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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 13, 2024 14:12:14 GMT -6
Quietly, Zenjesi was relieved by this decision of hers. Their previous expeditions in that tunnel had either been interrupted by near death experiences or simply been too short to allow them to venture terribly deep. To see other paths before them but to choose not explore them would have left a lingering question in the back of their mind - what if they had missed something? Still, some part of them wondered if Vossa had made that decision because it was more akin to making no decision at all. But they would not press her. Zenjesi nodded. Let us go.
The walk to the opening in the cliff face was somewhat familiar by now, and no longer required careful checking of landmarks and positioning. It was growing cooler outdoors, but the sharpness of the cold as they entered the cave still surprised the satyr and required a moment of adjustment. You may go ahead. ... If you like.
Zenjesi: 0.2
Vossa: 7.0, 9.0
Mining: 5 |
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 15, 2024 17:26:30 GMT -6
Why? Vossa asked abruptly. She turned halfway to face Zenjesi again. Her face rarely changed, and the satyr did not detect any indicators within in it now, either. If there was a sign, it was too subtle for them to discern.
The question caught them somehow off guard. Why? You have a gift that I lack, Zenjesi responded after a moment.
You're using me? Vossa's reply came quickly, and its usual silvery tone had a sharper edge.
Zenjesi blinked, startled and almost fearful at the accusation. No. I... They paused, confusing themselves between several different possible responses. Never had the possibility that she suggested occurred to them. But how could that be conveyed? Vossa did not interrupt their silence. Does mining please you?
Now it was Vossa's turn to hesitate. ... Yes. I guess so.
That is why. The satyr frowned. I do not mean... I suspected... you...
It's fine. ... Whatever.
Zenjesi: 0.3
Vossa: 7.2, 9.2
Mining: 6
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 15, 2024 17:57:01 GMT -6
Zenjesi suspected it was not, in fact, fine. But Vossa was already moving, tapping her way down the corridor without so much as a backwards glance to ensure they were following. Of course, they were, their fingers working around one another in their typical, anxious fashion - though, they had not been so anxious even a moment before. How were they to resolve this situation? To the satyr, this topic had seemingly arisen out of nothing at all. With each step, the silence between them seemed thicker. Because I have taken the stones? That is why? they pressed, suddenly unable to bear the tension any longer.
The edges of Vossa's wings rippled. She sighed aloud, and her words were broadcast at the same moment. I said it's fine.
But you are... upset?
Just forget I said it!
Zenjesi: 0.4 Vossa: 7.4, 9.4 Mining: 7 |
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 17, 2024 18:17:03 GMT -6
Once more, Zenjesi was silenced. They rather wished they had not asked Vossa to accompany them. It seemed she was unhappy with this arrangement, despite her comment that she did enjoy mining. In fact... had she not been the one to suggest it today? Yes, to their memory, she had said the word before Zenjesi had. She had leaped to her feet at the notion. They were deeply perplexed.
But Vossa had requested they leave the topic alone, and they did not know what more could be said at the moment. Still, they could not force the thoughts to leave their mind. It was fortunate that the Lurking Strife was keen to lead their party today, as Zenjesi was lost deep in this mire.
As expected, the two encountered the remnants of the cave in that had occurred while Zenjesi and Spectral had been present. Vossa began to climb delicately.
Zenjesi: 0.5
Vossa: 7.6, 9.6
Mining: 8
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 17, 2024 18:24:20 GMT -6
Her tiny steps hardly disrupted a pebble in the mound of debris. Her movements were fluid and graceful and almost silent. It was plainly evident how well-suited she was for this environment. Again, Zenjesi scrambled along behind her on their hands and knees. Sharp edges of rock scraped at their palms. Each push with their hooves sent a cascade of rocks scattering down behind them. As they reached the crest, their horns bumped the stone ceiling.
Vossa had paused and turned to look back at them. They felt somehow slightly ashamed of themselves. They could imagine she was perturbed with them for being so out of place, and so slow, and so destructive... Thus, when her thought arrived in their mind, they jumped and knocked their horns against the rock a second time.
