[h3][center]Lan and Heph[/center][/h3]
[color=990000][i]“Such a rude kitty.”[/i][/color] I decided. Thinking, that would help me stay calm, right? I turned around in place, trying to take in my surroundings to come up with some way of helping. The dim light of the cave made it hard to see what was going on, [color=990000]“I wish those worms were a bit closer to us…”[/color] I sighed, then paused, [color=990000]“Actually... Hey Cam, I’m gonna have to leave you alone for a bit. I’ve got an idea.”[/color] I coughed to clear my throat before speaking again, raising my voice [color=990000]“I need some help guys, I’ve got an idea. If somebody has some way of making like a lantern or anything like that I think I can climb up the wall and get some of those glow-y worms.”[/color]

“Conan was Schwarzenegger, flea bag!” Heph chided the ebony wonder as the black cat sauntered further ahead, it’s dark form mingling with the shadow of the cave. It [I]was[/I] pretty dark, maybe a lantern wasn’t a terrible idea...  “Yo, exit or not gimme one good reason I should smash these shivs with a monster on the loose.”

[color=990000]“We can’t fight effectively if we can’t see it, that goes double for finding our way out.”[/color] I explained, feeling my way closer to the nearest wall in search of hand holds,

“We got worms and we got weapons, what more could you ask for in a fight to the fuckin’ death?” Wit was more often a shield than a lance as the breathing drew closer. Heph was all in favor of running as far and as far as possible but who knew if this chick with the cat even knew how to get out? “I’ll tell you what, you find me some more ore and I’ll kit you out but I’m not trusting my life to some stranger in a mind cave. This is already above my pay grade.” He called to the woman squat in the center of the cave. “No offense lady.”


[color=990000]“Ore? I can probably do that. What am I looking for? Iron or something else?”[/color] This would be easier with a magnet, but I was confident enough that I could tell the difference between rock and raw metal. [color=990000]“I’m Lan, by the way. At least, that’s what everyone calls me.”[/color] Finally, I found a few solid handholds and hefted myself up onto the wall, [color=990000]“And at least your powers can do something in here. Know what mine does right now? Literally nothing.”[/color]

Heph stood rigid as the voice pulled itself into a view, staunch refusal to turn from the beast’s lair a fine cover for being petrified with fear. “Call me Heph. If I die in her carve it in a rock or something.” Both hands tightened around their respective shank as he peered fruitlessly through the inky blackness. That lantern sounded better all the time. “Look for anywhere the worms’ light reflects off the wall, that’s how I found enough for these. Anything you find, I can use. It’s nothing like possessing a cat or magically finding your way out a cave but I will admit it feels pretty good being the only prick in armor.” Heph smiled a wary toothy grin as the breathing started getting louder once more. “Fuck it, get the worms.” His bravado slipping in the face of imminent danger, Heph corrected himself. “I can use some of my jewelry if all we need is a light source but if you lose it we’re gonna have issues.”

[color=990000]“Oui capitan”[/color] I began to scale the wall properly, making slow and deliberate steps up the slick wall, locating a surprising number of solid holds on the way up. Near the top of the cave, I found a protruding mound of something shiny which dislodged readily from the wall, [color=990000]“Think I found some Heph. Stand clear, I’m dropping it.”[/color] I waited a moment before letting go of it and finding a new point to grip.

The sound echoed through the cave as the gleaming mass landed, chipping rock from the precious metal encased within. The breathing beast perked at the noise and Heph could hear it drawing nearer to investigate. “Okay, okay, fuck, I just need a minute don’t let it get in here while I’m working.” Unceremoniously, Heph swiftly turned over his shivs to the nearest able body and set to work dragging the metal from the rock. It was a sizable amount and easily made a large enough container for the worms. Without glass there would be only slits for the light to escape but it would have to be enough. “Hey lady,” he turned to the now standing woman in the center of the room. “Yo, how do we get outta this fuckin’ cave? That thing knows something’s in here and I’d rather not meet it.”

As I reached the top of the cave, I reached out and brushed as many worms loose as I could, sending them falling to the ground. The job done, I made my way back down to the cave floor. [color=990000]“Thanks Heph.”[/color] I accepted the lantern and scooped the worms up, dropping them inside before closing the cage. It was a narrower beam, but significantly brighter than the ambient lighting. [color=990000]“Everybody listen up. We should form two teams, one for keeping that… whatever it is from hurting us, and one for finding a way out.”[/color]