☆ Event: A Tale of Two Cities

[faileas]

Event Log: September, A Tale of Two Cities

I. THE TRIP OUT On Septeril 5th, those who've agreed to go as dignitaries to Dorchacht will meet with Nerissa Bell in the Coven's foyer. Given the group is a little large, and the boat they've procured for the voyage would be a little crowded with all of them on it, she suggests there be two groups: the first one will go now and will return around the middle of the month, while the second will depart a few days after the first group returns, just to give them some breathing room. a. DIGNITARY: THE SHIP Those joining Nessie are led to the docks, where an old ship is being scrapped down, barnacles removed and hull shined to perfection. Sailors call to and fro from on board, buckets of water thrown off the side away from the docks and there's a tingle of nervous excitement from the gathering crowds come to wish the dignitaries and ambassadors a bon voyage. She's of a medium size, able to hold her crew and half of the assigned dignitaries with little trouble, and from top to bottom the moose-like Faun of a captain calls her a seaborn miracle; short of a sea wyrm, she's never faltered nor fled the waves, but he'll admit that she's been more a fishing boat than anything the past couple years. Judging from the way his tuffed tail lashes in excitement, he's thrilled to be out on a real voyage again -- even if it's to those notoriously unfriendly blokes 'round the corner of the map, haven't been in decades time and they've always been up their own arses about this and that. While dignitaries are supposed to relax the best they can on the four day trip, the captain doesn't seem to mind offering work to those interested in learning the way of the sea or with the know-how already, eagerly asking the Mirrorbound about their experiences beyond the glass... much more than he is about talking about himself outside of his ship, who he loves a great deal and sings the praises of up and down the hour, through sea shanty and spoken word. His large antlers don't seem to get in the way of his work nor bar him from getting in and out his quarters, but watch out! They are large and they do hurt. All's not well going to and from Dorchacht, though, as while the waters are safer than the land by far, there's plenty of dangers within the deep: Infected Merrow swim in the shallows, singing sweetly from rocks that jut out at the shore, and some more adventurous ones try their luck closer to the boat too. The captain's Navigator, a Witch with just as rowdy an attitude if more polite a tone, can manage a deafening spell on the ship to keep any from falling seaward, but asks that those who can to rid the ship of those terrible pests, whether by cannon, magic, or something else similarly ranged. Oh, it'd be perfectly alright if they killed them, plenty of them out here in the sea and growing ever more, but if they simply want to scare them off then by all means! There's also all manner of sea beasts as well, from krakens on the smaller side to the mentioned sea wyrms earlier, though the captain'll say that they're just babies compared to the mother he'd faced last year -- still troublesome little bastards, best put down before they're drowned themselves, but nothing to turn tail at. Outside of these... troubles... there's disorderly sailors of Monster and Witch alike, the former being compromised primarily of Turnskin and Faun for heavy lifting, with a Harpy in the crow's nest to help with speed, and the latter being those specializing in Divination and Astrology for directions, as well as some elemental manipulation from the Evocation course. Unlike the proper Coven trained, they seem like they're a little more unconventional with their magics, using "shortcuts" and combining spells to great effect. When they're not on the clock as it were they enjoy a great deal of ale, howling stories and song, pushing each other around whilst the journey's bright and startlingly serious when things turn south. Be careful you don't get in a fight, or perhaps you'd like to show your stuff in a little competition: They're willing to do anything to pass the time. b. ESPIONAGE: THE DEVICE Upon hearing that there are some who would be interested in investigating the device that Mhairi mentioned, a young Witch opens up the room it's being stored in now to allow them a chance to check it out. They warn that it isn't particularly cooperative, but maybe those with some knowledge of magitech - or their world's equivalent - might be able to help? While not exactly the largest device around, it's one that stands out. Something resembling a Tesla coil stands atop the piece of tech, tall enough to almost reach the ceiling of the rather tall room, and various dials and knobs and gauges adorn the outside of it. Those who are perceptive to magic - training in detection spells, or who have a good sense for it, or even a sixth sense for something poised to happen - will be able to note that there's a sort of... presence in the room. It continues to build up, the more people that come in to investigate. Anyone that tinkers with it, has active magitech on their person, or even uses magic in it, only help to build the sensation. And then, when enough Mirrorbound of both the Witch and Monster persuasion are in the room - A whirring noise fills the room, as the device comes to life. There isn't any time to vacate the room, because whether it was an intentional thing to activate the teleporter or not, it's activated. The intention of using it for travel to Dorchacht remains embedded in it, and from one moment to the next, the group in the room find themselves not in the Coven, but in the midst of trees. All around you is the forest just beneath the cliffs outside of Dorchacht. In the distance, if one looks hard enough, they might be able to spot the Black City itself. Besides the storage room of the Coven vanishing in a flash of light and electricity, the device is absent, too. Some of its smaller parts can be found scattered in the craggy grass at your feet, in the roots of trees, as if it completely fell apart the moment that the magic was activated. Whatever you had on your person, when you left? It's all that you have, now. And there's no way back from here. (Notes: Some small reminders - the boats take 2 days to reach Dorchacht, meaning they take 2 days to come back as well, and the teleportation device used by the espionage team is a one-time use only. The espionage team will be able to return to Aefenglom at the end of the month courtesy of some inside help, using a similar device that managed to bring them there in the first place. The Watches can be used on the ship, but are prone to static and dropping calls. Communication is possible from Dorchacht, though voice and video both feel a little muffled.)

