Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

     It started about two weeks after the election showdown. Adaine was walking to the library when an unwelcome face came traipsing down the steps and stopped short. A familiar blue hand was held up in a wave. She grimaced and shot back two nice, tall middle fingers. Oisin chuckled. “Yeah, that’s fair,” he shrugged as he walked past. What the fuck was he doing here anyway?

     And then, suddenly, she saw him everywhere she looked, like some sort of frequency illusion. It happened the whole summer. Coffee shop, in walks Oisin. Buying school supplies, of course Oisin is shopping too. Even walking past her favorite bakery, he’s sitting outside, surrounded by books. It would really feel like stalking but half the time he was there before she was and it seemed he seldom noticed her. When he did he always smiled and waved - and over time her emphatic gestures became more for show, half a second’s gesture because she couldn’t not flip him off. Each time he chuckled and turned away, but it seemed his smiles were getting more rueful and less chipper. Maybe eventually he’d knock it off.

     Maybe eventually you should knock it off. She banished the thought. Wounds were still fresh, metaphorically and literally. She had dragged Kristen to the cafe with her this time, just in case, but fortunately he was nowhere in sight. 

     As they sat down near the corner, Kristen pulled out her crystal. She was all over social media lately, really playing up the angle of Cassandra and Ankarna - it was working. People loved celebrity relationship news, and there was no bigger relationship, quite literally, than one between two gods.

     “I don’t know, it still feels a little … icky to market her like this, but the sermons are starting to fill up. It feels weird to be preaching, you know? I guess it’s just telling people about my god, basic prophet stuff, but I feel like I have this mental block around proselytizing. I should probably eventually try to find someone whose speeches are actually inspiring before some of the intrigue fades. At least Cassandra is happy.”

      “Cassandra’s happy cause she’s finally getting some, hey!” Adaine raised her hand, “Up top!”

     Kristen laughed and slapped her hand. “Hey, at least someone is!” They laughed until their smiles slowly faded and they stared into middle distance.

     Kristen sipped her drink and grimaced. “Eww, what is this, I ordered a cortado!”

     “Stop ordering them if you don't know what they are!”

     “I do know what they are, they don't!” She gestured over to the baristas, and recognized a familiar face. “Hey, Oisin, how’s it going?” She glanced over at Adaine who set her mouth into a line and shook her head nearly imperceptibly. Kristen whisper-yelled, “I’m everyone’s president!” before she smiled wide and waived him over. Adaine had to remind herself that chaos and stupidity were not the same thing.

     “Hey Kristen, Adaine.” Why did he have to say her name like that?

     Kristen leaned back. “How’s your summer been, man?”

     “Pretty good, just trying to clean up a lot of messes and get ready for senior year.”

     Kristen shook her head. “Same, man. Same.”

     “Really? What messes?” His brow creased.

     “Well, right now we’re -”

     “Don’t worry about it,” Adaine cut her off swiftly. She crossed her arms and glared. “What are you even doing here, anyway?”

     He arched a brow. “Well, I live here, so -”

     “At the cafe?”

     He rolled his eyes with a smile. “Yeah Adaine, at the cafe, definitely not in the apartments above it.” He pulled up a chair next to her. “The better question is, why are you here?” He lowered his head, entering her bubble. “You stalking me, Madame Oracle?”

     Her lip curled in disgust. “You wish.”

     The barista called his name, and Oisin laughed as he stood. “Yeah, kind of. Anyway, I’m off to the library - see you there?” He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

     Adaine glowered. “Absolutely not.”

     “Okay. Well, it’s been good catching up. See ya, Kristen. Adaine.” He touched his brow and saluted as he headed out.

     Kristen waved as he headed out. “You know, he’s not my type for obvious reasons -”

     “Blue?”

     “Yeah that’s the issue. But I bet K2 would have been really into him.”

     Adaine narrowed her eyes. “K2 was a messy slut.”

     Kristen held up a hand, “Whoa, hey, ok, that’s our baby you’re talking about.”

     “And I loved that for her!”

     “She took after her Papa.” Kristen took another swig of her drink before letting it dribble out of her mouth and back into her cup.

Chapter Text

     As they left the cafe and walked down the street, Kristen looped her thumbs into the pockets of her wranglers. “So, how can your humble president help you today?”

     Adaine took a steadying breath. “The Court of Stars has asked for help with a … um …” she lowered her voice, “... certain wizard in Sylvaire.”

     Kristen froze. “Oh shit. First off, are you okay?”

     “I don’t really know, to be honest,” Adaine said, pulling at the tab of her paper coffee sleeve. “I feel sort of numb. I’ve been avoiding thinking about my parents for about a year, but I guess it’s time to deal with it.” She clutched the letter in her pocket, lightly crumpling it. “I was secretly hoping by the time she reared her head again she might, I don’t know, be different? Better? Have come around, at least - but it seems we aren’t so lucky.”

     “Okay. Well, if your mom is hanging out in Cassandra’s forest we can definitely have her do some recon. Honestly, Sylvaire should have been my first stop preaching about Cassandra anyway. She was their god first, so maybe they’ll be receptive to her now that she’s been reformed. Then again,” Kristen raked a hand down her face, “they also had to deal with a thousand years of Nightmare King stuff, so I wouldn’t blame them for not wanting her back.”

     “I’m sure there will be at least a few open ears. I bet that fucking cat is still in league with my mum, so Kalina is probably cropping up in the Nightmare Forest too. They were allies before and I’m sorry to say that where my mother is concerned, it’s safe to assume the worst.” 

     “We gotta rebrand that. Twilight Forest maybe - or Forest of Doubt? Ugh, no, that sounds almost as bad. Is it just 'Sylvaire,' or is that like the whole country? Eh, we’ll workshop it, we can roll it out as a whole ‘reclaiming and rebranding’ thing.” Kristen looked over at Adaine. “I should probably call Tracker for advice, huh? This is basically like what she did, I bet she would know what to do. She’s so smart.”

     “You should definitely call Tracker, have you not called her yet? She’s coming home like … tomorrow, isn’t she?”

     Kristen nodded and scratched the back of her head sheepishly. “Yeah. I’ll uh, I’ll give her a call.”

     Adaine eyed Kristen sympathetically. “Are you avoiding her?”

     Kristen gave a small shrug. “I don’t know, it’s hard when you have a lot of history. Like, I hate that we broke up, but it happened for a reason and I’m scared that when we see each other we’re just going to be repeating a cycle. I’m still me, she’s still her, we’re both still committed to our goddesses and there’s so much work to do. I don’t see us having the time we need for each other any time soon.”

     Adaine looped her arm through Kristen’s and leaned her head on her shoulder. “Don’t overthink it too much - it’s okay to be happy that someone you care about is coming for a visit without laying out a five year plan. Personally, I’m really glad that she’s coming back. She has spent a lot of time in parts of Fallinel that I was never exposed to, and she was a lot more successful changing some minds than I have been so far.” She grimaced. “I bet she didn’t have to have a dance battle for Kai Lumennura.”

     “Don’t be so sure, that sounds like some Telemaine shit right there.”

     Adaine sat in her tower, surrounded by books. Books about elves, books about gods, books about spies … but there was no visible through-line. If they were going to Sylvaire, and it looked like they would be, she should read up on its history and culture.

     The library was about a ten minute walk away, and she spent it deep in thought. If her mother was so powerful, why was she still in the forest? Was she trapped, or choosing to stay? Apart from the lore surrounding the Nightmare King and their brief stay in Arborly, Adaine knew surprisingly little about the region. She walked through the sliding doors, the cool air calming her as she collected a few tomes and headed for a table -

     Vertical pupils met her own.

     “Oh. It’s you.” Her arms crossed in front of her protectively.

     “Hey Adaine.”

     “What are you doing here?”

     Oisin raised an eyebrow with a smile. “Two wizards at a library? It’s the shock of the century.” He eyed her stack of books. (Oisin, perception: 7+2=9) “What do you have there?”

     She snatched them away from his view, holding them close. “Absolutely none of your business.” He held up hands in surrender. (Adaine, perception: 12+6=18) She glanced at the books in front of him. “Pantheons of Chaos? Are you finding new villainous objects of worship?”

     “Oops. Caught me. Oh no.” He rolled his eyes and laughed. “Nothing as exciting as that, I'm afraid. Lucy and I are trying to figure out how to get a handle on the rage star aftermath.”

     She looked at him in confusion. “What do you mean?”

     “Well, it’s our mess to clean up, and - I feel like this goes without saying - rage virus bad.”

     Adaine raised an eyebrow and lifted her chin. “Maybe you just don't remember, because you were out cold the entire fight,” his face flashed annoyance, “but we handled it.”

     He furrowed his brow. “Okay, except for all the random assaults happening around town.”

     Adaine’s expression flickered confusion. "What assaults?"

     “Oh?" He raised a brow and cracked a smile. "Is the Elven Oracle too distracted by foreign affairs to care about little old Elmville anymore?”

     She crossed her arms. “Don’t call me that.” 

     “Don't ... call you what?”

     “I’m not the Elven Oracle, I’m the Oracle of Spyre.”

     He gave her a disbelieving smirk. “Uh huh. For all of Spyre, huh?" He rested his chin on a fist. "Tell me, Great Oracle of Spyre, what’s going on in Frostheim right now?” She glared at him. “No? Okay, get a lot of visions for other races, even, or is it mostly high elves?” He leaned back, a smug grin on his face. "Tell me the future of one aarakocra."

     “I don’t control how visions come to me!”

     “Then maybe you should try harder.”

     “Fuck you.”

     He looked at her for a long moment, mouth firmly shut with the corners quirked up. After several seconds he slid a book, Magical Diseases and Curses, toward her. “You know, if you’re bored, we could use another set of eyes on the problem - one with an outside perspective on everything that happened last year.” He gestured toward the stack of books she was clutching. “And whatever you’re looking into, maybe I could help you too. I bet if we pooled our knowledge we could get further, faster.”

     “You’re going to pick a fight and then ask for my help?” she scoffed in disbelief.

     “Yeah.” He smiled. “What do you say?”

     She surprised herself by honestly thinking about it for a moment. Logically she knew that the more minds she had focusing on the problem, the better. But divulging the source of the issue, all her familial baggage, was too much. The anger on her brow lowered slightly as she shook her head.

     “No. I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

     Oisin tried to sweep away the concern from his expression as he shrugged. “Well, if you ever change your mind ...” 

     One last glance over the table showed stacks of books about diseases, curses, and chaos alignments. She felt a pang of guilt as she walked away, but it was quickly subsumed by anger. Who was he to ask for her help after everything he had done? She didn’t owe him anything.

     But it kept eating at her.

     She knocked on Kristen's door. “Yeah, come on in!”

     As she stepped into Kristen’s room, she was greeted by maps, drawings of spell circles, and a small pile of empty coffee cups. She gingerly stepped around as much as she could, aiming each step for the rare spots of visible floor. “Good gods, Kristen, what happened in here?”

     “I’m getting organized!” Clothes for every season littered the floor, casting components were arranged in incomprehensible piles, and in the center of the chaos stood Kristen looking earnestly proud.

     “Oh. Um, good … job?” Adaine picked up a vial of holy water. “Getting organized for what?”

     “For our road trip! Tracker agrees that we should all head to Sylvaire.” She grabbed Adaine’s shoulders. “Summer break, I believe in us!”

     Adaine grinned wide. “I fully endorse this plan - quick question, who’s ‘we all’?”

     Kristen held her arms out wide. “All.” Adaine raised an eyebrow and waited for her to continue. “You know, the Bad Kids," she cleared her throat, "Tracker, maybe Jawbone, definitely Sandra Lynn - maybe we can get Cathilda and Ragh, make it a full reunion!”

     “What about Gilear?”

     “Aww, our intern!” Kristen wrinkled her nose. “No, he probably has ... dad stuff to do. Baby things.”

     Adaine laughed. “I think we all still have a few months to prepare before ‘baby things,’ but Hallariel probably needs him around - although to be honest, she probably needs Cathilda more.” She rolled the bottle of holy water back and forth in her hands. “Hey, um, you don’t by any chance talk to Lucy, do you?”

     Kristen sat on her bed. “Yeah, of course - Ruvina's so happy to have Ankarna back, we’ve even talked about making it a triad pantheon! A little early to be talking expansion, but yeah, we hang.”

     Adaine nodded and walked around the room, nonchalantly touching various scrolls and gems. “Have you guys talked about Kalina, or any of our sophomore year stuff?” Kristen shook her head. “Maybe you could mention some of it. Like, maybe about how the Shadow Cat disease spread or something.”

     “Okay, sure - why?”

     She shrugged. “I don’t know, it might be helpful to them.”

     Kristen’s brow creased a moment before realization dawned and she cracked a wide grin. “Yeah? Who’s ‘them,’ Adaine?”

     Adaine turned back to face her, guilty eyes wide. “No one, just Lucy - 'her,' I meant to say ‘her.’” (Adaine, deception: 3+1=4; Kristen, insight: 14+10=24) Adaine flushed to the tips of her ears.

     “Uh huh. You know, Lucy told me she and Oisin were working on something, I wonder if this information might be helpful to ‘them’ - maybe the four of us should meet up, talk shop, cleric-to-cleric and, uh,” she raised her eyebrows with a grin, “wizard-to-wizard.”

     Adaine glowered. “I’m a little busy for that at the moment. Besides, don’t you have a trip to plan? Just send her a message or something.” 

     Adaine stormed out in a huff, unsoothed by Kristen's muffled laughter.

     Later that evening, as she thumbed through a copy of The Elven Diaspora, Adaine felt a message echo in her head.

     "Very helpful information, please thank Madam President for me. And if you think of anything, let me know how I can return the favor. Oisin."

Chapter Text

     She avoided the library for three days - but with Tracker back at Mordred, Adaine found that the two clerics’ incessant flirting was beginning to grate on her nerves. With senior year a mere two weeks away, their trip to Sylvaire would be a short one - still, it would be good to get out there before their academic calendars started to fill up. Riz and Gorgug were already packing up and she was sure Fabian would join, but she’d leave that talk up to the others. She wasn’t avoiding Seacaster Manor, and she wasn’t avoiding Fig either. Definitely not. It was fine with her that Fig wouldn’t be joining them at Aguefort for senior year, she respected Fig’s decision and being hurt or angry about it would be selfish. So she told herself she wasn’t, and told herself she wasn’t going over because she was busy. Just - very busy.

     When Tracker and Kristen mentioned they were heading over to the Seacaster's, Adaine knew she had three choices - stay home alone in an echoing, empty house where her thoughts could gang up on her, swallow her pride and go with them, or roll the dice and head to the library.

     She chose the gamble. (Luck: 2)

     She dropped the old books in the return and headed to the geography section, stacking books high enough to distract her for the whole day.

     “Hello, oh Great Oracle of Spyre,” rang in her head.

     She tensed and looked around. Nothing. 

