"Let's Play a Game!" (Thomas McTavish)

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She wanted her people to do good, but it was pointless to completely shatter their minds so early. They at least got a taste, they knew what to expect for next time.

"Please... Take it down," she spoke softly, touching Thomas's arm with one of hers. "They are completely out of their element in those halls... They will need more time to get used to not being in the trees, or open spaces. Perhaps letting them visit your peoples' caves?"

She tried thinking of anything that could possibly make the transition easier for her Champions, but at the same tome... She didn't want to go too soft on them. It was quite a delimma for the entity.
 
Thomas nodded understandingly, and dropped the illusion, watching as the Champions flocked to Surpy like scared children to their mother. Well, that's what they were, really. He stood quietly, waiting for them to calm down.

"Perhaps they should visit my caves. Get them used to odd pathways, at least." he agreed.
 
Surpy nodded, but for now, she began ushering her Champions back to the trees. They needed to rest for the night. She feared that last illusion was too much. She returned to Thomas once her people returned to the treetops.

"Perhaps tomorrow I can bring them down to your caves. Starting smaller may be better for them." She smiled, less worried now that her children were safe. "Thank you, by the way. I really appreciate you coming and helping out like this. I don't have much of a talent for illusions."

She laughed, then made sure to press the glittery fruit she'd made earlier into Thomas's hand. "Be sure to plant this in your caves. It should spread quickly enough once settled."
 
"Not a problem, I'm glad I could help. And planting this will be the fist thing I do when I get back. The second will be making more of these." he assured her, nodding his head to the small creature sitting on his shoulder.

It squeaked and nuzzled his cheek before flying off towards the caves, shortly followed by Thomas sprinting after it.

The next day, the sparkly fruit had sprung up all over the cave network, and was admired by the people who lived in it. The creatures Thomas had made the night before, which he named Crystalwings, flew happily about the caves, eating the sweet fruits and sitting on the inhabitants of the caves.
Thomas was by the Hellrun illusion his priests had conjured for his Champions, watching them as they trained hard. They still had difficulty not attacking certain enemies and 'died' often. There was much room for improvement.
 
The night was spent awake by Surpy, watching over her people and creating more vibrantly colorful birds for her trees. She'd spent all that time thinking, contemplating the Hellrun and if she could handle letting any of her children challenge it like they needed to. At dawn, she finally left her thoughts, releasing the several flocks of unique birds she'd created in the night. They would travel the world, bringing colors to all corners. She was satisfied with that, at least.

Her Champions rose early, training with each other under the watchful eyes of priestesses. That was until the Avatar joined them and gathered them near.

"Champions, I have considered your next training course. Instead of illusions... You will be journeying the caverns. Not nearly as dangerous as the Hellrun will be, but a chance for you to acquaint yourself to unfamiliar territory."

As she spoke, her children were rapt. They were excited--Never have any of them entered the caves. Just as Thomas's people didn't come into the trees. However, this was necessary. And so, Surppy brought her Champions and a few priestesses with rations and other supplies, from the trees to the ground.

The walk was long from her trees to the caves. Not for her, of course, but for her children. When they arrived, however, awe wiped all fatigue from their bodies. The sparkling fruit indeed spread, as Surpy said it would. She smiled up at them, plucking one from a root system, and tasting it. Delicious, just as she'd made it.

She lead the way to the first race's settlement in the cave system, and there left her children while she sought out her friend.
"Thomas? Thomaaaaas, I sure hope you're ready to send the Champions out into your impressive networks of caves and tunnels!"
 
He turned and sprinted toward the cave entrances as he heard his name being called. As he stopped just short of barreling out into the sands, the fist Crystalwing he had created set down on his shoulder.

"Send them in!" he called. He whined into the caves, and his people came flocking to welcome the Champions, many having never seen them up close. Two stones rolled aside from a massive entrance hole and ground level. "We've been expecting you. I just had the door dug out. come on in, and enjoy any of the fruit we have. Maybe while she's here, Surpy can make a few more different types of fruits to feed you and decorate the place. Oh, and I named the little flying creatures Crystalwings, and this particular one," he said, petting the fuzzy head of the one alighted on his shoulder, "is Jeff."
 
