Having just visited the hot springs a few days before, finding this place seemed more like a hellscape. Following the dirt path had only led her to a far more sinister viewpoint than before, dirt leading out onto smooth, rocky terrain that further in led to winding caves. Honestly, not at the top of her list of visiting spots in Amaryllis so far. On a more serious note though, the medic had noticed a lack of natural foliage built along the stones, outside of an occasional moss growth or hardy, weeded stalk of something against a collection of rocks. Deluca followed it along a wider chunk of rock to further inspect the area, because if there were useful herbs here, she would need to know so she could transplant them later.

@Sabre

+ 5 - study the flora of neutral territory (1/2)

code to ivy

(1/2) +5 Study the natural world
(0/2) +5 Learn a character's full name and rank
It hadn't been long since he had arrived in Amaryllis and had decided to go with the Firnen Queen back to their pride, and so far it was going well. Sabre had no complaints about the pride or territory, and it was something he was enjoying; being unhappy in your own home only caused trouble, especially if you continued to stay. So now, after giving himself a couple of days to explore some of the Rainforest, he had decided it was time to venture out further into this unknown land and see what it had to offer.

He had traveled far from the rainforest pride to the labyrinth, one way or another finding himself too curious to not go in and explore. Rose quartz eyes drank in his surroundings, becoming very observant of the natural world around him. The rock and stone appeared worn, telling the guard dog that this place had been around perhaps for far longer than any lion. The cool stone paths that intertwined within the cave told him that many traversed here, and as his nose sniffed at the air he could pinpoint a rather fresh scent of a feline - a lioness.

He wouldn't make a sudden attempt to thrust forward and try to find the one who owned the scent, though, and instead would continue to pad along one of the paths. He'd keep his right shoulder slightly brushing the rough rock wall as he turned, rounding a small corner that led down to what appeared to be a corridor of sorts.

@deluca

art by flis from lioden, code by gunner

Her first impression of the labyrinth definitely was not a good one. It was eerily beautiful, she could give it that, but outside of that she had seen very little use to come of exploring the land. Rocky winding paths turned into more paths and...more winding corridors. Deluca had never been good at directions, and ending up in a place like this was like being in hell. The healer lost focus of her plant life the more confusing the pathways got, until the fresh sweet scent of plants filled her nose. With naught to do but follow it, the silver woman began to follow the scent in hopes of finding far more helpful flora than she had before.

As she followed, it got darker which made it worse for her to see ahead on the path. She quickly sniffed to check how close she was to the plant, only to get hit with a strong blast of man smell as she nearly ran into someone in the shadier part of the corridor. " I am so sorry! I'm not used to being in a place like this. " To say she missed the open air already would be an understatement.

@Sabre

code to ivy

(1/2) +5 Study the natural world
(0/2) +5 Learn a character's full name and rank
The light within the labyrinth grew dimmer and dimmer the more he moved deeper, causing for his eyes to widen more than usual to take in the slivers of light that could still penetrate. Sabre had come to a halt whenever there was another corridor, allowing for his senses to become in tune with his darkening surroundings. He could see the outlines and shadows of the wall and rocks, nose sniffing the damp air. He could tell the scent of another was growing closer, and right as he began to turn a corner a body would crash into him.

A low growl of surprise escapes the lilac furred brute as he took a hasty step back. Ears pin to his head while soft pink eyes stare at who had run into him, her apology rushed out and echoing within the tunnel they were both in. "It's okay, it's okay," Sabre would begin, giving himself a good shake before focusing back on the lioness. "It's fuckin' dark in here to see two steps in front of you. Just be glad it was me you ran into and not a rock wall." But was there a difference between his solid mass and the rock walls around him? Jury is still out on that one. "Are you lost?" By the way her tone of voice sounded, Sabre knew he had to at least ask.

@deluca

art by flis from lioden, code by gunner

The collision of their bodies together knocks the air from her lungs, causing a grunt-worthy oof of noise from Deluca as she struggles to regain composure. It's hard to tell in the light, but from what she can see of the stranger, he is quite handsome. Dark pelted, almost mysterious. She's transfixed for only a moment though, as the low growl @Sabre lets loose is enough to startle her back into her submissive self. " I really am sorry....I thought I smelled plants close by and by the time I realized you were there...it was too late. " The silver woman muses sheepishly, heat flooding her cheeks from embarrassment.

His lighthearted joking creates a stifled chuckle, before his question fully draws her attention back to the present. Things seemed to be in the clear at least...for having run into a stranger. " Yes... well, no. Kind of both. I'm new here and I'm trying to learn where the best medicinal plants grow in the land. " Deluca pauses for a moment then, mulling it over before boldly offering him the same question in return. " Are you lost too? "

code to ivy

(2/2) +5 Study the natural world
(1/2) +5 Learn a character's full name and rank
The way she was explaining why she had run into him was a bit cute, Sabre had to admit. He watches her with a small grin curling his lips, an ear flicking where it was nestled in his thick plum mane. "It's okay, I promise." His words hold a sort of warmth to them, a way to try to soothe the woman and ensure that he was not irritated or angry. She then dives into how she is - and isn't - lost, speaking about medicinal plants and how she was here to seek out new ones. "So you'll be able to patch me up if I get too roughed up?" Question was suggestive but in a good nature, tail tips swishing behind her in idle humor.

