[ Vax nods, and although he doesn't have his daggers, he's ready to help in the event something should happen. He lets Dion lead down the next corridor, hoping the moss is enough for Dion to see by, but Vax isn't going to let him run into any walls.
As they round a corner, Vax's hand lands on Dion's shoulder suddenly and yanks him back. ]
Look out!
[ A clawed hand swipes the air where Dion was, and an undead ghoul, half buried into the wall, snarls and reaches after him. ]
[ Vax winces at the discomfort in his hand but getting Dion out of that thing's reach was more important. He scoots around with Dion, keeping an eye on the undead. ]
A ghoul, I think.
[ Or whatever this world's version is. As he edges around it, Vax's arm is grabbed by another ghoul from the opposite wall. It was practically hidden, caked over with dirt, but its upper-half bursts free and yanks Vax toward it as the half-elf yelps in surprise. ]
[ There may be many such creatures in the tunnels. The thought flits through Dion's mind even as he drops one of the daggers to grab Vax's arm to stabilize him.
His other hand smashes into the ghoul's face, using his gauntlet and the dagger's pommel. Whether the force is injurious or only stuns, it's enough to haul Vax away from the ghoul's grasp. ]
[ Vax is pulled away quickly from the ghoul. Dion’s strike hits the creature, crushing its skull with a disgusting crunch. As Vax staggers away, the ghoul they previously avoided breaks free of the wall and lunges toward them.
Vax's hand lifts and the dagger that was dropped flashes and appears in Vax's grip, which is then used to stab the second ghoul straight through head. Like the first, it drops to the ground. ]
At least someone finds me charming.
[ Even if his hand continues to hurt, he doesn't think about it now. All down the corridor dirt begins to crumble as more ghouls start to work themselves free of the walls. ]
[ There is no doubt in Dion's mind that plenty of someones find Vax charming. He'd like to hope most of them aren't so keen to devour him, but monsters do have an uncanny interest in Vax.
He frowns at the suddenly very animated tunnel and hopes this is the worst they have to contend with. ]
Need I remind you I am the hands here?
[ Vax shouldn't have to hurt himself further for this. ]
[ Vax holds on to the dagger for now, even though they did agree Dion would do the fighting. It seems he prefers to bash things with his gauntlet, anyway. ]
I think we should run rather than fight.
[ The ghouls are forming their own gauntlet of a different kind. A dozen are on the verge of breaking free of their entombment and there could be more. ]
[ The numbers are far from favorable, given their present circumstances. As a soldier, Dion's impulse is to dispense with the threat, but that could endanger Vax.
So, instead, he gestures to the path behing Vax. ]
After you.
[ As though there aren't monsters bursting out of the walls like cursed weeds. ]
[ Going forward looks like a death trap, so Vax takes the lead in turning around and begins to dash back down the tunnel. As they move, more ghouls break free and dirt starts to crumble along the walls and ceiling of the mine. Vax hopes the whole thing won't collapse.
When one bursts from the ground, it grabs onto Vax's cloak with its bony hands, stopping Vax in his tracks until he shakes it loose. ]
This is actually very similar to some mines I was in years ago!
[ If only Dion knew just how much trouble Vax had been in during that time, he'd think Vax's luck cursed. That's too long a story for now, though.
The ghoul's skull is crushed with Dion's stomp, freeing him so they can keep moving down the corridors. Behind them, it sounds like a small hoard is on their heels and the entire tunnel rumbles.
Vax stops suddenly when they reach a dead end and curses under his breath. Fuck. He led Dion this way and must get them out of this. That's when he takes note of some metal stakes in the wall and looks up, then points. ]
Look!
[ Twelve feet above them is a large hole that opens into another tunnel. There must have been a ladder here before, but it's gone now. ]
[ Dion hums, a low and disapproving sound. Vax has already had to use a dagger, despite the damage to his hands. More could make it worse.
He might not be able to heal worse. ]
My jumps have naught to do with my aether.
[ It's all he says before he tucks the remaining dagger in his belt and scoops Vax up. They don't have time to discuss, so he jumps in the next moment. ]
[ Vax tucks the dagger into his belt and flexes his aching fingers. Before he can reach for the first rung, he's swept off his feet and with a yelp, Dion has taken Vax with him straight up and into the above tunnel. Although he grabs hold, it's not too tight. ]
Thanks.
