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

[pleasantsurprise]

With this and further informed observations, Kanim concludes that the water is the only special cave thing the Gentle Creatures require, and determines that it will be quite possible for the girls to keep Gentle Pets if they routinely fetch both kinds of water or just produce it at home. A divided spring which will do each kind costs a pentagon.

[forgefires]

Tanalin would like to go and get a fluffbat immediately!

[exactlyright]

Carinna wants her poof!

[guessguess]

Kiawen is unwavering in her desire for a piano bear!

[pleasantsurprise]

And so off they go!

[forgefires]

A pink fluffbat settles onto Tanalin's head. She feeds it a wildlflower she picked earlier, which it noms up happily.

[guessguess]

Kiawen picks up the first piano bear to approach her and claims it as her own and names it Keys.

[exactlyright]

Carinna has a problem!

Poofs come in several colors and they are all friendly!

[pythbox]

They are! Pink ones and purple ones and blue ones and green ones and yellow ones and orange ones. And various shades in between. And they all love her very much. She may be accumulating a pile.

[exactlyright]

"I don't know how to pick one!" exclaims Carinna.

[pythbox]

Her poofpile cuddles up and whmmms soothingly.

[forgefires]

"...Is there a reason you can't just take all of them?" says Tanalin. "Then they'll have company!"

[pleasantsurprise]

"One poof to start with, I think," says Kanim.

[exactlyright]

"Ohhhhh," says Carinna unhappily.

[forgefires]

"Hmm," says Tanalin. "You could get up and go somewhere and see which ones follow you, and keep doing that until there's only one left, and say that's probably the one that likes you the most?"

[exactlyright]

"I guess that works, if they don't just all follow me," says Carinna. She brushes poofs out of her lap, and gets up, and heads out of the cave.

[pythbox]

A blue one and a green one and an orange one all roll after her, squeaking.

[exactlyright]

She continues away from the cave.

[pythbox]

The blue one turns back. The orange one follows it.

The green one hops onto her foot and squeaks the biggest squeak its tiny voice possibly can.

[exactlyright]

"Okay!" says Carinna, and she picks up the green poof and snuggles it up against her cheek.

[pythbox]

It whmmmmmmms and glows brightly.

[exactlyright]

Carinna decides to call it Mossy.

[pythbox]

Mossy goes whmmm.

[exactlyright]

That is a thing Mossy does! Good for Mossy.

Now they all have their pets.