Keepin' Hellie's secret!
Minako
🎮Super High School Level Gamer: Chiaki Nanami🎮
Rosalina Chandra
| Don't tell Cora (And Misty)! Unanimously! |
You...
You can't betray Hellie and Elmiel like that... And poor Hellie looks like shes about to panic...!
"E-er, well, we're pretty much twins, right? I'm not really used to alcohol... In fact, back in my world, you're not really allowed to drink until you're 21!" You explain, playing this off as a weird connection rather than your assumption due to knowing something Cora doesn't, "I just had a feeling Hellie asked because she really has a HUGE aversion to it, like me!"
"Wow, really?!" Both Misty and Cora gasp.
"E-er, uh YES! I must confess, a-another reason I wanted to spend at least a little bit of time with Rosie before her travels is I felt this strange connection to her, and I just sort of felt it in ou- U-uh, MY soul she would prefer Cora's delicious bread pudding without the rum! I've also always wanted to try it without the rum myself, I-if I'm honest..." Hellie bashfully looks down and mashes her index fingers together, not unlike Misty did when the two arrived.
You get the feeling that, even though you don't think Hellie is technically lying since you're sort of feeling the same thing, she kind of didn't really expect to blurt out what she did and probably only realized the truth in her words AFTER the fact...
"That's amazin'!" Misty shouts in delight.
"It IS incredible..." Cora just gapes as she brings the big bowl with the yummy dessert and passes out spoons for everyone to dig right in.
"Haha, yeah..." You can't help but sigh in relief as the crisis is averted and suspicion has ebbed.
"Chika!"
"I like the kick it gives the pudding, but if I'm honest, I rather dislike alcohol as well. It makes scoundrels of all of us... Well, all of us, except my husband. He just gets very annoying... Not that I don't like seeing him happy, but he will laugh AT ANYTHING! I could BREATHE and he would find it hilarious!" Cora tells you, giggling to herself at the end.
"Ugh! Xander, too! That was the last time Elmiel invited him over for dinner with us privately!" Hellie complains along with her caretaker.
Wow, really?!
You wonder if that's what your own brother is like when he's drunk... He's only 18, though, so you're not gonna find out for a few years, Celosia willing!
"Unca Raus ain't a scoundrel, tho... He just even grumpier than normal..." Misty playfully whimpers.
Hm? Who? Uncle...?
Hmm...
"HA! Yeah, Scias as well! Like father, like son!" Cora laughs.
Heh... How could you have guessed...
"I guess we know who he got it from..." You quietly chuckle as you think back to your very first meeting with Scias.
"Chika, chika..." You hear Carbuncle murmur.
"OH! By the by, I've been meaning to ask, but have been a bit scared to... H-how... was he? When you guys first met him...? He wasn't too rude, was he?" Cora purses her lips in hesitance as she asks this, clearly hoping it wasn't too bad but expecting it to be less than stellar for sure.
"HA! Cousin Scias?! Shoot, she be lucky if RUDE was all he was when they met!" Misty chortles, almost choking on her spoonful of bread pudding.
"Oh goodness!" Hellie chimes in, holding back a laugh.
"Ahah... He was... not the best person to welcome us at first--" You begin, honestly, then thinking to the last time you saw him, happily smiling and kissing his new blushing bride, Chlo... and just how handsome his face was when he wore a smile...
"--But he couldn't have been better in the end! I can totally see the family resemblance!"
Cora and Misty smile, and while you can't tell them Hellie's secret... You CAN spring another surprise on them to make up for it...!
Even if Chlo wrote a letter the very moment you left, it probably wouldn't get to Cora for another day or so... Which meaaaaaannnsss--
"Your silly cousin! Waiting around for crest-bearers to heal his eye before PROPOSING TO HIS BELOVED!"
All three of their mouths DROP and then there was so much squee's and squeals and giggles and screams you just know a poor dog would have their ears bleeding, if one was present!
"OH MY CELOSIA! YOU'RE KIDDING! HE FINALLY POPPED THE QUESTION!? THEY'RE FINALLY GONNA GET MARRIED?!" Cora gasps excitedly while Misty has to be restrained to keep her jumping up and down the bed.
