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[center][sub]Time: 2:31 - The Forest[/sub][/center]

[hider=Lilie/Ben]

The Beast looked unimpressed at Ben’s lack of response but reached around him nonetheless, sharp claws reaching for the helpless mage. It didn’t take note of the shifting water until it was too late. The creature Lilie managed to wash up shore tumbled across the ground for a second before latching onto the Beast’s foot. The Beast howled as the creature buried rows of teeth in it’s foot and tore. Nothing came out but the Beast screamed still, tearing at the creature. But instead of dying, each piece developed into exact replicas of it. 

The Beast thrashed, stumbling as it did, and tripped over its own foot, crashing down over Ben and Lilie. It’s claws drove into Lilie’s face as it tried to catch itself…

And the clearing was back. The harp hadn’t moved but no longer played for them. A jade elephant carving shone faintly in front of it with a little piece of paper. On it, Lilie would find the familiar blue writing:

[color=deepskyblue]“With wisdom gained, your path diverged. Respite excitement for paths abandoned lay ahead. The moon’s own travels guide you homeward bound while it’s mirror offers a lesson.”[/color][/hider] 

[hider=Salem/Victor] Salem told the GM he would place the lantern once Victor has a chance to react to the scene. PM if you don’t plan a reaction post to what Salem mentioned and I’ll update here; otherwise, the section is written and will be posted as soon as the victor post comes out (unless it is on Monday which then I’ll just post it with the update).[/hider]

[hider=Maddie/Amaris]

Maddie could only attribute the Countess’ enjoyment to her lack of sight. Anyone with common sense would be equally creeped out by a faceless mannequin with words on it’s face sitting at an empty table in the middle of the forest. She was personally of the opinion that avoiding more challenges was the better idea. Maddie could clearly use the spell for an extended period of time. A higher grade wouldn’t reflect that any better. Sure, she definitely appreciated the fact that the previous challenge brought some interesting things to light. Like a secret book with her father’s dead name in it. Or the fact this wicked raven was keeping secrets and using her but that surprised her the least. Nice or not, the Noila’s were still vampires and vampires were notorious for their political games. 

[color=FC8686]“Of course, Countess. It’s a blue candle that seems to have glitter in the wax.”[/color] Maddie repeated as she passed it over to the Countess, holding back a sigh. Maddie would have to keep an eye on Amaris’ dealings with the Noila’s. If she was naive enough to miss the connection to whatever dealings she has with them, it was likely she hadn’t noticed whatever the danger the riddle was warning her of. Even if they hadn’t had a good relationship, Maddie would have had to intervene. Her vampire’s well being was her own after all. 
[/hider]


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[center][sub]Time: 3:51 - Exam Staging Grounds[/sub][/center]

[color=bc8dbf]“Cydril?”[/color] Ryner asked, her tone even but barely bothering to hide her skepticism. Her eyes darted past Eris, where a few royal guards were standing and watching Eris’ interactions carefully. [color=bc8dbf] “The only individual I know by that name is a legend long past, burnt at the stake in front of every noble centuries ago by the Queen’s hand.”[/color] Ryner dismissed Eris’ comment with a wave of her hand but she did soften her look sympathetically. [color=bc8dbf] “I know the challenges were strenuous but as a vampire and pillar of this society, you mustn't let your imagination run wild. However if it would put your mind at ease, I’ll have some time shortly after sunset tomorrow to talk through it. I’ll make sure my secretary expects you.”[/color] She put her hand on his shoulder in a comforting gesture but the grip on it was with the barely restrained strength of a centuries old vampire. She breezed past to greet another pair that was exiting the forest but her warning was clear.

Meanwhile…

Varis didn’t bother acknowledging the boy as he approached the car, ducking in without a word and snapping at the driver to get moving. The driver pulled away barely a second after the boy shut the door and Varis [i]seethed[/i] the entire way back to the noble dorms. The night had been humiliating. He was disgusting, his gloves were destroyed, the boy tried to kill him, and Ryner had laughed at the entire situation. It was utterly disrespectful and nothing could make the night worse short of a call from his Lady. Varis tapped his foot impatiently against the car floor as he stared holes into the driver through the rearview mirror. 

It felt like an eternity but eventually they stopped in front of the dorm and Varis swept out of the car and up the path like a hurricane, his anger radiating off him in waves. Once they were inside, Varis turned to the boy. [color=f7976a]“Clean yourself up. Don’t bother getting dressed yet either. I expect you waiting at the end of your bed by the time I’m ready.”[/color] Varis snapped before he disappeared into his room, not bothering to unbutton his clothes and instead just shredding them until they were just tatters on the floor. The boy would dispose of these and whatever he wore that night; burning them would be an excellent catharsis. 

Varis stumbled into the bathroom, eyes shut until he fumbled his way through covering the mirror. The sound of the shower coming alive put him a little more at ease and he stepped in immediately, scrubbing as hard as he could at the dirt and grime that covered him. The night had been a nightmare and he was ready to let it go for the rest of his existence but first, he had to use it as a lesson for the boy. His performance was far below his expectations, unsurprisingly, but Varis had expected his physical performance to be at least just subpar not dreadful. Clearly, he’d let the boy handle his own schedule for long enough. He was slacking on his training and that was unacceptable. He’d fix that quickly enough.