"Nah, not lost. I'm an explorer, and this place seemed interesting enough to poke around in." Sabre begins to take a couple of steps backward before turning his body, now facing the way he had previously come from. "But the alluring scent of amber also caught my attention." He spoke while beginning to pad back where he'd come from, his tail flicking to motion for her to follow - if she could see it, that is. What's your name?" Another way to prompt her to follow him.

@deluca

art by flis from lioden, code by gunner

She exudes a heavy breath, chest settling from the beginnings of their confrontation slowly but faster now as the threat of danger falls away... or so she assumes from his reaction, anyways.

It's okay, I promise.

While he was a stranger, the immediate relief provided from his reassurance was astounding and allowed her to calm down enough to really examine her surroundings and the man before her. The network of cave systems seemed to only continue on, which honestly would limit the amount of plant life she could expect to find so far away from the sunlight. Perhaps moss, or an occasional hardy weed, but not the plants of life and healing she was after. His joke causes a heat to flush across her cheeks as she nearly sputters in response, regathering her composure carefully. " I mean, if you are nearby and need my help, yes! " Smooth recovery, Deluca.

He recounts why he is here, and the mentions of being an explorer intrigue her almost immediately. " Do you explore many places here? I.. just got here, so I'm out of the loop on what places are interesting. " She nods softly in understanding of how he came to be here, the amber he smelled. It wasn't something she would do, but didn't mean she could not empathize with why he would. The stranger seemed to want to continue the conversation, and while she wasn't normally one to continue talking, she aims to follow him, soft voice carefully speaking out to @Sabre. " I am Deluca Bianchi. " Italian accent rings out strong in her introduction, a declaration of her familial makeup.

code to ivy

Sabre follows the wall of the labyrinth, now wanting to find a more open space more than anything. He wasn't claustrophobic per se, but there was something about smaller spaces that made his skin fur itch. "I'm a bit new myself," he confesses while padding forward, eyes glued to stare in front of him. Each paw took in the feeling underneath them, allowing for it to guide them as well as his other senses. He'd pause as she introduced herself, noting the way an accent clung to her words and causing for an ear to twist backward and a smirk tug at the corner of his lips.

"What accent is that?" He couldn't pinpoint it, or maybe he could but he didn't want to look like a pompous ass and guess wrong. After he posed his question Sabre would continue onward once more, eyes now widening slightly in satisfaction as the tunnel opened into a wider entrance that lead to a room of sorts. He took in their surroundings, noting how high the stone ceiling was and how sunlight glittered through the cracks, illuminating the area below.

@deluca

art by flis from lioden, code by gunner

Well, that was a bit reassuring to her. It felt like everyone she had bumped into knew the land far better than her, as if they had been here for years. " How long have you been here? " She finds herself asking before her brain tells her not to, firmly pressing her lips together after to avoid any more accidental intrusive questions towards the stranger before her...although that did pose another question. " You never told me your name. " After all, if they were going to explore this jaunt of cave together, the least they could do is know each other's names.

The question about her accent almost catches her off guard, but it only makes her hesitate for a moment. " Italiano...my homeland's language. " She recalls softly, her smile barely visible in the dim lighting of the cavern. There were not many opportunities to use it anymore, and it's not like she had a bunch of friends to use it with, so it was nice to be asked bout it. As the cavernous tunnel gives way to an opened up room, a quiet gasp of surprise leaves her as she comes to a standstill, staring in wonder.

@Sabre

code to ivy

(2/2) +5 Study the natural world
(2/2) +5 Learn a character's full name and rank
"Not that long," he begins as he starts to pad around in a wide circle. He takes in the formations and what inhabits the stone room. "Maybe a couple of months?" Time seemed to fly by and blur together as of late. Coming near a smooth flat surfaced rock would Sabre bunch his body up in a crouch before leaping up atop of it, giving himself a good shake while the pads of his paws took in the cool sensation below. Hyaline eyes take another glance around their surroundings before settling back onto @Deluca just as she commented on how he never gave her his own name. "Name's Sabre." A grin appears, curling his lips upward as he watched the woman with a curious glint in his eyes.

Italiano. "Well it's beautiful to hear." He rocks back onto his haunches while he reclines, now sitting on the smooth stone. "Are you in a pride?" A brow rises as he asks; she wasn't the only one that had an inquisitive and curious mind.

art by flis from lioden, code by gunner