Tuesday had loitered within the caverns as the sun began its pass across the wide expanse of sky. He was impatient for it to bid farewell, always making a most dramatic exit as though believing the boy would grieve its departure. Given how it stung at his delicate pink nose and brought tears to his eyes, he couldn't say he would miss it. The moon was nowhere near as abusive to his skin and eyes as the sun was, thus the night served as his home.

With the sun dipping just over the horizon he would leave the caves, standing at its mouth and proceeding to stretch out his limbs. He was some distance from home.. the home his small band of orphan cubs called theirs. Finding food was no easy task, long treks had to be taken in search of discarded scraps. While he was thinner than any adult might accept as ok, he was getting by. Best he get back to it, now that the day was ended and he was freer to roam.

image by moogle/code by saph

asteria

Asteria was hesitant to travel too far on her own after the spooky experience with hiccup, even if the second encounter had turned out much better. As it grew dark she was heading back towards the Lagoon but a small shape by the labyrinth drew her attention. Curiosity drew her over and she found a young cub, similar in age, that reminded her much of Nero. In fact at first she thought it was her friend, until she realized that this cub was closer to her size than his.

“hi!” a friendly greeting as she drew near, not wanting to startle them as the sun faded from the sky. “Whatcha doin’?” They looked a bit slim like she had before Saga took her in and she wondered if @Tuesday needed help.

He had only just warmed up his muscles, which had felt stiff and heavy after laying as he had, waiting for the sun to fully extinguish. Before he even had a chance to begin his search for anything edible, a black lion cub would appear. She blended in well with the darkening shadows, unlike Tuesday, who was practically a ghost in this setting.

Nose would wrinkle up a bit as he smelled her, or the pride perfume she wore. He gave a quiet huff in unspoken disproval. "You smell like a pride" he commented, though he would say nothing further on the matter. One could clearly tell he was unimpressed, though given how grumpy he was on a daily basis, those that knew him might struggle to know when he was unhappy or just being his usual self.

"I'm looking for some food to take back home. I don't suppose your family left some scraps or a stash somewhere around here?" He might not approve of prides or adults, but until he was more capable of hunting for himself, he was not ashamed to take advantage of more capable lions and whatever scraps they left behind.

@Asteria

image by moogle/code by saph

asteria

Her ears flattened against her head and she felt suddenly uncertain. Her voice, when she answered, was friendly but guarded. “Yes, I just joined the Lagoon. Was living in the forest before that but… I was lonely.” it was the easiest way to explain, though it wasn’t exactly accurate. Asteria had had friends, it had been family she missed.

He asked about food, then, and she hesitated. “Not near here but you could come to Scilla with me? I’m sure Saga wouldn’t mind if I shared!” Asteria wasn’t sure he’d like that idea, though, considering his apparent disproval of prides.

She glanced around, unfamiliar with the surroundings, and had one other offer to make - “Or I could help you find something?” Maybe that idea would be more up @Tuesday ‘s alley.

The girl seemed to react more strongly to his comment than he might have intended. Those that knew him were accustomed to his bluntness and tendency towards being grumpy, sometimes for no apparent reason. In truth he had endured a lot in his young life, starting with negligent parents and adult responsibilities pushed on him. He hadn't had his chance to be a child, and perhaps he might even envy this girl, who still seemed so bubbly and energetic despite the fact she was apparently an orphan too. Would he seek out a pride if all his little band of unrelated siblings wasn't around?

No food here, and while she would offer to take him back to her home to get some, he knew he couldn't do that. "I don't trust adults enough to pass inside anyone's borders." He told her, trying to mask any displeasure in his voice, given how she had reacted to his previous loathed comment. "We can look around, has to be something I can take back to the others." He agreed, deciding a second pair of eyes couldn't hurt. He was determined to find anything before he dare show his face to them again, some of them might be counting on him.

@Asteria

image by moogle/code by saph

asteria

The next comment reminded her all the more of Nero, to the point that she half expected @Tuesday to be a long lost sibling. Shaking this thought from her mind she perked up considerably when they accepted her help.

“Okay! Maybe there’ll be some rodents in the carvern?” Sometimes others liked to be the one to lead, though She didn’t expect that they’d mind this time. Without waiting for an answer she bounded forward with a casual “I’m Asteria, by the way!” tossed back over her shoulder.

Tuesday stared after the girl as she made an impulsive decision to lead him towards the caverns, though that wouldn't have been his first choice. The whole of his day had been spent just inside of them, out of the sun. While he mostly slept, his brief exploration earlier had not revealed anything of note. "I already have been in the caverns" he called, moving quickly after her. He supposed there was more than one to explore, but there wasn't much in there for a rat to eat unless it liked moss or mushrooms.

He would move to catch up with her, though he had forgotten for the moment to provide a return name. He considered telling her they should look elsewhere, but for now, he would reluctantly follow her lead instead. Perhaps if he appeased the girl enough he could work out a deal with her later in regard to food. She might just help him smuggle food out of her pride on occasion.

@Asteria

image by moogle/code by saph

asteria

Asteria hesitated, her stride faltered, but she decided to press on anyway. “Well, not all of them right?” she grinned as she continued and took a path to the left. Shortly after that she swung to the right, nose up as she followed an unfamiliar scent.

As they appeared in a small chamber she ground to stop, staring in shock as another of those orange things lay ahead. Asteria took a small step back and glanced at the boy with her. “uh, you first!” Ok maybe she should have warned him that ghosts had burst out of one of the other ones she had found, but maybe this one would be one of the good ones!

“it looks like fruit?” this was what she and Hiccup had decided, at least.

Tuesday had seen a lot of things in his travels, a pumpkin was not among them. While he had been aware of the unique smell, he had simply followed after the girl with little thought to whatever it was she was tracking. She seemed pleased with herself to be leading the way, making him wonder if she was used to being the tag-along instead of the leader in most cases. "Seems pretty big for a fruit, doesn't smell very sweet like berries." He commented as he studied her find. The real question though was if it was eatable, if so, this would feed every one in his little group. "Maybe if we put weight on one we can break it open." He suggested, putting his front paws on one of them and finding it held solid, but sounded strangely hollow.

@Asteria

image by moogle/code by saph

double, double toil and trouble;
fire burn, and cauldron bubble...

Nafasi watches from the bushes, never once letting herself be seen by those huddled around her perfectly-placed pumpkins. They really were a curious bunch, weren't they? Well, fortunately for them, the sprite was feeling extra generous today, and had a treat for them that she has been wanting to share. And so, it was with a small smile that the being craned her head, watching the lions for a few more moments, before giving a quick stomp of her paw against the earth.

Hm...

Without warning, the pumpkin suddenly splits down the middle, right in front of your eyes! And...oh? It looks like there is something tucked inside! Weird, but you might as well check it out. Investigating further, you find a collection of trinkets, feathers, gems, fruit, and other curious things hidden within the pumpkin, ripe for the taking! Looks like you got lucky today.

OOC Prize: extra small character

pixel credit to moonlight-pendent13