It wouldn't be long before he was returning to the frozen lake, to this land that was 'there' spot. He had spent some time with his family, weary of leaving them alone too long but he knew that Voltage would look after them. He had spent some time with each individual member of his family to ensure that everyone was happy where they where for the moment. He knew it was still only a temporary home but he was reluctant for them to join a pack; he couldn't imagine doing so when it would require him to put the duties of a pack before the welfare of his own family, so for the moment it was where they remained. He would journey back down the mountain and make his way to the lake, he was mildly surprised to see the ice had melted, well not fully evaporated with the rising heat of spring it was definitely no longer stable for walking upon. In the mountains they resided in the bite of winter had barely lessened, but here it was clear that Spring was well forming. He stopped at the edge of the water and tucked a toe into its depths, feeling it cold inner heart; too cold for swimming, to warm for walking. Ah well, this was where he had meet the shy, sweet Anais and he could only hope that placing himself here again would somehow tempt fate to cross their paths once more.  The brute believed he had found a friend in the tiny girl, certainty she reminded him of family and he was determined to bring her out of her shell and show her that the world was not just frighting, it was wondrous and fit for adventures. He was certain any member of his family could have told her that, but he was determined to show her for himself. He would raise his head and let out a deep, rich howl, calling for the girl by name.   ""

Art by Dancing Crows

 

Walk | Talk | Think Lebrah was off and running about on some grand adventure of his, one that she at least had been given fair warning about this time, and though she worried about how far he might go and what he might find along the way Anais had allowed it. She was rarely ever without his company, and though she cherished having him around, particularly as a small beam of sunshine when her world had become so dark and gloomy, she still needed time alone. Her siblings were more than willing to help with Espirit - she suspected they could tell when it was taking a toll on her - but Lebrah was her responsibility only. Being without him was entirely his choice and no one else's.  Which made her special time alone even more special. She walked without purpose through the woods outside of her den, enjoying her moment of quiet as she wondered what she ought to do. Her legs itched with the need to move, to stretch and exert herself as she used to when she trained as a hunter. Maybe that was what she ought to do with her time. It had been much too long since she had last went about a hunt that was solely to practice the skill, regardless of the prize that awaited her at the end of the chase.  She had about made up her mind when she heard the deep howl stretching across the Fjord, calling her name and beckoning her to it. It startled her at first, making her stop in her tracks with a perplexed look - who could be calling for her by name? - but in only a second the answer came to her. Glacier. A while had passed since their initial meeting, but he was not the type one could easily forget. Standing tall as a mountain, blue as the deepest part of the sea, and with eyes like frost he was a shocking, intimidating creature to behold, but his demeanor had been nothing but soft and warm and occasionally teasing. Almost immediately Anais felt her nervousness returning, a shy flutter within her chest, but despite it she moved to answer him, unable to ignore his call.  As she followed the echoing remnants of his summons, she forgot about her thoughts of a hunt, forgot that she had time for herself at last. She could only wonder what had drawn him back, and why he had thought to call for her again. Her eager paws trotted swiftly through the woods that were familiar to her, bringing her to the lake and out where she could see his dark, massive form standing beside the still chilly water. The grey and gold girl was no less awestruck seeing him for a second time than she had been the first, though this time she did not try to hide. She might have still retained some of her nervousness, her head somewhat low and her tail too though it wagged, but the small, puzzled smile upon her face was pleasantly surprised. "Hi," she muttered as a greeting as she slowed to a stop before him, pausing just a moment before she asked with obvious curiosity, "What are you doing here?"

