Twila@M3 - Wednesday, May 02, 2001, 10:03 PM ---------------------------------------------
Congo River Baison The Congo is one of the few remaining vastly dense jungles left in the world. Still untouched by the ravages of civilization like many of the other less dense rainforests around the area, the Congo jungle is still a terror to venture at alone. Wild animals such as snakes, poisonous frogs, and even wild boars roam the wild Jungles in their own, secluded, ecosystem. And deep within the Congo jungle, cut off from modern civilization, not a place many would venture without nuts of steel. Hidden in the depths, uncharted by modern man or robot alike lie forgotten civilizations, ancient relics that have withstood the tests of time. Unknown species roam the foliage, doing as they please in the forgotten and undiscovered ecosystem. A narrow stream leads down the only passable area, as it winds to a halt at a 30 foot waterfall. -Behind- the Waterfall, who knows...
Although most of the world has fallen pray to the wiles of technology and scientific advancement...there are still some areas found on the Earth that remain just as they had been since the beginning of time. The African Congo is one such a place. As wild and as beautiful and sometimes just as dangerous as one can imagine.
High above the cover of greens and browns which blankets the length and width of the baison flies a lone Charter Plane. It's caro? Two passagers: siblings who also happen to be twins.
Already within her gear Twila takes a deep breath as she peers out the window, revealing just what she and her brotehr are literally about to "jump into". "Not exactly like the parks back home..." she idly comments.
Rick Morgan is standing at this point...looking out the window as well, also done up in his gear. Though he appears to be constantly checking one of his harness straps that are up above his shoulder, having a hard time seeing it due to the fact his neck dosen't twist that way very well. "Yeah I don't think we're going to have the luxury of park rangers to turn to for directions to the nearest cave..." he comments quietly. "We'll get our bearings soon enough when we're there though." Nearby, a crate is set at the rear ramp, also loaded with a parachute, containing various equipment and gear that the twins will find useful on their trip.
Rick meanwhile continues to try to get the strap tied down...awkwardly.
One of the pilots, a middle-aged dark skinned man doesn't turn to look back towards the twins as he studies his readouts. Within a heavy Swahili accent he relays, "We soon be coming upon the Sangha. Drop off zone soon in less then 10. Zeju will be dropping your gear down first...then you follow. Yes?" It's more for confirmation than an actual question.
Rick Morgan glances over towards the pilot, giving a quick nod. "Yeah, we'll be ready to go." he pipes up, offering a thumbs-up at the same time, right before turning and beginning that slight turn as he wrestles with the strap. "If I can ever get this secure..." he mutters under his breath towards Twila, right before finally pulling it tight with a slight *click*. Satisfied, he turns towards her, and idly leans forward to check her gear...a habit he's formed nevertheless. Then again it usually helps to have someone else look over your stuff as well. A second opinion never hurt. "How you feeling? Ready for this? Not like you haven't jumped out of a plane before."
"Just...not over the heart of Africa," Twila answers...checking over Rick's as well...and actually...wasn't aware of his troubles with the strap until she heard the final click. This causes some minor guilt on her part. But not terribly much. She is strapped in well enough within her own gear. "But about as ready as I'll ever be. And...have what we need too." And she isn't just referring to the supplies either. "Have to admit...I am somewhat nervous."
At this point Zeji makes certain his part of the controls are set before he eases from his seat and heads over towards the readied box. "We almost be ready to let go your gear now. You remember when and where you get pick up?"
Rick Morgan smirks slightly, turning as the other man moves to make ready. "Don't worry." He says reassuringly to Twila, now moving forward to follow Zeji's movements. "It's not like the olden days where we navigate by stars. We got some pretty good equipment to help us on our way. We'll be fine."
The thirty year old smiles as he opens the side door, allowing gusts of the jungle air to breeze through the small plane. "Good. Sometimes hard to navigate when can't see the stars." He remarks and, with Rick's help, positions the cargo for deployment. "You both be careful..." With that gentle warning the gestures for Twila to join them as the gear's timer is set and then pushed out. A few minutes later in the midst of freefall the chute will open up and gently land the cargo itself within a designated landing zone.
However first, Twila eyes Rick one last time to make sure he's ready. "Thanks for everything...both of you..." she says. When Zeju opens his mouth to tell the twins now would be the time to deploy...Twila beats him to it. Seeing Rick in a prone enough position...goes ahead and shoves into him from behind. The result? Both are let loose from the plane at the same time.
