[Trade] Gemstone Excavation

"Are you sure about this?" the pointed question coming from the white coated chaser, to nobodys surprise. Following behind Varrick and Amirqu who had been in a deep conversation about the last pieces of armor Amirqu had precured from Varrick. They had started talking about Varricks supplier and discussed different ways of smithing armor, both of them were getting along like a house on fire. Truth be told, Rivule may have been the slightest bit envious. And was asking in her backwards way to be involved more in the conversation.

Varrick turned to look back at the Chaser, who once again looked disgruntled, though they had long realised that this was just one of their default states to be in, as awful as that sounded.

They had to keep up an act, and took every opportunity to appear unpleasant. Varrick knew this.

"Yes, I am quite sure about this. Our last excursion went over without any incidents so why not turn things up a notch? Besides- finding precious stone would be wonderful for my business and perhaps if you find one before I do I might just pay a very handsome amount for it, who knows."

a sly smile followed his calculated statement. He knew that whereas Amirqu was happy to help, without needing any additional incentive to do so, the chaser was much harder to convince to be productive on the job. But the promise of coin would motivate her, and perhaps it would even end up back in his pocket if the chaser was intending to purchase some goods off of him.

He saw it as an investment now for a future payoff, further down the road. 

"I guess I'll make sure you dont get hurt in these caves." responded Rivule, shrugging nonchalantly, but her alert eyes did indeed tell the Haedian that she was fully intending to do as she had said.

"Perfect!" barked Amirqu in excitement, already anticipating the treasures they would find in his mind with a big grin on his face.

"Follow my lead then, and watch your step." spoke Varrick before he vanished deeper into the tunnel before him. His pet monkey had been sitting on Varricks shoulder curiously glancing around, currently holding a torch out for the Haedian to help with the low light environment.

As they continued on deeper into the cave the sounds from outside faded into nothingness, replaced only with the sounds of their feet on stone and the dripping of water somewhere deeper within the cave.

Wings tucked lush against their body Varrick continued to lead them, taking short breaks to inspect rocks within the cave walls as they looked for any indication that precious gemstones could be closeby. Their monkey aided them without Varrick needing to instruct it much, drawn to sparkly things as much as the Haedian was it was only natural that it too investigated spots in the wall that Varrick took interest in.

Yet still no luck. At least Amirqu and Rivule were following suit, mirroring what the Haedian was doing. He only hoped that their little expedition would also yield some valueables, one could only hope.

Suddenly the gleam of the torch, reflecting the light back at him, caught his attention from the corner of his eyes, a big grin made it on his face as the strode over to the spot in the wall, giving it a closer inspection. His monkey, climbed ontop of his head, holding onto his mane, careful not to pull on any of the golden jewelry that decorated the Haedian.

"We might have something over here." said Varrick, absentmindedly already waving a hand at Amirqu who had brought the pickaxes down into the cave with him.

The runner sprinted to his side, curiosity and wonder starting to creep onto his face as he noticed that the Haedian was correct.

"Valeria! look at it, this is so pretty!" yelled Amirqu to Rivule who wasnt that far behind, but that didnt curb Amirqus enthusiasm or his volume, as his voice bounced around the space.

"I hear you, simmer down." said the chaser, yet she too couldnt help but feel excited at the prospect of unearthing some gems herself.

"Be careful while I give this thing a swing." said Varrick, making sure the space was clear, whilst also giving his pet monkey time to jump off of him and take cover behind a few nearby rocks. The torch was passed to Amirqu to keep the space well lit.

'Tink!' the sound echoed around the space as Varrick worked on releasing the crystal from its rocky prison, the vayrons chipped in too, digging and prying at the stones whilst Varrick kept striking at the rock. Rivule mainly paid attention to clearing the work place of rubble, catching the odd stone splinter that came flying at her, with her water magic and an accompanying groan.

Time flew by, and Varricks pickaxe grew heavier and the vayrons efforts to help the haedian too slowed down, but their efforts had been worth it. Finally Varrick managed to wiggle free the piece of crystal from the wall that had been fighting him every step of the way to stay inside of the wall. Leaning on the pickaxe he took a moment to assess  the quality of the gem. Sure- there were a few cracks here and there but overall this chunk of crimson colored gemstone was clear and shone in the light despite them not even having cut nor polished it. A million ideas crossed the Haedians mind whom he could go to to refine and work the gem into merchandise. But that- would have to wait.

"There we go." Amirqu passed the torch back to Varricks pet monkey who eagerly took it and bounded back onto Varricks back, now that the mining was over.

"It should fetch a pretty price." noted Rivule, eyes dashing across the gemstone as Varrick put it into a leather satchel for safekeeping.

"Certainly. But with a chunk this big- well it should be quite possible that there are more gemstones in the immediate vicinity. We should continue on with our little expedition as it has proven quite fruitful so far, wouldnt you agree?" Amirqu nodded in response, whereas Rivule simply sat down, already now getting started on the resting part of Varricks plan.

"Im up for it." said the Runner, taking their place beside Rivule, who seemed disgruntled at the fact that she wasnt being left alone to keep up her lone wolf act, but wasnt upset enough to talk with the runner about it.

"Splendid then it is decided." Varrick rubbed his paws together, another smirk flashing across his face. He just hoped that more gemstones awaited the three in the near future, yet for now, they had to rest and recover from the strenous activity.