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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 9, 2023 20:40:54 GMT -6
Did they remember where the exit tunnel was? The thought was accompanied by a slight sinking sensation. They must… It was… They took a few steps forward, slipping on loose stones, then paused. No, they should not move and lose what little bearing they had. Drawing one deep breath, then another, Zenjesi swept the light around once more. Yes. It had to be right there. They held the beam steady, as if that would imprint somehow on the wall. Well, at least now a shovel was the proper tool. They sighed, looking down to Spectral and the wyrm, who was now their companion whether it intended to be or not. “This is the dream of a houluh,” they chuckled. No time to waste. Likely not much oxygen to waste either. They set the flashlight on the ground, propping it up with stones, aimed at their target. Perhaps not much battery power either, who knew? They were suddenly acutely aware of how limited all of their resources were. “Spectral, come,” they encouraged the pup, as they buried the shovel in the rubble. One heaping pile was dumped to the side, and another, and a third…
Zenjesi: 1.0 - logged Spectral: 7.0, 14.0 Wyrm: 1.0, 1.0
Mining: 35
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 10, 2023 8:55:34 GMT -6
Dutiful as ever, Spectral moved to aid the satyr. They had never seen him so intent as he began to work, ears flapping, dirt spraying. The activity served a dual purpose. On one hand, it was drawing them all nearer to freedom. On the other, it gave them both a challenging physical task that distracted from the sense of mortal peril. One shovelful after another after another… Zenjesi paused for just a moment, leaning back to take stock of their progress. Or… more accurately the complete lack thereof. Technically, one could tell that work had been done. Objectively, it looked as if it had been touched by tools (and houluh paws). The saytr exhaled a long, slow breath. How far had they traversed the tunnel to arrive here? What if it had all collapsed? They would be digging until they became bones and then dust themselves. For a moment, they seriously considered the option of laying down, accepting death, and perhaps taking a nap. But… there was little Spectral, still digging away diligently. They sighed, gathering at least enough resolve to begin their work again. Were it just them, alone, perhaps they would not bother. “It is good that I brought you,” Zenjesi whispered to the houluh.
Zenjesi: 0.05 Spectral: 7.2, 14.4 Wyrm: 1.2, 1.2
Mining: 36
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 10, 2023 9:17:03 GMT -6
Well, that was assuming they were able to extricate themselves from the situation. If not, this pup likely would have fared better and also preferred to stay back in his kennel at the adoption agency. You know he would not, came the sudden thought. Zenjesi hesitated, shovel poised in the air, and glanced down at Spectral. He was working away, his little paws only able to scoop the smaller rocks, but undeterred all the same. From the beginning, he had been so eager to learn and to please and to explore... The satyr felt something twinge inside of them. A feeling. Immediately, instinctively, they moved to reject it. Is this not why you came? They were once again thwarted by this seemingly sourceless voice of reason. Though, it was not at all sourceless, they just did not wish to accept it. "This is different," they whispered aloud, to no one, resuming their work. It is not. Zenjesi pressed their lips together and continued to work. All the while, the wyrm, their newest companion, lay on the stone and watched. Catching a glimpse of it out of the corner of their eye, the satyr decided it could occupy their mental energy instead.
Zenjesi: 0.1 Spectral: 7.4, 14.8 Wyrm: 1.4, 1.4
Mining: 37
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 11, 2023 13:10:37 GMT -6
"Will you assist us?" Zenjesi managed to whisper to it between their grunts of exertion. The pile of rubble they were piling up was getting in their way already. Amateur mistake. They almost wondered if the wyrm was judging their process. But the creature survived down here somehow... could it not dig? How would they possibly motivate it to try? Their directed question did not seem to be the solution. It had not moved. "Perhaps there are gems hidden here," Zenjesi tried another tack. Again, this was vocalized primarily for their own sanity. They did not suspect that it could understand them, but at the same time, who could guess with these Lab creatures? Another few minutes of work passed. "You need a name." Zenjesi paused for a moment to wipe some beading sweat from their brow. They undid the clasp on their capelet, folding it loosely and setting it near the flashlight. Spectral had grown weary of the constant effort as well. The poor pup flopped down on the ground as Zenjesi also took a break, his tongue lolling out. The satyr crouched to stroke his head and fiddle with his dusty ears.
Zenjesi: 0.15 Spectral: 7.6, 15.2 Wyrm: 1.6, 1.6
Mining: 38
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 11, 2023 14:30:06 GMT -6
A houluh of his size was not meant for hard manual labor. Zenjesi rubbed their thumb over his ear for a moment, feeling the velvety fur, musing, then nodded to themselves. They stepped over to the capelet they had just abandoned, refolding and fluffing it into a more comfortable cushion. They crossed back to Spectral, scooping him up and nestling him into the cloth. "You need to rest," they tried to tell him, petting him once on the head. The satyr gestured for him to stay and began to move, before hesitating in place and reinforcing the command as he began to rise to follow them. "No, you must rest." Reluctantly, he sank back down, tilting his head and watching a bit forlornly as Zenjesi moved back to work. They were only a few arms lengths away, but the command to 'stay', which he was obediently adhering to, made the distance impassable. The satyr felt a touch of pity, but they covered their eyes with their hands, attempting once again to encourage him to close his own. He yawned and lay his chin down on his paws where he could keep an eye on Zenjesi. Well. That would do for now.
