Things could have been much worse than they were. The group, depleted in number but not in spirit had managed to survive the morning and had much to show for their efforts. As far as they could tell, Jean Louis seemed to be honest and sincere, and the information that he gave them was plenty ... even though the validity was yet to be put to the test. Kitsune looked down at the scroll in her hands but was unable to read the neat script that was there, apparently her new gift from the author didn't extend to written words.

"It could say anything," Ashutosh smiled after stealing a glance at the scroll. "Eat at Joe's. Klaatu barada nikto. An earnest conjuration from the king for the present death of Hamlet." He frowned at that last one.

"True, true... I'm just seeing if I can recognize any of it. I don't know the language, of course, but is it using letters like the Latin Alphabet, or something like kanji or kana?" Kitsune smiled beneath her helm and shrugged. "If it uses the Latin Alphabet, then maybe it's in a language that Neko-san knows, for instance."

Ashutosh took another look at the lettering before dismissing it with a shrug.

The two of them studied the neatly written script, but couldn't make out anything of value.

"I think it's French," the young woman observed as she tried to decipher it. "A couple of the words remind me of English, but they're constructed differently. Of course, for all I know it could be Italian or Latin, but I think perhaps Neko-san could translate this." She looked to Black Cat, "Can you read this for us, please?"

"I would be happy to try." Black Cat took the note and read over it a couple of times before reading it out loud. "To whom it may concern, The bearer of this note and their company, are to be extended the courtesy of a Guest of Amber. To not extend this courtesy will be an insult upon my name and as a result an insult to me. --signed-- Jean Louis Amber."

"Domo arigato, Neko-san." The smile in her voice seemed to lend a sparkle to the air. "Since you are leading us, for now, I believe you should hold onto that. Unless someone else would prefer to be our diplomat?"

"Kitsuneji," Ashutosh asked, "what did you mean in there about seeing me in action?"

Kitsune turned her head to regard the handsome actor, then nodded her head firmly. "You seem to believe, or perhaps others in our group believe, that in a combat situation you would be defenseless. I believe that you have more talent than you've let on, more talent and skill than you may even know. My talents aren't easily perceived, but they are impressive when I use them. So, I don't believe you to be a burden, nor useless, nor any such thing. Combat may not be a talent or skill of yours, but you will undoutably find ways to shine. You're part of the solution, Ashutosh-san, as are we all. I do not know how, what, or why, but I am certain that you will shine, because you are among equals here."

Once again, Ashutosh had trouble maintaining the facade of the cool young actor. Surprise, relief and embarassment passed over his face as he listened intently. "Kitsune..." he began, not knowing what to say.

Kitsune gently reached up and squeezed his shoulder. "Even though you may not believe it, I'm not patronizing you. Nor am I trying to lie or puff up your ego. I believe that there is more to us all than can be perceived on the surface, and I look forward to discovering that with you, and with all of us, when we succeed and are able to return home."

"Thank you," Ashutosh replied sincerely, feeling a mixture of gratitude and guilt. So far he'd only thought of himself, while the others, who had already been through a lot, had been working on getting home. He was so tired of being an afterthought and hanger-on. "I think you're right," he continued, "We must all be here for a reason. I'll do my best to...do...whatever I'm supposed to do." He smiled sheepishly at the mangled sentiment.

His smile broadened as he added, "But as for fighting...well, I was in action movie once. I wrestled with a crocodile." He paused for effect and deadpanned, "The crocodile won."

Kitsune laughed softly at that, "Well, then, perhaps I'll handle the crocodiles, then. Although I don't think I'll end up with any shoes or handbags out of it." She glanced over at Aodh and nodded her head, "And I think Hugh-sensei would be even better at that than I, from what we saw of his skills, ne?"

"Perhaps you can teach me some dishoom," Ashutosh grinned, punching the air, "and I'll show you some dhak dhak." He puffed out his chest twice and chuckled.

Kitsune squeezed his shoulder again, taking care of her strength, then released Ashutosh and stepped back, "So, let's see what we can see, hmmm?" She chuckled with him at the comment, "I think people like Grinning Shadow or Neko-san would be better choices for learning how to fight, though. I get by more on natural talent than skill, because if you can smash a car with your bare hands, why bother learning how to box?"

Kitsune mentally frowned at the translation of the words before her, but that wasn't readily apparent. Okay, the dishoom I puzzled out from context, that's the sound of hitting. But what does a heartbeat have to do with anything? I don't think he was hitting on me.... but I don't know quite about that.

She regarded him quietly for a second, and mentally grinned. It's a pity I'd break him, though. He is rather cute. I do wonder whether other girls with super strength have this problem? She mentally laughed at that. But who would I ask?

The Fex were all going about their morning activities as the six heroes filtered back into their living quarters. They were all still very interested in the group, but their curiosities had been satiated for the most part and they left them alone. The lovely feline leader, was nowhere to be seen as they worked their way back into room.

