"Rolled her ankle," Karl explains and laughs, "We weren't even fighting, she was just walking around the plaza!" 

"I see," Lily hums, peeking over and spotting Eshana's heels which, while flashy, are excessively high, "Bring her around then!" Lily steps to one of her stations, waiting for Karl to guide Eshana over. Once she's settled, Karl takes a seat in the lobby and Lily stoops down to examine her ankle.

"Mother would be so displeased with me," Eshana emphasizes, causing Lily to pause and meet her eyes, "Being so clumsy."

"Really," Lily hums, inclining her head to the side, "Is she so harsh?"

"She can seem that way," Eshana answers deliberately, maintaining a casual tone despite the intensity of their gazes, "But she's always looking out for the family."

Lily's lips curve into a conspiratorial smile and Eshana is quick mirror it. They can hear Karl cracking his knuckles in the lobby and Lily goes back to examining Eshana's ankle, prodding it gently.

"I must say," Lily breathes, "These shoes are quite beautiful! How did you come by them?"

"I just happened to stumble upon them, really," Eshana explains, choosing her words precisely, "I had been looking for just the right pair for far too long and then, along the way to the capital actually, there they were! I had to be a bit aggressive to nab them but my," she releases a dreamy sigh, "What a find!"

"I can see that," Lily titters, "But you ought to be more careful! It would be such a waste if something were to ruin them. That's the cost of beauty, I suppose."

"Well, some people are just naturally beautiful," Eshana notes, gesturing to Lily, "Here you are, not a wink of makeup or the like, and you're doing quite well!"

"Well, I prefer a natural look," Lily looses a curt sigh, "My sister on the other hand dresses herself up so drastically I can't even recognize her. She joined the procession recently but I still haven't been able to find her!"

"Really?" Eshana questions, taking on a more serious expression, "You've not seen her at all?"

"My partner spotted her earlier this week," Lily answers with a tired sigh, another apple blossoming within her palms, "Made quite the fuss, actually. She got into a conspicuous scuffle and," she eyes the fruit as if it were the person of mention and Eshana blinks at her intense satisfaction, "She's growing up so fast! She's already much more... in touch with herself than I was at her age, a natural talent you might say. But..." she frowns and hands it off to Eshana, "It all happened too quickly for me to approach her and I haven't seen any sign of her since!"

"Did she get into any trouble?" Eshana questions, quick to chomp into the fruit.

"Yes," Lily huffs, "Security were keen on finding her but she managed to slip away. Makes things a bit more difficult..." she gives Eshana a hard look, "But we just need to be patient. Wait for another sighting or the like, keep our eyes open."

"Hmmm," Eshana hums as her ankle mends, "I'll tell you what, I'll keep an eye out for her too! What does she look like?"

"How kind of you!" Lily's answer is bubbly and both girls make their way back to the lobby, "She has white hair and is quite petite." Karl rises from his seat, smiling amiably to both girls and seeming pleased Eshana is on her feet again. He cracks open the door and Lily waves them off, "Feel free to drop by again, even if you're not hurt. It can be so dull in here!"

Tia breaks away to flee as fear springs through her body, scrambling over trunks as she buzzes with desperation and terror. As the entity emerges from the door he looses a shrill screech and Tia is forced to crouch and cover her ears, her body trembling and squirming from the utterly repugnant and bone-chilling shriek.

With faltering steps and unsteady legs, Tia continues her flight, a cascade of cracks and pops trailing after her as he scuttles forward until there is an abrupt hush. Tia freezes, unwilling to glance behind and her body resists as she tries to force herself. Before she can muster the nerve, the entity tackles Tia to the forest floor, latching onto her back. Tia flails frantically as it clamps over her limbs, each hand tightening a death grip onto her and pinning her in place with unnatural strength while her own limbs become leaden. Something squirms underneath its leathery skin as it presses her down.

"Get off!!" Tia roars with a broken voice, totally locked into place.