II. DORCHACHT It's déjà vu. While Aefenglom is known for its dusk-hued skies, made of lustrous pinks and purples and blues, this city is dreary to the core. The streets are covered in a perpetual fog, not unlike the city you hail from, but thicker, denser, tinged with the flavor of industrial smog from the factories whose spires you can see in the distance. Magitech lights - lanterns above doors, street posts, flickering in the windows you pass - illuminate everything throughout the entire day, as if the sunshine can't reach through the foreboding fog nor the onyx walls. Even the windows are barred, offering a paranoid protection against the outside world. Doors seem hardier, and each building is reinforced and protected in a way that may feel familiar to those that have encountered the protective magic wards. They're heavier, leaving an almost ominous presence that causes unease to hang just as heavy in the air as the smog. The people of this city are just as dreary as the streets, though they do mill about with the same frequency as any city. Those from Aefenglom may recognize familiar faces, and they might find themselves looking twice at you, as if some part of them remembers you as well. Something seems... off, however. There are fewer Monsters in the streets than there were in the dream, though it isn't too hard to catch a glimpse of one here and there. The streets even seem a little more cleaned up than they once were, as one makes their way down them. At the heart of the city, dignitaries will be brought to the Coven. There, they're greeted by a slender and elegant woman, eyes bright and clever, but just as sharp as the red-lined smile that she offers her visitors. "Nerissa Bell," she begins, tone polite if clipped. There's the sense of a woman who won't waste words from her person, and she turns her eyes towards the dignitaries. "You must be the charges she spoke of. Mirrorbound, they call you?" A shallow inclination of her head, barely called respectful, as she smiles wider, in a way that would be kind if knives were made to be dull. "A pleasure. I am Morgana Drummond, head of the Coven here, and I welcome you to my city of Dorchacht, the safest haven against the Cwyld across all of our poor Geardagas." a. THE COVEN Morgana Drummond gives them a quick tour of their facilities, speaking lightly of the curriculum they have here that differs from Aefenglom's own (more of a focus in manipulation spells, be it the sort of commands that have become such a familiar sight to things such as perception and "paths" that can be seen through scrying, the other areas of practice more of "extra" than essentials) as well as allowing them to peek in on some lessons taking place. They won't be able to interact, but it is admittedly of a higher feel than what Aefenglom asks, though it's simply the seriousness of the atmosphere giving that impression. After showing them to where they'll be staying within the Coven's hospitality as well as mentioning the areas of their infirmary, library, and welcoming the Witches to try a hand at their lessons, she and Nerissa part from the characters as a whole to discuss the business of the month. There is a notable increase in guards, both around Morgana's person even within the Coven's walls, as well as the building itself. They seem to be in the business of keeping people on a kind of "railroaded" layout of the Coven building, but can be distracted for a quick peek -- the real help comes from those with triple stars hidden in plain sight, beneath the brims of hats and worn as idly jewelry and easily missed charms. These sympathizers will actively seek those out to speak with them, to let them know that even here there are those that would like to see change brought to Dorchacht, and assist in entering places that Mirrorbound otherwise would not be able to enter. Such as the library here, which contain higher level spells including the enchantments specific to the city walls. The history is just as muddled as it is in the later mentioned public library, the "when"s being vague and the like, but depicts Drummond's rise as the head of the Coven: She came to Dorchacht on a ship hailing from Aefenglom along with a number of other Witches and rose above the rest to become the esteemed leader she is now. Without her, many of the text will agree, Dorchacht would not be as it is now. Those with any notable signs of infection may be asked to step aside and