Rocks and Rolls

The human and the Malii followed the mining familiar. It seemed to know where it was going, and Riku had trusted it before with much success. Very much...! The little critter had saved his life in an unexpected way the last time he had been there.

Corona let out a funny growl as he walked behind the glowing glider. It was too high off the ground for him to swat at, but he wanted to paw at it...such pretty colors! They made him curious.

Riku slid his hand down the Fire Malii’s back from the base of its neck as they walks side by side. It pulled away from him a bit. It wasn’t that Corona dislikes him as much as he simply didn’t know him yet. At least not enough to want to be touched so often...Riku was too affectionate for his nature.

This was why he brought him along. The creature had so much potential, yet would probably never see the pit. There was no point in keeping him for battles or colors if he’d never be trained or bred. He knew that it was satisfied in the sanctuary, but part of the experience of having a human was bonding. So...here they were.

The human began to clunk away at the wall. Fortunately, it was a softer rock and thick and dry mud, so it didn’t make too much sound to echo through the halls of the mine. He wasn’t exactly sure what he was looking for, gem wise, as he didn't have any talent or care to use them for anything other than trades - especially in the shops that only accepted them. He had his eye on a set of enchanted daggers they had in stock...or maybe he had his mind’s eye on them, since he had never seen them himself. The one time he had entered the place he didn’t take much time to look around, and only got some basic armor....of which he still hasn’t used. Better safe than sorry, right?

Corona licked his lips again after finishing his treat. He inspected his paws to see if he had left any bits or juices between his toes. Licking them, he got a bit of mud in his mouth....but it was dirt mixed with fish juice! That was much better than the plain rocks he had chewed on earlier.

Axel continued to dig into the wall. Riku wasn’t sure if he somehow sensed something there, or he was just curious. Perhaps he hd somehow buried it there himself before, he didn't put it past him.

Indeed, strange rocks were where they were working, and one seemed to be calling to him...

Of course Riku knew what he wanted, and that the Malii seemed like it felt teased, so he took the sealed container out of the cart again and gave him another piece of fish. “Good boy, there you go!” He said in a sickeningly sweet voice.

Corona took the fish with a grown, snatching it out of Riku’s hand. His breath was hot and the piece of meat began to sizzle as soon as the Malii’s teeth sunk into it. A few embers and flares were visibly spilling out of his mouth as he savagely ate the fish in a hungry frenzy. Cooked tuna filled the halls of the mine as Riku and Axel continued to search for gems.

Axel had hopped away from Riku after handing him the diamond. He went over to the Malii, who was still eating, and poked his side. No response. Another poke and a cold shoulder later, the familiar jumped onto the fiery critter’s back. Naturally, this had a negative response. Corona jumped up, throwing the familiar off of him, and spun around with a shred of flesh still in his mouth. With a loud growl that echoed through the hall, he readied his claws for action.

Then again, if he didn’t check he wouldn’t ever know for he missed it, would he? But...then again (again), it would haunt him for sure later. In his mind, Murphy’s law was the law. (Who’s Murphey, anyway...?) So therefore, the gems existed until proven otherwise. He would much rather be disappointed than sell himself short.

“Brroooooawarrrrrr..r!” The Malii whined loudly with a bellowing voice. He was clearly pissed off. Boundaries were crossed. That...thing..wouldn’t have messed with him if he were still bigger! Now he would pay!

The buggy began to rock a bit, even though it was closed, catching the cautious attention of both Riku and his Malii - though, of course, Corona figured what it was, and launched himself at the cart. Claws out, he dug them into the side.

“Corona, no!” Riku yelped. The buggy was a prize he’d won in a contest and he really liked the device. It was useful! He rushed over to pull him off, but of course had difficulty. Even though he was a regrown, the Malii was already almost fully grown again. “‘Rona....!” Riku whimpered aa the Malii’s teeth began to flare again. “Not the buggy....!”

The eyes of the thing were physically expressionless, but the shapes and colors inside said all that he needed to know. This gem wasn’t as unique as the last - but it was much better than dirt. The little guy was proving to be an excellent mining buddy!

Axel suddenly let out a curious “Chi..”, looking away. He gently glided into the air and moved to a spot in the ground about ten feet away. “Chii!” He insisted.

Corona grumbled at the noises, also annoyed that his light source was moving away. Fortunately, the bits of fire spewing out of his mouth as he enjoyed his burning treat lit up the area near his paws that were clumsily used to hold it in place.

Riku followed the familiar, curiously, and said “Axel...? What is it little g-“ pausing mid sentence to cock his own head to the right and examine that...feeling?

What was that? That...vibration, er, buzzing in his head? Almost like a frequency - but he knew it wasn’t exactly being heard. An echo..? A voice? Almost.

He looked down at the ground between him and the mining critter and got down on his knees again. Palms on the floor, he could feel the vibration coming from just below it - but again, it wasn’t a conventional feeling in his fingertips. But rather, in his...mind.