An Extraplanar Exorcism

[Resolve]

An Extraplanar Exorcism
Consisting of a duel, a slumber party, and a very strange trip.

Closed to Olive.

The sun had recently slipped behind the staggered rooftops of east Radasanth's tranquil residences, sky awash with vibrant golds that melted into a star-studded indigo on the opposite horizon, when a sea-scented breeze borne from the waves wove its way through the brown brick and gray stone neighborhood to stir Resolve's short, dark hair, salt condensing sticky on her skin in the summer humidity. She was currently standing alert in the alley next to Moody's Ale Cellar where, quite suddenly, she had found herself rather concerned for her bodily safety.

"I don't know what ye have with my Rose, but she ain't interested in the likes of you." A wiry sailor-type fellow blocked the entrance to the side street, an exotic blade spanning what his arms did not, and it gleamed devilishly in the light of the newly lit street lanterns. He had skin like leather from decades in the harsh sun, nut brown and riddled with faded blues and blacks of tattoos that outlined the rest of his illustrious romantic history. Resolve swore she spotted at least two Margarets, a Prudence, three Marys, and one so worn that what might have been Georgette now simply read George. She'd save that for a snarky remark after she beat his sorry arse into the cobblestones.

"Oh, please don't," Rose shouted in an exasperated tone from a window above, her round face glowing under a full rainbow of cosmetics. To put things into perspective, Rose was Madame Rose of Madame Rose's Girls. Yes, that kind of girl. But that is said with utmost respect, as she always told Resolve: "If all that exercisin' or whatever you do don't work out, you come see me. There ain't no shame in this kind of life. A pretty thing like you could pick and choose, no one to answer to but yourself, and oh, the gifts!" Rose had become somewhat of a mentor to Resolve when her mother was working abroad, and visiting was always an experience in itself. Her cluttered flat was a museum of knick-knacks from all around Althanas, ranging from the endearingly kitsch to the truly marvelous and unusual.

The evening had begun pleasantly. Resolve stopped in the tavern downstairs on her way to visit Rose and, after packing away two mugs of beer and a bowl of stew, the casual chit-chat she had going with her neighbors at the bar was interrupted by a ruckus from above. Her protective nature immediately went into overdrive and she dashed upstairs to discover a row had occurred between her dearest Rose and a patron she didn't recognize. A shelf had been knocked over and the woman was in tears, auburn curls obscuring much of her face as she picked up the broken remnants of her treasures and placed them carefully in the skirt of her blue satin gown. Resolve noticed swelling and blood on Rose's bottom lip.

And it was then Resolve saw red.

"Outside," she directed the offender, her voice hoarse with tension. He pocketed his hands with ease that only incited further infuriation and Resolve responded by drawing her sword with the ring of steel against leather. Raising it cut the distance between the two in half in the small room, and his smirk only deepened.

It was true that Resolve didn't look particularly intimidating. At a height just above average she was built with spidery limbs, discretely toned under the dark leggings and short violet sari wrapped around her figure; the ornately woven cloth had more bulk than her body did. But the scowl on her face showed the sailor she wasn't going to leave him with Rose and, mostly out of curiosity, he conceded to meet her outside for a duel that he fully expected to (and likely would) win.

It was still early in the evening and so the alley outside Moody's was empty, save a stray cat that quickly vacated the premises at the first clash of metal. Resolve held her own for an impressive length of time, scoring a crimson slash across the sailor's left shoulder in reaction to a matching cut down the thigh of her right leg.

Tired of the stalemate, Resolve made an impulsive lurch toward her opponent. This impatience paid off, surprisingly enough, and she was able to disarm him, which was highly desirable in this situation. She had passable skill with a blade, but she was deadly with her bare hands. Or at least she fantasized that she was, going unbeaten in wrestling in her weight class in this corner of Radasanth. (Such a thing might sound impressive, but at her size, most of her opponents were prepubescent boys who were afraid to fight back. These awkward victories did nothing to diminish her bloated ego.)

The girl made her move and the sailor was very surprised to suddenly find himself pinned to the ground under a tangle of feminine limbs, his head pulled painfully back by the roots of his greasy hair. Resolve jabbed her knee into his back triumphantly and yanked on his ponytail, Rose jeering merrily as spectator. "You shall leave Rosie be," Resolve ordered with an animalistic growl that was punctuated by a cheer from above.