He should have seen it coming one of these times shouldn't he?
Rick Morgan ACKS as he's caught off guard. He was watching the crate for the moment to make sure it's chute had deployed properly, mushrooming to it's full span and slowing the descent of it's cargo in due process. Rick of course flails for just a moment, before getting his stance right and putting his arms and legs out to the side, his descent becoming more stable again. It's not a long drop, and the freefall is going to be short...but he makes a point of slowing his descent just enough so that Twila catches up to him, and turns to meet her face to face. He reaches out his hands to grip onto her arms, smirking at her with an obviously mischevious glint in his eyes. He leans forward just enough to put his mouth near her ear so she can hear him.
"You think you're so funny don't you!?" he shouts so as to be heard, pulling back a moment later and smirking again.
Then, strangely enough...he makes a 'bye bye' motion with his free hand. It becomes apparent a moment later just why. When he slipped up close...he grabbed ahold of Twila's ripcord. A second later, he gives it a hard jerk.
Twila can't help but let out a loud and surprised (although not shocked) squeal as the force of the eruption of her parachute lifts her upwards and away from the cyborg. She shoots him a mock look of annoyance after the sudden gust of wind has quieted and sticks her tongue out at him. "Nyaaaaaaaaaaaa...ttttttttttthbts!"
Yes...it's childish. But at the moment...would either of them care?
Rick Morgan deploys his own parachute a second later, jerking the cord and sending the fabric billowing out in a roar of release. His form slows within a matter of seconds, until he's got hold of the harness straps and is guiding his course through the air. He glances up towards the canopy above him, and the figure hanging from the bottom of it, and gives a loud chuckle, before looking down to judge their approach. The crate has already landed ahead of them in a small clearing, and Rick aims for it as well, his multicolored parachute gleaming as the sun catches it just right. It isn't long before he's on final approach, and with a sudden pull of his straps to 'flare', he sets down with a slight *thump* of impact on the ground once more.
It's not long after that he's joined by the young woman within a simular manner. Twila slightly brings up her legs as she comes in for a landing not far from him and sends up taking a few steps until the parchute behind her settles harmlessly onto the ground behind her. She lets out a few breaths before first moving the goggles up from her eyes, allowing the strap to hang around her neck as she gets a good long look of their surroundings. The gaze is focused back towards Rick as well as the landed gear while she begins to detatch herself from the chute. "Looks exactly like one of those pictures from the National Geographics," she idly comments.
The life of the jungle seems quieted for now...save for a few native birds which can be heard somewhere within the titanic and unrevealing trees. However simply because the eyes of the wood go unseen...does not mean the two are not being
"Yeah and just think..." Rick offers, pulling the rings to release the shoulder straps of his own chute. He steps away from the canvas, before starting to get out of his harness as well. It'll be safe to leave the parachutes here, they can be picked up on the way back en route to the pickup site afterall
"...those National Geographic guys probably came in here armed with little more than a set of compasses." he smirks at that, casting a glance to the trees as well, before wiping a hand across his face to remove the already beading up sweat. That's funny, it seemed alot cooler on the trip down here for some strange reason.
His course takes him towards the crate however, which he starts to pry open a moment later.
Already loosed from the binds Twila nears him and offers her own aid as well...should it be needed. "Right...least we can be comforted that we aren't the only ones to have done this..." she states. Letting out a small the crate makes a smallish creek...beginning to give under both their efforts.
Still there is silence from the jungle as the two intruders are watched closely. More curious than frighetened or upset...one or two of the observors continues their vigil...looking on in unfathomable interest.
Rick Morgan remains ignorant of the forest denizens at large, more intent on getting their equipment free from the crate. It isn't long before he does so, pulling out two pairs of hiking packs and gear. Within each is the usual assortment of items expected for survival gear. Rations, toiletries, first aid equipment, GPS navigation equipment, etc. Rick's pack even has a little extra as far as things go. Plenty of rope, and even a folded up tent, as the reality of the two perhaps having to spend a night in the jungle isn't within the realm of impossible.
"Guess we can get this show on the road soon. All set or you wanna catch your breath before we get going?" Rick asks.
