Land Down Under (KJDarKnight & Treasure)

"Some things never change" Mathias frowned, noticing how Misty visibly flinched when she heard the bang, poor young woman
"Jonah, why don't you take Misty into the living room through there ..a bit farther from the noise" he suggested "I'll get some tea going to help calm the nerves, you two as well" he said to the top dwellers "Lynna give me a hand in the kitchen?"
 
"Come on, Misty," Jonah said, holding out a hand to guide her along, but didn't actually touch her. She hadn't given permission, after all.

"Sure," Lynna agreed and followed Mathias. "Do you think everyone is going to go up?"
 
Misty took the offered hand and allowed him to lead her off into the living room, she very much needed someone to hold on to at that moment. The couches looked comfortable, a few soft blankets around they could us. Justira picked one nearest the window and snuggled into a blanket watching the stars outside.

Mathias shook his head "Doubtful, there will be those thinking they should stick it out, the fanatics and casualties... "
 
Jonah helped Misty to a couch and sat next to her. He watched Justira for a minute, checking to make sure she was alright, then turned to Misty. "How's the shoulder healing?"

Lynna blew an unhappy raspberry. "Stubborn people. I hope Pepper gets out okay, and I guess we can always come back and try to convince more... Fewer people means the air will last longer, right?"
 
Misty hesitated only a moment before she leaned up against him "Was doing alright until someone knocked me to the floor...hurts pretty bad right now" she admitted to him "Thank you by the way... for saving me back there"

"Pepper is tougher than she thinks and she has Badru with her... she'll be alright... no doubt she is trying to keep the back up's running for longer. She takes her job seriously" he sighed, worried about her "Here" he handed her a teakettle "Get some water going I'll find that tea..."

Faelar sat beside his sister "Seems like everone is gettin displaced for one reason er another huh?" he mused to nobody in particular
 
"Um... you're welcome," Jonah said uncertainly, eying her. He didn't pull away, but it was clear having someone lean against him was unfamiliar territory. Moving with extreme caution, he moved his arm around her and tried to gently give her a bit of support without hurting her arm further. He supposed she was in a bit of shock and later would return to normal. It would do no harm to keep her warm and supported until she felt better. He looked over as Fealar spoke. "Eh, that's the way of things, I suppose. Nature doesn't like a stationary stone."

Lynna filled the kettle and put it on to boil. "It's a good thing your house is connected to the outside. You have air and an escape, and it acts kind of like an air chimney down."
 
"That she don't" he agreed, watching the two of them and the way Misty leaned into him. She was clearly one who despite her upbringing and solitary life, relied on people. He stood and grabbed one of the blankets "Here, help keep ya both cozy" he offered

Misty was holding on to Jonah's presence the same way she had clutched that radio on the cave, her lifeline to staying stable

Mathias gave a nod "Built that way intentionally" he said "Never wanted to risk getting trapped down there for good ya know?"
 
"Thank you." Jonah took the blanket and awkwardly tossed it around them both. "There we go. It'll be alright. You're safe. We'll all look out for each other here, eh?" He sighed. "Comfort is not my thing."

"Makes sense to me," Lynna agreed.

~~~

Down below, Badru caught Pepper's arm, the air full of smoke. "Out!" he coughed. "Done!"
 
Misty didn't look up, just stayed snuggled up next to him "Just letting me be next to you helps" Misty said finally looking up "Unless... you don't want me to be close that's ok too..." she started to pull away, not wanting to make him uncomfortable, maybe she had read to much into him protecting her back there.

--

Pepper had by then put her goggles on and had a mask covering half her face but even so she was coughing pretty bad by that point "No! I can keep them going longer!" she insisted and tried to pull her arm free
 
Jonah didn't try to stop her for fear of putting pressure on her bad side. "It's alright. If you need it, I don't mind."

~~

Badru didn't let go. "No. Done." He blinked rapidly to clear the tears streaming down his cheeks from the smoke. He started pulling gently.
 
Misty nodded and rested back against him again "Thank you..." she said softly, it did help and she trusted him after what they had gone through on the surface. That terrible place she guessed they would have to go to at some point soon. She curled up more at the thought.

--

Pepper looked up at him then glanced back at the generators, she didn't try to pull away from him this time. HE was right, staying much longer would be a bad idea.

before they left though she pulled the emergency shut off lever. If it went up in flames they would have no chance of trying to save desolation and the fire would eat up the oxygen those still trying to escape needed.
 
Jonah looked down at Misty. "Scared of going to the surface?"

~~

Badru let her pull the lever then literally picked her up and ran for the tunnel up. The lift didn't work, and he didn't know how to use the harness, but a rope still hung down, and he knew how to climb. He set Pepper down then crouched. "Hold," he instructed, indicating she was to climb onto his back.
 
She nodded "my last experience wasn't exactly nice... aren't you worried?" She asked, or was it just her who was so scared after that

--

Pepper didn't hesitate to climb on to his back and hang on.

The rope still hung down the long shaft. Pepper knew she couldn't climb all that way. She hoped he could
 
"I had a few better experiences before that one, so I'm not as worried, no," Jonah assured her. "Now that I know there's this new threat... I'm ready for them."

~~

Badru wrapped the rope around his forearm and started to climb. One step at a time, his bare feet clinging to the wall better than any shoes. He moved with slow deliberation, not hurried despite the mess up or down. Pepper's weight on his back strained him a little, but it was nothing he couldn't handle. He kept going up and up.
 
Misty sighed "you're much more brave than am...I had no business being out there in the first place"

--

Pepper could only hold on and hope. It was a long drop if he lost his grip or slipped at all
 
"More like them cannibals had no business being there," Jonah grunted moodily.

~~

Badru didn't slip. It took several minutes, but finally he reached the top and pulled himself up over, crawling on his knees away from the edge. He stopped where he was on hands and knees and panted for breath as he waited for Pepper to climb off.
 
Miaty sighed "they live up there. We don't.." she pointed out. Just talking about them though was getting her anxiety back up.

-

Pepper climbed off of him "not far now Badru.." gods it was getting hot down there with no airflow
 
"We used to, and so do they," Jonah said, indicating Justira and Faelar. "Eating people is just plain wrong, but don't worry. It's not happening again."

~~

Badru stayed down for a minute, breathing air. He'd inhaled more smoke than Pepper as he was a lot taller. He forced himself to his feet after a moment, stony and ready to go once more. "Mathias. Out. Leave."
 
"You don't know that Jonah" she said just as Mathias came in bringing the tea along with Lynna "I doubt they would attack us as a whole group Misty. We're intimidating in numbers" he said as he handed her cup off to her and offered one to Jonah

--

Pepper nodded "this way" she said leading the way now through the dark, switching on her emergency lantern as she went
 
"Thanks," Jonah said as he took the cup. "Any idea what's going on down there?"

~~

Badru walked with her, scowling at the mass of people thronging toward what he assumed was the exit. They were all running like a bunch of cattle. They parted for him, but only just barely.
 
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