"I want to live for myself." Arquia decided, and just saying those words sent a thrill through her. Ah, the possibilities! She could do whatever she wanted, like... like what? She didn't know what she wanted. Confusion spread across her face as she gave a thoughtful huff.
"I know how to hunt, to fight, but what is it that you do in your free time?" The dragon did not know of hobbies or interests, as she didn't exactly have free time before this. Every hour had been dedicated to service, not play. What was playing anyways? "I have heard of a word. Play. What is playing?"

@Tourmaline

A determined smile mounted itself on Tourmaline's face. "Good. You're already on your way. Resolve is important." She tilts her head though, when she sees Arquia's confusion.

"I travel in my free time. See what there is to be seen. Sometimes it leads me to others, like you," is her answer to the first question. She looks around the room, at ferns and logs. "To play... How to I explain that... To play is to spend time doing something because you like it. Because you want to do it, even if it's a little silly."

That was a little cheesy.

@Arquia

Arquia was happy to see Tourmaline smile. The cat had faith in her, and so she would have faith in herself. Small steps, small steps.

She did like the sound of traveling, especially since she knew she would get bored of staying in one cave forever. But, at the same time, she didn't feel safe in any place without plants, and she was unsure if she would be able to stray outside of her comfort zone. It was daunting just thinking about it, going somewhere out in the open, with no protection. Arquia knew she would have to become stronger before she would even consider exploring places like those. That had to make Tourmaline very brave then, as the cat was much smaller than her and seemed fearless in her wanderings.

"Interesting. Perhaps sometime I shall play." Playing sounded quite fun, and she would be sure to do it once she found something she liked to do. But, for now, Arquia had a new goal. To travel. And in order to do that it meant she had to get more powerful. Rely on no one. Only through that could she face whatever she may encounter in those empty caves devoid of plants. Then a thought. One day she would not be scared of the owl, she would be never have a master again even if they came for her.

"I will train, and then one day I will these experience these travels you talk about." the dragon said with a sense of finality, cementing the idea in her head. "Are there any places you recommend for when I embark on such a journey myself?" Arquia had a feeling she would not meet an adventurer like the cat in a while, and so wanted to get some advice on where exactly is worth exploring before she left.

@Tourmaline

It was good to see Arquia developing faith in herself. Tourmaline wouldn't have it any other way. Life's too short and the cave's too wide to live in fear.

"Playing is up to you. I can't find out what is fun for you," she explains, but she continues with a smile, "but if you ever need a companion, I'm happy to oblige."

Training. Tourmaline isn't sure why Arquia can't explore as she is now, but she nods. "Polaris is the heart of the caves. You can tell you're there by the charge in the air. I usually head there when I feel like I need direction."

@Arquia

"Thank you." Arquia didn't even know what she wanted to play, but just the offer being open for when she found something she enjoyed in the future was reassuring. She would be sure to find Tourmaline once she had discovered an interest. Hopefully one would develop naturally through her wanderings.

The dragon didn't quite understand what she meant by a charge in the air. The air can have a charge? What was a charge anyways? She was sure she would find out once she stumbled upon it. "Hm... I shall visit Polaris soon then." Arquia stood up with renewed motivation and energy. And a new goal. As she looked around, the cave seemed much different than when she had first entered it. The feeling of adventure was in the air, and the plants, the animals, everything was calling her to go explore. She was ready.

However, as she gazed down at the cat, she felt a small pang of sadness. "Tourmaline, will I see you again?" The caves were so big, and it seemed unlikely that their paths would cross in the future. It crossed her mind that she could ask to join the cat, but Arquia knew that she had far different paths that she had to take on her own.

@Tourmaline

Tourmaline follows Arquia's gaze around the room. To her, its still the same ferns - comforting, but nothing particularly special.

"Who knows. I cannot say for sure if we will ever meet again. If you'd like, we could try to make a habit of coming back somewhere, like here," she offers, a sad smile on her face. "I have no intentions of dropping dead, so I'll still be out there for a while."

@Arquia

"I would like that." Arquia would be staying close to this area for a while as she trained, so she knew she could visit this spot quite frequently. But she was unsure of how far Tourmaline's travels would take her, and if it was reasonable to expect meetings often. "I will check here frequently, if in the future you come to visit I will be waiting."

She walked over to a tree, and tried to scratch an indent into it, marking this spot. However this tree seemed to have stronger bark than she was used to compared to those of Pegasus, and it didn't quite work. "Hm... these trees are hard. It's okay, this spot is easy to remember." And hopefully, with time, the flower that had sprouted would grow big enough to become a noticeable marker.

@Tourmaline

A nod of the head marks Tourmaline's agreement. "It's settled then. I'll come back from time to time. I already do, since another gembound I know lives here." Her thoughts wander back to Bacchus. I wonder how he is doing.

She shrugs a little as Arquia struggles to mark the tree. "It's alright. I should be able to find my way back here, either way."

@Arquia

Arquia wondered for a brief moment who this other gembound was, and if she would see them around here. But she didn't ask. "Okay, I shall see you then." The dragon took in her surroundings once more, making sure she memorized this spot before dipping her head in a good bye. "Stay safe Tourmaline." She was off on a new journey, one full of adventure and freedom. And she had a new friend. And with that, Arquia turned and walked out of the clearing, humming a tune as she left, leaving a trail of trampled plants and broken branches. The undergrowth closed behind her, and the dragon could be seen no more.

"Exit Arquia"

@Tourmaline

"Good luck out there," Tourmaline offers. She watched with bright eyes, as Arquia looked around one last time, before she disappeared into the forest, the plants enmeshing behind her to hide the dragon from sight.

What does the future hold? she finds herself wondering. Strolling around the clearing one last time, Tourmaline takes it in, before she also slips into the forest and vanishes.

Exit Tourmaline.