[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/4DgO1VH.png[/img]
[color=FFC6C6]Word Count: 563 (+1 exp)
[u]Level[/u]: [b]8[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 104/80 
[b]Location[/b]: The Under - Ruins[/color]
[color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color][/center]
When Primrose returned from the cave path to the Koopa Troop and Rubick, she had intended to tell them about the person she'd seen. It was down the path they hadn't taken, the one lined floor to ceiling with ominous masks. When she'd first seen the stranger in her peripheral vision she stilled, then slowly turned until they were fully within her sight. She didn't appear to be preparing for a fight on the outside, but internally she was steeling herself for a possible attack. So far underground most of the beings they'd encountered had been the aggressive kind.

This one was not - or more accurately Primrose got the feeling that it wasn't. It waved to her and then went about its business. She didn't return the gesture, but she considered it an invitation. They were another person to question, if the others hadn't already found their leads to their missing members.

And so, Primrose was going to suggest that they head down the opposite path. However when she got back, she saw that all of them save for Bowser Jr. and Barnabee were already a little deeper into the cave. They hadn't gotten that far, still well within both eyeshot and earshot at least. Primrose took a few steps forward, observing the field of fire that the Koopas were spreading. They appeared to be killing giant mosquitos, and among them was yet another newcomer - a small fuzzy one fighting alongside them.

[i]We certainly pick up a lot of strays,[/i] she thought to herself, an amused smile playing at her lips. She left them to their battle, not even bothering to perform a dance for them. It looked to be a one sided extermination from there. Instead, she walked over to where Junior and the clown bugs were. It didn't seem like he'd gotten much conversation out of them.

[color=D34C25]"I'm going to take a look around the other path. I saw someone down it, so I'll see what information they have,"[/color] she told the prince. [color=D34C25]"Don't you all leave without me, alright?"[/color]

She retraced her steps once more until she was back to the fork in the road, after which she went right after the stranger. She glanced down when her steps began shifting as she walked, and she noticed that the masks were not just strung up on the wall but underfoot as well. Densely packed, they formed a demented cobblestone-like path. She paused about halfway to the Ancestral Mound, letting her magic dance through her fingers. So far so good.

There was no ambush waiting for her the rest of the way either, so when she came upon a hut made of bone and the Snail Shaman in front of it she assumed she was safe for now.

[color=D34C25]"Hello,"[/color] she greeted him, only now returning the little wave he'd given her. [color=D34C25]"I was wondering if you could help us. We're looking for some people - if you've seen any humans with cat ears come by, or red hair."[/color] Since Sectonia was vaguely insect-like she didn't mention the queen on the off chance there was some other giant wasp flying around here. There likely might be, given Barnabee's tale about wasps usurping his kingdom.

After a moment, the similarity of this little guy and Confessor Jiji brought another question to Primrose's mind. [color=D34C25]"...or if you know of soft, round food that smells nice?"[/color]