They had escaped the cistern, but it had been mainly due to Tarnished's fast reaction and Dorian's quit wit. Nobody but Tarnished had actually seen whatever was waiting in the cistern, and they'd only actually seen it because they'd hung back - mostly to protect Vice, who'd gotten lost in the confusion and panic.

Jester's heart went out to him, sympathy panging in her chest as she watched him curl up on the floor. His muscles were quivering, whether from the cold or from fear.. she couldn't tell. She half expected the quaking to subside when Tarnished came to rest their head on the dwellers naked back, but it only seemed to intesify whatever Vice was currently feeling. She couldn't imagine what not being able to see would do to her.. she had an inkling he hadn't always been this way, but beyond that? His history was, well, a bit of a mystery.

She watched Tarnished fold themselves down beside Vice, letting the blind courser burrow himself in that thick mane. It did something funny to her heart, watching the two of them there, and she was do distracted she almost didn't notice Dorian clearing his throat beside her.

"Perhaps some privacy is in order?" He offered good-naturedly.

"Who needs privacy?!" Vice snapped from across the cavern, though his tone lacked the usual vitrol they'd all grown so accostomed to.

Dorian feigned surprise. "Who said anything about privacy?"

Jester looked between them, expression carefully blank. "Me," a pause, weighing her options. "I've gotta piss."

Had Vice still had his eyes, Jester was sure they would have widened comically. He relented, though, and dove back under Tarnished's mane to hide. "Do you truly need to announce every time you have a bodily fuction?"

"At least I don't poop in corners," her tone was light, ever playful. She'd found that actual hostility seemed to only egg Vice on when he was agitated. "You shy? Everyone does it."

There was more grumbling, and Tarnished was watching her in that eerie way they always did.. though this time, their expression felt heavier. A bit more sad. Jester blinked at him sympathically, then pinned her ears at Dorian. The dark overo laughed, dancing just out of her range when she went to nip him on the ass - a cue to move forward, at least for a time. He began making his way towards the entrance at the far side of the cavern, avoiding the entrance point that lead back into the depths of the cistern. They hadn't been followed.. so far. Couldn't really ask a mute to explain what they saw, so Jester was happy to believe it was something aquatic and not something that could move freely on land.

The Slapper was resting on her back, ocassionally shifting position idly. "What do you think we'll come across next?"

Jester continued walking, keeping pace with Dorian. "Hopefully a nice warm campfire and a meal."

"I've got a few apples in my bag," he was already rooting through the pack at his shoulder. "You should have said you were hungry."

As if in response, her stomach rumbled loudly.

A call came from across the cavern. "Are you hungry?!" It was Vice. "I've got a bag of oats, if you're feeling like you need more than just an apple!"

Warmth, and amusement, rushed through her. "You can stop eavesdropping any time, Vice!"

He barked a laugh, though it sounded muffled at the end. "Maybe you could learn to talk softer, I'm having alone time."

They fell into an easy silence then, Jester taking Vice up on his offer of oats while Tarnished picked delicately at an apple. Occasionally offering pieces they'd broken off to Vice, who seemed all too eager to share. She wondered if they realized what was between them yet.. probably not, since she and Dorian were only just picking up on it. But Tarnished had rushed that water phantom like everything in the world depended on it.. and it'd been headed straight for Vice. She had no doubt in her mind they'd defend her and Dorian against such fiends as well, but it'd been.. different. There'd been panic she'd never seen on their face before.

"I, uh, hate to ruin the mood.." Vice suddenly said, pulling them all from their thoughts. "Something's coming."

Jester was on her hooves in an instant, turning towards the cistern. "Is it the creature?"

Vice was on his feet now too, Tarnished still pressed close. They had risen in unison. "It's.." He paused, sightless head twisting this way and that to catch the sound. "Would you believe me if I said it was another flood?"

Dorian and Jester both groaned, though they were now beginning to feel the vibrations in their hooves. Dorian was quick to complain. "This sucks."

"To high ground, maybe we can wait it out."

The four coursers nodded and began to make their way to the highest part of the cavern, watching as the water began to flood in and cover their hooves in dark, swirling water...