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Cuyler finished packing the herbs back into his bag and slung it over his shoulder just in time for Ayra to announce there would be no need to go to the Hefring. He looked at her with a bit of confusion but then she shut her eyes and started whispering. Cuyler’s eyes widened in horror as he understood what she was doing. Her hands seemed to glow purple, only confirming his suspicions but he didn’t stop her for fear of it doing more damage.
He watched her with fascination, not being able to look away from her hands and then a moment later his bow and quiver of arrows rested in her hands. He grinned, gathering them up.
”Incredible!” he exclaimed. He checked it over, confirming it was his and then looked up, grinning at Ayra. It quickly faded though when he noticed the blood flowing from her nose.
”Arya...that does not look fine to me,” he said and set the bow aside to retrieve a cloth for Ayra. Wasn’t one of the symptoms of the Sickenesse furthering nose bleeds?

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Amarantha’s eyes remained closed while Becky spoke. Amarantha’s initial thought was that of her and Fyror not being the initial targets. Of course, getting them out of the way would be helpful. It seemed Prince Tristan had successfully been poisoned, confirming that he was the target all along. What had the three of them been in contact with, or ate, that caused only their poisoning? Amarantha’s eyes shot open at Tristan’s outburst. A temper indeed.
Feeling much better, Amarantha swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. She walked to the end of Prince Tristan’s cot and stood, staring at him as he spoke. His tone was not appreciated, it was forced and Amarantha would have much rather him speak the way he wanted with her. She had no patience for niceties in this situation and she rather approved of Skaoi’s directness with the Prince.
The Physik's reaction to the Prince’s mention at the obvious assassination put on by the Eastern Snowplains was even more interesting. Amarantha merely looked at the shattered cup with little interest but watched Skaoi’s practiced hands shake as she attempted to sweep up the mess and apologize for her carelessness before retreating to her papers and books. Why so shaken little mouse?
Most in the infirmary medics seemed to been cut and dry. They had been in their respective positions for long and well practiced if they were given a job in the Palace infirmary. The commander didn’t oversee this part of the Palace but she felt confident in trusting the people given positions here. Perhaps she would need to reconsider, for Skaoi was direct but she also seems, skittish. Quite the paradox.
She continued to watch the Physik as she spoke in Tristan’s same tone from earlier. ”Yes well, your excellent deducing skills are invaluable Prince Tristan and an investigation will be started straight away.” She grabbed onto the boys feet and looked at him. ”What has caused such bad blood between your two kingdoms, your highness?” Her eyes flashed as she started into his young ones. What youth they still seem to have, such innocence. Amarantha didn’t get the chance to hear his answer or contemplate him further. She turned her head, hearing a rather peculiar explosion. Releasing Tristan’s feet she stepped back and addressed the Prince one last time.
”I will have a pair of guards sent to keep you in the remainder of your stay here,” she said and without a bow she walked from the room with brisk determination.
Each step she took away from the infirmary towards the attic, echoed with more strength. Every second that Amarantha had been down was another second that the Castle was unprotected. She had her sound guard but nothing was good enough for Amarantha unless she oversaw it. The complete opposite of her former commander. Puck was content to let others die for him while he pursed his desires but Amarantha played his game for long enough and won’t allow the loss of another royal while she was in command.
She reached the attic in record time and found Lyra was mere steps ahead of her. Although backup would be appreciated, her presence wasn’t a comfort.
”And where is Queen Valda?” Amarantha demanded by way of greeting.

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The company Ahote found himself in was rather, unique. Each seemed interested in their own things, having desires and auras all their own but there seemed to be a common interest in this home of the Witch Messiah. Whoever she was, she did not sound like someone who should be trifled with. The look Grimspound was giving Ahote also seemed like one not to be taken lightly. Ahote shifted uncomfortably from the man’s stare. He ran his fingers through his hair and fixed his collar. Ahote was a confident man but he did not enjoy the pleasurable company of men, he much preferred a delicate touch against his skin.
”It sounds interesting,” Ahote offered. ”How long do you think would we be?” he asked Minerva. He didn’t want to be kept from the ship long and miss it’s departure.
Things only became more interesting when Arnora mentioned going to make contact with the spirits who remained in the abandoned building. Forgetting Grimspound’s look, Ahote shifted back to the group and looked at Arnora, wishing to inquire more but it seemed the other young man had already shown an advanced interest in the topic. He gave name to the unique gift Arnora possessed. Spirit Seer, suggesting that there were more like her. Mutant powers, the ones Ahote had grown around, tended to be unique to the person. Although some did possess similar powers to others but that was rare.
The wind above shifted, blowing past Ahote and carried sounds of the crew from behind him, forward. He listened further still and heard a well known voice to him curse from down below. Within that same moment, Grimspound’s aura shifted and shimmered as it seemed to draw upon a force that Ahote did not recognize. He watched the man curiously as he mentioned trouble was before them. Ahote turned his head, focusing on the captain below. So there seemed to be.
”You are not wrong. Something has happened below deck,” he answered the group. ”What power do you possess?” Ahote asked Grimspound.

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"It'll be alright Myrus, just calm down... We'll figure something out... There just has to be a way for you to control it... We just haven't found out how exactly to do that yet..." she said to her brother. It wasn't what she would have wanted to tell her brother, but it was all she had. Valda would do just about anything to help her brother out if she could, but right now there wasn't anything that she could tell of that they could do to help him right now. Aside from keeping him calm or something.

When she heard footsteps, she glanced over to see who had shown up, and was glad to see Luna there. Valda had been starting to wonder where exactly her sister was, especially considering the sort of commotion from down below and the screaming. She contemplated asking her sister what had happened, but decided against it. Right now the only thing that mattered was trying to help Myrus, even though there likely wasn't anything they could do for him.

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"Myth?" Bruce said sort of softly, heading over to where she had gone. "Are you okay?" The thought had crossed his mind to maybe leave her alone for a little bit, but decided against it. Especially considering he was pretty sure if any member of his family had found out he did, someone was likely to punch him or something. He wasn't too sure walking away from Myth right now would be a great idea anyway.

This whole pregnancy thing did have him worried, not just for the baby or anything, but for Myth. She wasn't exactly an Asgardian, or from there or anything, and this kid was going to be part one. Not to mention the whole, part mutant thing, but people in this area didn't exactly know that term at all. He didn't even know how strong the kid's abilities were going to be, and that freaked him out a bit. Though he was somewhat sure that the kid's powers wouldn't be as strong as his, hopefully. He wondered what was going through Myth's head about the whole thing.

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Sylvi looked at him, before she sat down on the couch next to him. This was a bit random of a question, at least it kind of seemed that way to her. He had just asked it, as if out of nowhere, and it made her wonder why. She was used to a few things about him, but still, this one question that he had asked made her left wondering what was going through his head. Sometimes she wished that she was a mind reader, so she could see what was going on in his head.

She thought for a moment, before she answered him, "...Truth is, there are more than one thing that I'm afraid of... But the main thing that scares me... Is ah... Well..." she said, hesitating with her response. What exactly was her worse fear? She didn't exactly have one, so she had to think about it for a minute or two before she answered him. "...Being a failure... My parents, they weren't exactly too thrilled at the idea of me messing around with music... So when I left and first started out, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to make it... Still am a bit worried that I'll fail in some big way and have to go back there because I have no where else to go..." she said softly, and it was true. That was something she tended to think about a lot.

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As quickly as the sickness came, it went. It seemed the little one inside of her was warning her to relax a bit. She had been doing a lot, but there was a lot to be done. She was never content to sitting around like some women liked to do when having kids. She wanted children but she wanted adventure first. This was going to be a hard change for her. Not to mention the child inside of her was half-Asgardian. Who knew what that meant?

Bruce came in to check on her and she wiped her face, ensuring she was clean and put together (somewhat). "I'm fine, just morning sickness. Comes with the territory. I think I may actually lay down for a bit before your family arrives. I want to be sure I'm in top shape to meet them without having to run to the bathroom." She stood up, slowly, before she walked over to him with a smile. "I'm all right love."

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Fleur's eyes all but lit up at the sight of the necklace. It was beautiful and would look quite good around her neck. But a proper host didn't do such things. She graciously took it in her hands. "It is a beautiful gift, thank you. And yes, to business. Come inside." Once inside with whoever decided to join her, she would lead them to a sitting room normally meant for the coven to relax a bit, but they were off dealing with things or were sick.

Fleur sat down and motioned for them to join her. "What you say is true. I do have quite the bone to pick with Queen Valda. I had plans of my own, but if you are not aware there is a mysterious sicknesse going around and I am afraid me and most of my coven have been affected. We have opted to figure out a cure first. I have made some progress with that, discovering that Lyte Magyk seems to counteract it, though I am not sure if it will cure it."

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@LadyRunic@mnkee: Whereas Skaoi was skittish, Becky (with the Good Hair) was stubborn and blunt. She turned to the little prince, seeing how much he had protested with the single prick of a needle. "Prince Tristan, if it only takes a slight prick for you to act in this manner, I do not doubt that the SnowPlains will easily win the war against your people," Becky said bluntly. Perhaps it was rash of her to talk like this - yet she had been in her trade for a while and never bothered to develop much of a bedside manner. "Fortify yourself, Prince Tristan. It would suit your position better." Becky then went over to Skaoi and finished helping her to clean up the mess. It wasn't the first time something was broken in the infirmary and she doubted it'd be the last. "Be calm, Skaoi," Becky advised her with a slight smile. "You are stronger than you realize."

