“…Yeah… Thanks, Cedric. That helps.” Andie half-forced a smile. “Now, let’s open a portal and get the hell out of here.”

“You two go on ahead.” Cedric stood up and turned his gaze toward the rooftops. “I’ve got something to finish up before I follow you.”

“…Sorry, what!?” Andie’s smile twitched with rage. “We literally just finished a perfect demonstration of why charging in alone without a plan is a horrible idea.”

“Okay, one: ” Cedric started to count on his fingers. “I actually do have a plan. I always have a plan. Two: I’m not charging in to fight, I’m sneaking in to scout. Three: I can turn invisible. Four: I saw something earlier, and if my hunch is right, not knowing more about it is a hundred times more dangerous than sticking around here. Five: ” He took a deep breath, his face shifting to a solemn expression. “…I need this. So often I stay behind where its safe, while you guys do all the dangerous stuff. I don’t care if it’s the optimal strategy or whatever, it feels awful. Just this once, let me be on the front lines while you guys are safe somewhere else. Please.”

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Dyllan was quiet for a moment, then, without a trace of hesitation or doubt, he spoke a single word. “No.” He paused, then began to explain himself. “Maybe this is selfish and irrational, but I’m not willing to leave you alone on the front lines. I’m coming too.”

“Oh…” Cedric turned to Andie with a pleading expression, though whether he was pleading for her to leave him behind or come along was unclear. “Andie?”

“Just a moment.” Andie pulled Dyllan aside. “If I get him in a headlock from behind, will you help me drag his crazy ass out of here?”

“Andie, I trust you with my life.” An odd melancholy shimmered in Dyllan’s eyes. “…but I trust Cedric even more. If he says this is important…”

“Alright. Fine. Okay!” Andie backed away from Dyllan and threw her hands up in the air. “What the hell, I’ve already made the dumbest decision of my life today - might as well get the second dumbest over with while I’m at it!” She clapped her hands and cracked her knuckles. “Let’s get scouting.”