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[Ai Thao is of smaller stature and it is even more emphasized when she's near Sephiroth. Her frame and demeanor don't suggest anything impressive, but then she says:]

I'm rather accustomed. Unfortunately.

[She murmurs the last part soberly with her gaze shifting to the side for a second.]

But in this case, I'll probably be better as back up. [Equipped magic sounds promising so she asks about that first.]

Does your equipped magic include any type of healing?

[It’s barely perceptible, but a thin brow arches. This girl does not look exceptionally equipped to fight, so small in stature compared to his broad-shouldered frame, but looks can be deceiving. Not all manner of battle prowess revolved around pure strength and force. Magic, agility, guile. She could possess one, any, or all of these, making her just as viable in a fight.

So he discards his doubt, deciding to take Ai at her word, seeing no reason to argue if she’s going to be trailing behind him, anyhow.]

It does. [He has his Restore materia, which he uses far more on others than himself. Such might be the case today, though he hopes not.

Just a little wryly, stepping past her—] But we should do our best to make certain I don’t have to use it.

[There's some residual guilt in Ai who has programmed herself to not openly reveal her hand when it comes to her abilities. Seeing as how they're both stuck for an indeterminable amount of time together, she decides to step up to the plate.]

Well, in that case, you're lucky! I have healing powers. If there's an open wound or broken limb, I'll be able to take care of that. I can even relieve mental stress when I channel my energy.

[Ai holds up her hand to list two other powers.]

I can move heavy objects and distort them to a degree with my mind and I can fly... Oh, to keep it short, I'm an esper. I may not look it, but when push comes to shove, I think I'll be able to pull my weight.

[He stops to look over his shoulder at her.]

An esper?

[There is a line of believability that vacillates wildly with someone from Gaia. In a world where magic, summons, and the Lifestream itself exists, there should be plenty of wiggle room to allow himself to believe in people with psychic powers, who can heal and relieve stress and fly with mental energy alone.

But it’s still strange, not something that a normal human should possess in his world, therefore slotting it neatly into the category of “unusual” regardless. Sephiroth turns over a reply in his mind.]

All of those abilities, through the simple willpower of your own mind? You must be stronger than you look.

[She's about to downplay herself as she usually does, but stops herself. Ai had been doing that for far too long to herself.]

It is what it is. If I stayed quiet about what I could do, I'd only cause us more trouble.

[She smiles lightly and then finally puts her hands on the gate.]

Let's get started, shall we?

[Both doors slide open and they are greeted with a dimly lit corridor with no visible branching path yet. On the side, there is a decorative lantern with a polished black wooden handle.

Ominous? Yes. Ai has to take another deep breath to calm herself before she reaches out for the lantern.]

And I'll hold this.

[Fair enough. There might be more time to question her abilities later, but for now, they have no choice but to press forward. His unwillingness to leave them both idle pushes them ahead, makes him not want to linger in this entryway longer than necessary.

Ai is of the same mind, it seems, so Sephiroth nods and they both enter the mansion.

He keeps Masamune vertical and behind him as they walk, not ready to throw himself into an offensive stance just yet. But the long, seemingly corridor is an uneasy welcome, and Sephiroth’s eyes — now faintly glowing in the shadows — sweep across to seek any apparent threats. None yet. Only the slow bob of lantern light follows them as they traverse forward.]

Stay alert. Don't hold onto the lantern if it becomes a detriment. I can see fine in the dim light.

Edited 2019-12-14 09:30 (UTC)

Got it!

[Ai glances around to take in the details that the lantern light is able to reveal to them. The style is undeniably familiar to her at least. She's uncertain if such details would hold Sephiroth's interest seeing as how moving forward is their priority, but she does mention something relevant.]

When I was by myself and looking for a way out, I don't think there was an area that indicated that it was the back of the mansion. It seems like we're stuck in half of the total area if there's a totality at all, to begin with. Do you think that's the case?

Given the result of trying to scale the walls outside? I would say it's possible.

[A beat; she can't see it, but his lips purse faintly into a thin frown. The corridor continues, with no visible end in sight.]

But not promising. If we're expected to progress in a logical way, knowing that the exit exists is paramount.

With the way things are shaping up, I'm kind of worried about what we'll find at the end of the building too.

Oh!

[Ai squints are eyes and points up ahead. There's another set of sliding doors and on the wall next to it, a plaque.]

I'll read it first just in case.

