Welcome to Gaia! ::

Kieran paused at his daughter's question before slowly shaking his head, "Treasure? There could definitely be something like that in there. It's a cave so it's dark and well hidden from most people save for those like me who've been here before. I know you're eager to go but it probably would be best if we quickly eat out here." He replied with a faint smile, "After all it'll be hard to eat in the dark, no?" Her father raised an amused brow, "Unless you and Kitya have been having a few late night snacks in the dark I know that I personally need a bit of light to eat by." He handed out a sliced piece of bread that had a fruit jam on it, "Plus we can look over the valley while we eat. It'll only be a few moments, promise."

And as promised he already had half of his own slice eaten and the rest was caught in his fingers aimed towards his mouth towards the final bite as he studied the valley and more importantly the weather. So far it seemed to be a fair day with the sun shining its rays over the land, tinting everything in vivid colors, and Kieran found himself at ease to see it. After all should rain come then he would be afraid that their plans would change from exploration to taking shelter or running home in the rain.

SABRA RESPONDED ON SLACK

Raising a brow at his daughters discovery Kieran moved so that he could peer over her shoulder, "Would you look at that?" He replied, "people do utilize them in particular ways like that but I personally prefer to just let them slink along."

He stared at the strange creature a moment longer before gesturing forward, "He's so slow that he'll probably still be there by the time we get back. So are you ready?' already knowing the answer Kieran started to move ahead towards the opening of the cave. Before going inside however he reached a hand in his bag so that he could bring out a small lantern with a candle standing inside, its waxy surface caught by iron tendrils to keep it in in place. It would serve as a lightsource for when they ventured inside.

Droplets of condensation clung to the stone walls and created a shimmering effect as the light from the entrance brushed against them. The air was cool, a damp breeze flowing from the depths of the cavern hinting at even cooler temperatures inside, while the heat from the sunlight graced their backs as if in farewell. It was in such a place that Kieran felt perfectly at ease and he glanced towards Xenia curious as to what her reaction would be.

Kieran kept an eye on his daughter and smiled softly at her hesitation, "If you feel too uncomfortable we don't have to go Xenia." He offered quietly as he studied the young Yaeli, "But if we do for forward don't worry since both Hunapo and I will be here for you." At his words the snapper pressed closer towards Xenia the predator strangely gentle as she supported the youngling.

"Or if you want I can go in for a bit to retrieve some of the gemstones while you and Hunapo play with the diasia?" It was a gamble to offer her the creature but maybe the mention of gemstones could help her find motivation to face the darkness if the cavern before them, "Though I actually wouldn't want to leave you so I suppose I can come back another time."

OH s**t SON, ANOTHER SABRA TAG VIA SLACK, IT'S ALMOST LIKE SHE'S HERE. I CAN HEAR HER SPIRIT IN THE WALLS NOW

"Bring me more sweet tea."

SO SPOOKY


Kieran smiled at his daughter's determination. He just hoped that he could turn the experience into a good memory for Xenia. He knew that not everyone would share his love for such places but he was thankful that his daughter was at least willing to try.

"As we go we'll lose all the sunlight so take your time and let your gaze adjust to the dark." He instructed as he rose the lamp and using flint lit the candle inside. Smoke sputtered from the wick, it's soft coils spreading like ghosts into the air around them, but soon enough the flame spread and the candle produced a steady light for them.to walk with. Hunapo who was staying near Xenia as support thankfully didn't need much light to navigate as she made certain to nudge the girl away from any formations as they walked deeper into the cavern.

Faint dripping could be heard all around them and Kieran paused as the outside noises got left behind, "It's quiet now but look." He held up the lantern so the light revealed a twisting column of shimmering limestone, "I call it a pillar because it looks like its naturally carved to hold up the ceiling." He grinned before pointing out some rough.patchs of rocks that grew along side of it, "And those look just like ocean coral but they're made completely out of stone. The dripping water deposits dirt and minerals to form pieces like those..." A bit dorky but Kieran did love sharing the knowledge that his own mother had left him.

