SEARCH - Harlowe/Draven/Ke’lal

“There are so many people down here,” Harlowe commented in awe between bites from his lunch. “And yet as they’re distributed around the work to be done, it thinks out so quickly. Many are leaving after doing some work, some get injured or too tired…” Another bite, and the puller sighed. It wasn’t a fond sight seeing people leaving, especially when Harlowe recognized their faces from the day prior or even earlier today! Leaving off after a shift of work didn’t seem quite as invested in the cause as Harlowe was— and he wasn’t even from Vitalus at all. 

“At this point I feel like I should write to my friends to bring in more people to balance things out,” He half-joked, though it was a genuine idea to take action upon. “Or maybe there’s more efficient ways of digging, or clearing out the crystals that other clans might know? I don’t know…” Harlowe was as lost down here as a tourist in a foreign land, because he was just that at the end of the day. A visitor. But he felt an urge to do as best he could for the Haedians, and that left him restless even on his break. Staring at the tunnels leading outside, he took another ponderous bite of his food. Which was delicious, he did make sure to enjoy the first bites before getting lost in his thoughts.

__

“They lack conviction.” Ke’lal sneered, lip curling with his distaste over the reosans and humans that were leaving after only a short period of working. Or, short period to him that is. Only a few days? Pathetic.

“Some are remaining, even with the injuries or fatigue.” Draven mused from where he was resting, looking to where he could see some that had taken up more of a support role for those who were still actively working. While they may not be able to help with the heavy lifting, they were still aiding those who could. Something, instead of nothing and leaving. “But we need more numbers. The clans are all assisting how they can, so we may have to call upon aid from the topside.”

“You want to call in more that will leave after a day?” Ke’lal spat, visibly bristling at the idea. “They are useless- they take up space that would readily be filled by those who are devoted to the challenge of freeing our Matriarch! I would sooner shoulder the task of four of these topsiders, and still produce better progress.”

“And you would drive yourself to collapse in a fraction of the time.” Draven shot back, frown on his face as he watched the Guard scoff at his words. The Watcher sighed, closed his eyes for a moment as he tried to think of their options. Of how he was going to talk Ke’lal out of making his own and their lives more difficult.

… Harlowe was devoted to the task. He was a topsider and gentler in demeanor, but he hadn’t faltered in his resolve. Perhaps he knew of others with like minds that he could call upon?

“Harlowe, do you have anyone you can write to? Others who may share your dedication to the cause?” Draven asked, turning to look down at the vayron and choosing to ignore the way Ke’lal stared at the pair of them. “You have not shown signs of faltering. Any others like you who will not leave after a day or so will be a great help.”

—

Harlowe listened absently at the two go back and forth on the topic, now largely used to Ke’lal’s intensity and opinions. But when Draven addressed him directly, if he could help in this matter just as he had suggested, the puller swallowed his bite and looked to the Haedian with surprise. 

“I, yes, yes I do know some reliable folk,” he sat up, chowing down his remaining lunch. “I’ll write up some letters right away. One of them can fly so he’ll be here sooner but the others will have to travel by ship, which shouldn’t take long after the letters arrive.” The puller was eager to find himself some parchment and ink to write out his own personal summons. It was exciting, being able to bring in some extra help- provided he was persuasive enough in his letter to convince these friends his trip to Vitalus was as fruitful and exciting as he’d openly wished it to be.

—

“We can obtain supplies from the Keepers once you are done eating, then.” Draven said simply, gesturing for the vayron to continue eating his food. “No need to rush and choke.”

Ke’lal let out a short hum, lips pursed as he looked down at Harlowe and his open surprise at being spoken to. Or, being turned to for his potential contribution of aid. Maybe these other vayrons would be useful- hopefully less… wide eyed than Harlowe and more to the point.