Alem had not spoken up at Asahina's sudden and surprising choice of topic; the most he did was pass her a glance that revealed nothing more than curiosity. He had reservations about love - loving him could prove dangerous, and Asahina was so delicate that he could not imagine her enduring his lifestyle. Becoming familiar with the signs of darker emotions - jealousy, anger, pain - he was able to read that Asahina had some concerns about that blonde woman's interest in him. He faced forward as Aseela took a corner, keeping them as far from the main streets as possible. Thankfully it seemed most of Agrabah was gone today, allowing the small team to move without fear of the enemy being alerted. The advantage was still theirs. 

[b]"I am not tied to someone of significance, no. I don't see myself ever being married... death could come long before a special person in my life."[/b] He responded with a solemn tone; honesty was in his best interest, and it was honesty that Asahina might have been able to understand. Merely a day ago, did she imagine herself being able to lead a normal life when she appeared as she did? 

[b]"But,"[/b] Alem looked over his shoulder again,[b] "You have that opportunity ...you're a good person, I can tell. Someday, you will be able to make someone truly happy."[/b]

[b]"Psh, so will you, idiot!" [/b]Rika flickered into existence, her personal ability to cloak vanishing once the topic had become of considerable interest. Aseela was an impressive specimen, but her ability to keep pace with her was also something of note, especially given that speed wasn't exactly her area of expertise. She liked a man that could move, almost as much as a man who knew when to keep their mouths shut. Her  eyes had locked on Asahina and Alem, yet she was able to maintain her pace and leap from the rooftops effortlessly despite unfamiliarity with the terrain and architecture. [b]"You're good, and you can make someone happy, too! Oh, and Asahina, he's all yours sweetheart. I'm too much for him, he needs a modest girl!" [/b]

[b]"To that, I can agree!"[/b] Alem replied, causing Rika to grin and wink before she had cloaked herself once again. Although they both had begun to see mutual benefits in working together, both were able to see that romantically the odds were slim that they could properly click. Alem almost smiled at her understanding. She caught on quicker than most, a trait that was both attractive and respective.

The chatter had been cut from then on. Arriving at the passage to the far west of the palace, Okal's signal had been raised some time ago, allowing the servant known as Rafiq to meet up with them and help escort them inside. Having been one of Okal's men for a long time now, his work in the Palace was mostly down to tedious dusting activities and caring for the various needs of those that dwell within; this included maintaining a good working relationship with the guards and reporting any suspicious activity, made easy by keeping close to one of the guard captains - another one of Okal's informants among them. Dressed in modest rags that showed his status as little more than what he was - a servant - he had quietly escorted the small party through the palace. Aseela had been left behind, but was hidden around the Palace's perimeter to be called on when needed.

[b]"Asahina, you're breathing so loudly I could probably hear you ten feet underground. Relax, you're safer here than you are anywhere else, and we're not letting you get taken again."[/b] Rika assured Asahina. The girl's inexperience was troubling, but she had known of few that could maintain a respectable measure of silence when they were in areas they shouldn't be. Excitement got to them, nerves were flaring and making it difficult to do anything but jitter around. She had been that girl once ...when she was like five, but still.

[b]"Here,"[/b] Rafiq took Rika's attention from Asahina, and beside Alem he gestured down a nearby passage that had led to the dungeons, [b]"They've kept him down here, as well as other guards still loyal to him. As I told you upon your arrival, they had kept Princess Jasmine down here, too. If she was ever escorted elsewhere, I would have known about it." [/b]

[b]"Alright. Thank you for your assistance, get somewhere safe. Things may get dangerous here." [/b]Alem warned Rafiq, who had bowed his head. Quickly and quietly he had departed, shuffling his feet in silence. 

[b]"It's been easy ...laughably easy." [/b]Rika noted. Rafiq knew all of the guards patrol routes, but they had yet to truly encounter any difficulty getting here. A couple guards had been a minor obstacle, but nothing they couldn't get around in spite of Asahina's nervousness. Staring down the dark passageway that lead to the dungeons, Rika glanced at Alem, and then at Asahina. [b]"I can hear voices down there. So, keep calm. Subtlety is my specialty, but I'm accounting for you, too. If we end up fighting ..." [/b]

[b]"Then they die." [/b]Alem whispered without remorse, and then began the descent towards the prisoner cells. Rika following closely.