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Vixen noticed the exit now as well, which was funny since she distinctly remembered looking in that direction and... oh whatever. She was already walking for the exit as Skip trailed off. Realizing he was just standing there, she gave an impatient but subtle sigh and turned to face him. He looked like he had dived into the empty black void of his mind. Folding her arms across her chest, she watched and waited for him to have some sort of revelation, or at least continue moving.

Nope. He just bought something else. Oh well. Vixen nodded and continued to walk for the exit. Freedom was so close at hand! And also a chance to practice her new blade...

Skip realized that he was being left behind, so he hurried to meet Vixen. He was glad that was all there was to this floor. He kinda hoped that most of the other floors would be like this, too.

Despite the fact that Vixen had been surveying what lay ahead of them longer than Skip, and despite the fact that she probably had already made a decision, Skip took a pseudo-leadership role (for him) and said, "So.... which way now?"

As Skip looked around (striking a slightly gallant pose) to decide which way to go, his whole "gallant" presence was ruined by Emerald cartwheeling past, and giggling. God, that giggle could just.... UNPLEASANT THOUGHTS! Skip shook his head to clear his mind, and then realization hit him. Emerald might be in trouble! Oh noez! His gallantry returned, and he sprinted after her, also oblivious of all around him. He, however, did not see the hole quite so well in the dark, nor did he see her go through it, so he ended up just sorta stupidly looking about in the dark.

Skip kinda felt stupid, but apparently ruining his own attempted heroics was his.... idiom?

((Edit: -.-;; ))

Okay, time to be decisive. Bear down, and use your natural instinct. Its all you, Skip!

Maybe he should ask Vixen....

No! Time to come into your own. He called over to Vixen, "I don't know where Emerald went, so I'm gonna go check left, and you check right, 'kay?" Nodding in pride at his ability to take action, he headed down the left path, searching for Emerald.

Skip blinked a few times after reading the message. The only thought he had at first was, 'Was whoever wrote this so desperate for a rhyme that they had to go with "oh no"? That kinda ruins the atmosphere of the message. It sounds almost as if someone is trying to keep nosy teenagers and super-intelligent great danes away. Who wrote this, Old Man Willoughby?' After continuing on from his Scooby-oriented train of thought, he then wondered if this was where Emerald went to. He didn't hear her fighting or anything, and he hadn't run into any fights. But that didn't mean there were no fights the other way either.... Damn, that message didn't even have an even meter.... It was really getting to him...

He picked up a small stone, and with it carved a giant X over the current message, and then wrote with the stone below it,

"'Ware this and all paths at every turn,
For those who enter here do not return."

Skip nodded at his masterful rhyme and lilting meter. Hm... he could be a poet. Maybe he should have been a bard...

After laughing at himself for a moment, he decided to get back to the matter at hand. Many questions flooded his mind. Had Emerald really gone in here? Should he find Vixen, and see what she was up to? If one could not turn back in there, could one escape from there? If Emerald was in there, would she be able to handle whatever was in there on her own? Did he leave the oven on?

Reason gave way to sheer impulse, as Skip decided to dive into the hole for the hell of it. Maybe there'd be treasure. Skip liked treasure.

Skip's joy at discovering Emerald again gave way to the awkward MILF-like feelings, only the kind of MILF that's your own mom.... or at least an aunt. Okay, focus, don't look at her legs, or that whole area.... nope, higher, ignore those two lovely..... um... yes, focus on her face. Its just a face. Phew, glad to be out of that one... Yes, focus on her eyes, her nice smile.... with those luscious lips... oh, the things she could probably do with that mou-

Skip shouted audibly, and turned beet red when Emerald stared questioningly at him. Damn, the way she turned her head, she looked so cute.... Skip paused. Okay, cute he could deal with...

Trying to cover up his yell, he said, "Um.... I mean.... um.... AH! Vixen, she's back there! Yes, we split up looking for you. I'll just go and get her-" Skip remembered the message (the cool one he wrote, not the crap that Steve guy wrote) and realized that was out. "Um... maybe not... Gee I hope she's alright on her own..." Skip turned back around to see Emerald stretching with her arms above her head, and he quickly turned away. Emerald really needed to get middle-aged again....

Deciding to try to strike up conversation to avoid this awkward moment (he realized this was the first time he had been alone with the new Emerald; it was probably more awkward now that Vixen wasn't here) he said, "So, what was that you did when I came in? Some kinda camera or something?"

((Sorry for inactivity. My feeble internet source is...well...feeble.))

Vixen watched as Skip ran off down one of the paths. She was suddenly alone. Shrugging, she took the other path, observing the walls and darkness ahead of her. Her fingers curled eagerly around the sword hilt, ready for some action.

It was kind of nice being alone. Now, if there were any baddies she could wipe them out herself in a spectacular show of gore and destruction. Awesome. Plus, she wouldn't have to watch Skip drooling over Emeralds every movement, which was a considerable bonus. Vixen just hoped they didn't get too...distracted without her around.