Open Salamanders in the Sluice

[Ayszel]

2nd Spring 515 AV

Note for JoiningI would love if others got involved in this thread! Just keep in mind that I am pretty deep in the tunnels, not somewhere someone would just be wandering for fun. I look forward to the clever reasons you come up with for being down here! <3

The steam baths were where Ayszel was sent most frequently for repairs. The presence of Salamanders, moss, intense heat and moisture all left the stone vulnerable to cracking and animal excavation. Furthermore, it was perhaps the most ineloquent of walled chambers and as such left very little for the novice Reimancer to damage. Furthermore, perhaps most of all, if any damage did occur there were plenty of springs to take their place, and thus didn’t risk hindering the nest in any long term manner. However, Ayszel had never been this deep before.

However, she had long ago passed the deepest tunnels she had been sent to work on. Her hands ran along the wretched crumbling black of the loamy stone surface of the narrowing tunnels. Here, the surfaces of the pools bubbled ecstatically. Closer to the core of the earth some of the springs were too hot to submerge oneself in but were a favored loitering spot for many insects, salamanders, and mosses that were the foundation of Ayszels philtering skills. She slinked through the tunnels in full snake form, surely scaring all the salamanders and insects long before she spotted any. The ingredients she wanted would be at the deepest depths of the tunnels, still far from where she was.

The water surface of the pools she passed glowed faintly, a white-blue that dazzled eyes that were used to darkness and made the snake slits shrink sharply. Her tail warmed gently as it ran over the hot stones as she slid deeper into the tunnels.

The cave she entered was vaguely oval with a high arching roof that echoed the gentle water noises. The water was particularly cloudy as the bubbles brought up the silt from the bottom. Far beneath the massage shop small scratches of red ran like leaking blood along the otherwise black walls. The pool was beautiful and would have been a favorite of couples if it hadn’t been for the teaming flora that stretched along the floor and walls. Ayszel however found the copious flora soothing.

Ayszel slowly eased herself over the lip of the pool, a shiver and sigh of contentment as the hot water pooled around her waist, her beautiful scales disappearing beneath the white foamy surface. A sleeve that ran down the entirety of her left arm stayed fastened around her shoulder and ribcage. She never took it off, couldn’t bear to take it off.

Her fingers scuttled over the surface as she let all thought go. As she allowed her body to sink into the water of Zinrah she slipped into herself and let her mind sink into the water of res within her. Glowing gold and sparkling with power she eased her hands into it languidly, not pulling it from its source. She couldn’t imagine her life without the golden glow within her, the golden glow that gave her power she had craved since she was a young child, since she had first craved meat.

Ayszel pressed her hands against the small bench beneath her fingers and wiggled her tail slowly watching her body slowly rise to the surface. Her plump breasts broke the surface of the water slightly and her tail moved in slow waves beneath the surface, her dark colourful scales shimmering brightly. She waited patiently in silence, eyes peaking over the edge of the water. Eventually the cautious critters would emerge and she would be waiting, in style.

[Xen]

“ Xen was really pushing his luck this time.

He should have learned from his last encounter with the giant salamander and avoided venturing this far into Zinrah's depths. These dark tunnels had areas where weird and well camouflaged creatures could lurk, which was particularly bad for those mindlessly wandering the tunnels. But, Xen was prepared this time. He dons his black leather armor to help him blend in with the surrounding shades and shadows within the tunnels. On his left side his katana remained while on his right a wickedly sharp dagger rested in place.

He was ready to face the slimy beasts that lurked in this stone abyss.

The goal today was to find a morphing model. He had not fully memorized the giant salamanders form and needed to expand on his knowledge of morphing. And with this in mind Xen walked down the corridor quietly as he lurks along the path with the deepest shadows. His feet were bare; tapping shoes would not alert others of his presence this time. Xen continues to tread through shadows and pays close attention to the stone cavern floor below him; water puddles were very common down here, due the over abundance of steam and moisture and their tendency to collect on surfaces.

Xen was careful of these things also.

He steps over a small puddle and gently places his foot onto the partially dry stone beyond it. Xen slowly raises his other foot over the puddle and repeats the process all over again. A breathe of air escapes his mouth as he stands in place beyond the puddle of water. ¨ Stealth is a delicate art to practice,¨ Xen thought as he listens to utter silence within the corridor and his inner voice. The anxiety that the fear of failure creates was serious. Xen knew if he made too loud of a noise, creatures, valuable models would flee. ¨ Do not slip up Xen, your future depends on this!¨ Xen thought overly dramatically as he attempts to coach himself through his current, but slight anxiety.