Twila starts dressing within on her gear, shaking her head in response. "I'd rather start walking if that was alright if you feel up to it. For me, I rested pretty much on the way here." It's highly probable that she is somewhat tired. But...on the other hand she's reather excited wouldn't wouldn't mind gaining some ground on their trek.
"Alrighty then..." Rick offers with a grin, pulling his pack on and making sure it's quite secure, before he produces what looks like a small computer setup, with a built in GPS interface. Oh don't get him wrong...he can make do without it with the other things they have. And he -did- pack a second one just in case. But why have high technology when you can't indulge in it a little? After a moment, the readouts on the small screen tell him what he needs to know, and he points off into the trees. "Looks like we're going thisaway." he offers, before starting to move forward, heading for the thick, jungle
Twila takes step after him, feelings of nostalgia washing over as she considers briefly all the nature outings and hiking trips she had with her family when she was growing up. Certainly nonw of those took place within this type of setting. But there is a certain likeness between here and the national parks within Colorado stateside. "Gives me a good idea just why where we're going was termed as the 'Green Heart'," she states, mildly thinking. And no, she's not complaining. "I'm wondering if the computer reports took in consideration of the terrian when it plotted out the timing..."
Meanhile, shortly after the two leave the site holding their chuts as well as the crate behind, and after the siblings are now out of audio and visual range...three mischivious yongsters scurry down from their hiding places in order to inspect the gifts the stangers have left. Letting out some chitterings amongst themselvs, one of the chimps rolls himself within Rick's chute as he would a blanket while his friends watch...
Rick Morgan remains unaware that his skydiving gear is getting the toy treatment from a trio of chimps. And he just bought that parachute too! We'll just hope it comes out in one piece.
He continues to push forward, now ducking under giant ferns and pushing large leaves aside as he continues inwards. "Well, as far as dips and curves in the land go, it's got that right. But even the computer can't plot for trees and other obstacles of the like really. Sometimes random stuff just goes and shows up in your path too. It helps to get a general idea though." he pauses as he snaps one particularly large branch aside, watching as a small lizard scuttles away from his hand, and smirking slightly.
"Ugh..." Is the only thing Twila does as the lizard scurries away. "Hope we don't run into any pythons or crocodiles..." Or cobras, or any of the other types of snakes that infests these forests. Such a thing she and Rick should be prepared for. But the idea in and of itself is still unplesent. "Makes me wonder if any of the Repliforcers who came this way met up with any of the local wildlife..."
Rick Morgan smirks slightly turning to glance at another small path through the trees, being a natural formation of foliage that's grown in just such a way. Not to mention the passage of animals over time has made it easier to follow for that matter. "Well I don't think we have to worry about crocodiles unless we go near any rivers. As for pythons...well we'll just keep our eyes open. If you're a reploid I guess you don't have to worry too much about biting snakes and the like." Or if you've got metal feet....or heavy boots like Rick made sure were available for Twila. Although they're not always guaranteed.
True enough. But prevention has alot going for it these days as well. "I don't suppose they do," she says, falling back into some of her musing. She looks down to her chest briefly where a small pouch is saftly tucked away against underneath all the protective layering. Glancing back up, she keeps in step, then points a head of them after some time has passed. "Should be over that ridge over there. Although...I wasn't told exactly where the opening was," she informs him. But she does have the "key" Reynas had spoken of. That should be of help.
"Well one way or another I'm sure we'll find it once we get over there." Rick pipes up, stopping to step over an old, rotted log that had fallen probably a year or two ago during a bad windstorm. He makes sure he's clear before continuing on, stepping around a small pool of water as well and continuing forward, working as the 'point man' so to speak.
Gives new meaning to the term "follow the leader"...or so it appears. "So am I..." Twila assures him, making sure to keep pace, the ridge falling closer and closer. Observing Rick as she is, she can't help but feel rather proud she is of him that he's her older brother. She really couldn't ask for anyone better. She trails in silence a few moments as the ridge finally comes into full view. A colorful green mount reaching high and wide...although not quite as tall as the Muntumba Mountains on the opposing side of this small African nation. "Hard for me to believe we're almost there," she murmers...somewhat excited on what Reynas found so precious to have guarded for all those years before his discovery.
