Jazdia was a bit overwhelmed when the soujourner and sorceress took their turns sensing her palm. She was not a very touchy person herself, and there was a concern that the curse might affect them in some way beyond her calculation 

[quote]“Then the fire offers more than just warmth against your skin. How to be so young and beautiful and to be shackled by the chains of the vengeful. Coming here was not merely obligation but to seek out the shears that can sever you from the tangles of pale emanations.” [/quote]


It took a while for Jazdia to ponder whether she would grant an explanation or not, before deciding that the sorcerer was saying that as an idle musing. Truth to be told, it was the need to survive that led her to become like this. The second reason was less noble -—it was a desire for vengeance so intense it consumed her from within. One that blinded judgment and clouded rationality. After the vengeance faded and retribution was exacted, it revealed the steep price she would have to pay.

When their hands touched, Jazdia did not speak a word, yet her face relaxed despite the raging feeling that was now being shared.  As their touch lingered, the true nature of the curse became clearer—it was a result of a contract. One could speculate whether this contract was formed through coercion, trickery, or desperation, but it mattered less in the end; The deal was made willingly, which likely explained why no external force could break it.


Jazdia sips her tea calmly. They speak quite a lot, almost giving no chance to the others to insert a word into the conversation. The enthusiasm was commendable and promising. Too promising, Jazdia felt a bit uncomfortable envisioning it, especially when Miwa asked Fia to count herself in.

It was finally the elven ranger's turn to speak, right at the moment when words were less frequent. In her turn, she meant every word she said. 

[color=ec008c]"Thank you for your kind words. But such sincerity cannot be taken for granted. Do not risk yourself and do not ask any commitment from others, for my burden should be mine to bear, and I cannot live to see others get hurt by the result of my own choice."[/color] 

Smiling again, she said with a more playful tone as the conversation shifted to the matter regarding the library. The encouragement about it eased her. 

[color=ec008c]"We will, alright, just like what Vesemir wanted. That thankfully serves me just fine since our interests align. Let this revelation trouble you no more. Thanks for entertaining my request, Miss Miwa."  [/color]


For someone seldom deceived by hope, her words were surprisingly optimistic.


Thankfully, they did not linger near her any more than necessary. Akari and her bold presentation helped a lot, it seemed, and the two immediately joined her, not for fun, but rather to give the nubile ninja an earful. 

*****

Meanwhile, at the other part of the campsite, there was a small disagreement between Mr. Elc and Vesmir. 

"I don't think I heard you clearly enough," said the masked elf, arms crossed. "The plan was to visit the library. Why risk another route? 

"Because I do not come this far for some ruined building and stone tablets, Mr.Elc,"  Said the old elf, storing a rather large tome into a canvas bag. Meanwhile, her Secretary Eblana had just finished adding a drawing onto something that looked like a map. 

"That I know, but what you say is a bit mythical. An underground vault? Never heard about it. How do we even suppose to locate it?"

"There was a secret passage. According to the records, of course. A labyrinth, a tunnel that leads to the vault. Built by Theriadore himself to anticipate total destruction of the surface. Turned out the library survived the war, but not from neglect and millennia of abandonment. Such a shame, really. But I tell you, Mr. Elc. The vault survived, and the passage to reach it exists, even when the main building had caved in, and we shall go there. We have Miss Jazdia as our navigator, and all is according to plan."

Under the mask, Mr. Elc opened his mouth, but no words came out. Everything seemed sensible, yet it felt too easy—a strange combination that had many flaws to consider. How long was the tunnel? Would their navigator have enough power to guide them through the labyrinth? And what about the opposition? Who knows what dark creatures might be lurking beneath the hill, waiting for them? The hardest part of addressing these questions was that none of them knew the answers. The less they knew, the more adventurous individuals like Vesemir would become. 

"Not about to flat out reject your plan. But I just want to say that other route may exist..."

"I don't doubt that, but the other way yields less reward, and for some, that's not an option," said Vesemir, glancing at Jazdia, as if confirming that he managed to put the other party's interest to his advantage. And that alone ended this dispute.