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MacKensie had followed Lucy down the mountain and along the road to the Adventurer's Guild, so filled to the brim with nervous anticipation that she managed to ignore the artillery fire going on above them.  The time had finally come for them to open their Source Comm message.  Constantly, she would massage her left wrist that felt so naked, without her magical gauntlet, trying to guess what the message might say, trying to think of what catharsis would be provided to make all of this danger so worthwhile.  But she could never think of anything.

When Lucy stopped them outside the guildhouse to address them all, MacKensie expected some words of encouragement, or maybe a warning to reign in expectations, but was taken completely aback to the realisation that she was being [i]UNBANNED!?[/i]  Her head jerked back, looking around a little at a loss for words.  Lucy was done telling her and Zell off pretty quickly and went inside.  MacKensie was left stunned and embarassed, sharing a quizzical look with anyone who would indulge her.  Ordinarily this might have triggered her moral indignation - MacKensie very protective against aspersions on her character - but there was too much at stake to fully feel the slight on her person.  She didn't even have the wherewithal to notice any bad vibes or stern stares from anyone inside the guildhall.

Adam's quiet inquiry was met by a quick reaction to assure him, equally quietly and confused, that she had no idea of the answer to his question.  Then James got her attention to silently relay that he would explain later - something that would turn her confusion to frustration - with Zell's wink and grin turning frustration to anger, shortly after that.  [Colour=Pink]"What in the name of...?"[/colour] she muttered before trailing off and following everyone upstairs.

She found it very difficult, but managed to put the angering mystery aside for now, seeing as more important matters were at hand.  And when she finally got a chance to read, along with everyone else, the Source Comm message, she was shocked into a stupor, her only noise made being a small gasp at the part;

[quote][i]"They will label me the Evil Witch Queen,"[/i][/quote]

...where it was confirmed who had hacked the Source Comm inbox.

She couldn't think straight.  Or at all, as a matter of fact - her mind blank in a delayed response to the information .  So many thoughts and feelings she was bracing herself for... they never came.  Some form of denial perhaps?  A good cry and a good sleep to reboot herself required?  Who knew, not her. For the instant, there was just nothing but a question mark.  But the first thing that came to her mind in the form of a clear and concise thought was a single word - a name - drenched in sorrow.

[Colour=Pink][i]Fenna.[/i][/colour]

Zell was consoling her - the mother who'd been taken from her children.  The swordsman had done what she should have been the one to do. But no matter, at least someone had thought to put the Fenna first, which was what counted.  That was the most important thing.  When the other Ranger fled the mezzanine and went outside, MacKensie wanted to go after her and be a cornerstone of support, just as Fenna had always been for her, but she felt a greater urge to respect the older woman's wishes.  No one else said too much, until James went to Lucy to talk to her.  That's when MacKensie went over to the mezzanine guard-rail and leaned on it to watch the taproom floor down below, absently.

[Colour=Pink]"What a mess,"[/colour] she muttered to herself.

“That message… it was really something, wasn't it?”

MacKensie turned her sad expression onto Adam as the young man joined her at the rail, paused for second, then nodded thoughtfully.  [Colour=Pink]"I am at a loss,"[/colour] was all she could say, at first.  But she then continued.  [Colour=Pink]"Oh Adam... what are we to do?"[/colour]  She took a deep breath and shook her head incredulously.  [Colour=Pink]"We [i]really were[/i] brought here to kill The Witc-"[/colour]  She corrected herself.  [Colour=Pink]"To kill this woman, Melina."[/colour]  It sounded strange, to call her by her name - to give her some humanity, even though every experience Second Chance had of this woman painted her as a monster.  [Colour=Pink]"I am bereft of certainty, even more so than ever.  I thought it was becoming clear that this was a matter of Good vs Evil.  Like a movie or some fantasy tale.  But there are real people on both sides.  And I am confused.  I killed [i]real[/i] people at that temple Adam.  Snuck up and slit one of their throats, in cold blood,"[/colour] her voice was so repentent, yet still in disbelief.  That Gold Mission had really taken it's toll on her.  And it was apparent - obvious - that the killing had yet to reach it's peak.  Likely not even close.  [Colour=Pink]"I am no longer the person I thought I was."[/colour]

Somehow, it had become about her, but she couldn't help herself.  This world of Mytheria was like a mirror held up to her, showing her things she was not exactly happy to admit.  She had always considered herself quite smart, but James and Lillianna had showed her that she wasn't.  She had always thought herself honourable and sincere, yet Adam had showed her she lacked in that department.  She had always felt so sure of herself, yet Zell had showed her what self-confidence truly was.  And she clung to Fenna like a child to her mother, the other Ranger showing what quiet, feminine strength should look like.  Mytheria had showed her the limits of the qualities she valued about herself.  It was truly humbling, which would be a good thing - a lesson - but all of this killing, against her will, not really knowing the big picture.  Just killing and getting short-term dopamine hits of feeling heroic, but to what end?

[Colour=Pink]"Tell me honestly, Adam,"[/colour] she looked at him pleadingly.  [Colour=Pink]"What does your heart tell you, about all of this?"[/colour]