Round 839

Varikka tested the makeshift rope carefully before hauling herself up onto the ledge beside Merrin. Her injured ankle screamed in protest, but she gritted her teeth against the pain and focused on the immediate problem—the rising water below.] "That thing... it's still down there," she growled, peering over the edge at the churning depths. The water had already reached Merrin's waist during her rescue, and was now lapping ominously around their own feet on this new perch.]

Merrin: [She lay back against the cold stone wall, panting heavily as she tried to catch her breath. The adrenaline rush of the rescue was fading, leaving her with a bone-deep chill from her immersion in the icy water.] "I know," she gasped, teeth chattering.] "It felt like... tentacles? Or maybe dozens of fingers?" [She shuddered involuntarily at the memory, struggling to sit up despite her trembling muscles.] "Whatever it is, it's definitely alive. And hungry."

Varrika: [She moved to examine Merrin more closely, her good hand running over the halfling woman's arms and legs in search of injuries.] "You're freezing," she said sharply. "Get these wet clothes off before you catch your death from hypothermia." [Without waiting for agreement, she began stripping Merrin of her soaked outer layers, ignoring the muttered protests about modesty.] "We've got bigger problems than decency right now."

Merrin: [She submitted to Varikka's efficient undressing with a mixture of embarrassment and resignation. The dwarf woman's practical approach was comforting in its own way, even if it meant sitting half-naked on a cold stone ledge deep beneath an ancient tower.] "Fine," she grumbled, shivering as the cool air hit her exposed skin.] "But if I die from exposure, I'm haunting you specifically. 'Cold' is my middle name right now."

Varrika: [She snorted, tossing Merrin's soaked clothes aside with a wet splatter.] "You're not dying from cold," she said firmly. "Not while I'm around." [She began stripping off her own armor and outer layers with practiced efficiency, the cold water already beginning to seep into her bones despite her thick dwarf hide.] "Now... we need to find a way out of this fucking tunnel before The Guardian catches up or we drown."

Merrin: [She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to conserve heat as she watched Varikka strip down. The dwarf woman's matter-of-fact approach was admirable, even if it left them both shivering and exposed.] "Agreed," she said through chattering teeth.] "But how? The water's already past our ankles again..." [She craned her neck up, scanning the tunnel above them for any sign of escape.] "Wait—what's that?"