Fallenreaper

The Hourglass Order

Roslyn Wicke

"I might be able to fix that."

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Desperate Distractions

Roslyn cursed herself.

She cursed her helplessness, her inexperience, and most of all her stupidity. Her brown eyes watched as Penny hopped off with the drunkard. The pair disappeared down the nearest stairs before being swallowed up by shadows. A gentle squeeze on her hip jerked Roslyn's attention back to her predicament. She realized quickly, it wasn't Penny that needed saving. It was her. Slowly, he began to pull her to the opposite way. His hands kept her ahead of him and sent her down the stairs first.

Great job, Roslyn. Now what? Her heart dropped in her stomach while she tried to slow. His body closed in on her and forced her along, her boots stepping off the final step. He had one thing on his mind and she wasn't about to give it to him.

"So, what's your name? " She glanced about the interior. Failing to find an escape route, a nagging feeling started to grow in her chest.

"Gomes."

Roslyn fought to keep her smile in place. She twisted away whenever he invaded her personal boundaries. If only she brought her gun and some powder. The girl blinked. She realized there was barely any powder kegs near cannons. By now, Gomes' had noticed her lacking interest. "Something wrong?"

Roslyn tried to keep things light. "I saw you drinking earlier, any chance I could get a sip?"

He inhaled sharply and she could still smell the booze on his breath. While his arms didn't budge from around her, they did loosen their grip. Roslyn relaxed at the change. "Tastes like pisswater, not sure you'll like it." His lip curled upon the memory of it.

"I might be able to fix that."

The man's eyebrow raised. "How?"

"I know a thing or two about beers. It won't be hard to make it taste better." Roslyn held her breath, pleading this worked. Several moments ticked by before his curiosity overwhelmed the lust in his eye, "Fine. This way." With those words, they disappeared deeper into the ship.

Fight and Rumors

Roslyn sat on one of empty barrels, watching the dark haired man gradually work a board loose. Sliding it aside, he reached down and retrieved a small green bottle. He handed it off to her when they heard a creak. Her eyes snapped to the entrance to spot an Enthish man standing there. Tall, thin with wave brown hair, his grey eyes shot venom toward Gomes.

"Ya filthy Torragonese rat! Put that back!" He spat and stepped forward.

The mask man snorted. "I didn't see your name on it, Jeb."

Words turned into a fight when the Enthish seized the man's shirt. Roslyn muffled a yell with her hand. Immediately, Gomes adjusted his mask then shoved Jeb away. While the men continued to argue, she slowly slid toward the exit. Suddenly, something slammed into the side of her face. Her knees buckled before her head crashed into the edge of another barrel. It felt like it split open on impact. The pulsing pain made bursts of stars in her vision as her left hand pressed against her eye. She was lucky she wasn't knocked out. Slowly, Roslyn pushed herself back onto her feet. In the background, the two men continued to fight and bicker.

Sacrificing a bit of her adrenaline, she muttered a spell at the bottle. It twitched then shot at the two men. It bounced off Jeb's head before it flipped into her free hand. The pair stopped fighting, their eyes turned on her.

"Now that I got your attention, sit down." Roslyn growled.

Much to her surprise, it worked. The two men settled down as she checked to see if someone heard them. No one seemed to noticed... yet. Pulling herself back to the pirates, she sat on a barrel once more. Next she rid the alcohol of its impurities before splitting it between them. The whole time, she fought past the pain of her bruised eye. She decided to bind it later.

Everything went smoothly after the first drink. With lifted moods, the men's lips loosened. They complained about the meager, pitiful rations. Low gunpowder, weapons, and more. Bitterly they recalled the horrors they faced and the beast's description, most of it matching the other accounts she knew. Feeling like she got all she could, she prepared to seek out the Captain when she caught Jeb staring intently at her.

"If you look too hard, your eyes might pop out." Roslyn said with a hint of annoyance.

Jeb smirked. "Sorry, you reminded me of something. You're Hendlish, aren't you? I recognize the accent."

"Yes, what of it?" She leaned her arms into the barrel and used it to keep her balance.

"I am just wonderin' sumethin'."

"What is that?"

"Why are you here? Pretty as you are, you're not dressed like most of the prostitutes I've seen."

Roslyn choose her words carefully. "A group and I were sent to help kill the White Thresher. Your ship was one of the more recent ones to survive. I didn't know if it was luck or if you managed to do something the other ships didn't." She paused for breath before adding, "The damage is also something I've seen before. Same type of thresher, I think."

Jeb's head tilted as he leaned in closer. "Okay, one more thing. There was rumors about a ship called the Fantasma Rosso, or Red Ghost. I recall mention that a little, brown haired Hendlish girl had gotten her hands on it. Is that you?"

Roslyn's pause lasted longer than necessary. "Yes, it is."

"You're a little short to run a ship like that, aren't you?" Gomes pipped up causing Jeb to laugh and nearly choke on the last of his drink.

Roslyn rolled her eyes and ignored the comment. "I was hoping to find the Captain and..."

Jeb leaned back and scoffed. "And what? Offer to smuggle something? Unless you can provide food, powder, or killing that thing, your offer does no good here. We might not survive the next day with that hells beast still around."

She flinched at his tone causing Jeb to sigh, his eyes turned to the side. Even Gomes became quiet and adjusted his mask again. A dark sense of defeat bled from the men before her. Jeb was the first to break out of it. He straightened himself up before casting her an apologetic look. "Sorry, lil' tense, you know? Livin' this way isn't easy."

"I suppose. I'm not going to help with the gunpowder or any weapons, but I'll see what I can do." Hopefully the thresher too, she added silently. "I need to get going."

Jeb nodded, but he didn't comment farther. A part of Roslyn pitied the pirates as she realized they were going into a fight with little to no hope of surviving. The amount of gunpowder and supplies proved that. She wasn't sure they deserved this, despite their life choices. Some like Jeb had accepted the grim reality. Others, tried to pretend it didn't exist and enjoy their remaining time. She walked out back the way she came while she heard Jeb turn his attention back to Gomes.

"Mate, next time I'll find a Virangish pepper n' shove it so far up yer ass, you'll be shittin' fire for months..."

The Hourglass Order

Roslyn Wicke

"Truth be told, I don't like it."

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Putting One's Cards on the Table

_{Date: 17th of Velles, Orredes
Time: Some time before the mission debrief
Location: ???}
Roslyn had tried not to eavesdropped, but her efforts failed. When she spotted Leon beckoning her over, she gave up being discreet and moved closer.

"Is there anything strange on your letter too, Roslyn?"

She ignored his subtle glances at Ciro and Trypano as she nodded. She considered how much to reveal as she spoke. "A bit. First it arrived with my family's shipment rather than courier. It mentioned my ship and then some privateers being... obligated to work with the Marquis."

As she offered her letter for Leon to look at, her eyes darted briefly toward Ciro. A part of her wondered if he actually knew more than what he told her when he sold her the Nuvole Rosse. She dismissed the thought almost immediately realizing how silly it sounded. He wouldn't do that... right?

Her attention returned to Leon, his eyes fixated on her letter. His expressions gave her some reassurance that her discomfort wasn't overblown.

"It seems our mutual friend is quite the plotter as well..." He whispered back, his attention once more drifted toward Ciro and Trypano before turning back."Thank you Roslyn."

"Truth be told, I don't like it." Roslyn replied in the same quiet tone, her hand taking the letter back. She slipped it into her skirt pocket.

It seemed Leon's constant glances had finally gotten Ciro's attention. The dark haired man turned about and joined them. His words said with a smile, but the undertone held annoyance at the lacking politeness. Roslyn shifted to the side to make room for him. Of course after Ciro offered his own letter up, he hinted at reading Leon's too. Ayla also nudged Leon showing her own curiosity. This caused Leon to swiftly apologize then stated they all should share their letters.

Roslyn shook her head, amused by having to take her letter back out and offered it up for the others. "Here's mine for whoever wants to read it since we're sharing."

She had nothing to hide. At least, not in regards to this.

---

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Off To The Ports
_{Date: 17th of Velles, Orredes
Time: daytime
Location: Morrento in Zengali, Mezegol}

After introductions finished, Roslyn weighed the information. She seemed distracted when the sounds of someone talking pulled her from her thoughts. With a deep inhale, she addressed any of her group that remained.

"I'm not very elegant with words. It is better I head out to the docks rather than deal with the Marquis. I want some idea of what to expect before we rush into battling this Thresher..." She secured her invitation and rest of her things before adding, hoping it wouldn't be snitched later. "I'm guessing we're all meeting up at the festive later? Do we meet back here or somewhere else?"

Leon's voice came from behind her as he chimed in. "I, for one, intend to enjoy the festival to the fullest." He flashed a smile. "We fight tomorrow, so why not enjoy today. But you can find me if you need me, I don't exactly blend into a crowd." He departed with those words as he moved once more toward the encampment.

"Yeah, I'm the opposite. I blend way too well into the crowds." Roslyn countered with a small chuckle. She some times envied those that didn't simply disappear, but knew her 'talent' had its own perks.

Upon hearing that Ciro was heading toward the port proper, she chimed in. "I guess we'll be accompanying each other for a bit then. "

---

Notes:

_{Summary:
Putting All The Cards On The Table Roslyn joins in with the others over sharing their letters.
Off to the Ports Once they get a debriefing at the Baker's Dozen, the group divide and pick their own places of interest. Roslyn, alongside Ciro, heads down to the port to see what information she can find out about the attacks.
Items of note on her person: Smoking Bandit (per-loaded with Rosy Wick- x2 charges), Four-Dimensional Compass of the Seafaring Tribe, Bottle of Whine, Band of the Beggar King, Tusk Bandages x2, Snowpepper sniffing power x2, Skinglue x2
Tags: Leon @Jumbus, Alya @Ti, Trypano @A Lowly Wretch, Ciro @Force and Fury}

The Hourglass Order

Mahal Agha

"Move, now!"

Mahal's patience began to wane as she popped something white into her mouth. The hot, spicy seasoning hit her taste first. Gently her tongue rolled it about, weighing the texture and noting the size. She was confident it was a pork knuckle with some cartilage still attached. Drawing in the slightest hint of mana from the sunlight, she strengthened her teeth and cracked it. She had just swallowed it down when Raffie's voice caught her attention.

She lowered her gaze to size up the petite, pink girl, "I'm surprised you're here too."

Any additional conversation was cut short when students were instructed to jump into the lake.

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Straight From The Stone And Into The Fire.
_{Date: 19th of Velles, Victendes
Time: Dusk
Location: Moatu Suva, Kiluaho}

Mahal bobbed in the waves as her arms held tightly onto a nearby crate. Her eyes did a quick scan around her, seeking out any shapes of her fellow students close by. Identification was near impossible due to the dying light. Suddenly a loud sound of whistling came from behind her. She turned to spot a towering ship. Several dark rounded shapes sailed from its board side and flew across the fading twilight sky.

"Move, now!" Mahal shouted then pulled her body higher onto the crate. Driven by instinct and fear, she drew in mana then kicked her legs. Her eyes fixed on the nearest land mass.

Past the choppy waves, Mahal spotted one of the students splitting off from the rest. The small green one. He swam for the Blue Adam while the others scrambled for safety. She wasn't sure if she should be impressed by his bravery or take a lesson from his foolishness. They would find out later when or if he returned.

Something with bright red hair shot past her and narrowly missed her. Mahal jerked back to see a helegan toss himself through the water like a skipping stone toward shore. Every few meters, he tilted up then dove beneath the surface. Finally, he landed face first into the shoreline where the wheelchair bound girl and the Eeaiko already were.

Feeling the edges of the shoreline press against her toes, Mahal dug in and pushed the crate onto the sand. She caught the small shapes of both Raffie and Baykara on the Virangish flagship. Maybe they will get them to stop firing while the others made it to shore. Securing her crate with the others, her eyes counted the remaining students. Her teeth gritted as her count was off by two repeatedly.

"We're missing two, where's Tku and Fiske?" Mahal asked, her eyes fixed on the water and ready to dive back in.

---

Notes:

_{Summary:
Mahal races to the shore with the remain students, save Ren, Raffie, and Zast. Doing a brief head count, she notices two are missing: Tku and Fiske.
Items of note on her person: Diyablos, x2 Virangish black steel dagger
Purchases this Cycle None
Tags: Maura @Ti, Fiske @jasbraq, Tku @dragonpiece, Marz @Th3King0fChaos, Raffie @Emeth, Kaureerah @Force and Fury, Zast@Jumbus, and Ren @Suicharte}

The Hourglass Order

Roslyn Wicke

"I'm going to need a beer after this."

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One's Own Worst Enemy

_{Date: 17th of Velles, Orredes
Time: Spare Period
Location: Mage Hunters' practice range, Ersand'Enise}

Roslyn inhaled. She drew in the heat from the sunlight resting on her dress, chilling the air around her. Her hazel eyes eyed the hovering disc in front of her. It was practically asking to blown out of the air as it stood no more than three meters from her. Lifting up her arm, she aimed her pistol at it. Her hesitation kicked in then when she recalled her group's Tan-Zeno's disapproving words.

"You've been apart of the Mage Hunters' society for about three weeks. You know how to clean, maintain, and use a gun. Yet, you struggle to hit a still target hovering only three meters in front of you? That is unacceptable, Miss Wicke."

Despite her best efforts, Roslyn felt a heat of shame wash over her cheeks. The crack of the weapon echoed in her ears when she pulled the trigger. The bullet dropped and blew past the target. She cursed in Hendlish then made a quick circle motion with her finger. The round, metal ball whipped around as it nicked the disc causing it to wobble. Still it kept going. Roslyn's eyes widened and she jumped back. Clods of dirt scattered as he bullet planting into the ground where she stood earlier.

She let out a breath of relief at it narrowly missing her foot. With a slightly tremor in her hand, she set down her pistol and pinched between her eyes. Roslyn knew she had already wasted too much of her spare hour on this, but her perfectionist nature kept gnawing at her. Like a rat with a piece of twine, it wore at her insecurities and drove her to continue to practice. The newly formed callouses on her fingers looked ready to pop at this rate.

