David
Still glaring in the direction she thought the offering space must be, Hinoki wearily attempted to arrange her feathers back into place. *What's it playing at? What does it* Want? This was the most annoying part of any research trip— not uncommon, though, and she hadn't the slightest idea why! She always seemed to get the ire of ritual spaces. But as trying as it was, she found it equally thrilling. There was nothing quite like the satisfaction of outwitting a spirit that wanted you dead. And the difficulty had been raised a few notches by her injuries; would she even have the energy for a last ditch Revelation Dance? *Oho, I hope so!*

The mouse's irritated words brought her out of her thoughts. *Oh. Right, it's not a solo mission.* Her wings and tail feathers dragged against the uneven wooden floor as she approached him. Maybe it was a ploy, to lower her guard— Hinoki might have height on him, but weight on the other hand... "Of course," She chirped contritely. If he was hoping for a surprise attack, it'd only look better for her when the villagers freed them in the morning. *Terribly* Embarrassing, to be defeated by a mouse, but it would unfortunately suit the image she was going for.

Tugging against the door with her good wing, she was glad to see it didn't immediately respond to her touch with a curse. But even though the wood seemed thin and flimsy, Hinoki was hesitant to test her luck and try an Air Slash. Maybe she ought to set up another Quiver Dance before going for it. She'd proven she could carry the mouse without *Too* Much of a struggle. "If we want to fight our way out, we'll have to be quick about it," She said to him in a hushed voice, averting her gaze. "Making an opening is the hard part— we'll be safe if we can get to the garden." *Probably. That's how these things usually work, yes?*
Javier
*The mouse pushed and watched as Hinoki... Gave it a tug? Well, he hadn't considered the door was meant to flip the other way, but it seemed fruitless nonetheless. It didn't budge.*

*He was about to step back and go for a divekick- horrible idea, never do this- but, as Hinoki whispered to him, he pouted and stopped rearing back, ears twitching.* But I can't hear anyone. *It may be a lack of particular enlightenment in him, perhaps... Out of touch with one's soul?* Nonsense. I have by wits about me...

*Maybe she's leading you into a trap.* Maybe. But this seems... Wrong. Something's not right about this place being a trap. Not with her mannerisms. *He knelt down to grab his bowtie, putting it back on- within was his Float Stone- and kicked his needle back into his hand, standing at Hinoki's side as he sized her up- then the place around them.* 

"... Fight?" *He narrowed his eyes. Perhaps he couldn't see whatever was here like she could? Or, in a similar manner, 'sense' it. He decided to forgo the inane questioning of 'what' they would be fighting- he felt like he'd eventually see for himself, if it wasn't already related to her strange ghost-summoning dance.* "Garden. Garden. Hm. Fine." *He shook his head-* Following her is a stupid idea- *Then grabbed her good hand, dragging her to the wall and pressing her hand against it.* "You're a ghost, yes? You can phase through walls? Phase us through."
David
The creaking of the walls sounded close to laughter. Ooh, if she could only come back here with the right tomes, she'd show it. None of them were actually permitted for removal from the Helios church archives, but if Hinoki couldn't entertain such nice scenarios, she might start screaming. Or laughing along, which would also be undignified. *Am I really this out of practice? To be thrown off by a simple garden shrine?* She'd blame it on the battle. It was the adrenaline from then catching up to her, sending her startling when this was so familiar—

She jolted hard at the touch on her wing, feathers flying into disarray again as she spun around. It was only the mouse, with what might be the most reasonable suggestion he'd made all night. Following his pull, Hinoki closed her eyes and twisted her bad fan through the first few half-steps of a Revelation Dance, summoning just enough ghostly energy to cover for the two of them. A foggy silhouette of an arm reached out from the ground, bravely swiping at the wall ahead of the other summoned spirits. Upon passing through, it emitted a diminishing "ᵉᵉᵉᵉᵉ" And vanished into purple specks.

Hinoki held very still, dead focused on keeping her face composed. "...Before you ask, yes, that will happen to our souls too if we try to phase out." She was loathe to release all the spirits right away, but they grew restless if kept around with nothing to attack. Maybe... With another flick of her fan, she sent them out towards the center of the room. They'd be a distraction from her talk with him, if nothing else. "Do you know what might be at the altar? Anything useful we could go for?"
Javier
*Watching the ghostly hand phase through the wall and meet a supernaturally horrifying fate, the mouse staggered back and fell to his bum, shaken by the sight before him.* Stupid idea. *Very stupid idea.*

*He facepalmed and stood back up, looking around the room. His ears flickered as the creaking started to grow- he didn't have much in terms of spiritual awareness, but even this was starting to register for him.*

"I've heard of things beyond simple Pokemon. Beyond... Ghosts and legendary beings. But this..." *He frowned standing more upright. A deep breath... He was recomposing himself.*

"... An altar." *He tilted his head.* "... Yes, I've learned a little about this place. It's in poor practice to steal from somewhere you haven't been before. You aren't aware of escape routes, of ways to leave...

"... This may be some sort of supernatural building... *As I am now learning...* But, it was still built by Pokemon, and with all their flaws in architectural design. Near the altar, there is a small fountain that runs along the ground, one you may walk over. It drains water down into a cavern below this place, with a network leading out some few miles away.

"... You aren't claustrophobic, are you?" *He turned to her with a raised brow.*