He could only hope to take his time now to do the same by teaching his daughters about the world.

WHAT THE HEEEE-LLO.

Hunapo's indigo gaze glimmered in the flickering candlelight but Kieran was thankful that the snaptrotter stayed close. He had to keep an eye on the path before them to keep them from venturing into any unknown areas as getting lost in a cave system could lead to something far more dangerous than what the simple excursion said. Not that Kieran would admit any of that to Xenia. He already saw that his youngest was nervous to be so far away from the surface and he made certain to take it slowly as they walked downwards into the earth on a twisting path. At least it had plenty of room for walking as he wasn't comfortable bringing any of his daughters to something more severe with climbing and crawling paths.

Still his thoughts halted at her question, a laugh escaping his lips. "Slightly? But no for a cave that's a good thing. If it didn't leak then there wouldn't be formations like these." He smiled towards Xenia before nodding his head, "The cave actually stops 'leaking' in a bit and is dry. It'll be sandy there and we'll find the rocks we need so that we can head up towards the other part of the cave and leave." It was only a small section that had a cap of stone preventing the groundwater from coming through but it was enough to allow the formation of shimmering crystals, some deceptive in their simplicity - something that he hoped to surprise Xenia with when they encountered them in a bit.

He could gather the rough rocks now, lead her out the passageway that exited on the other side of the cliffs (another surprise for her though they could easily circle back around to the entrance they had come from once outside) and then they could break open their finds where the sunlight could show everything far more than the darkness of the caverns could. Though Kieran had to reflect on the caverns where the giant crystals grew. When the girls were older he would see about the whole family going there, but for now this was best. It was a bit more treacherous to go towards the other cavern, the thought created some amusement for him because he remembered how he had met Taijana there while dangling from the cliff. Shaking his head the Yaeli focused on the task at hand, a smile still lingering on his lips when he thought of his love, before he glanced towards Xenia, "Any other questions or shall we move forward?"

RIP

Kieran nodded as his daughter agreed to keep going. As their boots splashed through faint puddles of water and mud Kieran held out a hand to help his daughter over a ledge, away from the smooth rivets that decorated the area they were leaving and towards sandier ground that was much drier. Loud slithering noises, perhaps a few trotter curses as well, followed them as Hunapo climbed over the ledge and shook her head as if clearing it of the dust she had eaten by mistake while pulling herself onto the higher ground. Kieran had to raise a hand to cover his mouth, the shadowed image of the snapper being rather funny to the adventurer, before taking a moment to dust his own clothes.

"It'll be dustier here, but that's because there's a huge stone cap covering this portion of the cave. It's a sandier stone so it usually soaks up all the water which is why even the dripping stopped." He explained as he pointed upwards, the flickering light from the candle showing a smooth surface only decorated with the faintest of cracks, "But that's good for us because what we want wouldn't form in a really wet cave." He looked around before pointing towards the right, "Just down that path now..."

Kieran had to turn his laughter into a cough, especially as Hunapo seemingly shot him a glare, but the sight of his youngest comforting the snaptrotter was just so endearing. The Yaeli shook his head at Xenia's comment, "I'm sure your grandpa wouldn't want to hear that...but maybe just a little bit." He replied holding his index finger and thumb slightly apart. His silvery gaze widened in surprise before he relaxed again as he realized that Xenia's cry was just to hear the echoes from her voice. At least we don't have to worry about surprising anyone or anything.

Reaching up to touch the lowered ceiling Kieran peered ahead before glancing back towards Xenia. She was far shorter than him so he was less worried about her bumping her head. If anything he would have to remember to crouch on occasion else Hunapo wouldn't be the only one that Xenia was laughing at today. Smirking slightly at the thought Kieran motioned for his daughter to follow him again, "If you're finished yodeling in here then we should move on forward." He teased lightly as he moved his satchel from one shoulder to the next in preparation for the walk through the shorter corridor.