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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 22, 2023 9:23:00 GMT -6
The houluh was immediately underfoot - or, underhoof, trying to assist Zenjesi with whatever it was they were doing. His nose was prying, sniffing at the pebbles that had sprayed loose with the shovel strike, investigating the divot Zenjesi had begun to dig... "You need to eat, do not mind me," Zenjesi tried again, scooping Spectral up in one hand and setting him nearer his meal once again. Quickly, they were able to manage a second dig with the shovel, though this one admittedly wasn't oriented as carefully, and was less effective, but the last thing they wanted to do was in some way injure the eager pup. They moved to adjust the shovel and Spectral's nose was, once again, immediately exactly where it ought not to be. Zenjesi heaved a sigh, pulling the shovel back and crossing their hands over the top of it. No, they had reverted to their original sentiment: bringing an untrained houluh puppy had been a poor choice.
Zenjesi: 14/20 Spectral: 2 4/5, 4 4/5
Mining: 14
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 22, 2023 9:52:41 GMT -6
And then Spectral began to dig. Zenjesi's head cocked to the side, watching as dirt and small rubble began to spray out from the houluh's paws as he worked at the chink in the wall. This could work. Perhaps it was not a habit Zenjesi would like for him to be in at all times, but... here? They moved closer, slipping into a crouch and watching as Spectral continued. His ears were trailing in the dirt and turning shades and his paws had gone almost black already, but that didn't bother the satyr any more than it seemed to bother him. Finally... "Spectral, wait." Zenjesi gently pulled him back with one hand and, with the other, reached up and easily wiggled the gemstone free. They let out a soft laugh. "I was too quick to judge," they admitted. "You are a good boy." The houluh shook himself off, tongue lolling out in a goofy smile as Zenjesi patted him.
Zenjesi: 15/20 Spectral: 3 0/5, 6 0/5
Mining: 15
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 23, 2023 16:01:51 GMT -6
They set the gemstone aside, crouching down to peer into the small hole in the wall that Spectral had dug. There did not appear to be anything else of immediate interest immediately visible. Well. That would have been too simple, anyway. They settled back on their haunches, watched as Spectral pushed pebbles around with his snout. It was only then that Zenjesi realized they had released the leash at some point in their excavation process. And yet, Spectral had not fled the instant he was not restrained, but had moved in to Zenjesi's aid. They gave the houluh a small smile. "Perhaps you know me, now?" they mused. His ears pricked at the sound of their whispering voice, and he gave them a blank grin. No comprehension, of course, but he seemed interested. Zenjesi chuckled, reached over and, after one more moment of consideration, unclipped the leash. "You will not leave me, will you?"
Zenjesi: 0.8 Spectral: 3.2, 6.2
Mining: 16
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 23, 2023 16:15:09 GMT -6
He shook himself off, ears flapping wildly and cave dust bursting off of him in a cloud. Zenjesi sneezed. The houluh itched himself for a moment, stood up... and trotted over to finish his meal. Zenjesi sat down, letting out a breath that they were not aware they had held. He had not fled. Given the choice... Well, perhaps he just was not aware that he had been released yet. Perhaps, once his meal was gone, he too would be. Zenjesi leaned back and something squished underneath their hand. They recoiled in horror for a moment before realizing it was their sandwich, now deeply imprinted with three of their fingers. Focus, Zenjesi, they thought to themselves, shaking their head. They should not worry. If this was the end of their bond it was better it happened now, before the satyr grew too attached. They gathered their tools, and scanned the wall with the flashlight while they ate.