allow Dorchacht's Witches to give them a check up -- better safe than sorry -- and this goes for Witches and Monsters alike. They'll be brought to the double doors that were so heavily secure within the dream, whether they'd like to be or not, and escorted inside. b. THE CITY Unlike the dream, things seem to be more... well-behaved. Auctions have been moved from the pavilion and in its place are genuine vendors to purchase from: Food, clothing, toys, trinkets, protective spell scrolls, all manners of things. There's still Monsters around, a little more tidy than before, but they hold the same stares they had in the dream, pinched expression and disinterested in conversation. There are signs that lead way to auctions if one is truly curious to see the extent of that terror, to gain insight on the situation there, but tailing someone might be hard within the twisting turns of the new bazaar. Another notable part of the city that can be accessed by those dealing in espionage include the barracks if they pose as hopefuls to join their ranks as handlers for their Monsters, which are collared in a familiar way to the dream, and seem reactionary to quick movements -- they're explained to be the essential frontline of what constitutes as a military force, very important, Mirrorbound Monsters beware you not suffer the same fate. The next place one might seek out is the library: While this is all deemed public knowledge, it offers insight into the kind of history and mindset that's been bred the past decade at minimum. Books regarding the dangers of Monsters, how to care and train them, practical spellbooks for those untrained by the Coven proper... The history books themselves are vague in regards to the "when" of things, and seem to be more contemporary in comparison to how old the city feels itself. There's a variety of more cultural knowledge such a cookbooks (including those dealing with monster parts) and floriography (more dour meanings compared to Aefenglom's flurous), but the relevant ones have been noted thusly. c. THE RESISTANCE Whether you're espionage or dignitary, those seeking the Resistance know what to look for: a trio of stars (some worn more openly than others), protests against the city's treatment of Monsters, and dispelling runes on the walls. Once proven that you're friend over foe, they're more than happy to have the assistance of any Mirrorbound in their company: A fight against the current practices is a fight they're for, after all. Riot! Disrupt the peace! The auctions, while a little more downplayed than in the dream, are still going, and the Resistance has good word on where they're being held in the grand city. Their goal? To cause a disturbance big enough to distract, but not big enough to catch Drummond's eye... that said, with her having to play the nice host to Aefenglom's associates within the main building, there's more to get away with. Free the Monsters! Whilst distracted, other members of the Resistance plan to dispel the runes in certain areas and smuggle off what Monsters they can, valuing quantity over quality. While the more mind-broken may resist heavily, it won't be hard to find Monsters of all kinds (save Dragons and Fae, which are notably absent from the auctions and city in general) accepting help to escape, eager to think for themselves once more. Find a way for them to escape the city safely, but know that the docks are heavily guarded in case of stowaways. Free the city! Kind of. A third party of Resistance members are looking to weaken the enchantment on the wall of Dorchacht itself, meaning they'll be looking for those brave enough to tread outside the city and into the Wilde just beyond its protective gates to take a look at and inscribe runes to hopefully diminish the compulsion in place right now. It won't be immediate, but it'll help in the future... just be careful, there's plenty of danger beyond the wall to contend with. As an interesting note, while the Resistances' bonded pairs are definitely unlike Dorchacht's compulsion-based ones, they're not exactly like Aefenglom's either: They call themselves comrades and partners, brothers/sisters in arms, giving it more of an equality forged from the same brass than something to do with convenience. (Notes: Those being willing, or unwilling, participants in the check-ups may reply to the top level there with how visibly infected they are for a special treat! Only for this month.)