@LadyRunic: After Rhys secured his home through the use of Magyk, he'll begin to feel a headache form. As this headache sprouts, Esmeralda looked at him and sighed, shaking her head slightly. "It got you too?" she asked, though it really wasn't much of a question. She prided herself on her intuition. As Rhys asked, she stayed largely hidden as Rhys went to Fayard. The poor thing looked like a shadow of his former self, weakly drinking the water. "I'm...I'm alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic..." Fayard said, falling into an old Young Army response. The children tended to always say that, no matter what. His stomach started to ache like hell and Fayard groaned, turning slightly and spilling water on his face.

@FantasyChic: Princess Meadow nodded, looking at Fleur with concern - likely faked. Most royals in this world would show feelings and emotions when it suited them. "I see - I had heard tale of some illness only afflicting those skilled with Magyk - I do not know much of it, as such things do not happen in the Lagoon...But I had hoped that you would remain strong," the Princess continued. She fiddled with a ring on her hand and one of her attendants moved to whisper into her ear, only for Meadow to abruptly wave them off.

"But this does not change what I have come here to propose. A poisoned tree cannot help but bear poisoned fruit," Meadow said, locking eyes with Fleur. "My aunt, the late Queen Meliscente, was positively toxic. It is time something be done to rectify the situation...Yet I fear this country would not accept me as their ruler. They are too used to Magyk. I am proposing, Witch Messiah, to give you the use of the Royal Army of the Lagoon - to lay waste to the pretender to the throne and those who support her."

"I ask that you install yourself as the ruler of this land, subject only to King Nicholas of the Lagoon."

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Arya accepted the cloth from Cuyler, attending to the bloody nose. She hadn't felt quite this tired in ages as she sat down, the tips of her fingers strangely cold. She continued to press the cloth against her nose, before her body went rigid all of the sudden and her back arched. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head, as if someone else had come in to temporarily take control of her. "THE QUESTE WILL SET THEM FREE!" the strange voice boomed, before Arya collapsed into a coughing fit, unaware of what had happened.

"I'm fine, Cuyler, not everything is a symptom of the Sickenesse," she told him, avoiding his gaze slightly. "Besides, I would know if I had that unfortunate condition." Her hand then let go of the cloth and instead gripped onto her amulet for a moment, feeling the Magyk that it contained. It spiritually felt like washing her face with clean water, yet it did very little to alleviate her symptoms. They were running out of time to come up with a solution. It had been months and nothing worked. "Now in a moment, we can leave..."

Yet truthfully, Arya did not have much strength left. She kept thinking get up, we need to leave but her body betrayed her. Every fiber of her being was telling her to sit down and continue to rest. The ExtraOrdinary Wizard was weak - she couldn't allow that to happen - and she forced herself to her feet with shaky legs.

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Myrus was taking deep breaths, curled into a ball in the corner of the attic. He could hear the footsteps coming up the attic stairs before he saw people emerge. Every time he thought Valda was about to approach him, he shrunk away. He didn't want to hurt his sister. He didn't know if he could make living things explode but he wasn't about to find out. "J-just stay away from me!" Myrus cried.

There were no additional explosions - at least for the moment. His purple eyes seemed to be tinged with red as he looked wildly around, like a cornered and frightened animal. He then saw Luna come up into the attic, telling him to take deep breaths and he just sort of shook his head. He couldn't manage to catch his breath no matter what he did. And then, then he could hear Amarantha and Lyra coming to the attic. Why had the gods cursed him so? Why was everyone coming to his hiding place now?

"G-g-g-go away or you'll get hurt!" Myrus squeaked out, before he buried his face in his knees.

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Marya and Medea still hadn't come home yet. It had been a little over a half an hour since they left. It would only be a cause for concern if they didn't come home in the next fifteen minutes. The last time they had been gone this long, they joined the Port Witch Coven - or a cult, as Bruce referred to it. However, there was a knock at the door. "Brucey? I hope it's alright, we came early..."

Antonije had pulled Sylvi in for a hug, kissing her forehead. "You're not a failure, Sylvija," he told her, before he gave her forehead another kiss. He glanced at the door, hearing the voice call out and the knock, but he figured that he would let Bruce get it. His family wasn't supposed to get there until noon but he supposed noon was close enough now - they were gods anyways. Gods didn't take it very well when you yelled at them for being early. "So...You want to hide from the gods or stay in plain sight?" Antonije asked Sylvi.

"They are your gods, though," he pointed out, referring to her culture.

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Minerva looked at Arnora with curiosity. A Spirit-Seer...That could come in handy indeed on this trip to the abandoned Port Witch Coven Home. There was one ghost in particular that she wished to speak to. In her pocket, she fiddled slightly with an ornately decorated vial. It wasn't much in her style, but she had a feeling they would find it to be of use on the journey ahead. "Splendid. We should return with plenty of time for any of you continuing on to board the Aricie," Minerva said, giving Ahote a smile.

She rolled her eyes slightly as Grimspound, seeing that he was essentially trying to get laid. Yet Ahote's words rung true. The ship was slightly less high up in the water than it had been moments before. Fortunately, they were almost at Port. Just another fifteen minutes of sailing and they would be able to dock. Minerva couldn't help but be slightly amused at the entire situation, noticing as the crew seemed to go into a frenzy around them. "Seems serious," she mused, jumping up onto a barrel so she could get a better look around.

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"Awww your little brother is acting like a scared injured little animal, its kind of cute." The voice spoke once more, which was now really getting on her nerves as well as worrying her quiet a bit as well. Luna had lost control of herself just a few moments ago, and she did not want to switch so suddenly in front of her brother and sister. Luna looked up at Valda for a moment, she rubbed the back of her neck and then sat down leaning herself up against the wall. Myrus had every right to be concerned about not having any hand contact with them, she had seen what happened with pillows and blankets a few months ago.

Myrus most likely had it worse than she did from the Port Witches, he would look back at him with a concerned look. "I wont leave your side Myrus." Luna said in a comforting way, her brother needed to have someone be there for him, letting out a slight sigh and then looked up at her sister once more. "When did you find him here?" Luna asked her as she thought of trying to bring up a way to tell them what had happened down stairs in the infirmary. Or at least tell Valda about it, she didn't want to worry or hurt Myrus any further than he was right now.

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Arnora turned to look at Grimspound and gave him a slight smile when he offered her a few drinks and nodded to confirm that she was a Spirit-Seer. "That I am, and as long as your paying for the drinks I certainly wouldn't mind talking about it." Arnora said, as she turned and leaned herself up against the railing of the ship. Though she wasn't sure if she would actually sleep with the guy, she turned to look down at the sea below. She did notice that it was getting a bit lower than it was which was a bit alarming, but right then she didn't really think much of it.

Then Grimspound and Ahote said that there was something wrong going on down deck, she looked over her shoulder as the crew started to scramble and a bit of panic. Which was certainly going to be a problem she decided to go down below deck and check it out herself, as Arnora stopped for a moment and looked over her shoulder. "I'll be just a moment." Arnora said before continuing down the stairs until she stopped seeing the water there. "You all may want to get out of the way." Arnora said as she knelt down on the step just above the water, once everyone was out of the way Arnora closed her eyes letting out a slight breath before freezing the water on the deck, effectively sealing the breach for the time being.

Arnora then looked down at her handy work as she stood up and made her way back up to the main deck to her new little group of friends seeing Minerva taking a seat on a barrel. "The issue's been fixed." Arnora said calmly as she went back to where she was standing like she had done nothing. "Anyway it could be fun going to the place, and then drinks afterward?" Arnora asked smiling a bit.

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Cuyler stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed and a frown on as his face as he watched Arya tend to her bloody nose. She looked positively tired and Cuyler noted that her face dropped a few shades whiter as well. This Sickenesse had advanced in Arya with that little bit of Magyk that she used and he worried what this would mean for her. He was about to tell her that they should stay here rather than go into the forest when suddenly she went rigid. Cuyler took a step towards her before freezing. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head before a booming voice came out of Ayra’s mouth. That was not Ayra speaking but ust as quickly as she changed, she was back.
Cuyler looked around the room in bewilderment. He turned around on the spot, looking to see if there was someone else in the room who had seen that. Much to Cuyler’s dismay, Arya continued to speak as if nothing had happened. To top it off, she was still claiming there was nothing wrong with her!
Cuyler approached Arya quickly, a crazed look in his eyes as he knelt down in front of her and took her arms into his hands.
”Ayra! Would you please stop denying that nothing is wrong when it is plain to everyone that there is?” He shook her slightly, begging her to step back into reality. There was worry and fear in his eyes now as he continued to speak. ”Where did you go just now? Your eyes rolled back into your head and this strange voice came from your mouth. Something is wrong Ayra, I need you to come back and focus on that. To focus on you,” he pleaded.

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While Amarantha waited for Luna’s response, Titan showed up mere moments later. Titan had been within the Long Walk, disposing of Fyror’s body for the time being until something further could be done for the young man. As he was heading back to retrieve Lennox, he heard a great explosion and quickly rushed off. The Palace was much bigger than he liked to admit. Titan ended up getting turned around but found Amarantha and Lyra once he got his bearings straight again. He stood behind Amarantha and winked at Lyra with a mischievous grin before Amarantha drew his attention back.
”And you should be with Princess Luna by now,” his commander stated. Titan cleared his throat, about to explain when Amarantha quickly turned around. Queen Valda had just spoken, followed by Princess Luna. They were talking rather calmly, as if to a frightened animal. Titan tried to get a look in while Amarantha barged into the room.
Amarantha stepped into the attic and quickly took in the sight before her. Myrus sat, curled in the furthest corner from his sisters, his head buried and his hands seemed to glow almost red. She looked from Valda to Luna, then back to Myrus.
”What has happened?” she demanded. There was also a significant amount of damage done to attic. Was it Prince Myrus who had done this? Amarantha was brimming with more questions than answers and she did not like being kept in the dark.