No verbal response was forthcoming. The man tensed under her and she sensed him bracing himself for something. She prepared herself by quickly making to wrap her arm around his neck for a choke hold but was too late, and in that panic had regrettably released grip on one of his wrists. With the hard jab of an elbow she was shoved off his back and he crawled for his sword, which he reached well before she could find her own. Resolve had barely made it to her feet when the sailor advanced menacingly, and unfortunately for her, with great advantage. She was closed into the empty alleyway without much more than the stray's dead rat feast and some litter with which to protect herself.

Rose gasped in horror from above and left the window in a hurry to fetch a bouncer from the tavern, but even that might not be quick enough. Things were looking pretty bleak for Resolve, and all she could do was hope he wouldn't focus the beating on her face. She liked her face.

[Olive]

"Unngg." Olive dragged her feet through the graveled road, nearly tripping the few times she forgot to lift them higher than an inch off the ground. Why did humans walk so much? It was boring and stupid and it made her feet hurt. Back home everyone just hovered everywhere. "Cupid's bow in a thunder storm, this is ridiculous! I reckon I have never walked so much in my life."

She leaned against a newly lit light post, wiggling her feet out of her shoes one at a time before sighing with defeat and sliding down to a sitting position on the creaky boardwalk. A chill ran through her as the ocean breeze drifted inland with a ripe scent of rotting fish and murky sea water. What was this place anyways? In hindsight a sense of adventure and a winning attitude isn't always enough. Sometimes you actually need a map. All Olive knew was that when she asked a nearby farmer where she could find a fighter worth sponsoring and he gestured in this direction. Well, he actually gestured with his middle finger, and it was directed more towards Olive than the woods she headed into, but regardless here she was and there was the sound of a scuffle nearby. Oh goody!

Maybe this was the day that she would find her true companion. The man or woman the gods had hand picked for her to escort into the waves of war, to protect and cherish until victory was at hand. Maybe they could even hug sometime! It had been a long time she Olive had gotten a good hug. She had tried a few times since leaving home, but apparently strangers weren't too keen on the idea of you sneaking up behind them and quickly wrapping your arms around their waists, so Olive didn't count those times. They weren't real hugs unless the gesture was returned. That's just an unwritten fact. She almost got a real hug from a rat while sleeping under a stone bridge the previous night, but apparently all it wanted was to make a nest out of Olive's wild mane of long frizzy blue hair.

Olive got up and grabbed her shoes with one hand and started towards the source of the fighting. Once she was able to determine where it was coming from she would have to quickly determine 3 other things.

-Which side to support
-Make up a catch phrase while using her power
-Decide at which point it's acceptable to cuddle with the victor.

Just there in the alley way was what she was looking for. A man and a tan skinned young woman were fighting. Quickly, Olive assessed both their strengths and weaknesses then their motivations. She was a Valkyrie, so this type of skill was something she was probably born with, right? From what she could tell, the two were estranged cousins, one of which had forgotten the other's birthday, and now they were fighting over whether or not that cousin deserved a slice of cake or not. Quick! Who's side did she take? Yeah, she was good at this, she knew the instant she saw them.

"Hey ya'll stop that there ruckusin'. I has come to bestow on you my wisdom and lovin' from the oven. Uhhg, no, that catch phase didn't work at all. I'll try somethin' else next time. But enough 'bout that, there's enough cake for all ya'll! Here we go!" Olive rubbed her hands together a couple times then did a really strange twirl/jazz hands combo before striking a strange pose, one hand on her hip, the other pointed dramatically at Resolve, who would feel an immediate boost in speed, double to be exact, which is pretty freakin' fast. "Good luck my darlin'!"

And with that she flapped her large swan like wings until she was perched on the nearest balcony railing and able to observe the battle from a safe distance. How fun! This was so much better than that time she granted that mouse her Valkyrie gift and watched it fend off a cat, though that was actually pretty amazing too now that she thought about it.

[Resolve]

Resolve was pretty convinced she was about to lose several teeth and a limb or two when her savior appeared in the form of a frizzy-haired, oddly-accented, angel-winged dame. The spectacle Olive created distracted the sailor for a moment (and really, who would not be dazzled by those jazz hands?), and Resolve suddenly felt a rush as the valkyrie's index finger was thrust in her direction. She didn't know what it meant, but she knew she should do something before the sailor remembered what he was doing.

