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Willow felt herself getting more and irritated as some seemed to refuse to outright burn that wretched journal into nothing. She understood that the had to solve their mystery to remain at the academy, but there were other paths. There were always other paths. However, it seemed that something had a hold of Cassie and it wouldn't let go until she read the journal. Her anger stirred at the thought of that thing having a hold on her dear friend, and she could feel herself desiring to let go and give in.

No. Not here. Others were right. She needed true medical care, as much as Barty and Connie had helped her, and had mended her. Even while causing some harm still. They had done their best, and she was stable, but her body still needed some attention that they couldn't quite give her. While something else rumbled deep within her, demanding justice, demanding blood, demanding something, it would have to wait for later.

She leaned against Cal as he drew close to her, thankful for his warmth and presence. She did tilt her head as Connie asked about her clothing. "Hmmm? No. Just the one outfit. ...Is it strange that I do not have more? I do suppose I'll want to change, but I was just going to patch it later... and clean it at the local river use a tub." Luna finally landed once more on Willow's shoulder and nuzzled in close. Willow could feel her familiar trembling next to her, and pet her softly. It was a blessing she hadn't been injured earlier and that she was still intact. It would have taken Willow sometime to resummon her if she had been hit.

"It seems that we cannot come to a consensus on the journal. I wish to wash my hands of it, but if you really wish to figure out it's secrets, I advise against it... but I am going to get checked out by the Professor now. I have had quite enough adventure for today. Connie, can you escort me please? Or maybe Jake can?" Willow could feel the tension in the air between her other coven members, even as she just wished the whole ordeal to be over. However, she couldn't stop them from what they wished to do, though she had to agree with Nicky. Removing it from time would be the best.

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Willow, Nicky, Callaghan, Cassiopeia, Barty, Connie, Jake

The child was throwing a tantrum amidst all this. Nicholas barely resisted rolling his eyes; the young always thought immediate, intense, decisive action was the only solution to anything. In his personal opinion, the situation they found themselves in now was far more likely to be the result of these sorts of attitudes. Did that mean he found the girl’s words acceptable? Of course not. He’d killed others for less but considering she’d already lost a hand, carving that pathetic tongue out of her head would satisfy him. If it wasn’t for the fact he minded Callaghan’s companionship and he was irritatingly attached to her, Nicholas would have done it here and now - not that she would have seen it coming.

“It seems I have naught that you cannot do if my brother finds a preference for another method. However, you seem well equipped with plenty of helping hands and so I shall see myself out of this mess. I have no interest crossing your temper nor engaging in the petulance of a child who refuses to understand the consequences of their actions, so I shall see Willow on her way to a healer. If you have need of me, feel free to call on me; otherwise, my satisfaction will be found with your obliteration with that book.” Nicholas pushed to his feet and rolled his eyes at his brother’s ostentatious display. Nicholas admitted the dog collar around the simpleton’s throat was a nice touch, but the ring of light and long winded chanting was hardly necessary.

“That spell needs no such… Why waste words? You have ignored them for the past four centuries.” Nicholas sighed, a well worn argument between the two. Nicholas supposed it had to do with their magical expression, but such flamboyance in his spell work was little more than a self indulgent farce. Not that his brother seemed to care. Nicholas simply shook his head and offered Willow a hand. “Charged with your safety as I am, it would be well within my duties to escort you if you would permit me. I agree with Connie through and through that it would do you good to quit this place and find respite with Professor Ravoux.”

Rohan, Finley/Dysphoria, Annika

As the group reemerged from the Neverish, Sariel reached out her hand. The palm downwards, the runes and glyphs flared as her magic leapt back into her fingers and the air in the room settled, the inky blackness and flickering starlight in the arch fading away.

As Finley scrambled for paper, they found they’d only managed to snatch up a handful of leaves from one of the orange groves. The image of the magical writings seemed almost immediately to fade, much like a dream upon waking, but with Dysphoria’s help, Finley felt confident at the approximation they created.



However, the leaves blurred at the edges and seemed to dissolve as they quickly grew smaller. The bark brought in by Rohan followed suit, the edges disappearing into smoke much like the scene as they fled. The journal too faded away, but not before it offered one last murmur to Annika, a voice different from those before. It weighed on the mind, it soothed the ear, it spoke with echoes of power.

Brief our moments, brazen and bright
Dying hope
Far beyond this dream of paradise

“Welcome back. I figured you would all need a little pick me up so I had some coffee brought down. Anyone need a little?” Sariel gestured to a tray with three coffee mugs, cream and sugar available. “So, lets strike while the iron is hot. What did we see, what did we experience? Any findings worth archiving?”