Art by Arin

The brute's eyes trailed the paths of the clouds as he waited for his call to be answered. No howl resounded in the woods after his own, so he had no way to know if she had heard him until he caught the soft sound of her light paws on earth moments before she appeared before him. She was a silent little thing, which reminded him of their first encounter – to which this one was far different. Here she came immediately into view, not cowering from this strange, mountainous giant, and his lips would twitch at the reminder of their strange hide-and-seek encounter. He waited until she said hello before he shifted his bulk and attention towards her, taking her in again for the first time in a while. He was surprised to find she was more golden, more tiny and more defenseless then he remembered her. All over again, he was instantly protective of her. “Hey, Little Mouse... looking for you, actually”  he would admit, sweeping his gaze back out across the water, this physical representation of Winters passing and Spring's beginning. “Its the season for adventuring if you ask me. So Anais, tell me, if some big blue stranger asked you to come away with them for a few days of exploring what would you say?”  His voice was teasing, but his eyes where deeply curious. ""

Art by Dancing Crows

 

Walk | Talk | Think He greeted her by the same nickname he had adopted on their first meeting, a fact that caused the edges of her smile to curve a little more noticeably on her face. She certainly felt like a little mouse standing beside him, this giant of a wolf that towered over her and yet still managed to pull off the impression of being gentle as a breeze and soft as a flower. The whole of him seemed so contradictory to her, a curiosity that she had not finished puzzling over, that Anais found she enjoyed being in his presence, receiving his teasing and encouragement not to be afraid. It was hard to find fear in the world when she was faced with someone who should have scared her the most...and felt only wonder.  "Me?" she repeated, her quiet voice just as surprised as the lift to her brows suggested. She wanted very much to ask why, to understand what it was that had drawn him back, but instead of offer details Glacier instead offered a scenario, and a very tempting one at that. A few days of adventure! It had been so long since she had last been on an adventure, half a year at least. She missed it terribly, the freedom, the excitement, the fun, and her expression showed it. Her yellow-gold eyes lit up from within, her body seeming to tense as if ready to spring forward straight into this adventure right away. Even her tail wagged once quickly at the thought, though before she could get an answer out responsibility settled back in. Lebrah. Espirit. They needed her.  Realization dawned with a blink of her eyes, and very quietly, rather quickly, the brightness began to dim. As much as she would have liked to, she could not disappear for a few days at a time. Lebrah was hers, and he was very much dependent on her. And Espirit...she would have felt guilty handing him off to one of her siblings until she returned. "I can't," she answered at length, looking crestfallen and disappointed to have to give the answer she had, "I have Lebrah. And my brother." They were her responsibilities, her priorities. Adventuring just did not fit into her schedule as it once had. But...today was a day for her. "Maybe just one day?" she dared to ask, hope beginning to creep into her yet again and return some of its light to her expression. One day would work, so long as Glacier agreed.

Art by Arin

Little Anais was the only wolf he knew in this world of stranger, outside of his immediate family. If she was the representation of this world then he would see it as a place of either gentle timid souls, or of wolves that would force others to be this way. The brutes silver eyes clouded as he once again found himself wondering why Anais was this way. He did not know her enough to ask, nor to figure it out yet on his own – for all he knew it could simply be her way, but either conclusion did not lesson his desire to show her the world in a way that would boost her confidence of self. “Is there another Little Mouse I should know about?” he wondered, his tone serious and his eyes flicked back and forth as through looking for this other before falling back onto her with a teasing half smile. His eyes found her golden orbs, and he could see the want there in them, and knew his idea had captivated her. Yet, even as he watched he would see the excitement and life fade from her eyes and his own head would tilt almost imperceptibly to the side as he took that in and analyzed it. He knew she wanted this adventure, and anyone could see that something was holding her back, was it her fear? Even now did she still worry that going off somewhere with this Titanic stranger would seal her doom? He didn't need to wonder for long at what went on behind her golden orbs, she would explain to him why adventuring was difficult and at first would turn down his offer completely. His own smile would slip away, through his expression would settle on neutral at its downfall. He still didn't understand the dynamics between Anais and Lebrah, but clearly this and her brother held her back enough to turn down something she clearly wanted and so it was he would learn something new about Anais – others came before herself, in this her and Glacier where somewhat similar, his siblings where always foremost in his thoughts, the difference was they where old enough to look after themselves even if he would never stray from them for too long. The light returned to Anais's eyes, and with that bright spark, in the moment, he couldn't have said no for the world. “Well.. I suppose I can accept one day... for now” he teased, hinting this might not be the only adventure to come. “I'm not familiar with Alacritis, and I need to travel more of it, to find places to suggest to my siblings where we might settle, do you think you could help me with that Anais? We could go half a day in one direction before we return again” he suggested, to fit in with her need to not leave her responsibilities for any longer. ""

