Welcome to Gaia! ::

The ship Exalla had sequestered herself to was far from the Pantheon, the crash site surrounded by jumbled, scorched rocks and blasted trees in a meadow that sat at the base of a massive rock outcrop draped in mosses and vines. It was picturesque and the stream that burbled through a cleft in the rock from upslope pooled at the base before cutting away through other rocks, offering succor at close range to the ship. Despite her confidence and sworn desire to find the Pantheon, Aumvos had yet to venture far from the ship, though if it was due to her host’s sky high anxiety when she tried or the troubling realization of her own current weakness she wasn’t sure and wasn’t terribly interested in pondering either.

It was either move or be left behind.

She couldn’t expect the world to come to her and she certainly couldn’t demand mountains move if she refused to put in the leg work either.

Thus, she spent three days as the rain rolled through, clearing up and pouring again, exploring the land around the ship. The sounds of the environment were varied and enticing, like new paint for a blank canvas, and she was amazed at the route existence had taken without the gods. The animals and plants all seemed hale, the sky above existed and the sun and moon rose and set regularly… the rhythms of the gods seemed right to her. And yet, the memory of her host spoke of far uglier events and it left Aumvos wondering if, perhaps, this moment was a lull before the storm.

The lack knowledge frustrated Sound, she disliked being so out of the loop… she could not simply reach out and pluck the sounds from the air or translate the noises of the creatures. It was entirely too confining and it left but one thing to do: actually, honestly, make the hike to the Pantheon.

Thankfully, Exalla’s body had no need for clothing or weapons and sustenance was in abundance. As long as the hike did not take her across fields of metal and asphalt, she should have no cause for worry.

Upon setting out, Aumvos started at a brisk walk, taking in the sights, smells, and above all sounds. The walk turned to a trot and then a gallop, however, as a deeply instinctual joy gripped her and overrode her thoughts. The joy of movement, of open space, was all consuming for host and deity alike. Their shared appreciation of movement brought about a laugh from Exalla – the first happy one in a long while – and an answering call of joy from Sound.

When she realized her mistake, Sound scoffed and the run came to an end, chest heaving and nostrils flares as her hooves kicked and she danced along the ground before slowing to a walk. They should not be sharing moments… doing so was dangerous, gave Exalla hope where there was none. Inhaling deeply, Aumvos smoothed her chest down and she flicked her tail and tossed her head. There were important things to be done here – she needed to find the Pantheon and reconnect.

Sobered considerably, Aumvos continued on, still listening but quiet in her thoughts.