gently introductory spelunking

[pleasantsurprise]

"I have found," Kanim announces to the small princesses (although they are getting taller) at their next group lesson with him, "a cave that I think even Carinna will like. It has not the least bit of hazard or inconvenience anywhere in it. It's very small, we'll probably be able to see all of it this afternoon, and it doesn't have a name yet as far as I can see, so we can pick something to call it while we're there."

"What is in it? Caves always have hazards and inconveniences," says Carinna warily.

"Harmless plants and creatures," Kanim says, "two springs, attractive crystal formations, a small maze, things like that - I will leave the specifics to be discovered, it's more fun that way, don't you think?"

"I think so," agrees Kiawen. "As long as you're sure Carinna won't be bothered!"

"Quite sure," says Kanim, "and if she is bothered we can always nip her out of there, it doesn't distort space or anything tricky like that."

"Okay," says Carinna decisively, "then I guess we can go to it."

Comments

[forgefires]

"Yes," says Tanalin. "Yes you are."

[thaumobabble]

Bella laughs, and hugs her.

[forgefires]

Hugs!

[guessguess]

Meanwhile, Kiawen brainphones their friends from Toure-en-Marsh. [Kanim found us a cave that even Carinna likes!]

[newtimov]

[Ooh,] says Icarin. [Sign me up!]

[grabsthebutt]

[Is it boring? I bet it's boring,] says Valeria.

[guessguess]

[It's not boring, it's just safe and cute. There are lots of little, harmless friendly animals in it.]

[grabsthebutt]

[Boring,] Val announces.

[guessguess]

[There are little black and white bears that fit in the palm of your hand, and two flavored springs, and glowing crystal formations, and a maze.]

[grabsthebutt]

[Slightly less boring.]

[newtimov]

[I want to see the tiny bears! When can I see the tiny bears?]

[guessguess]

[Kanim's going to make another trip soon and you can come! He wants to figure out its magical properties. If he figures out why the animals haven't left the cave by themselves, we can see if we can take them out safely and have pets from it. If Cricket promises not to scare them, anyway. I want one of the bears, and Carinna wants a glowing rolling furball called a poof, and Tanalin wants a fluffbat which is what it sounds like, and there are also little hovering birds and things like poofs only with faces and round foxes and tiny hamsters with bumblebee and tiger stripes, and in the pool around the cucumber fountain were itty-bitty ducks in all colors and even smaller ducklings, and some things we thought were rocks but turned out to be very slow turtles that change color and have flowers growing on their shells.]

[newtimov]

[This is the most adorable cave in the universe,] says Ike.

[guessguess]

[It is! Tanalin named it the Gentle Cave.]

[newtimov]

[I want to go there,] he says. [Possibly forever.]

[guessguess]

[Well, you can go there, but I don't know about forever,] laughs Kiawen.

[newtimov]

[How about soon, can I go there soon?]

[guessguess]

[I think Kanim plans to go back in the next few days.]

[newtimov]

[Please include me in this expedition!]

[guessguess]

[We will, promise!]

[newtimov]

[Hooray!]

[pleasantsurprise]

Indeed, a few days later, Kanim notifies the Duchess and Duke that he's ready to pick up Ike, and Val if she'd like to join them, for the expedition if that's all right.

[newtimov]

Ike would like to join them! His sister would not.

[pleasantsurprise]

Then she may stay behind. Off they all go!

[exactlyright]

Carinna seeks out the nearest poofs.