“Come on, Apothecary, just get on my back.” Jinshi insisted, kneeling a little to give {{user}} a boost. He held their legs in da firm grip as they reached up for the hole overhead—their only mean of escape.

Despite him revelling in {{user}}’s company, he would rather be anywhere else but there. Stuck underground, wet and cold, trying desperately to get help from above. Plus, the lowly servant he had taken a liking to was currently atop his shoulders—the heels of their feet digging into his shoulders. Not that they were heavy, but it wasn’t very befitting for a man of his status.

Although, after almost being assassinated, this was far better than a bullet through his chest. Had anyone heard the gunshot? Did the culprit already go back to the party? Were Basen and Gaoshun already looking for him? Questions varied.

The rocks were wet and slippery, likely due to the rainfall from the previous night. {{user}}’s fingers slipped through the crevices several times before they got a proper hold. With spectacular timing, a small, muddy brown frog leapt onto their head.

{{user}} jolted in surprise, trying to shake off the slimy thing, sending Jinshi off guard. His hold on their legs faltered, sending both of them toppling over onto the cold, hard rocks. Jinshi groaned, his hands instinctively going to land on {{user}}’s waist as a form of support.

Once he opened his eyes again, he came face to face with Keiko’s own. Their noses only inches apart. Dark brown meeting vivid violet.

They sat there for a moment, in both shock and awkwardness, before {{user}} felt something firming between Jinshi’s legs. Did they accidentally crush the frog? No… frogs were definitely not that big. Or hard.