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Post by Ashe on Aug 1, 2023 22:47:57 GMT -6
They quickly approached the opening to the mines. It was brightly lit here, and worn with the travel of many feet making the dirt near smooth. It was also a busy place, people milling about as they prepared the go back inside, or go home with their finds. Some people traded, some just needed some fresh water or air after being underground for so long. Ashe walked past all of these people, lifting a hand in greeting to some men he recognized from other trips. This place wasn't what it used to be, teeming with green miners ready to get down and dirty and explore the newly opened caves. No, the mines had been open to the city for years now, and some of these people had grown bored of it, or found other pastimes to entertain them.
Ashe kept coming back. Through thick and thin, he kept coming back.
Today, he had a pack in addition to the cart he dragged along behind him. In the pack were meals for him and Inyala, and some of Brazin's favorite type of minerals for her to snack on as well. Some treats, in case they encountered any animals in here. And some other things Ashe might need later down the road.
[Inyala: 1 1/5 Brazin: 10 2/5 Ashe: 1 16/20
158]
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Post by Ashe on Aug 1, 2023 23:06:50 GMT -6
They walked down the central tunnel together, Ashe having memorized most of these tunnels during his time here. He walked along them like he was walking with an old friend, if the Mines could be considered a friend. He supposed, if it wasn't a friend, it would have come after him and buried him inside by now. Since it hadn't killed him, they must be friends!
They passed by several larger openings, branching off from this central path they walked. Ashe knew the one he wanted to explore this time. He walked until the lights started to become fewer in number, though the ground was still worn smooth. The cart rolled so easily over this terrain, he almost wanted to pause and try his luck here, but instinct kept him moving.
Inyala watched from his shoulder, occasionally making comments to him as they passed openings she thought were interesting, or she thought would be boring. Brazin dutifully walked where Ashe was walking, letting him pick the place for her to work her magic. Though she had been gifted with a magic crystal, one Ashe could never take back, she didn't have the complete magic to make this task quicker. If only she could locate the stones, and crystals, Ashe desired, with just a thought...
[Inyala: 1 2/5 Brazin: 10 3/5 Ashe: 1 17/20
159]
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Post by Ashe on Aug 1, 2023 23:15:05 GMT -6
"Here we are!" Ashe announced, selecting a path to take. They turned, Ashe dragging the cart behind him and Brazin trailing along with him. He took them down this path that, while not completely abandoned, didn't look like it was anyone's favorite at the moment. Ashe liked it best like this. He didn't even like having someone else with him, even a best friend. He felt like he got a little too possessive when it came to the riches this place offered him. Magic, crystals, riches. He didn't want to share. And since he was slightly, just slightly, shamed of these feelings, he thought it better that he just stay away from any and all company. Even strangers being down the same shaft as him would cause him to leave and find elsewhere to mine. He didn't need to be picking fights if that stranger found something worthwhile!
Once they were out of sight of the main shaft, Ashe decided that this would be as good of a place to start as any. He parked the cart and shrugged Inyala off. The Imp took up a perch on the cart, out of the way but nearby if needed. Brazin took the hint and made her way to the wall to get started, lifting a sharp-clawed hand to the wall and digging in right where she was.
[Inyala: 1 3/5 Brazin: 10 4/5 Ashe: 1 18/20
160]
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Post by Ashe on Aug 1, 2023 23:22:57 GMT -6
Brazin dug her claws in and ripped some loose rubble out of the wall. This felt good to her; clawing her way through the earth was second nature. She'd been born and lived under here, until her first owner had found her and taken her out. She didn't remember that owner now, she just remembered Ashe. They had spent so long together, working alongside each other. She knew what Ashe wanted before even he did, she suspected. She knew what her task was here, what it was she had to find to please him. And she wanted to find it, wanted to make him happy. It was a strange feeling indeed because she got no benefit from it herself.
Meanwhile, Ashe leaned over the cart, which was also where he stashed his mining tools that would fit until he needed it. He plucked out his pick axe, turning it around by the shaft in his hand. He glanced at Inyala and gave his dearest treasure a wink. "Let's get on with it, then, shall we?" He asked her, turning to the wall. He picked a spot and brought his tool down, savoring that first clang as he got to work. He wrenched it free, then started the process over again, carefully picking places on the wall to bring the axe down.
[Inyala: 1 4/5 Brazin: 11 0/5 Ashe: 1 19/20
161]
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Post by Nadia on Aug 2, 2023 1:32:34 GMT -6
Hey, what's that sharp-looking thing...?
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