circle7 | event!

[Like the closet they're in, the small room across from them is tiny and rectangular, with wooden paneling. There's a small lightbulb hanging from the ceiling - and just as Hope notices it, the small light bulb in their closet clicks on. The contents of the other closet were identical as well...right down to the sheer arrangement of fallen brooms and buckets and bottles they had knocked over in their fall. Exactly, without even a hair from the toppled mop out of place.]

...That's weird.

[The only thing out of place from the mirror image would be... well, them two.]

...You're tellin' me.

[Maybe it's a clue. Should I use ARI..? The agent reaches into his coat, fingers tracing the outline of his glasses. There's not really any evidence around here, but they might be useful. ~~They'd probably be old-fashioned to Hope, though.~~]

[What was- ...He was putting on sunglasses in a closet? Hope bites his lip, but he isn't the type to make commentary anyway, so that thought he also keeps to himself.]

Let me try something.

[Reaching behind him, he knocks over the tilted broom onto the floor with a click. A second passes.

Then there is an echoing clack from the other room, except its corresponding broom doesn't move. Instead, the back wall that they're facing seems to suddenly cave in a little at the center - like revealing a hidden door.]

...Creepy.

...

[Jayden, efficiently surprised by the reaction (but how can rooms react), puts the glasses away.]

This... has to be some kind of trick.

[But in his disbelief, he tries it himself - he kicks one of the mop buckets across the floor. It cracks a little more.]

[From there, it's an all-out mess-creating spree. Hope's room at home was usually kept immaculate - his mother's influence, and a bit of his own nature as well. Making this much ruckus and disorder was kind of...refreshing. By the time they're done, their side of the room is an absolute pigsty, as if a small hurricane had just blown through it (he could've set an Aero on the area, but...this way was just more fun, if less efficient).

When Hope looks back to the mirror room, the back wall has a door-sized hole carved into it, and a doorknob has magically appeared on the left. He laughs, a bright and excited sound.]

It worked! We did it!

[Once Jayden realizes what the kid is getting at, he joins in. Shelves, mops, brooms, cleaning supplies - they all go toppling. Upsetting the balance of the two rooms seems to be the key here, and once the rooms look nothing alike, they finally stop. Then, lo and behold, a magic door. (Though 'magic' to the agent just means 'unexplained.')

Jayden still doesn't get how it's all possible, but hey, the kid figured it out, and credit goes where it's due. He smiles down at him, and even in that small gesture, it looks like a rare expression for the man.]

Good job, kid.

[Looks like knowing Hope's name didn't change anything, though.]

[At the compliment, Hope smiles too - the type of smile where modesty keeps you from showing it too much, but the happiness is pretty damn evident anyway, so you duck your head to hide it.]

I-It's nothing; they were puzzle rooms like this back in Gran Pulse, that's all. Looks like we can finally get out of here.

[Jayden seems more like a let-me-take-point kind of guy, and while Hope has no problems assuming the lead when he has to, he doesn't particularly mind following either.]

You're familiar with this kind of stuff, then?

[In this case, Jayden probably feels he's better off taking the lead. (Still underestimating the kid.) He steps towards the door, cautiously reaching for the handle. Who knows what's behind this thing. Blake with a god damn grin on his face, I bet.]

[The secret door, unlike the first one, gave away with a little push - it wasn't locked. What they found, on the other side, however, was about as useful as the second closet. The door swung into darkness, and from what little light spilled in from their side, they could see that both the walls and floor were a drab gray concrete.

Hope made a slight frustrated noise, and with a wave of his hand, sent a Fira into the hallway. For as long as it flew, before dying out, the surroundings remained the same.]

...Well, might as well give it a try.

[Jayden jumps back as the ball of flame retreats down the hall.]

The hell was that?! How did you...

[The man nearly flattens against the nearest wall. Earlier, the huge flame could've been pinned on a trick like hair spray, or gas making the lighter flare up, but that... Jayden raises a hand to his head, mumbling.]

God, it should've been obvious before. I'm having another episode, aren't I?

[Startled at such a strong reaction himself, Hope jumps a little.]

Epi...sode?

[He doesn't answer - he just steadies himself against the wall, running fingers over his face. It doesn't seem right, though - if this was another withdrawal... Where're the symptoms?

Jayden opens his eyes, taking a deep breath. There's gotta be an explanation for this.]

...It's nothin', kid. Let's get movin'.

...Are you sure? You're acting kind of funny.

[It's like he wants to press, but knows that he shouldn't - skittish. Likely, he's just going to be told, "I'm all right!" anyway.]

Yeah, I'm...

[He pushes off the wall, pausing and staring at Hope for a moment, making a face. Half of his face is darkened by the shadow of the dark hallway.]

You're real, right?

I'm...pretty sure I am.

[...What. That was not an 'I'm all right.' Quite the opposite, really, but Jayden had no obvious wounds on him, and physically, he looked perfectly fine. Afflictions of the mind were trickier, and Hope doubted there was even a skill for that. Hope pats himself down, as if to convince Jayden that he's solid.]

Are you...not used to seeing magic?

[Jayden laughs. It's oddly bitter sounding; almost disbelieving. (Perhaps he's resigned to the idea that this is a dream.)]

Nah, there ain't magic where I come from.

Well, that's normal, I guess. Only l'cie can really use it just like that. We need it to fight.

[And then, like an afterthought, Hope glances at Jayden, with a small smile.]

I won't hurt you, though. In case you're worried about that.

[Jayden shakes his head. It's reassuring, but he didn't have many doubts about the kid.]

I'm not. But if you can use it to get us out of here, even better.

[Hope made a sound of amusement, taking the initial first steps into the darkness.]

I'll try my best. Besides, I bet Lightning and Fang and the others are looking for us already. And whoever you're with is probably looking for you too.

Blake?

[This time the laugh sounds more meaningful, trailing a little behind Hope.]

I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one who got me into this mess.

[Hope does not comprehend having allies that would stick you in a situation like this on purpose.]

Why would he do something like that?

[Occasionally, he sends another fireball into the distance, to light their way, but it's not long before the darkness engulfs them almost completely, and the light of the closet they left behind is far away. Somewhat blindly, Hope reaches behind him, latching on to what is probably Jayden's sleeve.]

Umm. So that we don't get lost.

[He sounds pretty sheepish about it though.]

He's a pain in the...

[Wait, should he say that in front of a kid?]

Well, likes giving me a hard time. I work with him.

[Jayden looks down at his sleeve when he feels the tug, even if he can't see anything. It's not like he's used to kids, but he doesn't have anything against it.]

Sure. That's fine.

Because I- oof!

[Whatever Hope was going to say gets cut off as he underestimates the distance they had travelled, and slams right into the end of the hallway, an invisible doorknob jamming into his stomach. He stumbles back.]

[Jayden halts quick enough to avoid slamming into the wall, but he does bump his shoulder into it.]

Ack- you all right?

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rofl you really DO need some smiling icons

NO ONE WANTS TO ICON A SMILING HOPE

WHYYY

Iconners like depressed kids idk.

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INSERT SMILING ICON HERE

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