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Called to the Earth; Astraea's Flight
Topic Started: Jul 23 2016, 03:08 PM (233 Views)
Zinc
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The Owl Waife
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The day dawned bright and clear. The wind had begun in a cool dance around the Academy, pulling many who still had the energy an joy to do so into flight. Astraea lounged on a grassy knoll in the fields of the Academy. They had grown barren in the recent weeks. Astraea could no longer hear the consistent lows of cattle or the swat of their tails on their backs. Instead all she could hear was the hushed sounds of the wind pushing it's way through the grass. Long ears flicked to and fro, listening. Finally she appeared to have heard what she had been waiting for, and stood on her long, graceful legs. Her wings mantled at her sides, bunching once before she took off at a gallop and launched herself skyward.

The Forest female, though she bore resemblance to the Kirin of the forest, was still carnivorous, and as such the famine had taken a toll on her. But at the same time, her diet had already been steadily supplemented with fruits and vegetables which she'd also found favorable. But she could not subsist on such alone. She'd done her best to assist the Academy in provision of non-meat based foods through her magic. But even that much was taxing and drew on her hunger all the more. She could only help in small ways it seemed, and that much was frustrating to the Forest. Aedre as well, had found the recent famine to be uncomfortable to put up with. Her normally snappish rider was even more irritable thanks to the unsubsiding hunger.

Still....the stirring of the new foliage of the spring could only mean one thing. The call of hunger in Astraea's stomach may have been strong, but the call to rise once again was stronger. In the year before, she had borne a son, Tectorium, who had grown into a strong creature whom Astraea was told much about. She was proud of him. Fathom as well, had been an excellent sire, and had tended her well while she had nested. It hadn't been an altogether unpleasant experience. Still...doubts shadowed at the edge of her mind, even as she flew over the deep forests. What would happen, if she bore a child again, and this famine continued? Where would they gain their sustenance? Would they grow strong or feeble? Was she making the correct choice...?

She pondered these things as she heard an absence in the rush of foliage, and an echo of the wind, indicating a small clearing into which she came to land. What she hadn't expected to hear was a rapid heartbeat and the panicked shout of the young shepherd boy who was perched, staring with rapt attention at the dark mouth of a cave.

To her, he pleaded aid. An idea seeded itself in the Forest female's mind. A cave behind her posed no threat to a dragon with such a keen set of senses as she possessed. She would assist him. But he would need to assist her in turn. Sheepishly, but ready to do what he needed to help, he stood resolute and gave a firm nod...which he quickly had to correct with an audible agreement, as he had seen Astraea's misty eye turned towards him.

With a ghost of a smile, Astraea raised her head and let out a loud, keening roar that echoed over the trees. Turning once towards the vast caverns, she turned to the young boy. "Remember what I told you to tell them."

"I go'it, ma'am." He responded cheerily.

"Thank you." She told him warmly, and turned and disappeared into the shadows of the earth.

In the clearing, in the silent aftermath of the roar, a bird took up song, and others followed it. Things in the glade returned to normal. In the midst of it, the shepherd boy stood, crook held in his hands like a spear across his chest, ready to confront any who came forward to prove themselves, as he'd been asked.

---

Alright guys! Bring forth your males! But make sure they don't try to get past the kid, otherwise they won't know what they're doing! I'll post the second half of the flight in a few days, depending on interest!
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Gothic Thylacine
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So sayeth the Spider
Huojin hated being tired. What made it really suck was he was both physically and mentally tired. Physically due to having less meat. Sure he had been eating fish and fowl but there was hardly enough of it. He had to fill the rest with fruits, veggies, and bread. It annoyed him but he endured. Hell he was a fighter not a bitcher! The other problem though was his rider's mental state. She still blamed herself for all this. But at least she now did it silently. This did not make Huojin feel better but maybe it was a step in the right direction?