"You're getting better, Roslyn." She caught Morritz Stiglitz's praise after he approached her. He turned small clay disc in his hands, thoroughly examining it. "See, right here. You managed to nick it this time."

He tilted the right side to reveal a small chunk chipped away at the edge. Roslyn bit her lip, sparing it the smallest glance. She could do better...

Roslyn became quiet. She averted her eyes and reached to reload the pistol. Morritz sized her up before he spoke again. "I see you took Tan-Zeno Mendenhoffer's criticisms to heart."

Roslyn's grip tightened on the gun before pausing to look at him. "Is it that obvious?"

"I am afraid so." He continued with a quick follow up, setting down the disc. "Being Mendenhoffer's teaching assistant, even I find his words harsher than necessary. But I assure you, he has the best intentions. Especially with the war brewing on the horizon."

Sizing her up, he then added. "I suggest taking on a task that does some good. It might make you feel better."

Morritz gave her a smile and walked away, leaving Roslyn to her thoughts.

Preparations

_{Date: 18th of Velles, Lepedes
Time: After Class
Location: The Groove, Ersand'Enise}

As Roslyn walked during her shopping, she continued to read the small parchment in her hand. It was a call to arms request for a monster hunt of a violent white thresher and cargo retrieval of the Sant'Agata della Compagnia Rossa. She recalled seeing it a few times and passing it over. It felt too far out of her capabilities, especially for the reward it asked. Stuck at the bounty board, she continued to struggle to find something. Ciro seemed to materialize out of nowhere and inquired about her presence.

She bit her lip. Truthfully, she had hoped to find a job posting to solve her tuition issues. Ashamed to admit it, she mentioned wanting to do something positive. Ciro gave her a long look before he pointed out this bounty. Roslyn didn't know if he saw through her small lie or not, but gratefully took the suggestion. It felt rude not to despite her feelings.

"Uh, Miss? Are you listening? "

Roslyn's head jerked up to see an older woman staring suspiciously at her. She slipped the parchment into her satchel and inhaled sharply, facing the shop keeper with a smile. "Uh, yeah. Sorry. I'm looking for skinglue, snowpepper sniffing power, and binding bandages."

"Wait there. " With heavy steps, the woman slipped behind the counter. She pushed through a small door and into the backroom. Her gruff voice continued to speak through the small gap made by a stone keeping the door open. "Currently, we are out of binding bandages. We've been out of stock since the Trials and shipments have been delayed. However, you are in luck. We got two skinglues and a snowpepper power left."

"Better than I expected. How much? " Roslyn pulled out her small coin bag, ready to count them out.

"Twenty for both skinglue and ten for the sniffing powder." She aired casually.

The girl's eyes widened in shock and barely stopped her jaw from dropping. That was nearly double the amount that she recalled from Vossoriya more than a month ago. "That's more than I remember it being... "

"Blame the rising tensions. Medical supplies are hard to keep on hand since the Trials. At this rate, you'll be lucky if we even got normal bandages to sell."

Roslyn nodded and thanked the woman. She paid, taking her goods and then departed the shop. Her next stop was Fat Yuri's shop. She purchased one dozen pufferchicken eggs before she got caught up in conversation. It reminded her of the damage they had done before departing though she couldn't change that now. Roslyn bid him good bye and popped home to drop off her goods at home. Her final stop was the Grand Library to borrow some research materials. She needed more information over Threshers before tomorrow.

The Hunt
_{Date: 19th of Velles, Victendes
Time: Daytime
Location: Departure Point, Ersand'Enise}

Roslyn finished packing her things as she recounted the list in her head. Even though she knew she had prepared the best she could be, she still bit her lip. What if it wasn't enough? Her fingers pinched down on her nose as she took a deep breath and pushed out the negativity. No point in delaying anymore. She hoisted the satchel onto her shoulder, slipping on her ring and grabbed her hand cannon on her way out. Last thing she grabbed were the boiled dozen of puffchicken eggs for a quick meal on the run.

Feeling a bit lost, she worried she had misread the directions. Her braid swayed behind her as she turned in place, her eyes scanning her surroundings. She spotted Ciro's dark, curly head near a collection of students. Her boots hastened across the flagstones as her eyes caught a familiar, pale Revidian. Trypano. Roslyn cursed underneath her breath while her pace slowed and she fell in next to Ciro.

---

Notes:

_{Summary:
One's Own Worst Enemy- After receiving criticism from her Zeno, Roslyn attempts to improve her aim at the Mage Hunters society range during her spare period. A small conversation occurs with Morritz Stiglitz, the society's head and Mendenhoffer's teaching assistant. He encourages her to seek out a task that does some good to improve her mood before leaving her to her thoughts.
Preparations- After stalling at The Groove's bounty boards, she is approached by Ciro who suggested to take on the White Thresher mission. Roslyn accepted and spent a bit of time purchasing supplies and preparing for the trip the next day.
Then the Hunt- Roslyn meets up with the others for the hunt only to discover that Trypano is among them.
Items of note on her person: Smoking Bandit (per-loaded with Rosy Wick- x2 charges), Four-Dimensional Compass of the Seafaring Tribe, Bottle of Whine, Band of the Beggar King, Tusk Bandages x2, Snowpepper sniffing power x2, Skinglue x2
Purchases this Cycle
Groove/Yuri Receipt- x2 Skinglue (20), x1 Snowpepper sniffing powder (10), and x1 dozen pufferchicken eggs (10) Total: 40 (budget was 50 left from last auction)
Tags: Leon @Jumbus, Alya @Ti, Trypano @A Lowly Wretch, Ciro @Force and Fury}

---

Mahal Agha

"Something about this doesn't feel right..."

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When Reality and Skepticism Collide
_{Date: 19th of Velles, Victendes
Time: 2nd hour of Shune.
Location: gazebo on Hedda’s Island, Ersand'Enise}

Mahal's mind kept returning to the meeting yesterday. She lingered on the High Zeno's words in her head as she tried to make sense of it all. Her foot dangled over the edge of her bed as she rocked herself. Unable to deal with the hounding suspicion, she gave up fighting and brushed Puno off her. The updog cocked her head then obeyed. Ignoring her companion's disgruntled looks, Mahal moved with purpose.

She retrieved her small bag and began filling it up with essentials. Finding the daggers, she wrapped them in cloth and placed them in. She grabbed her waterskin and filled it with the pitcher of fresh water left on her side table.

Pushing her room door open, Mahal hollered in Palparese down the stairs. Behind her, Lunara briefly stirred before flipping over and returning to sleep. A spark of guilt crossed her expression before she caught the sounds of a pair of feet rushing up the stairs. As Mahal got dress, two servants entered. Pua and Kalani, the two indentured servants her father sent. She gave them quick instructions over how to tend to the animals during her absence.

They were too small to accompany her and this made them liabilities. Risking their lives was rather pointless at this stage. Hopefully by the time of the next mission, they would be ready.

During the conversation, she caught the sound of water being sprayed. Mahal had no doubt Diyablos had heard his name and came to investigate, but she had wasted enough time. Finishing up, Mahal straightened out her clothes then collected her bag. While the servants kept the hounds from following her outside, she rushed for Hedda's Island.

~***~

It didn't take long to spot the crowd as Mahal spotted the gazebo's roof ahead. Already a few students had arrived and waited for the portal to be summoned. Her eyes flicked through the crowd, some faces she knew and other were new. The most familiar were Fiske and Ren from her apprentice group. Her teeth gritted at the image of the later as she moved to avoid him.

She would not let him poke her temper today. Her form stood beside the Eeaiko as she prayed for the delay to be brief. Unknown to her, a small, reddish tentacle stretched out from underneath the cover.

---

Notes:

_{Summary:
When Reality and Skepticism Collide -Mahal instructs to servants to care for her pets as she prepares for the mission. While she waits for the portal to activate, she didn't spot Diyablos managed to hide away in her bag.
Items of note on her person: Diyablos, x2 Virangish black steel dagger
Purchases this Cycle None
Tags: Maura @Ti, Fiske @jasbraq, Tku @dragonpiece, Marz @Th3King0fChaos, Raffie @Emeth, Kaureerah @Force and Fury, Zast@Jumbus, and Ren @Suicharte}

The Hourglass Order

Chilling with the Pets

Mahal

Time: Third Hour of Oraff to Eshiran. Some time after the Revolution aftermath.

---

Mahal took a deep breath. She lowered her arms and braced herself against the sand, stretching her right leg out behind her. When the mental countdown ended, she took off running. Instinctively, she drew in the mana around her. Upon reaching the edge, she slowed for a slip second. Her feet kicked up and released the kinetic energy. It sent her flying as her limbs curled in, sending her cannon balling into the water.

SPLASH!

It surrounded her suddenly. The subtle pop of shifting pressure settled in her head. Mahal drifted there. Her legs and arms began to loosen until they floated beside her. She blinked. Water blurred her vision while she observed her surroundings. Nothing at first. Suddenly, a low swish darted past. Her arms jerked to the side, swinging her about. She caught the fleeting glimpse of something dark disappear deeper.

Mahal smiled. She pushed her legs over her head and dove after it. Like a dream, the dark shape continued to stay just ahead of her. When she thought she could reach it, Mahal reached out to touch it. A sharp pain echoed in her chest. She stopped and clenched her chest. A few bubbles escaped her lips and floated upward. She cursed then shot up toward the surface.

Air rushed into Mahal's lung when she reached it, the sting across her chest fading. She continued to drift in place. Before she began her swim to shore, something brushed her feet. Mahal squeaked as she slipped off. Bobbing back up, she witnessed a dark carapace surface.

Apoy gave a low rumble that vibrated in the water. His hard shell lingered close allowing her arms to rest on him. She gently traced a jagged, yellow orange line down his craggy carapace side. It mimicked lava almost perfectly before it would fade into an ashy grey as he got older.

"Since you're eager to help. Apoy, shore." She commanded. The volcanic thresher just floated there.

"Apoy, shore!" Mahal repeated louder and gave his back a sharp tap. He still didn't go. She didn't understand. A moment passed before she realized the issue. With a soft sigh, she reached into her water tight pouch and pulled out a small fish.

"Apoy, shore." This time Mahal pushed off his form and lead him toward the beach. The volcanic thresher rumbled again and his legs began to move. She stepped up on shore before tossing him the fish. Apoy's large claw snapped up and seized it, retreating back into the habitat's depths.

"We'll work on that.." She had forgotten how food motivated he was until now. Speaking of treat addicts, her eyes shifted toward two forms bounding up to her.

Puno promptly lowered to her belly. She let out a strong, attention seeking woof. Sand stuck to her rich grey and black pelt as she wagged her rounded tail eagerly. Mahal reached to pet her only to have her dart away and repeat it. Mahal shook her head, "Puno, I'm too tired to chase you."

Mahal lowered herself into a cross legged position while she reached into her bag. She pulled out a few seasoned wood chips and a jerky treat. Catching the sight of food, Puno went for it.

"No!" Mahal raised her arm to block the greedy pup. Puno whined in protest trying to climb up her. Before she could reach it , Supok trotted up. The runty firehound leaned in for a sloppy kiss and pushed the updog off. Puno growled a warning. She lowered her form and followed up with glottal barks from her throat. Supok jerked and twisted about.

Mahal considered getting involved, but she stopped herself. They needed to resolve this before it became an issue. She watched the exchange until finally Supok rolled onto her side and went submissive. The brindle hound side eyed Mahal for help.

"Don't look at me like that. You shoved her first." Mahal then held out the jerky, telling them to sit and stay. Making them remain in place for a few seconds, she then let them have their treats. Supok and Puno settled in beside her while chewing them.

Casually, she laid back into the sand of Apoy's enclosure. Her eyes shifted to the skies and watched the clouds drift by while she reflected on the past events. It was difficult to know how she should feel about it. What was a small spark of protest spiraled into a fire of destruction and hope for permanent change. A part of her doubted it was that easy.

She found herself a part of the student body that dealt with the fall out from the conflict. Acid rain, fire, and more rain down on the city. Shortly after the chaos started to fade, she went looking for Lunara and they stumbled upon the staff. A large fight seemed to have broken out as they healed who they could and shortly was sucked into a strange place. Mahal's knuckled tightened, recalling the lack of senses and direction in that place. A small tremble broke across her flesh. She was weak in that moment. Frozen in place by panic, her lung struggling to contain air and her heart trying to break her ribs. If it wasn't for Diyablos and Puno, she might've been stuck there forever.

Mahal closed her eyes against the thought as she took a deep, cleansing breath. Something thin and rubbery touched her hand. She opened her eyes and spotted Diyablo sitting there. Giving him a gentle smile, she pulled him onto her belly. It seemed he had been playing in the ruins of a small barrel. It was one of her failed toy attempts for Apoy.

"It is too bad that Ciro only sells to reputable buyers now. Ironwood would've been a better choice." Mahal said to her small octopus, referring to the rumors of students destroying the shop.

Puno whined causing her to sigh and ruffle the dog's ears. It reminded her that she still had crates she needed to open. A part of her worried over the Rettandic ones.

Again, Diyablo tugged at her attention. She glanced down at him. "I saw you liked the barrel. I wonder why?"

Diyablos just blinked and seemed to smile with his odd eyes. It felt like he prefer to keep his secrets then reveal them, making the girl chuckle. She let him idly play with her hands and fingers.

Recently things, to some degree, started to become normal again. Sadly the scars of the conflict lingered underneath. Either the staff didn't do a good job or they wanted reminders of what happened here. It didn't matter in the end because Mahal had chosen to keep those memories. She thought about her tattoos. Not all scars were best forgotten.

For now, she would enjoy the peace while it lasted.

The Hourglass Order

Self Reflections and Hazy Memories

Roslyn
Time: Shortly after the Revolution
Location: Student Dorms.

Thump, thump...

Roslyn stepped up to her dorm house's door. Her hand took out her iron from her dress pocket and inserted it into the lock, giving it a soft twist. The door opened with a click. Rustic hinges gave a soft squeak as it the door came open. Roslyn gestured her hand outward, sending her bauble of light ahead. The pale, warm glow illuminated shadows before melting into the faint orange cast by the dying fire.

"Uh, I didn't expect someone to still be up this early." She mumbled to herself and closed the door. Her eyes scanned the room until she found the reason why.

