I Can Show You The Woods [Caro]

As Lelianna was laughing along with her girlfriend, she didn't realize what Caroline was doing. One second she was on her feet, and the next she was suddenly in the arms of said really really strong cyborg. Definitely not something she expected. But then again, she... wasn't exactly complaining either. There was something comforting about being held by the other woman (and impressive). Lelianna felt herself relax into it.

Well until Caroline made the comment about her shedding.

"Hey!" The druid predictably protested, slapping her girlfriend harmlessly on the arm. But she couldn't help but laugh along. "You say that now, though. Wait until after winter's over and Skjorn tries to give you a hug. It's fur for days" Something the hermit knew from firsthand experience. Before Lelianna could say anything else though, Caroline did a marvelous job of shutting her up. She blinked in surprise, but melted from it. Kissing- like actual, intentionally romantic kissing- was still a fairly new experience for the redhead. One thing she was learning fast about it though; she really liked it. When Caroline pulled away the hermit's flowers and gems had undergone a warm colored transformation.

It took her brain a second to come back. The slightly wistful expression on her face morphed back into alertness. "Uhhh... You... Gosh darnit Caroline." The hermit huffed as a blush suffused her cheeks. Yet there was no denying she was fighting off a pleased little smile. "You're as bad as Stewart now! Only instead of booping me on the nose you're kissing me." The hermit mumbled. Dangit, how come all her friends seemed to have something that totally disarmed her or won her over? Though kissing was nice... As was the warmth associated with being held like this. Sheesh. Over the course of a few days Lelianna had gone from barely noticing affectionate gestures to loving them. For pete's sake people.

But eventually her mind kinda remembered they were down there to see the cave. Not just to kiss each other (though the druid wasn't complaining too much there)

"There's still more to see down here." Much, much more than could be fit into a single day, frankly. Somehow she doubted they'd be there for that long, but there was still some time left. "I'm sure we could walk around a bit more. That is, if you don't distract me." There was a little playful glare sent Caroline's way, but no bite behind it. Though her gaze turned down after a second or two. "...and probably put me down. Unless you plan on carrying me everywhere now."

More blooms blossomed in the magi’s hair, creating a wreath of flowers around her head. A number were those peculiar purple flowers from before, though yet again Lelianna was a little distracted to notice them. Additionally the gems in her hair had shifted to a nice rosy color, matching the blush on her cheeks. “Yeah well… I-I blame you for that! It's not just my fault.” The magi protested. However the smile she’d been trying to fight off (in vain) was showing more. With Caroline around her earthy traits seemed quite happy to put on an ever-shifting color show.

A small bit of distance was sure to keep her head clear. Though Lelianna couldn’t help but feel the smallest bit of disappointment. Which shouldn’t make sense. Hey, she didn’t want her girlfriend to get hurt! Plus having her antlers hit the rocks definitely would hurt plenty. Just the thought made Lelianna grimace a moment. “Yeah maybe not. My doorframe already hurts enough, and that’s just wood.” Rock? Let’s try not to experience that.

Once Caroline’s hand slipped into hers though, Lelianna felt herself perk up once more. She really could get used to the warm feeling in her hand. That and the flutter in her stomach. Although maybe she shouldn’t try to get that one too much in case it actually messed with her stomach. Was that a thing? Could that happen? But she felt happy when it did. Goodness she really had no knowledge of what she was doing. But, then again, neither did Caroline. Thank the gods they were in this together. The redhead figured she’d messed up plenty already.

Onwards they walked, Lelianna once again leading the way. “Oh enormous.” The magi replied bluntly. “This single chamber goes on for a mile or two, I think? I never really got to figuring it out since I haven’t even explored every inch of it yet. Then there’s the offshoots I occasionally find that go somewhere else. I found this other hole that leads even deeper into the earth. Never got to exploring that one. I just really wanted to explore this section first before moving on. It’s pretty enough here. Though I’m curious what else could be down here.”

If this part of the cavern was so beautiful, was it possible there were even more beautiful sections lower down or further along? Could it even get to that point? How far did the caves go? Did it ever end? It had to, right?

So many questions.

“Oh hey! Lemme show you this.” Feet gaining a more purposeful stride, Lelianna led them over towards another “hill.” This one actually had an opening in the slope. It led down into a small space lit up by a number of glowing flora. “Look look look! Here!” The magi said, taking Caroline over towards one side of the wall. The whole space was round, like some burrow. However along the wall were small indents into the stone. They extended for a bit and looked more like a shelf than anything. “This is one thing I found that made me think others had been here before. It looks natural but I can see this has been made by an earth magi! Or at least something that could control earth.”

With her free hand she felt along the self. It was a little higher than her torso level so she had to reach some. But the shelf itself was fairly smooth to the touch, save for a few bumps. “Funny, though; I never found any furniture or anything like that. Just what was carved into the stone around here. There’s a few more of these little burrows throughout this place, but they’re all empty too.” Now she glanced back at Caroline for a moment before looking around the empty space. “Kinda makes me wonder; why? It’s almost like whoever- or whatever, I suppose- just… vanished. Took all their things and left. But why would they do that? Especially from a place as wonderful as this?"

The first earth magi. No, it couldn't be...could it? The implications of that were mind boggling. Had she really found such a place? Truly? If something like that truly was the case, and this cavern held such history for the magi people... "I never even... wow..." Maybe she really should tell someone about it in Haven. That or actually get around to listening to her fungi friends down here.

What Caroline was saying made sense though. As wonderful as it was down here- as calm and at home as she felt- Lelianna couldn't bring herself to stay away from the sun for so long. For multiple reasons, honestly. One of the biggest, however, was definitely her connection with Arecia. While this area was a part of the forest as a whole, it was far harder to hear the trees from above. The typical presence they had with her had been replaced by the flora down below. And while it was a peaceful and whole feeling, it wasn't the same.

"I... could understand that. Not just for space or food reasons either. As much as I love it down here it's not exactly the same. I'd miss you and Skjorn and Stewart and the trees and... Plus there's so much above, I mean... I've lived here for 8 years and I haven't discovered everything I could about Arecia." The druid smiled and shook her head. "8 years and I haven't even discovered everything about this place. Though I guess I've got a while to do so." After all; the druid didn't really feel like leaving.

Arecia had given her too much, and now she wanted to give back.

"Speaking of which," Lelianna realized, turning back to Caroline. "We could go on. As much as this place is really interesting..." She gestured around to the small space they were in before pausing. "...Well interesting in the sense of what made it, I guess. Ah, there's still a lot more to see. And well I..." With a little smile she took Caroline's hand once again. The familiar warmth of it made her happy, and she gave it a squeeze. "I'd love to show you. Maybe find some new things together too. It's definitely possible down here."