[Backdated to December 8th!]

It would be hard to miss the soft blue that the tunnel's river lapped against- even when it was small, it stood out against the rock it had adhered to, growing in size as the gembound within took form.

The dull hum of vibrations against her chrysalis had driven her slumber to longer lengths. Her body curled over herself in the amniotic fluids of her crystalline egg, even as it began to press uncomfortably against her wet pelt. Bleary eyes blinked open- light had faded from the outside world, and she struggled to look through the translucent substance and blue that surrounded her.

She stirred once more, and let out a cough. One movement was all it took for a miniscule crack to form against the outside, for air to begin seeping in and bubbling to the top in an unfamiliar sensation.

She rolled again. The chrysalis began to shatter more, cracking under the pressure as her spine pressed against the troublesome spot. Her head was in the air, now, and she was coughing more, sputtering, fluid coming from her as her lungs kickstarted into action.

With new energy, she rolled to her other side and felt around for the seams that had split, curling childish paws around them and pushing out. One legs broke through, then the other- then she was tumbling out into the stream, legs splayed at her sides.

She scrambled back, taking in deep breaths as she took in the dark room. Where was she? Blue eyes glanced to the chrysalis- did she come out of that? She let out a final cough as she sat up, letting herself experience everything around her.

Feeling the water run beneath her felt much better than being stuffed in a chrysalis for so long. Slowly, the leopard's eyes drifted closed as she raised her head, taking in everything and letting her wet body dry off. She'd deal with the chrysalis in a minute- right now, she was content just living.

@Cygnus

Cygnus hobbled along, picking his way through the tunnel with his long, dainty limbs. He trotted through the river like it was nothing, built for harsh weather and harsher winters. Well, he would be. Right now he was still rather babyish, and couldn't go into the deep waters yet.

He slowed to a walk as he heard a cracking noise echoed, concern etching his features. He galloped forward and stumbled upon the chrysalis, ears pricking up, too big for he god damn head.

The moose stared at the cub for about five seconds before bleating at it loudly and sneezing, just a little mess of a Gembound, "Hello!!"

Cygnus didn't speak very loud, so his yell was talking volume for most Gembound. He was a shy lil' guy, ok

@Cerilaine

The leopard's ears flicked back at the splashing. To her, it sounded like the river was picking up, but it wasn't moving any faster? Her eyes drifted open as she looked to the current under her paws, confused, glancing to the side.

A very inelegant yelp escaped her as she leapt to her feet, fur prickling. It was a surprise, definitely, to see someone right there, and someone so much bigger than her. Taking in deep breaths, she stilled herself, staring up with wide eys.

"Uh-" Crud, what were words? "Hi," she eventually responded, her tail puffed up and ears shoving themselves forward. "Who are you?"

Who was she? She froze for a moment, eyes going blank as she pried into this introspective question. Sary? Ceri- Cerilaine, she settled on quickly, refocusing back into the conversation.

Right, there was one answer prepared.

@Cygnus (i forgot the tag oops-)

Cygnus blinked and lowered his head, cautious but curious at the same time, ”I am... I'm Cygnus.”

”Who you?”, he asked, nose scrunching at his lack of articulation, his only experience talking being with a very hyper wolf who used too many words and just ended up confusing him anyway.

The moose cocked his head and looked back at Cepheus before craning his head to try and see down the rest of the tunnel. He was headed that way, because Hellswans were nasty, horrible creatures and he didn't want to get torn apart by one for drinking from the wrong pond.

”I go that way,” he said, nodding in the direction of Ursa, though he didn't know that word, ”You come with?”

He really ought to learn to speak better if he was ever going to speak properly to someone. Words just didn't work as well as running away from social interaction did.

@Cerilaine

Ceri blinked for a second. Her ears flicked back, then forward, trying to figure out if she heard him right. 'Cygnus?' She stared up to him, then nodded. "Cygnus."

Her tail curled about herself as she sat back, warily on her haunches just in case. "I.."

She paused. "I think I'm Cerilaine." Well, was she, or was she not? "Cerilaine. That's me." She nodded to herself, self-assuredly. It sounded right, and it felt good to say.

Her head twisted the way Cygnus pointed. "That way?" She rumbled gently, tail flicking at its tip. The water was flowing from that direction, so it must come from somewhere, and she gingerly sniffed the air as she thought.

"I'll come with," she settled on, standing back up. "Cygnus." Her head dipped in a very brief nod as she got used to the name. "What is that way? Other than water," she asked, conversationally, prepared to follow.

@Cygnus

Cygnus bleated happily and perked his ears forward, ”Cer, rih, laine! Nice!”

He trotted down the tunnel, making sure Cerilaine was behind him, ”Not know, but not teeth-birds. Behind there were teeth-birds.”

He shuddered, for what awful things those were. A wisp popped up and floated up and around him, making him giggle and jump up to bump it. He liked his wisps, they were nice.

He stopped at the exit of the tunnel, eyes wide. Snow... so much snow!! It was amazing! And the same color as him, too.

”Cold,” he said with awe, and snorted, a cloud of mist puffing up, ”Woah... come, Cerilaine!!”

Cygnus bounded off into the powder, giggling widly.

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@Cerilaine

There was a faint smile at the corner of her lips as Cygnus spoke her name. Cerilaine. She liked it.

Her step stuttered at teeth-birds, however. "They must not be good," she spoke low, conjuring up an image of them in her head. Something with teeth in the name should be dangerous, shouldn't they be? Do birds normally have teeth?

What were birds?

One ear flicked to the side as she followed, her nose coming up to inspect the wisp. One sniff and no smell, and she squinted as it drifted about, tracking it with her eyes. How strange. Was this... Magic? It felt like a magic thing. She kept staring at it up until her thoughts were interrupted, her gaze snapping to the tunnel entrance.

"... It is cold." She sniffed at the air again, taking in the fresh scent. It was... Nice.

And so she trudged behind the moose, following the path he forged in the thick cover.

;exit Cerilaine
@Cygnus (for visibility!)