Sharen, her roommate. The mousy, young black haired girl laid balled on the rug nearest the fireplace. A long, drawn out sigh escaped Roslyn's lips. She stepped closer and leaned down to check the girl. She noticed the tale-tell signs of red smears on her cheek, but there was no trace of a wound. Likely healed over by magic, the brunette thought.

"Well, at least you didn't get killed. That's something I can thank the Gods for." Roslyn use the sound of her own voice to keep her awake and continued to talk to herself. She noticed the flaking logs crumbling into ashes and the fireplace growing cold. Taking hold of the nearby spade, she snuffed out the remaining embers.

"There, fire is out." She turned away and began to head upstairs.

With each step, exhaustion needled at her and tried to drag her down. Just a little farther, she thought. Her bauble began to flicker and dimmed causing her to side eye it. Roslyn drew from the sounds of her steps causing her bauble to brighten once more. Upon reaching the landing, she proceeded into her room. Once the door tapped shut, she tossed her things to the nearest corner and flopped onto the bed. The bauble died instantly and sleep greedily swallowing her.

******

"Roslyn, are you in there?"

"Yes, I am. I just woke up." Roslyn pushed herself upright, sitting up in bed. She hadn't bothered to undress since last night. Her hand rubbed against her eyes to clear the grit.

"Good. The letter you gave me should be on your side table. I'm starting on breakfast."

"Okay," Roslyn said as she reached for the letter and held it in her hands. Inside the folds was a will and apology all in one. A grim reminder of yesterday's risk.

The events fired slowly by in order. First she fought alongside Rikard, Johann, and Niallus to enter the Violet Enclave. There also was a green Cazenax that joined. Getting through the first wave was hard. When her call for help went unanswered, one of their group made a 'tactical' retreat. It revived the enemies' morale. Thankfully, it seemed someone was paying attention and boosted their strength. The tables started to turn before the doom golem exploded. She had just spotted Rikard get scalded before the flames cut off her escape. Her eyes shifted down to the letter as she thought she was going to die then. She recalled her skin tingled then the pain began to dull, someone smothered the fire until she got back up on her feet. Whoever it was, Roslyn was grateful for it.

They made it into the Nashorn. The gauntlet proved challenging and confusing as they worked their way through each intersection. She lost a few things along the way and couldn't use binding for a while. Xiuyang seemed be the same level of frustration she was in Vossoriya. Though likely for different reasons. Especially when the woman materializing from shadows and then later with the two Zenos, Domi Durdovin and Van de Waal. Waal sent his goose to finish them off after taking Niallus' offering.

Recalling the Zeno's words about her compass, Roslyn grabbed her bag from the corner. Flopping back onto the bed, she took it out to examine. Everything seemed to be in order now causing her to frown. She didn't understand what happened, but whatever it was... it was gone now. Stuffing it back into her bag, things seemed to become weirder from that point on. After stopping a demon, disguised as Xiuyang's shadow, from strangling her they were sucked into some part of the void. At least, that was her guess. It had the same feeling as when the black orb slammed down on her during Mano e Mano.

It took some time to navigate out and they nearly lost Xiuyang, who was the last to hatch. They had transported into some realm of gods. Not any that she was familiar with as they found others. An old woman, the Old Mother, beckoned her and eight others toward her. They rose into the sky before landing in an alpine meadow overlooking a small, beautiful pond. Surrounding the place was a ring of spruce trees. The members began to split as Roslyn headed to the butterfly stirred by Nibbler, She was joined shortly by Penny. Both girls waiting patiently for the insect to draw near for what seemed like hours. Finally one landed on the top of Penny's crutches then another on Roslyn's shoulder, their number growing. Roslyn remembered being left in amazement by the sight of it all. In small little groups, their heads turned and wings beat in a pattern. It was a riddle. Working together, the girls managed to solve it:

Five steps back, you get the magic.

The two didn't waste time trying it out. The butterflies then congratulated them, landing upon their bodies before disappearing. It made Roslyn a bit sad to say goodbye so soon. Penny mentioned she was glowing causing her to notice it too. The scene ended as they slowly began to slip into slumber. Roslyn woke in a tangle with Xiuyang exactly where they left off. After that, she was given a choice to keep or give up her memories. She chose to keep them and returned to her dorm to sleep the nightmares off.

Her fingers traced the name of her family on the letter. How would her family had felt knowing the danger she put herself in?

Roslyn's head bumped back against the wall behind her. Things were so much easier when she was eight years old. It was before her mother died, her brother grew sick, and her life became a mess. She leaned back and closed her eyes, trying to recall her years in the meadows. Usually with old memories there was a blurry recollection that let her mind fill in the blank. Not this time. She couldn't even see the meadow in her mind's eye. Just a darkness settled in her mind.

The girl frowned and tried harder.

"Roslyn-" A distorted voice drifted in and out, beckoning to her.

Roslyn didn't recognize the voice as she pushed her head to remember more details. Abruptly, a sharp pain nailed into her forehead. Her breath hitched in her throat and her stomach twisted with a dread. She continued to try and push past the suffering, seeking the missing memories. Something wasn't right.

Ba-bump... ba-bump.

Her heart echoed loud in her ears that it drowned out everything else. It felt like her brain was going to erupt from her skull. She didn't understand why trying to remember hurt so much. It shouldn't be this way. Roslyn felt the needling pain spread from the left side of her head toward the right. Like something was trying to stop her recollection.

"Sholi..." The word broke past the fogginess loud and clear. A blurred out woman, about a foot shorter than her, vanished then reappeared yards from her. A cold, clammy sensation chilled Roslyn's skin as her hand sought for the bucket near her bed. Roslyn couldn't stop now. Gripping the edge, she lifted the bucket up before...

Another voice, this time in Avinican, spoke before fading away. "I'm sorry, Roslyn. We have to do this. It will keep us all safe."

Her head became swallowed by the relentless, rhythmic pounding. The burning surged behind her eyes causing them to water. That sickening sensation within her middle finally rushed to her throat. Stomach acid splattered into the bucket's bottom. As she struggled to catch her breath, another wave came up. Finally, her stomach was empty. Her headache started to wane when she stopped trying to remember. Roslyn leaned back again and used the back of her hand to clean her mouth.

W-what the fuck happened? Wrinkling her nose, she lowered the bucket onto the floor. The liquid sloshed causing her stomach to tense again. Roslyn took several deep breathes before her middle settled again. She'll need to dump that later as she topped it with a wooden cover, hiding the evidence from sight.

One more thing to add to her ever growing list. Roslyn smacked the back of her head lightly against the wall. Trypano and her removal from the THESIS program still lingered at the top of her most stressful things to do. She didn't look forward to visiting her family. She had no doubts that Garith had gotten worse since last year, but she didn't know how bad. Was he still using a cane or was he bed bound now? It was hard to tell since she was too frighten to face the reality and watch him deteriorate.

"I'm a horrible sister... " She grumbled out loud to herself as she sat there.

She didn't know how much time passed when she decided she had enough self-loathing, her mind drifting to the woman. She felt so familiar. Roslyn wondered if she could repeat what she saw. First she needed to find somewhere with more space. Having something to distract her helped ease her mood.

Quickly, Roslyn rushed about to clean up, change her clothes and tidied her hair. Before exiting, she paused when she spotted Esmii's salve. A faint theory formed in her head. She grabbed it alongside the compass then headed out.

---

TLDR Highlights:

Roslyn comes back to her dorm and heads up to her room to sleep. When she wakes the next day, she reflects on yesterday and her role in it all. While trying to recall simpler times, she discovers one memory is abnormally hard to recall. In her attempts, she suffers a headache painful enough she gets sick and is forced to stop. She tacks it onto her ever growing list before heading out, hoping to attempt to replicate something from that memory.

The Hourglass Order

The Day Before the Spark

Roslyn

Mahal

Hammer/Gauntlet

Shield

All Revolutions Spread Flames

In the back of Mahal's mind, she cursed her sister's bleeding heart. They had been watching the violence erupt from the safety of their dorms moments before. Magics, cries of spells, and screams wildly erupted in the chaos. Meanwhile, the twins hurried like rats through the streets.

Mahal gritted her teeth, her eyes constantly observing their surroundings. She didn't like them being out here. It was dangerous and she couldn't protect them all. She gripped her twin daggers harder as Puno shivered on her shoulder. Diyablos clung to her waist like some rubbery, living belt. Both refused to be left behind much to Mahal's frustration.

She glanced up to spot a large rock hurling at them with incredible speed. Any students that hoped to wait out the revolution found themselves forced to find cover.

"I can help with the rock." She was already moving to deal with it as she spoke.

Mahal took a deep breath and pointed the dagger at the rock. She muttered a kinetic spell as he drew in mana, "solid telekinesis."

A familiar, empowering sensation tingled up her skin. It rippled past her muscles and through the dagger's handle before the rock began to slow. Gradually it came to a halt, Mahal's teeth clenching while she focused. From the corner of her peripheral vision, she noticed movement coming to her aid.

A petite, redhaired girl stepped in beside her.

"We'll assist you." Alya nodded toward Mahal as she used her sonic magic to buffet the oncoming projectile to slow it down.

With their joint effort, the rock slowly came to rest upon the ground. Mahal inhaled deeply, feeling Diyablos slid higher and cling to her shoulder. The little octopus tilted his head until his dark, black eye rested on Alya's form. Meanwhile, a grey brown long snout canine came rushing toward her. Puno let out a short hehe as the pup's jaws curled into a smile.

"That is where you went." Mahal commented, leaning down to scratch the updog on the ear. Puno just rolled onto her back and accepted the attention.

It took Mahal a moment to realize her sister was nowhere around. Whistling to her dog, she began move to Mudville. She thought she spotted Lunara head that direction.

Rain began to pour. People at the Flying Lion tavern grumbled as they were starting to get wet, but funnily enough, there were no screams or shouts here. Everyone appeared to be fine! In fact, they were begun to find it funny, hilarious one could say. There was certainly something in the water, and they were all raving about it. One could say it was one big monster raving loony party!

Mahal squinted her eyes before realizing the rain was the cause.

The Psychodelic rain started to produce different effects on people. Some seemed to go into a stupor, collapsing on the floor, seeming to be drained of energy and thought, as if succumbing to a blissful state where physiological concerns troubled them no more. However, others... they seemed to grow wilder and more violent, their laughter loud as a crazed look entered their eyes. Mahal used her magic as she flung people into their homes and bolted the doors with magnetic charges to help limit the rain leaking through the roofs.

Among the chaos, she spotted Ayla focus on the people, trying to help rouse them from their stupor and knocking out the crazed-looking ones. Another student, Oweyn, proved the effective. He demonstrated why his nickname was ‘Aqua Man’ as he unleashed his hydromancy to control the flow of the water, directing it into the canal and harbor. Things were starting to settle down, but wasn't over yet.

She kept moving, wandering toward the hall. Her eyes widened to see things start to float and drift in the air. Statues, rocks, and other large objects suspended there. And what goes, often has to come down. Spotting some hegelans attempt to escape through the portal, Mahal muttered a spell and held out her daggers. She channeled telekinesis to keep the large items from crushing them. Diyablo, driven by curiosity and ego, stretched out to pull one slowly down by the leg.

Two more students arrived as they aided in the rescue mission. Slowly, the short men and women found themselves on solid ground again. Some escaped through the portal while other arrived to help their kinsmen. Mahal felt exhausted, but she still had to find her sister. She prayed Lunara wasn't stupid enough to join the revolution's efforts.

The Hourglass Order

Artistic License

Roslyn's eyes spotted the arboretum just ahead of her. Her lungs burned and weighed in her chest, slowing her brisk walk into a gradual halt. She paused long enough to recover her breath. Based on student sightings, they spotted a student matching Tku's description heading this direction. She hoped he hadn't left yet.

When the sensation of inhaling needles faded, the young girl spotted someone sitting in one of the shaded areas. His hand flew across the page as he stared at a nearby tree.

Roslyn tried to wave for his attention as she approached him. He seemed like he was packing up and ready to depart. "Tku! Tku! Stay right there!"

Tku was relaxing and slacking on his homework to instead try and capture the light shining through the leaves. Maybe I could sketch it a few times to make an image? That would be serene.

And like a herd of Torogneese cattle, Rosyln barged into his time. Two thoughts passed through Tku's mind at that very moment. Be reasonable and wave hello as normal or...

A mischievous grin came across his face, "Have you ever played Hide and seek?" and Tku ran.

Upon spotting Tku's cheeky grin, Roslyn paused. Her earlier eagerness dropped from her face after hearing his words. Oh no. Before she could protest, the painter bolted. He hopped over the pavilion's railing and shot past a nearby tree. She sighed then she hitched up her skirts and went to pursue.

Sadly, it didn't take long for Roslyn to lose him. She might've been fast, but he knew this place better than her. However, she knew he couldn't hide forever.

From his high perch, Tku could spot a familiar brunette girl step into view. Her head twisted while her arms jerked up in defeat. "I swear I thought I saw him come this way." With pursed lips, she moved toward the next tree in hopes to spot his fleeing form.

Tku looked down upon the girl, foolish she was to think she could catch the tricky Tku. He scurries into the leaves to obfuscate his position.

In reality, he was trying to leap from the tree very soon once she got up there.

Roslyn sucked in a sharp breath. Her feet moved faster as she reached the tree in time to spot his form disappearing into the next. This wasn't working, she realized. She dusted off the upper thighs of her dress before reaching into her pocket for the paint sample. Planting her feet, she drew in the kinetic energy of the soft breeze. Roslyn increased her voice's volume as she called out to Tku's current perch.

"I saw you! I only wanted to ask if you would paint a ship for me. You're the only artist I knew so I thought I would make you an offer." She held her ground there and waited for his answer.

So very loud, this one, Tku thought after inspecting her more thoroughly. He leaped from branch to branch and landed near her.

"Well, you caught me, and what's this about a ship?" As quickly as he started his game, Tku was ready to move on to a different thing. Though it didn't stop him from starting to take a lazy walk, asking her to follow.

"Yeah, I purchased it fairly cheap in Civitalunga. I will let you know I'm low on funds," Roslyn knew that was an understatement, but she pushed away the thoughts. She still had time to deal with them.

