|
|
Post by Silver on Oct 2, 2024 20:12:19 GMT -6
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 2, 2024 21:19:03 GMT -6
This line of thought, of course, made them wonder about their own blood. What ran through their veins? What had been their origin that could explain their unusual abilities, and --
There's nothing here, either. Vossa's voice arrived in their head. She was looking at them from across the room. Zenjesi blinked. Their light turned to shine down each of the three unexplored passageways that branched from the room. Should we proceed?
One of the Lurking Strife's shoulders gave a slight shrug. Her attention turned between each one as the light picked it out. When she spoke, it was not to provide an answer to the question. What did you mean 'others get jealous?' They could hear the apprehension in her mind's voice. They wondered how that translated. What a curious thing these ribbons were. Others may believe we are stealing, Zenjesi responded after a moment.
Will we? Vossa's eyes had widened.
Zenjesi: 0.6
Vossa: 9.8, 11.8
Mining: 19
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 3, 2024 14:51:34 GMT -6
Zenjesi's first reaction was to let out a soft, hissing laugh, which did not seem to reassure Vossa. The edges of her person that were already less defined began to wobble like liquid. No, we will not be stealing, Zenjesi assured her. But... then why would they think...? As I said, others think me strange. This... gives them... notions. Zenjesi lowered the flashlight now, so the light settled in a pool halfway between the two. Do you think me strange?
I... ... No. Vossa responded, after an awkward delay that spoke for itself.
A slight feeling of unpleasant vindication stirred within Zenjesi. Still, when they replied to their companion, it was only with sincerity. There is no need to lie to me. Which path shall we take? They turned the beam back towards the tunnels.
I... The thought began to form in response, then faded into silence as Vossa shook her head. Her wings suddenly seemed uncomfortable, as she fluttered and re-folded them against her back. She stepped forward, inspecting each doorway.
Zenjesi: 0.7
Vossa: 10.0, 12.0
Mining: 20 |
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 9, 2024 20:26:16 GMT -6
The Lurking Strife finally turned back - at least halfway - to face Zenjesi. She extended one arm to point down the left most path of the three. I think... they were down there.
The satyr stood a bit straighter at this announcement, the flashlight beam immediately leaping up to pierce that tunnel. It was empty. How can you tell?
It smells like... like... Vossa seemed to be searching for the correct word. Her brow furrowed. A sound - if it could be called that - followed the pause, piercing Zenjesi's mind. As soon as they heard it, it was forgotten, though it left a strangely sore place behind, as if it had not belonged. They blinked, rubbing their temple, though the wound felt much deeper.
I... do not...
Sort of like, um, like the smell on the inside of a rock? Vossa tried to convey. This thought, at least, did not pain Zenjesi to receive.
Zenjesi: 0.8
Vossa: 10.2, 12.2
Mining: 21
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 9, 2024 20:41:16 GMT -6
That was not to say that hearing these words made any more sense to them. Did the inside of rock have a smell? Zenjesi did not believe so, but they supposed they had never specifically paused to sniff one, either. Like freshly turned earth? They tried to equate it to something more familiar.
Unfortunately, what was familiar to them, was not to Vossa. A nervous, tinkling, and silvery laugh sounded in their mind. I don't know. Maybe.
The satyr offered her a small smile. It was nice to hear her laugh. They would need to address the horrific sound at some point, but it could wait. Let us go, they decided, directing the duo towards the path she had indicated.
Wait, but -- that's where I said they were, Vossa interrupted.
Yes. Stepping forward, Zenjesi shone the flashlight down the passage. It was perhaps twice as tall as them, but quite narrow.
Zenjesi: 0.9
Vossa: 10.4, 12.4
Mining: 22
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 10, 2024 15:23:51 GMT -6
But then... why are we going this way? The anxious tone had returned to Vossa's voice. Despite that, however, she was keeping close to Zenjesi. At the moment, she was positioned behind their legs, peering around them and down the corridor almost like a shy child. It was a reasonable question, and Zenjesi was not certain that their answer entirely made sense. I would prefer they are the ones surprised. In fact... was this precisely why humanoids were uncomfortable with Zenjesi? The thought rose to the surface of their mind for just a moment, but it did not break the surface. Even if it had, it would not have changed their course of action. Vossa, too, did not protest this, though she also did not seem so interested in leading the advance now.
