2021-03-20: Playing at Adventure is a Dangerous Game

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  • Log: 2021-03-20: Playing at Adventure is a Dangerous Game
  • Cast: Xander Lovell, Riley Arwell
  • Where: Kattelox Ruins
  • Date: March 20, 2021
  • Summary: The Fangs find their explorations of the Kattelox ruins going sideways amid an argument about whether it's a good idea to have pretend Drifter friends.

=============================<* Kattelox Ruins *>=============================

The massive, sprawling Underground Ruins underneath Kattelox Island are as famous as they are infamous -- rumours abound that they actually connect the entire length of the island, and to this day the sum total of the Digger's Guild knowledge have not fully mapped it out. Perhaps you can contribute to this, little by little, but beware... the mysterious mechanical creatures known as Reaverbots infest this strangely intact, ancient ruin.

BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ0MWvyF-ZM
DG: Please specify a dungeon by its index number from +dungeon/list. [#187]
DG: A party led by Xander Lovell is now entering Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine.
DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
===============<* CHALLENGE - Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To *>===============
|Type: Entry       |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 The rumors were true! A small Refractor was found at the end of a path in     
 the Kattelox Ruins. It hovers within its containment capsule, at one of the   
 ends of a massive, vertical chasm. In this command center of sorts, you can   
 see out the window on the far side, at the vertical chasm ahead, used long    
 ago for what looks like mining. Long minecart tracks trace the edges of the   
 chasm near your level as far as you can see into the dim light.               
                                                                               
 There is also a security system in place, with wall-mounted weapons in the    
 room. They won't activate so long as you don't mess with the target item you  
 are after, so you have plenty of time to plan how to tackle this situation--  
 BLAM.                                                                         
                                                                               
 The opposite end of the mining operations room is ripped outward like an old  
 tin can, destroying the defense systems in the process. A giant mechanical    
 Reaverbot sticks its multi-eyed head inward through the new door. Most of     
 the eyes on its insectoid head are green, but there is a giant red one on     
 its right side, glaring at you and the refractor. It's a Bospider! And it     
 has its eyes on the small object just as much as you do!                      
                                                                               
 It reaches over with its mandibular jaw and snatches the Refractor from its   
 bindings! Once gained, it begins to scuttle its way on the chasm walls,       
 using the geometric areas carved out as footholds! Just outside is the start  
 of the minecart system, and one is still in station, perhaps if you give it   
 a push, you can give chase! Though this transport unit sure is different. It  
 has boosters on it, and there are spikes on the front. It also balances       
 itself on a singular, large wheel attached to the track. Who made this, and   
 why?!                                                                         
                                                                               
 BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HraFX-C0Qg                              
=Dungeon Conditions: Overzealous==============================================
<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

"I can't believe you," Xander says, after a long stretch of silence during their travels into the ruins. "How could you have possibly thought that was going to be a good idea?"

He doesn't specify what yet, because Riley should know, obviously.

The Kattelox Ruins themselves are only of interest to him as a ruin at all. An adventure of their own, making up for lost time, pretending to be what they can't. It's a way to spend a 'day off', one supposes. Or maybe he just suspects more privacy this time to get on Riley's case.

But Xander does have to stop and consider where they are. Some sort of command room for a bunch of technology he's not familiar with. Once he'd have been filled with excitement at strange new objects and ideas to toy with and puzzle out. Now he's mostly grumping and glaring at everything for daring to make his life even slightly more complicated.

He starts to open his mouth to say something else before there's an explosion. "I am TRYING to have a CONVERSATION!" he snaps, whipping around to see the Reaverbot bursting into the room and turning the hall into shrapnel. With absolutely no further consideration whatsoever, Xander tries to kick it immediately because if he can skip the minecart chase scene he god damn will.

DG: Xander Lovell has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To.
<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

How could you have possibly thought that was going to be a good idea?

It can't be said that Xander's annoyance after the fact is an effective deterrent; in fact, getting a rise out of him was part of the appeal.

Riley grins to himself as they walk along, unrepentant.

"It all seemed to work out perfectly well from where I was standing. Drifters have seen everything. We were probably like, the 10th weirdest travelers they've run into this week."

Riley likes the parts of their life together where they play at being ordinary adventurers. Having more people to bounce that alternate reality off of only made it easier to pretend to believe.

KABOOM. A Reaverbot rips its way into the room.

Riley reflexively calls his shovel up from the ground at the noisy and violent interruption, only to see Xander kicking the robot that just effortlessly burst through the wall.

He isn't sure he likes where this is going, so he tries to scoop Xander up and hop into that handy minecart that could get them the hell out of here.

DG: Riley Arwell has used his Tool Shovel of Valmar toward his party's challenge, Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
===============<* CHALLENGE - Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To *>===============
|Type: Entry       |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 The rumors were true! A small Refractor was found at the end of a path in     
 the Kattelox Ruins. It hovers within its containment capsule, at one of the   
 ends of a massive, vertical chasm. In this command center of sorts, you can   
 see out the window on the far side, at the vertical chasm ahead, used long    
 ago for what looks like mining. Long minecart tracks trace the edges of the   
 chasm near your level as far as you can see into the dim light.               
                                                                               
 There is also a security system in place, with wall-mounted weapons in the    
 room. They won't activate so long as you don't mess with the target item you  
 are after, so you have plenty of time to plan how to tackle this situation--  
 BLAM.                                                                         
                                                                               
 The opposite end of the mining operations room is ripped outward like an old  
 tin can, destroying the defense systems in the process. A giant mechanical    
 Reaverbot sticks its multi-eyed head inward through the new door. Most of     
 the eyes on its insectoid head are green, but there is a giant red one on     
 its right side, glaring at you and the refractor. It's a Bospider! And it     
 has its eyes on the small object just as much as you do!                      
                                                                               
