[ Don't think he didn't hear that little whisper, Ayaka. Not with the way Cloud spares a little glance over his shoulder and nodding with a hum of acknowledgment. ]

Judging the height from outside? [ He brings a hand to his chin as he approaches the base of the stairs, giving the first one a stomp to test its fortitude. It creaks in protest to the pressure, but it's nowhere near giving way. It's surprisingly sturdy. ] Couple hours if we're steady about it.

Let's not rush it. [ Unless they wish to put their cardio to the ultimate test, he takes a few steps up before looking back to Ayaka to make sure she's following. The stairs aren't too narrow. And thankfully, there appears to be some kind of intricate railing to guide them. ...whether this weaving of wood and branches follows them the entire way up was anyone's guess. But for the first leg of their ascent, it seems relatively safe for now. ] Last time I ran flights of stairs, my legs regretted it.

[ Storytime on the way up? ]