The creature leans behind her head and she hears it cackle, its jaw popping and body crunching as it heaves out air. Another hand grips the back of her neck. Tia experiences that same profound terror from the shadow nightmare, more intense and more real than the waking world. That same resonance hums in her chest and vibrates her soul. Tia grates out a scream as they resonate but with a simple gesture, the entity renders her mute. This time a wrenching, stinging sensation cleaves into Tia, growing frigid and clammy as it settles into her chest. 

"Stop running away," Tia's whole body quivers violently as he whispers into her ear, "Make them afraid."

Tia a gasps awake, shooting up in her alarm. She trembles, running fingers over the skin he had gripped, gasping as she tries to breath deeply and rationalize her experience as a dream. She is further jostled and nearly leaps out of bed hearing the floorboards squeak beside her. Rubbing her eyes, she realizes this is Ifani, out of bed and pacing the room. With a hand over her pounding heart, Tia sucks in a shuttering breath and her eyes dart to the window. The sky is still dark, no hint of dawn lightening the sky.

"What are you doing...!" Tia breathes, finally beginning to calm herself.

Ifani doesn't acknowledge Tia in any way, continuing to pace and even mumbling to herself. Tia slumps back into bed, a groan escaping her lips before she turns back over, unable to sleep between the nightmare and Ifani's pacing. 

Morning arrives and Tia feels less than rested. Ifani is already up, deft fingers flowing as she guides her hair into place. Tia slumps forward as she lifts herself out of bed, loosing a haggard breath before shuffling to her chest. She tosses clothes aside mindlessly as she digs around for her aerial uniform and one of her shirts lands on Ifani's side of the room. Ifani stiffens immediately and begins stimming, tugging at her hair and humming to herself. Tia glances to her, furrowing her brows at Ifani's shift in behavior, but sighs and continues getting herself ready. A moment later, Tia is dressed, grumbling a farewell to Ifani and departing. 

Tia returns just before sunset and finds Ifani in the midst of whetting one of her own blades. Tia offers an amicable smile but this is short lived. The garment she had tossed aside that morning is lain across her bed, horribly singed and practically unwearable. 

"What hap-" Tia pauses, studying the damage before narrowing her eyes onto Ifani in disbelief, "Did you do this?" 

"Keep your shit," Ifani frowns, speaking clearly and deliberately, "On your side."

"You could have just moved it," Tia accuses her in a shrill tone, "You didn't have to burn anything!" Ifani's frown worsens but she remains silent, not acknowledging Tia's statement. Tia's hands shake as she grips the ruined cloth.

"Fine," Tia grumbles, "Whatever!" She storms out, having planned to meet up with Al after changing.

Ifani's shoulders drop and she releases a sigh in Tia's absence, frowning at herself. Later in the evening, Tia bustles through the door, slinging her boots into the corner and collapsing into bed with a huff. Not an hour later Ifani is up and pacing the room again, counting to herself. Tia grumbles and moans, covering her head with her own pillow and struggling to sleep again. The next night, Tia only drops by to change her clothes, sleeping in the cave again.

"I need your help," Ifani states, sliding into her seat across from Albert with an expression of discontent. 

"With...?" Albert question, looking her over. 

"Tia," Ifani states and Albert sighs. 

"You need to be more specific," Albert insists, waiting through Ifani's frown for her to continue. 

"She keeps..." Ifani pauses, "I can't-" she groans, pausing and flapping her hand for a nearly a minute, mulling over her choice of words, "Being roommates isn't working!" Ifani states more clearly, "She's driving me crazy and I... I need help figuring it out," she seems to soften after another sigh, "I want this to work."

"Okay," Albert answers simply, smothering his proud smile, "But... you're going to need to tell me what specifically is 'driving you crazy' first."

"Yer asking me t' sneak in here every night?" Euan's voice deepens suggestively, an ardent grin igniting his face as he holds her eyes, "If 'at's what ye want we don't have to stop with taking samples," his lips drop into a sly smirk and he props his head up with his hand, "I could give ye th' whole thing!"

"Ah...!" Annie gasps, flushing instantly. She springs to her feet, spinning around and masking her burning face with her hands but Euan can still see the scarlet hue on her ears. "W-we should get started!" she squeaks in a wavering voice and scuffles to her workshop, half tripping along the way. Bubbles grumbles her disappointment as Euan shrugs and follows after Annie, trailing behind him.

