Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Broad paws carried the lion through the tunnel that branched off at the western end of Orion. There was a chill in air and it wasn’t just physically, something eerie could be felt about the place. However this feeling did not stop the lion merely only serving to make him more curious. The floor of the tunnel was damp as were the walls. Water dripped from the ceiling making soft drip, drip, drip sounds as he passed. There were soft splashes that were barely audible with each step the lion took as he walked down the tunnel.

He had heard rumors of a creature in a place far down a western tunnel that branched off of Orion. It was a place he had never been before, but had heard in passing as he walked the streets of Orion. The creature would give you things for a price. Today Aristotle had come seeking an item himself. An item to make their life much easier when they went looking for things in different areas.

After a bit the lion stepped out into a room that wasn’t as large as the others he had been in. And this one’s roof was curved so that it came down into the room. A strange feeling crept up on the lion as he wandered deeper into the main chamber. Brilliant baby blue eyes scanned the area around him wearily, as he moved he was met with piles of bones strewn about in a seemingly random way. After walking for about twenty minutes the lion stopped near one of the larger skeletons.

The lion swallowed nervously, this had been the first time he had ever actually felt fear. It wasn’t a welcome feeling at all. But to be in a room filled with the dead, was just an eerie feeling. He knew he had to call for the creature, but for a moment his voice would not come, and with that he swallowed again and took a deep breath. Collector! I Aristotle have come seeking you for a favor! The young lion called out he was beginning to feel a bit calmer about the room though that cold eerie feeling still hung in the air.

The Gembound had been incessant as of late. The Collector didn't mind that, as such; but it would be best if some of them actually began to fulfill their contracts. He was beginning to lose track of how many he'd given out; he knew that he'd been watching the chicken closely.

He hoped that she 'accidentally' killed a Bonebound during those weak trials that they held; that would be something-... But this one was a lion, and one Algol knew little about. He had noted him only once or twice in shadowy passing, and he hadn't seemed a savage sort.

Hmm.

Time to make an entrance, then.

A thrum on what could only be described as a fine guitar rang out over the bones. It was sudden song, and it burst into swift notes, one after the other, in intricate dance as clawed fingers plucked at strings. Should Aristotle investigate, he'd find The Collector some thirty yards downhill, behind another bone pile and perched atop his own, playing.

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

The yolion stood listening. He waited for an answer. One that didn’t seem to come to him. The only noise that greeted his rounded audits was the dripping of water in puddles, and down onto stalactite. That eerie feeling that had the fur on his spine standing on end was still ever present, and something unwelcome. It just felt as if something strange was going to slink out of the shadows of the piles of bones.

As rounded audits listened soon a strange sound he had never heard began to fill the air. It was no animal he had ever heard nor like anything he had ever heard before. It was an instrument, something completely foreign to him. Slowly with his head lowered the lion moved forward following the sound down the slope of the room and around yet another bone pile. As he came round the last bone pile he found a strange creature perched atop a pile of bones as if it were a throne. In its hands the creature held a strange object which was what was making the noise as the creature ran its fingers over the strings of the object. Are you the collector? Aristotle asked boldly as he moved to stand several feet away from the bone pile. Not out of fear but just so he didn’t have to tilt his head as far back to look up. I’ve come seeking you for a favor. The lion spoke his words clear and concise it seemed he would not be one to pussyfoot around the point.

The music came to an abrupt halt at Aristotle's words--jarring, interrupted. The figure glanced up, fingers pausing over vibrating strings, two unblinking, crimson pinprick eyes regarding him. For a brief instant he was still, stiff, and then as if pressed back into motion he slipped the guitar to sit by his side, and sat up straighter.

"Ahh, some do call me by that name," he answered, voice a smooth croon; "And who might I have the pleasure of addressing..?"

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

The lion tilted his head curiously as he gazed up at the strange creature through brilliant glittering baby blue eyes. His slender tufted tail gave a thoughtful wave as he watched the creature pause its playing. How strange hands truly were. He couldn’t but think how strange yet useful hands could be. So dexterous and nimble. The lion noted these things and wondered if one day he may come back and ask the Collector for something of the same kind for Sun. He thought Sun might enjoy a present like that.

