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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 10, 2023 14:44:40 GMT -6
They supposed that much was a good start. But keeping a sentient creature around was, in a sense, more like having a roommate. Unlike most pets, roommates could judge one and, more importantly, be scared off by one's implicitly unsettling way of being. The satyr wondered if that was what was occurring with this one. It was slightly reassuring that she seemed to avoid both Zenjesi and their other creatures alike with equal effort, however. Yet any attempts by Zenjesi to determine if she was capable of speech left them feeling like a fool as she would sit in silence or leave without a sound.
After discovering a ribbon of telepathy, Zenjesi had offered it to her, speculating she may be more comfortable communicating internally. They knew that the thought was enticing to them, at least. To think that there was a way they could speak without being drowned out... but she had rejected the offer.
Zenjesi: 0.7 Vossa: 0.8, 2.8
Mining: 4
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 10, 2023 15:13:47 GMT -6
Not completely deterred, perhaps because Zenjesi was growing increasingly desperate for a friend, the satyr had finally had the inspiration to ask her if she would be willing to accompany them on their next mining expedition. The moment they hissed out the word 'mining', her head had turned slightly towards them. That was the most substantial reaction they had been able to elicit from her yet, and she did not hide herself away after hearing the recognizable word, so Zenjesi took that as agreement. In fact, as the satyr had begun to gather their supplies, they turned to find her standing on her dainty legs behind them. Again, there was a bit of kinship found in their stature.
So, now, here they were. Another long walk down the ravine until they reached the tunnel in which Zenjesi and Spectral had worked. "You may lead," Zenjesi offered to their companion, gesturing a hand towards the entrance.
Zenjesi: 0.75 Vossa: 1.0, 3.0
Mining: 5
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Nov 11, 2023 10:24:40 GMT -6
There's not much here at the entrance of the mines other than some weird mushrooms.
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 13, 2023 14:00:33 GMT -6
Thankfully, the gesture seemed to be universal one amongst creatures of a humanoid shape. The crossbreed ducked her head, folded her arms and stepped ahead through the carved doorway. Her head turned around, her blank, pink eyes sweeping over the first chamber. Zenjesi followed, mindful for once not to linger too close and allowing her some room. It was quite plain that she was not at all comfortable with their presence yet and they did not wish to encroach on and frighten her. Perhaps it was the three social encounters they had had while breeding Pachee that had taught them a lesson about socializing. But it was more likely that the fact that their companion had not spoken a word (and hardly acknowledged Zenjesi in any fashion) had, in a sense, intimidated them, and led them to ease off of her. The satyr watched her peripherally, fiddling with their own hands.
Zenjesi: 0.8 Vossa: 1.2, 3.2
Mining: 6
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 13, 2023 15:03:38 GMT -6
Beside that fact, if this companion of theirs had heritage from a mining familiar, perhaps she would have some instincts with regards to the process of mining or... some inclination for locating precious materials. Zenjesi did not wish to interrupt her focus or any procedure she may think to follow. These factors all resulted in an extremely long silence, while the satyr tried to occupy themselves in an unobtrusive way. Unfortunately, they were standing in a room full of rock, which did not lend itself to entertainment or distraction.
However, Zenjesi's own eyes alighted upon something that had changed since their last visit. It was no gemstone, but a mushroom that had cropped up along the seam of the wall and the floor. They glanced over to the crossbreed, who seemed uninterested in Zenjesi at the moment, then took the opportunity to investigate this further. They thought back to The Underground.
Zenjesi: 0.85 Vossa: 1.4, 3.4
Mining: 7
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 13, 2023 16:03:35 GMT -6
Were mushrooms something the shopkeeper was interested in? They were not sure. But it could not hurt to take it, could it? Well, that was sort of a ridiculous thing to think of a mushroom. Of course it could hurt. But touching it was likely harmless. Zenjesi reached out and plucked it carefully, attempting to take as much of the stalk as possible. Even if that shop was not interested in it, there had to be some use for it. Zenjesi shamelessly pocketed their foraged find, turning around to see their companion watching them. An awkward moment passed between them as neither made any attempt to communicate. Then it clicked in Zenjesi's mind that she was wondering what they had found. "I am sorry," they muttered, fishing the fungus back out. They displayed it on their palm down at a level where she could easily see it. "Mushroom," they whispered aloud, almost as an afterthought.
Zenjesi: 0.9 Vossa: 1.6, 3.6
Mining: 8
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 13, 2023 16:10:20 GMT -6
Their companion approached, narrowing her eyes at the object. She considered it for a silent moment. Zenjesi wished they knew what she was thinking. Their own mind drifted back to the ribbon of telepathy that was stuffed into their other pocket. No, they could not ask again. She could not have even known what the ribbon was when it was first offered, but had not been prepared to accept gifts of any kind from the satyr yet. So they would be patient.
After that moment passed, Zenjesi tucked the mushroom away again. The crossbreed had made no indication that she had found anything interesting here, so they ought to move on. Their eyes turned up to the tunnel that they had so recently escaped from, and they drew a deep breath. So it began again. They were a bit distressed by not having a name for her, so they simply gestured again.
Zenjesi: 0.95 Vossa: 1.8, 3.8
Mining: 9
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 13, 2023 16:24:27 GMT -6
They had introduced themselves to her. They had also attempted to assign her a handful of names, but had received no acceptance of any of them. She would leave or even shake her head each time they spoke one to her. So she remained nameless. How could they please her?