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Before Ahote could get an answer from Grimspound, Arnora suddenly moved off. Minerva had assured Ahote would be back in time before the ship set sail again but Ahote had the sudden feeling there would be some time before that happened. Arnora then moved around the two men and walked over to the stairs that led below deck. Looking at the other two, Ahote followed suit. He was curious now. Grimspound had sparked his interest with his sudden knowledge that something was afoot and now Arnora, having the ability to see spirits, seemed drawn to the commotion below deck.
Due to his concentration on her, Ahote saw her true colour come through. Literally. Her skin shifted a shade and she was seeming to be followed by a bright orange. Ahote smiled, momentarily distracted. He loved this colour. Such freedom she had. Full of life and desire to do as she pleased and live every moment to it's fullest potential. He was pulled back into the moment when it shifted slightly. The temperature around the two of them seemed to drop but Ahote moved closer to the unique woman, rather than stepping away. He watched as the water that had been coming into the ship freeze, a unique power flowing from Arnora. Back home there was the power to control water, how it flowed and even the ability to make it rain. It came in handy. But to turn something to ice, Ahote had yet to see something like that. Until now.
With the task done, Arnora headed back to the group and Ahote came right up to her when she sat down.
”You are a mutant,” he stated. ”With the ability to freeze liquid. Is there anything else you can freeze?” Ahote’s eyes seemed to sparkle with wonder. He was very knowledgeable in this area and this was the whole reason for his travel. To see if there were others like him and make sure they knew their abilities to the fullest extent. To train them sort to speak.

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Just as Lyra's hand reached for the doorknob, she heard the creak of the stairs behind her, followed by an annoyingly familiar voice. Her superior Amarantha's voice rang out, demanding to know the whereabouts of Lyra's charge Queen Valda. She let her hand fall back down to her side, and she took in a breath to calm her nerves and the simmering aggravation that the woman's presence always seemed to elicit from her these days. The thing was, no matter how hard she tried and no matter how much she put her life out on the line for queen and country, she knew that she would never be good enough in Amarantha's eyes. That's not to say that she wished to impress the woman. It was more that for the sake of job security and her sanity she wanted to be viewed as something more akin to an equal, someone worthy of the woman's respect. She supposed that that was probably too much to ask of the woman though.

She pivoted on her heels to face the woman as she mentally steeled herself. She gave the woman a polite, albeit tight, smile. "The Queen's through here," she replied, gesturing towards the door leading into the attic. Or by the gods she better be, she thought to herself as she turned back around, her hand once more reaching for the doorknob. Her hand paused on it as she heard someone else coming up the stairs. She looked back over her shoulder, her braided hair falling off to the side. Her gaze took in the newcomer, one of Amarantha's lackeys most likely. As the man winked at her and flashed her a mischievous grin, she sort of just stared at him with this deadpan expression for a few drawn out seconds. As Amarantha garnered the man's attention, Lyra relinquished her gaze and finally made her way into the attic. She had barely made it into the room when Amarantha suddenly barged inside, causing her to have to quickly jump aside lest she get run over.

Lyra's lips tightened and annoyance flashed in her eyes as she stared at the ground for a moment. She took in a deep, calming breath, before her gaze came up in order to take in what was happening in the room. Her gaze flitted around the room, taking in its state of disarray, before landing on Queen Valda, Princess Luna, and finally Prince Myrus. Her pale brows creased as she took in his current state. There was such fear and panic in his eyes, and it tugged at her heart strings. "Stay back," she stated to Valda and Luna as she walked over to Myrus, seemingly unperturbed by the red glow of his hands. She approached him slowly before crouching down to where she was eyelevel with him. "Myrus," she spoke to him, her voice gentle but not patronizingly so. "Listen to me. I think you're trying too hard. Instead of focusing on containing your powers, focus on something else, something positive. Pick a moment in time, one of your fondest memories, and focus on that. Remember each and every detail. The people there. The words that were said. The sights, the sounds, even the smells in the air. More importantly, focus on how good it made you feel in that moment."

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Tristan's gaze turned sharply as there was a loud crash, the teacup having slipped from the Physik woman's hands to bust into pieces when it hit the hard ground. His blue eyes came up in time to meet Skaoi's terror filled gaze. He didn't have time to place the meaning behind the emotion he saw when Amarantha's voice and movement garnered his immediate attention. His eyes widened slightly as he looked up at her, and he involuntarily gulped when she grabbed onto his foot. He couldn't help but feel unnerved by the woman, and the flash of her eyes only solidified that feeling. He opened his mouth in order to answer her question, but he couldn't seem to form words. By some miracle though, something distracted her enough to make her leave the infirmary. He let out a breath once she was gone.

His attention was then diverted to the other Physik woman, Becky. He blinked as he got more or less chewed out for his earlier behavior. It instantly reminded him of basically everyday with Fyror. Fyror. His face fell. He gave a curt nod of his head, his lips thinning as he then stared down at the ground. He heard the woman's words, but it was as if they had come from the voice of another. He could hear the words coming from the voice of his now dead best friend. It was something Fyror would've said to him, a hard lesson he no doubt deserved. He closed his eyes as he took in a shaky breath. He then suddenly got up and left the now stifling room without another word.

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Rhys grimaced as the first signs of the Sickenesse hit him. He had been hoping by ill turn of luck he was immune to the disease. That he was not only furthered his resolved to find a cure. Pressing fingers to his head he looked at the witch with a surly glower. "I'm still able." The rogue wizard growled. What was it with this thriced-cursed former lover of his? First she had his child, then that child had been taken from her, and now she was poking at him for catching the Sickenesse. He'd like to fair better. Fayard however distracted his mentor from taking a literal chunk from his unknown mother.

As the words of the Young Army left the young lad's lips, Rhys snorted in annoyance. "Alive, and awake. Though I doubt you're alert or enthusiastic." Wiping the water from the lad's face, Rhys sighed and set it aside to be thrown out or dealt with later. It was foolish of him to take a apprentice, but he had been looking for someone he could mold and form. To get another set of hands, and those that were loyal only to him. That he had come across his own son was a twist form the Gods he did not appreciate. "You were of the Young Army so I'll be blunt. Your mother's here, your father as well. Esmeralda. Apparently your..." His tone darkened with hatred and rage that echoed of the power Rhys wished to unleash on the dead man. "Her brother sold you to them without her knowledge. It's true. I checked." Rhys decided to see how he took this news before giving him the rest. That he was the boy's father. Perhaps he could bully the Meadows' patriarch to claim the boy in his stead if it went badly.

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Skaoi was a quiet woman, as timid as a mouse and just as plain. Or at least she saw herself that way. In quite a literal sense she was a living ghost. Ducking her head at Becky's words, the Physik gave a solemn nod. "As you say it." The Eastern Snow Plains native agreed softly. Her fingers clasping worriedly together. Fidgeting about each other. "Mistress Becky, you have had barely any sleep. Rest, I ask of you. A Physik can do more after a solid rest and we have worked ourselves hard." Skaoi did not bother to hide her honest worry over her companion as she gripped Becky's hand with her own. A wane smile coming to her lips. "I fell asleep upon my notes and ink, so I have had my own rest... Willing it or no." Skaoi admitted.

As the woman was ushered out of the infirmary, Skaoi breathed a sigh of relief. A bit of alone time did not hurt her and she had felt far more relaxed when the Prince Tristan had left. What would become of her if people found out her past? Undoubtedly it was common knowledge she was of blood to the Eastern Snow Plains. Her looks and mannerisms tells. Brewing herself a cup of calming tea, Skaoi sighed sadly. Would she have to leave? She didn't want to, after finding out she quiet enjoyed it here. Even if she was forever dodging men and royals. Speaking of Royals... Skaoi smiled softly at the thought. Perhaps Myrus would join her for a cup of tea? It would make her feel better to have him about. Perhaps she was a coward... No, she was certainly a coward, but the young Prince was kind and honest. A comfort.

Plus it would be a good distraction from her constant viewing of notes, and perhaps his younger mind might note things she had missed. He was a clever lad after all. Summoning a Messenger Rat, Skaoi smiled in welcome to the small interesting creature. "Hello, would you mind delivering a message for me to Prince Myrus?" Blinking she felt heat rise to her cheeks, she had forgotten that little incantation. It wasn't as if she often used the Messenger Rats before, even now she rarely did. After all, what had she to say? "Speak Rattus Rattus." The woman sighed and poured herself the tea. "To Prince Myrus, from Skaoi Silverveil. Your Highness, would you care to join me for a cup of tea in the infirmary? Please forgive my boldness for asking? I would gladly come to you, but please forgive my inability to do as I cannot leave my patients unattended. Awaiting your reply, Physik Skaoi Silverveil. Oh, drat!" The woman set out the pot and dabbed at the slight spillage as she waved the rat off to deliver it's message. Even now her hands still shook. She disliked the worry that the past she had fled would come back to haunt her.

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Grimspound gave a slight chuckle as Ahote shifted uncomfortably under his stare, though he filed away the knowledge for later. Sometimes that meant the person was in denial, but either way it was not to press and accept he would have better luck as a woman if he wanted to bed the man. Which perhaps he would just to see what came of it. Those little thoughts of perverse amusements that took him from time to time. He was the sort who loved to liven up a tavern or crowd and bask in the enjoyment of a good time with good company. As Ahote questioned the Dryki man of his powers, Grimspound remained silent in thought as he joined Arnora and the man below deck. How best to describe it? If he wanted to reveal it at all that was. Sometimes the mystery of things gave him more leeway than most would think. Those thoughts however were paused as they spotted the problem. The boat was sinking.

A troublesome fact but not one that was overly so. He by all rights would be able to fix it, and was preparing to do just that when the one called Arnora acted. The water freezing at the exhalation of her breath and sealing the hole. Effective for the time being, but Grimspound winced slightly at the foolishness of it. The ice would ruin the bottom of the ship, warping wood as it melted. While he could fix that too- perhaps- he wasn't going to overreach with his powers to aid a Captain when he walking into a unknown and diseased city. A harsh, but true fact. Sometimes help was better when it was not given. As Arnora turned about and headed up towards the deck, Ahote questioning at her heels, the man let out a slight chuckle of amusement.

