For all the overgrowth that Tunnel F possessed, there was remarkability to found in how it molded disarray into beauty unique and beyond compare. Branches here woven into a pattern that defied (or perhaps confirmed?) the chaotic whims of nature, what could've been mere dappled layers of leaves like other forests boasted had morphed into art. Lit behind by hidden cave lights, the canopy glowed like stained glass, casting shapes formed of rough bark and soft vegetation onto the clear and welcoming path below. The sight conveyed plenty of charm, the enchanting atmosphere enhanced further by the recent developments fair weather had brought.

Flowers—of pink, white, red, and numerous hues besides—filling any of the rare possible gaps within the marvelous tapestry, no better time could it have been for those of secretive and predatory persuasion to conceal themselves in the bending trees. How much easier it was for coils grown thick and muscular over the cycles to slither above and beneath their long and winding reach. The glint of metallic scales likelier to be perceived as an odd twinkle, whether trick of light or failing eyesight, a hungry Tatzelwurm could stalk and observe a potential meal.

Her ultramarine gaze's intensity diminished by the vibrant buds that she peered out from, Miriam ran her tongue with a deliberate swipe over chops. Heady aroma around her an overwhelming presence, she flicked its tip outward to better catch her target's scent before whisking it back inside her mouth.

A pulse of greed burst from her chest and reached out to sweep the tunnel floor. Glad tidings returned: an opportunity to seize. A closer look would be required to evaluate the one whose form she currently beheld.

Though her descent was slow, her size guaranteed that stealth could not be absolute; leaves rustled as the girth of the many feet long Gembound lowered from the sturdy crisscrossing branches. Suspended by the last remaining few lengths of coil, her stare, deceptively passive, bore into the creature's back. Her smile, although kept gentle, allowed a peek of fangs, glistening and white.

Catalpa wonders how far the trees go.

This tunnel is weird in many ways, so many ways, from the trees that seem to shift at the touch of a questioning paw to the glowing crystalline waystones, like those she's seen in the core of the caves but also... not. The branches are woven just tightly enough to be tempting for little adventurers. She can just imagine wiggling her way in to see what treasures were possessed within... and getting stuck.

No, Catalpa remembers the last time she came venturing into a weird hole in the wall. And although the little familiar perched upon her head—a mole-mouse, sniffling around in that strange way that left foreign echoes of the scent trailing through her own nose—seems perfectly eager to adventure in itself, she only shakes her head softly at the sense of its eagerness. No, you'll get hurt, she thinks, huffing a little and continuing on.

As much as she's eager for adventure in her own right, there are plenty of other places to go that don't have dark shadows where hidden things might jump out and hiss at her at the way that... presence had.

This entire tunnel, in fact, is giving her the heebie-jeebies. Is it just her, or can she feel eyes raking down her back? No, she should leave. Before...

Before something...

Her ears prick. A rustle, a creaking of branches; an unfamiliar scent which reaches her familiar's twitching nose, an instinct of you're not alone.

Catalpa turns to be met with a face full of very, very sharp teeth. The smile beyond is placid, the slitted eyes without malice, and that's just about the only thing to keep her from bolting entirely, though her fur stands on her end and her heart seems to skip a couple beats in her chest.

"Eep—!"

A few beats of stilted silence. "Um, um—h-hello?"

Please don't be a predator. Please don't be a predator.

@Miriam

What a peculiar little creature, Miriam decided as she watched the cat fluff up in response to her close proximity. So similar to her, and yet so... lacking.

That seemed to be the case for those of the feline persuasion: always weak and poor copies of herself. Furred instead of scaled, they had a softer exterior. Short compared to her vast length, although they possessed the claws to take down their prey, the far more elegant method of constriction was entirely outside of their capabilities. Even their fangs were a subpar reproduction, all bite and no venom.

She'd pity them if it weren't such an exertion of effort on her part to try. Instead, suppressing the urge to yawn and see how much worse the cat could be frightened by the view down her gullet, the Tatzelwurm endeavored to put on her best face. Despite how unnecessary it was to someone like her, she blinked rapidly and allowed her mouth to form a carefully shaped o of surprise. Ears, curled back, straightened to sharp attention. Then, sighing, an airy giggle bubbled past dark lips.

"Oh dear," Miriam exhaled. "I'm so sorry! I didn't startle you, did I?"

Almost as soon as the words left her, she shook her head and turned a paw inward, snapping claws disapprovingly at herself. "Oooh, of course I did! That's what I get for not minding—what was it? Personal space? Yes, I think that's what it's called."

"But I couldn't quite help myself, you see. Here I was, wandering along, when I saw you with that"—the sunniness to her voice almost shattered from the strain of holding back the disdain that actually wanted to be expressed—"little fellow hitching a ride upon your head. And I couldn't help but wonder where such an odd pair could be headed to. You wouldn't happen to be part of the Carnival, would you?" Her pitch rose to a near gleeful squeal at the prospect. "Oh, I've always wanted to talk to one of their acts!"

