There was little talk as the nameless Virgo led Garren and Ash through the winding hallways. Ash could see paths leading off in different directions, but the blinding light stayed close to the ever moving Virgo and did not reveal much to him.

After a short distance, the still nameless Virgo left them in a squat, circular room. Most of the space was taken up by an earthy wooden table with two deep stone bowls of steaming broth. Before she left, the Virgo conjured a blazing, albeit smaller, orb that stuck itself to the ceiling and hurt Ash’s eyes.

Preoccupied with the hot both, while Ash was eating was probably the only time he was characteristically quiet. Garren took his peace with this time and slurped his broth in the quiet also. Per usual, the quiet only lasted as long as the food did.

“So...how long do we wait?” Ash leaned back in his chair, raking and combing his fur the best he could with his claws instead of a brush- that luxury had been lost on their journey some time ago.

“As long as it takes.” Garren’s deep voice rumbled around the small room. Ash stopped grooming and looked at him with a snide look.

“You have no idea, do you?” Garren bristled a little at Ash’s words. The truth is, he didn't know how long she would keep them waiting. He also didn’t know for sure she would let them in, but it seemed the Headmaster was right about that, so Garren took confidence that he would get the rest right, also.

“Well,” Garren pushed his chair back as he stood, making little noise against the strange woody ground. “I need to use the bathroom, do you? Don’t look at me like that, we’ve spent enough time in the woods, I wouldn’t mind using a normal bathroom while we’re here!” Ash had risen an eyebrow at his Master, who huffed out of the room with the command for Ash to wait here.

Ash’s ear twitched as he listened to Garren’s large figure recede away from him. Sitting still for only a moment longer, Ash leaped from his chair silently and was on his way down a hallway. His eyes adjusted effortlessly to the darkness, and he moved with ease through the winding hallway, paying close attention to the way he came.