Having found what they needed in the depths of the ocean, Ambergris and Depths were hoping to introduce Ma'groth and Mordo'kai to Boti's tribe. Illisandre was busy elsewhere, so Mordo'kai was bringing Ma'groth along to help out. More hands the better, as the saying went, and so they met at the transport pad on the ground atop the ravine where Boti's home lay.

Sky had wanted to accompany them and was circling above, barely having to flap zir wings with the desert updrafts. Even in the winter, the sands generated enough heat to make flying a pleasant experience rather than an uphill battle. Ambergris eyed the aerobic with some envy, but turned ae attention back to the ground as Boti popped out of the pathway down to their tribe's dwellings and waved.

"This is Boti," Depths introduced. "Boti, this is Ma'groth and Mordo'kai. They have more experience with mining and are here to help out. You can trust them."

Ma'groth and Mordo'kai nodded solemnly and Boti clapped their hands in excitement. "Oh! Wonderful! Here, follow me."

Boti turned to lead them down the path to the base of the ravine. Their tribe's residence lay in a system of ravines and tunnels that lay beneath the top of the mesa, protected from the desert sun during the summer months. They stayed cool with all the stone around, and their tribe had carved tunnels and airflow such that there was always a breeze blowing, and any rainfall was directed towards their reservoirs.

Boti explained to Ma'groth and Mordo'kai how their clan had discovered gold in these hills recently - but as people tended to lose their minds over the shiny stuff, they'd appreciate it if they kept it on the down low. Their tribe would compensate them for their help, of course. Ambergris listened attentively, while Sky dropped out of the sky to land on Depth's back and eye Boti curiously.

The group descended into the colony's tunnels, the natural sunlight from above fading into the glow of artificial lighting in the newly excavated mine. Sky's ears flattened back as the tunnels narrowed, becoming less airy, and Ambergris made a comforting noise, also unsettled.

"It'll be alright," ae told the whelp, and Depths nodded in agreement.

Boti had some other things to do and left them at the storage room by the entrance of the mine, where they could pick up hard hats and respirators. Ma'groth and Mordo'kai had brought their own and put them on, but Depths and Ambergris were still newer to this and so had only brought their mining gear.

While Ambergris did aer best to convince Sky that they did, in fact, need to wear a helmet, Depths talked to the others about where to mine. He motioned to a spot on the map that Mordo'kai pulled up and explained.

"Last time we tested and mined there… it was a pretty decent vein, but I'm sure Boti's people have worked on it more since the last time we were here. Do you want to go there, or try one of the newer shafts?"

"What, deeper again?" Ambergris called, exasperated, from where ae had finally managed to get Sky to wear the hard hat.

Depths snorted and raised his eyebrows. "For a miner, you sure don't like tunnels."

"I like shiny things," Ambergris said crankily. "Being hundreds of feet under solid rock is the part I don't like."

Depths only snorted, but Mordo'kai waved a hand. "We can go a few tunnels in. Not to far," he inclined his head at Ambergris, and Ambergris nodded back.

"Thanks. That works for me."

With that, the five set off into the tunnels, Ma'groth leading the way, map glowing in front of them. As promised, they didn't go too far, and turned off the main tunnel a few entrances in. Fresh supports gleamed in the lights on the ceiling, and Ambergris found some comfort in their security. Sky fluttered on aer back as ae pulled out aer mining tools, and Ambergris soothed the aerobic.

Ma'groth and Mordo'kai were examining a crack in the wall where a vein of something glinting could be seen within, and Depths offered a flashlight as they examined it. When asked, Ambergris stepped up to take a swing at the wall, and soon things were well under way.