Happy to Meetcha!

Making sure that those who can spare the attention to listen to her are not a toe out of line, Sanaki casts a quiet Fire, as precisely as she can manage. With a sizzle and a burst of light, the five onlookers and the refreshments table are enclosed in a ring of ash.

"This is the neutral zone," she declares. All proper conflicts should have one, after all. "Step out if you wish to involve yourself directly. And I hope the combatants understand that if they violate the zone's sanctity, retrubution will be brutal," her eyes glow gold for a moment, "and swift."

'Understood' is conveyed through compliance.

Most of these faces he recognizes. There is familiarity when he looks at both Rowan and Innes, an itch in the back of his skull that only deepens with Sanaki's commentary. First punch, and Bruno pulls his lips into a thin line, but he tries to soften it at the murmurs from the beverage table.

In the end? It only took a glance at Innes’ snotty face and condescending tone for all that worry and low morale to evaporate into thin air. All those eyes watching them like it was some spar session at the training grounds didn’t matter, whatever sliver of embarrassment he might have felt at some point no longer mattered either.

The young king grit his teeth. “Nobles like you are pathetic because you do nothing but dress up like a doll and talk like you’re better than everyone!" Reaching the limit of his patience- or rather feeling like whatever threads of logic that had been holding him back had crumbled to dust, Rowan advanced towards Innes with the strongest right hook he could muster- straight to the archer’s jaw.

“If you don’t want your clothes dirty then go sit in a shelf and gather dust! You're just decoration!”

Innes holds his jaw for a few moments, stung. He works the muscles until the pain begins to fade. He can collect himself. He can patch up his ego and scrape his dignity off the floor. He can laugh and say look, look at how low the boy stoops.

He can do that.

Or he can grab Rowan by his shoulders and slam him against a wall.

He sounded a little too pleased with himself explaining this. Was this a genuine compliment? Or one of those “having strong friends makes me look better” things?

Nevertheless, this was probably the nicest thing he’s said about Innes in a while. But the boy doubted he would overhear him. Since, you know, he’s too busy having a friendly conversation with blondie over there.

And the telltale sound of fist meeting stomach made him point towards them. “See? See? What did I say?”

He can't pull Rowan away from this, in the end he will have to make his own choice and Darios can't so easily interfere. As he stands and quietly guides Lianna to the beverage table, he hopes she understands his reasonings as to why.

"As the empress says," he speaks with a heavy tone for the other onlookers to hear. "We just happen to be here."

If someone else stepped in, he'd scruff them. There's no telling how much worse the issue would become if left to fester.

Innes could ignore all other voices; the chatter of the court is normal for a man like Innes. Ewan, however, has a certain voice that Innes cannot ignore. He looks over, only to find Ewan, Darios, Sanaki, Bruno, and that boy's sister. None of it is important.

"Only pigs and the despondent resort to fistfighting," Innes says, "and I am neither. Go on, lay your hands on me, and prove me right. You are more angered by me than I could ever be by you."

Would he react differently if eyes weren't on him? No, he very much doubts it.

“Boy he’s definitely getting punched.” Ewan said through a wheezing laugh. Innes had such a way with words. If “a way with words” meant an uncanny talent to spike people’s cortisol levels. He was really funny about it too.

Looking around, he assumed nobody else was quite as familiar with the man as he was, so he decided to give a little info. “But Innes’ buttcheeks are permanently glued on that high horse, I don’t think even a punch would knock him off.”

She was coming over because she had spotten Darios after Rowan had walked away from her. Lianna's frustration at her brother hadn't faded yet, and was apparently to grow more. Her brother was being petty, that was what she was hearing. Still, she could only sigh in defeat at this point, Rowan had stopped listening to her the moment he got it into his head that Innes had told her.

Completely disregarding that maybe she had SEEN what he did.

"I am so sorry my brother is causing a scene..." she sighed. "I swear he knows better."

There are voices coming from the hallway around the staff room. Specifically, the spare one — inconvenient enough such that most faculty inherently avoid it in their day-to-day. But given the sudden disappearance of all the padlocks, Bruno is already pulling a face: it must be attendees, most likely students, who are trying to find their way in—

He turns the corner, and it is not. He blinks as his frown dissipates, the question in his eyes obscured as his gaze finds Darios first, Sanaki second, and an unfamiliar face third.