Art by Dancing Crows

 

Walk | Talk | Think She thought she disappointed him. He did not scowl or pout but his smile did smooth away, replaced by something that was neither angry or sad but close to indifferent, and it was just enough to worry her. Without being fully conscious of it, Anais's ears turned back and tucked against her head as she peered upward into Glacier's face, expecting some rough statement to signify he was displeased with her answer, maybe even something sharper to say that he would not accept her excuses, but with her counteroffer spoken he seemed to relent, smiling again in that teasing manner of his as he agreed to her terms conditionally. Relieved, thrilled, the golden-eyed wolf appeared to bounce on her toes, excitement pouring from her smile and her wagging tail. She was going on an adventure!  Of course, where had yet to be determined, but Glacier had his ideas. He was on the lookout for places where he and his family, the one he had briefly mentioned in secrecy on their initial meeting, could settle, and immediately Anais's mind was racing. She thought of the pack she had once been part of, Ebony of the east, but so much time had passed she wondered if it was still there. As for the ones who resided closest to the Fjord...six months was the last time she had ventured off away from this territory, and a lot could have happened in that time. But maybe not knowing of a place to suggest right off the bat would be better in the end. It meant she got to go run around with Glacier, and she could not think of anything more fun in that moment to do with her free time.  "I'd love to help," she answered, tail wagging as the rest of her slowly relaxed and let the excitement of the moment fill her. "It's been a while since I've got to do any kind of adventuring," she chuckled shyly, though the shyness was not nearly strong enough to overpower the eagerness apparent in her smiling expression. This was a rare treat, and she intended to take full advantage of it while she could. "What kind of place are you and your family looking for?" Her question was both curious and inquisitive, trying to get a sense of where he might like to head. Maybe they would even need to stretch their search today to make it longer than originally planned, a possibility that, if she was being honest with herself, sounded awfully tempting to go along with despite the reservations she had spoken of.

Art by Arin

Glacier was drawn here, to this place of their first meeting and the tiny stranger who was slowly and surely becoming his friend – a part of his life. Glacier was a wolf of extremes in his own way, he could be reluctant to make friends of strangers, but if he did they became inexplicably important to him, as his dear family was to him. As the strange Titan looked into the golden eyes of his smaller companion he could feel the stirring of that friendship, Anais was a part of him now – for good or bad, he would be there for her. Watching Anais face made everything worth it, to see the light return brighter then ever to radiant gold eyes as she realized she would be going on an adventure of sorts. Her joy showed in her movements, the energy that coursed through her and the wag of her petite tail. For Glacier, his happiness was in the warm smile that made its way over his muzzle, and the relaxed position of his body, the protective silver gaze that lingered on his friend. She would speak then, confirming what he already knew – she was in on this adventure. She explained she hadn't had a chance like this in a while, and he believed her. He had a feeling she needed a good chance to let loose with no responsibilities but the one to enjoy herself, and he could only hope it would help boost her confidence in self. Her next question would bring a soft rumble of laughter in his vast chest. “The ideal land would be warm, and chill, high in the clouds and low in the earth... my family seems to have a mixed idea in what is perfect, but ill do what I can..” he replied thoughtfully. “You know this land better then I, would you like to chose a direction?' he offered. ""

Art by Dancing Crows

 

