( They step in, and as they move Ian shifts the shield around. Smoothly reshapes it as he goes, shrugging it on like a backpack in one matter-bendy movement. He can't teleport, but by god he sure can make stuff be shaped like other stuff. It's not practical for him to carry one in front of him while he's sticking so close to Lance, but having it behind them seems smart.

He's about two feet back at most; enough that he can carry his rifle between them, but still see relatively clearly over Lance's shoulders. )

Y..eah, to a certain extent.

( He doesn't sound uncertain exactly, he can do something about it. )

I can keep us from getting buried, but it-- I can't just push things nowhere. The stuff I move, it's gotta have space. If we get too deep... it'll be really difficult to tunnel us out. I can only handle about twenty-five feet at a time.