     She peeked out from the row at the tables amassed in the center and there he was. To say he stood out would be an understatement - blue and shining, too tall for the low tables, framed by stacks of books and scrolls littered with glyphs. Oisin's eyes were pointedly fixed down on the paper in front of him.

     She marched over and dropped her stack of books loudly on the table.

     Without moving his head, he smiled at her arrival. “Keep it down you brute, don’t you know this is a library?”

     She wordlessly sat and pulled a book from the pile. He didn’t look up.

     She slid the stack closer to him, rumpling the edge of his glyph sketchbook.

     He looked up with an exaggerated sigh. “Oh, would you like some help with these?”

     She glared at him over the top of her text, then flicked her eyes back to the page.

     “Nothing at all? You must be having a rough one.”

     She slammed the book down heavily. “If I wanted to talk, I wouldn’t be in a fucking library.”

     He rested his chin on his fist and smiled at her. “Hi Adaine.” 

     She glowered, injecting as much venom as she could muster into the word, “Hi.”

     He removed a book from the top of the stack, smiling like an idiot the whole time, and placed it on top of his sketchbook. (Adaine, wisdom saving throw: 17+2=19) Angry words tried to dig their way into her mind. Fuck this smug prick. Why did she even sit here? She didn't need his help. She didn't need anyone's help. But ... the thoughts didn’t feel entirely like hers. She quietly cast detect magic on herself, then detect poison & disease - they came up empty. She scooted a little further away from Oisin and settled down with a book.

     They sat in silence for hours, reading, jotting down ideas and marking pages with blue and purple sticky notes.

     (Investigation - Adaine: 11+5=16; Oisin: NAT 20, that’s my boy!)

     Information about Sylvaire was pretty light on the ground. One thing of note she found was that the tribes of Sylvaire remained fairly fractured. Old grudges had morphed into strong cultural differences, and centuries of misinformation and propaganda had kept rivalries alive. Gnomes hated centaurs, centaurs hated the wood elves, and everyone seemed to hate the fey.

     Adaine looked over at Oisin. He was singularly focused, and she watched as his brow creased in confusion, reaching for another book. At one point he got up, disappeared into the stacks, and came back with several more scrolls. All his own research had been pushed to the side as he cross-referenced the different books on history, geography, culture. That pang of guilt again. She reached for a book from his stack.

     As he put out a hand to stop her, a spark of electricity jumped from his fingertip and shocked her.

     “Ow!” She pulled back sharply with a yelp.

     “Sorry!" His eyes were wide, concern tinged with fear. "I’m … ah, I’m so sorry.” He reached out to touch her again but pulled back. “Are you okay?”

     She nodded, brows knit and defensive. “Yeah, I’m fine, don’t worry about it.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and turned back toward her book, but he was staring at her like a kicked dog. She rolled her eyes. “Seriously, I’m okay.”

     He swallowed hard and nodded. “Sorry, sometimes it gets away from me when there's a storm coming.”

     Adaine slowly turned back toward him. “Excuse me?”

     He rambled on, embarassed. “The static differential, it just sort of channels through me, and I can’t quite control it. Like grounding lightning you know? Summer storms especially.” He looked back at her, her glare catching him off guard.

     She narrowed her eyes and sent a little spark of lightning back at him. (Attack: 12+1+2=15, immune)

     Genuine laughter rumbled out from him as the tiny bolt struck his finger. “Oww! Why?” He stared at her with a wide smile.

     “Weird that you didn’t see that one coming,” she said, eyebrow raised.

     He laughed and leaned over. “I’m not the Oracle.”

     “Just a fancy barometer, hm?”

     “Must seem pretty fancy if you can’t be bothered to read a weather report.”

     “Don’t fuck with me,” she nudged him in the arm.

     “Don’t make it so fun then,” he nudged back. He looked at her for a long moment.

     She cleared her throat loudly. “So, what have you found so far?”

     “Right, yes, ok. So, I didn’t know this, but apparently Sylvaire is actually an old Fallinel outpost from wa-a-ay back in the day. Like, a military base of operations on the mainland.”

    Her brow furrowed. “What?”

     “Yeah. It seemed like a sort of expansion effort, maybe in relation to the Solar pantheon? There are a few conflicting accounts, this is from well over a thousand years ago. Some sources are saying it was to fight Sol, some say ‘fight alongside,’ so I’m not entirely sure. At some point, the troops were called back to Fallinel but some elves just decided to … stay.” He paused and took a deep breath. “They were exiled, and declared ‘false elves.’ The language surrounding it is pretty unpleasant, to be honest.”

     Adaine looked down. It wasn’t surprising in the slightest, just disappointing. Disappointment seemed to be a running thread in her experience with Fallinel, and it was starting to wear on her.

     “I’ve also seen some reference to permanent teleportation circles, large ones, between Fallinel and Sylvaire. I mean, they would be in horrible disrepair and potentially unusable if we’re dealing with a dead language, but still - interesting.”

     “May I see that?” She held out a hand, noticing that Oisin handed it over delicately, taking care not to touch her fingers again.

     He leaned over and pointed to the illustrations. “There are some drawings of small fragments here, but nothing large enough to get a translation or start plotting it out yet.” He took a breath. “I could keep working on it, if you’d like.”

     She regarded him warily. “Thank you.”

     “Of course.” He raised his brows and tried to stifle a smile. “I know you aren’t very good at glyphs, so you probably need the help.”

     Adaine rolled her eyes and turned back to her book, one hand propping up her chin and the other below the table. 

     (Oisin insight: 13+2=15) (Adaine deception: 15+1=16)

     The hand beneath the table flicked out a careful sequence of motions, and she mumbled through some incantations as a small glyph appeared above his head. He had just begun to narrow his eyes in confusion when a shower suddenly rained down on him.

     He shrank down, laughing and trying to dodge the downpour. “I take it back, I take it all back! Please, make it stop.”

     A few patrons nearby glared at them. She cast prestidigitation to dry everything off; everything except him, that is. “I don’t know, that was pretty easy,” she teased.

     “Oh come on,” he gestured to his dripping shirt, “please?”

     She eyed him up and down for a fraction of a second longer than could be considered strictly friendly. “No.”

     He flushed hotly. “I -“ he stumbled over words before settling on a contented rumble. “Okay, I … have to go. I’ll keep working on this, ok?” He held his hand out for the scroll.

     She made sure their hands didn’t touch again.

     Later, outside the library, Adaine sighed and pulled out her crystal.

          Fig: hey

          Fig: r u coming over with kristen and tracker?

          Fig: guess not

          Fig: kristens really trying to make "summer break I believe in us" a thing huh lol

     Adaine tapped out -

          Are they still there?

          Fig: no they left like an hour ago

          Adaine: Can I come over?

          Fig: YES definitely

     Adaine tapped a heart before hopping on her scooter.

Chapter Text

     Adaine knocked on the front door. After a few moments, Fig opened it with a wide grin.

     “He-ey, if it isn’t -” she stopped short when she saw Adaine’s face. “Are you okay?”

     Adaine wrapped her in a big hug as she blurted out, “I’m so sorry I’ve been avoiding you.”

     Fig’s brows knit. “Oh.” She pulled away with her hands on Adaine’s shoulders. “You wanna come inside and talk it out?” Adaine nodded as Fig dragged her to her bedroom past a confused waiving Fabian.

     Fig flopped down onto the bed and patted the spot next to her. Adaine sat and stared at her hands as Fig lit a clove and held it out the open window. “So what’s up?”

     (Adaine, wisdom saving throw [WST]: 7+2=9) 

     Fig was always so considerate, even when Adaine was acting like a petulant child. She knows I’m weak, that’s why she’s so kind. She thinks I need to be coddled.

      Adaine glowered. “You don’t have to do that.”

     “'Course I do, there’s a pregnant lady in the house.”

      She’s not even being considerate of me.

     Adaine sat up primly, aloof as she could manage. “So when do you leave?”

     “Eh, I’m kind of waffling, but probably around when school's supposed to start.” She took a drag and blew it out the window.

     “Of course." Adaine narrowed her eyes. "How long will you be gone?” Adaine looked around the room, glaring at her amassed collection of instruments.

     Fig smiled sadly. “Well I won’t be gone-gone - the nice thing about being my own tour manager is I can plan as many breaks as I want.” She lightly kicked Adaine’s foot. “I’m still going to be there for all the Bad Kids’ adventures.”

     (Adaine, WST: 2+2=4)

     Adaine rounded on her. “Don’t do that!”

     “Whoa, hey,” Fig held up her hands in confusion, “what’s going on, are you mad at me?”

     I hate you for leaving. “I hate -” Adaine stopped herself short. No, she didn’t hate Fig, she could never. She was her best friend in the world, the fire to her ice. Her anger found another rivulet to flow down. Everyone always leaves, even my best friend wants nothing to do with me. I’ll end up alone, they’ll all leave. (Roll for panic attack, adv: 14+2=20) She steadied her breath but tears started welling up and she curled in on herself. Through gritted teeth, she choked out, “I hate that you’re leaving. Why would you leave me?” She glared up at Fig through angry tears.

     (Fig, WST, adv: 5, 15+1=16)

     Fig’s brows shot up in shock for a moment before she took a long, slow breath. "Adaine, look at me." She placed her hands on Adaine's face. "I’m not leaving you.” She reached for Adaine’s hands and gave her a rueful smile. “I’m tired of living my life for other people, I need to do this for myself - I need to stop fighting who I am. School isn’t for me, so why should I waste my time?” She held up her hands in dual rocker horns. “I’m the fucking arch devil of rebellion,” then pulled in Adaine for a tight hug, “and my best friend is the goddamn Oracle. Sorry to say, but you’re stuck with me, babe.”

     (Adaine, WST: 17+2=19)

     Adaine met her eyes and felt her anger dissolve into shame. She held Fig tight as cool tears fell and waited for her breath to steady. “I’m so, so sorry, Fig,” she sobbed into her shoulder, “I don’t know what came over me. I’m so happy for you and proud of you, and I’m just sad for me that I won’t see you every day. You already moved out and now you’re leaving, and I wasn’t ready to let that go. I love you so much.” She lifted her head and wiped away tears to see matching streaks down Fig’s cheeks. “And I just really miss you.”

     “I love you,” Fig sniffled. “And I've missed you too.”

     Adaine wiped the tears from Fig’s face. “I didn’t mean to put all of that on you, I’m sorry.”

     Fig wiped her nose with a long sleeve and laughed. “Nah, I get it. I’m feeling a lot of big feelings too. It’s a huge change and kind of scary but I’m also really excited.” She punched a fist into an open palm. “Especially for those truancy bots, fuckin’ bring em on!”

     Adaine rested her head on Fig's shoulder while she calmed down. Eventually Fig asked, "So, is everything okay? Is there, I dunno, other stuff going on?"

     "Fig, there's so much going on. There's frankly too much going on."

     Fig nodded and took a drag. "Kristen filled me in a little. Mom stuff is hard."

     Adaine nodded. "Mum stuff is hard. Elf stuff is hard, and," she paused, "just, a lot of stuff is hard."

     (Fig, insight: 18+1) (Adaine, deception: NAT 20)

     Fig tilted her head. "Like what? I'm all ears."

     Adaine didn't blush, thank the gods. "Just like, getting ready for the trip, and school, all this research, I'm feeling sort of overwhelmed."

     "You shouldn't have to do all that research yourself, get Riz or somebody to help you."

     Adaine nodded. "Mhmm. Yeah, help would probably be nice." She tucked her hair behind her ear.

     Oisin had been right about the storm. A crack of lightning woke her up, followed by a rumble of thunder that shook the manor. The gentle plip-plip-plip of raindrops on the roof turned suddenly into a sheet of water hammering down, a wall of sound that surrounded her and deprived her of all senses but one. Her eyes glowed a cool white, her hair lifting and swirling around her.

     Arianwen stood in a forest, covered in dirt and scrapes, clothes hanging heavy with rain. Her voice couldn't be heard over the din of the storm, but her features were twisted in fury. She raised her hand aloft as lightning crackled down and through her, her arms acting as a conduit, sending the bolt to Adaine's left. A body hit the ground - she knew it hadn't been the first to fall. Adaine screamed soundlessly. She felt the vibrations of a cackling in her ear as claws dug into her arm. The rumble of a roar of pain, and then a sudden sense that she was alone in a dark forest with two madwomen. More shadows emerged around her - she was surrounded.

     Adaine jolted back to the present, and ran a hand over her hair - dry. She looked down to her left, where Fig and Ayda were curled up and surrounded by blankets and pillows. To her right Fabian mumbled in his sleep, the words "baby" and "nemesis" rising as the rain settled back to a gentle patter. She got up and went to the window, looking out until the short storm passed.

      A few days later, they were packed and ready for their trip. The Bad Kids were all gathered together, accompanied by Ayda, Tracker, and Sandra Lynn. Fabian informed them that "Mamá said under no circumstance is Cathilda allowed to leave her side," and, though Hallariel was less emphatic about it, Gilear had chosen to stay as well. Ragh was in Bloodrush training season, but gave them a special number to call in case of emergency.

     Ayda cast teleport (d100: 89) and they stepped through into Arborly.

     They walked into Holly Hill, graciously loaned to them as a base of operations under the strict condition that the first stop of Fig’s upcoming tour be in Arborly. Riz had of course set up a conspiracy board before their bags hit the floor. Kristen, Tracker, and Sandra Lynn got straight to business, talking strategy and culture. Gorgug immediately ducked over to the tinkerer’s hall “not to, like, brag or anything, just to show them what I’ve been working on.”

     The rest decided to walk over to The Owl and Harp for a drink.

     “Well, well, well, as I live and breathe - no thanks to some of you,” said a familiar voice behind them.

     As Adaine turned, Fabian reached for his sword and Fig placed a hand on her hip. Ivy Embra stood before them, same cocky smirk on her face but looking rather less stylish than they were used to. She was dressed in the traditional garb of Sylvaire, all flowing sleeves and waist cinchers, layers of skirts tucked up into her belt. Her eyes dragged down Fabian and landed on his sword.

     “No need for that, lovey - four against one, hardly sporting is it?”

     “Oh, now you care about playing fair?” Fabian’s eyes narrowed.

     Ivy grinned, “I know you lot love to come in with guns - and swords - a-blazing, but this peaceful little hamlet is hardly the place. Besides, wouldn’t want a repeat of last year, would we?”

     Fabian drew himself up. ”Name the time, and the place.”

     Ivy lowered her lids. “I don’t think your perfect little girlfriend would like you making dates with other girls,” she stepped closer, and Fabian’s breath hitched, “or would she? You two into that? Just say the word, flyboy.” Fabian flicked his gaze longingly down before slowly backing away, and taking his hand off of the hilt. “Much better. Now, what brings you naughty children to Arborly?”

     (Fabian, WST: 2+2=4)

     Fabian’s hand flew to his sword again. “We’re the fucking Bad Kids, you -”

     Adaine stepped between them, fists alight. “Fabian! Take a walk!” Fabian glared at Adaine as he turned toward Holly Hill.

