He picked up the dagger and analyzed it, realizing that something interesting was going on with it. It was enchanted it seemed, and though he was unsure if he would ever use it unless he was genuinely trying to kill someone (which he almost never did) but he would keep it anyway, it would likely prove useful later.

Turning towards the voice, his tail waved over his back, a warm smile on his lips. Of course, I hope you are okay after everything. His words were a bit more broken than most, if only by a little bit, his mongolian accent thick but gentle.

Make sure to rest up. He smiled and turned to leave, his head gesturing for Spark to follow them if they wanted to.

-Exit-

@Spark

I used to think that the day would never come
I'd see the light in the shade of the morning sun

She watched from her distance away as the mimic finally - FINALLY - died. She still stayed tense for a while, from the place she's fallen on the floor, and only when the others around her started moving around again did she finally collapse fully backwards, letting out a long high-pitched whine. She remained like that for a little while before forcing herself to get back to her feet. She wanted out of here. Holy shit.

Callista trembled as she approached the destroyed mimic, not daring to get any closer then a few feet away, and gingerly picked something that shone off the ground in front of it. A nice little glove. Okay. Worked for her.

With her treasure in hand, she turned and darted out of the cave, quickly leaving the dungeon behind. Had this scared her off of adventuring ever again? No, but maybe for the next few cycles, at least.

*exit

That my life would depend on the evening moon
That the night would never comе

Reentering the fight proved an impossibility once that lashing tongue flung them to the room's farthest edge. Partly, this was due to an aching spine after a less than graceful tumble through the air had crashed it against a mundane chest's wooden side. Most of the blame lay, however, in the mass of bodies crowding around their panicking foe, each vying to get kicks and bites in now that diligent effort had rendered the mimic vulnerable and desperate. These sort of brawls lasted for a minute at worst—Halcyon, more often an observer than a soldier themselves, had counted the seconds before while watching spars. The swarm reduced it to a couple heartbeats instead. Then the chaos fell into a blessed silence, the creature dead and unable to menace the party any longer.

As they rose from their sprawled position on the ground, the peace was savored. Without immediate danger to avoid or eliminate, time could be taken to ensure they were truly ready to move on. While nursing a sore vertebra with the gentle circular rub of a palm, a calm gaze was swept about treasure room, evaluating the others' conditions. Although battered, some shaken too from their trip inside a monstrous mouth, many had already turned to gathering new keepsakes from the battle's aftermath. Not interested in engaging in pointless talk surrounding their present circumstances, they followed suit, remembering their original intentions upon entering this place. Amongst the littered loot the mimic had spilled during its demise a handful of unimportant coins was scooped up alongside a fascinating green stone.

Their grip had loosened upon their staff when they'd been so easily thrown away from the center of the fight. Thankfully it hadn't fallen far from them and was untrampled by either mimic or adventurer. Halcyon wrapped free claws around its perfect parallel wood grain again and scrutinized the surface for signs of damage. Satisfied the weapon remained in a single piece, no reason remained to linger more. Straight-backed and dignified, if minimally injured, the Drone strode toward the doorway and the direction of the dungeon's exit.

-Exit Halcyon

Angel backed off as others rejoined the fray. Wing-ears back, they watched with a rattling tail, scuffing the heel of their foot against coins and tensing once the damn thing imploded.

They were distracted by the treasure cascading down to notice Audland— somehow, because the damn guy's tall— outright snatching the bag they'd used to hold the coins and mirror right out from their hand. "Hey!" They're more startled at first, staring up and up, eyes widening before sharping into fury.

Their assault forward is stopped by a mere hand. Hissing, Angel's hands did their best to pluck at the shaggy fur on Audland's arm, barely making a dent in all that density. It's useless; he's already put the bag away and stopping him now with a sword.

Trade. Angel held back their need to ascend, balling their fists at their side and sulking, glaring in front of Audland. Trade. They liked that mirror. Motion of the sword barely made them flinch, and they leaned away for a moment just to get a look at the thing without it being right in their face. One of their shinies.

Well, the sword did look really cool.

Easing up, Angel reached out for the thing with both hands, holding it but not taking it just yet. "If I take it, will you keep asking about my armor?" Their voice rasped as they lifted one side of their lips, talking with a fang bared in annoyance. No, they didn't know how to explain it. That was just them.

But they were receptive to the trade. Lifting the sword (which was heavier than expected, through them off guard), Angel struggled to hold it up and then held it with a hand on the blade. It was... actually, extremely good. Yeah, maybe the trade was worth it.

"Fine, we can trade."

@Audland

Yew can tell when the fight begins to end. The mimic's body begins to thrash differently than before. Less focused on attacking, more focused on last-minute defense. When it falls apart, Yew can't help but gape at the treasures that fall to the floor beneath the broken planks.

She's sure the others have the same reaction. Giving the other gembound enough space to dig for their own treasures, Yew grabs the first thing she sees that may suit herself. An ornate, golden mask. The beak shape would slot perfectly over her own, covering it just enough to tip over. There is no obvious magic within, but Yew does not need magic for her trinkets to be worth having.

She quickly slots the mask on her face carefully, latch closing into place. A perfect fit. The mask is almost made just for her. Had the previous owner had a similar body type? So curious. Yew takes her time to watch the others talk before making her way to the exit, careful to not leave anything behind. This had been worth it after all.

Exit Yew

Angel's refusal to relent being so thoroughly quashed solely by the presence of Audland's made the Valkhound, predictably, smirk with a level of smugness that could make first degree murder legal. Even worse for Angel, his plan was working, and without even asking or bartering, the little puma cat gave up their precious mirror. Audland didn't even have to ask. Delightful.

To Angel's implied request about asking about their armor, Audland replied with a mischievous "Mmmmaybe." But Audland would've give up all his game until the kitten's paw took the blade and Audland's own wrapped around the beautiful handheld mirror.

When their transaction completes ('Fine, we can trade,' and now Audland's smirk starts showing a glimmering set of teeth), an ominous "Excellent," rumbles out of the lower part of Audland's vocal range.

Stowing away the mirror, Audland takes this as his cue to leave. "Pleasure doin' business with ya. See you around, kit-cat," is what he leaves Angel with before turning to go.

Little do they know at this point that that diminutive nickname is going to change in the near future.

And then Audland stomps his fuzzy blue feet away, his next destination only vaguely in mind.

- exit -

Spark offered Genghis a gentle, canine smile. They nodded, noting the Gembound's apparent youth. He was going places, or so they hoped. Faith in themself was hard to come by, but faith in this brave pup was easy.

They stopped to overthink for a moment, then slinked forward to follow some distance behind Genghis. Spark had a home to return to, but it could wait for a little while.

[exit]