The stag took another step forward, hoof gently clicking in the wet rock. The whole cave smelled of sea, of the strange and heady wet that came only after a vast storm.

Slender neck turned, the silvery eyes wandering over the waves. Pride watched how they glimmered in the bright light, how the water itself was ever-moving--so unlike the brooks and rivers he'd seen in the past. This was like the constant rustle of a forest canopy in a strong wind, or a living beast, breathing--always in motion, surging and receding. It never seemed to slow, or cease.

"There is something both unsettling about this--as if it might awaken at any moment--and soothing, with its rhythm," Pride said softly to the white lion at his side.

A pause, and then he turned to Mercurius. "Do you think they will come?" he asked.

Pride had done his best to spread the word that he and Mercurius would be travelling to tell stories throughout the cave--some of them interactive tales, others fanciful (something the lion, Pride felt, was far stronger at), others still mysterious. He wasn't sure how far that news had travelled, though he'd made sure to explain the vague route they'd be taking.

He'd never been to Fornax, and he'd told Mercurius as much; as it turned out, the lion had not, either. Together, they had made the journey here, clambering over ice and rock. The intention was now to spend some time here to tell stories and to rest, and to see the ocean of surging water for themselves, before heading back down into the rest of Origin to spread their tales.

@Mercurius

Pride had mentioned some cave unexplored by even him, by the name of Fornax. It was otherwise sometimes referred to as the Great Furnace, and he had rather expected an actual furnace. His mind already regaled him with ideas of a dragon forged from it, scales of wrought-iron and with fire in its belly. The thick, cloying warmth from the sea and its sauna, however, was still appreciated. Oddly enough, it smelled like worms here and the shores were soaked down to the bedrock.

Mercurius liked this cave anyways --- it was most certainly warmer than all of the others. Eridanus had nothing on this. Some innate instinct drove him to become drowsy and yearn to find a spot of light to lounge in. He had half the mind to listen to it, moonset eyes already dancing around the various rocks for the best one to sun himself on. Distantly, Pride spoke, causing him to whirl his head around so hard that a joint in his neck popped. Wincing, the old lion glanced to the tumultuous waves, "I wonder how it moves. Perhaps, it is stirred by something great in the depths. A fish with fins that would scrape the edges of the islands as it swam, an immense serpent which consumes its own tail in constant rhythm."

His ramblings quieted into soft mumbles, mostly to himself. As his companion spoke, Mercy perked up, alert, and turned to the deer again. "I think they will," he intoned with a soft smile on his face, bumping shoulders rather companionably with Pride.

@Pride

"Speech." Kallista had never been to Fornax. She'd heard vaguely of it, but had never gone to it herself. But she was wandering now, unsure of what to do or where to go, and she found herself in the cave filled with water. Immediately she tensed, but she didn't turn back. She could hear waterfalls and the roaring water. It was almost soothing, and it made her think of Pisces. So she stayed.

It wasn't long before she found a couple others. The sight made her eye narrow. A deer and a lion, it seemed. She couldn't tell if they would be friendly. The deer, probably. But she wasn't sure about the lion. So she sat away, at a distance, and watched them. She didn't know if they had seen her, didn't really care. She was content to stay here and watch what happened. Were they here for a reason? It seemed like they were. But for what?

Until she found out, she'd just sit here in silence and watch.

Gea shree'ed.

Oh, she loved Fornax. The heat threw up the absolute best Thermals, second only to the vicious winds in Monoceros.

The peregrine falcon spun, spreading her wings so that the tip of her longest flight feather trailed in the water. She finished her roll, tucking her wings before spreading them out so her stomach feathers skimmed the water.

Her eyes caught on two white animals - a deer and a lion. There was a cat, too, but it seemed to be staying far away. And her keen ears meant that she couldn't help but to overhear, and what she heard caught her attention.

"...an immense serpent which consumes its own tail in constant rhythm." And, her curiosity getting the better of her, she found herself perching beside the two.

"Excuse me," she asked, "I couldn't help but to overhear. The serpent - is that a story that is known throughout the caves? Or did you come up with it yourself?" The bird leaned in eagerly, her eyes wide and excited.

@Pride @Mercurius @Kallista

Speech. Thought.

A piece of ironcan only becomewhat the blacksmith saysit can become

Pride remained easygoing, content, his expression relaxing and warming further as the lion genially shoulder-bumped him. His tail flicked, and he lowered his head down to sniff at the rocks, overcome by friendly emotion and needing to distract himself by busying himself with the environment for a moment. Cheer was too much for him, sometimes; he wasn't a creature built to be terribly happy. He was a thing of logic, and still didn't quite know how to deal with this.

