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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.
Deep within the Chambers, tucked away within a cozy little nook, an achroite chrysalis lay snug and safe. Next to it, the yellow shards of an orthoclase chrysalis lay scattered, its sibling had long since wandered off. The archroite gemling certainly took its time, for after what felt like ages, the brown figure with its crystal walls began to stir. It shifted and shuddered as a crack spiderwebbed across its surface. It wasn't long now.
A pitiful mew broke the silence as a new life slithered over the bones, sleek and wet from amniotic fluid, he writhed like wriggly worm exposed from the soil. His mewling grew louder as new air filled his lungs. The gemling blinked his large, round yellow eyes. They widened at sight of his new surroundings. Even though it was the cracks and crevices Chambers, there was still so much for him to take in. He tried standing on his stumpy little legs, flapping is soaked wings for balance, but his large puppy paws tripped him up and he fell back on rump and rolled off into a pile of bones. Upon realizing he was pinned underneath a large femur (well, large for him) the gemling let out a series of sharp, staccato barks, though they sounded more like desperate squeaks.
Thank goodness for the delay in the birth of his children, given the… erm, circumstances immediately following. What, with getting pulverised by a golem in the swamps and all. Eythan's first priority — upon returning home — was to check and see if Aure had returned yet. Giggle had said the wyvern had not, which proved troubling, but he was assured that he was alright. The gryphon had forgotten about the tracking capabilities of fungal magic, yet again. Without much thought, Eythan had just gone and bathed himself. Clean and pristine — up to snuff, as they say — he had disappeared into Chambers, toward what he had given life to a cycle before.
On broad wings, he swooped high and low, side to side, weaving deftly between the jagged rock formations. Eythan kept his eyes and ears out, alert to the tell-tale shine of a neonate or any cries. So far, nothing. Perhaps they had not hatched, yet— oh! A cry, pitiful mewling, came through the dark reverie. He swerved low, tilting his wings as to not make his descent too hurried. Prepared to alight, the gryphon sniffed. The powerful scent of amniotic fluid and birth came to his nose, and he turned toward its source. A flapping, panicked little creature stuck beneath a femur. Oh, it was so small, yet he knew it was his. The face was stark white against the dark brown of the child's body, accented by a sharp black moustache. Tell-tale Vita lineage, right there.
Talons clicking against the floor, Eythan tucked his wings in and crouched low. "Hey, hey, there. It's okay, little dude," he crooned, reaching out with a curled fist. Hooking the equivalent of an index finger beneath the bone, he lifted it and turned it over so that it no longer was on top of the neonate. Caves, it was tiny, yet its paws were so big! Eythan's heart absolutely melted at the sight.
One of Eli's first memories was a large claw gently lifting a something heavy off his back, sharp, yellow eyes, much like his own, staring back at him. Eli could not yet understand words, but the stranger's voice sounded kind. He wagged his little, curled tail happily at this guardian and rose to his paws. "Wibble Woo!" He howled, trying to mimic Eythan's words. "O'tay! O'tay! Eli scampered up to him, purring as he affectionately rubbed his cheek on the griffon's foreleg. "Wooble wee, nay 'ere fee woo."
The tiny creature was undeniably a hybrid with mostly canine influences. That fluffy little tail wagged so hard that the neonate's rear was along for the ride. A pale white face peered up at Eythan, and he immediately noticed the beard and bright lammergeier eyes. As the pup began to brush up on his foreleg, the gryphon smiled: "you must be the other kid I gave life to, eh? You got a name for yourself, yet, or do I gotta give you one?" To explain, Eythan raised his free leg and pointed to himself: "my name is Eythan."
Eli cocked his head to side at the gryffon's words and blinked. He still had no idea what he was saying, but it seemed friendly. "My... name... Eythan!" He chirped, trying out these words on his own tongue. Eli giggled and dropped into a playful crouch.
Yay! Eythan was his friend now!
To show what good friends they were, Eli darted through his legs and started batting at his feet. Oh boy, this was fun!
After all these cycles, Canis had not changed one bit, well, all except for that big hole in its wall. Other than that, it was just how Aries left it. He took in a deep breath of bone room's dusty air, glad he had finally left Orion. Aries never thought the sight of so many dead creatures could be so welcoming.
