Ti

Welcome to Vradia

Sneaky boy like Gus is already there in the midst of combat... on the opposite side! How dare he.

Welcome to Vradia

I didn't eat Simbel, I promise

The Hourglass Order

---

---

Event: The Summons | Location: St. Yuri's Academy of Thaumaturgy, Sovetskaya, Vossoriya

---

---

Oksana was writing on the slate tablets in class. Things at the Academy have been rather turbulent over the last couple of weeks, given the events in Kirimansk. The strict ban on teleport magic had been broken as the group known as the Dieci Volti Nascosti crossed the great pond and stolen several artifacts of magical power hidden by the state. If it wasn’t for the students from Ersand’Enise Academy, it would have been far worse, a fact that unsettled many. The idea of outside help was something that greatly upset the orthodoxy, yet, it provided a convenient lie that their interference and inexperience caused the great loss of the Kingdom’s treasures.

She sighed out; she had hoped she could have rescued at least some more of them for her own people. The Kozaky held a place just outside the central control of the kingdom, acting like war dogs to keep the borders in check. With the artefacts, they could have potentially become truly free. But there was always a bigger picture to such things - so they say.

The chalk scribbled on the slates as she continued the age-old practice of rote note-taking they practiced here. Probably more to keep the students in line than to provide the best education, after all, you don’t want your food able to fight back too strongly. The chalk snapped with her frustration. She remembered asking the Ersand’Enise students for help, only to be met by the indifference of that one girl with brown hair and a freckled face, one of those goody-two-shoes who thought Sanguinares could be good people too, clearly ignorant of the world. She wondered if she would like it, to be viewed as nothing but livestock to them, to be a plate of hot food at the mercy of their whims. A sheep bleating that not all wolves are bad.

Her frustration and lack of attention were noted as she felt the whip of the cane against her fingers. The instructor barked toward her, a demonstration toward the class more than her, knowing she could not hear it. Perhaps another comment about the idle, ignorant Kozaky, unintellectual girl from the tundra, most likely. She simply picked up the broken piece of chalk as she continued to start writing again, only for her hands to feel the kiss of the cane again. She noticed the expressions of the others; there wasn’t the typical mirth, but one of seriousness. She looked up to see the instructor pointing toward the door, with one of the headmaster's attendants standing there. She had been summoned.

Her testimony had previously been under scrutiny, especially with the claims she made, though they were right to suspect some mistrust in there. After all, a Kozaky being loyal to the regime is a convenient truth that is always doubted, and it was clear she went beyond her role as a mere silent observer. However, her documentation on the traitor, Khaluin, was not false, and an exposure of someone so close to the regime by someone like her, an outsider, unsettled more people than made them comfortable. Especially if they knew her bloodline as the Tundra Princess, one of her many monikers as a descendant of one of the wayward children of King Snorri.

After the meeting ended, it went better than expected. She is to be sent out yet again in the trials. She is to sign up for the Sipenta Academy trials as an independent and to get herself recruited by one of the Ersand’Enise teams. Simple enough task; she had hopefully fostered enough goodwill with the students there to pull that off. After all, there were plenty of gifts to be given. The rest of the request? That would be another thing entirely.

---

---

The Hourglass Order

---

---

Event: The Owlglass Order | Location: Ersand'Enise

---

---

Far from the watchful eyes of Ashon, Ayla, Kaureerah, Marci, and Zazzy, who were busy with upcoming trials and the impending melon derby, a clandestine gathering took place. Beneath the imposing shadow of the Glass Owl Statue, our heroes, Nyan-Acan the Nashibansek Coon and Nibbler, the Djamantese Giant Dormouse, met. They were known to a select few as The Owl Glass Order, and they convened with a singular purpose: to put a stop to Hot Salsa once and for all.

Nyan-Acan, his fiery fur glinting in the soft moonlight that streamed through the window, gracefully leaped onto the mantelpiece where the owl was situated, a place of venerable significance within their covert society. The glass owl's eyes seemed to bestow their silent blessing upon the duo.

Nyan-Acan, tipping his hat as he checked their surroundings, his deep purr barely above a whisper as he spoke, "Amigo, the time has come for us to embark on the pursuit of the most coveted treasure of our enemy - the legendary golden Virangish pepper. We must navigate this treacherous course with caution and cunning."

Emerging from the dark corner of the drawing room they had convened in was Nibbler, the legendary defender of humans and Sanguinaires alike. His small, beady black eyes leered at the large feline’s figure, with a hint of apprehension in his furred body language. Ever vigilant, his head shifted side to side to assess whether they were truly safe, or a wolf walked among them. “Pepper? What pepper?!” the nervous bugger became increasingly suspicious. “All the peppers have been taken. Only the big Belcher knows the location of the last one …” the back paw rose up to scratch his ear in rapid little laps. “You better have a plan, ‘Sploder!”

Nyan-Acan, with a sly glint in his eye, checked the doorway once again. "Ah, my dear amigo," he purred, "We have a scheme so cunning, you can stick a brush on it and call it el zorro. We shall liberate the blankie from Nehki, that mischievous monkey bird, as she sleeps. With it, we shall frame Big Belcher, and amidst all the chaos and confusion, we shall abscond with the closely guarded secret of the Virangish pepper's whereabouts!" With a flourish of his tail, he underlined the scheme. "Hot Salsa shall never see it coming."

Nibbler squeaked. “That would not be very nice to Nehki. Oh no, it wouldn’t.” he shook his head violently at the notion. “But it is a sacrifice for the greater good. My calculations have determined to be the safest approach, yes.” then it was nods. “But the blanket is at the very peak of this fortress! We will need my nibbleness to open the door, as well as my genius. Oh yes.” he sniffed about and slowly approached the cat. “Once I unlock the trap door, you will have to use your soft paws to snatch it at record speeds. My calculations suggest that you can do it under 3 purr vibrations. Yes yes.” nod nod.

Nyan-Acan hesitated for a moment. "Amigo, to do it under three purr vibrations? That would put one of my nine lives at stake," he said, shaking as a chill went through his fur. "We must be as swift as a gust of wind. Here's the plan: we shall execute the ol' switch-a-roo, replacing the blanket with one of the monkey's undergarments, for they shall indeed smell the same." He waved a paw in front of his nose. "Then, without a moment's hesitation, we must swiftly depart toward Big Belcher. Once she awakens, she shall summon her feathered fiends to her side, and by then, we shall be far, far away. A dance with danger, but one that suits our cunning perfectly!" He pawed at his cape as he posed with it.

