(Open to all Hive members)

Cetus stunk as ever as Pallas trudged through ahead, keeping primarily to the roots as he tried to keep himself visible for the others. Zelk and Aquamarine would know the way- but Orlaith needn't know that they did. He'd instilled himself as the leader for the time being.

'We're getting close,' Pallas called to the others mentally. 'Lamia's brought their queen, and I have their second-in-command.' A few pounces here and there, some more wading through muck- he wished he could be

The nest was close enough to be visible, yet the den was hidden from this angle. "We are here," Pallas spoke loudly and abruptly as he halted, stretching up to scent the air. "Siblings, I bring visitors." His voice carried well as he raised it, making a point to be loud for Orlaith. Not like the others didn't already know he was here.

Backing aside, he allowed the others to pass into the small clearing. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll be back with Tethys and Dragon." He gave a nod before climbing into the tree he was perched on to leap from branch to branch.

'These guys think we're lorekeepers, givin' 'em secrets about the masters,' he warned the others as he moved. 'I told 'em that we took oaths to keep what we know a secret, so. Go off of that, probably.' Best to keep their story straight.

Glancing around, he projected a bit louder, feeling out for Lamia wordlessly. A question was proposed- one of location. It was time for them to meet once more.

@Sergei @Lamia @Tethys

The massive bear lifted his head, blinking dully at the words ringing through it. He shuffled to his feet, dropping the bone he'd been chewing to land in the mud, and then shook himself and yawned.

When Pallas arrived, he looked at least reasonably alert, and gave a slow nod. His brow wrinkled as he tried, ponderously, to adapt to the narrative Pallas was feeding them.

"You are here," he rumbled, very slowly, and paused; "to see our Lorekeeper." Sergei then fell silent--a second pause stretching on interminably as he could think of nothing else to say. Not that it was his place to, really.

He just hoped he'd gotten that bit right.

From the warmer tunnels that led to Fornax, Lamia emerged into the blessedly colder, murky waters of Cetus. Hopefully, Tethys was still following her as she veered away, heading in the direction of the nest. The waters didn't reach all the way over there, but she still had some tricks up her sleeve...or, uh, fins. She could go on land when she wanted to - provided she protected herself properly.

She led them to the corner of Cetus's swamp, closest to where the hive was waiting, and reached out for Pallas's thoughts, alerting him to their location. I will come on land for a time and lead Tethys to you. As her head emerged from the water, she swam towards the shore and grasped the slick, muddy earth, hauling herself out of the water, at the same time holding in what water she could, to be breathed later on in short intervals. "THIS WAY," she rasped to Tethys, as she began pulling herself across the muddy earth, to meet Pallas in the middle.

@Tethys

The demon was as he usually was, lurking in shade, mostly covered by darkness, as the guests appeared. He did not step out to meet them just yet - some were scared of his appearance and that was not the point of this meeting. He simply observed silently, hidden in the shadows.

Tethys pulled herself out of the water and into the uncomfortable mud, following Lamia into the meeting place. She had to do more work to move than she would in the water. Tethys just realized she hated mud. But, all of this was for a good cause of course. As she followed Lamia, she wondered what Dragon was like. What kind of creature was he? She did not know and all this questions raced through her head. But the seal kept her nerves about her, she had to set a noble example as a leader of a kingdom. Tetthys followed Lamia closely, waiting to get to the meeting area.

@Pallas

Pallas's nose twitched and he paused as he felt Lamia in return. Alright, they were close- He swiveled his head about, but he did give a cautious 'Be careful' towards her. He didn't know how long she could be out of the water.

He should hurry. His feet carried him to them, and he quickly dropped to the mud when they were in view. "Tethys!" He called loudly, ears shoved forward as his elongated body stretched. "You came, good." Of course, he didn't doubt that she would, but. Formalities. "Lamia- thank you." 'Please get some air- water.' Concern rippled from him as he glanced to her for the briefest moments, only to return to Tethys.

"Are you able to move well though this?" She didn't seem particularly equipped for the muddy land around here. He'd turned to lead her the other way in any case. "I'll go as slow as you need me to." With that, he hopped to the next root, then paused. "I haven't been able to find the Childrens' leader. He might be out- he doesn't stay in Cetus all the time." It was spoken casually, yet it was performed many times over in his head- it was for Tethys to accept the lie as it was instead of seeing through it.

If she followed, he'd lead her directly to the nest, into the waiting rest of the kingdom and the hive.

@Lamia

Unlike Tethys, Lamia didn't mind the mud - it was slick and easier to move across then stone, and the water seeped into her scales and kept the layer of mucus from drying out too much. It was cold -comfortably so - and she expanded less work pulling herself forward. I will be okay - I have stored water in my body with magic and there are many small pools with enough water. If I must, there is enough moisture in the air to pull together with a spell to breath.
She followed along with Tethys, taking short breaths of her water reserves when her lungs began screaming for oxygen as they approached the meeting place.

@Tethys

Tethys followed Lamia into the meeting place. Unlike her, she could easily breathe on land. She got comfortable, waiting for Pallas to bring whoever he needed for the meeting to start. Mud was not something she was used to. But this was for an alliance between Pallas' family and The Sea Kingdom. As she waited, she kept a close eye on her Kingdom members who were observing. She would be doing the talking, not her subordinates. She made that clear with a hard glance at each of them.

@Pallas

Lamia still gave him worry, but nothing could truly quench the anxiety he had within. Instead, he stepped slowly, glancing back to make sure everyone was doing okay behind him as they traversed the mud.

It wasn't far from the Hive. Pallas's head drew up as they got close, the various pelts of many creatures packed in the area visible to his eyes. Orlaith was still there, too- good. Well, of course she'd be there but-

Ah, that was besides the point. The linsang wove through the others and made to the front of Reji's portion of the tree, glancing back one last time to make sure that everyone was in one piece. He seemed satisfied with whatever answer he got. With that, he turned back and crawled through the entrance, intent on finding Reji. If only she had a chance to leave for a few minutes; she must be cooped up in there, confined to the den and really only its surroundings.

"Reji? Pallas spoke in a soft voice, one that was rather unusual for his typically rough tone. "The Sea Kingdom is here."

Giving her some time to wake up or respond, Pallas backed out of the den and turned to the guests. A welcoming smile had come on his face- it was time to fill the role as a host to this party.

@Game Master Dark

It was not Reji's voice that first spoke into the minds of the Hive, but Mother's.

"Thank you, my children. You have all done well." With these words came a flood of reassurance, of love, of gratitude, of approval and admiration. So clever, were these Gembound! So kind, so good, so loyal! How pleased was their Mother...

Reji pushed forth from the den, peering up, and offered a friendly expression toward the visitors. "Hello, hello! I'm sorry about the-..." Reji looked slowly around. "-the mud, and the swamp stink, but as you may know, we're in hiding. You must be Tethys?" she hazarded, offering the seal a polite, peering smile. She knew, of course, knew through the link, had been following their progress.

Her smile faltered, the glowing aqua eyes in her skull-like face blinking and dimming. "Your child-member, Aquamarine... she told me what happened to you. I'm very sorry. It sounds terrible, and-... Well, I asked you here because I think we share a common enemy. We have information-... Would you like to come inside, and we can talk?" Reji glanced around, as if afraid that outside the den, they might be overheard.

Mother's voice whispered in as Reji spoke, touching the minds of the Hive. "Do not let any of them leave, yet," she warned, and it was an imperative, a compulsion, as well as a plea.

@Lamia @Tethys