It's different, was all she said. The satyr looked to her, clueless.
Zenjesi: 0.6
Vossa: 7.8, 9.8
Mining: 9
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 17, 2024 18:33:51 GMT -6
On one hand, they felt they should ask her to elaborate. On the other, they were slightly afraid of her response if they attempted such a thing. It seemed somewhat silly to them - they feared her words now more than they feared traversing unfamiliar and dark woods alone at night, more than a Bulldozer or a Seeker, more than the Mansion with all its tricks and deceit, and even, it felt, more than the mysterious power within them. They were cringing in preparation even now, bracing themselves for the onslaught.
But she continued, while they simply stared at her silently. This tunnel. It's different, isn't it? She gestured around.
Her words were so calm, so non-confrontational that Zenjesi was left to unwind themselves for a slightly stunned moment. They had felt like a bow, pulled taut, and now were found clinging to the tension without a purpose. Is it?
Zenjesi: 0.7
Vossa: 8.0, 10.0
Mining: 10
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Post by NPC on Sept 19, 2024 10:38:50 GMT -6
 No gems, but... at least you found a big rock? |
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 24, 2024 17:28:29 GMT -6
Someone else has been here, Vossa replied. Look. The crossbreed gestured around them generally. This was a slightly more animated gesture from her again. Still, at least, she did not sound angry or impatient with Zenjesi's obliviousness in the moment.
But at her direction, the satyr did take a breath and review the scene. They had been through this passage three times in its current, disheveled, partially caved-in state. It was at least moderately familiar to them. And Vossa was correct. It seemed as if somebody - or something - had passed through and perhaps excavated a bit more space. It was not quite so claustrophobic. It was somewhat more maneuverable. They frowned. It is different, Zenjesi agreed.
Quite suddenly but fluidly, Vossa dropped to her knees, turning over a few of the top stones. She lowered her face near the earth. Zenjesi wondered what sense she was using. I don't think there's anything left here.
Zenjesi: 0.8
Vossa: 8.2, 10.2
Mining: 11 |
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 24, 2024 17:34:50 GMT -6
It was now Zenjesi's turn to strain their senses. Their flashlight shone ahead down the tight tunnel, until the beam faded to uselessness. There was nothing to be seen, but they had not expected there to be. Their ears, next. If someone else had been here, were they still present? No one person could own a section of the mines, Zenjesi knew, but it felt a bit as if their territory had been invaded. They hoped that it was another creature formed from gem, like Jadira, who had rifled through here, but they were not convinced that was the case. The creature would have had to have been much larger than the jade wyrm was.
Still, they would rather encounter a massive creature than another - or even multiple - sentient humanoids in these tunnels. In these enclosed, secluded spaces, such a thought made the hair on the back of Zenjesi's neck stand on end.
Zenjesi: 0.9
Vossa: 8.4, 10.4
Mining: 12
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 24, 2024 17:54:49 GMT -6
The bulk of their experiences with humanity had occurred before they had arrived at the City, and had either been unpleasant or awkward at best. Many other experiences had come through fictional means, from fairy tales or storybooks. Much of what they consumed via those pages was not overly promising either. Did miners not attack one another over veins of gold? Did the promise of riches not drive people to depravity? Violent images flooded their mind's eye, one after another, flashes of metal in dim light, creatures turning with snarls and fangs, veins being opened, but pouring out a precious material of the body instead of --
We can keep going. Vossa's voice came as a shock to Zenjesi. It was good they did not travel to these locations alone. Their thoughts tended to escape them, as did the time, when that occurred.
Are they here? Zenjesi asked her, their eyes turning to their companion.
Zenjesi: 1.0 - logged!
Vossa: 8.6, 10.6
Mining: 13
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 24, 2024 21:44:03 GMT -6
Vossa, who had taken a few steps down the passage, stopped short and turned halfway to stare back at Zenjesi. She was not often expressive, but they could clearly see now that she was confused. ... Is... who here?The Someone. Is the Someone here now? Zenjesi asked. The question, despite being conveyed only telepathically, was somehow more forceful than they intended. Um... The Lurking Strife turned around once more, staring off down the tunnel ahead. I... don't know.