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He didn't like this situation at all. He didn't like how upset with each other everyone seemed to be. He just wanted his friends to be safe and get along - and he didn't understand a lot of the words that were being said, but he could understand the tone. Why were Cassie and Barty unhappy with each other? Why were Cal and Nicky Nicholas talking to each other like that? He didn't comprehend why even Connie was telling him not to trust Barty and to not take a deal with him. They were part of the same coven, they were sisters in witchcraft, shouldn't they all have faith in one another? Of course, her concerns about the deal killing him confused him, too. It didn't make sense to him. He wasn't the one in danger - he wasn't being stalked by some mysterious beast or hunter from the shadows.

He didn't understand either why the name Nicky was so dangerous, when Barty had used it so freely. But just as he liked being called Jacob - he really liked it when Connie had said it, it made his chest feel funny but in a good way, something warm and tingly and bursting - he would respect it if Nicky if Nicholas wanted to be called Nicholas instead. "I do want to protect him. It's why I'm here, I think." He didn't struggle as Barty gripped his arm, even as the chains broke and fell away. Jacob wasn't afraid as Barty began to chant, more mesmerized at the swirling golden energy, at the strange symbols that etched themselves into the floor. He'd have to tell Frankie all about it later when he was done with class. The necklace around his neck, pieces of metal with symbols etched onto them that he couldn't read, glowed as the magic concentrated on it - and then with a burst, the necklace had shifted and changed, becoming a collar. A pair of metal tags dangled from the front. "I'm sorry again if I did something that made you think I'd want to hurt anyone," Jake repeated softly, as the spell ended and Barty spoke his piece.

Connie had said he was dangerous because he couldn't control his magic. He remembered what Barty had told him the first day they'd met - that if he needed help, he just needed to ask and be willing to give him a favor. They were in the same coven, they were supposed to work together. And if learning to control his magic more meant that he would be less dangerous and Barty would be less afraid, he was going to study as hard as he could. The main problem keeping him from learning was that he couldn't read and his professor only sent written instructions, so he could only learn when Cassie was willing to teach him. "Is it my magic that's the problem? Would you help me learn to control it better? I don't know how many favors that costs, but I do really want to help people. I don't want you to be scared of me. Maybe you could help Cassie, too? Our teacher isn't here because he has a husband, I think, and that means he had to go away." He didn't fully remember what Professor Gray's explanation had been in the note.

He couldn't stay behind though, not with Nicky Nicholas preparing to escort Willow. He had just made a pact to protect him, so Jacob wasn't going to let him out of his sight. He'd have to figure out a way to keep an eye on both Cassie and Nicholas at night. It would destroy him if something bad happened to them. Same for the others. He made another note to ask Frankie if he had any ideas - maybe they could make something to help watch over people? Could they put eyeballs on everyone's doors? "I'll come with you, Nicholas! I have to protect you and I want to protect Cassie and Willow, too."

Jacob's eyes darted over to Nicholas, catching that similar expression from before, but centered on his collar... His cheeks flushed and he didn't know why, but he knew that he liked the way Nicholas was looking at him. He waited for the others to be ready to go, before Jacob opened up the door, doing a quick scan of the hallway. He didn't see any other threats, he didn't see any other students. It was completely empty, boring, and safe. "It's safe!" Jacob beamed. He repeated this the entire way out of the school and onto the grounds, insisting on checking ahead before everyone else, announcing it was safe, moving to the next location, and beginning again. It didn't occur to him at all that his technique could be annoying. But before long, the small group had made it to the grounds, where Ravoux's hut beckoned in the distance.

The exterior of Professor Ravoux's hut, a dwelling that doubled as her home and her study, was as chaotic as ever. Plants grew like wild around it, thick vines crawling up the walls and threatening to collapse the structure. Bells, feathers, knots, charms, and chalk sigils adorned whatever space the vines had not occupied, the ground littered with muddied boots, torn clothing, and empty jars. The small pond near it was filthy, more mud than water at this point, and the soft hum of insects indicated that Ravoux certainly did not live alone, that her roommates were pests and vermin.

"Is Professor Ravoux nice? What does she teach? Does she have a husband, too, that makes her go on vacations? Can she grow hands back? I bet Frankie can sew one onto you if she can't, we can go see if he's done with class after this, I think they were going to the... to the... I forget what it's called, but maybe he's back and we can get you a hand! Is it weird if we use Pedrito's hand? He has that one ready, I think. He would probably give it to you. And if he doesn't, I can ask him if I can owe him a favor, so he will. He's so nice. And his eyes are so warm."