"WE GONNA GO T' A WEDDIN'! WE GONNA GO T' A WEDDIN'!" The little one squeaks while not being able to contain herself, "I can go with ya, right, Sisti? I wanna see Dulcie again!"
"Of course! I can't go back to Tarrin without my partner in crime!" Cora responds with a gentle laugh, and you and Hellie both exchange glances... It was relieving to see Hellie a bit jealous of Misty's blood bond with Cora, but also in general you've always kinda wanted a little sister.
"Oh, this is wonderful!! Cora was SO WORRIED he might NEVER ask, so I'm so relieved to hear it finally happened! They're probably planning out their wedding as we speak!" Hellie happily points out, smiling and indeed placing a hand on her chest in relief.
"We hafta write to Cliffy and let 'im know right away! Ah wonder if he'll be back in time..." Misty ponders out loud.
"They've done it! They've come a long way... From her avoiding him out of sheer terror to waiting patiently for the one question every woman wants to hear, deep down... To finally placing that necklace around her neck and becoming his bride!" Cora chuckles in delight, clapping her hands together in sheer joy.
"Haha, yea-- Wait, oh my gosh, Chlo used to be scared of Scias?!" You almost inhale your spoonful of bread pudding in shock.
Chlo looked so lovingly and happily at Scias, even devotedly wearing a scarf his color while he donned one of hers, how could she ever have feared him?!
"Oh Celosia, YES! Poor thing, used to cry whenever she first caught sight of them the first year or two they knew each other!" Cora guffaws this, clearly thinking back.
"NO!" You gasp.
"YES! Oh Scias was always a bit of a crank and brute when you first met him, and Chlo took one look at his scowl and ran off crying when they first met as children! Poor Damorris, I'm pretty sure Chlo slept in his bed for a while because Scias gave her nightmares!" Cora could hardly finish her story from the laughter.
WOW! You NEVER would have guessed!
"But then he saved 'er and she started bakin' for 'im and gave 'im a chance! Turns out they compatible as all heck, right, Sisti!?" Misty finished the tale for her, clearly having heard this from Cora before, but never getting enough of being told it.
Like ANY good story, you think!
"Mmhmmm, Chlo went into the mines unsupervised a few years after meeting him, and when she was mining for a gift for her fathers birthday she was trapped by a cave in!"
"Oh no!" You gasp, covering your mouth so you don't interrupt Cora again.
"But Scias was just old enough to start learning how to mine so he could get his own material to be a blacksmith, so when him and our Uncle went to the mines his very first time he just grabbed a pickax and started PLOWING through the rubble to save her... He hurt his arms and hands pretty bad, but after that Chlo stopped avoiding him and even baked him treats as thanks! They were inseparable from that day on! I think she liked his smile... She would be the only person who saw it with regularity: He only smiles that brightly when eating what she makes!" Cora beams as she tells you the story of Chlo and Scias' love.
"AWW! How sweet!" You cheer, moved by all of it.
Scias does look his best when smiling, you think. You internally thank Celosia for letting you get to see it, that rare smile of his he bore when Chlo agreed to become his bride.
"'N Galey 'n Archie had a pretty intarestin' story, too, didn't they?!" Misty asks, clearly wanting to just PLUNGE down that Rabbit hole of the love stories of Tarrin Village, apparently.
And you are ALL FOR IT.
"HA! Oh Celosia!" Cora just couldn't help but guffaw and covered her mouth like a lady who just realized how uncouth she was being, then continued, "Galeson used to HATE HER! And SHE used to HATE Galeson!"
"WHAT!?" You yell out in sheer shock.
These WERE the same two people from Tarrin happily married Galeson and Archer, right?!
Archer, who was prouder than a Mama bird after her chick first takes flight when Galeson was dubbed the new Chief of Tarrin!? The Galeson who devotedly and diligently worked himself to the bone for all his loved ones BECAUSE of his love for his wife?!