"You're full of questions, aren't you?" While the words could be offensive, the open and welcoming smile on Grimspound's face was far from offensive. Who was he to judge when he was the exact same way? A true shame that this Ahote was not more open with his... options. "Though he does poise a interesting point. Can you just freeze liquids or other things as well? My dear Ice Queen. I believe we will all need a stiff drink and good conversation at some inn in the near future." He grinned and gave a bow as Arnora exited onto the main deck. The good news with all this commotion, it appeared that Ahote had forgotten his question to Grimspound. Something that amused and gratified the man greatly. After all how was he suppose to explain that he was conceived under some curious circumstances? That he did not want to detail his mother's people out of his need to protect them.

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"Clearly you don't know me at all Lyra if you think I'm going to abandon my brother at all," she said, before she did the exact opposite of what Lyra had told her to do. In her mind, Lyra wasn't going to be very helpful in calming her little brother down, and it didn't seem like she even knew what she was doing! Valda walked over to her brother, and she gave him a hug. Pulling him into her arms, and just holding onto him, not caring if he turned her clothes into an explosive, no matter what happened, she wasn't going to let go.

"It'll be alright Myrus, I'm not going to leave you, no matter what anyone else says... You are my brother, my family, and I won't abandon you now, okay? I love you Myrus, it'll be alright..." she whispered into her brother's ear, giving him a smile. She was going to be there for him, whether he wanted her to be or not. Valda cared about her little brother, and was not going to let anything bad happen to him.

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"Now see, you say that, it's just..." she said softly, thinking about it. Her family back home, she did miss them on occasion, especially at moments like right now. Sylvi had never really earned her parents' approval for wanting to be a musician instead of ruling the country, and it was things like that that made her feel that way. Her family had always made her feel somewhat small, and she had hated that.

"...I know that in the eyes of my family, in the eyes of my parents... I always will be seen as a failure, no matter what happens..." she said softly, when she heard the knock at the door, her already pale skin turning an even lighter shade. It took her mind a moment to register Tate's question. "Probably not hide... Since I think they could find me anyway..." she said, sounding more like a squeak than anything.

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"Are you sure you are okay? I mean... Well..." he said, before he just let out a slight sigh, deciding not to argue about it. If she just wanted to lay down or something, that was fine with him. Though the knock on the door threw that idea straight out the window. He heard his mom call out his childhood nickname, so he knew that his parents were there. "You can stay out of sight as long as you want... I'll go talk with them and keep them company," he said softly, as he left the room.

Bruce walked over and opened up the door, and saw his mother and his father standing there. It didn't surprise him too much to see them show up early, he didn't even notice Sylvi in the other room with Tate when he went to open the door. "Hey there mother, father... Don't worry, I don't mind that you're early," he said with a smile. He was glad to see them, it had been a while since he had gone back to Asgard.

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Myth patted Bruce's cheek. "I'm a lady. We've done this thing for countless years. It's what we do. I got this." Once she heard the knock and the call (of course she WILL be teasing him about the nickname later), she motioned for him to leave. "Go, check in on them and let them inside. I'll get settled a bit and meet you down in a bit."

Once he left, she made her way over to the bedroom and sat on the bed. She took a few deep breaths as her hand caressed her stomach. She loved this little thing inside of her, but it was a pain. No rest for the weary though. Bruce could handle his family. She just needed a minute to collect herself. After all, she had gods to entertain. No small feat.

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Fleur clicked her tongue at the woman's words. Though she appreciated the gift, the plot, the plan, she didn't like the jab at her power. "I will let that comment subside as I don't imagine you are aware of what is going on in this realm, but I will warn you, as a friend of course, never to doubt my power. It is a quick way to destruction. She eyed the attendant, "I assure you, of course, that our goals align."

Fleur waved to one of her coven, "Please, fetch my guest some tea. The finest we have. I know you know where it is since you've been stealing it." She let the girl go with a wave. Fleur could see herself as a ruler. It would suit her well. However, a ruler did not answer to anyone. And she would not be the first to do so. "I like this plan of yours. I would love so lovely sitting on that throne." She let word of the past queen go away. She cared not for her anymore, especially since it brought back memory of Nera.

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@LadyRunic: A few moments later, the rat returned, panting and alarmed. "Miss, message was not able to be delivered...Prince Myrus was too busy blowing up the attic," the rat squeaked, before scurrying off and not even bothering with the payment. Skaoi would be able to hear the explosions as well.

@mnkee: Outside of the infirmary, the activity of the Palace is pretty much normal. Guards come around the corner - both living and ghostly - as they make their rounds. Servants take freshly cleaned linens to the various rooms and a groundskeeper has come inside in order to get a quick drink. A girl just a few years his elder was outside on the grounds, chasing a small creature that seemed to be some sort of rabbit? Or a possum? Or a tailless cat? It was really hard to tell...

@LadyRunic: "I am ~cough~ alert ~cough~ and ~cough~ enthusiastic..." Badger protested. He thought of himself as Badger and as Rhys told him of his life before, there was some dim recognition in his eyes. But he was young and small children's memories were often easy to fade and remold, especially after his time with the Young Army and then Rhys. The boy then did pretty much a bit of a shrug, not having much of a reaction to the news Rhys was telling him. Perhaps he didn't care - or perhaps he didn't really understand what Rhys was saying.

"...Can I have another blanket?" Badger then finally said.

@FantasyChic: As Fleur's witch ran off to fetch tea, Meadow was the picture of composure as she looked at the Witch Messiah. Fleur's protest to her evaluation - that she was not as strong as she could have been - did not seem to faze her in the slightest. "Good," Meadow said, twisting her ring once more. "However, there is a prerequisite to acquiring the army. We must be confident that you have a plan. It would not do for us to hand over our fighting force and see it amount to nothing - but if the tales are true, you are a brilliant strategist...A rose amongst the thorns."

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Myrus bit his lip and shook his head, before he clutched his brown curls with his hands and held on tightly. The red aura still surrounded them but his own hair seemed to be immune to the explosions. He then looked at Amarantha, trying not to freak out. She was his sister's bodyguard - funny how only his sisters were under constant guard, whereas he could go as he pleased. "I-I-I did this..." he told Amarantha, swallowing thickly.

He jerked backwards somehow as Lyra came near, letting go of his curls and he held his hands out as if he could keep her away, ward her off, anything to keep her from touching him. He didn't want to hurt anyone. He locked eyes with Lyra, his violet looking into her fair blue - and he jerked again to the side, the red energy growing in intensity and he screamed. He tried to get to his feet but the wall of the attic exploded and crumbled in small patches wherever he touched. Amarantha and Titan would both be hit with stray pieces of wood from the explosion.

"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" Myrus shouted. He wasn't one for anger - to raise his voice - but he couldn't stop it. As he tried to get space and distance from the others, he bumped into crates and stored family heirlooms, causing them to explode as well. The noise in the attic was like someone had set off an entire box of fireworks at once in a small, contained area.

Yet as Valda pulled him in for a hug...And no doubt, the others looked on with fear...Nothing happened to the Witch Queen. He then just started to cry, the red energy fading from his hands as he hugged his sister back tightly.

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Run, run, run they go, when they'll stop nobody knows...

"Brucey," Runa, his mother, said warmly as she went inside and pulled her son in for a hug. She was almost a foot shorter than he was but she still managed to have a dominating presence in the room. Shadows seemed to cling to her feet as she walked and Antonije couldn't help but feel vulnerable - as if she could tell him things about himself that he would never know. Taking a deep breath, Antonije was relieved to see that her husband - although still tall - didn't give off that godly vibe.

"Now where is the lovely Myth? I've been wanting to meet her," Runa said softly. She had a small bag with her - within, there was a gift for Myth. She wanted to welcome her to the family. To be honest, she never expected that Bruce would want to marry anyone. He was as sexual as a plant in her mind.

"'Sup, I'm Antonije," Antonije said, looking at the goddess and her husband. He was a wizard, according to the legends. He held out a hand to her and the goddess looked at him with surprise for a moment, before she laughed softly.

"I am sorry - I mistook you for someone else for a moment."

"...First time I've heard that one," Antonije mumbled. Runa then looked at Sylvi, giving her a knowing grin - once more her eyes seeming to say that Runa knew secrets about Sylvi that she wouldn't dare share with another person. Perhaps the Floor had told the goddess about who Sylvi was?

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Minerva had remained up on the main deck, while the others had gone below in order to repair the damage. The hull was in proper condition now - the main worry was what to do with all of the ice down there that was frozen. Consequently, an announcement went around the ship that they'd be delaying their departure from the Port about three hours time in order to ensure the ship was seaworthy once more.

"Thanks, lass," Harlianne, the Captain said, as she nodded at Arnora. She tossed her a small bag of coin before Harlianne went back to her own duties. She figured a bit of money was the most she could do for the girl that saved her some costly repairs - not that she would have made them. Harlianne would have just stolen a newer, better ship - without any holes in it. She still might do that.

"Mutant?" Minerva asked, curious. "I've never heard of that term before...No offense, but I had assumed you were just Magykal," she then explained to Arnora.

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Luna looked over her shoulder seeing Amarantha and Lyra there, both her sister's and her own bodyguards were there, Amarantha speaking up about what has happened. She looked over towards her brother who was still cowering in the corner, and bit her bottom lip she wasn't really sure what to actually say or answer her as Lyra tried her best to calm her brother down at least somewhat as well. Then Myrus freaked out again as he held onto something just as it suddenly exploded, she watched as both Lyra and Amarantha both got hit by things that Myrus had touched and exploded.

