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The grand arch of an entrance was a spectacle all on it's own, but the proceeding courtyard left MacKensie wondering if this might all be a dream.  She walked with her friends, slowly looking all around, marvelling at the beauty and scale of the Academy grounds.  In one sense, it felt like she was back in Paris, at university, but while the her campus sprawled for square miles over part of the city centre, there was no part of it quite as impressive as the pristine, enchanted courtyard here.

Fenna took the lead, politely accosting a man in robes who crossed their path.  The gentleman was kind enough to direct them to the big building at the top of the courtyard - an impressive structure too.  Had they not been here on the final leg of important business (business that had cost the lives of two of their group) then she might take time to gush over the architecture and aesthetic attraction of the decor, but as it stood, she silently followed into the building.  At the very least, the tension in her shoulders had disappeared.  Here she felt safe.

Upon finding the woman, Clarissa, MacKensie found herself wondering if [i]everyone[/i] in this world was an utterly stunning beauty or tall and handsome hunk.  Frankly, it forced her to acknowledge an insecurity in herself she'd not known since early adolescence.  It wasn't a loud or glaring thought in her mind, but it was there.  With her strength of will, she pushed such selfish and shallow thoughts from her mind as Clarissa led them to her office, feeling a little ashamed that such concerns were even in her when she was supposed to be such a mature and upstanding young woman.

When Clarissa finished with the letter and let out a quiet sigh, the look on her face made MacKensie suddenly realise the nature of the relationship between Clarissa and Lucy, causing the frenchwoman's eyes to flare and her cheeks to blush.  It never took much to make MacKensie Trydant blush.

"MacKensie Trydant."  MacKensie bobbed a clipped curtsy in response to the woman's introduction.  "Nice to meet you."

Clarissa's reaction to the cube (especially when getting her tools and going to work on the object) should not have been surprising, when considering the state of the office they were in.  MacKensie noted this as she watched, sparing a few moments of silence to look around at all the weird machines and apparatus around the room.  Fenna explained about how the cube came to be in their possession, bringing back memories of the first battle.  She had spent much of the duration with Zell on the wall, both of them discovering their skills and strength together in the chaotic throes of resistance.  Fighting back to back, for their lives and the lives of defenseless men, women and children.  It was many things, but 'intense' was one of the first words that came to mind.  'Exhilirating' was another.

"Any theories as to what it might be?"

Like Fenna, MacKensie immediately looked at Lillianna, who had warned them early on that The Witch Queen was after them.  However the white-haired wizard had known such a thing (maybe a ghost told her?) the group had believed her and the prophecy came true at the worst possible time.  Or maybe the best possible time - it was hard to know how events would've resulted if things had gone differently.

Clarissa's question and comments to Adam were rather rude, but MacKensie found herself happy that she'd asked.  The frenchwoman had been wondering the exact same things.  Adam's eyes were strange indeed.  Perhaps on anyone else, such devilish features might look scary, but on Adam they were not.  Even when she hadn't traded more than a few words to the young man, it was rather easy to tell that Adam was a well-meaning individual.  He probably could have [i]horns[/i] growing on his head and still his gentle soul would shine through (an amusing image.)  Not surprisingly, Adam brushed off the question quickly and moved focus back to the cube.  MacKensie wanted to tell him that he had beautiful eyes, but now was not the time.  Also, she didn't think it would help.  She was just starting to notice now that there was something wrong with the Druid.  Everyone was hurting from the loss of Clive and Arthur, but there was something extra going on with Adam.  MacKensie hoped he was alright.