[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/cNtrvII.png[/img][hr][hr][b][color=009fff]Event:[/color][/b] Prior to Madness [b]|[/b] [b][color=009fff]Location:[/color][/b] Ersand'Enise[hr][hr][/center]
[center][youtube]https://youtu.be/QGC4b9lKPWg[/youtube][/center]

It was the morning after Chamber of Greed, the prize selection, and the auction. For the first time in a week, Jocasta simply lay there in bed, letting the sun’s rays warm her face and reel her unhurriedly into the land of wakefulness. She let out a small, satisfied yawn and stretched languidly, still laying in bed, revelling in that once-per-day feeling of muscles, ligaments, and tendons popping and loosening for the hours ahead. Then, there was a knock.

This was when Ayla came to disturb the tranquillity of the morning by knocking upon Jocasta’s door in a musical manner. If the blonde had any doubts, the sweet sounding [color=009fff]“Hola soy Ayla”[/color] drifted through the air towards the bed. It had been a busy week and the events had left her feeling emotionally and physically drained, though there was someone at this moment she wanted to see, and had missed during the excitement of the last week.

[color=ffdead][i]“Bruja!”[/i][/color] came the response, but there was a tired puckishness about it that softened any real vitriol it could have held. [color=ffdead]“Give me twenty-nine seconds,”[/color] she promised, oddly specific. [color=ffdead]“I’m in my nightgown.”[/color] Jocasta rolled over, summoned the Gift to lift herself as she did when she was lazy, and changed into a half-decent dress while scarcely moving a muscle. With a smirk, she wondered if Ayla was actually counting out the seconds. 

Ayla waited patiently as she had brought a tea set with her, adorned with a colourful display of macarons. A peace offering, or just a friendly gesture? Either way, the homemade luxury delights were going to be offered freely. She had half-wondered if wearing her hair within a cushioning hair net would be appropriate given their last encounters, but that would be too much. [color=009fff]“You have twenty-five seconds,”[/color] she called back in a tease, though in no hurry to enforce the new deadline as she idly stirred the tea, and adjusted her new cloak, so it sat upon her shoulders comfortably and made herself look very presentable. 

The door swung open on the twenty-seventh. [color=ffdead]“I shall expect something in return for this concession,”[/color] Jocasta rejoined, presentable enough. Then, her eyes widened at both the tea and the cloak. [color=ffdead]“Acceptable.”[/color] She blinked and smiled warmly. [color=ffdead]“Do come in. Let me take that tray for you.”[/color] That was the right offer, wasn’t it? That’s what a friend would say, right?

Ayla greeted Jocasta with a beaming smile, and greeted her friend warmly with a light hug upon her presentation. [color=009fff]“Very well, you bring the tray, and we will make ourselves at home.”[/color], she made her way into the room as she found a suitable location, and tidied it up to make it very presentable for two good friends to enjoy a nice occasion together. She was certainly chirpy and smiles as she pecked at making things look perfect by the time Jocasta brought the tray across, [color=009fff]“Place it down, and we’ll get pouring.”[/color]. Her hands moved to the pot as she began to pour into Jocasta’s cup first, then herself, and after she placed them down, lifted the delicious looking plate as she served the first choices to her friend.

Jocasta was not ladylike except when she was forced to play the part. She simply stuffed her face. [color=ffdead]“You know, I was hoping for some breakfast,”[/color] she admitted, [color=ffdead]“And these are really good.”[/color] She glanced out the window. They had perhaps half an hour before everybody would be gathering in Market Square - [color=ffdead][i]Why not Balthazar?[/i][/color] she wondered to herself - for the closing ceremony of The Trials. In truth, she was glad of their end. She had found it a strain to maintain her friendships while competing with people. She hadn’t intended to have any, but she was glad of them nonetheless. [color=ffdead]“We should go together to the square,”[/color] the blonde recommended. [color=ffdead]“Maybe meet up with a few others we know and put all the silliness behind us.”[/color] She knit her hands in her lap, glancing downward. [color=ffdead]“I fear I’ve been ever so ghastly to you, Ayla. You have my apologies.” [i]And my warning,[/i][/color] she knew. [color=ffdead][i]This is what I’m capable of. Please don’t push me.[/i][/color] She looked up.

