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[ Rough's sure a word for it.

At least it becomes clear soon enough to them how the situation has become quite difficult to deal with, given everything. ]

...I can't say I do either.

[ Not that Yuri minds pushing his limits in a normal bout. But, when it comes to a situation like this? Even he is more careful rather than simply rash. As he's standing there, thinking of another approach, Achilles is already moving into action, and he really can't believe it. For once, Yuri wonders if this is how Flynn has felt about some of the things he has done. Having some actual self-awareness in a time like this...

...

But you know what? 'When in Rome', as they say. Yuri shakes his head with a disbelieving laugh, but then he'll position himself a bit so he can make a leap down—then he'll suddenly strike out with his blade into the wall beside him, hoping to slow down his fall just a tad. Provided his blade gets a good hold as he's sliding down the wall (doing this one-handed), he's angling the flashlight below, and then if he is able to spot something like the bottom of the floor some feet away, he'll rip the sword out of the wall, tucking his feet under and hoping for the best with a roll aimed to absorb the force of the fall.

In before this isn't necessary, but ICLY, Yuri doesn't know that, hah. ]

[ Whoever lands first will be met with a soft landing as if they landed on a hundred pillows to protect them against the harsh ground. Whoever lands second is going to have a lot of feathers in his face because of that. Hope the first person can catch him, because this soft landing? Only big enough for one person. ]

[ naturally, he lands faster, if just because he was far more reckless. when he's caught by the pillows, he's definitely surprised. while it wasn't a trap per se, it was for sure something deliberate in part of their surroundings.

but, he barely has time to settle, if just because he realizes he's probably on the safest point, and so from here, he drops his spear before reaching his arms out, fully prepared to go ahead and catch yuri. he sees yuri did what he could to settle his fall a bit, and so he says loudly, if just to reassure him: ]

Don't worry! I got you!

[ Yeah... it's deliberate alright. But in such a way that leaves even Yuri just nonplussed.

Maybe he should be annoyed too, though he just can't quite manage that. The perks of being actually very much a level-headed kind of guy. In certain instances, anyway. We don't talk about his time as a vigilante. ]

I'll be counting on you, then!

[ Anyways, he will indeed let himself be caught by Achilles! At least none of them went splat. Anything else that can be noticed in their immediate surroundings besides the pillows? He's going to be using the flashlight to shine some light around here or there soon enough, after all. ]

[ The feathers are indeed quite soft. They don't seem to have magical properties of any kind, but they're welcome to take some if they want for whatever reason. Just like there are a bunch of desert rose crystals embedded in the mine's walls. In fact, there's so many of them that the walls of this entire floor are covered with them. Being in here is a good way to calm yourself down. Perhaps it's the crystals' influence.

They'll have to continue down the mines... ]

[ he catches yuri easily enough. keeping his tight to his chest upon impact, if just to keep his center of gravity nice and even. with that, he sets him back down on his feet whenever he's ready. but yeah.... even if he doens't exactly put it in words, he's kind of relieved it works out.

in his haste to look around, he doesn't end up picking up feathers, but he does notice all the rose crystals. using the tip of his spear, he does his best to try and pry a few off the walls.

but, huh.... he did feel oddly at peace here. ] Do you think we're allowed to take these?

[ You're a pal, Achilles. At least he's practically a good cushion, not unlike those pillows laying around here or there.

Eventually, he is set back on his feet because he does feel like walking sooner than later! ]

...You know what, why not? We worked hard to get here.

[ He's going to be staring at some of the crystals and then ... maybe that's about it. He has a sword but he'd rather not chip it. He'll also pick up some of the feathers too. ]

Edited 2023-02-20 18:22 (UTC)

[ For those who will mine the desert rose crystals, please roll a d20!

A cold air descends upon them despite the calmness of the area... ]

Thanks, friend. [ whether fortunate or unfortunate, that's all the positive reinforcement achilles needs to continue his task of trying to pry the rose crystals. rolling a 3, however, who knows... how this task goes.

still, being attuned to his surroundings, he does notice the shift in the air. his eyes temporarily shift from the crystals and instead looking around. maybe even preparing himself for what's to come. a part of him is hoping for a fight, obviously...

not that he says this out loud. ]

No problem.

[ ...Meanwhile, Yuri just, uh. Is sure noticing the odd shift in their surroundings.

He too is hoping for a fight, but surely Achilles is a reasonable person who would prefer neither of those things (lmao) ]

Well, if you ask me, everything's gotten foreboding all of a sudden. Maybe we're in some creature's lair.

