[ The woman before him is delicate in appearance, the type who likely belongs to some higher class than the worthless masses. But those types are either consumed by their own vices or otherwise speak softly while carrying a bit stick. Either a beautiful strength and resolve that none can compare to or a weakness that leaves them lower than dirt. If he were to guess, he would believe this one to fall into the former category; she has the drive to act where others would crumble. They need those types now. ]

No, no, it's no trouble at all... We won't learn anything here if we're not willing to take risks, and you've already taken such upon yourself.

[ The sound of the ocean is here too. It's close enough that he can see the shimmering blue sea and smell the salty air, that he can hear the waves crashing and the cries of seagulls in the sunny sky, and yet to look out one only see a murky fog and an obscured landscape. Is there a trick to it - a person, a time, an action that can make things change? There's only one way to find out. ]

I'm happy to go through and report what I see. I would only ask that you do the same... Between the two of us, we should be able to discern something about this place.

[ He looks to the archway with a small frown. If there's something on the other side, he might not come back, and so he adds, ]

Please don't wait overlong though, or follow if that happens to be the case; better to report to those who remain than chase after a lost soul. I assure you that I shall find my way out, or I shall find my way back, though I suspect it will be the latter based on your findings.

[ He trusts in his own ability to survive, and it's simple instincts that tell him that there's no escape - the instincts of one who's been trapped in a Hell with no exit once before. ]