Welcome to Gaia! ::

Golyath flew over head, scouting a root through the Ruins. They'd made a few trips here of late. Davvyd hardly remember the rude doe he'd encountered on his first trip. Now, he had more fond memories. It was a nice enough day for an adventure. And you never knew what you'd find in a place like this. Perhaps he'd finally locate some unique bauble that would make a good gift. Taboo or not he knew many does treasured certain sparkly artifacts that could be found here. And if you had to root through a few piles of decaying junk from the others to find them, so be it.

Davvyd was pulled out of his thoughts by Golyath chirping. He could feel his friend's excitement through the bond. Clearly he'd found something. Davvyd squinted, and could just make him out, perched on the top of some rickety building that was now almost completely over grown. He appeared to be shoving something into his mouth. Davvyd ruefully shook his head. Golyath was never one to pass up a snack. But suddenly the feel changed. No longer was he excited, now he was fearful. "Golyath? What's wrong?" An edge of panic crept into his voice, unsure what his companion had found. "Cat beast? Dire rat? Do you need me buddy?"

Suddenly the green and white faery was spiraling through the air, hardly controlling his descent. He clutched at his belly, moaning. He hit the ground with an unceremonious thud. "Buddy! What's wrong!" Golyath could only moan. Davvyd nosed at him, but got no real reaction. "Oh no ... Those berries must not have been what you thought they were!"

Now real panic was setting in. Davvyd was a vivify, but his gift was mending bones, not poisonings. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, trying to formulate a plan. All he could think to do was call for help. Homewood was a long way away, and he wasn't sure his friend could hang on for that long ...

Davvyd spun around, shocked by the voice. he was even more shocked to see a beautiful doe standing there, in the Ruins. An answer to his wish! Just like a story! If only Golyath wasn't writhing in pain and could see it.

"Golyath was up on that building," he gestured with his head "and was snacking on some berries. I fear they may have been poisonous. If you could cleanse him, it would save him, I'm sure! We'd be so grateful!" Davvyd could hardly believe his luck. What was it about the Ruins that seemed to summon exactly the right help at exactly the right time? Uncanny.

Now slightly less terrified for his familiar's life, he took in a good look of this Cinder. Yes, exceptionally beautiful. Possibly the most beautiful doe he'd ever laid eyes on! And a vivify, at that! This truly seemed like a fated moment!

Golyath groaned again, clutching his belly, reminding Davvyd of the first priority.

Davvyd watched the gorgeous doe work her literally magic. Her beauty, her grace, her skill! It was like watching a heroine from a story! His heart pounded in his chest. He was quite sure this was what love was.

Golyath stirred, staring up at Cinder. A little smile came across his face. "Davvyd, did the most beautiful doe in all of Vykeli save me?" The faery weakly sat up, and grimaced. One of this wings was a little off kilter looking. Perhaps his impact with the ground hadn't treated him too kindly either.

Davvyd nuzzled Golyath gently, and then probed him with his own magic. One of the tiny bones in his wing was cracked. Davvyd closed his eyes for a moment, released his magic into the creature. Davvyd gave a surprised chirp, and then tested his wing. While he looked utterly tuckered out, he no longer seemed to be on death's door, or in pain. Davvyd extended a front leg to his companion, who scrambled up it, and then pulled himself into the Noul's mane.

Davvyd then let his gave settled upon Cinder. "I assure you Noulja, I did not eat any of the berries. I believe Golyath's sweet tooth got the better of him. What fortune we two had, that you would be here, to work this miracle! I don't think I'll ever be out of your debt. And the grace with which you handled the situation! Magnificent!" His heart beat faster as he gazed upon this perfect creature. And she was a Vivify! Truly one of Grandfather Tree's chosen.

"This meeting has been an impossible pleasure." And then Davvyd remembered that he had not introduced himself. "Please forgive my rudeness. Completely unacceptable. I'm Davvyd, and this is my bonded, Golyath. At your service." He ducked his head respectfully, while being careful not to dislodge the faery.

Davvyd's smile widened as the smile graced Cinder's face. "I must admit, we came to have a poke around. A few trips back I found a doe who'd fallen in one of the ruins and snapped a leg." A quick frown crossed his face, as he reflected on just how rude that doe had been. She'd taken right off! "The Ruins certainly are full of surprises."

"I think Grandfather Tree meant for our paths to cross. Certainly for Golyath's sake! Imagine, Brightheart finally restores faeries and Golyath perishes not even a full season later. That would have been tragic! But you were here to save the day! And with no lasting harm!"

"I wish we'd managed to find some sort of trinket to gift you with. But I doubt we'd have been able to find anything pretty enough to do you justice regardless." His smile was quite genuine in appearance. A flattered he might be, but the buck meant every word of it.

"Now that you've had a chance to practice your considerable skills, is it perhaps time for a nice light lunch? We'd be pleased if you're share our supplies." Golyath even managed a little nod, clearly looking forward to a nap to recover from this entire ordeal.

 Davvyd smiled, and nodded to Golyath, who began opening the bags that were strapped to the noul. Davvyd was no fool - he hadn't come here without supplies. "I don't have anything too fancy, but it's still better than an empty stomach, right?" Golyath pulled out a packet of dried fruit and set it down in front of Flare, before returning to the bags to pull out some cooked roots.

"Please, eat your fill. I'm sure after today's little adventure we'll be heading back to Homewood anyhow." Davvyd settled down to his knees, and nosed at one of the roots before sampling it. Truly, nothing fancy, but certainly significantly better than having to browse something from the Ruins. Especially after what had happened to Golyath.  

Chewing, Davvyd considered her question. "I will be honest, despite spending a good deal of time out here I've yet to run into any rats or cat beasts. Can't say the same of the Bog though ..." He snorted. That had been a near one. "I think the best thing we discovered out here were some seeds that were of interest back in Homewood." Finishing up his portion of root, he considered further. "We've been trying to do a bit of healing out here, but I think the most good we did was heal a noulicorn who'd fallen in one of the ruins ..." He shook his head. She'd been so rude. 

"I'm sorry we don't have anything of more interest to you! Are you searching for something particular out here?" He looked at her, appreciatively. She was perhaps the most beautiful noulicorn he'd ever set eyes on. "I must say you certainly improve the view in this place." 

As Davvyd ate his root he nearly choked as Cinder suggested she might like more company. Doing his best to cover it up, he grinned. "Oh, well perhaps if you've never been here before we can stick around a little longer. Show you a few places?" At least he knew a couple of things about the Ruins. Maybe enough to impress her?

He laughed at her next comment. "Oh well, perhaps you did find your event. Supplied by Golyath!" Through his bond he could tell that the faery was flushing. The faery stayed quiet however, perhaps sense progress.

"Yes, I'm sure we can stay a little longer, show you around a bit. If you're like of course." Davvyd imaged all the possibilities. He could take her to that strange grove he'd found with Golyath, and show her the building that rude doe had plunged into, tell the story about how he'd healed that doe's leg, for not even a thank you. Yes indeed, this was shaping up to be a fine day, despite the near tragedy. "But after we finished lunch, of course."