[ Hahaha, he's joking, doesn't think that's serious at all! That is exactly why his hand is on the handle of his blade, practically about to pull it out in a moment's notice. ]

[ With that 3, Achilles will pick out two rose crystals but one of them snaps in half.

The coldness continues to make itself at home in the mines and when the two go further in the floor, they'll encounter a very clear pool of water and on the edge, leaning out of the pool, is a girl, but upon closer inspection, this girl is a mermaid. ]

You two are the next two suitors for me? Very well. If either of you can make it out alive, then you'll have the honor of being my betrothed!

[ Remember that coldness? It's still here, and icicles grow like stalagmites off the walls, threatening to grow large enough to stab both of them. ]

[ oh... sad.

but, per usual, achilles seems to take it in stride as he pockets them. but, whatever excitement he feels from his haul, only seems to redirect at yuri's words. he was already planning on being on-guard, but it looks like just as his companion had surmised— they weren't alone. ] Looks like you were right. But...

Suitors? [ he pauses momentarily, before a touch of amusement soon replaces whatever inkling of confusion he may have held. ] So what happens if we both survive? [ naturally, there's no lack of confidence in his voice. he readies his spear, fully prepared to break apart an icicle. ]

You plan to take two of us? [ ... sounds messy.

not that he plans on losing, even if he did appreciate her boldness. ]

[ Yuri's glad to see that they're seeing an enemy of sorts. But, all the same, he can't exactly say he expected whatever all of...this is.

By 'this' we mean the loaded sentence this mermaid just tossed his way. God just imagine if certain other people heard this, that would have been a riot. But it is just the two of them. ]

I've got the same questions he has.

[ Yuri feels like, somehow, that's not impossible. Or maybe that she just believes that they heard some kind of weird tale about this on the island. Also possible. Whatever the case, he ain't running anytime soon.

Before the stalagmites fall, Yuri knows it will be best to go on the offensive, having faith he can counter them whenever they do, and so he's already swinging his blade, sending a shockwave towards the mermaid. ]

Of course I will be taking both of you!

[ To hell, maybe. The mermaid ducks into the pond when Yuri sends a shockwave at her and pops back out, sticking out her tongue at him. The ice stalagmites grow larger and larger in an attempt to limit the two's movements, but they can just break them if they roll higher than a 10. ]

Nice! [ he's impressed and both kind of curious about that shockwave...

but, he figures now is probably not the time to ask.

unfortunately, a 9 is rolled and so despite achilles best efforts to break the ice apart with his spear, it doesn't quite work as planned. which is genuinely a surprise on his end. while frustrating, it isn't like him to necessarily get worked up over a mishap. nor does it stop him from at least trying to move around. which is easier said than done, of course.

at least it's clear at this point in time, that he probably can't afford to be taking it as relaxed and careless as he normally does. while trying to find another path around the icicles, he does managed to get nicked, but maybe he looks kind of happy about it? listen, it's nice to have a challenge.

but, hopefully his partner has better luck! ]

You can just forget it!

[ Just come and try, lady.

Certainly not the time to talk, but as for the inconvenience of the stalagmites? Yuri's more focused on the mermaid side of things when she draws back temporarily into the water, evading his strike, and honestly, part of him expected an attempt to keep safe from the start. In a way, it's good.

After all, it means it will not be an easy bout.

When Achilles' attempt to do something about their icicle problem draws up short, however, the dark-haired male decides that naturally, it's his turn to give it a try.

Yuri's going to be moving around—still much room for that at least—and to the stalagmites that crowd too far close for comfort when he is in a different spot, he swings on wide and powerful with his right hand, already confident that he'll be able to shatter those stalagmites right in the attack path. For his credit, it's not useless endeavor.

And then, you know, Yuri rolled a damn nat 1 and I don't know how to say this but he absolutely flubs it. Maybe his sword goes flying for a moment and he has to pick it back up.

Well, some days he has good luck, and other days, his bad luck returns ala electric boogaloo, so what can he do?? Sorry Achilles... ]

[ The mermaid giggles at both men, diving underwater shortly after. She doesn't seem to come up, but the reason is absolutely clear when the pond water rises, reaching the chamber's ceiling as it turns into a giant wave, and comes crashing down. It's a big water AoE! I'll leave it up to you guys what happens to them. ]

[ looks like they both missed in this case, and while he had his heart set on getting as deep as they could and maybe regaining some retribution here for all the trouble, it looks like the mermaid giggles and disperses.

there are a few seconds, his gaze strays and before he knows it, there is a giant wave that comes crashing their way, he tries to ground himself, and so he does the only he can and summons up his chariot with a swift whistle. ] Looks like this one might be kinda tough.

