Afterthought (Silas, Tiffany, & Ionone)
Quote from Indy on September 6, 2019, 11:22 pmI did not mind the tedium. Darkness descended, leaving only the scant light of starlight and a meager moon. We traversed the pines, our steps leaving scarcely a print. I’d possessed no delusions in our seclusion, but in the dark, any I’d held onto subconsciously had slipped. We were in another world altogether, one that lived alongside our own and oft forgotten, but now every looming shadow kept our minds sharp.
And still, I did not mind that with each growing minute, as the night coalesced, that we appeared no closer to our destination than we had before. Tedium. Repetition. It was all the same as it always was. In another universe where I had not accompanied Tiffany, I was hovering by my lab equipment, preparing samples to run in the morning, minding my e coli libraries, and scratching away at my notes as well as leaving detailed notes for my lab assistants. This tedium was at least a different kind, and each whiff of night air reminded me of the life I’d left behind.
Funny, wasn’t it? In the same time human scientists were trying to map out their own genome, I was in parallel trying to map out ours. There was an adventure to it. A kind of excitement in the mystery, of what could be and what couldn’t and knowing I’d be among the first to know. And yet, day by day, it was all the same, with little surprise and variation and only the cheap thrill to keep it alive. And it was that same kind of excitement that kept me going with little boredom, each scent and tree noted as merely a data point, knowing that somehow, some way, it would all settle itself into a cohesive path.
Of course, Tiffany was not the scientist I was. I could sense her growing frustration, though I’d hoped we’d have found a clue before she’d given up entirely. By the time she’d voiced her concern, I knew she’d grown very bored indeed; after all, it would be her, not me, who would explain her failure to her superiors.
I would have shrugged, though such a gesture was made impossible at present. Still, it was her call and her mission. I was really only here for the company. I suppose that could be as easily accomplished in a gloomy bar.
I was about to tell her as much, but suddenly I noticed something amiss. It took me a while to pinpoint what it was, what had changed, as my mind sifted through the wealth of data it had accumulated. And then I found it. A simple thing. It always was.
“Look,” I said, my voice now deep and low, “Up there past those rocks…”
I did not mind the tedium. Darkness descended, leaving only the scant light of starlight and a meager moon. We traversed the pines, our steps leaving scarcely a print. I’d possessed no delusions in our seclusion, but in the dark, any I’d held onto subconsciously had slipped. We were in another world altogether, one that lived alongside our own and oft forgotten, but now every looming shadow kept our minds sharp.
And still, I did not mind that with each growing minute, as the night coalesced, that we appeared no closer to our destination than we had before. Tedium. Repetition. It was all the same as it always was. In another universe where I had not accompanied Tiffany, I was hovering by my lab equipment, preparing samples to run in the morning, minding my e coli libraries, and scratching away at my notes as well as leaving detailed notes for my lab assistants. This tedium was at least a different kind, and each whiff of night air reminded me of the life I’d left behind.
Funny, wasn’t it? In the same time human scientists were trying to map out their own genome, I was in parallel trying to map out ours. There was an adventure to it. A kind of excitement in the mystery, of what could be and what couldn’t and knowing I’d be among the first to know. And yet, day by day, it was all the same, with little surprise and variation and only the cheap thrill to keep it alive. And it was that same kind of excitement that kept me going with little boredom, each scent and tree noted as merely a data point, knowing that somehow, some way, it would all settle itself into a cohesive path.
Of course, Tiffany was not the scientist I was. I could sense her growing frustration, though I’d hoped we’d have found a clue before she’d given up entirely. By the time she’d voiced her concern, I knew she’d grown very bored indeed; after all, it would be her, not me, who would explain her failure to her superiors.
I would have shrugged, though such a gesture was made impossible at present. Still, it was her call and her mission. I was really only here for the company. I suppose that could be as easily accomplished in a gloomy bar.
I was about to tell her as much, but suddenly I noticed something amiss. It took me a while to pinpoint what it was, what had changed, as my mind sifted through the wealth of data it had accumulated. And then I found it. A simple thing. It always was.
“Look,” I said, my voice now deep and low, “Up there past those rocks…”
Quote from Mae on September 7, 2019, 12:10 amUp there, past those rocks...
