Etraya Inbox

[twin_blade]

Um, right.

*BEEP*

Comments

[oblige]

Perhaps if we're to blame you for the fact that I care what befalls you.

[ Which he doesn't. Dion's shoulders slump as he puffs out a breath that all but drags out of him. ]

I am long accustomed to fighting on my own. My men were capable fighters, but they were still yet more lives to protect.

[ And so, despite his importance to his nation and Storm itself, despite being the one to fend off Waloed incursion, Dion did things like bodily shield his second-in-command and friend from an attack that would have felled him. ]

In a world filled with creatures intent on hunting us, I think it only natural to worry. Yet I am foremost a weapon, and it might be more dangerous beside me than not.

[ He is a spiked shield at best, unlike Joshua. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax lifts his hands to set them on Dion's arms, just above the elbows and hold him. ]

Alright, I get it. I just don't want you to worry I'll break, either. Or tip toe around me to protect me. We've seen danger, but there's a lot more in our future if these missions don't change.

[ And they're not likely to, given the pattern. A fond smile touches his lips. ]

Not that I don't appreciate you looking out for me. You know I'd do anything to protect you, too.

[ Even if Dion doesn't need a protector most of the time. Vax tilts his head a little, brown eyes seeking Dion's. ]

And in case I have to say it, you are foremost my friend. I feel safest by your side. Always. Even if you're the size of a mountain.

[ The last bit is said with a touch of humor. ]

[oblige]

[ Dion huffs out a breath that verges on a voiceless laugh for that last comment. The size of a mountain, he says. Vax had been brave, facing a dragon his size.

That he feels safest alongside him is a warm, reassuring thought. He takes comfort in it, even as he questions how it could be so. ]

I shall endeavor to keep it in mind.

[ Vax does catch his eyes, and Dion offers him a modest smile. His worries may remain, but he will strive to consider what Vax has said.

It would be wrong to ignore his feelings. ]

Would you care to find out what is in that cave, then?

[twin_blade]

[ Vax has already told Dion he doesn't judge or blame him for what he said happened at Twinside. And Vax is sure he's not the only one who feels safer when Dion is around. He's sure Dion puts Joshua at ease, too. ]

Good.

[ He lets go of Dion's arms and looks to the cave at the question. ]

Not really, but let's do it anyway.

[oblige]

Such enthusiasm. I can well imagine how a fellow might feel had he proposed a date.

[ Dion's words come with the lightness of banter as he strolls toward the mouth of the cave. He raises a hand as he goes, conjuring a ball of light to illuminate whatever lies ahead.

Hopefully there won't be more spiders this time around. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax chuckles. ]

A date is a different matter.

[ Perhaps Vax is concerned the cave is full of nasty spiders or something else, but that's all the more reason he doesn't want Dion to go in alone. ]

Hm, looks dug out. Like work happened here.

[oblige]

[ Glancing up with a soft hum, Dion thinks he sees what Vax means. He'd spent so long high aboveground that such details might well be misssed by him. ]

That does seem the case.

[ He agrees, stepping into the tunnel. His light is bright enough to illuminate the immediate vicinity, though there is nothing noteworthy just yet. ]

[twin_blade]

[ The light does help note some of the finer details of the dug out cavern, which extends further into the back where there's a passage. ]

It goes deeper. A lot deeper. Something could be living down there. Creatures.. or locals.

[oblige]

Neither of which are liable to prove friendly given the darkness.

[ At least the tunnel hasn't any places from which enemies might easily ambush them. The height does not extend far enough as of yet.

Dion keeps his stride at a measured pace, scanning their surroundings. ]

[twin_blade]

[ No places to ambush them from, but a corridor isn't exactly beneficial ground to fight against enemies, either. Though it's possible more spaces and sections exist inside.

As Dion proceeds into the cave, Vax follows, mostly concerned with what might exist further in the darkness. ]

What do you want to do?

