Run, run, follow me [Open Mingle]

[saveournpcs]

Date: Saturday, 4.1.2020
Characters: OPEN

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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

[saveournpcs]

She walks for a while before the furry wall gives way to... a foot? Yes, that looks like a really, really big mouse foot right there. It gives a bit of perspective on the size of the whole mouse, at least - the foot alone is the size of four double-decker buses

[vernal_miss]

The radius of her glow stick light source is limited, but with enough trips walking back and forth along the length of the paw, Nel finally makes out what the nails are and pads and what all together those parts happen to be. The realization dawns on her, and she lingers in place to think.

A mouse. This behemoth of a creature seems to be like the very dormice that led her here. It raises a load of questions, but also finally brings a sense of caution. Pressing further might bring her to a whisker, and she definitely does not want to wake this critter.

Carefully side-walking herself back the way from which she entered, Nel argues herself into intermittent jogging up the incline. She really wants to ask the dormice some questions, and she doesn't know if they waited for her.

[saveournpcs]

The tiny dormice are still exactly where she left them and look at her expectantly when she comes up.

[vernal_miss]

Nel is rather worn by the time she reaches the dormice, but her relief is obvious as she exhales a rushed sigh between gasps for breath. She hates feeling this tired, but she allows herself to collapse to her knees in an open space near the mice. Holding up her hand in a gesture to request a minute to catch her breath, she proceeds as soon as she can string a few words together at a time.

“...that...was that a...a friend of yours?” Oh she truly hopes so.

[saveournpcs]

The mice squeak in worry and swarm towards her, some stopping just short of her and some running up to her hands and on her back trying to check if she's fine.

At the question, they look at one another. This is apparently a question that isn't all that easy to answer. Eventually, though, one nods, and then the others nod as well.

[vernal_miss]

Their concern is clear and quite touching. Despite her breathless state, she smiles as she does her best to reassure them, “I...I’m okay. ...cold just makes me...really tired.” Here in the tunnels, at least there is a little more warmth to the air. “It was silly...to try to run.” She even offers an open palm if any of the mice want to go there.

Gradually steadying, Nel’s breathing is slowing rapidly back down towards normal. A few more deep breaths taken as the dormice with her come to a consensus, and she has her words back. “Right. That’s good...”

“Are they supposed to be that big?”

[saveournpcs]

No mice steps into her hand, but they still hover close despite her reassurances.

At the question, all of them immediately nod.

[vernal_miss]

Nel does not mind, and puts her palm back down to better support herself through that arm. At least having them all close makes it easy to talk.

The confidence in that answer is reassuring, “So...do they need help?”

[saveournpcs]

There's a lot of squeaking, and some mice nod while others shake their heads.

It's complicated?

They discuss this among one another, and eventually all of them nod.

[vernal_miss]

The initial disagreement leaves the girl confused, but she is patient until they lean one particular way. It simply gives her more time to recover from her exertion.

“Maybe help isn’t the right word... I don’t suppose you can give me a hint as to what you want us to do?” She is aware that other Numbered were summoned to the tunnels.

[saveournpcs]

They lapse into silence, trying to think about this.

And then one of them squeaks, and they all.... huddle together. Forming what looks like a long loaf that's pointy at the front. Three of the mice climb up into the middle of the loaf and build a little mouse-pyramid on top of the pointy loaf, running parallel to the length of the loaf.

[vernal_miss]

Nel watches in amazement as they work together to build the shape for the clue. They really do cooperate very well.

Unfortunately, the child is puzzled by the shape, “I don’t think I understand...that looks like a boat to me.” As a second thought she adds a question, “It doesn’t have to do with water, does it?” The only use for water a mouse might have she would know is needing to drink.

[saveournpcs]

The shape dissolves, and the mice turn back towards her. The question wasn't posed in a confusing way, so some shake their heads and some nod - for a moment, until they realize, and then one squeaks sternly at Nel. Rephrasing, please.

[vernal_miss]

“Sorry,” she starts, then pauses to organize her words into a simpler question, “Would the shape you made be out in the water?” One thing at a time for these yes and no questions.

[saveournpcs]

They nod. Yes, it would be.

[vernal_miss]

Murmuring softly she thinks on the shape with the pyramid triangle the clearest detail, “But if it’s not a boat then...” The very next thing to pop into her head is something she has seen entirely too often as of late.

“The sharks?”

[saveournpcs]

They nod pointedly. And then squeak and spread out on the ground to form a vaguely humanoid shape.

[vernal_miss]

She does not yet see any point of connection beyond being out of the ordinary in size, but she does not have time to ask before they have another clue for her.

“A person?” A pause, then a second question, “Is it a boy?”

[saveournpcs]

A pause, and then a nod. Like, 95% yes. They're just not sure if that's the perfect word to describe him.

[vernal_miss]

Nel does try her best to be mindful of pronouns, but playing Guess Who does not promote such a conversation readily.

“Is he an adult then?” She will wait for an answer before asking a follow up, “Is he mixed up in all the Numbers business?” That would limit potential people significantly if so.

[saveournpcs]

More nodding. She's definitely getting there.

[vernal_miss]

It does not make much sense that Russell would be it since the mice brought him here to the tunnels. She might as well assume the same for Walter, and her grandfather. Benjiro is not quite an adult. So that leaves...

“Mr. Helpful?” She will wait for an answer, and if they deny his name, “Mr. Evil?” He seemed okay when they talked, but that’s what the others say he calls himself.

[saveournpcs]

They shake their head at Mr Helpful, but not at Mr Evil's name.

[vernal_miss]

That’s not good.

“...did he do something to your friend down there?”

[saveournpcs]

They shake their heads, and then start to squeak at her with some urgency in their tones.