He had told Nova over and over it was more his fault for not saving her from that damned Ruin. And even if he had, they would have infected other poor souls. It would of happened regardless. This actually did help her with the guilt a tad but he could still feel her sadness. Especially when she saw him with less food. He was actually thankful his armor hid his weight loss. No doubt that would kill her emotionally. And his goal was to keep his rider as safe and happy as possible. He had to admit he felt he failed at that lately, but Huojin was realistic despite his suave ways. He knew it was more the situation than anything he did or didn't do.

Flying helped. It did annoy him that he could not fly as high, fast, or even far with his drop in energy and muscle. Though he managed enough. Today he was enjoying a glide over the heavier forested areas. At least Nova was with friends and that rocky pet of hers. His eyes scanned for any sign of a wild food source. Since any living hoofed livestock was forbidden at this point. Both his throat and stomach growled. Oh well, at least he had eaten some geese and melons before he left.

A call echoed over the trees which grabbed the Steele's attention like the scent of a kill. Oh shiz, that's right! It was mating season! He figured not many gals would be rising this year but far be it from him to discourage it! He was a young male after all. Cocking his head he tried to pinpoint where the roar came from. He veered to turn and glided a ways until he saw a clearing. Oh? What was this? He saw a small speck in the open area, looked like a human. Well, it was as good of a hint as any!

Spreading his wings as he shifted to land, the big blue hued Steele carefully lowered himself to land his heavy bulk in front of the small human who had stood his own ground. Even when the ground shook slightly at Huojin's landing. He looked at the boy with a blink while sniffing the air. Yes there sure was a female nearby! Likely in that cave, but Huojin was no fool, if this kid was not running away he had to know something!

"Hey there kid" He said "Sooo...I heard a girl callin' out for some potential pops. You got that look in yer eye like ya know somethin' 'bout that. Am I right?"

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Chirpadee
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behold her lovely plumage
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NPC Male Farrier reporting
Smoke clouded the air around the beast of a fire as he cruised through the skies. Vents along his side belched the black smog in puffs with each mighty wing beat. He was all heat and fire from his broad flat anvil like head to his thick solid black horns. His scales were mostly dark red tipped with brilliant yellows and crimson. His heavy nose was dipped in black and faded to the brighter hues as if it had cooled while the rest of him burned. His back was square and broad and his tail ended in a wicked blade of black. All of him seemed to imply solid and heavy. He was an immovable object a forest fire waiting to consume. He was a brilliant specimen of his breed.

Like so many others he had been hunting. Searching the forest for morsels to fill his empty belly. His temper was flaring from lack of food and his rider had sent him to quench the hunger, rather than upend their room in his frustration. The bright keening cry of a female turned his blunted head and he breathed out a lick of flame in sudden excitement. His vents shut and the smoke puttered out as he tucked his wings and performed a tight turn. His claws raked the tree tops, sending loose branches shaking free, as he changed his trajectory with unusual speed. He was hungry, and if he could not fill his belly, he could satisfy the other kind.

The brute of a fire was not the first. He landed heavily near the steel and fanned his sanguine and gold streaked wings. He let out a deep hissing breath, like steam being released from a fire, and smoke billowed up from his nostrils. This was not what he expected. This small boy with his shepherd’s crook who looked worried at their arrival. He had expected a female, most likely smaller then him in size from her call, to be waiting for them. This was unorthodox but some females felt the need to break the mold. He appreciated that. A simple flight was well and good but it grew stale as the years passed.

It seemed the other male had already questioned their nervous guide, so he kept his black jaws tightly sealed so he could peer around them at the cave. He was measuring its size, making sure he could fit comfortably, judging how far he could open his wings without damaging the sensitive membrane on the hanging rocks. Cool air poured out of the maw like a welcoming finger, beckoning, and his vents snapped open letting out a belch of hot air, cooling him some so he would not overheat in his excitement.