Nibbler grinned internally. “Excellent plan. We must act swiftly while the night is still young and the humans are still out.” and just as he spoke, he heard a couple walking in. He and Nyan-Acan hid under a table, where a couple of women made their way to the first food in giggles. Then, Nibbler took his chance and dashed out an opened window and climbed to the attic’s smaller, singular window. With a little bit of magic, he could nimbly sneak in and open the latch for Nyan-Acan to slip in. “Shhh,” whispered the rodent. “the avian is fast asleep, but always alert! I will grab the undergarments, you slip the blanket off, then we exchange!”

The plan was proceeding without a hitch, and not even the giggling girls would interfere; in fact, they provided the perfect distraction. Allowing Nyan-Acan to scamper up the stairs towards the attic from the inside. The Monkey never kept the ladders down, for he had no reason, but Nyan-Acan was a cat, and so he leaped to latch onto them, pulling himself into the now-open hatch in the attic.

The room was cool as the Avian rested, lying there vulnerable and asleep, clutching the blanki. Stealthy like a cat, the feline nimbly traversed the wooden planks, using his paws to sense any squeaky boards and gracefully avoided them.

As he finally reached Nehki, he tipped his hat toward Nibbler, as he used his soft paws to swipe the blankie away quickly. Yet, it did not budge! The monkey bird had its grip firm, refusing to release its treasure. Nibbler was approaching with the smelly garments, as he called out in a hushed tone and whispered, "The Blanki! It won't move. She clings to it tighter than a mouse to cheese!"

Nibbler, on his side, was merely browsing through the smelly clothing left by Ashon. Which was the best to substitute a blanket was a challenge, as all were either very big, or too small. “Ah-ha!” the dormouse dug into the pile like a mole in dirt, pulling out Penny’s old skirt from there. It was perfect! Dragging it out with his mouth, he was about ready to celebrate when …

“A mouse, you say?” a Cheshire cat smile grew within, even if he couldn’t actually smile. “It sounds like you require my expertise, ‘Sploder. Move aside!” of course, these were all subtle squeaks. The rodent scurried over to the sleeping Monkeybird and worked his magic: he slid the skirt between one of the wings and the blanket, until it started taking quite a bit of space, and eventually Nehki would clench the thicker of the two - being the skirt in this case.

“Now.” whispered Nibbler to Nyan-acan. Soon, Nehki was going to wake up from the commotion and improvised switcheroos. They had to be swift!

Nyan-Acan gave a determined tug on the blankie, wresting it free from the Monkeybird's grasp! The once pristine fabric now stained a permanent sooty hue from its escapades avoiding the clothes' washer, which caused the cat to wrinkle his nose. "Let's make haste with this wretched item before she awakens!"

With the prized blankie clutched in his teeth, Nyan-Acan darted for the window. He could hear the Monkeybird's squawking growing louder as she awoke to the trickery, "Squuuuaaaa! Ma Blankie!". As he reached the windowsill, he noticed a nearby table and knocked over a vase filled with marbles. The marbles clattered and rolled across the floor, further diverting the Monkeybird's attention toward the door hatch.

As they leaped out of the window, the moonlight guided their way. Nyan-Acan spotted a clothesline, its ends hanging perilously close to a roof's edge. With feline grace, he used the blankie to lasso one of the line's sagging ends. In a daring move, he swung, gracefully gliding through the night air. He could feel the wind rustling his fur as he approached the fence.

Finally, Nyan-Acan landed on the fence with all four paws poised for action. He turned to Nibbler, and flashed a sly grin. "Come, my amigo, we have damsels to rescue from the clutches of the Hot Salsa! Adventure awaits!"

Just as they were making their mad dash, with Nibbler taking his own exit, they’d notice Zarina in the kitchen. She was indulging in some drink and did not seem bothered by the Monkeybird cries. Curious! But she then retreated to her room with the other figure.

Nibbler flew out of a window and … Flew some more. He could fly, and when he could he’d stick to rooftops to avoid attention, but there was no need for acrobatics. He definitely didn’t have the style of Nyan-Acan.

Reunited with the cat, the rodent stretched his hind legs and yawned. “We must first infiltrate the draconic stronghold, ‘Sploder. Our greatest struggle yet. I estimate a 21% chance we even survive! Oh wait.” a sudden itch took him over, leading him to nibble his own abdomen before focusing again. “Anyway,” back to panic mode. “ahhhh weren’t gonna die if we do this! Darn darn darn!!!” he paced in circles, super nervous.

Nyan-Acan flashed a reassuring feline grin at his companion. "Don't fret, my furry amigo. If you enter through the rafters, they won't be able to climb up there. We shall strike a deal with the mighty Big Belcher, then employ the blankie to veil our escape." With a graceful leap, they followed the fence toward the formidable dragon's lair, already hearing the restless Froabas as they drew near.

"Mind you, Roedor, steer clear of the winged ones. They have an appetite for anything furry, and we're not on their menu tonight. Swiftness is our greatest ally." The cunning cat moved with feline agility along the sheds, deftly avoiding any holes as the dragons below made desperate attempts to snatch an easy meal. Nyan-Acan skilfully ducked and weaved, hopping from one support beam to another, narrowly evading plumes of fire that ignited around him. In a death-defying antic, he leaped across to the Skuggvar pen, where his cloak caught the tail end of an almost-fiery demise. He used his paws to pat out the flames, revealing a charred yet triumphant smile.

"That was a close shave, my friend. I could feel the leche curdle within me." This pen at the top was somewhat less perilous, but the residence of Big Belcher was not to be underestimated. With a fearless glint in his eye, Nyan-Acan forged ahead, ready to face whatever challenges awaited within the draconic lair.

Nibbler was terrified! Even though he had the chemical magic to repulse the beasts, his instinct told him to stay back. “You must go forward on your own, ‘Sploder! I will stand guard!” the rodent stayed at the entrance of the specialised barn, in a pile of hay, and prayed in his own mouse way.

Nyan-Acan found a particularly large pen, and inside snored a large beast. A Skuggvar, not even fully grown, had caught his scent when he drew near. With a loud, wet yawn, the mighty animal shifted to look his way, but did not stand. It gurgled and sniffed, before addressing the visitor. “Well, well, well, if it isn't the rather sizable and impressively polished feline. What, I must inquire, is the reason for your presence in my humble abode, my diminutive acquaintance?”

Nyan-Acan, with a graceful cat-like saunter, prowled along the pen's edge. "You see, my formidable friend, we are in dire need of something. A treasure, if you will, that only you possess: the secret lair of the fiery Hot Salsa. It is for the safety of our fair damsels that we must return victorious." He gracefully slipped through the pen's doorway, casting an appraising gaze upon the colossal beast. "They've enlisted the one they call Abdel, not the one ending in Aziz, but the one you fondly refer to as... Master."