Rick Morgan smirks again as he continues moving forward, ducking under an overhanging tree limb, then coming to a halt at a slight break in the trees. Literally the destination is but a short distance away now. "That's it." he offers, reaching up to a vine that's draped by his head to wrap his fingers around it idly. "We should be up there in no time at all.
Except the vine isn't just a vine...which may be noticable shortly after Rick's fingers enclose around the scaly surface...and squirms.
It's the protesting hiss that draws Twila's attention an forces her yelp when she notes the slight texture around the green. But before she can offer anything more the snake's tail squirms itself out of his hold...and dissappears back into the collage of braches. Meanwhile she's busy tugging his arm to prod her brother out from underneath. (As if by now he should need any...) "Just me or should we keep going?"
Rick Morgan snatches his hand back the instant the 'vine' moves, and immediately takes a step back as well, watching as it squirms it's way upwards, and blinking for a moment. "Uh...yeah." he finally offers as she begins to tug at his arm, following her lead at this point. "Not much further to go anyway." Another glance given to the branches, and then he returns his attention to full forward once more.
Twila Peterson nods in response and finally let's go as they begin nearing their final destination. As they both draw closer they'll both begin to feel some sort of energy within the air coming from up ahead. Faint at first. But as they near a northwesterly direction...towards one grassy wall in particular...the energy seems to build...possibliy casuing the hair on the back of their necks to stand on end. Rick's cybernetics may be also slightly affected in that some tingling sensations are felt...but nothing more than this. "Think you're right about that..." she notes, accompanying her statment with a blink. She glances towards the far right of her where some of the greenery, although unharmed or damaged, seems as less thick than some of the others.
Rick Morgan has of course brought his scanner, which he pulls out and turns on, looking at the readings on the device with due curiosity. "Looks like we got power spikes here all over. At least eminating from this area. If I didn't know better I'd swear someone had a generator set up here somewhere..." he mutters, puzzling over the technical side of this.
Twila mutely nods as she opens her jacket up enough in order to retrieve the leather pouch she had so carefully guarded. Carefully opening the ties of the pouch a thin tranlucent scale gently falls into her open palm. Clutching it to herself she reaches out to touch the a portion of the wall. As she does the earth suddenly sinks inward in front of the two revealing a short, wide tunnel leading a small distance inwards. "Guess...that's what he ment by...the key..." she whispers, even as the "door" opens, asking for enterance.
Rick Morgan produces a powerful flashlight from his own pack, having a bent head at the end of it so he can hold it easier. With a click, he turns it on and shines it into the tunnel, panning it around before taking a step forward. "Well..." he offers, panning the light beam around once more as if to make sure. "Guess we can wander in and have a looksee..." And with that, he proceeds to step in through the entrance.
Although there's a minor problem. As soon as Rick moves inward, he literally bounces against whatever field was called into place. The barrier cackles, but does him no harm. It simply...won't let him enter...at least for now.
"Rick, you alright?" Twila brins brings a hand up to help steady himself. However, as soon as her skin touches his...the barrier almost seems to give way, forcing the man to perhaps loose his balance.
Rick Morgan grunts, reaching up to rub his nose where he made contact with the field. "Oh yeah, I'm juuuuuuuuuuust..!" of course as the barrier goes away, he pitches forward, to land on his stomach with a rough *WHUMP*, his flashlight skittering from his hand a couple feet. A few seconds go by as he lays there, then coughs finally.
"...peachy."
Too suprised by his sudden falling in to gain her own amount of stability, Twila nearly joins him on the dirt floor upon stumbling after being pulled in. She does actually trip over one of his legs and catches herself against the tunnel wall, blinking rapidly. "What the heck was that?" she questions, as she offers to help him up.
Rick Morgan gets up and brushes himself off, glancing about for a moment before sighing. "I dunno...but I don't think we're gaining anything just sitting here." He then blinks as his flashlight rolls further in...and facepalms. Good thing the light is here at least. Though he did have a spare if he needed it. "Maybe let's go further in....not to mention retrieve my flashlight while we're at it. Hope I didn't damage it."
She's too absorbed to notice the flashlight comes to a stop, shining it's light directly over the huge ceiling above them. And then the light is taken altogether as the flashlight disappears further into the descending tunnel. Only...once gone it's not totally dark as one might expect. There's light coming from the bottom of the tunnel. And it's not artificial light that's seen.
