[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/rHBxLGZ/therionbanner.png[/img]
[color=BC8DBF]Word Count: 1093 (+2 exp)
[u]Level[/u]: [b]4[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 43/40
[b]Location[/b]: The Under via Nyakuza Metro - MTT Resort[/color]
[color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color][/center]
Being unable to do anything with the Moogle, the trio went to the next stair landing where the walkways branched off into a couple of different areas. None of them looked like they'd bring them above ground. One of them did appear to go up further, not straight up but definitely higher, however it also appeared untrodden. Probably best not to forge a whole new path in an unfamiliar place. So at Raz's question, Therion just shook his head. 

He switched to nodding when Jesse suggested asking the locals. [color=BC8DBF]"Good idea,"[/color] he said, and then let her go. Back before... well, this, they'd always let Alfyn or Cyrus handle asking around. Sometimes Primrose or Ophilia, if the situation called. Therion's brand of information gathered had always been passive, so he stayed put right where he was. He turned and leaned against the railing, watching Jesse more to see if she'd get distracted and make a detour like it had seemed she might. 

He glanced at Raz when the boy piped up. He'd been expecting that Raz would try and strike up a conversation, since he hadn't seen the kid just be quiet since he'd met him. The topic was unexpected though, and Therion squinted his one visible eye as he thought about how to answer it.

[color=BC8DBF]"...I don't really know how to describe it,"[/color] he said after a bit of time thinking. [color=BC8DBF]"I'm not a mage or a scholar. It's like energy. But, yeah, I use it for my [i]powers.[/i]"[/color] Therion dragged out the last word, wiggling the fingers on one hand in a mock-spooky manner. Of course, his actual magic was still unusable for whatever reason. Stupid sun-monster thing. 

The thief watched Raz's display while fully intending [i]not[/i] to show off his own skills. He couldn't blame the kid for trying to earn some trust, after all he was surrounded by adults for the most part and he was expected to fight alongside them. But Therion couldn't do the same, even if the only witness was a little psychic boy. He wouldn't hold himself back in battle, but a demonstration like this? No way. Still, after Raz was done Therion let out an impressed whistle. His magic - or, his 'powers' - did seem useful.

Then Raz let out a comment so casual about [i]mind-reading[/i] that Therion almost missed it. [i]Mind-reading? Seriously?[/i] The thought nearly brought Therion's brain screeching to a halt, and he hardly focused on what the psychic was explaining after that. He registered [i]portal, into people's minds, willing to let me[/i] -

[color=BC8DBF]"No."[/color]

Therion stared at Raz, his hackles raised like a startled cat. His eye shifted from Raz's face to the little door he held in his hand. Going directly into someone's brain should be impossible, but in this hodgepodge world? Therion believed it was possible. And the thought of someone going into his mind, seeing him at his lowest - locked up, or bloodied, or betrayed, literally broken into pieces - was not something he wanted to entertain in the slightest. 

He pushed himself off of the railing to stand, and when he next addressed Raz his voice was hard and serious.

[color=BC8DBF]"Do not use that on me. And [i]don't[/i] read my mind."[/color]

Well, he couldn't make himself any clearer than that. If someone else wanted to do it, then so be it. But not him.

Jesse returned with news that if they tried getting above ground from here they'd have a hell of a time doing it, so it was best to move on. Therion agreed, and he led the way back down the staircase toward the station without stopping to wonder about the upsides of being eaten versus being dusted. He wanted to walk off the uneasiness in his chest, so he didn't pause until he was back on the train. [hr]
Like their previous ride on the metro Therion stayed quiet, though this time the whole way through. He'd even been trying to [i]think[/i] less, given what Raz had revealed earlier, but that was a futile effort. He found it harder to relax than usual. He settled for exuding [i]don't read my mind[/i] energy and hoping their little teammate would keep the mental probing to himself. When the vehicle pulled into the station Therion stood swiftly, stepping off the train he took in the place.

This station looked very... plain. But hey, maybe that was good news. Therion climbed the stairs with the other two members of their scouting team and about a dozen or so other people and creatures. Once outside of the subway, the second stop on the purple line greeted them with a similar ambiance as the first. The dull, ethereal glow of floating jellyfish was replaced with the stationary light of giant mushrooms, and in place of carved rock were dark outlines of a large city. It was interesting, not quite the same as the area around Queen's Station (way less bugs for one), but almost. At least this place had buildings and other makings of civilization.

Once the initial wonder at the new area wore off, something occurred to Therion. Something that no doubt occurred to Jesse and Raz as well. The fungus being the main source of foliage, the stone surrounding everything, the darkness so completely black wherever it wasn't broken up by paltry lights...

[color=BC8DBF]"We're still underground,"[/color] the thief said. The Moogles probably wouldn't be able to do whatever it was they did here either... unless this place just happened not to be as far into the earth as Queen's Station. Therion doubted that. This trip was beginning to feel like a huge waste of time, and annoyance tinted his voice. In the grand scheme of things, this mission they'd been assigned wasn't crucial - more convenience than anything, and there were a handful of other teams that could find the place they were actually looking for. Still, it didn't feel great. Therion didn't summon a Moogle this time, as it was clear on his face how he expected it to go. His hands itched with desire to do something constructive, or maybe destructive, so instead he shoved them into his pockets.

[color=BC8DBF]"These are the only two stops on this line, yeah? Feel like checking this place out?"[/color]

At this point Therion didn't care if they stayed or just went back to Edinsomething Magicwhatever. As the other two gave their thoughts Therion's eyes traced the lit path up to the resort that the station was named after, wondering if there was anything inside worth taking. Or at the very least a bar to visit. [right][sub][@Zoey Boey][@TruthHurts22][/sub][/right]