Zenjesi: 0.2 Spectral: 7.8, 15.6 Wyrm: 1.8, 1.8
Mining: 39
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 11, 2023 20:06:48 GMT -6
The satyr turned back to the wyrm instead for just a moment, narrowing their eyes. Spectral was easy to please, but if they could motivate Florian, surely they could motivate this creature. "Jadira," they decided for its name. They doubted it had any sort of innate gender, which meant it could just as easily be chosen by them. They nodded. "What is your interest in gems?" they mused aloud, shifting more rubble. Their back was beginning to ache. They adjusted their form carefully; there was much work yet to do. Did the wyrm simply like to admire gems or... could it possibly consume them? They chewed their lip thoughtfully. Was it worth the risk? Is it worth perishing here? That was a good point. They dug in their bag once again, pulling out the pink gem that had nearly been lost in the cave in. Displaying it to Jadira, and ensuring they had captured her attention, they tossed it onto the rubble pile and quickly dumped more stone over the top of it. The wyrm moved with a speed Zenjesi had not seen before, wriggling and writhing and burrowing into the earth after it.
Zenjesi: 0.25 Spectral: 8.0, 16.0 Jadira: 2.0, 2.0
Mining: 40
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 21, 2023 7:53:38 GMT -6
It instilled a moment of panic in the satyr. Was she going to root out and consume one of the only treasures Zenjesi had been able to find? Or... perhaps she would just burrow away, never to be seen again. Though now was confirmed that she was able to dig on her own. The rubble here was comparatively loose, meaning she was evidently able to worm her way in so quickly that Zenjesi had not really been able to see how she did it. Well, best to continue with the original plan. They buried the shovel's head in the debris again, and again, working away until... the surface of the pile began to shift. Zenjesi hesitated, holding their breath as the wyrm finally squirmed forth, the pink gemstone in her jaws. She slithered down to the ground level, coiling around the stone for a moment and tilting her head each way to admire the gem. Then, after a soft warning hiss in Zenjesi's direction, she left it tucked near a larger rock, returning to the rubble pile apparently to search for more. Zenjesi glanced over at Spectral. It seemed even the hissing was not enough to disturb him.
Zenjesi: 0.3 Spectral: 8.2, 16.4 Jadira: 2.2, 2.2
Mining: 41
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 22, 2023 20:14:55 GMT -6
The houluh was asleep on Zenjesi's capelet, his face squished in such a way that suggested he was deep into unconsciousness. They paused in their excavation just long enough to spare him a reserved smile, and to embrace a moment of appreciation for the scene. They were honored he trusted them so, and they could not betray his trust by allowing them to remain trapped in a mine shaft. They could not give in to melancholy, or physical fatigue. They turned back to the task at hand. Jadira was no longer visible. When they were still, they could hear rustling and stones shifting from within the rubble. At least she had not abandoned them yet. Perhaps that was only because 'her' gemstone still waited within the cavern. Zenjesi chuckled to themselves. Now... where would their efforts be most effective? They decided to resume their operation where Jadira had begun her tunnel. To their relief, their shovel sank more easily into that portion of the heap. Her maneuvering throughout had evidently loosened the stones as they had hoped. Less exertion for them and potentially some enrichment for the wyrm. Now they just had to be cautious, and do nothing to disturb Spectral.
Zenjesi: 0.35 Spectral: 8.4, 16.8 Jadira: 2.4, 2.4
Mining: 42
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 22, 2023 20:53:43 GMT -6
So they worked, and they worked. Shovel after shovel, pile after pile. Intermittently, they would see Jadira. She would surface out of the pile of rocks and review the scene for a moment or two. Zenjesi suspected she was taking stock of the satyr's progress, and ensuring they had not uncovered anything precious without her knowledge. Then she would burrow back in, and Zenjesi would continue. They wondered if she had some sort of ability to detect the presence of gemstones or metals. If so, did the fact that she was continuing to do her rounds throughout the cave-in pile indicate she was onto something's trail? Zenjesi wondered if they should have been more cautious. Had they been throwing shovelfuls of treasure away? It did not matter. This was going to become a matter of survival, and amassing riches and wealth was not a high priority in the face of wasting away in a cave. If they survived, perhaps they would be able to return and sift through it all then. Or perhaps they would simply need to trust Jadira's senses to find anything of importance. ... And perhaps they would need to trust that she would bring it to them, and not hoard it for herself.