[Her lantern sways as she moves towards the wall to read the plaque and while she does so there's a subtle, but apparent noise of scurrying behind the new set of doors. It makes Ai freeze for a moment.]

Did you hear that?

[He is sure to remain at least two steps in front of her even as Ai hastens her pace to read the plaque. All the better, because yes, he hears that skittering sound just beyond those doors. It isn’t enough to send a jolt of adrenaline through Sephiroth’s veins, meeting most subtle changes in a situation with an eerie calm, but he cannot stop the look of disapproval on his features.]

Confirmation that we’re not alone after all. Not surprising, but remain careful.

[In the swaying lantern light, he tilts his chin at the plaque.]

What’s it say?

[Ai glances back and forth before settling her gaze on the plaque again. She holds up her lantern to read the sign.]

How strange. I thought it would just tell us what kind of room we're going into, but it's something else.

"You cannot survive alone. Do not blind yourself."

[Huh.]

[How very ominous indeed.]

Some sort of riddle?

[Is nothing about this place straightforward? If someone is doling out warnings before each room, why be so vague, if not just to be pernicious?]

Or a warning. Neither of us are alone, but as for what ‘blind’ might refer to—

[Well.]

That’s more nebulous, and we won’t know what to make of it until we step inside.

[The skittering noise rushes by them again from behind the doors and Ai shivers.]

Um. Just so neither of us gets jumped, how about you take a step back? I'll open up the doors without touching them.

[That noise again. Sephiroth looks at the door like it dares present a challenge to him, his grip around Masamune’s hilt tightening, the leather of his gloves snug against skin and knuckles.

He steps back, though his look is unfaltering.]

Do it.

[He doesn't have to say it twice. Her eyes flash with the color of violet for a split second as she stares at the sliding doors. They shudder for a moment and the wood clacks against the floor before finally giving in and sliding apart.

What lays before them only causes Ai to sputter in confusion.]

What? There's even more—!

[There are more corridors separated by decorative walls and intricate wooden frames. It is no longer a straight path. There are other lanterns that light the path and even some low glowing torches that illuminate the various pathways. And that's the problem— there are a lot of possible paths to follow, some branching off from each other as well.]

I... Oh, this is going to take so long!

Edited 2019-12-15 00:31 (UTC)

[So that’s her power, then — as described, though still interesting to witness first-hand. Definitely will be of use to them going forward, even if they aren’t quite sure what lies ahead.

Sephiroth is no friend to hesitation, and instead steps forward into the new area, glancing about. It’s one that will take a while to explore fully, the branching corridors now made prominent, lit by spaced lanterns. The wording of the plaque cycles through his mind again, but they’re still lacking context.]

We have all the apparent time in the world.

[Meaning it’s not like they have anywhere else to be — if they do, they can’t remember it.]

We start methodically, and go from there. Closest corridor first. [Time to walk.] Keep close behind.

It's basically a maze, isn't it? And if there's one thing I know about mazes, it means a lot of dead ends.

[Ai stays behind Sephiroth with her own lantern's light flickering as she moves.]

Just in case we get confused... Maybe we should mark the walls if we do find a dead end. That way, we don't end up in the same place as before.

[His only reply to that, at first, is flicking Masamune out to trail along his side; the blade is so long that even at a small angle its tip grazes across the corridor walls, leaving a thin, trailing line that follows them as they walk.

It’s one way to do it.]

Have you ever been in a maze before?

[The trick is easy, simple.]

You pick whether or not to always take a right or left, and you stay true to your decision the whole time. Eventually, you’ll have made your way outside of the maze, because you’re actually tracing the interior walls.

So we follow that logic. Assuming this place doesn’t shift or change, the way out will show itself eventually.

I've never been in one before, not even for fun. We could just stick to the right then.

[Ai has vague memories of Lien talking about manmade mazes made out of greenery and her encounter with one at some point during her travels. Lien had seen and done a lot of things and Ai hasn't.

She continues looking ahead at first, just keeping her eyes on Sephiroth's back before her eyes look at the decorative illustrations on the walls. The paintings are of elaborate flowers drawn with delicate lines and every so often, there seem to be images of people in flowing royal robes engaged in a variety of activities such as feasting, dancing, even courting. It begs the question about who had lived here in this mansion if there were anyone living at all.]

I can't help, but wonder if this place was even made for living.

[She pauses in front of one room that has a sliding door. Opening it up, it appears to be just an innocuous resting room with cushions, and a low table with its own lantern. Nothing here, except perhaps for the wall illustration of a wealthy-looking man surrounded by maidens bowing to him. She keeps the door open.]

