As they travelled on and on in the maze of ice, Pallas could feel his fur twinging more and more as he shivered. It was cold, particularly for an arboreal jungle being, and particularly for someone who had grown used to Cetus. He would deal, though. Even if he had to etch his claws into the slick surface at times, anything was worth it, at this point.

Pallas's head leaned down as they passed over the seeds. The Cleaner avoided them, and so did he, studying them as he passed with his tail flicking behind him. Protective nodes? Food for herbivores? He shook his head minutely, following behind the massive Cleaner into the room proper.

It was warmer in here. Mother truly had made a home- though, he got the sense that it wasn't for him. There was so much bedding- was it for general purpose, then, like the foyer of a giant mansion? Perhaps so. Perhaps the other Greaters under Mother slept here, then.

But, where was everyone else? Pallas's faint smile faded just so as he turned around, watching as the Cleaner delivered a meal and Mother herself. It was so quiet and eerie, though perhaps it was expected for a family in hiding. Still, he stepped forward once the two bugs passed one another. Ears flicked up, and he leaned in, gingerly taking the mouse in his teeth with a grateful nod to the Cleaner.

He placed it back down when the Cleaner offered the tuft, however, staring to it. Here she was. He nearly trembled as he changed his attention to it, taking the fungus and forcing it down despite the smell of rot it held. At this point, it was a welcome scent- though, it did make his eyes water and his lips curl up as his body screamed against him.

He was home. Testing the link with a tentative tiptoe, Pallas sent out a worried 'Mother?' as he returned to eating the mouse, eyes regarding the Cleaner warmly.

The Cleaners simply waited, as if ready to attend to Pallas's needs; they did not even have a particularly militaristic air about them. Servants, then, instead of guards--or jailors.

The fungus took hold only gradually: a faint link forced open trickling, the magic strong enough this close to the Hive that Mother could reach for Pallas weakly. Along it came reassurance. Welcome. Relief, at his survival.

Love.

And beyond that, flooded with warmth, a promise: he should wait. Wait here; she would come, soon enough.

_____________

Mother reached for Catalyst. She had done her best to warn the two in the days prior that they might be in danger, soon; to keep out of sight, in general. But now, instead of worry, there was joy: "A long-lost sibling has returned to us. Go to him, please. Welcome him. Help care for him. He will love you, as you will love him, as we all love one another. Tell him of the dangers we are in. Tell him I long to see him at last, face to face, but that it must be once he is truly rejoined with our mind--or else all our children are at risk. Help him deeper into the tunnels... help him find somewhere truly safe, but do not yet tell him where I dwell." There seemed to be eagerness, there, and a promise. Pallas had been a good child, Catalyst would know. And if she did not know the way, Mother would show her, along the link: which tunnels to take, which paths to choose.

Pallas... was home.

@Catalyst @Pallas

It did not take long for Catalyst to find Pallas. With Mother's assistance, the tunnels were easier to navigate. She had been asleep in the hollow room where she stored her furs and fire. But a new sibling was At last, she came upon the one that housed Pallas. She came with a torch in teeth, and furs upon her back. "Sibling!" She cried. The sibling was not familiar to her, but he was to Mother. Mother's trust destroyed any suspicion Catalyst might've had of him. She would protect him with her life.

"Welcome home," She said. Her tail swung with excitement, and her voice held genuine joy in her voice. She leaned in, and if Pallas let her, she would nuzzle her new sibling. "It is always great to find another sibling! Come, follow me. I'm sure you are cold." Catalyst smiled. She trotted off, "Mother has asked me to guide you. She wishes to see you, but...she cannot. Not yet, anyways. Its...its too dangerous. When you see her, her appearance may surprise you, but she is the same kind Mother you know." She said.

"We are being pursued. Back when I met her there was a....an assault. We think they will come for us again," A low growl started in Catalyst's throat, and the talons on her hands curled into nothing. They would not touch her family. No siblings would. Not if Catalyst had any choice.

Catalyst briefly looked back at Pallas, remembering where she was. The smile curled her muzzle once more. "Once we are fully reunited, her link at its fullest, she will see you." Ahead was a opening in the tunnel, the same hollow in which Catalyst slept.

Catalyst ducked into the pocket, and began scratching at and rearranging the furs. Skins lined the base of the hollow, with a clearing in the center for kindling and fire. Directly above that was a small hole Catalyst herself'd scratched out for smoke. The fires and kindling were extinguished now, unfortunately. She couldn't risk the enemy finding them. Her being responsible for that....Catalyst shuddered. Then, she shook herself off, as if to rid herself of the negative thoughts. "You can stay here, sibling! We will have much to talk about."

speak think

@Pallas