Walk | Talk | Think She loved seeing the warmth pouring out of Glacier's smile, how it seemed to turn the icy silver of his eyes into something molten and alive. It seemed weird to her in retrospect that she had taken to him so quickly, that he had managed to make her call him "friend" so soon after they had met, and now to be so willing to venture off with him in search of a place for him and his family to settle. She should have been more cautious, should have been more wary, and yet Anais felt like she could trust him, the same as she could Lebrah. It was something different, something almost innate, and she was glad of it. It was much more fun to have friends like Lebrah and Glacier than never being able to trust others, especially since she found so much trouble in trusting herself.  Even more enjoyable than seeing him smile, however, was hearing him laugh. The sound was deep, rumbling, and yet jovial, her question apparently tickling his sense of humor. Only when he began to describe the land that he sought did she begin to understand what had been so funny, and just a little she felt her smiling expression falter faced with the task she had signed up for. A land that was warm and cold and in the mountains and under the earth? Her brows drew together slightly as she peered at him, confusion settling in. That was an awfully steep order! But with a bunch of siblings, as she was aware, getting everyone to agree was not always the easiest and quickest thing.  She pondered quietly to herself where she ought to direct their adventure. Mountains and cold she suspected could have been found in the very north, a place that she had not spent much time in. Here in the south was typically warm, and she was sure there was a scar in the land somewhere nearby that enabled underground travel. But they were all locations spaced out and far apart, nothing conveniently containing all four descriptors. Poor Glacier. He had his work cut out for him. "That might be tough..." she thought aloud, though one place in particular stood out for her as one to stay well away from. The incident that had changed her life had occurred in the west, and after the look she had received from the wolf when he had been forced away from her by her family she knew better than to think she was safe to venture there now. "Maybe if we travel here in the east? There's even packs around here if you wanted to look at them?" she offered, tail wagging in a show of hope and eagerness. At some point even her family was likely going to leave this place, and being able to leave the Fjord with someone that she trusted, and someone she suspected her brothers might actually trust to protect her, made her more eager to go than anytime before.

Art by Arin

He could see that Anais was daunted by the task, and he offered her a teasing smile – he didn't expect to please everyone, but he would do what he could to ensure that everyone was comfortable enough to stay together, even if none of them where exactly happy. Either way, they had stayed in the mountains for too long and he knew the cold didn't really agree with his smaller siblings. His own body mass made hotter temperatures almost unbearable, but his own happiness was insignificant to that of the ones he loved. “Here I was expecting a walk in the park” he replied, his playful side constantly seemed to be brought out by this little, sweet girl. He watched her as she thought things through, and thought he saw a flicker of emotion clouded her feathers, through he made no comment of it – she could simply be struggling to think of a place that would deal with all of his siblings needs. “East, then” he easily agreed with her assessment and turned his nose in the indicated direction. He couldn't see far out from where they where at the moment, and he was uncertain what waited them in that direction, but Anais seemed to think it was promising and he found to his surprise that he had no problems trusting her judgement. With a nod of his head to indicate they should start out, he would begin the journey in that direction. He also kept a weary eye on the sky above them, ensuring he knew how far the sun traveled, to ensure he could get Anais back home before late. ""

Art by Dancing Crows

 

Walk | Talk | Think It was nice to see that Glacier was well aware of the challenge he faced trying to find a place that suited all the needs and wants of his siblings, as well as the fact that he was okay with it. It was no easy thing that he was trying to do, and Anais did not expect honestly to find one location in particular that would appease all the parties involved. It was going to be a miracle if they managed to find somewhere that suited only two of the criteria he had asked for. But she was of the adventurous type, and she had Glacier traveling with her, keeping her company and, more importantly, making her feel safe. If she was going to stand any sort of chance at finding a place for him and his family, these were the optimal conditions for it. Her large, mountain-like friend offered her the lead, and Anais took it with a smiling nod and a wag of her tail. She led them through the woods of the Fjord and beyond, traveling north on her way toward the more easterly locations just as she had said. Of course, it meant a detour around the pack that resided above her own chosen home, and with it a distraction in the form of a cave system. She was intrigued, particularly since it was one thing on the list that Glacier had stated he was looking for, and though there were few other aspects that she thought filled the other criteria she was curious all the same. The grey and gold girl stood peering into the long, dark tunnel with bright golden eyes, her tail wagging faintly behind her. There was a part of her that wanted to dart right in, to take full advantage of her free time and of Glacier's presence to enjoy a moment of doing something that she wanted to do without the worry of being ambushed or caught off guard. "It looks like it goes on forever," she said softly into the darkness, craning her neck forward with her nose twitching at the end of her smiling muzzle, her ears drawn forward to listen to the sound of her own words echoing from within. She turned her head to peer at Glacier, feeling torn. They were supposed to be looking for some place for his family, but... "Did you want to look inside?" she asked uncertainly. It was his mission after all; she did not want to distract from it just because she was curious.

