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“We should probably stock up while we can, in that case,” you decide, “You're right, I was thinking of investigating the Mire of Phalaris. I don't know what my father found there, but if I'm going to follow in his footsteps...”
Alex sighs, giving you a weary smile. “It's selfish of me, of course, but I do wish you'd stay put for a little longer. Sometimes, I think you forget that this place is your home.”
“I know, Alex, but I'm close. I'm so close now,” you murmur, leaning back in your chair, “Gratia, my father... I feel like they're both within reach now.”
“But you want to go wading around in a cursed swamp instead,” he points out carefully. You wince, his words cutting straight to your core. “Ah, forgive me. It's not my place to question your decisions,” Alex continues, shaking his head, “Tell you what. I'll write up a list of supplies that you might need, you go and take some time off.”
“Even though I just came back from some time off?”
“I'd hardly call it “time off”. A few days at most, that's barely a long weekend,” Alex scoffs, “Now go, run along and leave the shopping list to me!”
-
Starting with Elle, you knock at the office door before showing yourself in. Elle jolts around in surprise as you enter, fumbling with the slips of paper scattered out before her. It looks as if she was deep in thought, until your unexpected interruption.
“Sorry,” you tell her, “I can come back later.”
“No no, it's fine,” the oracle assures you, shaking her head, “I was just... um, I was wondering if I should send a note home or not. I don't really know what I'd say, though... Do you think I should just leave it?”
“You're probably asking the wrong person, but I'd say just leave it,” you answer, closing the door and sitting down beside Elle, “The Mire of Phalaris. What do you think?”
“Huh? I think it sounds... swampy?” Elle suggests, her eyes widening, “Is that our next stop? I thought-”
“I know, the Demesne will have to wait a little longer. I'm sorry,” you remark, giving her a slight shrug, “At least it'll give King Albrecht plenty of time to consider your request for admission.”
It's strange, the mingled look of relief and disappointment that flashes across Elle's face before vanishing completely. “I understand,” she says quietly, bowing her head ever so slightly, “I am bound to follow your orders, Master Pale.”
She's teasing you, of course. Juno really is a bad influence on her.
“Speaking of the Demesne, though, I was curious about something,” you continue, “Your Lessons – how far into the Demesne do you think you'd be able to get?”
Elle considers this. “It's hard to say. Not far,” she admits, “But I might, just barely, be able to reach the third layer.”
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