"He used to want NOTHING to do with her: He was disgusted by how Archer didn't want to do ANYTHING ever and Archer just hated how he would ALWAYS nag her!"
"You're kidding!" You gasp.
"I kid you not... I think, if I recall correctly, when we were about ten or so, He even stated 'I can't think of a single person in this village who would marry you!' "
You can't help it, you start laughing so hard you just sink into the bed while darn near dying.
Imagine! Saying that to your future wife!
"I know, right!?" Misty hoots and hollers along with you amusedly.
"Wait, so... What changed?" You asked, now wondering how they went from being enemies to lovers.
"Well... One day, right before I left Tarrin, I know because this is kinda one of my last memories of the village... Galeson worked a little too hard around the village, and it was extra cold that winter... He got very, very, VERY sick..."
You gasp and cover your mouth.
"H-how did he get better?!" You gape.
Sure, maybe not back in YOUR world would getting very, very, VERY sick really BE a problem, what with the modern medicine and all... But in THIS world?! You're surprised people survive papercuts here!
"Archer," Was the only word Cora replied with.
"Eh? Huh?" You reply back, tilting your head in confusion.
"When Archer heard he got sick, she packed up all her magic supplies and started working tirelessly, DAY AND NIGHT, for a cure... Never leaving his side his entire bed-rest. She wouldn't eat, sleep, or rest for seven whole days... Darn near starved herself! She did nothing but tend to his needs and feed him while looking for a spell or potion that would cure him."
"Oh my Celosia!" You shout.
"Because of her tender care he was able to survive his illness. Galeson had never seen anyone work so hard in his life... But he later confessed that was why he constantly nagged her: Because he knew she could do anything she put her mind to... If she ever put her mind to ANYTHING! He learned the importance of taking a rest every now and then, and Archer learned just how much she could accomplish if she really tried! When they both realized what they taught each other, they also realized what they meant to each other... And from that moment on they've been helping each other grow ever since..." Cora proudly tells the love story of Archer and Galeson.
"That's so wonderful..." You sigh, along with Hellie, the both you completely wooed and enthralled by the tale.
"Do Harv and Ivana have a story you were present for?" You ask while tilting your head in confusion, figuring you may as well finish the lovers set with the final married lovers of Tarrin.
"Haha! Well, Harv was always too prideful and cocky for his own good..." Cora begins coyly, alluding to something, you just know it, continuing, "But somehow all that bravado went right out the window when Ivana came into the picture. Could barely form sentences around her when they first met!"
"Naturally," You chuckle to yourself as you figure that's how it always goes.
"Like Clif was smitten with me at first sight, Harv was all over Ivana from just their first meeting, trying to impress her at every turn!"
"I guess it worked in the end!" You giggle.
"Well, it took a while for him to really woo her, and I think when he stopped boasting and was just genuinely caring towards her she finally opened up and gave him a chance... Kinda like Me and Clif!" Cora laughs, then winks and adds, "And it didn't hurt when she was crying over Caridad leaving he vowed to protect her and hear her sing in her mentors absence. Ivana has a lovely voice, and I'm pretty sure if Harv wasn't head over heels when he first SAW her he sure was when he first heard her talk or sing!"
"Aww, that's sweet, too!" You cry in happiness, pleased with how adorable all the young couples from Tarrin are!
...You're kinda envious... You wish YOU had a love story like that...
Do... Do you dare to dream that... maybe... Someday...
With Elias...You might--
"We're missing a couple from Tarrin~" Hellie suddenly bursts Cora's bubble (and your own, as you had once again gone off to Lala Land a moment).
"Oh? Who's, exactly?" Cora raised a brow, crosses her arms, and asks just as coy as Helena was.
"Yours and Clif's, you silly!" Hellie giggles and beams.
"Oh! You! that doesn't count! Clif isn't from Tarrin at all!" Cora pouts and narrows her eyes, unamused.
"But YOU are...! Come on, tell her~" Hellie urges.
The Empress seems... proud... for some reason...?
"Why don't YOU tell her? Celosia knows you meddled in it enough to know how Clif and I fell for each other!" Cora laughs and rolls her eyes.
Wait, what?