Art by Arin

It felt good to see Anais take the lead, that she had it in her to do so. He gladly followed her without hesitation, keeping pace easily with her smaller frame as they made their way through the foliage. They went past his current knowledge of the land, his small trips away from his siblings hadn't given him a chance to explore far or thoroughly, and he found himself relying on Anais's lead, even as his own senses took everything thing in as they passed it, committing things to memory and taking note of things like prey-trails and bodies of water, and other important factors – even through this wasn't where they would be settling the knowledge could only aid him, not hinder. His sense of directions told him they were not heading directly east, through they did make progress in that ultimate direction. He would understand further when the scent of pack touched his senses and he added this to the mental map he was slowly forming. “Do you know much about this pack?” he asked curiously, seeking to further his understanding of potential neighbors or at least packs that he shared part of this land with. They would both see the cave and Anais would head towards it, uncertain if this was the ultimate destination or not he would follow her – even if it was another detour it would be a fruitful one, for the knowledge he might learn of it and its potential as a home or not would be useful. They both peered in together, and his thoughts immediately went to Terre, no doubt this would be perfect for at least one younger sibling, Even Sere and Volt might like this place, if only for what clearly a labyrinth of directions and the potential it held as a distraction and adventure. “It does indeed.. I might bring Voltage – my litter mate – back here, this place has potential” he mused, partly just thinking and also to Anais, as appreciation to the discovery. He got caught up in watching Anais as she took in the new sights, watching her crane forward and her little muzzle twitching to catch any whiff of breath that might bring with it scents and a wealth of knowledge. He found himself smiling at her sweet enthusiasm, so different from how she had acted in their first encounter. When she directed a question his way, there was no way he could deny it, and besides, he had expressed it was an interest to his family. “I would love to, shall we?” he asked politely, before taking a step ahead, through not going far from his protective place at Anais's side. ""

Art by Dancing Crows

 

Walk | Talk | Think His brother might have only been mentioned in passing, but Anais caught the spoken name and committed it to memory. It surprised her, in all honesty. Glacier had seemed so hesitant to mention anything about them when she had first met him, giving her the sense that he was very much protective of his family and guarded about their identities and whereabouts. To have been offered one of their names felt like a privilege, one that she did not take lightly even if she did nothing to bring it to her mountain-like friend's notice. For all she knew, he may have even slipped and not meant to say it at all. She did not notice how he smiled at her, only that he was smiling when she looked his way, and she did too when he answered affirmatively to her request. Her expression brightened, her eyes almost narrowing from the severity of her smile, and her tail quickly beat at the air as she tried to keep herself in place. She was going to get to explore the tunnel after all! "Yes, let's," she answered, her words accompanied by an excited chuckle as she quickly and eagerly fell into step beside Glacier. Oh, how exciting this was going to be! Though it possibly could have been a little more exciting if she could actually see where they were going. The further they walked, the less the light from the cave's opening illuminated their path and the more she began to have to rely upon her ears and nose instead. "It's so dark," she commented, her first word spoken naturally until she heard just how loudly they echoed and let the rest out in a whisper that carried more than she thought it should. She could hear Glacier's steady pawsteps beside her, knew he was there though she struggled to make him out in the dark, but just to be sure, for a sense of comfort, she let her own paws draw her nearer, likely bumping gently against his side in the process.

