[Moyra]

Veritas grinned slightly, turning his head back slightly to watch Rotew rub his thigh. It was dangerous to underestimate something or someone you didn't know about. Veritas had learnt that lesson years ago, receiving a painful beating for being cocky to a creature smaller than him. How many years ago, he wasn't sure. He didn't even know how old he was anymore. He just knew that he had been very young at the time.

"Well, one should be around shortly if all it takes is getting lost. I'm usually good with caves, but I have no idea where the entrance is anymore." He did happen to catch the stumble, but knowing that it would be rude, made no outward appearance of it. Pride could be a dangerous thing when wounded. "Why stay in human form if the legs bother you so much?"

[Moyra]

Upon hearing the Hollowhearts story, Veritas was suddenly glad he was in human form. He wasn't so good with heat let alone towering pillars of flame. In the back of his mind, he knew he should be more wary of this creature, but his mellow nature didn't allow for a change in behaviour. He tended to be quick enough that he could get out of an odd situation if needed.

When they got to the crossroads, Veritas stood stock still and listened once Rotew finished speaking. The heat in the left tunnel caused him to shy away. He didn't care if the Akail was in there, he wasn't going that way. Moving closer to the other two tunnels, his ears were not picking up anything yet. If it was down there, it was way down there. As to which tunnel it might be in, was anyones guess. The smell was a strange one indeed, and the crystals were what they were looking for. Either was a good chance. Doing a quick eeny meeny, miny moe in his head, he picked the tunnel in the middle. "Into the crystal cavern we go!"

[Moyra]

Hearing the cracking of the crystals as they broke and started to fall, Veritas jumped backwards quickly and one of the crystals grazed his front leg. A tiny patch of red broke free from the scratch, though it really didn't hurt. He licked it quickly to clean it and looked up to examine the situation. The one crystal fell off to the side, where as the other fell right in the way, nearly blocking the path. "Still with you?" Veritas said in an odd voice, "I would say sort of." Looking at the gap left beside the crystal, he was sure if he was careful and squished himself he could fit. He peeked his head through and stared at Rotew. "Could you uh... Maybe prop that up as much as you can while I try and worm through?"

[Moyra]

Testing his leg out as he was finishing speaking, he found it didn't hurt, thankfully. Just the skin was grazed. He stepped back a bit when Rotew said "watch this" because in his experience, when people said that...it didn't always turn out so well. Better to make sure you're a safe distance away rather than a foot from the person. He watched the light from the crystals change with a bit of awe on his face, not knowing what was going on. Something clicked as the crystal started to pool and shrink. Smiling, he stepped through the hole with ease now, saying quietly and with amazement tinging his voice, "Nicely done. Handy skill that must be."

Stepping forward, he looked up to the ceiling of the cave as he moved, keeping an eye out for more of the potentially fatal shards. "Guess we're going to have to keep an eye out for the Akail and for crystals. And here I thought it was just the Akail that might...kill me." He hadn't really ever worried about it before, to be honest. Never felt the need. He'd always been quick enough to escape. But that slash on his leg was proof that maybe he was slowing down?

[Moyra]

Oddly enough, Veritas was far too laid back to give much thought to anything of the same sort as Rotew was. He analyzed things quickly, and took things at face value. He'd already figured out that this being could be a good friend to him, as long as he was cautious. He was obviously dangerous after all. He seemed to be putting up with Veritas' company rather than enjoying it or needing, and that was fine with him. He was the sort of creature who was happy most of the time and disliked drama. There was so much of that going on at the Sanctuary, that he felt the need to get away once and a while. Which is what led him to this situation. "Well, thank you for getting me out of that one Rotew," Veritas said quietly as he followed the man down deeper into the caverns. He hoped they would find what they were looking for, if only so that Rotew could say he did it. Veritas was just along for the ride, so to speak.

[Moyra]

Keeping his usual light step, Veritas felt the cracking but couldn't do much about it. They were on their path, and the only option to get away from the danger was to turn back. With Rotew that did not seem like an option at all, so with Veritas not wanting to be alone for now, and not really concerned with the chance of falling into some deep abyss, he ignored the cracking and kept moving in silence. Nearly bumping into Rotew when he stopped suddenly, he looked around him at what was so special and his eyes widened slightly. "Umm, nope. Can't say that I have. Looks like we might be in the right place though? If this creature is fairly big he would need a home that had enough room for him."

