Akaari's vision once again faded, though this time it swam in and out with reality.

From the point of view of a single purple one-eyed fish--one of many in a shoal--she could see.

What she saw was... strange, to say the least. The same underwater structures as before, but with bizarre, alien creatures swimming to and fro among them. Many had toxic green eyes; some had hands, some claws. Some flashed with bioluminescence; some had fins, and tails, and gills. Some were almost humanoid; some monstrous.

They seemed to be going from one place to another, bustling about in the pitch black.

The vision faded.

Akaari is welcome to respond again this turn so that others may respond to her visions, should she choose to share them.

@Akaari

Just remember, darling, all the while. You belong to me.

~ You're a different kind of fun ~

Not so immersed this time, the faint outline of others intruding on the eerie image of a life below land; one moment a part of a shoal, joined as one and going somewhere together, the next her paws were spread on the ground, a metallic taste lingering in her mouth and unusual colours swimming in her vision before the darkness took over once more and the green was there. Always with the green, deep and penetrating and poisonous. Easier to distinguish between her and them here though, she wasn't there, only a bystander sitting behind the eyes of another, hands unable to reach the controls.

Oh where to start, where to start. She felt like a passenger in her own mind, the images muddled together and indistinguishable at points: was she a weird-fish heading somewhere, was she trapped in chains with the voice of another behind her, was she stood on the shores with a key in her hand and the fear of someone getting loose in her head, or was she none of those things? The chain. Yes the chain, so dark and broken and traitorous, that was first. "Not-me trapped by this, caught in the water, don't know who she was -" Didn't she? Was there not something said about her, was it about her? It could have been about anyone. "I think something spoke about her. 'Can't be allowed to escape. She's loyal to them' That's what they said!" But who's they? And loyal to what. The young cub was trying to stand as tall as she possibly could on her four paws, stretching her neck and trying to look as confident and leader-y as she felt.

She was on a precipice of uncertainty at the moment, how much did she tell them and how much did she keep to herself? She was eager to get it all out to get answers, but that didn't sound very smart, she still wanted to have more information than them. Oh, but she couldn't hold back.

"There was fish, these, these!" Pointing at the purple fish, that she still did not trust - perhaps not evil but they weren't nice either. They didn't help not-her, that's for sure. "They swam and swam and swam around me, no, I mean not-me. Don't like them, don't like them at all. Don't like them either Glaive-Cave." Shaking her head at the Spinosaurus, a little piece of advice. Then her head rose to look at everyone that had gathered in the cave again, from one to another to another as they all did their own thing. They reminded her of the things below the water. That image overlaid reality the more she looked at them, at one point she thought she might have seen one of their eyes flash green. Keep talking. Forget about that. Keep talking. "We'll start in Polaris." A repetition of what the strange aliens had said, not realising that there was an actual place in the cave, somewhere. Her mind was all over the place, how was she supposed to explain what she had seen to everyone when she could barely explain it to herself. "Key. It's a key. What's a key? What's a city too? Those something's wanted to lock away a city. I think they were crazy." She looked down at the stone then, with the carvings on it, those very same carvings that were on pillars in the water. The water? Was not-her in this very same water that surrounded them. Or was she in Polaris. Was she Polaris, was it her name? "In water. That's where black thing trapped not-me. And and that's where they threw the key. But was it the same water? And there was stone in the water, so much stone that went so high! Weird shapes on the stone, like on the key, and they were all around not-me. Everywhere. Just like the fish. And the green. So many green eyes. Not-me trapped in the middle of it. And and and -" Oh no, she didn't want to say it. She could still hear the voice repeating in her head, though unable to see the thing that said it. Would it come for her in the night? Was she safe? "And something spoke behind not-me. 'This one potent'." She didn't want to think about it, a shake of her head and closing her eyes tight, yet, that didn't help because in the darkness of her closed eyes the image reappeared like a memory. Her form caught in the chain, abandoned though not alone. "We must go to Polaris!" Whether that was a place or the thing she didn't care, but they had to go there. The cub didn't trust any of them though, however, she would be unable to carry both the chain and the key by herself - the fish could stay, she didn't like it - maybe if she kept her eyes on everyone it would be alright. They would listen to her, right? She was the one with the knowledge that beat them all therefore she was better. Yes, a nod of her own head in agreement with that thought. "My head hurts." So much energy was poured into trying to make her visions into words for the others to understand, the visions themselves had taken a toll on her, drawing on her energy so that she could see something that wasn't there.

Would they all come with her? She had tried to tell her story loudly so everyone could hear if they chose to. How would she keep an eye on everyone if they all came? Looking over to the edge of the water, where some others had gone also, she tried to imagine those weird things stood there and throwing the key but the image was too distorted, not clear enough. "Do you think not-me is down there?" Not asking anyone in particular but it did pain her to think that here she was surrounded by a bunch of strangers and she had the attention of some of them, and the not-her was surrounded by scary things. At least they had touched the same thing, Akaari's paw reaching out to press against the chain for a semblance of comfort, her heart reaching out to be with her, whoever she was.