Art by Arin

Anais's excitement was a living thing, he could feel it in the change of atmosphere and knew that her curiosity was a powerful thing. His thoughts where definitely leaning toward the idea that someone must have hurt her sometime in the near past – her curiosity was just too open and pure here now in the safety of his presence, yet when she had been faced with a stranger – him, in their first meeting – she had been beside herself with worry, certain he could only mean her harm. He shook the thought from his head, he could come asses it further some time in the future, in the mean time he had Anais's brilliant smile and upcoming adventure to concentrate on. Anais fell easily into step with Glacier and the pair began their exploration of the mysterious tunnel. Soon all evidence of day-light was lost to them his eyes struggled to find any source of light to concentrate on, and his other senses where on full alert. He turned to make out the figure beside him as she spoke, her initial words echoing along the cavern wall, the rest in a whisper. He nodded his head, through she could not see the gesture, and then felt her move closer until they walked shoulder-to shoulder, her tinier frame easily overshadowed by his own, and he found himself leaning slightly, protectively over her as they walked. He found nothing in the dark to worry him and his steps where relaxed, carefully matched with her own as they walked to not jostle her slight frame. He listened to the sound of their footfalls until he adjusted to the way they echoed, and after a few moments he would stop. “The tunnel branches out in two directions here, pick left or right, Anais” he offered. ""

Art by Dancing Crows

 

Walk | Talk | Think There was just a little touch of nervousness to the girl as she continued to walk through the dark tunnel, her golden eyes wide and straining to see anything around her while her ears continuously moved about to listen, but it was overridden by her thirst for adventure. It had been much too long since she had had this luxury, since she had felt safe enough to even consider wandering beyond the Fjord and the protective circle her brothers kept around their home. And even if the darkness spooked her a little simply because she could not see what was ahead, the presence beside her that did not shy away from her touch was reassuring. She had a big intimidating Glacier to keep all the bad things away, and she almost smiled to herself at the thought. She was practically invincible. She continued to stay close, comforted by the touch of his broad shoulder against hers, and only paused slightly when he whispered about the fork in their path. Anais wondered briefly how he had been able to tell - maybe his silver eyes had a keener vision than hers - but the decision stumped her for a moment. What to choose when she could not clearly see her options? "Right?" she answered, though in the form of a question, turning her head as if to peer up at Glacier though she could still hardly see him at all. If not for the touch of his shoulder, she might have been alone.

Art by Arin

The slow, observatory giant kept a vigilant ear on the dark cave, memorizing its sounds until he could find the slighter irregularity, and until the change in the the echo of their own steps told him the layout of the cave. He wasn't a fast wolf, and he certainty wasn't agile, but his slow, careful approach saw the world in an entirely different way then the likes of Voltage might see it. He paused in his movements after giving Anais her options, waiting until she was sure of her decision and her soft voice whispered out from the darkness to caress his ears. He smiled, through she couldn't see it “Right.” he agreed confidently, and brushing the shoulder that still touched her side to indicate he was moving, he would start off, his steps walking right until the echo changed again and the fork was behind them. They would walk a little while further until soft shadows began to play on the wall, shadows that became more pronounced and clearer as they walked until there could be no doubt that there was some form of light ahead. The further they walked the better they got to see their surroundings, they could take in the oddly smooth terrain beneath their feet, perhaps water had once run through its lengths, hollowing out this cavern and creating the smoothing footing that allowed them to walk unhindered through the belly of the earth, he could see above them also the weary site of stalactites hanging on to the roof of the cave. At last, they would reach the point of light and could see above them, too high even for Glacier to rear up and reach, a crack in the earth that created almost a window of light, and he wondered how many more such windows might exist, to allow this place that little touch of life. “What do you think?” he asked Anais cheerily ""

Art by Dancing Crows

 

