Amazon was headed away, back towards Orion, Livius walking beside her. She wouldn't go straight through, though, she had a destination in mind. Canis, where the floor was covered with the bones of the dead. Last cycle she hadn't used the time that Pride had so generously gifted to her properly. She wouldn't be making that mistake again.

Every time they came back to Pisces to visit Tenzin, Amazon felt the worse for it. Pride was a noble creature, and he was important. If he was going to spend the rest of his life sick and weak just so a little lizard could stay healthy for one more cycle, then she didn't want it. There had to be something else, a better option. For her to be alive and for Pride to be at his normal strength.

It was still about exploring, yes, but not just sight seeing. She wanted the cure. The total cure. She would do anything to find it, anything so that she could properly see her daughter again. The moment that Tenzin's magic touched her and the darkness that had shrouded her vision had lifted, it was like she was born anew. But still, the cataracts blurred her eyesight enough to make her want better.

She wouldn't go back to the Seven, not until she'd found a cure or she was ready to die. No more trips to Pisces for her. She paused and looked back at the waterfall room, wondering if this was the last time she'd step foot in it. She very much hoped it was not.

@Livius

Livius pattered alongside Amazon, quiet, their quills flattened, their gaze mostly keeping on her, but occasionally flitting ahead. The thoughts and feelings spinning in their brain were mixed, the thing that they'd just seen stirring an uncomfortable mixture of relief and jealousy. Pride had given part of his life to Amazon, so that she could keep living. not only that, though... he'd done it before.

They felt like they should have known. Maybe they should have taken it upon themselves instead. They didn't want the consequences, though, the sickness that had promptly befallen pride repulsed, and scared them. But still, they felt it resulted in a deeper connection between the two other gems that they deserved. They'd rather Amazon know that Livius had been their savior than owing that gratitude to anyone else.

The result was a somewhat awkward silence. Livius didn't want Amazon to go off on her own, not again, and not now.

So they followed her, green body slinking along behind like an ashamed rat.

Occasionally, they looked like they wanted to say something, only to quickly swallow it.

As Amazon looked back at Pisces, her gaze fell from the great waterfall that flowed into the lagoon to the weasel that walked alongside her. They looked thoroughly miserable and ashamed, an emotion that definitely confused Amazon. She had no idea what it was that they were ashamed about and even more concerned about what there was to be miserable about. She, on the other claw, was more apprehensive then anything. That this would be her last cycle, that she wouldn't find any kind of cure in time.

She sighed and continued walking, waiting for Livius to say something, anything, but when they remained silent, she couldn't handle it anymore and stopped, turning around to face them. "What is it, Livius?" She asked, not unkindly. "I can almost hear your brain working."

@Livius

Livius tensed as Amazon's voice broke through their quiet contemplation. They looked towards her, quills lifting, a momentary, fleeting look of discomfort crossing their face. What could they say? Their heart beat just a little faster.

Livius opened their mouth for a moment, then let out a breath. They pattered forward to face her. "It doesn't matter," they said, softly, glancing away. They laid their quills flat against their back, so she wouldn't notice them quivering. "How are you feeling?"

They looked over her, closely, savouring the sight of her able to carry herself. The quiet, too, free of sobbing or gagging or the sound of the... hybrid. Envy remembered that they'd planned to take her around the caves, once, on their back... but when the time came, the weasel had been unable to find her again.

And now, perhaps, it was too late. Pride had given her part of himself, again, but how long would it last? Soon death would close its jaws again. Really, there was no stopping it. Pride was only delaying the inevitable, and Livius had put off the good times too late.

No matter what they did now, it would all be for nothing.

They'd missed their chance, and so had she.

Amazon searched Livius's face for a moment, concern etching across her features. She wanted very much to know what they were thinking, but she thought to keep her mouth closed for now. She didn't want to upset them any more then they were already. They weren't very good at hiding their emotions sometimes. That's something I'd miss about them...

How was she feeling? The obvious answer was, well, healthy. Sometimes she really took for granted exactly how good it felt to be healthy and not on the verge of death all the time. However, it wasn't so simple this time around. The first time Pride had taken her to see Tenzin, she had been filled with verve and had experienced a sort of rebirth for her desire to see everything and explore. Now, however, it was different. A sense of urgency and seriousness cloaked the meeting. She had come so close to death, so very close. She had tasted it on her tongue, she had been ready to meet her end. But she knew now that she wasn't ready. But she couldn't do this forever.

"I'm...better then I was before," she remarked. "But I guess I'm feeling...guilty. Like I'm a leech. I can't live without taking from others now. I don't like that." She glanced over Livius's shoulder, back towards where Tenzin had appeared and she closed her eyes. She almost continued, but stopped herself just in time before she finished. No way she was going to say something like that, not to Livius.

@Livius

Livius paused, thinking. And again, they were struck with the annoying feeling of not having any idea how to reply. They knew how she felt. They had done the same, and hated every second of it. Not exactly the same, of course... but they wouldn't have survived had others not made sacrifices of their own to keep the tiny weasel alive, so long ago. Even now, they couldn't hunt or eat by themselves, instead using magic to soak the life from other things. Even now, they wouldn't admit that they too, were a leech. And even now, they felt a distinct inability to address the obvious.

"Good," they said, after a momentary pause. At least, they supposed, it had worked. They continued, with a small huff of breath. "Don't say that." But even as they spoke, the weasel felt a lump growing in their throat, a cruel, sharp thought coming to the surface, and making their eyes water. It was the awful realization that they were only delaying the inevitable. That Pride was giving his life away for nothing; soon, none of it would matter.

