Circumstance had kept the Waltzes from revisiting the universe they'd more or less claimed as a playground. Kitty had needed proper taming, and then they'd had their summer molt and were in no mood for adventuring. There had been harvest time, and many other things. But now they were finally back on their way.

They'd stopped to see the Dwarves in the mountain Hall again, and were given the weapons they'd been promised. Blaze and Mistral were a little uneasy to see what Arashi had requested. The third Waltzlet had kept the design sketches he'd handed over a secret at the time. The resulting staff weapon was a near-twin of the one once used by Black Waltz Three.

They'd stayed for dinner, and for news. The dwarves were a little uneasy around Kitty, despite that the displacer beast behaved herself. She didn't even try to eat any of the giant rats the dwarves had taken to walking on leashes as if they were guard dogs.

There were mentions of supplies and news from the mining village to the east of the mountains suddenly being cut off. Several dwarves suspected the pass might have been closed due to landslide. Other than that, there was very little of interest. Most of the goblins and hobgoblins seemed to have left the area since the Waltzes had been around. Rather than be utterly bored, the trio decided to head up the mountain pass and see if it really is blocked. If it is, at least they can tell the Dwarves. And if it isn't, maybe there's something up there they can fight...

The sky had looked clear enough when they'd left, but had rapidly darkened as they neared what looked to be the remains of an old abandoned tower. Arashi rather likes storms, but this high up in the mountains the wind poses a real danger to Waltzlets - they don't really weigh all that much, after all...

The dripping sounds and occasional gurgle of running water are more noticeable inside the Ice Cavern. A few patches of bare rock show through, but in most places the ice is still thick. The water and slush make the floor even more slippery than solidly frozen ice would be, as the Magelets soon find out. They seem to find it fun, though, not bothered at all by the cold as they look around.

Mistral looks around as well. He can see the place falling apart with the underlying magic gone, making it look changed and somewhat unfamiliar - but not as unfamiliar as it should be for someone who's never been inside it. He knows the way through, if none of the paths have been blocked by the thaw. And if they had, ice spells should let them make a way around.

As soon as they return to the universe they've been frequenting, Arashi takes to the air to check some details against the maps he'd been looking over during lunch. Waltzes, like Mages, have poor visual acuity when it comes to documents, but can focus easier on moving things - like terrain below when flying.

The others, on the wagon-rutted road just outside of Sarwin, wait for a moment and adjust their belongings.

It's been about ten days since any of the Mages, Waltzes, Mikoto, or Rydia have heard from the older Kuja. Or his missing younger alt. For the most part, they figure the older one can take care of himself.

Mistral's making use of the time by taming and socializing his newly acquired baby dodongo. Everyone else just goes about business as usual, though with some discussions about whether Rydia and the Waltzes should continue world-hopping on their own while they wait to see if either Kuja shows up again.

Somewhere in the Nexus is a very irritated Mistral. Where the other two are at the moment is anyone's guess, though 'off flying' would be a good one.

The shortest Waltz has been venting his frustration - and his overloaded magical energies - by making giant ice blocks again. He's got a small fort built by now. Seriously. It's like frozen giant lego fun.

He's sitting on a block of ice outside the door, toying with his bell again.