His claws pawed the earth, questioning and ready to embark. He could smell the scent of the female. She was here, recently. The air was thick with her musk and he was anxious to press on to find her. He was here to prove himself and his bloodline. It was important to him he did so efficiently and unwavering. Sharp gold eyes swung to his competition. A friendly sort of steel with sharpened spines. It would be a hard fight if she asked for combat, but already he was measuring the brute up, just in case. You had to be prepared.

Now having sized up his competition, the cave, the boy, the solidness of the ground under his feet, the likelihood of rain, and any other number of variables one might have some vague chance of need for he spoke. “I am Ferrier and I seek the lady.” It was blunt and to the point, just like him. “She has gone within. What role do you play in this?” He was intimidating without intending to be. A gruff sort of dragon who seemed prickly when he was honestly curious.

His eyes shifted back to the gaping maw of the cave and his pupils dilated, he was ready to give chase if that was asked. His hinds shifted as he readied his muscles. It seemed unlikely, with her not present that she was going to ask them to battle, so a race to find her seemed like the most obvious next guess. He was ready and the adrenaline her scent had coursing through his veins had him on edge. Farrier was ready to perform.
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Kyariel
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I GOT A JAR OF DIRT, I GOT A JAR OF DIRT, I GOT A JAR OF DIRT,
Keeto the NPC Air

Luckily for Keeto he'd found a healer pair willing to help him remove the two damaged feathers from his tail without further harm to himself. Sure that meant he had an odd gap in his tail feathers until new feathers grew to replace the removed ones, but Keeto didn't mind. The important thing was knowing they would grow back in his mind. He was soon distracted from his thoughts by the streak of blood red that passed by the edge of his line of sight. A quick turn of the head allowing him to spot the larger fire dragon around the same time he heard the cry of another female dragon.

Now that he knew what was actually going on around the academy the young Air didn't think it was a female in distress as he arced around to follow the other male. Though it still stung to lose out like he had on his last attempt; even if he honestly knew his chances were slim then. So he hoped this time would be more lucky for him. As a result of his not getting there till long after the female had vanished below ground and the fire had spoken to a young boy acting as gatekeeper, Keeto merely alighted.

Then more visibly curious than vocally; not to mention not wanting to bombard the boy with the same query, the parakeet like air Keeto waited to see what the child would say. Figuring easily enough the human had a part in why he too could scent the female nearby but couldn't see her. Though he did try to make himself smaller looking, just incase Farrier accidentally scared the child.
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Zinc
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The Owl Waife
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She'd told him that the other dragons would come. And she'd not been wrong. Drawn by her cry, they had emerged from the sky. First had come a great thorny beast, his scales shimmering like the blade of his father's scythe. He could only stare up at him in awe, his grip on his crook loosening a bit. He couldn't help the small step back as the blue-hued dragon sniffed at the air. He didn't look Tainted, but one could never be too careful in these woods as it was anyway. He pointed the end of the crook at the Steel's nose. "'ou don' worry none! All in time, y'got 't?" he asked, arms crossed. It was clear that the power that he was currently wielding, 'given' to him by the female was adding a bit to his bravery. He had to admit that it was quite a bit of fun getting to order around some dragons, at least for a short while.

The next dragon, he had to admit, was far more intimidating than the first Steel. He was far bigger too. With a dark face and smoke pushing from vents around him, the boy was unsure if what he was looking at was a Lava or if it was a Fire. He was huge, whatever he was. He rocked back on his heels, staring up at Farrier, and gulped. His voice rumbled the ground beneath his feet and he could feel it in his chest for the bass. Yikes. What a brute. To him, he also acknowledged. "Well, at least 'ou 'ad the manners ta introduce y'self." he muttered. "I know y'seek the lady, chum. So does 'e." He gestured with a thumb to Huojin. "As f'me!" he gestured to himself, planting the crook in the ground. "She asked me to help!" he puffed out his chest, proud. "She told me to wait though, afore I tell you what 'appened." When he noticed Farrier shift, as if ready to dash into the cave he narrowed his eyes. "She also said tha'oever goes afore I says so is disqualified!" He grinned, his smile having a gap or two for the teeth he'd lost recently as new ones pushed to grow in.