"I'm hoping we could negotiate. You paint the ship for me and I'll give you a hogshead worth of the paint for the labor."

She reached into her pocket and handed over a small sample of the paint. Within a green-tinted bottle, a bright red paint shifted within.

"Put it in the dark and watch what happens."

Tku knew little more that ships take him places, so obviously he likes them. He nodded along to the girl telling her woes of little funds. Yet, she still purchased a ship. Can't be lacking too much. Smallest amount Tku could think of was still 1000 Magus. Still he didn't question it.

He inspected the paint, feeling some of it in his hands. Tku smiled as he watched it change in the light, "Nice paint." He led them towards his dorm, "I wouldn't mind painting the ship, depending on the size I will require more compensation. A ship is no easy thing to paint."

He opened his door, "Ah, I brought you here to look at some of my works I have going on. I can bring it to the front for you to look at it if you feel more comfortable."

In the back of her head, Roslyn heard Garith's chiding her over her shortsightedness. He had been better at the merchant side of things than her. She couldn't fix it now.

"Of course. It will be after the repairs. It's not even seaworthy right now and it likely won't be for months."

As she followed him in, her eyes widened. "Oh."

Any words she said didn't seem to do much justice to her thoughts upon glimpsing the painter's work. People depicted in life or fantastical scenes, their flowing forms drew her attention. Pictures of places that seem to remind her of home while some were places she wanted to explore. Some were simple splatters of paint to evoke emotion or attention. Instinctively, Roslyn took a step forward as if drawn to them.

"Tku, these are amazing."

"Thank you," he smiled confidently, "It's nice to know I haven't studied and practiced for years for nothing." He sat as a chair was pulled over for Roslyn as well with a tad bit of kinetic magic. It was all smiles until, "Let's get down to the final details, yes?"

He sat forward, demeanor serious compared to before. "The paint you showed me," he asked for it back, "It's a miraculous paint. I have heard of it and seen it before. But there is a glaring issue with the quality and sourcing," he kept it in his hand. "It's blood magic Roslyn," Tku said with no room for question.

Roslyn was thankful she was sitting down. The moment Tku mentioned blood magic, her eyes blinked. Her breath hitched in her throat and a slight pain rippled through her chest. Roslyn shifted her gaze, but her body told everything. She didn't know as she struggled to put together her thoughts.

"She said... I didn't..."

With a deep breath, Roslyn forced herself to stop. She pushed away the emotions plaguing her as she tried again. This time her voice strained to remain calm.

"I swear, Tku, I didn't know. I was just told I needed a painter and she would replicate the paint."

She? Tku thought, Who would be so brazen to do a large project so much blood magic at play.

Tku's face softened, "Let me get you some water," he poured a ladle of water into a wooden cup for her. Rubbing his chin and tapping his foot he shot back up, "Alright, I won't put the blame on you Roslyn but do be careful. Paint Guilds are violent when someone messes with their interests."

He was genuinely concerned for her. If it was a small project he wouldn't mention it but an entire boat? He rubbed his neck, "Paint can be more expensive than gold, a lot of work goes into making it and those people will do a lot to stop blood mages from just recreating it. I won't stop you but you might want to talk to your partner in this again."

Roslyn, shaken by the recent discovery, gratefully took the cup. She sipped it though it didn't help much. When Tku moved, her head turned and watched him. Her emotions couldn't help but bleed over her expression.

"Thank you. I just can't believe how stupid I was. The contract never mentioned using magic. It only covered purchases and repairs. If she hadn't came in at the right time, I couldn't have kept it in dry dock."

She took another sip to give her time to clear her thoughts.

"I should've realized something was up. The only payment required was that I take her to a place on a map. It was one she got during the Dragon Race."

By now, the glass was empty and she offered it back.

"I didn't mean to waste your time."

"It happens, Roslyn," placing a hand on her shoulder Tku tried to comfort. Had he not been so vigilant the paint would have passed unnoticed. "And it is not a waste of time, I can recommend other, cheaper paints if you need. Or does it need to be this one?" Tku asked, a small smile returning to his face.

Her slight at me is not of her own choices, Tku told himself.

Roslyn smiled weakly, appreciating his kindness. It felt like everything had strings attached to it and she hated it.

"I've never had these issues until after the mission in Vossoriya. I don't want to have to spend all my time wondering if one act of kindness is really just that."

When Tku mentioned another paint, she shook her head. "No, I want to restore her to what she was. It's hard to explain why, but... "

Her eyes glanced at the paintings and thought about her brews. She tried to use them as an example. "It's just like slapping any color on a canvas and saying it's enough. Or just using any ingredients for a brew and not caring how it turned out. Does that make sense? It doesn't feel like she deserves that."

The intent resonated with Tku. He was brought to a tougher decision than he wanted. "Are you willing to be thrown in jail for this? For your partner to be killed?" his voice steady, no emotion to be had. He was staring at a painting under a sheet.

Upon hearing Tku's voice, Roslyn became quiet. Her eyes glanced at the floor and reflected on his serious question. It was not one to take lightly. She bit her lower lip as she weighed the choice before her, the gnawing worry growing in her chest. When she got the ship, she had no idea what Ciro sold her until after the Dragon Race. Roslyn started to wonder if Revan was right. She was unworthy of the legend because she wasn't cold-hearted enough to sacrifice someone.

"It's sort of funny. She began.

"When I got the ship, the salvage license said 'Nuvole Rosso'. Yet, I don't think that's her real name. Someone called her the 'Fantasma Rosso' and that name feels right." Roslyn took a moment to consider her words. "During her glory days, she skirted the law many times. She even ran the Belzaggic blockade to deliver supplies. She was a smuggler and hired by... a less lawful crowd."

The freckled girl inhaled.

"If it was just me, I would say yes. Even if I know my father and brother would be disappointed in me." Her shoulders fell, her good nature winning out. "However, I'm not heartless. I am not sure I can risk another person's life even if she's very eccentric."

"Then you should speak to your partner," Tku rubbed the bridge of his nose. She was a determined child. "Are you able to meet up with them to talk about this and," Tku sighed, "and do you need someone else to be there with you?"

As Tku spoke, Roslyn saw him rub his nose. A gesture her brother did when he was frustrated with her causing her to regret her words for a moment. Her pride wanted to say no, but...The words of the Binding class teacher echoed in her head. Condemning the morals and actions of blood mages as evil. Were the rumors she had heard really true? There was no reason to believe otherwise. She pushed down the nervous fluttering in her chest as she spoke.

"She might be overseeing the repairs. We can start there." Roslyn took a breath and continued.

"I'm worried what she might do when I ask. So, yeah , I think I do. Just in case."

The After Trials Celebration Party

Mahal

Mahal focused more on movements and fun than etiquette. She put on a simple red dress with floral stitching then wrapped a yellow sash about her waist. After twisting it about her waist a few times, she tossed the end up and over her upper shoulder. It left some of her back tattoo exposed as she retrieved the body paint. Dipping a horse hair brush into the black pigment, she began to create a band design across the outside of her arms. It took hours, but the result was beautiful. They wove her hair into a single braid and topped it off with Goma cat fanged earrings.

By now, the activity had drawn Diyablo's attention. The reddish ground octopus began to run with two limbs wiggling to be picked up. As much as Mahal hated to, she used her foot to keep him at bay.

"No, Diyablo. You will smear the paint. You stay here, play with your toys and be good." She spotted his stink eye as he managed to cling, getting to her waist where he hung off her sash.

She sighed then managed, with some help, to untangle the needy octopus. She dropped him off into the tank of water before they left for the party. Mahal made sure to bring a small pouch of sweets to help control her endless appetite.

~~~~~~

Upon arrival, Mahal's eyes darted about and her heart was pounding hard. She started to regret her decision as she slowed her step. "Maybe this is a mistake..."

She looked at her sister.

Lunara was wearing a formal Palaparese dress. The dress is blue with white and gold accents. She also has gold bangles on both of her arms, and a gold necklace and earring set with blue stones. Lunara stood next to her sister, feeling the anxiety in her build up, if Lunara wasn't here Mahal would probably have not turned up. Holding her sister's hand tight. "It's ok sister, there are a few faces that we know." Looking around she spotted a free table that didn't have any people. "After we get some food and a drink. We can sit there." She slowly paced forward. She turned to her sister,

"Deep breaths. Plus I think Miray will stay by your side." Pointing to her cat nuzzling up to Mahal's leg purring.

"Alright." Mahal took several deep breaths as she pushed away the shakes in her core. Her fingers tightened her grip on her sister's hand before she crouched down, brushing Miray's head gently.

"Miray helps... a lot. I should have brought Diyablo, but he would not behave. I did not want him getting into trouble. I am ready." With that, the sisters entered the party officially.

Lunara took Mahal straight to get food and drinks, they grabbed a variety of different foods. Seeing Johann she smiled at him and said. "Hi there Johann, hope you are doing well and are you enjoying yourself? Me and my sister will be sitting over there if you would like to join us, as Mahal doesn't do well in crowds." After talking to him the sisters made their way to the table that wasn't as crowded.

Mahal fought the impulse to flick her sister behind the ear. Some things didn't need to be said as she bit back the reaction. Even if they were true. She picked out two plates of food as she followed Lunara to the table.

When the sisters got to the table Lunara realized she may have said too much to Johann. "Sorry if I said too much to Johann, sister, I didn't mean to. Are you angry at me?" She looks at her sister to see if she is annoyed at her.

"You do tend to say too much. And I am, a bit. It will pass because it is hard to stay mad." Mahal popped one of the strange treats into her mouth. Her eyes shifted to watch the event as she chewed, finally swallowing the savory morsel.

"I am going to make Helios and Apoy a toy later. I will need some iron wood because normal wood might break too easily. Do you think they might like a barrel with a rope through it?"

"Ok that will be nice for them." Lunara started to eat the selection of food she got, she enjoyed what she had and thought about asking what everything was, so she could have more of it at home "The food is nice, I might ask what some of these are so we can have them at home."

"I can see if I can ask for the recipe. I hope you are not tired of my cooking."Mahal raised an eyebrow though her sister might notice a bit of subtle teasing there. "Slightly surprised you are not out there more often. I did not want you babysitting me. Father would not approve."

"I love your cooking sister, and I will go and talk soon, I'm just making sure you are ok first." She then thought about who she could approach next, even though she was taught how to greet people she still got nervous when meeting new people, in case she made mistakes, as she doesn't want to cause shame on her family.

Mahal let out a soft breath. Her form leaned onto the table as her right arm raised, waving her sister off.

"I am, I promise. Socialization will do you some good. You are more approachable than I am and you just need to relax. Stop being so hard on yourself. And if anyone gives you trouble, I will be right here for you to talk to." It was a small, kind gesture toward her sister. Mahal knew she bore a weight she wasn't built for, but father's word was law in their home. Nothing changed that.

"Besides, we both know I am not much fun at these parties." She took another bite of something else on the plate. Her nose scrunched up, but she managed to get it down.

Lunara handed her sister her plate that still had quite a bit of food left on it, as she knows her sister needs to eat. She took a deep breath and slowly approached Niallus and Maura, she extended her hand and said. "Hello Niallus, how have you been?" She then turned to Maura and introduced herself. "Hello I am Lunara Agha, It's nice to meet you."

As Mahal watched her sister locked in conversation, a realization washed over her. She didn't belong here. Feeling her bitterness grow in her chest, she stood up and walked outside. A heavy weight lifted from her almost immediately when the fresh air hit her. Leaning against the wall, she inhaled deeply and crossed her arms over her chest. It was times like this she wished she had brought her kicker snail.

---

Roslyn

Roslyn finished pinning her hair up, letting the slight wave cascade down. It hung delicately about her shoulders and her eyes widened a bit at her appearance. She hadn't dressed up in such a long time that she forgot how nice she could look. Her dress was nothing fancy. It retained her everyday appearance, but held small embroideries. Delicate ones she had sewn on her own that held a floral flourish. They rested along her waist, sides, and lower parts of the sleeve.

As she slipped on the tarnished ring, her eyes noted her approval for leave from classes for a family visit. Next, she rolled up her sleeve and checked her elbow. It had been itching like crazy since Mano 'e Mano. If not for Esmii's salve, Roslyn feared she'd peel her skin off. She was relieved to see the irritation around the thin black marks had faded. She rolled her sleeve back down.

Grabbing her compass, she slipped it into her pocket and left.

~~~~~~

It didn't take her long to spot the party in full swing. With a deep inhale, Roslyn entered and sought familiar faces or at least friendly ones.

There she is! Roslyn sighed, grateful she had finally found Esmii. The yasoi was near Maura, Abdel, and Niallus. Memories of the auction lingered in her mind. She sighed recalling how she needed to repay both Ciro and Maura for the 'help'. No point in dwelling on it now as she casually approached them.

"There you are, I was looking for you."

Esmii heard Roslyn, "Hi I have been here for a while, as I helped set up, and got changed here, sorry did I forget to tell you. Also you look beautiful by the way." Then she gave her a hug.

"It's okay and thank you. It's nothing much. The embroidery was a bit tricky, but I managed. I wished I paid more attention during the first year though..." She felt Esmii squeeze her in a hug. Once she was released, Roslyn leaned back and crossed her arms.

"Well I think it's pretty, I tried to go for something pretty but elegant, my mam sent me this dress so I thought why not put it on for a party." She smiled, and though I wonder when Sven will arrive, I really wanted to tell him something important and give him something.

"I think it was the right choice." Roslyn said, her eyes observing the dress. Her eyes glanced around noticing the absence of a certain large dragon loving guy.

"Uh, where's Sven. Is he off getting drinks or some food?"

"I'm not sure where he is, as he said he would meet me here, maybe something came up. But I am going to check on him later, I'm wanting to tell him something."

"It's likely nothing. Maybe he got sick or something. The trials were a bit... extreme, for everyone. How about we get something from the big food spread, uh? You can direct me to the best choices." Roslyn began to gesture to the drinks and food.

"Yes let's have some of this amazing food, and I'm not just saying this because I work for them." She laughed and pointed everything that was tasty out to Roslyn.

