Partners In Peril: Felix and Loki

[hot_mess_express]

[Whether willing or just, there comes a magical shove to force you and someone else through the door leading down into the earth.]

[The passageway is cold, but at least it's well lit. Albeit with flames of blue fire.]

[It goes down, down, down, until you reach the first part....]

Comments

[bestbrotherever]

[He considers for a second, then nods decisively.]

Give me the directions for the first east and north segments.

[malignstar]

Five spaces east and one north.

[bestbrotherever]

[This time he'll hear more like a grunt of pain than screams. And words from Loki much sooner.]

Four squares east. Fifth hurt.

[malignstar]

W-What happened this t-time?

[bestbrotherever]

Shock again. Not as strong. But strong enough.

How far away is the next pedestal?

[malignstar]

S-Still five away f-from that f-fifth square.

[bestbrotherever]

Damn.

What are the directions? One more east, one north, then what?

[malignstar]

Another e-east and... t-three north.

I c-can push the b-button again?

[bestbrotherever]

One, one, one, three.

Yes. I am ready. I will make haste.

[malignstar]

[ There is so much screaming right now. A lot more pained and anguished than before ]re.

[bestbrotherever]

[That sounds terrible. Luckily it doesn't distract Loki from following the path.]

I am at the indicated square.

[malignstar]

Just. Go. Left.

[bestbrotherever]

[If Felix is listening carefully (and he has plenty of reasons to not notice) he might here Loki gasp and snarl.]

I went one left. There was yet another shock, but it was far lesser. I can handle it at every step if needed.

[malignstar]

[ Still grasping his still aching arm ]

Try another step then.

[bestbrotherever]

I am there, not even a shock. [He can't help but smirk a little.]

Are there any more pedestals?

[malignstar]

How arbitrary.

Far off. Move down again and take another step to the left.

[bestbrotherever]

[A frustrated sigh. Don't take it personally.]

Done, no trouble.

[malignstar]

Down one more. Then it is five steps left to the next pedestal.

[bestbrotherever]

I have made it. Throw the switch?

[malignstar]

[ There is a good minute or two of delay before Felix speaks again, glancing at the pedestal before him. ]

I would prefer to press below... You see, the last felt as though I would lose my arm.

I only share this with you because of what you said before.

[ Indeed, he does sound reluctant as yell to even offer the choice. But Loki had stood up for him. Something he doesn't remember anyone else ever doing. Being treated like an actual person rather than a dangerous flaw in someone else... it is enough to make him hesitate more than he would like to. ]

[bestbrotherever]

[He frowns.]

How far is it to the exit? If it is not far, as long as the pain is not debilitating, I will likely be able to struggle through.

[malignstar]

Including the two pedestals, 14 spaces.

[bestbrotherever]

[He pauses.]

Very well. Do it, and let us hope it does not prevent me from moving.

[malignstar]

All right.

[ Though there is some surprise in his tone this time ]

[bestbrotherever]

Did you press it? Which is the next step?