[ And it looks like they narrowly missed being attacked by a swarm of ghouls. Down the hole, the corridor is filled with angry undead, reaching up at the exit with no chance of reaching it. ]
[ With a dragoon's uncanny grace, Dion's boots find purchase on solid ground once again. He pauses to peer over his shoulder at the teeming pit below, lips thinning.
That could have ended terribly for him. ]
I'd be a poor set of hands if I allowed you to injure yours further.
[ He returns Vax to his feet, now that they have a new and decidedly quieter tunnel to traverse. ]
And Joshua may have a lecture for us if his intervention is needed.
[ A fact Vax has pointed out to Dion before, even if it never seems to matter.
The tunnel opens out to a large area where the body of the previously killed creature lies. It's surrounded by two more of its kind, which are eating at its corpse.
Vax crouches low and remains at the edge of the tunnel so he isn't spotted. ]
[ They aren't in his world, and his father no longer lives. Even so, Dion doubts he'd have any flocking admirers, were his failures known.
He keeps the thought to himself, for it is not important.
When they spot the additional creatures, Dion has a good look at what Vax had contended with. He frowns, debating just how deep the pit is. Could he leap far enough? ]
[ Vax is wondering the same thing. He can't see the top of the pit. ]
Just how high can you jump?
[ Dion was knocked out, so he didn't get to see how deep it was. And can they even get started without attracting the attention of those monsters? Maybe they'll finish their meal and leave. ]
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2026-04-03 02:30 am (UTC)[ His voice contains a weary smile. ]
But at least we're lost together.
[ It could also be easy to lose track of each other if they were separated for any reason. ]
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Date: 2026-04-03 03:04 am (UTC)[ He sighs, knowing Vax will protest if he blames himself for leading him to danger again. It's impossible not to think it though. ]
I shall take point then.
[ Since he's the one with the weapons, that strikes him as safest. ]
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Date: 2026-04-03 03:50 am (UTC)As they round a corner, Vax's hand lands on Dion's shoulder suddenly and yanks him back. ]
Look out!
[ A clawed hand swipes the air where Dion was, and an undead ghoul, half buried into the wall, snarls and reaches after him. ]
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Date: 2026-04-03 06:33 am (UTC)What a peculiar monster.
[ Its reach doesn't span the full width of the tunnel, so he edges around its flailing limb.
He thinks it better to leave it than test whether it can be dispatched. ]
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Date: 2026-04-04 03:14 am (UTC)A ghoul, I think.
[ Or whatever this world's version is. As he edges around it, Vax's arm is grabbed by another ghoul from the opposite wall. It was practically hidden, caked over with dirt, but its upper-half bursts free and yanks Vax toward it as the half-elf yelps in surprise. ]
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Date: 2026-04-04 04:00 am (UTC)His other hand smashes into the ghoul's face, using his gauntlet and the dagger's pommel. Whether the force is injurious or only stuns, it's enough to haul Vax away from the ghoul's grasp. ]
You really must stop charming the locals.
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Date: 2026-04-04 04:31 am (UTC)Vax's hand lifts and the dagger that was dropped flashes and appears in Vax's grip, which is then used to stab the second ghoul straight through head. Like the first, it drops to the ground. ]
At least someone finds me charming.
[ Even if his hand continues to hurt, he doesn't think about it now. All down the corridor dirt begins to crumble as more ghouls start to work themselves free of the walls. ]
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Date: 2026-04-04 04:35 am (UTC)[ There is no doubt in Dion's mind that plenty of someones find Vax charming. He'd like to hope most of them aren't so keen to devour him, but monsters do have an uncanny interest in Vax.
He frowns at the suddenly very animated tunnel and hopes this is the worst they have to contend with. ]
Need I remind you I am the hands here?
[ Vax shouldn't have to hurt himself further for this. ]
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Date: 2026-04-04 04:42 am (UTC)I think we should run rather than fight.
[ The ghouls are forming their own gauntlet of a different kind. A dozen are on the verge of breaking free of their entombment and there could be more. ]
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Date: 2026-04-04 04:46 am (UTC)So, instead, he gestures to the path behing Vax. ]
After you.
[ As though there aren't monsters bursting out of the walls like cursed weeds. ]
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Date: 2026-04-04 07:02 pm (UTC)When one bursts from the ground, it grabs onto Vax's cloak with its bony hands, stopping Vax in his tracks until he shakes it loose. ]
This is actually very similar to some mines I was in years ago!
