"He probably got lost even though we said to keep in contact," Jay huffed as he followed after Scarlet. He really wanted to explore the outside, but at least he understood how the Menagerie worked now so he didn't think they would have trouble finding it again. "Even so, it's rude to just leave him behind. Gray would probably be upset too since I think those two are siblings or something."

~~~

It took a second for Mrs. Mouse to unfurl her paws, having been holding on so tight. "We're so high up that I'm almost afraid to take a look around," she managed with a nervous chuckle. However, she did roll down from August's back and peered over the edge of the rafter, glad for her small size and body built for climbing into small spaces. "You really can see everything from up here. There's where we came in," she pointed out. "But I can see at least five other halls branching off. The upper floor though, it only has one entrance tucked in the corner there. Curving down to the east?" Or were they facing west at this point?

"It may not be as simple as that Jay," Scarlet thought aloud, "do you know if the Menagerie has traps aside from the moving walls?" Scarlet kept her pace slow but effective in sensing trouble or movement other then her own body moving. Red ears slowly circling while listening for any sound possible.

Jay tilted his head. "I...never heard of any such things. I haven't been here all that long and Mrs. Mouse didn't mention it, but now I wonder. She said she found the door before. Why didn't she go through? Did something happen back then?" It was a mystery and he wondered why he never questioned it before. Of course there were wild animals that could injure a prey species, but Hunter was a hyena. Was there anything The Menagerie itself would throw at them?

"Okay Jay I was just asking," Scarlet speaks calmly trying to keep Jay calm, "trying to figure out any possible problems Hunter could have run into." Placing one dark paw in front of another Scarlet kept going.

"Well, we have a skylight. It's the afternoon now, so..." August studied the sky, taking note of the sun's positioning. He turned slightly so that his back was facing the light. "...East is this way, west is behind me."

"Yes, thank you, August," Mrs. Mouse hummed with a little nod. "It's so easy to get turned around in a maze like this place, but if that's East, then I suspect that the path under the trees over there is the one that will lead up. And then we can all reach the center room. There should be answers there, about this place, and why we're here. You're welcome to come too if you'd like. That is, if you'd like to find your way out."

~~~

"I know, I'm just worried," Jay answered. He didn't want Scarlet to worry. Likely, Hunter just got distracted in his own world or found a different passage. There was no rule that said only one path could lead to the outside. It would make things easier and fit his theory, but Jay could accept defeat too. "Do you think we should follow him down that path or should we wait in case he comes back?"

Scarlet debates over her choices and answers after a few minutes, "We should go find him." Scarlet puts her nose to the ground and tries to track Hunter's scent, "Maybe he found another way out?"

August didn't need much time to consider Mrs. Mouse's offer. There was only so much one could acomplish as a parrot, and though flight was wonderful, he prefered to keep his sanity. Besides, Connor wanted out as well.
"I'd be happy to join you." He said, tilting his head in what he hoped counted as a grateful gesture (since one couldn't smile with a hooked bill).

"I hope so," Jay murmured back. "I want us all to be able to explore that beautiful outside together. And I don't want to meet up with the others and admit that we lost a friend." That would probably be the worst of it. Because even if Hunter was alright, they still failed in some way. He kept his eyes peeled though as they reached the end of this particular bend in the hall. "Was he going down the leftmost one?"

~~~

"Then welcome to the team." Mrs. Mouse made a gesture similar to a curtsy to show her own gratitude. One had to get creative with physical expression in an animal form, but she understood August well enough. "I think I've seen all I need to here. Shall we head back down to join the others?" She didn't think it was a good idea to leave the twins alone for too long.

August tilted his head again. "Thank you for having me." He turned a bit on the beam so that Mrs. Mouse could climb back aboard. "Let's do that. Climb on." He invited.