( their lives have always boiled down to certainties. there was the certainty of a looming death, for one, suffocating as it was. but there were other nicer certainties, like having goals, the power in working together, creating for the benefit of all. there were certainly still uncertainties, but they were much less, in his mind.

for where there was certainty, there was a plan—there was a mission.

their mission. )

It puts a wrench on things, doesn't it?

( so far, it's two of them here, from what gustave has been able to find. that makes half of their expedition, and if maelle and lune are not here, they must be having a hard time. can't really expect esquie to stop being lazy and do the hard bits for them.

but gustave certainly understands what sciel is worried for.

down the hallway they go and, procuring a key from his pocket, he unlocks the door, opening it up and motioning sciel inside before him. )

I've been making some notes about this place. ( —he starts anew, once she's in, following her inside, and clicking the lights on, only to remember, right, the power outage. he makes a face and quickly goes to find a candle that the previous occupant had left behind, to light it with a match. ) Nothing too conclusive that I'd say is reliable, but we need to start somewhere.

( to understand their current situation.

the candle, once lit, he brings to the small table, one hand wrapped around the flame so that it doesn't go out. as he lets it settle, gustave asks, )

...what is it you remember last?