"It isn't as simple as just teaching Sight kid. Sight's something special, it ain't like most magic that we can do. There's no tricks or training that can prepare you for that kind of thing, not that we can give you." If they had someone then fine, Taliya would gladly send the runt on her way to be trained. But they didn't, and far as she was aware no one in Mutebo shared Amuné's special little gift. Finding someone with Sight wasn't impossible but considering how useful it could be she wouldn't be surprised if they were all owned by the Church already... Or dead by their hand. The girl prattled on a bit more about how she'd met that Ethan boy and her parents and Taliya found herself growing more annoyed by the girl's presence with each passing second. What in the world gave the impression she wanted to hear all of this shit? Everyone here had a story and had lost someone or something, that was a given in the day and age they lived in. She didn't have time for everyone's sap stories, she was here to make sure none of them went to waste and made some difference.

"If they can prove they won't just be free loaders then sure. But you should know they're probably not around anymore kid, you should realize that by now." Who knew if Amuné's parents were alive or not, if they had a halfway capable Seer among them then perhaps they could tell. The only way the runt would ever know is if she kept on traveling and looking, sooner or later someone would have a straight answer for her. Before Taliya could give her a definitive answer on whether the girl's parents could even stay or not the Ydran was out the door and off to Saints know where now. Hyperactive little git, must be one hell of a headache for them to have someone like that around.

[i]"A town of mages... We wouldn't have to worry about the Church or anything here."[/i]

Taliya smiled at that though, though her smile was one of disgust and held no happiness to it. As if Mutebo was free from the Church, did the girl really believe that? Did Amuné truly believe that a place of their size and with so many Magi was just going to be ignored? Sure the Church hadn't attacked yet but that didn't mean they were safe, to attack Mutebo would be the equivalent of declaring war on one of its own cities. It didn't take a genius to figure out the sort of problems and questions that would raise should the Church ever go that route. They were safe because the Church had put itself into a fix where they couldn't openly attack anyone for fear of causing panic. But really... How long was that going to keep them from acting? 

[hr]

"Machina like you are... Well, different from your usual sort. Most are made for simple housework or to act as assistants, not as tools of war. Sure you could give any Machina a weapon and make it fight I guess but they wouldn't be very good at it, not like your type." There was more to it than that though, there were other things which made Cecil unique from so many others. His capacity for experiencing emotion was unheard of in Machina and his ability to think freely was highly unusual too. They hadn't made that great of strides since his departure so what was the explanation for it? How did they manage such a marvel? Naturally if Cecil had been developed then that meant they had blueprints for his type elsewhere too and he could be replicated, but to what end? Why make a combat model appear alive like Cecil did?

Scratching at his head Norman considered any number of possibilities, some of which made his gut churn uncomfortably. Machina had been developed to act as aides to those who could afford them and were meant to be harmless and subservient. Combat models undid that idea and made war a very frightening prospect; sending men and women to fight wars had the toll of lives, of torn families and lost loved ones, but what toll was there when machines were sent in their stead? Just what in the world were the Church and the corporations planning?

"No, no that's not magic. You're just discharging electricity from your body, from your power cell. I suppose that was a feature built into you, and you have the conduits for it as well so it makes sense." There was no electrical aspected magic known to them so that ruled out magic entirely, so still no explanation for the Demacite Cecil possessed. "Simply put you're built for combat. That being said you're far more complex than any model before you, you have abilities that no other Machina do and to put it bluntly I have no idea why you do. The crystal though... Perhaps..."

Norman's trail of thought petered off when the doors to the shop were thrown open and an exhausted Amuné rushed back in. Blinking as she rushed to Cecil's bedside and all but threw herself at him in a hug she only stopped when the Machina insisted she refrain, sighing himself as he rubbed at his neck. "It should be fine to hug him Amuné, but let's be safe and hold off for a minute, okay?" Norman suggested as he leaned back over the table and began to inspect Cecil's wiring yet again. "Cecil's going to be just fine Amuné once we finish closing up these gaps in his shell. And I want you to let him relax when we're done too so he doesn't put strain on any of the repairs, we want everything to cool and settle." 

