Clarion

Day 102.
>> Tumbling down, down and down, Clarion falls, dragged along by gravity with the shifting expanse of rocks and dirt. It's an endless slide of mud and silt and sand, and with each passing moment the little pocket of air she's found herself in dwindles. Erebos' roar cuts through the deafening rumble surrounding her.

Light is visible through the gaps between the seemingly neverending slide-- just tiny little rays streaming between the cracks.

A powerful gust of wind rattles the stones-- and her along with them-- sending her spiralling sideways, head over heels-- right into another solid form.

And then.

"Pull your wings in!"

Obeying without thinking, she tucks in her wings, stomach dropping at the sensation of freefall. A yelp escapes her as claws snag her tail, yanking her back and away and out of the downpour of rubble. Her feet scrabble against smooth stone, gripping the edges tightly as if it could keep the outcrop from crumbling like the rest of the ruins.

She blinks once, takes a deep breath, then shakes herself free of debris and glances down.

Solid ground. A breeze.

A forest stretching out beyond her gaze, rays of light from the dying sun painting the treetops with a golden glow.

A faint cry of relief escapes her, no louder than a breath and almost entirely inaudible.

Movement over her shoulder catches her eye, and she whips her head around, just now remembering the voice from before, to come face to face with another Fae, studiously weaving a tangle of vines together with unwavering calm despite the world literally falling apart around them. Seemingly satisfied, he lifts the braided blooms up, holding it out to her.

"It's not quite what you had before, but maybe it's close enough?"

Silence. She's too stunned to answer.

"I'm Clue. Do a lot of travelling, gathering intellect and all that kind of stuff. Kinda glad I decided to explore here today. Noticed those bright wings of yours right away-- they stood out from all the earthy colored rocks," he continues, apparently undeterred, "Don't think I would've seen you otherwise. How'd you end up here anyways?"

Finally finding her voice, she speaks out in a quiet whisper. "I fell."

He turns his head at that, gaze flicking to the rocks piled in the mouth of the now caved in ruins.

"I'm not gonna lie to you-- there's no way you'll be able to get back the way you came," her expression crumples, battered wings drooping at her sides-- before he cuts in with a "but,"

He pauses, then places the garland of flowers upon her head.

"Maybe there's another way to get you back where you belong." he smiles, pale yellow eyes almost seeming to glow in the light of the setting sun. "So what's your name?"

"Clarion."

"Well, Clarion, let's get you home."