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Post by ☆|Dazai on May 7, 2018 13:13:53 GMT -7
“‘Bout… ‘bout time I catcha’ break…” Samantha heaves. The whole climb was a bit more stressful than she initially thought, or maybe it was just catching up to her. The cold air of the ruins proves a welcome change, but the low visibility was less than desirable. “Can’t see a da—” The small doctor pauses. More water can be heard from deeper within. Among it, a frantic man can be heard.
“Oh gods... H-Hey! I’m coming!” Sam’s heart rate spikes. She was a doctor. Any surprises usually occurred within a controlled environment, but not this time. She immediately needed a light source, or she likely couldn’t do anything. “M-Maybe u-uhm!” In her panic, she frantically looks around for any rocks that she could quickly use to spark a flame. If there’s not any immediately suitable, she’ll run to help the man further in the ruins, banking on her eyes to adjust.
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Post by ★|Sayu on May 7, 2018 13:30:49 GMT -7
Sam hastily looks around and quickly finds some rocks and some leaves that fell from some of the trees higher up the steep mountain surface. It takes a little while for any sparks to happen which causes her level of concern to rise drastically. Soon enough she manages to light the dry leaves on fire and uses this in turn to light the stick she had earlier picked up for walking.
She reaches the torch inside the entrance - It's enough to lighten up the path directly in-front of her. There are smooth, polished stone steps leading down into a corridor that seems to lead into a chamber of sorts further in. She begins her descent, trying to hurry as the man's struggle seems to become more and more uneven. "Help! In here! Don't touch the water!" He calls out in response to her voice. And soon the splashing stops.
Hurrying down the corridor she finds herself immediately exiting via a small stone bridge leading into a bigger antechamber of sorts. There are intriguing man-made walls and platforms leading across an even pool of water that surrounds every platform as far as she can tell. A little further in she sees the faint glow of a catalyst right next to a corner.
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Post by ☆|Dazai on May 7, 2018 15:54:44 GMT -7
The man’s struggle went silent as Sam had gotten closer. The only sound left was that of her own hastened jog and her slightly uneven panting. While she still definitely plans on rescuing him, she has to be careful she didn't find herself in the same position.
Once in the antechamber, she spots the glowing catalyst. “That must be his! Stay away from tha’ water g-got it… Hey’m almost there!” She calls out, knowing she likely won't get a response. It was all she could do to reassure herself as she attempts to carefully make it over to the catalyst.
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Post by ★|Sayu on May 7, 2018 17:08:31 GMT -7
Cautiously but with haste Samantha makes her way across the platforms. The gaps between them aren't huge, small in fact, but the smooth surfaces are somewhat slippery. She crosses the few platforms until she arrives at a rougher stone surface that is safe enough to stand on.
This area seems wider, or, longer, running along the wall that then suddenly turns inward to where the Catalyst is. She hurries over to the Catalyst and picks it up. It immediately begins to shine slightly brighter but doesn't seem to have any effect on anything.
Directly in-front of her is a channel of water with no immediate way across. It's definitely big enough to jump across but the other side seems to be made out of that same slippery surface as before. It is here that she sees the arm sticking out of the water on the other side of the channel. Whoever was calling out to her seems to be submerged and struggling to hang on to the smooth surface in fear of going under entirely. It's bizarre given that any normal person could simply pull themselves out of normal water which creates an added layer of concern for Sam.
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Post by ☆|Dazai on May 7, 2018 21:06:41 GMT -7
“What is goin’ on here!” Samantha huffs, quickly stuffing the catalyst in her pocket. She notices the smooth surfaces from the earlier platforms is also present alongside the man’s hand. “This guy I swear!” she scoffs, as she rushes to the edge.
“D’awww hell.” the doctor sighs as she resigns herself to her next course of action. The catalyst was near useless in her hands, and she had no other options outside of leaving him to his fate… which, in a dark twist of humor, wasn’t an option. Sam sets the burning stick down at the edge as a marker, and backs up to get a running start. “Just gotta stick tha’ landin’.”
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Post by ★|Sayu on May 7, 2018 21:30:58 GMT -7
Sam readies herself, beginning to feel the strain of the earlier climb, and with a good push-off begins to run towards the edge. She jumps just short of falling into the water herself and lands on the other side - Except her momentum causes her to slip on the smooth ground and loose her footing.