And there was a hint of actual excitement there, but not for what she professed it was; the cat's timid stammer had revealed the tiniest glimpse of something shiny and red. Never would she pass up the opportunity to witness it again.

@Catalpa

A few moments of frightened silence; Catalpa, briefly, considers running, but finds that her paws are fairly glued to the floor. Besides, she gets the feeling the beast would quickly outrun her.

It's to her stark surprise, then, when the cat-like thing meets her eyes and laughs. Not a mean laugh, either—no, not at all! It's a soft, airy thing, one that immediately serves to put Catalpa at ease, because for all her imagination about what a monster could be she doesn't think a monster could ever laugh as soft as that.

No, there are many strange creatures in the caves, many beings of shapes and sizes that Catalpa herself could never imagine, and she sighs and tries a smile of her own, tail swishing a little as the other Gembound goes on about things like 'personal space'.

Her familiar doesn't like her, of course, having scurried off her head to hide in the fluff of the back of her neck. But, mouse, cat, of course the poor thing doesn't trust her!

"Oh, no, you're okay! It was... just a little flinch, mhm, I'm fine." The other Gembound is, quite big. And has quite a few teeth. But she's nice, isn't she? There's no reason for Catalpa to still be frightened of her. Coward...

And now that she's actually talking to her, talking and not just baring teeth ominously, Catalpa actually begins to find herself quite fascinated with the Gembound's form. She's like a cat, but... not. A cat, but also a snake, with glittering scales and deep, deep blue eyes that reminds Catalpa of the bay.

"Oh, me?" Catalpa asks, fighting off bashfulness at the thought that she could be anything as interesting as this Carnival the Gembound mentions. "Oh, I'm sorry to disappoint—I've, um, never been." She didn't even know there was a Carnival around, actually. Huh. She'd be fascinated by the thought if she wasn't too busy tracing eyes over the diamonds of the other Gembound's pretty scales. She'd love to be shaped like that... big and strong and never afraid of anything. Those claws could cut a monster in half, she just knows it.

"This is my familiar," she says, turning to try to nudge her little mouse with her nose. As it's currently hiding on the back of her neck, the effort is futile at best.

"Um—sorry they're so shy. They're not usually like this," Catalpa explains, giving the Gembound a shy smile.

She's quiet for a moment, eyes still roaming. She can't get over how big the other Gembound is. And fascinating. Just catlike enough to be familiar... just other enough to pique Catalpa's curiosity. "...you're very pretty," she says, admiring the calico patterning of her body. "Where did you come from?" Sometimes other Gembound know their parents. Maybe she's one of them? She could be a child of a snake and a cat, right?

@Miriam

Fate had unusual tastes regarding whom she favored. That could never be clearer as Miriam watched, maw kept diminutive and politely smiling, while the cat's tongue flapped. No mistaking the jewel stud winking at her throughout the stumbling shyness and flattery, here was presented ample evidence of how incompetently blessings such as beauty were distributed amongst the common beasts of the caves. Nestled within others' jaws, sights that should have inspired awe evoked mere curiosity instead from those too ignorant to truly admire. They moved along to dull words and phrases concocted by even duller minds, a waste most dreadful to behold.

Despite the thrill the gorgeous view gave, her stomach could have roiled. Bile could have risen and scratched at her throat. If it were the case, no outward signs displayed for the observant eye to notice. She only pressed forepaws together, claws clicking together at their contact. Batting her eyelids, she ducked her head and fidgeted in false humility at the compliment she'd been given.

"You really mean it?" she gushed.

A simple creature, of course the feline did. One required little brainpower to recognize a superior being. Still, credit had to be given to her companion; at least the mouse possessed enough instinct to sense the danger looming above it.

"That's wonderful, thank you! I was worried with my last shed—that it didn't all come off—but, oh! It must've been fine if you think so."

And then she beamed, a remarkable feat as what appeared to be the edges of her lips quivered in their struggle to avoid revealing their actual width, before lapsing into seeming tentativeness as she answered what had been asked of her.

"Where... I'm from? Well," said Miriam, a side-to-side head tilt jogging memories loose, "I suppose that depends. Here's a nice place, lots of trees and climbing spots and the earliest place I can remember too. But I visit more than stay. Much rather spend my time in that other tunnel, me—the one connected to the cave with all the reflections. Gem something or other?" An exaggerated frown of thoughtfulness. "Yes, the name was sort of like that. So that'd be where I'd like to say I'm from. If there's a choice, that is!"

"But you've never been to the Carnival? Actually?" Although already large and alien compared to the rest of her features, blue eyes impossibly managed to widen more, comically sized pools whose depths threatened to spill over and drown out her face. "It's such a fun place. Food and games and, oh, just lovely entertainment! You'd be missing out if you didn't go at least once. I could show you sometime. It's a little difficult to locate on the first try, but so worth going to."

Imagine that: Miriam with company. Gemmed Lessers of the world could breathe easier this day; for now her gaze was on a slightly more substantial target than them.

@Catalpa