Assailant
Typically cautious (maybe even to a fault), he has no qualms tonight about plunging headlong into the darkness. It escapes him for now, but perhaps he might reflect later that he should be a little more reckless in his actions, rather than playing everything so guardedly. Although, were he normally the adventurous type, there’s a chance he would not be on this mission at all.
His focus is linear, laser-like, wholly trained on that subtle golden glow. It beckons him, calls to him nearly as powerfully as his desire to gather Adriana beneath his wing once more, to even see her face one more time. The intuition that so rarely fails him speaks to him, lets him know that this is what he seeks, that this is what will make his dream a reality.
He is barely aware of Kreation’s warning cry. In fact, he only realizes that something has gone awry when she surges past him and blocks his path forward. A loud huff of exasperation whistles forcefully through his nose as he narrowly avoids crashing directly into her, a feat she had not quite managed not so very long ago. As he gathers his wits, tension begins to return to him again, lighting up every nerve and muscle fiber like a city grid recovering from a blackout.
Finally, he distinguishes the eyes glimmering amid the gold light and he resists the urge to paw at the ground, to posture combatively (even though he has no true urge to fight whatever lies behind those eyes). While he may not be the most useful partner, he prepares himself to leap into the fray with the brash young woman standing before him.
But the moment does not come.
Instead, the glow fades abruptly once more, and a small hybrid creature, hardly intimidating, rises from a pool he had not noticed stretching across the way. He is not as quick to drop his defenses, as he does not recognize the name that she gives for the purple feline-like thing, but it truly seems harmless enough. He laughs quietly at Kreation’s words. “Well, it was certainly something…” He studies the thing, the Felis Marus, and intends to move closer, but as it settles in to groom itself, a familiar scent drifts their way and his head lifts automatically. Surely not.
It is briny and tangy, breezy and comforting, as though he is standing seaside, or better.. beside her. A tentative spark of hope flickers in his chest at the idea that she might be nearby. But then he notices that there is a soft sweetness and a humidity-laden earthiness, that underlies the initial oceanic notes, that makes it just different enough to quell the fire before it has really caught on. He vaguely registers that Kreation has suggested that they’ve found a few remnants of Tephra, but before he can respond, he is distracted yet again.
Just as the elation fades back into the shadows of his mind, the golden light flares into being at the water’s edge, pulsing lazily.
Finally.
He moves to investigate and finds that a flower’s petals are outlined by the throbbing glow. At first, the bitter taste of disappointment floods his tongue, but he realizes that the scent he’d caught just moments ago has become stronger now. Confusion knits his brow as he attempts to process this strange discovery. He should know better than to puzzle over the peculiarities of Beqanna, but he can’t help but wonder how the pink and white blossom, growing in the midst of a gloomy forest, can smell so richly of the ocean.
Kreation’s voice interrupts his thoughts. “…grab something and let’s go!” He shakes his head in an attempt to clear the mental fogginess that has befallen him. He glances briefly at her, bewilderment still in his eyes. He gives a slight nod and looks again to the tropical flora at his feet. He snags a mouthful, careful not to crush any of them between his teeth, and returns to where she stands, waiting. He gestures wordlessly to her, indicating that he is also ready to leave.
A twinkle of a smile lights his eyes as he watches the feline creature settles itself among the flesh and metal of her back. When everyone seems ready, he sets off toward the Meadow, where the questing party had agreed to meet when they’d gathered their pieces.
One can’t help but notice the bounce in his step as he goes.
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware
--Martin Buber
@Kreation
quest post #3
word count: 745
total count: 1,935
objects: various colors of bromeliads + a mysterious unnamed flower