[ He says as he tries to kick the ghoul free. ]
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Date: 2026-04-05 12:37 am (UTC)[ Trouble seems to find Vax irresistable, whether Dion is involved or not. It worries him, though there isn't much he can do about it.
Then he stomps on the ghoul's head with the full force of a dragoon's leg strength, forcing it to relent on its grip. ]
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Date: 2026-04-05 04:04 am (UTC)The ghoul's skull is crushed with Dion's stomp, freeing him so they can keep moving down the corridors. Behind them, it sounds like a small hoard is on their heels and the entire tunnel rumbles.
Vax stops suddenly when they reach a dead end and curses under his breath. Fuck. He led Dion this way and must get them out of this. That's when he takes note of some metal stakes in the wall and looks up, then points. ]
Look!
[ Twelve feet above them is a large hole that opens into another tunnel. There must have been a ladder here before, but it's gone now. ]
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Date: 2026-04-05 04:22 am (UTC)He can jump that height, but Vax— ]
Was your armor affected as my aether was?
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Date: 2026-04-05 04:53 am (UTC)[ He'll need to extend and beat his wings to go upward and somehow get through the space doing it. ]
But I can use the grips left from the ladder to climb up.
[ That won't be easy on his hands, though. The hand that grips the dagger has a little blood dripping down the cuff. ]
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Date: 2026-04-05 05:08 am (UTC)He might not be able to heal worse. ]
My jumps have naught to do with my aether.
[ It's all he says before he tucks the remaining dagger in his belt and scoops Vax up. They don't have time to discuss, so he jumps in the next moment. ]
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Date: 2026-04-05 05:28 am (UTC)Thanks.
[ And it looks like they narrowly missed being attacked by a swarm of ghouls. Down the hole, the corridor is filled with angry undead, reaching up at the exit with no chance of reaching it. ]
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Date: 2026-04-05 05:36 am (UTC)That could have ended terribly for him. ]
I'd be a poor set of hands if I allowed you to injure yours further.
[ He returns Vax to his feet, now that they have a new and decidedly quieter tunnel to traverse. ]
And Joshua may have a lecture for us if his intervention is needed.
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Date: 2026-04-06 01:57 am (UTC)Hands and feet, it seems.
[ As for Joshua, Vax knows he'll be more than glad to help, but Joshua should also save his strength if he's still recovering. ]
I'm sure we've got this covered.
[ A pause and Vax looks down the tunnel. ]
Hey... I think this is the way. I feel a stronger breeze coming from there.
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Date: 2026-04-06 02:07 am (UTC)[ He doesn't want to be the reason that Vax is hurt more or worse, besides.
Vax's comment prompts him to follow his line of sight. The air is less stale up here, certainly. ]
It is also our only available path, unless we rejoin your legion of suitors.
[ A jest, of course. ]
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Date: 2026-04-06 03:09 am (UTC)[ So much for that dream. Still, he doesn't want to burden Dion with carrying him.
Dion's joke gets a wry smile. ]
I'm sure a prince is more likely to have a line of suitors than a penniless rogue. Come on.
[ He starts his way down the tunnel again, hoping to find the pit very soon. ]
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Date: 2026-04-06 03:39 am (UTC)[ Were Vax having difficulty walking, Dion would insist on carrying him regardless. As it stands, he can't help but worry about potential attacks.
As for the matter of his own suitors, he huffs out a voiceless laugh as he follows Vax along. ]
Not in my world. [ Not exactly, at least. ] I'd have been married off to whichever woman my father deemed advantageous.
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Date: 2026-04-06 05:35 pm (UTC)[ A fact Vax has pointed out to Dion before, even if it never seems to matter.
The tunnel opens out to a large area where the body of the previously killed creature lies. It's surrounded by two more of its kind, which are eating at its corpse.
Vax crouches low and remains at the edge of the tunnel so he isn't spotted. ]
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Date: 2026-04-06 11:46 pm (UTC)He keeps the thought to himself, for it is not important.
When they spot the additional creatures, Dion has a good look at what Vax had contended with. He frowns, debating just how deep the pit is. Could he leap far enough? ]
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Date: 2026-04-07 04:05 am (UTC)Just how high can you jump?
[ Dion was knocked out, so he didn't get to see how deep it was. And can they even get started without attracting the attention of those monsters? Maybe they'll finish their meal and leave. ]
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