"Know all that because I saw it, and heard it, by touching these things." An answer to a previous question, though she didn't exactly know how, just that sometimes she touched the things and then suddenly she was somewhere else. Was that the magic Archy had talked about? "It was so real."

Once the rambler had its fish, it rambled on even more! The things it could say, and at such a speed, were truly impressive. Apparently something called "not-me", who Kaimana assumed wasn't the rambler, because that was in the name, was caught in the water, and someone said this "not-me" wasn't allowed to escape, and was loyal to "them". Kaimana hoped the rambler would start introducing some names soon because this was getting real confusing real fast. Even for the rambler, it seemed!

Then it started talking about the fish and how they were there? Of course they were there?? Wait, no, that was for the "not-me", when the fish were alive. Kaimana was on the verge of zoning out, this sounded like too much for her brain to hold-- not enough capacity. Apparently the rambler had also concluded the fish were bad. That was mean! Kaimana hadn't tasted those fish, but she had tasted fish, and fish tasted good! "Fish good," Kaimana called to the rambler (Akaari) to try and emphasize this point.

They had to "start in Polaris". What? There was a key, a city, something locked in there? The rambler thought someone was crazy. Kaimana thought the rambler was crazy, but that might be offensive to say, to the cub would keep it to herself... for now. The story went on about this "not-me", about the fish, the green eyes, the weird shapes on tall stones like on the key-- this rambler was bouncing all over the place, and it kind of made the cub wonder if this story was fictitious? Something that could be made up by any cub to appease a crowd or a friend, like Glaive. Wait, was she trying to be friends with Glaive??

It was a strange attempt at friendship, honestly, but it kind of reminded Kaimana of Glaive. Talking at close to the speed out sound, lots of details, lots to show. If this rambler was like Glaive, then maybe the story was true. If that was the case, Kaimana supposed they should-- yup, there was the declaration again, go to Polaris!

The rambler said her head hurt, and Kaimana said "Mine too," in response, although it might not have been heard. It wondered if the not-me was "down there", as in beneath the ocean. Lots of things were beneath the ocean, so probably. Was that a bad thing? The rambler's tone made it look like a bad thing.

With the final assertion that what the rambler said was true, because she'd seen and heard it by... by touching the objects? What? Kaimana had never seen or heard such things, or any things actually, from touching an object. Honestly that felt like it would be annoying to have to do. Well, if that was just the case for the rambler, Kaimana supposed that she should follow the lead. Because it was the only lead the rambler had given. "To Polaris!" the jaguar called out into the crowd again, hoping to be heard this time. She, as well, did not know what or where that was, so she hoped Glaive, or anyone really, would know, and take them.

In comparison to pets, this experience was... not better. Not even close. But it could potentially be intriguing at least -- that is, if the rambler was right.

Electrum

"Yeah," he grumps, turning to watch Haven land before replying, "They're eating the fish. It seem they're also dreaming while awake, if what I can hear from the others is... right."

Haven's enthusiasm at the texture of the nearby Gembound has him snort in laughter, and he nudges at Haven with a short, "Hey, what if they don't like that?" before swinging his head to Daryl, and watching him leave.

I'd do the same if I wasn't so curious myself...

With that thought, he turns his attention back to the stone- and his ears are swiveling, catching the sounds and voices of others echoing around the cave. Some getting sick (gross), one other fluffy being yattering on and on about 'not-them' and other things...

Electrum stretches his head forward to the stone, sniffing at it and then pressing it against the soft underside of his chin, and running his catfish-like whiskers across it.

"Haven, Bihn, seems like there's an idea to go to Polaris nearby. Do we want to go with? I... think I can pick up the stone and bring it with us there..."

A pause.

"The one talking constantly is also very fluffy looking, do you want to see what they're doing?"

Part of Electrum wants to stay here, badly. The pounding surf and wet heat makes him feel... relaxed. and makes him curious to see if this water feels different than their hatch-cave. But, those are questions for another time.

Sergei listened, gripping his spear a little too tightly. For a ten-foot-tall bear-beast, he seemed made distinctly uncomfortable, but it was a social sort of anxiety rather than anything like mortal fear. Though that, too, lingered; thoughts of Mother's infection lurking unseen frightened him.

But he understood some of what was going on, despite his own lack of comprehension and Akaari's lack of clearer adult speech. They had to go to--Polaris? That much he grasped. The rest--a not-Akaari underwater, a key--he didn't really grasp but... Polaris was clear enough.

The Barbearian steadied himself, standing a bit more upright. He didn't really want to socialize with everyone, but if this was some sort of dangerous expedition... Something in him didn't want to leave them alone, and something else didn't want to be alone. So he grumbled, as he drew a little (but not much) closer. "I am Sergei. I come with you, to Polaris," he declared, each word loud and slow.