"Myrus's ability." Luna answered softly as her eyes wondered over towards Valda as she quickly went over to hug him, she half expected Myrus to accidentally blow her up, but he didn't and he seemed to calm down now as well as a result. Luna started to move forward towards her brother and sister, she wasn't as brave as her sister was. "You don't have to be alone in this Myrus we are always going to be there for you.." Luna said softly, as she bit her bottom lip, now realizing that she was in front of both Lyra and Amarantha now the two of them had seen her mental slip just a few moments ago as well. "If you guys have time a little bit later, i'd like to talk to you in private?" Luna had asked softly, it was something she had been holding from them for the last few months, and she wasn't even sure how Tristan would deal with her now after what had happened as well.

hr]

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When Arnora got back up to the deck she looked over her shoulder towards Ahote and Grimspound asked her what else she could freeze, though she raised an eyebrow when Ahote called her a mutant. She had never even heard of the term before, and wasn't even sure what to even think of it. Arnora gave a slight shrug as she thought about their questions a bit, she had frozen somethings before in the past other than water. "Aside from water? I guess other objects, and living things?" Arnora answered. [color=#81BEF7]"But, lets just say 'mutant' for now." Arnora wasn't going to reveal who she really and truly was just yet.

Then the captain came up to the deck again, and smirked a bit as she caught the small bag of coin, and started to open it up and counted them out a bit. "Anytime you want a hole plugged with ice let me know." Arnora called out and smiled before stuffing the bag into her pocket, her attention now over towards Minerva. "So looks like we have sometime, to kill anywhere else you'd like to go when we get to Port?" Arnora asked.

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Valda hadn't been too sure what would happen when she hugged Myrus, but it didn't matter to her, as long as her brother was okay or something. She wanted to be there for him, so she didn't care if everyone around her freaked out over her hugging the kid who could cause explosions. It was a bit of a surprise when her clothes, or her body, didn't turn into an explosive, but she'd take that. Valda just held onto her brother as he cried in her arms.

"It'll be alright Myrus, I'm here for you whether you need me around or not. I won't leave you..." she said softly to him, still holding onto him. She just let him cry in her arms, before she glanced over at her sister, wondering what it was she was wanting to discuss or whatever, but she quickly turned her attention back to her little brother. Valda wanted to protect him, and her sister, but right now, it was obvious that her younger brother needed her more.

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Sylvi wasn't too sure what to make of the fact that there were literal gods standing right in front of her, she had gotten used to the idea of Bruce kind of hanging around, but this was something completely different. The woman easily held a strong presence, and the look she gave her was a strange one. It made her wonder what it was that Runa knew about her. This was a bit confusing in her mind.

Bruce hugged his mother back, giving her a bit of a smile, "It is good to see the two of you." He was rather close to his family, though he tended to be a bit closer to his father's side of the family than his mother's, or more of what was left of his father's side considering.

"Nice to see you too Bruce," Lance said, before he looked over at Tate, a little surprised by the similarities between him and someone else he knew. "Nice to meet you... And before you ask or anything, no I am not an Asgardian, I'm from Midgard and ended up marrying an Asgardian."

"Myth will be out in a little bit mother, she was feeling a little bit unwell, but she should be fine in a little bit..." Bruce said, pulling away slightly from her hug. It did feel a little weird considering the height difference between them, he definitely had gotten his height from his father, since his dad was only a few inches shorter, it was weird that he had outgrown his parents like that.

She was still feeling a bit out of place in this whole room. Sylvi edged a little bit closer towards Tate, hoping to sort of hide somewhat. Maybe she should have picked the try and hide option, since she wasn't too sure what to think at all with this group of people who all were a lot stronger than her in many ways. This was not the place for her to be right now, but she couldn't really think of anything else she could do.

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Arya looked at Cuyler, confused and her heart was pounding. "...Cuyler, what you are describing does not sound like the Sickenesse," Arya said softly. There had been no reported cases of something quite like that occurring. "If anything, that would be an Inhabitation - there was a case I believe...a few thousand years back of a Syren that Inhabited an ExtraOrdinary Apprentice for several centuries."

Things seemed to stop and Cuyler loosened his hold on Arya. He looked around the room again, looking for anything that seemed less than human. "You...you said: The Queste will set them free. It was a strange voice. I didn't recognize it. Would this have anything to do with the Questing stones?" Cuyler asked. He picked the cloth back up and wiped a bit of blood that she had missed.

She bit her lip, thinking. Hearing about the Queste once more...it did not bode well. Atkin was so young and ill. Yet she could not put her finger on whether this was truly an Inhabitation or if Cuyler's suspicions were true, that it was some product of the Sickenesse. Not that she was ill, of course. "...I must confess, I do not remember saying such things. But the Queste...It should not be something to give us pause for some time. The Port Witch was dealt with and no ExtraOrdinary ghost would call for a Draw - not without pure malice of intent."

Cuyler removed his hands completely from Arya and sat back. He sighed, running a hand over his face. "Do not take offence Arya, but your denial of somebody being dealt with or not possibly doing something does not sit well considering you are still in denial over you having the Sickenesse. Do you not recall that a ghost, a former Physik was the one who came to me with warnings of the Queste?"

Arya looked up at Cuyler. She folded her hands slightly at her side. "I do not have the Sickenesse, Cuyler," she said bluntly, her green eyes filled with defiance.

Cuyler looked up at Arya, seeing a different look in her eye and frowned. "Yes, you do. What makes you think you don't? I've noticed since the beginning Arya. Since I've been back, you've had headaches, been tired and now you are getting nose bleeds. Correct me if I am wrong but for someone with your skill, isn't a Summoning a pretty simple spell to achieve? And you got a nose bleed from that?"

"As I said, I've had them since childhood," Arya lied. She was doubling down on her efforts and her calmly folded hands had been balled up, her knuckles white from the tension. Her headache was becoming worse and she felt an overwhelming desire to go take a bath and then lie down, but she couldn't afford to let herself appear weak.

"Yes, when you've overexerted yourself from using advanced Magyk. Arya, it's just you and me here. Could you be honest with me. Please?" He saw her hands tightly balled. Saw the tension she was keeping and Cuyler wondered what she truly wanted to say or do to him right now. This was their first real argument.

Arya stared at him for a moment. She never had had a proper boyfriend before. But she could not swallow her pride and admit that she was dying - that the Castle was going to be without an ExtraOrdinary Wizard - that she had failed in her duties. Rowland had retired from the post. Atkin had not completed his apprenticeship and Arya feared he never would. Jarvis Yule was the only suitable replacement - yet what if he were to fall as well? Wizard Tower crumbling...she had seen it in her nightmares. "...I have told you, I am not ill," Arya protested.

Cuyler rose to his feet quickly, throwing his hands into the air in frustration and turned around. He walked away from Arya, grabbing onto his head for a moment before he turned around and started at her. "Yes there is Arya! Dammit! You are not invincible. People with Magykal abilities are falling ill no matter what their skill level is. You are no different Arya. You need to take a break. There is nothing to defend when everyone with Magyk is suffering." He looked at her, obvious pain within his blue eyes. Why couldn't she see what was happening to her? "I need you to be realistic here Arya. Not for you but for us. Arya, if... I..." He shook his head and looked away from her. Would she even care? Her life was so involved in the Castle. In protecting its inhabitants. Cuyler understood this, loved this about her but she was killing herself over it.

"I know that I am not invincible," Arya said, keeping her voice at an even level. Her eyes flickered to the burn scar on her hand. She had learned that lesson - the dangers of Magyk. Yet even in the midst of this argument, her mind continued to turn and turn. For a brief moment, she had a memory of her mother and father - they had screamed and argued all of the time when she was little. Arya then had to take a breath, her vision having blurred for a moment. "I am being realistic. The Castle needs its ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Cuyler...There is no true contender for the next ExtraOrdinary Wizard...The Queen is young and inexperienced. If I were to fall...Chaos would reign."

"And what about me?" he whispered. He was looking away from her now, shoulders slightly hunched in defeat. His precise reason for her slowing down was so the Castle didn't lose her. So he didn't lose her. She was the light that he had been looking at every time he reached port. Looking up at that tower, he thought of her first. Not how much he needed to sell in the market, or how he was going to sell it. She was his friend first, his lover second but now she was both. She was everything.

He looked back at her. His eyes were even more blue as his vision briefly clouded from the tears. "I understand your value as the ExtraOrdinary Wizard. What it will mean if you... if you die... Our Queen is young, inexperienced but I can't help but to think of me. To think of us... Arya I can't lose you. You are...are...I love you Arya." It came out awkwardly but once it had, he felt lighter. For a split moment, he felt happier but what was that moment going to be if she didn't reply?

She took a sharp breath, the tension in her hands vanishing. Of all of the possible responses from him that she had been brainstorming in her mind...that had been unexpected. Tears filled her eyes and she started to cry; it was like the shudder that signaled a quake, moving throughout her body. The tears stung as they trailed down her face and she took a ragged breath again. "Cuyler..." she said softly, trying to formulate a reply but she couldn't. Words failed her as her body betrayed her.

This had never been in the plan - to fall in love. Her life had been planned out from the moment she accepted Rowland's apprenticeship as a small girl. She was going to serve as ExtraOrdinary Wizard, protect the Castle, mentor a few apprentices, and then die in a small home along the water quietly at an old age. She had never comprehended that she would ever dare to want more than that.

Her response wasn't exactly what he pictured. Well, the way he had told her he loved her wasn't what he pictured either. Cuyler moved back to Ayra, kneeling down in front of her and set his hands on her legs. "I know who you are. I love who you are and I understand the commitment you have. If you can't think of us, I understand but Arya...If you continue to push yourself like this, you aren't going to have to worry about putting on a brave face because you won't be here to do so."