Zenjesi nodded once, then a second time with more intention. They felt a bit of shame for passing their fears to her; of course she would not know more than they. Let us be watchful, they advised. Vossa, too, nodded her head, and the two began to move forward once more. Just before they emerged into the next room, Vossa paused again, stooping to pick up a rock. She passed it to Zenjesi without a word.
Zenjesi: 0.1
Vossa: 8.8, 10.8
Mining: 14
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 24, 2024 22:02:33 GMT -6
The satyr turned it over in their hands, flashed the beam of light over it... There was no sign of the brightness that indicated a stone of particular value. What is this? Zenjesi asked. Vossa did not seem keen to meet their eyes. It is for me. Again, though the words were conveyed noiselessly, they were softer, fainter. It was almost difficult for the satyr to pick them out between their own thoughts. They paused, looking down to the object in their hand for another moment. Is it --
You said you were taking all the stones, so this one's for me! Vossa interrupted them. Zenjesi blinked, but obediently placed the rock - for that was all they believed it to be - in their bag. Vossa's posture deflated slightly. I really didn't mean what I said before. About you using me. It's... it's just... It's fun to find them. I don't need to keep them.
Zenjesi: 0.2 Vossa: 9.0, 11.0 Mining: 15 |
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 1, 2024 14:13:08 GMT -6
At this juncture, Zenjesi was not sure that they entirely believed Vossa's dismissive words. However, arguing with her mere minutes before had not had a terribly positive outcome. They did not think it would be wise to argue now, either. Though that was not to say that they would forget the matter altogether, but it would wait. It is your rock, they simply agreed.
Now, Zenjesi held out a hand to indicate to Vossa to wait. The two were perched at the crest of the entrance to the chamber. The satyr's flashlight swept out and around the room slowly and deliberately. There was no movement here, and no sound - no footsteps or voices or sounds of tools against stone. Yet again, it was apparent that at least one other party had been here. The slope down the rubble into the room had been worked over such that the angle of descent was now less perilous.
Zenjesi: 0.3
Vossa: 9.2, 11.2
Mining: 16
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 1, 2024 14:39:29 GMT -6
Why are you so nervous about someone else being here? Vossa asked after a moment. Her own eyes narrowed further as she, too, attempted to follow her companion's lead in watching the room. The question somehow caught Zenjesi by surprise. Despite every one of their words and behaviors quite clearly broadcasting the fact that they were apprehensive, they still failed to expect others to pay them or their thoughts any mind. There was a brief pause before they formulated their answer. Others are strange to me. But I am also strange to them. They hesitated, then decided they had delayed long enough. On hooves and one hand, they carefully shuffled and slid their way down into the chamber. Vossa followed closely. Others can be jealous of their gems, Zenjesi added.
From here, they could see larger swathes cut from the walls. The work was not precise, but it did seem thorough.
Zenjesi: 0.4
Vossa: 9.4, 11.4
Mining: 17
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Post by Zenjesi on Oct 2, 2024 14:09:39 GMT -6
Though she had not responded, Vossa began to circle the room as well, following the beam of light as it tracked along the walls. She reached up to run her hand along certain grooves, pressed her ear to the wall in certain places, and even utilized tool marks in the stone as hand and foot holds to inspect higher places. Zenjesi watched her silently. It did not seem as if it would be polite to interrupt her process.
It did lead them to wonder if she truly did enjoy the hunt for the gemstones. Those words, at least, had sounded truthful. She certainly possessed more enthusiasm and skill for the matter than Zenjesi did. Perhaps the fact that she had been created - at least in part - via one of the gemstone creatures of the mines implied that both the skill and the desire to uproot gems were carried in her blood.
Zenjesi: 0.5
Vossa: 9.6, 11.6
Mining: 18
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