[h2]Mako Moritomi//Sapphire Inn, Cavern, F2 -> Royal Suite[/h2]
[h3]Sunday, July 5, 2015[/h3]

==~==

Mako walked through the hole in the wall ahead of them, still hefting his hatchet with a nervous energy. While the situation had been manageable so far, especially given this was his first voluntary jaunt into this Mirror World, but he was still concerned for a number of reasons. He thought back to his own kidnapping, and the Shadow that had emerged once the team came to his rescue. Assuming things remained consistent between trips like this, there would be such a creature awaiting them here, too. And even with everyone here to help, he was rather unsure of his odds in that matchup.

He looked around the garishly-decorated courtyard, wincing slightly at the brightness of the scene. It looked like a casino had thrown up on a traditional inn- made his eyes hurt just to look at it. He looked around at the other investigators as the team leaders and navigators discussed what likely awaited them up ahead. It sounded like they had a party waiting for them. Mako grimaced.

[color=0076a3][i]My abilities are more centered on dueling one-on-one than with groups. That's irksome. I wonder if there's a way to change that? I'll talk to Rui later, maybe he knows something. I suppose I'll just have to make do with what I have.[/i][/color]

Movement out of the corner of his eye caught his attention, and he turned to see Sato making his way toward him. Unbidden, a relieved smile worked its way onto his face, and he walked over to meet the upperclassman. He nodded as Sato went on about the teams having to work together to get this far.

[color=0076a3]"I think you're right- it seems like actions we took affected your side, and vice versa. Whatever the case, it seems to have worked out all right for us."[/color] At Sato's additional questioning, Mako shuffled a bit before answering.

[color=0076a3]"It's... been going. I'm not exactly kitted out for dealing with groups, which has been most of what we've faced. All this is taking some getting used to. On the other hand, I'm good at taking down priority targets; I have a skill that weakens a single enemy significantly, so... whatever big baddie is waiting for us up here? I can manage that."[/color]

He paused for a second before continuing.

[color=0076a3]"Look, I... I know you're the one with experience in this sort of thing. A lot more than I have, anyway. But watch yourself in there, okay? I'll try and keep an eye on you as much as I can, but if I can't, don't let yourself get sucker punched, all right? Losing anyone on this trip would suck, but... it would really, [i]really[/i] suck if it was you.

"Umm... that's all."[/color] he finished lamely, averting his eyes toward the floor and blushing.

[color=0076a3][i]God, I'm such a moron...[/i][/color]