Dylan took a few deep breaths and steadied himself. "I am going to try and re-establish the mental link I had with everyone. I don't think I can continue pushing it so hard," he continued. "There are just too many of you for me to receive and transmit so much information. Kitsune is right about one thing, Ashutosh. Don't count us non-warriors out of it when it comes to usefulness. We all have our place, and our time."

Kitsune frowned thoughtfully behind her mask. "Were we straining you too much with our thoughts, Nocturne-san?" She turned to regard the younger teen, "I do apologize if I was causing you distress, of course. How can I help ease your burden, and make things better?"

You could control your fuckin' thoughts and not put a san, or domo arrigato Mr. Roboto behind every fuckin' word. You could remember that YOU are the only one that talks the way you do and try to talk with us instead of to us, the kid thought to himself. "You didn't cause me any distress that I was not prepared to handle. My concern, Kitsune is that if I continue to be all of yours persona psychic-walkie-talkie, then I will not be able to use my other, and often more formidable abilities. Once the link is established, realize that I will send what I think pertinent with as little "psychic-verbage" used as possible.

Kitsune weighed his words, and nodded. "Short and to the point, so we don't distract you. Got it." The sense of a smile hovers about her. "I will do my best to remember, thank you."

Ashu nodded his understanding, though he was only half listening. He'd been pondering what, if anything, he had to contribute to the group and suddenly recalled how easily his "superpower" had worked yesterday. Moving a little away from the others, he cupped his hand and concentrated. A tiny pool of water appeared in his palm. Another moment's concentration and the water vanished. Again: appear, vanish. Appear, vanish. He didn't see how this little talent could prove useful, but it was good to know it would work when called on.

Kitsune paused a moment to look at the Fex to see if there is an English speaker there. "Hello? Does anyone here know anything about the forest?"

The Fex all turned to Kitsune attentively as she spoke and two of them hurried over to her. She was able to understand through the scrolling words on her visor that they wanted to help, but that they didn't understand what she was saying. One of them gestured towards Aarann's quarters but indicated she wasn't available.

Kitsune sighed quietly, "I see I'm going to have to consider learning French or Fex, or something like that, if we're going to be here a while." She shook her head in bemusely, "You'd think knowing two languages would be enough, but no." She then laughed softly to herself at that.

"Ah, but you speak three languages," said Ashu, moving back towards the group. "Laathon ke bhoot baton se nahi maante. 'Some only understand the language of the fist.' A language I believe you are fluent in." His smile wavered as he thought of his mother and her inexhaustible supply of proverbs.

"Tell you what," he mused. "First thing I'll do when I get back is call home. What about you lot?"

"Call my girlfriends, and see about having some takeout and a good movie or two. Any suggestions?" Kitsune seemed to grin through her armor at that, sensing that Ashutosh is trying to help rally their morale here.

"A chick flick?" the actor replied. "I can think of plenty of weepy melodramas." He considered Kitsune's intriguing blend of strength and girlishness and added, "But maybe you like to relax with a good action movie?"

It wasn't the easiest thing in the world to do, but eventually they all knew that they must leave the safety of the Fex's quarters if they were to finish their quest to find the keys. One by one, each with their own fears, hopes and desires, they made their way back into the hall of mirrors, where they looked at the infinity that they were, and hoped that would be enough. Turning their attention away from the mirrors, they saw several doors and knew that a decision lay before them.

The door at the far end of the hall commanded their attention first, because all of them could remember Jean Louis, in his tipsy but sincere manner, explaining to them that one of the keys could be found in the indoor forest through that door. It also occurred to them, though, that he had no idea where the fourth key was...and the thought that it could be anywhere in the Castle, was not an encouraging one. Looking across the hall they saw a doorway immediately opposite them, followed by three more on that side of the hall. As they stepped further into the hallway they saw one other door to a large room that must border with the Fex's quarters.

Kitsune surveyed the hallway, then nodded firmly to herself. "Okay, Ashutosh-san, this is what we know from yesterday." She pointed to the door across the hall from the Fex, "That leads to Richard's and Isobel's area. Richard is a man who was trapped here similar to us, and apparently was the sole survivor of his group. He warned us not to eat food served by ghosts in a room across the hall from him."

Kitsune turned toward the forest, and gestured to the door down the hall on the same side as the Fex's rooms, "Probably there, assuming Richard was truthful. He said that the food changed him, giving him several boons, but it also reduced him to a murderous beast for half of the day. With my luck, I'd just grow ears and a tail and paws to be a true Nekomimi. And wouldn't my Author love that," she sighed.

"So, should we press on to the Forest, then, or did anyone else have an idea?" Kitsune regarded her companions with interest.

Dylan gathered himself and rubbed at the sleep in his eyes. He took a couple breath's to try and clear the some of the cobwebs and looked around. "We should be moving on," he said as he looked toward the forest. "The sooner we find our way out of the place the better."