I looked where Ionone indicated over my head. I scarcely saw the blue rocks of an exposed cliffside through the black branches of the trees. I imagine the night isn't so dark to us, but I've never seen through the eyes of any "normal" human being, so I really don't know. One thing I do know, however, is that Ionone has a wickedly keen eye for detail. How on earth did she see that black triangle poking out of all those jagged rocks?
It took me a moment to see it myself, constantly swaying my head for a better vantage through the trees. When I saw it, I had no doubt that we'd found what I was looking for: the dark corner frame of an old adit, hidden in the mountains.
"Hope you brought your spelunking gear, sugar..."
… because I left mine at home.
Up there, past those rocks...
I looked where Ionone indicated over my head. I scarcely saw the blue rocks of an exposed cliffside through the black branches of the trees. I imagine the night isn't so dark to us, but I've never seen through the eyes of any "normal" human being, so I really don't know. One thing I do know, however, is that Ionone has a wickedly keen eye for detail. How on earth did she see that black triangle poking out of all those jagged rocks?
It took me a moment to see it myself, constantly swaying my head for a better vantage through the trees. When I saw it, I had no doubt that we'd found what I was looking for: the dark corner frame of an old adit, hidden in the mountains.
"Hope you brought your spelunking gear, sugar..."
… because I left mine at home.
Quote from Adriana on September 8, 2019, 4:57 pmI was growing tired and frustrated. I didn't have enough to show for a days work, except a stale, mildew covered towel and some mental sketches of hideouts. My Oxfords were scuffed, my suit pants were scratched and marred..
But what's the day for if not the night?
I found a spot behind some brush, because I'm a gentleman. And I didn't want my new ladyfriends to show up and get embarrassed by my impeccable physique.
The suit was tucked away neatly in the backpack, and in it's place I donned my leggings and... loincloth? I couldn't place what might actually be called, just that it's standard issue for scouts. In a pinch, I could make it into some poncho-esque thing, and if I ran into a human, I could throw it on and see how long they'd believe I was a wild mountain man.
I kept hold of my piece, and my dart gun. But the backpack I'd need to do something with or my lady friends might know I had been here and also mostly nude, and that would also be embarrassing. More so as a spy than a man, because I'm not as easily embarrassed as I'm letting on. So I put it somewhere safe, then began on my path only after slipping into something more comfortable.
As a man, I was light on my feet. In my secondary form, I was as good as invisible. Scentless, too, thanks to one of my concoctions that had already helped me in the Phantom Mountains once before. I was fortunate in that even my coat acted as a cloak; the different tones of brown mimicked shadows and brush, especially during autumn.
There was something else I did, too, in circumstances like this where I might have concerns about being followed. More often than not, I didn't need to use it. Being a werewolf is fun in that, we can utilize our bodies differently a lot of the time. There are more moving parts. First generations have a hard time with this, they think their bodies operate the same as they do while they're human.
For example, I had recently learned to walk on two toes on either foot, essentially making me a very ugly ballerina. The purpose of this was to create tracks that at a glance, looked unlike a werewolf and more like a deer. This required me pacing my steps different as well, but it was only cumbersome so long as I was on the ground. Areas like this, however... they were perfect for climbing. There was no shortage of limbs, and I wouldn't be on the ground longer than I needed.
Continuing straight, I utilized the deer-toe method at a steady pace, an awkward run that would, should my pursuers be moving slower, put me about a mile ahead of them in good time, in spite of my constant zigzagging and occasionally running through a thicket of brush to set the tracks off in a different direction. I'd spend tomorrow brushing burrs out of my wiry coat.
It was probably all for nothing-if they had half a brain between them, we might end up in the same place anyway. But if I could disappear, that would work to my advantage.
Only once I was comfortably ahead of my potentially imaginary following, I took to the trees. My form was graced with another bizarre feature weirdly purposeful for my particular paths in life, and that was a long and cat like tail. I don't know what caused it, but it was a trait among my grandfathers as well. I had a lean figure that made it easy to lift my body weight, and the tail helped balance that figure. Like a deformed ballerina squirrel. I wasn't complaining. I could have been anything, a trapeze, an acrobat, a contortionist, ballerina, charades master... alas, I was but a mere spy.