As soon as Resolve put one foot in front of the other, she realized what exactly it was that Olive had done. Her limbs moved easily at a pace she never imagined she could attain and before she knew it she'd socked the sailor across the jaw, grabbing his sword from his hand before he even had time to comprehend what had happened. He stumbled sideways from the force of her fist, the strength of the strike aided by her increased speed, and found himself at the point of his own blade when he caught himself on a wall.

It was at this point that Rose emerged from Moody's backed by two strapping bouncers, ready to lay down the neighborhood law, but she was seconds too late and her effort was now deemed unnecessary. She grinned ear to ear when she saw Resolve's pose of victory, the humiliated sailor not quite sure what to do with himself as he leaned against the red bricks and nursed his swelling face.

"We'll take care of'em, miss," the bouncer known as Charlie nodded to Resolve, his glance going between conquerer and conqueree. The sailor grimaced. Resolve had only known bear hugs from those all-encompassing beasts of arms, but she knew they had other uses, such as disposing of vermin. Jerk-faced, woman-beating vermin. Resolve shook her head in agreement, sucker-punched the sailor in the gut, grabbed her sword from the ground, and slipped it back into its scabbard. She considered the sailor's machete a prize and she tucked it under her arm, then looked up to see Olive perched above.

"Would you like a drink?" Resolve inquired with a merry flash of white teeth. It was the least she could do for the help.

Rose looked up from behind her, eyeing Olive curiously, but seemed receptive to showing the strange girl some fun. Why not? She was still riding on a high of adrenaline and Olive looked pleasant enough. "Oh, you must come in and tell me what you use in your hair!" The brightly ornamented lady shouted up to the valkyrie.

Meanwhile, the sailor was being politely escorted off the premises, and likely off a pier. They'd likely never know what became of him, but what did that matter when there was drink and food and gaiety awaiting inside?

[Olive]

Olive clapped her hands with vigor as the battle finished in her warrior's favor. So this was what victory felt like. It rushed over her like warm bubbly bath water. Olive could definitely get used to it! Was this girl the one? Her warrior soulmate with whom she would ride the tides of battle with? The fighter whom she would overcome all odds with in order to achieve the ultimate victory? Probably not, but it was still a cool fight! She really wished she had had snacks to munch on during the event, but it was over with quickly and she was now being invited in for a drink.

"Golly, is ya sure? Well, I ain't never said no to somethin' free, not even last week when I saw someone thrownin' out perfectly good mice. Turns out they were just tryin' to get rid of some infestation, but here I thought they were giving them away. Needless to say I still keep findin' one or two in my hair no matter how often I wash it. Did ya know mice is real good at hidin'? 'Cause they are." Olive jumped down from the railing and fluttered her wings just a couple time to make the landing soft, then tucked them away before entering the building. "Golly, human's sure do like making things out of wood, don't they. Ya got wood walls and floor and ceilings. It's like someone said wood was gonna disappear someday so you best make use of it while ya can. Oh, and my hair ain't nothin' amazin'. Ya should see my sisters'. They all gots hair that goes on and on and they have to braid it up so folks don't trip on it. But if ya do want a tip, I'll let ya know how I get my hair lookin' so soft. My secret is I use mud. Ya just lather it up and leave it there for a while then rise it out. I figure if it's good enough for pigs, it must be good enough for hair, right? That's why it smells so earthy. I'm pretty proud!"

Looking around for a moment too long, Olive nodded with respect of the architecture before sitting down at a nearby table. Sure, it wasn't as nice as her cliffside stone city, but that's just becuase human's aren't really capable of carving that much stuff out of stone. Their arms are too skinny. That's a true fact!

"So, what is this place? Some kind of fancy inn? Seems like ya got's lots of rooms. How much ya chargin' for a night? Maybe I've got enough. I dun worked some odd jobs in the last town. ya know, pickin' fruit from tall trees and whatnot. Nothin' too suitin' for a valkyrie but ya got's ta start somewhere. I is Olive, by the way. Olive is also the name of my great great grandmother. She's still alive, so it's okay if ya get the two o' us confused. It happens sometimes. I bet she would like workin' at a snazzy inn like this. She's real good at that sort of thing. So what have ya gots to drink? Ooh, ya got anythin' fancy, like milk?"

[Resolve]

The evening went pleasantly and quickly, and many new friendships were forged with the young valkyrie. The three ladies collectively downed enough pints to sink an elephant, Resolve had to cover up an embarrassing amount of dismay when Olive drank her under the table with help from her mythical constitution, and after a couple hours of swapping stories about Olive's grandmother and life out in the world, Rose shuffled them up to her quarters for what was likely the rowdiest sleepover of their lives.

