Afterthought (Silas, Tiffany, & Ionone)
Quote from Adriana on April 10, 2020, 8:29 pmWhat was that? Guesses could only be made. Silas' ears swiveled to and fro, blue eyes wide as he tried to understand what he felt. Was the gunshot aimed at a person? Or a signal?" What happened behind them in the cave? He looked after Ionone, and back again, but continued onward...
What was that? Guesses could only be made. Silas' ears swiveled to and fro, blue eyes wide as he tried to understand what he felt. Was the gunshot aimed at a person? Or a signal?" What happened behind them in the cave? He looked after Ionone, and back again, but continued onward...
Quote from Indy on April 10, 2020, 8:36 pmIonone gave pause to the noise, right down to the rattle felt in her pawpads. A weariness gave way to her not seen previously, and suddenly the liquid, easy manners of her body had become almost imperceptibly leaden.
"Machines," she surmised, recalling the length of cable that had run along the walls when they'd first entered...
The thing in Silas' arms suddenly began to stir. Although his meager strength possessed no match for Silas's, constraining him would require effort. A creature of desperation will fight far harder than a foe that is at the height of strength; if he wasn't careful, Atlas might slip between Silas's grip.
Incoherently under his breath he began to babble again, but the words were too smeared to make out.
Ionone released a tense, uneasy sigh, "Either leave him or incapacitate him".
Ionone gave pause to the noise, right down to the rattle felt in her pawpads. A weariness gave way to her not seen previously, and suddenly the liquid, easy manners of her body had become almost imperceptibly leaden.
"Machines," she surmised, recalling the length of cable that had run along the walls when they'd first entered...
The thing in Silas' arms suddenly began to stir. Although his meager strength possessed no match for Silas's, constraining him would require effort. A creature of desperation will fight far harder than a foe that is at the height of strength; if he wasn't careful, Atlas might slip between Silas's grip.
Incoherently under his breath he began to babble again, but the words were too smeared to make out.
Ionone released a tense, uneasy sigh, "Either leave him or incapacitate him".
Quote from Adriana on April 10, 2020, 8:47 pm"Some kind of elevator?" he asked, just as Atlas began to squirm violently in his grip. The good ol' chloroform was in the car with the rest of his business supplies. "I'm not going to knock him out, he's concussed about a hundred times over. Are we we looking for Tiffany or not? Do you know what you're doing?" Silas asked, gripping tightly to the man; his voice was a raised whisper now, his white pointed teeth flashing in the dim lights.
"Some kind of elevator?" he asked, just as Atlas began to squirm violently in his grip. The good ol' chloroform was in the car with the rest of his business supplies. "I'm not going to knock him out, he's concussed about a hundred times over. Are we we looking for Tiffany or not? Do you know what you're doing?" Silas asked, gripping tightly to the man; his voice was a raised whisper now, his white pointed teeth flashing in the dim lights.
Quote from Indy on April 10, 2020, 9:02 pm"Maybe" she grunted without commitment.
It was somewhere down below, down where Tiffany had fallen. She recalled the water, but its relation to the mechanical whirring eluded her like a stray variable in an equation. And if it was down there, down with Tiffany, then she had little guess what the bullet had meant.
Her nostrils flared as she listened to Atlas squirm in Silas' grip.
"Make a calculated assessment," she said without patience, rummaging briefly in the satchel at her side, "Either find a way to contain him that doesn't endanger our own lives, or release him back to the wild".
A roll of duct-tape and a pair of cuffs were held out for Silas to take.
"Your choice".
"Maybe" she grunted without commitment.
It was somewhere down below, down where Tiffany had fallen. She recalled the water, but its relation to the mechanical whirring eluded her like a stray variable in an equation. And if it was down there, down with Tiffany, then she had little guess what the bullet had meant.
Her nostrils flared as she listened to Atlas squirm in Silas' grip.
"Make a calculated assessment," she said without patience, rummaging briefly in the satchel at her side, "Either find a way to contain him that doesn't endanger our own lives, or release him back to the wild".
A roll of duct-tape and a pair of cuffs were held out for Silas to take.
"Your choice".
Quote from Adriana on April 10, 2020, 9:11 pmSilas raised a skeptical brow when she produced the items. He just took the duct tape and shook his head. "He's not a prisoner, not now. And if it comes to it he's not going to die a prisoner, either." he said, biting off the corner of the tape and pulling it loose. He sat the man down and confined his hands with one large paw, and with the other he wrapped the tape around his mouth and head begrudgingly.
"Sorry.." he mumbled, then did the same to Atlas' wrists. "Just til we get outta here pal." he muttered sympathetically, then picked the man up again. He'd been tied up enough to know he didn't like it, and so he only ever did it to others in cases like this to protect them from something worse than himself, which was few enough for him to count on a hand.
He slung the man over a shoulder like a sack of flour and began forward past Ionone, watching the floor for any place that Tiffany may have fallen through..
Silas raised a skeptical brow when she produced the items. He just took the duct tape and shook his head. "He's not a prisoner, not now. And if it comes to it he's not going to die a prisoner, either." he said, biting off the corner of the tape and pulling it loose. He sat the man down and confined his hands with one large paw, and with the other he wrapped the tape around his mouth and head begrudgingly.