"Okay!" Hellie excitedly squeals while grabbing your hands, demanding your attention for the apparent story she was about to tell.
"Well, Corey has been with me a little longer than Elias, but not that much longer, I think only a year or so, right...?" Hellie then turns to Cora to ask if she was guessing the time right.
"Mmm, yeah, I think so. Mother was appointed castle cook and Father was a guard, but they also wanted to educate me and have Misty taken care of... So! Hellie's mother, Valencia, the previous Empress--"
You don't miss a sad look Hellie momentarily had when her mother was mentioned... Not that you blame her--
"Offered to teach me if I watched over Helena and Misty when her and the Emperor were both busy! It was such a great agreement, and I've been with Hellie ever since!"
"Hee hee, little did she know not even a year later Elias and Elmiel would come into the picture and we'd cook up nothing but mischief!" Helena innocently giggles.
"Ugh! Don't remind me of the antics you two would get into when you first met!" Cora smacks her head in playful devastation while begging.
"I don't 'members much, cause ah was just a baby back then, but didn't you or Elias almost drop me on m'head, Empress?" Misty asks a very disturbing question casually.
You actually don't know which is more disturbing: The question, or how casual it was asked?
"Aheh... L-luckily Elmy was there to catch you before we dropped you..." Helena, blushing bright red in embarassment, purses her lips as she turns away while muttering sheepishly.
"Thank Celosia he was always there to help when you two got out of hand!" Cora sighs in exhaustion, the mere memory of it draining her, so it would seem.
"W-we were just trying to help Corey by giving you a bath! So she could have more time to play with us!" Hellie, still blushing, attempts to defend herself while covering her face.
"Thank goodness after mine and Elmiel's lecture you two never tried to help again," Cora teased.
"Aheh, you two angry was only something Elias and I needed to see ONCE," Hellie blurted, looking away and sweating bullets.
"I'm surprised you were able to help Cora fall for Clif with all the trouble you and Elias got into!" You chuckle, though deep down you feel kinda bad you're jealous Helena has known Elias that long.
...And been in his heart that long, too...
"Oh, it was very easy!" Hellie chirps, "I just had to be around him A LOT because then Corey would HAVE TO be near him, too!"
"I KNEW IT! YOU LITTLE SCAMP!" Cora pouts and narrows her eyes at the Empress.
"Ahaha, b-but aren't you all the better for it?" Helena asks bashfully.
"Of course I am," Cora's expression softens as she admits the truth out loud.
"I knew Clif was in love with her the moment I saw him first lay eyes on her! He literally stopped walking and gaped at her when he first saw her!" The Empress tells while holding back a laugh.
"He then proceeded to crash straight into a castle pillar... And that is the very first time Clif and I met, and the first memory I have of my husband..." Cora sighs while facepalming.
You burst into laughter for a few moments but then stop so Hellie and Cora could continue the story.
"Poor boy... He was so tongue tied when he first introduced himself he forgot his own name!" Hellie guffaws.
"Oh my!" You laugh as well, feeling sorry for the poor guy... Though you can't really blame him, Cora must have been extremely beautiful even back then if Misty is any indication of her past beauty!
Huh, and vice versa, if Misty ages anything like her elder sister SHE is also going to grow up to be quite a beauty herself!
"He really is such a sweet guy, I couldn't let Cora pass him up!" Hellie smiled gently while explaining.
"He was soooo persistent, but... It wasn't like Whitey... Whitey kept TRYING to be suave and ended up just irritating me, but... Something about Clifton... How he kept trying and trying with all his heart, even when he had no idea how he would accomplish his goals, or had no chance OF accomplishing them... I think back then I half gave him a chance just because I was curious what he would do when I kissed him! Silly boy! I think he was stunned for a while! It was like a puppy who finally caught their tail and didn't know what to do with it once it had it!" Cora laughs fondly as she reminisces her first meetings with her husband.
You think you sort of understand... That sounds like a cute story!