Was it a rule? Was it not? Dare they find out by testing him? He'd just have to wait and see. After a few moments, it looked like Farrier too would wait. Time passed, and just as he was about to launch into an explanation, a final male arrived, a brightly colored ball of feathers. They pressed close to the ground upon their arrival, but said not a word. He raised a brow and finally said "Nice o'you to join us, then."

"Alright, you lot!" He twirled his crook, likely in an attempt to look quite cool, but only succeeded in dropping it. "Oh...uh...hold on." he scurried to pick it up. "Okay. Startin' over." He had a bit of a blush on his face now. "Okay, now. My name is Collin! The lady Astraea has offered ta 'elp me so long as I 'elp her." Here, he turned and gestured into the cave, looking somewhat sheepish. "Y'see, my flock decided it'd be a good idea ta wander off on me. Best as I figure, they're in there somewhere." He stared into the deep dark cave, arms crossed and lips pursed in a pout. "Now she tol'me to tell you lot that you're to help find 'em in there. But she said tha'there's lotsa paths. I think the flock should be smart 'nough to stay together...so y'should find em....somewhere..." he trailed off.

A thought seemed to occur to Collin and he rounded, shaking his crook angrily at the dragons. "But you listen up good y'hear! My da hasn't lost one sheep to that blast disease you've all got! If y'so much as eat one of m'sheep because y'stomach is growlin, I'll have your tail I will!! You just leave'm be. You and the lady can go smooch or whatever it is you dragons do. I just want m'flock."

He crossed his arms and stared up at them, a frown on his face. After a few long heartbeats, he looked up at them, exasperated. "Well? What're ya still doin' here? Shoo!"

And with that, it was clear that they had been dismissed to pursue his flock, and the female within.

---

As the dragons entered the cave, it was clear that it had been carved from weathering and time over many centuries. It was large enough that even Farrier would be able to walk comfortably, though the cave began to shrink in height as they delved deeper into the darkness. The cavern swooped around a sloped corner, and any natural lighting was all but lost. In the dimness, there was just enough to light to see several openings that branched off the main cavern and lead deeper into the caves.

The first was located high up a muddy slope, and was a narrow, black opening. It would be a tight squeeze for the largest of them, but a jaunty walk for the smallest. It wound in nonsensical patterns through the darkness, branching off into dead ends or switchbacks. Only keen senses and careful footing would prevent any falls or scraped scales, and a sharp sense of direction would prevent becoming turned around and finding oneself back at the entrance where they'd began. Within, only the slow, quiet drip of water could be heard...or perhaps it was an echo of hoof steps? No one could be quite sure in these echoing walls.

The second entrance was carved by a still running stream that ran deeper into the cave. What had merely been a trickle at the mouth that had opened up to the world above had turned into a slow torrent that was joined by others. This more rounded opening was more accessible and more obvious, with the water giving it a clear pathway to follow. The bitter cold of the water however, was discomforting, and the ground it carved away slick and dangerous to those who were not sure footed. The cave wall around offered no grip to any who were pushed off their feet by the swift current. The farther they go, the deeper the water becomes. Could it be possible the flock had been swept down this way?

The third entrance was barely noticeable, a small slice carved into the cave wall near the second that followed the water. To any who investigated further, it was actually a small opening created by two stalactite and stalagmites that had grown closely together, forming a barrier of limestone. Beyond their berth, the floor dropped away steeply, down into a valley of stalagmites that generated a maze of their own. The cavern is full of the echos of chittering bats. Or wait, perhaps that was the sound of the lead sheep's bell? Find the path from this room, and perhaps you will see where it takes you.