Resolve woke with an ache in her brain that raged in protest as her eyes fluttered open to the white-hot sun that shone through Rose's window onto the floor where she'd curled up on a pile of finely embroidered throw blankets. "Uuuugh." Then, as if someone was psychic, the sharp light was blocked out. She blinked, wondering if Rose had drawn the curtain, but instead found her pupils focusing on a fuzzy silhouette of someone standing over her. No, it wasn't blurry… it was hair. Lots and lots of curly blue tresses, some of which had fallen to tickle her face as Olive leaned down and intruded her personal space.

"Good mornin', sunshine!" Olive grinned, but Resolve couldn't see it as the bright sun behind her frizz darkened out her features. "Golly, humans sleep a lot. The only other person I know who sleeps that much is my great-great-gran, and she's dead." The chirpy girl was so bright and bushy tailed, it was as if she never even went to bed.

With an unladylike groan Resolve peeled herself off the floor, her muscles throbbing. Floral designs were pressed dark and pink into her skin from the blanket threading and she rubbed her strangely textured, sorry limbs. "What time is it?"

It was that moment Rose chose to rise, as well. She handled her hangover with practiced grace, lifting herself from her luxurious bed with a gratuitously arched back and petite, feminine sigh. Resolve noted that she was damn good at her job. "Let's see," Rose muttered, reaching for an intricately ornamented copper pocket watch that was undoubtedly a gift from Alerar. Then her prettily sleepy expression flashed into one of panic. "It's past noon! Oh, dear me! You girls have got to scoot, I've got a preferred client in twenty minutes!" Her curvy little figure stumbled out of bed in her silky negligee, tripping over Resolve's makeshift nest, and she skipped off to wash up.

Olive watched intently. "I ain't never seen so many bobbles and whatsits and lace all in one place. What did ya say Miss Rosie did for work, again?"

Resolve replied matter-of-factly. "She's a hooker."

The word rolled off Olive's tongue like it was foreign. "Hooker. Like a lumberjack?"

"Oh honey, it means I sleep with men," Rose piped up from her wash basin. "Well, mostly men."

Resolve rolled her eyes and staggered to her feet, realized she was in her skivvies, then attempted to locate the rest of her clothes. They were draped artfully in random places about the apartment, along with some of Rose's most ridiculous costumes. Apparently they'd played dress up last night.

"Humans sure do sleep a lot," Olive reiterated to herself in impressed-sounding wonder as she watched the others get ready, her fingers twirling in the white lace shawl Rose had given her the night before. The needlework was done in the illusion of swans intermingling and flying, and Rose had decided that it was simply made for their similarly bewinged friend.

At this point Rose was distracted as she sifted through her wardrobe and Resolve finished fastening her belt over her sari, the purple fabric wrinkled but not entirely unpresentable. She couldn't find her leggings, and decided she couldn't be bothered. At least not until she'd had some breakfast. Kicking on her shoes, she looked to Olive. "Hungry?"

As if chiming in on its own, a squelching moan erupted from the valkyrie's midsection. "Yes'm," she grinned, hopping out the door and down the stairs behind her companion.

The two partook of a hearty breakfast courtesy of Charlie, who was bouncer by night, pastry chef by morning. To Olive's amazement his clumsy-looking fingers crafted delicate berry-filled, sugar-laced sweet rolls, and both girls had their fill as he blushed under the valkyrie's oddly-worded praise. "What kinda fruits're these? We ain't got them where I come from. Last time I ate berries was the other day, some dark blue things growin' down in a gully. Kinda tasted like rottin' garbage. You is no rotten chef, though, I tell ya what."

Resolve looked up from her brunch pint. "Dark blue? Did they have dark, three-pronged leaves, about this big?" Her hand made a lazy attempt to approximate their size, and the valkyrie nodded. "Those are poisonous. They kill humans, you know."

Olive shrugged. "Good thing I ain't no human, then." Now she understood why they needed to sleep so much, being such weakly creatures and all.

With stomachs full of treats and a fresh outlook on the new day, the girls stepped out onto the street. It was much busier in the afternoon than late at night, wagons rattling up and down the stone-laden way, pedestrians abound. A few people stared at Olive's bright hair, but in a place like Radasanth, full of world travelers and traders, she wasn't too out of place. "Where are you going next on this journey of yours?" Resolve asked.

