Ever since Sprig had gained the candy cane recipe from Naskital, he had been hard at work trying to make it work. But no matter how hard he tried, it simply turned out too liquidy to solidify. The only way for him to succeed would be finding a way to make pure sugar somehow. He didn't know how to extract sugar from fruits, and using the fruit juice added too much water to the solution. But he did not give up. He continued to toil away at this puzzle every day, determined to taste once again the candy canes that had been oh so refreshing when he had first tried them.
The mint plants that he had harvested from Orion were thriving in Eridanus, growing rather large. This endless supply of mint along with all the fruit trees that could be found in the area ensured that as long as he unlocked the secret to sugar, he would be able to make as many candy canes as he wanted. The lion was currently busy stoking the fire to prepare for another day of experimenting.

@Aran

Aran wanders a lot these days. Not enough information but too much at the same time plagues his mind - but there is something missing. He is not on a quest to remember it. If he can't recall, it must not be that important. A dash of red and a glow catches his attention, and the Barasingha is attracted to the sight.

And what he finds is fire. The bird's pendant shoots anxiety through his body - he feels like he should run. His nostrils flare, but the animal does his best to push through it. He's curious, the anxiety is not his. The anxiety is not his. He chants it to himself until he gets close enough to be within speaking distance.

"What are you doing?" A little curious, probably a little rude - but not intended to be that way.

@Sprig

Sprig hadn't expected a visitor. It wasn't often that gembounds came upon this small clearing that he had made his home. Though upon first glance it appeared to be more of a garden and kitchen than a home. Assorted plants of all shapes and sizes were grown around the area, while some basic tools for cooking were stacked in neat piles. Stones with indents for bowls, flat slabs, and a fire. The only evidence that a gembound actually lived here instead of using it solely for cooking and gardening was the sleeping mat made of leaves and grass that lay in the corner.
The lion looked up in surprise as he heard someone speak, the colors running along his body lighting up to let off a bright glow. "I'm making candy canes!" he continued to bustle around as he spoke, "Though it hasn't been going very well. The recipe is hard to fulfill."
Once he was sure the fire was burning an adequate amount, Sprig paused in his work and turned to face Aran. He sensed his hesitation, but isn't quite sure what the source of it was. Perhaps he felt like he was intruding upon his space? "Want to help? I'm currently in the third- well, fourth now! Stage of the process. It's rather cru-" the lion paused, his colorful lights now blinking at a rapid pace. This was a guest! How could he have forgotten to be polite? "Sorry, I'm Sprig. And you are?" He wasn't sure what to think of the bird skull, but anyone who took some interest in his doings, namely, his cooking, was someone he considered friendly.

@Aran

Aran found it a little odd for a gembound on four legs to have a proper home, but he's not going to be the one to judge. Some do not want to live the life he has - one of a traveler. Perhaps it would be nice to have a home to call his own, but he does not plan to pick a place anytime soon. The closest he has is his little hiding spot among the leaves in this cave itself.

Candy canes? What is a candy cane? It sounds odd, but if it's a difficult thing to make, the deer is curious. He listens to the rambles of the lion, curiously watching the guys lights shimmer off and on. The explanation is cut short unfortunately, but Aran makes a mental note to maybe ask about the recipe at a later date.

"I'm Aran." he says. "it's a pleasure to meet you." He hums.

"I would love to hear more about these... Candy canes."

@Sprig

"Yes, nice to meet you." he perks up even more when Aran mentions that he wants to know more about candy canes. "I learned about candy canes from a deer-frog in Orion, they're like red and white rocks you can eat!" Sprig walked over to a mint plant he had grown in his garden and plucked a few leaves, bringing them back to show Aran. "It tastes like this, but sweet! Well, it's supposed to taste sweet. I'm supposed to use sugar for the recipe but I don't know how to make any." the lion seemed a bit sad after stating this, his eyestalks folding back. "It's the last thing I need, I've tried substitutes, but none work."

@Aran

Deer-frog? In Orion? An odd hybrid that is, but he's seen some strange things living in these caves anyway. Clearly he must've - if he can't remember anything but recent events. What would a deer-frog even look like? A creature like that could look so many different ways he's almost a little curious. Almost. He's not going to go out of his way to find this person, but still, he'll keep the description in his mind. Or maybe they're not obviously those two creatures - who knows. He's imagining something akin to a frog face on a deer's body. Or maybe frog legs on a deer's body. Something that... Could be true, but probably isn't.

He can smell the minty.... Flavor on the mint plant when Sprig brings the leaves over. He needs sugar? Lucky for Sprig, Aran has something that would help him perfectly well.

"Sugar? I think I have something you could find useful." Aran makes the bird look into the trees for him. "It would take me a few minutes to go get it, but I can show you how to make sugar." He hums.

@Sprig

"You can?" This was said in almost a whisper, as the lion gazed in amazement at Aran. "Oh thank you! Thank you so much!" His lights flashed bright with excitement. Here was a solution to his problem! The missing ingredient of the recipe! The last thing he needed to bring candy canes to the caves once more! How wonderous! But he shouldn't get too ahead of himself. It was important to make or collect this sugar first.

Sprig watches as the bird's eyes look up at the trees and glances up too. "How can I help? What are you looking for?" Was there a specific fruit that one needed to use?

@Aran