[h3]Mac[/h3] Mac exited the holodeck massaging his left hand trying to wring out the horrible painful twinges. Annoyingly his attempts to learn the Fist of Destruction hadn’t gone anywhere near as well as Mac had hoped; the only he had managed to even put a crack in so far was his knuckle. Halfway through another insult at Seth Macs phone rang. “They can do it.” Cheese didn’t even wait for him to speak. “I spoke to the Empress and she said they can break our curse right now in fact.” She sounded like she was walking very quickly somewhere. “I’m heading to my room quickly to grab some things before we do. Chalk for whatever I can think of that might protect us from the explosion or something.” Mac felt like he had been punched in the gut just then with such force that it left him feeling light headed, the pain in his hand now barely an annoyance to him. He felt his stomach twist and chest tighten with excitement and just a little bit of terror. Many times, both he and Cheese had discussed ways of breaking their curse and even attempted to fulfil its criteria. “They can?” Mac took hold of the locket around his neck. “Seriously, right now?” “Apparently, they can.” There was a snarl in her voice. “The damn gits I’ll tell you about it later. I’m going to give Estel a call. Meet me outside your room, twenty minutes.” The call was cut and Mac was left alone in the silent hallway wondering what he should do next. He felt very out of place like he was standing slightly more to the left of where he was and every seemed slightly less real to him. Maybe he was in shock, that it was nearly all over? Maybe he was scared he wouldn’t be able to keep Cheese under control anymore? Mac didn’t know. Feeling a little lost Mac simply decided to meander the halls not caring if he walked into anyone. But as he did so he pulled out his phone and decided that he should at least talk to a friend about it, or in this case text. He tapped Carols picture and began to type. [i][color=f26522]Curse is getting shattered. How are you?[/color] [color=0076a3]Wait wait wait isn’t shattering bad?[/color] [color=f26522]Apparently not, Byzantine people know how to without me or Cheese dying[/color] [color=0076a3]OMG that’s brilliant! I’m so happy for you! <3[/color] [color=f26522]I guess :([/color] [color=0076a3]?[/color] [color=f26522]I’m scared. I’m scared she’ll try to kill me or do something she’s a fairy she can’t be trusted. At least with the curse I can protect everyone.[/color] [color=0076a3]Dude, we’ve talked about this. Cheese wouldn’t kill you and you’re not protecting everyone you’re just punishing yourself[/color] [color=f26522]You don’t know that, you don’t know her like I do[/color] [color=0076a3]Maybe not but honestly the sooner you two are out of each other’s lives the better. You’ve been stuck together for years now and finally you two can be separated, isn’t that great?[/color] [color=f26522]I guess[/color] [color=0076a3]When you getting back btw? The nightclub has changed a bit since you left.[/color] [color=f26522]No idea. How so?[/color] [color=0076a3]Well for starters is like a hq right now with people training and stuff to fight the Heartless[/color] [color=f26522]WHAT!? :O You know about them?[/color] [color=0076a3]YEAH! MURMUR have gone public and everything we have giant posters around the place and even an emergency hotline for if people see them. The Moogles taught me some magic too, look out world Carol can throw fireballs now >:D[/color] [color=f26522]You shouldn’t be using it! Magic is bad and always bites back! [/color] [color=0076a3]Calm own, the Moogles use a different sort of magic. Plus, I think MURMUR are keeping an eye on who they sell spells to and with the Underground and some streets completely closed off from Heartless infestation I honestly feel a lot safer having at least something to protect myself with[/color] [color=f26522]Still not happy about it! >:( Are my family okay? I didn’t realise it had gotten so bad recently, please stay safe xx[/color] [color=0076a3]Don’t worry I will xx Spoke to your sister yesterday MURMUR are trying to send her and family to Fae realm saying it’s safer but your mum’s too old to move so they’re coming to stay here with us instead. They all send their love[/color] [color=f26522]Thank you. How’s everyone else coping?[/color] [color=0076a3]Okay as far as anyone can be when shadows made of negative emotions are swarming all around you :P (that’s not true is it? Saw it on the posters), pretty much all of us have become like heroes round here saving people from Heartless hordes.