Surpy hummed as she followed Thomas, her Champions trailing in after her. She looked around, nodding appreciatively at the sparkling fruit now hanging everywhere. She would need to give thought to more fruit, maybe vegetables... Definitely foliage of some sort. This place didn't have enough greenery. She giggled to herself as she considered this.

"I'm sure you could come up with some fruit on your own, Thomas!" She chided. She reached up and plucked one of the glittering fruit from its root system, and took a bite from it. Then she offered it to her Champions for them to take a bite of. It was amusing how reverently they treated it, savoring the juicy bite like it was a special gift. "Just... Imagine something you think someone or something would like to eat."

As they walked, and she spoke, she began to trace little lines in the walls of the cavern with her second pair of arms. Following the clawed tips of her fingers, dark roots began to weave through the stone, leaving intricate patterns. On the surface, perhaps some great trees would sprout up, or who knows. It was a mystery for her to solve later, but for now... These bleak tunnels needed something to make them look interesting!

"You have those glowing stones-- which, I might add, I would love to take some home with me tonight... But you can easily incorporate them into creating plantlife, much like you did with your Crystalwing and I did with these fruit. You could even make more glowing creatures! Oo! Little glowy worms that inch around the caves. Moving lights."

She fell silent as she continued to think about the possibilities those Dragoneye Stones offered. Oh, how she'd love to have some to play with in her trees! Glowing plants. Oh!
 
Thomas sped through the caves towards them. Make fruits of his own? Hm. He might be able to come up with something... definitely an idea to toy with.

"Take as much Dragoneye Stone as you wish, always there can be made more. You're free to toy with it here, there, anywhere really. I also have a new stone, which the people have decided to call Rainstone. It shimmers as casts patterns on the walls like falling rain. Anyway, make yourselves at home."
 
Surpy giggled as her Champions were stunned to silence. This was their first time traveling below the surface. The first time they'd actually seen any of the First Race. They were staring about, eyes wide and mouths agape with wonder. It was adorable.

"Thomas.. While my champions are getting themselves acquainted with your caverns... Do you have any waterfalls? Any underground water springs, oases?" She asked, though her attention did not wander from her children. While excited, they did not forget why they had come down here. To get lost, to get used to new surroundings. But while she was here, she might as well do what she can to give these caves more life and color.
 
"No, I don't think we do. We usually get our water from the rain. Would you care to make some?" he asked. He wasn't good at creating things of beauty, at least, not as good as Surpy was. He was better at making complex, baffling things such as the labyrinth of Hellrun and the intricate caves he lived in.

"We have a massive underground cave we seldom use. It seems like a perfect place to put one."
 
Surpy practically glowed with excitement. She nodded, then turned and gestured to her champions.
"First, we should get them set up. Have them begin their training, and then I will see to this cave while they are busy."

She nodded, her mind made up, and glanced at Thomas. Her grin was becoming one of a mischievous variety.

"How much would you be willing to allow me to do? How much free reign do I have over this unused cave? Give me too much power and I may turn it into another garden." She giggled, crossing two pairs of her arms while the other two rested on her hips.
 
"Keep it fitting to the caves, at least." he answered, smiling.

"As for the champions, I agree. Get them to training immediately, use all the time available to them."
 
Surpy walked to a random tunnel and looked around.

"We should just... Let them explore. Send one of yours as a guide, just in case they get lost," she looks at her Champions, adding, "Bring weapons. Be prepared, be alert, and be safe. This will not be an illusion, though I don't know how dangerous the caves are as far as predators go..."

She glanced at Thomas, for confirmation and perhaps some insight to what lurked in the caves. Or if he even had anything yet.
 
Thomas caught the glance. "Don't worry, nothing lurks in the caves but my people and the Crystalwings. Although, don't tempt my people, they are still predators and hunger often. They shouldn't bother you, but if they do, you have my express permission to defeat the troublemakers however you can. If they are left alive, I will deal with them."

All of the light-furred creatures nearby shuddered at the thought. Thomas smiled, dismissing their fears. "I'll have a warrior escort your Champions around, just to be sure." said he, and turned and barked into the caves behind him. At the call, one of the canine-like people Thomas had created, almost as large as Thomas's avatar, came bounding from the caves. He bowed his head to Thomas.

