for Usui and Bevy

Leon didn't know how he'd be able to find Bevy without entering Pisces. He didn't even know if he'd be able to, or where to start looking, or what he'd do if he ran into Cancer or Makyna. He just hoped that by some luck they wouldn't be there when he came looking. Carrying the lion on his back, he felt himself weighed down by the feline, but pushed through the weight and ran on. While he passed through Orion, he took a look around for Zetos, but was still unable to find the kid. Where ever he was, he just hoped that he was safe and secure somewhere, and not about to get himself in trouble with that rock slide. If everything turned out okay, then Leon was going to go back and try to clear it up before anybody else got hurt.

When he made his way around Orion and to the tunnel that lead to Pisces, he slowed. He could feel the ground growing colder already; snow was visible even through the crack that marked the entrance of the tunnel. Leon carefully clambered in, huffing in the cold air. It was even harder to navigate here, walking through the jagged chunks of ice and snow. "Bevy?" He called, trying to hold Usui aloft while he scrambled across the surface. Leon was careful that his voice wasn't too loud, he only hoped that it was Bevy's ears they would reach. "Bevy, are you here? I need your help!" The bear called again, looking through the jagged tunnel.

The fear that she wouldn't be here hit him again. He didn't want to have to go into Pisces looking for her. But if she didn't show soon... He looked back at Usui, concerned for the little lion's leg. The bear turned his attention back to the tunnel and continued to climb down through the ice and snow, hoping to spot his friend soon.

I have watched patients stand and gaze longingly
toward the city they in all likelihood will never enter again,
it means liberty and life; it seems so near,
and yet heaven is not further from hell.

Bevy was the Guardian, the First Guardian, of Maji Walezi. As such, she often flew the routes and tunnels leaving Pisces, checking them when she could not stand just staying cooped up in the roaring, deafening world of her home but did not want to stay too far... That is, when Enna was in control and the adventures were resting, their minds quiet hums in the back of Bevy's attention.

Perhaps the lion cub was lucky that Bevy was just about to head into Tunnel M-- a tunnel that she hated flying in but practiced her skills regularly-- but it wasn't that surprising, or even as if he had won the lottery. It was just another day for the pitohui bird. Her ears picked up Leon's call and she was rushing to where her friend was in an instant.

"Leon?" She called back, her voice not too loud-- he had left Pisces for a reason and she almost understood... She didn't want to catch Makyna's attention, though she couldn't recall if the lioness was even home at the time. The grizzly bear's form appeared as she came up one of the ridges and relief and fear pierced her all at once. There was a sandy, dusty lump of fur on his broad shoulders... Too small to be Ky, but, then... Who was it?

"Leon, what's wrong?" She asked, swooping down to land before him, eyes wide. Was the gembound hurt? It was the most likely thing-- she could already feel a wave of exhaustion come over her. Did a Healer like her ever get a day off? She supposed that would make life too easy.

Having knocked out from the exhaustion, the child was fast asleep as he lay on Leon’s back, paws instinctively curled around boy’s gem for balance even while he stayed somewhat dead to the world. The bear would roam a great moment before entering another tunnel. As the bear called out, Usui woke and cast his pale green eyes at his surroundings in confusion. Where was he? The place was colder than usual and bright lights radiated off snow and ice. Even the boulders seemed treacherously narrow. Wincing, Usui shifted himself higher up onto Leon’s haunches, left hindleg uselessly and very painfully dragging along. The surroundings were foreign to him, but now that he was more conscious, his attention was directed towards the bear’s words. He heard the bear call for Bevy, and his heart grew lighter. Perhaps there really was someone who could help him! The cub prodded the bear lightly with his paw and asked in his solemn, boyish tones, for his memory was just about returning to him. Flashes of Makyna, Cancer and the pebble whirled in his head. "Hey, what’s your name, bear?” His tone held an edge of wisdom and a hell lot of tiredness. His voice was nary a hoarse whisper. The boy blinked patiently, enduring the pain, and waited for the bear to reply him.

He didn't need to wait long though. A colourful bird swooped in with the name Leon flying from her beak, and she asked him what was wrong. The young lion lifted his head up wearily and smiled sheepishly at Bevy. "Um..my left hindleg? It's...not right. Pain. Very pain." He sighed and his head thudded back down onto the bear.