"Greetings." A little clipped and awkward. It sounds like more of a question than it is a statement.

He isn't surprised when he ends up in a room with that boy again. He would cross his arms, but the dampness on his chest is already too disgusting. Instead, his arms are at his side, hands balled into fists.

That’s funny.

“Hehe, I knew sticking around him was going to be entertaining.” It was only a matter of time before Innes would inevitably upset someone, after all. That was his true ultimate talent and for it to lead to someone kersplooshing their nose over his clothes? Even funnier.

“Gee it sure is boring around here…”

“…..”

“….what? What is it, ASHE?”

“Golly, I don’t know, EWAN, I just feel like someone should’ve said something just now!”

“I think I know what you mean. Anyway, do you feel weird too or is it just me?”

“Oh boy, I know what you mean! These cool costumes sure are something, huh?”

[ TXT ] : why are you still awake?

[ TXT ] : hey, where did you go?

[ TXT ] : it's getting bad again.

[ TXT ] : guess i'll just sit in bed. alone. by myself.

[ TXT ] : you can't ignore me forever.

[ TXT ] : i can't stop thinking about you.

[ TXT ] : just saw i called you last night. how'd that go?

[ TXT ] : i really need someone right now.

[ TXT ] : we need to make plans asap.

[ TXT ] : have you seen the news?

[ TXT ] : you were blackout drunk.

[ TXT ] : testing to see if you blocked my number...

[ TXT ] : do you know anything about doing stitches?

[ TXT ] : just please let me know you're okay.

[ TXT ] : did you forget we had plans?

[ TXT ] : i know you see my messages, your read receipts are on.

[ TXT ] : meet me at [ location ], it's important.

[ TXT ] : do you need comfort, to vent, or a solution?

[ TXT ] : is there anything i should bring?

[ TXT ] : call me. please, it's important.

[ TXT ] : i can't sleep.

[ TXT ] : have you eaten today?

[ TXT ] : you are always going to be my priority.

[ TXT ] : i haven't seen you around in awhile.

[ TXT ] : i had a dream about you last night.

[ TXT ] : the names are gonna get mean if you don't text me back.

[ TXT ] : at the risk of sounding cliche, what are you wearing?

[ TXT ] : just say the word and i'll drop everything.

[ TXT ] : do you seriously not remember?

[ TXT ] : come to the front door.

[ TXT ] : have you been drinking?

[ TXT ] : how do you feel after last night?

[ TXT ] : are you up? please be up.

[ TXT ] : you looked beautiful today.

[ TXT ] : i have so much to tell you.

[ TXT ] : no one's heard from you. are you okay?

[ TXT ] : who is this?

[ TXT ] : are you taking care of yourself?

[ TXT ] : thought i'd reach out and see how you're doing.

[ TXT ] : i miss the taste of your lips.

[ TXT ] : that kiss was really nice.

[ TXT ] : stop acting so high and mighty.

[ TXT ] : i left my [ item ] at your place.

[ TXT ] : are we still fighting?

[ TXT ] : i need help and i can't go to the hospital.

[ TXT ] : are you thinking about me too?

[ TXT ] : call me, i wanna hear your voice.

[ TXT ] : i don't want to talk to you.

[ TXT ] : what do you have to lose?

[ TXT ] : you don't have to ask, i'm already on my way.

[ TXT ] : i want to take a nap on you.

[ TXT ] : even if you called 6 months later at 3am, i'd answer.

[ TXT ] : what's my name in your phone?

[ TXT ] : how's trying to forget about me going?

[ TXT ] : i have nobody else to ask.

[ TXT ] : what do you mean you're at the hospital??

[ TXT ] : sorry, i think you have the wrong number.

[ TXT ] : good morning! you up yet?

[ TXT ] : do i sense sarcasm in your tone?

[ TXT ] : you start your day at 2pm?

[ TXT ] : you need MY help?

[ TXT ] : stop texting me.

[ TXT ] : i'll leave that up to your imagination.

[ TXT ] : are you asking me to sneak out?

