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[indent][indent][indent][color=gray][sub][right][color=92278f][b]Location:[/b][/color] The Dungeon -- The City-State of Thorinn, Aetheria[/right][/sub][/color]
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As the group began dividing itself to discuss duties, things finally started to feel like normal. This was one of Seele’s favorite parts, getting to know her team’s strengths and weaknesses, figuring out where she could best fit in to help the others. Whether the challenges ahead were conventional or not, some level-headed planning and practicality would see them through. 

Graves hollered some fun, good-natured banter their way, and she gave him a placating wave in return. But when Benkei came asking after…what was [i]tonic[/i] water? She felt a little hiccup catch in her throat. Oh, oh no. He thought she could cook. She’d brought sandwiches to the Wayfarer’s Retreat and now her group leader thought she could cook. 

[i]Shoot.[/i]

[color=92278f]“Ahm…aheh…well—”[/color] she started, but then Benkei’s attention turned to Rael, and the two discussed some sort of artifact. Rael turned him down, downed some sort of potion, and then did some spectacular work with her spear. Electric light emanated from the runes, and while it wasn’t perhaps enough on its own, it was better than the tonic water Seele didn’t have.

Kazuki spoke up again, a welcome change of thought. She was surprised to hear that this would be his first rodeo in a dungeon like this, but that was fine. Keeping Kazuki and Alex together would benefit them both, and splitting her focus between Graves and their backline wouldn’t be too difficult. 

[color=92278f]“Perfect! You two can watch each other’s backs, and I’ll do what I can to mitigate some of the damage you’ll have to heal. Alex, give me a great, big holler before you throw out your strongest attacks, alright? Oh, and Kazuki—”[/color]

Seele paused as the lanky healer produced a torch from his bags, and she audibly sighed with relief, hands clasped as if in a grateful prayer.

[color=92278f]“Oof, you lifesaver. Anyway, if you know someone’s about to need major healing, just point’em out and I’ll try and throw some big defense-buffs their way. Hopefully that’ll make it a bit easier on you. And one more thing, both of you. If you feel a chain pulling you—”[/color]

She flicked her fingers, the ring-claws clinking faintly together. A thick, ghostly chain manifested from beneath her sleeve, wafting dim-violet light, then vanished in an instant.

[color=92278f]“Don’t fight it. I know it’s not fun getting yanked around, so I promise it’ll only be for emergencies!”[/color]
                                     [color=#2E2C2C]…they’re not…coming…[/color]
Seele started a bit when Kalie spoke up. The girl was something of a shadow it seemed, but she supposed that was a given considering her role. Perhaps she had an affinity for the dark as well, or perhaps Seele wasn’t nearly as observant as she thought she was. Likely a combination of the two. 

[color=92278f]“Now now,”[/color] she said, a bit stern, but not unkindly. [color=92278f]“Let’s focus on the enemies ahead. Experienced or not, with all of us working together, I’m sure there won’t be any reason to panic.”[/color][/indent][/indent][/indent]