"They are exploding potions, of course it isn't safe."

"I meant the healing potions."

"I was thinking both."

He shrugs. "Anyway. I think I should go die, yeah?"

"But you have so much to live for!"

"Good luck, send Sendhei our regards."

"Will do. Back in a couple of days. Take care of Midnight."

And with no more ceremony than that he walks off the edge of the platform to his death.

Good thing they installed the pit to dispose of the corpses.

They are planning to make the next few days uneventful, the base is complete, but they decorate it some. Thomas spends most of his time experimenting with weapon design. He settles for a mace as long as a baseball bat which he thinks is the best combination between reach and speed. It's studded with a combination of Thomas's and Gabe's crystals, so it can hit and parry attacks.

Henry makes Thomas bracers for his arms and legs with all three kinds of crystals, so he can use those for defense. He also suggests that he record a message in case he dies.

Always a rain of sunshine, but sure.

Gabe will just be here, making sure Midnight stays alive and happy. Does Midnight want to play with cat-toys?

Midnight is very intrigued by the idea of toys!

Well, Gabe will create several shiny, noisy, and colorful things for Midnight to chase about. Prepare to get enriched kitty!

Rawr!!!!!

Good kitty! Maybe it will enjoy having a cat tree to climb on, full of cozy nooks to hide in?

It had already had the full run of the base but the base doesn't have much int he way of nooks. He explores the new arrival with suspicion from a distance but doesn't immediately go in.

That is alright, it's not like he can return the thing to a store or something.

Besides, has he ever met cats? Midnight might well love it. Later. Probably. Maybe.

What a majestic and mysterious creature. He will go back to decorating the interiors with murals. Or maybe help Henry with his internet project.

And so the appropriate number of days later Taharqi emerges from the pink mists around the black obelisk, leading a brown horse. The horse looks a little bit agitated, but seems to trust Taharqi enough to follow his lead.

He leads it to the ruins, specifically the place where they built the vertical elevator, and he rings the little bell there to inform the other three that he's back.

They answer the call shortly enough. "Hey, how have you been?"

"Alive," he says, shrugging. "This is Lucky. Lucky, these are Thomas, Gabe, Henry, and..." He looks around and spots the panther spying on them from atop the cat's tree. "Midnight. It's been two days, how have you grown this much." He has not grown an unreasonable amount by panther standards. "Midnight, this is Lucky, she is not food."

("Meow.")

"Gabe has been spoiling the poor thing." Thomas approaches Lucky.

"With gifts and toys."

She whinies and huffs, and Taharqi takes Thomas's hand to lead it to Lucky's nostril, palm towards her. He pulls his own hand away so she can sniff Thomas alone, and then he gently leads Thomas's arm so he can pat Lucky's neck.