A new life bared its face to the newly-awakened lights of the caves; or at least, new in the sense that one could have sworn it wasn't there an hour ago. Or had it always been present? It was difficult to tell.
Throughout the various caverns of Origin cave, mysterious flowers had sprung up in secluded alcoves and precarious positions, nigh impossible to find without guidance or a healthy dose of coincidence.

Petals bloomed in elegant heart-shapes from a shining core that might be a gem, appearing almost like a tiny pearl. Ribbon-like leaves curled into smooth spirals, giving each flower an ornate look, as though meticulously designed by some greater being. Even though there is no wind, each flower appears to sway contentedly, though if one looked close enough, they would have to admit that it didn't seem to be moving at all.

But loveliest of all, each flower exudes a tantalizingly sweet aroma which can be caught from miles around. To most creatures, the scent would lead to a dead end or they'd follow it in hopeless circles. But someone out there, somewhere close, will find themselves lead directly to a flower as it sits, softly swaying in wondrous harmony.



This flower is nestled next to the Spire. It is slightly transparent, and it flickers and glows eerily, as though not really there. It glows steadily brighter as @Winter draws near.


This flower can be found in an abandoned den next to the Crystal River. It is slightly transparent, and it flickers and glows eerily, as though not really there. It glows steadily brighter as @Kronos draws near.


This flower has taken root next to the generator. It is slightly transparent, and it flickers and glows eerily, as though not really there. It glows steadily brighter as @septiezal draws near.


This flower appears to be... burning? And although it reeks of smoke and ash, it's not crumbling. How odd. @Harpy will find this flower growing on top of a tall stalacmite, where terrestrial creatures cannot reach.


This flower has mushrooms growing out of its stem. Its petals have trailing frills and when touched, it leaves a powdery dust on the skin. @Splotch will stumble upon this flower in a fairy ring of luminescent mushrooms, near the cavern wall.


One could swear that no matter where in the room you stand, this flower's head is always facing you. @Kielo will be drawn to its location, nestled near the cavern wall, by a strange tug, and as they draw nearer, will feel this flower exude a strange aura.

Event participants may now post their responses below!
Note: Characters taking part in this thread do not need to interact with one another, as flowers can be found some distance apart.

The gentle, whirling vibrations of the underwater generator tickled Septiezal's underside as he swam through the water. It was good to have it up and running again. He liked seeing were he was slithering. Apparently a gem had been lodged in it, and that caused the lights to falter. Septiezal wondered how such a thing got there. Maybe it the river's current was responsible? Or maybe someone put it there?

Septiezal was shaken from his thoughts when a sweet scent stroked his tongue. What is that smell? It appeared to be coming from underneath him, in the water. Wha-- how? Normally, scent was scatter into pieces when it hit the water, but this scent actually formed a clear trail Puzzled, Septiezal held his breath and dove to investigate. Then, a faint blue light took shape by the humming generator. It looked like the ghostly shape of flower, and its sweet scent beckoned him to come closer. Septiezal weaved forward, and as he did so, the flower glowed brighter as if aware of his presence. He found the pale plant to be eerily beautiful, even bewitching. It was the loveliest thing Septiezal had ever seen.

Cautiously, he attempted to nose it. He wanted to know if it was tangible, or at least a figment of his imagination.

"Listen"
Thoughts...

tags:
notes:

SPLOTCH

The African Wild Dog growled quietly, digging into the rat's corpse. The meat gave way easily under her sharp puppy-teeth, filling her belly. 'This is good!' She thought, swallowing down her mouthful. Her senses clogged with the scent of blood, the smell of bones crunching, and the sight of the corpse.


However, something pierced the clogging scent of blood. The pup lifted her head, scenting the air. It was surprisingly sweet, but with an odd undertone to it. She raised her head, scenting the air, before abandoning her meal to track down the source of the scent.


It wasn't long before she approached a cavern wall. Her eyes could make out a ring of glowing mushrooms, and she approached it curiously. There was an odd looking flower growing in the middle of it, looking to have been overtaken by fungi. She approached it hesitantly, sniffing at the flower, only to sneeze as a dust flew up her nose.