"Haha! Oh yes, Clif is SOOO very persistent!" Hellie, giggling, also chimes in, "I still remember how he convinced Elmy to send him to the plains to start! He woke us up in the middle of the night, pounding on our door, and then showing my love that he got a letter of request from his father! I don't think Elmiel could have said no either way... But I think he also half said yes just because he knew more nights like this were to come if he didn't! That was the first time I had EVER heard Elmiel sound irritated and raise his voice!"
WHOOOOOOOAAAAA!!!
If ELIAS couldn't even get Elmiel to lose his cool with his silly antics, you can't even FATHOM what kind of a person Clifton is like...!
"His father?" You blink, a bit confused on why that would help, but you can sort of guess the request part was requesting Elmiel to send Clifton to the Levi Plains.
"His father was the previous Captains, Xander's father, second-in-command! If his father vouched for him, he must have earned it! Elmiel wouldn't say no to such a high recommendation!" The Empress explains.
"Ooooh! I see, I see!" You nod.
"Sometimes I think Synne is too much like his grandfather... Celosia knows how a man that serious ever had a son who was... Well, like Clif!" Cora at first sighs and then chuckles while informing everyone.
"Yeah, my nephew is one serious baby!" Misty beams proudly.
"He is, isn't he!?" You giggle, not noticing it til it was pointed out.
"Clif's father is a very honor and duty bound man... But, you know, I am sort of relieved Clifton ended up being a bit more carefree despite his father... I always worried even when I was smaller about his father stressing himself to death..." Helena yawns, causing you and Misty to yawn along with her.
You didn't realize how tired you were until then, and realize a lot more time has probably passed than you thought... Time really does fly when you're having fun!
Carbuncle had long since fallen asleep in your arms and you didn't notice! You were so enthralled with all these stories!
"Well, I think it's about time we all try to sleep... Much as I hate to say it, Rosie has to get up early tomorrow to start her journey and look for the third crest bearer... And it IS pretty late... Also, we've pretty much finished the bread pudding, anyway!"
Oh, wow! You had all been spooning away at it bit by bit you didn't even notice the wooden bowl was now empty!
"B-but..." Hellie tries to protest before another yawn interrupts her and she begins rubbing her eyes drowsily.
"No buts!" Cora teases and lifts the blankets and motions for you all to get under.
You, Misty, and Helena nod and yawn as you crawl under the covers after Misty changes into a small nightgown.
"Goodnight to my three favorite girls..." You hear softly chuckle to herself as you and Helena cuddle up on both sides of her as Misty cuddles up on your free side.
Mmmm... You don't know where you are... But..
It's nice and warm...
"You did a good job back in Tarrin, Kid. I'm pleased at just how fitting you really are to be my hierophant," You hear a familiar voice say.
You want to move and tilt your head in the direction the sound of their voice is... But you can't even open your eyes, let alone move your head.
You're not entirely sure if you're asleep?
"Thank you, truly. After his brush with misfortune it seemed the blacksmith's love was destined to die, as the chef wouldn't wait forever... And it appears his apprentice finally opened their eyes to love they had all along... I was hoping when your mission brought you to them, you might repair their bonds. You did not disappoint, Rosalina. That's a good start."
You hear yourself make a sort of pleased sound (as pleased as you can given your current state) and feel your mouth smile.
"I'm glad their love prospered. It would be such a shame if it didn't. And it was all thanks to you," You hear Celosia say.
"...You wish you looked different from the Empress, do you not? Because of the wind-bearer, and your feelings of love for him...?" You then hear her ask.
You are barely able to raise your eyebrows a tad in surprise.
"Well... While I don't want to truly alter your appearance... I can at least grant you this... It's a mark that shows you've been blessed by me... As a thank you for helping save the love you did in Tarrin."
You feel...
Something warm touch your forehead...
Something warm touch your forehead...
"What on Cion Isle happened last night?" You hear a familiar enticing voice ask.
"We don't know! We just woke up and i-it was like that!" You then Hellie frantically explain.
"How on Cion..." Cora could be heard muttering.
"Daddgum! I'm s'glad I came t'meet the he-ro-phant! This is amazin'!" Misty's voice cheers.