I made my way up the hill, and the increasingly steep slope made it a much more interesting challenge to navigate through the pines and fir trees. I came to a small, more barren overhang- a spot where rocks would fall on and stay put in landslides. That's when I saw what I came here for, and continued on.
I was growing tired and frustrated. I didn't have enough to show for a days work, except a stale, mildew covered towel and some mental sketches of hideouts. My Oxfords were scuffed, my suit pants were scratched and marred..
But what's the day for if not the night?
I found a spot behind some brush, because I'm a gentleman. And I didn't want my new ladyfriends to show up and get embarrassed by my impeccable physique.
The suit was tucked away neatly in the backpack, and in it's place I donned my leggings and... loincloth? I couldn't place what might actually be called, just that it's standard issue for scouts. In a pinch, I could make it into some poncho-esque thing, and if I ran into a human, I could throw it on and see how long they'd believe I was a wild mountain man.
I kept hold of my piece, and my dart gun. But the backpack I'd need to do something with or my lady friends might know I had been here and also mostly nude, and that would also be embarrassing. More so as a spy than a man, because I'm not as easily embarrassed as I'm letting on. So I put it somewhere safe, then began on my path only after slipping into something more comfortable.
As a man, I was light on my feet. In my secondary form, I was as good as invisible. Scentless, too, thanks to one of my concoctions that had already helped me in the Phantom Mountains once before. I was fortunate in that even my coat acted as a cloak; the different tones of brown mimicked shadows and brush, especially during autumn.
There was something else I did, too, in circumstances like this where I might have concerns about being followed. More often than not, I didn't need to use it. Being a werewolf is fun in that, we can utilize our bodies differently a lot of the time. There are more moving parts. First generations have a hard time with this, they think their bodies operate the same as they do while they're human.
For example, I had recently learned to walk on two toes on either foot, essentially making me a very ugly ballerina. The purpose of this was to create tracks that at a glance, looked unlike a werewolf and more like a deer. This required me pacing my steps different as well, but it was only cumbersome so long as I was on the ground. Areas like this, however... they were perfect for climbing. There was no shortage of limbs, and I wouldn't be on the ground longer than I needed.
Continuing straight, I utilized the deer-toe method at a steady pace, an awkward run that would, should my pursuers be moving slower, put me about a mile ahead of them in good time, in spite of my constant zigzagging and occasionally running through a thicket of brush to set the tracks off in a different direction. I'd spend tomorrow brushing burrs out of my wiry coat.
It was probably all for nothing-if they had half a brain between them, we might end up in the same place anyway. But if I could disappear, that would work to my advantage.
Only once I was comfortably ahead of my potentially imaginary following, I took to the trees. My form was graced with another bizarre feature weirdly purposeful for my particular paths in life, and that was a long and cat like tail. I don't know what caused it, but it was a trait among my grandfathers as well. I had a lean figure that made it easy to lift my body weight, and the tail helped balance that figure. Like a deformed ballerina squirrel. I wasn't complaining. I could have been anything, a trapeze, an acrobat, a contortionist, ballerina, charades master... alas, I was but a mere spy.
I made my way up the hill, and the increasingly steep slope made it a much more interesting challenge to navigate through the pines and fir trees. I came to a small, more barren overhang- a spot where rocks would fall on and stay put in landslides. That's when I saw what I came here for, and continued on.
Quote from Mae on September 11, 2019, 6:28 pmThe bearings of reality come to a sudden and mysterious end when leaving light and air behind. Thus, into the sullen yawning mouth of the earth the triad were drawn, to follow deep veins through long forgotten tunnels.
Here, in the earth, the walls were the ceiling and the roof was the floor. Here, every rock bore the mark of man's chisel. Here, was the promise that those who were not careful would never see the light of day again.
The bearings of reality come to a sudden and mysterious end when leaving light and air behind. Thus, into the sullen yawning mouth of the earth the triad were drawn, to follow deep veins through long forgotten tunnels.
Here, in the earth, the walls were the ceiling and the roof was the floor. Here, every rock bore the mark of man's chisel. Here, was the promise that those who were not careful would never see the light of day again.