He stood silent for a time, enjoying the peace, the sound of rushing waves, and the cry of a bird somewhere far overhead. He mulled over, too, Mercurius's words. They always had the power to kindle his own imagination, to bring forth ideas and wondrous imagery that set his mind ablaze with ideas. He loved it. He adored the idea of a great serpent beneath, and the wording of its fins scraping the shores had him absently content.

It was only a few minutes later, at the voice nearby, that he turned. He appeared to be delighted at the presence of the falcon, and her question made him look even more warmly at Mercurius.

"He is an excellent storyteller--that is why we are here, actually; to offer our stories. But I think he can explain his serpent better than I can--I know nothing of it," he added, with amusement.

@Mercurius

Mercurius couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face as the shoulder-bumped deer distracted himself in the environment, lest he become too overcome with cheer. A soft chuckle escaped inky lips as a bird called overhead and seemed to appear at the duo's side. Farther away, a smaller cat with stripes and fiery eyes sat. With a gentle beckoning of his tail, he called toward it with a woofing sort of sound. "Come closer if you wish! I do not bite," he tossed his head toward Pride with a smirk, "my friend here most certainly cannot." Clearly, the pale beast was in a good mood, joking and beckoning softly.

Moonset eyes slipped over to the peregrine falcon, warm and bashful at the eager interest. "Ah, no, I am simply rambling and musing about things." A shy look was cast toward Pride at the praise, ears flickering back and damn near doing everything but blushing boyishly. "Although, I suppose it could become something of a legendary tale to describe this..." Mercy tossed his head up and down, his version of stroking his chin with thought, "great furnace and its inner workings."

But, alas, he was rambling again. "Pride, this was your idea, wasn't it? Perhaps..." he smiled toward the deer, "... you should do the introductions, and let these awaiting two know what your idea is." His moonlit gaze betrayed no ill will or malice; they simply showed amused kindness. After all, this was Pride's idea.

@Kallista @Gea

"Speech." Kallista stiffened as someone else came into view. A bird, who perched beside the other two before speaking. She was tense, ready to leave at a moments notice.

It was then that she noticed the lion had noticed her. Her eye narrowed as he beckoned her closer. She watched the others warily, ears perked to catch every word, before she slowly walked closer until she wasn't as far away. She wasn't too close either, but hopefully, it would be enough to satisfy him. She then listened. Pride - was that the deer? Her gaze flicked to him briefly. She was still tense, and it would take some time for her to relax, but the lion's gaze of kindness allowed her to at least stay.

@Gea @Pride @Mercurius

Pride--watching Mercurius--gave a slight and gentle laugh, then inclined his head and looked to Kallista.

"I am Pride. This is Mercurius, or Mercy. We are here to tell stories; that is all. We will not harm you." His gentle, musical tone--which could have been that of a husky female, or a feminine male--was reassuring. He could see that the cat was tense--and perhaps for good reason, given her old injuries.

"Perhaps you would like to listen, or take part? We can all share in creating a story of Fornax, perhaps, and its furnace." The offer was gentle, too, an offer and a welcome but by no means a demand.

@Mercurius

Mercurius nodded as he was introduced, moonlit gaze still moving along the shore for a patch of sunlight large enough for him to lounge in. Finally spotting a resting place, the aged old lion trotted over to it in one last burst of speed. Plopping down in the spot, he smiled softly. "I've not a bit of violence in me, friend," to that effect, he closed his eyes briefly to conjure up a small orb of light, "see? I only use plants and lights." And, sometimes, the nights, he thought, reminiscing over the corruptive darkness that still lay within his being. The little 'firefly' followed Mercy's gaze toward Kallista, dancing and beckoning softly before vanishing in a blink of light.

The scars marring the fiery-eyed little cat spoke more than words, as did the wary demeanor. A pang of sympathy rang true to Mercurius's heart, and he lowered his head and voice, speaking softly. "What's your name, friend?" Turning his great crown to the peregrine falcon, should she still be around, he asked, "and yours, too?"

@Kallista @Gea

The Falcon looked, first, at Pride, hopping towards him eagerly as he began to speak. Her eyes widened in excitement - story telling? Oh, fascinating! But then her attention was returned to the lion, so she hopped, again, to him.

The bird leaned in, head twitching from side to side, feathers ruffling. "That was an interesting musing, though!" she insisted, nodding as though to emphasize her words.

But then her attention was returned to the stag - this, Pride, - at the lion's words, and she stared at him unblinkingly. "Hello Pride, Mercurius!" she chimed, looking excitedly as Mercurius created a light, and then she added, looking addressing all three, "It's a pleasure to meet the three of you! I'm Gea!"

@Mercurius @Pride @Kallista

Speech. Thought.

A piece of ironcan only becomewhat the blacksmith saysit can become