Thomas shot the boy a glare, considering thwapping the lad on the back of the head. He went to speak, but Jasmine cut him off, knowing his temper was close at hand again. [color=fff200][i][b]"Proper hard working folk like our families don't need, or want, more than we already have. You could learn from Thomas here. Besides, old, fancy rings are nice and all, but those were probably already given to someone way back when. I'd rather a ring that was given to me and only me. It's much more romantic."[/b][/i][/color] She smiled at Thomas, having felt she defended him well enough, then continued, [b][i][color=fff200]"And I don't really want a crown, though maybe a fancy hairpin would be nice."[/color][/i][/b]

Jasmine could see that Thomas had relaxed a bit, but wasn't quite back down to earth as she'd hoped. She stopped a sec, letting the young boyo pass, and elbowed her way back next to Thomas, noting the change in his demeanor immediately. Whispering to him, [b][i][color=fff200]"This is fun, I'm glad you brought me."[/color][/i][/b] Continuing to follow the lantern, it looked as if another large room as ahead. She kicked a small pebble into the wall, noting the floor was much drier now. As soon as the trio were in, there was a loud rumbling and shaking. Jasmine clutched at Thomas' arm, waiting for it to end, the noise growing louder from behind them. 

Gerard had been listening to Marzy, mostly enjoying the sound of her voice and the occasional bounce of her feminine figure. They could probably be a bit nicer and inclusive toward Fren, though Thomas seemed to be getting a lot more territorial when it came to other men coming near Jasmine. Surely he'd either get bold enough or she'd finally see his intentions soon. He was watching the three of them when he felt the ground begin to shake, and he saw a few motes of dust dropping from the ceiling, spiraling down right in front of his face. 

Instinct kicked in, realizing what was about to happen. He turned, yelling [i][b][color=ed1c24]"RUN!"[/color][/b][/i] He pressed his hands to Marzy's chest and pushed her backwards as large chunks of stone began to fall around him. One hit him in the back, knocking him to all fours, while he managed to get out [i][b][color=ed1c24]"GO!"[/color][/b][/i] 

A huge dust cloud filled the large chamber, as well as the tunnel on the other end of the cave-in. As it began to clear, a sputtered coughing, weak and faint, could be heard. Gerard's head and shoulders could be seen, but the rest of him was covered in heavy rubble. His breath was coming fast, as he looked toward Marzy, tears in his eyes. Voices from the other side of the rubble could be heard, but only faintly.

Full panic had set in on Jasmine, screaming loudly down the tunnel. She had no idea if Gerard and the others had been caught in the cave in, [b][i][color=fff200]"GERARD! GERARD! Can you hear me?"[/color][/i][/b] Tears were already flowing down her face, as she watched Thomas immediately set to work with the pick and shovel he'd brought. But every swing brought a bit more rubble down, and weakened the ceiling more, and he knew it. Finally he stopped, causing Jasmine to yell once more, [color=fff200][i][b]"Why'd you stop? They need our help!"[/b][/i][/color]

He turned, looking toward her, [b][i][color=0054a6]"Jas, if I dig anymore, I'll bury us all."[/color][/i][/b]

She tried to take the pick from his hands, but he held firm, and she looked at him angrily, slapping him hard across the face. [b][i][color=fff200]"He's our brother!"[/color][/i][/b] She stomped away from him, heading toward the southern tunnel.

[i][b][color=0054a6]"Jas, where are you going?"[/color][/b][/i]

Turning and glaring at him, [b][i][color=fff200]"To find a way back, to find Gerard. Are you going to help me or waste my time?"[/color][/i][/b] Thomas sighed, looking at the rubble, the rest of the group, then quickly hitched his gear again, and pulled out a torch, lighting and chasing after the redhead.

A sputtering of blood coughed its way from Gerard's lips, [i][b][color=ed1c24]"Mar.. Marzy. Pro.. protect Jasm..."[/color][/b][/i] before falling into another fit of coughing. Then it sounded like he was laughing, but with the damage done, it sounded a lot more ominous than jovial. [i][b][color=ed1c24]"Nev.. ven.. kis... a pret... gir..."[/color][/b][/i] You didn't have to be a doctor to realize he only had a few moments left before his spirit left his failing body.