[the light is almost eerie, coming from him, but. there's comfort in the fire, too. she's got flames inside her. she's got a spark that never went out, an ember that will never die as long as she keeps the memory alive. she's living for the people she's lost.]

[the grinding and thunking is getting louder the deeper they go, to the point where it almost threatens to drown her out and she has to practically yell to be heard. the drama of her own reaction is. lacking, now. oh well.]

I went through therapy to stop me from wanting to start fights with everyone I ever met. It's why I cook. [g-d bless her, she's still trying to sound intense.] But it obviously isn't enough anymore.

[and she stops, and she holds out her hand to stop him, too. she can't see much beyond the glow of his blade, but she can at least tell that they're at the edge of the hallway. and the next room looks bigger than it needs to be, the darkness stretching out longer than Lina can reckon.]

Hey. Look at this boss room right ahead of us. [she's still trying to joke, too. she wants to giggle, but it won't come.]