The gurgles got louder and culminated into a single, loud burp. Qadira raised her front legs to raise her figure a tad, but her hind ones remained lazy. “You refer to my Master, do you? It is essential to clarify that he is merely a compatriot, even though he happens to be the benevolent provider of sustenance. My commitment to principles of honour and loyalty remains unwavering, and thus, I shall steadfastly guard the veil of secrecy that shrouds his affairs.” she leaned closer to the cat and blew hot steam into his furred face. “I cannot oblige your request without proper recompense, dear cat. You see, my assistance comes at a cost.”

"A cost, you say?" Nyan-Acan's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Why, reveal the price, my noble amiga, so we may strike a deal and celebrate with a round of leche to honour our newfound alliance." As the dragon released a rather unpleasant breath in his direction, the cat couldn't help but cough and, in a display of feline elegance, produce a well-timed hairball. "My apologies for such untimely manners. We shall handle this minor matter."

Using the distraction caused by the dragon's belch and his own coughing fit, Nyan-Acan seized the opportunity to deftly plant the precious blankie within the Skuggvar's den.

"It was indeed a slip of the tongue," Nyan-Acan continued with charming humility, addressing the majestic queen of her domain. "I meant no disrespect. I see you as a sovereign, not a servant. How, then, may one please an almighty queen like yourself? We aim to strike a bargain to safeguard your domain from the encroachment of the fiery Hot Salsa." The feline's words were filled with deference and charm.

The beast regarded Nyan-Acan with growing scepticism. Its small, beady eye narrowed as it turned its head to more properly observe the feline with one of them. “You articulate your thoughts as though you doubt the fiery intensity of my breath, insinuating that it might not be up to the challenge of handling the salsa. I must assert that I find this proposition of limited benefit to me, and as a result, the cost you must pay for my assistance will be quite substantial.” the beast sniffed the air again. “These olfactory senses of mine detect a rather unpleasant and noxious odour wafting through the air. Pray, may I inquire as to the source and nature of this disconcerting scent?”

It shook its head and focused on the deal itself. “I desire one of each: A tooth of the legendary sky dragon of the North. A scale of the tyrannical dragon of the south. A drop of blood of the ruler of the seas. The saliva of the king of mud and swamps. And the claw of the emperor of sands!”

The Monkeybirds descended upon the pen with raucous squalls. "BLANKIE! You've got Blankie!" they cried out in a cacophony of avian voices. Nekh-butt perched atop the Skuggvar pen, launching a relentless pecking barrage. The rest of the birds joined in, a chorus of support for their sibling as they relentlessly harried the dragon within. "Give, give! Give back my blankie!"

Nyan-Acan's whiskers twitched with a devious feline smirk. "Well, it seems you've added another treasure to your collection, my Reina. However, if you'd be so kind as to share the information I seek, I can certainly assist you in handling this matter." With an elegant slink, he gracefully made his exit, leaving Qadira at the mercy of the squawking Monkeybirds. "STOLE Blankie!" they chimed, as the audacious cat moved to spectate till the dragon relented.

Qadira roared in annoyance. Its tail flailed about and was about ready to unleash vicious quills to snuff out the problem. However, a low growl from another pen seemed to dissuade her. That, and an outside force - Nibbler - was actively hampering her abilities! Pushed into a corner, and not wanting any chastising, she relented. “Very well, I shall acquiesce to your request. Should you successfully eradicate this troublesome issue, I shall, in turn, be inclined to bestow upon you the very desires you seek, my dear interlocutor!”

Nyan-Acan sported a smug expression as Qadira finally relented, her draconic gaze meeting his. "Give us the location, and this conundrum shall be resolved with the swiftness of a cat's pounce." He gracefully moved to unveil the cherished blankie, revealing it to the curious Monkeybirds who observed from above.

"Blankie! Oh, there it is! Give me," Nehki cried out in a delightful state of distress. The anticipation in the air was palpable as Nyan-Acan held the coveted treasure within his grasp.

Qadira cursed the restraints that kept her from breaking the pen, and consequently from attacking the other animals. Glaring at the cat, it conceded with a soft blink of its eyes. “It is agreeable, I consent to your request. The incendiary fruit you seek is presently located within the shared residence for our peers, where a festive gathering is currently in progress. I must forewarn you that its imminent consumption is all but assured.” it huffed out of its powerful nostrils.

Nyan-Acan bowed with all the panache of a toreador, gracefully taking the cherished blanket into his possession. He swiftly opened the hatch, inviting the monkeybird to swoop in towards the inviting blankie, all while providing a convenient escape from the looming dragon. The resulting commotion of squawking and fluttering feathers, combined with the occasional belch from Big Belcher, artfully masked his exit.

As Nyan-Acan elegantly made his way back to his rodent companion, he couldn't help but comment, "She may have been a stern negotiator, but my feline charm won the day. We now possess the coveted location! And a dire warning. They're preparing to intrude into a grand festivity, and so our little mission is going to add a little sour cream to their hot salsa." His words were punctuated with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Nibbler was taking a nap! Only with the appearance of the cat did he snap back into reality. “Wha-what?! Yes, all is safe! Oh,” he blinked. “Hey boss.” he even raised his paw in a very humanlike salute. “Sour cream …” the critter scratched his ear, pensive. “What’s that?”

Although the duo could discuss all they wanted, back in Abdel residence with a few other Tethered and commonfolk, was a salsa in mid-preparation. The ingredients had been prepared, and the Virangish pepper was nearing its zenith as the fiery piece that would ruin the otherwise mildly spicy delight of the coming evenings. Would our heroes make it in time?

The duo, bound for Abdel's place, had a mission of great import. Young Abdel had succumbed to the allure of the forbidden spice, lured by the promises of Hot Salsa, and aimed to poison their beloved damsels with this perilous concoction. They dashed through the cobbled streets of Ersand'Enise, their every step filled with a daring sense of purpose. As they raced through the bustling student district, they hopped onto carriages, nimbly crossed rooftops, and engaged in feats of unparalleled agility as they ventured through the treacherous workman quarter.

It was on this intrepid journey that they encountered a distraction that threatened to derail their mission. Approaching the student dorms, Nyan-Acan's heart seemed to leap from his chest as he beheld a spectacular sight. There, on a moonlit balcony, sat the stunning Goma cat, her speckled fur shimmering like a starlit night. "Meeeeeeowzer!" Nyan-Acan couldn't help himself. He began to groom himself with a flourish, whistling charmingly toward the exquisite beauty. At this moment, the feline adventurer's attention momentarily strayed, captivated by the allure of the other cat.

