Like canaries in a coal mine [OPEN]

[tidesnpc]

Characters: Anyone in Tulgim
Content: One of the mines in Tulgim has collapsed a second time, trapping some of the rescuers inside!
Setting: Mine 2b
Time: From late morning onwards
Warnings: Possibility of bloody or violent descriptions
Notes: Please note in the thread subject whether your threads take place either pre- or post- the second collapse

Comments

After Second Collaspe (and using this icon since lol hurt)

[bloodychainsaw]

After hearing the announcement, Grell quickly stopped chatting with the townsfolk, trying his hardest to get information on the guy, but failed, and quickly rushed to the mines to get people out. And surely, having many lives lost by the raining storm of boulders and rocks sounds very unpleasant for those who live in this frosted town

[fifthshirogane]

Although she wasn't sure she'd be much help - she wasn't exactly all that powerful physically - Naoto had gone down to the mines to help dig the trapped miners out. She couldn't leave people in need, after all. She helped move some of the smaller rocks and stones and get some of the rescued people outside to safety.

She had just headed back into the mine to help some more when the second cave in happened, throwing her off her feet and trapping her inside the mine. She nearly panicked, but the rational side of her told her that would do no good. Naoto checked herself for injuries, a few scrapes and scratches here and there, but her left knee was in pain. She could still get up and walk, but she'd have to limp around.

She considered herself lucky. It could have been far worse.

Getting up, she looked around, but saw only darkness, but heard a familiar voice echo in the mine.

"Grell!?" she called out. "Is that you?"

[bloodychainsaw]

He touched his glasses, having his finger going through the empty frame. Oh, these glasses were expensive, but surely he can get them repaired soon. Until then, he can deal with a little blurred vision.

However, after he heard that familiar voice, which sounds it shouldn't be far, his attention moved back to the pure empty and dark space. He would have to get up and try to get closer, but trying to stand up with a back in pain isn't a good idea. Moving too much in any way will make it worse anyways, so he should just stay where he was. But, staying in one spot won't finish anything! He put his hands on the wall, pushing into it as he slowly moved up.

And it almost like more rocks are stabbing into his back, making him complain a little. He leaned on the wall some more, continuing to stare at the dark area.

"Naoto?!" he answered back. "It's me! Are you alright?"

[fifthshirogane]

So it was Grell! It was somewhat comforting to have someone she knew in there with her, but it also meant that he was trapped as well. And he could be injured as well. Naoto had to find him, but stumbling around in the dark wasn't going to make it easy. Still, she slowly pushed herself to her feet and started to slowly, carefully, limp in the direction of Grell's voice.

"I'm slightly injured, but otherwise fine," she replied, squinting in a vain attempt to be able to see in the darkness. She fumbled around a bit until she found a wall of the cave, putting one hand onto it to help guide herself. She didn't know which way she was going, just that Grell was somewhere over there. If only there was a bit of light! "What about you?"

[bloodychainsaw]

Phew, it's nice that he's not alone plus it's a bit comforting to hear that a fellow crew member is alright. He would move to get closer to her voice, but his back was too sore and hurting him, even when leaning against the wall for most of his support. It's best if he stays low, so he turned around slowly so his back is against the wall and moved down, complaining to himself some more. God, he hasn't been this hurt in ages.

Right as he got a seat onto the cold, stone ground, he focused on the direction of the voice. "Agh.....My glasses are broken, and my back is sore. But, besides that, I'm quite alright." His gaze starting into the darkness, wishing that just a small light would be available to them.

[fifthshirogane]

Naoto moved a bit more towards Grell, or at least, where she thought Grell was. He shouldn't be too far away, judging by the volume of his voice. With one hand on the wall, she continued down (or was it up?) the cave towards him. A sore back...he probably wouldn't be able to move much. Naoto wanted to at least be there for him while they waited for rescue.

In the darkness, Naoto could hear other people talking and calling out to each other. A few of them were speaking of trying to dig out from this side. Naoto tuned them all out. She had to focus on getting to Grell.

"It's good to hear you're all right." Well, as all right as one could be with a sore back. She was just glad he wasn't dying. "I'm coming over. Don't move."

[daughterofchump]

Zeetha cursed her luck as she moved slowly and quietly towards the sound of voices. She did not especially enjoy being underground. If she were to be honest, the sensation of having so much rock hovering overhead waiting to crush her was quite unnerving. Neither speed nor strength nor will to fight could help her prevail against several tons of rocks. And there was nothing she could do to prevent or predict a collapse

[bloodychainsaw]

And he could hear others quietly from the other side as well, but ignored them for now. He listen to her and tried not to move. Once he gets back to the ship, just some medicine and rest in his cabin or the infirmary for a couple of days and he'll be fully back onto his feet.

