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

[ribbonyidentity]

With only the rhythmic sounds of metal crunching against dirt, followed shortly by the staccato tumble of pebbles, the sound of another's voice was a welcome change from the monotony. While it did arrive unexpectedly, it was much like stumbling across an oasis within a desert. A befitting figure of speech, she soon realized, as she noticed the emergence of a flask out of the corner of her eyes. Slowly coming to a halt, Shion let the shovel's handle rest in one hand as she shifted to face the woman, the gravel scrunching lightly underneath the movement of her boots. She would've struggled to rasp out her appreciation, but before she knew it, her fingers gingerly curled around the container to bring it to her dry lips. It felt like a cool finger gliding over her tongue and down her throat, applying salve that eased away the dust that threatened to burn through her pharynx.

However, she grew mindful of the amount she consumed, and the moment she swallowed an approximate two and a half spoonfuls, she swiftly pulled it away from her mouth. Glancing back over at the other woman, Shion flashed her a sheepish smile of gratitude, as she extended the flask back to her.

"Thanks," she stated, with only a faint hint of fatigue apparent in her tone of voice. "I can't tell you just how refreshed it's made me feel."

When it came to physical exertion, Shion bore not even a single callus. Even if she could figure out how to scale a ten-foot wall, her endurance had a limit. Her only experiences came from escaping one establishment and serving dishes at Angel Mort, so she couldn't say how long it would be until she nearly stretched herself thin, sustained only by her adamant will power.

[flashstepfeline]

Yoruichi took the proffered flask and gave Shion a look that was about as kindly as her looks got, which was only a very small easing about the eyes.

"Just pace yourself," she said. "If you push too hard in the beginning you'll blister your hands and it will be much harder for you to dig after that."

The dust didn't bother Yoruichi especially, for she was used to a certain amount of it from the training grounds. If it did she always had the- oh.

Yoruichi removed the white cloth from around her neck and handed it to Shion. She would have to get it back, it was not exactly as what it appeared, but in the meantime the other woman could make better use of it.

"Put this over your nose and mouth if the dust gives you too much trouble," she told her.

[ribbonyidentity]

Surprise briefly widened Shion's eyes, before she lightly extended her hand to accept the white cloth.

"You're a life-saver, you know that?" she gratefully remarked, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "This probably sounds generic but, honestly, I don't know how I'd end up at the end of the day without you." She gave a light chuckle. "Actually, I have a feeling I do know how I'd end up -- with a dozen blisters and a rasping throat."

She could feel wryness tug curve her tone of voice in acknowledgment of how true it sounded, in spite of her attempt to make light of it.

However, her usual cheerfulness couldn't linger for long, as she reminded herself of the cave-in that she still needed to deal with presently. For a moment, her expression gave way to a grave musing, before she let out a soft sigh, promptly pushing the matter to the back of her mind.

Carefully hefting the piece of fabric, she began looping it around her neck in a manner she hoped was similar to the way the other woman wore it. She would definitely need to use it, once the dust started clouding her breathing passages again.

[flashstepfeline]

"I wouldn't be a very good strategist if I wasn't at least that prepared, would I?" she said, feeling awkward at receiving such kind words for doing something so ordinary.

In truth, she always felt a little strange whenever people thanked her or said nice things to her, so she just shrugged them off, either with a joke if she was feeling energetic or with a quiet toss of her head. She didn't really know what to do with such sentiments so she usually just ignored them.

"The important thing is getting the job done, so blistered hands are no good."

askdjl Sorry for being terribly, terribly late!

[ribbonyidentity]

"Yeah," she agreed with a slight nod. "Hopefully, we'll get them out in time..."

The last statement was mostly spoken to herself, rather than the woman. She didn't mean to voice her concerns aloud, but then again, she was never good at internalizing them for long. However, she wasn't one to do nothing but fret over the matter. She would put her whole heart into proceeding towards her goal.

Shifting lightly, she glanced back over at the pile of dirt and pebbles, involuntarily wincing as she thought of the ache that would surely return to her arms.

it's okaaaay! we're moving on anyway, we can let it sit

[flashstepfeline]

Yoruichi didn't answer with an affirmative. She was not a person that took stock in hope, only work and preparation. However that didn't mean she would chastise Mion.

"Just concentrate on digging," she said, but she did pick up her own pace a little. Although her appearance showed her quite clearly to be demi-human, out of simple caution she preferred not to show her true strength, speed or abilities. Perhaps that was cruel to those trapped, but that was simply one factor of many she weighed in her mind. It wasn't soon enough for them to be running out of air, so there was no need to lose composure.