[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZPeVFW3.png[/img] Collab between [@enmuni], [@Echotech71], & [@The Muse] [sub]Location: Alchemy Chambers[/sub] [i][h1]Part III[/h1][/i] [hr][/center] Nathaniel looked down at the gem resting in Eris' palm, his hand raised up placing his palm under the back of her hand. There was a hint of curiosity in his gaze, then his gaze lifted up to meet Eris. [colour=#C0C0C0]”It's a beautiful looking gem. But something is off.”[/colour] he paused, brow furrowing. [colour=#C0C0C0]” This gem is well cut, whoever left it perhaps they took it to a gem cutter. Not to mention since they left it in care, it'll likely have magic purposes…[/colour] Nathaniel smiled slightly [colour=#C0C0C0] Apologies for the ramble. But that requires knowledge of that sort of thing.[/colour] [color=B1E4FC]“If there is magical purpose to it… I can’t seem to feel it.”[/color] Eris said softly, staring down at the gem, brows drawn in thought—barely registering the warmth of Nathaniel’s hand beneath hers. These days, it was hard to tell whether her magical sense was faltering due the disappearance of Aelios… or simply from her own exhaustion. Or, perhaps, nothing was wrong at all and there was truly nothing there to feel within the stone. Still… She closed her hand around the gem and slipped it back into her coat pocket, fingers brushing against folded parchment hidden within. Something she hadn’t noticed sitting underneath the gemstone until Penelope had lifted the stone to test for enchantment traps. In her quarters, under candle light, she’d read the note with Penelope. Then again. And again. The handwriting itself seemed to be feminine—albeit rather messy. But the content was… the musings of a madman. Or perhaps an imaginative writer. It contained a vivid account of someone touching the gemstone, paired with sketches of strange runes in the margins. Two Eris recognized. The rest were entirely foreign. Neither she nor Lady Rovella had felt—or saw—anything upon touching the stone. And neither knew what to make of the note. It was… [i]something[/i]. And someone had left it specifically for her, unwilling to be caught. But why—and who? For now, Eris felt it best to keep the note to herself. With her hand still closed around the gem in her pocket, it warmed against her palm as she spoke again. [color=B1E4FC]“Perhaps the stonemason might know about the type of stone it is,”[/color] She murmured to herself in thought, stepping past Nathaniel and returning to the hearth. [color=B1E4FC]“It seems valuable… strange to leave it behind.”[/color] Nathaniel turned as he watched Eris walk past him, he could tell what she was doing, he saw that gleam, that spark of intrigue that causes the person's thoughts to rapidly collect. Amongst the other sages he worked with in Aurelia. The only thing to do was wait. Bit by bit, her thoughts began to spiral—obsess. The instinct to retreat rose quickly. To isolate, to lock herself away in the upper quarters of the tower where her private collection of books, herbs, potions and lab equipment could keep her company. But etiquette held her in place. She turned to face Nathaniel and Nesna, hands still buried in her coat pockets. [color=B1E4FC]“Well… would either of you like some tea while we wait for Guard Hale and Hawthorne to return? I should prepare some for them. It’s so dreadfully cold…”[/color] Nathaniel was caught a bit off guard by that question. He thought that would involve something to do with this gemstone. Certainly not tea. Perhaps there was something a bit more. His eyes kept on Eris then on Lady Rovella. Nathaniel had some knowledge on what kind of character she was. [colour=#C0C0C0]”Tea would be nice, thank you. Likely when the others come back they'll need a hot brew of tea to help chase the cold away.”[/colour] [colour=DDA0DD]“Yes, yes please,”[/colour] Nesna seconded. Eris offered a small smile, already stepping toward a kitchen nook tucked just around the corner. Opening a cabinet, she retrieved a tin of dried leaves—begrudgingly choosing not to use the last drop of her magic to brew it this time. [colour=#C0C0C0]“This gemstone that was left behind, was there anything else? Something that could be used as instructions? It would seem rather redundant to give someone an objective without the guidance or knowledge of how to use it.”[/colour] Eris faltered, nearly letting the tin slip through her fingers. She bit her lower lip and stared at the water as she filled the kettle. Lying had never come easy. Goddess, she hated it. But it was for the best… right? The note could be nothing and then she’d gone and worked everyone up for no reason… [color=B1E4FC]“Instructions…. no…”[/color] she said after a pause, voice thoughtful. It wasn’t a lie. The note didn’t read like instructions of any kind. It barely even made sense. And thankfully, she’d managed to avoid directly answering the true question. [color=B1E4FC]“You think they left it to give me an objective? To…. use it?”[/color] She leaned back to peer around the corner, meeting his gaze curiously before disappearing again behind the wall and returning to the tea. A few moments later, she made her way back to the hearth, kettle in hand. Quietly, she set the kettle onto an iron hook over the fire and watched as the flames licked at the bottom. [color=B1E4FC]“Perhaps it’s…. symbolic?”[/color] she murmured, considering his idea. [color=B1E4FC]“Or… a gift?”[/color] She cringed at the idea, shaking her head. That had to be wrong. What an odd way to receive a gift, if it was. Burying her hands in her coat pockets, she let her fingers brush gently against the smooth, faintly warm gemstone. With the way it’d be left for her, it felt less like a gift… and more like a warning. Her eyes lifted to Nathaniel, studying him—perhaps for a moment too long as her mind shifted through thoughts. He was meant to be her counterpart. A fellow Sage, highly accomplished. Someone to lessen the burden of it all. And so far, he’d tried. He’d sat beside her and helped plan out the expedition, scribbled lists by candlelight, and asked thoughtful questions. Guilt settled heavy in her chest. Maybe it was time she let the other Sages help her. Maybe she owed him a chance. Her eyes shifted to Nesna—still standing politely off to the side, wings tucked closely to her body. Despite the blight-born’s perfectly pleasant demeanor, unease still remained sharp in the back of Eris’ mind. Deliberately, she’d been keeping her distance the entire time, careful not to pass within arms reach. [color=B1E4FC]“Nathaniel… ”[/color] Her voice came softly as she returned her attention to him, expression unreadable. [color=B1E4FC]“May I speak with you… privately? For a moment.”[/color] Nathaniel paused momentarily as his gaze shifted to her, his eyes locking on hers, then he nodded to her. [colour=#C0C0C0]“Of course Eris.”[/colour] he said softly to her. [colour=#C0C0C0]“Lead the way.”[/colour]