Quote from Indy on September 16, 2019, 7:03 pm“Spelunking?” the word was foreign on my lips, which was odd. I’d learned English as a small child. But every now and again, Tiffany would stumble across some gap in my knowledge. Nonetheless I caught her drift — up on the rocky face, scarcely seen in the dim glow of the stars and the starved moon, was the thing I’d seen that did not belong. It was too straight and too perfectly constructed to have been done by the forces of wind and water. And it would require much effort to arrive at its top.
I did not immediately rummage for my equipment in my dark pack, and instead gazed at the audit apprehensively. It was a small opening, likely only large enough for us to pass single-file. It would not be difficult to make a stronghold of it. And that was assuming no one spotted us making our ascent when we would be most vulnerable to the loose rocks.
I turned my bright eyes to the woods we’d traversed, lovely like dark velvet and guarding her secrets well. But in every detail there was a story, and perhaps it was merely the story of forest life.. and perhaps it was not. A strange thought settled in my mind that, once there, could not be banished until I felt the rhetorical question be uttered, “How many deer can run in this forest in a single night?”. Then I thought, “And would he have run so quickly, if he didn’t know he was hunted?”
My lips then curved into a tight smile, “I think we should let our friend arrive first. Let us see what… challenges… they have prepared for us”.
“Spelunking?” the word was foreign on my lips, which was odd. I’d learned English as a small child. But every now and again, Tiffany would stumble across some gap in my knowledge. Nonetheless I caught her drift — up on the rocky face, scarcely seen in the dim glow of the stars and the starved moon, was the thing I’d seen that did not belong. It was too straight and too perfectly constructed to have been done by the forces of wind and water. And it would require much effort to arrive at its top.
I did not immediately rummage for my equipment in my dark pack, and instead gazed at the audit apprehensively. It was a small opening, likely only large enough for us to pass single-file. It would not be difficult to make a stronghold of it. And that was assuming no one spotted us making our ascent when we would be most vulnerable to the loose rocks.
I turned my bright eyes to the woods we’d traversed, lovely like dark velvet and guarding her secrets well. But in every detail there was a story, and perhaps it was merely the story of forest life.. and perhaps it was not. A strange thought settled in my mind that, once there, could not be banished until I felt the rhetorical question be uttered, “How many deer can run in this forest in a single night?”. Then I thought, “And would he have run so quickly, if he didn’t know he was hunted?”
My lips then curved into a tight smile, “I think we should let our friend arrive first. Let us see what… challenges… they have prepared for us”.
Quote from Mae on September 18, 2019, 4:36 pmJust staring at those rocks and knowing I have to go up there makes me sick. I'm glad I have Ionone, but she's under no obligation to be here. Yet, here I am looking at her as if she's the one with the plan.
As Ionone's gaze drifted around the forest, I found mine did too, but I wasn't thinking about deer.
"Who ever knows the answer to that will know where to find us when something goes wrong tonight..." I said quietly. If the forest could hide who-knows how many animals and still appear this empty, it could conceal a corpse til the end of time. Still, I'm sorry to say it for Ionone's sake. The thought just came tumbling out. I don't remember ever saying anything so grim when we were kids. But life had its way, and a girl in my shoes just doesn't get far without knowing what's at stake. Everyday of my life reminds me. Then again, looking at the cape hanging on Ionone's shoulder, I guess she knows what its like to live with a constant reminder. What a grim, sullen feeling to think of all the time we've lost...
I don't know if it was the sad thought or the cold mountain wind that brought a shiver down my spine. Whichever the most likely, it doesn't matter. We got to get going.
"Hey, sugar," I muttered, "If it's all the same, I'd like to get up there before anyone arrives. I'm not dressed for company, and we can't forget who we're dealing with here."
Besides, I can't shake the feeling that someone has already made it here ahead of us...****
When they reached the top of the rocks, the moon was high in the sky, and a cold wind was blowing. Up in the mountains it seemed like storms came in ten times as fast as they did over the prairie. They were yet to see if Turbulence Mountain would live up to its name...
****
We had to crawl up the rocks on our hands and knees. I have no idea how Ionone managed it on three legs, and I know I shouldn't have been, but I was afraid for her every step of the way.
When we reached the top, I found myself looking down on the pitch black forest we left behind us, and wanting for all the world to be back under city lights."Well now," I breathed, bending over my knees. "I never would've made that climb before I had mastery over my second set of nails. How you doing, sugar? Lets get inside quick here, before we're blown back down."
