CAREGIVERS - 1

Xayah was a fool to think that getting away from the Order would mean the worst was behind her. This whole place was one mental or physical trial after the next- some of which being both! While this somehow... felt safer, Xayah and Cislunar did not feel at ease in the slightest. The gorgeous crystals were an ironic contrast to what a monumental task lay before them. Maybe a simple one, for some, but for these two? Well, Cislunar had his own skeletons in the closet to face and deal with, and Xayah had some serious internal strife and issues to work through herself.

"... This feels like a losing game." Xayah grumbled to Cislunar, already anxious as she stared at the water just before her paws. Close enough that she could simply shift her weight forward on her paws and have them touch the water, yet she felt frozen. 

"That's because it is. I have an idea of what lays in wait for me under these waters, and it is something I've come to terms with long ago." Cislunar mused as he finished removing his armor and setting it all in an organized pile away from the water. "I do not envy you if you haven't faced your inner demons yet. This will be... unpleasant."

Xayah's tense expression simply grew tighter when her guard took his leave at that, going ahead and wading into his pool to face whatever these crystal waters were going to show him. Something Xayah needed to just... do. Needed to just bite the bullet and dive in, instead of hemming and hawing on the shoreline because she wasn't sure if she was ready to face who she truly was inside. Yeah, she could be sharp tongued and awful to people, but... she was kind to those who deserved it... right? Hell, this had her questioning even that now! How was she supposed to continue on her way after this if her soul proved to be ugly and dark?

The vayron took a deep breath to steady herself, but found no comfort in the action as she slowly began wading into the water. As if she would suddenly be attacked by the crystals around her, or that something laying under the shimmering surface would pull her under when she failed whatever judgement she was supposed to pass. Yet all she felt was the coolness of the water against her hide and soaking into her fur the further she waded out, the lack of... anything somehow not comforting either. How long was she supposed to wait? How long would she be in the water? What if she ended up under the surface while she was facing her soul? Would she simply be left to drown? What of Cisulnar?

The varyon felt a flare of envy over how nonchalant the guard had seemed. He had no hesitation or qualms over their next task, he simply treated it as it was. A task to be done. He'd mentioned already coming to terms with what he thought he was going to be shown, but still. That did nothing to help her figure out what to do! Any kind of inner reflection she had considered in the past had been shoved to the back of her mind, and for good reason if you asked her. There was much she'd dealt with and gone through in the past, plenty she'd done to other people that was far from kind or fair, and she wasn't about to open that can of worms willingly. Now she was supposed to not only open said can, but do so on not her terms in a new place, with unfamiliar reosans near her and in a magic pool? In a damn cave underground? It was a serious mind trip, if you asked her. 

"... what am I supposed to do now? Am I doing something wrong?" Xayah finally asked aloud, looking around to see if there was anyone at all who could hear her. Or even acknowledge her, actually. The runner wasn't sure which would be worse; having someone ignore her or not have anyone around at all.

"Simply wait. Not everyone is faced with their souls immediately. This is something that must simply come when it does." One of the Caregivers explained, his voice level and calm. A stark contrast to Xayah's rapidly firing thoughts. 

It truly didn't help that they'd just come from a very aggressive clan that had Shira attack them basically on sight. Her nerves were shot and she was mentally exhausted. At least they had some kind of rest in between the other clans! Somehow, she had a feeling that being so frazzled and exposed was part of the whole process though. Likely made it easier or something for the Caregivers to get true readings on people... maybe. Not like she knew for sure.

So Xayah simply took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and allowed herself to try to relax in the cool waters while indecipherable whispers echoed around her from the crystals.