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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 2, 2024 7:40:19 GMT -6
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 2, 2024 7:48:32 GMT -6
Runa had not been convinced that the large creature would comfortably fit into the cavernous mines that they were going to traverse but she shouldn't have been worried because Forrest took to the mines like a fish to water. He had also, she had noticed, grabbed a few rocks as snacks as they headed down into the darkness of the mines. She paused to consider, could the creature get fat off of eating rocks? How many calories did a rock contain anyway? Or was it a different form of energy that was generated from the consumption of rocks. Not wanting to be left behind though, she shook those thoughts away and followed the Lamadidron as quickly as she dared.
She was not, overly prepared for the adventures into the mines. She hadn't brought anything with her to see into the darkness that greeted her when they got past the well traveled tunnels. She recognized that, for now at least, she was going to have to stay in the well lit areas that were not well traveled, at least until she could obtain a flashlight. She tempted Forrest back to the light with some of the rocks she had brought and the creature sank down to eat them, seemingly willing to stay wherever Runa felt comfortable as long as he had food.
Runa: 9.4
Forrest: 0.2 // 3.2
Mines 1
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 2, 2024 8:14:43 GMT -6
There wasn't a lot she could do to search for gems within the walls - she was really here primarily for the creatures that allegedly lived within the mines rather than necessarily for the crystals. Forrest had gotten to his feet and was scratching at the walls here and there although not seemingly with any real purpose beyond eating a few rocks here and there. She hoped he was smart enough to know not to eat something he shouldn't - her understanding was that stonemoss Lamadidrons were only supposed to eat rocks.
She had to admit she had gotten Forrest primarily as a curiosity. She didn't understand exactly what he was...a living stone, perhaps? Or...well, no, there were creatures that were living stones, from her understanding, literally made of gems that could be found within the mines here. She didn't understand how such a thing could be possible - how did gems become animate? Were they actually living? She thought she had seen signs indicating that there was a shop that harvested the gem creatures and reduced them back into gems? Certainly such a thing couldn't be done on actual living creatures.
She would have to get her hands on one such crystal creature to understand it better. She walked closer to Forrest, noting that he was actually making a fairly large hole in the wall. Was that safe?
Runa: 9.5
Forrest: 0.4 // 3.4
Mines 2
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 2, 2024 8:43:07 GMT -6
She was going to have to go purchase supplies, she realized, if she wanted to actually have any success rather than just spend quality bonding time with Forrest. She couldn't afford everything but she supposed she would be able to purchase at least a few mining supplies to bring with her into the mines. At the very least, she could probably afford a flashlight and maybe a mallet or a shovel? Maybe even both if she was lucky. The visit to the mines had been impromptu so she hadn't thought to really investigate the costs of things at the shop that sold mining supplies.
The Lamadidron seemed to be having a good time though, she had to admit to herself. She didn't think he enjoyed the kennel - her understanding was that Lamadidrons were solitary creatures and while he hadn't seemed outwardly upset, nor did he seem overjoyed with the other creatures. He was the only one that she trusted to spend time with Gremlin, assured that a rock eating creature wouldn't mistake the small thing as food (unlike pretty much everyone else).
She had finally worked up the nerve to try and touch the creature, trying to sort out whether his skin was as rock-like as it appeared.
Runa: 9.6
Forrest: 0.6 // 3.6
Mines 3
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 2, 2024 20:27:58 GMT -6
This was hopeless, Runa decided after a few more moments of kicking around rocks and debris with little to no actual motivation to do anything. She was going to need to get tools before she would have a chance at actually locating anything of value within the mines and honestly, she wasn't in the mood to sit there and do nothing just hoping that some sort of gem creature approached. No. She would need to stop at the underground for something before she returned. She'd bring Forrest back though, the placid creature had served as a decent companion for her.
She dug out some of his favorite rocks (at least...she suspected they were his favorite) and held one out to him. The creature got to his feet and reached out for the rock. She held it just out of reach so that he would have to follow her and it was in this manner that they made their way out of the caverns and back out into the light. The Lamadidron turned back once, while they were making their ascent, seemingly wishing to return back into the mines. She would bring him back, she knew, after she had obtained the appropriate tools.
Runa: 10.8
Forrest: 0.8 // 3.8
Mines 4
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Sept 5, 2024 12:34:40 GMT -6
Indeed- without tools, rubble is just about all you were able to find this time!
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 17:12:51 GMT -6
Runa had returned. She crawled into the caverns with a little less trepidation this time, Forrest following her (or rather, the rock that she held outstretched in her hand). They had enjoyed their time at the public park but certain she was looking forward to returning to the mines to see what she could see. Especially now that she'd brought some tools with her.
