[sb118-artemis] Ensign Tho'Bi - Lexshu’resh kash’thesal shran’thira

[Tobi]

((Inside Grunden Kangew [Church] - Breetia Township, Galaris IV))

As the Andorian listened to the two senior officers, a pattern in the mess of falling ash caught his attention.  He moved slowly in the direction of the pattern.  The wisps of ash were spiralling and accelerating, into tighter and tighter circles of descending motion.  As he reached the pattern’s epicentre, the Andorian crouched down and inspected the gaps between the flagstone tiles.  Whereas all the other gaps were filled with tree roots, crisscrossing the floor of the building, this gap was left open.  The wisps of ash were slipping through the gap. 

Tho’Bi: ::looking up and back at Vailani and Gnai:: look at the ash ::places hand over the gap:: I can feel a draft (beat) I think there’s a room underneath here.

The Bajorian knelt down and nodded towards the Andorian.

Vailani: Let's have a look. 

The dark blue of his eyes watched as the Lieutenant tracked her hand across the timeworn flagstones. Her hand arrived at a faint indentation in the shape of a paw.  The Bajoran hauled herself to her feet and pressed the foot of her one good leg into the indentation.

A series of shunts and heavy clicks reverberated through the ancient stone floor.  The building shuddered as the flagstone slabs around the pawmark parted.

In the shifting vortexes of rising stale air and descending spirals of ash, the Andorian sensed quickening heartbeats and the movement of stocky bodies.

Suddenly, a scattering of short, sharp barks punctuated the shifting ambience from the chamber below.  If meant as a warning, they arrived too late; one after another, the hulking stone slabs began to peel back and plummet into the darkness below.      

Tho’Bi watched as the slabs beneath Zoyara’s boots gave way.  For a moment, he was reminded of the gravity-adjust he performed in her quarters; the split-second, their feet almost parted company with the decking, and the scowl she gave him after; it was only now, he realized his boots had lost their purchase, and that he was falling.  Zoyara reached out and grabbed him.     

((Chamber Below the Kangew [Church] - Breetia Township, Galaris IV))

Being Space-Born meant Tho’Bi had become accustomed to clean, dry air; a dank smell now filled his nostrils and lungs.  He gagged a little as he heard a spluttered cough from Lieutenant Vailani.  Particles of dust rose up in great plumes of musty grit.  

Lieutenant Vailani appeared to be checking herself over for injuries.  She looked up at him.

Vailani: Tho'Bi? You okay? You see Gnai?

 

Tho’Bi resisted the reflex to spit the dust out of his mouth, not wishing to do so in front of her; and instead, simply grimaced and gave a thumbs up.  

Slosh!  The sound of his own feet moving drew his attention; cold, murky water sloshed around their boots to a depth of around 50 cm.

The dust was beginning to settle across the wreckage of cracked and smashed stone slabs.  Through gaps in the collapsed slabs, chrome flashed up; caught the cold, grey daylight from above; the mech suit of Lieutenant Gnai.  

Gnai: This is fine, sir! There are civilians here that this can help, but this can’t get to you.

Vailani: Stay with them, there's no way for your suit to get through. We'll explore the area and try get in contact with the Artemis.

The Bajoran turned back to him and then beyond, to the deepening gloom of the narrow passage behind him.

Tho'Bi: ::quietly:: That way.

Vailani: Just stay close and let's watch out for more traps.

He nodded instinctively and the two officers began to make their way down into the murk.  The passageway was vaguely circular in shape, rough and irregular.  His antennae sensed an odd swell and push, shuddering down the length of the passageway walls.  The air was damp, but rich, full of life.  With each breath, he could feel the sting of cuts across his body, lessen.

Tho’Bi:  Lieutenant (beat)  How’s your leg?      

Vailani:  Response

The Andorian’s dark blue eyes traced around the irregular curve of the passageway.

Tho’Bi:  I think (beat) we’re inside a tree root.  ::looks at Vailani and smiles::

Vailani:  Response

Just at the moment, a stocky, muscular form shifted in the gloom.  It trudged toward them; thick, combat-weary legs and paws landing heavy in the murky water.  General Kexxin.

Tho'Bi: General Kexxin of the Grunden Clan ::bows slightly:: It is I (beat) Ensign Tho’Bi of the Birev clan ::sweeping gesture toward Vailani:: and my commanding officer (beat) Lieutenant Vailani of Bajor.

Kexxin: Response 

Vailani: Response

Tho’Bi: ::to Kexxin::  My people say (beat) ::softly:: Lexshu’resh kash’thesal shran’thira (beat) The coldest winds bring the warmest hearts together.  ::bows:: I am sorry we met (beat) in such sorrow for your people.

Kexxin/Vailani: Response

Tags /TBC

*Kangew - Grunden Old Speak for ‘Place of Worship’ (church, chapel, temple, mosque etc)

((OOC:  I wrote the Andorian expression for this Sim.  The Andorian/Gaalen version is derived from the Andorian language guide on the SB118Wiki ))

TAG/TBC

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Ensign Tho’Bi

Engineering

USS Artemis-A

A240203T11