Stepping around the Hollowheart, Veritas stepped lightly once more and found what looked a trail beside them, leading down into the cavern. He wanted to check it out, and without thinking much, he started down into the cavern. "Coming?"

[Moyra]

Stopping a short way down the path, Veritas looked back at the Hollowheart. "Ya know I never thought of that. Maybe it would be better if you lead us into the great depths of the cavern. I'm not sneaky enough I think. I didn't even realize that they looked made rather than formed." He eyed the cavern around him, noticing the smooth lines on the path and the walls. Would the Akail have done this? Was it intelligent enough to make a decent home for itself? Or were there smarter creatures down here that they would have to keep an eye out for, lest they become someone's mid day snack. "Yeah, I'll just follow you Rotew, you seem better experienced with these types of things." He stepped aside, and made room for him to pass and go in front of him.

[Moyra]

Listening in silence as usual, Veritas nodded as Rotew finished. He had assumed there might be a trap, after all they didn't really know what they were dealing with. He wasn't an overly watchful animal though, so something of the like might have easily slipped through his gaze. It was overall a better idea to let Rotew lead. Shortly after they continued to travel, Veritas leaned against one of the crystals near by, needing a bit of a break. They'd been in the caverns for a while now, and he really wasn't sure how long. Was it night, was it day? He had no clue, but he knew he was starting to feel as if it were way too late to be awake. Just as he leaned on the crystal, it cracked loudly and shifted slightly, scaring Veritas back awake. "I'm all good." He looked from side to side with a few nervous glances. He would have to be more careful about the walls in this place.

[Moyra]

The cracking crystal had apparently done nothing to jar him, and was very nearly asleep when Rotew spoke. After walking the last few steps with his head slightly fallen and his music near silent, Veritas jumped slightly at the sound of the Hollowheart's voice. "Huh?!... Oh, yeah. Sorry." He scooted his feet a bit faster and got close enough to feel the heat coming off him. That should be close enough. He just had to stay awake a bit longer. He was sure they would stop soon...

He looked to the area Rotew was pointing in, and could see the light as well. What would be making light down here? His muddled mind didn't quite grasp that it may be something they might want to avoid. "We're going to stop soon right? I'm going to fall into some giant crack soon at this rate." He mumbled slightly as he spoke, the wear on his energy showing through his words.  He didn't really realize that he sounded like a blithering idiot, but then at this point he also didn't care.

[Moyra]

Veritas let his body relax as he was hoisted onto the back of Rotew, his eyes falling closed as he let his face rest on the warm body beneath him. He let out a slight mumble as the Hollowheart took off even deeper into the caves, "I am sorry I'm such a bother at the moment Rotew, I'm not normally awake this long and it seems to have taken a toll on me." He let his paws fall to the sides, trying to grip the smooth skin underneath. Grasping as tightly as he could, he let himself drift slightly, letting his music grow in volume to sweep him away. He knew he must stay awake till they found a place to rest, so he kept the music at a volume that wouldn't let him sleep and kept to an erratic, upbeat tune.

[Moyra]

Veritas barely noticed the movements of the one behind him as he seemed to be passing in and out of consciousness, catching glimpses of cavern walls streaming past them. The heat of the one beneath him was lulling him to sleep despite his efforts to remain awake. He was glad Rotew had taken him on his back, even though it hadn't been expected. The Hollowheart hardly seemed like one who would take passengers often, but he took one right now, and for that he was thankful. He might well have passed out in the caverns, getting left behind in the dark if he hadn't.

He felt them slow and come to a stop, so he forced his eyes open wider than they had been in a bit, and at seeing a bit of light, lifted his head. "How..." he mumbled slightly, not sure how there was light in such a deep, dark cavern. His eyes followed the light and he glanced toward the ceiling of the caves, the blue glow seemingly raining down on them. It was a boon on his senses, and as Rotew spoke and said that this was their spot, he let himself fall from his back to hit the ground with a light step. "Oh good, we can fish too." A smile broke out as he heard the water rushing by, and thought of food once again. Without much more ado, he found a neat little corner in the space, and curled up into it. "I could use a snooze. Will you be resting Rotew?"

