Finn was glad that the caves of Issiq weren't nearly as hot as the surface. **She couldn't stand the weather up on the surface, not being used to the bright sun shining directly on her, and was glad that the trip to the mines was short.** Crown had walked ahead, in awe of the colourful caves, while Finn had stayed behind, chatting with Novruil and Lungric. The two tsabhua were from another, smaller, colony. Having picked them up on the way to Issiq, the four had agreed to team up for the trip. Neither Finn or Crown were really into socializing- which also meant that the conversations had quickly turned awkward. "So you ah- come here often?" Crown asked, hesitantly, while fidgeting with a small rock in her hands. Lungric tilted her head- "Oh us? No, we usually stick to the mines closer to us." Scale smiled awkwardly "Ah- nice! Mines are Great, even." Finn rolled her eyes fondly. Both of them really preferred to stick to each other- they had just been hoping to be able to help out the other two Xunari. "Left here?" **she called out to the group behind her, as they were faced with a

split in the caves.** "Should we mark the path we took?" Novruil pipped up. "We need to make sure we can find our way back, after all." Crown looked at him confused. "We usually just remember, honestly." Novruil raised an eyebrow, eyeing the crimson Tsabhua with suspicion. "It's okay! We've only gotten lost like- twice so far, and we always figure it out at the end!" Novruil looked at Lungric, who shrugged "I mean if they say it's fine-" Crown shrugged again before Novruil could object "Just don't worry about it, we've done this plenty times- c'mon, we shouldn't loose track of Finn- she has the better navigating skills." "So, what are you two looking for down here?" **Finn called over to the back as he inspected some of the loose rocks in the walls.** "Oh y'know- some tin, mostly." Novruil answered quickly. "Are you sure that wall is sturdy enough to just take bits out? There don't seem to be many reinforcements around here-" "Hmm? Oh, no it's fine. Worst case scenario it caves in and we have to go for a little run, I suppose." Finn said, inspecting the rock closer. "Nothing good here. Let's keep going for

now." Finn adjusted her pack and gestured for the group to continue forward. These specific mines had been closed a while ago- at least officially. That did, however, mean that it was a great opportunity for Xunari to come in without needing to jump the diplomatic hurdles of getting granted access. They hadn't told their new companions that part, of course. Crown, walking just ahead of Novruil and Lungric, glanced back nervously. "You sure we're going the right way, Finn? This place feels like it could turn you around if you blink wrong." Finn gave her a half-smile. "Relax, Crown. I’ve got it under control. Just keep your eyes on the colors in the rock- it should change colour once we get near a tin vein." Novruil, trailing behind, seemed less convinced. His eyes darted from wall to wall, as if expecting the tunnel to suddenly shift or collapse. He was about to speak up again when Lungric, gently nudged him. “Let’s give them a chance. They seem to know what they’re doing.” Crown tossed the rock she had been fiddling with aside. She was content to follow Finn’s lead, knowing that the belemoid was sharper when it came to

navigation. “So tin, huh? That what you’re hoping to find?” she asked over her shoulder, more to keep herself from getting too caught up in the eerie quiet than out of genuine curiosity. “Mostly tin, yes,” Novruil answered, his tone cautious. "But we wouldn’t mind coming across something rarer. I would love to find a sunstone one of these days." As yhey moved on, the conversation dying down, the walls sparkled faintly in a blueish gray colour, and the air grew cooler still. Finn crouched, inspecting the ground for any sign of the tin they were looking for. "This looks more like it. Let’s see what we can find here." Lungric sighed, happy to finally have arrived. "well, let's get to work then, shall we?"