kayakking | (no subject)

[ Tim is less careful about that. He's more inclined to kick a broken cellphone out of the way than pick it up. Not anything from here. Absolutely not anything from here.

Still... he tries something that may or may not be a good idea. For the first time, he tries controlling one of those flames, to try to push it back. ]

[The fire answers the call, initially sparking closer, trying to wrap itself around Tim at first before it starts to back off. Each spout goes through the same sequence: a small controlled explosion, reaching for Tim as he walks by, then backing away out of their path.

The cat is focused, eyes only on the exit ahead, though his ear swivels when he hears one of the kicked cellphones hits a wall with a click. And a larger, less controlled explosion goes off just ahead of them. The cat stops for a second, rubbing at his face and backing away from it, even as some of the loose sparks land on its fur with a hiss and a whine.]

[ The fire is alarming - Tim's control over it arguably moreso - but Algric manages to just look nervously relieved every time Tim does that. ]

God. After - after all this is done, we really need to. Figure some things out.

[ He hopes Tim is okay with being a monster, because he's not sure he has a choice.

But when the explosion goes off - Algric lets out a yelp, instinctively moving to put a little wall of fog between the explosion and the cat. He's not quick enough to keep the sparks from hitting Joncat, though he does extend a small tendril of cold to put them out, if needed. ]

What - what did you just kick!

[ Like the Eye, the Desolation always begins with making itself oh, oh so useful. Power and pleasure, the thrill of control and revenge... And well, that conversation with Algric, he'd already made his choice... it's just whether he's realized it or not.

Probably not by the concerned and mildly confused look he gives Algric. ]

Sure? I mean...

[ And then that click goes off, the boom follows right after. Tim ducks down as a reflex, heart thudding- and his control of the fire lost in that instant. ]

SHIT!

I don't know?! I was paying attention to the, you know, DEADLY PARTS.

[As the cold hits and starts easing the heat, it's clear there are plenty of singed bits of fur and skin. He rolls on his back a few times, making sure it's all out.

Okay.

Okay.

A few rubs at his ears from the explosion and a deep breath. He has to get them out of here now. He lets out a loud meow for them to hurry and follow, starting to skip ahead a little faster than he was before though not without a limp here and there.

He stops when he gets to a large, dark coffin. Stands up to try and nudge and paw at the lid to get it off.]

W-well clearly everything in here is trying to kill us! Just like the real thing!

[ Okay, they're hurrying, that's good. They need to get out of here, so -

Oh. Oh no. Hell no. Algric draws up short at the coffin, then takes a step back. ]

The traps in the real thing weren't for US.

[ The coffin itself would certainly be enough to draw up Tim short as well, but if there's the DO NOT OPEN on it, there's an extra step back. He remembers that statement. ]

Uh...

[Whatever apprehension the two have is clearly not shared by the cat. He's almost desperately pawing at it trying to have it open, even as the burns begin to settle into his skin.

When it's clear it won't budge, he cried a loud meow up at the both.

Come onnnnn]

[ All right. Fuck it. He steps forward and gives the coffin lid a good heave. And looks to Algric for an assist on it. ]

[ AaaaAAAAAAAA

Algric is still frozen for a critical moment, shaking his head. ]

No - no - I won't - don't you two go in either -

[ Does he really have a choice? They can't stay here either. ]

[The cat hops over to Algric, tugging on his pant leg with his teeth a couple times before going back to try and help Tim.]

So, what? We take the cat and go back to worm hell? Come on, help!

[ He really puts his back in this time, feet crackling in the concrete, wax and cinders. ]

W-worm hell is - at least it's not the Buried -

[ But fine! FINE!! He hates every part of this and also both of you. After a moment more, Algric goes to Tim's side and puts his shoulder into it too. ]

[With both their helps, the lid starts slowly sliding off until it thunks heavily on the floor on the other side. And inside is... stairs. Steps going straight down into darkness, with a cool breeze coming up from it.

The cat starts taking the first two steps down, then calls back out to them a a small light becomes visible further down.]

Look, it's just tight, probably.

And... I don't think this cat's going to make it back across.

[ And somehow, that seems a greater risk. He steps in after the strange black furred helper. ]

[ That -

That was true. Damn it. And regardless of whether this was literally Jon or not, Algric was unwilling to risk him.

He makes a miserable noise before descending into the darkness after the other two, closing the coffin lid behind him. ]

[Once the lid is closed, the light goes out completely, leaving them in a weighted darkness. The chill picks up stronger as they go down the long steps. But the way is straight forward with no turns or changes in the size of the corridor.

They do eventually come to the source of the light: another door. This one being the front door of a flat. The cold is radiating even stronger from it and the light inside is at least a change.]

[ Of all of the horrors they've run across from Algric's first disappearance, the Buried is a new one to Tim. He sticks close to Algric, even though the snap of his back and forth with the other man is wholly due to the pressure and tension pushing on both of them.

He does, though, if the way is straight and narrow, attempt to pick up the cat on the way... if the cat lets him. Both to pet AND to see if there's anything to be done about the wounds. ]

Another door...

[ Something about the cold keeps him a step or two back. ]

[ Algric is NOT HAPPY all the way down. There's a low rumble of complaint coming from him as they take each step further and further down ... but at least the complaints begin to taper as walls don't close in on them. And then.

And then, there's this door. Is that cold ... familiar? Either way, he's pausing to tend to catte as well. ]

How - how is the little guy?

[It almost seemed like the cat wasn't there at all... Seemingly melted into the darkness around them.

But at the words, there's a shuffle and a small noise at their feet. Almost pitiful before he lays down, exhausted and drained and breathing hard but eyes focused on them.]

[ Guilt makes his voice thick. ]

"Not great."

[ Oh. Oh, that poor thing. Algric turns from the door for a moment to hover close to the cat as he lies down. The biting cold of his hands may be uncomfortable, but he has to try. ]

Good. Poor little guy. Let me ... let me see if I can do anything.

[ Gently, delicately, he presses fingers to the worst of it, trying to soothe. ]

[There's an uncomfortable whine at the touch, immediately tensing and trying to squirm away. But then the cool hits the burns and numbs it, soothing the pain suddenly. The cat settles there, breathing slowing a bit.

When the frost starts to catch on his fur, he starts to stand again. He's shaky and tired, but. Improvement. After a second he looks up at them both and sits waiting.]

[ He lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding when the cat perks up and sits up. ]

God. Good.

[ And then, lower and humbled. ] Thank you.

Of - of course. I wouldn't let you come down here alone. And of course I'm going to help ... well. Any cat, but. Especially this one.

[ He gives Joncat a gentle scritch between the ears. ]