Twila hugs the wall as she moves forward, keeping herself close to her sibling as she does. "I wonder---" she begins, then arubtly stops as the bottom reveals the treasures hidden within this mount...
The gaping maw of this place reveals a massive cavern. Crystal formations have solidified against the walls, casting beams of light as reflected by the openings of the cave above. Various plants form the backdrop of this quiet and secluded place, splashed with riots of color of every conceivable kind. The cool air itself circulates in a constant low breeze, bedecked with streamers of perfume and fragrance. A pathway of simple crushed stone winds through a carefully planted garden, bordered on each side with thick blocks of volcanic glass, worn smooth by the passage of metal scales. At the center of the cavernous domain, a fountain of carefully trained limbs swirl about a jet of crystal water; salt crusts the edges of the branches, white crystals against the dark wood.
Rick Morgan blinks a few times as he descends after Twila, one hand moving out to trail along the wall in his course. He glances down at the crystal formations, whistling lowly to himself as he notes them...and the layout of this whole place. It's alot bigger in here than one might think at first as well. "Feel like I'm in some old sci-fi movie on a new planet..." he mutters.
The young woman finds she can't speak for several lengthy moments as she steps more inward, entranced by the surroundings. "This...this is beautiful," she murmurs, her eyes finally falling onto the fountain. Multicolored rainbows seem to dance where the beams of light spear the crystals from overhead, indeed giving the cavern more than an otherworldly as well as a mystical appearance. Gazing towards the base of the fountain she studies the delicate patterns therein. "He...was quite an artist. To have founded all this..."
Rick Morgan turns a full circle, glancing at the surroundings themselves, before turning and looking for where his flashlight rolled off to as well. "If he lived out here, he probably had alot of time to devote to it..." he remarks
"More than likely. I wonder...how old he was." Twila muses as she edges closer towards the middle...that is until her boot unexpectedly nudges the flashlight against some of the stones on which it rests. She pauses and bends down to scoop it up with one hand. Shutting it off for now she returns to where Rick stands and hands it back towards him. The front glass appears to be slightly cracked. But it's hardly noticed unless one peers all too closely. "He stated that he wasn't really a dragon. That...was a label humans had given him long ago." She may sound as if she may be babbling for now. Or is it something else?
The girl clutches the translucent scale even tighter to herself...then hides it back within her leather pouch "necklace" for safe keeping.
Rick Morgan sighs as he looks at the crack in the glass, and hooks the flashlight back onto his belt once more. He returns his gaze towards the crystalline formations, actually moving up to raise a hand and touch one thoughtfully. "Yeah..." he says quietly. "...I kind of have my doubts about dragons ever really living..." Unless they come in the form of small mechanical types, of which he's quite familiar. "...but there's lots of stuff that never was discovered."
The redhead watches Rick's movements briefly before approaching the fountain once more and peering inward within the clear blue waters. Underneath the surface one can see a variety of more of the same crystal as on the walls...as well as several scales resting there. They're much like the one she carries. "He also spoke of...rejoining his people among the stars." she muses. That is, until she catches herself staring and shakes herself free of her brief trance. She looks up and suddenly feels very small in all this. A hand lifts up to gently stroke the wooden basin of the fountain. She closes her eyes as she falls into thought. "We never did get to talk about certain things. I bid him 'Godspeed' before the attack on Repliforce Island. And he wanted to speak more of Him the next chance we had...."
Rick Morgan remains silent at this point, looking up and around the big cavern a little more. He's half tempted to pull out his scanner on one of the crystals...to judge its density just for the fun of it. But he doesn't. Instead...he approaches the fountain in the middle of the room as well, peering into it for a long moment. After that long moment, he finally glances up.
"Did you know what you were to do here?" he asks quietly.
The answer comes by a shake of the head. "Actually...no. I was, hoping I would know by the time we arrived here. He named me the guardian and the guide of the 'Green Heart', his home. He said...the question laid here...and I would find a piece of him." She lets out a soft sigh which is followed by a helpless shrug. "He...was a poet. But...I haven't been able to figure out all it was he had meant."
"Didn't you bring a piece of him?" Rick asks quietly at that point, straightening up. "I remember hearing before of cases where people would bring remains of others to places that meant something rather special to them."