III. AEFENGLOM Preparations for Meán Fómhair begin before Nerissa and the dignitaries head off on the 5th, but they seem a little quick even for the ever-festive people of Aefenglom: Apples begin the appear in great quantities to be used for later, some yellowed versus the red ripeness one thinks of when they're ready, there's hay bales tucked safely away for the days of, and there's little conversation to be made save for how things might be going in Dorchacht, though if any of the Mirrorbound try to join in they'll change the subject to Meán Fómhair in a split second, smiles thrown wider than the weeks before. Seems all is not quite as well as they'd like to appear. a. MARKET UP With the Parliament tense and looking westward, there starts to be gradual, but steady, increases in new appearances from some interesting individuals about the city. At face value they're no different than the vendors already found in great quantities, human and Monster alike, but one look at their wares proves different. The goblin market, as it's familiarly called, is somewhat accepted by the Parliament as something allowed to exist as part of their mercantile culture with Coven-approved medicines, alchemical practices, enchantments, so on and so forth, and only somewhat thanks to these known wares. Beneath these, with a dropped word or a curious eye, one can find things that are more than likely not sanctioned by either branch, things the vendors say can sate Monster and Witch alike without need of a Bond, though they decline to include the fact that such things are only temporary and that, like all hits, they'll need to come back for a greater quantity to get the satisfaction they need. Overpriced as they are (due to their private nature, it's high risk, surely they understand), they sell Monster parts of most kinds, Witch's Blood that may or may not be genuine, and what they call "extra strength" potions to mimic the feeling of a temporary bond without needing a second person to partake -- of course, you're welcome to share it, the more the merrier. However, this market hides a darker side, known more to those living among the aristocracy or who have the money and means to it, and characters are more likely to find themselves led there one way or another -- be it kidnapped or tricked, the black market isn't picky about how they drag their targets in. While Aefenglom prides itself in its fairness and equality, as in example with the goblin market not all is what it promises. Nowhere else is this more true than with the black market itself, using techniques familiar in Dorchacht to control their living wares, emboldened by the absence and turned heads of the government while remaining as discreet as they can be, they've ascended from the tunnels beneath Aefenglom to turn old houses into private auctions and the more deserted streets into bazaar-like adventures. Not all of these are unwilling wares, characters may find, and drawn by necessity for their own well-being or for their family's, but it's clear that a greater number are those from the Outer City. b. PROPAVANDALS Unbeknownst to Aefenglom's higher ups, Dorchacht has sympathizers of its own within this city's walls. While Bonds haven't been specifically dissuaded against, given that there's alternatives to the more permanent tethers, not all are in favor of changing completely. It's been ten years since Miss Bell gained her seating, such citizens'll say, and there's been decades prior where they hadn't needed that. That Monsterkind and Witches could be, and sometimes were better off, apart. Home remedies and extra practice, or finding a substitute, was all that was needed. More privately and growing in whispered popularity, that there ought to be more restrictions on the two in general. Once these words have started, both conversations planted as well as encouraged for thoughts already leaning a certain way, small attacks on those Bonded being to occur. They target the main populace and those with connections to the Coven itself, especially the Mirrorbound given Nerissa's alleged responsibility to them, and it seems they're well-practiced in hiding their activities because all investigations done towards the perpetrators, whether done by the Mirrorbound or officials themselves, will lead to only dead-ends outside the City. The culprits are hard to catch on foot, using the environment they'd grown up with to their advantage in escaping any manner of way -- it isn't just humans, but Monsters causing trouble as well -- but it isn't impossible... Just that they refuse anything but their right of silence on the accusations, claiming they'd had no part in anything, regardless of what proof might be found. The attacks and vandalism itself range from harmful messages appearing with magic on walls and doors, vaguely threatening letters written in ink that evaporates in sunlight, to fruit thrown and possessions left in tatters after breaking and entering. They don't stop at residential houses either, aiming for businesses held by those with any connection to the Coven, held by those with Bonds, and seek to cause any number of annoyance and distaste to those they attack. If it weren't for their Bonds, their Coven connections, they wouldn't be treated this way. That's the message they seek to send. c. UNEASY FESTIVITIES Come Septeril 21st, and lasting til the 23rd, Meán Fómhair is tentatively in full swing. The residents of Aefenglom are more on edge than during previous festivals save the red-hued Lithia, even once the first dignitary group has returned and the second left. There's barrels of apples decorating the street corners, but they don't seem as plentiful as they should. The games have a forced cheerfulness about them too, the unaffected being children who gleefully take part in each race, each competition, as well as the doctors with their cure-alls and promises of something to promote the harvest's delight, peddling medicine and medical advice to all who lend an ear with earnest grins and a profit to be made. The medicines are largely placebos with some possible side-effects for those that aren't, such as voice changes and intense cravings for various foods, but they seem to be very popular this year -- there's at least a couple merchants talking up the good fortune Dorchacht's stress has brought this year to one another, quieting down when they catch outsiders eavesdropping. With the continued attacks on those Bonded and Coven-affiliated, with one of their Speakers across the continent and the other sorely wrapped in Parlimentary business dealing with the attacks, the city holds its breath and tries to endure. Tries to be bright and cheerful while keeping obvious supplies behind their counters, to keep fright from their expressions and mind lest it invite the Cwyld to their midst, and ultimately drawing apart from one another in a time where unity is more than needed: Time will tell what actions might sew shut the new wound struck across Aefenglom.