Yes! He could do this!

The desire to succeed began to outweigh the thought and fear of failure within Xen, making him want to push forward. He raises his foot proudly and places onto the ground, which then he repeats with his left foot... and almost slips. Xen flails his arms! Then pauses in place as he catches his balance. The fall surely would have alerted creatures of his presence and after thanking the odds that he didn't Xen continues to sneak his way through the tunnel. It was only when he passes an open cavern that he notices the presence of someone other than himself. ¨ What is this person doing?¨ The question presented itself quickly.Why were they relaxing here in all places?

Xen steps from the shadows that were concealing him and speaks ¨ Lowering your guard down here isn't a wise thing to do,¨ Xen spoke in snake-tongue to Ayszel; his tone of voice low. ”


“ ”

[Ayszel]

.

The sudden sweet sibilance of a male Dhani voice broke through the bubbly warmth of Ayrsels quiet waiting making her jump. Her tail and arms splashed frantically as she righted herself, tossing water loudly against itself and the red streaked walls. While Zinrah was her home and as such she was utterly relaxed within its depths, these extreme bowels were as frightening as the jungle wilds and arguably as dangerous. Ayszel awkwardly found her tail and coiled down tightly on it, ready to leap at the potential predator.

"Lowering your guard down here isn't a wise thing to do," She responded with patient silence for a moment running her eyes over the Dhani's body. He was in human form, but was evidently far too short and lithe to be a constrictor. More vvviperssss.... she complained internally. However, though the moan of displeasure that silently swam through her head was instinctual she was intensely curious what the man was doing in the bowels of the city.

His skin was the familiar brown of the jungle humanoids, so familiar she didn't notice it. What she did notice was the gorgeous purple of his eyes framed by thick ropes of black hair. Never before had she seen eyes so vibrantly coloured. Despite their colour their depths were gently sad and quiet reminding her of the touch of moss.

The silence has gone on for too long she realized,"I-I...yes! I know that of course. I'm not here relaxing. I'm here for Salamanders."She stated. While usually graced with an eloquent tongue the man had caught her so thoroughly with both his presence and his eyes she barely placed one word in front of the other.

Uncoiling herself from the water she flopped her long thick snake length along the wet stone floor."Which," she almost said you before hesitating for a moment, It isn't fair to blame him...I was the one who was startled...though it was by him... she hated to admit the fault, as slight as it was, but it slipped out of her mouth grudgingly "I have undoubtedly scared away now..."she sighed quietly wondering how long it would take to draw them out after that much noise.

[Xen]

“ Xen leans his head back “ Whoa, ” He gave the flailing constrictor dhani some space. He did not want to wear soaked armor the whole time he was down in Zinrah's depths. That would be very unpleasant. It would be like wearing a wet glove, and one that was covering most of your body.

Nasty!

Xen shakes off the disgusting and rather unpleasant thought to focus on the individual in front of him. He could tell that this constrictor was quite young, she was not as big as the adults he had seen roaming the nest, but still, she was larger than he was. The rather strange and unique patterns upon her scales caught his attention, along with the slight rainbow sheen they held. These things coupled with a neatly round body made Xen assume that this one was female; her scales looked smooth too. The massage therapist within him wanted to touch those scales, but Xen couldn't help but feel that this was lewd somehow.

“I see... I'm looking for sssalamanders also, ” Xen could see that the young constrictor was trying to regain her composure. So, he doesn't bombard her with questions. When she calms down Xen approaches the female to get a better feel of her presence, and a better image of her. Her eyes were a deep green color, while her presence felt docile in nature. These things coupled together reminded him of the quiet jungle canopy and the humble leaves within it.“So, there are quiet type constrictors in Zinrah, ” Xen thought as he stood patiently in Ayszel's company.

“You don't need to worry about that. The sssalamanders of Zinrah are rather stubborn and they can somewhat tenacious, they won't be too bothered by noise,” Xen says as the memory of his encounters he's had flicker in the back of his mind. Those were some really large salamanders, and those were some really lively times as well. Xen lowers his gaze to the bubbling waters of the hot bath in front of him; he could feel the longing for those days moving much like the waters. But, knew he'd have to work hard, if he wanted that happiness again.

And by dealing with his antisocial behavior, and other things, that happiness would return.