Roslyn shook her head as she took a few samples and a drink. She wasn't much of a wine person, but no point in being picky. After a bit of conversation, the girl wanted to see a few others before the party died down.

Especially Xiuyang, the hardest one to find.

"Come find me when you're ready to head home. We'll leave together." She whispered then took her leave.

After a bit of milling around and searching, Roslyn caught sight of Xiuyang and Maura. The pair were locked in conversation while glancing over at Ciro near... Juulet?!? Roslyn blinked in shock at the unexpected image and hoped there wasn't going to be trouble. Upon approaching the two girls, she greeted them kindly.

"Hey, I found you two. Xiuyang, where have you disappeared to lately? And Maura, I wanted to thank you for your help at the auction. I'll find a way to pay you back, I promise." She made sure not to stare too much at Xiuyang's scars, she didn't want to be rude after all.

Maura rolled her eyes, “We never said princess treatment; we said treat you like royalty. You know the expression, behind every great king is a greater queen.” She mused for a moment, as she cast her eyes about, looking towards Raffie and Ayla, “We have enough princesses as it is.”

As Roslyn approached, she simply smiled sweetly. "We are not interested in money, though. If you want to offer something in return, we would gladly accept your friendship." She moved her hands onto Roslyn's own and squeezed them, "We just wanted to see people smiling at the auction, so take good care of it."

She smiled at Roslyn, inviting her into their sonic bubble. At her unusual shyness, though, she smirked, deciding to playfully put on airs. "Messer Volta has arranged safe lodgings for yours truly," she answered with a mocking imitation of a snooty noble lady. "Not that I cannot defend myself, of course—perish the thought—but we would not want any Perrench rabble to get themselves hurt, now would we?" She winked, then dropped the preposterous accent.

"Can't say exactly where. You never know who's listening. I'm aware of the rumors floating about that we're under the same roof and all that, though."

Roslyn let out a soft chuckle at Xiuyang's imitation. It felt good to hear her own thoughts now as she weighed the information.

"Well, you know my opinion of rumors. Unless I have confirmation, I don't believe in them." She said, referring to their conversation during the Society Faire. Roslyn reflected on her next words before adding. "But I understand. The less people that know where you are, the safer it is. I will admit, you two are cute together."

She let the tease surface in her voice.

Then, just like that, she stood up, dropping the sonic bubble. "I know! My cuteness score goes up just standing next to him," she japed, as if she'd said nothing of importance at all while the bubble covered them. "I should go back to him, but I just have so many people to talk to."

Roslyn detached from Maura after catching up. The last bit of entertainment was interesting to see. However, by now, it was starting to get late and she needed to walk Esmii home. Her eyes darted across the thinning party for the sight of her friend.

Surprisingly, the Yasoi was nowhere to be found. The brunette girl frowned. Did she leave to check on Sven? Roslyn sighed, recalling the mention earlier. The idea of Esmii out there alone made her uncomfortable as she prayed Esmii stayed safe.

Not able to stay here all night waiting for Esmii to return, she debated on leaving. Roslyn's eyes then caught a commotion at the door. She casually shifted her position to keep an eye on the exchange. Shortly, the host and the teacher disappeared up the stairs. The others remained at the door with the other housemates.

What's going on? Roslyn wondered.

Instinctively she moved to what remained of the drinks station. Most of the alcohol was gone, but there seemed to be this dark liquid with a bitter taste. She glanced at the label: ZenoBucks Coffee. Noting the name, she once more began to wander. Her hand reached into her dress pocket before it rested on something hard and rectangular. Roslyn frowned and then pulled it out. It was the compass she got as a prize from the trials. She caught a glimpse of someone darting up the stairwell before they came to a stop. It was Penny.

Roslyn couldn't hear the conversation, but she read the body language. It had something to do with Penny it seemed. Roslyn felt her dread grow as she clutched the compass. Her eyes lowered to it and a thought crossed her mind. Could this help? She doubted it, but what did she have to lose? She flipped it open to reveal the face.

"Don't think you can help me find something to help Penny, can you?" She whispered and took another long drink of her coffee.

The compass pointed north, as compasses do. There was that other arrow, as always, but it never did seem to move. Briefly, it trembled, but then it went away.

The Hourglass Order

Invisibles
Roslyn Wicke

sheet

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k3XelOJTHxdy2o40b8ih-U2izw3gaayXC-YrOeQU-iY/edit?usp=sharing

Beware the Nice Ones
Mahal Agha

sheet

https://docs.google.com/document/d/158VIZIRG1VhDsxbUM7-qqQ-MsBqkxIgFKKmUNgBNoFs/edit?usp=sharing

Pray I did these right...

The Hourglass Order

Roslyn

Time/Date: After the Thin Air event, Velles on Orredes the 7th.

A Little Chaos With Your Wine?

A soft breath entered Roslyn's chest, exhaling shortly after. Her mind raced through the plan as she leaned down and hoisted the small crate into her arms. The weight threatened to drag her down as she gritted her teeth. She drew in a small light from the nearby wicker lamp causing it to flicker out with a hiss. Pouring the energy into her veins, she lightened the weight of the crate while Esmii led the way.

"By the Gods, these are heavier than I expected." She huffed out.

It didn't take them long to locate the quaint house the Perrench Connection used for a base. Just outside, a blonde haired boy paced. He stopped at the end of his circling and tapped his foot. He scratched at the side of his head before he skipped up to her, taking notice of them.

Roslyn exchanged a glance with Esmii before she addressed him. Already her nerves started to flood her thoughts and they stumbled over themselves. She had never been great at deception as she inhaled, "Hello. I was hoping to find someone which I could possible trade this crate of Perrence wine in exchange for something special."

Esmii looked at Rose, she sighed and yelled "Rose it’s pronounced Perrench."

"Perrence wine?" he inquired, "or Perrench wine?" He nodded vigorously. "Those mean different things, you know." His grin was large and toothy.

Roslyn flinched, realizing her mistake. "I'm sorry that was a mistake on my part. Perrench wine. But yes, is anyone from the Perrench Connection around? I figured if anyone could appreciate it, it would be them."

"Oh, haha! Yes, we like wine, don't we!"

With that, Zarra disappeared.

Roslyn's eyes widened, her foot stepping back a moment. Immediately she stretched out her senses to locate him. Nothing. Just Esmii and her seemed to be the only mages outside. It didn't ease her paranoia. Roslyn turned with words on the tip of her tongue.

Esmii was looking around frantically, wondering how this guy suddenly disappeared.

"Show yourself, quit hiding like a rat."

Then, out of nowhere, a window explodes.

Roslyn screamed. Her form twisted and lowered, her face pressed into her shoulder. Chaos erupted onto the scene. Multiple common folk staggered out. Among their number, a bright human-shaped fireball stumbled upon the street. A man's blood curdling cries shot from it. The scent of burning flesh filled the air rapidly. Roslyn dropped the crate and rushed forward. She drew on the heat, cooling it to ice and coated the man's form with it. The flames dimmed and died gradually on contact.

After hearing the explosions and multiple people screaming, Esmii ran straight over to the people.

Not far, an older woman had crumpled. A long shard of glass stuck out from her abdomen. Her head lifted while her hand pressed her fingers pressed the wound. As Roslyn moved to her, the girl’s right hand touched the wound while the other gripped the glass. Stealing water from the air, she closed her eyes and focused on sealing flesh. She slowly tugged the shard out while the bleeding began to slow then stop.

Another cry caught her attention. A young boy, just in his teens, sat nearby. His legs bent at unnatural angles and blood gushed from the joints. White peeked out through the skin causing a fresh wave of queasiness in Roslyn's stomach. He trembled through the tears streaming down his face.

Esmii wasted no time and started healing wounds of one of the people who were caught up in the explosion, soon after they were healed the small yasoi girl moved to help the others.

Meanwhile, Zarra appeared near the crate. "Hee hee hee."

"Trust me," he advises, "they were bad people: traveler followers."

He picked up the crate of wine.

Anger filled Roslyn as she spoke, her eyes fixed on the crazed mage.

"How do you know?"

"I just know things," he said.

Like the hells you do, she spat her thoughts at him. She rose onto her feet and moved to stop him. "Hey, that's not yours to take."

"Hey, that's not yours to take!" he mimics, giggling hysterically.

With that, he disappeared. "Thanks for the wine!"

Esmii focusing on healing the wounded said to Rose "Rose you focus on that Pax sil spax (Piece of shit), I will help these three."

Roslyn started to wonder why she bothered to say anything. Her breath exited in a heavy sigh. She dreaded explaining this to her team.

Then, a moment later, Zarra came hurtling out of nowhere. His face slammed into the cobblestones. The crate flew from his hands and rushed toward the ground. He tumbled along for several feet. Behind him appeared another person, a woman with a pale face. Zeno Fades-in-Moonlight.

Roslyn reacted quickly. Her finger snapped out and her kinetic hit the crate, slowing its momentum. It gently landed on the cobble street. However, a few bottles cracked before its landing. A deep, red liquid trailed between the planks and pooled near the bottom.

"Goddammit, Zarra, you are, were, and will always be a little cowturd." Luna stalled his momentum.

"They were traveler agents!" he hollered, "honest!"

She walked up and backhanded him.

"That makes them bad!"

The Zeno grabbed him by the neck. She slammed him into the ground once, twice, three times. A sharp crack echoed in the air. His nose broke and face splintered.

"Don't worry, we can heal you." The Zeno responded firmly.

"But they're the bad guys!" He wailed. "Really, I'm sorry!"

Zarra smiled through bloodied lips and added. "It was just a bit of fun!"

His answer did little to affect Zeno. She knocked him unconscious with chemical magic.

"We should've expelled you ages ago."

Roslyn jerked and grit her teeth, unable to look away from the rough beat down.

"You two!" Luna shouted at the two girls. "You're okay, right?"

"Yes," Roslyn jumped a bit, answering impulsively.

Esmii had finished healing the people and walked back over to Rose. She watched what was happening and then stated "I'm fine and so are the two people he hurt."

The Zeno nodded. "Sorry about this. I'll deal with him."

"I seriously didn't expect him to go off like that. Is that...normal?"

She looked at Roslyn. "For him, it is." She shook her head. "but I think we've finally got enough here to get him expelled for good." On the ground was a small box from Cherune Game. "Little fucking psycho," she muttered under her breath. She reached down and picked it up. "Here, kid. Have it. You've more than earned it."

Roslyn dropped the crate as she caught the box. It landed heavily in her arms causing her to grunt and hastily balance it. "Thanks."

Before she could figure out how to carry both, Esmii took Rose by the hand and started to walk back. The Hendland girl felt too exhausted to even protest.

A Ship and Map, Spells Adventure

It was a calm day in the port of Ersand'Enise. The pier was alive with sailors and fishermen tending to their ships. Some offloaded their catch for the day while others prepared for sea. A few glanced up long enough to see a young student rushing past them. Roslyn's boots slid on the salt water soaked planks as she rounded the corner. She cursed in Hendlish, but managed to keep upright. If she was late, they would give her spot way. She put on another burst of kinetic.

"By tah Hells, watch where yor goin'!" The man shouted, jerking the box to avoid colliding with her.

Roslyn ducked underneath and skirted past him. She squeaked in her wake, but didn't stop.

"Sorry!"

With a final push, she entered into the dry dock building. A short, rounded man shook his head as he glanced down at the parchment in his hand.

"Not here, I see. Well, we nee-"

"Wait! I'm here!" Roslyn gasped.

The dock manager squinted and adjusted his spectacles, frowning at her. "Ms. Wicke, you're short on your payment by a large margin. If you don't have the rest amount due, you'll have to move this thing," His thumb jabbed at the damaged ship behind him, "immediately. Or I will have it confiscated as debt."

Roslyn tensed, her mind racing to figure things out. She cursed herself for her stupidity and trusting another student's word over prices. They claimed it costed incantors to dry dock, but it was magnus. She barely had four incantor to her name by the end of the year. How was she suppose to solve this?

"Thing is... I don't have the funds now, but I can get them."

"Unacceptable." His hand moved to scribble with his quill.

Approaching them from an angle out of sight was the sound of heeled boots clacking against the wooden docks. Approaching them was Trypano, clad in her single-leg red dress underneath a darker red coat with a split tail, her black magical bowler hat, a curious metallic cylinder slung over one shoulder and, of course, an expensive red purse slung over the other. One arm was crossed along her midsection while the other tumbled a single magus along her knuckles, rolling one to the other in a rhythmic flow.

"No need t'move the boat. I'll pay fer it as is." While neutral in tone the accent imposed by the hat gave her a more gruff, rustic impression. Hooking the magus under her thumb she popped it up, sending the coin sailing over to the dock manager who fumbled about with his clipboard in surprise as he attempted to catch it. While the man was attempting to collect himself she had already fished out the remaining magus, presenting it to the dock manager.

"Let's talk." This was directed straight at Roslyn, no longer directly heeding the dock manager himself.

The dock manager, having now received his payment, shrugged. His porky hand waved off the men about to unlock the ship.

"Leave it there for now." He walked off to attend to the rest of his duties.

Meanwhile, Roslyn blinked. Trypano?!? Her head glanced around as if she might spot the hiding place this tall, pale woman had used. No luck. She shook away the shock when Trypano made her request and nodded.

"Umm, yeah, thank you. I appreciate it." Roslyn took a breath, pushing back the unease settling in her core. She swallowed it down as she forced a polite smile.

"Is there anywhere specific you want to talk?"

"Prefer'bly away from any unnecessary eyes. I do have somethin' to show 'ya, provided 'yer interested in my proposal." She gestured over to one of the unused docks. Typically if there wasn't docking or undocking to be done workers didn't have much reason to linger where they aren't needed. They wouldn't be completely out of sight but enjoyably alone enough to talk without much traffic around.

Trypano gave an affirmative nod to Roslyn's question. It wasn't a hard guess to make after all.

"Yep. See, I got this map at the atoll of Moatu Suva, Kiluaho during The Dragon race." She gave the metal map case a pat. This wasn't the original map of course, just a copy. She'd only be taking the original for the true venture forth as it may have details or features not accounted for in the replica she created. For now though she simply carried a replica she made just in case something happens to it during their outing.

