[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/Wy2Gkzn/Willa-Header.png[/img] [color=#B8041A][[/color] Nox Arcanum [color=#B8041A]][/color] | [color=#B8041A][[/color] [@Wolfieh] [color=#B8041A]][/color] [/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][hr][hr] [indent][indent] The festivities of Nox Arcanum marched on, others still celebrating in the early hours of Ipte. Despite that, she imagined Kaspar had returned to his dorm, likely even asleep—as she herself had been, less than an hour ago. Her fist connected with the wood again, pounding heavier this time. He wasn’t a light sleeper, so perhaps it would take some effort to rouse the boy. Maybe one of his small dragons might wake him, if the knocking was loud enough. Willa glanced back, to where Adala stood just a few feet away, fidgeting. The girl’s eyes were tired—she’d been sleeping less than she should of late. Though she would need to return hastily to Helbahn, Willa was going to make sure she rested before leaving. They waited impatiently after the third set of knocks, until another minute or so passed. Finally, with a grunt of frustration, Willa reached a hand down to the knob. She’d break it if she had to, twisting harshly, but— [hr] [indent][indent] [color=#D0D0D0][i]The door swung open. Kaspar stared blearily at the two figures on his stoop, barely having time to register the first face before Willa was stepping in, the second figure closing the door without so much as a glance behind her. She looked familiar—did she have a sister? He remembered a girl with a similar face who would watch him as often as she could, but she never did approach.[/i][/color][/indent][/indent] [hr] Willa looked sharply around the room, unoccupied save for the small blue and green dragons peaking up with interest by the large, partially cracked egg. [color=#C6E6F5]“Kaspar?”[/color] she called out, trepidation in the word. She hadn’t [i]broken[/i] the door… It had been [i]unlocked[/i]. Her feet carried her swiftly to the bedroom, eyes sweeping over each bundle of clothes and lingering on the bed, as if hoping he might still be resting there. She called his name again, bitterly expecting no reply, before returning to the main room. [color=#CAF0A1]“Maybe he’s still out? We could come back in the morning,”[/color] Adala suggested softly. [color=#C6E6F5]“He needs to know now,”[/color] Willa but back, face creasing into an apologetic look as her gaze hovered to the girl’s face. [hr] [indent][indent] [color=#D0D0D0][i][color=#C6E6F5]”You need to tell him. As accurately as you can remember.”[/color] And so she began. And soon, Kaspar had sat down heavily at the table, crimson eyes boring into the wood. Tomsøthet sat on his arm, staring blankly around the room while his master listened in shock.[/i][/color] [/indent][/indent] [hr] [color=#CAF0A1]“Why is it so important?”[/color] Adala asked softly, nothing but genuine concern in her tone. [hr] [indent][indent] [color=#D0D0D0][i][color=#C6E6F5]”We need all the time we have to plan.”[/color] Kaspar tried to shake himself into focus, but simply ended up—somehow, he didn’t remember—with his head buried in his hands.[/i][/color] [/indent][/indent] [hr] [color=#CAF0A1]“You don’t think they would…?”[/color] [hr] [indent][indent] [color=#D0D0D0][i]He looked up, meeting Willa’s eyes. He could tell she shared the same thought—they already had, with Felix. Who knew what they might resort to, if he did not get out of the way so easily.[/i][/color][/indent][/indent] [hr] Willa sighed, distraught, and sat down at the table. [color=#C6E6F5]“Truth be told? They might.”[/color] A small gasp escaped Adala, and subconciously the tutor was already reaching out a hand to grasp hers comfortingly. It was instinct, when she’d taken in the girl and her younger sister after they first began working at the estate—sharing her quarters, making sure to keep them safe. [hr] [indent][indent] [color=#D0D0D0][i][color=#B8041A]”I… I’ll do it.”[/color] The silence had stretched so long that Adala startled at his voice. Trying to steady it, he pressed on, [color=#B8041A]“What choice do I have, anyway?”[/color][/i][/color][/indent][/indent] [hr] [color=#C6E6F5]“There must be something we can do.”[/color] She put the words into the empty air, hoping it might somehow change things. That some answer may be revealed. [hr] [indent][indent] [color=#D0D0D0][i][color=#C6E6F5]”Are you sure this is what you want?”[/color] He knew the answer. He thought about Ayla. Her warm hands, and bright eyes. The way she made him feel safe, and comforted. He thought about freedom, to chart his own path—to choose what knowledge mattered to him. None of it stemmed from this. [color=#B8041A]“It can be.”[/color][/i][/color][/indent][/indent] [hr] Floorboards creaked as Adala stood, gently tugging Willa to her feet. [color=#CAF0A1]“If he isn’t here, then we’ll just have to go looking for him,”[/color] she said softly, pulling the older woman out of despair. [hr] [indent][indent] [color=#D0D0D0][i][color=#B8041A]”I… I need some time. To think. Thank you, for what you’ve done tonight.”[/color] The door shut softly behind him. He wished it had been louder. He wished it were in pieces. He wished he were, too.[/i][/color][/indent][/indent] [hr] Willa nodded sharply, taking a breath and turning to the door. For the first time, she saw the piece of parchment hung on the back of the door by a nail, his looping handwriting in the center. [center][img]https://i.ibb.co/S3wZkR0/I-know.png[/img][/center] [/indent][/indent] [hr][hr][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]