[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... weller.gif[/imgleft] Dwell settled down on the earth with a content sad sigh and took in the view. It almost seemed like the land was singing to her and it was peaceful. The grassed moved, the tree branches seemed caress the sky, and birds chirped in the distance. Traveling by oneself could be lonely but at the same time it did help to find oneself. At least it was helping her come to grips with change. Maybe if she had stayed with the others many moons ago she would be having little ones of her own, but she did not regret her decision to travel. Maybe it was time to find a travel companion or companions. Being trapped in ones mind was no fun. A faint buzz made her look upward and twitch her ear.

Words came bubbling up her throat and trickled from her mouth;
When the cold of winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain
But in dreams
I can hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again (“In Dreams from LotR”)

She knew not where they came from but the words felt familiar enough. Maybe it was a sign of what was to come. The language sounded mournful yet hopeful at the same time. Closing her eyes Dwell hummed quietly to herself. Another night here before moving on. Would she ever find her place in this world?

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft] Strange Creature was recovering. Not recovered, not all the way- but she was getting better. Her harrowing nightmare from the Obelisk was behind her. Still with her, but behind her now, and she was getting better at actually going out during the day.

Of course, it helped moving as a… whatever the collective noun for a group of lizards was. Well. Lizards, two dragons, and a spectral sea turtle. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever be comfortable traveling without her companions- not that she minded, of course. Sharing their space and company was the most delightful thing she knew.

Today she was venturing out for a foraging trip. The groundcherries were coming into fruit, and the salt marsh moth caterpillars were about as big as they would get before pupating. It was a good time to sally forth and try pushing her boundaries a bit. Her two dragons, Tiny Tantrum and Sprout, flitted over her head, while Trouble Double the tegu sat on her back. Cold Kills, the spectral turtle, floated above her head. It was funny, almost. Not ha-ha funny, but there was something vaguely and sardonically amusing about their bond. The two of them had been terrified of each other at first, but after the ordeal at the obelisk… well, they were virtually inseparable. It was like the spectral reptile needed to see her, like she was an anchor. He really was quite soothing to have around.

As the group proceeded, there was the sound of singing. Not birdsong, kin song. Somebody else was in the area! She found herself wondering what the other kin was doing there- perhaps foraging as well? Perhaps it would be nice to meet them.

Cresting a small hill, she cleared her throat, not wanting to scare the kin who came into view. She was a kimeti doe, seemingly alone. She didn’t look like she was foraging; it looked like she was bedding down for the night. “Hello!” she called. “Was that you singing just now?”

[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgright] She would never admit it, but the sudden sound of another caused her to gasp and choke unattractively. Wide periwinkle blue eyes stared at the colourful array of creatures in front of her in shock. Blinking Hole Dweller shuttered, "U-uh yes, yes that was me singing." Her eyes drawn to the floating turtle before turning back too.... " I am Hole Dweller, nice to met you." Her manners returning as she took in the other kin. "You have such a lovely and interesting pattern on your skin." A deep blush graced her face, maybe that was too rude? Oh well, it was out now and too late to take back.

"Are you out travelling too? I have not come across another in such a long time."

@Scaramouche Fandango

“Thanks! Motherfather blessed me enough to match my lizard- or maybe she matches me. This is Trouble Double, and the two dragons- the pink one’s Sprout, and the tan one, his name is Tiny Tantrum. And then the ghost turtle is Cold Kills. And I’m Strange Creature!” She beamed at the stranger, appreciating the compliment. “Sorry if we startled you. We were out foraging, and I heard a pretty song, and so I just had to come investigate. Have you been here long? If you’re looking to settle down or stay for a while, you picked a prime spot. Loads of late summer plants are coming into season, and there’s plenty of clean water. I live a bit further downstream- if you look down this hill, there’s a creek. There’s a few kin down there- not a huge tribe or anything, but we’re pretty neighborly. Where are you coming from? I’d love to hear about your travels.” Her eyes sparkled. Travel had become such a nightmare for her, but she did still love to hear stories about it. “That is, if you want to share.”

[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgright] "Stranger Creature, all is forgiven." Dwell nodded her head in greetings to Stranger Creature's companions. "Yes, I was just thinking all that when I happened upon this area but it is quiet which... is nice and yet not at the same time. I have been here for about two moons." She rambled before continuing, "A creek you say? I'll have to check it out and I was also thinking about the mountains something is pulling me there."

