With a flick of her wand, Sammy sent the water balloon flying at Cristlyn, who took it the shoulder as she tried to duck behind a table covered with weird knick-knacks.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGQs0KFbYW
Chucking, the Seed said, “She’s quite the little spell-slinger. Reminds me of me when I was a little thing.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfgssJTk5m
“But that’s impossible!” Cristlyn said, huddled behind the desk with her halter-top plastered to her frame. “We’re artificial.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12eMogMlC3
“Yes, but that hunk of crystallic you use as an energy core has a definite stream flux pattern. Magical Skill and talent rely on that body, apparently whether it is artificial in nature or not.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡySzIO5oXRo
“I think I understand.” Bethany said, still holding the water balloon, “Magic is simply a deeper level of awareness of the fabric of reality, and using one’s flux to change it. Now that we have localized stream-fields …”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8nNPetfnk
“Boring!” Sammy sent another balloon flying at her sister. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz3fp1Gzzn
Again, Bethany’s body moved as though of it’s own accord, this time gracefully stepping aside before slipping her hand around the balloon mid-transit and cradling it just enough to prevent it from bursting. This time, however, she let her arm continue moving in a curve and used the saved momentum to throw the balloon back at Samantha. With a yelp, she ducked behind the Seed’s desk, the balloon sailing out of the window behind her. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡBredX6ba7D
Flicking the wand over the side of the desk, Sammy raised the rest of the balloons and sent them flying at Bethany. Bethany started moving immediately, weaving and spinning between the balloons with ease and catching each and every one, only to fling them back at Sammy. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzmGD2O2PI
Cristlyn said, “Okay, how are you doing that?”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P5PrZ0OaC
“I don’t know.” Bethany confessed. “It just feels natural, that’s all.” Glancing down at the remaining water balloon, she said, “There’s something … familiar about it, though.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv5IwNnRkn
“Maybe you’re a mage as well.” Gill suggested.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX1hwj3yTr
“Maybe, but I don’t think that’s what it is.” Seed Thamasa said, a calculating look in his eye. “I’m not feeling any magic from her. Odd question; have you ever had any martial training?”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9PFG7RH2b
“Me? No. I watch Jimmy’s family train sometimes, but …” copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm8KvRcgT4
Bethany stopped, her mouth still open. “Shal-fen.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0zFIftO5g
“Excuse me?” copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8MO3G5nP2
“Shal-fen. It’s a martial-fighting style developed by the fional. Terra was teaching Fei.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lEbolN2fP
“And you learned all that just by watching?” Gill said. “Damn. I saw you, and I don’t think I could do all that.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi48abUADX
Bethany frowned. Gill was right; she shouldn’t know how to do all that just from watching. Oh, she could probably mimic the movements to a degree, but it wasn’t just how to fight; her awareness seemed to sharpen when the balloons were flying at her. Her movements were precise and practiced, and somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew it wasn’t from practice, but from experience … like she’d used it before, in less silly circumstances. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wqwIeBPvj
Cristlyn took the balloon from her hands and ran at Samantha. Samantha shrieked and ran away from her sister, flicking her wand around to send stray books, trinkets, gadgets, and whatnot flying at her sister in defense. They disappeared downstairscopyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqOVHruUuh
“Should we stop them?” Bethany asked.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJk98PIYtE
The Seed chuckled and shook his head. “Bah. I’ve got too much junk in here as it is; time for a clean up. Let them have their fun. It’ll give us a moment.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1PmR0h5yV
He looked at Bethany, his smile falling somewhat. “I’ve heard the rumors, of course; CIC Angela missing. That’s why you’re here, am I right.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0b6V4TVfW
When Bethany nodded, he let out a deep breath. “So it is true. That is … troubling. Angela’s influence has touched all of Vinta; anyone capable of taking her out of her facility against her will undoubtedly is up to something unpleasant.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CKazdOvH6
The Seed’s eyes moved to Gill. “You there; Gillbert, wasn’t it?” copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMQw0A3GqD
“Close enough, sir.” Gill said, bobbing his head. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡog72bHqV49
“You’re one of Cid’s group, yes? Magi-tek specialist?”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGu3NN5oJa
“Yes sir! Working on my thesis.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CMCXmO1P0
“Go to Cid, let him know about Angela, and tell him I want him to put together a team to go to Ronisgald and help with the investigation. I want you on that team; a little field work will do you good, and might earn you a few bonus points on that thesis.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3Msf8r65M
“Yes sir!” Gill hurried down the stairs after giving Bethany a quick but polite nod.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡJukeQkJ31h
“I’d ask you to wait and go with the team.” Thamasa said kindly, “But it’ll probably take a few days to get the group together, and I’m guessing you’re just here to pick up your sister on the way. Am I right?” copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl6EGD9Z9V
“Well, yes.” Bethany said, “On the way to Rimstak.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhcNdioEpm
“The Guildmaster’s Workshop, am I right?” Thamasa said. “Don’t be so surprised; Cristlyn from Genovis, you from the Saybaro, Sammy from Naidyr. I don’t see Alaina of Natalya around, so I’m guessing she’s with CIC Jocelyn. The Wenapaj facilities; the only one missing is Ethan.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwEgDZgwIa
“Ethan.” Bethany said, putting a hand to her head. “I just realized we only had six bodies! Five for the Wenapaj sisters and one for Rebecca. I didn’t even think about Ethan.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡviyiI2uGRf
To her surprise, the Seed chuckled at her. “Something tells me that even if you had, he’d probably have abstained from a cross-country journey with six sisters.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfqT4JFKod
She smiled at him, though she did mentally make a note to apologize to him later. The Seed offered his arm, which she hesitantly took. In a strange way, Thamasa reminded her of Desygan. It was something in his eyes, a kind of twinkle that belied the presence of a brilliant mind beyond.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXbHQVTa2H