Zenjesi: 0.85 Spectral: 3.4, 6.4
Mining: 17
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 24, 2023 20:30:43 GMT -6
The houluh crunched the last piece of kibble, continuing his sniffing search of the hall for any missed scraps. Zenjesi watched him in silence, waiting, expecting... Finding nothing, Spectral turned and trotted up to Zenjesi, angling for the bite that was left of their sandwich. Ah. Of course. Well, once the sandwich was gone, he would leave. Zenjesi picked out a small scrap of meat to offer him. Tail wagging, he happily accepted, then clambered up onto the satyr's lap to beg for more, but there was none to be had; Zenjesi showed him their bare hands. He seemed undeterred, lunging forward to start licking one clean. Zenjesi sighed, watching as he bounded down to the ground, itched himself again... and then sat down, staring at the satyr expectantly. Zenjesi blinked. He stayed. "That is your mistake," they chuckled, not really sure what to do with themselves now. Perhaps their unpleasant countenance only affected those of a higher sentience.
Zenjesi: 0.9 Spectral: 3.6, 6.6
Mining: 18
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 24, 2023 20:37:11 GMT -6
There was something lonely in that, but having a loyal houluh still meant something, and something they had never experienced before. Their mind wandered back many years for just a moment... but there was no purpose in that. Zenjesi smiled over at him. "Let us go together, then," they decided, packing up the trash from their meals. Spectral jumped to his feet as Zenjesi clambered to theirs, and his tail wagged excitedly. "You are eager to dig," they supposed, gathering their tools up as well. "You must help me find something worth digging." They wound the leash up, tucking it into their bag with another small smile at the thought that it was not needed. Onward. "Come, Spectral." And so, satyr and houluh proceeded down the winding, narrow tunnel, the former sweeping the flashlight beam over the walls, ceiling, and even floor while they walked. It was doubtful they would find anything there, but perhaps that was what all the prior miners thought.
Zenjesi: 0.95 Spectral: 3.8, 6.8
Mining: 19
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 24, 2023 20:46:24 GMT -6
Again, nothing caught their attention, nor Spectral's. They were aware that at some point they would need to begin digging their own path, creating their own strip, but this did not seem the place. Though they lacked detailed mining knowledge, they suspected others who had more knowledge had preceded them. If they had not identified any signs in this area, then perhaps they would wait for a place with more potential. Or would such a place already have been mined bare? Zenjesi found the theories fighting one another in their mind, and they stopped, flashing the beam of light a few steps behind them. Had they been paying attention? Not as much as they ought. The sound of Spectral's claws (or rather, the lack thereof) suddenly registered. They whirled back around. The houluh was not in sight. "Spectral!" they hissed, picking up their pace, tools bouncing uncomfortably against their back and legs. But thankfully, he was not far. Rounding the corner, Zenjesi found him sniffing around the perimeter of a larger carved room.
Zenjesi: 1.0 - logged Spectral: 4.0, 8.0
Mining: 20
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Post by Nadia on Sept 25, 2023 19:22:59 GMT -6
Is that grubby protecting something...?
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 26, 2023 9:26:25 GMT -6
Breathing a sigh of relief upon seeing him again, Zenjesi slowed their pace (lest they scare the houluh off) and stepped calmly into the room. Immediately, they noticed a handful of tunnels branching off of this space. This was quickly becoming a maze. They should have brought string or breadcrumbs to leave a trail. Still, they noted that the pup had not abandoned them, he just... what was he doing? The houluh was sniffing so frantically he was snorting, pawing at something along the edge of the wall again. "What did you find?" Zenjesi asked aloud, picking their way carefully across the room and trying to peer around him. No luck - he was intent. He would not act like this over a gemstone, and if it was food, the satyr had no doubt it would have already been eaten... "Come here." They reached out and scooped the houluh up, pulling him out of the way to reveal... a very angry little fellow.