 It reaches over with its mandibular jaw and snatches the Refractor from its   
 bindings! Once gained, it begins to scuttle its way on the chasm walls,       
 using the geometric areas carved out as footholds! Just outside is the start  
 of the minecart system, and one is still in station, perhaps if you give it   
 a push, you can give chase! Though this transport unit sure is different. It  
 has boosters on it, and there are spikes on the front. It also balances       
 itself on a singular, large wheel attached to the track. Who made this, and   
 why?!                                                                         
                                                                               
 BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HraFX-C0Qg                              
=Dungeon Conditions: Overzealous==============================================
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
===============<* CHALLENGE - Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To *>===============
|Type: Entry       |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 The rumors were true! A small Refractor was found at the end of a path in     
 the Kattelox Ruins. It hovers within its containment capsule, at one of the   
 ends of a massive, vertical chasm. In this command center of sorts, you can   
 see out the window on the far side, at the vertical chasm ahead, used long    
 ago for what looks like mining. Long minecart tracks trace the edges of the   
 chasm near your level as far as you can see into the dim light.               
                                                                               
 There is also a security system in place, with wall-mounted weapons in the    
 room. They won't activate so long as you don't mess with the target item you  
 are after, so you have plenty of time to plan how to tackle this situation--  
 BLAM.                                                                         
                                                                               
 The opposite end of the mining operations room is ripped outward like an old  
 tin can, destroying the defense systems in the process. A giant mechanical    
 Reaverbot sticks its multi-eyed head inward through the new door. Most of     
 the eyes on its insectoid head are green, but there is a giant red one on     
 its right side, glaring at you and the refractor. It's a Bospider! And it     
 has its eyes on the small object just as much as you do!                      
                                                                               
 It reaches over with its mandibular jaw and snatches the Refractor from its   
 bindings! Once gained, it begins to scuttle its way on the chasm walls,       
 using the geometric areas carved out as footholds! Just outside is the start  
 of the minecart system, and one is still in station, perhaps if you give it   
 a push, you can give chase! Though this transport unit sure is different. It  
 has boosters on it, and there are spikes on the front. It also balances       
 itself on a singular, large wheel attached to the track. Who made this, and   
 why?!                                                                         
                                                                               
 BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HraFX-C0Qg                              
=Dungeon Conditions: Overzealous==============================================
================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine - Round 1 *>================
=================< Results - Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To >=================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xander Lovell                       0 --(29)--> 29                 Fail
Force                               0   Brute   Effects: BASIC                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riley Arwell                        0 --(17)--> 17                 Pass
Shovel of Valmar                    2   Brute   Effects: Strengthen           
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Xander Lovell               0 --(15)--> 15                 Fail
Conditions: Overzealous(2)
Effects: Strengthen(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Xander Lovell has failed this challenge! The party gained 15 exploration! If anyone needs to use
party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Xander gnashes and grinds his teeth, his foot kicking the bot, but not doing much else other than sending a shock of pain through his bones. Before he can get himself into any worse trouble, Riley grabs hold of him and yanks him into the minecart. They might not be able to keep up with the reaverbot to the treasure now, but perhaps Xander's already forgotten about that.

He seethes in the cart, refusing to make eye contact, but he didn't exactly struggle and squirm at being touched, either. Both fitting in the small cart is an excuse to lean back to back so he doesn't have to look at Riley, but remains in some kind of contact.

"...You'd better hope we don't run into the same ones again," he finally says. "Or you're just going to be upset when you look at them and imagine spilling their blood everywhere later."

DG: Riley Arwell has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
=============<* CHALLENGE - This Didn't Clear Safety Regulations *>=============
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 <Calibrating weight velocity. Optimal speed reached. Readying catch           
 protocol.>                                                                    
                                                                               
 A strong voice pings over some intercom built into the flatbed cart. The      
 vehicle begins to speed up. Ahead, you see why. Something blocks the rail     
 path. Wait, it isn't blocking... it is part of it.                            
                                                                               
 Is that a ramp? ...Yeah. That is a ramp.                                      
                                                                               
 And it is the last bit of track before a good hundred and fifty foot gap in   
 the railway. Hope you are good at sticking landings! Try not to think about   
 the yawning abyss a few feet from the track as you aim to land on a moving    
 vehicle. It should help.                                                      
=Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Or you're just going to be upset when you look at them and imagine spilling their blood everywhere later.

Riley opens his mouth and shuts it again. He's privately a bit relieved that Xander can't see his expression. "I mean I'm probably not going to love that, sure, but it's better than hiding in a hole-- oh, we're going pretty fast now, aren't we?"

Indeed, the minecart is picking up speed. A voice warns them that something is about to happen.

Calibrating weight velocity. Optimal speed reached. Readying catch protocol.

Riley is... the only one who can see the approaching ramp, and the approaching gap. "Oh shit, oh shit, Xander, Xander--!!" He clambers backwards, trying to get Xander to look, and perhaps irrationally trying to climb over him to escape the minecart, though he'll think better of that when he looks down and sees the speed it's going.

DG: Riley Arwell has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, This Didn't Clear Safety
Regulations.
<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Xander exhales heavily, refusing to look at Riley even as the speed of the minecart whips through his hair. It's all fun and games until Riley starts to get attached. Then what? He's already thinking about the thought Riley didn't finish -- better than hiding in a hole.

Is it? Isn't the two of them in the hole enough?

But as Riley panics, Xander becomes more alert. He tolerates being climbed over at first as he shifts to look ahead, then reaches back, without looking, to grab Riley and try to firmly plant him back down into the cart. "Stay." He says it like he's talking to a dog.

Xander quickly pulls out a vial with a spray attachment, giving a spritz of alchemy to help with focus and fight dizziness -- it might keep Riley's vertigo from being as bad as it could be, should things get that far.

Then he shoves Riley and himself down, trying to pick up speed so they can force their way over the gap. He hopes he can steer it into a landing, but otherwise, there's always the power of Valmar and thorned vines to grab hold of them...