"Seeing as you've acquired yerself a ship I figured I'd make you a bargain: I help see th' ship repaired and you help get me to a specific spot on this map, one that ain't been seen on any others from what've been able to gather." Unscrewing the top of the map case she produced her copy, showing the rolled up velum to Roslyn.

"Course I ain't planning on doing th' trip lonesome. I'll be posting an invitation for other interested colleagues to join along as there's no guarantee what'll be waitin' for us there. There'll be the chance 'fer opportunity for any joining me on the ride, yerself included." With that offer she cocked her head and hips to the side, setting her free hand on her hip.

"Should 'ya accept I'll let you see what I'm talking 'bout." She let the map unfurl, revealing the routes present before taking her free hand off her hip and extending it over in an offer to shake.

"We got a deal?"

Listening to Trypano's offer, Roslyn stepped closer to examine the map. She frowned at the odd routes and continent as she weighed the risk. It was risky because if the spot was nothing, it might leave the crew and students stranded without supplies. However, her gut stirred against that notion. Her eyes glanced at the ship's poor shape and a prang of pity edged into her core. She wanted to find out more about the history of it as it must've been a pretty ship in its prime. This was the only chance for that.

"Not going to lie, my curiosity is stirred. I think you'll have one less invitation to send out." Roslyn stated, her arms loosely crossed over her chest. She still needed to find funds for supplies and a crew, but this was a start.

She inhaled softly at the growing people she was indebted to now. First Maura, now Trypano. Who was next, she wondered, but she pushed the thought away.

"I want to try and repair this old ship to its full glory. There's something... special about it. I can't explain it, but I feel sad it's been left to rot in a dry dock."

Licking her chapped lips, she continued. "So to make sure I understand the arrangement. Once the ship is repaired, we need to head to the location on your map. After that, no other conditions applied?"

Roslyn waited for anything else to pop up before asking for a physical contract. She learned a long time ago that a verbal agreement meant little to some people.

Trypano retracted her hand, instead canting the front brim of her hat up with her index finger as she looked down to the relatively shorter woman.

"Well, the folks that'll be comin' will want to come home after we get there. I help fix up 'yer ship, you use that ship to get me and th' other students comin' there 'n back. That's the deal. Anythin' else needs sorting out we can make it a separate deal."

She could see there was more on Roslyn's mind so she waited to see what she had sitting on the edge of her tongue before saying more.

"I wasn't intending on leaving anyone there. I'm not cruel." Roslyn's lips cracked into a smile then added.

"Also, can we get this in writing too? I've had a few verbal contracts abruptly change and it left a bad taste in my mouth. The dry dock fee is my most recent lesson. The trip will also need to wait until I can obtain funds for a crew and supplies. Oh and I need to finish the mana brews for Talkhan." She sighed a bit, her hand raised to rub the back of her neck.

"I hope that's all right with you?"

Trypano gave a quick nod. Considering for a moment as they stood there she then reached down towards a plank in the dock. Her fingers seemed to sink into the very wood like it were clay and with a mere tug the section of plank smoothly slid out from the remainder of the plank that was fixed like it were simply resting against itself. Straightening back up Trypano took the board and ran her fingers of the surface, the board elongating and turning paler as she converted the wood into paper. Staring at the surface for a few moments she converted elements upon the surface into ink, staining along the page in delicate patterns which perfectly mirrored elegant penmanship.

Nary but a moment later Trypano faced the page to Roslyn. It's surface was a wonderfully complex document which mirrored a formal contract. While the exact agreement itself was simple details set below outlined definitions and conditions under which the contract may be considered completed or violated. While in nature they were easy to understand if explained to a layman the exact language used was precise and densely steeped in legal terminology. Above it all sat a line, the text adjacent to it denoting what is to be written upon this line as the signature of the participant in this contract. Trypano's name was already signed a line just above the blank.

"Sign 'ere and we can talk further while we walk this down to the bank to seal in a secure deposit box. Wouldn't want anyone alterin' the terms in the contract now, would we?" She could tell what Roslyn was experiencing. The pain of giving your word only to suffer as result was something Trypano was much too familiar with. Such was why she was reluctant to promise more than she was willing to offer. Even something simple could easily result in harm. While she was quite fine with accepting verbal agreements she was also more than ready to settle things Roslyn's way.

When Trypano reached for the plank, Roslyn's eyes widened. Her hands snapped up to silence her budding screams as her foot stepped back in shock. What the hells?!?! She felt her heart jerk up into her throat and throttle her. She forced herself to exhale, her brain struggling to explain it. For several long seconds, Roslyn's horror twisted into confusion then finally realization. It was binding magic.

She scowled herself for her overreaction. Her eyes scanned the words careful as she tried to find anything that felt off. Nothing, at least within her education level, popped out. The girl hoped there was no extra clauses she didn't understand.

Roslyn hesitated a moment then took the quill and wrote her name. A swirling mix of elegant cursive and scratch danced across the line before ending in a hard tail. "There. Done."

Her attention glanced to the ship which still needed repairs. It could wait for now. Letting that thought settle, Roslyn followed Trypano's lead.

"Okay, so I figured we can do a tour of the ship. You can assess some of the damages you will be repairing and we can determine an estimate to start. I'll need funds to ensure the dry dock fee is paid," Roslyn trailed off before she spoke again.

"I do have a question. Why did you did pick my ship? It's not even seaworthy. Doesn't it cost you more to repair it than to hire out a crew with a better ship?"

As the two students began to move out of the port, a set of eyes watched them. A hooded girl, tiny and sweet by nature, perched on a small barrel. She had been busy flirting with a sailor before her eyes caught the two girls and Roslyn's ship. A smile spread across her lips before she bounced up and departed.

Trypano however was none the wiser. When one's attention is focused on the internal then external threats become cloudy.

"Why your ship?' Trypano gestured to the vessel as a whole whilst rolling up the map and placing it back into it's case.

"For much the same reason ye' find interest in where my map leads. Seeing as we both found these amidst the Dragon race I found it rather coincidental. Both a map and a ship, both with unknown origins. Ya' think so too, no?"

She left a space for her to tell her thoughts on the matter before she'd press onto more talk of logistics. Of course Roslyn was still thinking of quite pedestrian matters such as the need for food, water and lumbercraft supplies for the ship, all things a skilled binder could trivialize with ease. This was to be expected given her reaction to even simple matter rearrangement.

"The Gods have a funny way of doing things, that's for sure. Sort of glad it happen like this though." Roslyn chuckled, thinking back to her family's curse. She seemed content with Trypano's answer, finding nothing suspicious about it.

"At first I hesitated when Mr. Volta offered me the salvage rights. I thought the ship was more seaworthy than it looked, but it has a lot issue and it doesn't take a sailor to see it." She decided to move on from the topic of the ship since they would revisiting it soon enough.

"Revida was beautiful though. After you finished your leg of the race, did you decide to linger after?" Her attention turned back to Trypano.

She simply shook her head in the negative.

"The time these trials are exactin' from me are borrowed against mah research. Too often life finds ways of interruptin' my progress." Rather than linger on the subject she recalled the matter of her business with Talkhan, someone else she was planning to approach sometime.

"Speakin' of progress, you mentioned you were in the mana brew trade, yeah?" She opened, waiting to let her affirm this fact.

"All work and no play, isn't good for someone. It doesn't let your mind rest and reset." Roslyn commented with concern.

She returned to the topic at hand. "Right now, I'm just an apprentice underneath Talkhan MakAndzey. He's a bit gruff, but a fair task master." A bit of pride edged into her voice, though nothing close to arrogance.

" His clan is using my family's brewery as a base of operations for Constantia. Because of that, I'm under contract that I can't make brews without his approval. Besides that, I've started experimenting with enchanted liquors."

"Sleep fulfills that need aptly" Trypano dismissed the concern, moving on to more curious topics.

"I'm a scholar of mana in all it's forms myself. Given how it's formative of all our greatest works and history it's some surprise the magic society knows as little of it as they do." As they calmly strut along towards their destination Trypano cast her gaze back over to the young brewer.

"Here's a pop quiz for 'ya: what's the difference between mana stored in a hegelan mana colony and mana stored in the blood?" She posed Roslyn a question, something to test how much she actually knows regarding the subject of her craft. It would be a little opportunity to see just how far along her insight towards the nature of the work presently was. Someone with genuine interest in the craft might useful in field testing some more theoretical mixtures while also keeping attention away from herself while she built ever onward towards ever grander heights.

Roslyn opened her mouth to argue, but sighed instead. She knew arguing was pointless. Her hand rose and rubbed a bit at her bloodshot eye causing a bit of bruising beneath. At least most of her symptoms had become manageable now.

" See, that question is hard to answer." Roslyn began, her lips curled into a frown.

" I've never studied mana in the blood. Not unless you count what we learn in class. I have Chemistry next semester, but I'm pretty sure they don't cover that."

She took a moment to think. Talkhan's meetings, so far, had been about modifications to her brewery, funding, supplies, and more. She decided to share what little she knew about the mana pools. There was no harm in it.

"I didn't start training until about six days ago. I've only seen one pool. They are a system of animals, plants, and mana that thrive together. I was told to stay back for my own safety."

This was good information indeed. While doing it's job of letting Trypano know where Roslyn stood in terms of expertise, still mainly that of a neophyte, it affirmed a connection with something she was already aware of.

"The answer's that they're not as different as you'd think." She notified Roslyn, taking a moment to structure her brief lecture.

"Much as the ecosystem they prepare determines the qualities and health of the pool so too does the ecosystem of our flesh determine the vitality of our manas. Observe." Trypano held out her arm in Roslyn's sight, restraining herself greatly from peeling aside the skin and flesh, simply limiting it to an exercise in imagination.

"Imagine the bone as the soil of our inner forest. From them spring rivers, not of water but of blood, through the channels that're our veins and arteries. The nerves, that which gives our brain the power to command our flesh, take root in the soil of our bone, extending their branches into the foliage that is our muscles and organs. Within this forest dwell manas, creatures not unlike Mana Slimes, if you've heard of them." She moved her hand past her arm over to her stomach as she continued to speak.

"When we consume life that life is broken down, using acid to do the job of insects and reduce the dead into a fine fertilizer for our forest floor. This fertilizer is taken up by the rivers and spread throughout the forest, feeding unto the soil as well as the trees and canopy above before returning up the vein to begin it's cycle once more." She folded her arms back under her chest having covered the meat of her answer.

"'Course it ain't as simple as I make it sound. The body's a delicate ecosystem after all. Seeing as we're nearing the bank I ain't gonna bog you down in details any further for the moment." She concluded, leaving Roslyn with some food for thought.

When Trypano held out her arm, Roslyn's eyebrow rose. She tried to imagine the body as an ecosystem, but she found it difficult. Deep down, she felt there was more to it. If everyone was 'healthy' then why wasn't everyone's RAS or abilities the same? Why did some people specialize in certain schools while others generalized? More questions cropped up and increased her thirst for more answers. She shook her head to clear it.

"That sort of left me with more questions than answers, really. But I guess that makes sense. It's a lot to wrap my head around. But, I have heard of Mana Slimes. Never seen one. I think they are used in prime and mana shots." She answered, her eyes turned to the Bank as they began to climb the stairs and enter.

Once the agreement was secured in the box and any other business concluded, they began to walk back to the ship.

"Okay, all that's left is to look over the damages." She glanced over at her new investor to make sure she was still there.

"I also need to send word to my family about the ship." In her mind's eye, she watched her brother become spitting mad over the whole affair. A soft sigh escaped her lips.

"Speaking of Mana Slimes as components for mana shots, I've heard that consuming a Blue Killer Mana Slime offers significant improvements over a limited period of time upon being consumed. I'd like t' research that effect more myself but alas my time is limited. If ya'd like however I could take one of the split-offs and let you experiment on it during your brewing endeavors." She offered in response to Roslyn's mention of mana slimes.

After the agreement was sealed for safekeeping they began on their way back, Roslyn making mention of her family as they went.

"That reminds me, I should leave a copy of my map with my brother." She commented idly, not really interested in staying on the topic as it failed to stimulate her curiosity. Her brother would certainly find use in such a map given it has many routes featured which could prove potentially more efficient. Alas, they haven't spoken much since she came to Ersand-Enise. It did leave her to wonder how they've been in the year or so she's been gone? She hadn't really considered it much given how much insight has come about, radically altering her worldviews since she began.

"First they want me making brews before shots. I'm not willing to break their trust by experimenting early. Once it's broken, hard to earn it back. Especially with a craftsman." Roslyn hated saying no, but she knew she had to ride this out. Else it would never happen.

"Is it okay, if I take you up on that offer when that changes?" The girl then asked timidly.

Her eyes widened in surprise when Trypano mentioned a brother. "Uh, that's something we share in common. I haven't seen mine for at least a year. Father keeps sending letters asking me to come home for holidays, but..." Her voice cracked a bit, showing regret and pain at the thought.

Trypano gave a simple nod upon hearing out Roslyn's issue regarding her tutelage.

"Ah'm not one t' impune on another's work. As a fella' craftswomen I know it's best to let one work as they deem best. I'll have more interesting things t' offer as time moves onward."

With the conversation turning back towards family she noted that Roslyn seemed to have some strife building back at her homestead. While she knew the nature of her relationship with her family was fundamentally different from theirs she could empathize with the reluctance in returning to problems best left behind.

"I get 'ya. There's nothin' simple 'bout wantin' to spend time with loved ones yet starin' down the barrel of unresolved tensions and gettin' cold feet. Least I can count myself lucky that my brother gets it. He just makes up fine excuses to cover for me so I don' hafta show." Hmm, perhaps on second thought that might not be as good a balm to Roslyn's troubles. Perhaps due to the hat's influence on her brain she reached out and set an affirming hand upon Roslyn's shoulder, something to help affirm confidence or what-not.

"Don't 'ya worry though. Ah don't know a single person who's got healthy familial relations out in this here school. If they can make it out 'ere then so can you." She tried to reassure Roslyn. It was no lie that she didn't know a single person in this school with healthy familial relations. Then again, she also didn't know many people in general. It was no surprise that the cross-sections of people with messed up family bonds and people who she knows would be a fairly tight overlap.

