#rescuemiriam

"Caspian, should we find somewhere to rest, or travel on?"

"I don't want to rest. I want this done with." She sounds determined, but not hopeful.

The Eshu turns and looks at the two, "Okay. Coradel, lady. What is going on with you two? he's been frowning, you seem defeatist. I've seen folks hunting down the Questing Beast or Dagda's Cauldron who had more cheer and hope in their quest and some say those are impossible to find. Surely there's some happiness tied to this mission?"

At his question, August looks down, scuffing the ground with his boot, then looks around for any likely camping spot.

She doesn't answer immediately...but then says, "I want there to be." But she doesn't look at August. "If it comes out well...there will be."

He looks back, at her, and nods. Then nods to Caspian.

"With your help...our chances of success are greater, I think."

"I agree."

A glance at August, then she looks away again.

"We're having an adventure! " He says with a smile, "A chance to walk roads that may be new or ancient, to see sights of wonder as well as terror. You are members of the shining hosts, you are legends manifest, fighting for love, or honor, or even glory, whatever it is. Whree is that sidhe confidence that so annoys many of us, eh? Shine for each other a bit mm? or at least just shine because you are here, in the Dreaming."

"Perhaps.... when we're Deeper. It will be easier."

A slight grin at the eshu's attempt to lighten their mood, then she nods after August. "Perhaps."

"Now, we have two options, we can travel through the night for another few hours and see if we can get to the Dragonskull inn, or we can camp now at a cave I know."

"We cannot make the river tonight?"

"I'm wiling to continue on." He shifts to adjust the weight of the shield on his back.

"No, we cannot make the river tonight. Apologies."

As August adjusts the shield, Coradel's demeanor changes. "The cave, then. It is closer."

She suddenly seems far more interested in finding a place to rest.

"The inn might be more comfortable." August suggests.

"I'm not concerned about a little discomfort."

"Then the cave." He motions "This way" they move along a patchy spotting section of a trod "Watch your steps and hop a bit. This won't take long."

August follows these instructions.

Coradel does likewise.

She's casting more glances at August when she's able to.

August is not unaware of her looking at him, but focuses on the task at hand.

"How is it you know of this cave, Caspian?"

The cave is not that far away, and they see...a gaping maw of a cave that does not look welcoming . One can almost imagine it swallowing them up. August feels increasing nervousness. But Coradel, a Fiona, feels no such thing. It's just ugly. Caspian says "there's an enchantment on it to give folks getting close the creeps. "

"It works." Muttered.

"Really? It must not be a very strong one, then."

She glances at August again, then continues.

"Well, I only came in the first time because someone was trying to kill me and I feared them more than I.." And once they enter, two things happen. For one- the fear is gone. It only worked outside . For the other? ten feet in? it's...beautiful. Great purple crystal veins lace the stalagtites and stalagmites , the crystal giving off a violet soothing glow. There's a pond with toadstools the size of chairs ringing it, and gold fish in the water.

Coradel stares, mouth open in surprise, at the beauty of the cave. She turns slowly to take it all in, and she starts to smile. "Oh....."

August is also looking around, but his view includes the look on Coradel's face.

Amazed, she goes to one of the stalagmites, reaching out to touch the crystal veins gently.

The purple light from a half dozen sources, soft and wondrous, is strong enough to hug the contours of the lady and cast fiona silhouettes.

It brightens at the touch, only sightly. It's..soothing.

Her smile grows and her shoulders relax further...then she catches sight of the fish in the water, and laughs slightly as she goes to kneel at the water's edge, dangling her fingers there.

The fish act much as gold fish on earth would, though their scales glitter more. Light nibbles at the finger tips at most.

He's not look around, so much, anymore. Just watching.....

That little laugh again at goldfish nibbles. "Oh...Caspian, this is lovely."

"You can see why someone might magic it to keep them to themselves eh?" He says, "Did you two bring blankets or sleeping bags or the liek?"

"No." Quietly. "We left rather quickly."

She isn't bothered by the notion of sleeping bags or the lack thereof....she's playing with little fish.

"Well, give me a moment, let me see. I've got a hammock and a blanket."

A -look- crosses his face. "I'll be fine." Low. "Watches?"

"As you like, but it's still rock."

the fish will stop after a bit as there is no food, but some seem very curious.

She tries to stroke their scales, like petting a cat.

At least one of the gold fish seems to quite like it

"Watches?" He asks again.