Binh watched the world through half-lidded eyes, still perched upon Haven's shoulder. On the outside he seemed to be dozing off, but inside he was chuckling. Watching everyone stumble about drunkenly was oddly funny. One odd-looking creature was even eating sand. Though, of course, seeing some of them panic did put a damper to his mood. One of the other gemlets-- a small, fluffy white thing with blue eyes-- talked a lot, but was also oddly intriguing. She'd touch her nose against the various items strewn about the shore, and then start rambling about... odd things. Was she magic? All the cobra knew to do with magic was little things with water, but she was doing not-water. How strange. He tried to turn his crystallized head and peer at her closer, but alas, it'll be awhile before he regained the strength to move. For now all he could do was listen and wait.

Several more minutes passed of passive observation before a particular word struck out to him. Polaris? What was a Polaris? It seemed to be a place, judging by the other's reactions, and one the magic-fluffy deemed important. There was something else she said about a city, and fish, and water filled with spires-- caves, was that all in Polaris? It must be a very crowded place indeed! Regardless, magic-fluffy and many of the other gembounds seemed determined to go there, including Electrum. Binh was interested too (though he would miss the hot, humid atmosphere), but it wasn't like he had much of a choice to object-- the dragons were his only source of transportation.

"Pollaariss seeems niiiice," he hissed. "Ifff fluffy-maagic wantss to go, I doo too." Binh didn't bother clarifying who this "fluffy-magic" person was, simply returning back to his regular position between Haven's shoulder's without another word. All he could do was hope the aviator was interested too, and that he won't nearly fall off again when she went flying again.

... exit Binh? It's not like he could leave independently lol

Effluvium drew back, surprised. Effluvium knew one word. Eat. Could process that short sentence. And Akaari had put No at the beginning of it. How dare Effluvium be denied! Effluvium dragged itself forward an inch, prepared to set off another tantrum, when Glaive blocked its line of sight.

It opened its jaws to let out a gargled noise of anger. And then Effluvium smelled the Bad Fish. It hissed, crouching, prepared to fight off the bad fish. Nothing happened. Nothing of note, at least. Akaari began shouting. And then, the rest of them agreed. And began to wander off. Effluvium tilted its head. It did not understand the exchange. But it could only assume that they realized the fish and chains were bad, and were going to finally find some real food. Effluvium's limbs curled in excitement, wagging like a particularly nasty dog, and it trudged off after the group of gembound.


"When I speak."

When I think.

;exit nugget

Haven turned to Electrum and pressed up against his side, shaking a little as her head swiveled, listening to all of the sounds and the information she was taking in all at once. All the noises made it difficult for her to "see", though...

"We can stay for a bit longer..." she said, "But not too long- my head's hurting."

The wash of the sea was grinding against her delicate ears, making her head hurt. She turned and nipped Electrum gently to get him to follow, before making her way to the edge of the water, her tail dragging in the sand. She sniffed at the water and snorted as it washed up and over her nose, the vents on her neck opening to intake air, but only really served to make her cough and close them again. She placed a foot in the water and bobbed her head gently, curious but afraid of the depths below. She couldn't hear under the water, it was like a reflective wall, bouncing noise back up at her.

"Warm," she said, turning back to Electrum, "Come see!"

She swiveled to listen to Binh, filing his opinion away for later. They'd go to Polaris after this.

Electrum

He can feel his hatchmate shaking against him, and he doesn't like that - it nearly taints the room for him, seeing that the constant noise unnerved and hurt her.

As he watches Haven go and approach the water, he decides to take this neat stone with him- and attempts to lever it onto his back, and when that fails, he curls his tail to use as a sort of platform to drag it on - whether this works or not is up to the roll. It doesn't, he can't even budge the thing due to the sand, so he sulks off until he can try again, joining Haven at the shoreline.

Electrum copies her movements, cautiously dipping his head under the water and opening his dark eyes, the world beneath crystal clear- save an ominous flicker of shadows just out of direct sight. Might be a fish, or might be the behemoth creature who calls Fornax his home, and honestly since Electrum isn't aware of the latter he doesn't panic he just lifts his head up out of the water and blinks, flushing the water from his eyes.

"It is warm- feels nice, too. I might come back here at some point, when everything is quieter. You two can come with too, but I like this water much better than where we hatched. It doesn't hurt my skin."

@Haven

It seemed they had investigated all they could here, for now. It seemed many were set on Polaris; perhaps there was nothing more in Fornax for them to find.

This concludes Part 1 of Relics of a Forgotten Age. This quest is continued in the player-made thread Chains, Keys, and Fish, oh my! Characters may now exit this thread.

@Shengxiao @Daryl @Akaari @Glaive @Haven @Effluvium @Orarian @Electrum @Kaimana @Binh