The cup clicked upon the saucer as Ayla placed it down. She took a moment to look towards Jocasta as she tilted her head to the side. [color=009fff]“Is this ‘lo siento’ from Jocasta? Perhaps this moment should be framed.”[/color] She smiled widely as she offered the plate of Macarons toward the blonde, encouraging her to take another.  [color=009fff]“You are my amiga, and that means we are there for each other, no matter the circumstance. Especially, if it is saying the other is in the wrong, then supporting them on the right path.”[/color] She leaned forward as she took the other by her hand.  [color=009fff]“So you are forgiven.”[/color] she squeezed upon the fingers, then released her hold.  [color=009fff]“It would be nice to meet up with Yalen, Zarina, Kaspar, Marci and the others. It isn’t easy to forge such a firm friendship in a short span of time, and like a garden, friendships must be tended and watered for them to grow into a beautiful blossom.”[/color]

[color=ffdead][i]Ugh. You’re so… good. Too good,[/i][/color] Jocasta found herself thinking. Still, everyone needed at least one Ayla in their life. After finishing one more of the treats, she swallowed and allowed herself to speak. [color=ffdead]“Good. It’s settled. I don’t need to hypnotize you.”[/color] Restless, Jocasta set hands to wheels, backing up a half-foot before making her way around the table. [color=ffdead]“Now, tell me all about this cloak,”[/color] she entreated, [color=ffdead][i]“while we walk, though, hmm? Let’s not be lost in the crowd. Besides, I want to surprise Yalen. I’m going to take some of your cookies and say that I baked them.”[/color] She grinned devilishly.

Ayla smiled softly in response as she whispered, [color=009fff]“We knew you liked him.”[/color] she winked toward Jocasta as she gathered an adorable looking cloth then wrapped the macarons within it, and tied it with a bow-like knot. It certainly looked as if homemade with love and care now for a special someone. She placed the wrapped package upon Jocasta’s lap as they began to journey together. [color=009fff]“Is that where showmen make people bark like puppies on command?”[/color] she mused when hypnotism was mentioned, soon being brought to the attention of the cloak. [color=009fff]“This is a reward from The Trials, it creates beautiful pictures and patterns out of the constellations adorning it when you talk. Would have been handy for telling that story in the refuge, wasn’t easy cleaning all the ink up after that display.”[/color] She giggled as she recalled that event in the desert. [color=009fff]“Let me show you. Asier eating breakfast.”[/color], she stretched the cloak to show the constellations forming a pattern before Jocasta of the puff-lion cub adorably eating breakfast.

[color=ffdead]”Oh, right!”[/color] Jocasta exclaimed, [color=ffdead]“I remember August was all salty over not having it for himself.”[/color] She shook her head. [color=ffdead]“You are bolder than I thought, Ayla Arslan. Very bold indeed. Though I [i]do[/i] suppose you’ve got quite the menagerie to act as protection now…”[/color] 

In truth, Augusto had been something of a suitor before, but Jocasta could not have countenanced a life of noble snobbery. She had played the part enough and found it tiresome in the extreme. In many ways, he was different. In others, he was beholden to his father, his family, and his way of life, and she wasn’t so certain that he was as eager to break away as he occasionally claimed. Were there to be any romance in her future, Ipte willing, she was settled that it would be with Yalen and his gentle strength - so different as it was from the boastful nature of too many men. [color=ffdead]”You know…”[/color] she began, [color=ffdead]“I’ve heard he’s taken a bit of a fancy to Yuliya…”[/color] Jocasta trailed off. [color=ffdead]“Any truth to what the little birdie tells me?”[/color]

The Torragonese girl smiled at the thought of it, [color=009fff]“The world was spared the secrets of his soul for another day.”[/color] She mused the thought as she listened along, though found it rather surprising Jo seemed to take an interest in him. When she encountered Augusto Frannemas, it was the same as any other time she encountered a Frannemas, someone scheming to always come out ahead and even cheating within children’s games. The fact Augusto appeared to be on occasions pleasant reminded her of a delightful expression that Maura once used, [color=009fff][i]mierda con azucar[/i][/color]. She knew the talk Jo referred to, and had seen the pair together on a number of occasions, where it was clear that they were more friendly than working as a team, [color=009fff]“The talk is true, he had taken a liking to her temporary company at least.”[/color]. Ayla did feel very conflicted when talking about the man, especially as he had not been particularly rude to herself. [color=009fff]“There… is a reputation, but as the saying goes. If you don’t have anything kind to say, it is best not said at all.”[/color]

[color=ffdead]“Babe, you don’t have to remind me of the Frannemas’ reputation,”[/color] Jocasta joked. [color=ffdead]“It precedes them. Anyhow, enough about Augusto and where our Vossoriyian friend chooses to venture.”[/color] She hurried out ahead in her excitement. [color=ffdead]“I think there’s something big in the pipeline today. Why else would they be calling us to [i]Market[/i] Square?”[/color] Jocasta did not let herself drift. She twisted back and glanced at Ayla. [color=ffdead]“I just wish I could figure out [i]what[/i] it’ll be and if it’ll affect my bottom line. I need to become as rich as Ingrid,”[/color] she scoffed, [color=ffdead]“someday.”[/color]

Ayla smiled as she saw the happiness and excitement that her friend displayed, [color=009fff]“Anything would be a better distraction than listening to Maura attempt to make a trip to and from Callanst be profitable in a submersible. The only way she’ll turn a profit is if war breaks out, and that won’t be any time soon.”[/color] the pair headed towards the Square to witness the great unveiling that awaited them there.

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