Zenjesi: 0.4 Spectral: 8.6, 17.2 Jadira: 2.6, 2.6
Mining: 43
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 24, 2023 18:03:00 GMT -6
By now, they had worked up a generous sweat. They paused to wipe their brow before said sweat dripped into their eyes, and caught a glimpse of their hand in the process. Their palms were becoming raw and showing signs of blistering in the places where they had been making contact with the wood of the shovel. Closing their eyes for a moment, they let out a soft sigh before resigning themselves to their fate. Setting the shovel down, they took the ruffles around their wrists in their teeth and tore. The strange sound of fabric ripping roused Spectral, who looked around in bewilderment, his ears and fur disheveled. But Zenjesi wrapped and tied the cloth around their palms, knotting it on the backs of their hands firmly. That would have to do. Next time they would be more prepared. They found that thought a bit surprising. Evidently they had not been too put out by this experience to already be considering returning. Well, this was adventure, was it not? This was good. Perhaps even productive. To their assessment, they had displaced half of the pile with Jadira's aid, and they felt as if they were finally falling into a working rhythm.
Zenjesi: 0.45 Spectral: 8.8, 17.6 Jadira: 2.8, 2.8
Mining: 44
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 24, 2023 18:29:58 GMT -6
With a soft whine, Spectral leaped off of his makeshift bed and ran up to Zenjesi. He stood up on his hind paws, resting one on Zenjesi's leg and looking up at them with his ears flat. "It is alright, Spectral," Zenjesi assured him. They left the shovel aside, picking him up and holding him for a moment. They attempted to pet him, but he was distracted and concerned by the wraps on their hands. "I am alright." Once he seemed to have calmed enough, they set him back on the stone. Out of the corner of their eye, they noticed Jadira had surfaced again, but she ducked away when Zenjesi actually looked her way. "We will see the sun." So minutes turned into hours. Spectral resumed digging alongside Zenjesi and the wyrm. Blood began to seep through the white fabric on Zenjesi's hands. And then... the shovel broke through a layer and met no more resistance. Zenjesi froze, almost unable to believe it. But they dragged the shovel back, and there it was: the exit tunnel. Spectral yapped, detecting the satyr's relief as they began to work with renewed vigor. "We are free."
Zenjesi: 0.5 Spectral: 9.0, 18.0 Jadira: 3.0, 3.0
Mining: 45
[all three are leaving the mines for now]
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Post by Silver on Oct 24, 2023 19:07:10 GMT -6
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 9, 2023 14:38:21 GMT -6
This time would be different. The last time was not a complete failure, by any means; Zenjesi had emerged from the mines with a decent handful of gems (one of which was particularly intriguing), a wyrm made from gemstone, and a strong bond with Spectral the houluh. But that had all also come at the cost of their palms and their back, both of which had ached and throbbed or a few days after the ordeal. Their ego had also paid a price, though it was evidently a needed one. A visit to The Underground for additional tools and a decent amount of research and reading later, Zenjesi was arriving today much better equipped. Or at least that was their hope. Time would tell.
But in addition, they had brought someone new along this time. Spectral had not been an entirely incorrect choice; he had a talent for excavation, if a bit crude.
Zenjesi: 0.55 Vossa: 0.2, 2.2 Mining: 1
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 10, 2023 10:36:31 GMT -6
This creature had been discovered in the shadows of Zenjesi's inherited kennel. She had no name, avoided any contact with the other creatures, and was only discovered when she crept out for a scavenged meal at the wrong time and happened to be caught in Zenjesi's line of sight. For a moment, of course, this had been frightening; she stood nearly to Zenjesi's hips, and for that first moment, the satyr was afraid there was a masked child skulking around in their kennel.
Once the initial shock had passed, the satyr had naturally done their utmost to provide her with some proper accommodations and food that was intended for her. For all of this, she seemed quite reluctant to engage or accept. It was obvious that she was shaped like a humanoid, but Zenjesi quickly began to suspect from her mannerisms and behavior that she possessed something more than animal-level intelligence.
Zenjesi: 0.6 Vossa: 0.4, 2.4
Mining: 2
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 10, 2023 13:12:21 GMT -6
It followed that Zenjesi's next order of business was to do some research. What it revealed was that this was likely a creature known as Lurking Strife. It seemed to have been some lab-born creation developed from the combination of a harachiu (Zenjesi knew of these of course courtesy of Evainmoire), a mining familiar (Zenjesi knew of these because of the discovery of Jadira), and something called a Shadow Lurker. They were not exactly sure what that was, but the name was fairly illustrative. Regardless, it seemed there were only a handful of these creatures in existence, and their reading indicated that they were believed to be fully sentient beings.
Admittedly, Zenjesi was a bit apprehensive about this. It was difficult to displease a Houluh, and it was easy to guess what may irritate a Bulldozer, but what were they to do with a sentient companion? It did not seem right to refer to her as a pet.
Zenjesi: 0.65 Vossa: 0.6, 2.6
Mining: 3
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