She was learning these subterranean lands, through trial and terrifying error, but she was learning. This was a new area for the eclipsed lady, smelling strongly of water and fresh air. The sound here confirmed this before she even had to seek anything out, echoes and the clicks from her teeth were interacting with something deep and very much a pond or...maybe even a lake? Whatever water there was, it wasn't filled with any fast running currents that she could tell. It was still. Still enough for the moon that she would always believe was above her to shine down and turn the undisturbed lake into silvern ripples, these same ripples of light danced across the ceiling and slithered across Metzli's pelt. The effect was lost on her, but something about the chamber had an air of mysticism to it. A joining of what was above and what was below. And if she listened, she could hear the night wind moving across the open eye of the cave. @Maua

BG Stock | Lion Stock | Manip by Taboo | Coding by Werge

to maua, the caverns held no difficulty. the stone walls were solid but they were not. maua could come and go as they pleased, drifting in on the evening breeze with but a thought. but sometimes they did not like to do that. sometimes, they wanted to walk with solid limbs and solid steps. sometimes they wanted to feel the breeze on their fur, to smell the musty air and cavern lake. tonight was one of those nights, and the moonlight chasm has always been one of their favorites.

the path is easily navigated, their large pink frame happy to brush up against the side of the walls as they go - leaving behind the faintest smell of flowers and sunshine. the chamber is alight with the softest of the moon's rays, the lake seemingly quicksilver with the way it glowed. softly they smile - happy to take in the sight. but, ah. they are not alone, and maua has never been known to ignore one of their cubs.

"@Metzli," they call out, a purr rumbling from their throat to pair with the greeting. maua stands tall and proud among the shifting shadows of the chasm, a fond expression twisting their features. happy to welcome their cub home.

Something was here. It sent her fur abristle, in a wave from the freshly scarred bridge of her muzzle to the tufted tip of her tail. She didn't know this thing, this presence. The air felt as though a storm were coming, filling up with the smell of water and flowers. Flowers, when had there been flowers? Had Pistis gone through with her garden before the caves fell silent? Metzli's mind was shaking, quaking, tearing itself one way or the other as the scent of blossoms wreathed around her until- 'Metzli' Something, someone, had spoken her name. Like an old friend with a warmth that could not be faked, and that terrified her. She didn't know this voice or scent, didn’t recognize the way it flowed and thrummed with a gentle power that set her thin shoulders trembling. The silvery shadow's ears were upright and listening for any sound that would give her a clue, her nostrils flared as she took in the strange perfume that had taken over the cavern. She could hear her heart beating in her throat and in her ears. Could hear water dripping like chimes from stalactites around them and into the pool, she could hear the wind whistling past stone above, she could hear from deeper tunnels the song-chatter of bats like thousands of stars dying and being born as they blinked in and out of the night sky. Was someone casting a spell? Hexing her or healing her, some unknown entity that knew her name. A ghost come to whisper in her ear? Her eyes felt hot, thick with unshed tears. The cavern was singing, and someone knew her name. So in her mind where only she could hear, the eclipsed dancer sang back. I don't know much of gods But I'm intimate with their inverse I don't know much of blessings but I've felt the sting of a curse I don't know who you are But I know that what I am Is a song without a voice, an endless bittersweet dance @Maua OOC: Having this thread be a bit more recent since it was originally posted about an IC month ago

BG Stock | Lion Stock | Manip by Taboo | Coding by Werge

there is a tension in the air, an almost audible buzz. maua lets it roll forward and wash over them, happy to shoulder some of @Metzli's burden but not letting it weigh them down.here in this chasm the black-pelted lioness would never be safer, with maua in her corner. literally, and figuratively. paws scuff quietly on the floor as maua moves ever closer, letting their scent and gentle glow roll with them. offering the woman comfort and relief, if she only sought it out. maua's large head tilts as there is nothing between them - their last word fading away to nothing. the cavern is not quiet (could never be, with the life that lives here, the sounds that echo from further on), but metzli is.

her words, her song, are soft - for maua did not think to listen for it. but now that the deity is clued in, they listen intently - a gentle smile brightening their maw. a matching hum purrs from their chest, melodic. the perfect partner for the bard's song. and when maua answers, the sound does not come from their chest - but their soul.