"Ah. This is Janus, one of my top hunters and law enforcers. Janus, guard our guest Champions." Thomas ordered. Janus bowed and walked over to stand near Surpy's Champions. "Now, c'mon, Surpy, I'll show you that cave."
 
Surpy eyed the tall warrior, and smiled, apparently satisfied. Her Champions were wary, but bowed as they excused themselves to follow Janus and begin their winding adventures through the tunnels. Once they were out of sight, the four-armed Avatar moved to follow Thomas.

"You haven't created any greater predators for your tunnels?" She asked, sounding genuinely surprised. But she giggled, smiled again, and looked around more. "I suppose when your people are the top hunters, an even more dangerous predator seems difficult to imagine."

Her feathers fluffed slightly as she gazed on Thomas's people, compassion touching her essence much like when she saw her own creations. She was there for the birth of these canine-esque hunters. It was so thrilling to see them progressing and growing!

"As for the cave, depending on how large... I will gladly alter the surface to accomplish what I would like to do... An underground lake, a waterfall. Some foliage. I have an idea for glowing plants of all kinds of colors... Stones in the water that creates light when life approaches..." She sighed, her eyes glassy as she imagined this cave paradise.
 
Thomas came to a stop in front of the entrance to the cave. "I have thought of more dangerous predators to exist outside of Hellrun, but I don't want to put them in the caves. I want the home of my people to be just that- home. A safe haven. If I create more dangerous predators they will be in the deserts and the Feral Forests your people do not inhabit. Anyway, here we are." he concluded, gesturing inside.

It was massive- half the cave network could fit into this giant, open space. Light shone in through cracks and holes that led to the surface, shining brilliantly off the Dragoneye Stone that lined the walls and stuck out of the floor. The sound of rushing water could be heard in the distance, a river flowing through the desert from one forest to another.

"I think if we re-directed some of that river's flow we could have it leak into here and form a waterfall and lake. Would that be a good start?" he asked, smiling at Surpy.
 
Surpy's eyes lit up, and her essence expanded from her Avatar. The shell collapsed on the ground, but the presence of Surpy flew up into the ceiling. She passed through the stone, looking to the river. It was wide, but slow moving. The energy of Surpy moved closer to the river, pulling stone and sand and dirt out from under it. She created a pocket, an underground reservoir, and sent tributaries through the ground. Underground rivers, moving just below the surface.

One of those tributaries she guided to the cave, high up, close to the ceiling. Before she broke the wall to allow it to plummet into the cave, she possessed her Avatar once more, grinning broadly.

"We need to dig out a huge hole for the lake and then probably.... Another river for it to drain so it doesn't overflow and flood your tunnels." She nodded, moving to the center of the cave to look around. She pointed to a spot high on one of the walls, where the redirected tributary was waiting. "The falls will come from there. So a large lake here.." she gestured on the floor, from the wall out into the center of the cave, "and a river-tunnel that leads out...to sea. We can angle it down so it sinks below sea level, that way the sea doesn't try to come up into the tunnels as well."

She was having so much fun now, her eyes were practically glowing with excitement. She looked back at Thomas, awaiting his input.
 
Thomas nodded, stoking his chin as he considered what Surpy was suggesting.

"That could work. But we need to make the lake deep enough to sustain small aquatic life. After we've finished with that and the canal that drains the water out to sea, We can begin to add all sorts of plants and animals, and modify some of the Dragoneye Stone to make it have different effects. Like the stones that light up when life is nearby that you mentioned earlier." He was starting to visualize it in his mind now.

"We'll also need some steps or something for our people can easily get in and out." he added.
 
Surpy clapped all four of her arms, jumping in the middle of the cavern. Then she extended her arms and dirt began flying up from the ground, digging a huge hole in the center of the room. She started to giggle.

"Stairs! Of course! And ways to get up to the waterfall, places to jump into the lake! And glowy fish, lots of plant life!"
 
"While you're making the plants and stuffs, I'll get to work on some animals!" Thomas decided, diving down and landing softly in the sands below.

He began shaping different little creatures to run around the soon-to-be oasis.
 
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