Iris balanced over the precipice of the entrance, looking down at the vines and the crumbling walls as the trickle of water flowed down into the crevice. Warm air wafted up from within, and scents of rare herbs washed over her. It was dreadfully cold out here in the winter of Boreas she wondered what herbs could be found in such a place as this?

One dainty dark paw slowly descended and grasped around until she could find purchase on another root below her. She saw a better path along the rope-like root a little ahead of her, but just as she lifted one paw to try and move along the tight rope it swayed away from her! Regaining her balance she breathed in and shuffled along the rope as carefully as she could. She tried to lift her paw again toward the new path but the rope swayed dangerously again! This time she tried to counterbalance and move forward but lost it and her feet slipped out from under her.

With a sharp yark she grasped at the root she slipped from and scrambled for purchase. Breathing heavily and clinging tightly to her initial root, she stretched her back legs toward the ground and found a solid floor just at her outstretched claws. She could let go!

Her feet on solid ground again she sighed and looked up from where she came from. It was so much warmer in here than is was out there!


wc: 247

"Cifarelli Saxe" The treacherous landscape provided no type of easy way to descend. It seemed as if the cave ensured that whoever entered wouldn't dare leave without being some sort of injured. If not dying in the process. Cifarelli took note of this as he began to make his way along the slippery vines. Nails gripped as best as they could to keep himself balanced. Nearly losing his balance the moment he stepped wrong. Which caused him to adjust his body. Maneuvering a bit further to the left and away from his doom. What made him come here? He wouldn't dare know. Perhaps it was the mystery behind the structure itself. How wide the gaping entrance beckoned to him. Either way, he found himself moving deeper into the dark depths. Just to end up where he currently was.  Soundless droplets fell from the ceiling. Some hit the ropes which took over his path and made it far more slippery than it happened to be before he even started this journey. Rizi kept her grip on her owner. Scales tightened as her body slithered around his neck for better support. Hoping that he would not fall to their deaths. Her tongue flicked into the dense air. Tasting the atmosphere for any sort of anything to tell her what was going on. When nothing but a slight cool breeze was met, she turned to look at the side of Cifarelli's head. Noting they were nearly to the bottom. Cifar took a sharp inhale the moment his paws touched the very bottom of the cave itself. Coming to realize that he was not the only one inside. Blooded gaze looked to the female whose presence now became acknowledged. Detailing her much smaller frame compared to his own. Quite beautiful she was indeed; however, he could smell the lingering stench of another male. So deeply embedded into her coat that he nearly choked from the overwhelming musk.  "Hello." 568/1500

For a moment the girl drank in the scene of the dripping rocks and glistening pools. The echoing sounds of her tender footsteps upon the rocks bouncing back to her and around. Her groom had gone hunting, demanding her stay where he put her. She had tried for a time but her insatiable need to explore itched her paws insatiably. She needed to explore, she needed to find the rare gems of this earth and the useful herbs she made her life's calling.

The scrambling overhead startled her into the shadows, at first she she thought her groom had already found her again.  As the dark male landed in the cave she realized she didn't recognize him and came forward curiously into the dim light. The large male scowled at her with an impatient face but greeted her with a simple hello just the same.

"Allô?(Hello?)" She was unsure who this male would be, but she couldn't have the same shit luck twice Non? "Zis cave is e'citing Non?" She was trying the common speech of this land, it wasn't as easy as she had assumed when she had been taught a harsh lesson about strangers so recently.

She stepped cautiously around the slippery pools, heading deeper within, toward the heady scent of lush herbs kept hidden away from the winters chill above. Keeping a wary eye on the dark male in the dimness of the cave was not an easy challenge.