"Cuyler..." Arya started again, the tears and the illness blurring her vision. "Of course I think of us - of you," she said softly. She had never made this sort of confession before and she didn't know what to do, but she found herself rambling. It seemed to be a habit of hers when nervous. "I-I never anticipated to care for someone as deeply as I do for you...to want to be with them in every way possible...my parents did not love each other and I never learned how to have this sort of conversation, to know what to expect and I am sorry for that. I am sorry for my duty and my...my penchant to be overtly formal and I know that I need to work on it, to relax and experience life for myself...it's why Rowland retired, ExtraOrdinary Wizards do not live an ordinary life...or even an extraordinary one if I am being honest...B-but to be truthful I am in love with you...a-a-and I am ill.."

"...And I am scared I am not going to live to see this winter..." she then added in a small voice.

He couldn't help it. Cuyler started to smile a little as she started to ramble again. He loved that about her too. It was the only time she wasn't being formal, she was simply, feeling. He ran his thumbs along her legs, trying to give her some comfort while she let everything out to him. Then came the words he was waiting for her to admit to and one's he wasn't expecting. His world seemed to shift a bit. If Arya didn't think she was going to make it, then what did that mean?

Cuyler shifted, picking Arya up and pulled her onto the floor with him, cradling her close. She seemed easier to pick up, lighter than ever before. "We must make the most of the time we have then," he whispered. He didn't want to think about losing her but he wouldn't let another second pass them by. His lips brushed along her cheek, absorbing her tears. "I love you," he whispered into her ear, wanting to hear it again from her despite everything.

She curled into Cuyler, feeling incredibly tiny and small, almost infant-like. Hearing him say that he loved her just made the tears fall more thickly. She was scared to die. It might have seem strange - to fear death in a society where those who pass on remain behind as ghosts. Yet a ghost may only tread once more where, living, they have gone before. Arya had not left the Castle very often and when she had, she had not gone far. And then there was Cuyler. He couldn't date a spirit. He'd have to move on - and she would be stuck, frozen, forced to lose him and helpless to do anything about it.

"I love you too..." she mumbled through the tears.

He stroked her back, playing with the ends of her hair as he always did. Despite the tears, hers and his, he smiled as he held Arya close to him. He rocked back and forth with minimal movement, just in a simple soothing way. Though this moment was filled with fear of the unknown, Cuyler felt a sense of peace. A deeper connection to Arya now. He nuzzled his face into the side of her neck, breathing her in. Come what may, they would face it together and that was all Cuyler ever wanted. His shirt gradually became soaked but he hardly cared. He moved his head and kissed her cheek once, twice, absorbing the tears there.

"We will get through this you and I, together. We will figure out a way to fix this. Without Magyk," he said and stroked her hair while he kissed the side of her head. "We are in a time where Magyk is a poison, where it can't fix our problems. I know this is terrifying for you, to be at a disadvantage when all you have had was your Magyk but I've never had it. You've shown me much of the pleasures Magyk can bring but let me show you what you can do without it. You speak of the Castle falling into chaos without you but without the use of Magyk the Castle will need to learn to defend in a different way. We are in the reign of chaos maybe but chaos can bring new growth. A change to a already dying country."

"...The Queste..." Arya mumbled. She knew that Cuyler had essentially said no more Magyk and she thought for a moment. She then reached around her neck with shaky hands and removed her amulet, offering it to Cuyler. "This is the Akhu Amulet of Hotep-Ra...It's been worn by every ExtraOrdinary Wizard in history. By tradition, we place our Magyk within it. Those who died while holding the position, their Magyk is still there...I channel it with every spell I cast." She then placed the amulet in Cuyler's hand and folded his hand around it. "Without that amulet, I am not a wizard...I am powerless...I am...just Arya." She was entrusting him with her Magyk itself - the closest she could get to handing over her life and soul to him.

Cuyler watched her curiously as she moved and was a bit confused as she removed her amulet. She explained it in more detail to him. He knew the gist of it but didn't understand what it completely meant. Until she handed it to him. He looked down at the delicate thing in his hands, eyes wide and shock on his face.

"Arya...Are you sure?" He asked, looking into her face. This was a, major step for her. Relinquishing this, her control and her power. Power that she had known for a very long time. What if giving up this amulet, sped up the progress of Arya's Sickenesse? Cuyler felt conflicted as he looked from Arya to the amulet and back again.

"...I'm not sure of many things right now," Arya said quietly, her petit form dwarfed next to Cuyler's muscular build. She let go of the amulet, resting it entirely in Cuyler's hand yet the vibrant green did not fade from her eyes. She was still tired and fatigued, the headaches horrible and her body feeling as if it needed to sink into a warm sleep - but her condition did not worsen. This in itself was another piece of the puzzle - the Sickenesse remained even when the user's Magyk was gone. But it did not accelerate - at least, not yet.

"Cuyler, I have to ask a favor of you...I understand if you say no but...I believe we need to go investigate our only lead. Atkin is in no condition for it and I would not dare call for a Draw. I will leave Yule in charge of the tower and I will undergo the Queste...I would like it if you came with me."

The full weight of the amulet settled into Cuyler's hands. He was expecting some big, change. A shift in the air but nothing occurred. He shifted and tied the thing around his neck and tucked it under his dry shirt. Cuyler wouldn't let the thing out of his sight. As much as it was one of things killing Arya, it was still a part of her. So he would protect it.
He looked at Arya has she spoke, seeing no change in her presence even though the amulet was no longer in her possession. Perhaps it would take some time for her to feel a bit better. She looked like she needed to sleep anyways. The Quest? She still wanted to go through with that? The Quest seemed to have very specific rules and it would not be denied. He didn't disagree that Atkin should be kept out of it, should be kept safe but why did it have to be Arya to go through it? At the very least, which gave Cuyler some comfort, she asked him to go with her.

"Of course I will come with you. I would follow you anywhere," he said seriously. Even in death, he would find some way to return to her or bring her back to him.

Arya nodded, giving him a soft kiss before she let silence fall over them.

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Myrus looked lost as he looked around at the newcomers in the room. He looked at Amarantha with such fear and sadness in his eyes. It almost startled her. Almost. He cried and confirmed to her that he had been the one to do this. It looked like a bomb had gone off, much like the ones her new friend Antonije could make. Amarantha’s focus was pulled back when Lyra stepped forward, rather close to the Prince and tried to talk him down. It was remarkable how bravery and stupidity went hand in hand. Of course, Mryus reacted and before Amarantha could reach to protect Luna, a shower of the attic wall came flying out at them. Amarantha lifted her arm to protect her face and was hit with some of the dibries. She felt slivers of wood sliding into her skin but it didn’t cause much pain, more of a discomfort. She pulled her arm away to see Queen Valda step forward to comfort her brother. Amarantha’s eyes widened in horror as she wrapped her arms around the unstable boy who had just blown up a wall and a few more crates in the five minutes she had been here. Luna went to step forward and Amarantha was on top of her charge. She stepped forward quickly and stuck her arm out in front of Luna in order to keep her from following Valda’s example. Amarantha’s hand came to rest on Luna’s stomach with a decent amount of pressure.
”Until we understand further, I must protest.”
Mryus did seem to calm down, the glowing of his hands disappeared and he was merely crying and shaking in Valda’s arms. With her hand still securly pushing back on Luna, Amarantha turned to look at Titan.
”Send a message to the ExtraOrdinary Wizard. Her presence is needed immediately in regard to the Prince. Go.” With a curt nod Titan slipped away to ring for a messenger rat. He was far happier to be out of the crumpling attic.
Amarantha turned her attention back to the three royals and listened to Luna as she whispered to her siblings. She smiled a little but quickly masked that. Perhaps a little perspective that Mryus wasn’t the only seemingly screwed up would calm him down some.
”As much as I agree, I suggest we leave this place as the structural integrity as been compromised,” Amarantha urged the group.

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Ahote was always watching for the extraordinary. He had an eye for it and he had been noticing many different types of people, and not just by their auras either. He left his home to do more, to learn more and help others train like him. There were always the whisperings whenever a boat came to their port of the different types of Magyk and unique powers. Those who were oppressed and those who didn’t understand or care to. Ahote wanted to change those peoples minds, to improve the lives of others. It seemed that on this ship, the Aricie, that there were people who had embraced their otherness and wore it proudly.
Ahote continued to smile and look at Arnora with wonder, even as she counted her coin and Grimspound questioned her. She and Minerva didn’t seem to understand the term ‘mutant’. Where they perhaps called something else here?
”Yes, it is a term used in my country to explain extraordinary powers. Everyone in my village except for our medicine men and elders are mutants,” Ahote informed them. He felt comfortable in telling them this. It was no secret the differentness the True North contained, but other than traders and passing ships picking up passengers, no one went to that place. He looked at Arnora.
”I would like to know how you received your powers and how common they are for your people. Perhaps we can discuss this as we go to this house while in port?”

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The Wizard would be lying if he said he didn't expect this reaction. The boy had been young and the Young Army kept it's members. One way or another. [color-Gold]"Enthusiasic I will grant you,"[/color] Rhys stated dryly. "But be less alert. It will do you no harm and will help you become more alert later. Rest, boy." Gripping a blanket from a nearby chair, the Smiling Man laid it over Badger. Wiping away the boy's face again he gave his final order for the current time. "Rest. If you need anything I will be nearby. Do not strain yourself, do not use magyck. Do nothing but rest and get well." Standing he turned and slipped out the door to studied Esmeralda.