If Nyan-Acan’s will could be truly tested by this wicked obstacle, Nibbler had no chance. He, too, noticed a thing of beauty: A petite dormouse he had reluctantly courted out of sheer nervousness. Out of instinct, he puffed out his chest and tapped his tail onto the ground below him to capture her attention. His striped coat was thick and made him look even bigger than he already was. “Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh!” he panicked, although his body acted naturally. “Do I look to wimpy?! On no, I definitely look too wimpy … I estimate a 3% chance of getting any positive attention!”

Nyan-Acan couldn't help but be amused by the flustered state of his rodent friend as he gazed in the direction of the enchanting dormouse. "Ah, it seems you've found a lady friend who has caught your eye as well!" His whiskers twitched with amusement as he gave his companion an encouraging pat on the back. "Remember, my dear friend, confidence is the key when wooing the fairer sex. Be as cool as a cat, and you'll surely capture her heart. But fret not, we have the matter of this confounded Pepper to attend to first."

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Nyan-Acan leaned in close, placing his paw by his mouth to whisper conspiratorially, "And once we've dealt with the Pepper, you can impress her by showing her how you can take on a cat. That pretty kitty next to her will surely see my selfless act as a demonstration of my good character. Purrfect, wouldn't you say?" The feline adventurer's playful advice was tinged with a sense of adventure and camaraderie as they continued their quest.

Reinvigorated by the words of Nyan-Acan, Nibbler led the endeavour to securing the pepper, with the puss-in-boots in tow. Abdel’s home was the common’s dorm, essentially, with a communal kitchen that held a small cauldron filled with the cooking salsa. The odour was alluring to both carnivores and herbivores alike, with the strong scent of tomatoes mixed with foreign spices from around the Twin Continents. What was missing was the most dreadful of all, and their goal.

They snuck in by the window, while most of the youths were enjoying music played by their fellow bardic commoners, a couple were preparing food that was to come with the hot salsa. And, right by the frequently used chopping board was an untouched Virangish Pepper on a clean plate, almost like a pedestal with how distinct it was from the rest of the foods, and ready to spoil the wondrous sauce it was so close too. “This is our chance.” whispered Nibbler from the vantage point of one of the tallest shelves in the kitchen. “Make a distraction to get them out, and we’ll swipe the pepper!”

Nyan-Acan darted under the table, his feline instincts on high alert. The cauldron of Hot Salsa bubbled away, its fiery contents threatening to wreak havoc on the taste buds of any unfortunate soul who dared consume it. As the time drew near for the final, and decidedly indigestible, ingredient to be added, Nyan-Acan braced himself.

With Nibbler's call for a distraction ringing in his ears, Nyan-Acan surveyed the scene, his keen eyes spotting a dangling tablecloth. A mischievous grin crossed his whiskered face as he made his move. With a swift tug, he sent the tableware and cauldron crashing to the floor, creating a chaotic mess.

Amidst the culinary chaos, Nyan-Acan's eyes widened as he beheld a surprise. His feline grace and curiosity drove him to examine the disorder he had caused. Suddenly, he recoiled in shock. There, amidst the spilled concoction, lay a large green object with dark stripes. It slithered ominously across the floor, its gaping mouth reminiscent of a royal sand wyrm, and it was none other than Pepino-Dessierto himself.

"Holy Moly, it is Pepino-Dessierto!" Nyan-Acan exclaimed in sheer surprise.

♫

The monster slithered at staggering speeds toward Nyan-acan, prompting the large cat to bounce in terror and retreat, although not without his paws missing out on some friction, making for quite the comedic getaway. His speed and ‘agility’ managed to get him away from the clutches of the beast while Nibbler launched his counter attack by hopping off his vantage point and staring down the creature for a powerful internal chemical attack.

Nothing happened. It was completely unaffected, much to the rodent’s dismay! And that wasn’t all, the ruckus the two had made caused multiple utensils to fall from the counters and tables, forcing the two to scramble. What a mess! Plates were broken and rubbish spread all over the floor. But the green creature wasn’t done.

The red coon tried to put an end to this with more explosive magic: A VOID-made kinetic explosion, that … Made the thing roll away, mostly unscathed, and even more things were falling! And just as it bonked against the nearby shelf, the edifice began to fall upon the two heroes. Quickly, they dodged! Both with their lightning reflexes and wit, they elegantly jumped on opposite sides, and emerged with new vigour. The tables were about to turn! Literally.

The final assault was nigh - Both Nyan-Acan and Nibbler readied themselves. The latter with pieces of plate and forks levitating in the air with his mind until he hurled them all to pin the calamity. Meanwhile, the cat seized a knife, touched it with the VOID and went for the final blow now that their enemy was rendered immobile. With a quick succession of slashes, the beast remained in one piece …

For all but two seconds. It crumbled into many little slices.

The Cucumber had been slain.

With a triumphant gesture, Pepino-Dessierto met his end! The dynamic duo caused a raucous commotion, sending pots and pans flying in every direction, while the air was filled with the tinkling of shattered plates and the crashing of glass. The cacophony of their deeds reverberated through the house, and the ominous thudding of footsteps drew closer as the household's occupants rushed to the scene of the culinary crime.

"Nyibbleeer, my friend, we must be swift!" Nyan-Acan declared with a twinkle in his eye. With feline agility, he sprang onto the table, snatching the Pepper in his mouth, his lips tingling with the fiery heat of the spice. This was indeed the genuine article. With a mighty leap, he vaulted toward the sink, plunging his face into the water to quell the burning sensation. With a slick move, he stashed the precious Pepper under his hat and bounded toward the open window, ready to make his grand escape.

As he passed the wide-eyed and red-faced Abdel, who had just swung the door open in shock, Nyan-Acan couldn't resist a parting quip. "This is my cue to exit, amigo." With the Pepper safely hidden, the daring cat made his exit in a burst of feline grace and adventure, leaving behind a bemused and befuddled Abdel in his wake with Nibbler shortly behind.

Or that’s what he thought! Nibbler, once the pepper secured, had actually flown out without a shred of desire for style. A little, lingering squeak was all that the cat would hear until they met again at their HQ, pepper secured and humans in shambles after a Monkeybird meltdown and a kitchen in chaos. But, all was right in paradise. All that remained was …

“So, what do we do with it?” inquired the ceaselessly nervous Nibbler, hesitating to even approach this fire made material. “I say we burn it. Humans will let their greed to take precedence over reason, and they’ll claim it once more!”