"Mmmmm..." You manage to utter as your eyes flutter open to see Elmiel, Helena, Cora, and Misty standing by the right side of the bed with concerned and contemplating expressions.
As you finally manage to open your eyes fully... You catch a glimpse of pink in your bangs just at the edge of your eyesight for a moment.
"Wha--?!" You gasp, jumping out of the bed and racing towards the table with your school bag, flipping on your glasses that were on said table with your bag (where you left it just before Misty came in last night), opening your bag violently, and fishing out your portable magenta hairbrush that doubles as a mirror, you unfold it and stare into it---
You have a streak of pink in your bangs...
Well then... You suppose Celosia kept to her word she was gonna help differentiate you from Hellie...
"Oh my!" You yelp while messing with the pink streak.
"Do you know how this happened, Rosie?" Elmiel asks with raised brows.
"N-no..." You mumble, more to yourself than him, honestly, "W-well.. Maybe..."
"Celosia?" Helena asks, clearly the thought made her worry a little less.
"I'm pretty sure, yeah..." You nod and confirm, "I think this was her way of thanking me for helping the two troubled couples of Tarrin when I was there..."
You conveniently leave out it was also due to your desire to be even just A LITTLE different from Hellie.
"Thank goodness!" Hellie beams and chirps as she claps her hands together in relief and delight.
"Well, that's a relief... I really wish Celosia would stop doing these kinds of things to you, but I suppose they know what's best for you better than any of us, really..." Elmiel sighs but then shakes his head as if to shake of the displeasure.
"Ah think it's cute!" Misty peeps happily, shooting you a goofy smile and causing you to smile back at her.
"...Heh, thanks," You bashfully blurt while looking away shyly.
"Anyway, I'm going to go see if breakfast is ready and if the supplies are all packed! C'mon, Mist! Mother should be here soon for you with Synne!" Cora urges and rushes her sister off while darn near darting out of the room.
"Bye, Miss He-ro-phant! Awful nice t'meetcha!" Misty calls out before Cora spirits her away.
"B-bye, you too..." You blink, almost not being able to react fast enough to her farewell.
"I'll go get Elias, Kaine, and Xander. I think Xander and Kaine might be awake already, But I'm fairly certain Elias may need some nudging. I'll see you lovely ladies when we eat?" Elmiel announces as he sneaks a peck on the lips from Helena.
"Of course, my love~!" Helena giggles in response.
Huh... It just occurred to you: You talked about darn near everyone's love stories BUT Helena and Elmiel's! Shoot!
"Bye, Elmiel!" You smile and wave, smiling wider as he smiles back at you and pats your head before he leaves.
When he leaves the room, Helena turns to you and smiles... But you definitely don't miss feeling a HUGE wave of relief coming from her once you two finally have a moment alone!
"Thank you... For not telling Cora... A-about... Er, last night..." She begins to mumble shyly.
"No, no! Not at all! It wasn't really my place, after all! If anything, I should be apologizing for almost spilling the beans!" You back-pedal as much as you possibly can.
"H-how did you even know?" Hellie tilts her head in confusion and curiosity, wondering if you could tell due to some psychic connection you two seem to have.
"...Elmiel told me--"
Helena gasps and covers her mouth.
"He was scared that you weren't going to make it after you gave birth since... You know... His mother died giving birth to Elias... S-so... He wanted to ask if I could use one wish, after I wish for Cion to be saved but before I wish to go home, to save you... Make sure you survive giving birth to your baby okay!" You explain.
Helena beams and puts her hands over heart, touched!
"Oh Rosie! You're too wonderful for words!" She exclaims as she throws herself on you into a tight embrace.
"Ah! Haha, you're welcome! I hope this makes up for almost telling Cora! Though... If you don't mind me asking... Why haven't you told Cora? Shouldn't at least her and Elias know?" You ponder.
"O-oh... I've debated telling Cora, for sure, but... Well... If we aren't even telling Elias yet, It wouldn't do to tell Cora either... Plus, poor dear has enough on her plate already! I don't want her fretting over me while she has her own son and little sister to take care of! And with her husband all the way in Levi Plains, not being able to help her take care of little Synne, for the time being... I-I wouldn't want to burden her further! I'm sure you'd do the same thing!" The Empress bashfully explains while looking away and blushing.