"Vhat is you name, monsieur(sir)? Aye ammm Iris" She asked as she ducked below a handing stalactite and weaved around a mounding stalagmite. She had noted names among the natives here were important to know. 

wc: 845

"Cifarelli Saxe" Her thick accent arched one of his marked brows in confusion. Most of the words she spoke did not register to him. He did not understand them until she spoke some English. Cifarelli tried not to laugh or smirk. She was far too cute and clearly was foreign to these lands just as he. Instead, he chose to take a look around the cave itself. Water continued to drip from the spiked ceiling. Vines and ropes were pushed by the dense, thick air surrounding them. While small pools lay in weird spots at their paws. Taking note to how she maneuvered them in direction to whatever had her nose twitching feverishly. "Cifarelli. This, is Rizi." He gave an indication to her companion around his neck. The viper having chosen to stick her head out to better see this new addition. Cifa followed a few steps behind. His gaze taking in the hallowed tunnels leading them further inside. There were a dozen different smells insulting his nose. The deeper they went, he found there to be a strong sense of herbs. Something he did not much care for; but, clearly this woman did. He could tell by the excitement she displayed in her steps.

1,050/1500

She twirled in a dancing motion as if her feet were feathers. She faces him for an instant as she catches sight of the creature around his neck and flashes them both a sweet, warming, and naive smile.

"It iz a plezure to meet you both" She remarked as she turned back to the path and skipped over another pool.
She hoped to return to her chiming musical collar soon before Vadim found it. She was still starting to get used to it and it had started to itch her skin. Mostly because it was new, she hoped to grab some soothing ointment or plants that would help soothe her skin under the collar until she got used to it.

Suddenly warm fresh air greeted them both around a corner, and the cave opened up to the south bringing with it the warmth of Auster's summer sun.

The smell of valerian, calendula, chamomile, kava, and passion flowers hit her delicate nose like an earthly delight.
"C'est excellent! (This is excellent!)" She exclaimed, "Regarde zees wondehrfull herbs!" Her delight was palpable as she approached the plants, dancing on her tiptoes among the blooming flowers. She set about quickly gathering the Valerian and Kava roots by digging into the soft and loamy soil, and plucking the calendula and chamomile.

"I cannot wait to... indiquer(show)? Nonon, ehhh... Zhe word for looking but to give them the look, eh? I cannot wait to give Vadim the look of zese!" She whisked her dark tail back and forth as she asked Cifarelli for the right word that escaped her vocabulary

wc: 1314

"Cifarelli Saxe" Cifarelli hadn't really come here for anything in particular; but, to further expand his knowledge of Ardent itself. So to see the happiness that sprung through Iris's steps made him chuckle silently to himself. A soundless gesture that would not bring her to question him or even notice it at all. He only continued to follow behind her. Observing the way she maneuvered the cave as if she'd been here before. This area was still very foreign to him. After only being here twice, the first to gather vines for his Sidi, he made a mental note to talk to Seph about claiming land here as well. Step after step, he matched her. Making sure to step over any fallen vines or tangled ropes that could easily sweep his paws from under him. Nose flaring to inhale the air around them. As stuffy as it was, he became grateful the moment it shifted to something he was very much familiar with. Another aroma tickled his nostrils. That of herbal plants and flora. It became clear then as to why the woman wished to investigate this cave. She was in a hunt for things to gather. And gather she did. The Saxe male moved closer to watch her work. Shaking his head at the way she attempted to try and speak of showing someone her newest collection. "You wish to show someone your findings, correct?" His deep, baritone voice echoed lightly off the walls. Though he was a male of death and bloodlust, this woman had not done anything to receive such a side of him. It was the reason as to why he spoke to her like a mere pup.

1596/1500

She was oblivious to the male's typical themes and was simply delighted to share her joy with her new acquaintance. He helped her find the right word as she gathered the herbs into a tight bundle.
"Oui! Yes! To show! I cannot wait to show him zese!" She swished her tail back and forth and quickly gathered another bundle of plants.

"It is strange, Zhe cave is warm here non?" She questioned, easily making conversation as she tied the new bundle together tightly with a couple of plants themselves. Now... How to get these out with her? The descent had been tricky. She hoped she could make it out of here. She started to lash the small bundles with a longer plant so they would fall on each shoulder so she could carry them easily.

"Where are you from?" She asked cordially.