Sniffing around the tunnel, Black is fortunate enough to find one curious scent attached to a rock. It is sickly sweet with a metallic tang to it, but the scent has long since grown stale. It is merely an unfortunate result of some creature brushing against the rock. Still, the scent is unique enough that it may permeate the dog's brain and stay with him forever.

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Black sniffed over the spot on the rock, then dropped his head low, snuffling around on the ground. He was so absorbed in his task that he barely noticed the voice, and even when he did, spared it only a glance.

He kept searching--this was unique, maybe it was what he was looking for? Sickly-sweet and metallic, like rotting flowers and blood. Sniff, sniff.

He cast up and down the tunnel for the track, but could find nothing. The wind and ice had swept the scent away. Damn.

Abruptly, Black stopped, looking up to stare directly at the fennec fox.

"Searching. There was a thing that ran. I must find it. It must be brought to the Aquarian." He paused, tilting his head, pendulous ears dangling.
"Have you seen it? What are you?"

Black then glanced around. This fox reminded him vaguely of the white kitten. Since he couldn't find a scent trail, he ought to go and check on her, and make sure she was safe. But first--and here in this thought process, he looked back down at the fox--who was this?

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The fennec’s large, fluffy ears twitched in curiousity as the puppy spoke. Searching? Aquarian? She did not know what those things were but it sounded like the dog was on a quest! And it was so big, almost the size of Cancer, she had to crane her neck up to look at him. “I don’t know what’s Aquarian. But, I can help you search!” With a yip and clatter of paws and claws, Quix scrambled over a couple of rocks and sniffed hard. She picked up a sharp, metallic odour that was not very pleasant to her. It was also a relatively old scent, though not beyond redemption to track down should they pursue. She could tell that no one else was in their immediate vicinity though. The girl looked at the mastiff and wagged her tail. “Quix help you on quest! “ She then scrambled around his paws, darting around in excitement and anticipation. She was going on an adventure. “I’ll try to heal you, make you feel good!” she yipped, and looked at the dog’s belly, attempting to increase the good bacteria in his gut, so that he could have an easier time physically hunting this thing! It worked, and the dog would feel healthier and stronger, now and extending into the near future.

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Black perked up large ears, peering down at this thing that scrambled about him. He lifted one paw, then the other, almost dancing to get out of her way, then stopped and just let her run about.

The fox spoke of making him feel good, and immediately, he did; he recognized the bloom of magic and knew it to be linked to his sudden surge of health. That would most certainly be useful.

She was offering to help. She was helping. Briefly, he wondered why--and most other Gembound would have asked it. Why would such a perky, happy-go-lucky tiny thing suddenly appear, and fully commit to some unknown cause? But to Black, it did not matter. She would help, and that was enough for him. Still, he felt it wouldn't be right if he didn't warn her.

"There is danger. Its life may end. If it accepts this, it would be welcome on the Dog's quest. It may stand on my back. I am strong, and can carry it through the tunnel where the ice slips away." He paused, and then added, "What is its name?"

Without waiting, Black turned, heading for the entrance of tunnel M--the place of his birth. He glanced over his shoulder only once, to see if the little foxling would follow.

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((ooc - exiting black))

The fox giggled as Black spoke in a third person language. “Dog speaks funny” she quipped. “I like danger. Adventure! Name’s Quix! What’s your name?”She wagged her tail furiously and yipped and barked a couple more times. Fennecs were very noisy creatures, and extremely high in energy, and these characteristics suited the girl entirely. He seemed to be alright with her tagging along, and turned away. Immediately, she picked up her little feet and scampered after him, click-clacking against the floor with her teensy paws and claws. He looked back at her then and she smiled at him , then picked up her pace to be beside him. “What’s your name you big puppy?” She’d ask again as she left the tunnel with him

-Exit Quix-