[network] @hsiaoke; video; Morning 131; but His Whisper came to me! [open]

[heavensreader]

[Just ten days ago, Kesara addressed the network looking very much as good as dead. Now she has her just reward. Now she addresses the network at the mouth of a dark doorway, fixed within a crumbling building that no one out there had ever lain eyes on before, opening into the unknown.

It's very dark in there, but her eyes are luminous.]

We've done it. We've finished excavating the pass.

[She takes a few steps back, towards the doorway, and raises her flashlight to shine a beam of light inside. It falls on half collapsed ceiling, mould and mildew on the walls, an uneven floor - but a path. There is a path.]

It was Zach and me, and Ecks, and Dr. House, and that Username fellow helped as well. There's a way to go further. It looks right challenging - see how the floor is all broken and bent? It's slick, too, and the mildew reeks. I'd wager going to fast or even talking too loud might make parts of the ceiling crumble. You'd need a light source, and to wrap yourself up well, and as many supplies as you can carry, since we don't know how far in it goes. But we're going in anyway. That's what we've dug it up for. I'll keep reporting on what we find in there. I think it might lead to a whole new part of town.

[That is rampant speculation, but you will pry her explorer's optimism from her cold, not-dead-after-all hands. At last, she puffs her chest, and turns the light on to where four Chinese characters have been traced in thick charcoal on the wall next to the door. 小蝌隘口.]

You can all come through and explore as much as you want. But this place's name is Hsiaoke Pass.

Comments

@Ecks | text

[ecks]

I also think these ruins will go deep. The tunnel is important.

[Optimism! She has said as much to the party with her; this is for the benefit of others.]

The snow tunnel is a good tunnel but it is also important to be careful in the snow tunnel to not cause it to collapse.

[heavensreader]

That's true. It isn't big, and if you cause it to collapse it's you who'll have to dig it back open.

[Kesara freely admits to that danger. It is the responsible thing to do.

It's also the sporting thing to do to acknowledge one's companions. And having secured her little legacy, Kesara can afford to be sporting.]

You've helped a lot, Ecks. Thank you!

action

[ecks]

[Biggest, awkwardest smile for you, Kesara. It's good to be appreciated.]

@ASolomons; audio

[devoutish]

[Alfie is taking the entire day off to rest and recover, and he plans to get up off the mattress he's claimed as little as possible. But he still manages a reply here, the hint of a smile in his voice.]

Hsiaoke Pass. Yeah.

I'm proud of you.

[heavensreader]

Oah, it wasn't only me. We all worked hard.

[Now she's being a little facetious, but this is in public. Her cream-licking-cat look shows she's aware of the game.]

[devoutish]

They're not fighting over the name, are they?

[heavensreader]

No - I don't think any of them cares. [She may be the slightest bit cross over this. She'd expected Ecks to care, at least.] But the sign is written and recorded, even if no one from the RGS will ever know.

@zd; audio

[swatsflies]

[ He's at the grocery store, picking through different containers on shelf for something good for his bosom boo when he sees her message. He replays it a few times before he lets out a whoop, nearly dropping his stuff.

Responding pretty hastily and juggling between his jam and bag. Kesara can probably hear the sound of him dropping his bag with a loud flump as he places the tablet between his shoulder and his ear to talk. ]

You guys did it! That's really frickin' cool! Good job.

[ The rest of the message is pretty concerning though. He'll focus on the positive! Kesara is pretty smart anyways, so she'll play it safe, right? ]

It could lead to a new part. It could even lead underground. How cool would that be? Is G.H. staying with you guys?

@hotstud_xxx; text

[rubikscomplex]

no
what do you want?

@zd; text (sorry about that.)

[swatsflies]

Nothing really.
Just been a while since I've seen you around.

[heavensreader]

Don't break your tablet, Zell! [She laughs as she says it. Though she is quieter about it, his excitement matches hers.]

It could do. We've been digging all right, but not deep - so there must be more yet! But you tell Kunsel not to worry. Everything I find, he'll know.

[She may be slightly, just slightly invested in regaining Kunsel's approval for her venture.]

[swatsflies]

I won't. It'll take the door or maybe a porcupine to break it. [ Might be a playful jab in Zack's direction, even if he isn't listening at the moment. ]

I'll pass on the message to Kunsel. [ A lot of people are covering the be careful, so he'll skip that. ] Yeah, maybe you'll find the underground tunnels at this rate.

@standardissue; audio

[deus_ex_phs]

You know, that's not how worry works, Kesara. Telling me not to won't stop me.

[There's just enough of a hint of amusement in Kunsel's voice to keep it from being deadpan.]

@lockhart; audio

[powersouls]

[Tifa's not using video for this, but the smile is still obvious in her voice.]

Good job, Kesara. You all did great. Be careful, okay?

[heavensreader]

Yes, Miss Tifa!

[Kesara might say something about not needing to be told to be careful, but she remembers a dressing-down or two from days ago, and decides not to push her luck for another one of those from someone new.]

Are you coming to this part of town? Now the way is open, everyone can have a shot.

[powersouls]

Yes! I'll be with Duster, Alfie and Cloud. We'll try to help you find as much as we can.

@kingdomkey ; Video

[seekthelight]

That's amazing! I'm so glad you guys did it! And that you're okay!

[Sora can't help but smile warmly over the feed, settled in his makeshift bed of cardboard boxes and his spare towels.]

Just promise to be careful when you head down there okay?

[heavensreader]

[She beams at him. It is always especially delightful to impress someone who has seen and done stranger things than she had known, before.]that begins. But I've been to the Hills and to tight and high passes before. This one doesn't scare me.

[seekthelight]

[Sora's smile stays though there's a worried look all the same--mostly because this place has just made him start to worry more than he ever use to.]

Good. Just be ready for anything. Who knows what could be waiting in there for you guys!

@username; text

[advanced]

[Oh no, why did she have to mention him? Now people will know there's someone out there with that username, and that might lead to people putting the pieces together.]

Did you write that on the wall?

[heavensreader]

[She's giving him credit - he ought to be grateful! It is very unsporting to suspect that she is also showing her knowledge of Norfinbury's stranger folk.]

I did, yes - can you read it? Do you read Chinese?

[advanced]

Are you the little tadpole?

[Does that answer the question?]

@totheark; text

[0thingsonmymind]

youshould
doc u ment show
what you
find

*Please send him video kthxbye.*

[heavensreader]

I document everything. This is important information for the public benefit.

[All he has to do is ask! But he will have to ask. A public written record of requesting a favour is a valuable thing.]

[0thingsonmymind]

yes, good
you should
show

*To him. Everybody else wasn't as important. But that might not be clear enough to count as asking.*