But that might take some extra exhaustion out of him.

DG: Xander Lovell has used his Tool Autumn Mist toward his party's challenge, This Didn't Clear Safety Regulations.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
=============<* CHALLENGE - This Didn't Clear Safety Regulations *>=============
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 <Calibrating weight velocity. Optimal speed reached. Readying catch           
 protocol.>                                                                    
                                                                               
 A strong voice pings over some intercom built into the flatbed cart. The      
 vehicle begins to speed up. Ahead, you see why. Something blocks the rail     
 path. Wait, it isn't blocking... it is part of it.                            
                                                                               
 Is that a ramp? ...Yeah. That is a ramp.                                      
                                                                               
 And it is the last bit of track before a good hundred and fifty foot gap in   
 the railway. Hope you are good at sticking landings! Try not to think about   
 the yawning abyss a few feet from the track as you aim to land on a moving    
 vehicle. It should help.                                                      
=Dungeon Conditions: Hesitate=================================================
================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine - Round 2 *>================
===============< Results - This Didn't Clear Safety Regulations >===============
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xander Lovell                       29 --(29)--> 58                Fail
Autumn Mist                         1   Agility Effects: Quicken and Fanfare  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riley Arwell                        17 --(29)--> 46                Fail
Rush                                0   Agility Effects: BASIC                
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Xander Lovell               15 --(15)--> 30                Fail
Conditions: Hesitate(2)|Overzealous(1)
Effects: Quicken(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Xander Lovell has failed this challenge! The party gained 15 exploration! If anyone needs to use
party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Xander pushes them both down, as the minecart takes flight. As it soars over the gap, Riley grips onto Xander.

"Listen, it has been wonderful spending this year with you, I know there's been terrible things, but I still--"

Riley trying to say his goodbyes might be a little premature, except they come up just short of the gap, and start to plummet.

"But I still -- aaah--!"

Maybe it really is the end!

DG: Xander Lovell has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - Better Scramble! *>=======================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat    |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 A giant Reaverbot such as the Bospider has never been one to be chased, and   
 has always been the one to do the chasing. It does not like this change of    
 events one bit, as the large red eye flashes on the right side of its head.   
                                                                               
 Small ports on the back of the Reaverbot's abdomen fly open, and a salvo of   
 small missiles fly out as it crawls down the mines! The Scramble Missiles     
 fly out and around in erratic patterns, but one thing is for sure-- they are  
 coming for you and your minecart! Better deal with them, fast!                
=Dungeon Conditions: Fright===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Thorny vines erupt from Xander's body as he lashes it out like a grappling hook, grabbing Riley by the arm and dangling, for a moment, off of the ledge they just barely missed. He heaves out another sigh, but for his part, seems relatively unconcerned. The grip of the vines only sprawls out further, sinking into the tracks on the other end -- and even further into Xander's arm, drawing blood from him to ooze through his shirt.

Without an appropriate target to hit, they seem content to act as if they've been summoned to attack him, specifically. But that's always the way of their curse, isn't it? Someone else, or them in its place.

"You know we can't feed you if we die," he says to a god that isn't listening, tired. Xander squeezes his grip tighter on Riley's arm, making sure he has firm hold of it.

With a pained grunt, he retracts the vines, pulling himself and Riley up. With another heavy exhale, he runs his hand through his hair to try and get his wild bangs out of his one good eye.

"You still what?"

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

With a burst of vines, Xander manages to catch the edge before they fall to their doom, leaving Riley to dangle for a moment, safe and stunned and clinging fiercely, before Xander heaves them up over the ledge. Riley stays kneeling with his hands splayed out on the ground for a few extra moments, wanting to feel it solid beneath him.

You still what?

So nonchalant... "It's harder to say when we're not falling to our deaths!" he protests, reddening. But then he says it anyway, because Xander did ask.

"I still... don't regret coming back to you."

He's distracted, then, by the blood soaking Xander's white sleeve. "Ah, your poor arm..." He takes it gently in his hands by the places that aren't bleeding.

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Xander impassively watches Riley recover. For all the caution they had as children, for all his nervous little episodes, all his uncertainty, all his what ifs, it seems almost falling to their deaths in the abyss hasn't fazed him at all.

But once he catches the redness in Riley's cheeks, he's already averting his eyes. His own cheeks start to match with the admission. There's a huff of a voice he can't find.

At least not until Riley takes hold of his arm. "I...It's fine," he says, quieter than his previous snapping. He holds back a wince, maybe just so Riley won't reflexively let go. He just wants that moment for a while.

"Riley, I --"

An explosion drowns out anything he's trying to say, and Xander's brow twitches in renewed frustration. But that quickly turns to newfound panic. "Riley!" he leaps forward, tackling them both out of the way of the incoming set of missiles. It seems somehow they beat the stupid Bospider here, and it's not happy about having competition.

Xander shoves a piece of medicine in his mouth to bite down on, then thrusts another into Riley's grip. "Try to contain yourself until you need it for once!"

Then he shoves off of Riley to get to the tracks. There's (conveniently) another cart to grab and get back into place. If they stay here, they're going to be sitting ducks for missiles round two.

DG: Xander Lovell has used his Tool Candied Medicine toward his party's challenge, Better Scramble!.
<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Riley gives a smile that's almost apologetic when his words send Xander looking askance. "Thank you for saving us." It never would have occured to Riley to do such a thing with the vines. And it wasn't without consequences.

"Do you want me to help you bandage it u-"

Another explosion marks the return of the Bospider, and Xander tackles him out of the way of a missile barrage.

Riley accepts the medicine and nods at the chiding about waiting to eat it, pocketing it for later.

Xander pushes him toward... another cart. Riley winces at the thought of another ride like the last one, but doesn't hesitate to get in. Once inside, he turns back and fires upward; the arrow dissappears and returns as an aerial barrage that he hopes will provide a moment of distraction as they get the minecart rolling.