Roslyn's eyes narrowed a bit when Trypano's tone and mannerisms shifted. If she didn't know better, she might've thought it was her grandfather speaking to her instead. The old man had a way of telling things like it was. Her smile renewed as she listened, appreciating Trypano's hand on her shoulder.

She exhaled then poured out the family troubles.

"It is hard. I'm on good terms with my grandfather and father, but... My brother and I use to be so close. Then everything fell apart when he got sick. "

A small hint of anger edged into her voice, but it wasn't directed at Trypano.

"Now I get to watch it all over again. I can't stand it. I feel helpless and angry, but it doesn't matter. At this point, the binders are a way to ease the pain. They can't heal it." Roslyn raised her palm to brush away the hint of moisture at her eyes.

And so the nature of her woes boils forth. A brother, afflicted with a disease of the incurable variety. Not an uncommon tale for her. Too often do those with maladies that lie beyond simple measures of healing through the guidance of flesh step through the medicant's doors. With the gravity of this topic Trypano saw it fit to remove her hat, even if briefly so that she may speak clearly with her.

"I understand well your pain." Being a blood child it was common knowledge to any who knew of blood children what she meant. All blood children are born from mothers who die in child birth after all.

"I must be clear: My work, my life's goal is to heal that which other healers cannot. From the Tethering to Greyborn's curse, from cancer to necrosis, I have dedicated myself to extinguishing these blights from all who suffer. I will use my knowledge and magic to make us the masters of our flesh and blood so that we are no longer it's slaves." Though her voice was always very even, very neutral, the conviction of her cause bled through in her tone and in the steely focus of her eyes as she looked down to her business partner.

"While I would not dare insert myself into your family's lives without consent I feel it would be wrong not to offer my aid. If I may, I would accept the opportunity to go and see myself if I could discover the true nature of your brother's ailment. I cannot promise anything but I would do all in my ability to remove the cause, not just the symptoms." Perhaps she might of been too forward, offering such aid on the back of a single story. It might be off-putting to Roslyn to have a relative stranger promise hope in a painful situation such as that. She couldn't rightfully ask a stranger to place so much faith in her. Even still, this was the very thing she sought to do: To cure the incurable. To hold her tongue would be virtually a dereliction of her duty. With that she put on her hat.

Roslyn's glaze rose from the ground, once more settling on her associate. Like a lit candle blown out, the distant and controlled tone returned in Trypano's voice. It unnerved the Hendlish girl to see a person flip instantly. Pushing her surprise aside, Roslyn noticed the dedication bleed through the professionalism.

She had considered asking Esmii, but after the events with Sven... She didn't want to distract the Yasoi too much. Besides, what did she have to lose in the end? Nothing really.

"That's kind of you."

A moment of silence passed before Roslyn continued. "I see no harm in trying, but I need to talk with my family first. I don't think my grandfather or father will reject your offer. Garith... he's getting tired of being disappointed."

By now, the dry docks were easily seen. The ship was still there in all its damage glory.

With that Trypano let the hat rest back down on her head.

"My thanks fer your trust. I'll do everythin' in my power cure what th' others can't."

That being said they had finally arrived at the ship. She was already sizing up the damage, her eyes scanning along the hull, her mind tallying up how much lumber would be needed to complete it. Of course, they would need to head inside to see if more specialized parts were in need of replacement or repair. Before that though another question came to mind.

"She have a name?" In all the hectic business she hadn't learned the name of the vessel quite yet. A small detail she likely overlooked but still one worth addressing.

"You're welcome and I hope you'll find something the other binders didn't..."

Cradled in the dry-dock, a caravel ship slumbered. Heavy modifications had transformed her into a low, lean, and quicker ship years ago. Sadly time hadn't been kind to her. It peeled back the red paint and exposed the pale, grey wood underneath. Several masts decorated its deck with numerous, torn black sails. Some of her metallic accouterments had been stripped by scavengers. Two out of the six gun ports held their weapons. At the stern were large, jagged hole where the claws of a thresh had breached it.

Roslyn pulled out her salvage license then found the name.

"According to the license, she's called Nuvole Rosse. I'm not sure what that translates into."

"The Red Cloud." She answered. Approaching the vessel she ran her hand over the ends of the planks which where fractured and splintered, the spot where the thresher attack took place. Prying free a splinter she stared down at the wooden sliver between her finger tips. The layers of the splinter frittered away, absorbed into her mana until naught remained. Piece by piece her magic consumed the splinter, revealing unto her the structure of it's very being.

"Hmm... Good quality wood." She idly remarked as she continued to circle the tattered beauty. Running a finger nail over a section of the remaining paint she calmly drew along the very tip, leaving a thin line in the already marred paint cover whilst she analyzed it's composition as well.

Boarding upon the ship she strut from section to section, building a mental checklist of parts in need of repair.

"Missing a few things, cannons, metal joinings, sails and such. Some of th' ropes will need to be updated to modern standards but overall this girl is not too far gone." With her assessment concluded she turned towards Roslyn.

"I figure ah can bring around enough wood to repair the thing. I can even install 'em and perhaps even improve upon it t'some degree. I can also provide the paint though if you'd rather you can find an artist t' decorate the girl. My art style may not be... In fashion." She recommended. It wasn't that Trypano didn't have some artistry to her weird contorted soul but she doubted Roslyn would enjoy her more macabre sense of style.

As Trypano boarded the ship, Roslyn followed in her wake. While they went about their rounds of the damage, the younger girl watched the tall, white woman. Her long, spidery fingers scratched the ship's surface and drew mana in. Roslyn bit back the small irritation swelling in her chest. A warning that her chemical mood boost was about to die.

Quietly, she drew in some of the moisture in the air and touched her elbow. She inhaled than refreshed the 'blessing of joy'. Roslyn nodded at Trypano's assessment over the ship.

"At least you can paint, but yes. I have an artist in mind. Esmii introduced him to me during the society faire. I figured I can let him use the hue in his art works if he'll decorate the ship for free or cheap."

She blinked for a moment then added.

"Wait, won't installing it take more of your time? As for improvements, I think that can wait until it's back in its prime. That would require more funds anyways."

"I consider it an investment. After all, I'll be using this ship to traverse unknown territory. Wouldn't want 'er sinkin' on me, now would I?" She answered her first question, moving onto the second.

"In addition I figure since I'll be footin' the bill on keeping her docked 'till she's seaworthy I'd see to it personally that she be restocked and refitted for travel. After all, what's good f'the ship's good for us too y'know?"

"Usually, but I don't what to think. This is very generous of you, I do appreciate it." Roslyn's hand began to rub her elbow through her dress sleeve.

"Is there anything you need? I mean when it comes to the ship?" Roslyn quickly corrected herself.

"For now I think I''ll bring up some base clays tah convert into resources. The sooner I get to work the sooner this vessel will get back t' floatin'." Before heading off to acquire the clay Trypano reached out and shook Roslynd's hand once more. "Happy t' do business with 'ya. "

Just as they were about to leave Roslyn brought forth her question. It was a sound question for sure. The problem was...

"I don't know. She'd only been told of the disappearance recently. Given how little they'd spoken recently outside of time meetings there was no telling where Xiuyang went or did unless she was specifically told such.

"Problem with someone who skulks about at times is that they ain't easy to keep track of. I trust 'er competence as she's made it along this far. Only..." Right, there was also the imperial factor to consider. With close to half of the people returning from the Retanese mission as sanguinaires it wasn't impossible for her to have been entangled with their dealings over here.

"Say, Roslyn..." Trypano came over, lowering her tone as she leaned in. "Mind keeping somethin' between jus' th' two of us?".

Roslyn's heart sank when she heard Trypano's answer.

"That is true. Makes things harder to help when needed. I was hoping her missing were just rumors. My pride still hurts from the trade off, but I don't want anything bad to happen to her." It didn't matter in the end. Her right foot tapped in place as she twitched to pace. Trypano's hushed voice snagged her attention causing her eyes to darken with worry.

"Sure, some else thing wrong?" She hung on the woman's next words.

"A few weeks back me and a few other students were sent to Retan on a mission. Xiuyang along with a student I believe named Valerian joined the mission later. At the end we were forced to make a choice: The lives of our allies in Retan or the opportunity to become a sanguinaire, made such by the sanguinaire emperors of Retan itself." She had to take a deep breath. Roslyn seemed like a nice girl, someone not made to follow a rabbit hole as deep as this went. Moreso, peeling away the scabs to expose the sins of her colleagues and by flaw of duty herself.

"I rejected the offer of course. In the end however it came to a vote amongst us....

They chose sanguinism.

Roslyn bit her lip again. She knew most of this story as Vel had shared his side of things, including the flying squids. However some details were skimmed over as she shook her head. Not sure if she heard right, she broke the silence.

"All of them?"

"Not all of them. I along with one other refused it. Ahm also not sure how many of them accepted the sanguinism itself. Only two went with th' emperors after the battle, 'nd Xiuyang herself went off with 'em later still. The two who went first was a woman named Ingrid and th' aforementioned Valerian. Something did strike her a curious. Roslyn, someone shocked to see something as simple as binding, was only mildly surprised by this revelation. Could it be that she knew of it prior? It brings to mind the possibility she's spoken with someone from that mission prior.

"Tell me, see or hear 'nything about sanguinaires since your return 'ere?

"Does if it were a sang tryin' to eat 'ya." Trypano quickly answered back, setting her hands on her hips with a sigh as she continued to recount the events that took place in Retan.

"I don't think she is but nothing is a guarantee, 'specially with one as secretive as her. I do know with little doubt though that Ingrid and Valerian can be counted 'mongst them. Pretty much right after they turned they went on a bender during the emperor's little 'Game', attacking their fellow students fer goodies like rats in a dead man's boot. Both Ingrid and another guy took turns stompin' on Val though I can't be too specific since I was pretty sick of the rat race, figured i'd get some fresh air 'nd an early ticket home. She shook her head at the thought.

"Truth is I don't hate 'em 'cause their sangs now. What you are don't decide who you are after all. My issue's with their boss. I can bet my left arm that sanguinaires that've been 'round long as the emperors have didn't live that long by just letting their blood just up and walk. The emperors 'nd by extension the elder sanguinaires are settin' these kids up. No way in the five hells will any of 'em be allowed to step outta line, just pawns on somebody else's board now. With all that being said she did just admit to being midly sympathetic to sanguinaires which, depending on Roslyn's stance on the matter, could be awkward so she decided to tackle the elephant in the room before it went out of hand.

"Course I also believe that th' fact they skulk 'bout drinking people's blood is wrong. One shouldn't take another's blood without consent. Speakin' of... Trypano saw an opportunity as she fished her hand into her purse and produced a small metal vial. "In case somethin' hurts 'ya too bad for a binder to fix mind givin' a blood sample? I can fix you up, right as rain in the future with one 'o these."

Roslyn blinked at Trypano's response a bit. She didn't what else might eat her other than a monster, but she held her tongue. She didn't feel like looking foolish today. Ignoring the strain building in her neck, she kept her eye contact and let the woman continue.

The young girl remained tense throughout it all. Her fingers picked at her sleeve while her ears digested Trypano's side of the events. Upon hearing about Vel engaging not once, but twice... she frowned. He had made things sound less vicious than it seemed. She chewed her lip a bit when the pale woman turned to her opinion of Sanguinaires. Roslyn had braced for the worse, but found herself surprised.

She continued to stare at Trypano's earnest thoughts, her expression softening. A small sigh escaped her breath. Another 'small' problem to resolve, she realized. Before Roslyn got a word in, Trypano's next words stopped the girl in her tracks. Her mouth opened then shut. Her finger curled and pressed to her lips, considering the request.

Several moments passed, her mind finally putting words together.

"Uh... Can you repeat that request? Cause for a moment there, you sounded like a Sanguinaire..."

Oh dear, seems the girl was reticent to the idea. It seemed her hanging out with sanguinaires hadn't softened her up to blood work as much it appeared.

"Hmm... How t' put it... She pondered for a moment. "Y'see, when binders heal 'ya they do so by letting the blood piece together the matter that makes 'ya. Yer blood has a specific image of 'ya built in which is why whenever you get cut or somethin' you always grow back th' same way. Problem is when somethin' messes you up so badly that even yer blood's altered then not even a binder can fix 'ya. Stuff like mana infections, intense radiation exposure or even say incurable aberration madness are all things that'll mess you up beyond repair. Hence, I ask for blood samples. The blood inside my vials won't suffer and keep a perfect picture of 'ya so if you get irreparably altered I can use yer blood t' rebuild ya body back to exactly how y'are right now." Hopefully that was a suitably layman response that even someone as novice as Roslyn could wrap her head around. The process itself was not only fiendishly complex but also experimental to some degree in that she'd not yet repaired someone from blood derived from a stored vial yet. She had to give off a sigh of mild annoyance, really restraining herself from talking down in the midst of her simplified speech.

"Look, it's frustratin'. Folks take one look at me and don't trust me from the get go. Ah try to be 'Normal' but then folks like Xiuyang disappear and I can only deal with the hand I'm dealt. If she's... Unwell, there's no guarantee I can fix it." Of course by unwell she was narrowly skating past the moral quandary that is cheating death itself. Roslynd wasn't ready to approach that sort of conversation yet. "Do forgive me if her disappearance has me a little paranoid, hence the request. Ah can only work with what I got and turning the clock back is gettin' dangerous.

Once more giving Trypano the time needed to explain, Roslyn's arms crossed in front her. She listened intently. She had a basic idea of binding due to her lessons in class. To some degree it made sense and her body began to relax, but never really heard it said in that way.

"Yeah, that is sort of smart. And I'm sorry. Every thing feels like a mess now and the academy feels more dangerous by the day. I really hope she's okay."

Roslyn let out a heavy sigh. "Also... I feel like there might be more than two Sanguinaires roaming the school. However, I can't confirm it."

Her lips pressed together as she caught what was said. "Wait, you know Temporal magic?"

"Ah do. Was taught by Jocasta in exchange fer my promise to cure the Tetherin'. Still working towards it since, like too many ills, the issue's in the blood. Once ah crack the secrets of blood there are so many things I can fix. Sadly it's a gate with many doors, each one opening to many more mysteries than the last. Trypano answered Roslyn's question in arguably more words than a yes or no question really warranted.