Welcome to September's event log! The questions thread is split into two this time: one for Dorchacht, which can be found HERE, and one for Aefenglom, which can be found HERE. Please keep questions to their respective cities! This'll help both us and your fellow players in sorting information. Additionally, this event is a little special - we've prepare an OOC post to go along with it. Check it out over HERE - don't forget about it, as it'll help us see how things'll progress in the cities!

Comments

[wiggleon]

"Right."

Not the ideal plan, since he'd prefer actually waking up rather than sending them to sleep- but needs must. It is a good plan, considering the situation.

"But what shall with them when they are all asleep? I don't think you and I could carry them very far away, they are- they seem to be quite heavy."

Still trying to come up with ways to save them, indeed.

[weirdnecro]

And really, unless they went crazy with the breaking rune, more or less, the monsters might not wake up. She was trying to go with the best compromise.

Though it seemed that a certain angel wasn't thinking of that. So she gave him a look, raising her eyebrows.

"We can't carry any of them. We need to get out of here. Because even if we break their chains, they're going to freak out and get hurt." She offered a slow head shake. "Do you even have contact with the resistance? Because it's irresponsible to even try to help one."

[wiggleon]

Aziraphale frowns as he glances at the other mirrorbound, pursing his lips. This whole situation- he's much, much comfortable watching it all from the sidelines, pretending it has nothing to do with him, pretending if he follows Her plan everything will be alright.

Every decision he makes know could end up hurting the very same people he's trying to protect, so he's having a hard time actually deciding.

"I didn't think-" He shakes his head. "I didn't wish to force them onto the ship as they slept, we do not know what should thing could do to their psyche. We could end up destroying them, mentally, if they wake up free when they really didn't want to be, when the mere thought terrifies them so.

I just thought sleeping was... well. I don't know. Better than the alternative, I suppose."

