Companions fled the onrushing water alongside human Torchers and while there was some scrambling and swearing the water's flow didn't break down the final barrier between the tunnels quite as swiftly as it otherwise might have.
Melita rose above the water - or rather, rode the water as it rose - making her attempts to snag and snatch at passing humans a more difficult proposition when they were below her. Her grip caught momentarily at a few people, however, slowing their tumbles so that they were able to regain their feet and head for the well shaft behind them. The water filling the tunnel would soon press even the petite honeybee girl towards the ceiling unless and until she made a similar exit. The upside? With her fancy Fae charm, she could ride the rising tide like an elevator once she reached the shaft.
Maeve didn't need to tell the Torchers twice; the workmen and women made a hasty exit even without her orders. Though they clogged the shaft initially the well had been dug wide enough to accommodate several merfolk needing to traverse it while helping each other towards the healing fountain, and no one became trapped in the underground portion of the tunnel. Mel's hands were slick with water, but the Queen's grip was sure and she succeeded in catching the honeybee's fingers and keeping her head above water.
Luckily their previous rib bone supports had been well-anchored, and Yuna was able to grapple herself firmly against the sudden flow of current. Suckered tentacles held steady and she was able to brace herself safely instead of getting pulled through the rough opening that water gushed through with battering force. Hadama reached out and grabbed one of her tentacles to anchor himself while flailing out with his tail and other hand to help grip two of the other merfolk who had been unable to swim free of the current.
As the tunnel filled, the speed and force of the torrent decreased. The human Torchers either climbed the ladders and ropes in the well shaft to the dry ground above, or else floated in the muddy water until it reached high enough for them to pull themselves to safety.
As soon as Hadama had assured that no part of the tunnel was in danger of collapsing he swam through the new opening to meet the human side, surfacing through the mud with worried green eyes. "Was anyone hurt?" he asked Maeve first; though at least they were right beside the fountain if anyone needed help.
Once it was assured that no one had been injured beyond a good scare, he relaxed and nodded to those gathered. "We will finish widening the opening," he rumbled, wiping a bit of mud from his face. "Could the humans lay stone or tile to smooth the well's exit?" It was near enough to the fountain that they would be able to reach it without much difficulty, but the area around it would become muddy if mer came to visit very often.
Round 7: The Light at the End
We're almost there!
Merfolk need to check the supports for damage or finish widening and smoothing out the last section where the water broke through while helpful NPCs work on filtering out the muddy water and bringing clean water in to replace it.
Humans can begin cleanup in the garden and finish the tunnel's current rough exit next to the fountain into something more sustainable for long-term use.
Melita rose above the water - or rather, rode the water as it rose - making her attempts to snag and snatch at passing humans a more difficult proposition when they were below her. Her grip caught momentarily at a few people, however, slowing their tumbles so that they were able to regain their feet and head for the well shaft behind them. The water filling the tunnel would soon press even the petite honeybee girl towards the ceiling unless and until she made a similar exit. The upside? With her fancy Fae charm, she could ride the rising tide like an elevator once she reached the shaft.
Luckily their previous rib bone supports had been well-anchored, and Yuna was able to grapple herself firmly against the sudden flow of current. Suckered tentacles held steady and she was able to brace herself safely instead of getting pulled through the rough opening that water gushed through with battering force. Hadama reached out and grabbed one of her tentacles to anchor himself while flailing out with his tail and other hand to help grip two of the other merfolk who had been unable to swim free of the current.
As the tunnel filled, the speed and force of the torrent decreased. The human Torchers either climbed the ladders and ropes in the well shaft to the dry ground above, or else floated in the muddy water until it reached high enough for them to pull themselves to safety.
As soon as Hadama had assured that no part of the tunnel was in danger of collapsing he swam through the new opening to meet the human side, surfacing through the mud with worried green eyes. "Was anyone hurt?" he asked Maeve first; though at least they were right beside the fountain if anyone needed help.
Once it was assured that no one had been injured beyond a good scare, he relaxed and nodded to those gathered. "We will finish widening the opening," he rumbled, wiping a bit of mud from his face. "Could the humans lay stone or tile to smooth the well's exit?" It was near enough to the fountain that they would be able to reach it without much difficulty, but the area around it would become muddy if mer came to visit very often.
Round 7: The Light at the End
We're almost there!
Merfolk need to check the supports for damage or finish widening and smoothing out the last section where the water broke through while helpful NPCs work on filtering out the muddy water and bringing clean water in to replace it.
Humans can begin cleanup in the garden and finish the tunnel's current rough exit next to the fountain into something more sustainable for long-term use.