As eager as I sounded to be going into the mountain, nothing could be further from the truth. I could see a lot better up here than before, and the rubble around the entrance concerned me. Rocks, jaunty and large, protruded in every direction. The beams holding open the adit (the absence of which I have no doubt might've closed this mine long ago) were bent under the boulder's weight. Nonetheless, I scurried inside and was immediately eclipsed in silence. The wind, though two feet away, felt a million miles behind me, and the warmth of the earth (though there wasn't really any warmth at all) felt tangible. At least my bare arms were in better comfort than before.
Now, I didn't know what we were going to find in here, but I felt inclined to relinquish my secondary skin for the lack of space. To be understood, I wasn't much bigger in my second skin as in my slim jeans, but I never liked myself covered in fur.
"There now," I said. "Doesn't that feel better."
I meant being out of the wind, but my internal reading shouted "No!" It was darker in here, and the tunnel immediately in front of me led into an abyss. There was no way of knowing how deep they dug into this mine before they abandoned it - and who knows why they abandoned it! I was better minded to take my chance with the wind, but I knew why I came here, and having a bit more background on my query than I assumed Mr. Button-down did, I wasn't over eager to find anything at all.
Just staring at those rocks and knowing I have to go up there makes me sick. I'm glad I have Ionone, but she's under no obligation to be here. Yet, here I am looking at her as if she's the one with the plan.
As Ionone's gaze drifted around the forest, I found mine did too, but I wasn't thinking about deer.
"Who ever knows the answer to that will know where to find us when something goes wrong tonight..." I said quietly. If the forest could hide who-knows how many animals and still appear this empty, it could conceal a corpse til the end of time. Still, I'm sorry to say it for Ionone's sake. The thought just came tumbling out. I don't remember ever saying anything so grim when we were kids. But life had its way, and a girl in my shoes just doesn't get far without knowing what's at stake. Everyday of my life reminds me. Then again, looking at the cape hanging on Ionone's shoulder, I guess she knows what its like to live with a constant reminder. What a grim, sullen feeling to think of all the time we've lost...
I don't know if it was the sad thought or the cold mountain wind that brought a shiver down my spine. Whichever the most likely, it doesn't matter. We got to get going.
"Hey, sugar," I muttered, "If it's all the same, I'd like to get up there before anyone arrives. I'm not dressed for company, and we can't forget who we're dealing with here."
Besides, I can't shake the feeling that someone has already made it here ahead of us...
****
When they reached the top of the rocks, the moon was high in the sky, and a cold wind was blowing. Up in the mountains it seemed like storms came in ten times as fast as they did over the prairie. They were yet to see if Turbulence Mountain would live up to its name...
****
We had to crawl up the rocks on our hands and knees. I have no idea how Ionone managed it on three legs, and I know I shouldn't have been, but I was afraid for her every step of the way.
When we reached the top, I found myself looking down on the pitch black forest we left behind us, and wanting for all the world to be back under city lights.
"Well now," I breathed, bending over my knees. "I never would've made that climb before I had mastery over my second set of nails. How you doing, sugar? Lets get inside quick here, before we're blown back down."
As eager as I sounded to be going into the mountain, nothing could be further from the truth. I could see a lot better up here than before, and the rubble around the entrance concerned me. Rocks, jaunty and large, protruded in every direction. The beams holding open the adit (the absence of which I have no doubt might've closed this mine long ago) were bent under the boulder's weight. Nonetheless, I scurried inside and was immediately eclipsed in silence. The wind, though two feet away, felt a million miles behind me, and the warmth of the earth (though there wasn't really any warmth at all) felt tangible. At least my bare arms were in better comfort than before.
Now, I didn't know what we were going to find in here, but I felt inclined to relinquish my secondary skin for the lack of space. To be understood, I wasn't much bigger in my second skin as in my slim jeans, but I never liked myself covered in fur.
"There now," I said. "Doesn't that feel better."
