(Be careful what you wish for...)

Anger (as, probably, any other openly demonstrative emotion) did not impress Thlanextic  the slightest. He did answer Alyssa's question ("You are supposed to be on the way to the Forbidden City"), then nodded to absence of any other signs of empty curiosity and with another still polite gesture toward the exit, invited everyone to get going.

It was again the closed palanquin (without Thlanextic  this time, though, Alyssa heard him giving short order to get strangers outside the city), then relatively short journey  (half an hour may be or a bit longer) and the party found itself on the clearly border of the city. From this point you could see the central pyramid better, and the palace too (impressive buildings for the level of this civilization), but silent Miztli (now with some kind of a backpack on his shoulder, shield and more serious armor) pointed in the opposite direction - over the corn field to the green wall behind it.

Near Miztli stood another man, wearing a short colorless skirt around the hips, unarmed and with a basket on his back. Unlike Miztli's thick shoulder long hair, this man's hair were cut very short. He bowed deeply, with both hands to his chest, saying just one word: "Tochtli" ("Rabbit", heard Alyssa). After that he straightened up demonstrating with all his body readiness to either patiently wait for as long as it takes, or follow the group wherever it goes.

The day promised to be long.

Ramious watched as the palanquin wandered off into the city, looking to regard 'Tochtli', then Miztli. He looked to the group, "Well.  Here we are. You know, I never told you guys, but that first mission we went on, the castle, the land around it....i felt like it was all fake.  Like it was some sort of magical illusion. I couldn't imagine we'd been sent to an actual real place with magic, to solve some problem that the locals couldn't.  Well, this certainly feels real to me.  Hopefully we all don't die from bug bites on our way."  He grins and turns to Miztli, "Lead on man."  He makes the universal "after you" motion. 

Alyssa would sigh.

When Rabbit would introduce himself, Alyssa would return a polite bow of her head before placing a hand to her chest. "Alyssa." Whether he could even pronounce it, she wanted to at least give the man the courtesy, assuming he will be assisting them a lot along this journey.

As Ramious would begin his send off speech, Alyssa would listen with open ears. She could understand his sentiment about the first mission feeling surreal in comparison to this one. It did feel different. With that though, she couldn't help but comment on the bug bite thing, "I did ask." She'd put up her finger in the universal 'for the record' gesture.

And when their tiefling would gesture, Alyssa was ready to go.

(Any name that Alyssa heard so far had a literal meaning as well. "Rabbit" stood up only because it was the only word pronounced, otherwise it would be clearly a name. Not that Alyssa should understand it, just explaining.)

(Of course. Sounds good 👍🏻 it would be the simple common version she’d give the boys, assuming it wasn’t insulting.) 

(Alyssa would not noticed if she insulted the guy - he is as blank to read as anyone else here. Plus, for him everything should sound correct, I guess.)

Miztli gave a short nod, indicating that he understands everyone readiness to move, and dived into the corn. He moved with a grace and care of a wild animal - a silent shadow in the tall grass, hardly any leaf was disturbed as he walked (his name - "cougar" - fitted perfectly). For time being the walk felt easy enough, despite the wet heat - the sun was behind the clouds (you would hate to find out how hot can it be on direct sun) and the "path" led down. It looks that the city toy just left is standing at one side of the big valley, on the low slope of a mountain ridge, and right now you are moving deeper into the valley itself. 

When you finally reached the forest, you had to slow down. The forest floor was dry (at least at this level) but vegetation was dense, with no paths and apparently Miztli was not about making one - he continued to move in the shrub layer of the forest, as if it was a well groomed golf field. Though, he slowed down enough for "guests" to follow (providing, they are paying attention).

At some point, though, Bernard tuned to the surrounding well enough to understand see the same signs Miztli was using (after all, a forest is a forest) and traveling became if not easier, then at least safer.

Surprisingly, insects did not bother you all that much, though, they were definitely around and in unpleasant numbers. As well as snakes. And any other life form you could imagine - even at these hot hours life under the canopy was loud and very active. Hundreds of unfamiliar sounds formed a background, you had to get used to, smells - from understandable wooden to completely alien and unidentifiable were intoxicating, and occasional very bright spots of all colors of a rainbow in the sea of green could turn into a curious bird, a butterfly or a frog, that Miztli once very carefully collected into a small leather pouch and put into the basket on Tochtli's back.

Party moved until it begun getting a bit darker - you could hardly tell the difference yet, but Miztli stopped under particularly big tree with low branches forming something like a hut and dropped his "backpack" to the ground, gesturing others to do the same. Then he begun to move around it, mumbling something and literally beating around the bushes and lowest branches (one long branch fell down, hissed and slithered away).