     “Ah, if it isn’t the little Oracle herself. Seems I can’t avoid you even half a continent away,” she said, mouth drawn in a smile but eyes throwing daggers.

     “What exactly does that mean?” Adaine asked.

     Ivy’s lip curled. “Means I’m sick of hearing about you. Feather in your cap to keep the poor boy fawning, is it?”

     (Adaine, WST: 12+2=14)

     Fig looked confused. Adaine felt fury bubble up. How is it any of your fucking business what I do in my own spare time? She tamped it down and rolled her eyes. “I have no control over anyone else's feelings.”

     Ivy barked a laugh. “Oh, precious - you don’t believe that do you? I knew you were dense but I didn’t think you were stupid.”

     “Hey!” Fig stepped up to Ivy. “You wanna back the fuck up? Cause, as you mentioned, you’re outnumbered and outclassed.”

     Ayda stepped forward with furrowed brow. "I'm not sure what we're fighting about, but do not call my best friend stupid."

     Ivy smiled and placed a hand on her chest. “Right you are, Your Devilish Rebelliousness ... and ... whoever you are. I seem to’ve forgotten my place.” She made a mock bow. “So how might I assist you mighty heroes, who have rolled up to my ancestral home to pick a brawl?”

     Kristen ran over, panting, and positioned herself in the center of the trio. “He-ey, Ivy! What are you doing here?”

     Ivy kissed both her cheeks. “Told you already I’d be here this summer, didn’t I? Connecting with my roots or whatever. Still spreading the good word of Cassandra, or was one god not enough for you, you cheeky minx?” She winked at Kristen who laughed.

      It’s so fucking easy for her, isn’t it? Adaine took a centering breath. It was easy for Kristen, she seemed to genuinely liked people. Sometimes Adaine felt jealous of her, but she came by it honestly.

     Ivy’s crystal lit up. “Oh-ho-ho, speak of the devil - not literally of course,” she winked at Fig. Ivy spoke the message aloud as she tapped it out. “Hey … Scaley …  Fam … is … doing … well … everyone … sends … their … love …” she locked eyes with Adaine, “especially … your … little … girlfr-”

     Adaine summoned her mage hand (Roll sleight of hand: 7+2=9) and attempted to bat the crystal out of her hand. Ivy laughed and held it just out of her reach.

     (Ivy, WST: 9+2=11)

     “Excuse me, rude, I was talking to someone!”

     “I’m not his girlfriend!”

     Ivy scowled for the first time. “Darling, I am acutely aware. Whose shoulder do you think he’s crying on about it?”

      Bitch.

     "Spend a lot of time comforting him, do you?”

     “More than I’d like,” and that infuriating, smug grin had returned. The others had melted into the background.

     “You sure about that? You two seem awfully close.”

     Ivy laughed. “Yeah lovey, he’s my best mate,” she closed the distance, drawing herself up tall to loom over Adaine, “and if he sheds one tear over you I promise I’ll return the favor tenfold.”

     Adaine crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “Oh? And how are you going to do that?”

     “Keep your head on a swivel so you don’t have to find out,” she winked and patted Adaine’s face.

     Adaine’s fists crackled with energy as Kristen quickly stepped between them again. “O-o-okay, hey, who could go for a nice calming cup of tea, hm?” She raised her hand, earnestly nodding at Adaine. Adaine rubbed her eyes in frustration but turned to follow Kristen back to the house.

     “That’s right, run along little Oracle.”

      Adaine rounded on her, fists alight again. Ivy looked bored. “You first,” Adaine hissed through gritted teeth.

     They stared one another down, but as the seconds ticked by a smile began to tug at the corner of Ivy’s mouth. Eventually it became a full smile and Ivy broke into a genuine laugh. “Okay, you got me, I’m going.” As she started walking away, she called over shoulder, “Bye Applebees, give Cassie my love!”

     Adaine turned to Kristen. “Cassie ?” she asked, incredulous.

     “Look, everyone comes into faith their own way - some people prefer a more casual approach and I respect that.” She shrugged.

     Adaine shook her head. “Fucking ‘Cassie,’ though?”

Chapter Text

     The path to the Temple of the previously-Unnamed Goddess had remained largely untouched over the past year, overgrown by vines as thick as cables and dilapidated with disuse. The land remembered its wild past, fighting them every inch of the way. Reclaiming the temple for Cassandra would be a monumental task that they were all dreading.

     "This is what I was talking about before - a lot of the work isn't sexy or fun, but it's super important to the overall movement," Tracker panted, as she and Kristen got to work cutting back vines. They grew over the footpath in a thick mat, obscuring the way forward. She wiped her brow. "Because this really isn't sexy or fun."

     Kristen flexed. "How about now?"

     "Yeah, the dirt really sells it. Hot," Tracker replied, deadpan.

     They all got their hands dirty, cutting back overgrowth and moving boulders that blocked the trail. The Temple was a central point of Kristen's plan, a bridge between the version of Cassandra that Kristen had brought her back and the ancient goddess who once presided over the country. By incorporating the old into the new, the plan was to create a link between the modern beliefs of Solace and the more traditionally-minded Sylvans. After a long day of hard work, they all collapsed into the hot tubs. The guys split off for boy's night part two, which meant that Adaine was stuck playing fifth wheel - more or less - to two pairs of incessantly flirty teens.

     Kristen sunk into the tub and let her head loll back, working out the kinks. "There's a lot to do tomorrow."

     "Geez, so boring and responsible now," teased Tracker, splashing her.

     Wiping the water from her eyes with a laugh, Kristen turned to the rest of the girls. "Ladies, is it boring to take responsibility for the god you brought back from the brink?"

     "Yeah, hundred percent," Fig grinned.

     "Absolutely," nodded Adaine sagely.

     "I have never done that and so I can't answer with certainty, but it sounds quite conscientious," Ayda interjected.

     Fig kissed her cheek. "We're razzing her, babe."

     "Ah, I see. Yes Kristen, you are dull now. Ha!" The girls laughed.

     Kristen rolled her eyes. "Well, regardless, tomorrow we have to go talk to Nuathera. He seems like the guy in charge and we should probably clear everything before we go barging in and disrupt what little peace they've made for themselves here."

     Tracker's jaw dropped with a smile. "Arranging meetings with civic leaders to discuss your plans and course of future action? Geez Kristen, no dirty talk in front of your friends." Tracker winked and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes.

     "Yes, intimate conversation should be reserved for times of privacy."

     "That's right, babe." Fig leaned in toward Ayda.

     "You have placed your hand on my leg. It that ... not ...?  It seems intimate, Figueroth."

     "Just a little flirty, I'm not moving it."

     "Hm. Something to look forward to then."

     Adaine took a breath. It was a complex feeling, being happy for your friends and yet feeling isolated in their presence. She stood to get out of the hot tub. "I'll be back in a bit, I just want to cool down a bit - can I bring anyone a drink on my way back?"

     Ayda looked at her, casting the spell her best friend had made for her. Her brows furrowed as she sent a message. "I apologize for making you feel lonely, Adaine."

     "I'm okay, Ayda - thank you, I really will be back shortly."

     She walked out into the courtyard and stared up at the sky. The last time she was here, she killed her father, rescued her sister, and abandoned her mother alone in the forest. It was a difficult thing to reconcile in herself, her intense feelings of loyalty to her found family and friends, her sense of justice and retribution toward the people who hurt them. She was not religious, and had often felt that the gods did a bit too much meddling in the affairs of mortals, but she found herself reaching out to Ankarna in something akin to prayer. (Religion: 15+5=20) A warmth washed over her, like the sun slowly rising.

     "Hello, Adaine."

     "Oh! Hi, how are you doing? How's everything going with Cassandra?"

     She heard the huff of a laugh from the edges of her mind. "Things are going well. I think we have been through enough together to dispense with pleasantries - did you have something to ask me?"

     Adaine looked down at her hands. "I was just curious about something. Was ... is my mother one of your followers? A high elf, Arianwen Abernant."

     "The name is not familiar. I sense conflicting feelings?"

     "Yes. My mother is ... I don't understand her. I'm not sure I want to, to be honest. I don't understand her motivations, why she was willing to hurt her own daughters, willing to end the world over a slight from the government of a country she didn't even live in. Why she harbored so much anger and hatred, why she couldn't let go of it. And I ..." she trailed off. "I worry."

     She felt the goddess smile. "You worry you may contain too much of her?" Adaine was silent. "Let me tell you what I know of myself and what I know of you. There is no true justice without love. When we see our loved ones hurt, we wish for the end of that pain. Some take justice too far, they twist it into retribution and fury. But wishing for a more just world is an extension of our grief at seeing the ones we care for injured, and working to ensure that it doesn't happen to others." Adaine felt warmth, like a hand, on her shoulder. "You have a strong sense of justice in your heart, and so long as it is focused on healing injury, it won't be corrupted. And," the heat radiated, "when you seek justice in the name of devotion and protection, you also keep me from corruption - so I'll admit I'm a little biased." Adaine felt a chuckle and let herself smile as well.

     "Thank you. One more question. Is it normal that I can talk to you right now? I'm not accustomed to talking to gods."

     "You're the only one bending my ear at the moment."

     Adaine nodded. "We're working on that."

     "I know. Fig has been particularly devout in her reassurances that everyone will know my name soon enough." A sigh. "I maintain my previous misgivings, that too many people knowing my name may lead to future abuse - but my champion shares your fervor for compassionate justice, as do many of your group. I hope you can bring my light to those who need it, and temper my heat with introspection."

     Adaine felt the warmth leave her face, replaced with the cool night air wafting from the forest.

     She walked back into the large bedroom, which had been strewn with pillows and blankets arranged in one huge fort. A chorus of "Adaine!" went around the room, and she smiled.

     Early the next morning, with nails freshly painted purple and popcorn stuck to the sleeve of her shirt, Adaine stretched and crept out of the tangle of sleeping bodies. As she walked into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee, she heard muttering from the direction of the dining room.

     "Riz?"

     "Adaine! Hi! What time is it?" Riz had small dark circles under his eyes, and a large spool of red string had been half unwound, connecting various pins to others on his corkboard.

     "It's about five o'clock - you should get a short rest before people wake up." She looked at him with a mix of concern and consternation. "Have you been doing this all night?"

     "Just a little light spiraling, nothing to be concerned about!" His smile was manic as he stretched his arms out in an attempt to cover the large corkboard. It was easily twice his size.

     "Let me grab coffee and you can walk me through it." She returned with two cups, Riz downing his before she could take her first sip.

     "Okay, so first off -" he pulled a telescoping stick from his pocket and slapped it against the picture of Pok. "Tell me what you see here."

     "Your dad with his arm out, same as always."

     Riz nodded. "Uh huh. Uh huh." He gripped the pointer, threatening to break it in half. "Ask me what Jawbone sees, Adaine!" One eye twitched.

     "What does Jawbone see, Riz?"

     He jumped on the table and got inches away from Adaine's face. "A tabaxi, Adaine! Fading in and out - he sees her! But not always?" He ran a hand through his hair. "He never got cured, Adaine! Who else never got cured? Is she still a 'curse'?" He grabbed her shoulders. "Why the fuck is she flickering?!"

     Adaine gingerly removed his fingers and slid her chair back a few inches. "Okay, that's all ... very concerning. When Kristen wakes up we'll make sure he's the only one and take care of it, okay?"

     "We have to go back into the forest. We have to gather the ingredients for the tincture - fuck, what were they?"

     "I'm sure I have notes somewhere, and we can ask Sandra Lynn when she wakes up. Star ... moss? Something? I'll find it." She placed a hand on his back and gently walked him toward the boys' wing of the house. "Get some rest, Riz, we all need to be on our game."

     He stumbled as he walked, like a man to the gallows. "Right. Yes of course. Rest." He stopped. "Do you think you could find your notes now?"

     With a gentle push, Adaine urged him onward. "I will search while you sleep, okay?" Riz grumbled the whole way but finally acquiesced. As he shut the door behind him, Adaine wandered back to his corkboard and stared at the picture of Pok. She pulled out her crystal and took a picture of the photo before grabbing her bag to comb through her notes.

     After a few hours, the rest of the house began to stir. It was their last full day in Sylvaire, and so they would need to divide and conquer. Riz dragged Sandra Lynn, Fabian, and Jawbone into the forest to collect the chrysalises, nectar, and pollen they would need for the tincture, and with Kristen and Tracker meeting with Nuathera, the rest were left to venture back to the temple to see what they could find.

     As they approached the briar wall - beyond which, Ayda would teleport them to the temple - Fig paused. Her eyes darted to the briars crushing the Shrine of Thorns. "I'm ... going to stay here."

     "What is it, Fig?" Ayda looked concerned.

     Fig shook her head. "I don't know. There's just a feeling pulling me toward the briars."

     "I have to take everyone to the Temple, but I don't like to leave you alone here."

     "I'll be okay." She put a hand on Ayda's shoulder. "It feels like something I should do alone anyway." Ayda looked warily at Fig, but nodded.

     As Adaine walked into the temple, her footsteps echoed sharply. It was even more overgrown than she remembered, vines binding together the weathered and crumbling rock edifice and obscuring the carvings and architecture. Boggy chirruped on her shoulder, his expression unsure as he nuzzled into the crook of her neck. She brushed her fingers against the wall and a small spark of familiar energy arced across them. The center of the room, where she had sat over a year ago, beckoned.

     She knelt down in the center of the chamber and closed her eyes. She recalled the feeling of the tomes and scrolls in her hands, her mother's research, as her friends sat around her preparing to enter the nightmare forest. She sent out a spell, seeking Arianwen again - she had felt the residue of her magic as she entered - but again, it came back empty. A heavy sigh echoed through the cavernous chamber, leaving Adaine feeling alone once more. A sensation of grief and fear began to rise up and tug at her mind but was sharply cut off by the light clicking of Ayda's talons on the stone floor. As she sat down in front of Adaine, wide eyes searched her own.

     "What can I do to help, Adaine?"

     Adaine sighed again. "I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking for. My mother, I suppose, but she isn't here. I guess I could scry on her?" She reached out, concentrating on her visage - her glasses, long blonde hair, the look of disappointment Adaine was so accustomed to seeing on her face. A blurred vision of her mother swam into view just before Adaine felt herself powerfully rebuffed, her body jolting as she fell backward.

     "Are you okay?" Ayda scrambled up to help Adaine.

     She rubbed the back of her head. "Yeah, I'm fine." It made sense that Arianwen would safeguard against divinatory magic, but some part of it still hurt. It meant that she saw her own daughters as foes. To be fair they were, but still. She looked up at Ayda. "Well, that was a bust. I guess we'll have to do this the old fashioned way."

     "We use our senses." Ayda smiled as Adaine nodded. They searched the chamber first, eventually widening their investigation as information remained elusive. As they walked around the outside of the temple, Gorgug waived to get the girls' attention.