Zenjesi: 0.05 Spectral: 4.2, 8.4
Mining: 21
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 26, 2023 9:55:13 GMT -6
Spectral seemed to have calmed down now that he had been removed from the situation, though he did look up and yap at Zenjesi, as if the satyr had somehow not seen what he had. "I am aware," Zenjesi chuckled to him. They stooped down, setting Spectral down on his paws but off to the side. He immediately moved to advance on the little curiosity, but Zenjesi held up a hand to stop him and he obeyed. Still, his attention was solely fixed on the writhing little... what was that? Zenjesi shone the flashlight on the creature, mumbling a quiet apology for its cave-trained eyes as they did so, and leaned in to get a better look. However, the light and proximity of a much larger being seemed to spook it, and it scurried off into a small crack in the wall. Now, they were unintentionally mimicking Spectral as they crawled over on hands and knees to peer in from another angle. Zenjesi: 0.1 Spectral: 4.4, 8.8
Mining: 22
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 26, 2023 10:33:35 GMT -6
A flash of purple rewarded them from inside the crack in the wall. They cocked their head. Yes, it was just a little grubby, but it seemed somewhat unfair to traumatize it in the pursuit of personal gain. This would need to be a precise operation. "Spectral, stay back," they requested, though they suspected they would be using their hooves to corral him. In the same breath, in the short time they had traveled and worked together today they felt he had already grown noticeably fonder of the satyr. They were not sure what to think of that. But there were more pressing matters. Or, at least, other matters that they could distract themselves with instead. This was another moment wherein they wished they had finer tools. Carefully placing the shovel, Zenjesi winced as they kicked a hoof into it. The crack in the wall widened slightly. Now for the other side...
Zenjesi: 0.15 Spectral: 4.6, 9.2
Mining: 23
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 26, 2023 13:59:33 GMT -6
Feeling a touch more confidence than they had the first time they attempted this, Zenjesi arranged the shovel and drove their hoof down on it once more. The rock on this side cracked, though it did not fully give. Zenjesi kicked a second time, prying at the wall with the leverage of the shovel. With a loud crack, the wall released its prize. A purple geode launched out, skidding across the stone floor and left spinning on its back. Spectral leaped to the side as the rock broke free, but once it was no longer a projectile, he immediately ran up to it, sniffing around curiously. Setting the shovel aside, Zenjesi joined him. As the geode came to rest, they could see the little grubby was nestled inside, clinging on for its life. "Poor fellow," Zenjesi mumbled to themselves, plucking it up before Spectral could harass it further.
Zenjesi: 0.2 Spectral: 4.8, 9.6 Mining: 24
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 26, 2023 14:23:10 GMT -6
The grubby sank down into the cover of the geode, and Zenjesi shrugged. It seemed to like it in there, and Spectral seemed fond of it as well... What was the harm in taking it along, at least for now? Perhaps in time it would find that it preferred other accommodations, and would leave on its own. "Look, Spectral," Zenjesi invited him, crouching down to offer him a look in a more controlled environment. "Look but do not eat." The houluh placed his front paws up on Zenjesi's arm to get a better look, sniffing in at the grubby. "Now he is going in my bag," the satyr decided, carefully settling the geode in with other unidentified pink stone. Spectral sat back, wagging his tail. "You were a good boy for finding it." They petted him down the back, glancing around the room. The walls appeared to have been worked over here, and it had been opened up... "Now is there more?"
Zenjesi: 0.25 Spectral: 5.0, 10.0
Mining: 25
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Post by Nadia on Sept 26, 2023 21:36:32 GMT -6
There's a copper vein here!
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 28, 2023 17:52:16 GMT -6
Zenjesi took a moment to survey the room, now that the immediate concern over Spectral consuming the grubby had passed. The most obvious feature were the three tunnels. Of course there was the piece missing from the wall where they had just extracted the geode. But as they slowly worked the light over the walls, they noticed they were pocked with pick marks. In places, other pieces of various sizes and textures had clearly been removed. A smooth edge there, a large, rough gash there, a -- the flashlight reflected off of something. Zenjesi froze, but not quite in time. Where had that been? They stepped back, bobbing their head, waving the light, trying to recreate the subconscious movement of a moment prior. Ever attentive, Spectral seemed to notice that the satyr was onto something, trotting over and sniffing around the base of the wall that they were inspecting. It was not helpful, but it was endearing.
Zenjesi: 0.3 Spectral: 5.2, 10.4
Mining: 26
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