With a small thud her head bopps against the ground. Fortunately that same momentum also carried her away from the edge and further onto what is now revealed to be a larger platform. Instinctively she spins around and reaches for the man hand just in time for him to lose his grip. Their hands lock together preventing him from slipping further into the water- Except that it's not water at all. Now that she can see it close up she can tell that it is much thicker than that, like some kind of ooze or clear tar. It is no wonder the man couldn't pull himself out of the canal.
She gives him a tug, hoping he's still holding his breath. He's not terribly difficult to pull out but there is enough resistance to cause concern regarding the slippery surface she finds herself on.
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Post by ☆|Dazai on May 7, 2018 21:58:23 GMT -7
“Ow ow ow!” Sam puts a hand to her head as she scurries back around to grab the man’s hand. “I gotcha! I gotcha!” She gasps, tugging on his arm. She feels her lack of substantial traction on the platform. A slew of unladylike words fly relentlessly from her lips, as she tugs even harder. Years of working the fields never prepared the poor doctor for this much continuous strain. Her entire body ached. If she didn’t resolve this soon, she wouldn’t be able to continue. “Pull up yer other damn hand or we’ll both be tarred ‘n feathered!”
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Post by ★|Sayu on May 8, 2018 13:26:18 GMT -7
As Sam continues to pull on the man he slowly rises steadily out of the water despite the awkward surface. However she's getting this feeling like any moment she is going to lose her footing and fall in herself.
The tension begins to rise as more and more of the man is uncovered, finally leading to an exasperated gasp for air as his head finally emerges back from the water. Immediately upon catching his breath the man swears out a mild slur and strains to try and get the rest of his body out. Soon enough he manages to pull his shoulder and by extension his other arm out and begins to push on the smooth surface - though he slips his first few attempts as he is covered in whatever this stuff is.
With a unsatisfying and grotesque sloshing sound the man is suddenly released and pulled on to the platform the force of which is actually so surprising it causes both of them to fall over and nearly into the water on the other side of the platform. Stopping just short of a watery grave - and it is just that! water! - the two of them lay there on their backs for a second catching their breath and recovering from the passing situation.
The man coughs a few times before finally saying something else. "Oy vey, girl." The man says with a handsome but lazy voice still trying to catch his breath. "Never met sum' wota throwing a paddy b'fore but..." he takes a moment to breathe again. "I'd be skint for my life if it wern't for you." A moment passes and he leans up, making some rather questionable slimy noises as he does so, since he is covered in that strange liquid. "Names Benedict but y'welcome to call me Ben if y'd like."
It's rather hard to see more than silhouettes and basic shapes with the torch so far away so neither of them can currently see one another.$
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Post by ☆|Dazai on May 8, 2018 21:57:07 GMT -7
Samantha manages a meager laugh between her breaths. The man’s voice was fairly soothing. It felt… ‘easy’. Sam liked easy. Not in the literal sense — easygoing, yes that fit better. “Well that's one helluva way ta’ meet somebody dont’cha think Ben?” She clambers up to her feet with a bit of trouble. “Name’s Samantha. Or Sam, all tha’ same. Sa’ pleasure!” She adds jokingly, acknowledging their circumstance was not so. She refrains from touching him or shaking hands. She was a tomboy for sure, but she'd rather avoid the goop entirely.
“Cain’t see too well. I had to drop my torch over there to make tha’ jump… Oh ya!” She fishes the catalyst from her pocket and holds it up near her face. “Think ya dropped this!” She flashes a smile and hands it to Ben.
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Post by ★|Sayu on May 10, 2018 1:55:34 GMT -7
"It's honestly great ta meet you, miss." Benedict answers and initially stretches out his hand for a handshake before realizing his unfashionable circumstance. He lets out a soft sigh and retracts his arm but his face lights up as he sees the catalyst presented to him. "Roight then!" he exclaims and outstretches his palm - so Sam wouldn't have to get in contact with him while exchanging the small gem. He smiles and rubs the gem between his fingers. Before too long a soft glow emits from the catalyst which then slowly grows bigger and bigger, until the whole room is lit well enough to see most of its features.
