Twisted Wonderland 2

A Sound Plan

You and Grim walk through the mines in search of the last club to check on. Hearing some noise, you walk further down the tunnel and come across the Science Club.

Grim trots over. "Hey, hey, it's check in time. Find any magestones yet?"

Trey glances over with a smile. "Oh hey, Grim and Y/N. No, we haven't found a single one so far. We might have to go a little further in."

Grim tilts his head. "Why's that?"

"Magestones are gemstones that have absorbed power from their environment." Rook informs. "When you look for them, you're supposed to trace the faint magical power they emanate. But even if we can identify where they are, they'll still be embedded in solid rock. And we can't dig through that."

Grim nods. "I remember the sports club guys were diggin' all over this area when they were campin' here."

"That would explain it." Trey says.

You hold your arm as you glance around the tunnel walls. "The sports clubs barely could find any last time. I hope there's still some left for you guys."

Trey adjusts his glasses. "Then it sounds like we should give up on the entrance and go further down the tunnels."

"But is it safe down there?" A club member asks."

Rook "There are some potential dangers, such as lower levels of oxygen, or perhaps gas leaks from the bedrock."

Trey hums in thought. "I don't think we have to worry about that stuff. The gasses that come from this kind of bedrock generally aren't harmful to people at low concentrations. Plus, did you notice how we can feel a little airflow in here, even though there's no breeze outside? I'm pretty sure this tunnel was built with proper ventilation."

The club member still seems unsure. "I dunno... I just don't feel safe assuming all that without being sure."

Trey smiles assuringly. "Well, if you're that worried, we could bring some torches with us."

"Ooh, I getcha." Grim smirks. "A little fire will brighten things up and make the whole place less scary!"

Trey chuckles. "That's true. But that's not the only reason I suggested it. We can use the fire to measure if there's enough oxygen."

Grim tilts his head. "How's that work?"

"Okay, so fire needs oxygen to burn, right?" Trey explains. "If the torch burns in a different way than usual, that's a pretty good indicator there's something weird with the oxygen levels."

"Interestin'." Grim nods along.

"Also, the gasses in mines like these produce water when you burn them. But we'd need a bottle to test that, and sadly we didn't bring any."

"Oh, but I did, Trey!" Rook hands Trey the item. "By all means, use this."

Trey grins. "Hey, a glass vial. Thanks, Rook. You're surprisingly well prepared."

Rook bows his head. "I was going to use it to collect any unusual creatures I came across."

"O...kay." Trey shakes his head, moving along. "Well, now I can do a demonstration. So, you fill the vial with air from the tunnel, then you hold it over the flame. And based on the reaction, we can narrow down what kind of vapor's in the vial. You see, Grim?"

"Sure do!"

Trey quirks an eye. "Do you really?"

"Not at all."