and stretching out neck, a sigh found it's way out, quietly enjoying the smell this water gave off. However, the sounds of others made him snap his neck over shoulders and give off a sense of worry. Ears propped and twitched to see if anything else could be drawn out from the strangers. Nothing seemed to give but before calling off his worry, another question came around in inquiring whether he was lost. Mm, the pup would not say he was truly lost; more so, clueless on what to consider next. Nose sniffed the air in trying to identify what they might be, but his own wetted scent overruled any other scents here. Finally he turned his body to the direction they supposedly were, squinting in the direction. Perhaps a little strain could help? After giving his eyes a bit of pressure, he blinked countless times to rid away the liquid within his eyes. It seemed the action was working somehow, seeing a figure fade into his vision. "Ah?" He could not tell what exactly they were, but they surely reminded him of his snake friend by looks of their shape. However, limbs were apparent on them, having him wallow in confusion. Well, they certainly were not a snake. Getting onto all fours and walking out from the water, he shook his coat, surprised a bit when he felt something from his cheek hit him. Weird. Moving a few inches closer to the figure, brow rose when he gradually saw the other little figure on them. Kyorai hummed, tongue licking lips as he worn a sly smile. "You two look quite strange. Are you lost? Haven't seen anything like you guys here." He questioned with a tilted head, tempted to give the bigger stranger a pat to see whether they had attention on him. "Kyo Speaks"

@Ghanyarah @Lituus

The bat almost immediately started to relay her observations to him. It was hot, but Ghanyarah already knew that. He could feel the humidity sinking in beneath his skin. And it was empty, she said, as was expected of the vast watery room - he recalled the first and last time he had seen it when the lights were still on, and the room was covered in an ocean of glimmering, warm water, dotted with mounds of stone that formed random islands decorated with leafy vegetation, much like tropical beaches. And it was big too, according to the bat, but Ghanyarah knew that too. Until she had mentioned there was something and it was moving, aligning with Ghanyarah's detection of body heat. Something was alive here.

She called out, asking if the creature was lost. Ghanyarah held his tongue, listening and hoping the answer would be anything besides hostility. His long tail twitched behind him, he couldn't help the restlessness of his muscles in waiting, before the voice lifted up ahead of them.

It was boyish, and explaining that he hadn't seen anything like them before. So far so good. There was no sign of aggression in his words, merely curiosity. "How can you see?" Ghanyarah asked suddenly, realizing that the creature must have been able to make out their details in the darkness and pathetically swung his head left and right. "I cannot see anything." He lamented.

No, they weren't lost. But Ghanyarah was far too distracted and baffled by the creature's ability to see to explain what they were doing here.

@Lituus

He could see. Truly? How curious! "Yeah, many others have a hard time seeing in all... this!" A hooked thumb waves idly in the air, gesturing to the darkness around them. "I can't see either, but I have this-" a short clicking follows, lower in pitch than a typical bat call. "You really can't hear that, Ghanyarah?" she laughs, peering over her shoulder toward where she suspected Ghanyarah's eyeball was. "He's not far away. Maybe.. ah.. three tail shakes.. ahead and to the... ahh.. right." How sure of herself she sounded. More clicking followed. The canine would certainly be able to hear it!

The signals painted a better picture of the room in her head. Still empty and big, but filled with an incomprehensible amount of water. "You think there's more water in here than back home?" the questions easily flows from her mouth- the first thing off the top of her head, apparently.