Sam can now see the whole of the entrance. It's built in a rather deceptive manner with the wall acting as a distraction for the water behind it. Clearly this entrance was designed with this strange water in mind. She can see the parts of smooth marble, unnaturally laid out in platforms that just barely created a walkway over the first section.
However looking behind them the rest of the chamber and the hallway beyond it that doesn't seem to be the case past this anymore. Who knows what other dreadful situations could arise if the two of them weren't careful.
It's now that she also get's a good look at Benedict. He looks about her age, maybe slightly older, with a well kept face. He's wearing a button up shirt and a comfortable looking pair of jeans. The whole outfit would probably make a little more sense with his jacket and without the slime.
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Post by ☆|Dazai on May 10, 2018 21:59:49 GMT -7
“Oh wow…” Sam does a 360 degree turn, examining the room in its new light. “Makes ya wonder what this’s even supposed ta’ be.” She places a hand on her chin, looking slightly away from Benedict's eyes. He was a handsome man, slightly rugged but not a brute. His voice suited him well. “He'd be pretty cute if he...” — her cheeks redden slightly. “Uhm…” She looks up to his eyes finally. “What’re ya doin’ way out here? I found yer stuff in the river out there…” She scratches her head, ruffling her already messy hair. Sam takes out her flask, chugs the rest of her water, and then moves to collect some of the goop from the moat. “Couldn't get yer jacket though, sorry ‘bout that.”
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Post by ★|Sayu on May 10, 2018 22:10:14 GMT -7
Benedict scratches the back of his hair - in hindsight not very thoughtful given that he was still caked in drying goop.
"Ah... not t'worry. That jacket is replaceable." he begins examining the rest of the room while he talks and slowly makes his way to the door leading further into the ruins. "I'm somewhat of a scholar y'could say. I study plantlife - err... rather the effects o'magic on it." He runs his hand along the frame of the exit, chiseled into the natural stone. The curious twilight design of the ruins leave many questions. "I heard there were some strange plants that only grow within these ruins an' I wanted to come check 'em out."
He then stops in his track, his pose tightening. After a moment he slaps the front of his face with an unsatisfying wet smack. "Oh no... The river, you said? My notes 'likely ruined..." he sighs audibly and holds the catalyst closer to the wall.
There are some runes carved into the entirety of the entrance, though Sam doesn't know what they could be.
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Post by ☆|Dazai on May 10, 2018 23:12:40 GMT -7
Sam stands up, having collected some goop to study later. “I have summa’ yer notes, but mosta’ it got past me. It's not exactly readin’ material anymore.” She moves in step alongside Ben.
“So yer a magic biologist?” Sam pumps her fists in her excitement. “I'm a medical researcher m’self! Heard about these plants too. Thought they'd be good fer treatments or somethin' of the like. ‘Suppose I might as well tag along with ya… Keep ya outta trouble!” Sam snickers and gives Benedict a good-hearted pat on the back — a move she instantly regrets as her hand was now covered in the slime. It seems the man’s aloof nature was rubbing off on her already. “Oh geez…” The doctor attempts to shake some of the goop off. While doing so, she eyes the runes on the wall. “Ya happen to know what any of this is?” She says, continuing alongside her fellow researcher.
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Post by ★|Sayu on May 10, 2018 23:25:21 GMT -7
Benedict studies the wall for a brief moment. When Sam inquires about the runes he holds up a finger and continues to intensely study the wall. His eyes dance across the writing from side to side. As he scans the wall he furrows his brow and scratches his chin. His eyes widen a bit as he seems to take special notice of something. "This..." he muses and continues on. "This... hmm..." he then suddenly rights himself up and holds his finger up.
"I have no idea what this could be!" he states confidently as he scratches the back of his head again.
"Should we go further inside?" he inquires.
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Post by ☆|Dazai on May 10, 2018 23:53:45 GMT -7
Samantha sits in silence for a few seconds, blinking in pure disbelief. The man before here was, in the nicest way possible, an idgit. It was truly a modern mystery… How this man — an organism whose mind was so sophisticated, yet simultaneously dull — had survived so long by himself. It was something to marvel at. A scientific anomaly that suspended all belief. His existence was an antithesis to evolution. And in the wake of his grand presence, she rolled her eyes.
“I swear.” Sam exhales her astonishment silently. ”Yea, let's see what else we got in here. You like to drink at all?”
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