Dolphus thoughtlessly moved to a very minor degree to allow the marine to pass, a tired glance sent out of the corner of his eye at the transparent figure leading to him abruptly looking back once he reached the head of the stairs.
For a brief moment, part of Dolphus wanted to approach him, to inform him about the wounded soldier, and ask that those closest to him be informed. Then the rest of Dolphus dragged that part of his mind out to the forest where the soldier had been broken and stamped on it until it no longer resembled him.
He knew turning away when the dead magic ghost marine was right there was cowardly, based on his unwillingness to face his vengeful actions. He didn’t care. As the marine turned further down the stairs, Dolphus averted his gaze and trudged onward, unaware of how absolutely beaten he appeared.
“Yeah.” Dolphus murmured, having looked away at the exact moment Ari waved to him and now walked past her without properly realizing she was there. About two paces after he passed, however, he stopped cold, his brain processing it was Ari who had just spoken, she seemed taller than normal, and her voice had come from her feet.
Turning back, Ari’s face being noticeably more red than usual didn’t attract his attention as much as the absurd position she was in did. His confused expression carried as he slowly drew his head up to the barrel she balanced on her feet, flinching as it wavered.
“Um.” He took a tremendous step backwards, as far as his short legs could allow - which was still well inside the barrel’s range were it to fall. “It… went. Are you stuck?”