Dwell watched a moment as the other female limped slightly forward. Was she hurt? Or was it pulled muscles? "In fact I saw a nice hot bubbling brook, good for the bones! Care to join me for a bit? I have been traveling for a while to be honest. I did live in the earth-" Dwell looked off in the distance with sadness, "- but then the earth moved and my hole collapsed right before my eyes so I took that as a sign to move on. I know I was very lucky not to be in there but still heartbreaking none the less. Have you been in this area long? Is it just you and your companions?" Dwells eyes looked around curiously.



@Scaramouche Fandango

When she mentioned the mountains, Strange Creature blanched. “You… probably don’t want to go to the mountains. I’ve been there, and I wish I hadn’t. A while ago, one of the legendaries- Swarm, her name is- she took a group of us there, because we felt this pull. Something wanted us there, and that something wasn’t very nice. There’s… monsters. In the mountains. Monsters unlike anything here in the swamp. There’s… nothing like them anywhere else, and there’s precious little kin can do against them. It took an entire expeditionary force to bring them down, and I’m not sure if everybody made it back. I almost didn’t.” She shuddered, thinking of how she’d seen broken bodies knit back together by the Obelisk’s enraging energy, how she’d seen kin die, only to be raised up again and forced, somehow, to fight on. How the obelisk’s shards had infected kin, making them turn on each other. No, the mountains are… I don’t know how the Totoma live there. But I think I know why some of them left.” She shuddered, then redirected. She didn’t want to make it all about her.

“I’m very sorry about your hole! I don’t live in one myself, but the lizards dig them out for sleeping. It’s just me, but then if you walk further south there’s my friend Serpent Child, and then across the way there’s a nice fellow with an affinity for caimans. Haven’t said much to him yet, but he seems fine. Then if you go east of him, away from the water, you’ll find a little group of kiokote- I think they’re all related. And then! This might actually really interest you. If you go even further east, about… maybe two day’s walk, if you’re going pretty quickly, or three and a half if you’re having fun– there’s the Royal Rainbow Troupe. Have you ever heard of them? Big group of mostly acha, incredible acrobats and performers. They have like… three legendaries living with them, two acha mares and a kiokote stag, and the kiokote’s just the nicest fellow.” She thought about her neighbors a bit. The loose affiliation was quite nice. “When you lost your hole- did you lose any neighbors?”

[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgright] Dwell blinked her eyes and tilted her head in curiosity. On one hoof it sounded like an adventure while on the other hoof... monsters. She blanched at the thought. "Hmmm, now that you saw that I think I may have been apart of this monster adventure... crystals and dark forces. Maybe I'll just visit around the mountains then and not an actual mountain... Huh, yes that sounds like a better option in deed~ The totoma are interesting creatures I can vaguely remember them but I don't seem them too often."

"Yes, it was a very sad day when my home was taken from me. My father had made it for my mother... but I suppose I can create new memories of my own.. well I don't really have much of a choice!" Dwell shook her head before listening to Strange Creature talk about meeting others and Royal Rainbow Troupe? That did sound rather interesting! Maybe a nice show before traveling. "Thank you for all the advice and suggestions! No fortunately for those around me, I was the one most effected. My neighbors were most helpful but I took it as a sign to start fresh or at least travel before I settle down."

@Scaramouche Fandango

“I hope you find the place you’re looking for. I think you will. You talk like someone with travel in her heart, who can see the best in a beautiful world. I think perhaps you carry your old home with you, in your memories, and when you find a new place, you’ll have all the time in the world to make new memories.” Strange Creature knew what it was like to lose something you loved- but there was always a way to move forward, even if it took time.

“What are you looking for in a place to settle down? Is it one of those situations where you’ll know it when you find it, or do you have something particular in mind? For me, I knew I wanted to be near water, and my lizards had to be happy.”

[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgright] Hole Dweller felt her face warm a little at such nice well wishes. " Thank you! It will be a fine journey ahead! Yes things can be forgotten or ruined but memories tend to stick with us forever." Dwell settled a bit more in place finding it comfortable to talk to her doe companion for a bit. "To be honest, I've always wanted to see other species whether it be familiars or other kinds of kin. Totoma's interest me as well. I heard they are very strong and yes well-" Another blush stole her face. "Though I don't know hope I feel about the violence aspect.. Plus I don't know how my hillside-" a cute bunny popped up out from her back legs. "-would feel about mountains and cold weather." Hillside twitched his nose and closed his eyes bored with the conversation. "The water is an interesting place... but I much prefer land if I were being truly honest! But if we were all the same there wouldn't be much to discover not only that it would get boring pretty quickly!"[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... llside.gif[/imgleft]

@Scaramouche Fandango ((sorry for the wait!!))