Gabriel was beginning to learn the lay of these caves; or at least the areas of it that Gabriel had seen. This was the third time it'd been to the heart of the cave, the second time in darkness. This time it planned to stay longer, as well... but first, there was business to attend to. Gabriel looked around, making sure that the deer was still walking somewhere close. The entrance to Polaris was behind them, and now they were in the heart. Or rather, at the edge of it; by looking out over you could see the distant shimmer of the crystal river and the great, glowing cluster of the spire.

The cave was bright with light in various colours of the rainbow, some cast by milky crystals, others by more glowing moss. And then small clusters of fungi set in small fairy rings reaching their rounded caps towards the glistening roof of the cave. It wondered how the youngling was enjoying the sights; this was what it had been waiting for since its birth a short while ago.

"Is this what you were expecting?"

"Speech looks like this."
"Thoughts looks like this."

tags: @Thomas
notes:

Thomas
________________________________________________________________

Thomas was beyond mesmerized by the sights of Polaris. In the distance he could see the soft glows of a river that found its way through the wide open cavern. He could also see, what appeared to him, a glowing blue, crystal mountain. The young elk was confused, and knew that he would attempt to search it later on. He was overwhelmed by all the colors that came from every direction. Everywhere he looked there was something new that caught his attention. It was all so beautiful.

"It's even more than I expected," Thomas replied. He looked back and Gabriel and gave him the warmest look he could muster. "Thank you so much for doing this for me! I don't think I could have made this journey alone." He looked back at the spire and inhaled deeply. The air felt almost soft as it traveled through his nose, down his throat and into his lungs. He exhaled slowly. Thomas looked back at the pup once again, his red and white eyes blinking slowly. "Its so beautiful."

talk // think
tagged; @Gabriel
notes; sorry for the late reply! My internet wasn't working at all today.

Gabriel turned to watch the deer in their wonder, its head bowing slowly in response to their gratitude. "It's been a pleasure. I am used to travelling alone, so this has most certainly been insightful." In fact, this was the longest Gabriel had spent with any creature, except for Tacitus perhaps. The pup's smile was etched into its cheeks, deep red eyes blinking slowly. "You're very welcome. Now, you owe me a favour, but I will not reclaim it now. Someday I may need your assistance, and I will return," Gabriel told Thomas softly.

"It is good to see that our journey was worthwhile. You should have an easier time seeing here." Gabriel followed the fawn's gaze out over Polaris and was silent for a few moments. "Indeed. It is."

Gabriel's tail wagged slowly.

"Thank you for this opportunity."

"Speech looks like this."
"Thoughts looks like this."

tags: @Thomas
notes:

Thomas
________________________________________________________________

Thomas couldn't believe that his time with Gabriel was coming to an end. He had enjoyed the company; especially so soon after emerging. He began to wonder what it would have been like had he been born without guidance. Perhaps I would have gotten lost he thought as he scrunched his nose; that thought made him somewhat upset. Thomas looked down at Gabriel with a look of joy on his face. He stretched out his front left leg and dipped his head. He was bowing a thanks to Gabriel; something he thought was necessary to show his gratitude.

"I'll return the favor any day you need it, no matter where I am or what I'm doing," Thomas replied. He had no idea what favor the pup would ask of him, but nonetheless he was prepared for whatever it may be. At least I think I am he thought.

"I plan in staying here for a while. I want to explore and discover what every color and glow really looks like." Thomas knew that his goal might sound immature to an older gembound, but he wanted to discover every nook and cranny of the caves. He knew that one day his knowledge of every area could some day come in handy.

"And thank you," he returned. "I don't think I would have made it here without you."

talk // think
tagged; @Gabriel
notes; --

"I'm pleased to hear that!" Gabriel said with a genuine smile. The honesty in their voice was not only endearing but very useful as well; Gabriel would put their favour aside and save it for future needs. "Should you ever require my assistance again, I'll be happy to help. Simply seek me out! I'll be waiting."

Gabriel nodded at their wish to stay here and discover every colour and glow. "Hopefully soon, I'll find out what has happened to the lights. Perhaps then there'll be even more for you to find." Their goal, whilst somewhat impractical and not really beneficial to Thomas in any way, was a purpose nontheless. In a way, that made the deer greater than many of the emotion-driven Gemnounds that Gabriel had encountered wandering aimlessly throughout the caves.

"You are very welcome. I'll most definitely be seeing you at some point in the future."

Gabriel wasn't sure where it was going to start its search for the source of the lights, but it felt sure that it was somewhere in this room. Perhaps it would start along the edges and slowly spiral inward? Gabriel didn't think that in it's current state, it could make it to the other side of the river, so right now that area was out of bounds.

As it turned and began to walk away, Gabriel looked back towards Thomas one last time, wondering if there was anything else they needed before it took its leave.

"Speech looks like this."
"Thoughts looks like this."

tags: @Thomas
notes:

Even though he was overwhelmed with excitement, Thomas couldn't help but feel slightly dull about the current situation. Yes, he was finally at Polaris. But now he was losing the only other gembound he knew: Gabriel. The young elk nodded at the pup and lowered his head somewhat closer to eye level. "Thank you again, Gabriel. I too will be waiting." He raised his head back up into the air and gave a soft look towards his fellow gembound.

Thomas watched as the canine turned to leave. He pulled his ears back as he watched his temporary companion walk in the other direction. You will see him again. When Gabriel stopped to look back, the elk flicked his tail and lifted his head high into the air. He gave one last kind look to the pup before turning his own way and heading deeper into the midst of Polaris.

-exit Thomas-

talk // think
tagged; @Gabriel
notes; the ending. how sad.

Gabriel smiled at them one final time, ears cocked to their final words. and then they, following its own resolve, turned to leave and greet the world. it was a strange feeling, to see one go after spending this much time with them. How odd. But that was just life; Gabriel guessed that it would see many gembounds come and go in its time.

It was simply bound to be that way; there was no avoiding it.

Gabriel kept on smiling as it watched them go. kept on watching them go until they were finally out of sight. Only then did Gabriel turn away and take its own leave, intent on searching the room of lights for the source of this darkness.

-exit Gabriel-


"Speech looks like this."
"Thoughts looks like this."

tags:
notes: