[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZPeVFW3.png[/img] Collab between [@enmuni], [@Echotech71], & [@The Muse] [sub]Location: Alchemy Chambers[/sub] [i][h1]Part II[/h1][/i] [hr][/center] Feeling the warmth from the hearth slowly begins to warm himself up, Nathaniel let out a small sigh of relaxation. It was then Eris asked him a question. He looked at her, her face, her form cast in the hearth's warm light. Nathaniel's eyebrow raised in interest by her question. [colour=#C0C0C0]“Enchantment?”[/colour] [colour=#C0C0C0]“I know about the Enchantment magic, how it works. But being able to use it,[/colour] a small shake of his head before continuing. [colour=#C0C0C0]“I am unable to cast Enchantment magic.”[/colour] Putting a hand into the inside of his coat, he pulls out a small notebook. [colour=#C0C0C0]“My mother insisted that I bring some books on magic that I can't use, as a way to help assist other sages if it was ever required.”[/colour] [colour=#C0C0C0]”I'm guessing the object you found has something to do with Enchantment magic.”[/colour] As he began to flick through the pages of the notebook in his hand. [color=B1E4FC]“I’m not sure yet.”[/color] Eris sighed, her gaze flicking back to the hearth. [color=B1E4FC]“I can ask one of the other Sages to assist. Lady Rovella knows some enchantment. I know it well myself, but I…”[/color] Her voice trailed off as she pressed her lips together in minor disappointment. [color=B1E4FC]“I helped heal the Princess yesterday and I’m afraid it nearly took everything I had…”[/color] She looked down at her hands, turning them over in the firelight, silently feeling for the faded threads of her magic—sputtering and weak beneath her skin. A low supply of mana had never been a problem for her. Adjusting to that reality was maddening. [color=B1E4FC]“If only Aelios were to return…”[/color] Eris muttered under her breath, barely audible. Nathaniel paused through flipping his small book to gaze at her, the expression on her face made him want to reach out to grip her hand and comfort her, it took all of his being to resist the urge to do so. [colour=#C0C0C0]“I think that's an amazing thing you did, it's not everyday that you get to heal a princess. You likely saved this whole Dawnhaven project by taking that risk.”[/colour] he smiled. Eris’ gaze dropped to the fire, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. What she’d done hadn’t felt amazing. It was her duty to do what she could for the royals. And had she been at full strength, she could have healed the Princess alone, without all the repercussions she was dealing with today. Still, his acknowledgement was… nice to hear. [colour=#C0C0C0] “I'd likely have done the same thing if I was in your shoes.”[/colour] before he realised he had moved closer to her. A wave of crimson washed his cheeks as if he spoke a bit too boldly, especially as he caught his free hand reaching for hers, he snapped it back hopefully no one was able to see, then went back to looking through his book. Letting her hands fall to her sides, Eris turned to face her two guests. For a moment, she watched as Nathaniel flipped through his notebook, then shifted her gaze. [color=B1E4FC]“I appreciate your willingness to help our research, Nesna.”[/color] She said softly, her tone warm and sincere—feeling safe at the other side of the room. [color=B1E4FC]“We need all the help we can get.”[/color] She paused, gaze lingering on the folds of Nesna’s wings, then returned her gaze to meet the other woman’s four vacant eyes. An idea taking shape. [color=B1E4FC]“If the Prince and his advisor grant you permission to stay… I wonder if you might be willing to join us on an upcoming expedition into the wilds?”[/color] She tilted her head thoughtfully. [color=B1E4FC]“We’ve found that blight-born are far more resistant to blight itself. And we don’t currently have any winged blight-born… Your vantage point could be invaluable. If you’re willing, of course.”[/color] Nesna nodded along. [color=DDA0DD]“But of course. I’m more than happy to help.”[/color] She paused for a moment. Her hands tensed into fists briefly, before relaxing again. [color=DDA0DD]“I should confess, though, that I just can’t see all that well at a distance. I can try my old spectacles, but I might recommend taking along a volunteer to fly with me.”[/color] She shook her head and sighed. Not wanting to sour a discussion with new acquaintances and potential superiors with such talk of inconvenience, she quickly donned a smile, and added a little jest. [color=DDA0DD]“Four eyes and none of them are any good at seeing. Isn’t that just another one of the Blight’s little jabs?”[/color] Eris blinked, surprised–and a bit disappointed—by the admission, then let out a soft breath that might’ve been a laugh. [color=B1E4FC]“You’re not the first to have a few… [i]complications[/i] from the blight.”[/color] She said with a bemused, sympathetic smile. [color=B1E4FC]“I appreciate you offering to help despite them.”[/color] She folded her hands loosely in front of her, eyes drifting over Nesna. The blight-born’s arms didn’t look particularly muscular, though Eris knew that their strength was rarely reflected by their outward appearance. Nesna smiled at the statement and the inspection. [color=B1E4FC]“Can you carry much weight while in flight?”[/color] She asked curiously. If Nesna could carry the full weight of an adult human, it was quite an impressive feat. One that Eris had no intention of testing firsthand. [color=B1E4FC]“I can see about pairing you with someone light, perhaps?”[/color] Nesna’s brow furrowed and her eyes dimmed as she sunk into thought. For a moment, she was silent. Her head bobbed indecisively from side to side. At last, she opened her mouth to respond, albeit not without some measure of hesitation. [color=DDA0DD]“...I imagine I should be able to manage that.”[/color] She clicked her tongue and tightened her lips. [color=DDA0DD]“Though come to think of it, I only know I can carry some amount of weight—I’ve never actually pushed myself in that regard.”[/color] Eris smiled and gave a small nod. It was almost a relief that Nesna hadn’t attempted flying with a grown adult dangling beneath her. She could only imagine how horrifying that experience might be. Outside of specific circumstances, anyone caught there was likely prey… at least in her mind. [color=B1E4FC]“We can do some testing on your limitations.”[/color] Her gaze drifted to Nathaniel, still half-buried in his notes. After a brief pause, she offered a small, apologetic smile. [color=B1E4FC]“I’ll be just a moment.”[/color] With that, she turned on her heel and disappeared down the nearby hallway that led to the lab. The fire crackled softly in her absence. A couple minutes later, two sets of footsteps returned. Eris stepped into view with another woman at her side—an older brunette, her usual no-nonsense expression as unreadable as ever. [color=B1E4FC]“Penn, this is Nathaniel Stormlight. He’s a Sage from Aurelia. Arrived recently.”[/color] She gestured towards him before turning slightly. [color=B1E4FC]“And this is Nesna. She’s waiting on her approval from the Prince, but she’s offered to assist with our research.”[/color] Penelope offered a brief nod to them both, her sharp eyes flicking between them—quietly analyzing. [color=B1E4FC]“Nathaniel and Nesna, this is Lady Rovella. Another Sage. And a great teacher.”[/color] Eris flashed Penelope a smile, which earned a faint twitch of amusement at the corners of the older Sage’s mouth—gone as quickly as it came. [color=B1E4FC]“Would you excuse us for a moment?”[/color] she asked politely, offering a small bow before continuing toward the stairwell. Penelope followed silently, vanishing up the stairs and into Eris’ private quarters. Five minutes passed. When they returned, Eris came down first. Penelope followed quietly behind, merely shooting a wary glance in the group's direction before retreating back into the lab, her footsteps fading down the hallway. Eris approached Nathaniel, her right hand closed tightly around something. Without a word, she stopped just in front of him and slowly opened her hand. Nathaniel stopped looking through his notes, closing the book, to gaze at Eris standing in front of him. Resting in the center of her palm was a [url=https://i.imgur.com/ww8zY5w.png]translucent gemstone[/url], pale and glimmering faintly in the firelight. She stared at it for a moment, then lifted her gaze—first to Nathaniel, then to Nesna. Her expression remained neutral, but her eyes were carefully observant. As subtly as she could, she watched for the tiniest flicker of recognition. Or guilt. As if Nesna might still be the intruder—not fully convinced that their timing was mere coincidence. [color=B1E4FC]“This was left in my room… after the break in.”[/color]