DG: Riley Arwell has used his Tool Dark Bow toward his party's challenge, Better Scramble!.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - Better Scramble! *>=======================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat    |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 A giant Reaverbot such as the Bospider has never been one to be chased, and   
 has always been the one to do the chasing. It does not like this change of    
 events one bit, as the large red eye flashes on the right side of its head.   
                                                                               
 Small ports on the back of the Reaverbot's abdomen fly open, and a salvo of   
 small missiles fly out as it crawls down the mines! The Scramble Missiles     
 fly out and around in erratic patterns, but one thing is for sure-- they are  
 coming for you and your minecart! Better deal with them, fast!                
=Dungeon Conditions: Fright===================================================
================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine - Round 3 *>================
=========================< Results - Better Scramble! >=========================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xander Lovell                       58 --(17)--> 75                Fail
Candied Medicine                    1   Combat  Effects: Cleanse              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riley Arwell                        46 --(5)--> 51                 Pass
Dark Bow                            3   Combat  Effects: Rally                
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Xander Lovell               30 --(20)--> 50                Pass
Conditions: Fright(2)|Hesitate(1)
Effects: Cleanse
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Xander Lovell has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use
party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
DG: Riley Arwell has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
=================<* CHALLENGE - These Arms Ain't For Hugging *>=================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 The rocket-powered minecart charges onward in a straight line, down the main  
 thoroughfare of the canyon-like mineshaft. Occasionally a path veers off      
 into a tunnel and beyond-- it is difficult to see how far down those go.      
 Thankfully your cart stays the course. Though it makes one wonder just how    
 well connected are all the Kattelox Ruins? How far have you even traveled     
 underground now?                                                              
                                                                               
 A series of metal ring-like constructs are attached to the track ahead of     
 you. They flicker to life on your rapid approach, and the interior glows a    
 faint blue. Shortly after, a deep, imperious voice cuts on and speaks         
 through somewhere on your transport cart.                                     
                                                                               
 <Irregular material stacking detected. Deploying corrections system...>       
                                                                               
 Ahead on the rail path, a metal wall that stands unusually close to the       
 track opens in numerous places, and extended arm-like protrusions reach out.  
 Some have prongs, others have wedges or other blunt shapes. All will          
 probably hurt connecting with them at this speed.                             
=Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Probably Xander does need help with that. He hisses, squeezes his arm with unfortunately too much distraction to provide much help. Thankfully, Riley's barrage of arrows strikes into their 'competition' (though Xander, currently, mostly thinks of it as an annoyance -- you can HAVE the stupid treasure, just go AWAY), lodging into something important and forcing it to readjust itself.

By the time it fires a second barrage, it targets where it calculates the arrows had fired from... which is no longer where either of them are, back in the cart and hurrying down the tracks.

Xander uses his teeth to cut bandage as he tries to get it around his bleeding arm.

After badgering him for Riley's answer, he feels compelled to continue his own.

"... I get it. About the Drifters," he says.

"Just... try not to make a habit of it."

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Riley watches Xander start to struggle with the bandages and provides the second hand he's lacking, helping him secure them and then giving his hand a little kiss.

/... I get it. About the Drifters. Just... /try/ not to make a habit of it."

"I think external social interactions are good for us," Riley protests. "It adds novelty to our lives. It will give us things to talk about."

...Not that there isn't plenty of novelty heading their way already, as the minecart bumps down the rails toward who-knows-what. Irregular material stacking detected. Deploying corrections system...

"What the-..." Riley looks back and finds a bunch of arms ready to grasp(?) them.

"We don't need re-stacking!" he calls out. He can't really think of anything to do except flatten, so he pulls Xander down low inside the cart with him.

DG: Riley Arwell has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, These Arms Ain't For Hugging.
<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Xander relents to Riley's help, offering his arm so at least it can stop bleeding everywhere. The kiss makes him glance away, heart leaping to his throat a moment. Sometimes it's the smaller gestures that seem to get to him the most.

"Thanks."

But as Riley makes his protests, Xander looks to him tensely. "I think you're going to hurt yourself later."

But it's an argument once again interrupted. The effects of Xander's perfume are still lingering, at least, letting him focus on the horrible arms coming from the well. Riley flattens them both, which is probably a good idea, but Xander also brings his hand over Riley's mouth for silence and tries to listen.

Maybe if he listens closely enough, he can tell when the next arm is going to threaten them and lean his weight into the cart to slow and quicken it as necessary to skirt past the danger.

DG: Xander Lovell has used his Tool Autumn Mist toward his party's challenge, These Arms Ain't For Hugging.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
=================<* CHALLENGE - These Arms Ain't For Hugging *>=================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 The rocket-powered minecart charges onward in a straight line, down the main  
 thoroughfare of the canyon-like mineshaft. Occasionally a path veers off      
 into a tunnel and beyond-- it is difficult to see how far down those go.      
 Thankfully your cart stays the course. Though it makes one wonder just how    
 well connected are all the Kattelox Ruins? How far have you even traveled     
 underground now?                                                              
                                                                               
 A series of metal ring-like constructs are attached to the track ahead of     
 you. They flicker to life on your rapid approach, and the interior glows a    
 faint blue. Shortly after, a deep, imperious voice cuts on and speaks         
 through somewhere on your transport cart.                                     
                                                                               
 <Irregular material stacking detected. Deploying corrections system...>       
                                                                               
 Ahead on the rail path, a metal wall that stands unusually close to the       
 track opens in numerous places, and extended arm-like protrusions reach out.  
 Some have prongs, others have wedges or other blunt shapes. All will          
 probably hurt connecting with them at this speed.                             
=Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine - Round 4 *>================
===================< Results - These Arms Ain't For Hugging >===================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xander Lovell                       75 --(5)--> 80                 Pass
Autumn Mist                         1   Agility Effects: Quicken and Fanfare  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riley Arwell                        51 --(5)--> 56                 Pass
Rush                                0   Agility Effects: BASIC                
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Xander Lovell               50 --(20)--> 70                Pass
Conditions: Fright(1)|Stupify(2)
Effects: Quicken(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Xander Lovell has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use
party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

I think you're going to hurt yourself later.