"Sorry.." he mumbled, then did the same to Atlas' wrists. "Just til we get outta here pal." he muttered sympathetically, then picked the man up again. He'd been tied up enough to know he didn't like it, and so he only ever did it to others in cases like this to protect them from something worse than himself, which was few enough for him to count on a hand.
He slung the man over a shoulder like a sack of flour and began forward past Ionone, watching the floor for any place that Tiffany may have fallen through..
Quote from Indy on April 10, 2020, 9:29 pmAtlas struggled like a fish above water, every limb flailing to its ultimate potential. His eyes bulged at the sign of the tape.
"Nononono," he struggled, a few incoherent words on his breath, "Downdown, he waits, he--"
As the tape went overtop, his words went silent. With the binding of his arms he grew inanimate again as his chest rose and fell rapidly from the effort. Though compelled by a powerful force, it descended only in moments; at present, he felt a powerful exhaustion far stronger than any drug.
Ionone watched the progress like an ant on a pavement, before finally accepting the predicament with a blink of her eyes. Then she continued onwards, leading Silas to stairs learned in pitch-darkness, and then another. In the lighting, she took closer study of the cable that ran along the wall.
Atlas struggled like a fish above water, every limb flailing to its ultimate potential. His eyes bulged at the sign of the tape.
"Nononono," he struggled, a few incoherent words on his breath, "Downdown, he waits, he--"
As the tape went overtop, his words went silent. With the binding of his arms he grew inanimate again as his chest rose and fell rapidly from the effort. Though compelled by a powerful force, it descended only in moments; at present, he felt a powerful exhaustion far stronger than any drug.
Ionone watched the progress like an ant on a pavement, before finally accepting the predicament with a blink of her eyes. Then she continued onwards, leading Silas to stairs learned in pitch-darkness, and then another. In the lighting, she took closer study of the cable that ran along the wall.
Quote from Mae on April 10, 2020, 11:24 pmIf this was the same hall in which Ionone became separated from Tiffany, as it indeed must be - for scent does not fade in stagnant air - it was far different than might be imagined in the dark. In the dark, it seemed a single tunnel running straight, albeit rising and descending in places, but with only one beginning and one end. Not so. The hall came to an end in a low junction - the first descending steps led to a platform. The second set of stairs was mistakenly identified as ascending, when in reality it led down to the same platform from an opposite adjoining hall. At the base of the platform was a winze leading to a lower level.
Following the second staircase into the next hall, the trio came immediately into what appeared to be twin tunnels running parallel to one another. A line or wall of gobbing separated them, but the lights and timbering could be seen over the gobbing extending thirty or forty feet horizontally. At some point, the cave floor ended and a false floor of timber began. As dirt and gravel coated everything, it was impossible to know which was which. But light coming from above the two parallel lines - easily mistaken for holes in the ceiling - revealed a massive stope and level above level of scaffolding. Black crevasses in the floor attested lower levels, but they had all gone dark. The moist air likewise attested a truth; the lower levels were flooded, and the water had swallowed the light.
But where was Tiffany? Tiffany hadn't been in the stope. She had fallen through the platform at the ending of both stairs. A large hole in the timber revealed the vertical shaft in which she had plummeted. Down in the hole all was dark, and damp, and silent. The single winze at the bottom of the platform was the easiest way to descend to the next level.
If this was the same hall in which Ionone became separated from Tiffany, as it indeed must be - for scent does not fade in stagnant air - it was far different than might be imagined in the dark. In the dark, it seemed a single tunnel running straight, albeit rising and descending in places, but with only one beginning and one end. Not so. The hall came to an end in a low junction - the first descending steps led to a platform. The second set of stairs was mistakenly identified as ascending, when in reality it led down to the same platform from an opposite adjoining hall. At the base of the platform was a winze leading to a lower level.
Following the second staircase into the next hall, the trio came immediately into what appeared to be twin tunnels running parallel to one another. A line or wall of gobbing separated them, but the lights and timbering could be seen over the gobbing extending thirty or forty feet horizontally. At some point, the cave floor ended and a false floor of timber began. As dirt and gravel coated everything, it was impossible to know which was which. But light coming from above the two parallel lines - easily mistaken for holes in the ceiling - revealed a massive stope and level above level of scaffolding. Black crevasses in the floor attested lower levels, but they had all gone dark. The moist air likewise attested a truth; the lower levels were flooded, and the water had swallowed the light.
But where was Tiffany? Tiffany hadn't been in the stope. She had fallen through the platform at the ending of both stairs. A large hole in the timber revealed the vertical shaft in which she had plummeted. Down in the hole all was dark, and damp, and silent. The single winze at the bottom of the platform was the easiest way to descend to the next level.
Quote from Adriana on April 11, 2020, 6:01 amWhen they came upon the junction, Silas looked around and had half a mind to whistle. The cave was far greater than previously imagined. What once felt small and confined was a lot more developed than he had assumed. Then he saw the hole in the ground, and the winze.