[weirdnecro]

Somehow, she wouldn't be surprised if he would have liked her to take over. Which she could have if she was on her own. But...if he really wanted to help, he had to think about it and work smart, not heroically.

Heroic thought, she noticed, tended to think in the moment, and not the practical consequences.

"Sleeping is better then the alternative." She tilted her head, her green eyes watching him. "If you know a contact of the resistance, why not help the monsters sleep, hide them, and tip off the resistance members? They're monsters too, and they likely have experience in taking care of their people. They likely have gone through a similar experience."

There. That was better then killing them via permanent sleep.

[wiggleon]

“Oh! Oh that’s- that’s quite brilliant!”

He’s, apparently, absolutely comfortable letting her take the lead. He always is. He’s hardly a coward, he will take a stand whenever it’s needed, whenever he feels like it’s the right thing to do. But he has a harder time making the hard decision when the situation is les white-grey, and more leaning towards darker shades of morality.

Luckily for him he’s apparently found someone with imagination and a good head on her shoulders.

“Do you think- the shackles, would they be vulnerable to fire? It would be easier to move them without them, once they are asleep, wouldn’t it?”

But they don’t have all the time in the world to argue, so he’s already reaching for the blade Hiccup made for him, the one that can turn into a flaming sword.

[weirdnecro]

"I have my moments."

She shrugged. She wasn't surprised that he wanted her to take control-he seemed to really want that, and maybe have the blood on her hands. Though...maybe not as he's reaching for a sword she hadn't noticed before.

"They might be vulnerable, but it's possible you'd burn them and wake them awake."

She was already motioning for him to put it away.

"You have the release rune, right? We can use those instead. Or lockpicks. Those are good."

[wiggleon]

He makes a bit of a face, his lips pursing- he's really, really not used to having limitations to what he's able to do. Especially in these kind of situations, were his decision may end up hurting those he's meant to protect. He hides the handle of the sword under his clothes once more.

"I haven't- I mean, I can try. I will try. But you must understand that I haven't had much time to practice, and as I have been settling it I hadn't made training a priority. You must excuse me if it takes a few tries."

He gets to working on the sleeping rune right away because there's no time to lose- this would have been so easy once, with his grace and his miracles.

"You said- you have a shield, do you not?"

[weirdnecro]

She isn't either, and it's hard to remember sometimes. But it looks as if she remembers easier then her companion does. (But she doesn't know he's an angel, so.)

"It's fine. Just keep going until you get it."

Her hand was already coming up, and she was humming under her breath, sketching quick runes with her fingers. She thought about using blood, but she didn't want to deal with bleeding.

"I'm already putting it up. Keep going, and it should be done once your runework is done."

Should. That's not nerve-wrecking at all.

[wiggleon]

"O-okay!"

His nerves are utterly and completely wrecked as it is, so that 'should' barely even registers in the current pile of chaos. Should or not, they have to do this, they have to help the monsters, and so they will.

He starts writing the runes, paying as much close attention as he can while also doing it rather quickly. The guards will be back any minute, the 'distraction' has been going on for long enough that he's aware they have very limited time.

"I don't know if I'll be able to make them all fall asleep, there's more than I anticipated."

[weirdnecro]

Poor angel, completely wrecked from having to get into the frey like this. Maybe it was for the best that Sokie decided to boss him around and tell him what he had to do. It's true; they're under pressure and they have to get these monsters settled if they want to hide them from sight.

"If you can't get it the first time, then you'll have to do it again." Sokie told him; in contrast she was calm as she finished her chanting and rune tracing, the shield snapping around around the pair of them.

"Because if they're awake, then we'll have to leave them behind."

[wiggleon]

Once again, he has to do it, and so he will. He nods at her, closing his eyes to try to muster up some concentration under such an stressful situation. He's left that behind now, made his own side in this war-to-come with Crowley, but he still spent most of his (extremely) long life following orders.

And disobeying them if he didn't like them, but still. He has an easier time when having some guidelines to follow.

"Okay, the rune is ready. I think I'm ready. Are you ready?"