Riley shakes his head. "It's a kind of hurting I'm okay with."

He'd rather try it and have it go wrong than to hide forever.

Then, they have the arms to contend with. They both get down low, and Xander clamps a hand over the mouth of a somewhat confused and affronted Riley, and tries to listen for telltale signs that they're approaching an arm so he can control the minecart's speed. In doing so, he manages to throw himself forward at just the right moment and scoot them past an arm that was reaching in perilously close to them.

Finally, they make it clear, and the two of them are able to sit up again.

"Oh, that was smart," Riley observes, after finally realizing what Xander was doing.

DG: Xander Lovell has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
===================<* CHALLENGE - Many Spiders, Handle It! *>===================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 1          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 As both your party and the Bospider race down the mining trench, your         
 mechanical opponent spies you giving chase across the gap. It lets out a      
 mechanical screech, and opens a small pod bay on its hind end.                
                                                                               
 From out of the hatch comes dozens of mini-bots! They are small and           
 spherical, with four pick-like feet. They also sport the same colors, and a   
 few red ocular cameras. They land on the minecart, and begin to... do a       
 whole lot of nothing. These don't seem equipped with weapons of any kind.     
 They pick and scratch at you, and what sounds like camera shuttering comes    
 from a couple. It becomes evident they are a non-threat.                      
                                                                               
 However, the cart begins to noticeably slow down with them piling up! It      
 might be a good time to give these stowaways the boot into the chasm, or you  
 might lose your target!                                                       
=Dungeon Conditions: Overzealous, Tire========================================
<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Xander winces with Riley's response, his face contorted in a brief pain. He tries to pretend it's his arm before they end up silent and smooshed at the bottom of the cart.

Once it's over, he lifts back up again with a shrug and rolling of his shoulders to loosen after having been flattened. "I guess," he says, but his cheeks are red again.

There's a small moment in the cart that lets Xander chew on Riley's words further, arms folded on the edge of the cart to watch the mines pass. "...Fine," he says, like it hasn't been entirely too long for that to make sense as a response to anything.

He eyes the Bospider as it begins to release its army of mini-bots, then he sighs, flicking one off the cart with his fingers. They're on an adventure right now. It probably would be a better apology to just try and get Riley some sort of exciting prize at the end.

Or at least that's what he tells himself as he pulls out a dagger and starts scraping the bots off the side like they were barnacles. "Bye," he says to one as he drops it into the chasm.

DG: Xander Lovell has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Many Spiders, Handle It!.
<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Riley still takes Xander's 'fine' as a victory. Pretend Drifter friends! He gives Xander a catlike smile.

Then the Bospider is back, but rather than peppering them with missiles, it starts filling the cart with annoying little mini bots.

"What are these! I hate them!" They keep swarming and poking and scratching, and it's too much like getting overgrown with the vines for his liking.

Riley starts sweeping them off the cart with the shovel.

DG: Riley Arwell has used his Tool Shovel of Valmar toward his party's challenge, Many Spiders, Handle It!.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
===================<* CHALLENGE - Many Spiders, Handle It! *>===================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 1          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 As both your party and the Bospider race down the mining trench, your         
 mechanical opponent spies you giving chase across the gap. It lets out a      
 mechanical screech, and opens a small pod bay on its hind end.                
                                                                               
 From out of the hatch comes dozens of mini-bots! They are small and           
 spherical, with four pick-like feet. They also sport the same colors, and a   
 few red ocular cameras. They land on the minecart, and begin to... do a       
 whole lot of nothing. These don't seem equipped with weapons of any kind.     
 They pick and scratch at you, and what sounds like camera shuttering comes    
 from a couple. It becomes evident they are a non-threat.                      
                                                                               
 However, the cart begins to noticeably slow down with them piling up! It      
 might be a good time to give these stowaways the boot into the chasm, or you  
 might lose your target!                                                       
=Dungeon Conditions: Overzealous, Tire========================================
================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine - Round 5 *>================
=====================< Results - Many Spiders, Handle It! >=====================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xander Lovell                       80 --(8)--> 88                 Pass
Force                               0   Brute   Effects: BASIC                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riley Arwell                        56 --(8)--> 64                 Pass
Shovel of Valmar                    2   Brute   Effects: Strengthen           
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Xander Lovell               70 --(20)--> 90                Pass
Conditions: Overzealous(2)|Stupify(1)|Tire(2)
Effects: Strengthen(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Xander Lovell has passed this challenge! The party gained 20 exploration! If anyone needs to use
party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
DG: Riley Arwell has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
============<* CHALLENGE - The Broad Side of a Giant Mecha Spider *>============
|Type: Climax      |Dungeon Ability: Combat    |Challenge Rating: 3          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 You finally catch up to the reckless arachnid Reaverbot, and are neck and     
 neck with it as you both go down the mining trench together. The path begins  
 to narrow, and soon there is barely a gap between the two sides.              
                                                                               
 The Bospider is forced downward to your level due to deployed equipment       
 still clinging to the walls after centuries, and then forced to climb on      
 your side of the chasm as more equipment becomes prevalent!                   
                                                                               
 The Reaverbot is feet away from you, but its underside is facing you! Its     
 ability to counterattack relies on the outer abdomen facing its opponents,    
 and has left itself wide open to attack! Now is the time to get your          
 treasure back!                                                                
=Dungeon Conditions: Fright, Exhaust==========================================
<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Xander flinches from that smile, looking away again, and not able to say anything.