[Moyra]

Nodding slightly in response, Veritas tucked his head into his paws, his music gaining volume as he did so. He needed a good rest, and the music drowning out any sound there might be was a good way to ensure it. Somehow he just knew that he would be safe for a few hours of rest while Rotew was around, it seemed as if he really had made a friend in the warm Hollowheart. It didn't take long till he was fast asleep, his limbs all twitching slightly to the music as it always crept into his dreams. They never held anything of seeming importance, but they always held his music.

He wasn't sure how long it was before he opened his eyes once again. The difference in how he felt was substantial. Energetic once more and full of life, he popped his head up and looked about the cavern they'd made their own for the time being. Not seeing Rotew, he cranked the music down and listened. He thought he could hear breathing off to the side of him, and assumed it was him. Getting up from his cramped little position, he stretched out his legs and back, a few of the joints cracking. The sound of water rushing near by had stirred his hunger so he took a few ginger steps toward the water and then waited for his body to fully wake up. Last thing he needed was to fall into the water and be swept away. Rotew wouldn't be able to follow him if that happened.

Glancing once more around the cavern, he knelt down beside the water and slipped a paw into the icy depths. Shifting his claws slightly he brushed across a few fish before he was quick enough to grab hold of one. He slipped the thing out of the water, smacking it a few times on the rock to either knock it out or kill it, he didn't care which so long as it wasn't moving. Once it's wiggle subsided, he worked on fishing out another one, his paw getting chilled in the ice water.

[Moyra]

Smacking his lips as he started to devour the few fish he'd grabbed, Veritas hoped his companion didn't want any of them again as he planned on finishing them all. He hadn't realized how starved he was until he'd woken and felt the grumble deep in his belly. So rather than search for Rotew first, as he normally would have, the river and it's inhabitants had pulled him first. Once he'd polished off the un-wriggly fish, he cleaned his paws and face in the river, not wanting fish guts and scales all over him for the remainder of the trip. Standing up with a bit of a stretch, he yawned one last time before venturing toward the sounds that he assumed were Rotew's.

It didn't take him long to find the slumbering form of his new friend. He smiled slightly as he stepped very quietly up to the Hollowheart and took a seat next to him to await his waking. He must have been more tired than he imagined after all. Laying down, he laid his head on his front paws, closing his eyes and just listening to his music while he waited.

[Moyra]

Stretching his paws out in front of him while still laying down in an almost feline like motion, Veritas smiled before he stood. "No need to yell friend, my poor ears are right here." He laughed slightly at his companion, one who had obviously not fallen asleep on purpose. Maybe he hadn't realized how worn out he'd gotten, that burst of power the day before surely needed some kind of recharging. As he looked to his friends eyes, he knew he was correct as he could indeed see the heat in that gaze. "Feeling a bit...warmer there?"

Stepping away from Rotew, he moved toward the river and glanced into the icy depths, "I'm hoping you didn't want any of the fish I had caught, as I didn't save any. I assumed you would go without my slimy fare once more. Not your type of food, eh?" He could always catch more, but he thought he was right in his assumption. Rotew had looked almost disgusted the first time he'd eaten from the river, and the thought had made him laugh internally.

[Moyra]

Smiling as Rotew broke out his rations, he wondered what kind of foods he did eat, if live wasn't one of them. Vertias was very open minded as far as food went. He'd fed on grubs, small animals, leaves, berries, and the gods knew whatever else might be edible in the Lands. You make do with what you find sometimes. Truth be told he loved all sorts of food, they were all interesting in their own right. Even the grubs.

"Sounds like a plan, where are we going to head off this time. Any idea where the sneaky Akail might be hiding?" The smile was still present on his face as he said it, his music turning up slightly. He was ready to be off and hunt the beasty down. Sadly it looked as if they're search might end with no results, but he still had fun, so it didn't matter. But then, who knew? They might just trip and fall upon the beast, and then they'd have thought bad thoughts for no reason. Shrugging slightly, he kept his mind open like he normally did and waited for Rotew to lead the way. The outcome of Veritas in the lead would undoubtedly be a bad one.