Though Fog and Fallow had been much more comfortable in the depths of the Ocean, they had been curious about Skyward's friends in Issiq. Mystery and Waveform had offered to introduce them, with the caveat that they would end up helping them in their mine, since Skyward needed some tin for some new picks.

Fog and Fallow had been understanding, and so the trip was on!

((They all watched the desert flash past beneath the flyer with curiosity, staring with wrap attention at the golden rolling sand dunes. It was an alien environment to those used to mountains - keeping more in common with the ocean, with rough hills of sandstone erupting out of the sands at irregular intervals.

The flyer landed on top of a mesa that loomed over the desert, surface cracked with the tops of ravines that lead down into the tribe's home)). Waveform stepped out first, stretching their wings in the sunlight appreciatively, while Mystery stepped out and immediately wilted. The warmth… so oppressive!

Fog and Fallow seemed to be doing much better than Mystery, and were looking around with clear interest.

A familiar dark shape was waiting in the shade of the pathway down from the landing pad, and Waveform waved.

"Boti! Good to see you."

Boti waved back, then nodded at Fog and Fallow. "Fog, Fallow, I presume?"

The two nodded and indicated who was who, and then Mystery waved unenthusiastically. "Mystery," she said dully, and Boti took one look at him and shuffled him into the tunnel's shade.

"If you're gonna be helping us out, can't have you fainting on our doorstep! What'll be said about our hospitality?"

Waveform laughed, then indicated Fog and Fallow to follow Boti down into the cooler ravines. The ventilation system was running full blast now, funneling cool air through the ravines so that there was always a welcome breeze. It even made its way into the new mine, making it a comfortable temperature, deep beneath the stone.

Once Mystery had perked up, she and Waveform made their way to the mine to start digging, while Boti brought Fog and Fallow on a tour.

They hadn't been working long, sorting the ore that had been loosened by others, before they heard footsteps in the hallways and looked up. Fog and Fallow waved at them, and joined in the work.

"Consider it payback for us bothering you in your flyer on the way here," Fog snorted, waving away Mystery's protests.

"Can't have you telling people we're taking advantage of your hospitality!" Fallow agreed.

"But," Mystery tried to protest, but Waveform patted his shoulder and thanked Fog and Fallow.

"Now, we're looking for tin ore…"

Waveform began to describe the ore, while Mystery pulled out a sample and proffered it. Fog and Fallow examined it closely, then nodded and got to work.

Unlike most of Boti's tribe's caves, this one was not a ravine that they had hollowed out or built off from. It was buried deep in the rock, taking advantage of tunnels hollowed out by water, and some ancient lava tubes that riddled the landscape. It should have been stuffy, the air thick and unmoving, but one of the first things they had done was set up ventilation. Now, with the warm lights and well-maintained supports, it was almost… pleasant.

As long as one forgot the tons of rock over their heads.

Waveform kept glancing up on occasion, but they had been working on their dislike of tunnels since the last time. Mystery, meanwhile, was focused on finding the ore, examining every stone with a laser focus, and Fog and Fallow investigated odd corners for any potential veins.

They worked in companionable silence, and had gathered a sizeable pile by the time they decided to call it quits. And then, deciding to have some fun, Waveform tilted their head at Fog and Fallow.

"Did Boti introduce you to the pool?"

"Sure did!"

"A pool sounds like a great idea right now," Mystery agreed, staring at her dusty hands despondently.

"Last one in is a rotten egg!" Waveform shouted and took off running down the tunnel.

"Hey!" Fog yelled, while Fallow took off after them.

"Oh!" Mystery exclaimed, then scrambled after them. Rotten egg or no, a dip sounded like the perfect thing right about now.