Not a lot, mind, but some. Enough to get started. Once she had acquired a bit more money she would get more. Or, perhaps, when she returned she would be able to exchange some crystals for additional tools. She carried the mallet and shovel in one hand and the flash light in the other and eyed Forrest speculatively. She had seen some saddlebags on her last visit to Supply and Demand. Maybe they'd fit Forrest and she could teach him to carry her stuff.
She clicked on the flashlight when they reached the end of the lit tunnel. The tunnel she had chosen was still rather large and Forrest followed her complacently. A few minutes later, they were in an area that was largely untouched. The flashlight cast a decent glow. She propped it up against some rocks, and set to work with the shovel.
Runa: 13.4
Forest: 3.2 // 6.2
Mines 5
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 18:19:42 GMT -6
The shovel kicked up dirt as Runa worked and tossed pebbles and bits of grit that flew up at Forrest and settled on him, some working their way under his exterior coating, much to the annoyance of the Lamadidron. He shook himself irritably as Runa worked, apparently oblivious to his discomfort. He moved out of the way of the flying debris but some pieces remained, caught up in the slime of his skin. And Runa was not particularly observant, another shovel of grit caught him in the face.
The resultant sneeze would have got her attention but Runa was deaf. The sound echoed through the caverns and Forrest gave another irritable shake, hoping to dislodge the grit that was bothering him. A large piece of rock was tossed at him, thankfully bouncing against one of his rocky exterior bits rather than striking him on a slimy part of his skin. He shifted in annoyance again, the pieces were still stuck in there.
Runa smiled at him when he drifted over to her, reaching over to stroke him and showing her teeth in a broader smile when he allowed such a thing. He was a sucker for those chin scratches. He could still feel the annoying rocks that were stuck to him and, when Runa switched to the mallet and began to hammer at pieces of rock to break them apart, he nearly jumped out of skin when a sharp piece caught him in in the neck.
Runa: 13.7
Forrest: 3.4 // 6.4
Mines - 5
Stone Skin - 1]
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 18:37:50 GMT -6
Forrest let out a rumble and shook himself again, a flurry of dirt rising from him as yet another shovel full of small rocks, pebbles, and sand flew at him. The feeling of that dirt against his skin was awful and he tried desperately to dislodge it through another shake. It was no use. He was going to have to get the girl to do it for him.
Runa, for what it was worth, was unaware of the discomfort that poor Forrest was experiencing, too busy breaking apart rocks with a mallet to notice what exactly it was that was bothering Forrest. She noticed he was agitated though, stomping about and she frowned. She went over to him and stroked him, attempting to calm him. He settled a bit, but still seemed jittery - almost like a small child who was being bitten by ants. She looked around. There were no ants to be found.
He was dusty though, Runa noted. But of course he was. They were in a tunnel surrounded by dirt. The dirt wasn't particularly pleasant against her skin either, she reasoned. Forrest was just going to have to get used to it if he didn't like it. Dirt was going to fly when excavations were afoot.
Runa: 14.0
Forrest: 3.6 // 6.6
Mines - 6
Stone Skin - 2
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 19:43:48 GMT -6
Forrest stomped in annoyance. The grit was back, rubbing against his skin. He hated the feeling of it. Worse, the girl had resumed her rock breaking and small pieces and chips of rock were flying at him. He almost wondered if she was doing it intentionally.
Another smattering of rock shards flew out from the mallet, a few scraping across her own skin. She looked up to see how Forrest was handling it and noticed that he did not seem to be having a great time. Well. That happened sometimes. Noticing that he seemed to be reaching a fairly high level of agitation, she took a break and wiped a dirty hand across her brow before the sweat could drip into her eyes.
She rubbed Forrest under his chin and offered him a rock. He could have just eaten any of the ones in the mines, she supposed, but this one came from home and she was pretty sure they were a particular favorite of his. He took the treat gratefully. He was covered in fine particles of dirt still - she would have thought that practically being a rock would have prevented any irritation from debris in the mines but apparently that was not the case. Well, it was possible to build up a tolerance to discomfort. She'd had a great deal of discomfort herself when she'd started riding and now she barely noticed at all.
She was sure something similar would happen for Forrest and the grit.
Runa: 14.2
Forrest: 3.8 // 6.8
Mines - 7
Stone Skin - 3
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 19:57:35 GMT -6
Runa shattered another rock and watched as Forrest jumped in irritation at the pieces of rock that danced across his skin. She didn't know how long it would take before he got used to the sensation. A few days, she supposed. She was planning on being here all day for perhaps the next week. She couldn't afford to have a creature with sensitive skin with her. She tossed him a rock for his trouble and he settled and crunched it although his tail still lashed in annoyance.