“ If you are willing, ” Xen turns his eyes away from the hot bath and places his gaze onto the wall on his left “We could sssearch for sssalamanders together, ” He continues while rubbing the hair a top his head. It was weird to ask others to cooperate with him as a bubbly and slightly fuzzy feeling would always manifest in his gut when he did so. Though, others seemed to enjoy his more bashful attitude than his more serious side, strangely. “ I feel embarrassed somehow, ” Xen thought with a slightly flustered expression. ”

“ ”

[Ayszel]

.

Pulling herself onto the crumbling edges of the water bank she settled her scales around her, slowly drawing herself up to her full height. Her black hair, from the ears down, laid in soaking wet tendrils along her collarbone and back. While she admittedly rarely gave anyone she met more than a glance, so consumed she was with her own thoughts and life, this time however she had to force herself to only give him a glance.

She had only seen purple once or twice in her life and never the shade of his eyes. With a deep love of colour and cosmetics the eyes inspired her. However, she certainly couldn’t stare into the eyes of a stranger, no matter how much she wished she could make a powder that echoed that colour. Maybe I could mash up his… She stopped herself with a shake of her head and a small chuckle, Getting a little carried away there Ayszel she scolded.

“I see... I'm looking for sssalamanders also,”His voice was slow and soft a sharp contrast to the sounds that had echoed through the cavern only moments earlier. The Kinomoss grew much thicker within the walls of the watery cavern and when he stepped closer to her, into the light, she slowly lifted her eyes from his booted feet to his face, scouting his body. He was short, not quite 6 feet, she noted.

Is he just a boy? Or is he something else? A Rattler or Viper perchance? It would be such a pity if he was a Viper…Rattlers are at least superior to humans. His face was slim and soft, like hers had been when she had first learned her Dhani form. The innocent face of a child with eyes so unnatural only a god could have graced him with them She pondered. However, his body was too covered for her to search for the Gnosis that must have given him them.

The only Constrictors she frequently spent her time around felt the need to fill the silences she sometimes left. This boy left the silence hanging like a fragile web in the air, a dance of glances and exchanges. When her eyes met his the next time she held them for a moment, tracing the lines of deep purple toward the white sclera. Like the lines of gypsum in the layers of sandstone that make up Zinrah she noted, He has the caverns within his eyes….


“You don't need to worry about that. The sssalamanders of Zinrah are rather stubborn and they can somewhat tenacious, they won't be too bothered by noise,”

“Mossst anything that livesss beneath thousssandsss of poundssss of rock is tenaccccioussss and ssstubborn.”She finally added, a playful smirk meaningfully adding a period to the end of the sentence, If the Dhani are any indication..

When his gaze wandered away from hers she followed his gaze to the water, eyes roaming along the edges until she saw the silvery wisp of a flicking tail along the wall. The creature was small, only half a foot in length, but was unmistakable, even from this distance. A Dart Salamnder… She murmured internally. She had learned about the Salamanders as a youngling, like every Dhani in the nest and learned about them further from her family’s grimoire, but she didn’t need the latter to recognize the common blind body. The Salamanders were still here.

“If you are willing,” Ayszel cut him off with a quiet “Sssshhh” and placing her fingers against her lips in a silent gesture that screamed her intention.
“Lookss,” She gestured toward the skittering creature, “you’re right.”She glanced back at the bejeweled boy with a faint smile, “And yesss, I am willing. If you were going to asssk me to look for Sssalamandersss with you that isss. Asssssuming I get to keep what we find.”[b] Her mouth thinned with mock seriousness. I can hardly let the bejeweled boy leave without getting a closer look at those eyes…

[b]“Whatssss are you looking sssorrr?”She slowed her words, watching the creature and hoping it wouldn’t catch onto her voice.

[Xen]

“ This female was attentive, very much so. Xen was unable to recall the last time an individual observed him so carefully. It had been a while. The only thing he could recall, and not acknowledge as a person was the Stalker, which introduced him to many nightmares during the days he first ventured into the Falyndar Region. The thing caused him and his family to suffer a great deal; he hated it. However, Xen knew if he needed to choose what scared him the most, it would be the stalker.

The presence of that creature haunts his memories, but its eyes...they were...soulless. He'd never forget that creatures form and never shall he ever try to morph into it. “ I'll kill you one day, Abomination, ” Xen thought viciously. He has told no one of his encounter with the stalker, something of that nature was and would truly be a threat to the constrictors of Zinrah. But, Xen wanted to dispose of the creature himself; it was his hidden purpose for being in the nest.

And all that from a simple stare?

Really?

“....” The moment Ayszel cut him off Xen fell silent and remained so. It looked as though she had noticed something, which causes him to place his body under alert and look at the female in front of him. Instead of responding quickly and looking in around rapidly, Xen decides to follow Ayszel's eyes as they would show him where the creature of her interest lied.