Tochtli begun preparations to the camping that consisted of mixing some powder he fetched from his basket with a bit of water and praying it around the tree. Did not seem like anyone was about to starting fire, though, and indeed, you were supposed to sleep on the ground.

Leon trudged along with the others.  He didn't mind the walking, the company, or even the heat to be honest, he did not enjoy the bugs, or the fact he couldn't recognize half of the critters that moved around in the forest around them.

When they set up camp he would glance to his companions.  "How do we want to set up watches?"

Before discussion begun, you understood absence of fire and seeming unpreparedness to the night and could "enjoy" another wander of the land - the rainfall. Though, "waterfall" was probably a more appropriate word: it felt as if a bottomless bucket of water was turned over the forest. It did not last long - an hour? it was hard to tell in the sudden total darkness - but it was noisy, and it was intense. Miztli chose the hiding spot well - even the ground on one side of the tree remained relatively dry (on the other side rainwater formed a short lived stream, and the ground felt swampy). Tents would not survive under such pressure, but now you had at least a dry spot to sleep on (and plenty of clean enough water to collect - Miztli and Tochtli did just that).

"As you know, with our previous venture, I'm ill suited to night watch without a fire or torch.  With that I'd vote for either an early evening or morning watch," Bugs says.  

Ramious trudges along quietly enough, enjoying the heat, but not really the humidity.  He flexes his arms and legs with his new armor frequently, getting used to it unpadded, and in generally the light and flexible metal on his body.  He doesn't pay very much attention their surroundings as they go, trusting in their guides, and Bernard, to lead them through the wilderness safely.  He does enjoy the views though and generally is in a pretty good mood. 

When the rain comes, he stands out in the deluge, a silly grin on his face as he gets thoroughly soaked, the rain cooling after a hot days march.  Eventually he returns to the group, soaked, and pulls a shirt out of his bag to dry off his face, neck, and hair.  Ramious nods to Bugs, "I think Alyssa likes first watch so she can get her magic'ing in. I suppose I can take 2nd, Leon 3rd, then you can have the morning Bugs."   Assuming that works for everyone, Ramious eats a quick meal, then lays out his bedroll in a dry spot and lays down, pulling a blanket over him, and tries to get some shut eye before his watch comes up. Sleeping on the ground is nothing new for a soldiers. 

Leon just nodded and, as a good soldier, turned in until it was his turn for watch.

Since there seemed to be no need for her to contribute and the decision made for her, Alyssa simply followed along and would quietly take her post for the assigned watch. She’d silently work on her notes and journal until she was relieved. The elf would pick a spot to meditate after.

Sulking bothered natives no more than any other emotion of the strangers, and travel continued in the silence (inability of both to understand Common helped as well). Night went by quietly, and at the first light Miztli was ready to lead the group further. Once he was sure you can keep the pace, he simply walked you straight (relatively) to your destination, following some familiar path. Next night you spent in some kind of borrow (after chasing away inhabitants, some of which were caught for the supper - a big rodent and several large bugs). This night and all the other nights afterwords, fire was allowed, as well as cooking, though Miztli never stopped for hunting. Fresh meat came in form of different insects (those who risked to try it, could say, that once you get used to the texture, with some spice and salt it can be even tasty) and fish, when you were crossing big enough streams (which Miztli was approaching with great and tireless caution every time). Some fruits (your guides watched closely what you were picking) helped to diversify the diet and rain (you were getting involuntarily shower with sad consistency) provided plenty of water.

Everything ends, eventually. On the fifth day just a bit past noon Miztli suddenly stopped near a big rock overgrown with mess of different plants and pointed forward. Just a few meters forward the ground felt particularly hard - no more swampy or springy feeling, as if all the foliage was paying on the solid rock floor. Soon, the eyes could recognize the obviously man-made objects, or what was left of it - broken walls, heavily weathered sculptures, still straight paths that could only be streets. One of such streets led to the huge pyramid. Smaller than the one in Otomi, but still very impressive. That could only be the Forbidden City.

Mixtli bowed slightly and pointed in the direction of the pyramid again. Tochtli (you could swear his face impression was a relieve and gratitude) bowed much deeper, but did not dear to speak up. By a pantomime (or in words, should anyone bother with the spell) Miztli explained that he will be waiting for you right here for ten days, wished you the happiest hunting and stepped away, allowing to proceed to the city.

The sun is high in the sky, meaning (according to the legend) that undead (if they do exist) are hiding.