As the casts for Cecil's body were cooled down the hissing of the metal cooling was music to Norman's ears, they were nearly finished. Smiling as he gave Cecil an approving nod he took a moment to roll up his sleeves and slipped his goggles over his eyes, gesturing for the engineers to bring over the piece. "We'll just go ahead and fit these pieces to your body Cecil and then repaint them once they've completely cooled, make sure you're as good as new. While we're at it though, and while it's easy to access," he continued, reaching across and sealing Cecil's chest cavity again, "Are there any kinks you'd like me to look at? Anything that's not working as it should? Now's a good a time as any to fix them."

[hr]

Slaying the Rökorm had been far more trouble than she had bargained for but it was dead at last, and for all their bumps and bruises they were alive and well. There was some semblance of pride that Nymira felt for felling a beast she had never encountered before and Ethan looked to share in that as he lay upon the ground, barely awake but smiling like a buffoon. To hear Kensen's appraisal of their work however one would think they had done little more than dress themselves successfully for all the good it did them. She wasn't looking for praise or to be celebrated but at least a little acknowledgement of their success rather than snide remarks would be appreciated. Rolling her eyes at his comment of their dress as well she looked back to Ethan and instead helped him to his feet, mindful of the arm which hung limply from his side. It would be back to the healers for them, something which had become almost a laughable routine at this point. Fight, slink off to be fixed up, fight and end up hurt again. Injury was part of combat but their knack for ending up almost bedridden was embarrassing. 

"No shit, I'm glad Taliya had the sense to have us kill it outside the city," Gage commented as he appraised the ruined forest, "Aye, sounds good. Come on you runts, time to pack it up and leave!" What a mess this little test of theirs had turned into. He and Kensen were fine but the two kids were battered and useless, they would probably have to be carried down if they used any more energy. Slinging his weapon over his shoulder Gage took point and started back down the hill, which now thanks to the sparse trees their path back home was much more clear. The mayor would probably have an absolute mental breakdown seeing all the lumber that was wasted in their trial but Taliya would have a chat and he'd just fume silently, happened every time they went through this thing.

"Be honest, you think those kids even have a chance? They're about as well trained as toddlers," Gage pointed out as he glanced back over his shoulder at the hobbling pair. Shaking his head he adjusted the sling and wiped his face free of grime and sweat, wiping it off on his shirt. "Isn't that little lady supposed to be some Princess too? She sounded like she was your Princess at one point, how's a leader like that so useless? Then again..." The man trailed off for a second as he let out a barking laugh, grinning tauntingly at Kensen as he jabbed the Dimuran in the side. "Your clan lost to them didn't they? Some fighters you lot are if that's what your best look like. Either that or she's just awfully weak for royalty."

Caught somewhere between jubilation and depression Ethan just wanted to go lie down somewhere and rest for the remainder of the day. His broken arm wasn't helping matters any either nor was the absolute exhaustion that came with fighting like they did. That trial had been to earn the trust of Taliya and her people, that much had been explained to them. But why did they need that? What were they trying to accomplish by earning their trust? Taliya had mentioned in passing their joining her ranks but he couldn't see himself doing such a thing, there was no way he could live his life constantly fighting even if the Church was in the wrong. For all his sadness and heartbreak over knowing Cedric's death he still found it almost impossible to wish death upon anyone else, even if it might be deserved. Was that wrong of him to not want those responsible to pay the price? Retribution would be great but he knew it wasn't going to bring back Cedric, nor would imprisoning those who did it. But at least the latter was some kind of punishment he could get behind, lock away the killers and let them think over it for the rest of their lives. Was it so wrong of him to be content with just that?

"This woman had better give us straight answers when we return. I am through feeling like I am being toyed with," Nymira muttered aloud, her eyes boring into Kensen's back as they walked. The way he carried himself now, his indifference towards her and the clan, had it really meant so little? Whether wrongful or not he should be thrilled to be allowed back and among his kin so why did he reject her offer? What had these people told him to make him forget where his loyalties should lie? Once you were a part of the clan then that was that, you adapted and you fought for a common cause. Kensen staying here wasn't just an insult to her clan then but their people as a whole, over generations of tradition that demanded tribes to work together to survive and thrive. What gave him the right to turn his back on all of that?

