[ You can't give a former thief something like a enchanted grappling hook and expect that he won't test it out immediately—especially one whose hunger for thrill only seems to be strengthening with each passing week. So after the supplies are passed out and explanations given, Akira can't help stepping away from his teammates to fling the hook up into the boughs of one of the lush trees flanking the mouth of the cave.

So whether you're in the camp preparing or heading into the caverns proper, you might spot one boy with partially formed bunny ears climbing his way up a tree, calling the hook back with a tug (hopefully no one is standing too close!), or being scolded by one of the Witches heading the expedition for irresponsible use of equipment. ]

ii. the lower tunnels (CLOSED TO grakraka & interlucere)

[ It's one part excitement to explore the tunnels ahead and two parts dumb luck that keep them from dipping into the shimmering pools of water on their first foray into the caverns. They're plenty inviting, especially the expansive lake that hides behind the drop, but the openings along the cave wall that lead a steady decline farther underground are their goal.

Taking point is natural for Akira. That's how they've always progressed through missions back home, with his quicky and steady footsteps cutting an infiltration route, so he falls right into the role as they head down the largest tunnel they see.

Before long, though, those footsteps aren't so steady—even with the traction of the provided boots, hitting an icy puddle causes him to skid slightly. He catches himself at the other end of it, stabilizing and calling back to Lux and Akechi that he's fine.

When he turns back to the tunnel in front of him, the soft glow of the spell scroll's orb catches on the ground up ahead. It glimmers more that the rock they've been walking on until now, iced over and cloudy. Not that big of a surprise, considering how cold it's becoming the farther they progress. Akira's suddenly grateful for the layer of fur protecting his ears from the chill that's biting at his cheeks and nose. ]

Watch out, it's about to get slippery. [ As if it didn't just for him.

Either way, he's careful heading onto the ice that stretches as far ahead as the spell allows him to see. Who knows how thick it is. ]

( feel free to run into akira either in the camp or within the caverns from the first prompt! always open to plotting something specific and writing personal starters, so get at me if you're wanting that. )