Resisting the urge to cross his arms, he studied the woman. Silently awaiting the words. The harshness that would come. He wasn't going to let the witch into that room without her having a damned better reason than 'I'm his mother'. He couldn't remember her. A new face was the last thing Badger/Fayard needed right now. "We need to find a cure, get him well. Then you can worry about him remembering you." Perhaps it was heartless of him to put it so bluntly but he wasn't known for having much of a heart in the first place. "He won't be much of a son if he's dead." She'd probably slap him for that, but he deserved it for catching the Sickenesse himself. Damn the universe for it's cruel jokes.

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She had just finished getting everything reorganized on the desk when the Messenger Rat came scuttling back in. Looking quite out of breathe and panicked. Skaoi's look of confusion turned to one of horror as the little creature informed her of why her message was not being delivered and she herself heard the shuddering boom. Quickly she ran through a list of possible injuries for whomever was in the vicinity. Burns, lacerations, possible broken bones or head injuries. Her feet flew as she went by each bet of her patients carefully checking with each to make sure there was nothing they needed. She was a physik and her patients came first.

Satisfied that they were able to be left alone for a bit, the pale Easter Snow Plains woman scooped up one of her medical baskets for such emergencies. Stuffing her notes into one of the satchels of her waist. She gave the small Messenger Rat a harried and terrified look. "I know you generally only deliver messages but could you lead me to the explosion, please? People might need medical care." Skaoi cursed her timid nature right now, but a rat was easier to talk to than a guard. Less sharp object that might be used on a alleged spy. As the rat nodded, Skaoi bolted from the infirmary at a quickly walk that fell just short of a slow jog. Her eyes locked onto the rat leading the way.

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So it appeared Arnora was something more than a 'mutant'. Grimspound felt his smile growling slightly with interest. It was in the way she said 'But, lets just say 'mutant' for now'. While he wasn't sure what a mutant was, it was curious as to how she had worded that. Crossing his arms, the man leaned against the railing listening to Minerva admit to assuming Arnora had simply been magyckal. If he had to wager a bet he would say that Arnora was most certainly not a 'mutant' but something else. But he wouldn't out her. That would just ruin the fun and make him a hypocrite. Chuckling deeply he studied Ahote as the man explained the fact that everyone in his village was a mutant except a few.

Toying with the light about his fingers like it was some coin, he bent and shaped it. Flicking it about and walking it across his knuckles. A can-trick is what his grandmother called it thought he suspected the proper name was something else. She was a old and odd woman with a odd way of speaking. But it seemed such was the way of his people. "People with extraordinary powers covers a wide array." Grimspound pointed out with some amusement. "I am no mutant yet you inquired as to my powers, and I have heard a thing or two of interesting folk within this land. Though my question for you, friend Ahote, is what differs a mutant from a magyckal person?" The man gives a friendly grin as he shrugs absently. "I'm incredibly interested now."

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Myth had entered the bedroom in the hopes of changing and looking her best. She had just thrown up and she was sure she did not look presentable for her in-laws, let alone gods. She quickly fetched a loose dress in black. It was able to fit over her belly and still look somehwat presentable. She also slipped on her most comfortable pair of sandals. After that, she fixed her hair and face, wiping any trace of recent events.

Once she was satisfied, she exited and made her way downstairs. She had only heard bits and pieces of the conversation, thankful to Bruce to manage to hold them off. She entered the room and saw his parents. Her first instinct was to gasp as she saw his mother. Truly, a beauty to behold. And his father had an aura about him. She quickly composed herself before walking over to Bruce to stand by his side. "Hello, I am here and truly a blessing to meet you both. Please, make yourself at home. Did Bruce offer you something to drink? I can go get you something if you want." Though she was not sure if they had much to offer. She could not hide the fact she was also bursting with nervousness.

Not to mention there was a random blonde girl there. One she had not seen before. Was she part of the family too?

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It seems the girl wanted to test her and she had to admit, it was a smart move. Do not invest yourself into something fully without certainty. She was sure there was a parable in that mentality somewhere. "I assure you, whatever task you wish me to perform will be done to the utmost satisfaction. I offer nothing less."

Fleur could not help but notice the girl fussing with her ring, even as she maintained composure. "Do pardon my intrusion, but I cannot help but notice your ring. It is quite lovely. May I ask where you obtained such a treasure?" It mattered not, really, but there was little else to talk about other than what the girl wanted her to do.

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Lyra's blue eyes widened, and a small strangled gasp left her pale lips at the raw intensity behind Myrus's reaction. As the attic wall exploded, followed promptly by several more small explosions, she quickly stumbled backwards, shielding her face with her arm. At the same time, she made a beeline for her young charge Queen Valda, whose words were mostly drowned out in the ruckus.

To her absolute horror, Valda was going straight towards Myrus and worse yet foolishly attempting to bring him into a hug. Though she didn't doubt that Myrus would never intentionally harm someone, especially not his family, it was clear as day to her that he lacked proper control of his powers. He was unstable, a ticking timebomb until he got some help. "Valda NOO!!" she yelled, rushing towards her to stop her from touching him.

Yet, it was too late. She made contact with Myrus, yet the results were not at all as she had anticipated. She had anticipated Valda to be blown apart into bloody pieces, leaving the Castle without a queen and Myrus so mentally scarred he would likely be beyond help. However, that is not what happened. Instead Valda was completely unharmed and the red energy faded from Myrus's hands as he hugged his sister back and started to cry.

Lyra felt her heart restart in her chest, and her breaths were a bit ragged until she got her bearings again. Her gaze flitted over to Luna, and she gave her small nod, before her attention turned to Amarantha. She gave attic a quick onceover, before nodding her head in agreement. She walked approached Valda and Myrus, clearing her throat a bit. "Your Highnesses, I'm sorry to break up the moment, but we really need to evacuate the room," she spoke up, her voice a bit curt in manner.

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Tristan quickly made his escape from the infirmary, desperately needing a breath of fresh air. However, it quickly became apparent that relief or any sort of peace of mind would be evading him for some time. He came to a grinding halt just outside the infirmary, his gaze landing on the spot where he had seen his best friend collapse. The spot he had seen Fyror--die. He took in a shaky inhale before doubling over as he tried to hold back the sobs ravaging his body.

In the back of his mind, he vaguely realized that he shouldn't do this out in the open, if only to save face. He knew that the Physik woman was right. He had to remain strong for the sake of his kingdom. But how could he stay strong when his best friend had just been murdered right before his very eyes?

He felt sick to his stomach, and this time it wasn't due to the posion coursing through his system. He leaned back against the wall for support as he tried to regain a semblance of his composure. He roughly wiped the tears from his eyes with his sleeve, sniffling before he eventually straightened. He stared straight ahead, his blue eyes bloodshot. His movements felt forced, mechanical almost, as he walked down the hallway in the opposite direction that Skaoi ended up going. Right then, he felt numb to everything but the pain of true loss.

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@mnkee: While Tristan may be silent and morose, the rest of the world is not quite in agreement. The creature the girl had been chasing ran into the hallway, a gold chain in one of its furry little paws. Tristan never would have quite seen anything like this before - very few people in the Castle had either for some time. Nifflers were the scorn of royals, since the cute creatures were addicted to treasure and would secret away the crown jewels if they could. Making a bit of a high pitched chatter, the niffler started to circle Tristan, not sure yet as to whether or not he had any precious and shiny items to steal.

@LadyRunic: Badger couldn't quite get to sleep and nor could the little boy stay still. Even with the Sickenesse he had a bit of that little kid energy, his feet twitching in his bed. He hadn't been practicing Magyk true to his word. He was too scared to defy a superior at any rate. Out in the other room, Esmeralda looked at Rhys with a frown. "Who died and made ya a freakin' expert at this illness? Huh? 'Fraid to tell ya this, Rhys, but you don't know shit about it. If you did, my son wouldn't be in there dyin'. For all ya know, seein' his mother will shock it out of his system."

She huffed, shaking her head at him. "I have half a mind to just try shuntin' some of ya over to Fay."

@FantasyChic: "The task is simple - we only require that you tell us your strategy for overthrowing the Castle," Meadow explained. It would be a poor move for the Lagoon to loan off their army to the Witch Messiah, only for them all to be slaughtered. And if Fleur shared her ideas, perhaps they could offer some advice in order to improve her designs. "As for the ring...My brother gave it to me for a birthday several years ago," she answered, still twisting it. It seemed to be her only nervous tic.

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The silence grew and grew between the couple, still curled on the floor together. Cuyler didn't mind. He continued to hold Arya in his arms, knowing she was safe, knowing that she loved him as much as he loved her. They had a long road ahead, filled with the fear of the unknown but they would conquer it together and that was all Cuyler needed. He smiled slightly and kissed Arya's cheek.
"Despite everything... I am very happy," he informed her. He took her hand in his and interlocked their fingers before he shifted to look at her. "When do we have to leave for this Quest?" he asked her. He wanted to gather some things and perhaps they would be able to visit her bedroom before they departed.

There was a sudden commotion outside the room. There was a loud crash, followed by a large amount of barking. Moments later, a message rat came running into the room, followed by Thia. Cuyler barked Thia's name in order to call her off. She slid to a halt and looked at her companion in confusion.

"As soon as possible," Arya said, raising an eyebrow but she was more weary than curious. A rat coming to her floors so frantically? It had to be from someone within the Palace she suspected, bringing up either some urgent emergency or a question concerning a bit of policy. With Valda's inexperience as a leader, Arya had been having to assist the Queen more than previous ExtraOrdinary Wizards did in their capacity. "Speak Rattus, Rattus," she said, reciting the simple incantation. It didn't require her Magyk - it was something everyone could do - and it didn't seem to make her condition worsen.

The rat then recounted the message from Amarantha - that Arya was needed at the Palace immediately. "Duty calls..." she said softly.

Cuyler listened to the message while Thia sat near the door, impatiently whining. She just wanted to play with the cute little thing. Cuyler looked back at Arya once the rat spoke its message. What a strange thing, having rats report messages but it was effective. He nuzzled into Arya's neck and breathed in her unique scent.

