[Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/PelKMU4.png[/img]
[color=DEBA42]LOCATION:[/color]The Maw
[color=DEBA42]WORD COUNT:[/color] 1,431 (+3)
[color=DEBA42]MENTIONS:[/color] A lot of people. 
[/Center]

[hr]

Upon starting his initial run, Mirage noticed Geralt's dive to the floor almost immediately. The first thing to run through his mind was panic that he'd just died on the spot, but then he recalled that Geralt hadn't eaten at all yet and he was probably exhausted. Curse or not, he might die if he pressed any further without food, so he'd need to get something in his stomach before they pressed too far forward. The defenseless of his previously death-dealing friend was more than inspirational to continue on the offensive however. And that inspiration was only fueled further as Mirage closed in and saw King Bowser get plonked on the head, and transformed much like Bella had moments ago.

[color=DEBA42]"Gah! Hold on, I'm coming!"[/color] Fully aware Bowser could do nothing but hold on, he beat himself up for his choice of words, only to find the fight quickly turning in their favor. To his utter shock, the chef that had just died came back in spectral form, absolutely devastating their opposition along with a barrage of pans being tossed through the air. Not having time to question this, he simply took advantage of the chaos to get up close and personal. The closest one being his target, given it as still alive and Bowser remained a freshly-presented food item. The knocked down Wizard, as if it hadn't gotten enough between the pans and Larry's ghostly attack, was promptly blindsided by a yelling Mirage that brought his frying pan down upon it's head, the shrimp not exactly making for a durable body caused the center of it's head to sink downwards from the strike, though it showed signs of life as it's crushed eye tried to see what was happening. Wanting to stamp that life out, Mirage kept swinging, and soon found he wasn't alone, especially after Bowser (thankfully) transformed back to normal.

Add on Blazermate carrying in Ace and Nadia, and the whole gang had managed to get back together to lay a beatdown on these food-fools. After running for so long, actually winning combatively felt good. A helplessness he felt before began to disappear, and the victory they found both over the chefs and these wizards made him feel pretty pumped as a light in the darkness the Maw had placed on his shoulders. Breathing heavily, the two spirits on the ground were a reward for their efforts, though he wasn't quite sure what to do with them himself.  He definitely did not want to fuse with one, as becoming partially-food after what he witnessed before was... Not ideal. Not that he thought Bella would eat him, or anything, but... A paranoia was there.

Trying to avoid that topic, Mirage simply left the Spirits to the others, in exchange for trying to raise the team's spirits with a little joy. [color=DEBA42]"Didn't you guys just arrive at the most heroic moment!"[/color] He commented towards the recently arrived trio, offering a thumbs' up with his free hand towards Ace, Nadia, and their big 'ol robotic pal. It was a relief to see them, and it meant something very special, despite a a few members of the group having issues at the moment. [color=DEBA42]"We actually won, and we're all still here! That's teamwork, yeah?"[/color] 

As it seemed the trio that were downstairs had found a way forward, Mirage quickly made his preparations to get going in regards to getting a little more to eat, and anything else he needed to do. One in particular was to approach Blazermate in particular, as he was still hurting from having to beat himself back from Larry not long ago. [color=DEBA42]"Got a little beat up,"[/color] He explained with an amazing lack of detail, though it was proven by his face. [color=DEBA42]"Help a guy out?"[/color] He pleaded in an almost comical sense, small grin on his face.

As for food... After Mirage got his head taken care of, he addressed that next. [color=DEBA42]"Yeah, she's right."[/color] He added to Peach's comment about no meat, reaffirming it was a bad idea if Bella's words didn't help already. [color=DEBA42]"I think I know the trigger, too."[/color] He looked down shamefully, noting that feeling from the taste of blood earlier. He was okay for the moment, but he was afraid of it happening again. [color=DEBA42]"The blood from the butcher. The scent of it almost drove me nuts, I had to beat myself back before anything happened."[/color] It was, at the very least, an explanation for why he hadn't helped in the heat of the moment. He looked towards Bella for a moment, feeling shameful he hadn't jumped in to stop her. [color=DEBA42]"Probably only had the chance to back away from it because I haven't eaten much. I'm just spectating-- Spectac--"[/color] He fumbled his words, before deciding to just explain it less fancily. [color=DEBA42]"--Taking a wild guess."[/color] He concluded, changing topics to Geralt. 

Approaching the boy, Mirage had a small frown of concern as he reached a hand out and placed it onto Geralt. [color=DEBA42]"You hearin' any of this, bud? Don't eat much, but... We've gotta get you something before ya bite it."[/color] Unsure if the boy could ever hear him, he couldn't help but joke a little. [color=DEBA42]"Guess I was half-right about the eternal hunger thing, but if we just get him a decent little portion of food he could at least walk, right?"[/color]  Pondering for a moment, he snapped his small fingers in realization. [color=DEBA42]"Not meat, huh? There's some cheese downstairs, in the mousetraps. Sounds bad, I know, but I definitely want more of that. Maybe we can get some for Geralt, too?"[/color]

Walking towards the stairs as it was time to get the hell out of here, Mirage decided he'd make a pitstop to get more cheese. Anyone who wanted a bit of goodness from the mousetraps were free to follow and ask for him to work his dart magic on another trap, the goggle-head expecting to possibly need to get some for Geralt anways. All he took for himself was one more glob. He chowed it down, not worrying about the seafood guy as he seemed rather passive in all of this. But after what had happened, who wouldn't? It was good to see that maybe at least one person around here wasn't absolutely insane. Though, speaking of non-insane individuals, where had their little behind-bars friend go? He was afraid to ask, so kept his concern quiet. Instead just waving off Fujimoto with a warning of [color=DEBA42]"Just keep it that way!"[/color] instead of giving him any real issue. Another soul proven to possibly be not entirely bad, despite their position inside the Maw. Though this was was fully flesh, not a machine like before. Or a copied mind in a machine.

Thinking about his other self, Mirage slumped a little as he walked along.

Following Nadia through the hole that lead them closer to their goal, Mirage was surprised by how massive it felt compared to the other side of the wall. If anything was to make him feel small, this was definitely it. Though, his moment of gawking was interrupted by Nadia, who pointed out a very familiar threat they all wanted vengeance on. Agreeing with Nadia's suggestion, he nodded. [color=DEBA42]"We're almost out of this, we gotta get up there after her!"[/color] With his agreement vocalized, he booked it for the stairs. Tiring as it was, the pick-me-up he grabbed on the way out helped, though he was still not feeling great after the whole ordeal. [color=DEBA42]"Man, I haven't felt tired from exercise like this since I first decided to start training for the Games..."[/color] He complained, huffing out a sigh of relief due to at least reaching the top.

Taking a look out into the strange theater-like area, Mirage felt like this might be an easier place to avoid detection than some of the others. The stage was the main attraction, right? All they had to do was stay in the dark and keep away from there, and they could creep through without a ton of issues. Though, who's to say that these folks would even eat them? They looked quite disgusting in one way or another, with the large-gut crocodile carrying some regal flare, but none of it meant they were particularly hostile. Better to not find out, he figured.

As he waited for everyone to gather, Mirage made an obvious observation. [color=DEBA42]"Unsurprising she disappeared."[/color] He wondered if one of those dark figures was actually her hiding in some fashion, she hadn't really raised a hand to fight to begin with after all. So for all they knew she was pretty defenseless on her own.