It took a moment for Olive to answer as she pondered. "Ya think y'could point me in the general di-rection'a where I can find some fierce, stout-hearted warriors?"

Resolve shook her head. "Hmm…" She wasn't sure what to think of the valkyrie's aimless obsession with finding a hero, but heck, who was she to criticize her culture and dreams? "Actually, I got wind of a job a few towns over, and on the way is the guy who trained me when I was younger. He might be able to point you in the right direction."

"Thank ya!" Olive hugged her with glee, and shortly thereafter they were off on their trek.

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Resolve was pleased to find the walk went quickly with talkative Olive as company. Their conversation covered many things: legends of heroes, boys, men, and traveling games such as "Say Weird Things Loudly As People Pass By" and "Spot the Ugliest Sheep". Resolve also taught Olive a couple songs with inappropriate lyrics she obviously didn't understand, and fun was had by all.

"It's been a while, but I think his estate is down this road," Resolve speculated as they passed a dirt path that led into some nearby forest. Olive wasn't about to question the other girls' directions, as she obviously knew the area much better than a foreigner would.

After about half a mile the woods became denser, the path narrowing into a precarious strip of rocky dirt overgrown with tree roots and brush. It didn't take long for Resolve to second-guess her initial instinct, and she hesitated when a large bird flew violently overhead and scattered some small branches and leaves into their hair. "Maybe I was wrong. Perhaps we should turn back."

Olive was inclined to agree, but her attention was caught as a breeze shifted the flora around them and offered a glimpse of a clearing not far off. "Look!"

The girls stepped out into an emerald oasis. Grass grew wild but not too tall, rabbits rustling through as they hopped out of sight. A clear-running brook cut the glen in half, and under the elegant wisps of an ancient willow tree was an equally ancient stone monument. Resolve approached, hoping to read the engravings, but found the calligraphy illegible. Embarrassed by her poor reading skills, she redirected Olive's attention across the clearing where a doe and faun grazed.

Olive was overwhelmed with this blissful little corner of the forest and watched the deer with a wide grin, then stumbled over a stone. She fell forward against Resolve, who in turn dominoed into the monument. As she hit the cold stone she felt something pulse through her, and as she wondered what it was, Olive interrupted with an apologetic "Oops."

"What was that?" Resolve asked, looking to the valkyrie.

"Sometimes it just happens by accident," Olive sighed in frustration. "Sorry, but at least it ain't never hurt no one. It ain't no different than what I did to ya last night. Ya might just feel a bit weird for a while. This one time I did it to a seagull, and I swear, it––"

Her words were cut off by the sharp whistle of an arrow, which flew into the glen and speared a rabbit near their feet. Olive cried out in surprise, Resolve in rage. "Watch it!" The dark-haired girl hollered in the vicinity the arrow originated.

It was at this point that Resolve and Olive realized the monument had disappeared and they looked at each other with a questioning glance before someone stepped out of the forest to greet them.

"I am truly sorry!"

The sincere voice came from a young man, just slightly taller than both of the girls, dressed in fine cobalt blue clothing of a long-retired fashion. It suited him, though, and he stood in confident concern before them. On his left arm was a long leather glove, and just after he spoke he whistled, calling the largest falcon Resolve had ever seen to swoop down from the treetops and grab the dead rabbit, which it delivered to his free hand before perching with its deadly talons on his opposite leather-clad forearm.

It was almost amusing, how much pet resembled master… or was it the other way around? The man's hair was medium length and multi-toned, sandy brown highlights over a deep umber like the feathers of his avian companion. His nose was slightly pointed, eyes large and observant, and though his features were hawk-like, they were not altogether unhandsome. They both looked upon the girls with emerald eyes, expectant. Olive was likely oblivious, but Resolve noted particular interest in the valkyrie's wings. That was excusable; after all, she hadn't seen one of Olive's kind before, and imagined that sort of thing was even stranger to an isolated fellow like this.

"It will be dark soon and you are quite far from the nearest inn. May I offer you a meal and a warm place to stay for the night as an apology for my careless behavior? My estate is not far, and we do enjoy impromptu guests."

If they agreed, he'd lead them on a short walk through the woods.

[Olive]

Predatory birds were scary! Despite herself being much larger than it, Olive still got mighty uncomfortable around hawks and eagles and the sort. See, she was a whatchamacallit, the type that just eats plants. Those other birds sometimes ate smaller birds, if ya can believe it! She probably wasn't in no danger but she still did her best to puff out her chest and give it the stink eye. Yeah, That'll teach it not to come peckin' at her while she slept.

