[ Alec follows the glowing clink-clink-clink of the key with slightly abstract interest, not surprised or pleased, just newly aware. When Aisha laughs, his eyes refocus on the way back up to her face, attentiveness clicking back into place like the mobile lens of a camera.

He half-smiles as he plops the torch carelessly back into the sconce, unaware of the flicker of flame that nearly brushes his mop of hair. That's background stuff. ]

In what? Cans of beans? They don't have money, Aisha.

[ He informs her, with the solemn dignity of a doctor breaking terrible news to a patient - or a modest effort in that direction, anyway. ]

That's probably why they kidnapped us. They're broke. They spent all of their cash on making these weird puzzle rooms.

Anyway.

[ He crosses the room to stand in front of her, hands on his hips, and spares the key one more fleeting look before he returns to her face like iron filings to a magnet. ]

I'm sensing a little residual animosity out of you, Aisha. As your hostage, I'm not sure that I feel like you're creating a safe environment for me.