Livius felt helplessness tighten in their chest, like a lasso tightening around their heart.

But... perhaps it wasn't the only way? Surely there were other places to turn? Tenzin wasn't the only ancient with magic beyond their comprehension. Livius felt, for the first time in a while, a flash of despair that they'd long kept suppressed. They'd tried, for a long time, to avoid getting involved. To keep the pain at bay for the sake of their appearance. But now... well... Amazon was here, beside them, and alive, and they didn't know what to think any more.

"Maybe there's another way. There are more ancients. Lots, lots more."

Amazon's eyes opened again and fixed themselves on Livius, a frown crawling across her face. "It's true, though. That's how it is. I appreciate what Pride's done for me to keep me alive, but I can't do it forever." She nodded in agreement, seeing the tears threatening the corners of Livius's eyes and felt her own throat choke up a little bit. She didn't want to leave them, or Luster, or Pride. This was her family and she wanted to keep living with them. But she couldn't, not like this, if every time she needed more time, one of them had to sacrifice their own time. It wasn't fair. Well, perhaps it was - it was the fairest deal, life for life, but it wasn't fair that it had to be like this at all.

"I know. There's a deer that many call their father, but he wanders too much. I don't know if I could catch up in time. There's the Three Kings, but Pride said that he doubted they would be able to help. The other one I know of is a robed creature in Canis who gives powerful magic to those who do favors for him. Perhaps I could strike a deal for something that will help, even if it's just hanging on longer." But, of course, she could only hope for anything better. She did not know if she could trust them - the rumors she heard had not been ones of a pleasant figure. But it was her next move. "That's where I'm going to go next."

@Livius
@Livius

"We could..." Livius trailed off, hesitating. They'd been about to disagree, but.... "...Take turns." The words offered a hint. The slightest hint, at what was bothering them so. They didn't want to be sick. They had it bad enough as it was, but... if Amazon stopped taking it from Pride, then... maybe, maybe the Seven could split the duty. Perhaps they could have the chance to be a good king. Perhaps next time they'd make a better choice...

"I..." The weasel hesitated. They knew where the deer had been last seen. But Dragon had said not to tell, to keep it a secret between kings. And from Rift's words, he had come across as being more sinister. Livius' quills prickled with suspicion, too, at the mention of the collector. A robed figure that asked mysterious favours...? They didn't much like the sound of him, but... part of them did wonder if they'd almost partook in one of his deals themselves. Pride and the wolf had approached them with a mysterious task that reeked of suspicion. There were many other elders, of course, but could that be him?

Perhaps it was jealousy, but they didn't think they wanted Amazon going near something like that. Still, it might be the only choice they had. "I'll go with you," they said eventually, and the certainty in their voice sent a shiver down their spine. "I can carry you. I said I would."

Amazon's eyes widened with horror when she realized what Livius was implying. At first, "take turns", she assumed that they meant just them and Pride...but the way they said it, the hidden hint in their voice, she realized that they meant the Kingdom, everyone in the seven, every month giving her a piece of them to keep her alive. She shivered and shook her head. That would mean Luster too...

"No. I couldn't do that. I don't want to live like that. I can't live like that. It's either die now or find a way to live normally." She looked away from Livius now, feeling a little guilty. Who was she talking to after all? They, who couldn't eat, had to absorb their health from the world around. Always sickly, always small and thin. But it wasn't the same as dying. Perhaps Amazon had just grown selfish these past cycles as the cancer caught up with her. As she realized more and more what she would lose.

She shook her head again. "Not this time." She wanted to accept, wanted this to be the journey they always wanted to take, but the rolling guilt and the fire in her stomach forced her words. "I don't want anyone with me right now. I don't know what he'll have me do...but I promise you. If it means staying with Luster, giving my daughter the life she deserves, I would do anything." And the intensity in the gaze that she locked Livius with said it all. There was nothing she wouldn't do. If there was a chance, even if she had to wade through a river of blood, she would do it.

And she kept it to herself that if the Collector asked her to kill someone...someone like Livius or Pride...she wouldn't be able to answer immediately.

@Livius

Livius felt their quills rise a little bit at the tone of the lizard's voice. They felt bitterness rise in their throat, a sudden anger tightening in their chest. So that was it, then? She'd rather die? They struggled, not knowing how to feel. They didn't want her to go. It was a feeling they had wrestled with for cycles. And yet, now, there was a way to keep it all going, and she'd rather throw it back in their face? She'd rather leave them to cry and mourn than just... taking the offer of extended life?

Their gut feeling told them to yell at her for being selfish, because how could she understand the pain that she'd cause by dying? She'd be dead. She wouldn't be there to hear the kingdom's mourning. In their opinion, her death would cause far more pain than keeping her alive would.

Choosing to die felt like a very personal affront.

And they'd offered.

And now she wanted to be alone, alone, and... doing anything for her daughter. But what about them? Their knowledge had extended her life. Their kingdom had kept her safe. They'd been a good friend, hadn't they? Was the stupid spiky dog the only thing she wanted in life? Did they really matter that little to her? Livius swallowed the lump in their throat. They opened their mouth, before closing it again. They narrowed watery eyes, before turning away.

Clearly, Livius meant nothing to her.

"If you really would do anything for Luster, then why won't you just do it? You can stay alive and do whatever you like, then. I gave you that chance, didn't I?"

They tried not to let the hurt show in their voice, but their tone was shrill, and wavering.