     He flipped up his goggles. "I think I found something." He gestured to the ground, where a large rock jutted out slightly from the surrounding dirt. It looked fairly nondescript, apart from an edge which curved in a wide, shallow arch. Gorgug bent down to point out the features of the stone. "I thought these were part of the natural formation, but if you look closely they're carved." He traced the outline of something that looked like a large character. "These are all symbols."

     Adaine pulled out her crystal once more, to snap a picture of what she recognized as a piece of a large glyph. She traced the edge of the stone. Well, this would certainly make returning to school more interesting.

Chapter Text

     “Hello students, and welcome back to another thrilling year at the Aguefort Adventuring Academy. For those who don’t yet know me - which would be about a quarter of you I suppose - I,” he paused for dramatic effect and pulled a rope beside his lectern, “am Arthur Aguefort.” As the curtain behind him opened, it revealed a stage full of Arthur Aguefort clones, whooping and clapping, stomping their feet. The din filled the assembly hall as Aguefort smiled. “Thank you, Arthurs, you are all too kind.” With another pull the curtains drew again. “Now, students, a new academic year dawns as the old one dies, and what a violent death it died! Quite violent, indeed, well done.

     “With a new year upon us - for some, your first; for others, your last - keep in mind that your alliances are the only things that stand between you and certain, brutal, permanent death. Choose your parties well, and your friendships carefully, as the weakness of the individual can be made terrifyingly powerful by camaraderie. Cling to those who make you stronger, cast off those who bring you down, and never forget that no one can block a path you have forged yourself, my beautiful maniacs.

     “Now, to the seniors, if you will all check your pockets, you will see that your Senior Thesis Quests have been placed upon your persons! Alakazam!”

     They all checked their pockets and pulled out slips of paper, except for Kristen who stuck out her crook - it jolted, making a small choking sound. A cascade of sparkling purple starlight settled to reveal a previously invisible Aguefort clone. **

     Arthur smiled from the podium. “Ah! You got me Miss Applebees. Very clever … very clever indeed …” He narrowed his eyes before pulling out a notepad and jotting something down. 

     Kristen's eyes shot wide. “What is he writing?” She pulled on Fabian’s jacket, “What the fuck is he writing?!”

     He turned intense eyes toward her. “What indeed?” Arthur clapped his hands. “Now! As mentioned, your senior theses are in your possession - these will account for One-Hundred-Percent of your grade this year!” Confetti popped and floated down from the ceiling. (Aguefort, persuasion: 4+7=11) It was met with a smattering of polite applause, but largely with confusion and a few glares. He tsked his disappointment. “Really thought that would get a bigger reaction, but okay. Feel free to attend classes, the lessons will only help you further your skills and bring you closer to your goal. But! At the end of the day you are all adults or near enough to it, and despite my demeanor and physique,” He flexed, opening the curtains for a cheer, “and despite what some students might think, I am not daddy! I cannot tell you what to do - how you tackle your final year here is at your discretion. So go! Out into your classes and the wide world, and do what I have told you to - all together now -”

     (Aguefort, persuasion: 12+7=19)

     He unfurled a banner and held his hands to conduct the student body as they shouted in unison -

     “FUCK! SHIT! RIGHT! UP!”

     As the students cheered and hollered, he took a deep satisfied sigh. “Yes, that’s the stuff. Okay, bye!” And he disappeared in a puff of smoke. 

     Students began to disperse as Vice President Faeth took the stage, protesting, “Students, you have not been dismissed - and you absolutely need to attend classes, our funding is based on enrollment and attendance … excuse me … students … oh …” he trailed off, as he was drowned out by a hundred excited and noisy seniors.

** (Perception - AA: 5+6=11, Kristen Applebees: 18+10= 28, RG: 16+2=18->22, FS: 2+6=8, GT: 15+1=16)

     "Kristen!" A tall, blue frost genasi flung open her arms and ran toward the gang. Behind her, the remaining Rat Grinders ambled up.

     Oisin grinned with a small bow, "Madam President." As his head was dipped, he caught Adaine's eye and his gaze softened. "Adaine." He drew up tall again, directing his gaze at the rest of the group. "How was everyone's Summer?"

     Mary Ann strode up to Gorgug and leaned against him as she whipped out her quokki pet. Gorgug placed his hand on her head and she growled until he slid it down to her shoulder. He flushed and shifted his weight. "Um, yeah, pretty ... pretty good."

     Fabian looked at his manicured nails. "Got a new nemesis." As Ivy quirked up a brow and pointed to herself, he sighed. "If you want to be my nemesis, you have to go through the proper channels." He whipped out a business card. "Here, call Josh, he'll guide you through the steps. You all really have to get your act together if you want to compete with us, this is embarrassing."

     She took the proffered card. "This doesn't say Josh, you twat, it -"

     "Who gives a shit? If you want to be my nemesis, just call him." Ivy locked eyes with Fabian and (Ivy, sleight of hand: 19+5=24) flicked it perfectly into the trash with a grin.

     Riz lept to grab it. "So what, you just throw away cards that people give you now? A perfectly good business card?!" He smoothed it and put it in his pocket.

     "Oh, why, do you have one?"

     "Of course." Riz held up his old (un)Licensed Private Investigator card. Ivy made a grab for it (6+5=11) (Riz: 4->10+5=15)  but Riz snatched it away with a small hiss.

     Ivy raised a brow. "Weird." Riz pulled back warily.

     Kristen turned to Lucy, thumbs in her belt loops. "So, what do you guys have for your thesis quest?"

     Lucy held up a piece of paper. "It's really odd, it just says 'vector'."

     Kristen leaned over to see it. "No way, ours just says 'forest'!" She and Lucy traded slips of paper, as the two groups stood back and regarded each other with a detached wariness. She called Riz over. "Can you use your tie or something and look at these, see what's going on?"

     Oisin leaned over. "I already ran a detect magic on ours and it came up strongly magical, but I just got a big red 'redacted' rune when I tried to delve further."

     Riz ran a series of tests. (Investigation, adv: 15, NAT 20+14=34) He adjusted his glasses with a self-assured grin. "Okay, there are essentially spells nested into one another, weaving a pretty complex encryption. As far as I can tell, they make use of ambient surveillance to dispense information as more is uncovered. As you learn about the topic, more of the quest will become available - essentially, discovering your quest is part of the quest." Eight pairs of shocked eyes - Mary Ann never looked up - met his own. "What?"

     The first to break was Fabian. "Nerd!"

     "Hey, this is my thing, okay? Let me have this!" Riz flushed. 

     Gorgug looked confused. "So ... the paper ... listens to us? And then tells us what to do?" Riz shrugged with a half nod.

     Kristen pulled out her paper and held it close to her mouth as she shouted into it, "Sylvaire! Nightmare Forest! Cassandra! Ankarna! Ruvina! Galicaea!"

     Oisin nudged Kristen with a chuckle. “Really putting the poly in polytheism. Need all the help you can get, huh?"

     “This from the guy who has to get grandma to fight his battles,” Adaine smirked at the dragon.

     He chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “Says the Oracle who can’t predict the weather.”

     (A perc: 11+6 = 17)

     There was no venom in his tone, it was warm and playful as he looked at her with fondness. Adaine raised her chin and turned away with a huff to hide a blush.

     “Now now, loverboy,” Ivy interjected, “save the pillowtalk for the bedroom, yeah? Classes are starting, and I'm sure your precious little bookworm is dying to be first in her seat." The rest began to disperse to their various lectures. Ivy turned toward Adaine and leaned back on her hip as the two sized each other up. Adaine narrowed her eyes as Ivy rolled hers. "This again?” Oisin raised an eyebrow in confusion, looking back and forth between the girls. Adaine really didn’t want to be late for class, but her pride wouldn't let her move. The warning bell rang as Ivy smiled wide. "You'd better be careful, little Oracle, or you'll start growing on me, too. Have a nice day,” and with a wave of her fingers headed to class. Oisin stood awkwardly for a moment before nodding and wishing her “a good first day back” and headed out. Adaine made sure both were out of eyesight before turning and bolting toward class.

     She skidded through the door just as the bell rang. Tiberia Runestaff glanced over with a weary expression.

     “Miss Abernant, how gracious of you to delight us with your presence,” she drawled. Adaine flushed. “Care to take a seat, or would you prefer to stand the whole lesson?”

     Adaine muttered a “no thank you Ma’am,” as she slid low into her seat. Nearly late to her first class on her first day, what a nightmare. She spun her pen around a finger, staring at runes that refused to focus. Another school year, another exhausting first day, another mystery laid out before lunch. Great.

     Most of the week passed without incident or excitement. The Bardy Boys - minus one founding member - frequently met up to discuss the next steps for their quest. Kristen and Gorgug joined in any time talk drifted to planning their next excursion to Sylvaire, but they all made very little headway in the first week.

     Tuesday, she walked into Abjuration to see a familiar blue face. Oisin smiled and waved, and to her surprise she found herself waving back, with a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. She turned away before her face could be betray her further, ignoring him the rest of the lesson.

     Wednesday, Adaine arrived at their lunch table before anyone else. Her gaze drifted over to the window, a familiar hue tugging her eyes in its direction. The Rat Grinders were gathered up - well, minus Kipperkettle Copperface - and eating together. (Adaine, perception: NAT 20 [again?!]) She regarded them for a second. Mary Ann was tugging on Lucy's dress as Ruben strummed something on a microscopic ukulele. Oisin said something, Ivy flicked him in the horn, he snapped his jaws at her playfully. Every once in a while, one of them would seem to sing along with Ruben, sometimes for only a line and other times all together. Lucy looked with sad fondness at Oisin, Ivy looked at Ruben with an expression of condescending bordeom, and Mary Ann - of course - looked at her quokki pet. There was an obvious tension within the group, and yet the kind of bond formed in the trenches. They were all so different, and they could have easily disbanded to join other parties, but they had chosen to stick together. It was admirable, even if she was annoyed by their lingering camaraderie. Ivy said something with a smirk that drew laughter from Ruben and Lucy, and Oisin rolled his eyes and gave her a small headbutt. Adaine’s eyes narrowed and she turned away. Kristen and Riz approached, with Kristen buzzing a tune like a fanfare trumpet.

     “Presenting her ladyship, President Saint Applebees!" Kristen announced as she slid onto the bench across from Adaine. She turned toward Riz with a disappointed look on her face. "You know, Riz, if you used the trumpet I got you, I wouldn't have to announce myself.”

     "I'm not -!" Riz began, shoulders up and defensive, clearly wound up from a period spent as vice- to his president. "I'm not your herald, I am here to advise on policy and implementation."

     "Sounds like a lot less fun than a trumpeteering."

     "I whole-heartedly disagree." He tucked into his lunch, and the girls diverted their eyes as bits of cold lo mein went flying. "So, when are we thinking of returning to Arborly?"

     Adaine chimed in, "Well Fig said she wants to meet us there so she can plan out her tour - how about in two weeks? We can spend some time there, actually delve into all the stuff we found." Adaine texted Fig the prospective date, and she immediately tapped back a thumbs up.

     "Yeah?" Kristen propped her chin up on her fist and grinned. "Should we look into that big rune that Gorgug found? I wonder if there's anyone who could help us."

     Adaine narrowed her eyes and kicked her under the table.

     Riz looked up from the carnage of his lunch. "Do you know anyone who's good with glyphs? I guess we could ask around."

     "Yeah Adaine, who's good with glyphs?" Kristen sank deeper onto her fist, leaning toward Adaine. Adaine's jaw clenched.

     "You could probably ask someone from your classes to at least look at it." Riz shrugged. "I doubt anyone would want to go to Sylvaire for a week in the middle of the school year, but we could probably take some pictures or something."

     "Yeah Adaine, who would want to go on a trip with you in the middle of the school year to look at old magic symbols?" Kristen's eyes were wide as saucers.

     "Shut the fuck up," she messaged Kristen.

     "Ooo-ooo, couple's trip," Kristen batted her eyelashes.

     "Oh yeah? You and who?" Adaine smiled her brattiest smile.

     Kristen burst out laughing as Riz glared. "I can tell you guys are casting message!"

     Thursday morning she sat in Abjuration, lost in thought. She should have just skipped, it wasn’t as though she was listening anyway. The lecture faded into the background, a low droning sound - she felt a familiar tingle rising up the back of her neck. Her hand shot up.

     “Yes, Miss Abernant?”

     “MayIpleasebeexcusedamoment -” she was out the door before Ms. Silverfocus had finished saying “yes.” Her vision began blurring and she clutched at her locker as her hair began to swirl up around her. Harsh blue light illuminated her from above and below as she saw -

     He walked toward Kristen who was on the ground before him, restrained by bands glowing like plasma, a small, radiant red figure on his shoulder. “Be not afraid, Kristen Applebees. You have once again embraced the light, the orbit of the Sun, the Dawn! You know Ankarna belongs to us - she, like Helio, is but a facet of our benevolent Father. Don’t fight against her place in the sky,” his gaze turned wrathful, “because I don’t reckon you’d like to make an enemy of Him, Miss Applebees.”

     The light abated as a hand fell on her shoulder. “Hey, are you okay?”

     She grabbed the collar of Oisin's shirt, pinning him to the wall. “Where the fuck is he?”

     Oisin swallowed hard, his breath slow and deep. His voice was low as he asked, “Who?”

     (Oisin, deception: NAT 1) (Adaine, perception: 7+6=13)

     This had apparently been a tactical error - Adaine felt a blush beginning as he reached up to brush a strand of hair out of her eyes. She stepped back quickly and crossed her arms. “Buddy.”

     He looked confused. “Buddy ... Dawn? Probably Highcourt, right?”

     “Don’t pretend you don’t know,” she snapped.

     “Who’s pretending? The Dawns bolted out of town right after the election last year. I assume he was pretty embarrassed about everything, like the rest of us, and left with his grandparents. Hells, they probably threw him into private school after all that.”

     She half turned away to avoid his eyes, arms crossed and defensive. “I need to know what you know.”

     A long moment passed in silence. He looked up at the ceiling innocently. “Well, I’m free tomorrow night.”

     She spun back to face him. “What?” 

     The corners of his mouth quirked up. “I'm free Friday night. If you want to go somewhere, you can ask me all the questions you want.”

     Adaine stared a moment before shaking herself free from her stupor. She summoned her most scathing tone before uttering, “What.”

     He lowered his eyelids, raising a single brow. “I can say the same words again if you'd like.” Their eyes met: Oisin’s bemused, Adaine’s affronted. “You want answers, right?” He leaned into her space. “I want ice cream. Win-win.” Oh gods, he wanted to go to Basrar’s? People knew her there! Well … one person knew her there, but that was one too many. “You like ice cream, right?”

     She snapped back, “Everyone likes ice cream.”

     He beamed. “Perfect! See you there, tomorrow at 8.”

     “Wait wait waitwaitwait -” but he was gone.

     Shit.

Chapter Text

     She could stand him up. 

     She changed into a slightly nicer top. She didn’t have to go. She didn’t owe him anything, she could get answers the old fashioned way - call up Riz, Bardy Boys reunion.

