[GrayGriffin]

Elidia had no idea how to handle this strange new creature that was now talking to her. Its voice sounded quite feminine, even if the form was unfamiliar to her. But what a form it was. She found herself transfixed by the shine of its black stone body, a most gorgeous sight. It almost reminded her of the shrine when it was new.

But... why had it stopped talking all of a sudden? Did she look like that much of a mess?

[GrayGriffin]

"I'm fine, don't worry..." she said slowly. "Do I really look that bad? I'm sorry, I just woke up..."

The creature shook its head back and forth. "N-no!" it exclaimed, quickly padding forwards. "I was just...surprised to see you, that's all! I've never seen a creature like you before!"

"Well...I've never seen a creature like you, either," said Elidia. "So...I guess we're even, then? I should introduce myself...my name's Elidia. And...I'm an Ilos, and a Spirit of Spring."

[GrayGriffin]

"I've...never heard of either of these," said Camarin, staring at Elidia. The Ilos' head seemed to droop even more at that, and she quickly changed the subject. "Well, my name is Camarin, and I'm a Hunter. That creature that was attacking you was a Mekkayena."

"I see," said the Ilos, tilting her head to the side. "I must thank you for saving me, then. Do you live here, now?"

Camarin shook her head. "I patrol this place on occasion, to drive away the Mekkayena, but my home lies in Basantha Shrine."

[GrayGriffin]

"The Shrine?" exclaimed Elidia, fluttering closer. "It-it's still there? So...worship of the Triumvirate hasn't faded, after all?"

"Is that what the Mekkayena told you?" said Camarin, shaking its-her head. "That's certainly not the case. Though it was outlawed for a while, and this cathedral abandoned. I hope to see it rise to its former glory one day, no matter how long it takes to reach that point."

Elidia found a warmth spreading through her as she listened to those words. Her worshipers might be gone, but their descendants might still live! And perhaps there were some who remembered the ceremonies!

[GrayGriffin]

"I see," she said softly. "I certainly hope that you will be successful, then. I remember well those days of former glory you've mentioned, and I would gladly help them rise again."

"You remember them?" exclaimed Camarin, padding closer, voice rising with excitement. "That-that's wonderful to hear! I've always wondered what this place was like when it still had people in it-and I bet there's so many others who would want to know too! You could help so much!"

[GrayGriffin]

Camarin knew that she was probably making the Ilos nervous with her enthusiasm, but she couldn't help it! There was so much she wanted to know, and now she finally had the chance! Then again, Elidia didn't seem too worried or frightened.

"Others? Are they also patrolling this place?" Elidia looked back and forth, as if expecting someone else to pop out of the corner.

"Hm? Oh no, that's mostly just me. They're focused on making sure the shrine is kept all nice and neat, you know?"

[GrayGriffin]

"Oh...so they would come here, then?" Elidia sounded quite confused, her head tilted to the side in a rather cute manner.

"Well...I was thinking you could go to them. I mean, this place is kind of dangerous, you know? And wouldn't you rather be somewhere warmer and more comfortable?"

Elidia shook her head back and forth. "I was meant to be in this place," she said. "I was the one who brought spring here! I can't leave until I've at least done the ceremony one more time."

[GrayGriffin]

Camarin supposed she could understand that, to some degree. Elidia obviously had some deep duty here, that she didn't want to abandon. She padded a bit closer, then sat down and patted the ground next to her.

"You've mentioned being a spirit of Spring before," she said. "Now that we've got introductions out of the way, why don't you tell me more about what that means?"

Elidia looked nervous, but she did lower herself to the ground, curling her tail beneath her.

[GrayGriffin]

"I was only awake in the springtime, before," she said. "All I'd see of winter was near the end of it, when the worshipers and I would perform the ceremony together to bring back spring." She had a faraway look in her eyes as she spoke. "It was a time of great joy and merriment, and I'd always be so glad to see the faces of those I'd missed during my sleep. Never before have I slept so long..."

[GrayGriffin]

Camarin had to admit, she didn't quite know how to handle this. Still, she was curious about the situation, and it couldn't hurt to ask a few questions.

"When was the longest you've slept before?" she asked.

"Sometimes...there would be enemies, and I would do my best to protect this place. I would miss a year, or at the most two, then. But I'd still always wake to something familiar...I must have been asleep for so long this time..."

[GrayGriffin]

From what Camarin knew of this place, that was definitely true. If Elidia remembered a time where there were still worshipers here, she must have been sleeping for over a century.

"My name is on that wall," she added, gesturing with one claw towards the wall the Mekkayena had pinned her against. "My-my worshipers must have hoped I'd come to save them. But I didn't." She lowered her head, wailing. "I didn't! I didn't know they were in danger, or else I'd have tried to wake up, no matter what season it was!"

[GrayGriffin]

Elidia hadn't meant to start crying, but the full meaning of the question on the wall was finally coming to her. The worshipers were gone. Perhaps some of them had died right here, calling her name. One of them had been so betrayed they'd left it in writing. She could probably guess who it was, if she took a closer look.

As she wept, she was suddenly aware of a light pressure on her back. She opened her eyes, to see that Camarin had moved closer to her at some point, and laid a paw on her shoulders.

[GrayGriffin]

She felt a different sort of warmth spread through her, one much more embarrassing to feel. Camarin's...skin?...was cold, of course, the same as the chill of the stone, but nonetheless she could feel a sense of comfort there.

"It sounds terrible," said Camarin softly. "But I'm sure most of them didn't blame you. I bet some of them were even worried for you, wondering if you'd been hurt in some way." Her paw lifted and lowered, slowly patting Elidia's back.

"I know people who might want to know about the ceremonies you mentioned. Some of them might even be familiar with your name."

[GrayGriffin]

Camarin was really trying not to enjoy getting to snuggle up to Elidia too much. After all, right now what she wanted was to sincerely offer comfort to the grieving spirit. Still, she couldn't help but notice the way her feathers and scales blended together, and the way she was strangely warm despite the cold in the room.

"...do you think some of them are descended from the worshipers here?" asked Elidia softly.

"I'm sure there are," said Camarin. There were many records of people fleeing this place, and even of where they had ended up.

[GrayGriffin]

Elidia was quiet for a while more as she thought about it. Really, was this place that important for her? What was actually important was the worshipers, wasn't it? The ones she'd befriended, who'd remembered her and danced with her. She turned to look at Camarin.

"...I'll go with you," she said, "to the shrine in Basantha."

Camarin's face split into a small smile. "Really? I'm really glad to hear that!" she said. "I know just the place to bring you first..."

They disentangled, and Camarin padded out of the room, Elidia fluttering behind with a new sense of joy buoying her up.

[Wild Pet Found]