"Which ones do you want finished first?" Annie is mostly recomposed as she gestures for Euan to take a seat on her stool. 

"Th' gloves," Euan answers and frowns, "Poor lads been blown up enough times."

"Blown up?" Annie echoes, eyebrows raised as she glances to him.

Euan raises his hand, letting his orange patterns glow, and she nods her understanding. Annie digs out the gloves and lays the rest aside. She examines them, simple cloth gloves with some leather reinforcement and holes over the finger pads, and settles on the most efficient method for this set. She rummages through a drawer, plucking out a spool of black thread.

"Whit's that?" Euan questions, Bubbles lingering near his feet and watching them.

"Thread spun from the wool of a particular breed of sheep," Annie answers, holding it up for him to see, "Native to the heathlands of the Tenebrous Chain. Perfect for retaining dark magic." Bubbles leaps and clings to Euan yet again. She seems quite pleased with herself, able to perch more comfortably on Euan's broader shoulder. "Excuse you," Annie complains, "We're working!" 

"She like this wi' everyone?" Euan question, regarding Bubbles' delighted eyes.

"No, not at all," Annie marvels, "Usually she's fussy and churlish," Annie leers into Bubbles' eyes, her own gaining a faint gleam, "Ahhhh, okay," she breathes light laughter into her words, Euan raising an eyebrow, "She says you 'smell like home'."

"'She says'?" Euan squints and Annie draws in a breath.

"Uhhh," Annie hesitates and her voice goes up a pitch, "Just a bit of beastmastery." 

"Yer an enchantress..." Euan questions carefully, "And a beastmaster?"

"I," Annie draws out the word, "Am a woman of many skills. For now let's focus on enchantment?" Euan observes her, tightened by discomfort and anxiety, and decides to let it go.

"Alright," Euan rolls the word out, scratching Bubbles' chin as Annie uncoils in relief, "I need t' do anything?"

"Just activate your form," Annie instructs, "And keep still." 

Euan does as she asks, remaining motionless as Annie leans in close to appraise his eyes. Annie can feel her own heart hammering away, being so close to Euan and feeling his breath on her face, and gulps to refocus her attention. She can see the hints of a smile tug at Euan's lips as he resists the urge to tease her. Annie lifts her hand, grazing the markings around his eyes before seeming sure of what she's doing. She presses the fingertips of her right hand around his eyes and concentrates.

Euan can feel the energy humming in Annie's fingers pulling at his own and drawing it out as if he were utilizing his abilities. As this tugging sensation continues, Annie's fingers begin to darken, taking on the charcoal tint of the markings she touches. They spread and curl across her skin reaching up to her wrist and remain there as she pulls away from him. Still concentrating, Annie places the spool in her palm, closing her fingers around it and placing her left hand overtop. The charcoal markings begin to recede from her hand, dragging across her skin until disappearing completely. When she opens her hands the spool possesses a soft black glow. 

"And there's the sample!" Annie proclaims, presenting it between her finger and thumb.

"So how's that," Euan questions, pointing to the spool, "Help ma unit-mate see in th' dark?"

"First," Annie explains readily, "I'm going to stitch this thread into the gloves. With the right patterns, and a bit of my own energy, the right effect will be instilled into the fabric. Normally I might throw in a glyph but..." she huffs as if disappointed, "Its probably better I keep this enchantment simple. I don't know your unit-mate's tolerance or strategy."

"Well I only got th' first bit," Euan chortles, "Yer just gunnae sow th' magic thread into th' gloves?'

"Yeah," Annie titters cheerily, "That's the short of it."

"Mind if I hang around then?" Euan asks, recapturing her attention, "Ye got a comfortable place an'," he pauses to smirk at her, "I like seeing yer face."

"Oh, uh..." Annie feels her breath catch and face heat, trying not to freeze up again, "Th-that's fine," she answers and manages a smile, her eyes drifting to her beast companion, "I think that'd make Bubbles' night!"

