[color=95A5A6][b]> "There was something odd about the bookcase." <[/b][/color]

[hr]

	[color=95A5A6]"Now that you mention it,"[/color] you started, as your attention drifted over Aika's shoulder and to the desk you had stopped at earlier. With a lifted eyebrow, she turned to follow your gaze. You stepped past her, leading her back to the small wooden table and the shelving unit beside it. With her little arcane light, you once again peered between the dusty books that lined the case, and with increasing certainty you aimed a finger into one of the gaps between them. [color=95A5A6]"Look, see that protrusion in the corner against the back of the shelf?"[/color] Aika wedged her face closer to the gap, closing one eye to get a straight look between the books. [color=7ea7d8]"Mmh, looks like a piece of the back came loose?"[/color] In a spur of curiosity, she simply lifted her own finger and pushed her hand into the shelf, reaching the little wooden button and pressing it flush into place for only until she retracted. 

	[color=7ea7d8]"Oh!"[/color] she pulled back and looked to the desk. [color=7ea7d8]"The books! Well- of course- but, let's put them back!"[/color] She moved with excited haste, scooping the three stacked books that remained, despite the decades of dust and cobwebs that had coagulated on them. She pushed each one back into a gap in the shelf, leaving only one slot remaining. Turning back to the desk, her alacrity was paused by confusion. [color=7ea7d8]"Wait. There were four here earlier, I left one open on the desk right here."[/color] She began to panic slightly, kneeling under the desk to look for the fourth book as you calmly drew it from your bag behind her. [color=95A5A6]"You mean this one,"[/color] you flashed the tome to her as she stood up and turned to you. [color=95A5A6]"I scanned the page it was opened to, and thought it might be useful so I took it with me."[/color] You handed it over to her as you explained, and she accepted with a sigh of relief.

	With the fourth book in place, the shelf was fully stocked. A moment of silent expectation from you both was rewarded by a sound from within the wall- a grinding of stone, low yet inducing the crawling of skin analogous to nails on a chalk board. The shelf began to move on its own, receding into the wall before sliding to the side, leaving behind a previously hidden hallway. You looked to your new companion, meeting her eager grin with your own expression more composed. With a simple [color=7ea7d8]"Shall we?"[/color] Aika directed her light to keep in front of you both as you made your way through.

	The hall was winding, cramped, and dark. The silvery light of Aika's magic and your careful scrutiny for traps kept you safe, but the march down this narrow decent was slow. Luckily, you each had someone to talk to to keep yourselves sane. [color=7ea7d8]"So,"[/color] Aika broke the silence. [color=7ea7d8]"You said you looked through that book?"[/color] You nodded with a small [color=95A5A6]"Mhm,"[/color] before elaborating. [color=95A5A6]"My ancient Daldoran is rough, but I made out something about a beast and a seal- and this temple's name, Zorkuth,"[/color] you recounted the passage you read, and Aika bobbed her head in agreement. [color=7ea7d8]"Yeah, I couldn't make out much more than that, especially since Daldoran isn't my first language... I'm from Geland actually- central Geland- that is."[/color] she turned to face you for a short moment as you walked together. [color=7ea7d8]"Are you Gelish too?"[/color] Despite your conversations with her being so far in the Daldoran tongue, her Gelish accent was certainly audible, a bit more legato and smooth than the percussive and impactful speech patterns of the empire's natives.

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[color=95A5A6]
	• "I am also Gelish."
		[Write in: choose a province of Geland.]
		[Add Elven to known languages]

	• "I'm Daldoran."
		[Add Dwarven to known languages]

	• "I'm Ethwanean."
		[Add Ethwanean to known languages]

	• "I'm from Minerva."
		

	• "I'm from Lasaruuj."
		[Add Dwarven to known languages]
[/color]