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Rohan backed up from Annika when she got physical with him. "I said we had to go, there wasn't any time. We couldn't risk staying there when that house started to swallow us up. I didn't think you two were going to try linking up before you found the way out- Or that we could even do something like that." He rubbed at his arms and felt the heat start to return to them. "I'm no so heartless I'd abandon someone there."

He sighed and stood up straight, using his sword to brace himself. "We found a house in a forest, a journal, and the woods turned to a storm. I wrote things down before we had to pull out. I-" He reached into his jacket and withdrew the chunk of bark he retrieved. Rohan held it out and watched the damn thing begin to go up into smoke until it was gone. He frowned.

"...Well, that's useless." He grasped a hand around the smoke on the small chance it'd cling to his skin. "Everything jumped out and turned volatile all at once, so we had to leave before we found out the hard way what a rising pool of orange gunk would do to us. We can read the notes I took when I'm not freezing." With that, he walked over and swiped a mug of coffee, taking a long sip from it and appreciating the warmth. Root flew up and over to where Annika stood, perching on her shoulder and ruffling his feathers.

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Annika glanced at Finley, her cheeks warming slightly from the chaste kiss before they released her hand. ”Of course,” she mumbled before she turned her ire back onto Rohan.

”Oh, I heard you before you just disappeared!” she said, crossing her arms. Nochella started to purr into Annika’s ear seconds before Root landed on her opposite shoulder. She looked at the ancient creature. Who knew how many years this old soul had spent watching the world turn.

”Shé:kon iónhnhe karonta'shón:'a ohté:ra,” Annika greeted her new friend, brushing the back of her finger against his beak. His presence soothed her, just as her own familiars' did. Interesting

Calm once more, Annika turned her focus onto their professor. ”And we found a journal. It carries something ancient within it. As long as you hold it, you can hear voices,” Annika explained, but as she lifted the journal, it slowly faded. As it faded from this world, a voice from another time spoke. Annika’s fingers twitched. She knew she should probably write the words down, but she kept them to herself for now.

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The longer Cal remained in this room with these people who would not listen or could not understand each other, the more his own temper would start to flare. He clenched and unclenched his hands, his eyes refusing to shift back to their human golden brown. The dragon remained on alert, watching them all as they decided their fate and the books’.

Nicky bowed out of helping Cal once his twin offered instead. At least that would keep Nicholas safe. And for a task like this, Barty seemed to have more time to give no quarter. However, accepting Barty’s help felt unsettling.

”You are mistaken if you think this book poses the greatest threat to you and your brother. Need I remind you there is someone here who knows a name to call your brother that not even I have been privileged to know? Perhaps you should get your affairs in order before worrying about mine.”

Cal felt the pressure of a warmer body against his form, and he tilted his head up to see his little moth leaning into him. However, she started to pull away.

Cal gently grasped Willow's forearm before letting it go. ”Before you leave, you wished to tell me something. Can you tell me now?” Cal's eyes flicked to Willow's injured arm. Although it was healed now, he could still picture the ice shard in her arm. ”Or should we wait until later?”

Willow paused softly as Cal spoke and grasped her forearm. She thought for a moment. ”Oh. Now is fine. I cracked the egg, and well… it was abnormal. I am going to have to bathe in that moonlight water. You asked to know, and I wasn’t sure if it was something I should say in front of the others. However after everything that has happened, it seems… so insignificant.” She chuckled softly as she relaxed into his touch. ”Do you wish to join me for the bath?”

Something in Cal's chest squeezed when he heard Willow's egg had been abnormal. As much as he had teased the night before, today's events had sobered him.

”Not so insignificant. Perhaps the two were more related than we thought. Inform the professor since you are going to see them again. And yes, I would join you if you would have me. I fear we both will need it after the day's events.” Cal kissed Willow's forehead. ”I already charged Nick with your well-being and Cassie's, but would you mind keeping your Luna's eyes on her for me as well?”

Willow nodded softly and relaxed as he kissed her forehead. ”Of course. She is a dear friend to me as well. I’ll talk to the professor as well. But perhaps you are right, it might not be so insignificant.” She gently pet Luna and offered him a small smile.

Cal returned Willow's smile, offering one to Luna as well before he released her. ”I will come find you once my task is done.”

He turned to leave when he heard his name called.