"You have to go after her," he stated quietly. "He can't come down, too.." he was testing the air above the descent, where a shoddily made ladder ran all the way to the bottom. Or he assumed it was all the way. The water may have been deep at the bottom, and he couldn't figure a way to manage the man and a ladder that wouldn't result in them both falling.
"I'll stay up here and make sure you aren't followed." he sat the man down and readied his weapon. "If you hear shots fire from here, and there's no howl to follow up... find another way out, if you can."
When they came upon the junction, Silas looked around and had half a mind to whistle. The cave was far greater than previously imagined. What once felt small and confined was a lot more developed than he had assumed. Then he saw the hole in the ground, and the winze.
"You have to go after her," he stated quietly. "He can't come down, too.." he was testing the air above the descent, where a shoddily made ladder ran all the way to the bottom. Or he assumed it was all the way. The water may have been deep at the bottom, and he couldn't figure a way to manage the man and a ladder that wouldn't result in them both falling.
"I'll stay up here and make sure you aren't followed." he sat the man down and readied his weapon. "If you hear shots fire from here, and there's no howl to follow up... find another way out, if you can."
Quote from Indy on April 11, 2020, 9:14 amIonone studied the dimension of the room, as if hoping to find something else besides the single, shoddily made winze to lead her to the bottom. Silas' words were acknowledged with only a twitch of a long ear. No sudden inspiration presented itself; she exhaled slowly, accepting her fate.
After some consideration, she removed a length of coiled, thin, dark rope and attached it to one the clips hidden beneath the flexible, purple sash around her waist. She removed the satchel all together, handing it to Silas.
"It will serve you better than me" she said slowly, but her mind was already onto the next thought.
She knew the lower levels of the cave were inundated, if not entirely submerged. Negotiating the water effectively would require any loose, unneeded articles removed, lest they weigh or slow her down. The satchel had been the most obvious. Now she hesitated at the final piece, the one degree of vanity she ever afforded herself. Her grandfather's ghost no doubt disapproved of his kitsune granddaughter's shame; she could picture the man's stalwart expression in the shadows.
She bowed her head to the shadows, then carefully reached for the button that held the capelet over her shoulders. It would only slow her down in the water. She released the button, and the weight of the wool fell easily aside. Her lithe form was revealed in the dim lighting, that which was missing obvious. She handed the gathered fabric to Silas as well.
"Take it. He's cold," she glanced over to the shivering lump in Silas's care.
Offering no more invitation, she went to the narrow ladder. The space was scarcely large enough to afford passage in her secondary form, but she was grateful it did. Carefully she eased her weight onto the ladder, testing if it would hold, then progressed slowly. Whenever her palm would release the ladder to descend further, the thrill of vertigo descended; and further down she went until she reached the bottom.
Ionone studied the dimension of the room, as if hoping to find something else besides the single, shoddily made winze to lead her to the bottom. Silas' words were acknowledged with only a twitch of a long ear. No sudden inspiration presented itself; she exhaled slowly, accepting her fate.
After some consideration, she removed a length of coiled, thin, dark rope and attached it to one the clips hidden beneath the flexible, purple sash around her waist. She removed the satchel all together, handing it to Silas.
"It will serve you better than me" she said slowly, but her mind was already onto the next thought.
She knew the lower levels of the cave were inundated, if not entirely submerged. Negotiating the water effectively would require any loose, unneeded articles removed, lest they weigh or slow her down. The satchel had been the most obvious. Now she hesitated at the final piece, the one degree of vanity she ever afforded herself. Her grandfather's ghost no doubt disapproved of his kitsune granddaughter's shame; she could picture the man's stalwart expression in the shadows.
She bowed her head to the shadows, then carefully reached for the button that held the capelet over her shoulders. It would only slow her down in the water. She released the button, and the weight of the wool fell easily aside. Her lithe form was revealed in the dim lighting, that which was missing obvious. She handed the gathered fabric to Silas as well.
"Take it. He's cold," she glanced over to the shivering lump in Silas's care.
Offering no more invitation, she went to the narrow ladder. The space was scarcely large enough to afford passage in her secondary form, but she was grateful it did. Carefully she eased her weight onto the ladder, testing if it would hold, then progressed slowly. Whenever her palm would release the ladder to descend further, the thrill of vertigo descended; and further down she went until she reached the bottom.
Quote from Adriana on April 11, 2020, 10:39 amSilas took the shoulder piece and placed it over the man who was already propped up against a cave wall. After which he undid the tape around his wrists-Silas didn’t want him bound and trapped if anything went down. Then the spy took his perch strategically in front of the man, crouching low and staying close to the wall.
If it came to shots, he’d have to make his count. He had only a handful of bullets on him at this point, and his is enemy was undoubtedly more prepared. He also took a moment to see what the woman had in the satchel.
Silas took the shoulder piece and placed it over the man who was already propped up against a cave wall. After which he undid the tape around his wrists-Silas didn’t want him bound and trapped if anything went down. Then the spy took his perch strategically in front of the man, crouching low and staying close to the wall.
If it came to shots, he’d have to make his count. He had only a handful of bullets on him at this point, and his is enemy was undoubtedly more prepared. He also took a moment to see what the woman had in the satchel.
