FORGOTTEN - 1

Xayah was increasingly curious as she and her newly assigned guard delved further and further into the intricate cave system, following after the many other reosans that were being led by Cailu. Which- wow, that was quite the shock to see. Of all the things the runner had anticipated seeing, a new species was not on the list. Maybe on one of her wildest guesses, but the first thing they see? Definitely not. Nothing she would be complaining about any time soon. Not with the well of information and knowledge just waiting to be uncovered.

"What do you think lies further? Cailu said we will have to prove ourselves, and that there is an unrest of sorts." Xayah asked Cislunar, looking over and up at the larger armored puller. His expression remained stony and neutral, the older male not nearly as excited and intrigued about the knowledge just waiting to be discovered.

"I think we should be on alert. We know nothing of this place, of these people and clans. Trusting blindly may very well spell doom for us all." Cislunar rumbled lowly, his distrust of the whole situation beyond clear. Perhaps a bit cynical, yes, but it kept him and every charge he's ever had alive thus far. Something he wouldn't be changing any time soon.

Xayah shot a narrow eyed look of irritation at Cislunar. This wasn't the first thing he'd been a downer about. While yes, she wasn't usually much better, this was one of the few things that'd truly brought her some legitimate expressions of excitement. History was her passion to learn about, alongside magic too, so being able to learn something brand new? She was ready to toss any kind of decorum out the window for how she was supposed to present herself normally.

"Obviously. But that wasn't what I asked, you know." Xayah snarked, letting out a huff of a sigh as she focused back on Cailu as the group descended further.

Only crystals lit the way for them all now, and bit by bit it seemed to grow darker by the minute. It felt almost as if they were being watched, both Xayah and Cislunar's hackles going on end at the uncanny sensation. The feeling proving to be true when shadowy figures moved and slinked away into some offshoot tunnels. Nothing promising a fun or pleasant time, that's for sure. Before long, they were all being introduced to a group of thin, hard faced haedians. The Forgotten, as they were called. Troall as their leader too, who seemed far from friendly or keen on having them all there. Cailu explained their situation, their hardships and the theft they had to commit just to survive. How they all had to prove themselves to this clan first before they'd be able to get any further.

"We have to… steal? Won't that ruin our chances with other clans?" Xayah asked, her expression twisting with distaste. She knew struggle, but… it was the circumstances at hand that had her wary of just jumping right into things. Obviously there wasn't a better method for them to survive if this was their whole schtick, and she wasn't about to try to completely change how they managed things just because it made her uncertain and wary.

"Perhaps. But if our task is to steal food to progress further, then we will manage it. I don't like this either, or the fact that a clan such as this has need to exist to begin with." Cislunar mused, walking alongside Xayah after they were told to go figure out a way to help the clan. The options were stealing, pranking and general mischief to help get supplies.

"Doesn't mean I like the idea of ending up under the knife of these other clans. Ruining our chances of learning about this place before we ever truly start? An idiotic move. They've never even met reosans before, never even seen the world above what they know. What good would turning them against us do?" Xayah asked, her tone as tense as she was while she thought out every possibility. Every outcome that this could result in for them and the others that were exploring this new world.

None of it bode well for any of them, should this blow up in all of their faces.

Eventually, with a lot of back and forth and eventual discussion with Cailu about their concerns, the pair were sent off to steal with some of the other haedians. Their guides were worryingly thin, as all the Forgotten seemed to be, but there looked to be no malice in their eyes. They were simply... weary and hungry. The plan was to steal some fabrics and some food. Whatever they could carry. As they needed to be stealthy, Xayah and Cislunar had removed their jewelry and armor, the former stashing hers within her guards armor to keep it concealed and hidden. Cailu had assured them none of it would grow legs and walk away, but... still. She would rather be safe than sorry. However, with their tasks at hand and the need for stealth, the pair had been fitted with bags that were strapped securely to them. Plenty of storage on both sides to really fill them up and get out of the clan quick.

"We're to get as much cooked and raw meat as possible, and whatever other fruits we can carry." Cislunar mused quietly, having been filled in on their specific tasks while Xayah helped make the loud, smelly smoke bombs earlier that would serve as a distraction. This clan hadn't been hit in some time, and had taken quite a while longer to walk to when compared to some others. Ideally, they weren't going to be as on alert as the clans closer to the Forgotten. 

The signal was really just the sound of the smoke bombs going off, and the general chaos that followed. Many of the clan guard had rushed to the source of the chaos, and the regular clan members had rushed away from their day to day duties. Exactly as planned and hoped for. It gave the selected thieves their chance to rush in and grab everything they could carry. Xayah and Cislunar stuck together as they hurried into what looked like a butcher shop of sorts. Wherever the owner was, they weren't keen on finding out. Hopefully far from them, thanks to the confusion and chaos.

Xayah ignored the unpleasant sensation of sticky on her hide as she grabbed armfuls of raw, still bloody meat to shove into Cislunar's side bags. Heavy chunks and cuts following after while he did the same for her, the weight growing by the second. While he would be fine with the weight and unlikely to be slowed down, Xayah wouldn't be as lucky. As long as she kept concealed and kept quiet as they escaped, she would be okay. They weren't taking all of the butcher's meat, despite taking a decent portion. The duo were only so large when compared to the haedians, and their bags reflected that.

"This is enough, we need to get th-" A vicious, angry snarl to their right cut Cislunar off. Both reosans moved on instinct, Xayah just barely missing claws catching her in a nasty swipe. 

The runner went bug eyed, hurrying to tighten down her load as she rushed back out of the building. Screw getting the fruit, they needed to get the hell out of here. Between the two of them, surely they had more than enough. There was a pain-filled snarl behind her, followed by the rapid sound of footsteps that sent her hackles on edge. Anxiety had her thinking it was the haedian- that it'd done something to Cislunar and was coming for her now. But it was simply her guardian, the puller bearing a few cuts and some blood on his maw. Something that would likely spell trouble for them later, but wasn't anything to start stressing about now.

Muscles burning and breathing ragged, Xayah was getting the workout of her life with the extra weight upon her back as she sprinted through the many twists and turns of the caves. Seeking the protection the Forgotten's territory currently brought. How long that protection would last though was yet to be seen, what with Cislunar drawing blood on one of the other clan's member. It was only after they were back near their belongings that they allowed themselves to catch their breath, both of their breathing heavy and ragged. Xayah's limbs even held a clear shake from the exertion and strain she put her body through. Sore would be an understatement for the days to come.

"... what did you do?" One of the Forgotten asked, eyes stony as they stared Cislunar down; at the blood that stained the white upon his maw. They were not to harm other clans- they were harmless pranksters and thieves. A new species to them causing bloodshed on their behalf? It would not go unnoticed or unpunished by the clan they just stole from.