Stone Men In Water Street

[Bjorn]

Yes, Bjorn replies, very strange.  Everywhere else in the state, it's freezing cold and raining.  It's not entirely impossible to have a small patch of good weather, but coincidence worries me.

As the imaginary chalk flies across the mindboard, Bjorn types out a new email to the Oracle.

[Brian]

Relm replies to the e-mail with the speed of those who live at their computers.  Or, in her case, IN their computers.

[Bjorn]

After reading the email, Bjorn stands up, and looks around for Lazarus.  Has the weather been like this since you got here?

[Brian]

It was a bit colder when we first arrived, Lazarus sends.  But it warmed up after a few days.

[Bjorn]

Did anything happen about that time? Bjorn asks.  Anything out of the ordinary?

[Brian]

Not that we can recall, Lazarus replies wryly.  But then, we don't know this area well yet.

[Bjorn]

Grunting thoughtfully, Bjorn looks around.  I'm going to look around, then.  Victor's staying in a cave around here, right?  I'll start by checking that area out, and ask him if he's got any opinions.  Could you tell me the way?

[Brian]

The mine? Lazarus thinks.  That's just up the road, towards the mountain.

[Bjorn]

Thanks.  Let me know if anything comes up.

Grabbing Shinmyouken from the Warbag, Bjorn heads up towards the mine.  Before leaving the village, though, he makes sure that he's hardened his shield, and that he's pushed the mindboard (though not actually using it) towards both Nathan and Lazarus.

[Brian]

You get the idea that Lazarus is actually taking notes, almost mentally 'mumbling' to himself on the edge of your mindboard, though just out of your mental view.

Armed, mental defenses ready, you approach the mine.  It's actually almost right out of a cartoon -- large, trapezoidal aperature with two large round posts and a square crossbeam, and mine-cart tracks (severely rusted) leading into darkness.  The town is about eighty meters behind you, and this area is thickly carpeted in dead weeds.

[Bjorn]

A light.  Fuck.  Nice going, Einstein. Bjorn looks back at the village, back at the mine, and then down at his bracelet.  Tentatively, he gives it a mental prod.  I don't suppose you'll cooperate with the glowing bits any more?

[Brian]

The bracelet maintains its non-glowing status, as though mocking you.

[Bjorn]

Bjorn sighs, trots back to the village, and pokes around for a flashlight (or flashlamp, if he's any so lucky), before returning to the mine and examining the mouth of it.

[Brian]

You find an authentic aging lantern, filled with (by the smell) genuine kerosene.  It provides light and is shielded from wind, at least.  Someone has either cleaned the glass housing, or just shattered it and made a new one by hand, though.  It no discernable light in the midday sun.

Should work passably in the depths of the mine, though.

[Bjorn]

Grabbing a pack of matches as well (just in case), Bjorn heads back to the mine and makes his way cautiously into the shaft.