“Straight to that central pyramid or do e want to start at one end and work our way across?”  Leon asked as he looked over the area.  He summoned forth his owl, and had it do a high-flying circle over the area, staying high enough that ranged attacks from the ground would not be likely to have any chance to hit.

Owl perception: 19

Ramious rather enjoys the trip. The food is plentiful, the warm weather agrees with him, and there is something to be said for quiet, business like travelling companions. 

He stoically deals with the any little travel discomforts and just enjoys being out, in the wilderness, making his own way...without any people trying to stab him in the back or take what's his. 

With the way laid before them, he gives a nod to Miztli and Tochtli, grasping their forearms in a firm shake and serious look.  Then Ramious secured his travelling bag, tightening the straps on his armor and checking his javelin's and his sword before feeling ready to go.  He looks to Leon, "I mean, it pays to be thorough. Let's work our way there. I'd prefer to thin out any ranks so that our retreat is more clear if that becomes a thing." 

Bernard does his best to follow suit as they make their way there.  He is especially interested in the various insects that they come across.  He doesn't even mind tasting them though he'd prefer not to make a habit of it.  Upon finally reaching the city and discussion of their future plans.  He chimes in.  "I'm all for an easier exit but we must remember that we are on a timeline.  The more time spent out here, the less time we will have in there..."

Alyssa's mood started lifting as the days went on and the interaction back at the city became a distant memory. The silence weighed heavy on her, getting her stuck stewing assumptions over and over in her mind. It took her this much time and distance to realize she may have been triggered and her grumpiness could have been projecting out. But with each night of meditation came a new day of adventure with people she trusted and believed mutually respected her, regardless of her gender. She knew she was capable, but why did she feel such a sudden need to prove it here and now?

The elf's steps would pick up in energy and grace by the third day. She'd begin embracing more of the sunlight to warm her skin, though still wary of burning her fair complexion but unable to avoid some tan lines from her new armour. Alyssa's curiosity returned and she became more and more interested in the local botanicals, taking the time to 'smell the flowers' (that were safe to do so as indicated by their guides, assuming there were any...). Her enthusiasm for sketching, drawing and jotting notes in her journal came back with vengeance, trying to make up for the 'lost days'. She was content with the food, happy with sustenance. It wasn't as if archaeology studying was a walk in the park with her mother... She's had to eat some weird stuff on her survival lessons. Though, Alyssa would let the boys be the guinea pigs and try first so she could watch their expressions to prepare herself for what to expect.

As they stood there on the fifth day, path laid out before them, Alyssa would offer to send Hue out to assist Leon's owl with a scout. Bugs' reminder of the timeline did pique at the back of her mind, so any way she could help speed up their initial scout, the sooner they may be able to confirm how they wish to approach the pyramid. "I share Bugs' sentiment that the more time we spend out here, the less time we have inside... Perhaps a preliminary scout can determine whether any thinning of the ranks should be necessary?" She'd glance up at the sky. "Sunlight is limited when we are dealing with the dead..." And I'm not a real cleric... Alyssa would swallow.

Ramious nods, "Sure. We have until sundown to clear the outer buildings. Once we get inside that temple, day or night won't matter much."

He walks up until he's sure he's at least twenty feet into the city proper, then crouches, waiting for the scouts to do their job.  He picks up the loam, smelling it, rubbing it with his fingers as he listens. 

Survival : 20

Investigation : 18

Bugs shook his head, "That, is, agreeable."  With that said he does a quick check of his pack and weapons to make sure all is set.  

As you head toward the pyramid temple, you tread across cracked and overgrown flagstones, stepping over fallen and shattered pillars, pushing aside vines and briars. Yet, considering the city was "forbidden" for many cycles... on the other hand, you do not know what those "cycles" even mean - probably that was the expected amount of vegetation.

The architecture looks different, though. As alien as in Otomi, but of different style, and Alyssa could tell, that it is considerably older. The remaining pieces of statues, the city was human as well (were they any different from your bronze guides is impossible to tell).

The place is no quieter or noisier than any other part of the jungle, and wild life is as abandoned - animals do not care about curses. Your scouts in the sky reported clearings around the pyramid, not completely free of vegetation, but much less overgrown (like pyramid itself) - stone paved ground probably burned any brave plant daring to grow there. There is no any visible entrance inside the pyramid - neither on the ground level, nor somewhere on the top.

Around you (quite far still from the pyramid) are ruins of the houses - some bigger, some smaller, all in terrible conditions. There are no human tracks - at least not to your eyes, but at the entrance to one of the ruin Ramious spotted a strange thing - a silver coin, old, but far from ancient. In fact, you lifted older looking coins from the dragon lair.