[ maybe, it'll at least float up over the top and maybe they can try and ride the wave through. or that's his intention, but it's unfortunate that the logistics or if doesn't see to be working out. hence, he does get hit, but once he recovers, he does his best to rise up and see if he can find yuri.

maybe they can titanic it.... while using his chariot.... ]

[ ...Well, shit. They're in it now!!

What can he do, though? There's not much room to dodge a whole-ass tidal wave in a closed space, except for running back, but even then it will eventually reach, so that plan's no good either. ]

Yeah, that seems to be the case. Damn.

[ But, hey. The good thing about Yuri is that he's proactive, already running into a sprint, and leaping straight up to land himself daringly into the Chariot once the green-haired male is looking for him. Since he doesn't bumble those kind of movements, at least. And assuming there's enough room?? RIP did not watch the fate Achilles is from.

But, uh. Can they titanic it?? ]

[ They can absolutely titanic it! You'll be soaked and all, but the two men have withstood the tidal wave with the chariot! Congratulations! When the mermaid sees the outcome, she squeals. Such handsome and strong men! Wow!! ]

Now I want you even more!

[ With her motivation rising, she tries to freeze the wet area, which is... basically everywhere. Long distance attacks would be nice right about now. ]

[ in theory... there should be— they can squeeze. the chariot embarrassingly looks more like a weird spaceship anyway, which is probably just weirder to envision, i'm sorry.

thankfully, they managed to make it ... mostly unscathed. just completely drenched. but there are definitely worse consequences out there. either way, he scrambles to find his bearings as quickly as he can.

once he sees the immediate area starting to freeze, he does prepare his spear to throw. mustering up all his strength and rolling a 14, he slings his arm back and releases. ] You should be careful for what you ask for, Miss.

[ but, damn... that's cold. he could only hope at times like these that he had fire abilities or something. ]

[ It's a tight squeeze for sure, and...the oddest chariot Yuri's ever seen. But you know what? He's not complaining over here.

Especially since it saved him from being drowned. ]

You can say that all you'd like, but we're not going to make that easy.

[ He's already spoken for. But, their position isn't enviable. Speaking of long distance attacks, Yuri has a couple. Thanks to a clever usage of Azure Storm, Yuri, swings a couple of wind-based shockwaves in quick succession—less basic than your average Demon Fang/Majinken—and honestly bigger, in the hopes of dispelling the mermaid's concentration in an attempt to freeze the area. How's that going to work out? ]

[ Luckily(?) for the two, the mermaid has rolled a nat 1, so she's getting spears and slashed at in a very cartoon-like sense in that there's no blood and that she's being knocked around in the pond. She disappears in the typical jrpg way, disappearing into sparkles.

With that the water in the pond drains until it's just a small crater-sized landscape. At the center of it, they can find 1 alexandrite the size of a human baby's fist and 1 mermaid scale that is the size of their hand. When the mermaid scale is held by two (or three) people at the same time, they will be compelled to go to the beach and convey their passionate, undying love for each other in the most dramatic way possible.

Upon receiving the two items, the two will find themselves outside of the mines in a blink of an eye. Journey's done! ]

[ the way she disperses kind of reminds him more of spiritual matter than anything physical. perhaps, a bit reminiscent to what he was accustomed to in some ways, and he can't deny the bit of an ironic smile that makes its way to his features as a result.

still, looks like that was one issue over and done with. as with the last one, his eyes seem to ask his companion what he wants, and he ends up picking up the alexandrite. it's pretty big, not bad for raw materials. he's both impressed and kind of happy? looks like this will be a good place to come to a few more times, he thinks.

when they've both picked up their pieces, it looks like they're back to the start and he can't deny it's a bit funny. ] You know through all of this, I realized... I never got your name, huh? Pretty careless of me.

[ Finally, Yuri manages to have some luck here!!

Anyway, he also finds himself more inclined to pick up the mermaid scale for some reason. He's never been the type of guy who was too into jewelry anyways. Maybe he can show it off to Judith and Flynn too; that'd be neat.

Regardless, Achilles presents a good question, because it's got him thinking. But technically he's done the same mistake. ]

...Same here, actually.

Well, easy way to fix that up, right? The name's Yuri Lowell. You?

mines.

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sorry for the late!!

All good \o/!

nw!!

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