The Pepper swirled and danced within Nyan-Acan's agile paws as he pondered the most suitable course of action. Nibbler's words rang true; the humans would undoubtedly go to great lengths to ensure the vile ingredient's return, even resorting to sneaking it into their sweet desserts if they could. With a sly grin, he concluded, "Let them never say that Nyan-Acan fails to repay his debts. We shall return to the Big Belcher, and she will breathe fire tonight!" Their journey back would take them full circle, returning them to where it all began.

As they approached the dragon pens, an air of palpable tension hung heavy. There was unmistakable anger and unease, the residue of the Monkeybirds' recent chaos. The Big Belcher grumbled with annoyance, her eyes smouldering with thoughts of revenge. Nyan-Acan, perched on a nearby roof, looked down at her, his tongue flicking out to lazily groom his paw.

"Missed me, my beautiful Reina?" he purred, casting a charming gaze down toward the formidable dragon. His demeanour was filled with confidence and a playful sense of camaraderie, as he found himself once again in the presence of the dragon queen.

Qadira regarded the feline with disdain. All she wanted to was eat him at this point. And now he came to flaunt his winning. “"It appears that you hold your own life in rather low regard, dear feline companion. I must emphatically express that, should your interruptions persist, I shall not hesitate to do more than just sample that pepper; a mere bite may not suffice to quell my vexation.”

He tsked softly as he gazed upon the dragon. "My Reina, you underestimate me so. I arrive bearing a symbol of peace." With a flourish, he dangled the Legendary Golden Pepper before her, its glimmering hue befitting a sovereign's treasure. "A delicacy fit for royalty." With precise aim, he propelled the prized item into the Big Belcher's open maw. "In exchange for a humble act of clemency, of course." His tone was gracious, embodying a sense of charm and diplomacy as he sought to mend their relationship with this daring gesture.

The Skuggvar gobbled up the small pepper. What a pitiful existence to consider this a danger to the culinary arts! Qadira was about to scoff until- it coughed, and cough some more. The gurgling was never this intense! And then came the flames! The mucus that her species turned to flames was no longer viscus, but a pure, fiery haze of intense heat. Luckily, the pen was made fireproof, but the whole barn suddenly got a bit too active to be considered safe. The howls of the Great Belcher were going to roar for the entirety of the night, all because of one mighty Virangish Pepper.

Tomorrow will now come, thanks to the Maginimals!

---

---

Welcome to Vradia

ꁲ ꂵ ꁲ ꋊ ꂠ ꂑ ꋊ ꈼ ꋖ ꂑ ꂵ ꈼ Day 2 [Afternoon] ꒒ ꂦ ꀯ ꁲ ꋖ ꂑ ꂦ ꋊ Bandit Ambush ꉣ ꁲ ꌅ ꋖ ꂑ ꀯ ꂑ ꉣ ꁲ ꋊ ꋖ ꌚ @WhiteAngel25 Faline @Mechromancer Dorothea @Jamesyco Torsten @Red Wizard Simbelmynë ꌚ ꂦ ꐇ ꋊ ꂠ ꋖ ꌅ ꁲ ꀯ ꀗ ♫*

Amandine observed the unfolding scene below her, her robes flowing silently in the breeze, her presence concealed by the rustling leaves. She was taken aback by the sheer number of adversaries they faced. Had they stumbled upon an army? Or did these bandits simply crave a taste of eagle? Her suspicions were confirmed when members of the gang unleashed a barrage of arrows, targeting Simbel, who soared above them. Meanwhile, others charged at those on the ground, with Dorothea's incantation cut short before she could unleash a powerful spell as she slumped on the ground. Faline, protective of Dorothea, struck out with throwing daggers, and Torsten valiantly assumed a protective stance. The tension in the air was palpable as the bandits taunted the group with lecherous and menacing tones.

Amandine decided it was time to intervene. She gracefully moved along the branch, using the branch's motion to descend from the tree behind the bandits like a ghost. Her feet touched the ground without a sound. Amandine's hand shot out, fingers encircling a bandit's throat, lifting him up as she choked him, rendering him breathless, then dropping the now-limp figure to the forest floor. Her actions immediately drew the attention of the bandits at the rear, who gasped in shock and splintered from the main group to confront her.

The splintered bandits rushed toward her with weapons drawn, and she began to back away, using her agility to evade their attacks. She skilfully positioned herself, preventing them from encircling her, making use of the terrain to her advantage. Once she gauged their abilities, she transitioned into her dragon stance, her hands forming claw-like gestures as she countered their moves with precision. She swiftly bent a man's wrist, snapping it and forcing him to the ground with a knee to the face, then delivered a round kick to clear her path as another bandit lunged at her. She sidestepped and targeted their vital pressure points, rendering the sword-wielder's arm limp and leveraged it, rolling backward and using her feet to propel him into one of his comrades. Each of her movements flowed like a beautiful dance, a choreographed masterpiece, spinning, ducking, and weaving, that incapacitated the bandits without the use of a weapon one-by-one.

In the distance, a bandit aimed a bow at her and fired an arrow, but she charged towards him. She deftly caught the projectile, spun around clockwise, and redirected it to impale the archer in the knee. As another bandit raised their bow, she blew a plume of flame from her fingers, igniting the weapon in their hands. As she closed in on them, she executed a sweep kick targeting the archer's injured leg, causing him to lose his balance, and then she smacked him with a powerful kick into the other archer, sending them tumbling down an embankment together. Their adventuring days were now at an end.

Amandine ensured to disable each one, incapacitating them from action as she went to regroup with the rest, and joined their fray.

---

---

Welcome to Vradia

Giggling every time I put a comment about how Simbel looks like food, till the day she snaps and confronts Amandine on it.
Also realized I accidentally deleted our PM thread @WhiteAngel25, gutted. So, need to do a new one in the future.

The Hourglass Order

---

---

Event: Best Foot Forward | Location: Ersand'Enise

---

---

"So..." began Penny conversationally. This was weird. There was no way it wasn't going to be weird. She'd not gone an hour the entire week without thinking of Ashon. Now, he was here, and she was different, and she didn't know what to say. "Putting my best foot forward is actually gonna be a choice now." She chuckled nervously and then blushed. Shune, she was bad at humour. She shrugged quickly as if to dismiss the poor joke. "But not really. The new one is... kinda deadweight." She was still on crutches, trying to remember to use this extra leg that had never been a part of her. She smiled awkwardly and shook her head as if to wipe away all of her other words. "Anyway, what about you?" Her eyes were large and concerned as she looked at him, in an effort not to be completely self-absorbed. "How are you holding up?"