[ TXT ] : when will i see you again?

[ TXT ] : if you come over, i'll order us a pizza.

[ TXT ] : are we ever going to talk about it?

[ TXT ] : can you come get me out of here?

[ TXT ] : you mean like ... a BODY - body?

[ TXT ] : it's just been one thing after another lately.

[ TXT ] : forgiving and forgetting is harder than it sounds.

[ TXT ] : i want your legs wrapped around my head.

[ TXT ] : call me when you wake up.

[ TXT ] : what are you doing that's more important than me?

Ewan was far from a first choice, despite his magic ability and familiarity with the terrain. But when the intended team disappeared, as well as the backup team and the backup of the backup team.. there were precious few options left than letting this overeager moppet give it a go. At the very least they didn’t let him go at it alone, hiring someone to protect him.

…he wished they picked a better conversation partner though.

“Oh! There it is! Look!” Irritation was quickly forgotten as finally they found what they were looking for. A short distance away, close enough to be seen in the mist, was a large gate surrounded my stone walls. “That has to be the place, right? How many other villages would they build at this altitude?”

Walking closer, the boy’s face scrunched slightly as an odd scent assaulted his nostrils. “Yeesh, you’d expect the wind to carry away the smells here…” It wasn’t bad enough to be downright foul but… it wasn’t exactly pleasant either. “Huh?”

The size and sturdiness of the walls implied a closed community of some sort. At the very least, they probably wanted to keep outsiders away. But if that were the case why would the gate be open like this? It didn’t help that the structure was covered in dark stains, some black and some a reddish shade of brown….

Despite walking ahead for most of the journey, this time the boy found himself taking several steps back until he was standing firmly beside his companion. “Uh… just so you know, I’m not scared. This is just.. caution. Better not to rush ahead too far, you know? Ahaha….” Ignoring the fact that “rushing” was most of what he’d been doing this entire trip.

Next he placed both candles a little closer to Ephraim’s hands and took a step back. “Immediately trying to use a tome when you’ve never used magic before can be a little tricky. They amplify the energy channeled between yourself and the elements, so if you don’t control it right there can be a big boom!” Dramatically he spread out both arms, as if to exemplify his point. “Starting without a tome is safer, at most the fire might nick you a bit.”

Judging from Ephraim’s puzzled expression it seemed to have not fully clicked yet. Ewan crossed his arms, thinking. “How to explain it…” What would make sense to a guy who’s never used magic before, a guy who’s really great at physical combat?

…oh!

"Will there even be anything to amplify if I have no talent for it." Partly a question and partly a statement of fact. He is not convinced that this isn't a fully futile lesson.

The moment of the thrust. He can visualize the lance in his hands and the power he puts behind his swings. It is what he keeps in mind as he attempts to focus, though on what he cannot say.

Whether it's muscle memory or vain hope that performing the same action will help him, he doesn't know, but he pulls back his arms and thrusts them forward as he might if he were holding a lance.

The lit candle flickers, it seems to move in some manner anyway, but the other candle remains unlit.

Ephraim is starting to just feel very foolish.

He took his fingertips and used them to raise the corners of his lips into a smile befitting of his relentless optimism. “As soon as you think you can’t do it, you’ve already lost. It’s the same principle as it is with fighting. You can’t fight to win if you don’t believe you have a chance, right?” Another jockish example that would hopefully resonate with Ephraim a little better…

He closed his eyes, concentrating on casting the color changing magic just right. Were Ephraim to look at the carpet, he’d find it miraculously shifting colors before him, turning into a shade of teal that’s all too familiar to the people of Renais. Finally, the changes stopped and the mage opened his eyes again. “All done!”

Then he got a good look at Ephraim and fell silent for a few heartbeats. “….oh boy. I, pffw… didn’t expect it to turn out that bright….” He tried his best to suppress his chuckles, to questionable success. “It looks good! It’s good, really! It’s just.. a little surprising! Here, look!” He grabbed a hand mirror from the cabinet and held it up for Ephraim to see himself.

Compared to Ewan’s fiery locks of scarlet, Ephraim’s seemed a little closer to uh. A shade of red that draws to mind a certain tomato-based condiment.