Walk | Talk | Think She might not have been able to see the smile on Glacier's face but she could hear it within his voice as he echoed her choice, and a little one of her own curved the edges of her lips and caused her tail to wag once. He moved beside her, their close proximity allowing her to feel his shoulder shift against her own, and without further prompting she moved with him. Her pace adjusted to keep up with him, though she was sure he was making adjustments of his own to do the same for her. Feeling excited all over again at having chosen their new direction, unknowing of what awaited them ahead but assured by the strong presence at her side, Anais braved the darkness with her companion to find out what was ahead. Only it was not darkness. As they moved, she thought she saw the pitch around her starting to take shapes, to lighten and almost become visible to her well adjusted eyes. She remained pressed to Glacier's shoulder, but the grey-gold girl let her curious gaze wander boldly, to either side, ahead, overhead, even at her towering friend beside her. And she could see him, even if just faintly. "I'm starting to see again," she whispered, sure he was already aware of it since he had been the first to notice the fork in their path when she had not. Did that mean..? Apparently it did. The further they went, the brighter it got, until eventually they came upon the source of light. It hurt Anais's eyes at first, its brightness almost blinding after the dark, but carefully her eyesight adjusted and she could gaze about with open curiosity. At last she felt comfortable enough to step away from Glacier's shoulder and listened as he questioned her thoughts on their find. Her smile had returned with its natural brightness, her tail wagging softly behind her as she stepped forward into the light and looked around more closely at the cavern they had been traveling through. "I think this is amazing," she answered, obviously pleased but somewhat distracted as she padded out from beneath the light to glance upward at the fissure from which it spilled down. "And really pretty. It's less creepy here where you can see too." That was a certainty. At least now she worried less about what was hiding in the shadows. But that did not necessarily mean she was quite done with taking what comfort she could from Glacier. She turned her smiling face on him and trotted back to his side, retaking up her position beside him with her shoulder pressed to his. "What about you? Do you still think your littermate might like seeing this place?" she asked, hoping it was a safe question. Maybe the joy of the moment, of their adventure, was making her bold enough to venture into territory she knew was touchy for him...but then he had been the one to bring up the mysterious Voltage first at the start of their investigation.

Art by Arin

Anais didn't speak as they moved into the chosen path, but he was sure he could feel her excitement, and knowing she was enjoying their little adventure made his day. He found being in her presence was easy, and enjoyable and knew that their allotted time could easily slip through his fingers before he had to return her to her family once more. He brushed past the nostalgic thoughts and when he looked at her next he could see the outlines of her familiar golden form beside him. Through even with the growing light around them she would remain pressed into his side, and he would gladly keep his own form beside her. She would whisper to him and he would lean his head a little closer to catch the words, and he would offer her a smile, through he couldn't quite see her own expressions yet and she might not be able to catch it. ”Looks like” he agreed good naturally, as the pair continued to walk side by side into the light. They would get a good look at the rocky earth around them, and at last he could see his companion once more. Her familiar, lithe body came back into focus, as did the excited smile he could see playing on her lips. He would easily offer her a returning one, even the icy giant was touched by the wonders of their adventures, and found he was enjoying every moment of it. The gradual increase of lightness would also affect him, and he would blink rapidly as they entered the light zone, he was careful to keep his gaze around the shadows until they no longer felt as through they might teat up, and then he was able to cast his gaze about him. Anais pulled away from him to explore, and his gaze would shift to the open window, he could tilt his head and listen, and he could hear the faint rustle of the wind and the twitter of bird sound, he would also notice their was fresh air around them, they where no longer breathing in the musky, stale scent of the cave, but the breath of fresh air brought to them from the outside world. Anais would distractedly answer him, admitting that it was amazing, and he was inclined to agree. He was not sure this place would be perfect for his siblings, but it was a fantastic find and a wonderful place to adventure with his new friend. He chuckled at her next words, he hadn't found the experience creepy, but it was surreal to lose the sense of sight and rely on his others for a while. She would return to him, and bring the conversation back to their main reason for being here, and he made a 'hmm' noise for a moment, before speaking. “I know some of them would love it, Terrae for one, but there are others that would miss the open sky to much” he finally decided, “it's a great place for adventuring and I would probably show it to them however” he added in, pointing out that this wasn't a waste of time (not that he could ever call adventuring with Anais a waste of time) certainly, he no longer had any concerns with sharing knowledge of his siblings with Anais, he highly doubted she was one to gossip about them, and he trusted her, liked her company. “What would you like to do, we could go on, turn back to take a different fork or look for different lands, or we could attempt to climb out the window? I'll leave the choice entirely up to you” he chuckled. ""

Art by Dancing Crows