As he clambered through the snow, his paws would often slip. It was difficult for him to grip onto the chunks of ice and slippery rock, long claws not primed for such a tough, slick substrate. Leon grunted as he tried to make his way down. He could feel the lion shifting, suddenly rousing after having passed out on his back. The movement caused Leon to pause, turning his head slightly so he could look back at the feline and make sure he was okay. It didn't seem like he was vomiting blood or anything... but the pain must have been bad enough to knock him out earlier. Leon was content to focus back on the path, huffing as he tried to keep himself from tumbling down. "Leon." He answered as the cat asked his name.

Before long, he heard a voice - and it filled him with hope. Her tiny intones were enough to lighten his heart, and Leon let a small, thankful smile flit across his lips. The bear slowed his pace again, allowing her to reach them first. The sight of the bird alone made his shoulders slump with relief. "Bevy! Oh, I'm so glad you came," He sighed. He truthfully was. The bear didn't know what he would have done had anybody else showed up. The lion explained the impairment with his hind leg, while Leon looked with concern back at him, then to Bevy. "I found him under a pile of rocks. Can you help him?"

Leon's voice was uncharacteristically pleading - especially with regards to a Gembound he'd never met before. But he was afraid. He didn't want to have to sever another limb, he didn't want to see him suffer through the same pain that Carrie did. He wanted the boy to be okay.

Under a bunch of rocks? She took to the air once more and flew around the pair of mammals, her eyes looking over the injured cub carefully-- and finally she managed to hover by Leon's flank, considering what they had said. Wings spread to each side for balance, flapping just enough to stay airborn, she stretched out a foot and lightly touched the feline's hindpaw gently, reaching out with her sense to see if it was infected or anything.

It didn't look... Too bad... It didn't look like it was cut deeply, or that bones were bent oddly under the skin. She thought it seemed a bit swollen, sure, but if it wasn't infected... She supposed she could keep an eye on it. "I'll do my best," she told Leon, nodding. "I'm not an expert yet, but... Um, little one, could you stand? Leon, let him down, okay? Now, try to stand with your other legs, okay? Don't put any weight on the bad one." If he could walk-- which she suspected he might be able to do so long as he was careful-- then she could figure the rest out at Pisces. Some cold water, some leaves and vines to compress the swelling, maybe. That might just do the trick, she thought.

Only one way to find out. A bit of embarrassment filled her as she realized that Leon had come all the way back just to seek out her advice and she was just guessing... Her crimson gaze flicked up to meet his eyes for a moment and then returned to the lion cubs. If he couldn't walk, she would need another plan. Landing on the cold, sloppy ground of tunnel M, she could have almost smiled. The ice would help the swelling, wouldn't it? "Thank you for bringing him to me. I think it'll be okay, he's got a few scrapes but once his leg heals we won't be able to know he was ever hurt, I think. The ice here might make it feel better, even, if you want to lay down while I go get something to help...?"

ooc: had to edit because he heard leon's name in pebble stories!

Leon. It was a familiar name, one which his pebble story buddies had revealed. Surprise flickered across his features for but a brief moment. It was also not his business to pry into the other’s matters, for that was not the way of a teacher and a trusted guardian. Instead, he replied Leon groggily and politely. "I’m Usui.” The cub then tucked in his head and slid his makeshift bag onto the floor. It dropped to the floor with a dull clatter and a light chink where the metal struck. He felt much better now and was a ready patient for the bird. Previously the metal chord and leather “satchel” would have inconvenienced those who were helping him.

"Ye’ what ‘e said.” The boy nodded as Leon explained his predicament. "Magic gone wrong. I break rocks…but a’ tha’ time, ‘e tunnel’s stairs crashed.” He smiled weakly at Bevy and then listened to what she intended to do with him. The bird requested for him to walk. Leon gently lowered him and the cub slid onto the floor. He could limp on all three legs normally. The cuts were closing, for the blood had dried up and they weren’t too deep in. He moved forward with little awkward hops and nodded at Bevy’s suggestions. "Thanks Bevy. Do whateva’ you want with me.” He smiled gratefully at her, then hobbled carefully to a ledge on the right so that he could lean his body against it and rest.