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Cassie could only stare in disbelief. To have her put down like she was a child after she had sacrificed herself to obtain the knowledge asked of her, to help his brother, and have it thrown back in her face. And what? She was supposed to bow down to him because he helped her? A decent person helps another and does not ask nor beg for acknowledgement. The sheer gall of Barty to believe he is on the side of anything just. She felt her emotions rile up inside of her and she felt it take hold. All she had to do was unleash it and Bary would be dust. Nothing but specks on the ground under her boot and then what would he say?

Cassie felt the darkness take hold and she….stopped it. She felt it swell, but she let it rest. Because, deep down, as much as she hated to admit it to herself, Barty was right. And while she was upset over his hold over Jake, for Jake agreeing to the pact, on Willow remaining silent, at Nicky for allowing his brother to take charge, she was mainly mad at herself. She had failed.

But she knew she had control of the journal still. She could feel the power over it, but she also knew it would not last. If they were to gain any knowledge from it before destroying it, it was now or never. But she knew Cal would not hand it over willingly. Cal, one of few people she trusted in this moment alongside Connie. Cal had shielded her, stood by her and challenged Barty. But she also knew he would fall on the proverbial sword before allowing her a moment longer with the journal.

”Cal, the journal needs to be destroyed, but I know I can get something from it before doing so. The spell I performed still has a hold over it. I can get information from it and then you can do what you want. But please, let me try.”

Cal turned his head. He opened his mouth to deny her but paused. He could see the determination on her face. His face fell and he looked at her where her hand should be. ”You've already sacrificed more than you should have Cassie… We do not know what your magic has awakened within the book. What if it has as much of a hold on you as you the book?”

”If you truly believe she has sacrificed more than enough for this, then why make it be in vain? If the girl truly has a hold over the book in some manner of spell work, it won't last forever and she would have lost her hand for nothing. I say let the witch do her attempts, all you can do is shield her should the magic backfire again. I can stand by and aid in healing should it come to that.” Barty pulled his flask out, taking a swig of Scotch.

Cassie was a little thrown back at Barty backing her up, though her untrusting nature of him made her think he would relish in her failed attempts. But even then his words were true. If she didn’t at least try to get what she could from the journal, then all she sacrificed would be for nothing other than her failure. ”Please Cal, let me try. I can feel the hold on it still, but I know it’s slipping. After I try, you can destroy it. I promise.”

Cal turned disbelieving eyes into Barty. ”Are you seriously agreeing with Cassie after targeting her and calling her a child? No. You wouldn't be agreeing to this unless there was something in it for you, and I'm not letting you gamble with her life.” Cal looked back at Cassie. He didn't want to disappoint her but this was bigger than they thought.

Barty gave Cal a flat look. ”If it was up to me, I would've enchanted you to hand me the book and I would simply toss it to her. I half considered doing it earlier when you refuted my brother's aid. But yet here I am, deciding to plead to your better side instead. I gain nothing from aiding this witch, save for the peace of mind in knowing that this infernal thing will be dealt with. If there happens to be some information within the tome to aid in your mystery then all the better. So which shall it be Cal? Are you going to be willing to let the witch try her hand once more, or am I to intervene and make it happen?”

Things were getting tense, which would normally have made Cassie back off. She had never been one for confrontation. However, this was different. This was, very likely, a chance for her to prove herself not only to Professor Mikkail and her coven, but to herself. She needed to take chances, risks. Wasn’t that part of controlling chaos magic? It was unpredictable, which means she had to be also.

”I have control over it currently. That will not last long. There’s information to be gained. I need to do this. Otherwise..” She looked down to where her hand was. ”I trust you have my best interests at heart Cal, but I need you to trust me now. I will be careful, and as Barty said, he is here as back-up in case it goes wrong. The moment I notice something off I will back away.”

Cal glared at Barty, wanting to dare him to do it. ”Fine. But we're going to Mikkail’s tower. And you need to be honest in return. If you start to lose control, I'm stepping in. No third chances,” Cal said to Cassie directly.

Barty smiled sarcastically. He could tell that Cal wasn't pleased to be threatened with force, and yet here Barty was holding himself back. Strides of improvement some might say. He made a shooing motion with his hands at the pair of them. "Let's get a move on then. I still have my own Mystery to attend to, and ours is barred by time. Time I'm wasting here."

Cassie didn’t have time to worry over whether Barty planned to do anything. ”I agree to those terms,” she told Cal. But she wouldn’t, couldn’t lose control. She had to do this. She allowed Cal and Barty to take the lead to Mikkail’s tower. She needed to prepare.