Rounded audits shifted to catch the creatures voice. So this was him, he looked even more odd than the rumors had said. Taking a breath the lion let a small warm smile slide into place on his muzzle. My name is Aristotle. I reside in the ruins of Orion. Is there any name you would prefer I call you by? The lion introduced himself wondering if now would be a good time to ask or to wait and have a small conversation before hand. He couldn’t help but wonder what the creature truly was.

"A pleasure to meet you, Aristotle." There was a dismissive wave of one hand, and then: "The Collector is just fine; please, do not let me keep you from what I presume is your purpose here..? I am here to serve, after all; just how might I be of aid..?"

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

The lion gave a gentle bow of his head as the creature spoke. The pleasure is all mine. Aristotle commented. It truly was. He had yet to meet such a unique and strange creature. Perhaps someday when he was not in need of The Collector’s services they could sit down and have a little chat.

With a wave the creature moved on to the point, asking what he needed. I know you will require payment. But I need something large that can be pulled by a gembound such as myself or a horse, that can be loaded up with heavy things to be moved. He didn’t know what to call it but certainly the collector would know what a cart was when being described. I’m making a big move with my family and I need something to move our possessions. I have an unhatched child I need to move that hasn’t chrisalized yet. He hoped that The Collector wouldn’t ask for her. He would do anything except give up his family.

There was a clasp of clawed hands as the Collector listened.

"Well--I had a wagon; but that has been given away." He paused, thinking. An 'unhatched child that hasn't chrysalized yet?' "I presume this stone isn't particularly large, if it is not yet... living?"

Hands spread then, slightly, palms out. "If it is small enough to slip within a bag, perhaps... the size of your paw, or smaller; then I have one easy solution. Otherwise, there is one last wagon-like item, though it does have... something of a mind of its own."

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle looked at the creature known as The Collector as he spoke. He couldn’t take his eyes off the intriguing creature. They were so strange, nothing like anything he had ever seen before. Aristotle spoke boldly clearly unafraid of the creature that was before him on the pile of bones.

The Collector spoke of an item he called a wagon. The lion couldn’t help but wonder what exactly a wagon was. But if it was what he was looking for then he would take it. But alas The Collector had given it away. The lion cringed at the mention of it being small. Unfortunately it’s quite large for some reason. Her egg shaped gem is about this big The lion lifted a forepaw and held it in the air about two feet off the ground. And it’s quite heavy. It’s a giant blue topaz gem. It’s absolutely solid right now. He explained that the unhatched, unchrysalized gem was actually quite large and heavy. The lion listened to The Collector speak. Unfortunately he already had a bag made of rabbit skins and it was in its own right large.

I already have a bag of rabbit skins, my Aunty made it for me. So I suppose I will go with the wagon with its own mind. I’m sure I can make friends with it. After all he was quite the personable gembound. He often met others and had quite the interesting and refreshing conversations with other Gembound.

The Collector perked a brow.

He tried to imagine the immense size of a Gembound capable of hauling around a two-foot tall stone on its body; he'd never seen a gemstone so large on any creature. "It must have been immense!" he crooned, encouragingly--and then, a little more darkly, "or crippled by the weight, and killed early, I suppose." There was a flash of white teeth beneath the hood.

Had the Collector known that the stone came from a two-foot-tall animal, and something half-bird at that, he would have laughed--heartily. Such a creature could never have carried its rock. Had it died early? Hilarious. Either way, it was sled time, and the Collector was rather excited about this next bit.

"I'll need to placate it first. That will be the cost... And it will not stay pacified for long. Bring me a handful--five, say--gemstones, with life in them. Their magic will be used to calm it... a small price to pay for such a gift, no?"

Clawed hands spread, palms out, as if to invite Aristotle to agree; and then a scroll was pulled from within the Collector's cloak, and unfurled, presented to the lion. An empty spot at the bottom held exactly enough space for a pawprint. "Should you agree to the price, just sign here."

@Aristotle