     She put on her jacket. Everyone was going to find out. They were going to find out and mock her, mercilessly. She thought it was bad after the ping-pong incident? That would have nothing on this.

     She pulled her hair back, half up. She pulled out some pieces to frame her face. She told herself that she could get better information out of him if she looked nice. Yeah. It was probably true.

     Trotting downstairs, Adaine passed the kitchen and saw Sandra Lynn making a pot of tea - and told her she was going to the library. Sandra Lynn surveyed her outfit before raising her eyebrows and stifling a smile - she knew the teen handbook back to front - and told Adaine not to study too hard.

    Adaine stopped just down the block. She was 10 minutes early. Early is eager, better to wait and be on time - or, better yet, late. Late is cool, late is uninterested and flippant. Late is a little rude, but she reasoned with herself that it was okay, good even, this guy sucked, he was the worst! Then again, early controls the battlefield. Early makes the other person feel late, knocks them off kilter. She wasn’t eager, she was being tactical.

     She wrestled with herself for 3 minutes before striding in to see Oisin sitting in a corner booth. Dammit! (locate creature: 14)

     After a moment he casually looked up, smiled an easy smile, and waved her over. Adaine summoned all the haughtiness of her ancestors to stand up as tall as she could, willing herself to float over to the table, nose held high. Oisin’s brows rose with a smirk.

     “Welcome, Madame Oracle.” He made a mock bow as he met her eyes.

     She deflated. “Don’t do that.”

     “Do what?”

     “Call me that, it’s … weird. I’m not Oracle-ing right now, I’m just here to ask a few questions.”

     He leaned forward, chin resting in his hand. “Ask away. I’ve already ordered by the way, I hope you don’t mind.” Her nose wrinkled in a grimace. “Besrar told me that your favorite is a chocolate malt.” Traitor .

     Adaine glared before regaining her composure, drawing herself up tall and whipping out a notebook. “Thank you for making sure this doesn’t drag on longer than it has to, how very considerate of my time.” She tapped her pen on the pad. “First question, how did Porter approach you?”

     “All business, okay. Umm, he didn’t.” Oisin shrugged. “He approached Kipperlily after finding out about her, you know, anger issues. She had been struggling with those since day one - she really,” he laughed ruefully, “ really hated you all. She approached the rest of us.” He swung an arm over the booth behind him. “The rest of the party didn’t really care much about you guys, present company excluded, until after the rage crystals. We just thought it was about getting stronger, we wanted to challenge you, not … you know, kill you. But then, well, rage. It’s one hell of a drug.” He had the decency to look a little ashamed.

     Adaine set her jaw. “And now?”

     “Now what?”

     “Do you want us dead now?”

     Oisin laughed. “Yeah Adaine, that’s why I wanted to go out for ice cream. All part of my revenge murder plot.” He rolled his eyes. “Adaine, look, I liked you before, I like you now, magical bullshit happened along the way but it’s not that complicated. You want answers, I’m here to help.”

     Adaine furrowed her brow. “Why do you like me?”

     “You have that jotted down in your little notebook?” She glared. He huffed out a laugh. “What do you want me to say? You’re brilliant, you’re beautiful, you’re a little mean in a way I’m into.” Adaine held her notebook a little higher to hide a blush. (Oisin, insight: 18+2=20) “I get why you don’t feel the same, but I also just -” he inched closer to her - “I don’t know, I like spending time with you.”

     Besrar arrived with a trayful of ice cream, sweeping down the row to deliver them to guests, and Adaine had never felt more gratitude toward another person in her life. It was too warm in here, wasn’t it? Thank the gods for ice cream. Adaine took a long sip from her malt - can’t say anything if your mouth is full right?

     Adaine let herself cool down as she sipped. She pulled out her crystal and rifled through the photos until she found the one of Pok and Kalina. She held it up between Oisin and his dish. “Describe this picture to me.”

     He set down the spoon. As he took her crystal their fingers brushed and Adaine nearly dropped it. “Ok, there are two well-dressed people with their hands up, the goblin has a drink in his but the tabaxi’s is empty.”

     Adaine set her mouth in a hard line. “So you can see Kalina?” Oisin looked confused so she clarified, “The Shadow Cat, the tabaxi?”

     He shrugged. “Yeah.”

     “Do you want to?”

     He paused and his brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

     “I thought I was the one asking questions.”

     He rolled his eyes but smirked. “Okay then - if you wanted to explain what that means I wouldn’t be averse.”

     She mulled it over, scraping a spoon along the inside of her glass. “She was the familiar of Kristen's god, Cassandra. The ability to see her may not be innate - if you can see her, she might be able to see through your eyes. At any time she wants. She can impact your motor functions, she can make you hallucinate - or at least she could. We don't know what her abilities are anymore, but it’s best to assume the worst.”

     “Wow, uh, okay - in that case, I would prefer to not be able to see her.”

     “I can cure it.”

     He smiled at her. “You would do that for me?”

     “I didn’t say I would, I said I could.” She looked at him with a sly grin. “Maybe I’m just bragging.”

     He met her eyes and grinned wider. Hard to tell if he was blushing, she wasn’t used to reading dragonborn facial cues - she would have to do some research later.

     Silence descended for a moment. 

     (Oisin, insight roll: 15+2=17)

     “Sounds like a simple cure poison, maybe disease.” Damn, how did he get it on the first guess? That took them months! “Not all that impressive.”

     “You’re right, that wouldn’t be,” she crossed her arms and leaned back in the booth, “maybe you should call up Lucy and try them, see if anything changes.”

     Oisin forced his face into a neutral expression. “Maybe you should send me that picture so I can reference it later.”

     Adaine hesitated. His demeanor was cool, collected - relaxed. He exuded casual innocence; she was pretty sure he was coyly asking for her number. <Adaine, insight: NAT 20> She glanced from her crystal to a face that was trying hard to be nonchalant, rifling through a thesaurus for every word even tangentially related to nonchalance, but a twinge of nervous hope peeked through. She sensed no malice, no deception, just an awkward teenage boy who knew his crush was near-certainly-doomed. She pulled at a lock of hair for a moment - an old nervous habit - and held her crystal up to share her contact. A slight widening of his eyes and flick at the corner of his mouth were the only things that betrayed his facade.

     “So. Why a dead, corrupted, unnamed god of rage? Seems like a lot of unknowns for you to dive in head first.” He shrugged, so she pushed. “I guess I just thought you were smarter than that. I mean, I spend so much time researching things, but I guess I’m just more curious than you - maybe you prefer to live a life unexamined, or maybe you just do whatever your friends tell you to do, and that’s why you’re struggling so far behind me in class.”

     His eyes narrowed. “I was literally third in our class last year.”

     “Yeah, but still … not first,” Adaine retorted with a smirk.

     “Easy to be first when all you have to do is survive a single battle -” 

     “Only wizard to ever do it,” she interrupted.

     “ - and you didn’t even go to the last few weeks of classes, maybe I’ve passed you by now.”

     “If you say it enough times, maybe you’ll start believing it.”

     Adaine wasn’t sure how it had happened, but over the course of their bickering they had inched closer to one another.

     She cleared her throat and looked down at her notebook. “So you live alone?”

     A muscle in his jaw twitched and he looked down at the table. “Yes.”

     “Sounds lonely.”

     He gave her a rueful smile. “It is, thanks for asking.”

     Adaine’s brows knit. “Why?”

     “We-ell …” he ran a hand down his neck. “No schools of magic in the Red Wastes, and the wizards that end up out there are … how to put this delicately …” he took a deep breath, “megalomaniacal lunatics?”

     She laughed. “That’s delicate?”

     “I gather you haven’t spent much time out there?” Adaine shook her head. “Yeah, that’s quite delicate. It’s a very different life out there, and I find myself sort of standing between two worlds.” He cut himself off abruptly and pivoted. “So yeah, I’ve got my own place, pretty cool huh?” 

     Her brows knit in something akin to pity. He dodged her eyes.

     “Don’t look at me like that, please. I wanted to learn magic, so I came here. Most goals require sacrifices, you know that. This is just the trade off.”    

     “So when you’re done at Aguefort, will you be going back?”

     He laughed, but it sounded hollow. “Why, would that break your heart?” Annoyance flashed across her face, but he just looked so dejected. “I don’t know. Life plans got sort of derailed last year, so I’m - well, we’re - trying to figure it out.”

     “Surprised the crew is sticking together.”

     “Really? Classic trench camaraderie. We’ve been through hell together - quite literally,” He sighed heavily. “We took a bit of a break over the summer, most of us anyway, but we just kept coming back. Before all the rage bullshit we were all really close, and I don’t think most people can understand how out of control we really felt, how disturbing the -” his eyes snapped to hers and back down to his rapidly melting ice cream. “Anyway. Who knows what the future holds, but for now we’re sticking together.”

     “So no plans to return to The Wastes?”

     He scoffed. “Why, d’you have big plans after graduation to return to the homeland, Elven Oracle Triumphant?”

     She sneered her annoyance. “And why would I do that?”

     “Didn’t your folks flee there?”

     “They don’t want me around.”

     “Aww, are mommy and daddy mad at the Oracle of Spyre? Heaven forbid you step out of line, they might disapprove.”

     Her smile froze. “Are you sure you want to play this game? The ‘who’s more desperate for approval’ game?” Her eyes narrowed and his mirrored, but his smirk stayed solid.

     “Who’s approval was I desperate for, Adaine?”

     She smiled her brattiest smile. “Let’s go down the list, hmm? There’s Porter,” he rolled his eyes, “but no, you’re right, his approval wouldn’t mean much to you. You mentioned before that the rage made you stronger -”

     “So we’re just throwing things at the wall to see what sticks?”

     “This is how you solve a mystery, Oisin.”

     “Am I a mystery, Adaine?” The way he was looking at her was … her throat felt dry. His eyebrow quirked up. “Maybe more mysterious than I thought, you’re just stabbing in the dark.”

     Her eyes flashed with challenge. “This is pretty standard investigative questioning. I’m surprised Kipperlily didn’t clue you in, but then again, she was the leader wasn’t she?” (Adaine, perception: 11+6 = 17) (Oisin, deception:2+1=3) She watched him bristle slightly. “Why did she even keep you around? You weren’t the cleverest, nor the strongest,” His jaw set. Interesting. Keep needling. “No, that’s MaryAnn, right? At least with Kipperlily out of the way you’re the only clever one left in the gang.” A smug smile. “You mentioned before that Porter helped you get stronger. Why would a wizard need to be so buff?”

     “So you’ve been looking, hm?”

     “You make it desperately obvious that you want everyone to notice. Do you get your shirts tailored to be tight in the arm?”

     He grinned and leaned toward her. “Don’t have to.”

     “An odd amount of pride wrapped up in aesthetics.”

     “Some of us have personalities outside of our class. Your cleric is also pretty ripped for what little good it does her casting.”

     Adaine laughed. “If you think we don't mock her mercilessly for that you're dead wrong.” She looked at him with a pitying expression. “You know, trying to change the subject actually clues the interrogator into the fact that you don’t want to talk about it, so they’re probably on to something.”

     “It’s called flow of conversation, Madame Oracle - topics naturally merge and flow from one to the next - but I’m not surprised you don’t know that.” He had built a wall of confidence, but she could see fear through the cracks.

     She regarded him coolly. “So, why is strength so important to you? I’m sure you can focus on your conjuration, it’s not like you need it to keep your concentration.”

     His gaze softened. “Maybe I just like the way you look at me.”

     She swallowed hard and stared down at her notebook. She could tell he was trying to knock her off balance, but it was working. “It’s not like you even need it, dragonborn are naturally pretty strong aren’t they?” She muttered.

     His gaze hardened again. Oh.

     “I mean obviously you aren’t as strong as, say, your grandmother, but you’re … definitely not small.” Her eyes flitted down to his broad shoulders against her will - she found this line of interrogation was almost as distracting for her as it was for him, but as her eyes raked back up she saw barely controlled rage bubbling under the surface. What was it about this line of questioning that bothered him so much?

     (Adaine, insight: 13+2=15)

     A puzzle piece slid into place. “You know, two of my best friends are half-elf.” A muscle in his jaw twitched. “It took Fig a while to come to terms with the fact that she -”

     (Oisin, WST: 6+2=8)

     Clawed fingertips dug into the table. “I am going to ask you politely to stop.”

     That touchy, huh? She started to smile. “It doesn’t have to be -”

     A rumble escaped him, and this time it did sound like a growl. He was grasping at calm but radiating fury. “It won’t be polite the second time.”

     Her brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”

      (Oisin, WST: 14+2=16)

     He clasped his hands together tightly, taking a long, slow breath. He looked her dead in the eye. “I’m going to answer a question you haven’t asked. Viruses leave a mark inside the body. I have less grip over my emotions than I used to and this line of questioning is tugging at something very ugly in my mind. I will not be able to keep it together if you keep going and I don’t think either of us want that.” He was shaking under the weight of keeping himself in line.

     The bratty little sister in her wanted to keep pushing, but Adaine could see how hard he was fighting. She stared him down for a minute or two, then opened her notebook and slid it across the table with a pen. His brows knit in confusion. She swallowed and gently said, “If there is anything you’d rather leave for a later discussion.”

     Oisin’s shoulders relaxed, and she saw shame cross his face.

     She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You know, I got possessed last year.” He looked up at her from under his brows. “It was pretty scary. Riz’s ex, actually.”

     Oisin pulled a face. “Riz has an ex?”

     She laughed. “Sort of, it’s a long story. Anyway, Fabian attacked me then I attacked Fig, my voice got all high and creepy and I felt like a puppet on strings, like literally,” she pantomimed, “it felt like my elbows and wrists were being controlled separately, it was ...” she looked at him, not softly but soft-er. “It can be quite frightening to not be in control of yourself.”

     (Oisin, insight check: 18+2=20)

     He looked at her for a long moment. Her kindness was buried under layers of flippancy, but it was unmistakable. He gave a nod and returned to the notebook, placing a little ‘x’ next to a few questions that pulled at that sore spot in his mind. He looked up at her with something akin to grateful embarrassment and slid the book back to her.

          She asked him a few more questions about Ankarna, Sol, Helio and Cassandra, their connections to each other and to Porter, but it seemed like he didn’t know much more than her. The conversation naturally meandered into classes, ridiculous supplies, and the upcoming semester. Her crystal lit up.

       Kristen: Calling all Bardy Boys - Riz got something

     Adaine looked at the table and saw that, at some point, Basrar had dropped a check. She dropped a few silver pieces on the table and stood. “I have to get going.”

     Oisin draped his coat over his arm as he stood. “Can I walk you home?”

     <Oisin, persuasion: 4+2=6> 

     She shook her head. “No thank you, I took my scooter here and I can take it back.” She reached for her helmet.

     Oisin shifted his weight and decided not to push his luck too hard. “Well then, I hope you get home safe. See you Monday?”