They began to tap their way down the corridor now, glancing back to ensure she was following. She was, drifting along several steps back. Once, with a quick glance, Zenjesi caught her trailing her fingers along the stone wall, though she quickly retracted her hand upon noticing that Zenjesi had seen. The satyr gave her an awkward, closed lip smile before turning around once again to give her privacy.
The two passed the place where Spectral had dug loose their first gem. Shortly thereafter, Zenjesi's hooves began to clink against loose stones; this was where they had needed to dig their way to freedom.
Zenjesi: 1.0 -- logged Vossa: 2.0, 4.0
Mining: 10
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 17, 2023 18:45:14 GMT -6
There was something strange about seeing the rubble now, when they were no longer in fear for their life; refreshed and only just beginning their day, it was somehow cathartic. It was a new adventure, and they were arriving prepared. Well, they were more prepared. They supposed no one could ever be truly prepared for every possibility, and anyone would be assuming some risk by doing what they were doing at present. But if they were to prove themselves to their companion, this would be the setting in which they would do so.
Not to mention, they had uncovered some other knowledge in their research. This proved to them that, once again, perhaps it would be in their best interest to better utilize the many resources the City offered. There was something to mitigating risk before dousing themselves in it. But supposedly, magical crystals could be found within the earth here.
Zenjesi: 0.05 Vossa: 2.2, 4.2
Mining: 11
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 17, 2023 18:59:49 GMT -6
The fact that such crystals existed at all was new knowledge for Zenjesi. In fact, they had only discovered it by happenstance, while they were wandering the Mansion with Florian and one began to beckon to them. Naturally, for the ever paranoid satyr, this had led to another question: had there been magic lingering around them all along? Had they been blind to what it truly looked like, and passed it by for years? The question would haunt them periodically, but for now, they had to rely on the assurance of their experience.
The only verifiable source of magic they had discovered would not have allowed itself to be missed. Or rather, their senses would not have allowed such a thing. But they had not been able to confirm yet how far those senses could reach. The first and only time, they had been standing in the same room as the crystal.
Zenjesi: 0.1 Vossa: 2.4, 4.4
Mining: 12
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 17, 2023 19:09:28 GMT -6
So perhaps more of their efforts should be focused on covering more ground today, by giving themselves a tour of the tunnels that had already been excavated. Who knew how many hands had worked through the stone here that did not have the ability to heed this extra sense? There was so much potential for -- Their hoof slipped. Evidently, they had begun to climb the pile of rubble, virtually crawling up the slope to pass though the path they had cleared with Spectral and Jadira. Yet they had been so deep in thought that they had been operating on instinct.
Now, as their hoof found a loose bit of gravel, they lost their balance, and a small avalanche began to cascade down towards their smaller crossbreed companion. They were already opening their mouth to apologize when she reacted, her wings almost rippling as they beat and lifted her over the tumbling stone.
Zenjesi: 0.15 Vossa: 2.6, 4.6
Mining: 13
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 17, 2023 19:35:09 GMT -6
It was a simple, fluid reaction - just a quick lift while the rocks and gravel bounced past. Then she landed easily once again, beginning to pick her way up the slope behind the satyr. They felt immensely clumsy and large then, watching as her pinpoint feet found the smallest steps. They had never held her, but she must have weighed very little, as even these tiny pebbles supported her while she stood upright. This was easily compared to Zenjesi's awkward fumbling and scrambling and sliding...
They chuckled weakly, then gestured for her to pass them and take the lead once again. She did, with nary a sidelong look at Zenjesi. Or perhaps she did. It was hard to tell when she had no pupils and her face was largely composed of stoic stone. Zenjesi wondered if others felt the same way about them. They had that moment of introspection, then realized they were being left behind.
Zenjesi: 0.2 Vossa: 2.8, 4.8
Mining: 14
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Post by Zenjesi on Nov 17, 2023 19:59:44 GMT -6
To their surprise, as they turned the flashlight beam back up towards their companion, she was still within sight. More than that, she was... waiting for them? She had stopped at the crest of the rubble pile and turned back to supervise their ascent. Perhaps she was just watching and waiting to laugh at their expense. Zenjesi shook their head. Either way, they did not want to keep her. They quickly began to crawl once again. Thankfully, the rest of the pile had already shifted and settled, and they reached her side without incident.
She did not acknowledge them specifically, but once Zenjesi had rejoined her, she turned, bent down, and began to walk her way down the tunnel. The satyr followed, feeling for a strange moment as if the roles had been reversed, as if they were the pet that she was patiently training to accompany her on this trip.
Zenjesi: 0.25 Vossa: 3.0, 5.0
Mining: 15
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Post by Silver on Nov 19, 2023 4:31:32 GMT -6
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Post by Zenjesi on Dec 18, 2023 13:21:25 GMT -6
It did not exactly help dissuade the feeling when Zenjesi was left to crawl behind her. While she was small enough that she only needed to duck her head to pass through, the satyr was not so fortunate. Even crawling, they bumped their horns occasionally on the stone ceiling. Periodically, this would cause another small rain of pebbles to bounce off of their head, settling with puffs of dust atop the gravel they crawled upon. Every time, it caused their heart to skip a beat. A cave-in that left them confined to one chamber was one thing. A cave-in that left them pinned on their stomach underneath the weight of the mountain was another.
The flashlight beam danced wildly over the walls as they clambered through on hands and knees. As a result, it was a bit difficult to focus on any details, but it was enough to allow them to see their companion pause.
Zenjesi: 0.3 Vossa: 3.2, 5.2
Mining: 16
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