But at least he can look at mechanical spiders. Between dagger and shovel, the little bots all get quickly shuffled off, and they can be brushed away easily enough -- if uncomfortably so for all their gnawing. Hearing Riley's rising distress, Xander takes a moment to pluck off any that weren't already brushed away, crushing on in his grip before throwing it down into the abyss. They're not the sturdiest little things.

"They're the worst," Xander agrees. "But whoever built them is already dead, so." The sooner they finish this, the sooner they can get back to camp and take care of all the little discomforts accumulated.

... Maybe Xander always looked forward to that part, a little, even back then.

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Riley breathes a little sigh of relief as Xander helps him deal with the last of the mini-bots.

But whoever built them is already dead, so.

"At least there's that."

As the minecart races with the Bospider, the environment forces it into a disadvantageous position above them, exposing what looks to be a less protected underside.

"Let's get rid of this thing!"

Riley readies his bow and begins to loose a succession of shadow arrows toward the bot.

DG: Riley Arwell has used his Tool Dark Bow toward his party's challenge, The Broad Side of a Giant Mecha Spider.
<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Xander's eye lights up at their opponent reveals a weakness. It's not human. It hasn't even got blood. But Xander has had it with this stupid thing interrupting everything and making life -- and important conversation -- difficult in the meanwhile. (Xander it's your fault for having important conversation here!)

Unlike Riley, he hasn't any ranged attacks outside of the 'gifts' the Fangs gives him. But he does have a dagger and a massive grudge in his heart. He pops one of the candies in his mouth, perches on the side of the minecart, then leaps onto the Reaverbot's underside, stabbing and hacking into it to open up what he can and let mechanical innards spill out.

"Get lost!"

He does what damage he can before trying to kick off and jump back into the cart -- hopefully safely.

DG: Xander Lovell has used his Tool Candied Medicine toward his party's challenge, The Broad Side of a Giant Mecha
Spider.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
============<* CHALLENGE - The Broad Side of a Giant Mecha Spider *>============
|Type: Climax      |Dungeon Ability: Combat    |Challenge Rating: 3          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 You finally catch up to the reckless arachnid Reaverbot, and are neck and     
 neck with it as you both go down the mining trench together. The path begins  
 to narrow, and soon there is barely a gap between the two sides.              
                                                                               
 The Bospider is forced downward to your level due to deployed equipment       
 still clinging to the walls after centuries, and then forced to climb on      
 your side of the chasm as more equipment becomes prevalent!                   
                                                                               
 The Reaverbot is feet away from you, but its underside is facing you! Its     
 ability to counterattack relies on the outer abdomen facing its opponents,    
 and has left itself wide open to attack! Now is the time to get your          
 treasure back!                                                                
=Dungeon Conditions: Fright, Exhaust==========================================
================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine - Round 6 *>================
==============< Results - The Broad Side of a Giant Mecha Spider >==============
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xander Lovell                       88 --(37)--> 125               Fail
Candied Medicine                    1   Combat  Effects: Cleanse              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riley Arwell                        64 --(17)--> 81                Pass
Dark Bow                            3   Combat  Effects: Rally                
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Xander Lovell               90 --(0)--> 90                 Fail
Conditions: Exhaust(1)|Fright(2)|Overzealous(1)|Tire(1)
Effects: Cleanse
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: Xander Lovell is too exhausted to continue!
DG: The party led by Xander Lovell has failed this challenge! The party gained 0 exploration! If anyone needs to use
party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
DG: Xander Lovell has drawn a new Challenge.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - What Clawdacity! *>=======================
|Type: Final       |Dungeon Ability: Wits      |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 You lay into your opponent with everything you have, but the giant spider     
 robot is still online. With the heavy damage it has taken, it flies into an   
 all out flight away from you, crashing through equipment higher up to get     
 out of fighting range, damaging itself further. Yet ahead of you, you         
 clearly see the end of the line for your minecart ride. A large loading bay   
 with tracks only going left and right. And the path ahead of the chasm        
 opens, and is full of large, web-like wire patterns. Its lair. If you are     
 going to stop it, now is the time!                                            
                                                                               
 The control panel flickers into existence again. <Loading equipment, ready    
 for command.> Among the loading equipment, a massive claw used to hoist       
 giant loads onto transports is at the last stop. The rock it is anchored to   
 seems cracked and unstable. Perhaps with a little coordination and effort,    
 you can keep this thief from making off with your loot!                       
=Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Though Riley sinks several arrows into the bot and Xander exposes some seemingly important mechanical innards, the Bospider manages to power through their assault, and starts to take flight to escape.

"That thing's stubborn...!"

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Xander tries to make his leap back and --

Something catches. He cries out, before grinding his teeth as one of the sharp, broken pieces of the reaverbot pierces into his shoulder. As the reaverbot readjusts its path for escape, it appears to be taking a Xander with it. Xander kicks at it and struggles, before going very still with the realization he needs to handle this carefully or he'll just rip his wound open brutally and also fall quite possibly to his death.

It's difficult to make out exactly how he's handling the reaverbot shredding itself apart in its escape efforts. The machine is nearly tearing itself apart for them, but it's still rushing along.

There's a control panel to the cart finally lights up, promising the use of a giant claw at the loading bay the reaverbot is crawling through. That's something that could, with the right timing, grab hold of it to stop it without shredding Xander in the process.

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

"Xander!" Riley watches with wide eyes as Xander is caught on part of the shredded reaverbot as it pierces into his body. It begins to carry him off as Xander struggles to find a way to safely get free.

What can Riley do? An entangle arrow to hold it still...? But wouldn't a machine this powerful be able to just snap the vines?

He sees a control panel light up within the cart.

Loading equipment, ready for command.

...That claw? Could that work?

His hands shake a bit as he contemplates how he might try to grasp the thing without jarring Xander violently free. He hums a bit softly to calm his nerves and then goes for it.

