Something was not right. The further the sun retreated behind the earth the more perturbed Murder became. It was almost like the odor of this territory had transformed abruptly, changing into a most nauseating stench. The reek of putrefaction. As Murder ventured forward he kept his gaze on the murky waters, distrusting the enigmas they obscured. One audit was always stationary on the roan femme, knowing that if he lost track of her something much more sinister could find her. Murder didn’t think she was incapable of fending for herself, actually quite the contrary, and in all actuality he was trusting that she was watching out for him as well. Cassiopeia…what a divine name, Murder pondered mutely, yet he could see that it fit her; she did have a certain celestial quality about her.

“I am quite fond of your constellation.”

Ack, was that flirting? Murder inclined an eyebrow and, keeping his dome in the direction he was drifting, let his voids glance her way after the words escaped his maw. Well that was stupid, he deliberated as a swell of discomfiture inundated over him. Muscles shuddered beneath his cobalt hide as he tried to shrug off his inanity and move forward. Perhaps she hadn’t even heard him? Definitely not. Allowing his eyes to shift back on course Murder persisted in his search for something that resembled a moon stone akin to the one Cassiopeia bore around her neck. He listened to her illuminate him on her goal for this quest, which he found very remarkable. Pain…? Murder mused on this rather scrupulously. Cassiopeia desired healing magic because all she could do as of now was administering pain? This was curious to him. How does one animate the stars? Questions engulfed Murder and he terminated his scrutiny of the acreage for a minute. Erecting his cranium he halted and spoke.

“How do you…?”

Murder’s query was cut short with the introduction of a feeble glowing originating from a pool to his right.

“I think I found something!”

His tones were excited as he darted off in the direction of the iridescent sapphire light. It seemed that the repose of the sun bequeathed life to the gem and now it was rousing from its own slumber. Reaching it rather hastily Murder’s enthusiasm was stifled as soon as he discovered exactly were the stone laid. Glaring up at him with unseeing lanterns was the skull of a deceased and decaying unicorn. In its mouth, nestled between its alabaster fangs, was the cerulean gem which bathed its fetid features in an unnatural indigo ruddiness. Transfixed by the unexpected twist to the expedition Murder was flustered when he perceived the mare exhale rather vociferously and revolved his crania to see her cringing away from a decomposing head of her own. It was almost like a presage for what Murder had to do to retrieve the stone, and as he rotated back to look into the milky orbs of the departed beast he let out a sigh of trepidation. Knowing what had to be done; Murder lifted his anterior limbs from the sodden ground and pivoted to the side of the cadaver. With all his might Murder thrust his cloven talons down into the hazy liquid targeting the stem of the dead unicorn. Putting his faith in the level of corrosion the body had experienced Murder craved it would only take one go to decapitate the creature. As he sunk into the water up to his shoulders Murder’s hopes were granted when he felt his cannons pierce through flesh and bone then hit what he assumed was soil.

Immediately after the separation the pate bobbed to the surface and, still resolutely clenching the stone, stared at Murder with tranquil ruin. Struggling for a second to free himself from the mire Murder finally positioned his forelegs on solid ground again, with much reprieve. However the task was not yet complete. Ears fell back securely against his crown as Murder grunted and stared over at Cassiopeia, hoping that this truly would help her achieve her ambition. Sighing yet again he turned back to the rancid skull and dropped his head to its eye level. Tilting his dome to attain a better position for extracting the jewel Murder opened his jaws slightly and, edging onward, clasped the stone between his own teeth. It had to be a rather vile scene, this death kiss, but he could think of no other way to salvage the moon rock. Gently he retracted himself from the intimate gesture and, to his astonishment, felt the stone slip effortlessly from its perch. Raising his head to look in Cassiopeia’s direction he grinned the best he could, the gem shining lustrously from between his incisors. The deed was done.

{ ooc: Okay jeebus that was long, so sorry. Not to mention gross haha }