Down the Tubes - Discovery

[spoileralert]

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

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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.

Comments

[spoileralert]

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.

[ataashihunter]

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."

[spoileralert]

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?"

[ataashihunter]

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.

[spoileralert]

"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."

[ataashihunter]

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."

[spoileralert]

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.“

[ataashihunter]

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."

[spoileralert]

"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.

[ataashihunter]

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

[spoileralert]

“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.

[ataashihunter]

"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?"

[spoileralert]

"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.

[ataashihunter]

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

[spoileralert]

"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.

[ataashihunter]

He chuckles at that, though he too takes his time to listen and make sure they are alone. "I don't blame you."

[spoileralert]

Once he’s settled safely inside the tube she places her palm on the glass again, in the same spot as last time. Maybe that matters and maybe it doesn’t, but she’s not taking any chances. The tube shoots up once more, making her flinch. But they make it up and out in one piece so she decides not to stress it.

“Okay! Let’s never do that again.”