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Alas, after quite a while of searching, he found no other way in. So he set to work, trying to gingerly peel the bark from the doorway. He chose not to rely on the vigor, because he didn't want to deal with after effects of exhaustion.

It was a slow process. Garovel seemed to be getting antsy, even offering to stick his head through the doorway to take a look inside first. But since there was no telling what was waiting for them, that seemed a little too dangerous. Plus, it was most likely pitch black in there, anyway.

But the reaper's offer did get Hector thinking.

About how reckless Garovel was being.

Sure, in some ways, maybe that wasn't so abnormal, but it still struck Hector as strange. Garovel always at least TRIED to appear level-headed, even when proposing one of his batshit crazy plans--hell, especially when proposing one of them.

But these past few days, it almost felt like Garovel just didn't give a flying fuck, anymore.

Hmm.

So, as Hector tried to gain leverage over the bark without destroying the door with his materialization, he decided to just be direct and ask about it.

'Hey, Garovel, why're you being such a reckless jackass, lately?'

The reaper gave an echoing snort. 'What do you mean?'

'I mean, it's like you're trying to prove a point or something. And you don't care who or what might get trampled in the process. Even if it's you.'

'Alright, Mr. Judgmental. Just because I've suggested a few ideas recently that you didn't like, doesn't mean you need to start psychoanalyzing me.'

'Hmm.'

'And what does that mean? What kind of a response is "hmm," hmm?'

'I think you're lying to me, Garovel.'

'Excuse me? Why would I be lying? And what about, exactly?'

'Something's different with you, and you don't want to tell me what it is.'