     Her eyes flicked up suspiciously. “Do we have class together on Monday?”

     “No.” He grinned, and hoped that the slight desperation behind his eyes wasn’t betraying him again.

     Adaine looked him up and down. “We’ll see.” She fastened her helmet as he reached out a hand to … what? He quickly pulled it back and shoved it into a pocket. 

     He prayed she hadn’t seen that, and she gave no indication that she had.

     The ride home was uneventful, which was infuriating. It gave her time to … think. That should be a good thing, she had gotten a few answers, things that could be critical to the task at hand. But she wasn't thinking about them, and that was the infuriating part. She needed to focus up - this couldn't be another stupid mystery that took them a year to solve. But stupid … teen hormones were distracting her. 

     She bolted up the stairs, flopped onto the bed, and looked down at her crystal. Below the pinned conversations there was a new, unsaved number with a single message - the photo of Kalina. She stared at it for a moment before tossing the crystal aside and reaching for a book. After a few minutes, it lit up and she snatched at it.      

      Oisin: Home safe?

     She stared at it long enough that she could still see it when she closed her eyes. Then she typed,

      Home safe

     Oisin dove across the room as his crystal lit up. He tapped a heart on the message before he could stop himself. He didn’t really feel like stopping himself anyway.

Chapter Text

     (Adaine, WST: 5+2=7)

     Adaine sat in Besrar’s, the conversation and laughter inside merging into a cheerful white noise. Across from her sat Oisin, in his standard cuffed sleeves and olive green pants. He opened up an abjuration textbook, saying something she couldn’t quite hear. She leaned in and felt the vibrations of a rumbling laugh. She looked up into a pair of golden, slitted eyes, as a clawed finger brushed the back of her hand lightly. She flushed and looked down.

     “This guy? Seriously?”

     Adaine looked back up - but the path of her gaze stopped short as warm golden eyes turned a sickly yellow-green. Kalina, clad in black, sat staring at her as her tail flicked back and forth. Her mouth pulled into a sneer, “If I’d known you were so desperate I would have sent some idiot your way years ago to get you off my fucking back.”

     “What are you doing here?”

     “What, can’t a girl check in on her friends?” Her mocking smile was full of venom. “You’ve all been busy, haven’t you?” The smile faded, leaving pointed teeth in their wake. “Where the fuck was this giddyup last year, when Cassandra was on the verge of annihilation, hm?” She stood, growing taller, more angular, as she walked toward Adaine. Her head snaked back and forth, sizing her up, slitted eyes constricted. “But no, no no no, stupid bullshit was more important to you guys than your literal resurrected goddess. Had to do a sick jump into a pool of fucking tartar sauce, huh?” 

     “What do you want?”

     “The only thing I’ve ever asked you for, you pompous little twit. Stay the fuck out of my way!” Kalina’s voice rose as she lunged for Adaine’s throat.

(Adaine, WST: 10+2=12)

     Adaine woke up with a sensation of falling and hitting the bed. 

     Monday in the cafeteria, Adaine sat near a window and glanced out to where she knew the Rat Grinders - minus Kipperkettle Copperface - would be sitting. She regarded them for a second. There was an obvious tension within the group, and yet the kind of bond formed - as Oisin said - in the trenches. They were all so different, and they could have easily disbanded to join other parties, but they had chosen to stick together. It was admirable, even if she was annoyed by their lingering camaraderie. Ivy said something with a condescending smirk that drew laughter from Ruben and Lucy, and Oisin rolled his eyes and gave her a small headbutt. Adaine’s eyes narrowed and she turned away. K2 approached, blowing a trumpet off-key ahead of their Class President. Kristen slid onto the bench across from Adaine.

     “Thank you, K2, that will be all for now.” Kristen tipped her hat to Adaine.

     “Howdy, Madame President.” Adaine touched her brow, mirroring Kristen.

     “Howdy, Madame Constituent.”

     “Yes, howdy everyone, can we please talk next steps?” Riz didn’t meet their eyes as he rifled through a dozen different stacks of paper. “I’m thinking we need to start preparing for our next trip to Arborly, as well as addressing this.” He slammed down a thin strip of paper that said ”forest”.

     Gorgug picked it up, and a flap unfolded. “This wasn’t … was this here before? It says ‘scar,’ what does that mean?”

     Adaine’s brow furrowed. She cleared her throat. “Uh, Kristen, before we continue I have some … er, confidential … presidential stuff to discuss with you?” Kristen’s brow furrowed, and Adaine’s look turned insistent. “It’ll only take a moment.”

     Riz glared accusatorily. “Are you serious? We just started -”

     “Mister Vice President - MVP, if you will - we are honor bound to tend to all students at all times! Have you forgotten our sacred oath?” Kristen folded her arms and glared down at him.

     Riz buried his head in his hands. “We never took a - we are student government! We do not need to be -”

     Kristen clapped her hands twice. “Thank you, that will be all, MVP.” She looped her arm around Adaine’s and walked her to an isolated corner of the cafeteria. “So what’s up?”

     “It’s probably nothing. I was talking to Oisin this weekend -” Kristen’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “- and he said something about viruses leaving a mark on the body. Maybe something like a scar? Also he can see Kalina.”

     “Oh, shit, that’s not good. Probably. Is it?”

     “I think we need to heal them.”

     “They’ve all been healed from last year though - that should have taken care of it, right? Full revivification?”

     “Not by you.”

     Kristen nodded slowly. “Right, right … well if we are planning another trip, maybe we can get all of the ingredients again?”

     “At least for them, but we might need extra. Riz mentioned that …” Adaine stopped herself. “Wait, we should be discussing this part with the group.”

     “Yeah, probably all of it, why did you want to talk privately?”

     Adaine blushed. “Um, well, because of … you’re closer to the Rat Grinders, so maybe it would sound more natural coming from you.”

     Kristen stifled a grin. “So it definitely had nothing to do with you and Oisín having a secret rendezvous? A little after hours jam sesh? A little one-wizard-on-one-wizard hang? And had nothing to do with you not wanting everyone to find out?”

     (Adaine WST: 13+2=15)

     “Shut up.”

     Oisin didn’t see her Monday, and it felt intentional. They shared Abjuration class on Tuesday mornings and as he sat beside her she sat up taller. He turned toward her.

     “Hey.”

     (Adaine, WST: NAT 1)

     “What?” She rounded on him with a glare. All he could muster was confusion.

     “Um. How was your weekend?”

     “Fine.”

     Silence.

     “Do anything fun?”

     She bristled. “Not really, I spent most of it studying, like I am trying to do now.” She turned back toward her book.

     Oisin faced forward, nodding. “Cool, yeah, you seem very normal.”

     She breathed heavily through her nose and pointedly ignored him.

     Fine by him.

     Not fine by him. The rest of the day had played out the same way, but it felt so much worse than before. He had enjoyed their verbal sparring, he liked seeing her rise to his challenge and push him to meet her on her level. But this? This was agony. She barely even acknowledged he existed. He didn’t think the (definitely-not-a)date had gone that poorly. Not complete-ostracization level poorly.

     She caught his eye in the lunchroom and turned her back toward him.

     Nope. He was done. He’d rather flame out than go quietly. He strode over and placed his hands on the table in front of her. “Hey.”

     She refused to even look up. “I’m a little busy.”

     He looked around. The boys had already vacated, so it was just her and Kristen at the table. He gave Kristen a pleading look.

     She winked and stood up. “Oh would you look at the time, I have to go do President things in the President Room okay bye-e-e,” she dragged out the last syllable as she walked toward the door.

     Adaine finally faced him. “That was quite rude.”

     “Well you would know.” Their mental foils were drawn, and engaged.

     “What do you want?”

     “Well we could start with some basic decorum, I guess. Typically, when someone says “hey” or asks how your weekend was, it is considered rude to ignore them.”

     “Did I ignore you? Or did I ask you to leave me alone?”

     “Both! And I didn’t enjoy either!”

     (Adaine, WST: 12+2=14)

     She felt herself getting angry. Who the fuck does this guy think he is? She took a breath and steeled herself, slipping on a mask of cool impassivity. “Your enjoyment is not my responsibility. If you don’t like the way I speak to you, then leave me alone, as I requested.”

     (Oisin, WST: NAT 1)

     “What is your problem with me?” He stood, attracting more attention to their conversation than she would have liked.

     She lowered her voice. “You tried to kill me!” She hissed it through clenched teeth, but it lacked venom.

     He rolled his eyes and huffed. “Oh please. Don’t give me that bullshit, it’s basically a right of passage at Aguefort to have at least 3 people try to kill you every year! MaryAnn tried to kill you, and Ruben, and you talk to them! To make no mention of your own fucking party - what makes me so different?” He looked genuinely disappointed, and it was getting harder to keep her blood boiling.

     Ivy strolled up during the commotion, gum smacking between her teeth. “All right lovebirds, break it up. You can have your tender little quarrel elsewhere if you like, lot of nosey-noses in here, hm? Your business doesn’t need to be everyone’s.” She turned toward Adaine and popped a bubble in her face with a mirthless grin.

     (Adaine, WST: 4+2=6)

      Who the fuck is she to be so casual? Adaine turned her fury toward Ivy. “It’s not any of yours either.”

     (Ivy, WST: 11+2=13)

     Ivy drew up tall, and set her jaw a moment - then she loudly exhaled while her shoulders relaxed. “Wrong, I’m afraid. You come at a member of my party, you had best be prepared to go through me first.” Ivy had placed herself between Adaine and Oisin, taking the brunt of her ire.

     “Tell me again how sitting here quietly and minding my own fucking business is ‘coming at’ anyone.”

     (Oisin, WST: 15+2=17)

     Oisin’s eyes flicked toward her, but her fury was focused on Ivy. He ran a hand down his face, sighing heavily, and turned away.

     “C’mon Ivy, let’s take a walk,” he said.

     Ivy kept her eyes locked with Adaine’s. “Right behind you, don’t wait up.” She popped another bubble in Adaine’s face. “You know, lovey, little daft to claim minding your business when all I see is you causing my best boy pain.”

     “You’d know a lot about pain, would you? Still remember us sweeping the floor with you?” Her fists ignited in blue flames. “Or do you need a reminder?”

     Ivy’s voice lowered. “I remember perfectly well, little oracle. I remember neither of us fucking touching you.” Adaine’s composure flickered. “Did you forget that? Big Bad Oisín and Ivy, take ‘em out first - we never laid a finger on you.” She stooped down a bit so their eyes were nearly level. “You never felt that rage burning in you, you don’t know what it was like, but I know how hard he tried to fight it. He didn’t try to kill you, you entitled little twat, but he could have done if he’d wanted.”

     (Adaine, WST: 3+2=5)

     Adaine grit her teeth. “You’re lying.” Ivy shrugged. “We wiped the floor with you and barely broke a sweat, I don’t need you to go easy on me.”

     Ivy laughed. “I would never dream of it lovey. I assure you I’m not that stupid,” she laughed. “I’m saying he is.”

     “You just know everything about him, don’t you? Joined at the hip, hm?” Adaine’s eyes flashed. “Paying a lot of attention to him on the battlefield?”

     Ivy grinned and rolled her eyes. “Oh darling, don’t loose your venom on me. I’m not here to steal your man.”

     “He’s not my man.”

     “Oooh, sorry, wrong again, Oracle. Embarrassing to get it so twisted all the time, isn’t this your job?”

     (Adaine, WST: 5+2=7)

      “Tell him to leave me the fuck alone.”

     She barked a laugh. “The fuck d’you think I’ve been trying to do all this time?” She knocked on her own forehead. “Hard-headed lot you wizards, think you know better’n everyone around you. If that worked, he’d have dropped you freshman year, love-fooled pup.” She rolled her eyes. “Look, girl to girl, these bullshit mind-games? They’re never going to work, he’s just going to ignore them - or worse, think you’re flirting back.”

     Jawbone strode up, pretending to shield his face. “Hey, whoa, Adaine, put those things away. What's the problem here kiddos?”

     Ivy didn’t move her gaze from Adaine as she addressed Jawbone. “No problem, Mr. O’Shaughnassey. Just a little lover’s quarrel that needed breaking up, yeah?”

     (Adaine, wisdom saving roll: 15+2=17)

     Adaine set her jaw and lowered her eyes as the glow around her fists faded. “Everything’s fine, Jawbone. Sorry.”

     “Ok, sounds good, girls. Adaine, you wanna take a walk with me?” She looked up at him sheepishly and nodded.

     They walked in silence to his office, and he closed the door behind him. “You’re not in trouble Adaine, and you don't have to say anything if you don't want to. I’m just not used to seeing that sort of thing from you, and it got me a little worried. You’ve been sorta keyed up recently, and I just need to make sure you're okay.” Adaine was sitting with her hands folded in her lap, staring down. Jawbone dipped his head to get a look at her eyes, and smiled as he caught them. “There she is.”

     “Sorry Jawbone.”

     “Well why are you sorry to me? I don’t need an apology.”

     She frowned. “There’s just … a lot going on, and I don’t feel like I’m handling things well. I’m sorry for making you worry.”

     “Naw, it’s ok - anything you want to talk about?”

     Adaine thought. She was still pretty new to opening up, to having parents and authority figures around who actually cared about her. She started out with an easy one. “Isn’t it kind of fucked up that Principal Aguefort keeps throwing these huge, world-shattering adventures at us? Like - our grades are the same whether we just go to the Mountains of Chaos and fight a single giant or redefine an entire religion or save a whole continent from destruction. Why us?”

     Jawbone thought for a moment. “It’s an unfair truth that sometimes people who show competence get punished with more work. If you had something this big on your hands, would you hand it to a group of newbies, or to one who had already shown they could do it?”

     “Neither! I would give it to a group of adult adventurers!”

      He smiled sadly. “Yeah, old Arthur can be a tough nut sometimes. You do know that if you kids don’t want to do this, you can appeal for a new senior quest though, right?”

     Adaine sighed and nodded. “Yes, we know. But it’s hard to hand off the reins once you’ve started, especially when you know you actually are well-suited to the task at hand. It’s essentially a culmination of the last three years - anyone else would be starting from scratch. That’s even less fair.” Jawbone nodded. Okay. That felt a little better. Maybe a slightly tougher one. “There’s also, um, I’m having trouble with … I feel very angry, Jawbone.”

     He knitted his brows. “Angry about what, kiddo?”

     Hot tears pricked at her eyes. “A lot? Too much. Things make me mad that shouldn’t and I don't know why and I can’t move past things or forgive people, even people I care about or people who need it or people who deserve it.” She started crying angry tears. “I’m so … mad at Fig for leaving us, and I’m so mad at my mum for ruining everything, and I’m so mad at …” she paused and shook her head. “I don’t want to be mad. I don’t even think I am - it doesn’t feel like me.”