The large Bostonian nodded in agreement. "Well...the question is if we should leave unopened doors behind us. On one hand it could be a good thing, perhaps the perils within will not be aware of our passing. On the other hand, we could find ourselves trapped in that room, with the dangers that Jean Louis spoke of, assuming they're true, and in addition have something pursuing us from this hall of mirrors. Which could lead to a trap of sorts that could prove most unfortunate."

Aodh shrugged his shoulders and paused. "But then again, what lay behind any one of these doors could prove to be such a challenge that it may take us another day to recuperate, and possibly sustain casualties, which would most certainly be better to avoid. Then there is the possibility, however unlikely, that the other key could be behind one of these doors. But if that were the case...then one would presume that the Fex or Jean Louis would have found it by now."

Black Cat looked at Aodh and nodded his head very slowly as he processed his words. "Well... Interesting and well thought out observations to be sure." Vicenzo looked at his companions and gave them one of his inspiring smiles. "I think I agree with Kitsune and Nocturne, I think we should press on to the indoor forest. There we should be guaranteed to find one of the keys, assuming we can find the Troll. What do you guys think...after hearing Aodh's reservations?" He looked pointedly at Kitsune, Ashutosh and Dylan.

"It's all unknown, hey na?" responded Ashutosh. "May as well try the forest."

"Agreed, the forest." Kitsune nodded firmly. "Let sleeping dogs lie, at least for now. If we need to check later, then we can. But... I think we should also talk a bit more with the Fex and with Richard, as to what else resides in this wing. But later. For now, let's see what we can see."

Dylan pushed again with his mind and the rest of the group felt the gently knock as they had before. The kid adjusted as each one let him in again.

Kitsune responded to the mental contact, and allowed her mind to be linked. {Thank you, Nocturne-san}, she stated, attempting to be polite, but to the point.

Kitsune walked down the hallway toward the doors leading to the forest. "I'll take the point, I think. Hugh-sensei, Nocturne-san, please use your gifts to maintain awareness of the area around us. The forest may have dangers that either or both of you can detect, I'm sure." Kitsune considered things for a moment, then nodded her head. "You may wish to take the position at the end, Hugh-sensei, because of both your senses and your durability, should anything try to come up from behind."

She smiled within her helm to Black Cat, "Neko-san, would you be so kind as to keep track of things with the rest, please? Since I'm the more durable of us, I should go in first, but your insights are going to be needed, and you are quite an effective warrior, yourself."

Kitsune reached the door, and went to open it. "Are we ready, then?"

"Let me check a few things first, if you don't mind," Dylan replied. He prepared himself and began to scan the area. He was getting used to some of the impressions he received back, and checked for anything that blipped differently.

Kitsune nodded in agreement, and waited, shifting around a bit to be aware of the surroundings. It wouldn't do to have something sneak up from behind.

Ashu looked around and fell in behind Black Cat. "Hey," he exclaimed, "what about Bl-"

Brian stepped out of the Fex room, silent and quiet, shuffling casually over to one side. His hands were tucked deep into the pockets of his pants; they'd been there almost the whole time he was with Grinning Shadow, trapped as much against his side as he could get them. If he could've tucked the whole of his arms into those pockets, make himself smaller, he would've. No matter how he wished to the contrary, saving a life, keeping a friend alive wasn't a talent that came easily to Brian. By the time the Fex had stepped in to assist, Brian had become little more than a bystander, innocently watching as others worked to preserve his ally. It seemed right to keep his hands in his pockets, as out of the way to him as he wanted to be to the Fex. To step in, to pretend to be able to help, would've been worse than doing nothing at all.

Helplessness didn't suit Brian well. Neither did seeing his friends like this.

He only offered a simple nod to the group as he made eye contact. He wore a cool face, letting his confident, almost coy smile slip just enough to demonstrate his concern. His compassion. Tapestry was already gone, and Grinning Shadow wasn't looking good. This wasn't a joke, no matter how hard he wished it were.

"If the forest gets us home faster, then let's go there, please" he asked. He plucked a cigarette from his pocket - a habit from a lifetime ago - and lit it with a small lighter. Any other time, any other day, he would've used a spark from his fingers; here and now, it seemed excessive, despite the battery pack that Aodh had prepared for him.

Kitsune watched Brian step out of the Fex's 'ship', and she waved to him in greeting. "Hello again, Blitz-san," she said to him. "Where would you like to be in the order of things?"

Brian looked up slightly, introspectively, considering the question. Ordinarily, the answer was simple; in the air, he had position, he had line of sight, and he had the right angle. The only problem was, in a forest, the canopy of trees would eliminate many of those advantages, offering him only slight glimpses through thick foliage and heavy branches.

Still, one had to play to his strengths.

"I don't think I can fly over the scene; if I do, I won't see a damn thing through the trees. How about somewhere in the middle; things go bad, and if I can, I fly up. Failing that, I pop sparks and do what I do from the ground."

"That should be fine, Blitz-san. You may also wish to keep an eye on things around you as well." Kitsune's smile could be heard clearly in her voice. "Unless we have no other choice, I would suggest we stay on the path."