Leon stored the name away in his brain. Usui. He wondered briefly if Makyna had met him before. He couldn't really help his thoughts from wandering to her every now and then, despite how much he tried to close himself off. She had been with him for most of his life. It had become instinct for him to wonder of her. Thankfully, Bevy agreed to help him. The bear couldn't help but offer a weak smile at her modesty. "As far as I'm concerned, you're the best person for the job." He interjected after she had given her instructions to Usui. The bear lowered him down, allowing him back onto the ground. He leaned to the side though, ready to offer the lion cub something to lean against if he lost his footing or couldn't stand any more.

He observed the lion hobble a few paces, then Bevy had given her diagnosis. He would be okay. Leon felt a swelling of relief this time around, as if a massive weight had lifted from his chest. There would be no amputations today. His small ears twisted back against his skull, orange eyes looking over the cub. He then looked back to Bevy, nodding. "Go and get whatever you need." Leon answered and watched as Usui leaned against a wall. His brain suddenly clicked, and his gaze darted back to where Bevy had flown off. "D-Don't tell Makyna I'm here, Bevy?" He called after her, concerned. He knew Bevy would understand why he had left... so hopefully wouldn't spill the beans to Cancer or Makyna if they were back in Pisces.

After she'd left, Leon sighed and focused back on the lion. The cold was something Leon still felt foreign to. He ran several degrees higher than most creatures in the caves; the snow and ice was not something he belonged to. It bit at his skin, unwelcoming. The bear moved towards Usui, scraping up some snow against the cub's injured leg. Then he turned slightly, reclining onto his side next to the child. Leon kept on the lookout, eyes flickering from the nearby Orion entrance down the tunnel path, in Pisces' direction, waiting to hear the telltale sound of wings beating through the air again.

Sharp talons tapped lightly against the cold stone floor, raptor claws clinging to the ice for traction. Slitted yellow eyes glared deeply into the shadows, teeth bared in wait. Nasal passages would flare, taking in every molecule of the rich scent they followed. Soon, the Raptor Squad would make their assault, but for now, they lay in wait... staring at the bear cub defending their meal.

"I won't, Leon. Promise." She did understand. More than she wished she did.

Bevy was glad to see the cub could stand, and even more relieved to see Leon was in no hurry to leave. She had been worried the bear would just drop the lion off and head out once more... She wouldn't blame him, but she missed the big furry giant. She felt so much safer with him around. Spreading her wings, she made a quiet promise, "I'll be right back," and then took off, flying off down the cavern back into Pisces.

She swooped down to her drying rocks, eyeing over her supplies. She had giant fern leaves, which she could clutch in her talons, as well as a few lengths of vines for rope, which she could put around her neck-- and lastly, she grabbed a ball of moss, soaking it with water, and held it gingerly in her beak. With that, she was off-- flying much clumsier for she had yet to make a proper medic kit that she could carry. Perhaps she would go with Cancer or even this little gembound to find a bag to put things in. For now, she would make do with her own little body. Hopefully she wouldn't be gone too long, and hopefully nothing bad would happen...

”Don’t tell Makyna I’m here Bevy?” The bear’s tones rang out as the little bird flew away to gather things to make him feel better. The two boys were alone now, and, it felt rather discomfiting to Usui to just sit there in silence. Like two silent men. Besides, every opportunity was not to be wasted by Sensei Usui, especially since Bevy was gone. The cub hobbled away from the wall to get to his bag, the pain pushed to the back of his mind. He had something to do. Nudging his nose beneath the bag (which was not too far off), he found a small, light piece of debris from the fallen tunnel inside. It was supposed to be his keepsake, as reminder for today, but it seemed better suited for other purposes. Gripping it gingerly between his teeth, the boy then hobbled back to the bear and skidded against the slippery ice, bumping into the large cub’s front legs that essentially stopped him from falling.

"Hey,” he mumbled, then deposited the rock in Leon’s sight. "Th’ past is done. Friends…wait f’r you.” The boy carefully placed both paws around the debris, then lifted his left forepaw to use his claw to draw out the shape of three figures. One was the bear, represented by his rounded ears and large belly. Then, two felines with tapered features and whip-like tails. They sat in a circle and their faces were blank without features. Having drawn that, he pushed the piece to Leon. "What w’d you like them t’ look like?” He looked at the rock, waiting for Leon to respond.