     “Hmm.” He took a sip of tea. “Forgiveness is for ourselves, Adaine, you don’t owe it to anyone but you. I know a lot of people talk about it like it’s mandatory, but there’s no set timeline on it - some things take longer to process and that’s okay, you know? You’re allowed to work though your feelings before you come to a place of forgiveness, or after, or whatever works best for you. Try not to let it eat you up, but don’t let anyone push you into it either.” He leaned his arms on the desk. “Anything specific set you off today?”

     She nodded and took a breath. “Someone … recently made me feel stupid.”

     Jawbone sat with that information for a moment, mulling it over. “I know you’ve struggled with that in the past. You keep a lot of identity in your intellect.” She looked at him sadly. “That ain’t a bad thing, everyone defines themselves with some traits more than others. I only mean that when someone challenges our understanding of ourselves, it can be harder to let that hurt go.” Adaine nodded, stopping herself from picking at her nailbeds. He grinned. “It ain’t a boy is it? Or a girl? Romantic partner is what I’m trying to ask.”

     Adaine flushed with wide eyes, and her “No!” was a little too quick and loud. (Jawbone, insight - advantage: 10, 14+8=22; Adaine, deception: nat 1)

     “Mhmm.” Jawbone nodded and stifled a grin. “Well, I’ll check my ‘concerned dad’ card at the door, it ain’t school business. But, uh, if you want to talk about that later … or if you have any questions about, you know, intimacy, relationships, the wide spectrum of sexuality -”

     “Nothankyou!” She rushed out of his office, slamming the door behind her.

Chapter Text

     Oisín sat, staring at the wall with his chin on his fist. Ivy skipped over and flicked him hard on the forehead. “Aww, so mopey, Sad Boy.”

     He rubbed his head and narrowed his eyes at Ivy. “Fuck off.”

     She raised her eyebrows. “What, that’s it? You must really be down.” He glowered by way of response, and she rolled her eyes. “I’m honestly quite tired of this act, and I would hate to prolong it because, Oisín, look at me,” he rolled his entire head her direction, “it has been so, so fucking long. Too much of my life has been spent hearing you whine about this and I swear to the gods if it doesn’t end soon I’m going to end it for you.”

     “I’m not going to be lectured by another posh elf today, I’ve had quite enough of that, thank you.”

     “Posh! I’m not even from Fallinel you racist lizard!” 

     He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not a lizard, you sentient tree.”

     Ivy grinned. “Aww, there he is. Anyway, I’ve got something that might begin the end of all this stupid pathetic yearning quick as we can, yeah?” Ivy took a breath, and covered her mouth to quell the giddy laughter that was threatening to erupt. “I don’t think you’re the only one down bad.”

     Oisin froze. “Sorry?”

     Ivy nodded with a grin. “Yeah, not to clue you in too hard on girl code,” she held a hand up to ape a conspiratorial whisper, “supposed to be a trade secret or whatever, very hush-hush, but I’m pretty sure there’s only one reason the little oracle would come at me as hard as she did. Did you know she tried to pick a brawl with me? Twice now?”

     He looked confused until realization dawned and he scrunched his face into a grimace. “But we’re not -”

    “No shit, Scaley. And I don’t think she thinks we are. But it’s sort of like a … a pissing contest, yeah?”

     His face contorted in disgust and he drew back. “A what?”

     “Guess that one doesn’t translate. A - what do dragons do - a … horde … measuring competition?” she offered with a condescending shrug.

     Oisín frowned hard. “I wish you were wrong but yeah that’s pretty close. Do elves actually have contests about who can -”

     “She’s basically standing up and saying, ‘I’m the baddest bitch in the yard, don’t look at my horde or you’ll regret it,’ right?” He eyed her sidelong. “It’s you. You’re the horde.”

     He laughed and pushed her, “You’re a horde, long ears.”

     “Fuck you, sail ears!” she pushed back with a smirk.

      Wednesday, Oisín passed Adaine’s locker in silence. She had braced herself for a scolding, or perhaps the more elusive sad-boy-stare, but he just glanced at her with a mask of neutrality. She looked back at him like a deer ready to bolt. He stopped, his expression still carefully impassive, and waited.

     Neither moved.

     Eventually she raised a hand and gave a small wave. The corner of his mouth quirked up and he mirrored her before continuing down the hall.

       Thursday, she walked into Abjuration to see that Oisín had beaten her there. He had his face buried in a book as she sat down at the desk beside him. She turned just enough so that she could see him through the corner of her eye (Adaine, perception: 7+6=13) (Oisín, stealth: 18) but not enough to catch as his eyes flicked in her direction.

     The warning bell rang.

     Adaine swallowed the lump in her throat - and her pride - mumbling out a small, “... hi.” Oisín’s brows shot up.

     He turned slowly toward her, meeting her eyes. “Hi me?”

     She narrowed her gaze. “Don’t push it.” He smiled and held hands up in surrender.

     “Hi.” His smile lingered. She could feel a tug at the corners of her mouth, treacherous emotions betraying her cool detachment. She pulled her gaze away, down to her book, as the bell rang and class began. At least he wasn’t moping anymore, but Adaine found herself more frustrated as the hours marched on because his huge dopey grin refused to fade. This was frustration she was feeling. Definitely.

     Adaine spent the weekend researching again. But the topic was something a bit … different. She was reading Compendium of Creatures: A Cursory Glance at the Races of Spyre. It was important to add to her knowledge base, she told herself, so that as they continued pulling at the thread of this mystery there would be fewer unknowns. She glanced through the sections on the known races of Sylvaire - wood elves, gnomes, centaurs.

     Except after that she just kind of … let herself keep reading. The compendium was alphabetical. She was suddenly, through no fault of her own, learning a lot about dragons. And then dragonborns. Again, she told herself, more knowledge meant fewer unknowns. It seemed that the more she read, the more questions popped up. 

     Dragonborn live in large clans, and hold their clan dearer than life itself, above even their deities.

     Oisin … lived alone, didn’t he?

     They pride themselves on their self-sufficiency within the clan, and strive for excellence in all endeavors.

     Maybe that helped explain some things - why he was so ride-or-die for the other Rat Grinders, why he would bend to a nameless god for a chance at self-improvement.

     Dragonborn typically form relationships within the clan, but are known to be physically compatible with -

     She slammed the book shut.

     …

     She opened the book again.

     - most humanoid races. However, courtship rituals and intimacy often differ from what is observed in other groups. Affection between dragonborn is expressed via nuzzling, nipping, rumbling (a low sound produced in the throat), less commonly through tail wrapping (as seen in true dragons), and in some groups through licki-

     She threw the book across the room, red to the tips of her ears. That was enough research for today. Distraction, that was what she needed, so she pulled out her crystal to text Fig.

     A: How’s Hollyhill treating you?

     Fig sent back a picture of her eating shrimp in the hot tub. cant complain

     A: lol Jealous. She sent a picture back of herself sitting on her bed, surrounded by books and scrolls.

     F: oof

     A: Yeah.

     A: Can we ask you a big favor? Fig tapped a thumbs up on the message.

     A: We need more of the anti-Kalina potions, would you and Ada get some ingredients from the forest?

     F: …

     F: what if i pay some ppl to get em for us

     A: That works too!

     F: kk send me a list

     A: Cool if we crash there next weekend to make everything? Rocker horns, heart eyes, grinning devil.

     Something distracting to look forward to, perfect.

     Monday, Adaine sat at their usual table in the cafeteria, opposite Fabian and Gorgug. She glanced out the window at their once-rivals, now turned … what even were they anymore? Just … peers? The Rat Grinders seemed more relaxed, happier than she remembered even just a week ago. Adaine had drawn the short straw and been put in charge of arranging the potion ceremony. She took a breath to steady her nerves, walking out of the cafeteria and over to them. She donned an air of detached cool, leaning her arm on Oisin’s horns - he sat up stick straight and froze.

     “Hello all - we wanted to invite you all to a little Kalina cleansing ceremony, courtesy of Saint-slash-President Kristen Applebees.” She glanced around and saw Ivy stifling a laugh. She looked down at Oisín who was wide-eyed and mouthing “shut the fuck up,” and furrowed her brow in confusion.

     Lucy clapped her hands together. “Oh Adaine, that is so kind of you! I know you, and Kristen and Fig, and all of you have been working so hard to get everything ready for us, thank you so much. When should we be there?”

     “Sunday at 4 should give us plenty of time to prepare.” She shifted slightly and Oisín inhaled sharply and closed his eyes. Ivy was staring him down, shaking under the weight of barely repressed laughter. The poor boy looked like he was about to faint. Lucy smiled and promised to be there, as did Ruben, while Ivy and Mary Anne gave a quick thumbs up. 

     Adaine patted Oisín’s head. “Oisín?”

     “Mhm.” He swallowed hard.

     Adaine leaned down to meet his eyeline. “So? Are you coming?”

     Ivy couldn’t take it anymore, the dam burst and she collapsed in a fit of giggles. “He - hahaha - he probably is!” She was clutching her sides and shaking.

     Adaine looked at her with confusion before straightening up and turning to Oisín. The moment she took her weight off his head he buried his burning face in his hands. A moment passed before he grumbled through his fingers, “ …er … ery … ens … ive.”

     “What?”

     Ivy managed to giggle out, “He’s trying to tell you that his horns are sensitive. You could say -” Her shoulders were shaking.

     Oisín’s head shot up, blushing furiously, as he snapped, “Shut the fuck up Ivy!”

     Her guffaws got louder. “You could say that he’s ho-”

     Oisin cast something with a glare. The sound of her laughter immediately cut off as Ivy was enveloped in a shroud of silence. She stopped with a glare and flipped off Oisin, who returned the gesture.

     He turned back to Adaine. “As you can imagine, I get a lot of use out of that one.” He took a deep breath in and out to steady himself. “Yes, Adaine, I’ll be there.”

     The odd interaction ate at Adaine all night - and she knew who might have answers for her. The next day, during morning break, she tracked down Gorgug. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

     He looked up from his Quokki pet and its sad chiptune yelps. “Okay.”

     “Something, um …” Adaine fidgeted, “… kind of …” she looked at him and raised her eyebrows in lieu of continuing. He stared back a moment until clarity hit and his own brows raised.

     “Oh, okay - should I get the binder?” He flicked his thumb at his backpack.

     “No. Well,” she thought about it, “maybe. If it’s too weird you don’t have to tell me.”

     Gorgug sat with a smile on his face, patiently waiting for her to gather her courage.

     “Does … do you ever …” She closed her eyes. “Are Mary Ann’s horn’s sensitive?” Her cheeks began to flush.

     “Umm, a little? She doesn’t really like them being touched.” (Gorgug, Insight: 19+1=20) He noticed her slowly reddening face. “But, um, Zelda really liked it.” He gazed into middle distance. “Like … a lot.” A moment passed before he shook himself from his reverie. “So I think everyone is different, and some of it’s, like, biological, but a lot of it’s maybe cultural?” He tried for an imitation of his parents, pitching his voice up with eyebrows raised and pointer finger held high. “What’s the biggest erogenous zone, Bud? That’s right, it’s the brain!” He tapped his own forehead as he said it and Adaine snorted a laugh.

Chapter Text

     The remainder of the week passed with little fanfare, as all the Bad Kids were wrapped up getting ready for the trip to Sylvaire. There was packing to do, sleeping arrangements to make, conversations with certain party members about what could or could not be done with other people in the room … Kristen objected vehemently to all rules and regulations, as usual, but eventually accords were agreed upon. Adaine was packing up the last of her things when her door swung open to reveal a very smug looking Aelwyn. She sauntered into their room, crystal held aloft. “So, what’s this I hear about you stepping out with -”

     “Stepping out? What are you, 600?”

     She narrowed her eyes at Adaine before drawing out the words, “… with Oisín.”

     Adaine looked at her with frustration and surprise. “What the fuck, who told you that?” Her sister stood in front of her with a hand on one hip and crystal extended. It was open on the contact “Baby Sister’s Stupid Little 💙Boyfriend💙,” and the picture was an openly-annoyed candid photo of a large blue Dragonborn. Adaine’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Why are you two talking?”

     Aelwyn’s face twisted in mockery, “Aww, she’s jealous! Don’t worry, sister dear, he’s not my type. Last year he needed some spell components, and I was hireling … -ing, you know how it goes.”

     “I most certainly do not.” She tried to snatch the crystal to read the conversation. Aelwyn tutted and wagged her finger.

     “That’s private, you little sneak thief. Honestly, if you’re so curious, he just keeps asking about you.” She sneered her disappointment. “It’s rather pathetic, really, he was more fun when he was a rage monster.”

     What the hells did that mean? Her heart was beating faster than she’d like and she tried to hide behind a look of disgust. “He told you we were dating?”

     “Not in so many words, he said you took him out for ice cream.” She narrowed her eyes and grinned. “Making the first move,” she savored Adaine’s discomfort, “so desperate.”

     “It wasn’t a date! Wildly overblown rumors. I had some questions and bribed him into answering.”

     Aelwyn glanced over her perfect fingernails. “Mhmm. So he answered all your questions, case closed, never happening again?”

     “Definitely not!”

     An eyebrow slowly raised. “No seeing each other on the week-ends on the books?” Adaine squirmed under the light of an invisible interrogation lamp as Aelwyn hummed victoriously. “Uh huh. That’s what I thought.” She gestured toward the bag Adaine was packing. “Taking a little lovers’ retreat already? Moving awfully quickly, baby sister.”

     “If you must know,” Adaine rolled her eyes dramatically, “we - we, the Bad Kids - are going to Sylvaire to get everything ready for a,” she paused, not wanting to reveal too much. She loved her sister, but they rarely found themselves on the same side of a fight. “A special ceremony. Then, we are meeting up with all of them, not just Oisín, on Sunday back here in Elmville.”

     Aelwyn gave Adaine a long suspicious look, then glanced down at her crystal, and back up at Adaine. “You’re sure about that, are you?”

     Confusion passed over her face. “Yes?”

     “Hmm. Well, you would know best, I’m sure, probably nothing to confirm nor discuss with anyone inside or outside of the party. We certainly wouldn’t want clear and open communication in the middle of an adventure, what a boring tale that would be!” She slipped out of the room as Adaine dashed over to Kristen’s.

     Adaine rapped on the door hard enough that it swung open. “Ah, Madame Constituent! May I call you MC?” Kristen grinned from above a shockingly large pile of as-yet-unpacked clothing.

     “That’s literally the same number of syllables as ‘Adaine,’ hardly a nickname. Okay here goes.” She took a breath. “We, the Bad Kids, are meeting the Rat Grinders here, in Elmville, Sunday at 4 o’clock in the evening, correct?” She tried her best to be as clear and precise as possible.

      Kristen looked confused. “Huh? No, they’re meeting us in Sylvaire. I told you that, right?” She began sniffing shirts and throwing them into different piles.

     Adaine looked ready to throttle Kristen. “NO! No, you did not tell me that! When, where … how, whyyyyyyy was this planned?”

     “Oh, Oisín and I were talking at the gym,” Kristen paused as Adaine let out a long groan of frustration, “and since he can teleport the group we figured it’d be easier. Plus Lucy wanted to help so she can learn more about the potions and how to make them in case they’re related to all the rage stuff.”