Quietly, the two began down the hall. Much like in the last room, the walls were deeply grooved and indicated work had been done here.
Zenjesi: 1.0 - logged!
Vossa: 10.6, 12.6
Mining: 23
|
|
|
|
Post by Silver on Oct 10, 2024 20:28:32 GMT -6
The air feels unnaturally warm here. What could be causing that? |
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 10, 2024 21:06:48 GMT -6
Work had been done, at least, up to the level of Zenjesi's eyes. Above that, the walls appeared relatively untouched. The satyr hesitated, sweeping the flashlight beam upwards. You may stand upon my shoulders. The suggestion was offered without any proper context or preamble. They looked down to Vossa, who looked up to them, then the ceiling beyond. After a nervous pause of consideration, the Lurking Strife nodded, seeming to understand their intent enough.
Reaching into their pack, Zenjesi removed the mallet and the chisel and offered them to their companion. Hesitantly, she accepted them, then Zenjesi crouched down. A moment later, they felt small fingers grasp onto the hem of their capelet and pinpoint feet poke into their back. Thankfully, she was as lightweight as she appeared to be.
Slowly, they stood, while Vossa pressed one hand against the stone wall to steady herself. Once they were in position, their own hands reached up to hold her in place, as best they could.
Zenjesi: 0.1
Vossa: 10.8, 12.8
Mining: 24
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 10, 2024 22:09:48 GMT -6
Silence stretched on. They could feel Vossa's weight shifting slightly as she seemed to be inspecting the stone in a few different places. Zenjesi attempted to peer upwards to follow her work, but Vossa teetered dangerously as the movement nearly pushed her off of her precarious perch. She gasped, both aloud and through their telepathic bond.
My apologies. I will not move.
It's okay. You can move a little. ... Actually, can you back up?
As requested, the satyr took a few shuffling steps in that direction, and they heard the tools begin to work. Zenjesi kept the light directed upwards for Vossa's sake, which left the pathway ahead uncomfortably dark. The stone was somewhat reflective, which meant that Zenjesi was not entirely without visibility. Still, especially in this position, they felt painfully exposed. Do you see anything?
Yes! It's purple... A few moments later, and the conclusive sound of stone scraping against stone suggested she had freed her find. Here - what is this one?
Zenjesi: 0.2
Vossa: 11.0, 13.0
Mining: 25
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 10, 2024 22:32:30 GMT -6
As Vossa bent forward and Zenjesi reached up blindly, the two teetered once more like a poorly rehearsed circus act. The chisel tinged against the wall as Vossa threw her other arm out for balance. Just... hold your hand out. I'll drop it, she suggested. Zenjesi did as they were told, and a cool, smooth gemstone landed in their palm.
Amethyst, I believe.
You can put it in the bag.
You discovered it, Zenjesi protested.
I told you I don't need them.
Then you must find another - for you. Silence, then they heard Vossa sigh and straighten up. Perhaps it was unfair of them to make such a demand, but they truly did not believe that she did not desire a share, despite her insistence. Then again, she had also presumably lied about finding them odd. Vossa seemed to be in the habit of attempting to spare their feelings. Then it is fair.
Zenjesi: 0.3
Vossa: 11.2, 13.2
Mining: 26
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 11, 2024 10:05:31 GMT -6
They did not intend to force her to labor - they simply meant to impose upon her that it was important to them that their relationship be equitable. Zenjesi did not know what Vossa's circumstances had been before they had discovered her. Perhaps one day, they would inquire. But until they could be certain that she was willing to speak her mind to them, they felt somewhat responsible to compensate for that uncertainty. It was possible they were over-compensating. It was also impossible to know. Communication with sentient beings felt like navigating the Mansion blindfolded.
So, the work proceeded largely in silence. Vossa continued to tap away from Zenjesi's shoulders while they balanced her and the light source.
