[PQ] Lost between the pages of a good book

For a moment as Jigano sighed and the distance between offer and acceptance was crossed, Remi thought it was very likely he was about to be sent home. He'd go of course, with no hard feelings or animosity, but it never was a particularly pleasant feeling to offer aid and have it declined. But then suddenly it was. Before he might have said more, Isla was at his side clutching the door frame. Immediately his arm snaked around the blonde's waist with a protectiveness that still spoke of Remi's boyish nature, as there was nothing entitled nor hinting at masculine-grandstanding anywhere in it. Rather perversely though, seeing the blonde weakened ignited something in the alchemist. After all, if she required strength, that might mean she'd need to—Flushing slightly at the thought, he smiled at her and gently ushered her through the doorway that their collective bodies were now certainly blocking. "A magical healing balm last week, and now perhaps a veil? You are running up quite the tab." Glancing at Kalt as he entered, Remi thought that he was perhaps the closest to actually meeting Jigano's requirements. He wasn't so sure about the scholarly part from their brief conversation, but the man was certainly capable enough with his weapons. "Kalt." Remi greeted with a smile, before turning to see an all too familiar red-head stumble into the room. Though he tried to offer him a smile, the ascended's gaze was decidedly pulled away. It was no surprise of course, though it did make the alchemist pause thoughtfully for a moment. As Jigano moved the group out of the gallery, Remi aided Isla in whatever ways she might need from him. Up until ... well. She didn't. The startle from the book made claws appear on the alchemist's hands and large teeth erupt in his mouth, but as he suddenly found himself standing in a barren forest wearing armor, he noted that the latent predators that lingered within himself were silent. He was alone in himself, which was perhaps the most frightening thing of all. Glancing around quickly, his sea-glass green stare intrigued and lacking the concern that his new surroundings likely should have warranted, he had time to take in Jigano's appearance, Sam more or less at his side, Isla crouching (no, she was standing, just much shorter than she had been), and—trying to suppress a laugh—Kalt. But there wasn't time to marvel at his friends and companions new found appearances. Jigano's barked orders were well timed as the gorgon appeared. Before he could say anything—though no strategist was he—Isla had already run towards the creature. A grin tugged at his lips as he watched her try to slide her way beneath its belly—until he saw an axe suddenly tossed that direction as well. The smile slid off his face as he glanced towards Sam who'd apparently thrown it, if his posture was anything to go by. A lopsided smirk began to tug at his lips until the sounds of battle forced his mind back into combat. Recalling stories that he'd heard as a young boy, Remi glanced towards Kalt-turned-stout-woman and raised the shield placed on his arm. It was a good thing that the past few months had served to put some muscle onto Remi's slim and athletic frame, lest all the armor and weaponry would have been an obnoxious burden. Now they were just a regular burden, given that the alchemist had never been trained in this sort of combat. He'd never even held a shield. "The reflection!" He called to Kalt, gesturing with the shield and then nodding towards the large hammer that was held in his (her?) thick hands. If the (wo)man agreed, Remi would use the shield as a mirror to guide Kalt's action so that he could attack. REMI How do you steal what you really want When what you really want is free?