     “You’re gym bros … of course you are.” Adaine deadpanned.

     “Oh for sure!” Kristen beamed with the light of holy camaraderie. “Most of the people who use the school gym are martial types, so we’re usually the only casters.” She flexed and posed. “Yeah, we’ve been bro-ing down pretty hard.”

     Adaine heaved a deep sigh and turned to head back toward her room. Kristen hollered after her, “Do you want me to add you to the group chat?” As Adaine slammed the door behind her. 

     What a welcome respite it was to be at Hollyhill with Fig and Ayda. Adaine loved Kristen dearly, but she found herself craving the balance that Fig brought to the trio. Fig’s relaxed cool helped to ease Adaine’s more high-strung tendencies, while her down-for-anything mentality was a good outlet for Kristen’s chaos. It felt so good to be back, all together again.

     Fig spent the first night regaling them with stories of wild ragers, quiet nights of song-writing, and the absolutely welcome news that all ingredients had been easily sourced now that the forest was welcoming to the residents once more. Well … more welcoming at least.

     “Sounds like a lot of good news for tomorrow’s sermon!” Kristen rubbed her hands together. “Been putting together a pretty inspiring speech, if I do say so myself - got some fire and brimstone, some soothing healing stuff, it’s gonna be great!”

     It was … okay.

     Not Kristen’s speech, though that was also … okay, but the response was lukewarm at best. There were just so many conflicting feelings at play - frustration with Cassandra over centuries of absence, some lingering loyalty to Galicaea mixed with some hearty mistrust after everything that had taken place over the centuries, and, as they feared, Ankarna mostly appealed to those with the deepest wounds, the people who were looking for a fight. That was a big problem.

     Kristen stepped out to make some calls, promising to be back soon. The rest wandered over to the Owl and Harp for a drink.

     Minutes turned to hours, as they sat discussing everything that had come up in the preceding weeks. Riz’s investigation had been centered on Kalina, and why she seemed to still - or again - be visible for those who had ostensibly been healed. One thing he mentioned was that Jawbone’s apparent ability to see Kalina in the photo seemed to be location dependent - her image was light and hazy in Sylvaire, but completely gone in Elmville. Fabian had made some calls - some old pirate curse-breakers - but so far they were coming up empty. The Sig Figs had been busy working on their newest song, an ode to Ankarna, and Gorgug was sure it would be ready in less than a month. Adaine broached the subject she had been avoiding.

     “So, er, I don’t know for sure, but I wonder if some of the Kalina stuff has to do with scarring - like it says on our sheet? Like maybe if things don’t fully ‘heal’ properly, the condition can return, or stick around or something.”

     Riz cocked his head. “If what doesn’t heal?”

     “I’m not sure, entirely, but I was talking to someone who said that after … a certain virus, they were still struggling with the symptoms. It was milder, but still present.”

     “Who?” Gorug asked.

     “Yeah, who Adaine?” Fabian echoed. Adaine could feel a blush creeping up her face.

     (Adaine, deception: 3+1=4) (Insight: FAS:7+2=9; FF:13+1=14; GT:14+1=15; RG:NAT 1+12, is still a Nat 1)

     Adaine’s blush crept up to her ears and she was surrounded. “What virus, Adaine?” Fabian asked, leaning over the table with a huge smirk across his face. “Who is it, hmm?” Gorgug asked as he sank down on the table, placing his chin in his folded hands. Fig sidled up next to her, looping her arm through Adaine’s. “Why’re you blushing, girl?”

     Riz just stared at all of them with a furrowed brow. “Why are you guys all being weird?”

     “I can figure this out,” Ayda said, focusing her spellcasting energy on Adaine. “Oh! Adaine, do you have a paramour?”

     “Absolutely not!” Her face felt hot, and she hid as much of her blush as she could behind a hand. “I had some questions and - fine, Oisín had some answers! It’s not a big deal!”

     “Oooo-ooo,” Fabian crooned as he made a kissy face, “Adaine’s getting her kisses in!”

     “I am not!” She huffed, finally finding an outlet for her embarrassment. “You’re always so weird about this!”

     Fabian thumped his hands rhythmically on the table. “Kiss-es! Kiss-es! Kiss-es!” Fig joined in, followed by Gorgug. A fourth voice joined the chorus.

     “Kiss-es! Kiss-es! Who are we chanting about?” Kristen leaned and elbow on Riz’s head.

     “Adaine and Oisín, sitting in a tree!” Fabian chanted.

     Kristen’s hands flew to her cheeks in shock. “Are you finally K-I-S-S-I-N-G?”

     “NO! Ugh, you are all the worst!”

     Riz threw his hands up. “What did I do?!”

     “Fine, Riz.” Adaine’s pointer finger traced a line around the rest of the group. “Those four are the worst.”

     “Thank you.”

Group WST: (AA: 5+2=7; FAS:10+2=12; FF:NAT 20+1; GT:6+1=7; KA:18+5=23; RG:16+2)

     After a very silly night, during which their teasing mockery eventually found a new victim in Fabian after he admitted that Ivy was “so very hot,” they all awoke to find Sandra Lynn and Jawbone making breakfast for nine. Kristen finally broke the news that the Rat Grinders would be showing up that day for the making of the potions - “I definitely told you guys!” - and they spent the remainder of the morning getting as much ready as they could.

     Kristen’s crystal pinged moments after Adaine’s did. Kristen clapped her hands, “Okay gang, the Rat Grinders are here. Lucy, Ruben, and Oisín are going to be helping us with the brewing, so we’re going to have a pretty full kitchen - casters and nature-buffs only, please and thank you!”

     Adaine looked down at her crystal and smiled in spite of herself at the message, “Can the Great Oracle guess where I am?” 

     Riz threw his hands up. “So everyone but me? Great.”

     “Yeah, like I’d be cooped up in this weird old house all day,” scoffed Fabian. “Gorgug, boy’s trip to the Tinkerer’s Hall?” Gorgug shrugged his acquiescence and Fabian tossed out a bardic to Adaine as they walked out.

     “Actually, if you guy’s don’t mind, this kitchen is pretty small so I’m going to head to the briar wall to keep working on the song - there’s been some real sick energy coming from that area lately.” She winked a bardic to Kristen and took Ayda’s hand as they opened the door and stopped short. “We-ell, well, well - if it isn’t the Rat Casters.” Walking up the path to the back door were Lucy, Ruben, and Oisín. “Where’re the rest of you?”

     “Fig! Hi!” Lucy leaned in for a hug, which a surprised Fig reciprocated. “Well Ivy’s spending the morning with her Aunt and Uncle, and Maryann is -“ she gestured in the direction of the boys, now trailed by a small kobold - “doing her own thing, so it’s just us.” She turned toward Kristen. “I hope that’s okay?”

     “Of course! Happy to have you guys here.” Kristen ushered them into the kitchen as Fig waved her goodbyes, making sure to give Oisín a punch in the arm as she passed.

     He sidled up to Adaine. “Was that a friendly punch? She’s usually pretty open about her feelings but I couldn’t get a read on that one.” Adaine gave a lightly embarrassed shrug. “Hey, should I have texted you to let you know about the plan changing? I figured Kristen would say something, but then Aelwyn said you didn’t know.”

     Adaine rounded on him. “About that. Why are you and my sister talking?”

     Oisín smiled. “Cause I wanted to know what you were saying about me - and I was devastated to learn that the answer was ‘nothing’.”

     “What’s there to say to people outside of the party? We were just talking shop.”

     “We were mostly talking shop.” He quirked up an eyebrow. “So what have you been saying to your party?”

     “Your presence here for this ceremony should answer that pretty clearly.”

     He looked slightly deflated. “That’s all?”

     Her eyes flicked away from him quickly, visions of the relentless teasing at the pub the previous night flashing through her mind. “Of course.” (Adaine, deception: 7+1=8; Oisín, insight: 8+2=10) Oisín looked at her skeptically, but let it go.

     “So you don’t want me to keep you informed on plans made that might involve you?” He asked slyly, already knowing the answer.

     Adaine huffed a sigh, “Fine, but only things related to the quests and plans I might need to know about.” She turned to face him with her eyes narrowed, but couldn’t hide the playful smile that tugged at the corner of her mouth as she teased, “You’ll have to save the personal talk for my sister.”

     Oisín playful bumped her shoulder with his elbow. “Cruel.” He turned toward her and flashed a grin, and she couldn’t help but return it.

    (Adaine, perception: 15+6=21)

     Oisín’s golden eyes quickly flashed a pale yellow-green, his pupils contracting into slits. Adaine turned as quickly as she could away from his gaze so he couldn’t see her silent scream. She shot messages to Kristen and Oisín, “Kalina is here. She’s watching through Oisín.”

     Kristen looked at Adaine in shock. Adaine messaged again, ”Play it cool.” Kristen turned toward Lucy and faked a long deep stretch. “Oh man, we’ve been at it a while - time for a quick break don’t you think?” Lucy looked at her in confusion for a moment befored Oisín relayed the message.

     He turned toward Adaine and said, a little too loud and stilted, “I think I’ll just take a break - in the other room. On the couch, if you need anything.” Once he was out of line of sight, he messaged back, “Are my thoughts safe?”

     “Yes. As far as we know, message is an effective way to communicate.” A pause. “Are you okay?”

     “Honestly? No. This is fucking terrifying.”

     “It is, I’m sorry. I’m going to get Kristen back, we’ll make a few of the tinctures as quickly as we can and then after that we can walk you guys through the process. Does that sound good?”

     “… okay. Should I … do anything, in the meantime? Is there any way I can help?” He sounded tense and even through message his voice waivered.

     Panic was not new territory to Adaine. “Breathing exercises may help - physical exercises may too. If you have anything you can read that will keep you distracted while we work, do that - it will take us a while and unfortunately while we work we can’t have you around. I’m sorry.”

      “Thank you, I’ll … yeah, I’ll try that.”

     Kristen walked back into the house, and after a quick check of the photo - still good - they got work as quickly as they could. Making the tinctures was not a particularly grueling process, but it did need precision so Adaine helped organize everything for Kristen. After about an hour, she received another message.

     “Does all this mean I’ve been dangerous to be around this whole time?”

     Adaine paused her stirring to answer. “How do you mean?”

     “Did I endanger your quest, or like, was she in control of me and I didn’t know, or something?”

(Adaine, insight: 19+2=21)

     “I honestly don’t think so. Riz mentioned earlier that Kalina seems to be stronger here, and you would definitely know if she took control.”

     “Okay. Thanks. I’ll let you get back to it.”

(Medicine Check: KA, advantage plus bardic: 11, NAT 20+10+3=33. DC 15 for 1, 1 extra for every 2 points higher = 10 tinctures made, what the hell Kristen.)

     Adaine picked up the bottle, dropping another bead of star moth chrysalis distillate into it and gently swirling. Three drops later and a truly impressive number of tinctures were complete. Adaine grabbed a bottle and gave two more to Kristen, messaging to Oisín, “Close your eyes, and message Lucy and Ruben to do the same. We are going to put something in your hands and you drink it immediately, understood?”

     “Yes, Chef.”

     They each waited thirty seconds for the messages to be relayed before proceeding. The moment the bottle touched his fingers, Oisín snapped it up and downed it in one gulp. 

     “Can I open my eyes now?”

      Adaine laughed before answering aloud, “Yes, you should be fine to look, and speak, and all of that lovely normal stuff.”

     Oisín looked up at her from the couch. “How do we know?” Adaine extended a hand, which he gently took hold of, and led him to the corkboard. “No tabaxi.” He turned toward her with hopeful relief on his face. “Does that mean …?”

     Adaine nodded and smiled. “I’m pretty sure.” 

     He threw his arms around her shoulders and rested his chin on the top of her head. She froze at the sudden contact, warring with herself - part of her still wanted to balk at the familiarity, but there had been so much fear in his thoughts earlier. The embrace didn’t feel contrived or angling, it felt like genuine relief and gratitude. She capitulated and wrapped her arms around his waist a moment before he broke out of the hug, clearing his throat with an embarrassed cough. “Sorry, I should have - I was just -“

     “No, it’s fine, I - I mean I get it, you were -“ they both awkwardly tripped over their words as the rest of the casters filed back into the kitchen. They both pulled back, standing a few feet from each other as Kristen eyed everyone in the room. 

     “So, no Kalina? In the photo?” She turned toward each as one by one they shook their heads. “Oh thank FUCK, that was terrifying. The last thing I want is to have to tangle with that bitch again.”

     “So time to make the next batch?” Ruben piped up helpfully.

     Oisín cleared his throat. “Um, before we start the next round, can we take 5?” (Adaine, perception: 9+6=15) Adaine looked down at Oisín’s hands, which were lightly trembling.

     Kristen’s brows knit. “We already made plenty, but yeah, of course man - everything okay?”

     “Just um -“ he was now visibly shaking, “just a lot of adrenaline. I think I’m going to go for a quick run or something.” As he walked out of the door, Ruben looked after him sadly and Lucy sent a quick guidance his way. A few minutes later he came back, lightly flushed, and as he sank into a chair Ruben reached up to rub small circles on his back, and Lucy rested her hand on his shoulder. Lucy texted Ivy and Maryann while Kristen hollered up the stairs, “Yo, Jawbone!”

     A few moments later, the front door nearly burst off its hinges as Ivy came barreling through. She rushed over to Oisín and grabbed his shoulders. “Are you okay?” She gave him a gentle headbutt as he laughed a little awkwardly.

     “It’s fine, I’m fine, no big deal.”

     Ivy stepped back and eyed him sidelong. Her brows knit in concern and her gaze flicked briefly to Adaine before settling back on him. “Fine, ‘f you say so.” 

     Maryann gave him a punch in the arm as she walked past and he snorted a laugh.

     Once everyone had been checked and cleared, the Rat Grinders all settled in for a longer explanation of the Bad Kids’ past experiences with Kalina, alongside some currently floating ideas surrounding why she might be entering the picture again. As Adaine surveyed the group, it was clear that they were being very attentive toward Oisín. One of them had at least a hand on him at all times, and Maryann had popped herself down in his lap the moment she was cleared. She rarely looked up from her quokki pet, but the friendly affection was clear. When Ivy casually leaned an elbow on his shoulder, (WST - Adaine: 15+2=17; Gorgug:18+1=19) Adaine felt a whisper in her ear - she’s always right fucking there, isn’t she. She looked around in confusion. No one was close enough to her to have said that, (Adaine, perception: 10+6=16) but Gorgug was looking around too. Adaine sent him a message: “Did you hear something weird?”

     “Yeah, someone whispered something in my ear, but …” he looked around and shrugged.

     “About what?”

     “Something pretty mean about Oisín. Did you hear it too?”

     Adaine shook her head. “Not the same thing, but I heard something as well.”

     “Do you think we should -“ Gorgug started aloud, but Adaine held up a finger to her lips.

     She messaged him again. “Something very weird is happening.”