[hr][center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjk2LmNlZjU4Zi5SWEpwY3lCVFlXMWhaV3csLjQA/mafakanev.regular.png[/img][/center]
[hr][indent]

[i]Aha.[/i]

At the very least the blonde could give the princess something resembling a small smile as she finished. No opportunity for a followup, but probably for the better considering this was best discussed privately. Whether this made things better or worse was beyond him, but at the very least he would have some time to carefully think about how he would approach the princess. There would be plenty of time tonight to properly think that over, he was going to get both the message delivered and that favor from Ryner. He had to get [i]something[/i] out of this.

[color=ccff99]"You're too kind. Thank you, Your Highness,"[/color] He did at least say that much before she left, his hand running through his hair. He immediately grimaced, looking at his hands. Good grief was he filthy. First things first, he needed a decent scrubbing, his poor hair was [i]disgusting[/i] and he was pretty sure he smelled like dirt.

Right, then, time to scoop the kid up and get going. As the thought crossed his mind, though, the vambrace suddenly moved on its own. Looks like Max had found him first, but was a prod or a word of warning so hard? Eris matched Max's scowl with his own, clearly annoyed, though his expression fell as he mentioned Varis. Ugh, did he have to remind him?

Eris openly rolled his eyes, muttering, [color=ccff99]"Mhm, lucky you since you'll be modeling them before I put them on. Now come,"[/color] He wasn't about to wait for some snarky retort, taking Max by the elbow and essentially taking them both to the cars. They weren't going to be talking about [i]anything[/i] until they were back at the dorm for one, but Eris wasn't going to say anything until then.

The car ride was mercifully quick and silent, and once Eris stepped out, he made a beeline for their dorm. Once the two were in and the door was closed, Maxie came out of Eris' room to greet them. The blonde let out a short whistle, the pup immediately turning around and settling herself into a bed in the living room.

[color=ccff99]"Crash course on secrecy: don't go talking about shit when there's dozens of people around,"[/color] Eris stated, yanking at his shirt and pulling it over his head. [color=ccff99]"Also don't go talking when there are [i]royal guards[/i]--don't go forgetting that aside from the Revel showing you that most of them are useless good-for-nothings, there's also the fact that they report [i]everything[/i]."[/color]

Ugh, he thought he would feel better with his shirt off, but he still felt grimy. For now he would put that aside. [color=ccff99]"I'm still reeling over half the things that were said in that 'test', it was all kinds of [i]weird[/i] and I actually don't even know where to start on explaining anything."[/color]

He held his head in his hands for a moment in frustration, teetering on whether he should even bother telling the kid or not. It had been his idea, but he hadn't completely earned Eris' trust. Before he would begin, however, his phone went off. Who the fuck was calling him right now?! He took it out of his pocket with every intent to mute it, only stopping when he saw Ismene's name. [color=ccff99]"Hold that thought,"[/color] He told Max. [color=ccff99]"What?"[/color]

[color=90EE90]"Hello to you as well,"[/color] Ismene replied. [color=90EE90]"I thought I'd call to inform you on my progress and to ask permission."[/color]

Eris didn't really have the time or patience for the conversation, running his hand over his face. [color=ccff99]"I'm busy right now."[/color]

[color=90EE90]"This is important. I've found out one of my colleagues will be going to a convention at a Marivaldi mage academy where a historian specializing in mage history will be doing a lecture,"[/color] She ignored him and continued to speak. [color=90EE90]"Do I have your permission to attend?"[/color]

[color=ccff99]"For what--"[/color] Eris stopped himself, suddenly remembering as he pinched the bridge of his nose. [color=ccff99]"Fine, whatever, take notes, record it, ask questions, do what you need to do. Is that it?"[/color]

[color=90EE90]"I suppose. Are you under duress?"[/color] She asked.

[color=ccff99]"You can say that,"[/color] Stressed was more like it, but he didn't think informing her was the right step. [color=ccff99]"I'll call you back later."[/color] He didn't wait for a response before hanging up, deciding to tackle that issue later. Truly, the universe was testing what little patience he had left. Still, at least the call--as frustrating as it was--grounded him slightly.

He turned back to the kid, deciding to focus on the issue at hand. [color=ccff99]"I feel like Sunny saying we'd come out of the illusion unscratched was just setup for this--"[/color] He showed Max the symbol on his wrist, his expression darkening. [color=ccff99]"I don't think I ran into a shadow or clone. Or it was the work of a mage or...[i]something[/i]."[/color] He rubbed the mark, scowling at it. How would he even explain this?

[/indent][hr]
[sub][right]Getting to the point with [@Scribe of Thoth].[/right][/sub]