"Oh."

Angel stared at Attikias's work, frowning ever so lightly at the magic. They didn't complain when he took their hand, but they did bare their teeth when he nearly scraped their palm. It was worth it for light, but... they weren't sure if they liked so much closeness.

They mrowled softly when he was done, pulling their arm back to themself and fidgeting with the rope. Alright. Wings flickering this way and that, Angel breathed in sharply and tried to settle their shoulders.

"Thanks."

And that was that. Balling their hands into fists, they started forward into the ruins, leaving the hall behind and casting their arm out in front of them like a torch.

//exit

Okay, so it had taken a very long time for the tiny frog-witch to make it this far, but can you blame them? They're literally one of the smallest things in the caves; besides which, this was the farthest Julian had ever gone from the palace and all of those books! At least it was warm and wet, here.

There were others here, each of which larger and more complicated than themselves, and for once Julian chose to be quiet as they worked their way closer to the dungeon entrance. It wasn't until that last moment as they gathered up all of their energy, bouncing in the direction of these other larger bodies, that they finally make a sound -- an oof slipping out of them as they landed upon the shoulder of one or another of them.

Maybe they'd be noticed? But in Julian's few cycles of life in this cave system, they'd yet to be noticed by anyone for anything. Maybe they could sneak in to this dungeon space without a sound (despite being a bright red dot against the backdrop of whoever-it-was that now carried them).

Hrimfaxi stayed (somewhat) still as Attikias put the baubled rope around their neck. When they felt the dull thunk of rope slide against their chest, they raised their head. The rope was already starting to ice to their chest--but that had become normal to them now. For Hrimfaxi, who'd never seen a rope before, especially not a glowing one, it was enough to set their eyes sparkling. Hrimfaxi beamed up at Attikias, as best they could with a skeletal horse face, offering a short: "You're nice!" in thanks before full throttle sprinting off again.

As they started to sprint off, Hrimfaxi heard rather than felt something bouncing onto their hide. Their sprint came to a sudden stop. They turned their head, glassy eyes blinking in surprise.

They looked around behind them, nearly missing the red blob on their back. A frog! Not that Hrimfaxi knew what one of those were, but they looked shiny which was interesting. Shiny like themselves, but different in a soft way. Hrimfaxi's body was likely uncofmfortable at best for the frog, and potentially dangerous given their constantly freezing exterior, but the horse, clueless to this, gave another bright smile and said, "Hi! 'm Hrim!" Before sprinting off again, their random tunnel this time being the natural caves.

@Julian

;exit

Mai had curiously followed word-of-mouth to here. There were many gembound present, more than she was used to. It made her excited and nervous in equal measure. She'd stand at the edge of the crowd, watching the others go about their preparations. When the tall purple one first offer to make everybody lights, Mai stayed quiet and simply watched. But then he ended up making a whole pile of them, and the surplus gave Mai the courage to actually creep over and claim one.

With an almost deer-like anxiety, she'd snatch a loop of bauble'd rope and tangle it in her horns. Her gaze flickered up to Attikias and she'd murmur a soft "Thank you.." And then, she got an idea.

A cluster of small, brown mushrooms grew at her feet. "For you. They're good to eat." She explained. With another thankful nod, she'd quickly skitter away towards one of the tunnels.

@Attikias

Mai took a light and also made some mushrooms- specifically as a thank-you to Attikias- but anyone who wants a snack can take some!

He’s quiet as he observes the groups break off- hefting one of his rocks he’s collected over the last few cycles awkwardly… watching some blue uprights sort of like him, but daintier, and furrier, light some rope up with… magic? Wait that’s allowed? He blinks in some shock.

Deciding to go grab one, he takes one of the strings and tries a few times to mimic the knitting he has watched, tying it to his forearm before following off into the dungeons.

/// exit

Thalia trotted over to where her father was setting out pieces of rope. She grinned, picking one up. The light he was using wouldn't really be good for giving off light; they were more a pretty thing, but it was better than nothing and better than most of what she could do.

"Thanks, Dad," she grinned, taking a piece of rope for herself. Then she looked around. She decided to take a different route. Not to avoid her family, not at all. She loved them. But... "I'm gonna head that way," she said, pointing toward the ruins, eyeing those entering. "I think that way will get interesting. This way we can trade stories after, yeah?"

Another carefree grin, and a wave, and she headed deeper within.

@Attikias (for visibility) and exit!