'It that you, old man?' Wyrm projects into Duff's mind, lowering his head. Duff remains silent as he deliberates the best course of action and Wyrm yips and and yelps with seeming laughter. Duff hated that sound. 'Of course it's you,' Wyrm insists, 'Any ordinary beast would have fled by now!'

Duff's posture relaxes and his body melts into the shadows enveloping them. He slides beneath and past Wyrm, reforming further into the alley in his lupine form. Duff looms over him, his markedly larger body eclipsing Wyrm's true form—a considerably more lithe species. Duff leers at him, brewing and dragging out his silence until Wyrm shifts in discomfort.

'Why are you skulking here, worm,' Duff drones.

'Your humor is as dry as ever,' Wyrm derides, already displeased, 'Why else? Fulfilling our purpose!'

'You might be eager to slink to their designs,' Duff spits his words as if they were unpalatable, 'To be a mindless pet. I follow my own will.'

'And yet...' Wyrm sings, his tone gleeful, 'You have a new partner! And,' he pauses again with his yipping laughter, 'She's already forged at least two links and remains unmarred even after such a display. You've really outdone-"

As Wyrm smugly babbles on, Duff generates a foul aura and Wyrm's hackles raise as it reaches him. He begins to growl but his body quivers, cowering as a potent mix of fear, shame, despair and anxiety weigh on him. When Duff rises to his feet Wyrm flinches.

'Tell that rancid, devious sham,' Duff snarls, striding toward Wyrm with unhurried steps, 'To back off,' Duff pauses just next to him, intensifying his aura just enough that Wyrm cannot conceal his shivering, 'Or I will expose every one of you myself and extirpate that travesty she calls family.' Without another word between them, Duff shifts back into an owl and flits to his perch making no effort to flee or conceal himself.

Bound

Plucky, mild notes ring as gently as the breeze brushing through the plaza, a welcome sound to Tia and Ifani after a long day of practice. Albert's tune is slow but soothing and both girls appreciate it silently, lounging beneath Tia's favored tree and staring aimlessly as they listen. The notes aren't particularly loud, produced from a simple lap harp which was among a number of smaller instruments Albert keeps in his oversized satchel. Despite the pleasant afternoon, Tia's mind still lingers on their intruder and his effect on her. She sighs, making up her mind.

"Albert," Tia questions and he hums in response while keeping his eyes on the chords, "Do you know anything about... memory loss?"

"You need to be more specific," Albert answers, Ifani simultaneously imitating him and his tone.

All eyes jump to Ifani, grinning at him and seeming pleased with herself. Albert pauses his melody and tries to leer at her but finds himself unable to stifle his smile. He continues plucking away at his instrument while Tia continues.

"It was really small at first," Tia explains, her face scrunching as she continues, "I felt like I was forgetting something important and my head felt fuzzy if I tried too hard to remember, so I let it go. But it got worse when I saw him."

"Him... who...?" Albert asks, tilting his head.

"That creep you chased down?" Ifani questions, garnering surprise from Albert as he glances between them. Tia nods, pressing her lips together. 

"When I saw his face, I remembered... talking to him I think?" Tia shrugs, uncertain what it is she saw, "But it made me feel really terrible and I think there's a lot more I can't remember." Albert sets his instrument aside and Tia watches the ivory markings of his form frame his face, Albert running what he knows through his mind. The marks fade when he's finished. 

"It sounds like you've had a memory, or memories, bound," Albert explains.

"Bound?" Tia echoes, still quite unfamiliar with magic terminology.

"Someone with a Binding manifestation," Albert specifies, "A kind of mental magic, bound these memories deep within your mind, cutting off your access to them."

"Someone can do that...?" Tia gasps in disbelief. 

"It's a nasty trick," Ifani cuts in with a scowl, "Most mental magic is," her eyes move back to Albert, catching his pout and snorting, "Yours is different! You don't mess with other people's heads."

"Then how do I..." Tia glances to Albert with a confounded and disconcerted expression, "How do I get them back?"

"Well," Albert sighs, "Usually you need the caster to release the effect or at least someone with the same ability. But," he gives her a serious look, "You don't know what what kind of binding it is."

