Run, run, follow me [Open Mingle]

[saveournpcs]

Date: Saturday, 4.1.2020
Characters: OPEN

---

I.

It's midday when trouble seems to brew underfoot. Literally underfoot, in cases - wherever the Numbered are, they'll suddenly find dormice approaching them, running around their feet, in some cases up their legs, aiming to get their attention, and then running off - coming back again, running off once more in the same direction.

Trying to get the Numbered to FOLLOW.


II.

If Numbered decide to follow the mice, they'll be lead through the streets, fields, or whatever there is (in some cases, this might mean that the mice are trying to lead them through the military area aroudn the air base). Perhaps they'll run into other Numbered on the way - all mice seem to be leading those that they lead into the exact same direction.


III.

The direction of, it turns out, the tunnels under the cliffs. The mice will easily slip through the grates that bar the entries - the grates were made to keep humans out and let a tiny mice through easily. The Numbered, however... well, the grates were installed solid and sturdy to keep humans out. The mice will vanish in the tunnels and not come back.

Comments

[iamnotgod]

"I would not be surprised if whatever they've brought us here to see is distracting them."

More loudly, he next asks the mice, "Is there another.... well, being, like Mr. Helpful or Mr. Evil down there? Or something more like you?"

He waits before asking that second question, making sure it comes across as separate.

[saveournpcs]

The mice squeak undecidedly at the first question. The second, the answer by...


forming a tower.

Of mice. As in, all those mice that pay attention to the two young men huddle together and climb on top of each other to build what seems to be one furry pyramid.

They're trying to convey something. It's just questionable how clear it is.

[lovedramamoron]

"Well, we got an answer," Jimmy points out. "No idea what it means, but there's definitely something down there."

[iamnotgod]

"That's... what, the source of mice? Or are you just indicating a pyramidal structure?"

Finding an ancient burial ground was not on Walter's to-do-list for today, or any day.

[saveournpcs]

Th mice squeak, and try to climb higher.... all of them at once. Which means that the pyramid collapses.

[lovedramamoron]

"Or maybe it's size? There's something bigger than all the mice together?"

[iamnotgod]

"That doesn't sound very hard, ah, apologies," Walter hastily adds.

Insulting the mice seems like a bad idea at this venture!

"Will we be able to breathe down there, then? Or see?"

[saveournpcs]

There's excited squeaking at Jimmy's words, that turns decidedly insulted when Walter speaks. Rude. Their size is perfectly fine, you guys are just giants.

They squeak again at the question about the breathing, but there's no feeling in it this time. The squeaking is purely informative.

[lovedramamoron]

"Something bigger than a pyramid of mice then," Jimmy guesses.

That... actually wasn't that helpful. It was like saying something was bigger than a breadbox.

"How much bigger? Three pyramids? Four pyramids?"

[iamnotgod]

This time, Walter lets Jimmy take point - though he does turn and try to look down the tunnel, relying a little on the glasses Ben made for him to try and gauge if there's anything worth seeing in, say, infrared.

In addition to if there's anything faint glimmering in the light, of course.

[saveournpcs]

There's nothing really... except maybe for that the breeze that's blowing past them from down the tunnel is slightly warmer than one might expect air from the depths of a cave system to be.

The mice regroup and chirp amongst each other, clearly trying to decide on a strategy for how to answer the question. In the end, they scatter, taking positions that bring every mouse roughly into the same distance from the next one.

[lovedramamoron]

"I'm not sure if I'm getting this right, but are you saying it is really big? That many times larger than your pyramid?"

And the big question. How much math did these weird mice understand? Was this meant to be addition? Or multiplication?

[iamnotgod]

Since the cliff tunnels weren't supposed to be leading into the mantle, it occurs to Walter that there's something alive down there.

A very unpleasant thought; no wonder the mice didn't want to journey forth!

"Is it something we should be scared of, though? Or just respectful?"

[saveournpcs]

The mice squeak in response to all the questions. They don't seem scared, but that's about where the clarity ends.

[lovedramamoron]

Jimmy sighs and stands up.

"I think that's all we're going to get here." A quick grin. "Shall we go see what it is for ourselves?"

[iamnotgod]

Walter nods, expression solemn in contrast.

"Nothing else for it - unless you forgot something on the surface?"

[lovedramamoron]

"Can't think of anything."

He rummages around in his bookbag and pulls out a light.

"I came prepared this time."

[iamnotgod]

"I have first-aid materials," Walter replies, though he fetches his own light rather than the kit.

"Amongst other things. Should we walk side-by-side, or with one in front?"

These tunnels were going to get narrow, he knew, but this would also be the worst place to lose track of each other, let along get lost.

[lovedramamoron]

"Side by side," Jimmy decides. "At least as long as the tunnels are wide enough for it."

[iamnotgod]

One more nod, and then Walter gestures for them to start.

He doesn't start his own light yet, as he can still see on his own, and it'd be a poor choice to waste battery down here. Who knows how long they'll be walking?

[saveournpcs]

The mice don't follow them, but they don't leave, either.

They stay exactly where they are.

The tunnel that they're following slopes slightly down, but mostly it goes straight now, further and further. At this point, all the offshoots of the tunnel are much smaller, not all dormouse sized but none bigger than a rabbithole. For the time being, the tunnel they're in remains wide enough to walk side by side, though.

[lovedramamoron]

Jimmy focuses on keeping the light on the path in front of them.

Later he would not be able to pin down the exact moment that the echo started. He only knew that he had been glancing at the tunnel walls when all of a sudden he felt the all too familiar feeling of an echo, and he was remembering the walls of a very different underground tunnel. He remembered flashes of light playing across the walls of a natural cave, frightened small children, the sight of three men and a body in the shadows across the cave. And worst of all the sound of gunshots and the feeling of being shot through his stomach.

He staggers to the side of the tunnel, his face pale even in the dim light.

[iamnotgod]

Walter does not hesitate in supporting the teen, gently guiding him to the tunnel wall and helping him remain upright.

"Let me guess... another memory?" he voices, quiet but not in a whisper.

Despite his gentle tone, his expression is quite grim.

[lovedramamoron]

"Someone shot me!" he blurts out. His free hand clutches at his stomach, where he'd felt the bullet go through. "And I was a kid! Who just shoots at a bunch of kids like that?"

[iamnotgod]

"A criminal," Walter says, voice dark.

"And hopefully not someone we'll encounter down here. Do you need to head back up, get some air?"