[ Does he wish to explore further? ]

[oblige]

Perhaps we might determine whether it is worth delving further or not.

[ That was his original intention. He'd meant to gauge as much before deciding whether to ask the rest of the team along.

But he couldn't get past Vax's keen ears, it seems. ]

There could be something worth documenting in here, and there could not.

[twin_blade]

[ It feels risky, but perhaps this will please Echo and meet mission requirements.

Vax is already getting ready for trouble by drawing his daggers. ]

Lead the way.

[oblige]

That was my intention.

[ The sphere of light Dion created drifts further ahead of them, lighting their path so they may have time to react to whatever exists in this place.

Thus far, there only appears to be stone and stale air. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax recognizes the sphere, of course. The one that likes to show up every time he's around.

The deeper they go, the more suffocating it gets. Or maybe it just feels that way from the oppressive air and the darkness of the tunnel. As they go further, there are support beams in place. Clearly, people were here at one point. ]

Are you doing alright?

[ Dion is probably fine, but Vax wants to be sure. ]

[oblige]

[ Vax either has a little friend, enemy, or frienemy. Who could say? But the scarred sphere maintains a certain distance from them, illuminating their path while maintaining a lead. ]

I am fine. What of you?

[ It might be stuffy in this place, but Dion reasons that was to be expected. ]

[twin_blade]

Fine. Still hoping I meet a date in here to make up for it.

[ He jokes. ]

Maybe one for each of us. It's not my first time down an excavation tunnel. I suppose the ones around the crystal in Etraya are kind of similar?

[oblige]

I suspect any date to be had here would be as friendly as a tonberry.

[ Though it is a funny thought, and it lightens the tension about their advance. ]

Because I sense no aether, this feels different to me.

[twin_blade]

At least he'd have a light.

[ Vax remembers how the green monsters carried little lamps around. ]

It's familiar to me. Vex and I once got mixed up with a mining town. I spent some time with the miners down in the tunnels. They weren't too different from this, but I suppose they're all generally the same.

[oblige]

I suppose they would be, regardless of what is being mined.

[ He continues to scan their surroundings as they advance. The bones of the mine remain, support structures marching on along the path ahead, yet equipment is curiously absent.

Dion supposes they might see such implements later. ]

[twin_blade]

[ Vax can only wonder what was mined here. Some precious ore? Gems? Or something unique to this world they don't know anything about? Although they haven't encountered any sign of trouble yet, Vax is still on edge. Mines are creepy. Oppressive. Spending long days underground is not his idea of a good time.

As they walk, he keeps his ears open for anything that might catch his attention. Mostly, he just hears the echoes of their own footsteps as he walks behind Dion. ]

[oblige]

[ Their advance is a quiet one, at least until Dion pauses near the first plant life he has seen in the cave thus far.

A cluster of glowing mushrooms has sprouted up beside a large stone along their path, and he crouches to have a better look at them. ]

It seems there is some manner of life here.

[twin_blade]

[ As they come upon a discovery, Vax stands behind Dion, peering over his shoulder and down at the growth. ]

Never seen mushrooms like those before. I doubt they're edible.

[ Not that he thought Dion was going to pick one and stick it in his mouth. ]

That glow could mean spores. Be careful you don't breathe anything in.

[oblige]

[ Vax raises a good point. One that he'd not have considered. ]

...Right.

[ He rocks back onto his heels and stands back up in one fluid motion. ]

Shall we see if there is anything else worthy of note?

[twin_blade]

[ Vax steps back as Dion makes a motion to get up. ]

Sure. The tunnel seems to go further still.

[ Vax passes a concerned glance at the mushrooms again before they move on. Hopefully they're harmless and haven't left anything lingering in the air. ]

[oblige]

That it does.

[ How deep could such a mine go? It would help if they knew what, exactly, was mined here...

Then again, being as this is a foreign world, it might yield little in terms of understanding.

His satellite resumes its advance, and Dion follows. ]