---

Alright guys! You have until Friday to get a post up! I will post the winner then c:
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Kyariel
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I GOT A JAR OF DIRT, I GOT A JAR OF DIRT, I GOT A JAR OF DIRT,
Keeto making his way in

Keeto's head plumage puffed up in silent humor at the youngster before he nodded "no worries boyo, Keeto won't hurt a single sheep!". Then he was off into the cave, only slowing down when he found the light from outside left him needing to adjust to the dimly lit cave interior. As he walked further along he finally acclimated to the dimness within, then managed to pick out the various paths the sheep might well have taken. The small air disdained the middle trail; even if it wasn't dangerous with water-slick stone he was likely to be flattened by the two larger competitors, the first of which he'd not noticed till he moved thanks to being in Farrier's shadow.

The mud-hill fronted entrance too was ignored, leaving the last one he nearly missed on first inspection. But a closer look from a pace away allowed the feathered dragon to see it. Ears strained to hear any sign of the sheep within as he practically slithered in betwixt the pillars bracketing the path entrance. Sure he thought from the looks of it the mud hill entrance seemed easier; but 'easier' lost him the last flight thanks to trying to hoof it when he apparently should have flown. Thus he went the more difficult route in the hopes he chose rightly. What he didn't expect was to be left sliding down a steep hill once his hips past the tight fitting entry way. leaving his beak clamped in a muffled yelp of surprise as his long tail vanished from sight in a hurry.

Luckily upon landing at the bottom of the slide the lanky air wasn't hurt too badly. Shaken up and somewhat dirtied by taint only knew what certainly; but he didn't feel hurt. "faugh, ahm going to be needing a good bath after this...". After shaking off the newly splattered whatever it might be all along his wings on his left side Keeto strode into the maze, hoping he found the right path as he worked along, ears strained for the noise of sheep instead of bats or suchlike.
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Chirpadee
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behold her lovely plumage
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Ferrier takes the river gets taken by the river
The massive fire listened with rapt attention to the boy. His attention barely flicked to the air. A few details were jotted to memory, but their guide was of far greater import. He debated the human’s words for a few moments before giving a curt nod and beginning his step into the cave. Before he had moved three strides forward the small brightly colored air shot past him and went careening down a very steep decline and was gone. His lip twitched and he shook off in annoyance. Letting the air get about his searching. This fire had observations to make, there was deliberating to be done. Only one choice could be right and he needed to debate each for their relevance to the mission at hand. So what if he was not the fastest to choose. He wanted to be right, not quick.

He stepped towards the incline and peered at the narrow opening. It would not be a comfortable fit. He would have to squeeze. He inspected the mud and determined that was not for him. There was little evidence in his mind to suggest the sheep had strayed that way. Second he investigated the small crevasse the air had pushed his way through. It would require he kick aside the blocking structures, but the steepness of the decline lead him to believe sheep would not go that way intentionally. His sharp yellow eyes scoured the stalactites with precision, looking for any bit of wool left behind. No tracks, no hair. The cave was full of bats. That seemed like an unlikely path to him. He looked back towards the incline and the slickness of the slope, coated as it was in mud. It seemed unlikely a panicked flock of sheep would make it easily up that slide.

So he chose the path he liked the look of the least. The widest of the three, but from deep below he could hear the rush of water. His lip quivered in displeasure. He never much liked getting wet. His element was not fond of it, and his own preference to not soak in icy water made it deplorable, but she had issued her challenge through a sassy child and he would oblige her to find the sheep.

He lowered his head and stepped slowly into the slick tunnel. Long claws dug into the slick rocks, smoothed by the quick trickle of water. At first it swirled around his paws happy to lap at his toes, but each step seemed to let it swell. Small currents came from between rocks or from unseen passages along the sides adding to the swell of liquid through which he stalked. Deeper and deeper until he was up to his ankles, then half way up his legs. The current dragged at him, making him have to strive hard to keep his balance. It was cold as winter and he was beginning to lose feeling in his extremities. This made his already treacherous path even more so as he could feel less of the changes in depth beneath his claws and the darkness made this even harder to determine.