DG: Riley Arwell has used his Tool Musical Interlude toward his party's challenge, What Clawdacity!.
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
=======================<* CHALLENGE - What Clawdacity! *>=======================
|Type: Final       |Dungeon Ability: Wits      |Challenge Rating: 2          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 You lay into your opponent with everything you have, but the giant spider     
 robot is still online. With the heavy damage it has taken, it flies into an   
 all out flight away from you, crashing through equipment higher up to get     
 out of fighting range, damaging itself further. Yet ahead of you, you         
 clearly see the end of the line for your minecart ride. A large loading bay   
 with tracks only going left and right. And the path ahead of the chasm        
 opens, and is full of large, web-like wire patterns. Its lair. If you are     
 going to stop it, now is the time!                                            
                                                                               
 The control panel flickers into existence again. <Loading equipment, ready    
 for command.> Among the loading equipment, a massive claw used to hoist       
 giant loads onto transports is at the last stop. The rock it is anchored to   
 seems cracked and unstable. Perhaps with a little coordination and effort,    
 you can keep this thief from making off with your loot!                       
=Dungeon Conditions: Stupify==================================================
================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine - Round 7 *>================
=========================< Results - What Clawdacity! >=========================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xander Lovell                       125 --(X)--> X                 
                                                Effects:                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riley Arwell                        81 --(101)--> 182              Fail
Musical Interlude                   2   Wits    Effects: Stalwart             
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Xander Lovell               90 --(15)--> 105               Fail
Conditions: Fright(1)|Stupify(2)
Effects: 
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: Riley Arwell is too exhausted to continue!
DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success!
DG: The party led by Xander Lovell has successfully explored Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine!
=====================<* Kattelox Ruins - Streamline Mine *>=====================
==========================<* CHALLENGE - Double It! *>==========================
|Type: Discovery   |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1          | 
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 The sound of steel hitting steel keens through the mines, and the Bospider    
 is forced violently to the sturdy platforms of the loading bay. Its stutters  
 and screeches, but it has taken far too much damage to continue, and the      
 eyes go dark. The red eye dims slowly, much like an old CRT screen.           
                                                                               
 In the wake of it crashing to the ground, its energy core surges, and the     
 body violently sparks. A bright glow comes from its jaws, as it lets go of    
 what you came here for. The Refractor! But something has happened to it. It   
 positively glows with power now. It looks like the power surge infused the    
 small crystal, and it now holds unprecedented levels of energy for its size!  
                                                                               
 And Overcharged Refractor is yours for the taking! It can easily be sold for  
 a fortune, or power a decent sized vehicle or building for an extremely long  
 time.                                                                         
                                                                               
 And with the flaring of this lime green-ish light, a glint on a table gets    
 your attention. Among the scrap remnants of long aged paper, a single sheet   
 stands out. It looks like it is metal printed paper thin. Upon it is an old   
 script that is not something you can understand, but it also depicts          
 elements like metals being taken some large menacing looking structure, with  
 three smaller ones attached in a three pronged pattern. If one were to        
 guess, items from this mine were being shipped from here to there. But for    
 what purpose?                                                                 
=Dungeon Conditions: Treasure=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

The claw comes down at Riley's command and seizes hold of the reaverbot. It grips, squeezing until it punctures the metal frame and the machine lets out a sputtering screech. The red lights of its eyes dim as the spider-like construct grinds to a stop, crashing into several more loading boxes to kick up a storm of dust and debris. Several crates fall from the rails into the void. Others crash open into the walls. It's a storm of noise, sparks, and dust until, finally, everything falls quiet.

Somewhere in the lingering fog of dust, Xander coughs weakly. As it clears, Riley will find him at the mouth of the machine, knelt down and holding the small, crystal-like Refractor. The right side of his mantle is stained with his blood at the shoulder -- the same arm they already had to bandage, because that's how Xander's life and luck works -- but precarious as the crisis was, it looks like Riley bought him the time and reprieve he needed to pry himself free without more dangerous exit wounds.

But the ache of it has become a dull afterthought for the moment. Xander ignores it in favor of staring at the Refractor, dumbstruck and turning it over in his good hand as the glow of its green light reflects off of his face.

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

There's so much dust -- Riley can't initially see if the impact flung Xander into the void. Then it clears, and he sees him kneeling by the machine.

Riley vaults up out of the minecart and rushes to Xander's side, gripping him by the good shoulder.

"Hey, look at me. How deep did it go? What do you need me to do?" A moment later, he's already rifling through Xander's pack for medical supplies, uncharitably assuming from Xander's expression that he's gone into shock.

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Xander jerks his gaze to Riley with his touch. "Riley --" There's an urgency in his voice. "I -- I think..." He lets out a huff of an almost laugh. Oh no, has he gone hypoxic?

"I think we found something rare."

...Uh, maybe he has?

He grabs Riley's hand from his pack to place the Refractor in it, closing his grip around it and clasping his own around Riley's so that both of them can behold the ancient treasure. There's a glimmer in Xander's eye, even if the rest of his face doesn't seem to have the energy to match it. "It's not large, but do you feel that? Like a... hum? And look how bright it is." Even in their joined grip, the brilliance still escapes through their fingers.

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Riley has a rare treasure placed in his hand as he rifles for bandages, and gives Xander the closest thing to a flat look he can manage under the circumstances. He's a little too rattled for it to really land.

"It's... great. It's wonderful. Xander, you were dangling by shrapnel a minute ago. We need to patch the hole in you. Then we can gloat over our treasure."

He puts the refractor core down beside him and attempts to put the candy Xander gave him earlier into Xander's mouth. Then he pushes back Xander's mantle for a better look.

"Do you need stitches? Is there anything still in there? ... why am I asking you, I'm the one who can see it..."

Why couldn't their mystical Fang connection have transferred over any of Xander's doctoring skills!

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

"I-I'm not gloating!" Xander insists. "But -- We just found --" He cuts off as he gets silenced by the healing candy, giving his own flat look in turn as he bites down on it.