She set down the mallet and resumed her shoveling. She'd broken any rocks that seemed promising already and needed to free a few more up to continue breaking them. Trying not to seem too obvious, she tossed the pile of dirt in the general direction of Forrest. Most of it hit him and he shook aggressively, dislodging some of the irritant but not most, she suspected. She tossed him another rock when he settled down which seemed to sooth him. His reactions were still pretty dramatic, she felt but she was itchy herself where the stone had touched her so she did have some empathy for his plight.
She dug a few more inches into the dirt, watching each time more dirt hit Forrest as he stomped and shook and once or twice, outright evaded it. Ah well. He'd get there.
Runa: 14.4
Forrest: 4.0 // 7.0
Mines - 8
Stone Skin - 4
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 6, 2024 6:13:59 GMT -6
Yet another shovel full of dirt flew at Forrest and he snorted as it landed on him. He shook what he could off but sharp pieces of rock remained, abrasive against his skin but perhaps...less so than they had been before. He canted his head in consideration as the girl handed him another rock and stroked him gently, her fingers wiping a bit of the dirt off of him in sympathy.
Runa, for what it was worth, was not having a good time. She had taken a break for lunch, eating the lettuce wrap that she had made ferociously and hoping that it would be sufficient fuel for the energy she was expending while working down here. It was backbreaking work, she thought, to have to spend time in the mines like this. She was glad it wasn't her full time responsibility to do so. Although her own career of teaching humanoids to ride wasn't something she found...particularly enjoyable to be certain.
She returned her attention to Forrest. He seemed...rather less annoyed with the dirt than he had been when they first started. It still clearly was having an effect on him but not so much that he seemed to want to jump out of his skin every time dirt or rocks hit him.
Runa: 14.6
Forrest: 4.2 // 7.2
Mines - 9
Stone Skin - 5
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 6, 2024 6:54:32 GMT -6
The next shovel of grit barely phased Forrest. He was growing accustomed to the feeling and his skin felt like it was growing tougher perhaps? Almost as though callous were forming where the grit and rocks had cut at him. That didn't mean that the slightly larger rocks that had begun to be dislodged by the shovel as Runa dug in different places were not annoying still.
Runa tossed a rock that she had dislodged at Forrest who gobbled it down and seemed to relax. He was wincing less when bits of dirt and grit flew at him now than he had been previously which Runa was going to take as a positive thing. Any beast that was in the mines with her was going to have to be tough - mines were dangerous after all. That last shovel full had contained sharp pebbles and one never really did know if a mine collapse was going to occur.
She had previously considered bringing a different creature with her to the mines but now she was glad that she had opted against such a thing. She had thought that perhaps Gremlin would enjoy the tunnels (and it was possible that was still true) but Forrest almost seemed at home within them so she was glad she had brought him instead.
Runa: 14.8
Forrest: 4.4 // 7.4
Mines - 10
Stone Skin - 6
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 6, 2024 7:16:55 GMT -6
Runa had opted to up the ante with this next shovel full. Rather than dirt and grit, it was full of small, sharp shards of pebbles and small rocks. When the shovel hit Forrest, she felt a rumble in the ground that she suspected had started with the creature but he did not jump about as he had previously. Rather he looked at her with a plaintive expression and shook himself. She imagined it was a bit like having a sharp rock in your shoe.
Forrest was not enjoying the sensation of sharp rocks hitting his skin but he had to admit that he was increasingly less phased by it. The rocks still hit him and the sharpest and larger pebbles had still gotten his attention and caused a stinging sensation where they hit but they were not, thankfully, overly painful. Almost as though he was building up a tolerance to the feeling?
But it still wasn't pleasant and when a particularly sharp pebble caught him under the eye he still jumped and rumbled at the pain.
Runa had noticed that while she as busy cracking open rocks and she fed him another rock that she had brought in apology. Occupational hazard of the job, indeed, although she wished it were otherwise.
Runa: 15.0
Forrest: 4.6 // 7.6
Mines - 11
Stone Skin - 7
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 6, 2024 8:30:33 GMT -6
The bits of stone that kept clattering against his face and the more tender parts of his skin were annoying - a feeling akin to the biting of a fly and he shuddered every time another one hit. How one being could be so careless, Forrest did not know but he got up and shook himself before moving entirely out of the way of where she was throwing shovelful of rocks and sand and pebbles. The small bits of sand and gravel were not bothering him so much anymore, he barely felt them, but the sharper pebbles certainly caught his attention and the larger rocks still hurt when they hit him.
Runa had noticed him getting up and moving and she took a break. She walked over to Forrest, offering him a treat and stroking him under his chin, something that caused the large creature to tilt his head up for better access. She did feel bad about how uncomfortable it likely was for him to keep getting pelted with larger and larger pieces of the cave but if he was going to be coming down here with her, he needed to be able to handle a little discomfort.
She stroked him a few more times until he was calm and then returned to her task.
Runa: 15.2
Forrest: 4.8 // 7.8
Mines - 12
Stone Skin - 8
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