"I'm speaking..."
'I'm thinking...'

As splotch sniffed the flower, the light touch caused it to tremble, only slightly, however, Splotch’s sudden sneeze caused the whole thing to scatter into spores, leaving nothing to suggest there had once been something growing there. In its place, the small pearl-like object that had been the flower’s core tinkled as it dropped lightly to the ground.

And in that moment, a new feeling would wash over the canine; feelings that were not her own. Perhaps Splotch would see a sight through the eyes of another; a pink flower, beautiful in its simplicity. Perhaps she’d feel a mysterious sense- calm, cool, ever calculating, washing in over the mental link.

@Mortis is now bonded to @Splotch , and the two may now speak to one another, and share thoughts and feelings between these threads, or any!!

The flowers have left their cores behind! If they are not reunited within two cycles, then the cores will crumble, the connection severed and never to be reunited again, in this life or the next...

As Septiezal nosed the flower, the glowing object seemed to quail under his touch. A bright light, nearly blinding, emanated from the object for a moment. When the light faded after a few short moments, the flower had gone, in its place, the small pearl-like object that had been the flower’s core tinkled as it dropped lightly to the ground.

And in that moment, a new feeling would wash over the serpent; feelings that were not his own. Perhaps Septiezal would see a sight through the eyes of another; a flame-wreathed flower growing in the waterfall room. Perhaps he’d feel a sense of kindness and curiosity, washing in over the mental link.

@Septiezal is now bonded to @Oliver , and the two may now speak to one another, and share thoughts and feelings between these threads!

The flowers have left their cores behind! If they are not reunited within two cycles, then the cores will crumble, the connection severed and never to be reunited again, in this life or the next...

Winter was nestled between two rocks, her mind wandering blissfully. She dreamed of many things, of the warmth of fur, of white and pink, the touch of cool water on her scales, and sightless eyes filled with warmth. It was a nice dream.

But then, something shoved its way into her dreams. A yearning, a calling. A need to go somewhere, to move from her amazing comfort. She needed to follow it. Reluctant to leave her rocks, she slowly uncurled herself and slid to the rocks. She flicked out her tongue, trying to smell what she was after and a strange but wonderful scent drifted over her senses. She started forward, intent on finding it.

She felt the crackle of magic as she got close to the Spire. She slowed, a little nervous near such a powerful thing. But she had to find it, the scent. Maybe it was coming from the Spire itself? No, there was something inside her telling her that it was something else.

Finally, after searching the sides, her eyes fell upon a small blue flower, waving as if caught in a breeze, strangely ghostly and transparent, but beautiful nonetheless. She approached slowly and observed the petals closely, her tongue flicking out to catch every inch of the sweet aroma.

When I speak.

When I think.

Septiezal flinched l as the flower suddenly erupted into a blinding light. He quickly shielded his eyes with his tail. What in the caves?? Panic rushed through him. Was this a trap?

He was just about to flee when he felt a small object float to river floor and land with a small thud.

"Wh--no no no no no I'm sorry! No! Oh no go back together--sorry sorry--"

A voice echoed in his head that was not his. Huh? Is someone talking to me? Foreign feelings of kindness and curiosity began to invade him. What--what is this? His temper bubbled under confusion. Was is state of mind being altered? He was blinded, and becoming sensitive. Whatever it was, he didn't like it one bit! Then, he felt a someone else's presence. The serpent twisted his body and looked down. As the blind spots faded from his eyes, he saw that the flower was gone, and in its place, a pearl-like gem. He thought the presence seemed to be resonating from it. Visons of Canis and a burning flower flashed through his mind.

Septiezal nudged the stone in a bout of curiosity.

"Um. ...Hello?"

That reply nearly cost him his air, but he managed to keep his nerve, and after a long pause, he decided to answer back.

.....Hello?

"Listen"
Thoughts...

tags: @Oliver
notes:

Kielo awoke with a shudder and a yawn as a wonderful scent- like none they'd ever smelt before, washed over them. They rose to their paws in excitement, yawning and stretching and shaking off the last dregs of sleep, and followed it. Their paws carried them around long tracks which they didn't know existed, and the journey took some time as they found the grips with the terrain of these parts.