“You’re a very caring woman, I can see that.” The Seed said as he led her down the stairs. “Jimmy always speaks well of you. I trust he and his are doing well?”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EjPkdW5fR
“Yes, very.” Bethany said. “They’re preoccupied with their baby at the moment.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡAROAjWOBLa
“Ah, yes; young Annie.” He said with a smile. “I always wondered whether Jimmy and Terra named her after Annabelle Kaboume or Lady Annabelle.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpLqBsa3zn
“Indeed.” Bethany said. In truth, she was pretty sure it was the former; while Lady Annabelle was a friend of the Sakamotas (in as much as anyone can be a friend of the Lady Death), Annabelle Kaboume raised Jimmy since the death of his parents. Uncle Ann definitely viewed herself as Fei, Tifa, and little Annie’s grandmother, despite the fact that she recently had a child of her own.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMlZi59d8P
“I hear young Fei has been taking an interest in more scholarly pursuits.” The Seed said casually. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kxuVOVJSm
“He does well enough when sparring with his sister.” Bethany said.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1Phfpv0wn
“Well, of course; he’s a Sakamota.” The Seed chuckled and said, “Still, it’s good to know I’ve got at least one Sakamota likely heading for the Center. Have you considered enrolling yourself, maybe take a few classes in teaching? It’d be interesting to have a Glyche teaching Glyche History.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOcYN63GvS
“An interesting proposition.” Bethany admitted, though truth be told, she would much rather stay at the Saybaro. Even unfettered, she felt strange to be so far from her old home. Still, it wasn’t like she’d have to move; the teleportation grid would allow her to commute. It was something to consider at least.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKBUintXFj
When they reached the bottom of the Seed’s tower, Bethany was surprised to see Gill, Cristlyn, and Samantha hanging from the roof, their arms and limbs bound by thick vines. The dryad was tending to a patch of brightly-colored wildflowers that looked as though two or more inconsiderate core units had trampled through them.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7J5Rw2ZDQ
“Ah, Beth? Good. We, uh, could use a little help.” Cristlyn said, her whole face gold copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKKVlP0qa9
“Crissy started it.” Samantha said, trying to wriggle out to no avail. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKkpc2Siqv
Sighing, Seed Thamasa patted Bethany’s arm and said, “Pardon me, madam.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHpGduXCKI
As he went to talk to the dryad, Bethany approached her hanging sisters, feeling a bit mischievous. copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡddLJ8kxmjs
“Such troublemakers.” She chided, looking from one to the other. Reaching Gill, she asked, “And how did you get involved?”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmstXyYSdG
“I saw them wrestling in the flowers and tried to get them out of the flowerbed before Neena noticed them.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrRASrOwkL
“And how did that work out?” She asked, unable to keep a small smile from her face.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgz5YH6a17
Samantha’s wand lay on the ground not far from where the young CIC hung. careful to twist her knees to the side to avoid displacing her kimono, Bethany crouched and picked up the implement.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKrK3wpQ3P
“Hey!” Sammy said. “That’s mine!”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOH1sYPGS6
“And I’ll give it to you when your on the ground.” Bethany told her. “Or were you wanting to risk breaking it when the three of you fell down?”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMzQCOFHr2
To Bethany’s surprise, the vines binding the three core units chose that exact moment to release them. In short; they did fall down.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaUnzhYylS
“Creator’s Grace.” Cristlyn muttered as she stood. “It was just a bunch of flowers.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDjm9KYuBY
Not wanting to risk another incident, Bethany said, “Cristlyn, could you wait outside the tower?”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbJxL73Gkv
“Why? I’m just-”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg6o4tKXGK
“Cristlyn!”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMhEfCGkFs
“All right! I’m going!” With a final glare at the dryad, Cristlyn left the Seed’s tower.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rStG613t8
“She’s just mad ‘cuz I totally got her!”’ Sammy said as Bethany handed back her wand.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTBebAp1yE
“Are you two going to be this way for the whole trip?”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnVYDzGvnj
“Trip? What trip?” Sammy asked, a puzzled expression on her face.copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnj6vWcn0s
“To Rimstak. We need to go pick up Jocy and Alaina.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1z0iQhll6
“What for?”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfVCWbbyHx
“So we can go to Ronisgald and try to find Mom.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEyrnhU0BT
“Can I come?”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVBhVb8uzV
Resisting the urge to sigh, Bethany said, “Of course you can.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYuyFXxrcl
Squeeing, Samantha hugged Bethany before hurrying after Cristlyn. “Hey! Hey! Sis! Wait up already!”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU2cGwk0Hm
“I’d say have a safe trip.” Gill said, watching her go, “But maybe a quick trip would be a better idea.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHWDwZy72e
“Indeed.” Bethany said. “Fortunately, the teleport grid should get us most of the way. Once we’re in Rimstak, we should be able to use the Node network to get to the Guildmaster’s Workshop.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCeQ81cimE
“Ugh. Be careful when using the nodes, okay? I passed through Shadeside on the way here, and believe me; it’s easy to get lost in that place, especially if you’re not used to Rimstak.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3JKevyJSp
“I’ll be careful.” Bethany promised, shaking Gill’s proffered hand. “I guess I’ll see you in Ronisgald then?”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡKklFQUaK1Q
“We’ll be there.” Gill promised. “And don’t worry; I’m certain we’ll find Angela. We’ve got Ronisgald’s tech division, Cid’ll definitely be sending along the best Tekkers and Builders, and who better to help investigate a missing Glyche CIC than her daughters? With you all focused on the search, we’ll find her in no time.”copyright protection438ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxmH9q2dds
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