Vines Come in Handy

A: Antlia had made it to the next part of her journey, wondering if Noka had left already or if she was still learning from the Druids. The runner wondered if she would see her again in this clan. Her thoughts wandered for a bit as she walked, noticing the pathways were scarce here, and nothing but caverns in front of her. She had almost forgotten about the Watchers’ contest and was nervous she wouldn't be able to figure out how to get through in time.

Looking around, she saw Tyrians flying by, though it looked extremely uncomfortable for those on the bigger side. Smaller ones were getting through the turns much faster but seemed to be confused on which way they should be going. 

Antlia didn't have wings or magic to help, she wondered if any of the Haedians around her would be willing to give her a ride in exchange for a few pelts or something. She went to turn around before she saw something out of the corner of her eye. It didn't look like any of the Haedians or Tyrians around her. As she stared, she didn't expect to see a familiar puller flying by on vines.

B: From the battles of the Brutes, to the wisdoms of the Druids- Noka has been filled with a newfound confidence to forge ahead, deeper into the depths. Having left the Druids with honor to her name, and her temporary alliance with a wise old vayron, she was at last fully ready to finish what she came here for. And the first step in her continuing journey would be to find Antlia.
The lush forests of the Druids descended below her as she climbed to the Watchers’ domain. Here, her every step was watched carefully by the haedians that slinked in the shadows like serpents in the dark, with but their eyes gleaming. They riddled about Noka’s arrival and tested her resolve with a challenge. A test of her capabilities and the sharpness of her mind. Noka hoped it would not be another battle, and to her pleasant surprise, it was a race. She isn’t a runner, not fast by racing standards, but she can put her best effort in. It was when she witnessed the large gaps, narrow paths, dark tunnels, and the distant ground below that she felt her stomach tie in knots. She couldn’t glide. How was she to cross?
Humming, she eyed the many ways she could plan her route. The rocks, stalactites, moss, vines- vines. With a draw of her paw across the ground, the vines slithered around her paws. She could make do, as wild as the idea was… With a yelp of courage, she took the leap and relied on her magic to carry her across with the many vines draped from the ceiling. In her haste, she saw a glimpse of blue fur and glimmering locks.
“Antlia?” She blurted, before her swing came to an end and she landed half-ceremoniously on a rocky platform. Looking back, she was correct in her assumption and smiled. “There you are!” 

A: The runner couldn’t help the smile on her face as the puller landed, albeit ungracefully, and made her way over to her. 

“You looked so cool swinging across!” Antlia couldn’t help but chuckle after, she would’ve never thought of that. She was glad the two of them were reunited, the astronomer was starting to miss the company. Eyes went back to the race at hand and she sighed. 

“The only issue is, I don’t think I’ll be able to make it across myself. I’ve been debating on asking someone for a ride but I don’t really… want to.” She shuffled awkwardly, looking at Noka once more. Surely there was a way for her to get across without needing help. 

Though it seemed she had gotten her answer when a familiar looking Haedian was caught sneaking towards her out of the corner of her eye. “Abraxas, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be back with your clan?”

He shrugged, a sly smile on his face. “They don’t know I’m gone. Even if they did, they most likely wouldn’t care. I saw you struggling over here and was going to come over to offer some help but then I realized you had a friend over here and didn’t want to intrude.”

“That’s Noka, we were traveling together and decided to split up because she wanted to learn more from the previous clans, yours included.” She looked at him once and smiled. “Thanks for offering to be my taxi though, because you’re just in time to help us continue.” 

She hopped on his back without a second thought and gave a nod to Noka, signaling to Abraxas that she was ready to go. He gave her a nod and with that, they were off.