I meant being out of the wind, but my internal reading shouted "No!" It was darker in here, and the tunnel immediately in front of me led into an abyss. There was no way of knowing how deep they dug into this mine before they abandoned it - and who knows why they abandoned it! I was better minded to take my chance with the wind, but I knew why I came here, and having a bit more background on my query than I assumed Mr. Button-down did, I wasn't over eager to find anything at all.
Quote from Indy on September 18, 2019, 7:58 pmWe did not hunt for deer, but I wasn’t disappointed. I preferred to watch and wait. Tiffany preferred to react. I suppose that is what made us a dynamic duo in our younger years, although I was still discovering what it meant in our older years.
The climb up the tailings had been tiring work, but none I hadn’t anticipated and fortunately did not require any specialized equipment. I had felt Tiffany’s eyes upon me every step of the way, as though she were concerned I might blow away. A long time ago, this fear might have merit. But my family would not have suffered a kitsune who did not optimize every function of their bodies. My grandfather had once told a story of one of our ancestors from long ago. Fate had stolen his eyes, but rather than make himself a cripple, he found use in the touch, sound, and smell. When mongols had come to threaten his family, he was upon them like a shadow; teeth and claw in the dark places they could not see. The mongols that survived ran and told the others never to go to the place of the demon kitsune. That was the last they had ever troubled our family
Compared to that, my own shortcomings were far less. Even with my current obligations, I made an effort to maintain the efficiency and skill of my physique, lest I incur my grandfather’s wrath for making myself weak. Nonetheless, even I found a dampness on my pelt by the time we arrived to the top and my breath faster than it had been prior. I offered Tiffany a small point of a smile in acknowledgement of our shared affliction.
“I’m doing alright,” I replied in turn, dipping into the darkness of the cavern and watching Tiffany slip into “something more comfortable”, as I’d known her to say. Conversely, I intended to stay as I was for as long as possible. Here in the darkness, I wanted every tool at my disposal, even if that made me far less maneuvarable. I suppose my blind ancestor would be proud I thought of him as I sampled the dark, damp air with a single inhale.
I could see Tiffany’s posture go rigid in the near darkness, only by virtue of the limited starlight shining in from the entryway.
“Don’t worry,” I murmured softly, “If something is lurking in the dark, I will not miss it”.
We did not hunt for deer, but I wasn’t disappointed. I preferred to watch and wait. Tiffany preferred to react. I suppose that is what made us a dynamic duo in our younger years, although I was still discovering what it meant in our older years.
The climb up the tailings had been tiring work, but none I hadn’t anticipated and fortunately did not require any specialized equipment. I had felt Tiffany’s eyes upon me every step of the way, as though she were concerned I might blow away. A long time ago, this fear might have merit. But my family would not have suffered a kitsune who did not optimize every function of their bodies. My grandfather had once told a story of one of our ancestors from long ago. Fate had stolen his eyes, but rather than make himself a cripple, he found use in the touch, sound, and smell. When mongols had come to threaten his family, he was upon them like a shadow; teeth and claw in the dark places they could not see. The mongols that survived ran and told the others never to go to the place of the demon kitsune. That was the last they had ever troubled our family
Compared to that, my own shortcomings were far less. Even with my current obligations, I made an effort to maintain the efficiency and skill of my physique, lest I incur my grandfather’s wrath for making myself weak. Nonetheless, even I found a dampness on my pelt by the time we arrived to the top and my breath faster than it had been prior. I offered Tiffany a small point of a smile in acknowledgement of our shared affliction.
“I’m doing alright,” I replied in turn, dipping into the darkness of the cavern and watching Tiffany slip into “something more comfortable”, as I’d known her to say. Conversely, I intended to stay as I was for as long as possible. Here in the darkness, I wanted every tool at my disposal, even if that made me far less maneuvarable. I suppose my blind ancestor would be proud I thought of him as I sampled the dark, damp air with a single inhale.
I could see Tiffany’s posture go rigid in the near darkness, only by virtue of the limited starlight shining in from the entryway.
“Don’t worry,” I murmured softly, “If something is lurking in the dark, I will not miss it”.
Quote from Mae on October 1, 2019, 1:37 amI'm glad Ionone is here. I didn't know until that moment what it felt like to have the tender heart I often admired in other women. It was like being hugged on the inside so tight that water runs out your eyes, but I felt really stupid. I know I can't give her the same promise, but I trust Ionone with my life. So, I look forward and begin walking down the long grey tunnel.