"Amethyst," they whispered aloud, quite suddenly. The Lurking Strife jumped in surprise. From the movements and sounds, Zenjesi wondered if the mallet had come perilously close to falling upon their head.
What did you say?
Zenjesi: 0.4
Vossa: 11.4, 13.4
Mining: 27
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 11, 2024 11:22:16 GMT -6
It is the name of the stone in the common tongue. On their first venture to the mines, Zenjesi had made a habit of speaking the word for each stone they uncovered for Vossa's benefit. With the usage of telepathy now, they had almost forgotten. Though, they were questioning if there was a purpose to doing this. Another inquiry for later.
Oh. It sounds different than when you say it with the ribbon. Vossa fell silent again as she resumed her work, leaving Zenjesi to once again attempt to process this information as well. They had wondered how much the magic of the ribbons was interfering with or aiding their communication. Whatever knowledge Vossa had shared with them earlier had not survived the translation. Curious.
Another amethyst, already designated to Vossa's possession, was passed to Zenjesi. They placed it in a separate pocket from their own gemstones.
Okay... step forward. More. No -- back a... yes, here.
Zenjesi: 0.5
Vossa: 11.6, 13.6
Mining: 28
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 11, 2024 12:35:41 GMT -6
With Vossa's direction, the upper portion of the wall was inspected and excavated efficiently. Azurite and rose quartz were identified and divided between the two in a way that both could agree upon. While the work was done, Zenjesi was left to wonder about the other party who had been present here. The fact that it was the higher edge of the wall that was not touched led them to suspect that it was in fact one or more humanoids that had been the culprits. Surely a wyrm or other mine-dwelling creature would have no difficulty reaching those places that were out of arm's reach for themselves or one like them.
Though, they did wonder about the methods. As they had observed in the prior room, this party's work seemed quick and lacked finesse. The first tunnel and the last chamber had both been thorough but it seemed as if the quality of work was declining.
Zenjesi: 0.6
Vossa: 11.8, 13.8
Mining: 29
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 11, 2024 15:11:42 GMT -6
Were the party members simply becoming frustrated? Zenjesi and Vossa had both already worked through those areas so perhaps there was nothing substantial to uncover. Or were the gems here of a substandard quality to those with a trained and discerning eye? It could be that they were simply of a lesser value than they believed was worth their time. Or... had something interrupted them and caused them to flee before the task was complete? Zenjesi had had too much time to contemplate, and Vossa's feet were beginning to wear on their shoulders.
Let us rest, they suggested, to which Vossa agreed readily. Carefully, the two maneuvered the Lurking Strife back onto solid stone. However, in the process, Zenjesi's light caught the gleam of something lying on the floor ahead. Without further hesitation, they trotted ahead, brushing aside some loose rubble and collecting the piece. It shone with a golden hue as they held it up.
Zenjesi: 0.7
Vossa: 12.0, 14.0
Mining: 30
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenjesi on Oct 12, 2024 17:40:32 GMT -6
Zenjesi's contemplated this for a moment. They pressed one fingernail into the surface. It did not dent, but that was not necessarily conclusive. Everything seemed a bit discolored in the glaring beam of the flashlight. Color would not be reliable either. Gold? They presented the ore to Vossa. She hurried to catch up to them with quickly tapping footsteps and took it in her own hands.
Turning it this way and that, Vossa held it close to her face and beckoned for the light. Her little fingers prodded at it before she shook her head. I don't think so. It's... not worthless, but it's not gold.
Pyrite, then. Zenjesi sat back, exhaling. This was both disappointing and relieving. On one hand, of course, they would have preferred to discover a more precious mineral. On the other, if the prior party had abandoned gold on the ground, Zenjesi did not know what that could imply.
Zenjesi: 0.8
Vossa: 12.2, 14.2
Mining: 31
|
|
Oct 30, 2024 11:03:36 GMT -6
Oct 30, 2024 11:03:36 GMT -6
This song is one of the most common culprits for me, lol
Oct 23, 2024 13:48:09 GMT -6
*
This song is one of the most common culprits for me, lol
Oct 23, 2024 13:48:09 GMT -6
*