He follows her moss green eyes carefully. Apparently the creature was lingering in the direction he had previously been looking in. Now with his gaze in the right direction Xen places the stone environment under scrutiny; his eyes scanning the floor before him. “Oh!” Xen exclaimed within the privacy of his thoughts as his eyes lock onto a small silver salamander near the hot bath's edge. The creature had a slender and sleek design to its body and gave off the impression of being nimble and fast.

It was not as large as the salamander that attacked him. Yet, it probably possessed the ability to project venom and the acidic kind, also. Xen focuses on the small salamander and starts to memorize the creatures form, color and behavior. How it moved and how its little sides flex as it breathes. The salamander did not appear to be much, but having its body and characteristics recorded would be better in case he learns of its potential. ”

“ ”

[Ayszel]

.

She glanced through her hair over her shoulder when he didn't respond to her playful jibe and struggled to hide the internal scowl. You'd think he'd never talked to someone before she complained, He couldn't possibly be that enamored with a dart frog...

Well if the Salamanders have not been scared off yet, they will be if I stay here, loitering with this man-child she decided, perhaps more out of feelings of offense than logic.

Wringing out her hair, though it didn't do much good as the damp air simply soaked it again, Ayszel moved passed the Viper, giving him a wide berth.

"It's a Dart Salamander,"She explained, "Pests, but other salamanders that feed on them are bound to be nearby. Good Luck." She wished with a force smile as she moved to the opposite side of the hot springs were another cavern of even further disrepute lay.

OOCHey, sorry for the short post. I thought about it for a while trying to come up with more but this was the most realistic reaction for her XD
.

[Xen]

“ Xen honed in on the amphibian model before him; his eyes reflecting the creatures visage. Its silver grey body was, oddly enough, able to blend in with the ashy color of the stone floor, which Xen found to be quite interesting. It was then that he deemed the creature a perfect model to practice during his time in Zinrah, as its webbed feet could be mimicked and used for more aquatic purposes. He also saw a new possible use for his morphing skills as well. If he could match his skin color with that of the environment, he could become similar to this salamander, which was difficult to see when it was in its perfect and natural environment.

“The Dart Salamander was it?” Xen thought with a sly grin; he was going to put the creatures name to the test! The ¨Dart¨ in its name probably implied that it was either fast, like a viper, or poisonous, like an arrow coated in a deadly poison. Xen didn't not sense any danger from the creature , but that was mainly due to the creatures slightly appealing form that reminded him of his own. He was not particularly bulky, much like his amphibian friend, but it was speed and venom that defined his exist as a viper. And if this creature was built for speed, as he believed it to be, then he could probably learn a few things from its movements and copy them.

Inspiration can manifest from all places it seemed.

Xen's competitive and predatory instincts flare as he heads towards The Dart Salamander. He crouches, during this approach, so that he could place his hands onto the stone cavern floor. And with his body low to the ground, he can avoid bending his back while standing. As he got closer Xen began to notice the pale silver-white eyes of The Dart Salamander, which made him wonder “ Is this Dart Salamander blind?” When he waves his right hand above his head to see its reaction, The Dart Salamander doesn't look up or respond at all.

An ambush predator, maybe?

Xen crept closer and pats his hand on the moist ground, creating soft ¨spats¨ as he does so. The Dart Salamander faces Xen when he does this; however, maintains its calm and defenseless disposition even now. Yet, despite it being aware of Xen's presence, The Dart Salamander doesn't move...it just sits there...¨watching¨.

Xen lunges at The Dart Salamander after it was within arms reach with the quickness of a viper! But The Dart Salamander, makes a sudden and sharp movement to the left and magnificently dodges before Xen's hand could grasp onto it. “ Thisss one'ss fast!” Xen had to mention this out loud; he wasn't excepting this! Xen slides his left hand across the ground to catch The Dart Salamander, but it senses his hands movement and jumps onto the back of his hand to avoid it! “ !!!!!!! ” Xen was caught off guard by The Dart Salamanders actions and immediately assumes that it would bite him.

He tries to swat The Dart Salamander, but it quickly scurries up his forearm and jumps at his face, surprising him once more. Xen flails as the soft, moist body of The Dart Salamander collides with his face and loses his balance. All he could do was grab The Dart Salamander off his face as he falls onto the hotspring beside him. “ Got him! ” In ticks Xen bursts from the water, holding The Dart Salamander, momentarily, before it slips from his wet palms and disappears into the water. He was left standing in the hotsprings shallow end with soaked armor.