@Kyorai @Ghanyarah

wake up from your reverie a light year from reality Brows furrowed when hearing about others inability to see throughout the cave at this time. This brought an understanding of how sight might have worked, remembering clearness when heading through Pisces entrance into tunnel. He was not sure whether being capable in perceiving through darkness was a good or bad thing on his part, but he would label it appropriate for this darkness surrounding. "My eyes are just weird. I usually can't see nothing." He admitted, checking out paw and watching it flex. The pup had let out a small hum, large ears pricking forward at the placement of a name. Mm, it seemed the larger figure's name was Ghanyarah. Slightly foreign for tongue's taste but at least he had pronunciation in mind. Body leaned closer and sniffed about the large reptile, smelling more of their face than anything to try and secure the small creature's scent. Hearing them directing the other, he purposely went around to the other side, giving one tap on the lizard to tell where he stood now. Throat was holding back a chuckle, not wanting to seem bad for playing around them. Ear twitched along with this clicking sound he just began to notice; it had not bothered him much, but audits told against it. "Why... why the sound?" He questioned, but went on in ignoring his ear's flailing. Maw opened to respond to what was being said about this place. There was a lot of water here, thoughts would think this room would dominate any other that held liquid. "There's a lot of water in here. It's... it's like an... um... ocean!" He gave something to compare it to, unsure actually if an ocean would be the right body of water to put it against. Narrowing eyes and throwing attention to some parts of the water in which held a small gleam, it seemed parts of it expanded from what he could recall. "Though there is a lot less land since the last time I've seen it." He told, scanning about the area to understand its exterior once more. Without any warning, the pup waltzed back in front of Ghanyarah, placing his rump on the ground and having sight directly at them. They had come from their home to here apparently, wondering what they crawled about here for. "Are you searching for something?" He asked, giving the lizard another touch to ensure he knew where he sat at. "Kyo Speaks"

@Ghanyarah @Lituus

The other creature explained that their eyes were weird and usually they couldn't see anything. So how was it now that they could see? Especially in this darkness? Lituus demonstrated her echolocating abilities with a sound that still hadn't registered to Ghanyarah's awareness. She paused in her speech, and then seconds later asked if he still couldn't hear it, to which the reptile flicked his tongue. "I cannot." He confirmed, looking side to side as if the answer would lie somewhere in the darkness. The other Gembound, however, could hear it. He almost felt jealous. But he was constantly accompanied by Lituus and the sound of her voice, and he supposed that if she was constantly making noise, it might distract him from his other endeavors. So maybe it just worked out well that way.

She explained that the creature was just ahead of them, if only slightly to the side. Ghanyarah turned his head to the right, but still couldn't see much beyond a vague shadow darker than the darkness that surrounded them. He moved around them and Ghanyarah couldn't help but twist his head, following the sound, twitching his tail with every physical contact he made as though to let Ghanyarah know where he was. He appreciated that. But he was still wary about being circled by something he couldn't see.

Finally, they both mused over the amount of water in the room. Ghanyarah nodded slightly. "There is far more water here than in Cetus. I have seen it before." He answered, and turned to the canine. "An ocean..." Ghanyarah repeated. The term seemed strangely familiar to him, though he wasn't sure he had ever heard it. It sounded... comforting. He wasn't sure what the other meant by less land. Had the room been flooding?

"We are examining every room for a prospective home. We currently live in Cetus, however are considering all our options before we choose to settle." Ghanyarah explained. "There is a following we have gathered and we need to select the most beneficial location to call our permanent home. But as it stands, I fear there may just be too much water here." He frowned. Too much water wasn't an issue for Ghanyarah, but it might be for anyone else. And he could imagine there was less food here for Lituus.

@Lituus

The bat's ears twitch and follow every slight movement the other creature makes. What a queer thing he was, to suddenly be able to see in the dark when they typically could not. Even she could not think of a sensible explanation for it. Alas... Ghanyarah's snout moves to point at the furred beast, and as the reptile sways his head, the small girl lets out a soft giggle. Being swayed back and forth made her cling more readily to his nose, but it was fun. She could almost equate is to a soothing, rocking motion. Ah. Twas the little things.

If she held any concern for the other being at all, it had certainly faded by then. Memories she couldn't remember experiencing wormed into her mind at the sound of 'ocean'. The dreams she had swam through before Ghanyarah cracked her chrysalis to help her emerge into the world-- they were vivid and sublime. It showed her things -- taught her things-- that she knows she hasn't experienced. Not yet. That she knew what an ocean was without ever seeing an ocean. Feeling an ocean. Tasting an ocean. Somehow, she just knew. A large body of water.

Ghanyarah explains their purpose for being there- in the humid room with the sea of water- and his words continue to make her to chirp, "Yeah. Too warm and too... too wet! Where else could we go, huh?" In truth, she hadn't experienced much of the cavern system. At least, not the extent of it. She knows Cetus is called Cetus, but she did not know it as well as Ghanyarah did. "What is this place called?"

@Kyorai