Ashon looked toward Penny in a quizzical manner; it certainly felt like one of those situations being made far more awkward than it should be. Was it a Yanii thing to overcomplicate a heart felt union? He simply opened his arms toward her and moved in, clasping his arms around her and holding her tightly against him, giving the girl a loving squeeze. “I missed you, lelan’elar.”

"Girlfriend," she murmured, burying her head in his chest. "I remember that." She separated herself by a few inches and looked up. "Oilan'elar." She rose onto her tiptoes, remembering to use her new ones as well, to give him a kiss.

"Anyway..." she went out to arms-length after a moment. "Talk to me." She swept some hair from her face. "What's new?" She smiled and leaned in, grinning. "Get to abuse Cal a bit?" He... had no questions about where she'd got an entire other leg. This was... well... honestly, just why she liked him. Certain things that she got all worked up about just didn't really matter as much as she thought they did.

“Good, you’re not avoiding me then.” He grinned in response to her questions, his focus on what was currently important. The topic of an additional leg could wait, or so he thought. It seemed like she was pressing for more information about him, and perhaps it wasn't what he wanted to share at this moment. He reached out and held her hand, gently squeezing it.

"Cal? He's doing fine. He's got himself some new spoons. The others are... well, they're planting trees," he said, using a Yasoi expression. He gave her a pained smile. "Five haven't returned."

Penny felt something seize her stomach. She'd died too, in the strictest sense, brought back only through the use of multiple unsavoury magics. That would... have to be unpacked eventually, but she sensed that he was allowing space for the heavier things later on. For now... she furrowed her brow, worried. "Who?" Come to think of it, she hadn't seen Manfred, or Qasem. She hadn't seen Casii either…

“Casii, Ismet, Manfred, Qasem, and Ymiico haven’t returned with us,” he said, shaking his head to emphasize the finality of the statement. “It was a war zone. The portal dropped us into the middle of an ambush, and it only got worse from there. The place is now a blank spot on the map. The source appears to be from my homeland, Hyparii, led by an individual known as the Mad Avatar with some Perrench connections…” He gazed into her eyes and offered a warm smile. There was much he wanted to ask her and even more to say, though choosing to focus on the present. He leaned in closer, tenderly kissing her on the lips. “I fear what I would do without you.”

Penny listened soberly. It was horrid news, but it had not settled in and would not for some time, until their loss became an extended thing: a real thing that she felt keenly. In turn, she swallowed, drew a deep breath, nodded, and forced a smile. "Next time, so help me Dami, we will face it together." She had thought herself strong. She had thought Ashon strong, but they both had been struck - she supposed - by just how far out of their depth they were against some of the true monsters of the world. A 'mad avatar'... She glanced down at her new leg and wondered for a moment, before banishing any thoughts along that line. They had each other for strength, both the emotional and physical varieties, but still, Penny wondered.

She placed her new foot carefully as she walked, trying to do it with only one crutch. "Jammy..." She took his hand and started to walk. "You ever... seen one of these before?" She paused and reached into her bag, extracting the magic lamp from it. True, it had changed her body, but it was not so bad having a spare leg in exchange for being alive when she would not have been otherwise. Perhaps this was the answer to at least some of the problems that loomed before them.

Ashon couldn’t help but chortle at an avatar of Vyshta praising Dami, or was that the ex-avatar? Perhaps Penny had bargained with the god, and he worked in mysterious ways. He was surprised at how quickly Penny appeared to be adjusting to the leg as well; she was truly exceptional in all she did. Part of him wondered about it; it was certainly a Tusker in the room, and Penny appeared incredibly self-conscious about it. He placed his arm around her, a supportive hold disguised as a hug.

What was even more surprising was the way Penny brought out an oil lamp and held it as an item of significance. He had noticed she kept complaining about how he rarely used a lantern, as Yasoi eyes are better than Yanii eyes when it came to the dark. “Ah yes, the great illuminator, the oil lamp. A device that has evaded us Yasoi for so long, leading us to stub our toes repeatedly at night, especially those of our Yanii lovers.” He grinned widely as she planted a kiss on the top of her head. “Is this your way of suggesting you want to move in?”

"Well, I've twice as many toes to stub now..." she sighed, grinning at him. Of course the lamp, unexplained, would lead him to think something else amusing. She'd been counting on it for a bit of levity. "I'll move in when I don't have to worry about falling fifty feet to my death if I roll over in bed." She stopped and gave him a little kiss, working the lamp over in her hands. "This is no ordinary lamp, Jammy. You know, in Virang and Inipor and Malabaash and that area, they have stories about magic lamps? About beings that emerge from them to grant wishes and play tricks?"

He smiled at first with the jest, though his expression soon shifted to one of puzzlement. "So, you found an oil lamp with an Ancient Demon in it?" His voice held a mixture of surprise and curiosity. However, as he contemplated the implications, his frustration grew evident. She had used the lamp. He turned to look at her, scrutinizing her intensely.

"I failed you, didn't I?" He wrapped his arms around her, squeezing tightly, his hug protective, as if trying to shield her from harm. "I should have been there," he muttered, his voice filled with regret and guilt.

Penny hugged him back. "And I should've been there for you." She squeezed deeply and just... breathed him in. "It was horrifying. I... more or less died." She shook her head. "But, unless there's a type of magic that lets us be in two places at opposite ends of the world at once..." She chuckled weakly. "Listen," she sighed, "It'll kill us if we keep dwelling on all the bad stuff, because there's lots." She separated with a small shrug, trying to push it from her mind. "But I'm here. You're here, and..." She flashed a smile. "That's all I really need to be happy for now. Besides, I'm telling you, for real: this thing's magic!"

He nodded, fully understanding that this moment was about her, not him, and that she needed his strength. "What's important is that you're here now, not there, even if it did cost you an additional leg," he said with a grin, trying to inject a touch of humour. "Luckily, it didn't cost you an arm, too. I'm not sure where they'd stick a third one," he quipped playfully.

He looked at her with a knowing smile as she brought up the lamp once more. "Just like I don't need to be a mind reader to know what you're thinking. You want to use it again," he said, bringing his hand to her chin. "Sorry, but you can't have a second boyfriend. The world can't handle another me."

Penny made a pouty face. "No, I suppose it can't." She took his hand in hers and pursed her lips mock-thoughtfully. "We may have to adjust the world a bit." There was scarcely a hint of mirth to her voice. "You know," she continued, leaning on only one crutch and tentatively using her 'spare leg'. "Having at least a hand free is a major benefit to this."

