Or I can meet you somewhere in between. Whatever makes things faster. No use in doubling back or anything.

[ it's probably obvious she's still learning the map, but the offer is genuine. she's not going to make him meet her here if it makes no sense for him to. she perks up a bit at his question ]

I had one forged for me. The Brucolac got me in touch with someone. I'm still paying it back, but it's mine. [ grin ] And it's awesome.

You've definitely gotta show me then. [A beat.] I've never met the Brucolac but I've heard a lot about him. If it's awesome then it's totally worth whatever you have to pay for it.

[He has a few new toys of his own, too,but there's no sense giving her any kind of hint.]

Think you could meet me at Ariadne's spire? It's still kinda in the mountains but it's a lot closer to the forest. We can probably walk a few miles and be in it. Plus I can take the fairy ring right to her place.

I'll bring it with me.

[ she probably brings it everywhere with her, let's be real ]

Perfect. Half an hour?

Half an hour. I'll meet you there!

[And with that he disconnects the call and basically zooms around the castle packing the rest of what he needs, including his armor. It's not going on his body yet, but it's going in his bag along with some weapons, snares for traps, bait, etc.

Like most instances when he's prepared to do something he really wants, Hiro finds himself at Ariadne's early, maybe about five or ten minutes early. But that doesn't mean he's wandering off. He'll just plop himself right in front of Ariadne's spire and wait for her.

This...was going to be a really good experiment.]

[ continued here! ]