"What kind?" Tia questions, a growing feeling of alarm knotting her stomach.

"Which aspect," Albert clarifies, "Certain emotions and memories are tied to different mental aspects. I have a binding manifestation but it works differently than most others—I can only bind my own memories. You need a caster of the same aspect as the one who bound you to release it."

"How many mental aspects are there?" Tia asks in a higher tone, quickly seeing her options drying up.

"Thirteen," Albert answers hesitantly.

"Oh..." Tia squeaks, her gaze dropping as she considers this seemingly insurmountable task, "Well, can I force myself to remember?"

"I wouldn't suggest it," Albert answers with a grimace, "I don't know what kind of damage that might cause."

"Albert's right," Ifani adds, "You looked half-dead just from seeing his face!" 

Tia deflates, closing her eyes and her shoulders drooping. Ifani and Albert glance to each other at this reaction. Albert can see Ifani's determination already, her eyes resting on Tia again touched by concern. Albert dons the gentlest of smiles, loosing a huff before speaking again. 

"Give me a bit of time to look into it," Albert states with confidence, Tia's wide eyes eyes flitting to him, "There's likely another way to work around it."

"What?" Tia gasps, rushing to deny him, "Y-you don't have to do that! Answering my questions is already enough."

"What are you talking about?" Ifani scowls at her, "Some bastard cut off your memories and you just want to drop it?"

"I mean, no," Tia answers, tripping over her words and furrowing her brows, "I just- I mean you two have helped me enough already!" she twists her hands together in her lap, feeling ingratiated, "It's-It's my problem, you have no reason to-"

"Tia," Albert interrupts gently, Tia meeting his eyes, "We want to help. That's what friends do." Tia's eyes well up instantly and as she looks to Ifani too, she finds the same concern and certainty.

"Okay," Tia responds with almost a gasp and gives them both a grateful smile, practically leaking exuberance, "Thank you!"

"So..." Albert looks to Ifani, "What's this about Tia chasing someone down?"

"Some asshole broke into our room," Ifani complains readily.

"What?" Albert gapes. Tia listens only faintly, wondering what she could do to thank them. Just sitting here with them so casually felt like more than she could ask for.

"And then Tia shoots out the window after him like a total badass!" Tia laughs at her description, "Swooping after him across the compound," she gestures with her hands and then looks to Tia, "If you're half that agile in a fight, our unit might just work out!"

"Well, she really does have the ideal build," Albert slides right into his explanation, "For merlin features! These falcons specialize in hunting other birds," Tia still finds herself trying to figure out a way to thank them as he rambles, "Skilled in tail-chasing and even harassing larger raptors! Her father was too large for those kinds of tactics, taking more after-"

"Oh!" Tia exclaims suddenly, Albert falling silent as they both look to her, "My dad, that's right!" 

"You're dad...?" Albert questions, both teens at a loss.

"Y-you're both helping me out so much," Tia tries to explain, "So as a thank you... um. We all have tomorrow off before we leave the valley and I've heard everyone talking about visiting their families. I-I don't know what your plans are but..."

"But...?" Albert echoes. 

"But," Tia continues with a measure of uncertainty, "If you want, you're both more than welcome to drop by the manor?" Tia offers looking between them, "Ifani can meet my dad before we leave, if she still wants to," Albert's brows shoot up and Tia wonders if she's overextended herself, "Unless that's too weird?"

Ifani springs up and paces rapidly, flapping both hands before her face, and Tia sucks in a breath, looking to Albert with an apology readied. Yet Albert is grinning. After a few more paces, Ifani turns back to them and her excited expression surpasses even Tia's exuberance a few minutes earlier.

"Nothing to say to me?" Felicity questions, crossing her arms at him and looking uncharacteristically vulnerable. A crippling wave of pain washes over Allen and he squeezes his eyes shut. He clears his voice before speaking but keeps his eyes averted.

"You've grown so much!" Allen breathes and forces a smile, "How have you been?"

"How have I been??" Felicty glowers at him, trying to meet his eyes but he keeps directing them elsewhere.

