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.
Back in Eridanus, I made my way to the pools situated adjacent and known to the gems as ‘The Eyes’. Mother’s Light was clamped firmly between my ‘jaws’, lighting my way as I kept semi-low during flight. It illuminated my face and head no doubt, and while not completely effective, it helped a little. When I drew near, I lowered and came to a graceful land just before the right pool. Taloned feet hopped through the damp bank and into the waters, but just up to where the feathers started on pillar like, electric yellow limbs.
Carefully, I placed the stone back in my pouch. I would use it as my light still, but I wasn’t sure I was alone, and I really didn’t want it stolen. Too paranoid to keep it out while my attention would only be half way on it, I tucked it away safely. To keep the pouch semi-dry, I moved the corresponding wing over the pack. I then lowered my head and beak into the water, submerging my head a few times, splashing water about and on myself. Water merely rolled off my feathers, though my head had spiked, or ‘poofed’ up. Satisfied that I was somewhat clean, I hopped back out of the water and onto the embankment. As I was moving along the sodden ground, talons caught upon something. It felt like a carcass, but small. A fish. I pulled my stone out of my pouch to observe it better, seeing it had somehow flopped out of the water and landed just on the bank, where it suffocated.
A small smirk spread upon my beak as I replaced my stone in my pack. One foot grasped upon the fish’s body, while the other kept me balanced. With a sharp beak, I began to feast, enjoying this free and effortless meal.
A yawn stretched the beasts muzzle as lazy paws carried her through the foliage. It had been awhile since the lights had turned off, but Arkrael couldn't find any annoyance about it. It's how she first remembered the caves. She had explored bravely through the tunnels in the darkness and it was no difference now. Well, outside of the fact she knew how to get places without having to see six feet in front of her. The smell of water drew her towards the Eyes, her desire to jump into the waters and wash her fur of the weeks worth of dried mud and other grime she may have collected in her travels.
Though, as the smell of blood quickly tickled her senses, elongated ears perked up into attention. She hummed to herself curiously as she slowed her pace, her paws now moving silently over moss and foliage alike. It wasn't long before she found herself at the bank of the Eyes and could just barely make out a blotch that was darker than the rest. She searched for a scent, curious to know if it was anyone she knew, but no familiarity was to be found within what she could smell. All she could tell was it was a wet bird. "Hello," Arkrael called out, all the while her gem flickered and hummed to life as she searched out the gembounds gem...that is if it was a gembound and not a lesser.
More company? Well, I wasn’t exactly opposed to it. As the creature approached, she called out, a simple greeting of ’hello’. Bone white skull raised, though my eyes could only catch the glisten of the beast’s gemstone. My own, situated at the top of my head, sent off an unpolished, mild glow. Must be the stranger’s magic. I had some of my own, but it was difficult in using it without harming another. So, I simply stood still, and offered my own greeting. ”Hello,”
My foot slid from the fish’s body, and my wings prepared for launch with a subtle raise. ”Name’s Ambrus.”
I cleared that out of the way, allowing for the introduction to slip from my beak easily.
I was wary. The scent from the opposing was canine, and by the sound of her, she was no pup but a few cycles old. Which only meant one thing - she was dangerous. Who could blame an old bird for wanting to save his own tail feathers if push comes to shove? I was confident in myself, but I also didn’t want to fall prey to foolishness. I kept my stone tucked away and hidden for now, the pouch of my strap and pack still hidden beneath the right wing. For now, I simply waited for her to respond or make whatever move she may - I was prepared for anything.
It was in these situations that Arkrael supposed having light within the caves again would have been nice. The bird answered her, thankfully without any hostility, and Arkrael hummed gently as she lowered herself to her haunches. "My calling is Arkrael. ARe you from around here?" She questioned curiously. She wasn't sure if she ever could remember a bird that smelled like him around these parts. She could just barely see the shifting in his body, wondered if he were about to move
It seemed Arkrael settled, then asked if I was from here. I gave a shake of my head, though I wasn't sure she'd see it. "I was born in Canis, but have since moved to Eridanus."
I confirmed, then relaxed a bit myself. Mocha wings tucked neatly to my sides, and my posture straightened a bit. "What of you?"
Velvety tones questioned, azure lenses searched the darkness about her stone to attempt and paint a silhouette of her. It wasn't all futile, but the darkness was all consuming. It made things difficult, but not impossible. Speaking of- "If I may ask, have you any idea as to why the light has vanished?"
It was odd it would be snuffed out so suddenly, and for so long. Maybe Arkrael knew, or maybe she didn't. Either way, I was thankful she wasn't hostile or otherwise. It'd be a shame to have to go back into solitude.
Arkrael listened with interest as the bird soon answered her inquiry. Intrigued to hear that this bird was from Canis Arkrael hummed thoughtfully before perking up upon Ambrus' question. "I was born here in Eridanus" Her pointed ears perked forward again twitching as she pondered over the birds next question.
A frown was quick to mar her features as she averted her gaze away from the bird and peered off into the dark abyss. That was a good question. "Maybe something happened to the generator," She mumbled thoughtfully tilting her head in thought. She had been there the day it was started up and first brought back the light of the caves. Of course now a hoard of golems guarded the place so it probably wasn't the safest place to be.
Arkrael countered with having been born here in Eridanus, and I could only nod in response, though I was certain the gesture was shadowed. She mentioned something having happened to the generator, and I tilted my head far to the side. The generator? What the hell is a generator? Stark yellow beak split open slightly in the confusion. ”What’s a generator? Did it create the light that was here in the caves?”
In this moment, I felt slightly relaxed. I was fairly certain if she intended to harm me or otherwise, she’d have done it by now. The tension which riddled each lithe muscle in my body soon loosened and I hopped forward a step or two. ”You’ll have to forgive me. I’ve spent most of my life here in Eridanus, in hiding. Solitude has dampened my intellect, it seems.”
But it is no one’s fault other than my own.
![[Image: arkrael_by_fennecfyre-d8wiihx.png]](http://orig07.deviantart.net/a55d/f/2015/159/2/e/arkrael_by_fennecfyre-d8wiihx.png)
