"I mean," Aliana bit her lip in worry. What if she said the wrong thing? He looked hurt by her statement, "When we first met I felt like you were an insane man and I was just getting dragged along. It still feels like that, a little bit. But you're really a nice guy Hatta."
"Nice shmice." Hatta replied, waving his hand vaguely. "I'm still the insane man dragging you along to hunt a monster, and you shouldn't forget that. It'll make it easier when I finally lose it." He winked a bit.
"I, uh, okay," Aliana didn't understand how easily he brushed it off. She shoved her hands further into the jacket's pockets, "I won't forget, but you are nice. Please don't try to deny that."
He shrugged. "Nice won't matter when I'm crazy, Aliana." He replied. "Nothing will."
"Well," Aliana thought for a moment before her head jumped to the brilliant conclusion, "Then I'll just have to make sure you won't go crazy."
Hatta laughed, a high, cracked, dry laugh. "That isn't happening. There isn't anything you can do to stop it."
"Have you tried to stop it?" Aliana asked hesitantly. She realized this could make him angry at her and then he could leave her behind. She would be stuck in a maze all alone. Maybe she shouldn't have asked.
"Yes." Hatta replied shortly, lengthening his stride so that he was ahead of her, not wanting to talk anymore about his madness.
Aliana took the silent cue and shut her mouth promptly. She accepted her place behind him shrinking further into the jacket after having poked out for the jacket. She would just stay silent for the rest of the walk until Hatta decided to say something and even then she might find it smarter to keep her big fat mouth shut.
Hatta kept walking, but slowed a little so she could still keep up easily. He sighed softly, and ran a hand through his hair beneath his hat.
Aliana had a little smile when he slowed down so that she didn't have to run to keep up with him. She hugged herself and let the sleeves envelop her hands. It was starting to feel a little warmer which she considered a good thing overall.
Hatta let out a breath, knowing they were approaching the gate.
Aliana heard Hatta let out a breath and didn't see anything. She bit her cheek to prevent herself from asking a question to Hatta, but the gate started to appear so she figured why Hatta appeared relieved.
Hatta looked at the gate, and frowned a little, thinking. "We're almost there."
"Yes, and?" Aliana asked him tentatively. She was scared he would react badly, but at the same time, she wanted to know why he was frowning.
"And we'll see if you can get through the gate." Hatta replied with a shrug as he led her forward.
Aliana was relieved he hadn't reacted badly and continued walking her worry renewed, "Yes, that."
"Was there something else you thought I was going to say?" he asked, arching an eyebrow at her inquisitively.
"No," Aliana shook her head quietly. Her head quickly swam to the idea of her being left at the gate having to go home alone because Hatta wouldn't come back for her, "I had just forgotten about that. That's all."
Hatta shrugged. "Ah. Alright." He replied. They rounded a bend, and a silvery gate came into view, the metal shining in the light.
Aliana looked to the gate's with awe. She hadn't seen such precious metal in a long time and gladly welcomed the sight, "Do, do you think it will let me through?"
"Let's see." Hatta replied with a shrug. He walked straight up to the gate and pushed it open. It swung open silently on smooth hinges, and he stepped through.
Aliana was tentative as she approached the gate. She was extremely careful as she tried to step through only to hit a wall. Her face fell, the maze rejected her. It had to be because she wasn't from around here. That just had to be the reason. It was why the entrance was so cold, the maze never wanted her here in the first place. She looked up at Hatta fear and worry in her eyes, "It won't let me in."
Hatta frowned a little, and stepped back out. He took off his hat, and set it on the ground. "Get in." he said with a smile. It looked far too small for her to be able to get in. Maybe one leg could fit, but certainly not all of her. Right?
Aliana wanted to cry, he would come back if she got left out. He did at least. She gave a little nod as she bit her lip and looked at the hat. She wasn't sure if she could fit, but she would at the very least try without arguing. She was carefully as to not ruin the hat as she tried to fit herself in the magic hat.