beneath the steppe

Carefully making his way down the stepladder-which wasn't an easy feat for a wolf of his size- Hattori's paws soon found their way to cobbled stone. There were so many scents in the air he wasn't at fault for not noticing the freshest one yet and instead took to looking about, the pale of his eyes quickly adjusting to the lack of light down there. Shelves upon shelves lined the walls, stocked with all manners of containers and cylinders, some empty and many not. At his appearance even more skittering was to be heard, rats scurried to the furthest corners as though that would be enough to stop Hattori if he wished them dead.

Perhaps he would catch himself something on the way out, but for now he intended to venture a little while longer.

It was then he noticed the outline of paw prints on the dusty floor, leading further into the wood lined darkness. Contrary to what he'd first assumed he wasn't alone. And as if to prove his suspicion true a sneeze could be heard, as though they'd been careless and inhaled some dust when sniffing.

"Who goes there?" He asked the darkness, feeling it fair that he announce himself.