[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Ixm9dZw.png[/img] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjY2LmFiOWIzNy5XbUZ5YVc1aElFRnNMVTVoWkdWeS4w/italianno.regular.webp[/img] [hr] [b]Interacting with:[/b] Yalen [@pantothenic], Hugo & Jocasta [@Force and Fury], Ysilla [@Pirouette], Ayla [@Ti] [b]Location:[/b] Forked Tower -> Hugo's Study [hr][/center] The rhythm of the rain was often found to be soothing for some, but to an insomniac like Zarina, it just kept her mind focused on everything other than a happy, comforting realm of tranquillity. And so, more coffee it was. Coffee and finding something to do. Despite the raging storm, the Virangish freshman opted to leave the premises and find [i]something[/i] to get her mind off the inevitable thoughts that’d plague her if idleness was indulged. Before long, Zarina was outside after a brief prettying-up with nothing but a cloak and a levitating umbrella protecting her from the elements. Luckily the winds were merciful, allowing the dark, silky clothing to remain veiled during the entirety of her venture. Her velvet blue shoes, embroidered with gold, were not exactly the best for the increasingly wet pavements she ventured through, which led her to adopt a brisk pace and seize every dry spot she could find. Along with her levitating umbrella would be a metallic gourde, and from it she’d occasionally take a sip from the steamy, caffeinated goodness. There was nothing, not one distraction at this hour, but at least the trip down to the Merchants’ quarters was somewhat of an adventure on its own. And it would get a whole lot more fantastical with a certain corvid stalking her. At first, she thought little of a bird just hanging about, especially when she preferred to focus on her beverage. But then it hit her that a bird was just squawking and flying about at this time and so consistently. Eventually she took notice, and a new adventure awaited. Like many before her, and a couple after her, she would be brought to the Forked Tower. The down-to-earth Virangish couldn’t help but raise her eyebrow on more than one occasion, however the appeal of new discoveries was a bit too strong for this clearly bored teenager. Her umbrella was folded into her small bag she kept veiled inside her dark cloak, kept in a distinct pouch as to now drench the other goods, while her gourd was kept hovering near her shoulder. The riddle was … Not too difficult. Nothing that trumped counting owed money and sniffing out stolen stashes. [color=C78A2C]“Sixty-Six?”[/color] she squinted at the paper, and then the fork, [color=C78A2C]“Huh, reall-”[/color] [i]Poof[/i] [hr] [color=C78A2C]”-y? Eh?”[/color] [i]Blink, blink.[/i] Dopey, golden hues darted left and right, up and down, as her frame stayed frozen in a somewhat uncomfortable posture. Lips slightly agape, the relatively tall teen needed a moment to process everything. There wasn’t a storm, this wasn’t the tower and there was the head honcho of all magic-folks essentially greeting her. She couldn’t help but react with clear suspicion in her gaze, tone and body language. But as it was revealed to be the real deal, the hood finally came down, letting her tied, ash-brown hair fall onto the still damp surface of her cloak. [color=C78A2C]“Paradigm.”[/color] was her singular opening line once Hugo had made a greeting along with proper gestures and whatnot. She paced around, absorbing the various apparatuses with her gold gaze, leaving damp footprints behind her with every step. The usuals ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions were posed, although little could be answered before the next visitor came: Ysilla. This got the oldest of the twins to quiet down with a clear change in her demeanour. Where she had no qualms in exploring a portion of the study while keeping some distance with the legendary mage, she suddenly stiffened up and quickly directed herself to one of the seats she was invited to take, all while keeping a focused stare on her sister. Then came Ayla, a girl that never failed to get a habitual wave and loud click of Zarina’s tongue when she made an entry. And finally, Yalen. Now he would not be spared from Zarina’s scrutiny, but it wasn’t nearly as focused or posture-changing. It did, however, prompt her to widen her eyes in brief surprise and kept them there while an amused grin took form on her visage. A scrutinising and very conspicuous scan of his being was made, from head to toe, as if she was checking him out, though with a borderline pretentious smile. The tall teen would come to rest her chin over her palm, letting her cloak open up as she adjusted her posture to show off her layer of fine, Virangish clothing. But most importantly, all could see her Hexaic necklace dangle between the fissure of her cloak. When the time came for the pained priest to take a seat, Zarina pulled the chair by her and invitingly gestured for the blonde lad to take a break, [color=C78A2C]”Coffee?”[/color] she inquired while beaming at the newcomer, the smells of coffee and her subtle lavender perfume so easy to capture from his distance. Her gourd was still very much levitating by her via a magnet magic exercise. The question wasn’t meant to be answered as a thin, metallic cup slid his direction. The drink was black with nothing really added to it, though it was very much fresh. Ysilla would also be wordlessly blessed with such a treat, while Ayla got her’s from the getgo- there was no need to even ask. Jocasta would be asked the same as Yalen, with a smile! Provided with a folder, she shifted her gaze between its contents and her neighbour with a brief awe-filled pause when she saw the rift being opened. Her gold hues were often drawn to his leg. ‘Tethered’, a term that appeared more than once in the document, was then uttered by Hugo. Zarina leaned back onto her seat, one leg over the other and furrowed her brows, [color=C78A2C]”Does it hurt? After all that climbing.”[/color] she inquired as she looked over at her neighbour's direction with a strong Virangish accent but a hushed tone, which didn’t make her speech anymore difficult to understand but she made the origins very clear to those who had heard the language before. What was difficult was discerning whether she asked out of concern or mere curiosity, as her body language did not give too much away. [color=C78A2C]”Okay.”[/color] she replied right as Hugo finished his brief and she dedicated more of her attention to the file than her afflicted peer, [color=C78A2C]”If at all possible.”[/color] she repeated, [color=C78A2C]”So, is our goal to defend them or just neutralise the threats? If they don’t want to help or our help in general, even with our ailing friends here,”[/color] she nudges her head to the side so as to bring attention to Yalen while her focus was Hugo, [color=C78A2C]”do we just … Act against their interest so long as we eliminate the threats? Or is their safety what matters more?”[/color] she gestures her hand in a circular manner while crossing her arms, her demeanour never changed even when treading on potential hostilities with the tethered. It sounded like business as usual, [color=C78A2C]”I’d make these decisions myself, but I’m wondering what exactly we want out of this and what the priorities are.”[/color] the same gesturing her then posed its digits big her cheek as she waited for an answer. Although in the meantime, she tilted her head and peered at the tethered teen, [color=C78A2C]”Relax, fireball, save that spunk for when those legs discover the glories of the western deserts. You’ll need it.”[/color] she readied her hand to give Yalen a pat on the shoulder, only to hesitate with her lips pursed, and then retreat to take a sip from her coffee instead. She was very much ready to go once clarifications were made and some loaded glares were dedicated to her sister. Maybe a refill for Ayla.