His pace slowed. Each step was carefully planned to give him the best traction, but the stone under him was worn smooth by the stream through which he waded. Eventually, in the darkness, he missed his step. His foot fell further than expected and his other paws could not compensate. An underground tributary had cut through the rock and the depth quite rapidly increased into a slick pool. His other three paws slid as he tried to catch himself, but it was too late. With the current, his numbness, and the smoothness his claws did nothing but scrape on stone before he was suddenly heaving forward.

A grout of flame left his lips and his vents belched an angry black cloud as he went down. A roar reverberated through his tunnel in shock and he hit the floor at the bottom of the drop hard. The world spun for a moment as he tried to regain his baring but sprawled as he was and fast as the water moved he was sliding quickly forwards. He could hear the roar of falls ahead. A daunting sign. The water could not be stopped and it was so cold it was stealing the air from his lungs and making his limbs sluggish to respond. He gave a hiss and the water steamed in his annoyance. He had been so careful! So precise!

He scrambled with great claws for purchase on the walls, the floor, any uneven surface but the water had long been at work and nothing caught. His scales scraped painfully against the floor as the water rushed downwards. His massive bulk worked against him. He could not turn in the tunnel easily and he could not get a good view in the darkness.

It seemed futile, but he was not going to give up. He had a mission! Find the sheep, win the challenge. He could succeed here. He just had to be methodical. He had to be rational and keep his head. Even as the cold fogged his mind. He angled himself down the slide and pulled his forepaws together. The next drop was coming soon. He was making calculations. Estimating how deep the pool would be, how far he might fall, how far from his sides the walls were and if he were to enter a cavern or simply drop. He could smell nothing, but wet stone, hear nothing but the rush of water over the swiftly approaching falls. He lifted his head and shot a red hot jet of flame as far as he could. Fast calculations, furious observations.

The flame reached out and the light that reflected on mist spattered walls and stalactites was farther than expected. It was a cavern!

He Felt the edge coming and coiled his legs, he would not flounder over like a fish on its way to the sea. He found the ground, though he couldn’t get grip to stand he could feel it sliding away beneath his feet. He was ready. The lip of the falls came fast and he kicked off hard. His wings half spread and he wobbled wildly down towards the pool below. It was enough to slow him, but not to stop his descent. Mist and water and darkness. That was all there was, but he was momentarily free. His wingtips clipped the hanging rocks painfully and he careened downwards in a semi controlled manner. Smoke poured from him. Flame licked around his teeth in victory, and then he slammed into the edge of the underground lake with a screech of scales on the shallow shore.

His lungs hurt from gasping breaths from keeping his head above water. His wings ached from their abuse to the unforgiving rocks. His whole body burned as it began to recover from the numbness of the icy water. His claws had been blunted by their scrambling against the rocks. But he was alive, and he was no longer being drug down the underwater river. He stumbled out of the water and his eyes flashed around the room in hope his observations had not led him astray. It would be a shame if he had been a captive of the river for naught.
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Gothic Thylacine
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So sayeth the Spider
Huojin liked the kids spunk. And it confirmed his feelings that a female had put him up to this. As expected another male appeared. Huojin acknowledged the big Fire politely enough with a simple nod. While he was usually never one to turn down a brawl, he knew now was not a good time. All of them were hungry and Huojin decided it best not to go back to Nova all torn up and bloodied. For once he was hoping the female did not desire bloodshed. Maybe after the famine was sorted out he could jump into some rougher flight tasks. The boy before them spoke up to the second male before a third arrived.

This one was an Air. He did not speak and if times were not as dark, Huojin may have given him a good natured ribbing, but now hardly seemed a good time for jokes. Already in his head he could see everyone there glaring at him if he made the current dirty 'woolly bushes in a deep cave' remark that was bouncing about in his mind. He'd have to save that one. At the boys remark about no eating, of course his stomach gurgled. He was quick to address that matter "Don't ya worry kid. Ol' Huojin here won't eat your sheep. I'll give ya my word on that. It may be loud but my gut is steel too" He patted his underbelly. "Alrighty then let's do this!"

