Serek widened his eyes. He had no idea, no idea at all where he had come from. He had never asked Mother and she had never told. He had never really thought about it. He just...existed. But he was someone before, someone with a gem, a green gem, who had died and become bones. So long ago that their body faded away and became the bones across Canis. He suddenly became very self conscious of the bones he stepped upon. He had often seen gems glittering and glinting among the masses, but he had never thought that he had been one of them.

He looked down as he processed this. He remembered the dog that had been confused, never seeing anyone like him before. It was because he wasn't like anyone. He was a freak, a stranger, an alien among the gems. Perhaps he didn't belong.

No, he belonged. He would prove it. He would fight and beat anyone that tried to question it. Upon this promise, he lifted his head and looked Mother in the eyes. "Thank you, Mother, for telling me and for giving me life." Although his young mind still did not quite comprehend the enormity of this, he was grateful all the same, grateful for his life.

Mother's speech was long and complex, despite her efforts to make it simple. He tried to understand, tried to grasp it, but when it failed, he simply committed it to memory. If he didn't understand it now, perhaps he would some time later. Perhaps the Children of Rot would give him the answers.

He leaned into Mother's nuzzle and gave her neck a soft lick. He would be strong for her. He would be brave for her. And for the Siblings, who she had brought to life.

He stepped back and raised his head proudly. "I understand, or, at least, I will understand. I promise, I'll never forget. I'll learn and discover. I'll make you proud, Mother."

He suddenly remembered something that he thought he should do. He bounded out of the bone pit and found a nice open spot. He had been practicing this for some time and he hoped that Mother would like it. He touched his nose to the ground as magic surged forward, powered by his emotions, and a large area of glowing fungus popped out through the bones. He looked at her, pride sparkling in his eyes. "I know that you like the glowing ones. If the darkness ever comes again, I hope these will make it bright enough to see."

With one last long look at Mother, hoping that she liked his little present, he turned and headed towards where Dragon was waiting for him. He didn't want to look back in case he changed his mind so he stalked ahead of the huge beast, his eyes trained on the exit to the bone room. He was finally leaving, finally beginning his life in the caves. But he wouldn't forget his family. Not ever.

*exit

"I'm screaming submission"
I don't know if I am dying or living

tags: @Dragon
notes:

Dragon waited for the pair to finish their exchange, and then he turned. He could hear the clicking of hooves behind him, and see the spreading wake of glowing fungus extending gradually around the hyena--the hyena who stood stock-still, a slight defiance in her stance. Dragon knew what that defiance hid: defeat. Grief. She was refusing to show it, but she mourned the departure of her child.

Faint, tingling at the back of his reptilian mind, he felt something somehow akin to... guilt? He watched her, for a moment, as Serek moved off ahead.

"It is not easy when they go, but I will look after him. He will be returned safely," Dragon declared. "The Children will look after their own. He is my family now, as well as yours." With that the alligator turned, beginning a slow, limping, dragging journey back to Cetus: gradual and laborious.

I hope that I am not lying to her. I hope that my own predictions are surer than hers, for I do not wish to fail them.

//exit Dragon

Giggle listened quietly, stern in expression to mask the emotion roiling beneath. So sudden. Too sudden. What if the Eyes find him? What if the darkness takes him? He may drown. Perhaps this, Dragon will eat him. Or he might fall, on the way back... Or...

"I'll make you proud, Mother." Giggle's head snapped up, her attention locking back on Serek, her gaze stern as she tilted her head in something like a nod.

"I know that you will, Serek," she answered somewhat gruffly, "And your words do your family justice." He had spoken well. And--

Her thoughts locked, frozen, as the bioluminescent mushrooms spread around him. As he gave her this last gift, this beautiful gift, one that cut to the core of who she was and exposed so clearly who he was: observant, empathetic, honorable, kind. All else aside, he would grow to be a fine son, one day.

She sat silent, still and calm, bowing her head once to Serek. "Thank you," she managed, voice kept even and calm. "Remain safe, and good luck. May the bones guide you always."

As the two moved off, the Hallowed Caller shadowed them, peering down with questioning thoughts--emotions that Giggle's mind translated into thoughts. She could see them--a blurred image, in her mind's eye--making their way from Canis, into the forbidding tunnel beyond.

Where are they going, Mother-Sister?

Away, Sister-Daughter, she responded tiredly, the idea of "somewhere other" making her meaning clear enough. Away.

________________

ROLL THE BONES

// exit Giggle