The air is damp. There must be water somewhere in here, but even straining my ears I can't hear it. I can hear my breathing bouncing off the walls around me though, and the crackle of rocks under my shoes.
I suspect there will come a point when even our eyes will fail in this kind of place. I can't remember much of High School biology, but it seems to me that all eyes require some kind of light source, and the further in we go the less light can access us. For now, I can see the shape of the narrow hall, and the outline of chiseled rocks in the walls. Maybe we'll soon be in the same pitch blackness any member of mankind would encounter this far under the earth...
I'm glad Ionone is here. I didn't know until that moment what it felt like to have the tender heart I often admired in other women. It was like being hugged on the inside so tight that water runs out your eyes, but I felt really stupid. I know I can't give her the same promise, but I trust Ionone with my life. So, I look forward and begin walking down the long grey tunnel.
The air is damp. There must be water somewhere in here, but even straining my ears I can't hear it. I can hear my breathing bouncing off the walls around me though, and the crackle of rocks under my shoes.
I suspect there will come a point when even our eyes will fail in this kind of place. I can't remember much of High School biology, but it seems to me that all eyes require some kind of light source, and the further in we go the less light can access us. For now, I can see the shape of the narrow hall, and the outline of chiseled rocks in the walls. Maybe we'll soon be in the same pitch blackness any member of mankind would encounter this far under the earth...
Quote from Adriana on October 1, 2019, 5:14 pmLadies first.
Not only was I a gentleman, but I was a scientist in it's loose as possible sense. That being said, I was more inclined to let someone else test a poisonous mushroom before I deemed it poisonous.
Pack politics were woefully beyond me. I knew names here and there, faces? Mostly never. These two were new. Had they been more clear cut earlier on-as in, had that slinky Cat Woman persona not been lurking around-I might have been more open to their involvement in this mission. But as it seemed they wanted to play games, I'd say shame on me for depriving them.
Unbeknownst to the women, if either could be called that, I watched as they went into the mouth of their host, and observed it swallowing their figures into darkness. Not their voices, however-not yet, at least. The caverns mouth was no confidant - the last thing I heard was "don't worry".
There was a kind of an innocent hopelessness in that. Like when a toddler approaches their crying parent, not knowing the depth of their sorrow, and pats their knee saying "it's alright". Just doing with their small mortal brains what they think best, even when the situation is deep, and cold, and treacherous.
Why had Diane marked this location? All of the other locations boasted a similar theme; enclosed, hidden, and unkind to our species. Were they places she was familiar with by experience? Or places she or her peers had come across in passing and had deemed worth investigating? Did they know the depth of the dangers within them, if there were any at all? The other two locations seemed only reminiscent of some threat, for the most part.
No matter what the case was - there was an uncomfortable pang in my gut I could only assume was my conscience as I hadn't eaten all day. I slipped easily down from my perch and began up the slope after them. Even though this particular tree had actually sat about level with the caves mouth at it's peak, the base of it was a good ways down.
I worked my way up to the top and soundlessly peered into the cavern's mouth, holding onto the rim with my head low for safety. Here goes nothing.
Ladies first.
Not only was I a gentleman, but I was a scientist in it's loose as possible sense. That being said, I was more inclined to let someone else test a poisonous mushroom before I deemed it poisonous.
Pack politics were woefully beyond me. I knew names here and there, faces? Mostly never. These two were new. Had they been more clear cut earlier on-as in, had that slinky Cat Woman persona not been lurking around-I might have been more open to their involvement in this mission. But as it seemed they wanted to play games, I'd say shame on me for depriving them.
Unbeknownst to the women, if either could be called that, I watched as they went into the mouth of their host, and observed it swallowing their figures into darkness. Not their voices, however-not yet, at least. The caverns mouth was no confidant - the last thing I heard was "don't worry".
There was a kind of an innocent hopelessness in that. Like when a toddler approaches their crying parent, not knowing the depth of their sorrow, and pats their knee saying "it's alright". Just doing with their small mortal brains what they think best, even when the situation is deep, and cold, and treacherous.
