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[color=c0c0c0][i]I do not like this,[/i][/color] had been the first thought that had come to mind once the details of the practical had come to light. The initial thrill of getting to participate and get up close and personal to his mage's prowess had hurriedly been overcome by both shock and dread once the finer details had been revealed. Ben was more than happy to offer any and every assistance he could muster; if it would help Lilie with her studies, he would provide her with the finest in the realm no matter what the cost. That thought and all its good intentions backfired spectacularly, however, as he did not realize that having that sentiment was dangerous, especially if the 'no matter what' portion included paying the price of his own vulnerability.

The thought was a touch dramatic, sure, but after the reveal of what had happened during the first night of the Revel, his concern suddenly didn't seem so farfetched. Were he completely honest, he would have to admit there was an additional worry that had recently revealed itself: Lilie had put some distance between them. He naively thought they had made genuine progress, and she remained ever polite and they had yet to argue again, but something had changed. If he only knew what he had done to cause her to erect a wall between them, but there had scarce been any time to properly ask. In a sense he supposed the practical [I]was[/I] one way to get them alone long enough to ask, but he wouldn't blame her if she was unwilling to talk. After all, she had to focus on her task.

And that led to his personal discomfort. He could be surrounded by a hundred guards with a hundred mages and his own personal mages shielding him, and he still would not warm up to the idea of being willingly blinded. Obviously it was meant to be some sort of trust exercise. He did not like it one bit. Part of him wondered if it was despite having positive intentions, he hadn't had complete trust in Lilie just yet. Perhaps it was penance; after all, she was a mage. Victor Astorio praised her battle prowess. Ben himself had seen her practicing her magic every day late into the morn. There was no reason for distrust, but the idea of relying on someone so small just came off as comical.

Alas, the decision was not his to make. And when the announcement came, Ben would stand tall and composed. Lilie offered him a wave that he returned, and then he walked towards the intended gathering place. Ben did not hide his displeasure, but he would bear with it. He only hoped that this would be done with quickly. [i]Not that I think the fates are on my side,[/i] he thought, a small chuckle of nervousness escaping him.