"Well I know with roughly eighty percent certainty that Yulia is one of the sanguinaires you may be speaking of. Ah also wouldn't be surprised if the emperors or agents of the sanguinaire elders would be in place out here, keeping tabs on their new investment" With that mentioned Trypano turned to face the yellowing sky with the sun dipping closer to the great blue horizon.

"Quite frankly I don't think there's a single place in the world now that's safe. Great powers 'ave been movin' for a while, since Hugo died I reckon, perhaps earlier even. The amount of 'nomallies ain't coincidence either. Yer struggles with the sangs up north, the structural upset over in Retan, the number of deital artifacts now freely floatin' 'round, heck, even just the fact that dark magic, stuff that straight up might as well 'ave not existed before now, is suddenly poppin' up every odd corner ya' turn is all evidence that big things are in motion. Like an orchestra, we're all jus' swept up in the musical swell as this world o' ours approaches some big crescendo." Trypano waxed on regarding her theories, linking everything together like some big conspiracy. It was impossible to know what was by design and what was mere happenstance but having seen the world end her perspective has artificially grown forcibly overanalyzing the scope of everything in the hopes of finding something, anything, to piece together the truth behind this big puzzle.

Roslyn's eyes followed Trypano's, relating to the feeling of dread crawling inside of her. It felt like her whole world began changing and not in a pleasant way. A soft sigh escaped her lips.

Her left hand rolled up her right sleeve, exposing more flesh. Something pitch black lingered near her elbow before she extended her arm. Her next words resigned herself to her decision.

"Okay, don't make me regret this.... how much blood do you need? I'm assuming you need to cut me with kinetic to draw it out?"

"Please, nothin' so barbaric. Observe." Trypano took her hand in hers, holding the vial in the other. Inside Roslyn's artery a slight draw could be felt, eliminating only enough blood to fill the vial with. It was a painless procedure as blood had no nerves to feel with. Without even so much as a mark she had acquired her blood, the only evidence that it took place being the tell-tale magical signature of binding being cast, something only those who know what to look for could see.

As recompense she converted some of the air around them into blood, the wind picking up around them slightly to fill the gap as the slight amount which Roslyn had lost was reconstituted within her. With that done she released Roslyn's arm and tucked the vial away into her purse. clasping the bag closed.

"Simple an' painless. Ah can assure you, it's use will be 'xclusively to yer benefit."

Roslyn instinctively tensed when she felt the draw in her vein. Her breath stayed in her chest and burned slightly, her brain forgotten how to breathe. A sense of weakness entered her body causing her chemistry to react. Adrenaline raced into her and pushed back the unpleasant sensation. Her eyes spotted the vial as it filled up. It was morbid, yet impressive at the same time. The dizziness seemed to distract her thoughts before Trypano's magic began its work. Feeling her arm released, she cautiously pulled it back to her side and pulled down her sleeve.

"As long as I don't regret it later, I'll trust your word." Roslyn didn't really have a reason not after all.

"Let me know if you discover anything about Xiuyang. I'm going to see what I can dig up. I don't think I'll find anything, but I have to try."

As she began to walk off, she mumbled underneath her breath. "I'm losing more friends than I can keep at this rate..."

"I shall." With that they parted ways. As she stood at the prow of this vessel, her figure cut out as a silhouette by the setting sunlight, she reflected on concerns both current and future. While their parting ended not with high hopes but on the weight of their fears they parted as business partners, perhaps the closest thing she'd ever had to friends. No matter how many times she'd told herself to take this journey upon herself alone it seemed impossible to heal mankind without needing mingle with them, just as her brother had said.

One must imagine Sisyphus happy.

Mahal

Time/Date:After the Thin Air event, Velles on Orredes the 7th.

Not Bad, For Some Normies

The Nice Ones spend a bit of time cooking a very deliciously and well crafted pizza. Once finished, they head off to the Huggy Bears. They plan to offer this rather tasty treat with a side of Tku's recent humorous misadventure in Revidia for their box.

The Huggy Bears were intrigued by the normies attempting to be... funny? With unsettlingly large grins and an incomprehensible Nashibansek welcome ceremony, they ushered them in. They insisted that they kiss both sides and the lintel of the door frame, however. It was traditional in their culture.

One by one, each of them enter doing as they are told. However, Mahal hesitated. She glanced at them with a frown before Lunara coaxed her into it causing the serious woman to sigh. Tku suggested they sit and eat while he began his story. He told them the epic tale of how he risked the entire game... just to feed the nonna a PP pizza.

At the mention of the 'PP pizza', they all burst out laughing. "The PP!" more than one shouted. Punches-Kittens rolled her eyes but then smirked. Then, out of nowhere, Gives-Free-Hugs bolted forward towards Mahal, arms wide open as if to... tackle her?

When Give-Free-Hugs rushed forward, Mahal tensed and stepped back. She didn't like the idea of being tackled.

Gives-Free-Hugs paid her discomfort no heed. He wrapped his arms around her and he was small and soft. "Breathe now," he advised. "Rest now." He smiled and snuggled in a bit. "You are among friends." He looked up at her earnestly, still not letting go, "now please, tell me more of your very funny story!"

Mahal fought every impulse to instinctively lashed out. Her eyes closed and hands balled up at her side. She looked stiffer than a plank standing upright. At the mention of breathing, she forced out the air captured in her lungs. This was... weird to her.

"Soft kitty," he mumbled into her shoulder.

"Warm kitty." It was Takes-the-Piss.

"Little ball of fur," chimed in Smells-Like Breakfast.

"Happy kitty!" chirped Dances-with-Rainbows.

"Sleepy kitty," yawned Punches-Kittens.

"Purr purr purr," they all finished together, with a strange form of reverence.

"I'm not a Goma cat..." Mahal mumbled loud enough for him to hear. Though if she had ears they would be laying flat and her tail would be flicking in annoyance.

"Hush now," whispered Gives-Free-Hugs, "be peaceful. We like you."

"Even if you sometimes don't like yourself," added Takes-the-Piss sagely.

"There is very much to like," agreed Dances-with-Rainbows, smiling sweetly. 

"Really, we just wanna heal the world," grumbled Punches-Kittens semi-convincingly. 

"With the power of humour and good food," added Smells-like-Breakfast. 

They all nodded earnestly.

Mahal opened her eyes and tilted her head slightly. Her form had relaxed some, though her face hadn't changed much. She seemed to digest their words and slowly her arms curled about Gives-Free-Hugs with the hesitation melting away.

He sighed delightedly. "That's how you do it. See?" With a final, big squeeze, he let his arms fall away. "Much more relaxed," agreed Takes-the-Piss. "We don't like people whoa re too serious here." He winked. "They suck."

"Now," prodded Dances-with-Rainbows, bouncing up and down on her seat and taking a moment to reposition herself cross-legged, "where were you?"

Smells-like-Breakfast nodded. "Yes, I was very much into the story before Hugs did his thing." She shot him a mock glare, but they all leaned in as one after that, almost uncanny.

Mahal continued to relax as Hugs released her, seeming pleased with her reaction. It stirred up her self awareness at how serious she looked at all times. In reality, it was a defense. One she created to survive and protect herself. As the group turned back to Tku, Mahal interrupted.

"I'll try," She didn't smile, but her tone had softened considerably. She took a seat behind the Huggy Bears as they eagerly wanted to return to the story. Tku smiled then continued until the end of his tale. Then he suggested they look closely at their pizza.

Smells-like-Breakfast grinned wickedly. She, of course, knew, but jokes were better if you were in on them and didn't give them away.

The others glances with varying degrees of interest and trepidation down at their food. "You poisoned us!" Dances-with-Rainbows wailed, utterly distraught. "And after I embraced you!" hollered Gives-Free-Hugs. "'S about time, to be honest," grumbled Punches-Kittens with a shrug. "Was a good run, I guess."

"Hee hee heeee," snickered Takes-the-Piss, eyes wide with delight. "So," he prodded, "what's on it?"

"Pineapple." Mahal announced, her lips curled into a faint smile.

Punches-Kittens spat it out immediately. "You are a disgusting human being," she growled, a small black cat of a person raising its hackles in threat display. Smells-like-Breakfast continued to chew, and even took another bite. Takes-the-Piss looked at his pizza distastefully and then grinned Mahal's and Tku's way. Gives-Free-Hugs and Dances-with-Rainbows stopped their wailing and rushing about. "Oh," said the former, "it's just... pineapple?" The latter blinked. "Oh!" she chirped. "We eat that all the time!" She clapped, quite pleased. Most of the others chuckled. "Well, it's not quite main-event level comedy," Takes-the-Piss admitted, "but hey, not bad for a bunch of normies."

"At least you tried," mouthed Punches-Kittens with almost comical hostility, glaring at them from where she was curled up. When Lunara looked over at her, she hissed.

"Here," said their informal leader, fishing a Cherune Game box from his heavily tasseled satchel. "Take this. You've earned it."

Tku gratefully caught the box as the Nice Ones bid their goodbyes and thanks before departing.

Of course, the box was imbued with a somewhat weakened version of arc lightning. "Have an enlightening experience!" chortled Hugs. Naturally, he still hugged Mahal, even though it meant his hair would stand on end for the next few minutes.

Just a Little Favor

Thin Air had just finished as Mahal and the rest of the Nice Ones approached the Covenant's base. They held a simple plan in mind. Find Sister Cadence and have Tku appeal to her in order to obtain the next box. However, the plan left a sour taste in the Palaparese girl as she noticed something eerie. Sister Cadence, sadly, was nowhere to be found. Nowhere whatsoever. In fact, not a single member of Covenant seemed to be in evidence.

Mahal frowned. This hidden event stirred her ill-temper of late, making it harder to keep a cool head. She felt the leather flap on her bag shift. A large eye peeked out and scanned the scene. Mahal's chest rose with fresh breath then exhaled. She placed her hand on her satchel causing Diyablo to recoil back inside.

She pushed out her senses in hopes to locate the box. Her senses snapped onto its location, heading right for her and quickly. She caught the sight of a human shape. Then, it was gone.

In a knee jerk reaction, Mahal uttered a spell. Her kinetic stasis pushed out in hopes to stop the target in its tracks. The rushing box and whoever's holding it busted right through her attempted attack. It stopped right in front of her to reveal itself as Brother Flint. On a balcony nearby was Cadence.

"That was kinda rude," the former grunts, "just attacking a guy outta nowhere."

"You spooked me. I wasn't going to not react." Mahal commented, her voice on edge.

"Easily spooked," he remarked, glancing up at Cadence, and she shrugged.

"My art is convincing. What can I say?" She shook her head. "But she was good enough to at least partly see through it."

That was when a third member of the group appeared. He was tall and handsome, with curtains of long white hair draped to either side of his face. "I take it you're here for this?" he proposed, kinetically yanking the box from Flint's hands.

"Considering what's been happening in the city, you can't blame me for being... overly cautious." Mahal stated, her eyes flickered to the box. She wasn't a deceptive type and her team seemed rather quiet. With a small sigh, she nodded. Better to be honest than being caught in a lie and suffering a worse consequence. That was what her childhood had taught her.

"We've got the strong silent type here," remarked the third member of Covenant, "minus the strong, maybe." He snickered.

"Ash, don't be mean," scolded Cadence.

Flint shrugged. "I say we just give it to her, to be honest."

Mahal tensed. The mockery wounded her pride, but it was the truth. It still pissed her off though as she drew in mana defensively. Seeming to sense her tension, her satchel shifted and a long red tentacle reached out to poke her fisted hand. Mahal, distracted by the touch, ceased her drawing. Her gaze turned downward to see Diyablo crawling out.

"Ahh, no. Diyablo, stay in there." She snapped then tried to gently push him back in.

Diyablo wasn't amused and resisted. His tentacles continued to entangle about her fingers. Despite her distraction, Mahal continued to address Covenant.

"Look, I do not want trouble. If you have other ideas, aside from me leaving without it, I am willing to listen."

Cadence softened even further upon sighting the little animal. "Awwwww," she cooed. "Is that a sumpfkrake?"

Flint leaned in to take a look.

Ash arched an eyebrow. "You're going to do us a favour," he announced, "and then this is yours." he tossed the box idly from hand to hand, eyes flicking in the little cephalopod's direction.

Diyablo seemed in agreement with Ash. His little tentacles wiggled as he managed to settle on Mahal's head, looking like an odd cap. This seemed to be his favorite perch as a content expression washed over the alien like face. His tentacle stretched toward the nearest Covenant member. The want to climb was clear on his intentions, a habit all octopi had.

"He is a handful at times. The coloration is called the red devil. It's taken from the local's belief that octopi of this color contain demons. It's a myth, but does not stop them from being feared or killed." Mahal's voice held a hint of sympathy for the creature.

Her hand reached out for the item and took it. "That is a strange request, but doable. Does it need to be hidden or out in the open?"

"Do try to hide it a bit," said Brother Ash, handing the device to her. "Once you have, come back here and this box is yours."

"Very well, I'll be back soon." Naturally when Diyablo spotted the man draw closer, the little creature began to slide down along her other arm.

"Diyablo!"

He gave no squirts and began to investigate this new person. Brother Ash chuckled in amusement. His hands rotated as the small red tentacles curled about the fingers and climbed all over his hands. Mahal frowned again. Diyablo was far too young to understand the danger he risked by being intrusive.

Spotting her concern, Brother Ash spoke. "He is in no danger. Now, you have a box to hide and you're wasting time."

"I'll be back for him." Mahal uttered then raced off for the Lonely Obelisk.

Her feet slapped across the stone and dirt, cutting down the distance easily. Once she arrived, her eyes glanced about for a hiding spot. It took her about two hours to finally locate a decent place for it. Satisfied by her work, Mahal raced back for Diyablo. When she entered the Covenant's base, she froze and raised an eyebrow. Brother Ash was sitting down with Diyablo lounging contently in his lap. The man's fingers tickling along the octopus' surface causing the little guy melt in place. It was clear he enjoyed the attention. As she collected her pet, Mahal thought she saw a small hint of disappointment at their departure.