[center][h3][color=#3D85C6][color=#7BCDC8][i]ℭ[/i][/color]harles [color=#7BCDC8][i]Λ[/i][/color]eon[/color][/h3]  [b][u]ＴＨＥ  ＩＭＭＯＲＴＡＬ[/u][/b]
O M I N A R
[sub]~  Twilight Spirit  ~[/sub][/center]
[hr]

When Killian cut the wrap easily with the scissors, Charles shivered at the touch. The bandages fell off then pooled into the floor at his feet before being tossed away by the student. The young man’s attention finally turned to what he was patching. A few bones were bent inward and swelled, gradually mending the damage caused. Several missed splinters were removed as Killian started to clean then attend to the wound. 

Listening to the conversation playing out between Zeki, Archene and Mairyell, Charles noted that one of Archene’s comments was all for making the Prae’s public image suffer. However, Charles didn’t enjoy making their public image burn up in smoke. Primarily because if the Prae had nothing to lose image wise, their tactics could become unreasonably aggressive and difficult to work around for the resistance. At least that was one possible outcome he could think of immediately. Humanity might have the numbers in the city, but it was hardly an advantage in Charles’ mind over how little they knew about their oppressors or their counter tactics. 

Debating about pulling this point up, Charles was interrupted by Archene’s voice  directed at him. There was a hint of mockery in his friend’s tone causing him to pause at it. 

His lips tightened in question slightly then receded in acceptance when Archene chuckled. It was followed by a display of the seed forming in Archene’s hand before he touched the lower half of Charles’ hand with a soft tap. Unsure what to expect, the immortal’s expression promptly braced for a painful experience and scrunched his face up. 

Gradually, Charles’ right eye then followed by his left opened up slowly. If it wasn't for the numbness and Archene’s comment, he would've questioned if the Eximius had done anything at all.

At Killian, Charles couldn’t help the reply to follow the man's comment,[color=#7BCDC8] "I’ve made due before I met you and with much worse injuries. As for intentions behind the injury… they are complicated and I would appreciate it if you would drop it.”[/color] 

Charles’ arm lowered as Killian finished up his task, the student's paranoid nature rearing its ugly head heavily.[color=#7BCDC8]“I’m in no condition to protect us and I trust him. If those Prae that paid me a house visit return…”[/color] 
 
He purposely let his statement trail off for the boy to piece together. Neither the fifteen year old or himself was in any shape to protect themselves from any attack and having additional assistance was welcomed in the immortal’s mind. He mainly didn’t want either of his responsibilities dying before their time and at least Archene would assist him in that task. Taking a moment, he breathed then made one last comment. [color=#7BCDC8]“I’ll  figure out arrangements after we leave. It might be a little crowded, but I'll get it sorted.”[/color] 

Guilt swelled in his conscience over forgetting his responsibilities as he mentally tried to ease it, his attention lingered over the child sleeping in the chair. Her image reminded him of her mother. The thought nailed deeper the stigma that he was now her current guardian and should’ve had her care as his primary focus. Not this and tomorrow he would resolve in correcting it.

There was little use in dwelling on his failures of the day, Charles noted before their quietest member stepped forward. The professor’s eyes shifted to the individual when he heard the name Szayeis mentioned. 

Again, his mind flipped through his mental collection of information and shortly found what he was looking for. Szayeis. An Eximius whose name was at the top of the Prae’s most wanted list and name smeared for reasons not fully clear.

One of their number seemed to believe the Prae propaganda and it was odd to Charles why such an individual would show up at the meeting designed to undermine them. He was about to give his view on it when Archene beat him to it. Much like Charles himself, the Eximius was on the fence when it came this Szayeis character and Charles agreed since the lack of information couldn’t help determine the Licenti’s reputation.
 
[color=#7BCDC8]“To start with, I have an issue with arming the prisoners,”[/color] He voice his thoughts for the first time when he spotted the break in the conversation. His hand pulled upright and declined the offer made by Zeki, the immortal’s mind turned to address things in the order they were discussed.  

[color=#7BCDC8]“Doing so, we end up giving the guards rights to defend themselves with more aggressive tactics. I’m not too keen on leaving more bodies in the fray for either party, even if the chaos gives us an edge,”[/color] Charles’ views obviously didn’t begrudge the guards-who he assumed would be mostly human- for doing their job or the prisoners for wanting to escape. The hand that Archene had planted his seed in had numbed in a spot causing him to shake some feeling into it, [color=#7BCDC8]“At least without being armed, the guards will likely be less aggressive and focus more on subduing them then merely shot first. This makes things more difficult for them in reining in the situation.”[/color]

Adjusting his position to lean against the counter, Charles made one final point on the  matter, [color=#7BCDC8]“Another matter to keep in mind, not all of those individuals are completely human or without means to defend themselves. I’m sure some of the humans are mages and Licentia tend to have some form of magic naturally.” [/color]

Before he could get much farther, another late arrival entered the shop causing Charles to pause. The man spoke in a footle fashion then made a careless display, expending his magic to add what he viewed to be an impressive flare. Charles found himself more annoyed at it than amazed.

[color=#7BCDC8]“I agree with Archene,”[/color] Charles started, ignoring the man’s entrance, [color=#7BCDC8]“With little information about this Szayeis- aside from Prae claims- there’s little way to tell if he would be of help or hinder the purpose of this group. He might not even become involved since it doesn’t outright benefit him.”[/color]  

The professor paused enough to catch his breath, [color=#7BCDC8]“I’m not an expert on Prae, but they don’t slander individuals without a reason, even if the person might not deserve it. I believe until more information is learned then we should exercise caution [i]if[/i] we encounter him.” [/color]

[color=#7BCDC8]“Another thing we’ve forgotten is the matter of keeping our identities unknown. As one of us pointed out, the Prae controls a lot within Ominar,”[/color] Charles said then gestured toward Mairyell, [color=#7BCDC8]“If we’re going to break out several individuals and cut them loose to return home, all the Prae  need is one good identification to rip our lives apart. Merely capturing one, which is very likely to happen at some point, will give them a lead.”[/color]

Putting forth something useful, he presented the faint possibility for a solution, [color=#7BCDC8]“I’m not a fan of being hunted down and I have one possible solution within my spell collection to allow us to hide in plain sight. However, if someone has another option that isn’t magical and feels it’s better then by all means, I hope you will lay it on the table.” [/color]