[weirdnecro]

Good that he was following through, or this would be mighty awkward. She didn't really want to force him to do what he didn't want to do but...this was practical and a compromise. She wasn't going to get too mad at the angel unless he did something stupid on purpose.

"I'm ready. Shield is up." She whispered a word, and she let Azira see the shimmering air, and the easing tension that came with having a magic resistance shield.

"When you're ready." Which was now? She hoped was now.

[wiggleon]

"R-ready!"

Or at least, as ready as he will ever be, but considering he’s a neurotic mess ‘ready enough’ will have to do. He closes his eyes, trying to concentrate on the (clearly not enough) lessons he received back in the Coven, and the discussions with Hiccup. Magic isn’t exactly new to him, as a concept, but the magic in this place is so specific it’s definitely a completely different thing.

And so, with a whispered word- and some hand movements that are mostly there to help Aziraphale focus, not really required- the spell is put in motion. He’s chosen to place it on a handkerchief, because it felt like something easily enough to disguise at the Resistance. And easy to get rid of it in case of an emergency, once they are in a position to break the spell.

Slowly, but surely, the monsters start to calm down. Not all of them, but some more than what he’d assumed so he’ll take it as a win. Hopefully with just one more spell, they should be done. He glances at his partner in crime.

“Well? Feeling sleepy?”

[weirdnecro]

They really don't have time to fuss too much. There's only so much time they have until they're notice and have to flee. Though that's why she has a veil on so her features won't be known, but still.

At least there was less growling and snarling now.

"Not even a yawn. You?"

[wiggleon]

"Not in the slightest, you did a superb job with that Shield."

He takes out another handkerchief, making sure to place the one with the rune away for safe-keeping. They'll have to get the to the Resistance so they can break the spell later on, when they are ready to convince the monsters to be freed.

"Let's move, we must keep going. I got most of them, but not all."

[weirdnecro]

"Oh good."

She nodded as if there was no doubt. Well then again, she hadn't done this with Aef magic but he didn't need to know that. Instead of focusing on that, she turned away, ignoring the pacified monsters in searching for an exit.

"Ready to rush out, then stroll out as if we've done nothing weird at all?"

[wiggleon]

"Ready!"

This is, probably, the more at ease he's been until now. He's not good at lying, not when he hasn't been ordered to, not when it's for a reason he sees as selfish. But he's really damn good at finding loopholes, and right now, he's found one.

He rests his hands on his back as they leave the scene of the crime, like a soldier at rest.

"We didn't actually do anything weird, after all. Just practiced some runes."

[weirdnecro]

It was really funny how he just seemed so happy tp have her in charge, and happier still out of danger. Then again, it made sense; he was getting out and he didn't have to think too much. She liked being in charge so it helped.

"We're students. That's normal. We need all the practice we can get."

She glanced at him sidelong. "And now we're going to lunch, and you're being a polite escort clearly."

[wiggleon]

"Lunch!"

He says, clapping his hands like this is the best idea that he has ever heard. Like he really is an innocent person who's suddenly realised how hungry he is. Like they didn't just help a rebellion using magic and put a number of monsters to sleep to try to give them a chance that had been taken for them.

"I saw a cute family restaurant nearby that could be good, if you're up to it?"

[weirdnecro]

She has to stifle a laugh. The pure joy from the very notion of lunch from him was-it was admittedly kind of adorable. And in the face of having done such a risky thing too...maybe she should have used that as a motivator the whole time.

"That sounds lovely." was what she said instead. "Perhaps we could even linger for awhile, order dessert and coffee?"

Rewarding him or hiding in plain sight when their work had been discovered? The answer was yes.

[wiggleon]

Who has a little wiggle of happiness as they walk away from the mess they have caused? This angel.

"Lunch without dessert is not lunch, if I say so myself. Let's go then!"

[weirdnecro]

It's adorable to watch. Oh Azira, simple things made life worth living.

"Aye, let's go. I think we've both earned ourselves a decent spread."

And off they went. Hopefully, there were crepes.