He entered with his competitors and blinked as the light faded but there was enough to see what looked like three pathways. He almost went for the biggest one but something tugged at him to be a good sport about this whole thing so he left that to the big Fire. Sure he pondered rushing to that one to slow him down but then that would take a special kind of asshole. And assholes like that did not deserve to win the attentions of a lady. Sure Farrier may not enjoy that the biggest path was also the wettest being a Fire in all but that may make it interesting for him at least.

Huojin pushed himself up the muddy slope easily enough and examined the entry way. It would be a bit narrow for him, but he could manage well enough. Flattening his plate like scales as close to his body as he could made it easier, though his wings still brushed rock occasionally. Though quickly Huojin could tell this path was a winding one. Uhg, great. But luckily he had a useful tool for this. His whiskers. He tended to dislike that the metal appendages made him seem "cute" at times but he was thankful for them now. Out they fanned and twitched and felt. Upon walking towards a wall, Huojin was able to stop himself before bumping into it. He had to carefully tilt his heavily horned head to feel for the next open path. He found himself bumping his horns and wings a bit here and there which tried his temper but he stayed calm. If the cave was more Earth than rock he would have just dug his own path with his powerful claws. Alas he was not so lucky.

His claws did come to help him a but however as after a while of navigating he found himself on a particularly uneven path. A foot came down on a rocky edge and Huojin felt his bulk tilting to fall. Quickly his talons grabbed and dug in so he could right himself. The second time this happened he got himself back to normal but leaned a bit too heavily into his wing. He spouted out a curse before silencing himself after hearing the echo. No innocent sheep had to hear that. Sometimes the path got narrow to the pint he could hear his scales rubbing against stone. Well that could be buffed out at least but damn he wanted to look good for the lady! He had to stop to listen carefully. He could hear water dripping for sure, but surely he could hear something from the sheep? His ears not certain, he sniffed the air. The tell tale scent of water on old stone was expected, and even some plant and fungal life here and there, but there was one smell he needed to detect.

He walked on carefully, again with an occasional stumble and scrape, but his whiskers led him true enough. He found himself stuck a moment at a particularly narrow point, but using part of his favorite trick he tucked his limbs up and wriggled through. He obviously could not roll into a full ball here. That would do him no good and may result in lamb pancakes. Finally he froze, only his whiskers and nostrils twitching. There it was, the scent of damp wool. Faint, but it was there ahead somewhere. A bit more eager now, Huojin sniffed and shuffled about following the hint of a smell and making sure he did not turn around or fall in some pit.

He did bump into something though. Something actually blocking the path! It seemed a particularly big stalagmite and a few stalactites hung above right ahead. "Aw ya gotta be kidding!" The steel huffed but then cracked his knuckles "Well only one way to deal with this" With that, he began digging his specialized claws into the rock. Swiping and chipping, he was able to break down his first rocky bump enough to get by and reached up to knock down a couple stalactites, just enough to clear a path for his bulk. There was something to be said about having some traits of a pangolin. He ginned smugly before a chunk of rock fell down on his head breaking upon his horns. He rubbed his head with some muttered swearing and moved on. At one point he was sure there were bats now holding onto parts of his horns. Meh, he was glad for the company.