When was the last time something was hurting so bad onto him? Probably around during his crimes back at home. But, that's all in the past. It's time to focus on what is now.

"The same to you, dear. I'm sure we'll be out soon."

Until a shot of light suddenly appeared, turning his attention towards it. Someone must be there and ironically, his words were true! He lightly smiled, moving back to where Naoto's voice was. He squinted a little, seeing some figure in the dark.

[fifthshirogane]

The cave suddenly lit up, and Naoto blinked, her eyes adjusting to the sudden light. Someone must have lit a lantern. Naoto looked over towards the source of the light and saw a woman holding a lantern. "Thank you," she said her. Now she could see, and move a bit faster this time.

Looking back in the direction she was going, she could make out Grell leaning against the wall of the mine. There he was! Naoto had never been so relieved to see him in her life.

"Grell!" she said, hobbling over to him. "Can you stand?"

[bloodychainsaw]

Now, that things were more clear, he can see better! He turned to the source of the light. "Thank you so much." he said with a slight smile. His spirits were still there, even when trapped and in pain.

Once Naoto got closer to him, he noticed her hobbling which kind of worries him a little since she's a little hurt as well. He placed his remaining strength into his arms and his hands went to the wall behind him. Getting to his feet, he slowly pushed himself up from the ground. He caused a grunt of pain from here to there, but at least he's fighting it.

Using the wall for support, he nodded lightly. "Yes. Is your knee alright?"

[daughterofchump]

"You're welcome," said Zeetha to the woman, and her heart sank a little bit as she watched her hobble towards her companion. Neither of them looked like miners, so she guessed that they were unlucky rescuers like she was. And now that he rose, he didn't look so good either. Well, perhaps her luck hadn't been too terrible, to escape with only bruises and scrapes and a nosefull of dirt. But then warriors were supposed to be able to handle a few small sized boulders. Indeed, she'd be reliving her boulder related novice training soon enough.

"We need to make our way to the entrance and start digging before there's another collapse," Zeetha said without preamble. They couldn't get out of the suffocating place fast enough for her tastes. "Which of you is injured worse?"

[fifthshirogane]

"It's going to be fine," Naoto reassured. She'd have it looked at by a doctor later. Grell, on the other hand, looked to be in a lot of pain, and would need medical attention as soon as possible. First, however, they had to get out of this collapsed mine. The woman was right. They had to start digging their way out. No doubt there were people on the other side of the collapse digging, but things would go faster if there was an effort on both sides.

"He's injured worse," Naoto said. It looked like Grell could hardly stand, and with a sore back, he was in no condition to be shoveling around rocks. "I can help with the digging."

[bloodychainsaw]

And he nodded lightly. If she's fine, she can take the pain a little until they are free. No worries.

Of course, he knew that it would be quicker if they all dig, and he would love to help, but sadly, Naoto was right. He is in quite a lot of pain and could barely stand up right without any support. He remain leaning against the wall, looking at the two ladies with a gaze of green.

"Alright." he said to them, trying to fight off the bits and bits of stabbing pain on his back. He isn't in any condition to bend down or put any strength into his back.

[daughterofchump]

"Very well," said Zeetha. "You carry the lantern, I'll carry your friend."

In a perfect world, it would have been nicer to wait until they had a stretcher to move an injured person, keeping them as immobile as possible, but right then Zeetha was more concerned about getting squashed flat. It was better to try to move this person quickly than be slow or leave them behind. She tried to think about how you were supposed to carry someone with his sort of injury, but she couldn't remember anything except that a stretcher was best.

She set the lantern down and approached the injured stranger. "Okay Red," she said. "Can I pick you up?" She figured cooperation was better.

[fifthshirogane]

Grateful for the woman's help, Naoto limped over to the lantern and picked it up, holding it carefully. It would do them no favors if she dropped it. She would rather not fumble around in the darkness again. Looking around, she could see the other people heading towards the wall of boulders in their way, some of them already picking away at it with shovels and pickaxes.

More than anything, she wanted to see the daylight once again, and be out of this mine. Naoto told herself that they would get out soon, and that everything was going to be all right.

[bloodychainsaw]

He looked at the new woman, clinging onto the wall. From her appearance, she must be a strong mercenary from the town or the other ship. He slightly moved up against the wall, getting a bit more support before he gets pulled away from it.

"Yes, you can." He lightly said, his eyes are narrowed slightly. Grell, thankfully, isn't one of those men who thinks that it's pure embarrassment when a girl is stronger than him or helps them out in tight situations. He turned to the wall of boulders, seeing the others working hard so everyone can see the sunlight again. There are not many people who want to be stuck in a place without light.