"Dancing silver soul, scarred and left in the dark
What has life done to you?
It has surely left its mark

Though we've never met, I welcome you into my home
From highest foggy peak to the lowest catacombs."

Yes, someone was indeed there with her. A presence that filled the entire room, filled her with something. A sound, a silent voice that could be heard nonetheless. It thrummed through her brain like a summer breeze, like distant thunder, like the sound of a mother's last words to her children. It made her chest heave the clench, the pulse of a swallowed sob that was threatening to cramp her scarred airways. Tears were a heavy thing, building in the heart like a boulder only to leave gossamer trails upon cheeks. They carried a weight until they did not. This being didn't seem to be if the malevolent persuasion, and somehow, some way, it replied to her. The unknown being was closer now as it sang back, hearing the words that she had not expected anyone but herself to ever grasp. At first Metzli had thought of it as a trick of her own mind, in its current tender state that perhaps it was unraveling. But the words were too true and purposeful to be mental echoes. So she let her soul sing back. Stranger high, who are you? Stranger high, how do you do? Stranger high, what is this? Stranger high, I've seen the abyss @Maua

BG Stock | Lion Stock | Manip by Taboo | Coding by Werge

maua does not have to be omnipotent to realize something is amiss with the lioness before them. it is written, clear as day, in the tightness of her shoulders, the tremble of her paws. and, ah, of course. the scarring across her beautiful features. some would look and see only carnage but maua finds beauty even where the scar tissue is thickest. they hold their place, letting their golden glow fill the chasm up as well as moonlight - bringing forth a gentle breeze, intent to smell of @Metzli's favorite things. a balm of comfort to go along with the song they sing. her answering call is strong and loud - now that maua knows what to listen for - and when metzli falls silent, maua continues the dance:


"Dancer dear, silver star
Dancer dear, I mean no harm
Dancer dear, please have no fear
Dancer dear, I am here"

It's a strange thing to hear someone call back to you within your own mind, to know that either another knew your inner thoughts or you were going mad. She was past due a little madness wasn't she? If she could let her mind slip just a little bit more than maybe everything wouldn't hurt so much, she could hide beneath a blanket of senselessness and not have to understand anything. I don't know much of gods But I've rubbed shoulders with devils I don't know much of light But I've seen the lower levels Stranger high, why here, why now? Stranger high, shall I kowtow? Stranger high, should I turn and flee? Stranger high, what do you want with me? Yes, what did they want? Scents wreathed around her, familiar and aching somewhere deep in her soul. Her mind was so awash in the everything of the moment that she could not pick one out from the other, not until the scent of sandalwood and snow entered her lungs and she gasped. @Maua

BG Stock | Lion Stock | Manip by Taboo | Coding by Werge

it's always a strange thing to share a mind with others. maua is used to listening, not answering - but for @Metzli , they will happily make the change. the moonlight here seems to ebb and fade as clouds drift lazily by overhead, the shifting shadows just another step in this song and dance. hearing the woman's doubts and concerns, maua follows her lead - stepping in easily, as they have done so for eons and forever.

Though you know not of gods, I know mortals well
I've seen the passage of generations
Paws that have blazed trails
Monarchs lost to madness
The seeing and the blind
Silent stranger to this land, not all in life's unkind

there is a pause then, as maua tries their best to make it clear. it's a simple beat of quiet but when they continue, their voice is warm and fond - heartbreakingly endeared by the woman standing before them.

Dancer dear, I watch over all
Dancer dear, please don't withdraw
Dancer dear, hear my call
Dancer dear, I am Maua!