Finally it seemed the scent was getting stronger and the pathways were widening. His whiskers twitched furiously and he sniffed so much he sneezed a couple times at some other sensations hitting his senses. His long tongue flicked out to taste the air now that there was a bit more room. Aha, yes there was some trace of sheep not too far off. Now he had to try to be as silent as he could so as not to spook the probably already terrified sheep. Curse his metallic sounds! Carefully he lowered himself, still using his whiskers over the extremely limited visibility. Moving almost sloth-like to move himself forward. There was even more open space around him that he could feel. The scents getting even stronger. If he got close enough, perhaps he could scoop the woolly creatures up safely in his wings. Closer now and he could swear he heard a couple hoof clomps here, a scared bleat perhaps? The sound of water dripping and even some water running nearby made it difficult, but he knew the creatures were close. Very close. He could now hear somewhat distant sounds of his competitors. They were closing in as well Huojin calmed his mind and focused as he oh so carefully moved forward searching. Come to Huojin little sheep!
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Deep within the darkness of the caverns, the three males fought through the pathways of the caverns in order to find what lay within, both the herd of sheep, and Astraea. Collin waited outside, arms crossed, and hoping to find his herd coming from the depths, led by one of the dragons, or hey, maybe even a few of the dragons would be pretty interesting. What a story it would be to tell his pa! Or...maybe he wouldn't considering that would mean letting him know he'd lost the herd in the first place. He was considering this as he tapped his crook against the stone.

The pathway that Keeto had chosen, leading him through the winding maze of stalagmites brought him to a small pathway that squeezed through severa narrow openings. Up ahead, light gleamed in the darkness, calling like a siren song to the muddied Air. The sounds ahead however, were not the bleats or stomps of sheep in their herd, but rather the gentle sounds of bird song and the rush of wind through trees and their foliage. When Keeto emerged from the cave he found himself standing in a small opening hidden off from the main entrance by a considerable patch of briars. His bright plumage however, did little to hide his movement from Collin's eye.

"Wha...Didn' I just send ya in there?!" The boy pointed his crook at him, huffing. "Y'not telling me you just go' spa' ou' right back ta here?!" He shouted incredulously.

---

Astraea deep in the caverns could hear the suitors, if only very faintly. The sounds of the water slowly dripping was loud with the echos, and the chittering of the bats was a soft, high pitched sound that mixed in with those sounds. As she traversed the cave carefully and slowly, she swiveled her ears about and listened, picking up the sounds and scents she'd been using to pursue the sheep as they'd delved into the cavern. Up ahead, she could sense the herd had gathered in a great cavern. Squeezing carefully through a narrow opening, minding her wings, she emerged into a space that echoed with her soft steps. She could hear the rush of wind here, and faintly hear bird calls.

In the cave, a distant, frustrated and shocked roar sounded, and Astraea turned her head to listen as it mingled with the rush of water of the underground river. She heard the scrape of claws on stone and the rumble of broken rock. She stood stock still, listening above the bleat of the sheep, for the sound to draw closer. Instead, it faded away. Her ears lowered, and she let out a gentle hum, turning back to regard her surroundings and figure which way might be best to remove the flock from the cavern.

From what she could tell, a sink hole had opened in the roof of the cavern, illuminating it. The earth that had fallen into the cave long ago left grasses and trees within, which the herd had found and was now grazing upon in the careless way that only sheep could. Though they regarded Astraea with wariness, they didn't seem overly concerned by her presence at this current point in time. That much at least, was relieving. She would have no need to pursue them deeper into the cavern.

Perhaps, she thought, it would be best to wait and see who would find her, if any. The assistance of another would be best, and then perhaps they would be able to get the herd out and see to their own business. Astraea found a soft patch of grass in which to kneel, her wings folded about her, her face turned up towards the warm sun.

She did not wait long before she heard the sound of another entering the cavern. She turned her head towards the sound of their approach. "So, you have found me, and you have found the herd." She smiled, ears up and listening. She could hear the ping of claws on stone, and the sound of metallic scales scraping against one another. A Metal, then. "You have done well to find your way so far in the dark. You have my admiration for your keen senses. Not many are as used to wandering without their sense of sight as I am. It is hard to trust those you do not use so often, or so I have heard." She stood, moving nearer to them. "I am Astraea, if the boy Collin had not already informed you. I apologize if he put you through your paces, but he certainly had spirit."

She turned her head towards the flock. "If I could ask for your help in removing the flock from the cavern, I would greatly appreciate it, and then, perhaps..." she paused, turning her head back to Huojin, her voice taking a hint of uncertainty, "If it isn't too much trouble, I'd like to ask you to take a walk with me?"
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