"When I was at Repliforce during the exchange I had questioned of King Dragon when he was first taken there. With General's permission...I was given a scale from his original form. He called it a 'key' and a 'talisman' of the one who came before." She recalls the words spoken by him of their last conversation. How could she not? Thus, she repeats it: "With it, the Green will know you, and you will know it; with one to find the other, and unlock the door, so that only you may pass. In my Heart that I built to remind me of what I could no longer see, you will find a piece of Me, the Last. The Dragon may not enter, but only the Chosen."
Rick Morgan idly can't help but wonder about the wisdom of speaking poems during one's last moments. It sure makes it difficult on those who stay behind and try to figure out what it was that was wanted of them. He straightens up and glances about once more, rising a hand to rub at the back of his head thoughtfully. "...guess it'd be pretty boring if it was too easy huh?" he murmurs.
"Yeah, I suppose so," Twila returns with a grin, but without it's mirth. Pressing her lips together she tries to think back more so on his words. "He...also referred to me as a healer as well as a 'chosen'," she adds, "'A child Chosen by things that even the Last did not know, and that the Dragon could never understand. And the question lies within the Green Heart.' But I'm not certain what the question is. Or how I'm to be the guard, guide, and healer of---" She stops and brushes a hand through her reddish locks, listening to the chimes as the winds blow gently through countless openings of rock. Soon after, her hand flops back to her side. "Maybe...he asked me to come since...he knew he couldn't take care of his home any longer..."
Rick Morgan arches an eyebrow at that point, watching her for a moment. "What...you mean set the place up so it's neat and tidy since he can't come anymore?" he glances around himself, and scratches his head once more. "I'd almost think it was doing a good job on it's own so far..."
"Reynas stated that he couldn't return here several times. And I spoke with General about this some time ago. I was told that...no mechanoid was able to enter here. Something was done to prevent it when Sigma had some the first time...trying to force his way in. That's how his organic form was badly injured. Reynas was just trying to protect his home. That probably explains the field." Towards Rick, the girl offers, "It looks like it is doing pretty well on it's own. Why would it need a guide---?" She blinks slowly, trying to still her puzzled mind.
"Unless...there was a limited amount of care that had been given and...it needed to be prepared to carry on long after him...?"
"Could be." Rick agrees quietly, giving a nod at that. "Though if there's something to control the amount of care around here, I'm certainly not seeing it. Decorative care was never one of my strengths really."
Twila Peterson dips her chin, pondering. With a glance above to the natural "skylight" followed by the tracing of the path in which the light takes, she begins stepping away from the fountain. The rays of light themselves are difficult to discern until she begins moving away from the center of the cavern. After walking a few feet along the smooth path she looks back to where her brother still stands. It takes a small amount of time to just stand there and watch. And she's almost at the point of giving up. However, gazing closely she begins to notice something.. "Rick, the light...I think there's some sort of pattern it forms. It's...not all just a collage..." she motions, staring towards the farther walls. She motions for Rick to join her to see if he can see what she sees.
The light drawn to the water of the fountain fans out at certain angles...caught by some of the surrounding formations. For those who look, it almost seems to form a web of light around the chasm.
Rick Morgan blinks and darts towards Twila at her call and gesture, coming up alongside, then actually stepping behind her so he can get a look from her angle. Or relatively at least, having to lean down just slightly to get a proper look. He narrows his eyes as he studdies what indeed does look like a pattern, frowning to himself. "If it's a pattern...what's it pointing to?" he mutters. "...the center of the room?"
"Looks to be inward and outward," Twila answers. The light being drawn into the water is noticeable...what of otherwise? Some of the crystals and countless minerals in the walls and metallic scales lining the gardens also are enveloped by the light as well. Almost forms a circle around the cavern. But...not quite. The path that encompasses the garden trails away from both that and the fountain. For some reason...this is not engulfed by the light. But rather...the light seems to be on either. It is the path that the siblings are now on. And yet...the path seemingly ends...right in front of another crystal formation. Almost within an unknown shape at first. Yet...as the two watch...it begins to change it's colors to a myriad of hues within he spectrum. It is then it is when a shape is seen within the structure...the form of a dragon.
Or the equivalent thereof.
Rick Morgan stares for a long moment, watching the process with the hypnotic fascination of someone seeing something quite out of the ordinary unfolding right in front of them. He watches the light changing it's color and hues, and finally forming the complete shape at the end, arching both eyebrows at the symbol presented in front of them.
