Down The Rabbit Hole

[Philomel]

A hole. Or technically a downward slanting tunnel, but not one that Philomel was entirely fond of.

Frowning, she stood at the base of the darkening tunnel, her hand pausing on the rocks that formed the lip. Turning her head she caught eyes with Veridian and shot him a questioning look.

Entirely safe, do you think?

The fox gave her a sort of beastly shrug, front legs shifting slightly to allow the shoulders there to rise and fall. It was timed with his breath, so it took in the natural movements of his body. Slowly he blinked and looked himself down the tunnel, concerned about the rapidly fading light that was lost from the natural jade in the walls. It looked as if the rabbit-spirit and vampire had disappeared into a night scene, and he would be frightened to follow - were it not for the very dim redness also coming from there.

So at least there was some illumination. Despite it not being anywhere near as bright, nor as fair. Slowly he breathed in, watching the shadows. Then he looked back up to his beloved companion.

We go. They have gone, we should too. He nosed his way further into the entrance, his feet though not quite yet on the decline. There he paused, and took a long moment to suck in the air - to which he suddenly perked up, ears high. Oh! he exclaimed, clearly surprised, There is ...

And he shot the scent over to Philomel through their mind connection. The way the sweet smell lingered in the pits of his black nostrils and swam to recline on his tongue. Succulent, gorgeous and attractive.

"Oh," she said outloud. "Interesting ..."

Indeed, he replied, and began to descend.

Following after him, Philomel found it hard at points but easier than the vampire to move, owing to the natural steadiness of her hooves. Abling softly and securely she found her slightly maleable cloven feet able to grip over the rocks, even the slippier ones, and her hands able to search and grasp. Even though the brighter light from above disappeared rather quickly, the further down they went, she found she was still able to see enough, owing much to knowing what came ahead thanks to Veridian. He himself, all nimble footed, small and lithe, managed to to clamber down with similar ease - though once or twice he did slip.

Watch, he said on a particularly wet stone.

And Philomel did as he suggested.

Coming out into the small cavern beneath the faun's jaw dropped to see the red flowers that shone with a bloody brightness. Blinking, she could barely believe what she saw, trying to adjust to the change in light. Twisting around she took time to take in all the wonders of the poppies, with their delicate petals and the way their illuminesence played upon the limstone walls, before she caught eyes with the vampire and rabbit-girl.

"Oh my," she said in a calm but voice full of wonder, "Is this not glorious? Where next?"