[hr]ATTN: [@AzureKnight][hr][hider=The Shepard Herds A Wayward Sheep]As Lupina made her trek through the city, she would hear a particular voice that sounded like it was right beside her. It wasn't from Baast. 

[color=662d91]“Nice to see you're the type who's up and active this early in the morning. What's your destination?”[/color] Lupina didn't sense the presence until after she heard the voice, but she would recognize it as the one belonging to the benefactor who invited her to the Republic, Arteus Navarre Irvin. He was matching her trek with a leisurely stride. 

[color=662d91]“The Church is known to not be…forthcoming, toward magus who don't fall in line.”[/color]

"[color=BDD3E9]Anywhere that your friends aren't,[/color]" Lupina says, giving an answer that was neutral, but direct, as well.

[color=662d91]“I see.”[/color] Arteus said calmly. [color=662d91]“I'm well aware of why you and your [b]sisters[/b] would want to avoid the clergy at all costs. However, I give you my word that so long as you're part of my Tower, nothing will happen to you.”[/color]

"[color=BDD3E9]My sisters are dead,[/color]" Lupina says, "[color=BDD3E9]I suppose there is some comfort in your statement.[/color]"

[color=662d91]“Really, that’s not what the provider of your third eye tells me.”[/color] He said. [color=662d91]“Although, I suppose you may not think of them as your siblings. You may have to live life with a target on your back, but it’s not a burden you have to bear alone.”[/color]

Lupina's step paused, as her spiritual energy hiked; an arrow materializing in midair, sheerly out of instinct, before she seemed to grip herself, and bring herself under control. As she did, her phantasmal grasp on the air loosened, and it crashed into the ground; burying into it from its own weight.

"[color=BDD3E9]I cannot stand nosey men...[/color]" Lupina says, looking at Arteus - not from her own eyes, but the borrowed eye that seems to part her cerulean hair to gaze at him, or perhaps... into him.

It was hard to tell what the motivation of The Maiden Abyss were, even with their struck accord.

[color=662d91]“My Goodness!”[/color] Arteus said. [color=662d91]“My apologies, I didn’t mean to overextend. I simply want it to be known that I’m, along with everyone else at Eon, a friend. That’s quite the eye you have there, the Maiden offered something similar to someone I know.”[/color] 

Arteus looked off for a moment, a serious expression was adorned on his face. His attention soon turned back to Lupina though. [color=662d91]“I understand your wanting to stay away from the Church, believe me, and you’re not the only one. But, as stated earlier, as long as you're part of my team, it won’t be a worry. Err, although, I apologize as consideration for whatever you’re currently doing, but it’s best you pack up any essentials and make sure you’re ready to set out. We’ll be leaving the Republic for roughly a week or so.”[/color] 

"[color=BDD3E9]Sounds like a hassle. I have no business with your trifles with the Church, nor do I trust that Goddess, but my Lady guides me along this path...[/color]" Lupina says, "[color=BDD3E9]As long as Lady Crystella wills it, so I shall lend you my botanical aid and my bow. If she asks me to step off this path, I shall leap without hesitation.[/color]"

"[color=D8B895]Hrm...[/color]" Baast groused, as the serpentine wolf reared his head, before shifting from his Spirit Form to his Human Form, and sizing up Arteus, "[color=D8B895]He's stained with many scents, many lies, and equal truths, but... he's not misleading you...[/color]" he says, pressing close to Arteus, sniffing his spirit. "[color=D8B895]At least, not in a purposeful way. His confidence is genuine, frighteningly so...[/color]"

Baast stepped back, his button nose twitching cutely.

[color=662d91]“I’m all for following the path [b]you[/b] feel is best for you.”[/color] Arteus responded. He then watched as her familiar shapeshifted in a human form. Baast became petite, wearing rather modern clothes and had long silver hair. 

[color=662d91]“My, Baast, shapeshifting is a rather advanced skill for a familiar to have. It certainly speaks to the immense bond you and Lupina have!”[/color] He said, cheerfully complimenting the duo. Arteus wasn’t really offended as Baast invaded his personal space with a bout of sniffing his mana signature. [color=662d91]“Haha! I’ll take that as a compliment.”[/color] 

Clearing his throat, he thought to get the conversation back on track. [color=662d91]“I’m glad to know that for now you’ll lend your bow as an ally of Eon. I apologize that I haven’t been around to officially welcome you within our ranks, but too much has happened too fast, and honestly? I’m…concerned for what the future holds right now. Forgive me, but in exchange for promising to aid in whatever your immediate endeavors currently are, I need you back at the Tower so we can prepare for the summit. You don’t have to get wholly involved with the Church, but it’ll making watching your back easier if you show that you’re under Eon’s wing.”[/color]

"[color=BDD3E9]A summit, hm,[/color]" Lupina asks, as Baast drifted to her side, and draped himself off his elder sister's shoulder, "[color=BDD3E9]Seems needless, but... I shall entertain what I can tolerate of this charade.[/color]"

[color=662d91]“Needless, huh? Heh, some feel that way. These gatherings have their uses, though, and following through we’ll all of [b]our[/b] lives easier. Let’s head back, shall we?”[/color]

With that, Arteus opened a deep purple veil from thin air. Walking towards it, he beckoned Lupina to follow him. Afterwards, she would find them back in the main hall of Eon.[/hider][hr][hider=A Stray Cat Avoiding The Sheepdog]Donovan had finished giving Scarlett the full tour of his company’s HQ complex, and for now she was mostly free to act as she pleased. 

