((Oh, reminder.  Garrett still has maximized Beauty's Caress up from the ritual.  +12 enhancement to charisma for six hours.  And he's totally hot.))<br/><br/>I try not to look at the now-blessed reporter as I address him.  I'm grateful Kasumi wasn't present for the ritual; too many of my spells were cast through a kiss while he looked like<em>that</em>.  It is... very uncomfortable, but I try to maintain my professionalism.  "You also don't want to bump into a wandering zombie that you couldn't see and subsequently be devoured.  You would be as blind as Kasumi and I are without the link."<br/><br/>And next, I turn to Mark.  "Actually, silent communication is unnecessary; the unintelligent undead cannot hear or perceive us in any way right now.  Truly, this is a useful spell."<br/><br/>And finally, Ithi'ka.  "I do not like that plan.  No offense, but your fighting style... it... seems to involve great knowledge of anatomy that the unliving no longer care about.  I do not wish to split the team, and the nature of your fighting style would make it prohibitively time-consuming for you to take care of the enemy.  In the event of an emergency, it may be better for Mark to annihilate all enemies as swiftly as possible, so that we can renew the ward immediately and continue on our way as soon as possible.  Together.  Our success down here is secondary to our survival; even if we do not find the evidence, so long as we can return to the surface, we can launch a full assault if need be and complete the mission that way."