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Nights on Mercury stretched on for a year and a half, but Babylon had noticed in his last few visits that the skies over Babylon were lightening somewhat. While morning was still probably several weeks away (he didn't pride himself on being an astronomer, not at all), the bettered viewing conditions made him confident about finally exploring the mountains that stretched north of the ancient city. After spending several weeks preparing for the trip and researching cold-weather mountaineering, Finn finally felt confident enough to start the journey.

He recruited Lina for a hiking partner, because he trusted her and Mercury was as much her world as it was his. Finn did not recall the exact conversation in which he had convinced the girl to accompany him, just that he had succeeded. He must have, otherwise they wouldn't be standing here right now.

The pair had made good time since leaving the city, but the trail was wide and followed a low incline. According to Menachem's maps, the pass proper didn't start until a few kilometers out, and then it was far more difficult hiking. They were moving into that territory now it seemed, and as they passed between two narrow cliff-faces, the path took a steep turn upwards that left them picking their way up an ancient staircase. The squire recognized the workmanship of ancient Babylon, but at the same time he was conscious that the whole route couldn't possibly be built up so well.

Although the ancient maps indicated that this route connected a number of settlements strewn throughout the mountains, Babylon had more on his mind than sightseeing. After noticing a branch on the map that lead up a high peak, he'd set his sights on the summit route. Perhaps there was something up there - otherwise, why would there be a path?

Their energy flagging, the squire decided they should set up camp on a wide ledge halfway up the mountain. "We made good progress today," he said to Lina, planting his lantern in the snow to provide light as they rigged their tent. "We'll hit the summit tomorrow and see what's up there."

They had a good view of the planet's surface from up here. Glancing out across the landscape, Babylon noticed a threatening-looking bank of clouds in the distance. Hopefully the blizzard would not advance on them in the next few hours.

He tossed a chemical handwarmer to Lina and started to set up his tiny propane stove. "Thanks for coming on this adventure with me," he told her, packing snow into the miniature kettle. "We'll have tea in a few minutes."

"Yeah," agreed Babylon, gazing out across the snowy wastes. It was like some serious Game of Thrones deal up here, the watchers on the wall staring out across the frozen north - except not a television show. He'd noticed Lina sticking the hand warmer between her breasts, but didn't feel inclined to pay too much attention to it - boobs were a body part he'd never quite understood the appeal of. "Unless there's other knights around - I'd bet we're the only living things on this whole planet."

Menachem was a bitchy ghost and therefore didn't count.

His attention turned by Lina's request, the squire turned his gaze towards the summit. He made a reluctant face. "I kind of doubt that just because we're here we're immortal. I mean, I'm pretty sure my ancestor died here, so being on Mercury clearly doesn't give us any kind of boost." Actually, he had no idea how Menachem had died - he was just saying. "But next time we come we can bring base jumping gear and give it a try, ok?"

Not that that was any safer an idea but, you know.

The kettle whistled, bringing his attention back to his immediate surroundings. Babylon dropped a teabag into the water and gave Lina a friendly shrug. "Have you been to any of the senshi homeworlds?" he asked innocently enough, trying to make conversation while the tea brewed. The stove only had one burner, so he couldn't exactly make dinner at the same time that he made tea.

Babylon had sort of gotten the general impression that Lina was reincarnated, but if he was pressed to explain where he'd picked up the information he wouldn't be able to answer. It had come in bits and pieces, from Virgo and Hesperis and Lina herself. Although this was the most detailed version of the story he'd ever heard, he'd been faintly aware of it for as long as he could recall knowing her. "Soldier Virgo has one of your trees," he nodded, proud of himself for remembering. "And one of my lights. She said she knew you - she was from Babylon. Did you know that?"

He sort of missed the senshi of innocence now that he thought about her. Although he'd accidentally made her cry by not being his ancestor, eventually he'd grown to be sort of protective of her. Something else clicked as he reminisced. Gesturing vaguely in the direction of his city, he asked, "Did you know my ancestor Menachem? What was he like?" Maybe someone would be able to back up Virgo's fondness of the old man, since all of Babylon's experiences with him had left him slightly disenchanted.

He packed the kettle full of snow again, this time for instant ramen. "Vindemiatrix and I went to his planet for Valentine's Day," he said, nudging it back onto the burner. "It was nice. Kinda like a Roman holiday. Really sunny and warm. But we kind of spent the whole trip chasing after some ghost of his past self? Do you know... is that normal?" He'd sort of assumed it was, for Vin's sake, but Lina was sure to know more about the subject than he did and he felt safe deferring to her.

He shoved the block of noodles into the pot and glanced over at Lina, waiting for her answer and hoping that visions of the past were normal for reincarnated people, and not a sign of schizophrenia. (That would be a hard conversation to have with his boyfriend.)

Babylon shrugged, giving Lina a blank look. He'd only ever experienced past-lives personally as Menachem's disdainful apparition, and what Vin had seen on his planet seemed different from that. For starters, the ghosts they'd been chasing apparently hadn't realized anyone else was present. "Maybe it's just different for senshi," he said. "Or for everyone." They were, after all, talking about space magic. Who said anything about it having to make sense?

Rather than spend any more brain cells on this, he divvied up the ramen and passed a cup across to Lina. As he did, though, he glanced out towards the vista again - and groaned. The storm clouds he'd assumed were far away had drawn steadily closer. Another few minutes at this rate and the blizzard would be upon them - he could already feel the first gusts of wind. "Well, ********," said Babylon, beginning to shovel noodles into his mouth.

"We should... eat and hunker down," he said, swallowing more than he could chew, grimacing, and pointing to the tent. He was pretty sure he'd driven the stakes in far enough that they would hold against the wind.

Actually this was looking like a pretty bad idea. "I am really sorry in advance," he said to Lina, "If I manage to get us both killed tonight."