[His gaze wavers on her longer than usual, scrutiny double-edged now that he's occupied her body, if not her mind. He's tried to shake himself of the memory, but it becomes more difficult in proximity. The ache of muscles, the chakra tangled up in threaded patterns that had felt senseless to him, the gesture of fingers through longer hair an echo of how he'd done the same to rake it back away from his face. They haven't spoken to any extent about the exchange; he doesn't expect they ever will, but he saw her experience through his eyes once they were rightly returned to themselves. The horror of the Forges.]

Who is the diplomat?

[He knows only one of them in the Netherworld, but he has not seen Laurent use those skills, and frankly has trouble with the imagining.]

It would be useful to learn the Hierarchy's knowledge regarding the Labyrinth, if they have any at all. Has anyone survived trespassing those boundaries? Has anyone attempted to map its layout, or does it change frequently, or is as impossible an effort as tracking time in this place? I understand the Hierarchy claims that Oblivium is our greatest enemy, but the Labyrinth is a physical manifestation of it, so we need to be prepared at what we may face in the future. I've found little information on what is actually down there so far. [He pauses, thinking.] There's an entrance guarded in the Barrens.

[Not that he's dared cross into the Labyrinth himself yet. Even he knows it would be foolish without knowing more.]