Pride snorted softly, humor trickling through the last of the link as it faded. "I wasn't actually even looking at her, truth be told. I'd been trying to forge myself to Lesser deer. I had... some idea that I could protect them, then. Guard them, keep them from being eaten, at least... one of them. At the time, there was some strange group of Lessers I'd never seen--winter things, cold-adapted. Someone had crashed into the caves, lost them--they were his, I suppose, and he liked them, and asked us to help him find them."

Pride couldn't really smile, but his face almost imitated one as he remembered--lost, of course, on blind Aethereal. But it was faintly audible in his words as he spoke. "It kept failing. Over, and over, and over again. We were nearly at Pisces--where I had to return the herd--when I tried one last time. I happened to spot something out of the corner of my eyes, something small, white--ahh... Do you know what 'white' is? -In any case, that was Mischief, and in my momentary lapse, I'd linked with her. So perhaps... 'trying too hard' doesn't work with this sort of magic. Or perhaps you must simply find the right Lesser for you, one that fits your personality, your mind, or your magic. We do not know how all of this works," he explained. "Most of us simply hatched from gemstones over the past few years. On occasion the Masters give us tidbits of information, but... we are unsure how much of that is true. Ahh, bar Tenzin. He's the fellow in Pisces--not the one who'd lost the deer. He's a Master who lives in the waters, there, and he is very kind."

A small laugh of apology escaped the white stag as he looked to Aethereal. "I'm sorry, I think I've rather rambled. Does this at all answer your question?" he asked. "I wish I could make it clearer how to do it--the process--but I think that sort of thing is rather trial-and error. Sometimes it comes quickly; sometimes... it does not."

@Aethereal

Oh, this seemed like a difficult spell, then--especially if even Pride had failed many times. Then again, success sounded more like random luck than anything to do with skill. And Pride laughed about the failures now, sounding relaxed; she took this to mean that whatever side effects came with failure (if there were any) wouldn't be too severe.

"That makes sense," she said, rising to her feet and shaking out her wings (carefully, to avoid hurting herself or bumping into Pride and Mischief). "I'll be going, then: thank you for teaching me, and good luck." She hoped that the expedition to purge Gembound of Mother wouldn't get them hurt too badly--but, well, it was a slim chance.

Either way, she could do nothing now.

@Pride exit

Pride dipped his head, watching her curiously. "You're welcome to return at any time," he answered, voice soft.

Would she find her way-? He didn't know--he couldn't tell. "I advise against returning to the fungus," he called after her; "for your sake, as well as James's."

And it left him deep in thought. Why put this on James's head? He hoped the horse would be smart, and simply remain here for the time being. Oh--and was she trying to lose him, maybe? Did James consider himself in charge of her? Was he babysitting, so to speak; had he expected Pride to ensure she wouldn't scamper off?

Worriedly, he turned and went looking. At the very least, he should warn him that Aethereal had wandered off--in case he wanted to find her again. He cast out his magic before him, searching for Gembound--and James's, in its power, was difficult to miss.

He'd warn him, if he could find and wake him, and then leave him to his rest.

exit Pride, and @James - Pride would try & find James to warn him that Aethereal's moved off; feel free to decide if Pride can succeed in this or not!

James could be found in his old home, carefully clearing dust away with gentle swoops of his wings. His familiar stood in the doorway, watching him with squinted eyes. The stallion paid her no mind, used to her staring and weird looks.

He knew he was just distracting himself from his troubles, that inevitably he'd have to face them again, but for now he'd clean and tidy and not worry about the threat that hung over his head. He'd probably have nightmares about it when he did bring himself to sleep, and as he turned to the pelt pile to stare at it longingly, he found Darling there instead.

He huffed in muted amusement, "Taking the most comfortable spot in the house, I see."

James watched her fluff her wings and honk at him, as if smug. He managed a smile and kicked a few stray rocks out the door and turned to the bed, nudging her over and ignoring her annoyed hissing before flopping down on the bed and letting his head fall, exhausted.

Darling settled herself at his belly where it was warmest, honking softly as she got herself comfortable, using James for warmth more than anything. It was funny, really. Spoiled little swan.

@Pride

Pride made his visit only a brief one. "James?" he called out, on approach. "I just wanted to let you know that Aethereal is departing, if you intended to keep an eye on her."

He hadn't even spotted them yet--but he didn't want to interrupt a rest, and anyway, there wasn't all that much more to say.

(whoops, I already exited and claimed this thread--I meant offscreen but we can wrap it up quick!)