"Who th' fuck is 'at?" Euan whispers to Tia.

"My aunt," Tia answers to all three of them.

"Suddenly you're pretending to care?" Felicity speaks harshly and Allen winces, "I can see nothing's changed. You still can't even look at me!" her eyes graze over the children before landing back on Allen, "This was a waste of time." Felicity pivots and departs as suddenly as she had arrived.

"What was that!" Tia questions her father and Allen deflates into his chair. Wordless, he simply shakes his head. 

"Weel, 'at's enough drama fur me!" Euan proclaims, rising to his feet, "Good seeing ye again, moggy senior!" Rather than using the door, Euan melts into a shadow with a wave. Ifani, Albert and Tia all eye each other before shuffling up themselves.

"Yes," Evelyn is equally deflated and bitter over Felicity's brief visit, "It's getting late, you ought to return," Allen follows them to the manor steps after a dejected sigh. Albert and Ifani wait by the gate for Tia to say her goodbyes. 

"Before you go," Allen looks to Evelyn before speaking, "You should know there are people trying to find you."

"Trying to... find me?" Tia questions with furrowed brows. Evelyn presses her lips together, not having wanted to alert Tia. 

"We don't know why yet," Allen is grim, "But the king is looking for a 'white-haired, dark shape shifter'," Tia's astonishment is instant and he places his hands on her shoulders, "Your grandmother and I are working on this end to learn more, to redirect them, but you still need to be extremely careful."

"Dark... shape shifter...?" Tia questions, remembering her resonance within the shadow plane as the fog lingers on the edge of her mind.

'Tia don't...!' Duff urges her.

"Hush!" Tia demands.

Tia brings her hands together, as if cupping something, and with shaking fingers she concentrates on what she had felt in the plane. She feels a power gathering and a shadow darkens between her palms. A gasp grazes past her lips and she drops her hands away, feeling a pang of pain in her head. Evelyn grows pale but Allen steadies her swaying until the headache passes. His eyes slide back to her friends, chatting by the gate.

"I want you to know how proud I am of you," Allen shifts the subject and Tia blinks, "You're growing so quickly and not just your skills or strength. You've made wonderful friends!" Tia tears up and musters a smile, "You hang on to those two."

"But not Euan?" Tia teases, extracting a chuckle from her father. His smile fades before he continues. He hugs her again.

"And please," he whispers so Evelyn can't hear, "Read your mother's letter." Tia's breath catches and she can feel herself growing resentful. She pushes the feeling down, knowing this was her last moment with her father for some time, squeezing him desperately instead.

"I'm sorry we didn't get to spend more time together," Tia knits her brows at her grandmother with endearing eyes and Evelyn's irritation crumbles at Tia's near pout.

"Oh, come here!" Evelyn gestures and Tia's face lights back up, hugging her grandmother with almost equal fervor, "Please be careful, Tia," Evelyn entreats her into the embrace, "You are so precious. To me, to your father. We would be lost without you!" Evelyn holds her at shoulder length, tears dusting all of their eyes.

"Oh! I had an idea," Tia peeps, making sure she is turned toward the mansion as she peeks into her cloak, "Duff, I know you can travel through the shadow plane," she gives him a hard look and he huffs, "Would it be feasible for you to deliver letters directly between us? So we can share information about this... search for me." 

'Oh, am I allowed to speak now?' Duff snarks, earning him a half-pout half-scowl. Evelyn and Allen blink at each other, waiting to hear his answer. Tia can sense his false anger give way to bubbling mirth, his laugh echoing in her mind. 'Yes, it's feasible,' Duff finally answers, 'That's surprisingly well thought out, coming from you.'

"Well?" Evelyn prods into the silence, watching her make faces into her cloak.

"He said yes," Tia answers, still leering at Duff, "Amid being rude."

"What are you doing??" Ifani shouts from the gate and Tia jumps. Tia gives another smile to Allen and Evelyn, squeezing them both into a brisk half hug before turning and running down the steps. She pauses at the bottom to wave.

"I'll send you a letter every week!" Tia shouts before sprinting after her friends.