After a few hours, Chaos-Two felt refreshed. They took a nap, had a drink from the river, and now they all just needed a snack.

They summoned a banana and dug into it for a bit of extra energy, happily munching away as they listened to the sound of birds chirping all around. It was later, now, the lights having gone out, but with their bauble lighting up the clearing and some glowing bugs drifting through the trees, it wasn't dark. It was rather mystical, actually.

’I should show Khavur this,’ they thought, taking another bite of their banana.

They stood up once they were done and tossed their peel over their shoulder, picking up their staff and turning around in a circle to survey where they were. A stream ran next to them, gurgling softly, with clear ground on either side of it for a good ten feet before it turned into trees.

Perfect for training. Different than the clearing they'd napped in, but that was good. Variety in one's training was good.

Chaos-Two jumped onto a rock in the center of the stream, standing on one foot with their spear diagonal across their back, one arm out for balance. Once they were balanced they focused on the spell, eyes hardening.

Their magic worked and they set the spot beneath them. Light shone down as they squeezed their eyes shut, the spell working in an instant but not as bright as they wanted. It should have caused red to fill their vision as the light blasted their eyes, but it was dim.

Chaos-Two stepped into the stream instead and scratched their head, wondering what went wrong. Maybe if they added some fun into the mix...?

They thrust their arms forward, trying to summon something like they'd done with the banana, but apparently fun wasn't it either. Damn.

Letting their arms fall, they tossed their spear onto the bank, turning to contemplate what to do next.

An idea formed, a spell that hadn't yet failed them. Wings. Sure they might have just jinxed it, but they had to at least try.

Chaos-Two spread their arms, expecting the great golden wings that had always carried them reliably to form, hoping to go on a joyride around Pegasus, only for there to be a disappointing shower of sparks and nothing to show for it.

Okay, this was getting really old.

Chaos-Two stomped a foot and snorted, clenching their hands. Something had to work! Fine, basics again, this was fine.

Finally it worked. They could feel and hear the heartbeats of animals all around. The fireflies that drifted on the breeze, sleeping kooru and meadow deer, even the traces of other gembound in the distance. Most likely asleep too.

They breathed out and let the thu-thump of different heart beats soothe them, let it wash over them. It was fine, it was okay.

Maybe a nice walk would be better.

Chaos-Two reached down and scooped up their spear, holding it one hand as they headed off into the trees, deciding to just take their time. They may as well, right?

They silenced their steps as they made their way into the woods, not wanting to disturb anything. They were walking to ease their mind, not to spook any other creatures trying to sleep.

Chaos-Two stopped as he saw a herd of deer bedded down in a clearing, asleep for the night with some still up and about, watching for predators. Even when the caves were asleep, they weren't safe. Not for these fellows.

Silently, they disappeared, their magic working to allow them to meld seamlessly into the shadows. They passed on by without alerting the herd, allowing them to remain asleep for the whole night. They smiled softly as they saw a small fawn with its mother, tucked up close.

If only they'd gotten the same kind of affection. Maybe their heart wouldn't hurt so much as they passed by the soft scene.

Once past the herd they dropped the spell and stepped out onto one of the rolling hills of Pegasus. They observed the view quietly, looking over the grass as it swished gently in the wind, and then at the tunnel leading to Draco. It was like a stain in the center of paradise. A void leading to corruption and foulness.

Chaos-Two didn't particularly like the look, to say the least.

They closed their eyes and felt for their sibling, sighing when they only barely heard Khavur's heartbeat. They'd need to go closer.

Chaos-Two trekked across Pegasus, hoping to catch a glimpse of their sibling's life and hopefully not Vargas'. If they found a quiet spot they could even fall asleep to the sound.

They caught the sound and moved away again, finding a hidey-hole beneath some tree roots. They curled up there and set their head on a root, looking towards Draco with longing. They wanted to go so badly, to see Khavur and sleep in their nest, but the shame of their failure stopped them.

The thread of Draconua kept them away.

So they curled up instead, facing away, lulled to sleep once more by the strong heartbeat of Khavur.

Exit