That was, until she sensed a familiar presence suddenly materializing before her. 

[color=fff79a]"Quite the busybody, aren’t we? I wasn’t aware that apparition theory was something you were interested in."[/color] Scarlett would turn to find Brunhyldia, the other admin of the Eon Tower now standing in front of her. [color=fff79a]"So this is where you’ve been this morning. Elaine in particular must’ve been worried about your absence."[/color]

"[color=00ccff]Quite the nosey woman, I see,[/color]" Scarlett says, zero pretenses. "[color=00ccff]Have you come to fetch me? Sent like a good puppy?[/color]"

Brun kept her smile, although her eyes narrowed a bit. [color=fff79a]"More like I had to find a peculiar stray "[/color] She responded. [color=fff79a]"It's good to know you're not getting into any trouble, and it's rather refreshing to see you building rapport with our main benefactor. However, I'm afraid that, for now, we'll have to cut the onboarding short. Your presence is needed back at the tower."[/color]

"[color=00ccff]Correction,[/color]" Scarlett says, laziness in her tone, as if explaining this was beneath her, "[color=00ccff]I'm [i]allowing[/i] you to do what you were told,[/color]" she gazed back at Brun, placing her hand against the wall, and spreading iron across the surface, "[color=00ccff]If I wanted to leave, it would be no trouble to escape you...[/color]" and created a surface that Scarlett could sink herself into, as she demonstrated by dipping her arm into it, as if it were water.

"[color=00ccff]Additionally, my presence isn't needed. It's wanted...[/color]" Scarlett says, "[color=00ccff]Make this desire of Arteus's worth my interest to follow [i]you[/i]...[/color]"

[color=fff79a]"Oh my, is that right?"[/color] Brun said. [color=fff79a]"I'm aware of how skillful your alchemy is, we did invite you to the tower after all. As for interest, not worrying about having a target on your back and this being a burden on Donovan sounds good, no?"[/color]

"[color=00ccff]You are very unaware of how skillful I am,[/color]" Scarlett says. "[color=00ccff]As for the rest, if you supposedly know so much about my alchemy, then you know the horror stories of Scarlett the Wendigo, and that there will always be a target on my back. As for Donovan, is he not a grown man with agency of his own and the wherewithal to understand the dangers of his decision?[/color]"

[color=fff79a]"Indeed he is a grown man, and therefore doesn’t have the time nor patience to deal with a problem child."[/color] Brun said firmly. [color=fff79a]"And yes, I’ve indeed heard tales of a ravenous beast that felled many, feeding to satiate her feral hunger. However, that needn’t be your life. Perhaps it’d be better to look at yourself as being given a 2nd chance."[/color]

Brun folded her arms, her expression now a more serious one. [color=fff79a]"As I’m sure you’ve already heard, we’ve no desire to direct your life’s path with a heavy hand, and in addition I am pleased that you’ve decided to assist Donovan in his endeavors as well. However, in this particular case, it is within our best interest to maintain a semblance of diplomacy with the powers that be. Some…don’t like the idea of Eon in of itself."[/color]

"[color=00ccff]I see...[/color]" Scarlett says, looking at the ground. "[color=00ccff]A feral beast, surely, is what I am; infested with miasma, soaked to the bone, and poisoned to the soul. There's no second chance for me...[/color]" Scarlett's hair framed her crestfallen face, as she held her gaze, "[color=00ccff]I'm doing everything I can to overcome the damage I've done, resolve the deaths I've brought in my ambition... I cannot repent in the eyes of the Six Scions, and can never be forgiven by the Holy Church...[/color]"

"[color=00ccff][i]Why should I believe you over anyone else...[/i][/color]"

[color=fff79a]"I’d say your first statement works well enough for me."[/color] Brun said, her warm smile returning. [color=fff79a]"The fact that you feel such remorse, empathy for those who have fallen, is proof enough of your humanity. Repenting before the Scions is something that the Holy Church would indeed consider. However, of course the Church would never hear you out. You are condemned in their eyes by the simple process of what you are. "[/color]

Brun unfolded her arms and began walking toward Scarlett until she was only about a foot away from her. [color=fff79a]"The way I see it, the Scions encourage us to seek out our own answers, and ascribe our own meaning to our lives. You have miasma flowing in your veins, yet you still remain your humanity. I feel that’s what would truly matter to them. You still have a choice in what path you wish to take. I would like it if you were to think of us as helping hand in that path."[/color]

Scarlett looked up, silver-red tears streaming down her cheeks, "[color=00ccff]Why would you... care about some thing like me...?[/color]"

[color=fff79a]"Because you're a person, not a thing, Scarlett."[/color] Brun responded. [color=fff79a]"You laugh, you cry, you rage, and you feel empathy for others. From the sound of it, you want to make the world better in your own way. I’d say that’s something worth caring about, wouldn’t you?"[/color]

"[color=00ccff]Maybe, if I knew how...[/color]" Scarlett says, her tears dripping on the floor; Brun would notice, Scarlett was suspended off the floor by the iron surface - her arms extended with her feet crossed at her ankles...