Peeling back his mantle draws a small hiss from Xander, though he doesn't protest it. "I don't know, probably? I made an extra incision to get it safely out."

Doesn't look like he's left anything behind, and it's deep enough that it's not bleeding that heavily, for better or worse. Stitches would be a good idea, but it is, unfortunately, a lot easier for Riley to see than Xander.

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Riley makes a variety of dismayed faces at the injury, but no Informed Medical Judgement springs forth readily to his mind. It looks bad to him, and Xander said it probably needed stitches, so that means he'd better make some stitches happen.

"All right --" Riley taps the potions at Xander's belt. "Will one of these numb your pain? Point me at it but don't take it until you've given me any instructions I need." Better not to take the chance that Xander is loopy or unconscious before he can explain how not to accidentally kill him or give him an infection. He continues to sift through Xander's belongings until he finds bandages and surgical supplies. He looks to the needle and suture thread, but doubts it's as easy as just sewing him up like a doll. "I need to sterilize it somehow, right?"

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Xander glances aside, jaw tight. It's a mixed feeling -- Riley so worried about him, when it was, once again, Xander's fault everything had gone so wrong they can't even enjoy what they found. The pain almost feels like an appropriate punishment at this point.

"The vial there, this one." He points it. "Inject it near the wound. And the cleaning solution's in the brown bottle there."

His pack is, at least, nearly organized with its various loops and pockets, making it easier for Riley to find what he's looking for without having to go through a sea of bottles and bandages.

"And... the orange perfume bottle." Xander takes a deep breath, averting his eyes again as if he were exposing some secret. "You can use it for yourself if looking at it makes you feel dizzy. Or anything like that."

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

"Inject?" Riley repeats, less than thrilled at the prospect. If only Xander had thought to adapt more than just the medicine drops to be Riley-friendly...

And... the orange perfume bottle.

"I think I can handle the sight of blood at this point..." Riley says, unable to keep a dark chuckle out of his voice.

"Wait. Do you use it for-..." He shakes his head. "No, sorry, I'd better get started."

He looks over the supplies and repeats his instructions back to make sure he has them right, then pulls aside Xander's shirt from the wound and injects the anesthetic.

Then, after giving it some time to take effect, he begins the process of cleaning the wound and sterilizing the supplies before beginning to stitch it closed, carefully and with teeth gritted. It's true he's grown used to the sight of blood and gore, but the fact that it's Xander does make it harder.

He finally realizes he's probably just making them both more tense, and instead starts humming a soothing melody as he works.

Only Riley has to know the lyrics in his head go something like I really hope I'm not killing you with poisonous stitches...

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

"It's easier to make injects more potent," Xander says. "It doesn't have to be gentle or find a vein. Just get it in there."

At the unfinished question, all Xander does is keep his gazed pointedly away.

To his credit, he offers only the smallest of winces at the injection, and sits patiently through cleaning and care. It's easier with the pain dulled, even if the operation isn't entirely without feeling. Mostly he tries to focus on Riley, somewhere caught between guilt and greed. Does Xander ever make it feel like this? Important? Or is he just... clinical?

Without arguing, there's less of that contrarian force to fuel him, and the blood loss and exhaustion sinks in. But it's an almost relaxing crash with Riley's song to soothe him -- so long as he stays unaware of those lyrics, of course. His eye closes, and the tension starts to leave him. But the more he starts to creep on the boundary of consciousness and unconsciousness, the more he starts humming a few of the notes he's managed to pick up on.

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

It's sweet but also worrying when Xander begins to lull and hum along with him; Riley still isn't sure how to gauge how serious the wound really is, and Xander can't be trusted not to undersell it.

"Stay with me -- remember, I conscripted you for a lifetime gig. You're not allowed to die without me. But you can lie down soon if you want. I'm almost done. ...I think." With that, he finishes up the final stitches and surveys his work for any obvious sign it's gone terribly awry. Unable to find one, he nods. "All right, um..."

Well, this doesn't look like the best place to sleep, so he starts packing Xander's tools away again and carefully lifts him up into his arms, setting off to look for someplace less likely to get burst in on by careening minecarts or reaverbots.

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

Xander tries to force his eyes half open, giving a small start and sharp inhalation as Riley's words remind him to stay awake. Stay with me. and You're not allowed to die without me. and... I still... don't regret coming back to you.

Riley lets it all fall out of his mouth so easily, even when he claims it's difficult. Xander's tongue feels heavy in his mouth. Okay, yeah, maybe some of it's the wound in his shoulder or the alchemy in his system. But it's always like this -- words dying before they ever reach his lips, feeling weaker and riskier the longer he holds onto them.

Once the stitches are done, he goes to grab hold of Riley with his good arm. "Don't. I can walk." His voice is softened by weakness. He makes his stubborn attempts to stand, but he's not exactly in any position to fight Riley on this.

Ugh. Just how bad did he mess this up? If he hadn't been arguing in the first place...

<Pose Tracker> Riley Arwell has posed.

Xander insists he can walk, and Riley makes a face.

"Good, I thought you were dying." It may not be a good sign that Xander relaxing seems like a sign that he's at death's door.

Still, Riley's not going to let him topple himself over out of pride. He was already hooking an arm under Xander to lift him up, and he still does so, but he lets Xander keep his feet on the ground and try to stand up while he supports his weight.

<Pose Tracker> Xander Lovell has posed.

"I'm not dying," he says, but with about the same amount of seriousness he's said anything else.

Xander's trying to get out of this with at least some pride intact, assuming he has that, or that it works on any conceivably normal parameter to most people. He takes a deep breath, and with Riley's help, gets his footing.

But there's an agitation in him. He grips Riley a little tighter. "... Hey," he says. "I --"

And the words are just so hard to find, scrambled and wrong and... frightening. He stops a moment, looking to Riley direly.

The words never come. His head's too foggy, but he knows that's not really why. Instead, he forces himself forward. "...Never mind. Let's go."