The Icebeast hissed and snapped, flailing, its reptilian movements violent but slow. Claws tore at nothing but air as the dragon held it firm, and it snapped at the fungus forced down its throat.

Pale eyes widened, then closed, and the movements grew slower... slower, and still. The first thing to strike Bone and Catalyst along the link was sudden fear: the Icebeast's terror, and indignation, at being so attacked and held by creatures larger and faster than itself. This faded into calm--into peace, even--and then into nothing, the link falling away. It was difficult to tell as much, but it had been blocked by Mother herself--a kindness, for they wouldn't want to feel what would happen next.

"Now... follow," her voice whispered in their minds.

The Icebeast attempted to push up and, unless stopped, would begin a swift trudge through the snow--as fast as an Icebeast could, at least--back toward the deep divot of the Ice Worm lair.

Bone released the Icebeast from her claws with caution, glancing to Catalyst uncertainly--as if asking if she were okay, and if she, too, were seeing all this. It wasn't really worry, but a check-up, sort of, on her 'sister' and ally.

When the Icebeast had set off, she rolled herself (with just a little difficulty) upright, grunting. She was heavy-bodied, and it took her a moment to shake the snow from her white scale-plating. Cold, she thought, directly at Catalyst, with a shiver--and took a moment to blast some superheated air before them, air they could both pass through for a little bit of warmth.

Then it was time to trudge after the Icebeast: to follow it, to watch as white fungus perhaps sprouted from it... Bone glanced to Catalyst.

Want to hop on my back? she asked, in her mind; The snow is pretty cold, and I can carry you!

@Catalyst

Catalyst puffed with exertion. Her pebbly green sides heaving.Her amber eyes flicked towards Bone, and she gave the dragon a slight dip of her head. She was worn, but otherwise unharmed. The sudden intrusion of the ice beast into their link was odd. She jolted, bird-like head fixing on the ice beast. She felt the emotions of it now.

She didn't have time to process the addition of the icebeast, or even to feel the elation of her plan coming to fruition. The link fell off as quickly as it had come. She found it even odder. She stared at it as it marched off. Her thoughts swirling, as she tried to figure out what'd happened. Surely it was still infected? Had it been Mother's doing? Catalyst shook herself. It wasn't worth thinking about.The fact she was helping Mother, helping her pack, was enough. Catalyst rumbled. They were to follow now. Catalyst was flooded with relief when Bone exhaled

"Thank you, sister," Catalyst said, simply. She strutted into the blast of heat, absorbing as much she could into her hide. It was almost painful, after being in the snow for so long. It made her fingers prickle. The little bit of heat was all she needed to keep going. She would find herself sorely missing it, after the blast began to fade. The cold of Ursa rapidly eating up any remaining heat.

Catalyst chrr'd as she thought of being carried by Bone. It would still be cold, sure, but it beat walking through the snow. And, she reasoned, it was fun."Of course," She said, a genuine smile curling her lips. She studied the side of her sister for a moment. Then, target set, she sprang upon her. She landed pads down, then curled her claws, being careful to keep her talons out of her sister's hide. As best she could, anyways.

She settled on top, hooking her talons onto Bone's armor plated back. She sent a silent note of thanks. From there she watched the ice beast. She'd drowned the uncertainty she felt earlier. Now, bolstered by Mother, she felt pride beginning to grow in her--their actions. Maybe it was the blast of air, or maybe it was the exertion, but she barely felt cold.

@Bone

The trek back took longer.

This Ice Beast stumbled frequently, unused to long, steady treks through deep snow; these were creatures that stuck to caves, or took their journeys in shorter steps, pausing to rest with white coats hidden in the snow. By the time the snow-pit was in sight, the beast's jaws were parted, and panting.

White fungus was already flourishing throughout its body, curling from the corners of its jaws, its nostrils. Mother infected often took longer than this, but this was a special case... an important case. Her power was flourishing in this creature.

"Stop here," came her voice, at last, soothing and reassuring. They had done well, and they would know it: she loved them, and felt deep gratitude for their efforts to aid her, for their exertion and the risk they'd taken. And she was impressed, too, at their initiative, at their skill.

The Ice Beast, however, did not stop. It was not meant to. It plodded onward, instead, white-mold tongue dipping out to taste the air. It moved with singleminded purpose, now, faster and faster, toward the divot in the snow.

Eventually, it reached it: and then it began to dig. Showers of snow curled up behind it, and the ground rumbled.

There was a long silence, bar the distant scratching of the Ice Beast at the snow; the wind curled here and there, tossing the snow with it. Nothing else moved.

The mountain beneath the Ice Beast erupted. The snow plumed skyward, like a geyser; great, pincing, pale jaws snagged around it. The body that writhed briefly in the air--segmented, bristled, scaled--gleamed in the dim aurora-light; and then it crashed back down again, gone.

The Ice Beast had not made a sound; all that remained was the snow below.

"They are beloved things... At times, some try to find our tunnels, and find theirs instead. But now this one will be our sibling, and it will dig for us, and fight for us too. You have done well. Come home to me. Come back to the Hive. Your sisters will bring food for you," Mother praised them, quietly. Images of Praetors dipping into the frozen light of the Nest laced their minds, along with the flood of approval, of love, of reinforcing gratitude. They were carrying bits of meat for Bone and for Catalyst: thank yous for the great prize that they had just given their beloved Mother.

She didn't mind the faint pricks of claws at her back; she could feel that her tiny, beloved sister was doing her best not to harm her, and she sent nothing but appreciation in turn.

Then came the travel back. Bone had flown out here; the trudging was, for her, almost as difficult as for the Ice Beast, with the exception that she was longer, with larger legs in turn. She was huffing by the time they reached the pit, or near enough that Mother called for them to stop; obediently she did so, and watched the Ice Beast plod on.

She waited, silent and patient, occasionally trying to blow hot air out for Catalyst and herself.

Bone's body jolted when the Ice Worm came, even though she'd sort of known what to expect; but this thing was big, as big as they must get in Ursa. Massive, muscled, armored, and despite the fact that she saw it only for a split second, she was impressed. Oh--and Mother was pleased with their work!

She half-turned her head to peer back at Catalyst, joyful.

"We did well! You did well," she praised her sister, delighted with Mother's approval.

There was a twinge of something else, then-... pity? Ahh, yes; she remembered now. She felt bad for prey, when she had to eat, and the Ice Beast was no exception. She didn't need Mother to remind her that carnivores had to eat, but there was always that lingering empathy there. But still-! They had done well. They had helped their family!

"I can bring us to a tunnel," she offered, with another glance at Catalyst.

we can exit here if you want? or go back to Mother, idm
@Catalyst