She began leading him towards Market Square, where various food carts usually congregated on weekend evenings. "How do you feel about ice cream, Jammy?" She swung their joined hands playfully back and forth. "I could really go for some..."

He looked at her and smiled broadly. "Perhaps we could garnish it with saffron," he suggested, making a playful motion with his hand as if he were crushing and sprinkling the spice on top. She had a way of making even the most mundane things sound delightful, like casually asking for expensive items as if they were everyday staples, such as where he kept his silver cutlery. Of course, now he could potentially borrow some from Cal. While he wasn't opposed to ice cream, he certainly wasn't the type to browse through the Yanii markets late at night to find it, and he wouldn’t deprive Penny of it either.

They had their ice cream, for what it was worth, wandering about the market in the burgeoning heat of a late stresian evening, just... being a couple. They held hands, which was new and nice. Penny's hands had always been occupied. Now, only one was and, if she learned to master this new leg, to see it as part of herself, both would be free. She leaned into his side, skipped around him, and fluttered from booth to booth. Of course, she paid.

Bits more came out about their experiences away from Ersand'Enise: the highs and the lows, Ashon's imposing new armour and weapon, Penny's... well, not much, really. Perhaps this would not be as other things had been. It would not all come out in one great cathartic burst. She had slept too long on her own and, that night, climbed into his bed in the Ever Tree with him.

She did not sleep well. It was the wee hours of the morning when she awoke with an unease in her stomach. She rushed to the edge, hopping the entire way out of habit, settled onto her knees, and hurled her last two meals and all of that delicious ice cream into the deep green of the canopy below. It most certainly did not taste as good coming back up.

"Seemed like someone indulged in a bit too much ice cream," Ashon quipped with a playful smirk as he lay on the bed. He was barely covered by the blanket, and he playfully pulled it along as he followed Penny to her side. Gently, he placed his hand on her back and began rubbing it in a comforting manner, trying to alleviate her discomfort. With his other hand, he carefully moved her hair out of the way as she wretched. "Do you want me to fetch some of Seviin's vail'crya? It might help with that unpleasant taste."

"It is customary to have a bite between different dishes as it removes any lingering tastes," he explained. He extended his hand, conjuring a fruit from the other room with his magic, which he then rolled around in his hand before peeling it, as it split into pieces. He offered it to her. "You translated it correctly," he added with a knowing smile. He then moved behind her, parting the blanket to wrap it around her from behind.

"Okay," Penny grumbled. "Maybe I don't punch you.." She softened it with a smile. She'd been moody, though, and she knew it. Then there was her stomach: even after heaving all of a meal into the abyss, it still felt...not right. She accepted the grapefruit with a nod of thanks and bit into it. She'd never minded the taste and it was good at cleansing the palate. She scanned inside herself with magic, searching for the problem. Then, her brows jerked together. She tightened momentarily. "Ashon, my love?" She twisted on the spot to face him, juices dribbling down her chin. She remembered to put her spare foot on the floor and use it. She regarded him with a detached sort of earnestness.

He tilted his head to the side as he regarded and listened to her. His arms were around her shoulders to keep her warm underneath the blanket as she gave him one of those looks. He offered her a big grin and kissed her forehead, encouraging her to continue.

She breathed in. She breathed out. "I'm pregnant."

It was then that he felt a change occur upon hearing the news of becoming a father. In this precious moment, he opened his mouth and delivered his first Dad joke, “Hi Pregnant, I’m Ashon.”

Penny had a new leg now, and she knew exactly what to do with it. If these were the first children Ashon'amar'loiyang had ever fathered (and she certainly hoped they were), they would also be the last.

---

---

Welcome to Vradia

ꁲ ꂵ ꁲ ꋊ ꂠ ꂑ ꋊ ꈼ ꋖ ꂑ ꂵ ꈼ Day 2 [Morning] ꒒ ꂦ ꀯ ꁲ ꋖ ꂑ ꂦ ꋊ Adventuring ꉣ ꁲ ꌅ ꋖ ꂑ ꀯ ꂑ ꉣ ꁲ ꋊ ꋖ ꌚ @WhiteAngel25 Faline @Mechromancer Dorothea @Jamesyco Torsten @Red Wizard Simbelmynë ꌚ ꂦ ꐇ ꋊ ꂠ ꋖ ꌅ ꁲ ꀯ ꀗ ♫

Amandine came to a sudden pause when she noticed Faline's teary response to her comments. Her initial intention had been to strike up a friendly conversation, as most people tend to appreciate compliments. She briefly considered reaching out to offer comfort, her hand hovering close to Faline's back, but the girl didn't appear receptive. Amandine questioned whether this was the right course of action, and as Torsten stepped in, she ultimately decided not to complicate the situation further, moving away to create some distance.

Communication with this group proved to be challenging, and it felt like she was inadvertently isolating herself from them. Being thrust together by circumstance didn't seem to be a simple recipe for success. Additionally, the presence of the other group following them only added to the tension. Amandine hesitated to explain how she had detected their pursuers, given the difficulty she had trusting herself, let alone a group of strangers.

A new plan began to form in her mind. She decided to adopt a quieter profile and put in more effort to find appropriate pleasantries and compliments. Perhaps she could comment on how Faline's flaming red hair resembled a radiant sunset, how Torsten's beard resembled a lush bush that could host a family of birds, how Dorothea's smile was infectious and heart-warming when her teeth weren't chattering from perpetual fright, or how Simbel looked like a rich banquet of food. Amandine recognized that humans often used more muted descriptions like "nice hair," "nice beard," "nice smile," and "nice..." She paused to think, acknowledging that she had her work cut out for her in navigating the intricacies of these interactions.

As the group prepared to make camp, they collectively sensed an eerie atmosphere in the air. Amandine welcomed the prospect of a break from trying to decipher human interactions. She retrieved her rope-dagger and threw it high into a nearby tree. With swift agility, she ascended the tree, running up its trunk and into its branches while retracting the rope. Perched in the treetops, she had a commanding top-down view of the area and considered that it might be the ideal time for a bit of amusement.

