[i]In Fiore, at Fenix Tear's landing[/i]

Valerie liked Yozora. She was an inspiration her, despite their similar age. She had a clear goal in life and was so determined to achieve it. Become the next Guild Master, after her aunt Ur resigned, of course. It wasn't a simple plan with no hiccups, oh gods, no. But it was the kind of goal Val could respect. So when Sora pestered her to team up with her and Aiko to look for a tavern, like she already planned anyway, she wasn't going to object.

[b]"I gotta surround myself with my girlfriends huehue."[/b] Val blew air out of her nose, followed by a chuckle. She had NEVER thought about boyfriends or girlfriends, not even during the free period of her current life at the guild. Back home, with mom, had been nothing but sheltered. To the EXTREME. She wasn't actively trying to avoid such thoughts, but... Voss and Grae were the only boys her age worth nothing, and neither rung any any bells. And neither did any of the girls. Not Aiko, nor Yozora. Even if Mizore and her mature lavisciousness did make her blush, Val was sure her boss didn't tick off any boxes in whatever directory she had for a future boy- OR girlfriend.

But when Sora voiced her dissent at Grae's plan (because it really was best they split up AND she knew Grae would best work his shady social skills alone), she was about to object. But all that was thrown into disarray when Yozora's attire was caught in the wheels and their resident Dragon Slayer went rolling helplessly downhill.

The actually important bits and pieces of Mizore's lessons about leadership immediately kicked into the forefront. [b]"Grae, do what you do best. Voss, any help your Celestial Keys can give me stop that rolling wheel of cheese that is Yozora, now is the time! Aiko, you're the quickest of us on your feet! I'm going to speed you up and hopefully slow her down if I can help it! Got it?! GO!"[/b] Val barked her orders as a bead of sweat formed on her forehead. Her first time as team leader and there was already trouble before any found them. She reached for her back and the lyrebow strapped to it, knowing she had no time to waste before Yozora rolled both out of her sight and thus her range.

Completely unbidden, memories sprung to her mind, of a strict "uncle" of sorts she had in the noble household: [i][b]"There is no point in slowing down the perception of time if someone will go faster than you regardless. Your lyre can do more than affect perception. Grind to a halt the air around them, that'll slow them down."[/b][/i]

Val heeded her nuncle's lesson and plucked the correct sequence of strings of the lyre on her back and the notes shifted the world as the spell took effect. The air around Yozora's rolling form grew sluggish, increasing friction and drag in the air around her, slowing the poor girl down.

And the chase was on.

-----------------------

[i]In the Imperial Capital[/i]

Her ever dutiful daughter, Alice, handed the Empress two scrolls. Both missives from the same department, Genbu's. Very few reports reached her personally. Craïstine had a literal army of officials that neared in numbers the total her standing military had to run her whole imperium for her if the situation demanded. But still... she showed no obvious care for the two scrolls handed to her be most precious sword and shield.

Her eyes scanned the contents of the first one: [i]"One of the Observatory's targets led to bait, the second one unseen. ...spike in mana density recorded after kill. ...massacre follows, enemy weapon retrieved and delivered for further analysis."[/i]

The Empress lights the scroll on fire in the nearby brazier and throws into the flame, her expression unchanging and neutral. So she indeed was not the only one who might gain strength that way. And only one of the two signals the Observatory claimed to be there were present. Miscalculation? Or something else? But it was good they had a sample. Anything to gain an edge to hold against the neck of these unknowns.

Craïs opened the second scroll, the one was actually expecting. [i]"All targets accounted for and under observation. Target A entered previously marked location, asking for further orders."[/i] She burned this letter too. Then finally did she turn to Alice.

[b]"Tell Genbu to keep an eye on this foreigner, and any others who might arrive to our lands. Tell her to lure them in, if need be. They might be of more use friendly than dead. As for the situation in Fiore... tell our agents to do naught, but observe. Do not engage under any circumstances. If discovered, flee without a fight and kill themselves if irrevocably cornered. And if you can... leave a trail of crumbs to the Dark Guilds we've discussed before. Better Fenix Tear goes investigating into the more obvious avenues and not us. I can't be bothered to deal with their leader to bring me before the White Creed Council again."[/b]