"There is never a break for the ExtraOrdinary Wizard," he whispered. Even if she was sick. Even if she might not make it through the winter... "Do you want me to walk you to the Palace? he asked her. He didn't want to leave her completely unattended but while she was at the Palace, Cuyler was going to take these herbs into the forest. They needed all the help they could get in getting ahead of this Sickenesse.

She opened her mouth, about to ask for her amulet back in order to perform Magyk but she had to stop herself. Without it, she could still Sense whatever troubles were coming about and few outside of Wizard Tower would know what it meant to see her without the amulet. "I can manage, if you have business you wish to conduct elsewhere," Arya said, before giving a cordial nod to the rat and it scurried back to the Palace, in order to let them know she was coming.

"Are you sure? I don't mind... I was going to go and deliver these herbs while you were busy. Do you want Thia to come with?" Cuyler suggested. Maybe she didn't want him to go with her, as a sign of weakness or whatever but Cuyler still didn't like the idea of her going off along. She was more unstable now than she was a few short hours ago.

"Oh, Cuyler, you mustn't go into the Forest alone - even without the Wendron Witches, it's a dangerous place without an experienced and able guide," Arya said with a frown - as if he were the one on death's doorstep and not her. "If you are delivering those herbs, then I will accompany you. I've been in the Forest plenty of times throughout my life."

Cuyler frowned as well. Did she think him incapable of defending himself alone in the woods? What bad could possibly be there that he not seen anywhere else? Cuyler was not fond of the forest but not because of what is contained but what it didn't contain. Openness and the sea. He loved the vastness of it. "But you aren't your optimum health either Arya. And who knows how long you will be contained at the Palace. What if, by some miracle these herbs do work? We could have a cure by this time tomorrow!"

"...Then at least let me send someone with you - there's a new Ordinary here, he's quite charming and has some experience with creatures," Arya suggested. "He can be your guide in the Forest and will protect you from any werewolves that may decide to emerge and eat an exotic snack."

Cuyler sighed, rolling his head but looked back to Arya and smiled a little. "Alright, fine," he complied before kissing her. He moved around, still holding Arya and stood up before he set her back down into her chair. He figured it would be easier for her to get up from that position. "As for exotic snack, I only think you my dear would be interested." Sometimes the young man couldn't help himself and he grinned unabashedly.

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Myrus flinched as Lyra shouted so forcefully for his sister to not touch him. Even though he himself hadn't wanted anyone to make physical contact with him, it only reinforced his internal image of being a vile monster. His hands didn't show any more wisps of energy yet he continued to shake and quiver. He didn't know himself if hearing the exclamation made him cry more or less - or if his tears just continued to fall at the same rate.

"E-everyone leaves..." Myrus whispered to Valda. There was a certain weight to his words. His father had vanished from his life when he was young. His mother had been murdered and rarely Appeared to her children now as a ghost. His eldest sister had been CradleSnatched before he had been born. Luna had been briefly CradleSnatched just months ago - and now, it was likely that she was going to move to an entirely different country and join someone else's family.

He wanted to shrink back as Skaoi came into the attic as well. Yet structurally, the attic is not in the best shape. Amarantha and Lyra are right - they need to relocate to somewhere sturdier. There are very few rooms meant to be kind to its inhabitants that could withstand Myrus' power at the Palace - namely the dungeons. Yet at Wizard Tower, the Stranger Chamber was pleasant and was reinforced to handle almost any assault.

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There were still a good six hours or so until Myth and Bruce's wedding, but more and more relatives visiting would be showing up shortly. His sisters had said that they would come around noon - though his youngest sister would likely be late. And to be frank, the same could be said for the second youngest too. Only his oldest sister, Halley, was punctual.

"Brucey, I raised you better than this," Runa scolded, looking at her son. "Any woman with child should not be left to play hostess alone - Myth, dear, let Bruce do the heavy lifting," Runa told her future daughter in law with a slight smile. "Besides, I have something for you...In my family, each child is given a weapon that is enchanted and aids them...I have no doubt that you will appreciate this."

Somehow, the woman pulled out a small bow from the bag and a quiver. "It's name is Μυστικό - and if you whistle, it will transform from a bow into a handheld harp." She then presented the gift to Myth, hoping that her future daughter in law would appreciate them.

Antonije had noticed that his girlfriend was a bit uncomfortable and he put an arm around Sylvi. He glanced at Myth, realizing that he hadn't actually introduced them yet. He didn't want to do it in front of the gods - or apparently, goddess and her mortal boy toy - so he sent Myth a telepathic message. She's my girlfriend. Surprise. She spent the night. Double surprise.

A moment later, there was a large CRASH and skid marks scuffed up the floors of the home as the speedsters returned. Rather than having a calm and controlled stop to their run, the two girls practically tripped over their own limbs and fell to the ground, coughing up blood and hardly able to breathe. They both looked incredibly ill and had likely more than overdone it. Medic, anyone?!

"Tata, I don't feel so good..."

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As Arnora counts up the loot, she'll find a total of 19 silver crowns inside the pouch (please add this money to your inventory). Minerva, meanwhile, had mostly tuned out the discussion of powers as it turned into a debate of semantics. She truthfully did not care much as to what the technical definition of those things were - some people were different and that was that. She had no doubt that there'd be some overlap involved.

"We've docked!" Minerva exclaimed excitedly. The boat had finally arrived at Port and while customs still had to inspect the cargo first, the passengers were able to get off now if they wished and look around. The Port Witch Coven House - Minerva's ideal destination - was just a few minute walk from where they were now, located next to the creepy Doll Museum. "Let's go!"

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Luna stopped as she turned to look at Amarantha who laid a hand on her stomach in order to hold her back from trying to comfort her brother, as much as Luna wanted to try and make her brother feel better however she could. But she knew that if Myrus' powers flared up again and Valda would explode from his touch. Luna watched her brother helplessly as he cried, Amarantha was simply doing the job that she was suppose to do and protect her. Luna sighed and bit her bottom lip as she stepped backwards a bit she could hear Myrus say everyone leaves. Then she could hear footsteps coming up the stairs and turned her attention to see that it was Skaoi making her way up with a basket of medical supplies.

Luna nodded a bit when Lyra and Amarantha suggested that they head downstairs. "I'm always going to be there for you Myrus, and i'm not going anywhere." Luna told him, she most likely did end up screwing her marriage proposal to Prince Tristan, when she mentally slipped she still needed to find a way to apologize to him. "I want to talk in my room, it's really important when you are able to.." Luna said softly as she started to head down the flight of stairs, and gave Skaoi a slight nod before making her way back down to the main hallway.

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Arnora counted about 19 silver crowns, she smiled as she looked up at Ahote and Grimspound, the conversation suddenly was all about her which she didn't really mind. But it was getting a little bit boring for her, as she gave a slight shrug towards Ahote if she could talk about it on their way to the Port Witch Coven House. "I was born with both. Spirit-Seers, are rare and I see them all the time if I am in a place where someone died." Arnora said as she watched the Port coming in, and then a few officials started to board the ship to inspect the cargo. "The whole freezing thing happened probably around five when I started to turn my whole house nearly to ice." Arnora stated.

Arnora's attention then turned towards Minerva and smiled brightly towards her and gave her a nod, she was excited to get off of the ship and find out more about this place. "Please lead the way." Arnora said smiling as she started to disembark off of The Aricie and out onto the port itself. Arnora stretched out a little bit as she looked at the people around her as they did their daily business at the Port while she waited for the rest to get off.

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"Calm down Lyra, there was absolutely nothing to worry about," Valda said simply to her, still hugging Myrus. She didn't know why exactly Lyra was freaking out like that, she trusted Myrus not to hurt her, and freaking out was likely to scare him more than anything. It was something she was trying to avoid, scaring him, make him freak out and panic, which was the whole reason she had hugged him in the first place and not let go. She loved her brother, and would do just about anything to protect him.

"I'm not going anywhere Myruse... I'm here for you for as long as you want me to be. I won't leave, alright?" she asked him, looking at him with a bit of a smile. It was true, she wasn't going to leave him, no matter what happened. Though that last part was a slight lie, she wasn't going to leave him even if he didn't want her around. Valda cared about him too much and worried, just hoping he'd be fine after everything.

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Sylvi curled into Tate's arms, not really wanting to say much of anything to the group of people who were there. It felt so awkward and strange for her, to even be in front of people from Asgard, even if one wasn't actually an Asgardian! This was so weird, meeting the gods of legend who were standing right in front of her. She didn't know what to even do about anything anymore, so she kept relatively quiet, sitting there with Tate.

"Really mother? That would be considered heavy lifting?" Bruce said with a slight laugh as he shook his head slightly. His mother was definitely an interesting character, that was for sure. The woman was not someone he ever wanted to cross, or someone he could actually lie to. Any sort of attempts at lying were quickly gone and dealt with when he was a kid.

"Just go along with what your mother says Bruce, I stopped trying to argue years ago," Lance said with a slight laugh, before he turned to look over at Myth. "Nice to meet you Myth."

Sylvi was remaining fairly silent still, not sure what to say. When she saw the twins returning, figuring that Tate would likely be glad that they were back, but seeing them sort of made her think he'd likely freak out a bit more.

Bruce just was watching his family when there was a gust of wind entering the room, announcing the return of the twins. He glanced over at them, and hearing what Medea said, he started panicking. "Marya, Medea, what happened?" he said instantly going over to them. He glanced over at his father who went over to the twins.

It did help that Lance knew a thing or two about medical practices. He reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like an apple of sorts. Pulling out a knife, he cut two small pieces off of the apple, before putting it away and handing the two pieces to the twins. "It'll help, eat it, trust me," he said simply as Marya ate the piece of the apple he had given her.