[i]...crucified by her own Alchemy.[/i]

[color=fff79a]"Goodness. You’ve suffered so much haven’t you?"[/color] Brun said. Walking until she was mere inches away from Scarlett’s face, she created a veil of glowing water to clean the red tears and blood that began to cover the floor. [color=fff79a]"It’s alright. You needn’t feel like a monster that can’t repent. You’re just a person that’s trying to find their way. I’d say you’re doing well so far, saving a village and taking care of a gang of ruffians is certainly a good step."[/color]

She was holding Scarlett’s shoulders, looking into her crimson, soaked eyes. [color=fff79a]"it’s alright to cry, but there’s no need to feel sad for now. You’ve got a lucrative new position and found a new home at the Tower. But, for now, there’s a summit at a neutral state near the Holy Capital that we have to attend. I promise it’ll be over before you know it, and as I’ve said, you can trust us to watch over you."[/color]

"[color=00ccff]I see...[/color]" Scarlett says, sliding out of the wall; pitching forward, seemingly weakened by the technique.

[color=fff79a]"I imagine Donovan’s already given you the full tour?"[/color] Brun said, soothing Scarlett's aching body with her Thaumaturgy. [color=fff79a]"Come along now, I’m sure Elaine would be happy to see you return. Try to keep a chin up, she has a habit of being something of a worry wart, teehee!"[/color] She said in a jovial tone, attempting to lighten the mood. 

[color=fff79a]"Ready to depart?"[/color]

"[color=00ccff]Y-Yes...[/color]" Scarlett says, falling asleep.

[color=fff79a]"Oh my!"[/color] Brun said, catching the drifting Scarlett. [color=fff79a]"From what Elaine told me, your abilities are as much a curse on you as they are a blessing. They’re quite taxing, aren’t they? Allow us to help shoulder your burdens."[/color]

Brun teleported them both through a dark blue veil, and after a few moments, they arrived back at the Tower. They were back in Scarlett’s private quarters. She laid the passed out Scarlett on her bed. [color=fff79a]"I believe you have some time to rest before we head to Cambridge, I’ll be sure to wake you when we do. I can see why Elaine has taken such a liking to you, you’re a good person Scarlett. Even if some don’t seem to think so."[/color]

Scarlett didn’t respond, simply curling into a fragile ball; holding her pillow close to her chest.[hr][i][color=fff79a]"I believe you have some time to rest before we head to Cambridge, I’ll be sure to wake you when we do. I can see why Elaine has taken such a liking to you, you’re a good person Scarlett. Even if some don’t seem to think so."[/color][/i]

"[color=ffc1cc]A good person, huh...[/color]" Scarlett asks, as she sat, legs daintily crossed, a clipboard settled in her lap, as she held a pen in one hand, and a numbered ticket in the other. "[color=ffc1cc]Hardly...[/color]" she says, "[color=ffc1cc]I’m nothing more than a liar...[/color]"

“Miss Ishval, we’re ready for your interview.”

Scarlett popped her head up, and stood up hastily - "[color=ffc1cc]Comin’![/color]" - as she gathered her clutch and everything that she’d been saddled with to properly immigrate into Morgenröte. She’d need the identity she created for Donovan to be able to own property and business. Her little dallance with Brun had opened the opportunity to divide herself in two, and distract the watchdog with her little song and dance. The woman was so earnest, so genuine, it hurt -- her head, that is, to pretend to emote and emphasize. 

Emotion was lost on Scarlett, her heart was an alchemical engine; a forge powered by the Void.

Brun felt for her.

...regrettable, that.

However, Scarlett felt some security in her words. Perhaps, abandoning the tower outright wasn’t the best course of action, after all? She’d determine that after this so-called summit. Until this, she was just hoping to pass this naturalization test; being employed by Donovan carried a good bit of weight in fast tracking her bid. Surely, he’d forgive her for claiming him as an employer despite only JUST finishing her building tour.

“You have an hour, everyone. After that, pencil down, turn your papers over, and pass them forward.”

"[color=ffc1cc]Sorry, Brun...[/color]" Scarlett says, "[color=ffc1cc]I’ll be the one you wake up...[/color]"

Brun was standing just outside in the hall, a few feet away from Scarlett’s door. Her arms were folded again and she also had a tired, rather melancholic expression on her face. 

[color=fff79a]"Honestly. You really ARE a problem child, aren’t you?"[/color] While she had heard everything, she was actually able to deduce that the Scarlett she took back to the Tower was little more than a doll of sorts. The real Scarlett’s location was easy to guess. 

Twisting her hand would go against her words, but moreover, she made a promise despite her attempts to deceive her. So, for now, she would place trust in her words. She guessed that a morning’s worth of onboarding shouldn’t take too long. 

[color=fff79a]"Arteus. You certainly know how to choose some interesting individuals…"[/color][/hider]