---

"That's something to consider, indeed," Aerynne said after Erika commented about the possibility of a waterborne threat being the cause behind the disappearance of the mysterious carrier bird rider. "But I can't see signs of a struggle here, so... maybe whoever left these clues behind is still safe?"

The sight of the shimmerfish reinforced Aerynne's guess. But for the time being, the only thing she could do was pray that she was right even as they decided to press forward.

"Thanks, I didn't expect to have to go through a river in a place like so I left mine back in my room," Aerynne said after Erika offered to take care of her notebook. "I hope I'm not being a bother for the two of you. When we are back to the surface, please allow me to thank you with a lunch, or dinner."

"Anyway, I'm ready when you are," Aerynne said, taking off her boots and coat, placing them in her own bag before taking a cautious step into the underground river.

"Eek!" She let out after being surprised by the unexpected coldness of the water.

---

@Raineh Daze@Pyromania99@VitaVitaAR

"That is my problem," the catgirl said, pausing in rolling off her one sock to point at the newcomer, "It's cold and wet! We could go a way that isn't cold and wet!" Although the complaints aside, Tanja appeared to be in no hurry to push the matter, taking her footwear in her free hand and starting to walk downstream. Apart from her somewhat grumpy expression, she didn't really appear to be affected by the code; there was certainly no shivering going on.

"I'll say if I find any sudden holes or something you can fall in."

If nothing else, might as well let the person who wouldn't be seriously injured long-term by natural hazards take the lead.