I should have done this ages ago.
Aries had seen the gryphon dive into the Chambers a few moment ago. Perfect! He thought. He intended to surprise his friend. Today, Bonebound would have a new member. Aries trotted into the stony labyrinth, his leg feeling looser in cycles since his journey here.
Eythan's scent lingered in the air, distinct against the dusty tang of rock and bone. It lead the ram to him like a string. Aries couldn't stifle the big grin on his face when he saw the gryphon picking through some bones. Stones, its been so long! He felt his heart swell with nostalgia. Oh, how he missed Eythan.
Aries stopped behind the gryphon and cleared his throat, hoping that would get friend's attention. Then, he saw something move from under Eythan's legs, something small and furry, something with wings.
Alright, so, it was clear: this kid wasn't a genius out of the shell. This was fine, Eythan could deal with this--- ah, shit. He made to take a step forward just as the pup began to weave between his legs further and wage war against his toes. The jarring motion made him freeze stock-still, disturbing any sense of balance in order to not like, kick his son across the bone pit on accident. If he had guess, there were dumb little bird bones powering that hyperactive little body.
To make matters worse (or better?) here came a familiar face. Stirred by the clicking of hooves, about to curse out the Collector for bothering him, as out of character as it was, he twisted his head up and around. The gryphon's ears flickered forth, bright eyes meeting similar orange ones. "Holy fu--- ur! Aries? It's been ages, homes!"
Ever so carefully, he turned on the spot, timing each step so that the neonate wouldn't get stepped on or injured, somehow. Speaking of--- "this kid's Eli, I guess. He's my son?"
Way to sound confident.
Oh Caves, oh fuck, he was a true, blue father now wasn't he?!
Apr 12 2019, 01:55 AM (This post was last modified: Apr 12 2019, 01:58 AM by Aries.)
MAGICKA LEVEL 100% RESTORED TO 100%
The ram raised his brow. "Your son?" Aries peered down at the little gemling who was batting at Eythan's toes and chuckled. Wings. Beard. White and brown coat. Yep, he was definitely Eythan's. "Looks like he's a brave little fella, I bet he's going to be one hec of a fighter!" Aries stepped forward and lowered his head to little the one. "Hey there slugger," He greeted. "I'm Aries, nice to meet you."
Caves, it was so cute.
Aries lifted his head back up to Eythan. His smile relaxed as a the ram changed tones. "Eythan," He started, clearing his throat once more. "I've come to join the Bonebound." Aries dipped his head humbly, his golden eyes flicked up to meet the gryphon's. "If they'll accept daredevil sheep, that is." He a wry smile at mentioning the nickname Eythan gave him back when they met. Aries did not know if he could ever scale rocks like he used too, but he was loyal, brave, and longed for family.
Also, he was still pretty damn good at headbutting.
Eli glanced over and saw A HUGE SHEEP NOSE coming for him. At first he shied away, but then the nose's owner started talking. Eli's tongue happily lolled out and he waddled over to it and gave it a sniff and a curious lick. "FUGGER!!!" He squeaked proudly, trying to echo Aries's "slugger" but not quite getting it right.
Apr 19 2019, 12:32 PM (This post was last modified: Jun 05 2019, 10:18 PM by Eythan.)
MAGICKA LEVEL 100% RESTORED TO 100%
"My son," Eythan parroted, already exasperated. Man, parenting was hard and he had barely even started, yet. Aure had been nowhere near this bouncy and energetic as a neonate. Kid had barely been awake long enough to come up with a name for himself before he conked out for a day or two. All that food Vinea had spent hauling up to the cairn had just gone to the Giggle-children and gryphon present. Anyways— what was that that Eythan thought his son had said? "Woah, woah, woah, Eli. You can't say that, kiddo. That's an adult word, a big kid word, a—" the gryphon glanced to Aries, ears back; if he knew anything about his newborn son, it was that he repeated everything spoken to him without regard for anything.
Aries was already talking again anyways, hopefully over Eli so he'd stop saying Bad Words™. Not giving attention for that behavior seemed like a good idea. Eythan's ears drifted back forward, bright eyes glinting with a cocky smirk. "Well, I dunno, Mr. Daredevil. You'll have to live up to that name to get in the Bonebound," he chirped, laughing rather raucously.
