[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/mM5GiJJ.png[/img][/center]
[hr][hr][sub][b]Location:[/b] Alchemy Chambers[/sub]
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Stepping into the Alchemy Chambers, Zeph scanned the room for the nobles they’d left at the door. Strangely, two seemed to be missing — Hightower and… that other guy he hadn’t bothered to remember the name of.

His gaze settled on Nesna, assessing. The warm glow of the hearth’s firelight illuminated her, the soft golden hue almost making her greyish skin tone appear more human than she was. Nearer to the flames, the older Sage who’d healed up his wrist was in the middle of speaking to her. Penelope’s dark eyes flicked past Nesna, landing on the two guards as they entered, though her voice didn’t falter.

[color=FDFD96]“…our dear King didn’t deem it worth the resources until it was far too late,”[/color] she said, tone steady as her attention returned to Nesna. [color=FDFD96]“We know the blight rises from the earth itself, but we’re really just beginning our research. We’re here to find out why it’s happening.”[/color] Her gaze shifted to Nesna’s wings, curious but cautious. [color=FDFD96]“And how people like yourself managed to survive it.”[/color]

Stepping forward, Zeph picked up his pace to pass Charlotte. Purposely drifting too close, his shoulder brushed up against hers. With a gentle push of his elbow, he nudged her just off balance enough to force her to stumble sideways and out of his path. Shooting her a sidelong glance, he smirked, then continued ahead as though nothing had happened. 

[color=FDFD96]“We're hopeful that the interviews the Prince holds will help us to find a common denominator between you...”[/color]

Stopping in front of the hearth, Zeph extended his hands out towards the flames and exhaled with relief, letting the warmth settle back into his bones. After a few breaths, the silence that had fallen over the room became noticeable. When he glanced over his shoulder, Penelope was staring him down with an expectantly arched brow. 

[color=98A869]“Oh…”[/color] He gave her a sheepish smile before turning to address the room. [color=98A869]“Perimeter looks clear.”[/color] He reported, tucking his hands into his coat pockets. 

Hearing approaching footsteps, Zeph’s gaze shifted past Penelope, finding the male Sage as he emerged from a dim hallway. His eyes tracked the man’s movement as he continued, [color=98A869]“There’s damage to one of the outer walls, though. We should let Azkona know. He’ll have it fixed up in no time… after he’s done huffing about it, anyway.”[/color]

Penelope let out a long, weary sigh, rubbing her temple but saying nothing more.

Zeph’s lips twitched upward as he turned his attention back to her, then settled onto Nesna once more. Taking a small step back, he angled himself to better see Nesna’s wings as the fire cast them in light. He leaned in, invading her space without seeming to notice, his head tilting with quiet curiosity.

[color=98A869]“Stitching still looks good,”[/color] he murmured, inspecting what he could in the subpar lighting. [color=98A869]“The opening for your wings… seems to be holding up well.”[/color]

He was opening his mouth to ask whether she’d found the local tailor to make adjustments to the rest of her clothing when the entry door swung open. An Aurelian guard stepped inside, snow and mud covered boots thudding against the wooden floors. He scanned the room, and Zeph’s brow furrowed at the tension in the man’s posture.

[color=FA8072]“Apologies for the intrusion. Is Lady Hightower in the building? I’ve an urgent message for her.”[/color] the guard’s gaze swept the room, lingering on Charlotte for a brief moment.

Penelope’s expression sharpened. [color=FDFD96]“No. Can I take a message?”[/color]

[color=FA8072]“There’s been an incident at the jail with a blight-born. Suspected to be the one responsible for the attack yesterday. Sages are needed. There are… remains."[/color] The guard shifted, visibly uneasy. [color=FA8072]“If Lady Hightower isn’t here… what about her second? Lord Galahad?”[/color]

Penelope nodded once. [color=FDFD96]“I’ll fetch him.”[/color] 

With a swirl of robes, she vanished deeper into the chambers, leaving the others standing in the flicker of the hearth’s glow.

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[sub][b]Interactions:[/b] Charlotte [@SpicyMeatball], Nesna [@enmuni], Nathaniel [@Echotech71][/sub]