“ You can keep what we catch, jussst wait for me a bit, ” ”

“ ”

[Ayszel]

.

Ayszel watched the scene unfold, her mouth a grim thin line. He’s a clumsy fool She decided, less than charmed by his clownish stalking. Covered in water, his long thick hair ran in wet ropes about his eyes and neck. He looked like a soaking woolly rat. Though his startling purple eyes still tickled a place within her that had never before stirred but his antics were typically viper, she considered disdainfully.

Ruffling her thick wet locks, she shifted them away from her face again. Her body was unusually bare of makeup and she felt unusually vulnerable before him. While she was usually humourless and stern, perhaps that was what inspired the cruel thoughts. Do I really want to bring someone who tries to leap after a Salamander with his bare hands? How can someone who has survived Zinrah be so inept...

Ayszel starred at him, considering his offer for a moment. She had meant it as a joke when she had said it but then again she had expected him to be useful. Well...I suppose if I take the treasure it couldn’t hurt to bring him along... She eventually decided. She had come to depths of Zinrah to learn about the Salamanders, to watch and study them. At least he seems as interested in watching them as I am.

“Alright...”She eventually murmured, acquiescing, though her tone dripped with grudging disapproval and her face never shifted. Perhaps her lack of humour would turn him a way, but at that moment her investment in time together was waning rapidly.

She waited for a few moments until he appeared ready before turning on her tail and entering the adjacent cave. This held no hot spring and was narrow and long, extending past Ayszels eyesight. Several tunnels, of varying sizes, opened onto it.

“Shall we wait?” She asked, and without waiting for an answer hoisted herself up onto a nearby ledge, just within reach of her elbows and laid on her stomach to watch and wait again. Better chance here I think...easier for them to come and go, and much larger. She decided, waiting to see if he would crawl up beside her as many males were want to do during the Spring season, or more strategically climb onto a different ledge to wait.
.

[Xen]

“ Xen calmly climbed from the hotbath with soaked armor and clothing; his displeasure should have been surging, and overflowing from every pore of his skin at this point, but he was quiet; eyes showing deep thought. The actions of The Dart Salamander played over, and over within his mind; its movements, that were quick to the eye, were like finely written meter's to Xen. He was both envious and amazed by the creatures flexibility in combat and physical dexterity, which it showed to him mere moments ago. However, Xen shrugs off the fact that he had lost a scuffle with a small salamander.

A lose was a lose, of which he was familiar with.

There was no need to gripe, or wine, for a complaint would only serve to dishonor him. Plus, the experience, in the end, did help him grow a little and, in some strange way, gave him an understanding of the flaw of impetuosity. Xen had learned a lesson from a creature much smaller than himself and would incorporate The Dart Salamanders movements into his own; maybe, one day, The Dart Salamanders style of movement would save his life. Xen never knew when a desperate situation may arise; so, every bit of knowledge was useful to him, even the mere scuttling of a common amphibian.

Xen shakes his head and hair wildly! The action sends water flying all over the area around him; he resembled a dog trying to dry and relieve himself of the excess water upon his fur. Xen then proceeds to strip; first, taking off his armor, and then the black shirt that clung to him. He was not particularly pleased with having to take off his armor and clothing, which he should have thought of before engaging The Dart Salamander. “I guess this is karma ” Xen thought with a sigh. He continues stripping the rest of his clothing, armor, and weapons off, until he was completely nude.

Now released from the embrace of soggy clothes, Xen felt exceptionally free.
He wraps his dagger inside his wet clothing, and then holds the bundle beneath his left arm. Xen nods after Ayszel agrees to team-up with him. He could not see the various expressions she had made before, due his hair and the water clouding his sight. So, Xen figures that this current companion was not pleased with the scene that he and The Dart Salamander made earlier.

“This is better than her laughing, ” Xen thought as he follows Ayszel. He places the wet bundle he had near the entrance of the cavern before leaving; it was better to discard his possessions for now, for it would only be unnecessary baggage later on.

Xen said nothing as his companion brought him to another cavern. This one had a different layout than the other caverns he's been to, which made him wonder what salamanders lingered in this slightly unfamiliar area. He assumed Ayszel knew this location better than he did, and chose not to question her current hiding spot. Instead, he climbs up with her, and positions his body beside hers. “It's better to hide with her, she seems to know this place, ” He thought. Xen had to hold his katana close to his side to avoid dropping the weapon, and or, having its sheathe poke him in the thigh. ”

“ ”