It's palatial, don't you think?

It’s ostentatious.

[Blunt, dry. These paintings are of a lifestyle very much unlike the one he leads, unlike anything that truly exists in Midgar. The rich put on airs, but they’re never so delicate, never hide their overindulgences, so Sephiroth can only view it all as undeniably shallow. Fake, in a way that’s easy to look down on.

This room is no different, and the painting seems even more over the top than the rest.]

Palatial, or like a museum where we’re supposed to appreciate everything from afar.

[He steps in, gauging the atmosphere.]

What’s the point to all of this? There has to be more than us just wandering aimlessly, room to room.

[Before she can reply, the skittering noise returns, louder and with more clarity this time. Ai is instantly on her guard and her eyes glow as she turns towards the direction of the sounds which come from a four-way path. There's some giggling and low hushed tones begin to echo throughout the corridors.]

"Is there a new Lord?"

"Has a new Lord come out to play with us?"

"It's been so long. Such a handsome one too."

"I go first, all of you stand aside!"

[Ai sets down her lantern carefully and moves up against the wall so she can give more room to Sephiroth and continue looking closely.]

"I'll welcome the new Lord."

"No, I will!"

"It seems he's there with another young thing."

"Will she join us?"

"No, she must go. It's been too long for us."

"Come out and play, come out and play!"

Edited 2019-12-15 02:11 (UTC)

[All trail of thought is severed the moment voices pierce the air. They echo from that four-way path, and the SOLDIER turns his head to look, eyes narrowed and slitted pupils sharp.

Giggling fills his ears, the statements soon following. He gives Ai a glance, noting her decision to give him wide berth — wise, considering they don’t know what might happen.]

You have my attention now. [He calls out down that direction, deep voice reverberating.] Want to welcome me? I’m right here, so show yourselves.

[Along the walls and down the hallways, like spiders crawling out of the woodwork, the duo's mysterious enemies finally appear.]

[Not all are wielding weapons, but opt to use their multiple limbs to move along the floor and walls. These twisted visions of feminity stare hungrily at Sephiroth and Ai Thao with their dark soulless eyes and with every movement they make they twitch and twerk unnaturally.]

"A lord! A lord"

"Ours!"

"Not ours, mine!"

"No, MINE!"

[The dolls seem to multiply in number and some are even trampling over one another to get closer to them.]

Sephiroth, there's so many! We need to clear out just one path or else we'll be overwhelmed!

[Twitching dolls, their limbs clambering over one another as they weave across the walls like overlarge spiders, fill his vision. A threat multiplying, encroaching in this direction, all for the sake of claiming him as their “lord”, whatever that may entail.

Cut a path through, he thinks, and already Masamune is glinting in the erratic lantern light, shadow flickering anxiously all around them. He lunges forward towards the first mass of dolls, his look of determination never turning away from their own soulless stares.

Masamune cannot even be seen, not as he tears it through them vertically, a clean slice that rings like crystal as their forms meet the blade’s steel.]

Easily done.

[Pick a direction and clear it. If he can keep his flank and back defended from more, this should be easy enough.]

[Ai wisely keeps her distance so Sephiroth can wield Masamune without having to be concerned with her proximity. But some of the automatons that haven't been cut clean by him have scuttled across the ceiling aiming for the esper.

Not a problem, she thinks, fully prepared to use the force of her mind to push them away. The energy from her eyes pulse as she forcefully pushes away the group of dolls about to drop on her—

They barely move a few feet.]

What the—!?

[Before she can react, a doll drops on top of Ai, two of its hands enclosed around her neck and the others pinning her torso and legs down. As she struggles, the dolls that are facing off with Sephiroth open their mouths, spewing out what can only be poisonous and toxic violet clouds of smoke and others with flames trying to torch the fighter.

Although she's on the floor, Ai notices the lantern within her reach. Before another breath can be choked out of her, she grabs the handle and smashes it against her captor's face, breaking its hold on her. She stands up haggardly breathing, but with little room to consider the loss of her strength.

There's a doll behind Sephiroth, but the esper, using the lantern as a weapon, swings and knocks it to the floor. Exhilaration and a rush of adrenaline mixed with desperation and confusion start setting in.

She needs to get out, she needs to clear a path, she needs to fight, she needs to—

Kill.

Ai steps forward, deliberately stepping on the torso of a doll still breathing heavily and abnormally.]

Edited 2019-12-15 04:10 (UTC)

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