But the scent was always there- lingering in their nostrils as it grew steadily stronger, guiding.

what could it be? Something to eat? It smells delicious! Hoping that someone else wouldn't find it first (not that they'd mind too much if someone did) Kielo picked up the pace, tripping as the smell became overpowering. The hybrid came to a halt as their paw collided with something, and lowered their muzzle, examining whatever it was they had run into. They couldn't see the pretty colours or the elegant stem, but they knew that this was definitely the source. They stuck out their tongue and gave what they perceived to be the flowerhead an experimental lick.




_________________________________________________________

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

tags:
notes: here

As Kielo brushed against the flower, it began to soundlessly crumble, the wonderful scent of beginning to fade, the flower’s colours draining into nothingness. When the hybrid’s tongue reached out, it would come into contact with only a sweet-tasting dust as the flower crumbled. In its place, the small pearl-like object that had been the flower’s core tinkled as it dropped lightly to the ground.

And in that moment, a new feeling would wash over the hybrid; feelings that were not their own. Perhaps Kielo would see a sight through the eyes of another- experiencing sight, colours and lights-for the first time in their short life; and seeing in that instant a glowing flower growing in the room of lights. Perhaps they’d feel a sense of curiosity and calm, washing in over the mental link.

---

As Winter’s tongue flicked against the flower, a bright light, nearly blinding, emanated from the object for a moment. When the light faded after a few short moments, the flower had gone, the small pearl-like object that had been the flower’s core tinkling as it dropped lightly to the ground.

Meanwhile, a new feeling would wash over the serpent; feelings that were not her own. There would be no sight, only a new world of scents and sounds that made the world feel like another one entirely- and a sweet taste lingering on the tongue; feeling an odd aura, and sweet scent alluring, with the familiar buzz of Polaris’ lights from high above. Perhaps they’d feel a sense of excited kindness and serenity, washing in over the mental link.

@Winter is now bonded to @Kielo, and the two may now speak to one another, and share thoughts and feelings between these threads, or any!

The flowers have left their cores behind! If they are not reunited within two cycles, then the cores will crumble, the connection severed and never to be reunited again, in this life or the next...

SPLOTCH

The African Wild Dog's eyes crossed as she tried to keep the odd-looking flower in sight. Her nose quivered as she sniffed at it, only for some dust to irritate her nose. She began to sneeze violently, making a distressed sound as the flower began to dissolve away into spores. However, her attention was drawn to a small, orb-like object dropping to the ground. She leaned down to poke at it with her nose, trying to figure it out.

Her eyes widened at an unfamiliar feeling, something cool and calculating, calm compared to her usual cheeriness. And suddenly she could see a bright pink flower, but only for a moment, before it was gone.

A voice seemed to whisper in her ear, and the Gemling looked around, confused when she saw no one was there. She pushed the connection, thinking, 'Who are you?'
"I'm speaking..."
'I'm thinking...'

@mortis

Kielo's body froze almost of its own accord as they saw something in their mind's eye, a sensation that they'd never experienced before. Something that they thought they'd never know. The blind hybrid's eyes widened, as they beheld the sight of a glowing flower, and was able to briefly glimpse at a world of lights beyond. But before they'd managed to drink in their fill, sheer wonder and stunned shock making every feather and fur stand on end, there was a bright flash of light- and it was gone, their sightlessness returned.

The hybrid stood still, their jaw agape for a moment. but then slowly, and surely, they felt their eyes beginning to water, sheer emotion washing over them. Was that how sight was? Was that what they always saw? Was that the flower that had crumbled in their jaws? Somehow, it didn't cross the hybrid's mind that they were seeing a sight through the eyes of another.

Slowly, the hybrid settled back on their haunches and quietly wept, for the first time in their life, realizing what they were missing. Never had they imagined sight to tell them so much. their eyes flickered and searched the empty whiteness, willing something to appear- but nothing did.


_________________________________________________________

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

tags: @Winter
notes: here