“Oh, this is beautiful!” Gem exclaims as they cross over from the estuary into the ravine’s shaded pathway. There was something about the way the light cascaded through the dense canopy that amazed her. Allowing just enough light for the sprouting shoots to pop up through the leaf litter that muffled their steps. Her chin tilts upward to take a peek at the treehouses that come into view. Winding pathways and rope bridges spiral around trees and criss-cross through the air to connect them all together. This must have taken a lifetime!

“Why the treehouses?” She asks, her heterochromatic gaze turning over to Kenway, head tilting to see what he would say. When she had lived here as Ashen, they had denned within the Redwater Rocks not far off where they would keep cool during the summer months, but this was spectacular! Gem couldn’t help but let out a little gasp of amazement as she continues to follow him.

Ken was so busy watching the girl at his side that when she declared the Ravine beautiful he blurted, "You're beautiful," as if it was some sort of playful dig. His ears flicked back and eyes widened when he realised what he had said. His face warmed under his fur and he turned his attention to the treehouses stretched out before them as if he hadn't just made a fool of himself. If he ignored it, maybe she would too.

He supposed the treehouses and walkways probably would be cool to anyone else. Trying to play it cool, he didn't turn his head when she looked at him and asked why treehouses. The cattle dogs charged past, giving him a shoulder charge as they made their way towards mums den, as if telling him to snap out of it. "Uh, I dunno honestly? Dread built one fer Deluge when we were living on th' islands an' I guess it's safer up there? Away from bears an' shit... Or maybe it's cos when mum met dad she fell out o' a tree an' landed on him." He shrugged, tipping his head towards the two-level tree house on the edge of the Ravine. "That's mum an' dads tree, lets go see if they're in."

"speech"

Gem is so caught up in exploring the surrounding territory that she almost doesn't register his comment. After a long second, she turns to him, both her cheeks flush with warmth. A giggle escapes her as she watches him dart his gaze away to the treehouses ahead of them. She's not the type to prod and clearly the comment was surprising for him as well so she tucks it away into her heart and continues on their journey to visit at least his mum. Her eyes are quickly turned back up toward the canopy. Vines and branches stretch and loop from one side of the ravine to the other. It was no wonder that Ashen had loved it here and now the Raiders. In Gem's mind, it would be silly for someone to not claim it as their own. There was safety and security here along with ample resources. She itched to get her paws on some of the different shades of green that she could spy from the leaves that hid in the undergrowth. But she had a journey first to complete! "Staying away from bears is important," Gem comments, a teasing smile on her split-colored lips as they approach the two-story treehouse. "Please, lead the way," she nods toward the treehouse, allowing him to go first. Stopping for a moment, she looks to Hematite who hesitates. "Just stay here and keep watch," she advices the mastiff, giving him a confident smile before taking off after Kenway to keep up with his longer stride. Gem Klein