---

---

Welcome to Vradia

ꁲ ꂵ ꁲ ꋊ ꂠ ꂑ ꋊ ꈼ ꋖ ꂑ ꂵ ꈼ Day 2 [Morning] ꒒ ꂦ ꀯ ꁲ ꋖ ꂑ ꂦ ꋊ Adventuring ꉣ ꁲ ꌅ ꋖ ꂑ ꀯ ꂑ ꉣ ꁲ ꋊ ꋖ ꌚ @WhiteAngel25 Faline @Mechromancer Dorothea @Jamesyco Torsten @Red Wizard Simbelmynë ꌚ ꂦ ꐇ ꋊ ꂠ ꋖ ꌅ ꁲ ꀯ ꀗ ♫*

Amandine was in a decidedly mischievous mood as she cast a sly glance at Dorothea from behind. The idea of pinching the girl's sides and watching her squirm and shyly wiggle for a moment seemed quite tempting. A wide grin played on her lips as she entertained this thought, but instead of tormenting the wizard, she chose to be more gentle and simply patted her on the back and encouraging her forward. "Time to go on an adventure!" she declared, her tone filled with enthusiasm and a hint of mischief.

Her eyes couldn't help but linger on Simbel's figure, though. The striking and enigmatic shapeshifter was busy gathering belongings left by their predecessors. Amandine found herself oddly drawn to her, as if watching a tantalizing meal that begged to be devoured. She couldn't help but feel the urge to playfully tease the straight-talking Elvian, perhaps as an excuse to get closer to her. However, her attention shifted when she noticed Simbel wielding the ungolianth-stringed hornbow. The alluring Elvian girl now held a very dangerous weapon, and Amandine's irises twitched as she recognized the material, reminiscent of the deep forest and a spider of pure darkness. The web string seemed like a void in the light. A shiver ran down her spine, and she realized she needed to be cautious around this one.

Amandine quickened her pace and moved closer to Torsten, finding a sense of security in the presence of the warrior-brother. As the saying goes, you don't need to be the fastest when running from a bear; you just shouldn't be the slowest. She used this moment of protection to close her eyes briefly as she walked, relying on her other senses to detect anything unfamiliar in their surroundings, especially if something was lurking or following them unseen.

When Torsten mentioned taking a break for prayer, Amandine nodded in agreement, considering it a good opportunity for her to meditate as well. She was also concerned about Dorothea tiring out too quickly and wanted to ensure the wizard had enough energy, especially in case they needed to run from any potential threats like hungry wolves that Simbel appeared to be tormenting the girl with, smiling over toward the pair.

Amandine turned her attention toward Faline, fighting the temptation to repeatedly ask, "Are we there yet?" as she led the way. While looking at Faline, she noticed a small symbol on the new quiver. She leaned in for a closer look, seeing that it was shaped like a bird, and she pointed her finger at it. "The Singing Bird! I've seen this before," she exclaimed with a wide smile, clearly recognizing the human symbol. “It belonged to a great warrior. He was hairy with a beard like a goat, and built like a bear in strength." She playfully flexed her muscles to mimic the warrior's appearance. "It was a symbol of his clan. It's a good symbol," she added, her tone warm and approving.

---

---

The Hourglass Order

---

---

Event: The Crisian | Location: Ersand'Enise.

---

---

The quill scratched relentlessly across the parchment, leaving a trail of jet-black ink in its wake, forming intricate Kressian cursive script. These meticulously transcribed cards, once dried and catalogued, became prized additions to the ever-expanding labyrinth of knowledge housed within Taleja's zettelkasten. She knew, perhaps better than most, that information was the true currency of power, and power was the wellspring of strength. Each detail, each whisper, was a piece of a puzzle that, when assembled correctly, could unveil secrets hidden in the shadows.

Her journey through Kerremand to the enigmatic town of Mandelein had been nothing short of fruitful. Among the myriad of leads, one name stood out prominently: 'Comte Mirabeau.' He was to be her starting point, the first domino in a long line of secrets waiting to be tipped. But in the clandestine world of espionage, Taleja knew that even the most meticulously laid plans could have blind spots, and her efforts have revealed a network of intrigue and a clandestine organization informally known only as the ‘Hourglass Order’, after the one of legend.

Her own blind spot was her fellow students, the very individuals she had shared lecture halls and libraries with. However, since, Taleja was not one to underestimate the power of tongues wagging and the innate human desire to share secrets. She had managed to compile a list of key figures within the Hourglass Order, and at the heart of it all was Jocasta Re, a name whispered in the shadows with both reverence and trepidation, and a recent early promotion to Tan-Zeno.

From there, the network of contacts began to unravel, forming intricate patterns and revealing hidden connections. The strings of information extended from the efforts of the late Hugo Hunghorasz to his successors, Claresse Upta and Karan Harachorra, and each card containing vital knowledge that would shape her understanding of the Hourglass Order. Names repeated like a haunting refrain, linked together on the sprawling anacapa chart that adorned the walls of her backroom.

In the depths of the night, when most were blissfully ignorant of the conspiracies that wove through their lives, Taleja remained vigilant. As the quill scratched on, she knew that she was on the cusp of unravelling something greater.

---

“Mi’lady, are you the Crisian?” A soft murmur emanated from the doorway, where a meek-mannered woman stood.

Taleja arched an eyebrow at the question, her sharp eyes scrutinizing the figure that graced her doorway. She didn't recognize the woman, but there were telltale signs of a disguise meant to blend into the worker's district, albeit a bit too clean for the late hour. Furthermore, the door had remained unopened until this woman's arrival, a clear intimidation tactic. Temporal magic? No, the entrance would have been rougher if that were the case. This individual had to be a Greyborn, like Sister Laska, with a background in clandestine activities. There were a few operators who fit this profile, but which one stood before her now?

Taleja, maintaining her composure, offered a sweet smile as she extended a chair to the woman and began pouring a cup of tea. "I have been referred to as such before, but it would be impolite not to introduce ourselves. Please, take a seat," she said, gesturing toward the vacant space.

There was a moment of hesitation before the woman finally moved toward the chair. She knew she was stepping into a potentially dangerous situation. Taleja continued to smile as she stirred her tea with a spoon and then took a sip.

“Brother Baudile informed us you might be able to help us in this discreet matter, Mi’lady," the woman said, handing over a parchment that listed a series of names. Names that were all too familiar.

Taleja glanced at the parchment and then back at the woman. “I see. I too, like to carry out the work of the Gods.” She carefully read through the names before rolling up the parchment. With a quill in hand, she jotted down her price and handed the paper to the woman. She then took another sip of her tea.

The other woman examined the paper. “This is not a number.”

Taleja nodded in agreement. “Correct. Feel free to escalate it to the most appropriate authority,” she replied, her tone unwavering. She placed her tea cup back on its saucer.

The woman folded the paper and pocketed it, preparing to leave. “That will be all.”

“Farewell, and mind the door. You might want to lift, then pull. It can get stuck,” Taleja advised with a sickly sweet smile, watching as the woman exited. Once the visitor was out of earshot, Taleja couldn't help but ponder the intriguing connection between the Church and Jocasta Re.

---

---