Heh... You had a hunch that was why...
"Can't say I wouldn't," You chuckle and gently smile.
"Well, we better get going... Breakfast is going to be ready soon, and you're all leaving right after that..." Hellie extends her hand to you, wanting to walk hand in hand to the Dining hall, and you don't really see why not.
"Yeah..." You nod and sigh while taking her hand and letting her lead you to the dining hall.
Breakfast was pretty uneventful overall (at least, after you explained your new pink streak of hair to your Papa and brother), though you did kinda hold back a giggle as Elmiel brought Elias into the dining room (Papa and Xander were already there), as his hair was all messed up a moment and he was yawning (Elmiel wasn't wrong about needing to nudge him out of bed, it seemed...) but as soon as he caught sight of you and Hellie (or... Maybe just Hellie...) he un-ruffled his sleepy bedhead and went bright red. Carbuncle laughs, too.
Like before, you and Helena got a pretty good portion size of hot, yummy porridge, but couldn't help but feel bad at big guys like Papa and Xander eating out of a preschool-sized bowl (and they only got one refill)... You tried to offer them a bit of your bowl when theirs ran out a second time, but neither of them would have it.
After Breakfast, Elmiel summons some servants to go grab your things from your room, and everyone else's personal belongings as well, while Cora gets a group of her own to go get your horses and other supplies you might be needing.
"Alright, first things first--" Elmiel begins as you all group around the Castle entrance (well Carbuncle was being a bit lazy to be considered part of the group while still being sleepy), taking out the old compass, glowing insanely and frequently enough to match a fast heartbeat (impressively visible despite being out in bright daylight), handing it to Elias, "Elias, Kaine... Put a little bit of your magic into this so the next crest bearer's life force it detects will be the third one."
"Okay!" Elias responds with gusto.
"Of course, Elmiel," Papa replies kindly.
Elias goes first as he opens the compass, closes his eyes, and steadily touches the compass's center while his hand is surrounded by wind... The compass glows brighter and then stops... But it goes back to glowing again as this time Papa takes it and engulfs his hand with fire!
The fire (you could see this time since the winds were transparent) was absorbed by the center of the compass...
The compass once again glows near blindingly bright for a moment, and then...
For a moment... A few precious seconds so brief had you blinked you might have missed it...
It's glowing arrow flickered as it shakily pointed Northeast...
Unfortunately it then seemed to do a 180, as right after that it pointed Southwest and stayed pointing at it unflinching and un-movingly... The arrow was almost smack dab in the middle of the South and West markers...
It glows steadily... Indicating that this is indeed the direction to go for the third crest bearer.
Was... Was that temporary moment it pointed Northeast a fluke...? Just the compass starting up or something?
"Wonderful! It looks like you all know the way to go now!" Elmiel cheers as he also catches a glimpse at the compass glowing Southwest... But he's definitely acting like he didn't see where it pointed to initially (not that you blame him, he was probably blinking).
Xander takes a look at the compass and as soon as he sees the direction it's pointing at you sure don't miss a frown scrunch his normally handsome face... Though it looks like, for now, he's not saying anything... But a sneaking suspicion in your gut tells you that you're gonna find out what's on his mind sooner rather than later...
And you're probably not gonna like it...
"Hey... Elmiel... Wait..." You barely manage to speak up, but the lurching in your stomach keeps you from being shy, "Can I see a map really quick...?"
"Oh, sure! Why not?" He asks while tilting his head, snapping his finger towards an arriving servant, "Might I have the map we've supplied them with, please?"
"Of course, Milord," The servant replied, taking out a scroll and handing it to him, who them promptly hands it to you.
You open up the map and begin checking the directions... And where they might lead...
>>MENTION WHERE THE COMPASS FIRST POINTED, IGNORE IT AND MOVE ON, OR ASK XANDER WHAT AILS HIM? Y/N<<
code by @Satanic Nightjar
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