The guy seemed alright, even if he did treat a crazy wild killin' machine as a pet, plus what he said was true. They was lost and even though she was used to sleepin' in trees she thought her new friend might want a real human bed, seein' as how their kind sleeps so much. Maybe it was okay! Even if he did look like he and the hawk were siblings. Olive wondered what their mom and dad looked like. She giggled to herself and nodded.

"Alright, I reckon that does sound like a real smart idea and whatnot. Who might you be and your... brother." She snorted slightly while saying it and elbowed Resolve lightly to see if she got her stupid joke, Luckily the girl elbowed back, which Olive took as a sign of success.

"Ah, how rude of me! I am Dys, lord of this region." The man bowed slightly while guiding them deeper into the woods. "May I ask who you might be, fine ladies?"

"Oh, I'm just Olive." She spoke up while pruning her wings absently. Her friend just gave a curt nod and added "Resolve. I'm from Radasanth."

"Pleasure." Dys replied while stopping just short of another clearing. The building in front was beautiful though not as sprawling as one might imagine, it was still quite decadent. Olive whistled looking up and down at the elaborate carvings and servants that were hurrying back and forth, one taking the rabbit from Dys, another stepping forward with a tray full of tall glasses, bubbly drinks in each.

"This all yours? Ya ma and pa ain't payin' for it or nuthin! wowza."

[Resolve]

Dys nodded, causing some hair to fall into his face which he quickly brushed aside with his free hand before handing the ladies goblets of bubbly. "Indeed, I am proud of my little corner of the world. I am glad you are pleased." He sipped his refreshment. "Let me know if either of you need anything, I am sure we can accommodate."

Resolve peered at her fizzy beverage before taking a test sip and nearly sneezed as the carbonation tickled her nose. The rosy liquid was surprisingly sweet. "Thank you for your hospitality," she said, figuring it'd be wise to show her gratefulness. She was feeling a bit sheepish after getting them lost, and this social detour seemed to be the right bandaid for the situation.

"It has been some time since we have had guests. Quite dull, really. I should be thanking you." Dys smiled charmingly, merry dimples in his cheeks, before motioning with his glass toward the grand entrance of his modest castle. "Shall we go inside and relax until dinner?"

Resolve followed, lagging behind Dys and Olive, and allowed herself the time to admire their surroundings. The young man led them through the heavy mahogany doors into a grand room, the inside done up more like a country palace than an ancient castle. Swirls of staircases led up to higher floors, polished marble under their feet, and though the moulding and ornamental decorations were clean and minimalist, it was all very inviting and not too pretentious. A large painting greeted them there, and from the features of the boy standing with the older man and woman, it was obvious that it was his family. They looked happy, nothing like the stern portraits one would imagine covered the walls of such places.

Servants accepted empty goblets on a tray as Dys led them down a hallway and to a splendid space that was like an outdoor parlor. Luxurious love seats and fainting couches were arranged around a circular fireplace on a red brick patio, covered by large glass panes and awnings like an open greenhouse, and the end opened into a delightful little courtyard garden of exotic flowers and miniature trees that bore cherries, figs, and apples. A peacock squawked to them in greeting, its majestic colors on display, and the falcon slipped from Dys' arm to find itself at home on a tall, velvet-padded perch.

Dys removed his falconry and archery gear, leaving it in the hands of a servant, before relaxing on one of the sofas. "Please, do make yourself at home. Now, pardon me if this is intrusive," he looked to Olive, "But you are quite a unique specimen to Corone's usual demographics. I would very much like to hear your story." He smiled genuinely, leaning in to show his interest.

Resolve didn't sit. Instead she paced around the courtyard, admiring the garden. There were parchment labels on short posts buried under the growth of some vibrant aromatics, and she knelt to inspect them. It was similar to the unfamiliar calligraphy from the monument earlier, more cursive flair from being handwritten, and she found that after some effort she was able to recognize a few letters and piece together the meanings according to her knowledge of herbs. If this patch is parsley, this character must mean L… ah, I see it now. It isn't that different from the L in Luned's books. The girl was quite pleased with herself considering her literacy not up to her teacher's standards, but she was able to piece together this puzzle with a bit of concentrated effort. From the view where Dys was at the couches, she seemed quite content as she poured over her little project.