Final: Orange

[voidtreckermods]

Down the Staircase: Backdated to Day Seven

Those who were investigating the sigil or fighting crabs nearby would be aware of the ground rumbling as a spiral staircase opened into the dark sand below.

Of course it is less a staircase at the bottom of the ocean and more a terrifying water helter-skelter downwards through the dark.

But they land in an underground cave. It is dark, and ankle deep in water. In the centre there is a white marble plinth, with a large empty shell on top. The walls of the cave are dark and grimy but with the aid of the torches in their SCA's and some investigating will find a hint of colours underneath the sand and seaweed on the walls.

Between day seven and day ten

The crabs are still attacking. It is not a never ending siege but it pays to be vigilant as every so often crabs arrive to launch an attack on the sleeping citizens. Luckily they don't seem to be able to get into the underground chamber, perhaps being too large or unwilling to enter through the twisting passage.

Inside the cave the water is slowly rising, by day ten of the month of Fiddlesticks it reaches the average voidtrecker's chest.

The plinth is tall, above the voidtreckers' heads and so hasn't been submerged yet.

Assuming they have begun to clear the sand and seaweed off the walls of the cave a picture begins to emerge. Simple drawings, very similar to those on the tablets in the market place.

Day Ten

Light from the sky, an island. People gathered around a fire. Beacon. Symbols are helpfully translated for them. A plinth. No, two plinths with shells on them filled with light.

All very useful. If only they had any way to share their ideas with the others.

Which is when their SCA's glow and a holographic screen appears.

Meanwhile on the train...

By day ten the storm hits with a vengeance. Waves are high, rain falls practically sideways. The train holds out well, staying in place and upright through the battering seas. Going out to dive is nerve wracking and there might be some cases of seasickness in those remaining on the train.

It is all in all not a great sea faring experience.

Comments

[stealsyourheart]

"Ah yeah." He grimaces. "That makes sense. No place to sleep down there I imagine. Sadly, I've got nothing stronger than the ginger. Although if Miss Light is down there, or Sarai-san, you could ask 'em if their healing magic might help."

[springforth]

"I will survive, I think. We can't be on this world much longer, right?"

She takes another sip, sighing as she closes her eyes, then flings them open when the nausea returns full force. Bad idea, bad idea. Distraction time.

"Are you going down there today?"

[stealsyourheart]

"Hope not! Suppose it depends on how they're going down there."

He shakes his head.

"No go." He says gloomily. "I have a phobia of f-f-f-f-f...scaly finny things. So it's not a good idea."

[springforth]

"Oh. Did something happen or just--" She waves her hands in a vague sort of way, "Afraid of things you can't see touching you?"

[stealsyourheart]

"Nothing... I remember. Just. Scared of 'em."

He nods, very carefully and deliberately counting his breathing until his heart starts to slow down and his hands stop shaking.

[springforth]

Oh no! She reaches out to touch his hands, steadying them with her own.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to make things worse. I didn't know just speaking of it would upset you so."

[stealsyourheart]

He shakes his head, trying for a wobbly smile.

"'s ok." He manages. "Not... your fault."

[springforth]

"Let's talk about something else. Your ginger tea. Is it your recipe or did you just find it shoved in some cabinet in the kitchen?"

She picks it back up, wrapping her hands around it and soaking in the warmth.

[stealsyourheart]

"That'll work." Deep breaths. Okay. He's got this.

"It's worse if I actually see em. I'm only this twitchy coz I got an eyefull, earlier. Otherwise I'm not usually this jumpy."

He grins. "It's my friend Aoko's recipe, actually. She made it for me once when I got food poisoning. I suspect it's her mom's, maybe."

[springforth]

With a nod, she leaves it behind. No need to torture him with continuing the references.

"Well it's lovely. Very spicy but not too much?" She takes a tiny sip. "A friend from home, I assume?"

[stealsyourheart]

"Yep! We've been friends since... I think we must've been six years old? We go to the same school, and our houses are pretty close to each other too." He grins.

[springforth]

"Wow, that's such a long time--and so close. Is she here or back home?"

Another sip, as she tries to decide if that was the wrong thing to ask.

[stealsyourheart]

"She's back home." He nods. "I prefer that, you know? At least if she's at home, I know she's safe and well. And her dad... oof. The Inspector's like a second dad to me, but man, he's bad at looking after himself. If Aoko isn't there, I'd worry about him too."