"Yeah... It just kind of feels like we were doing an errand for them," Ethan admitted with a rueful smile, "I mean I guess its good we killed that thing and protected the city but why did we have to do it? Kensen and Gage could probably have killed it way quicker by themselves even with those Vazra, so what gives?" Taliya had spoken about trust but they had nearly been sent to their deaths, why should they trust her after a stunt like that? It wasn't like they were asking for much to begin with either, just a place to stay and rest for a little while. Or did they owe her and her people now after being saved? 

"I need to speak with Kensen too. Even if he hates my clan he's still leaving behind his family, his kin, those in his own clan. He can fight but he should fight in service to them, not for some woman and her band of misfits. He claims he's doing this for the greater good but to me he's just shirking his duties. I can't stand for that." Clearly she and Ethan were preoccupied with different things here but they ultimately could agree on one sentiment: Taliya was after something through all of this and neither was absolutely clear as to what that was. Was she really just trying to gain their trust and fight the Church? Did she want something more from them than this? "When we get back I'm leaving you in the medical ward, I'm going to speak with Taliya. I need to know where we stand in all of this."

[hr]

It had been [i]much[/i] too long since he'd been able to enjoy fried fish like this! He never was allowed to have it back home and Taliya's compound didn't really make special dishes, they cooked for bulk and you ate what you got. No doubt the other healers were going to be sour at his slipping away again but Lionel found it hard to care right now. Not as he bit into the flaky fish and laughed as a pair of dogs raced across the road, the smaller of two chasing the larger who had its toy in its jaw. He understood he had responsibilities but there had to be time for fun too, working all day burned you out and made you a miserable sod. Besides their patients had been seen to and no one was in any real critical condition, they could manage without him for a while!

Mutebo was an interesting city for one reason and one reason alone: Magi could live and practice indiscriminately here. So many cities across Adelon had begun to persecute and admonish them for simply existing but Mutebo allowed them to flourish and live in peace. The Church's presence wasn't felt so far out as the provinces on the edges of the Kingdom but there was always the chance someone might turn you in, that the town might send you away for simply being a Magi. Not here, not where Magi were celebrated and treated just like anyone else, as they should be. Magi here were able to live as they pleased and that freedom made all kinds of wonderful things happen here. Some took up arms and defended the city from the Void beasts that roamed around, some helped by simply working in Mutebo's many shops and her bustling docks, and others still took on more unorthodox professions. Street performers were not uncommon in Mutebo and the city could boast a wholly unique brand of them: Magi performers. Some people took to entertainment as a living and used their magic to perform and the people here adored it. It was not uncommon to see someone casting minor spells for a spectacle and every time Lionel found himself enamored by it.

Finding himself absentmindedly in a crowd Lionel was treated to a display of magic as a man weaved and manipulated tree roots, building a sculpture that would take any normal man months to create. The lifelike dragon which was formed was breathtaking and the crowd applauded the man's efforts, Lionel included as his fish hung from his mouth and dripped over his shoes. Glancing down at the stained boots with a pout he hastily finished the rest and wiped his mouth clean, eager to applaud the man further only to find the man had wandered off at some point. Another was still present, his apparent twin, but he wasn't the one who had created such a splendid sculpture. Somewhat disappointed Lionel nearly left on his way before he stopped himself and looked back as he caught sight of the woman the twin had been speaking with, her face sparking a memory in his mind and a grin spread across his face. Who would have thought he'd see a familiar face out here? 

Weaving his way through the dispersing crowd he was prompt in cutting off Adrianna's path, greeting her with a bow as his face remained one of elation. "Well hello there! Fancy running into you here, I was thinking I might be alone in Mutebo!" She wasn't anyone especially important as he recalled but at least it was someone he [i]knew[/i]! Realizing he was a bit of a mess he wiped away any remaining grease and straightened out his clothes, offering a hand to shake. "Nice to see you again! I'm Lionel, and you're Adrianna right? One of the healers from the Church!" So she was a defector then? She had to be if she was here, how interesting! "Do uh... Do you know the man who made that?" the boy continued suddenly as he pointed to the sculpture of wood, "I want to meet them! They're amazing!"