The carpet immediately draws his attention as it shifts across a kaleidoscope of colors before settling into an all too familiar shade of teal. A knot settles into the pit of his stomach. And Ewan's initial reaction does not help matters.

Without a word, he takes the hand mirror and holds it up.

And stares.

Mouth agape, he holds up his hand to his hair as if to touch it but hesitates. The once teal locks, reminiscent of his father's, and his father's father, is now a bright red. Finally, his hand runs through it. Red hairs split and part around his fingers.

Yes, it's his.

He groans and sets the mirror down while casting the now teal carpet a longing gaze.

"There's an extra tunic. Wait here." And he steps away to change into a more simple tunic, a graying white that lacks any embroidery or embellishments. Just a tunic for just some guy...with red hair.

"As for a name..." he begins to roll his sleeves as he thinks of one. "...Erik." Ephraim shrugs. "I doubt it'll be used much anyway."

His once dour expression suddenly turns mischievous, with a sly grin and gleaming teal eyes. "More important than that, have you considered how we would leave with my knights just outside the door? Because I have." He steps toward a wall and gestures toward a candelabra mounted against the wall. "Pull that."

As the king mentioned, they ended up in the kitchen, thankfully empty as dinner was still a while away. Red eyes scanned the surroundings for a way out. Waltzing out of the door when there could be people around sounded like a bad idea, so taking an alternate exit would be preferable…

That’s when he spotted a window, lips curling into a catlike smile. “Bingo.” Stepping closer, he discovered it to not even be locked. “Geez, seriously? You’d think with a king visiting they’d lock up their windows…. Ah well, only makes our job easier.”

He didn’t expect the sick bay to be quite so full however, nor did he expect them to be spread so thin. When he arrived the sun hadn’t yet risen, and now it’s already high up in the sky. Considering everyone seemed to be relatively stable for now, he excused himself to the hallway outside where he sat down in one of the chairs with a sigh, his smile falling. He enjoyed helping people, but only having the ability to alleviate their ills and not completely cure it was frustrating. It was especially bad when some of the patients were even younger than him. They should be out running and playing, not fighting for their life in a dingy bed. The boy’s expression darkened as he thought of the ones who had coughed up blood, that was always a terrible sign…

The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallways and, though perhaps a little slower than he’d have liked, like a switch the mage’s expression lit up once more. It took on a slightly more genuine tone as he realized who it was.

“If it isn’t Prince Innes.” He waved at the man. “You must have a lot of time on your hands if you’re here visiting a sick bay. Or did you come here for lil old me?” While teasing Innes was always fun, Ewan wasn’t stupid. He might’ve been called in for extra hands, but he was pretty sure the care for the sailors had initially been an Eagle assignment. “I was already getting kinda bored, so it’s good that you’re here!”

It was also a distraction from the more unpleasant thought ruminating in his head, though of course he’d never say that out loud.

Maybe after the arena, he'd become a little more keen in learning what healing entails. It's strange having a power, then losing it in the next moment. He wasn't seeking that power again, only knowledge, though he knew he was certainly seeking it in a strange place.

At least he could help, even if it was as ‘simple’ as bringing water or the like. He didn't know where to go, but once he found a familiar face, he knew he was in the right place.

“I hadn't expected to see you here, Ewan,” Innes said. He probably shouldn't have been surprised: the boy had turned to healing since leaving Magvel, had he not?

(The perks of sponsorship: Innes could know what Ewan was studying and his grades, even if it had been knowledge he hadn't requested.)

“I'm afraid I'm not much of a healer, but surely I can help in some way.” Even if they weren't in the room, Innes could smell that scent of disease, with an attempt of being masked with disinfectant. It didn't work: the disease was winning. Innes couldn't help but pull his uniform’s shirt over his nose.

“There are a lot more patients than we have healers to treat em. Even if you’re not a healer, taking some of the pressure off with smaller tasks like moving equipment around will be pretty handy~!” It was a scary thought, knowing that just a moment of negligence could mean death for some of the more severely ill. Even someone like him could be psyched out knowing that. Naturally, he doesn’t actually voice that concern, making Innes’ assistance sound more like a convenience than something he really needed.