-- Sleeping Drake Inn --
"Hey Vect, you ready?"
"Yeah, one minute Jack," Vect called as he finished tying his belt.
(You nervous about facing Sara's brother?) Erress asked.
"No, more worried about what she'll think of me once I straighten him out," Vect replied.
(Your mate did seem distressed at his behavior when we watched his bout yesterday.)
"Maybe mate isn't the precise wording," Vect reddened.
(I do not know what else to call your relationship with the succubus.) Erress explained.
"Either way, Stanley certainly has changed from what Sara described," Vect counted out the throwing knives he had on him.
(How do you plan to deal with him?)
"I just thought I'd have a quick chat with him before the match began, then knock him out, and we'd have a get together at lunch if all works out," he explained as he added another 3 smoke bombs to his gear.
(If you can beat him or even get through to the boy. Oh and congratulations on getting to 15 percent last night. You are more resilient than I thought.)
"Probably could have gotten to 20 if you let me."
(We've discussed this, several times in fact.)
"Yeah yeah, I know pushing too hard can have consequences. But I can't help shake this feeling that something is wrong. And it's not helped by you constantly looking off like you sense something, but won't tell me."
(I apologize for that, but every time you perform the joining preparation it feels like someone or something is watching us and getting closer.)
Vect paused as he reached for his sword. "In the real world or in the mindscape we go to?"
Erress didn't immediately answer as she thought how to answer. (It feels more like in the mindscape. But I do not know what it is.)
"It cannot be helped now," he closed his hand around his sword and shouldered it as he opened the door. "Hey Jack sorry to keep you waiting."
"Don't apologize to me, you're the last one of us still in the tournament. With Freed still unconscious and Vesper dropping out 2 days ago, you're the last one standing."
"Gee no pressure or anything," Vect joked, but then his expression became serious. "How are they doing?"
"As I said Freed is still unconscious but on the mend. He's going to have a nasty scar, but you know all about that don't you," Jack smiled and pointed to Vect's chest.
Vect gave a halfhearted laugh, "yeah, but you know what? I'd do it again saving your hides," he gave Jack a smack on the back causing him to wince.
"What's wrong?" Vect asked concerned.
"Don't know. It just started hurting 2 days ago," he shrugged.
Vect grinned, "is Lelu getting to be too much for you?"
"Oh ha ha," Jack rolled his shoulders, "very funny. And no its definitely not her. I've got an ointment that has been helping me some."
"Any sign of Celine?"
"No, not a trace. But I do see her poster everywhere," Jack jibed.
"Wanted posters aren't exactly a good way to motivate someone to come out of hiding," Vect agreed.
The pair left the room and started towards the arena.
"Hopefully she hasn't gotten into any more trouble."
-- Alyvia's Shop --
"Once the distraction is going, it is your job to help the infiltration group get into and out of the library," Alyvia continued her briefing. "And then burn the rest to cover our tracks. And remember, we cannot allow anyone to know we were there. If someone sees us-."
"The will not live to tell about it," Celine finished.
She wanted to ask something, Alyvia could tell. "Is there something you want to ask? Second thoughts?"
"No, I'm not. But....is there a way you can make sure Vesper, Mai, and Eva aren't harmed?"
"I have passed on the message to the other's to not harm them," Alyvia started.
"Thank you."
"Unless. Unless they get in our way. This plan is much bigger than just a few people, no matter how close they are. Nonlethal methods will be used to an extent, but not at a risk to their lives."
Celine turned away. Alyvia walked closer and hugged her from behind.
"I promised you I will try to restore you and reclaim your tribe. And I keep my vows." She glanced at the clock. "It is nearly time, Celine. Steel your nerves and be strong."
-- Capital Apothicarium --
As per her people's culture, Eva stood vigil over her friend's body as he recovered. Her large battle axe rest in one hand as she sat beside her sleeping friend and filled him in on what he was missing out on.
"- and Jack has used his spare time to hone his craftsmanship. Vect evidently had him make a gift for Sara in secret, some kind of tail ring or something. She seems to love it, but it's kinda weird to me," said Eva. She paused to look around at the other beds. Most were empty, the ones that were occupied had people recovering from minor wounds. The Capital's Apothicarium could hold over 2000 patients, but times like this it rarely saw more than a hundred.
"Looks like most of the senior staff have left to see the beginning of the finals. Quarter finals are starting in a little while," Eva continued, "I wish you could be there to help cheer Vect on. I bet most of the kingdom will be either at the Grand Colosseum or one of the smaller arenas watching on a great scrying sphere. I bet that even the schools are deserted. Must be spooky to see them so quiet." She looked out the nearby window to the Colosseum in the distance.
As she looked away Freed stirred and opened his eyes slowly, blinking to adjust his altered eyes to the light. His neutral expression then turned to concern and suspicion. "That's it," he muttered, his throat dry.
Eva's head snapped to him in surprise. "You're awake," she exclaimed happily.
"Yeah," he brought himself up to a sitting position, groaning at his aching muscles, "how long was I out?"
"3 days. It's the quarter finals. Do I need to get you anything or fetch a healer?"
Freed ran one clawed hand over the bandages that covered his chest. He could feel the scar underneath them, a dull burning sensation still present. 'If I still feel this after 3 days, Celine must have something potent. I hope I'm recovered enough," Freed pondered. He then looked to Eva and her axe. "Can you get me some clothes, humanoid clothes," he clarified, "I think there is a problem."
"Should I get the others," she asked, Freed thanking her silently for not arguing with him to stay in bed.
"I don't want to worry them if it turns out to be nothing, but I think there is a quick message scroll that the healers will sell you just incase."
"What's happening?"
"I think it has to do with my incident at the library a while back," his body slowly reverting to his disguise form.
Eva stood up and hefted up her large axe. "Work never stops with you does it?"
"I just hope I'm being paranoid."