Entry tags:

Down the Tubes - Discovery

WHO: Stephanie Brown
WHERE: The lake, the bunker
WHEN: 8/26
OPEN TO: Bull (part 1), OTA (part 2)
WARNINGS: TBA, please note in subject lines

AT THE LAKE/UNDERGROUND

LOCKED TO BULL

The number of people gravitating towards the lake has been worrying to Steph. She wants to keep an eye on things, but she's worried that getting too close will trigger something. She watches people pass by instead, keeping herself hidden and not following them. Finally several people leave all at once, and all but one come back. After that things quiet down, and she feels safe taking a slightly closer look.

Out of the trees and the lake comes into view, as does the new addition. The pod is intriguing enough that she wanders out into the open for a closer look.

ON THE NETWORK/LAKESIDE

OTA/MINGLE

The little escapade underground has left Steph with an odd sense of anxiety and a newfound appreciation for the open air. She can't quite put her finger on what unsettled her, but she knows that as long as the pod is out here in the open she and Bull aren't going to be the only ones to step inside and see what happens. If it's going to be a whole Thing then they may as well compile notes. That means letting people know, and that means posting to the village twitter. She sits on a rock at the edge of the lake and composes her message.

no telling (@StephanieBrown) found something cool... the pod at the lake is an elevator. lights work, but idk about the structural integrity or security measures. be careful.

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"I can think of three alternatives off the top of my head." Still, it probably isn't going to do anything. She moves out of the way. Let him look goofy in the weird test tube thing.

"All yours, big guy."

He nods and then moves to climb inside the thing. "Looks alright. Want to come in?" He moves over so there is space for her as well. "It looks strange in here."

“Wow, that thing is spacious.” No offense to Bull, but there being any room whatever is an impressive feat.

She slips into the empty space, though there isn’t a lot of elbow room for her. She struggles a little to get turned around so she’s facing out. Once she is, she presses a palm against the glass. It feels just like regular glass to her.

Of course, that contact activates the thing. The door slides shut before either of them can try to stop it and suddenly they’re both plummeting down into the water, and then the earth.

“Oh shit.”

"Yeah it is not bad. It wasn't made for QUnari but.." He stops short when the door slides close and then roars as the pod plummets with them inside. He is pounding on the glass trying to get out but once they are surrounded by earth he falls quiet.

"What is this?"

Once they are at the landing pad and the door slides open again he scrambles out, putting his hands up ready to fight. "Where are we?"

Heedless of Bull, Steph has the staff out from under the back of her shirt and extended to full length in front of her before they hit the floor. Whether the threat comes from inside the pod or out, she wants to be armed.

She lets the large man take point as Batman taught her. He’ll be the target, and she’ll be free to maneuver under and enemy’s guard as best she can.

But a fight doesn’t come. She stands there for a good minute anyway, in a ready stance. She can hear her heart pounding in her ears, feel the blood rushing through her body wherever it makes contact, much worse than it ever was before the gang war. When she finally relaxes she feels weak.

“What. The actual. Fuck,” she inquires of the universe. This was incredibly rude of it.

Bull is perfectly fine with being the target. Infact that is a position he has taken many times with his chargers. He waits for a minute then relaxes. At least nothing is attacking them outright. He finally turns and looks at her.

"Beats me. Want to look around this place?" He steps a little towards what looks like an opening

She pushes the ends of her staff in and secures it to the makeshift harness on her back, though her hands shaking makes it a little difficult.

"Let's at least make sure we're alone down here. How quiet can you be?" Her own voice has lowered considerably.

"Enough when I have to be. But I am no fog warrior." He lowers his own voice to match hers, shifting how he walks to make less noise. He isn't quite as good as those that spend their whole life doing this but he can make somewhat less noise at least.

"Then let me lead, stay back two yards. Be as quiet as you can. If I find something, you'll know."

