Eclipsing the Dunes

[Tearen Wover]

It wasn't Nealaphh's first instinct to accept hospitality from anyone, much less people that the God-Mind had just met. It was sometimes impractical, which honestly was something the shadow did not often indulge in. Still, in this form, Nealaphh was extremely vulnerable, and protection from any potential sand storms might be well-welcomed if such a thing were to occur.

Very well. Thank you.

Once the charms had been cast, Nealaphh sat in stillness upon the wizard's shoulder, waiting for the human to start moving. It wasn't until a little while had passed that the god-mind realized that Tom was likely waiting for directions. Embarrassment was not an emotion Nealaphh was capable of feeling, but it certainly felt something akin to this as it succinctly gave the demi-human direction to start walking in. Evidently, this avian body was not as quick to process information as the God-Mind was used to. It would have to try and keep this fact in mind if they encountered any trouble. It wouldn't do to be sitting still, waiting to figure out what to do while any potential bounty hunters were bearing down on them. Their first destination was Nippur, as before anything was figured out, Nealaphh needed to speak to Demetri Malius about his conduct at the status of his mission. It was really quite annoying to have to be checking up on the agent; the shadow had been rather optimistic about his maturity and dedication to a mission. If this was sort of thing was going to be a regular occurrence, however, the God-Mind might have to reconsider the man's position within the Institute.

Though the God-Mind did not know exactly where Nippur was, the Dataverse proved once more to be able to provide a reliable map. As they traveled further and further from the gate, the dusty road they had been on was gradually snuffed out by encroaching prairie grasses and weeds that rose up to Tom's neck. Not being able to see into the brush more than ten feet ahead was really a rather uncomfortable feeling, but Nealaphh reassured the human that it would be able to sense if anything sneaking up on them. Of course, this only really applied to living, thinking creatures, which is why when the pair suddenly plummeted through a wide pitfall trap, Nealaphh could sense just a hint of wry disapproval leaking from Tom's usually tightly locked mind. As the wizard sat up and shook his head, Nealaphh rolled onto its feathery underbelly and stretched its wings, one of which was broken. The pain registered, but the God-Mind simply ignored it in deference to the situation. The demi-human brushed his suit off and replaced his hat, looking up at the umber sky far above. Really. To be taken by such a simple device was more than a little infuriating for the Slytherin adept, but far be it from him to become ruffled by the fact. It was far more important to try and assess the situation. Based on how Nealaphh's crow form was sitting, it was clear that the bird's wing was badly injured. Tom sighed just once.

"Well. Alright then. I guess you weren't lying about peril." he said with a hint of wryness in his voice. The crow's beady eye regarded him, unblinking. For some reason, this was almost more uncanny than Nealaphh's usual three-eyed, viridian gaze.

Indeed. I suggest we simply wait until whoever created his trap comes and lets us out.

Tom blinked slowly.

"I don't think they'll be expecting to just let us go."

No, but that's what's going to happen.

"Would your usual form be able to free us from this puerile snare?"

Yes, but I would really prefer not to reveal my true form, given the circumstances.

"I suppose that's...reasonable enough."

Well, it appeared as though the only recourse at this point was to wait. It was a truly blessed fact that the horcrux body didn't have normal bodily requirements, otherwise this would have been very unpleasant indeed. At least it would give Tom time to peruse this so-called 'Dataverse'...