The lights were out. He didn't know for how long they had been out, only that when he'd woken from his latest nap, there was only darkness. It sounded like someone had royally messed up! So maybe it was time that he get back out there, in to the world, and fix what had been broken. Kimen didn't know how he could possibly do that (he couldn't even see three inches in front of his nose for crying out loud) but he was willing to try. Then again, if someone had gone and wrecked the generator or something, why was it his problem? Let them clean up their own mess! So yeah, the panda was a little bit topsy-turvy with his thoughts as he stumbled his way through the dark.

As he came upon Polaris though, everything came in to perspective.

Sure, the lights were out. But the fungi were still glowing ominously, and dotting the corridors. Beyond that, there seemed to be quite a commotion overhead. He strained to get to his hind-paws and tried to peek in to the central room from his vantage point over by Tunnel O, because he'd been sleeping for a while in Pisces and it had been the easiest route, even in the dark. The panda got a few glimpses of roaming energy (or something, he couldn't exactly tell what was moving about over there on the ceiling, just that it was bright and fast); then, hearing a series of booms that echoed off the rock face, he ducked and recoiled backwards as if he'd been struck down.

"What the heck was that!" The panda shouted at nobody, placing his good paw on his chest as if to contain his beating heart. What was going on?!

Eira had long since adjusted to the new, and strange state of Polaris, sure that the unfortunate state of affairs was the work of demons, and no less, one she thought that she'd vanquished long ago. Her small but sharp fangs were bared as she slunk between rocks and shallow pits, knowing that her white pelt would betray her and equally sure that the moment she was within view, the demons would lurch out in an effort to strike her down.

But she would never be struck down.

She was Eira, she was the elusive and the undying. She was no fool.

She'd fended for herself for so long now that time meant nothing. Although she didn't know it, she looked old, very old; not just in her bold, confident way she moved or the scars standing out against her snowy white pelt. Her age really showed in her world-weary mind; very nearly numb to the emotions of those around her. This emptiness showed in her single red eye as she wandered, her paws moving by themselves, her small ears listening, always listening, for a cry for help that never came.

Kimen was a distant memory now, but alas, a warm one.

He was such a hazy fog in her memory that she barely remembered the sound of his voice, the feel of his fur. He was more of a concept than anything, a feeling that she projected onto the citizens of the caves and the innocent youths that she desired to protect.

Without Kimen, Eira had spiralled; with no voice of reason, she fought and she fought and she fought. With no-one in the world to question her beliefs, they became an obsession and drove her almost to the brink of madness. In her heart of hearts, she thought that she was the Chosen One- the one barrier between the citizens of the cave and the demons of the dark. And with the lights out, she had risen again, hunting for the source, for the demons of the dark. And she would be successful in her mission, even if it killed her.

She barely thought of him anymore; when her thoughts drifted back, she would always push them away, refusing to show any signs of weakness.

Today, Eira was moving close by one of the exits of Polaris as she cautiously listened to the odd rumbling from the central area of the room, trying again to determine what manner of demon caused it, and where they were. She knew that she needed to put a stop to it. But then she heard a voice; one that was vaguely familiar, though she couldn't place a finger on who it belonged to. From the sound of it, it couldn't belong to a demon; she was sure it was merely a frightened civilian, one who needed her help. And so she pressed towards the sound, cautiously lingering in the shade beneath rocks or coiling around glowing crystals. Forks of magickal lightning glinted off of the crystal helm she wore, and she had to pause for a moment in confusion as the strange panda came into view.

She recognized them, but why?

She slid towards them, her body coiling like that of a serpent. as she pressed onwards towards the strange panda, there was an increasingly unerring feeling in the pit of her stomach. Demon, she said to herself, but kept walking. It has to be.

Finally, she stood towards the panda. She caught the rainbow glisten of the faint lights on their rainbow coloured gem. "Greetings, citizen," Eira greeted them, formally, and yet gruffly. Her eye combed over every aspect of their form. They didn't look like a demon. It was highly possible that they'd made her acquaintance before, briefly or in passing conversation. But it felt like something more. Something that was causing her fur to rise slightly,
and her throat to clench with frustration. "I am at your service. What aid may I provide you?"


---

"Speech looks like this."
"Thoughts looks like this."

tags: @Kimen
notes: here

The Big Sleep had thrown him for a loop. It was like something toxic had been introduced to his system, forcing him into a slumber; when he'd woken encased in a chrysalis it had been unnerving, to say the least. Now Kimen was up and about. Everything was dark, and something had gone horribly wrong in his absence - but he didn't know what the heck was happening, not really.

He was staring through the dark and visibly wincing every time he saw a flash of light, or heard a boom. Gradually though, the gemling adapted to the barrage of noises and was taking a few brave steps to close the distance. He didn't get far before a pale figure was suddenly right there, and he let out another grunt of surprise upon meeting the masked individual.

They seemed familiar - but Kimen was still not entirely present - so the fact this was his long lost Eira went right over his head. Kimen stared at them for a second before blurting, You can try not scaring me t'death, for one! Sheeeesh! A little more warning please? The creature was more luminous than himself in the dark, but he was still rankled by the fact he'd been caught by surprise.

Moving on. There's something wrong that way -- I'm gonna check it out.

The creature’s retort caused Eira to bare her teeth slightly, coiling back into a momentary battle stance as she prepared for the demon to unleash its deadly wrath- but the panda revealed themselves to be merely frightened, and Eira forced herself into a mask of serenity. "My apologies, citizen. It has been too long since the caves were safe.”

The otter bowed her head apologetically towards the panda, re-tracing the few steps forward that she’d strategically retreated in her momentary lapse of judgement. Still- their voice- so familiar in her long-buried heart, sent a shudder down her spine. The long creature gave a nod at their statement, which she took as a request. "Of course, citizen. I will accompany you."

Eira padded to the panda’s side, following their gaze out over Polaris. She paused for a while, considering their next step. "My apologies, citizen, but... what is your name? It feels as though we have met before, but I’m certain we have not," she murmured, voice low to avoid unwanted attention. "I am Eira. I walk the shadows, protecting these caves from those who would harm innocent civilians such as yourself."

The one-eyed otter’s gaze was piercing, an unspoken threat in her words. If the panda did happen to be a demon, she’d know.


---

"Speech looks like this."
"Thoughts looks like this."

tags: @Kimen
notes: here