[/color] [color=f26522]Afraid so :( and you said you were staying safe!![/color] [color=0076a3]We are! Just kicking ass at the same time. Gtg it’s gone 2am here and I’m on patrol tomorrow. Talk soon. You take care of yourself too okay? <3 xx[/color] [color=f26522]Night, will do xx[/color][/i] Mac sighed heavily feeling a strange mix of relief and worry. It was nice knowing that his friends and family were still safe but worrying that in the past week things had gone from bad to worse. But then again, he hadn’t spoken to Carol for a while so maybe things had been going downhill for a while now. Slipping his hand into his pocket Mac felt the little silk bag Cheese had given him, he could feel something inside it but still hadn’t dared to look. During their argument outside the medical bay she had shouted that it wasn’t even one of her spells she had given him. He withdrew his hand without the bag and decided to maybe give it a look after the curse had been shattered. Feeling a bit more sure of himself Mac began to make his way to his room. [hr] [h3]Cheese[/h3] Cheese sat down at one of the seats in the Communication room and pulled herself a little bit further into the alcove. The ‘phone’ was comprised of a holographic screen and a plastic handset to the right of it although some did look different depending on what features they had. In one hand Cheese plucked the handset off the wall and held it to her ear as she navigated the screen with the other. With baited breath Cheese listened to the dial tone ring again and again and again… There was a click. “Hello?” A distorted voice replied through the static. “Estel. Can you hear me?” Cheese clutched the handset and saw several warning signs appear on screen. “It’s Cheese. Can you hear me?” “Barely. I wasn’t expecting you to call again so soon…” Estel sounded tinny and very far away even with another message flashing onscreen proclaimed it was trying to fix the connection. “How in the Hell are you calling me? I’m in Aitken right now, in Three Peaks.” “Uuuh…I have no idea.” Until just a second ago it had seemed that telephone commination between the Fae and Mundane Realms was impossible. “Magic or multiverse loophole or something. You should ask the Empire about it. How are you? Is everything okay in the Fae Realm?” Her voice laden with worry. There was such a long pause that Cheese was worried that the call had dropped until the line crackled loudly. “A lot better than before Cheese.” Cheese could almost picture Estel twisting a curly strand of hair around her finger. “The number of Heartless is increasing both in the Fae and Mundane Realms but, thanks to you and Mac putting me in contact with the Byzantine Empire we’ve been able to develop several ways to fend them off. Although, it seems that in addition to the variety of Heartless listed in the Data MURMUR received there are several types that are unique to our world so…documenting them has been a bit of a hassle; not only do I have to look out for Grimm in the field but Heartless too!” Estel chuckled. Cheese sighed with a frown concerned for her friend’s safety but ultimately knew that Estel wouldn’t take any unnecessary risks. “And my Family? Are they okay? What about my Friends?” “They’re doing fine from what Jaun has told me, he’s on one of the patrols The Goblin King put together that go past here, though your parents are worried sick about you. Additionally, I think they asked one of the moogles to bring you a care package but I’m not entirely certain so don’t quote me on it.” “Oh, that is fantastic to hear.” Cheese felt waves of worry roll of her then with a very deep sigh. “Can you tell them all that I said hello, that I miss them too and…” Her voice caught in her throat. “And…?” Estel repeated. “And after this war with the Heartless.” Cheese wiped away a tear with a sniff unaware of the warning signs multiplying on the screen. “I’m coming home. The Byzantine Empire are going to shatter the curse and I can come home.” “Wha-” Static drowned out her reply. “—n’t hea- ----.” “Estel?” Cheese frantically pressed the error messages swarming the screen. “Will shatter curse. Will shatter curse. Tell family love. Tell family love.” “---- do. Wi-- --.” Estels voice was barely audible now and Cheese struggled to make out the words “G--d lu--. --od l--k. ---te -oon. Wr--e so--.” Cheese felt her heart drop along with the connection leaving her with nothing but silence and a great red X across the screen. A little part of her decided that it was prophetic in some way but she ignored it, casting her doubts aside when she stood up to leave the Communication room. She still had some time to prepare and Cheese wracked her memory as she strode purposefully down the halls, trying to remember as many recipes and spells her grandmother had tried to teach her as a child. She also wanted to have a word with Drake too once she got back.