HAEDIAN EVENT - FORGOTTEN PROMPT 2

“Another hit? Already?” Lockheed asked, trying to wrap his mind around the fact that they had another plan in the works so soon. Ariadne grinning at his expression didn’t help matters, the puller all but buzzing with her excitement. It was like she was more eager to get going and causing mischief than the clan they were trying to help.

“Of course,” She confirmed, dragging over a large tub of… something dark. Paint maybe? “Our success didn’t get them a whole lot in comparison to what they need as a whole, and the one we hit already… isn’t exactly happy. At all. So, we’re going to go for a different one until they chill out some more.”

“Uh huh… and what’s the deal with the tub there?” Lockheed asked, already having second thoughts about this mission or plan of hers- the clan’s- whatever. The plan he was currently being roped into and couldn’t say no to. How could he? Ariadne was a friend, and she’d go with or without him. Not like she’d let him do a plan solo, though. 

“Paint. You and I are far from the stealthy types for a number of reasons, primarily due to our coats. You at least have some dark parts, but me? I stick out against the caverns.” Ariadne mused as she plopped down on her haunches, dipping a paw into the dark ink and starting the process of slathering herself in it. “Get to it! It stains for a while, so we can wash it off later. Then we have to pack some sparkler bomb things. Nothing dangerous, of course, but obnoxious? Oh yeah.”

Lockheed sat on the other side of the tub to join Ariadne in the process of covering his white markings, methodical with each swipe to ensure he was only covering the white. Whereas Ariadne was just covering herself head to toe. If the tub were large enough, he didn’t doubt for a second that she would just roll in it for a faster result.

“When is this plan supposed to be done?” Lockheed asked as he helped her cover spots she couldn’t reach, the other vay aiding him in the same task. Teamwork with all things is how they got through most challenges, big or small. 

“Tomorrow. We have today to prep and make sure we’re ready to go before we take the tunnels to the west. Hopefully, this will buy us more time to get away and stay out of sight.”

The pair stayed focused on getting themselves covered, choosing to stop talking when the ink was applied around their mouths so they wouldn’t accidentally taste any of it. Another round of ink to to make sure it was nice and even in application, then they were heading off to the river with Ariadne leading the way.

Many haedians were already at the river, laughter echoing around, seemingly bouncing off the walls and crystals of the cavern as they splashed and tossed eachother into the water. Some were also rinsing ink off of their hides, Lockheed unable to recognize some at first until they spoke. Something that would change with time, he was sure, but his unfamiliarity with them meant he was lost a few times in conversations.

Even Ariadne, who he has known for years was unrecognizable to him. Instead of her soft white with just as soft markings, and actual shadow of her stood next to him. Though, he was sure it was likely just as surreal to look at himself too.

Ariadne chose to dive into the water with a laugh and a splash that elicited screeches and laughs from the others in the water as well. Lockheed opted to instead go to the shore and wade in, dunking his head and shaking himself out, rubbing against rocks or rolling periodically on the shore. He did not want to deal with any missed ink spots later.

“I think I’m about as good as I’m going to get,” Ariadne mused with a laugh, splashing him playfully as she trotted further up shore to shake herself out as best she could. “What about you? The ink shouldn’t fade too quickly, but they also said it wasn’t permanent. Tho we’ll be back to normal… eventually.”

“I think I got everywhere, but we’ll see. If a random ink smear appears later, then we’ll know for sure. Are we getting the sparkler things now, or tomorrow?”

“Now. There’s also these spore bomb things? Apparently it’s harmless and just annoying to deal with, but it’ll act as a temporary cover. Like smoke!” Ariadne explained, the excited pep in her step rather hard to miss. She was clearly having fun with all of this, with being able to help the Forgotten, but…

“... I understand that we are helping this clan,” Lockheed started, his voice holding all sorts of wariness as he looked to Ariadne. “But I feel we are making enemies with the others. They’ve seen you once already- that will set the tone for others they encounter. Is this really the best way to go about things?”

Ariadne’s expression visibly faltered, the other vay unable to look him in the eye as she sighed. He knew she meant well, but… he was worried. And her reaction? It did not help his concern.

“I don’t know… but they’re suffering here. You shouldn’t be able to count ribs, Lockheed. Not on anything. I don’t want to make enemies needlessly, truly I don’t, but if that’s what happens while we work on helping the Forgotten… then we’ll deal with it as it comes. This next plan is to steal food for them. It’s for a good cause.”

Lockheed didn’t respond immediately, her words and the looming weight of future consequences to others beyond themselves weighing on him. Ariadne was right, though. All they could do right now was help the Forgotten to the best of their abilities, and should they get caught? Then they’d explain and urge for help. They wouldn’t have to steal to survive if they hadn’t been pushed to this hellhole of a cavern.

“We’ll worry about it later, then. What’s your part of the plan entail? You seemed ready to burst at the seams earlier with your excitement.” Lockheed redirected, oh so relieved when Ariadne perked up again with that sparkle of excitement in her eyes again as he beamed at him.