[ Video / Action -Mid Afternoon ]

[celestial_wizard]

[ As always, the video feed turns on - she may not use the network much, but she did when she needed to. This time, Lucy is seated at a desk with balls upon balls upon balls of crumpled up pieces of paper. She gave a dejected little sigh. No matter how hard she tried, her stories just weren't forming the way she wanted them to. She knew why at least - kinda. She needed a distraction, desperately. Finally, she let out a frustrated noise, flailing at the desk and shredding a piece of paper before running her hands through her hair. She'd been TRYING (key word) to write about the latest capers with the body swapping and everything, even though she wasn't affected by it, but... ]

Aaaa - Darnit!!

[ HUFF. ]

I'm not making any progress on this whatsoever. It's not even writer's block, it's just..

[ She stopped there, brown eyes shifting towards the feed as she stretched one arm over her head, the other reaching behind her head to grasp her elbow. MRPH. ]

I think I need some air. Anyone want to come with me? I was thinking about exploring the Outlands a little. A distraction should be just what I need to get a fresh start on this.

Comments

[barefootbender]

[Toph's feet hit cold, damp, natural ground, and she grins.]

Now this is more what I'm used to. I couldn't tell from back at the Hold that this was forest. I thought it was just more ruins.

[celestial_wizard]

[ Lucy giggles softly at the change in Toph's expression. ]

So where you're from it's a lot different from here? I mean, in general, not just - this area.

[barefootbender]

Yeah.

[she tucks her hands behind her head as she walks.]

Everything here is so... weird. The buildings are so big! And they're all made of metal and rock. And a bunch of other weird stuff.

[celestial_wizard]

That's amazing, that you can feel all of that. What else can your earthbending do?

[ She sets the path, but Toph might be able to 'see' it first - they're heading up to a cave that's partially hidden by bushes. Lucy knew about it - but not knowing the exact spot made picking the entrance out a little more tricky for her. ]

[barefootbender]

I can see most stuff better than regular people.

[she shoots her a grin, and then it wavers for a second.]

Hey - whoa, there's a big cave up here. [it actually throws her off to sense something so familiar, after being in the city for weeks and weeks.]

[celestial_wizard]

Huh? Where? [ She checks the map curiously, then folds it into her pouch, scanning the area. ]

Can you see where it is? There's so many bushes and underbrush, I think they've grown over it.

[barefootbender]

Yeah, it's just right up here.

[Toph jogs a bit ahead of her, deftly avoiding any painful barefoot steps onto sticks or rocks. She stops in front of a large dead bush, partially covered in vines and obstructed by younger, living plants.]

It's past here. We can crawl in. [glances back.] Is this where you were taking me?

[celestial_wizard]

[ Lucy follows Toph curiously, crouching at the bush. ]

Whoah - I never would have seen this! [ She nods at the question, grinning. ]

I heard that there was a hidden cave around here, so I was curious what might be in there.

[barefootbender]

Well, have no fear, 'cause I'm in my element now. [Grinning, she turns back towards the bushes and crouches to crawl inside.] Let's see what's in here!

[celestial_wizard]

Lucky! You're pretty amazing, Toph.

[ Lucy grins waiting for Toph to head in before crawling along after her. Though once inside it's little wider open and they can stand. Only thing it it's kind of dark inside - Toph obviously won't have any problems, but Lucy has to squint a little to see where she's going. ]

Pretty dark in here...kinda creepy too.

[ Not too much to the area - there are some colorful, fragile rock crystals with various tastes to them, lots of moss and stalagmites/stalagtites - and at the top of the cavern are a family of batties currently snoozing. ]

[barefootbender]

The only things in here are bats. It should be fine...

[Toph isn't surprised to hear the comment about it being dark. Back home Zuko or Aang would firebrand some light for them in a situation like this. But, she's gonna assume Lucy can't do that...]

Did you bring a lantern or a torch or something? Dunno if I should be responsible for you if we go in more.

[celestial_wizard]

Bats?

[ Typical girl. She glances up, briefly, and then glances back to Toph, shaking her head. ]

I didn't ... but it'll be all right. If I can't manage a little darkness and a few bats, I don't deserve to call myself a mage of Fairy Tail.

[barefootbender]

A mage of what now?

[Toph stops and sends a suspicious glance at her.]

Mage like magic or something?

[celestial_wizard]

[ Crawl crawl crawl - ugh, the ground is so DIRTY. She stops a little when Toph does, glancing curiously at the other girl. ]

Fairy Tail. It's the name of my guild. [ She nods at the question though, puzzled at that suspicion. ]

That's right. I'm a Celestial Spirit Wizard.

[barefootbender]

If you're some kind of magician or something, can't you... I dunno, magic yourself up a torch or something? Or some light at least?

[Despite all the crawling, Toph is perfectly unperturbed by getting dirty.]

[celestial_wizard]

[ Lucy is a little prissy compared to Toph. She'll tough it out, and complain about it later. ]

Eh - I'm not that kind of mage, actually. I'm a Celestial Spirit wizard - someone who contracts with celestial spirits for battle or companionship.

[barefootbender]

if she sounds indignant it's only because she's worried about you, mmkay.] I mean... it's only gonna get darker the farther we do in. You could trip on a rock or somethin'. Can you contract yourself some light or somethin'?

[celestial_wizard]

[ Aww Tophlet. Lucy pauses to consider that, and sighs. She'd hoped to avoid that, buuuuuuut. ]

I guess I could - [ She sits back, drawing a key off of its ring. ]

Open, Gate of the Lion. Leo, I summon thee!

[ Toph misses the fancy light show that follows, but she won't miss the light step of another figure as Loki manifested in front of the pair. ]

Lucy, it's been too long! And the absence has ever made my heart fonder. Everything all right here?

Sure, Loki - but it's a little dark for me. Toph doesn't have a problem mind - but

Say no more, say no more! We shall let the light of my love for you show the way!

Please don't say things like that...

[barefootbender]

Whoa!

[She blinks and opens her eyes wide at the sound and feel of some guy. Saying weird stuff.

When Toph senses that he's done doing whatever he was doing, she turns to continue crawling until they're inside a larger chamber of the cave.]

Yeah, um... just, make sure she doesn't trip or get eaten by a giant vulture wasp or something. I don't wanna be the one that's gotta worry about her.

[celestial_wizard]

[ This is her life, Toph. D: Once the area is lit up more brightly, Lucy - with Loke's assistance - gets to her feet, dusting herself off. ]

It looks easier to stand in here - I Just hope [ SHe trails off, glancing sharply at Toph. ]

A giant What? [ Seriously WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT. ]

[ Loke chuckles, on the other hand, thoroughly amused by the suggestion, raising a hand to adjust his shades. ]

Not to worry, miss - I won't let any filthy creatures lay a single finger on my dearest Lucy-!

Stop it with that already would you?

[barefootbender]

A giant vulture wasp. They hang out in places like this, where I'm from. But I don't hear or feel any... it was just an example.

[Toph goes quiet, as if thinking or waiting. But she's actually sizing up their surroundings. This cave isn't too large, but without a way to see, it would probably be easy to get lost in it.

Eventually, she turns towards Lucy and the... person.]

So, are you gonna introduce me or what?

[celestial_wizard]

That sounds...kind of weird. Is it a wasp that looks like a vulture? [ CREEPY. At the reminder, she ohs, motioning to Loke with a grin. ]

This is Loke, a good friend, and a celestial spirit.

Any friend of Lucy's is a friend of mine - it's a pleasure, Toph.