[b]Kazelia![/b]

“I want to be a hairdresser,” Ninian chirps. “Or a general beautician, I guess, but I want hair to be my specialty. Look like a whole new person or your money back!” She closes her eyes and bounces her hair with the air of a satisfied Jedadi matron.

And that makes sense, too. After having her ability to shapeshift denied her... of course she’d want to share her expertise, her eye for appearances, to be as close to her old self as she could. She’d never be the chaos-sowing shapeshifter again, but at least she could still make others change.

Azora makes a very judgy sound. And right after you said she wouldn’t! Just because she’s accepted she’s essential and needs to help you take down your father doesn’t mean she’s on Hyperborea’s side yet, any more than Asteria was. Is. She’s probably whipping some helpless villagers into shape right now.

But dealing with a rogue princess? That’s the sort of thing you can do after your father is stopped. Then you can focus on things like “make sure Azora doesn’t become a wicked queen” and “stop Asteria from creating a kingdom under her wicked heel” and even “find a place for your people.”

Now there’s a question. Where [i]are[/i] the Riders going to go? Ilumina probably doesn’t want to take them in, after all...

“That’s beneath you,” Azora says, rolling her eyes. “You are a [i]princess,[/i] not a peasant.” Ninian looks to you, only not cringing away because she knows you’ll stand up for her.

***

[b]Adila![/b]

[i]”For she’s a jolly good dragon, for she’s a jolly good dragon, for she’s a jolly good draaaaaagon, which nobody can deny!”[/i]

This isn’t officially a Watch event. It can’t be! The Watch doesn’t exist any more! Adila I said so herself!

This is just a bunch of people who happened to wander into one of the Watch’s favorite taverns together and ordered everything off the menu. This is a spontaneous party for people with a raggedy hole in their heart and badges stuffed in pockets and memories. Lots and lots of memories.

People rotate from table to table as takes their fancy, eat whatever’s in front of them, go looking for tables that ordered their favorites, fill each other’s glasses, and sing. No one’s in charge of the singing; someone just picks a new one after the last one peters out, and if you want to sing it, you join in.

But at your table? You’re trying not to radiate bashfulness as the Watch sings the Good Dragon song. Part of you even suspects this is tactical; the Captain has been pressing you hard, and may be hoping that by flustering you, you’ll be willing to accept an ill-advised deal from her.

You must remain strong.

Two sheep for one silk is a [i]terrible[/i] deal, and you are not going to aid and abet her in getting the Most Princesses score chit.

***

[b]Alina![/b]

Euphie’s laughter is a ridiculous high-pitched giggle-snort, and her noogie suggests that, while she’s over the moon with happiness, she still noticed your sneaky critique. Momma tenses for a moment when she sees Euphie wrap her arms around you, but just for a moment. Maybe it’ll be a long road for Euphie to find her redemption... but you have every confidence that one day, she’ll have earned everyone’s trust again. One day.

But you still have to deal with what she left behind.

When you slip outside to run a quick errand — what was it, exactly? — you notice one of the huge, hulking glass centaurs in the garden. It’s being talked at by Shazari, who looks resplendent in a gold-and-emerald robe, her hair beaded with fat tears of gold, her nail extensions the color of the sun at dusk.

“...and my vizier will issue the passes when you deliver to him this seal.” She passes the centaur a gaudy royal seal shaped like the snake-husband curled in on himself, reaching deep into his palm to let him hold it safely despite his fingers like knives. It lowers its head and forelegs in a bow, and then slowly makes its stately way through the garden. Phew! If you’re very quiet—

“We should talk, [i]Cascade.[/i]”

Oh, fiddlesticks. That’s her Danger Voice. Maybe you might be able to run for it? No good, she knows where you sleep. She’s making no move to come to you, expecting that you’ll crawl over to her; the way she stands almost makes the thought of her approaching you ridiculous. Other people approach [i]her.[/i]