Why had Diane marked this location? All of the other locations boasted a similar theme; enclosed, hidden, and unkind to our species. Were they places she was familiar with by experience? Or places she or her peers had come across in passing and had deemed worth investigating? Did they know the depth of the dangers within them, if there were any at all? The other two locations seemed only reminiscent of some threat, for the most part.
No matter what the case was - there was an uncomfortable pang in my gut I could only assume was my conscience as I hadn't eaten all day. I slipped easily down from my perch and began up the slope after them. Even though this particular tree had actually sat about level with the caves mouth at it's peak, the base of it was a good ways down.
I worked my way up to the top and soundlessly peered into the cavern's mouth, holding onto the rim with my head low for safety. Here goes nothing.
Quote from Indy on October 1, 2019, 7:07 pmIf you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.
- Niche, 19th century
We were beyond lovely, dark and deep; Now, we were just dark, deep, and darker still. In each progressive step, more of what little light we had fell away until only the darkness remained. And in the-not-seeing of total darkness, you see things too. Imagine them, maybe, but see them all the same. And know in each passing moment, those things could be very, very real.
It could be difficult to recall the times before our smell was comparable to a dog's, our sight functioned as clearly at night as in the day, and wounds mended at an impressive rate. My ancestors had relished well in the gifts provided to them... but careful kitsune that they were, they had paid mind never to forget what they'd been before. Darkness, deafness, weakness need only the opportunity to find us again. So we trained and prepared, presumably for this very instant their foolish descendant had squeezed herself into a narrow shaft with a hidden terror at the end.
The shadow-shapes that flitted imagined in my eyes were disregarded; I knew them to be the impulse of a mind in panic for what it had lost, and ultimately, a distraction. Instead, I acknowledged the real. The embrace of the earth tunnels around me, the smell of dirt, and the sound of our breathing echoing into the chambers around us. I noted the way our breath scattered across the tunnel. I do not confess to be skilled enough to determine the exact lay of the land from sound alone, but it told me how big the space was around us. I knew the tunnel would continue for a very long time before it opened up again, if it would at all. I also knew our enemies would have to breath just as much as we would.
And... another note to the crescendo of breath. Our loose-end had followed behind us. Or at least, I prayed it was he and not an enemy attempting to take us out from behind.
I paused a moment, fishing out something from my pouch. Perhaps it was petty of me. But certain questions I was not comfortable to leave lingering. Still behind Tifanny, I deposited over a dozen metal tacks soundlessly on the dirt floor with good spread, point-side up. Now, to see what sound I heard in a few moment's time.
If you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.
- Niche, 19th century
We were beyond lovely, dark and deep; Now, we were just dark, deep, and darker still. In each progressive step, more of what little light we had fell away until only the darkness remained. And in the-not-seeing of total darkness, you see things too. Imagine them, maybe, but see them all the same. And know in each passing moment, those things could be very, very real.
It could be difficult to recall the times before our smell was comparable to a dog's, our sight functioned as clearly at night as in the day, and wounds mended at an impressive rate. My ancestors had relished well in the gifts provided to them... but careful kitsune that they were, they had paid mind never to forget what they'd been before. Darkness, deafness, weakness need only the opportunity to find us again. So we trained and prepared, presumably for this very instant their foolish descendant had squeezed herself into a narrow shaft with a hidden terror at the end.
The shadow-shapes that flitted imagined in my eyes were disregarded; I knew them to be the impulse of a mind in panic for what it had lost, and ultimately, a distraction. Instead, I acknowledged the real. The embrace of the earth tunnels around me, the smell of dirt, and the sound of our breathing echoing into the chambers around us. I noted the way our breath scattered across the tunnel. I do not confess to be skilled enough to determine the exact lay of the land from sound alone, but it told me how big the space was around us. I knew the tunnel would continue for a very long time before it opened up again, if it would at all. I also knew our enemies would have to breath just as much as we would.
And... another note to the crescendo of breath. Our loose-end had followed behind us. Or at least, I prayed it was he and not an enemy attempting to take us out from behind.
I paused a moment, fishing out something from my pouch. Perhaps it was petty of me. But certain questions I was not comfortable to leave lingering. Still behind Tifanny, I deposited over a dozen metal tacks soundlessly on the dirt floor with good spread, point-side up. Now, to see what sound I heard in a few moment's time.