She pulls a few throwing knives out of one pocket and holds them in her right hand, then begins checking doors. She goes left to right down the hall, staying out of sight when she first cracks the door, then throwing it open. She doesn't give the actual rooms much attention just now.

He nods and does stay behind her when she moves down the hall. He can move more quietly than he gives himself credit for, but he is by now means as good as someone whose life depends on stealth. He takes one step closer when she opens the door, ready to burst into action should she need him to. Then he moves to glance around inside after her, giving her a little nod.

"Looks abandoned." He whispers.

Steph puts a finger to her lips and points further down the hall. There are plenty more doors to check before they can start looking around. Her life often does depend on stealth, and as many instructions as she may ignore in other areas she has never underestimated the value of this particular skill.

He nods to her and closes the door somewhat. He looks down the hallway, shaking his head a little. She is right that they need to check if there is anyone here, but they can't do a thorough search with just the two of them. He follows her for a little longer being on guard in case they should meet someone. Once they've hit the last door he breathes a sigh of relief. "At least it is not an ambush."

Edited 2018-09-05 10:42 (UTC)

Steph heaves a similar sigh. Maybe getting into that pod was a mistake, but it hasn't turned into a horrible one.

"I didn't hear anyone moving around, either. If there's anyone down here, they don't seem interested in attacking us." She slips the knives back into her pocket and hooks her thumb, letting her hand hang there. She doesn't want to be caught unawares if she's wrong.

"You didn't see a light switch or something, did you?"

He shakes his head. Not that he really know what a light switch is so he glances around and finally he noticed a mark over by one of the doors. "What is that?"

"We might have scared them as much as anything. I mean if you think you're safe down here. Or stuck down here..." He is fully aware that he isn't the friendliest looking guy.

"Don't worry about it." She'll head back to the 'front entrance' and try to find one herself.

She glances his direction when he talks about feeling safe. Even if there aren't any people here, it's far from secure. Any number of nasty surprises could be waiting for them. And then there's Bull to think about, who despite giving her no reason to think he meant her harm could be affected in such a way by any traps laid that he became a threat.

"I don't think I'm safe anywhere. Stuck we'll see about."

She's right to always consider the qunari a threat and if he had known he'd be proud of her for it. He's already tried to figure out how he'd kill her should he have to. He's already done that to most of the people he's met in the villages. It is one of those things so trained into him at this point he can't help it.

"Feeling safe and knowing that you are or aren't, are not the same thing." He moves to walk behind her, glancing behind them a few times. "And I didn't mean us, I meant whoever might be down here."

She shrugs.

“You didn’t ask what I know.” If he had, her answer likely would have been the same. This village is not a safe place. And even if it was, how you feel can all too easily disguise itself as what you know.

“We can’t know for sure if anyone else is down here or not. And if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to be better prepared before finding out.“

Bull nods. "Agreed. I don't exactly like not having a weapon or for that matter more people. No offence but a team is better for a situation like this. And supplies. We might be stuck here for a while."

"No offense, but I'd rather not be on that team." It's too risky, and she can't chance other people depending on her for their safety. She'd probably fuck it up and get somebody killed.

"Yeah? I wouldn't say no. Mostly because then I know they are safe." Even if he hates being underground.

“Then you can wait around here. I’m going back topside.” She’s had enough of this place. She turns and heads back to the pod to take her up.

"Nah. I am coming with you. I am not exactly keen on being stuck here alone. Besides, what if something attacks you on the way up?"

"Then you'll crush me with your giant body in the tube that barely fits us both?" She's actually joking! That's a good sign.

"Some people would be into that." He jokes back, but he is still keeping an eye out around them

"I like being able to breathe during, but I'm just kinky that way." She listens between each word, to hear if someone makes a move while they appear distracted. She hears nothing unusual, though, and enters the tube ahead of Bull.

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ataashihunter - 2018-09-19 16:22 (UTC) - Expand

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spoileralert - 2018-09-21 21:15 (UTC) - Expand

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