"Well...I guess this would be one clue..." He quips quietly.
Twila Peterson can only nod in agreement. "I...apparently so," she responds as looks on in fascination as well. When the shape takes form, she edges towards it. Much larger than it had first appeared, she wonders if this was the original shape and form of the one who had dwelt here for so long. Gazing up towards it as it finally settles within shades of gray-lilac she touches the stone just below the creature. "I wish I knew---."
As her hand lays itself on the surface the creatures colors change once more, this time to a bluish-green...almost in a mirror of the girl's eyes. And not just the engraving. The waters of the fountain also change in time with the creature. The result is the dimming of the cavern as some of the cavernous ceiling begins shielding the chasm from it's light. The natural light begins fading from the cave, leaving darkness within its wake.
The young woman pulls back her hand and almost stumbles back into Rick, amazed as well as somewhat nervous as the hearth dims. "Ok...what in in the heck happened?" she exclaims quietly.
Behind them, the fountain waters are still bubbling. Only now thre are additional creaks and "groans" surrounding them. Almost as if some unseen mechanism were shifting.
"Um..." Rick starts, stepping closer to Twila by force of habit, looking up and all around him as the grinding continues, as if unsure. "I...dunno. Seems like you turned something on. I wish this place came with an instruction manual..."
.oO(Would probably have been written all in prose...)Oo. Twila muses, though not unkindly even as she slips an arm around Rick's. Still, she wishes King Dragon would have been more specific in his instructions. But if he would have been...it wouldn't have been Kind Dragon.
The shifting continues. However, strangely enough the ground nor the walls themselves doesn't move. It more sound as if whatever is being done is behind the walls. If anything, the two would only be feeling a slight tremor. Although some dust falls from the ceiling, it's not enough to cause concern of a possible cave in.
The darkness lasts for what seems to be an eternity. Within that time the emissions seem to drag on until finally, they cease. The coverings pull back from the ceiling, allowing the light to filter into the cavern once more. Oddly enough, nothing seems changed, at least not outwardly. Still, as light patterns resume they take on another design altogether. The fountain's waters fall back into their normal tones.
As for the creature found within the formation? The color slowly fades back into the same hue as the rest of the surrounding stone. Then the creature itself seems to dissolve back into the crystal as if it had never been.
Twila is left speechless as she observes all this, holding on to her brother all the more tighter. Musing, "Almost...as if it was mourning the loss within it's...own way..."
Rick Morgan watches the last things take place...glancing up and around himself cautiously, before turning about to eye any changes...of which he finds very little. He watches the change in the pattern soberly...reaching up to set a hand on Twila's shoulder. "Or perhaps accepting the fact that it's on it's own now Twila. It's to take care of itself from now on." He says quietly, reassurance.
That...impression was gleaned as well. The young woman can't help but sniffle even as her hand reaches up to cover Rick's and gives a small squeeze. "I---I believe you're right," she finds herself agreeing in a steadied voice. But it's not without it's stress around the edges. "I think I understand what he was trying to tell me now. What it was he was saying..."
Rick Morgan shifts his arm just enough to draw her into a half embrace as he stands behind her, hugging her close. "I think this place is gonna be alright from now on..." he says quietly. "...it just needed somebody to put the final touches to it, that's all."
Twila Peterson brings her other arm up as well the grasp her brother somewhat more tightly. She nods to his words in slow acceptance. Although a part of her wonders just why she had been chosen. Then, shortly after, she can only feel honored that she had been. "He told me he was to meet me here. In a way, he did. He wanted to share himself...as well as wanting to assure that a part of him would live on." Her squeeze, thought gentle, becomes more firm. When the Hunter closes her eyes a tear forms and slides down her cheek. This time, she can't quite keep all the emotion from her whisper. "Thanks for coming and sharing this with me."
Rick Morgan turns just slightly to gently kiss her crown in the process, before pulling back just enough to keep glancing around and taking in the surroundings. "I told you I would...and I meant it." he says gently.
Twila smiles a little at the additional affection. "Yeah...you did..." she muses. Staying there a few moments longer, listening the the babble of the fountain, she then opens her eyes...enjoying the natural wonder and beauty of this place. "Love you, Rick."
Rick Morgan grins just a little wider at that point, and gives Twila a little more of a squeeze. "Love you too, sis."